BabyGotBack

My bands name is Bandy!!! She is going to help me change my life! Keep me in line!

You can get hot and sour soup from a Chinese Resturant. I think I am going to get some and puree it!!!

I hope you are feeling better. My heating pad helped in the beginning. Isn't is a different world to not really be hungry? I love it!

My hairdresser told me hair is like a sponge and that if you wet your hair in the shower first, it sucks it up not the clorine water. Then to immediately wash it. I was just wondering if anyone had heard the same or other tips!!

You will want to put this on the main thread or the complications thread also. I have read that somtimes it takes a fill time to kick in,where you don't feel rertriction for 2 weeks or so, or like you, it is tight then loosens up. If you are able to eat and drink, you are not in an emergency situation. The band also can change from day to day. I also read if your rings are tight, your band is tight. If in doubt, it is best to call the doctor. You can also ask Dr. C on the complications thread and he is good about answering questions. One question... Did your doctor do the fill under fleruo? Also, I found this post from roiansmom "It's all very weird to me The worst is when the food I ate today with no problems is a HUGE problem tomorrow. It is so frustrating." You may want to ask her for adive. I think she has been banded for a while. It just seems like the band is fickle and can change day to day even more people that have been banded for a longer time. I think she was banded in August. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I love sushi too!!! I read somewhere that people order their rolls and ask them to go a little easy on the white rice and just make sure they really dunk them in the sauce. It depends on how sensitve you are to white rice. My friend can't have hardly any, so she would order if very, very lightly rolled in white rice.

I have been to one support group. Whe all had name tags that stated what our name, doctor, weight loss, pre op info. Then we went around and said a little about ourselves. At this time we each got to ask specific questions regarding our own situation. We all got the answers we needed this way. Before this time though, it was kinda open and people were just asking questions to each other.

I am feeling really good, positive and pretty energetic. I started going to the gym again just doing the treadmill for now. I am clear to do full exercise on Saturday. I will go 4 -5 times a week and do cardio, free weights, swimming, sauna, jucuzzi. I can't do ab work for 3 months, but walking/elyptical/stair master while holding in your abs works them pretty well. I still have not gone on the scale, but my clothes are fitting much better. My thighs also look smaller. I just know I can't take any disappointment or anything discouraging and I have heard how people lose on the liquids then gain on the mushies/solids. So, I will weigh when I start the solids, so like in another 2 weeks. I don't feel hungry and I think it helps that I am always sipping on crystal light. Even if I feel like I can eat more than 1 cup right now, I am not going to push it. I am also going to start doing the South Beach Diet on Saturday. It isn't really like a "diet" as there is no calorie counting or denying yourself, only in the first 2 weeks which is like a detox from white flour products and sugar. It is bandster friendly and has always helped me curb my appetite naturally. I am also drinking the worlds only healthy coffee (Gano coffee) for breakfast. I am going to add a packet of the Spirulina Oats to it. My friend told me she adds the Spirulina Oats to the coffee and it completly disolves. It helps keep her colon regular and keeps her full. I am going to start doing that for breakfast tomorrow. This is what I have eaten so far today: Breakfast: 1 cup Gano coffee with 1 cup soy milk; 200 calories, 11 grams of protein. Lunch: 1 cup of pureed Chili beans with V8 and cheese; 350 calories and 16 grams of protein Dinner: 1 cup of pureed chili beans with V8 and cheese; 350 cal and 16 grams of protein Snack: 1 Activia yogurt; 110 cal, 5 grams protein 2 tbls. hummus; 80 calories Liquids: 24 ounces of crystal light, 24 ounces of crystal light, 8 ounces of Airbornne (feeling a little under the weather), 24 ounces of crystal light TOTAL CALORIES:1100 TOTAL PROTEIN: 48 Supplements: 1 tbsp. of Glacial Milk vitamins

I am feeling really good, positive and pretty energetic. I started going to the gym again just doing the treadmill for now. I am clear to do full exercise on Saturday. I will go 4 -5 times a week and do cardio, free weights, swimming, sauna, jucuzzi. I can't do ab work for 3 months, but walking/elyptical/stair master while holding in your abs works them pretty well. I still have not gone on the scale, but my clothes are fitting much better. My thighs also look smaller. I just know I can't take any disappointment or anything discouraging and I have heard how people lose on the liquids then gain on the mushies/solids. So, I will weigh when I start the solids, so like in another 2 weeks. I don't feel hungry and I think it helps that I am always sipping on crystal light. Even if I feel like I can eat more than 1 cup right now, I am not going to push it. I am also going to start doing the South Beach Diet on Saturday. It isn't really like a "diet" as there is no calorie counting or denying yourself, only in the first 2 weeks which is like a detox from white flour products and sugar. It is bandster friendly and has always helped me curb my appetite naturally. I am also drinking the worlds only healthy coffee (Gano coffee) for breakfast. I am going to add a packet of the Spirulina Oats to it. My friend told me she adds the Spirulina Oats to the coffee and it completly disolves. It helps keep her colon regular and keeps her full. I am going to start doing that for breakfast tomorrow. This is what I have eaten so far today: Breakfast: 1 cup Gano coffee with 1 cup soy milk; 200 calories, 11 grams of protein. Lunch: 1 cup of pureed Chili beans with V8 and cheese; 350 calories and 16 grams of protein Dinner: 1 cup of pureed chili beans with V8 and cheese; 350 cal and 16 grams of protein Snack: 1 Activia yogurt; 110 cal, 5 grams protein 2 tbls. hummus; 80 calories Liquids: 24 ounces of crystal light, 24 ounces of crystal light, 8 ounces of Airbornne (feeling a little under the weather), 24 ounces of crystal light TOTAL CALORIES:1100 TOTAL PROTEIN: 48 Supplements: 1 tbsp. of Glacial Milk vitamins

I was also sick right before surgury. I thought I was getting strep throat, it hurt so bad! I was popping Airbornne and I got better!!!

CONGRATS!!!!! You are almost in Bandland!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I also love to swim but am afraid of damaging my hair since I die it. How can you keep your hair from drying?

Thanks!!! It is funny how people see you (met).. I see you that way too! Let's make a list of our favorite protein meals we are going to stock up on. Those Morning Star soy sausage patties are the bomb. Also some veggie burgers I used to buy from Trader Joes. I would get my protein from the soy and my veggies in one patty.

I was wondering the same thing myself today. When were you banded? I am 17 days post op and feel I am not as tight and was wondering what would happen if I ate a little piece of somthing. My doctor has me on 3 weeks of liquids, no mushies. I am so not wanting to PB. I want to do everything to avoid it.

I can't wait to start the South Beach Challenge!!! Congrats, you are doing great!!!

My goal is to hit the gym at least 4 times a week for cardio and weight training, starting next week. What about you?

Hey Susan!! I think my restriction is letting up a little too, but I am still making sure I only eat 1 cup at a time and slow. I notice it isn't taking me a lot of time to drink my water anymore. I am definitely going to schedule my 6 week fill. I am definitely going to start South Beach on Saturday!!!

I plan on doing the South Beach diet. He says to eat 4-5 times a day. In reality she does eat more than once, even if she says she only has one meal. She has coffee for breakfast like most of us because we are restricted in the morning. She also told me she has a snack if she is hungry between coffee and late lunch/early dinner. She than has a yogurt in the evening. I think I will just take all the good advice I get from all and do my thing. I have always done well on the South Beach diet though. I am planning to eat my protein first. For breakfast, I am planning on having my healthy Gano coffee and I am going to buy some soy sausage patties like from Morning Farms or something like that (if I can get it down). For lunch, I am going to have my protein first again. I have bought from Sams Club some chicken meatballs with cheese inside. They are all natural, no preservative, healthy, low fat ones. I am going to buy crab cakes, salmon patties, turkey burger/chicken burger patties, etc. I will buy eggplant, zucchini, peas, veggies I can get down. Dinner, the same as lunch I will allow myself 2 snacks in between meals and one after dinner if I want it, like a sugar free fudgesicle or ricotta dessert. This is the South Beach 2 week beginning phase. I know it will depend on my restriction if I can even get this food in. I may eat less just because I can't eat. She may be eating like that also because of restriction and can't eat. I know I have been eating a lot less than her just because I can't. It was just refreshing to me to hear someone be disciplined and get results. I am going to start the South Beach Challenge in a week, on Saturday. The thing I love too, is that your appetite is curbed just from that way of eating naturally. I never needed to use appetite suppresants when on South Beach. I missed posting yesterday! I was pulling my hair out!:faint: When I tried it said the page was having problems!!!

Welcome!! I am 16 days post op and also feel like this is the best thing I ever could have done! I feel like my life is going to begin for the first time. My husband will have a wife he has never seen. I have always been heavy and issues/depression/anxiety/melt downs over my weight our whole 11 years of marriage. I also being on the younger side, 33, want to do this thing right from the get go and follow all the bandster rules! I didn't do this to eat junk food and then wonder why I am not losing! I just met a lady at a support group who lost 115 in 8 months and she said it was just by eating the bandster way, drinking water and exercise!!! Let me know if you have any other questions!! And congrats on your decision!

I have always wanted to do rebounding (term for jumping on the trampoline) Here is some info I found on it!! Rebounding Exercise Review Some people (and NASA!) think rebounding is the best exercise yet. Here's a roundup of the benefits and some comments from rebounding devotees. Possibly the Perfect Exercise! It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s safe for almost anybody of any age… It’s quoted by NASA as “the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man”, and you can do it at home whilst watching TV! What is it? Rebounding! What Is Rebounding? Put simply – bouncing on a mini trampoline. Unlike regular trampolining, the aim isn’t to bounce high or perform gymnastic tricks, but to perform a series of small, controlled movements. "Just bought myself a mini trampoline... and what a hoot! It's surprisingly good exercise, and I can have a bounce whilst watching the telly. I'm planning to use it most evenings when I come home from work - I usually just collapse in front of the box” – Sarah X Benefits of Rebounding A zero-impact exercise, rebounding provides many benefits for you and your body: Improves circulation Increases the capacity of heart and lungs Lowers cholesterol levels Improves co-ordination and balance Reduces stress and tension Improves muscle tone (particularly legs, thighs, hips, abdomen and arms) Increases energy and vitality Boosts the lymphatic and immune system Fits in with your lifestyle AND IS GREAT FUN! Plus, unlike many other aerobic activities, rebounding places no strain on the joints of your body. “I've got a rebounder, I find it's very good for me as I have a knee injury which means I can't run on the ground for any distance. I put on a good CD and bounce along. I find it's good exercise” – Alison G Who Can Rebound? Mums, dads, children, grandparents… Rebounding is suitable for all ages and abilities! Stabilizing bars can be fitted which may help if you feel unsteady or are elderly, disabled or handicapped. “Having had lots of problems that has prevent me doing any exercise for years due to wheelchair etc, I have discovered the wonders of rebounding! I started in the wheelchair with my feet on it and my husband bouncing. After a week of that I was able to sit on it myself and bounce. I have now progressed to standing whilst holding on to bar and bouncing myself. It has made me feel so much better and I get better at it daily.” - Maria Buying A Rebounder It's the old adage - you get what you pay for... inexpensive models can be stiff and don’t offer adequate cushioning and support. Invest in a quality rebounder, which boasts: A stable 6 leg design - cheaper 4 leg models are known to topple over Unscrewable legs – for easy storage A solid spring system – to ensure adequate support for your joints A non-slip mat – for those trickier manoeuvres! "To all those wondering whether or not to go ahead and get one... all I can say is DO. Have just bought one and it is fantastic - mainly cos you feel so weightless when exercising rather than pounding along on the treadmill!!! It's really great - get one and try it!" – Jackie What’s the Cost The best rebounder we’ve found is the Reebok Rebounder. It’s a club quality rebounder in a stylish black and silver design (who said appearances don’t matter?!), and will take a person’s weight up to 18 stone. It comes complete with a workout manual, and retails at approx. £50 – the equivalent of just one month’s membership at your local gym, or 10-12 exercise classes. Think of it as an investment. Rebounding is fun for all the family – if you’ve got kids you might have to fight to get a go! – can be done in the comfort (and privacy) of your own home, will save you transport time and costs, and fits easily around your busy lifestyle. We think this is £50 well spent. “I bought a rebounder after reading about them on this site - my husband laughed at the idea – but now I can't get him off the thing! It's a really good fun type of exercise!” – Haze “I've had mine for nearly 2 months now, and I use it every day ... At first, the first few minutes were hard going, … but now I easily do 20 mins while watching a favourite soap, or one of the Sky music channels. And now it's a doddle, and easy too, which suits me LOL...and best of all, I burn about 60 kcal for 20 mins!” – Sharon