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

Angelic: on this whole journey-type situation, we achieve several different types of success.

Most of us focus on the weight we lose - the number of pounds we see that we've lost when we climb onto the scale. This would be a Scale Victory.

But it's important to keep your eyes and ears open for things which don't relate to the number on that scale - someone saying, "Hey, have you lost weight?", or being able to tighten that belt one more notch, or noticing that you've slipped into that cinema seat a lot more comfortably than before, or that the (Gawd help me) bra that was too small now fits perfectly, or that you have so much energy that a walk that usually takes you over a half an hour now just takes 25 minutes. These are Non-Scale Victories - NSVs.

Now, I don't know if I made it up, but it seems to me that, if you can have an NSV, you can also have an SV. So, there it is...

Harley, have you been celebrating your scale Victory (SV) with a beanfest? Filled up on Coke and refritos?

It seems odd that you should be so badly afflicted so far out from surgery.

My Number 1 suspicion is that you have done something wrong, and God has decided to smite you with gas. But I could be mistaken.

Perhaps I am paying for the sins of my past........but for now, things have been pretty low key.....nothing in the last few days that would make me have the gas pain....UGH....

I've been on heat for the last two hours and it's helped........maybe I just did one of those 'as you get older' move wrong things.....

Hi Shamrocks!

Harley, sorry to hear about the gas. Boy do I sympathise! I certainly did not get well as quickly as everyone else here. I still have pulling sensations and gas at times.

I have been doing a yo-yo on the scale and since the last time I weighed myself it was the number that shows on my ticker, I decided not to weigh myself again for a while. They will weigh me when I see the doctor on Wednesday. I hope that it is a good day for me. I've been mad at the band because the weight has not come off as much as I would like it to. I have talked myself out of that now and am just trying to continue with the liquids. I have to admit it is difficult because the hunger is back. It is not like pre-band, but not like last week when I didn't care if I ate.

I think I am going to try to ignore the scale for a while. It irritated me with the up and down nonsense. Since I have followed the liquid stage carefully, it shouldn't be doing that. So, since it is messing with my head, I'm not going to weigh myself. :regular_smile:

Great to hear about everyones NSV and SV. I love to read about the successes! I think that this week will be a good one when I try on my jeans. I haven't worn them since before surgery.

yes she is a little far out from surgery for "gas" but I doubt that it is od that is paying her back 9hahaha) I continue to have arm pain in my left arm and shoulder and I wonder if it was positioning during surgery. Its not gas that I'm sure of......beans oh my....I can't imagine...

sharon;)

Hello all. I hope everyone is continuing to do well. I get to go to the doctor tomorrow and hopefully get these awful staples removed. That should help my comfort level! I am continuing to get better and am slowly trying all of the things that I can tolerate. The funny thing is is that my kids are learning about new foods they like as well. I had to buy a bunch more cottage cheese because they were beating me to it! It feels good to know that I am not only changing my life, but the health of my kids as well. I thought that was pretty cool.

Teri- good luck going back to work tomorrow. I hope you have a smooth and easy day!

Talk to you soon.

Erika

why do you have staples?

Harley, a little gas now and then, same here, not that it is too pianful.

Fenton - no new gadgets! for you 10% weight loss. WTG!!!

I am heading back to work on Wednesday, 3 weeks post surgery. I am ure it is going to be a tiring day. Just getting up with the alarm at 6am is gonna kill me.

Since on mushies I have added unflavored unjury to many soups to get in my protein. cottage cheese, yogurt and protein shakes and puddings. Have to figure out what i will take to lunch for work..

Happy with my first 10# weight loss since surgery.

No scale in the house I know it would get me so discouraged

For all of us, keeping up the good work for a very succeesful April weight loss!

Fenton, I think that goal is probably doable for you. You've made me decide to set my next short term goal for 20 lbs by June 1. We leave on vacation June 1 and I'd love to be 20 lbs less!! Goodluck to you!

I have a new goal - I can't tell yet how ambitious it is, if it's do-able or not, but I want to lose 25 pounds by the beginning of June.

My 25th birthday is June 4, and I have set a goal to be under 200 by then.. That would be at least 23lbs in 2 months.. We can do this!!:regular_smile:

Glad to hear you are doing better Erika! Good luck with your staple removal:).. Ans congrats on making your household a healthier one! I know it can be quite a battle for me at times.. I don't have children, but I do have a stubborn DH who has the metabolism of a freakin' gerbil.. He loves to eat the stuff I salivate over.. Maybe I'll force some cottage cheese on him?! :regular_smile: Good luck tomorrow!

three week!! I didn't know we could be off that long...I was back to work in 4 days....

Ok, anyone else have REALLY stinky pee? Not dark, so I think it's not a hydration thing. Maybe it's all the Protein?

Christine

My NSV! Yesterday I wore blue jeans, size 18 that actually buttoned and zipped, instead of those comfy elastic waist pants I've been in. I felt so great!!!

Yup got the stinky pee... it's more to do with ketosis because of all the protein I've been eating without all those bad carbs!

My NSV! Yesterday I wore blue jeans, size 18 that actually buttoned and zipped, instead of those comfy elastic waist pants I've been in. I felt so great!!!

Congrats Texgirl! I too just had the same NSV today! Doesn't it feel wonderful?! You go girl!:regular_smile:

Smelly urine can also have to do with the vitamins you are taking.