Hey my new Arizona Banded Buddies... I blew it and went to my Post-op visit today thinking it was June 1st, and the funny thing was, I didn't have an appointment today or tomorrow! Must have been the left over Morphine!

Anyway, I am doing good, I have lost a total of 27 pounds since I started all of this craziness. I don't know how you can know exactly what was lost this past week. I went in the hosptial weighing 208, but by the time I got out of the hospital I weighed 217. Today I weigh 201.6 on the 'BIG' scales at the Weight Loss Institute. So I guess it was 7 pounds?

Heck fire, all I know, is when I first weighed at the Institute I weighed 228 on 03/29/2007 and today I am down 27 pounds. I am way happy about that!

I saw Dr. Orris (sp) and he was very nice (young). Business like not like Dr. DeBarros. Speaking of which, he is doing very well, complaining of bloating and gas. It sure is cool having a Doctor go through exactly what we are going through. He is doing good also. I had Dr. Orris explain the new band to me and he said we are like two 'fills' up on the people who had the old band.

Well I am at work, still energy low and I could really use a nap. I'm sorry I won't be able to meet you! Where the heck is Lilmonkey? Gosh we just all met I hope she is ok!

My first fill date is June 28th at 11am... try and make yours the same time and I promise not to mess up again!

Let me know how you guys are doing!

The Bandster brunch is something I heard about when I first joined the yahoo group. I still get those e-mails but I'm not too active on that board like I am here. But it is a support group I have been wanting to attend and now that I know you girls and the lady at work I'm excited to go! I wish WLIAZ had morning support groups or a Saturday group. I wanted to suggest it when I was there last but I forgot (duh).

I heard (and read) that Pasta will never be something we can digest very well. Then again, I'm sure some can and some can't.

It is my last break at work, the day has been going quickly since I had a new girl sitting next to me.. we were chatter boxes all day!

I'm really feeling good! I hope you get some good rest tonight!

I hope you sleep better tonight, too, and I can't wait to see you on Saturday!

Alright, so now I'm starting to get concerned. Today I had the following:

B: Oatmeal

S: Yogurt

L: Mashed Potatoes (little more than 1/2 cup)

S: 1/2 c. beef stew

D: 1 c. spaghetti (wheat Pasta & ground turkey & spaghetti sauce)

It sounds like this is waaaay more food than you guys! Not to mention that it sounds like I shouldn't even be able to eat these foods yet. Do you guys think my band might of slipped or something? Mike said that we might be satisfied with 1/2 cup or maybe even more.. but it sounds like you guys are still having to be very careful and I feel like I'm able to eat relatively normally?

Oh bother.

Eek, I might have to miss the Bandster lunch this time. Are they held monthly?

My husband and I are doing just fine. I've still got some discomfort when sleeping too, but I really feel tons better than before. I developed a weird tingey pain right next to my belly button when I cough and such. It's even a bit numb in that area. But it's getting a lot better and Dr. Orris didn't seem too concerned.

My husband went a day later than us ladies, and he's in a bit more pain and has some cramping and discomfort. We're hoping he gets to feeling better soon.

We went back to work today and darned if I couldn't find a comfortable way to sit at my computer all day. I too was definitely missing my recliner.

(Sorry for the delay, apparently I never posted this from hours ago. )

Alright, so now I'm starting to get concerned. Today I had the following:

B: oatmeal

S: Yogurt

L: Mashed Potatoes (little more than 1/2 cup)

S: 1/2 c. beef stew

D: 1 c. spaghetti (wheat Pasta & ground turkey & spaghetti sauce)

It sounds like this is waaaay more food than you guys! Not to mention that it sounds like I shouldn't even be able to eat these foods yet. Do you guys think my band might of slipped or something? Mike said that we might be satisfied with 1/2 cup or maybe even more.. but it sounds like you guys are still having to be very careful and I feel like I'm able to eat relatively normally?

Oh bother.

LilMonkey,

Sounds like you are doing good. Until today, I have been eating 5-6 times a day. I couldn't handle it today with more solid food, though. The egg did me in. I have since had a SF pudding, too. Didn't fill me up at all. I think the pureed stuff just slips right through. Anyway, I wonder if I'm eating enough. Sometimes (like when I stand up or get out of bed) I feel a little bit lightheaded. Anyone else? I'm wondering if it's because I'm not eating enough? I've hardly had any Protein today. I think I'll go make a shake.

