Hey all.

So there's a bunch of us in this group, all split up into our different banding days. I was thinking that it might be a good idea to have one master thread as we move through the month, in which all of us could post as we go, from the pioneers going on March 1st to the finalists on March 31st.

I'd love to talk about our anticipation and any worries as we approach our banding date, for people to talk about exactly what happened from the moment they walked into the hospital door until the second they walked out, about how recovery is going, about weight loss and plateaus, about non-scale victories and challenges.

I was thinking that if we all contribute to one thread, it'll form a more substantial channel for information and support. At the moment, I was thinking that we might be too spread out into individual date, and that a central thread would be a really good backbone for the group, in addition to the date-specific threads.

What do you think?

Fenton

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers he needs them . He goes into surgery today to fix his knee , ankle and foot and srgery on friday to fix his hip . With him being in the hospital I know I'm losing weight and getting my exercise walking around and getting lost . Well I'm off to the hospital surgery is at 1:00, Thanks again .

Heading out the door here shortly to head to Salt Lake for my FIRST FILL!

I'll check in later and let you know how it went!

Cathy, we got your back... You look after him, but let us know how you're doing.

And MsBoss - what happened? Were you disrupted by antsy students? GIVE US A SIGN THAT YOU'RE OK!!! I teach medical students, and when I do that, I always show up with a megaphone and bullwhip, with the holster of my side-arm unsnapped...

Hi Shamrocks:

Texgirl - loved the scale story. Too bad it wasn't for real, but it had to be a nice preview!

I got a fill today! YEAH! I have to tell you that it was no big deal. My doc numbs the area with a shot, then gave me 2 cc in my 10 cc band. I do feel some restriction. I was a little hungry, but I am on liquids. I am so thrilled that I have restriction again. The scale didn't move, but overall that was a good thing. Well, it moved a little for the doctor, but it hasn't moved for the past 2 weeks. I am actually thrilled about that! I was afraid I had gained weight.

While I was at the doctor's office, I bought a variety pack of stuff they sell. it included Isopure. I am drinking the blue raspberry. It is not bad. I would not say it is great, but not bad. Anyone drink this stuff? Any suggestions about flavors? I also have green apple.

Well.....I'm loving the fill. I'm set to go back and see the doctor in 3 weeks. Again, I am thrilled! I thought for sure I would have to wait 4-6 weeks to get another fill! I am so happy that things are moving along!

glad your fill went well. hope mine is as event free as yours. Hope for mine on Friday. I think my band is 14cc, so no idea how much may be put in.

Well, back and filled....well, not filled....but at least there is something there! We shall see how that goes.....

Total non-event.....two second stinging when the anesthetic went in and then didn't feel a thing.....

Doctor was pleased with my weight loss so far.....so I am.

I complained about the scales jumping up and down for the last week and a half....she said, "that's why you're here. We'll take care of it."

I do have an appointment next week with the dietician and she said if I'm not feeling any restriction to call before I come up and she'll give me another fill.....so on the road again!

Today I was not hungry much at all. It was fabulous!! The only time I was really hungry was at lunch time and once I ate my lunch I was satisfied. This is so much better than what I had been going through the past few weeks.

This evening i tried some corn on the cob and ate way too fast and I had a bit of sliming....no fun....must slow down...must slow down.

Christine

Okay friends... I thought dry roasted almonds or a small amount of nuts would be an okay snack and it is in terms of being able to eat it but I have to tell you I must need someone like Fenton to stand guard over me with his stick and unsnapped holster whenever I step near nuts! My trigger food is Peanut Butter and I crave that taste but its just not worth the calorie hit I see when I have to put it on my daily calorie counter. I did find these little pre-packaged containers of Jif-to-go with a single serving size of peanut butter and I am trying that instead of having a whole jar open -- which is an unfortunate invitation in my mind to work to the bottom of the jar. Nuts!! I know better but I'm trying so hard to unlearn old eating behaviors.

I guess with a business dinner of overeating and smacking my hands for getting into the nuts, I needed to 'come clean' and say I'm going to try really hard today to stick to 800-1000 calories and to stay off the scale for a few days and not punish myself looking at the numbers go up temporarily from these couple days of food insanity. Not big portions of foods but just nibbling here, there and before you know it, the calories pack on. It really makes me so aware of how many calories I really may have been eating on a regular basis before I started using an online calorie tracker about a year or so ago.

Okay off to work and a clean start to a new day!

SpecialK, I don't know if it's helpful to tell you about this or not.... PB2 is powdered Peanut Butter available online (with stores in some states -- not mine). You mix it with a little Water till smooth (or throw it directly into a Protein shake) and use it just like regular peanut butter. It has 54 calories and 2.8 grams of fat for 2T verses 190 calories and 16 grams of fat for 2T of regular peanut butter. It's really quite good! :frown:

You can order it at Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter - Home. Also, while they don't have samples, they do have a money-back guarantee.

Hmmm. That powdered peanut butter, though it flies in the face of every known precept of gourmet living, sounds v. useful. I only use peanut butter in my PB & banana Slimfast Optima shakes, so having it reduced to a flavoring element would be fine, really. I guess.

i like the idea of peanut butter powder, adding to protein shakes would be so much easier than using my regular, reduced fat, low sodium peanut butter!!

I'm tired of waiting. I've been fat my whole life! It's time to be thin. I went to all this trouble and this damn band doesn't work. I want restrction and I want a fill, I want to eat less, I want to stick to my diet, I want to lose weight, I want control, I want will power and I want it NOW!!! I know~ "it's a journey" - "it's a process" - "it takes time" - BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!

I WANT IT NOW!

Sincerely,

Baruka Salt

Thank you all for letting me vent.

Hey, Carrie. Not to quibble, but I believe it's "Veruca Salt". Don't ask me how many times I've seen that movie... And I have to say, I'm in the same boat. Where the (@ is my restriction???:biggrin:

Hi folks!

I don't think we will have restriction for a while. I think most folks take several fills before they hit that 'sweet spot'. The dietician told me yesterday that when you hit that spot it is like a light switch goes off. Until then, we are kind of at the mercy of our own selves.

Lafs - I've got to tell you that I was there where you are only a few days ago. I expect to be there again. The only good thing I have going for me is that I see the doctor again in less than 3 weeks. Have you had a fill yet? I hope you don't have one of those militant doctors..... You know everything according to their set schedule.

ah well, not much else to say except my mom's in the hospital and work is so very crazy. Life is extraordinarily hectic! I'm kind of glad I had a fill, otherwise I'd be looking in the fridge!

Hope you all have a wonderful......THIN friday!

SpecialK, I don't know if it's helpful to tell you about this or not.... PB2 is powdered Peanut Butter available online (with stores in some states -- not mine). You mix it with a little Water till smooth (or throw it directly into a Protein shake) and use it just like regular peanut butter. It has 54 calories and 2.8 grams of fat for 2T verses 190 calories and 16 grams of fat for 2T of regular peanut butter. It's really quite good! :thumbup:

You can order it at Bell Plantation - PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter - Home. Also, while they don't have samples, they do have a money-back guarantee.

Never heard of that -- anything that would save calories and fat grams sounds worth a try.

Thanks.