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Saw your comment on my page. Looking for down and dirty secrets, lol, j/k. For me it is the exercise, I exercise 6 days a week and obviously reap the benefits from it! I alternate between running a couple miles a day and spending 30-60 minutes on the treadclimber.

But, I've also made HUGE diet changes. Very high protein, no breads, pasta, etc.

According to your ...

Hi,

After surgery you'll be swollen a lot...So, you will have restriction - I was on liquid for about 3 days then I started to try mushy (yogurt, mashed potato, creamy soups etc.) Did mushy for about 5 days then started to try normal foods (sausage, veggies, fruits etc and took the small bites & chewed)...By about 7-8 days post op I could eat whatever I wanted and didn't have t...

Made it through week 1, I am officially eating my first meal of banana cream pie fat free yogurt..I hate yogurt but its not bad..but again I haven't eaten in 7 days

how are you doing? my surgery was the day before thankgiving..its been tough but hopefully the worst is over..I have 3 days left of protein shakes and I am having a hard time getting them down hope you are well..

Hi Heather,

I just joined the site today and was browsing through looking for some members in Michigan and I found your profile. You look amazing! Congratulations! I am almost 6 weeks post op-I'll take any advice you can give me. So far I am doing great-I feel so much better already. Take care-hope to hear back from you.

8 month old son. 2 teen step sons. Husband of 3 years. Love life, just want to enjoy more of it!

Hi Shall,

I just wanted reply to your question about laser fat reduction. I had the two weeks of treatment. At best I think I lost 1/2 inch around the stomach. It's not for someone with as much fat around the midsection as I have. I think it's for someone who is more in shape who just needs to contour a little better. Thanks, Kia AKA W8TYGIRL

POSA? I did not know you had that. I gained all my weight ( 110lbs ) in the last 3-4 years so I know how you feel. See, I was diagnosed with thyroid while gaining all that weight out of nowhere.

I am so excited that we had the surgery on the same day!!!

They share ideas, support, their own little secrets, exercising routines, and most of all a whole lot of love. That would be a neat idea to get a group of banders together to greet and meet one another and share about our different experiences with having their band. I really do appreciate your friendship on this site. I have met so many people since I've joined this site over a year ago. They have all served a wonderful purpose in my life. Some have been for a short season and some have been on going, but all in all I have enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks again for me in a friend. I pray you are able to achieve you goal. Yesterday I doctor stated the biggest secret with having a band is putting the time in for the process to happen. You look amazing and your hard work is paying off! page 3

Hello there, I wa just checking out your pictures... You look amazing! I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and I am looking forward to doing as well as you did. How often did you go to the gym? Wow, I can't wait to lose my first 50lbs. I started at 272 and I am now 251. Thanks for all the great pics. You really inspired me.

Ooooh, I am so excited for you and everything will go just fine. That is an awesome Christmas gift to give to your self. Two weeks prior to my surgery I was give a list of things I need to purchase before I had my surgery. All my required prescriptions were filled before my surgery and list of foods to eat and vitamins I should take after my procedure. The first week I was told to have clear liquids (broth, protein drinks, and sugar free drinks, popsicles (sugar free), and tea(s) etc. Due to your new band the stomach is very sensitive and swollen. It's not a good idea to think about cheating during your first couple of weeks. It's more mental and I promise you can go an entire week without food. Oh yes purchase so gas-x (extra strength) and Tums for gas. The gas pains will make you think you are having some heart pains, but it's the gas moving around in your body.part1

Lucky Lucky you! your success is very inspirational!i completley understand why youd want a fill now, this is def. the worst time of the year for foodies! i finally have a date of December 10th,2010;=] verry excited, slightly nervous..i initially thought i would have a date in nov. and have a cruise planned for the first week of january so im working on getting that changed. Ive searched around and done alot of research about the type of things i should purchase before surgery..what do you suggest..(medicine, clear liquids, etc..?" thanks for checking on me !hope all is well!

Hey there, how's your weight loss coming along? Its so hard to give pointers these days since I havent lost a pound in a couple of months now (think I need a fill). The best advice I can give is to make sure you are working out at least 3-4 times a week (I was doing 5-6 times in the beginning) and make conscious decisions of what you are eating. The band does limit the amount of food you can eat, but it doesnt always limit what you are eating. Heavy starches like bread, certain pasta, rice, gives me a hard time but i can live without. Chips on the other hand, is my weakness and it does not limit that for me really. So just beware. Count your calories. Know of what it takes to burn those calories off and you may think twice before making a bad decision. 30 minutes on the elliptical at a pretty steady pace burns about 350 for me and that's pretty hard work. So some times when I go for that bag of chips and thats 280 cals, it doesnt seem worth it.

