sawyer77

Just to add my $0.02, I think this is a really bad idea. There will always be a "cruise" in life: picnic, wedding, Thanksgiving, etc. There will always be an opportunity to overeat. I'm learning that when I feel full, and I look at all the food that's left, I can't feel bad for the food. I can't feel bad for the extra food. I have to say, "Look what is not going to make me gain weight!" This is not why you got the band. If it sounds blunt, I apologize, but the band is there to *HELP* you in times like this, not be tossed aside.

I do the same thing -- only look at the whole number, and that counts for me. I could have been 179.9 yesterday and 179.1 today (which is almost a pound lost!) but to me, I am still at 179. I tell myself only to check in twice a week. Wednesday (my surgery day) and Saturday (my Biggest Loser group on Facebook WI-day). But I still sneak a WI often. And I do the same thing -- step on the scale about 4 times to make sure it's correct. Always before meals, after going to the bathroom and without clothes on. We're all nuts! Heh. :-)

Thanks, gang. I appreciate the words.

I'm trying NOT to feel discouraged at 5 weeks post-op and *only* 18 pounds lost. I say, *only* because while I fully realize that 18 pounds lost in 6 weeks, with the preop liquid week figured in, is amazing!), I come here and see others that are close to my BMI and my surgery date that have lost so much more. I just got my first fill today, 2 ccs in my 10 cc band. Doc says I'm doing okay, and this is the time for the fill with the stall. I know I'm doing okay, but I'm still trying to fight away feelings of discouragement. How do you guys keep from being discouraged? I need to know it's going to be okay and that I'll get there. I will, right?!

I'm 5 weeks post-op and I have it too, at times.

This is the one I do. I'm on W7D1 tomorrow. Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Dr. O did my surgery first thing in the morning (I'm 4.5 weeks post-op). I had not a single problem coming out of surgery, and Dr. O also repaired a hiatal hernia that I didn't even know I had. The hospital staff on the floor were just wonderful. Shonna was my favorite nurse -- she was so attentive and kind. You will learn all about the Bariatric beds! After surgery, sitting up is most comfortable, like a recliner. (And definitely make sure you have home all ready for your return -- all your liquids there, and a nice upright place to rest. Dr. O gave a scrip upon leaving the hospital and I was lucky enough to have my boyfriend go to the pharmacy while I rested at home.) They won't give you Water right away after surgery, but you can beg. Expect a sore throat from the intubation. They give you nice slipper socks to wear, and you'll get a hug pillow at bootcamp. It's the best. I held in to my stomach while I walked and sat. I was really surprised with how painful getting out of bed was. I'm not sure if that was due to the additional hernia repair or not, but it was helpful for me to have my boyfriend there (at home) to help me get out of bed. The bariatric beds made it so easy at the hospital! Also, walking walking walking (both at the hospital and at home) is so important to not only help you recover, but avoid the worst of the gas pains. Make sure you have a bunch of elastic-waisted pants clean and ready for your arrival home. Oh, and when you get discharged, they will NOT send you over the skybridge into Caesar's garage. Pick-up is at ground level, main entrance! Things ya learn... heh. My boyfriend was waiting on the 3rd floor of Caesar's garage and he had my cell phone with him. I begged them to let me go up to the skybridge and cross myself (no wheelchair). If you have any questions, happy to answer! :redface:

I think I had the same when I started C25K in November. I watched a lot of "how to" running videos, including how to breathe. Are you running outside? Could be the cold, also. I had trouble in the bitter cold running/breathing.

Thanks, gang!

1. My band is empty, so pressure won't be too bad, right? 2. I won't set off any metal detectors, right? Just checkin'.

My main incision is my belly button also -- single-incision, but I needed a few smaller incisions, barely noticeable. I had belly button pain, yep. I'm 3.5 weeks post op and am doing well now! :-)

I'm in western Atlantic County.

You can pick all kinds of clothing! They give the option of a one-piece suit! :-)

I was banded by Dr. O on 1/20 and will go for my first fill on 2/26 (was to be 2/19, but I'm out of town). What fills have you had? Wonder when I can get my second fill.

The first thing I did was resize it in IrfanView to 300 px wide, so it wouldn't be too big/obnoxious. Then I uploaded it to my LBT album, and got the URL for it. I went into my signature, and added it as a pic with the pic icon, which asks for the pic's URL. Voila! :-) Glad we're even! Haha! :-)

I have been doing Couch-To-5K, and on my "rest" days, get some walking in. At my pre-op Boot Camp, the physical therapist really stressed getting different types of exercise: cardio (like running/walking/cycling), strength training (like weights, resistance), stretching (like yoga), core training (like pilates). So, I'm really getting all my cardio, and I believe that my gym has personal trainer sessions for $25 -- something I could afford ONE time to get in gear with weights and core training. I'm proud of where I am, but know that I need to expand to more than just cardio. Always have goals! :-)

Here ya go, Mandy! Creepy, as expected! :-)

Hahah, sorry! Want me to edit? Heh. It's funny, right?! :-)

Awesome! Yes, creepy! Ha ha. Here it is! I just got the URL by right-clicking "View Image" -- I put mine in my sig, but trying to get the right size so it's not obnoxious! haha. Nice progress, BTW! Go you!

BTW, our own faces on the fake model DOES sound creepy!

I use a program called Irfanview (irfanview.com) that lets you make a panorama image out of separate images. I just did screen shots of the model and cropped them. If you do use the program, it's under Image, Create Panorama Image, Horizontal, Add Images, Create, Save.

Let's see if this works -- this is "me" at 197 and then 181 and then goal (Don't know if that's too skinny for my taste or not -- I'll have to wait and see): http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/83564-albums5193-picture31305.jpg

It looks like MyVirtualModel.com works, but you can't *DO* anything with the model except shop. Still neat to see. I put my starting weight, then set my current weight and it was neat to see the model change. :-)

This is one I had before, also. MyVirtualModel.com

Oh, I forgot! iGoogle has one that's not as good as the Prevention.com one was. Personalize Your Homepage