denisem

I'm so happy to hear the positive updates on fills. I'm scheduled for my first one a week from today. It's going to be nice to finally feel some restriction. Glad to hear you are finally feeling it! Denise

Lookin' GOOD, girl! Keep up the great work! I really like your new hairstyle as well. You really have a great smile and your daughter looks just like you!

Julie, I'm happy for you that you made it through your first fill relatively pain free! I hope you feel better since you are now home and able to rest better. Thanks for providing such a detailed description of the fill process. I'm scheduled to have my first fill on 7/28 in Houston. I'm really ready for a fill, as I have very little restriction and am using willpower alone to not gain any weight back that I've lost since surgery. I hope you feel better soon! Let us know how you feel once you are able to eat solids again. I'm anxious to hear. Denise

That is fantastic news, Michelle! You have really done an excellent job with your band and have inspired us all. I've told you before, you are one of the reasons I was banded. It's so wonderful to see good things happen to such a sweet and helpful person. Keep it up! Pretty soon, you can write your own lapband book! Denise

I loved your story, Jann. Thanks so much for sharing your NSV with us! I'll be sure to share mine with you guys if I ever have one!

Welcome to the forum. Everyone here is so nice and helpful. Don't be shy...you'll soon find out we tend to ask and try to answer anything and everything!

On occasion, I have one for breakfast, especially if I'm in a hurry and trying to get out the door. I only use them for convenience and only have them for breakfast though.

I too love BB! My husband and I have watched it since the first season. For those of you that missed an episode, they are airing them on CBS.com under the BB heading. I missed Sunday's show myself and watched it on my computer. So handy! An interesting tidbit....Libra from this season is from Spring, TX (where I'm from), and lives in my neighborhood! She's the lady who has the 4-yr old and 5-month old twins! I do not know her personally, but thought that was cool that she actually lives nearby. Denise

You are looking SOOOO good! You should be proud of making it halfway to your goal. You give us newly banded folks something to look forward to. I love it when members post pictures of their progress. I can't wait to have some progress of my own so I'll have pics to post! LOL Denise

Wow! You are really looking good! I can totally see the difference. It must feel so good! Congrats, and keep it up! Denise

I'm sure glad I read this post! I've been alternating the eliptical and the treadmill. I haven't noticed any port pain lately, but when I first started working out after surgery I noticed the pain at the port site, after I finished my workout. I will go back to treadmill only until I have my 6-week checkup at the doctor. Thanks again for another helpful post! Denise

Welcome to the forum. I'm one of the people not banded in TJ, but everyone here helps me out as if I was there with them. I've learned more from this forum than anywhere else, and you should never be embarrassed to ask any question. Believe me, there have been topics discussed from head to toe, and beyond! Good luck on your pre-op weight loss and your surgery! Denise

Cool! I'm very excited for you! It also gives me something to look forward to. My first fill is in 2 weeks! Way to go!

I had to stay on clear liquids for the first 7 days, but all doctors are different. Once I started the 2nd week, phase 2, I could have creamy soups and my favorite was creamy potato. There is a recipe for it in the food/recipe section of the forum. I too had terrible shoulder/neck pain as a result of the gas. It finally subsided after about 2 1/2 weeks! My pain tended to come on at night, so I would get the heating pad in the bed and apply heat for 30 min, then turn it off. I also took pain meds the first week for the pain at night. Once you are cleared to exercise, walking cleared it up for me. I walked a little during the day, but it would always creep back at night. I know it hurts, so hang in there...it will soon disappear. The gas pain for me was worse than the actual surgery! Denise

Congratulations Brook! That is really quite an accomplishment! I took spinning classes about a year ago, and they are really the best workout for me. I will have to start over again to recondition my rear end, but I burned more calories in spinning class than any other workout I've done. Watch out for Race Day....it's a killer!

Good luck with your first fill...I'll be shortly behind you and will be anxious to hear how it goes for you. I'm scheduled for my first fill on 7/28. Congrats on your lost inches! That's awesome....I've been stuck on the 12 lb mark ever since adding in solid foods. But, I haven't gained either....trying to keep it that way. Keep us posted once you get your fill. Denise

It was hard to distinquish between meals at that stage, for me anyway. Everything kind of was the same for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I just alternated chicken broth with beef broth, and ate my jello and sipped apple juice, with each meal. As the day progressed, I would add in a popsicle. At least it only lasted one week...it was the most boring phase of all! Good luck!

Thanks for the clarification, ladies! I just officially graduated from "newbie" to "member"...yayyyyy! It does feel good to be part of this group...you all are a bundle of information!

This is a great idea. I would love to participate once I begin losing weight on a regular basis. I've been stuck on a loss of 12 lbs for 2 weeks and haven't been banded that long. I'm just now finding my size 20's on the baggy side, so if I lose 5 more lbs, they'll be too big. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I don't have a lot of fancy stuff. My stuff is mainly casual things. If anyone has any size 14-16 casual things to part with, let me know. Denise

I was just wondering how one progresses from "newbie" membership to "member" to "supreme", and so on? Just curious...does it have to do with the number of posts you submit?

I was banded June 12th and lost 12 pounds the first 2 weeks. However, I haven't lost a pound since. I haven't gained either, but I'm right there with you, girl! I know we aren't supposed to be concerned with weight loss right now, but proper healing of the stomach. I try to remind myself of that fact daily. I know how you feel, and I've just been following the plan and exercising to keep from gaining. My first fill is not scheduled until July 28th, so I still have 2 more weeks to wait. I just hope to at least stay the same weight until then.

I too find it difficult not to drink while eating. You are definitely not alone. The hardest time for me is when we go out to eat, which is normally Mexican food, here in Texas. This dining experience usually involves hot sauce! Try eating spicy hot sauce and not drinking! This is what I did today...I count out 5 chips and break off small pieces so it feels like I'm eating more and dip each piece in the sauce, then chew, chew, chew until it is like paste. This was all before I remembered I can't drink for an hour, so, I had to sit and suffer for an hour to pass until I could drink something. I finally swished around some iced tea in my mouth and spit it into an empty glass to get the burning sensation to go away. What a pretty site!

I love your dress! I bet you can't wait to see it zipped up! Way to go on getting to a size 12! I haven't seen that size in many years and will be super excited when it happens to me. Keep us updated on your progress, and CONGRATS!

Alana, I loved your blog! Thank you for your honesty and demonstrating your courage to write those things down. You speak for many of us who aren't brave enough to admit to the same things. We all identify with parts of your blog, and it does help to know that we are not alone in our struggles. Bless you, and thanks again for sharing. Denise

Michelle, Thanks again for another well thought out, helpful post. I've already made my list for the grocery store for small containers w/lids and unflavored protein powder! I'm still in the soft food stage, but will quickly be needing some guidance on what to eat when I reach the 6 week mark. As always, your tips are much appreciated, and I wish you much continued success on your wonderful weight loss progress. Denise