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.

Missy-You are an awesome inspiration! I am about 2 weeks out and I love to hear from people like you! I can't wait for my 6-month bandiversary! Keep it up!! Trisha

Congrats!

That is awsome!

Congrats MISSY!!

Thanks everyone - it feels pretty good. I am proud, but it just proves all I had to do was eat less. I couldn't have done it without my band though. Best decision I ever made. I have been so lucky with it also. I have not had a fill since Sept and am tighter now than I have been - stress of a new job and moving probably, but it is working. Keep at it and do NOT wait on your fills, the restriction is really key.

Tann - WOW you are almost there - :whoo: - I wanted one that bows, but I couldn't find it - You ROCK!

I posted my pics on the June thread if you are interested.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f93/6-months-pics-junies-june-07-bandsters-46084/index4.html

Missy you look great! keep up the great work.

When i started my band journey on 9/13/06 i was put into the god awful category of SUPER MORBIDLY OBESE. As time progresses ive now made it to simply obese. I was just curious if anyone out there that was super morbidly obese has ever gotten to the point where their weight is considered in a normal range.

i dont know what constitutes SUPER MO (im sure i was there), but if you search for JulieNYC, she has lost 200 pounds so far and looks fantastic!! there are quite a few successful bandsters on this board.

Well, when I started my banding journey I was 358 lbs, at 5'5" with a bmi of 59.6, which definitely put me in the super morbidly obese category. I am 1.5 years post surgery. My current weight in 158 with a bmi of 26.3. I need to lose 8.1 lbs to be at a regular bmi. So... I am really planning on getting there. It is possible. I started running a year ago and it has made all the difference. I ran a half marathon last month and am training for a 30 km run in the spring.

This is going to be such a great Christmas. What did I ask for? CLOTHES. I am hoping for a designer wrap dress!!!! Why? Because I can!!!!

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

358/158/148

<p><p>Dawn, it is so encouraging to know someone who has achieved the level of loss I need to do has done it. Thanks for posting. I'm 5' 5" and I'd love to be able to run any distance right now...just too painful on the knees and would get short of breath quickly if I tried too. So, save a space for me in the future on the starting line of a 5K or whatever!</p></p>

Consider a space saved!!! I could never run when I was heavier... I needed to lose a little first, but know it is an obsession.

We can do it!!!!!!

Good luck and the goal will be yours!!!

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

358/158/148

I was just banded on Dec 13, 2007 - 7 days ago and I am already feeling like I am overeating in the full liquid stage. Today I have eaten 2 pudding cups, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of mashed potatoes, 2 protein shakes, and some juice. Even though that is not NEAR what I ate before the band, I think it is tooo much for being so fresh out of surgery.

Can anyone give me some insight as to how much you ate 1 week after surgery?

missmonaaz - I honestly drank liquids whenever I was hungry during the first week, I did try to watch the carbs though. You will hear time and again - now is not the time for losing weight, it is the time for healing. It is very true - drink liquids if you are hungry so you don't move too fast and damage your band.

I only had broth, sugar-free gelatin and protein drinks during the first week after surgery. But I really didn't feel like eating anything else, everybody is different. You have to remember that you are probably completely infilled and only have the band in right now. Once you heal then the fills will start and you will have restriction. At the moment, if you did not have the swelling from the surgery, you would be almost as open as before.

No, it's not odd to be able to eat as much as you are saying. Just be careful and try not to overdue it. It's hard so don't beat yourself up if you slip. As soon as you heal you need to get in and get those fills until you feel like you have the restrcition you are going to need to be successful with your weight loss.

I was just banded on Dec 13, 2007 - 7 days ago and I am already feeling like I am overeating in the full liquid stage. Today I have eaten 2 pudding cups, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of mashed potatoes, 2 protein shakes, and some juice. Even though that is not NEAR what I ate before the band, I think it is tooo much for being so fresh out of surgery.

Can anyone give me some insight as to how much you ate 1 week after surgery?

MissM,

to be honest, i didnt really pay attention to what i ate right after surgery in regards to volume. i just made sure i got protein in.

i would sip an Isopure protein drink (40 grams of protein) all day. i know i LOVED jello. during the night that first week or so, i would wake up in the middle of the night STARVING!! i had lime jello next to my bed and would literally have 1-2 bites and that completely satisfied me.

i did eat some jello pudding and a little broth, but to be honest, it took about 3 weeks for me to have an appetite.

my suggestion would be to cut the carbs to a minimum. carbs burn quickly and make you hungrier. try Isopure drinks (taste almost like kool ade). most GNC / Vitamin Shoppes carry them.

congrats on being banded!

I only had broth, sugar-free gelatin and protein drinks during the first week after surgery. But I really didn't feel like eating anything else, everybody is different. You have to remember that you are probably completely infilled and only have the band in right now. Once you heal then the fills will start and you will have restriction. At the moment, if you did not have the swelling from the surgery, you would be almost as open as before.

No, it's not odd to be able to eat as much as you are saying. Just be careful and try not to overdue it. It's hard so don't beat yourself up if you slip. As soon as you heal you need to get in and get those fills until you feel like you have the restrcition you are going to need to be successful with your weight loss.

hey, long time no see. welcome back!