sandradee0124

Happy Birthday! I guess my comment would be to look at your pre-surgery (before) pic and then look at that pic from last weekend again. With your weight loss, it will be much different. I think we don't see ourselves as any different. I think I read somewhere that psychologically (I know I blew that spelling) we have the "fat girl" picture and we can't see anything else when every body else can. Don't lose the pride, sense of accomplishment and self-confidence you gained through getting ready -- the makeup, jewelry, accessories -- you are doing a fantastic job and a fantastic thing for you and your future :-).

I'm with you on the defensive thing. I am going to be attending a six week seminar by my surgeon's group on Emotional Eating. I'm looking forward to that, because I definitely was an emotional eater -- bad day at work, someone was "picking" on me, ......... Thanks for your great post :-)

I'm so glad you are feeling so well! And you are right, moving from minor liquids to shakes feels so good -- you won't believe the energy level increase! I was up or even weight-wise for about a week (I think jeez how fast we forget lol). As of today I'm down 20 lbs. I freaked out the first week and it turned out to be fluids and swelling. Trust me, it will be gone soon enough! I think the blessing I feel is that I was able to have the surgery. Whether I paid for it or insurance did, I still had the ability to get a great surgeon, get in there within 4 months of making the decision, and recovered from the procedure to move on. :-) I totally agree with you on the support from this site. For questions, emotional support, and motivation it is absolutely a godsend. Keep up the good feeling, enjoy your shakes, and keep in touch! **** Hugs ****

You are doing great! Thanks for the encouragement, and good luck with your treadmill stuff! Keep in touch :-)

Third day of getting up early, driving to work and getting home late. I'm getting pretty tired. Had to use puffy eye cream this morning. Big meeting with customers this morning but after that I can be in my office semi-relaxing at desk work for the rest of the day. Then its workout time with my gym buddy! That I'm actually looking forward to. I am alternating between working out at home in the morning and at the gym after work. After a week of it I'll figure out whether it works for me. Im trying to get those calories to between 1000 and 1200 slowly. I've been on 600-800 for almost three weeks and I'm kind of used to it. I get in my protein and water so I'm not doing badly I just know the weight loss won't continue at a starvation mode. Even though I bring a whole bunch of soft foods to work I can't seem to get them in. Its much tougher at work than it was at home. This will be a good thing when I really get hungry! Oh my gosh! Today is 3 weeks! 3 weeks ago today I had my surgery! Happy Birthday, Band! And like having a baby, the initial days of discomfort are fading fast.......

I grew up in Lombard :-). My favorite city, by far! Pizza and hot dogs for sure. I hope you are feeling even better today. In another week you'll be better than ever. Literally :-). Congrats on your journey and on staying so positive. Sandy

Good luck to all of you! It needed to come out both ends for a couple days before I "lost that gassy feeling". It finally went away. I think walking or even standing up helped a lot! Take care of you!

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback and support :-). A ton (or less).

Hang in there SS, I am about a week ahead of you and that first week was sad related to weighing and the scale. Since then I've lost almost 20 lbs (in two weeks). Several things: - get rid of the scale or move it somewhere where you won't be tempted to get on it more than once a week. - walk when you can, and try gas x strips -- even if you feel like you don't have any more surgical gas you probably do and this will help! - swelling was a big part of it. I'm still (3 weeks out) a little swollen. I seemed to retain water along with that, and when one went down the peeing went up! (LOL) - you will totally get there! you have the motivation and the determination. I think we mentally set ourselves up for early disappointment -- like we should get out of the surgery, drink only meal replacement and the weight just falls off. I think anyone on this site will say it really doesn't happen that way. Take care of you; keep in touch. Sandy

I had my surgery three weeks ago. I can imagine, but can't see that 100% factor yet! At our pre-surgery seminar they quoted the 60% too, and one of the other patients asked about that. The surgeon responded that 60% is about a national average, accounting for patients that have the band removed or unfilled for whatever reason, as well as patients that don't or can't use the band as the tool intended and fail to lose any weight or even gain weight. I remember him saying that support, exercise, following the "rules", eating healthier and sleeping all contribute to success with rates of 85-125%. I love this site and the support I read, receive and feel on a daily basis. It is as much a part of this journey as the band in many ways.

I'm glad you didn't get hurt on the treadmill, but your descriptions made me laugh out loud! Thank you for the great blog about exercise! I'm only two weeks into it and still at the "forcing myself" stage. I look forward to this new phase!

Well yesterday was a great day! I ate well (maybe not enough but still followed the plan) and went to the gym close to work with a friend and her daughter after work. I warmed up, did upper body lifting for about 30 minutes and then 45 on the elliptical. Then I proceed to get in my car and drive home 47 miles. Traffic is much lighter at 6:45pm than 4:30, and I saved myself the time I spent on the elliptical in driving so I felt positive. Got home a little later than usual, but I now realize that is a good thing. No couch potato time available. Had to shower, get ready for today, pack food, minor cleaning ..... I'm singing more. Walking more. Smiling more. Not because I've woke up and suddently look like Cindy Crawford (my idol), but I just feel better! More energy, less heavy breathing after stairs, just general feeling of well being. Its all good!

