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

I'm a March bandster too! 31st of March of starting weight 140 Kgs. I'm still in slight pain around my port area too, I hate the liquid diet but hanging in there :tongue_smilie:

Hi Kerri, I was 1 month out yesterday as well and I'm still getting the achy feeling around my port area too. I notice it more when I'm up doing things around the house, it's more of a ache and not really a pain. Like you, I can feel my port when I put my hand over the achy area, at least the actual pain is finally gone. I think what we're experiencing is probably normal and you probably did exert yourself more than your body is used to, I'm sure you'll be ok.

i only lost 15 pounds since march 17th. i lost 55 pounds before surgery just dieting and exersize. So that makes a total of 70 pounds in the past 9 months.

thank you for all your compliments.

Kerri, I definatly get an achy feeling, sort of a deep pulling in the area of the port when I overexert myself. It's still healing in there. I think we assume that since all the external stuff is healed up the inside is done as well. But it's not, scar tissue is still forming and the port is still settling in.

I still have a lot of swelling across my abdomen in the area where all my incisions are. I think most of it has to do with my allergic reaction because it travels the same path. Still super itchy too, but not as red.

Christine

Scrappy, I lost 17 in the month before surgery and 12 (tempted to type "only" before that 12, but I held myself back) since surgery on the 24th. I find I'm having a hard time some days with knowing that I did better on my own before surgery than after, but am working on it. Do you find you do this sometimes, or can you just be grateful those pounds are gone?

I think I remember you saying you had not dieted before starting on your journey to lapband. I have been on diets since I was 12 yrs old. Just wondering how the other side sees things.

Christine

As far as feeling your port goes, hopefully we'll ALL be able to feel our ports, eventually. In fact, we'll probably be able to see them, too, if we're successful.

I reweighed myself today after a week, and I'm down another 3 lbs; it would have been more, had I not fallen prey to the damn white chocolate and raspberry tarts they have at le Pain Quotidien. They're not big, but I've had several this week; I'm guessing they're about 500 calories a pop - EMPTY calories! But they have a raspberry on them, which is fruit, so I feel they're profoundly rewarding at the nutritional level.

So, yeah, that's something to kick in the head.

I've been exercising a lot - I'm walking as much as I can, trying to beat my pedometer each day. My max was almost 16000 steps on Wednesday, a lot for my hulking bulk. And I've started using my dumbells, about 15 minutes every other day, a dopy routine that I have "created". I didn't start yoga - I couldn't find the strap I needed, but I found my mat and the yoga blocks, so I will start today.

Things are going well. Last weekend, my friend Noa came over and we went through my main clothes stash, discarding stuff that was too big. I have a rather sad collection of clothes of increasing size, many new with labels, a grim testament to my rise through the weight classes, and my optimistic shopping habits.

But it was good. The really large stuff we took to Goodwill. I will keep one pair of enormous trophy pants. And we organized the bins by size, with the smallest sizes at the bottom, and the biggest on top; the plan is that I will gradually work my way down the pile to the slimmer clothes. At the very least, I'm not going to have to go clothes shopping for a while.

So, I've shifted down in pants size, down 4 notches on my belt, 4" in my pants size. I'm still wearing my big shirts, but now the Tall shirts I have, cut slim, are loose on me. Since I've always bought pretty much identical clothes, and am still wearing clothes that are too big for me, I think people notice the weight loss less. Only a few people have commented on my weight loss - and I'm at 55 pounds lost!

Still, when you weigh 175 and lose 55 pounds, that's a huge amount. When you weigh 475 and lose 55 pounds, it's comparatively not such a striking loss.

The important thing is that everything's going in the right direction. The other important thing is that I feel really pretty fracking GOOD, with a lot more energy to walk and wrestle with cats and Take Care of Business...

I have to say, I'm really lucky to have Noa as a friend. She's really supportive and kind, and I could never let anyone else - in the REAL world! - know my weight, or my belt size or pants size. But I'm comfortable around her.

I am happy for the 70 pounds gone but most of the time i dont see it. I still feel huge. yeah this was my first real diet. i gained 6-7 pounds back as soon as i started eating solid foods and then i just platued for over 2 weeks that was really discouraging. i was eating way more before surgery than i am now so was really frustrating not to be losing.

I am hoping now since i have started losing again it just keeps melting away.

Fenton, thanks for the Slimfast. I go for my fill on Tues so it will be 2 days of liquids for me again. I really appreciate not having to buy more. If there is anything I can do for you let me know.

