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

Last is a Nutrition factoid I learned from a "Chat with Choban" session at our bariatric support group meeting at my hospital where I had surgery. We all seem to ask on a fairly often basis about what can we do to eliminate or reduce gas, flatulence, etc. Our doctor said stay under 30 grams of fat in a day -- its the fat content in your diet that some of us are less tolerant to absorb and process fat than others but that we all need some fat in our diet. I went back and looked at my food log and was shocked to find I've been well over that limit every day and it seems to be just one crazy thing I did in a day that pushed me over. She lined the 30grams up to the same level that is tolerated if someone takes Xenical as a weight loss reducing medication and if you go over that daily limit, there is diarrhea and other consequences. So I am going to try hard to see if I can go for a week staying under 30g fat.

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is doing well. I finally broke down (ha ha he he) and joined a gym again. I like this one though. Let me tell you this time it is SOOOO much easier to get on a machine and exercise. NSV- I did worry about what other people would think of me. I have gone to the gym the past two days for about an hour each time. Tonight is Aqua Fit night (water areobics). I am looking forward to the class. It sounds fun. I had a fill yesterday and I was able to keep it. :tongue2: YEA!!! So I am hoping to be on the losing track again.

I was so excited...the other day a friend of my mother's actually said I was melting away!!!! Ah what a great feeling!!!!

Hope everyone is doing ok. It has been rather quiet lately, but I assume that is just because we are all out living life!

I started doing yoga a few weeks ago. Who woulda thunk it? I can 'mostly' get in to all of the positions (it is pretty freakin hilarious I am sure to watch me try!). I am doing it at home, to avoid completely exposing my naughty bits in public. I am way more confident now, but not that confident! I found a beginners Podcast online. And I must say, that I am totally addicted. My muscles feel like I get a huge workout in just a half an hour. And it has to be the physical equivalent of Xanax. I feel all super loosey-goosey when I am done, it is absolutely amazing. I don't hate it. Actually, I like it. Alot. And as with any form of exercise, the fact that I like it alot is huge. I have been doing it almost everyday, and I don't have to make myself do it.

I am hoping for a difference in my losing. I am losing very unevenly, alot on the bottom, nowhere near as much on the top. I feel like a fully padded linebacker most days, lol. I am also noticing the skin, especially on my legs and arms. My doc claims that I am 'young', skin should rebound at least some. But I have been overweight my enitre life, I fully expect to have excess skin. But to be completely honest, it scares the hell out of me. I can not afford more surgery, at least not for a long while. So whatever may help, I am all about trying it!

If you guys have any toning tips to help with the skin issue, please feel free to share. I would love to hear any ideas that ya'll might have!

Yay gabbygal! Someone at my job has taken to calling me 'Slim'. And I TOTALLY get off on it, lol. NSV's rule!

The biopsy results came back....I am thrilled to report that I have gastritis. I know does not sound like much, but I'm so glad to have a reason for the way my stomach burns and burns. I was really upset when on visual exam with the endoscopy he found nothing.

So a medication change and a mild diet for the next month and hopefully I'll be feeling better.

Christine

BNL....so glad you found excersize you enjoy. I fell out of my treadmill routine and I have to get back into it. I will start tomorrow AM.

Christine

Christine, I too have fallen off the wagon on my treadmill routine. I was training for a second job and got off track, but since then have given up that second job and just have not found the motivation to get back on. I will make myself get back on it for sure tonite or tomorrow nite at the latest. I need the exercise that's for sure.

Hello all. Today is the anniversary of getting my band. One year ago this very moment I was full of piss and vinegar, ready to take on the world.

Lately I've been getting down on myself because I'm nowhere near where I thought I would be a year later.

Im Ok with that. Because I am tons improved from the person I was letting myself become. Baby steps.

What has happened?

*Im more conscience of what I put in my mouth-less mindless eating.

*Im not afraid to try new activities- like rock climbing, yoga classes and triathlons.

*Im fitting in those clothes I had in the attic which were too small. My "remember when" clothes. I have just one more dress I want to wear again.

*I've given away all of my too big clothes so I don't have a safety net "if I gain a few pounds" like I've done in the past.

*I'm not worried about which seat I get on a plane, because now I can fit comfortably in my space.

*I'm being a good role model for my overweight family members.

*Im getting better at setting weight goals.

What will this next year bring?

*More weight loss. It might be slower then what I dreamed, but it will NOT be mindless gaining.

*More consistent exercise.

*Finding the joy. Not being so hard on myself.

I want to thank each and everyone of my Shrinking Shamrock friends. You where there with humor and honesty. Sharing your trials and triumphs. You were there for me when I didn't believe I could do it.

Thank you all.

Congratulations on an amazing year, Amanda!

You should be so proud of yourself.....so many wonderful things have happened for you....and it's only the beginning!

Hello all

I had my surgery yesterday, and I feel great! I can't believe what little pain I have, mostly when I stand up or sit down. Slept most of the day yesterday but feel more alert today. I've been drinking water, cranberry juice and pear juice. The pear juice is really yummy and good to take after taking a nasty flavored liquid medicine. I had pretty bad gas pain in my upper abdomen yesterday while still in the clinic, gas ex strips worked right away for me, make sure to take some with you to the hospital, and walk as soon as you can. It's scary at first but the more you walk the more you stretch your tummy muscles and that really helps with the gas, it was gone after only 5-10 minuets walking. You guys can do it, easy-peasy! I can't recommend my Doc, Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, I'm self pay and he has a great rate of $9950.00 and the BEST hospital and staff I have ever encountered. Good luck to you all, just think where we all will next March!l

Hi ajoneen, Congrats on your BANDAVERSARY!!!. I can not believe that it has already been almost a year for myself. I like how you posted your successes. I think it is very important that we all acknowledge how far we have come. We should start a new post where we can post how far we have come!!!

Katie K.

This has nothing to do with weight loss or NSV's, but I thought I'd share anyway. We got two puppies on Sunday. They are soooo cute. We got a 7wk old female Rat terrier and an 11 wk. old male rat terrier. My 13 yr. old asked me yesterday why we got two... I told her "we got Sunny to drive Sparky nuts, and we got Sparky to drive Sunny nuts. All so that they won't drive US nuts." :confused:

ajoneen - congrats on all of your victories. You may not be where you thought you would be, but at least you aren't where you were.

ajoneen - congrats on all of your victories. You may not be where you thought you would be, but at least you aren't where you were.

AMEN SISTER! I am nowhere near where I thought I would be at almost the one year mark. I just knew that I was going to be the model lap-band patient. I was going to blow all of the charts out of the Water, piss and vinegar all the way! But we are human, in every way. I have to just thank God every day that I lose, and do not gain. And if I gain? It is what it is, every day is a new day. So let's just start again tomorrow.

Ajoneen, you have done amazing things in such a relatively short period of time. As a group, we need to learn to Celebrate our successes, no matter what they are. A failure today can be a success tomorrow. Take the joy in the little things, the rest will follow. Happy Bandiversary!!!!!

Happy Bandiversary Amanda! I too think you've come so far from where you were. Congratulations and keep up the excellent commitment to yourself!

Christine