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

I wanted to share this with you all.

Today I did my jog on the treadmill because it's gunna be a humid day. So anyways I get really bored on that thing, jogging to nowhere. I had some good music going, Eminems Lose it, and I was imagining what it would be like at the Triathlon. I was at the 1.95 mile mark and realized I would be seeing the finish line by that point. I actually heard the cheering, and folks urging me on to finish. I started to cry and had to "mop the sweat away" to mask the tears. It was so emotional. I hope on the day I will be able to hold it together. Sometimes I can't believe I'm really doing this.

That must be such a nice feeling, Amanda. Actually being proud of your own accomplishments - we usually have those feelings for other people, but to live in the moment and feel them for ourselves is not something we often get to do. I wish we could be there to see you cross the finish line!

I don't have it in me to be a runner. I have always played sports, but "the girls" make it hard to run. I always feel like I have to wear a few extra undergarments to avoid hurting myself or others. (Sorry Fenton.)

Monthly, weigh-in and support group meeting tomorrow. I think I will at least have gone down a few...

Amanda--Now THAT is what I call GREAT visualization skills!!!! I’m sure you could make money with that! And it’s a terrific method for staying motivated.

BNL – That is terrific! You’re on your way to a BNL!!!!!

Sharona---Do you know I was thinking of you when I posted that!! I thought to myself uh-oh – this will be a “red flag” to a good nurse and I’ll bet Sharona will catch me! You DID!! Ha! Yes ma’am. I have to admit to you that I PBed this AM when I tried to eat an omelet. I think it was partly because I was trying to make hotel reservations on the phone and I just shoved the first bite right into my trap. It was too big and I didn’t chew, chew, chew. Now I’m resting and I didn’t even get Breakfast or lunch. OK – I’ll watch it and see what happens. I am getting all the liquid now and I’m also getting the Protein. Yesterday I only had 1 Protein Drink and got the rest in with egg salad for lunch and salmon for dinner. I did get a lot of solids last night. In fact --- I pushed the envelope and got into the popcorn. It was DELICIOUS!

BNL - that is awesome! Great motivation!

Pat - me too! I haven't lost a ton, but I think slow & steady wins the race! I have lost a total of 13 pounds since surgery. EW!

Hope, we have many things in common.WE were both banded on the same day,my highest was 285, 275 on surgery day last weight I was 252.I hope a year from surgery I will be at least to my target weight.It is nice to also have someone else lagging behind,I don't feel so alone.

Pat

Once a nurse always a nurse (hahahahaha).....glad your doing better. With the summer here I'm always worried about dehydration, it can come faster than we think......

I don't have it in me to be a runner. I have always played sports, but "the girls" make it hard to run. I always feel like I have to wear a few extra undergarments to avoid hurting myself or others. (Sorry Fenton.)

Oh my God I can relate, I can't wait until I get a breast reduction!!! I'm actually thinking of going to the plastics guy soon to talk to him about it. I could NEVER run.....these damn things are just an annoyance....they've done what they were supposed to now be done with them!!! I would love to be small enough to not wear a bra...ever......

I have a great one by UnderArmor. It zips up the front so it is easy to get on/off. The girls are held very snuggly. Enell makes great ones too(zip up front).

I had an amazing day. First the treadmill moment then.....

I went rock climbing!!!! I did 6 walls more then half way and one all the way to the top.

I've been to this place before to watch friends but never "wanted to do it myself" That was bull**it, actually I never thought I could or thought I was too heavy. I think I was the biggest lady up the walls but no one stared or commented. When I got to the top of the one wall I let out a whoop and some folks started clapping.

It was fantastic.

Amanda - the "girls" thank you for the tips!

Oh and I just read that you went rock climbing. My girls (the real ones) have done that for some parties before. That is one of the few things that I really have sat back and wanted to do but just not done. I am so glad that you mentioned that. I will have to put that on my list of things to do sometime. My 6 year old climbed to the top (when she was still 5) and I know she really wanted me to try it. But I just would have been too embarressed about getting the straps big enough and too embarressed at the visual from below. It is amazing what excuses I can come up with for not swimming and doing other things like this. I have to admit that I would probably still not quite be able to muster up the courage. But I will work on it!

I also wanted to say that you are all doing so well - I know everyone's bodies will do this at their own pace, but you all seem to have owned your decisions and have come a long way in such a sort time.

... she says as she "embraces" her pizza for dinner! (But I am enjoying it, feeling no guilt and eating only 1/4 of what I would have eating 4 months ago).

Sweet Jesus! What a HARROWING read this has been for me, what with all the discussion of female undergarments and "girls" possibly injuring other runners!

Amanda, congrats on what sounds like a day packed with epiphanies. I don't think taht you can get inspiration more intense than the things you've experienced today...

But I just would have been too embarressed about getting the straps big enough and too embarressed at the visual from below. It is amazing what excuses I can come up with for not swimming and doing other things like this. I have to admit that I would probably still not quite be able to muster up the courage. But I will work on it!

The view of the other folks was a bit weird too. Those straps cut into everyone. I was in the L one and there were XL & XXL.

... she says as she "embraces" her pizza for dinner! (But I am enjoying it, feeling no guilt and eating only 1/4 of what I would have eating 4 months ago).

I had pizza tonight too. Buffalo chicken, yum.

Amanda, congrats on what sounds like a day packed with epiphanies. I don't think that you can get inspiration more intense than the things you've experienced today...

Thanks. You've been a bit quiet lately. I hope all is well and it is because you are spending all your time writing Hard Death.

I think I'm coming down with something.

My intake was a bit better today, but not great. Still, I really burned a lot of calories, walked a long way carrying heavy equipment, so we shall see.

But yeah, I think I'm coming down with something. And just before I go away on holiday!

Bleargghhh...

Hello Marchers! I have been following several threads on this website, but am starting to think that this is where I need to be! I think it will work better for me if I find people who are at the same stage of the jouney as I am. Hope you don't mind me jumping in!