Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

OK--I'm trying to begin the October challenge early and for some reason, I ate two Protein meal bars instead of one yesterday plus a small dinner about 2 hours later. Felt like old times... "the day before I diet". :faint:

This is so much of a mental game!

Today is the first day of my pre-October challenge and I'm gonna make it!

You are so dedicated Pinkylee!!!! I'm trying to get in the mood, but I'm going on vacation part of next week. Plus I turn 60 on Tuesday so I'm not mentally there.

I wasn't hungry yesterday and when I did eat, I ate my Protein first. I really notice the difference when I eat hard protein. I get full and stay that way. I've got to find a way to do more of that. Increasing my Water everyday, but no exercise. I'll get there.

I have lots of family to face next weekend. Many know I've been stuck and I'd feel a whole lot better (and they would too) if I'm unstuck.

Sixty--is that going to feel as good as fifty did? Congrats. Bet you're glad you are banded and getting healthier. Best part--what we lose won't come back.

By the way----I can't seem to post my pics. They are in a folder on my hard drive--can you help?

There seems to be an epidemic here. The two Barbara's are turning 60 within two days of each other! 9/26 and 9/28.

I managed the calories, H20 and Protein yesterday. Couldn't get my lazy butt movin' though. But just tracking those three items made me do better. We'll get there.

I'm sure 60 will feel as good as 60. I don't feel older and have to remind myself sometimes. It doesn't bother me to get older. I do wish I had done this a few years ago. Congrats Barbara on your birthday as well.

Go to www.photobucket.com and upload your pictures. Its free and then you can use that connection to upload your pictures to the board. You can also size them to the right size.

I think this journey requires our constant attention. We will make it and think of where we will be next June. Most of us will be down in weight and feeling terrific. Can't wait for our reunion!!!

Happy Bday Barbaras--getting older really can mean better!

MT on the anniversary--I feel so much better now--can't imagine what next June will bring.

I'm wearing t-shirts in public!

I was just banded a week or so ago. :nervous

Can anyone explain the chewing thing to me - I understand that it's so that the food can get from the upper pouch down to the lower stomach. But...I remember hearing that another part of the reason was to help in digestion.

Q: doesn't the lower part of the stomach do most of the digesting (or at least the remaining required digestion)?

Q2: if you don't have a fill - won't the passage between the pouch and stomach be larger - which would require less chewing?

:hungry:

Thanks for any help! :kiss2:

Chewing: You chew, chew, chew because of the restriction. You have more after a fill, but some have restriction just from swelling.

Digestive juices are in your lower stomach and not in the "pouch". Chewing allows the food to pass easier from one to the other in the absence of enzymes that break up the food.

When food gets stuck between the two several things can happen. One is it can finally go down, but painfully. Or it can come up, referred to as a productive burb, or PB. This is similar to vomiting, only there are no gastric juices. Also, saliva can start over producing and also come up. Usually referred to as sliming.

That being said, you shouldn't have to worry much with any of this for a little while. You should be on liquids, then mushies for a period of time before being on solid food. This is the time for you to be healing. Putting "food" into the stomach increases the motion of the stomach and increases your chances for complications.

Hope this helps.

6/9/06 (Day of surgery--pretty miserable)

9/17/06

Finally--thanks Barbara

PinkyLee you look Awesome!!! I am so proud of you!!! you even look 10 years younger!!!! Way to GO!!!:clap2:

Oh I am so jealous Sandra. You look absolutely marvelous. You look like you are close to goal. WOW, oh WOW. I'm turning green .... but so proud of your hard work.

Pinky! WOW - you're looking amazing! congrats!

Wow! I wish my weight loss was as obvious as yours! GREAT JOB PINKY!!

Pinky..Girl you look great....what a difference. I posted my pics on here a while back even though i really didnt see a big difference in myself. Maybe other people see what we dont.

I think you look awesome...major difference. Keep it up girl!!!

Applause for PinkyLee....:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Pinky, you look great! Ok, well I posted this update on it's own post but I think some of you look here more often so here's the repeat...

So, last night I woke up in the middle of the night...coughing and sputering up water I had right before bed. I was only able to get about 20oz of liquid down yesterday due to it going down so slowly and giving me the chest pain from hell!! Called my doc and he said come in today! I was so worried I slipped my band but when he checked under floro he said it all looked fine and the pouch didn't look dilated.:phanvan He then had me swallow the barium and all was well. However, based on my symptoms he unfilled me .2 anyway...so now I have 3.2 in my 4 cc band. I was able to drink a whole bottle of water right afterward. Now, only 3.5 hours later I am able to drink but again need to go slow and hear it gurgling down and feel the chest pressure again. I am seriously starting to wonder about this band or maybe I am just weird or something.:tired It's expensive to keep going back and I feel like I will never have the right restriction. I even got to thinking that once it is right I will lose weight... then I will need a fill and round and round we go with this trial and error!!:faint:

:help: Fellow Bandsters...I am in need of some encouragement!

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