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

Lynn1215---OKEY DOKEY---it's gonna be you and me on liquids for at least a day (maybe more) starting Thurs! Well---actually ---maybe they won't put you on liquids for your first fill. I was told I could eat light on my first fill. I'm sure I'll hear differently for the 2nd one Thurs.

Gee---I had the golf ball feel 2 weeks ago and didn't go on liquid. Then -on July 4 -- I actually had a small PB (my first). I forgot all about Fenton's caution that we had to do liquids after a PB! I still feel a little golfbally. I wonder if that is why?

Tomorrow AM I'm schedule to get a custom measure of my body fat percent. I'm joining a study that is being conducted so they will track it as I lose weight. This way -- when I hit those darn weight stalls, I'll be able to get a very precise reading of my body fat and know what's what.

I don't know whether to congratulate you or just say "I feel your pain"!!! It is the worst...God's way of say..whoah...slow down there. Its when it happens and you're not near a bathroom...OMG. I went to the mall and had rice and chicken and it got stuck...had to literally run to the bathroom to PB...thank goodness it doesn't happen often...You're there!!! and yes dried fruit....did you really think that was ok??? (hahahahaha)

I've been wanting to use this smiley for a long time....

As for the dried fruit.......yep, up until TODAY, it's been okay.

I have always kept a bag of the trail mix stuff from Sam's Club with the dried mangoes, pineapple, dates, all that stuff.....I usually sit down with a 1/4 cup and just pick at it for a half hour or so.....I think the hurried nature of my eating contributed to the problem......I was never so glad to see something come back up......but yeah, I'm done with it, that was just nasty.

Had a small jamba juice w/protein for dinner........that felt good!

BTW, if you have a jamba near you.....the low cal ones are really good and they'll add a soy Protein boost for free!

What sort of low cal Jamba Juices do you recommend Harley? There's one near me, and if it's low cal and Protein positive, that sounds good to me!

I've been living like a king today. For lunch I had homemade lobster salad, then for dinner I had the other half of my entree from dinner out last night. Plus three Flintstones One A Day Sour Gummies!

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....it's those Flintstones Gummis that really put a cap on the day!

At Jamba, I like the 16 oz "berry Fulfilling" or the "strawberry Nirvana".....

both around 160 calories, 1 gm fat, and 5 gms Protein (and then ask for the soy protein boost for another 8 gms of protein).....of course, lots of Vitamin C and decent amount of Calcium....

I wish we did have a Jamba juice in Connecticut but we don't. At least I don't think so. I love going to California to visit my sister as they are on just about every other corner. Their drinks are amazing.

I also eat far too fast, a bad habit developed as an ER nurse....just inhale when you can. I still struggle with slowing down and it is a hard habit to lose.....

Rugman - yup a few days of liquid, then mushy and regular, but after a fill I hope not to be such a glutten as I was last night at dinner.

The study you are in for the "fat" measurement, what a great thing. Being in a study helps you and the ones conducting it. a double plus for all

I also eat far too fast, a bad habit developed as an ER nurse....just inhale when you can. I still struggle with slowing down and it is a hard habit to lose.....

23 years as a cop......same thing! Eat fast, eat on the run!!

I'm learning, though!

47 years as one of five children - eat fast or go hungry!

Not really. But I really started to put on weight during my internship - in UK hospitals, at least back in the mid-80's - all of the food was fried. It took the English *decades* to learn about salads...

Thanks for the heads-up, Harley. I'll certainly stop by and check out Jamba. I think it's important that we don't feel restricted from certain restaurants; not so much for the deprivation of the particular food as for the feeling that we're being deprived of particular restaurant experiences.

Wow was THAT poorly phrased!

Down one more pound - five to go for the century...

WTG....one pound closer, Fenton.....

I try not to base my attitude on the scales, but it sure does make for a great way to start the day when the scales have a different number.....well, as long as it's smaller!

I was down a pound today, too!

It's been sixteen weeks since my surgery.......

I've lost 38 pounds, so an average of 2.375 pounds a week.....

I could not be more pleased.

Oh, these are the reasons I just can't seem to make myself go in for fills. I am just too afraid I will be out somewhere and won't be able to get to a bathroom. (Or to be more honest, I am just to afraid to experience the restriction and side effects all together.)

I have never been just a chicken in all my life...

Hi everyone!

Long time, no type. It took a while to catch up.

I had an NSV the other day. My ex was talking to one of my neighbors and she asked him if I had lost weight. Since he and I had discussed this recently, he told them yes. They did not know about the surgery, just that I had lost weight! It was a nice feeling that someone had noticed. I honestly think it is because I have some clothes that fit. Another bandster is smaller than I and has given me a ton of her clothes. It is great because I am about 2 sizes larger than her, so as we both loose weight, I am getting a new wardrobe.

Congrats all on the losses. You motivate me and keep me coming back!

Ha! I think it counts as a SuperNSV if the person is specifically struck by your weight loss enough to comment on it to your husband!

Westcoastmom -- I hope you will consider working your lapband tool to its fullest including getting fills as needed but discuss your worries with your doctor and see what they advise. They could go very very conservative on fills for you and space them out weeks and weeks apart to give you time to see how each goes.

You've read the countless other posts I'm sure that say go on out for dinner at a restaurant but eat slowly, chew extremely well, and try not to order something that is very dry to eat. My toughest time seems to be very lean chicken - like a grilled chicken breast without any kind of sauce. With a little moisture, and small bites, I'm fine.

Same with salad - I need some dressing on it - not much but a little.

Good luck.