I have lost 29 pounds and started at 288. Few people notice the difference in me. I guess it can compare to 55 lost at 473 to start. My super tight clothes are now fitting and those jeans that I went to the park in right before surgery with the super huge sweatshirt covering the button and zipper that would not close at all can now be buttoned and zipped. Still tight, but closed.

I bought a new outfit to wear to a party we are having for my son next week. I think people will notice the difference because it is a new outfit and it fits well. Wish I could say it's a smaller size, but it's not. I had not shopped for myself for a long, long time. Everything was super tight or elastic.

Anyway I am really looking forward to my fill on Tuesday!

Christine

It is frustrating when people don't notice.....but I think sometimes, they do notice....but don't know whether or not they should say something.

It's very awkward for people to say "Have you lost some weight?", because then they are implying (sub consciously) that you were fat, needed to lose weight.....blah blah blah.....of course, we all KNOW we're fat and need to lose weight.....but other people are uncomfortable commenting on it.....

Soooooooooo, until is is VERY obvious we're dropping pounds......people are hesitant to comment.

I'm happy to see a change in the way my clothes fit, I see a difference in the mirror.....that has to be enough for now.

Hope your fill on Tuesday is uneventful and effective, Christine!

Do come back and tell us about it......I think my first fill is still a ways out.

Hope you're all having a peaceful Sunday!

Thanks everyone for the responses! I was sure that my port was going to jump through my skin and say "SURPRISE!" last night lol.. I wasn't sure what I had done to myself.

My husband also pointed out that I did lots of shoveling snow yesterday too. A good hour, and only a few short breaks, it was hard work! I was so out of breath, the stuff is just sooo heavy to move. I've been trying to get the pesky snowbanks cut down, and throwing it into areas where it will melt on the grass (yay grass!!:thumbup: I typically love snow, but I am sooo over it this year, we got way over the norm. I'm tempted to go out with my blow dryer:)

:)Kerri

When I get home from work my port is very sore! I am still taking pain pills. I usually need a 1/2 of one before I leave work and then the other 1/2 when I leave. My port is usually sore the next morning as well.

I find that my scale isn't moving anymore. I have been on soft foods for @ 2wks, but I do have people commenting on how I look. They don't seem to be able to put their finger on what is different.

I asked my husband to hide my scale and just give it to me once a week. I CAN'T TAKE IT! I want to know but it hasn't moved in a week and that was making me crazy!

I'm with you on the snow thing, kerri!

We're supposed to get some more today...............BLECH.

It's been warm enough that I don't think it will stick, but still......

IT'S APRIL.......I want sunshine and daffodils!

Hope your feeling better soon...........

So how were those Long Islands? Sounds divine.....I've made a personal vow to stay alcohol free until October......we'll see how that goes!

so many to read and catch up on and I was only away fro 1 1/2 days!!!!!

I too feel my port, but it only bothers me when i push on the area too hard. And there is a nagging pulling sensation on my left side, just below my ribcage.

I am a faithful Tuesday AM weigher. The first thing I do when I get to work is hit the scale. I weighed on it the day before my surgery so use that as my guide. I think mt DR scale is a bit different, but as long as I see it go down in ### I am happy.

I swore I would not buy any new clothes until my nephews, wedding in 1 month, but broke down yoday and bought a few shirts. Most of my pants I have been wearing will still pass, but are feeling much looser.

Fenton, There are always piles of clothes of differing sizes in our closets. I think we all can agree with that. I have a little bit for the next 2 sizes smaller, but not alot, and unfortunately the seasons of the items are a bit off with mother nature..:confused2:

Not looking for a fill until my next appt, on 5/9. I can eat small ampunt at times and other times feel like I want more. I am getting better at reading the signs of when to stop. I just have to remember to eat a little bit every few hours and not wait until i am starving. I find that to be when I run into eating too fast and feeling lousy.

There ia a group of us Lapbanders, here in Delaware that have formed an informal walking group. Hoping we can keep each other motivated and get out there on a regular basis. Yesterday I walked a 3 mile course for a MS fund raiser, and did it in just over 45 minutes...:thumbup:

Now time to get outside for some gardening, UGH to all who have to still deal with the snow!!

Christine - you're more than welcome for the SFO. And congrats on the loss so far!

You snowbound folk! Stop talking about the snow! I got NONE last year, and I love that stuff!

Lynn: 45 mins for 3 miles is GREAT!