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

Scrappy - I am right there with you. I have weighed the same (199 -200) every day for forever it seems. I have eaten more Christmas treats than I did sweets all year. I had such a tight fill in November then had to get an unfill. Now I am approaching being hungry after about 2-3 hours. My original goal was to be down to goal weight (150 -160) by the end of this school year. Things are going to have to change if I can even get close to that. I guess it is frustrating since I have done so well for so long and now everything seems to have come to a screeching halt. TOMORROW IS A NEW DAY!!!

Alrighty then....survived the second day....two days of liquids again.....feel good!!

I'm eager to see at the end of the five days if my stomach/pouch really does feel tighter...I decided to wait until after the five days to see if I need another fill.

BTW.....it's been snowing freaking non-stop all day today!

The skiers are even upset because most of the roads up to the ski resorts are closed due to avalanche risks....it's NASTY outside!

Howdy!

Great news potatie - how awesome that you are so close to such a wonderful goal!!!!

Wishin4 - I had a hernia repair as well, but no symptoms pre surgery or post surgery. Sorry, that is not much help.

Scrappy - you are doing such a good job. I am confident that you will reach your goal. I ask the next question only because I know what I do to myself. Could it be you are sabotaging yourself? Deep down are you somehow afraid to get to your goal? You are incredible close to it!

I see my doctor today. It is a follow up and I absolutely am not getting a fill. (Besides the fact that I don't have much more to go before the band is completely filled, it is working for me now!) I haven't seen him since October, so it will be interesting to see what my weight loss is. As of yesterday I had lost all the weight I gained over December. I'm still working on the head issues. While I am not a big Oprah fan, I caught her show on Monday and I totally agree that I can absolutely never think that "I got it" and be able to relax about weight loss. I honestly think that is why I spiraled up in weight a few times. I will have to write down and monitor what I eat, every day. I will have to move my body, every day. (even if it is only a little bit.)

I'm actually looking forward to our Friday weigh in.

I have to say that I am impressed with the results I am having from doing the Five Day Pouch test.....after two days of liquids, I ate a boiled egg this morning and it truly filled me up.....almost back down to my ticker weight, too!

Pretty sure I'll be there by Friday and then.....GAME ON and no looking back!

I noticed the stores are starting to bring in Spring clothes....Hope Springs Eternal....it will be fun shopping for the trip this year......and that horror of all horrors....shopping for a swimsuit!

enjoy the day....we finally have some sunshine!

Friday is getting nearer, ouch, not sure how I am doing. ?since last fill, 12/30.. I have had few issues with sliming. lots of burping!!!

Hope to lose something...

WTG everyone for keeping in line over the holidays and getting back to things in the new year.

Things are going well, I think, back in The Program. I think I've had enough to eat protein-wise; I'm about to go shopping to replenish the pantry with my In the Program staples. Although, gosh, I'm not sure that I can remember what they were!

I had a good/bad NSV last night - I'd been saving a pair of corduroys for when I could fit in them; I tried them on and they completely ballooned around me. I liked them, and they're useless!

OTOH, they're useless because I'm too thin for them...

So, like, boo! And: YAY!

Yeah Fenton! That is awesome. Bummer, you missed your chance to wear the pants, but how cool that they are too big.

I saw the doctor today and have lost 15 pounds since I saw him last in October. I am also a few pounds from no longer being morbidly obese. Things to look forward to!

Well, end of day three....had a couple of boiled eggs, some steamed tilapia and some cottage cheese.

I will most definitely remember this program if I get off track again, I think it's really helped.

Tomorrow is 'firm' Protein....nothing on the list even sounds remotely good for breakfast:

Day 4: Firm Protein

ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut

Not quite sure what I'll have......

WTH, Harley? Lobster for Breakfast doesn't sound good??? OK, don't worry - I'll eat yours...

Still chugging forward. Hassling the gym to sort out my membership issues. New Yoga DVDs arrived yesterday. 5 weeks till I go to see my girl.

Motivation? CHECK!

Willpower? CHECK!

Feeling good? CHECK!

Weight loss? WE'LL FIND OUT TOMORROW!

Edited January 8, 200917 yr by Fenton

LAST CHANCE WORKOUT/FOOD RESTRICTION, SHAMROCKS!!!!

Even one day's effort can make a difference!!!!

I feel so bad. Was heading to the gym last night and then turned to go home. I am soooo tired. Too much on my mind, playing tricks with my band. STRESS!!!!

PBed Monday night and still feeling the effects.. everything feels like lead in my pouch and I am sticking with soft foods and liquid..

Tonight is bowling, so will get in some exercise. then to the gym tomorrow and Saturday

Lynn, sorry you are feeling so yucky.

Harley, sounds like you have found your groove. Salmon for breakfast sounds good to me.

Fenton, what kind of Yoga videos do you use? Which are your favorites? I'm thinking about trying it again, but hate the process of trying to find a program I like.

Christine

Well, I was actually going to recommend yoga to Lynn for those times when she's feeling too tuckered to work out.

(Speaking of tucker, where is our little Australian friend?)

I like Rodney Yee, specifically Gaiam's AM/PM Yoga for Beginners. Rodney does an 18 minute easy routine, designed for mornings but I've used it at any hour of the day.

For an hour work out, I use YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS with Suzanne Deason. It's about an hour long, somewhat demanding, and is well made, with demonstrations for four different levels of ability, from couch potato to experienced yogi. I like this one because the people demonstrating the different levels of challenge seem like ordinary people.

The new Yee video - YOGA FOR BEGINNERS - seems pretty good, somewhere between the first two I've mentioned. There's a long section on how to do poses correctly at different levels, and then Rodney leads another 17 minute morning work out, this one a bit harder than AM/PM YOGA FOR BEGINNERS. Then his smokin' hot wife Colleen Seidman (sp?) leads a 20 minute evening workout, which I haven't really looked at.

I've also picked up the following titles, as yet untried by me but highly rated on Amazon:

BEGINNERS & BEYOND YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS

ESSENTIAL YOGA FOR INFLEXIBLE PEOPLE

YOGA FOR INFLEXIBLE PEOPLE

I find I feel better when I do yoga. Although, as a scientist, I have to say that maybe it's when I feel better that I DO yoga...

Either way, give it a try! The older yoga discs, like the Deason one and probably AM/PM YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, are less than $10 a pop.

Well, I'm back from my Vegas trip and I'm up about 2 pounds, not bad considering I'd have gained 3 times that before being banded. I'm hoping for tomorrow's weigh-in to be down some, I'm sure at least part of it is Water weight. I need to get back in the habit of doing my treadmill, I have good intentions of starting tonite when I get home from work, but we shall see since I still need to get caught up on some sleep....lol.

I had an NSV while there, my son and his wife met us there and spent 1 day with us. I haven't seen my son since XMAS a year ago before I had surgery and when he first saw me he said "Holy crap, deja vu 17 years ago", then he gave me a big hug and said "Wow I can even put my arms all the way around you now". That made me feel good, down 90 pounds since I saw him. :thumbs_up:

"Holy crap, deja vu 17 years ago",

I think this is the reaction we are all yearning for. Congratulations on your hard work!!!