Your recipes are fantastic! Thank you so much for posting them!

Congratulations on your fantastic success! And as my fellow responders said, thank you for providing such a great source of support and motivation. Enjoy your celebration and life :-)

Things happen with surgeons, it will be rescheduled and you'll be happy and peaceful with your decision to go through with it. I agree with maggs, the waiting is harder than the actual procedure, and once its done -- YEAH!!! You have a great weight loss tool at your "fingertips". Good luck and God bless.

I want to thank everyone for posting to this site. I can always find answers to all the little things that pop up seemingly every day -- pain, food, exercise, weight changes. And get a lot of positive reinforcement from all of you that have been through this and made drastic physical changes as well as emotional and health changes! Although there are support groups available weekly at my surgeon's office, they aren't very convenient and this site serves as a wonderful support group. Many, many thanks.

Nummy have some for me. I didn't want to risk popcorn, so I had a soft pretzel. That didn't work either. But the movie was good! Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

Yeah! Congratulations on the weight and the baby! Keep healthy! You go girl! Is this your first baby?

I think that is fantastic! I had a bad first couple weeks, and everyone told me to be patient, not get on the scale all the time, and not judge your success by a number. 22 pounds in a month? Are you kidding me? That is absolutely FANTASTIC! Think about this -- that is at least 1 if not 2 sizes. Before your surgery you probably gained at least 5 -- a swing of almost 30 lbs! That's a 1 year old baby!!! You are exercising and eating well. Don't be so hard on yourself! You have taken the tool, added your own for a successful lifestyle. Congrats, keep up the good work! I can only hope I have 22 lbs after a month! Sandy

Yep, it finally arrived. I got up at 4:30, got ready, packed up all the work I didn't do in the car, and drove 47 miles to work. I had a Slim Fast in the car because I just didn't feel like eating eggs. I actually enjoyed the drive -- kind of relaxing. I still have swelling and some site pain (one of the little lower ones I think it touches desks, seat belts etc). Its workable............ The biggest thing was putting on my favorite pair of grey pinstriped pants. They needed a SAFETY PIN!!! Yeah! That is probably the biggest difference I've personally seen. I was reminded again how lucky I am to have gotten this procedure and how much I plan to be positive and take advantage of this wonderful tool. I know there will be lots of bumps in the road, but I feel relatively good, I have support, and I can look forward to a healthier life :-).

Spent the day yesterday shopping for groceries, scales, locker room supplies etc for this new lifestyle. The exercise walking back and forth to the car was more than I used to do in a day! Went to a great service with friends and actually went out to dinner afterwards. Really had fun and never made any drama about the surgery, or the lifestyle. I felt pretty good about just living and eating within my boundaries. That will be a focus at work as well -- making sure I'm prepared to be away from home all day but also shifting the focus away from my "diet" and weight loss and back to work! Need to get a couple more things today and pack the car to bring back all the stuff from work. Tired. I woke up at the same time I have to get up for work (4:30) and I'm already tired! I wish I didn't have to work, but that isn't a reality LOL. Maybe next year I'll try to find something closer to home. Have a beautiful day everyone!

Down 4.0. Happy with that.

OK, lost 4 lbs and that is moving from liquid to semi solid diet. Ever have that feeling when you are waking up that you are smaller, somehow? I felt that way when I got up today. I think my swelling is down somewhat and I'm passing liquids better. Kind of getting into the rhythm with eating and my blood pressure meds. I literally chew my two little pills, swallow a tiny bit of water to get them down, and then go work out for 45 mins on the elliptical. Then I drink water or whatever. Seems to make a big difference in the water pill doing its job. Doctor told me to try different ways of taking the pills, but there were no absorption studies one way or the other. Second trainer appointment this morning and then home to figure out some recipes for the week and get a shopping list together. I read on someone's post that they are more focused on the whole food/eating/cooking thing than before the surgery. Amen to that! It is a big focus of my day. I'll spend a lot of time on the weekends getting organized for the week. Being away from home 10-12 hours a day will mean I will have to be well-prepared at work. I'm very thankful for this forum, responses to blogs and posts, and for all the support. This is just too new, too big, too consuming not to have this great support! :bored:

I am so proud of you! And I saw you made it to Minneapolis -- hope the trip went fairly well for you. Take care, enjoy your time in the beautiful Twin Cities, and be safe!

I'd like to join in, if its not too late! I've struggled with this weigh in thing and the scale and depression since the surgery. I am going to only weigh at Weight Watchers on Saturday mornings. So tomorrow is the day. But I know I didn't lose any weight -- I was on the scale at the gym yesterday and ended up in tears. I'm sure my new trainer is loving this. NOT. :frown: