We need a place where we can support each other through our "more than most" journey. Just as turtles don't get much out of hearing us talking about fast we're losing, maybe it would give us a nice break from "I'm getting banded because I need to lose 60 lbs".

I think we have our own unique challenges, expectations, baggage, etc. -- and we need our own little niche to support eachother. We all have a very long journey ahead of us, and need to band together.

I am so happy today. The surgeon went ahead and cleared me for surgery! I thought he was going to make me lose the additional 25 lbs. He originally wanted me to lose 56 lbs or so and when I saw him today I had lost about 30 so he went ahead and gave the paperwork to his medical assistant and she said they will call me when the November surgery calendar opens up (I think it is 4-6 weeks prior to November) to schedule me for surgery. SO I should be hearing from them in the next 3 weeks or so to get a date set, hopefully for November. I

am so excited!!!

Hooray April!!!

Way to go April! Keep on that losing track, any weight loss pre-op will help your surgery and recovery go better!

Thanks!!! Yeah even though I have lost 30 lbs the Doc said he would like me to keep up that losing streak to make the surgery easier. I told him my goal is 10-15 more lbs lost by surgery and he said that sounds great.

That's so great April and and well done on the 30 pounds. Wooooot!

Yes, I must prefer the aisle because I'm very tall. You can stick one leg out so it doesn't cram into the seat in front of you. Anyway, I'm off to the gym because I really, really want to get this seatbelt fastened on the flight. It really does depend on the airline though, doesn't it? Unfortunately, I'm boarding with three or four colleagues. It's going to be VERY embarrassing to ask for an extension.

While we are on the subject of seat, this site might be of some use to you.

Welcome to SeatGuru! Your Guide to Airplane Seats and In-flight Amenities

Good Morning,

I just wanted to pop in and say Hello. I am currently waiting for my insurance approval and then I can hopefully schedule my surgery soon after that.

I have never asked for a seatbelt extender and when I was going to Mexico last year I sure thought I would need it but I was able to get the seat buckled after a short struggle with it. I would get completely stressed if I ever had to sit next to a stranger on a plane, luckily my only recent flights have been with my husband and we have arranged to be next to each other albeit uncomfortable cause he is a bit overweight too, not like me though.

This is a great site. Thank you all for your advice and support.

Big Wave Dave,

I will be visiting a clinic in Waikiki.

Insubordination,

Yes, I did mean 325 not 225. Wishful thinking

Well, I visited the nurse and I'm down another 3 lbs. That makes a total of 16! I was a little dissappointed as my 3 lb loss was over a period of 3 wks but I'll take it. The nurse told me to try to eat 1200 calories a day over 3 meals. I just got off pureed foods and am starting soft. I've been averaging about 850 calories a day to this point. I need to call and ask her how to get 1200 over 3 meals by only eating app 1 cup of food at each meal. Maybe it will be easier on this next phase. Also, I found out that my scale is about 9 lbs light. I knew it was off so I wasn't too suprised.

I'm a little nervous about eating foods that taste good but I will be getting a fill this month (my first), so that should keep me in check.

I hope you are all doing well. Just remember we're going to do this...and we'll look mahvelous.

Hello everyone.

I started at 376 BMI of 63 waiting to be banded.

Dr, Surgion, phycyatrist, and Nutritionist apointments all for 17th and 18th of this month then just wait for insurance approval.

I have already lost 9lbs and am wowed all I am doing is watching how much protein I am eating

And chewing my food and No Caffeen (my spelling sucks sorry)

Hi Cerrin,

Congratulations! You are doing great.

Good luck and make sur you let us know how you are doing!

MMT

Today began as a crappy day. I stepped on the scale to see that it has not moved.:angry I had to take a look at what I have been doing since my fill. I have been wallowing in my self pity and not holding myself accountable thats what. Everyones band is different and I am just impatient. I was actully quite torked about it today because the "scale" showed no change:mad:. I went to my myspace page and blogged about it and I felt better.

Now for the wow.:whoo: I had my first personal training session today. I am uncomfortable in the "gym' scene, but found a trainer (via a recommendation from my chiropractor) that trains out of an indoor soccor field. Today was my first session. To both my and his amazement, I am in better physical condition than anticipated. I am now signed up for twice a week. He asks that I do cardio every day...when I ask a lot of details...he responds, "keep it simple and just do it". Wow what a concept.:omg: Anyway what began as a crap day because I let the scale get to me has turned to be a wow day because I was able to complete a one hour training session and performed better than I expected.

Thanks for reading.:clap2:

Happy banding,

MMT

Congrats on your first day with the personal trainer. How are you feeling now today?

Hi smilin apple,

Friday my legs were sore and today my legs and back are sore, but the trainer said I would be. That is why he wanted the first session on Thursday and have the weekend to recouperate. Doin my pool cardio yesterday was painful at times. It makes me think of a quote I read here, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body". I am looking forward to the next session.

Thanks for asking and have a great day,

MMT

Im having troubles.

This last fill i got, i think i am officially too tight. I JUST had proper restriction with the fill before (last month), and had initially dropped a good dose but then slowly started to gain back before i went in for this fill. Even with this fill, i came back and discovered id dropped another dose of weight, then was slowly regaining. this seems to be usual fair for me, as i live in maine and fly to Houston for fills from my surgeon. (my choice)

so...

this time im too tight and while i was fine the first week or two, now i cant hold solids at all.

i wrote my surgeon, who always responds immediately, and he tells me i am to be on clear liquids for one solid week! then full liquids and purees for a week, then hopefully by the end of the two week period i'd have lost enough to relax the band a bit enough to slowly reintroduce softs then solids....

im on the clears now and it

S U C K S.

B A D.

to make matters worse, i immediately started my TOM (a week and a half early this time, a full week earlier than last time) so im retaining all the salty broths im taking in. glorious.

I'M SO HUNGRY.

its been about three weeks since ive eaten anything good and held it down. Im making a mental list of foods im going to eat (even if its just a bite) after i get better.

1. PBnJ sandwich w/out crusts

2. BLT

3. Chicken enchiladas

4. lasagna

5. bbq brisket

Hi Lizrbit,

I am so sorry about the trouble you are having:hug:. I wish I had some magic advice to make it better. Right now it is difficult to see that in time this will be an experience of the past and something better is happening. Stay with your Dr.'s advice. I think your list of foods you want to taste again is brilliant. It will be interesting to see if you sitll want them when you are able to have them.

Use this board to vent your frustrations and even though you may not see a response, know that there are bandsters that read your brave posts and think good thoughts for you.:cheer2:

Take care and keep fighting the good fight :fencing: - you are worth it.

MMT