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

I was thinking today how much more control I have over food than in the past. Pain is part of it, being too tight to eat, but something else keeps me from downing pudding cups, shakes and ice cream by the gallon. I suppose it's because I no longer get a "boost" from food.

Getting another fill when I'm on and off again "tight" seems a little crazy. Dumber yet would be to ignore the advantages of a smaller appetite that the fills usually bring.

Will Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays spell disaster for us? Let's begin posting "Holiday NSV's".

My first Holiday NSV came today. I'm looking forward to rolling into bed Thanksgiving evening with an empty pouch and a nice bottle of water on the nightstand. It's hard to fall asleep stuffed to the gills.

I'm looking forward to not being the pig I usually am on the holidays, not having to eat little portions in front of people, then go home to gorge myself to death. Instead I will excercise and wallow in the bliss of getting into clothes that have not fit for years!!!!

I ordered from Schwanns their turkey and mashed potatoes. We have tried it before and the turkey is so tender. I couldn't make it like this. Anyway its enough for 2 meals for hubby and I. We also found sweet potatoe patties in the frozen section of HEB. I'll heat those up with a little artificial brown sugar. I'm also getting Green giant green bean caserole in a small frozen box. That's it. Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not even going to try and cook or go out to eat. That's my way of dealing with it. We will start decorating for Christmas and hope to be so busy doing that that we won't miss a big meal. There is advantageous to being just the two of us for the holiday. Now help me with the Christmas cruise. Yikes.

I've found that my not cooking is really helping. Of course, hubby sometimes doesn't cook the best way for us, but he tries. This way he gets something he wants and can eat, and I just eat a little. It makes my life easier and I don't think of food as much. Although, thinking of food still takes way too much of my time. I'm working on that.

If your fill is not causing pain and PBs then I think its OK to be tight one day and open more the next. Its when you can't get anything down and PB lots that it causes problems. I'm going on Monday and get just a little one. I think maybe I have restriction, but it doesn't kick in very much. I also bought a food scale so I'm going to start weighing my food.

Did any of you see Oprah with Dr. Oz? I've got it taped and only have watched 1/2 of it. It is very interesting. Also, he had a documentary on Discovery Health channel last night that I taped called something like You and diet. He explains things so we can understand them. You might want to try and catch this show if you can.

Off to a brunch. I don't plan on eating, but I love the friendship. Later.

This morning I hiked a big mountain by my apartment. I have only been to the top twice before. The elevation is like 1592' I think. It is 2.5 miles one way from my place. It took me about 2 1/2 hours. It is rated a 5 on a scale of difficulty ranging 1-5!! Granted, old ladies, dogs and cyclists were whizzing past me, but I did it! I keep saying..."A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" and "Slow and steady wins the race..." I swear I almost turned back so many times, but nice people passing me on the trail said "You're almost there" and "You can do it!" On the way down my legs were a little shaky and I almost slipped more than once, but I managed to maintain my vertical position! :clap2: http://www.mountainbikebill.com/CowlesMt.htm

Barb-I did see that Oprah episode and I ordered Dr. Oz's book!

Congrats Socalgal! What a victory. You will go up that mountain more and more. Each time with get easier.

This has been a bad weekend for me. I feel like I've eaten like a "pig". I didn't get on the scale today. I will tomorrow. I think I'm just feeling bloated as TOM will visit soon.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Melissa Lea

WOW socialgal what an accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself. Now the next time you do it it may be a little easier.

I'm eating way too much and no exercise. Going today for a little fill. DH and I will start our walking program tomorrow. I can do this. I've just been too lazy to stick with it. We are going to walk as soon as I get home from work and prior to dinner. It will be easier this week since I'm just on liquids/mushies.

I don't get that tight feeling at any time so I don't think I've really had restriction. Sometimes I feel full, but I can eat to that point. I've always been able to eat in the morning so I'm not sure what's going on. I am anxious to do the fluro today so I can get reassured that the band is still placed properly.

Great NSV Socalgal. You are an inspiration.

Good luck Barbara on fill today. Let us know how you're doing.

Have a great week everybody.

Barbara465, I sure hope you get good results from your fill. I have struggled all weekend and I'm not sure what I should do. I want restriction but I end up in pain every time I eat anything other than liquids. I can do it but it hurts. I threw up a couple times on Saturday but yesterday was better. I've eaten some solids today and they've stayed down but after a couple bites I am in pain........not unbearable, but pain. Is this what "good" restriction is all about? It certainly stops me from overeating. I'm thinking I should just live with this for awhile and see what happens.

One thing that has happened is that four pounds were gone when I stepped on the scale this morning. I am claiming it as Pinkylee recommends and I'm sure I'll bounce up and down for a few days but I'm only 13 pounds from Onederland. Yippee!

Did you just get a fill Barbara? It sounds like you are too tight. Since you can drink liquids I would give it a few days. Maybe you are just reacting to the fill and once the swelling goes down you will be OK. Thirteen lbs to Onderland is great. Claim those lbs, but remember that if they are lost under diuress they might not stay gone.

I don't think pain is something we should expect with the band. I would think some discomfort from time to time, is acceptable. I just don't think pain is something we should put up with. Of course, I don't think grown people should have to walk around with spit cups either. If I had to do that after every meal I would have the band removed. I just can't see living like that.

Some of you may have read posts from MaryB (Houston). I recently read one of hers on another forum. She's nearly at goal and her doc will be working with her soon on how to maintain with increasingly less of a fill. There is an end in sight. Gives me cause to think that putting up with a fill if it helps me lose quicker, might not be so bad. Common sense prevails, of course, but I'm proud of you Barbara's for braving this last fill. Hang in there if it's prudent. I'm thinking about you and wishing you well.

Same to Regina and Carol and any others I may have forgotten who have recently gotten a fill. If I weren't such a chicken, :nervous I'd have gotten a fill long ago. Most days I'm hungry and eat too often. A few days a week, I'm quite tight. It's those "few days" that scare me away.

A whole new world that will be much more "normal" with no spit cups is waiting for us. We can (and will) do this!

Back to the colon cleanse question on the previous page...I have read about a few of the old timers on here using something called "colon blow" (I know that sounds gross)...They were talking about cleaning all the bad stuff out of your colon that doesnt usually come out on its own...Like the lining the "stuff" leaves that can cause disease and cancer...I have heard really good colorful things about this stuff but have yet to try it

If our bodies were meant to "cleanse" completely wouldn't it? I don't believe in doing lots of artificial things to our bodies. Listen to me. One who had a silcone band put in my body.

There is a reason when doing medical tests to clean out so they can take good pictures. I'm not sure I buy the logic that it causes cancer, etc. when left in. My 2cents.

I did recently a couple weeks ago get a fill and it was horrible at first, I was just put in reality though when someone just told me I need to start eating real food. So went to get some deli turkey today and tomorrow hamburger, meat is something I really am missing alot. The only thing is it takes to long to eat and the slimeing is of course NOT one of my favorite things to do. I figure I've done way to much of that already.

maybe we should go on an exercise challenge? we did/do a water challenge, why not an exercise challenge to get ourselves motivated. i have no clue what the parameters could or should be since everyone has their own issues, etc. but, maybe challenge ourselves to work out for 30 minutes a day for 3 or 4 times a week and then do some sort of daily posting whenever you do the exercise for 30 minutes? i don't know just a suggestion. i know my goal was 3 times last week for 30 minutes. i did 2 times last week for 30 minutes. i pulled something and wasn't able to do it the 3rd time for last week but am going to do it tonight. what does everyone think?

Avilla

Proceed with caution on that. There have been some serious side effects to it--however it does have merit among many in the holistic community. I do not tolerate modern science meds and must lean heavily on holistic so you won't hear a nay from me.

There is a cleanse "diet" where you eat fruits and veggies for a few days. My DD tried it and it did work for her.

Take care.