Rebounding Exercises If you feel you need a more regimented exercise routine – invest in a rebounding video. “I have just bought a video called Cardio Bounce … it is really good! It is a complete workout lasting 45 mins but is split into sections: warmup, aerobics, stretching, etc. It has a section called gentle bounce for if you are not very fit as well. I can definitely recommend it! The music is a bit naff but if you complete all the sections you will really feel you have worked hard!” – Kazzie Rebounding Works! “It's great in front of the telly - you can just get up and do a couple of mins during the adverts! ) And I figured that £49 wasn't too expensive as the only other thing I needed was a decent sports bra (which I highly recommend). The Reebok one also comes with a basic sheet showing you what sort of exercises you should do, starting with very simple ones. I recommend this too - your legs build up in strength in no time and it has also done the miraculous job of reducing my bum size!” – WLR User “I read on this site about rebounding and thought I'd give it a go. I have to say that after a few weeks, I'm impressed! I have a medical condition (fibromyalgia) which means there are lots of kinds of exercise that I can't do... but this really works for me. 5-10 minutes in front of the telly every other day or so and my legs, hips and bum are already really firming up. It seems to make me stand straighter and taller. And it's good fun too! Full marks for this one.” – WLR User “You can even do sit ups on it which I use mine a lot for as it is far more comfortable than doing them on the floor” – Jeanie “It's great to 'boing' away when you've got a few spare minutes or when you can't get out” – Kareb “I have just properly started using my rebounder after finally finding an exercise video to use with it called "Cardio Bounce" and I'm loving it!” – Debs Useful Links Reebok Rebounder Club quality rebounder available online, only £48 Exercise on the Rebounder A short article that explains the benefits of rebounding from CBS News.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=392 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=392><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=392 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=bodytext>Q: Is it possible to consume too few calories? I'm ranging between 950 and 1,200 calories a day, which I've always thought would put me into "starvation mode" and slow my metabolism down to compensate . . . But because I'm eating the "right" foods, and eating four or five meals a day instead of three big ones, I'm not hungry, even at that low intake. This is Day 10 for me, and I've had an exciting weight drop (6 lbs of my 13 lbs of excess baggage). Also, I assume the reason you suggest not weighing in each day is because our weight will fluctuate somewhat--sometimes up, sometimes down--from one day to the next, so I shouldn't be discouraged that I was up a pound this morning? Dr. Agatston: It sounds like you are doing great. Unexpected day-to-day weight fluctuations are usually due to Fluid losses and/or gains. I would not add calories if you are not hungry. I would make sure to get some exercise, which helps maintain your muscle and bone mass (your metabolically active tissues). This prevents a decrease in metabolic rate and prevents yo-yoing. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> I am pleased with the results I have experienced on the South Beach Diet. However, I have hit a plateau. The past two weeks I have not lost a pound even though I am following the program to a "t." No flour, rice, Pasta, Cookies, etc. Is this the end of my weight loss? I don't know how long you have been on The South Beach Diet, but plateaus are a common challenge of almost every weight loss plan. As you lose weight, your body's metabolism--the rate at which your body burns calories--often slows down. Exercise can help. Try to walk 30 minutes most days of the week and see if that gets things rolling again. If you are already walking, consider making an appointment with a personal trainer to help begin a gentle strength-training program. If both of these things are in place, then it's time to review your calorie intake. Even if you are following South Beach faithfully, if you are eating too many calories, even if they are the right calories, you won't lose weight

I requested you as a friend!

I am able to walk at a slow pace. I went to the gym last week and could walk on the treadmill slow. My port never hurt. I was a little sore for a few days.

You can get it at any market, Target, Walmart, Sams. It tastes good!

Wow!!! I can't believe you will only be a couple of hours away from me!!! Maybe one day we can meet for a fill in Mexico? I'd love to meet you in person! I always felt bad that we didn't meet up for surgery on the same day due to mine needing to be rescheduled.... I was really bummed out about it. I will pray your trip and flight are safe and that you have fun!!! Let me know how it goes, okay?