I put together a list of October Bandsters so we can wish everyone good luck on their special day.

LJBravado - 1st

Tosha - 2nd

Terrilen – 3rd

Englishgordon – 5th

Wendyr – 6th

LilAngel – 6th

Knitchique - 6th

IaLadybug - 6th

Oh 2 Be Free – 7th

Auntnettie – 7th

Nessa7925 – 7th

GingerRenayd2 - 8th

Theresa2mum – 10th

Anotherme – 10th

Cheryl10/10/05 - 10th

Sandamme - 10th

Bethlampwork – 11th

Happyk – 11th

Holiday0522 – 11th

Shanmnband – 11th

Enndee - 11th

Lsasha – 12th

Zan - 12th

Dragonwilo – 13th

RandyNJ77 – 14th

Tink - 14th

Jolynn – 20th

Mcgraw-addict - 20th

Mello one - 20th

Asphalt Angel - 20th

Serinity - 20th

Betts - 21st

Edazul - 21st

LaughingGirl - 22nd

NJChick – 24th

Streetracer24k – 24th

Jladybird – 24th

Bandayed - 24th

Readyandwaiting - 24th

Cindyh – 25th

OhToBeThin – 25th

Happypsychrn – 25th

Karen - 25th

Glitterqueen - 27th

Makena2 - 27th

MsFrosh – 28th

Christina18 – 28th

G8trchick - 28th

Karinsky - 28th

Clevergrrly - 28th

Bright - 28th

Tonypie - 28th

Cindyweb18 - 30th

Lulu - 30th

Mikie - 31st BOO!

Wow -- I have all kinds of shakes etc. How long are you CLEAR liquids? That's torture! But I bet you've lost -- how could you not? I'm doing better everyday. Went to work for an hour yesterday, it was physically uncomfortable, but I did it. Trick or treating was no prob too. I think when I'm tired things hurt more and I just listen to my body and go to bed for a while -- dishes will be there later :mad: I went to Target today too and that was good -- didn't even hurt moving the bags around etc. I have noticed though that I get the hiccoughs alot -- have you had them?

Can you add me on your list? I was banded on October 21st by Dr. Huacuz in Tijuana. Have lost 8lbs already. I have a weird question , will it be safe to lay on our stomach after the stitches are out because of the port? I emailed my docter with the same question but I don't think he understood. Thanks for your help

Welcome Edazul -- not sure about laying on the tummy. Haven't heard it's not OK. It's about the last thing I feel like doing right now though!!! I really have only been sleeping on my back and I am a confirmed side sleeper so that has been weird. I feel a pull or pressure on my incisions if I lay on my side. Hope you get your answer!

Welcome Edazul and congrats on the 8 lbs. I can't tell you either about sleeping on your stomach. I can only lay on my side.

Band, its good to hear your up and about. I can't imagine being at work, I'm not ready for that.

Yes two weeks, 14 days of broth. But I gotta be honest, I just snuck some cream of wheat. My first time eating so I'm being really careful. I see my doctor tomorrow :mad:

Hello to all my October 2005 Band Buddies!

Where have the past 9 months gone?!!.... Can you believe in just a few short months it will be our 1 year "bandiversary" ?!

I often think back to how anxious I was and how I fretted over the "unknown" of the surgery. How about you? Before surgery did you wonder how you were going to get thru the liquid and mushies stage?.... Only to find you weren't really hungry at all?

Broth was my staple during those first few weeks, and I remember being more focused on recovery from the surgery than eating... I had to remind myself to heat up soup or eat a snack.

How about everyone post a short update? Anything you wish to share.. What are you most proud of? Do you have any disappointments? Have you found something that really works for you? food, exercise? please share!

For me, I try not to focus on the numbers on the scale. I don't even own a scale! Each time I go in for a fill, I'll jot down my weight and fill level... So, I do try to keep track of it. As a matter of fact it's been a couple of months since my last fill and I've been thinking it's time to schedule another small one. I believe I've lost approx 8-12 lbs since my last fill at the end of May! But, at times I feel very little restriction and would like to try another small fill.

I have to admit.. I've been guilty of no regular exercise, although this summer I've taken my son to our neighborhood pool to swim 3 nights a week. Trust me, that is my greatest achievement.... prior to this summer it had been almost 3 years since I even put on my bathing suit!! Maybe it's me getting older? feeling more comfortable with my body? I don't feel like I have to hide, and I'm not as ashamed as I used to be.. I have to think it's because the band gave me the ability to lose this much... I'm determined to keep plowing away at the remaining 55 lbs or so! I made a commitment to myself this week to find an excersie program, to take my vitamins, and drink my water! These have been my disappointments, I'm much better at taking care of others... I have to take better care of myself.

Well, let's hear from YOU. How are you doing?

All the best,

Haven't posted much lately, but I think that is a good thing. I am totally "normalized" with my band and don't relly need much in the way of support lately. I have lost about 65 pounds, and while I wish it was more, am thrilled to death with it!!! I am guilty of not leading the model bandster life and I know if I lost my band tomorrow I would have huge regret over not taking full advantage of it. I am much healthier and much more active now, but I am now starting to feel this guilt that I am not doing absolutely everything to maximize my banded time. I eat tons of chili (with sour cream) I eat ice cream, I only exercise a few times a week......things like that........I recetly had a 3rd fill and am very restriced....on mushies really, but the fill has definately jump started my recommitment to getting better at making the absolute most of my band.....(well, after vacation of course..........)

Wow! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! It's true...- it almost being our bandanniversary- how amazing! It's been an interesting year for sure. What always intrigues me when I read everyones posts- is how different the band works for everyone. While some have little restriction and need several fills- others have too much with one fill etc, etc..

I feel like this year has been life changing for me. Right after the surgery I was full of regrets. I thought the recovery time was much too long and it seemed that due to all the physical, financial and emotional challenges, maybe the surgery was a mistake. That all changed about two months post. I began to fill better and I continued to lose weight even without a fill of any kind. Finally at the end of January I received my first fill- it's the only one I have ever needed so far. It hit a perfect restriction for me right off the bat and continues to feel just right. I have learned to live with the band and have loved the changes it has made for me. I would truly say now THE BAND WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE- YEA :clap2: I hope everyones journey was positive in the end too but would also love to hear more of the Oct. 2005 bandsters stories.

I started at 245- today the scale said 180! Yipee!

All the best Oct. bandsters!