Hello, just a friendly "Banding" Hello to see how you are doing. Well I have some great news... I went to my cardiologist today & did a 3hr cardio work up & was cleared for surgery. My EGD is on 11/05/10, then my consult & Pyshic appts are the following week. The best news is that I have lost 10lbs of my required pre-op 12lbs. I've been having a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch & a very small portioned size plate of food for dinner & I stopped drinking SODA & juices & am having no problems with drinking just water. I also have started walking everyday. Well I think I am ready for the band & can't wait. Last night I went to a support group meeting & met 30 banders who were very very supportive & full of knowledge...... So how are you coming along with your new band? Let me know & keep in touch......

Girl do I know how you are feeling!!! I am STARVING in between meals; the swelling they talk about has DEFINTELY gone down no more restriction for me. I’m about to start my third week of mushies and I am soooo over it. I can’t take it anymore, I want real food. My nutritionist told me that I should only be eating ? of a cup of food but if I’m hungry to eat up to a cup…are they flipping crazy? A ? of a cup would be torture; I’m doing the 1 cup and get hungry like 1 or 2 hrs after I eat. I’ve only lost 10 lbs since surgery as well and it’s kinda pissing me off. I was hoping to lose 5 more lbs by Halloween but that was a no go. Is this what bandster hell feels like? Like you I can’t wait for my fill, it’s scheduled for Nov 15th…can’t come any sooner.

Good luck! Just keep your eye on the prize…slutty Halloween costumes for next year. HAHA Take care! Vivian

Wow Jamie! That's fantastic! Currently I'm doing an hour of walking 4 times a week and 2 hours of aqua aerobics 3 times a week. I recently had a fill so I'm finding it hard to eat more than 1000 calories, but it's working for me anyways. lol. But I'm getting heaps of nutrition. As for the weekly treat, I usually finish off something my fiancee can't eat, like a ham and cheese toasted sanwich. I'm one of those people who, if I don't work hard enough, I lose focus, so I have to develop a bit of an obsession. I just hope I can turn that obsession off when I've reached my goal - but there's 50 more kilos to go, so it won't be for a while anyways.

That's inspiration dude! When you've reached your ultimate goal weight are you still going to be dieting and exercising?

I've been heavy alllllllll my life. Only time I recall being average weight was about age 3! And that is only because i've seen it in pictures!

Hi Paigey! I'm a week out. Not the most pleasant week I've ever had, but I survived. I was very swelled until Saturday. That is a miserable feeling. I've not had ankles that big since I was pregnant with mu first child! My legs were very shiney. I think I am doing okay.

The way the the dates fall, I won't get a fill until 12/1! I'm not happy about that but can't do anything about it.

How are you doing?

I'm not doing bad at all...gas is all gone (thank the baby jesus) just a little more sore than usual had a hiatal hernia & they repaired it and that is on the mend. Down 19 pounds from nerves 1 week pre-op liquid diet & 1 week post-op diet. See the doctor on the 2nd of november & hopefully I graduate to baby food...LOL!

Thanks for asking

How are you doing? I had 1/2 of my 2nd fill removed.... going to get it put back in this week. I'm eating slowly, but eating much. *I guess that's my new slogan. : (

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

My first fill is a week from today and I'm a little nervous about it. I'm not squeamish about needles, but my port still gets pretty sore from time to time, so I'm not sure how fun it's going to be.

I hope you have a good week, too.

hi, been waiting for week 3 of your utube blog - where are you - are you ill???? jude x

Hey, surgery went well!!! I had no abdominal pain at all however i did have gas pain in my neck and shoulders. That lasted a few days but I was feeling almost normal by the end of the week. The hardest part was post op week 1. That was hell week (fluids only) but I lost 15 lbs in the first 10 days. That's a hell of a jump start and it keeps you motivated to see it keep coming off. I'm excited to wear cute clothes

Good luck with your surgery!!! Your day is almost here.

I have only had four. The first was 1cc and the other two were 3/4cc's and last Friday I had 1cc. I feel very little restriction. I mean very little, almost nothing...How many did you have before you started to feel restriction?

So I had surgery on 10/15/2010 in TJ with Dr. Huacuz and he was absolutely wonderful. He pretty much catered to my every need, and he is definitely Dr. McDreamy for sure lol but I mean super nice!

So before surgery I weighed in at 274lbs on Friday 10/15/2010 and now it’s Tuesday, almost 4 days after surgery and I have lost 11 lbs. I weighed myself this morning at 263lbs. I will give an update probably once a week and will post pictures soon.

I have a vacation coming in April 2011 to Los Cabos San Lucas and I would love to be fitting into a bathing suit by then! We'll see, it will definitely be a challenge but I am up for it!

Good Luck to you all!