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

Hopeinapril--congrats on the new Job! Sometimes stress at work carries over to other areas in your life, and makes everything seem harder! I hope things fall into place for you!

I know what you mean about sizes! It drives me crazy,too!

SIZES are a pain - it all seems to depend on style, maker and if it is a top, pants or a dress.

I do thibnk now I am at my sweet spot. I go back next week to see DR, but really think I will not get a fill, It has been 4 weeks since my last fill and I am still only able to eat 1/4-1/2 cup at a time. Weight loss has begun again, down below 180# YIPPEE.....:huh2: :laugh:

Congratulations Lynn, do you have a 10 cc band? I have a 10 cc and am also at 6.5cc and am good there. I didn't get another fill last week when I went for my appointment. Still slow losing but at least its losing.

Love your ticker, the closest I could get to Halloween was pumpkin pie, which by the way I don't even like :biggrin:

sharon;)

good for you Lynn. I can only eat about that much too after my last fill 2 months ago. I can hardly eat anything in the morning. Usually yogurt, cottage cheese or a poached egg. Lunch is a little better and by dinner I can usually eat the most but only about 1/2 then. Never thought I would get to this point. I saw my doctor today for my 6 month checkup. I've lost 57 pounds and he was pleased with my last weigh in. Said I should be ok at this fill for another month or so. I was glad to hear that. Not ready to be any fuller than this. He thinks I am at or close to my "sweet spot"

Sharon - I have a 14cc band, so I am a bit surprised with the restriction I have with just 6.5cc, but am not complaing, just enjoying the changes..

Kathy - I am sure there will be no fill next tuesday at my appointment with the doctor.

I only have one concern to discuss with my doctor, though.... I have alot of tenderness around my port area... does anyone else has this issue.. otherwise I am on top of the world

Hi everyone!

Lynn - great news! I am so happy for you. I will join you in the 180's some time next year!

I have 7 cc in a 9cc band. I was concerned at some point that I would have the band completely filled and I still wouldn't have restriction. That didn't happen, but it was a fear. I think I am at a pretty good spot. I expect to get a small fill before the end of the year. I am still only eating about 4 oz at a time, but I can tell that could creep up.

Sorry, no port soreness for me. I can feel it more and more, but it is not sore. Is in an area that your clothes rub or bang up against a door or something on a daily basis?

Harley..thanks for the delicious sounding fall drink recipe. I have been searching for a warm Protein rich drink to have in the AM. I think this might hit the spot. I will give it a try soon.

Christine

Lynn I had soreness in my port a couple of months ago. It started hurting out of the blue and lasted almost a week. I didn't call the doctor because I hadn't bumped it that I could recall. One day I noticed it wasn't bothering me anymore. I just attributed it to weight loss around it so it wasn't as protected and maybe it got bruised somehow. I hope you don't have a serious issue with yours.

Harley..thanks for the delicious sounding fall drink recipe. I have been searching for a warm Protein rich drink to have in the AM. I think this might hit the spot. I will give it a try soon.

Christine

Been messing with this and found that it's much better with

1 1/2T. General food International vanilla Cafe power

2 T pumpkin

1/4 t. pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 c hot Water

1 scoop unflavored unjury.....

I swirl it in my magic bullet so it's foamy....

Creamier and much more 'starbuck-ish"

__________________

I went to Miami for the weekend with the kids. DH works there, so free place to stay and free car. DH works for an airline, so it's free tickets too. The kids had fun, swimming in between the rain drops and we went to a children's museaum.

DH had this idea to go out to eat one night...it was one of those places with the guys coming around to your table for unlimited grilled meat. I did not overeat, but something got stuck and it was my first time being out in public with a stuck episode. It was bad. It was also the first time my DH saw me in this condition. He was really upset. He has been away a lot and he really has not been around me much since being banded. Once I got back to the hotel and really got it up, I felt much better.

Flying seems to really have a big impact on my band.

Before the trip to Miami, I was actually having a hard time because I have been able to eat too much. Very little restriction since my slight unfill. I was really getting very upset with myself for the bad choices I was making and the amounts I was eating. Now since flying to Miami, I am restricted again. Must be a bit of air in my band that expands with the air pressure.

Christine

Any other recipies for warm high Protein morning meals? I can't eat much at all in the AM. eggs really get stuck and runny oatmeal is not my thing. I would like to have something high in protein and warm. Thanks !

Christine

Interesting about flying, Christine.

I'm flying to Vegas for the weekend, it will be an experiment!

I'm glad I was conservative with my last fill, just in case.

I got these recipes in an email from unjury the other day, Christine.....haven't tried them yet, but they sound good!

Cinnamon Caramel coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Unflavored UNJURY
  
• 1 cup Water
  
• 4 tsp General Foods International sugar free French vanilla Café
  
• 2 tsp Sugar Free Caramel Syrup
  
• 1/8 tsp Cinnamon
  

Directions:

-Measure 4 tsp General Foods International Sugar Free French Vanilla Café into a shaker

-In a separate cup measure water and heat in microwave (below 130 degrees)

-Add warm water to General Foods International Sugar Free French Vanilla Café and stir

-Add 1 scoop Unflavored UNJURY to shaker and shake until dissolved

-Add 2 tsp Sugar Free Caramel Syrup to shaker and stir until combined

-Add 1/8 tsp cinnamon and stir

Nutrition Facts:

110 calories

20 grams Protein

2 grams carbohydrate

2 grams sugar

Variations

For a richer, sweeter taste try 1 scoop of Vanilla UNJURY in place of Unflavored UNJURY (this will add 20 calories, 4 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams of sugar)

Are you a coffee lover?

Try adding 1 tsp of instant coffee (regular or decaf)

Ideas from UNJURY customers

chocolate Java

1 scoop Chocolate UNJURY

8 oz Coffee (regular or decaf)

1 tsp Cocoa powder

Café Mocha

1 scoop Chocolate UNJURY

8 oz Milk

Coffee (regular or decaf) to taste

It looks like several of us are hitting the sweet spot. I has 1cc added last week for a total of 6cc. At first -- I was shocked with how little I could eat and considered having some taken out but then I decided to wait a couple of more days and -----WHAMO!!!-----I found that I could get about 3-4 spoons of chili in the AM (for breakfast!!) after a cup of hot coffee to open the band a little. Lunch is usually a protein bar and dinner tonight was 2 chicken wings. I've started losing again----so I'm hoping this is going to last a while.

Dear fellow shrinking shamrocks,

I don't post much but enjoy reading all of your posts and enjoying your stories and successes!

I just had to post because I am so excited, I am down to 250 finally!!!!

Thanks for your support!

:thumbup: :cool2: