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

So anybody else worried about surviving Superbowl Sunday?

I didn't even think about the food at the superbowl party. Oh boy. you're so right. I better watch. Thanks. We'll all do fine!!!!!!! Right??????

I can't remember ever buying a size 16 in a "regular" store...like the GAP. Even in High School I shopped Lane Bryant and Macy's woman. I def had a better figure than I do now though. I got the gut after the kids and now my things are really getting pretty disgusting.

I plan on getting a tummy tuck with my hernia repair in a year or two. My thighs are pretty gross. I had not noticed until we recently went to a hotel that had MIRRORS...we are talking BIG MIRRORS...wow the thighs are smaller, but wow are they FUGLY. I look great dressed, but naked....whew it's not a pretty picture.

Christine

Yes, the giant mirrors in the bathroom are a bit disconcerting.....but overall, I still think I look better....some bits are a bit lower than they used to be....but hell, I'm almost fifty years old...that's a lot of gravitational pull over the years, too!

I just focus on the fact that my heart is healthier and happier.....I can look good dressed and the list of people that see my naked is fairly short....and all but one of them are getting paid when they see me naked, so who cares?

I would love to have some things tucked and lifted....maybe I will, but I've got to get my band paid for first!

I'm definitely going to have surgery - can't figure out how the hell I'm going to pay for it, but I will.

So, SuperBowl... you guys behaving?

I had some Trader Joe's chili for lunch (310 cals, 27 g protein), and may have a TJ's chicken enchilada for dinner, but I'm not going to be really doing the snack thing. Indeed, maybe I should go have a couple of apps at my favourite restaurant - some braised cauliflower and then a little beef carpaccio would hit the spot...

I have been pretty tight the last few days, so the Super Bowl Snacks will not be an issue. Whew!!!!

And yes, PS surgery of all sorts will be in my future. Even though I am more than 100 pounds down, I do not look forward to bathing suit and shorts weather. Winter clothes look much better on me.

I so feel you guys on the whole PS thing. I am seeing the skin already, even though I am toning as much as I can. I have to face it, I have been obese most of my life, I don't see much bouncing back after the loss, lol. I am 101 pounds down from my higest weight, and almost 80 pounds down from surgery, and damned if my skin is not feeling the pain!

One of my coworkers got her stomach skin removal covered by our insurance, with a very cooperative surgeon. It turns out that the whole skin rubbing rash thing is reason enough to get the surgery covered. I figure that if I can at least get this procedure paid for, I can get my thighs and arms done by living like a pauper for a few years. I am doing it for the band, why not for the skin removal? My arms are the biggest necessity, they are very small in the forearm area, but I have upper arms like plump Christmas hams, I definitely see major batwings in my future!!!!

Here's a good article from the NY Times on PS after obesity surgery:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/fashion/03skin.html

I think we should all bear in mind that a "tummy tuck" is a major procedure, no matter how cute the name.

Okay, I still splurged last night by fixing non-crust pizza and ate a good size portion but it tasted good to me and I haven't had pizza in maybe 3 months or more and it used to be a every Friday night thing where I'd eat most of the pizza by myself. I put pizza sauce in a pyrex dish (the sauce was 20 cal for 1/2 cup) and then put shredded mozarella cheese/italian cheese, then pieces of pepperoni on it and baked it until bubbly. Next time I do this I plan to make a personal size serving because I found I liked the taste but could have done with much less quantity if I had only made a smaller amount.

I did weigh out the Doritos to get the package amount for 1 serving -- it was a miniscule amount of chips and really not worth it for the calories it took.

So with my two weekend days of eating quite a few calories but also burning off more calories than I had eaten, I'm showing a maintain this a.m. and I'll take that.

Keep moving everyone, I'm convinced the exercise is helping me mentally and physically.

Yep, the arm batwings are definitely here for me too. I don't want to gross anyone out too much but when I had a particularly bad rash in those special areas, I took my own digital pictures and showed them to my doctor on my last surgeon visit. She said yes, this is a very good idea to document the rash problems and to talk to me about it because it will help you get approval for the panniculectomy portion of the surgery. So, be sure you mention this for the next year or whatever to your doctors if you're thinking of going the plastic surgery route eventually. I did see a show about a woman that had the full 360 body lift procedure and that looked excruiciatingly painful and I don't think I'm heading for that. Going to have to save money and do what I can in steps but my first goal is to have the insurance cover the tummy surgery. They will upgrade panniculectomy to tummy tuck at my hospital/surgeon and just charge you the slight upgrade in price but at least the rest is covered on insurance.

I LOVED the SuperBowl game last night. Best and most exciting one I have seen in a long time with the game going down to the last seconds. I'd rather watch a game like that than a blow out score game any day.

PS is also in my future. In fact I went for a consult a month ago.. Right now I am concentrating on toning.. As much as possible.

And yes, those big mirrors are eye opening.. I do find myself being more confortable trying clothes on in a store, rather than the 2 trips, to take things home, try them on and do returns. Even with the dressing room mirrirs :w00t:

My daughter and grandson are moved out to their own place. It seems strange, so quiet at home, but I am enjoying it>>

What the heck??? Is EVERYBODY hungover or something?

It was a great game, I thought. I watched by myself, while working, and didn't really indulge in anything much. That said, this month is going to be a tough one - it's the annual City Bakery Hot chocolate Festival, with a special flavour on offer each day. Saturday's was banana Peel Hot Chocolate, yesterday's was Beer Hot Chocolate; since I don't like banana and chocolate together much, and don't drink beer, it wasn't that hard, but SOME of their flavours are amazing.

I only get the small serving - a "shot" of hot chocolate - but it's so rich I assume it's about 150 calories. And I'm actually OK with that.

Today I went to the gym for the first time in forever. I met with the training manager, have been assigned a trainer, and will start soon. I did cardio, 45 minutes at 3.5 mph on a zero incline treadmill; I'll stick with that for a while before making it harder.

One thing I'd say to exercising bandsters: make sure when doing cardio that you take enough time to slow down and cool down naturally. If you're running or jogging, you want to slow down gradually - I use the last seven minutes of my session to slow from 3.5 to 2.5, then there's a five minute cooldown period during which the speed drops to 1.8, then to 1.3. Although I gave up at that point - at that speed, it almost takes more effort to stand still.

But really, be careful with the cooldown. Big people tend to have big hearts, and big hearts need to be looked after.

Anyway, it was nice to start my day off with 2.35 miles already traveled, even before I start my usual 3 mile walking day.

Yes, the giant mirrors in the bathroom are a bit disconcerting.....but overall, I still think I look better....some bits are a bit lower than they used to be....but hell, I'm almost fifty years old...that's a lot of gravitational pull over the years, too!

I just focus on the fact that my heart is healthier and happier.....I can look good dressed and the list of people that see my naked is fairly short....and all but one of them are getting paid when they see me naked, so who cares?

I would love to have some things tucked and lifted....maybe I will, but I've got to get my band paid for first!

Well I would hope all of our lists are short for "see me naked"...praise the Lord for that!!! I will be wearing my bra around my knee caps soon... (sorry Fenton)...I'm so sick of winter..no motivation except to laze around in my flannels....:tongue:

You guys are killing me with your speeds on the treadmill! Go Fenton with the 3.5!!! I am at 2.6 for 35 minutes and I thought that I was doing something, lol.

I think that part of my problem is that I just can not let go of the rails. Every time I do, I feel myself instantly beginning to fly off the back of my treadmill, into the dryer of course. Visions of grotesquely broken necks start the second that my hands let go! I feel like I am at the point where I can actually jog, and I want to, so badly. My Mom was at the checkout in Walmart a week ago, and realize that she had forgotten lemons. I jogged to the complete opposite end of the store, grabbed lemons, and jogged back without breaking a sweat. I actually made it back before her order was finished being scanned. Didn't even realize I was doing it until I was done!

Ok, long story short, do you guys walk without holding on? Do you feel that this what helps you reach higher speeds? If so, how the heck do you do it without vivid visions of your imminent death flashing before your eyes?????

Yes. It's easier to walk without hanging on - the arm movement stabilizes you.

Start slowly. 1 mph, 1.5 mph, increase it by .1 every minute, stop when you get to where you want to be. Listen to music (might I recommend LCD Soundsystem's 43:55, or something - a mix they did for Nike which starts off slowly, builds up, and keeps you moving. It's designed for runners, but I find it works well on the treadmill). Listening to music helps me move.

You've certainly walked at 3.5 mph during your regular days. Just relax, breathe, walk.