Glad you are back and doing well.

Oh, forgot to mention.....

All of my paperwork says to not eat over 1/2 cup EVER. There have been so many times I could have eaten more. How do you know how much to eat? I have literally been measuring 1/2 cup for each meal and only eating that amount.

When I talked to Mike last Thursday he explained to me that when we first come from surgery we are swollen, that is why we first felt restriction. As we heal the swelling goes down and the easier it is to eat soft foods. They go down easier. Dr. Orris said it was OK gulp Water now.

I was real stressed when I started to eat more. But I use fitday.com and I input everything I eat each day and so far I have not gone above 1100 calories. Mike said at this stage of the game that is a good figure. Remember we are still healing.

When I make my lunch for work I use several 1 cup little containers and only fill them half full, some a little more than others. But each container is under 200 calories.

LilMonkey: The Banster Brunch is monthly. The second Saturday of each month at the same place same time.

It is very hard sitting at the computer at work all shift. I am short and my desk rubs right where my incisions are, especially my port. I am constantly placing my hand on my port area to protect it. I wonder if I will ever sit at my desk without my tummy hitting it?

You talked to Mike at your post-op? Hmmmm....... must be a conspiracy against me. Mike didn't come talk to me at my post op.

I am new to the board, although have been lurking for awhile. I am in month two of my supervised 6 month diet. I am sooo looking forward to joining all of you on the losing side.

I may be the oldest here. I am 64 and ready to start a healthy new life.

I will try to join you on Sat, June 9 at Chili's. How will I identify the group when I get there? I look forward to putting faces to all your names.:nervous

I am new to the board, although have been lurking for awhile. I am in month two of my supervised 6 month diet. I am sooo looking forward to joining all of you on the losing side.

I may be the oldest here. I am 64 and ready to start a healthy new life.

I will try to join you on Sat, June 9 at Chili's. How will I identify the group when I get there? I look forward to putting faces to all your names.:nervous

Newlife,

Yeah! So glad to have you here! The support is great! As to how to find us..... hmmmmmm! That is a good question! Virginia?

Anyway, where do you live and what doctor are you going through?

Welcome aboard!

Shauna

I live in Glendale. I am going to Robin Blackstone.

Thanks Shauna! I feel a bit better about what I'm doing. I try not to compare us too much, since everyone heals differently.. But sometimes I just get totally insecure.

Welcome newlife! Glad you decided to drop by! I've not heard of Dr. Blackstone. Are you pretty happy with them?

Thanks for the welcome messages.

LilMonkey..Dr. Blackstone is at Scottsdale Bariatric. I have heard nothing but good things about her.

Hope to meet you on Saturday at Chili's.

Karen

I have also heard good things about Scottsdale Bariatric. I'm sure you are in good hands. I look forward to meeting you on Saturday, Karen.

On a completely different note: I am so hungry today! 1/2 a cup of mush is NOT cutting it. There is a bag of chocolate chip Cookies in the cabinet calling my name. HELP! I think I'm going to try to put the kids down for a nap and join them. If I'm sleeping, I can't eat.

I'm not getting my alerts anymore! I thought you guys had all fallen down and couldn't get up! I thought I better check in on things and wow I'm missing two days of conversation and a newbie!!!

Glendale! I live at 71st and Peoria!! Welcome NewLife! That is so cool that you will be joining us.. how can you tell who we all are? Just look for the gang of chunkie ladies! Heck fire I don't know! This is the first one all of us will be going to.. so I guess look for a bunch of people looking lost?

I talked to Jill the lady who hosts the meeting and she said just tell the hostess we're there for the AZBansters meeting and she will show us the way. So... I will be there at 11am sharp. If you go to my web site A dash of Ginger... and a little bit of Rick you will see what I look like. There is also a little video my husband took (two of them) the day of my surgery and the morning after. It is kinda funny if I do say so myself. Shauna has seen it!

I still do not know LilMonkey's name or our newest NewLife.

LilMonkey: Will your husband be joining us? I am really looking forward to meeting all of you.

My laptop keyboard has been acting up lately and I need to send it in to be serviced. I will be without my laptop for about two weeks. Is there a 12 step program for living without a laptop? I'm gonna need it!

Okay back to work. Will check things out on my last break!

Shauna! Back away from the cookies!