Wow , I never thought when I started this thread I would get so many replys. I GO 2-29-08 for my 6th fill. My surgery was 9-27-07. I am doing good. I lost a little over 50 lbs. I finally got a tread mill. Man I work out 2 xs a day. Thirty minutes in the morning and 15 min. after dinner at night. We all need to start a group meeting. This is why I made this thread. I live in the Southside area / Arlington. I have the space . I am redoing my living room , so it is empty. Everyone let me know how we can get this started....Judy

I would love to get together with some local LBT'ers, and can certainly use the support as well! Whatever everyone decides, definitely count me in!!

There you are!!!!!! Was wondering where you ran off to!!!!!

50 lbs in five months! Man that's awesome! I can only dream of doing as well although I've gotten off to a good start! As of today I'm down 22 lbs in a little over a month so I'm definitely not complaining.

Gosh, I just had a protein shake and a little broth from some chicken noodle soup and I'm stuffed!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty cool!

Let's figure out when we can get together. I'm pretty wide open during the week, I get a little busier over the weekends with riding and all

Hi all and congratulations those of you who have had recent surgery. It is SOOOOO worth every bit! I had a follow up with Dr. Cywes on Friday and am down 57 lbs (surgery was 10/11/07) and have discovered that I actually have a waist! It's been so long since I saw it I didn't think I had one anymore .

This was my second appointment without needing a fill (he likes to see you lose 8-10 lbs a month and I was right at 10). After a fill, Dr. Cywes tells you to be on clear liquids for the first 36-48 hours, then full liquids for another day and then you can start on solids. It'll be too soon if I never see another mug of chicken broth!

I went to the support group on Thursday at Dr. Cywes' office and had a good time.

Take care! Sue

Wow Sue! 57 lbs is fantastic!!! We Jacksonville Bandsters know how to work the band!!!!!

Thanks for the info about how Dr. Cywes does his fills. I was definitely curious about that (although never thrilled with the clear liquid part). If I can lose 8-10 lbs a month I will be REALLY happy! Something tells me that Dr. Cywes won't let me fail! LOL

I can't wait to meet all you ladies, it will be nice having a small group of bandster to support each other.

Let's start with what is a good day of the week for everyone. OneTuesday or Wednesday per month?

Either day works for me!

Tuesdays are better for me. If I ever get back into the church choir their rehearsals are Wednesday nights

Wednesday is better for me since I go to school on Tuesdays.

Hey all, I'm good for either Tues. or Weds. since those are hubby's days off and he'll be able to watch the little guy for me. I've never been able to make it to one of Dr. Cywes' office support groups due to the drive and it being on Thurs. (no one to babysit) so I'm super excited about us locals getting together. I too have plenty of room to host so if you want to switch houses every other month or something that would be fine with me (I live in OP - Oakleaf Plantation). Thanks to those of you that are putting this together for us Jax Bandsters, sounds like we could all use a local support system ;-) Hope to hear from you soon. Be well. KKG

There is actually another local support group that I learned about off another site when I first got banded. But, they had actually all been together for quite a while and I never felt very comfortable with them. Plus, they were all for the other site while I am a big LBT fan. So, I am really looking forward to meeting fellow LBT'ers.

Sorry I haven't been online in a few days. Got to go back to work which is good because it gives me something to do and I love my job (I work at Michaels arts and crafts). Its so much fun. Anyways, Jaxbandster I got banded by Dr. Chappano and I had one week of liquid only and that included low fat soups like tomato and vegetable drained of the chunks. Now I am on week 2 and its pureed but he said not everything has to be pureed as long as I chew well and everything has went down fine. I eat things like tuna salad, beans mushed up, egg beaters (the southwest kind is the best with some taco bell sauce in it). Thats basically my diet. Next week I will be on soft food and then regular food. My doctor doesn't really believe in the protein drinks and I haven't been drinking them at all but I do take vitamins. He just wants me to get my nutrients with healthy food which is good with me because I really don't like all the protein drinks/bars and stuff. I did Physicians weight loss before being banded and lost alot of weight but had to drink all thats stuff so I am glad to be through with it. I hope everyone has a good Valentines day! Love, Christi

That tunafish could taste so unbelievably good and that I could get full on half a cup of it!!!!!!!!! I broke the rules by 12 hours and had my first food (mushy) tonight. My tastebuds were dancing!!!!!!!!!!! You would have thought I was eating steak!

I did take my time and ate as slowly as I could for being famished LOL. I chewed chewed and chewed until it was completely pulverized, and then I would wait periodically to see how I felt before proceeding. I stopped at about a half a cup and I probably could have had more but I didn't want to push it especially my first meal. Tomorrow morning before we go on our charity ride I will have an egg, two if I can get it down. Again, I don't want to push it, especially right before going on a ride.

I also had an NSV! We went by Open Road Leathers to look for some new chaps for me as my old ones (the ones I bought in November!) were getting way loose on me, especially around the legs. Now, you have to know that they don't size chaps like regular clothes. Don't know why but they run WAY small. So the chaps I got in November were 6X (ugh) despite the fact that I was actually 2X at the time. Well, today I got into 4X chaps!!! Two whole sizes! I purposely got them nice and tight so that I would be able to wear them for a while before having to get another pair when I lose more weight. I normally wouldn't even bother getting something like this until I have lost all my weight but I wear my chaps even during the summer as it keeps the engine heat from burning my legs.

Oh! I took off the steri strips on the three small incisions today. They were starting to come off anyway and they were annoying me. One of them probably wasn't quite ready to come off but I just put Neosporin on it and covered it with a bandaid. It will be fine in a couple of days. The other two, my port and the big blob of cotton in my belly button are under waterproof tape and okay like they are. Dr. Cywes wanted them to stay on for two weeks. I'll see what those look like then.

I did a lot of running around today, brushed down the pool, washed my motorcycle, did a load of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, pulled some weeds and stuff. So I am definitely feeling back to my normal self with the exception of some isolated and periodic soreness in the muscles where my port is.

I'm very excited about eating real food again. I can't even begin to explain!

I feel like my journey has really begun today. I am starting to eat like a bandster and lead the bandster way of life!

JaxBandster, I cracked up when I read about your tuna experience. My first real food was scrambled eggs. I truly thought I was in heaven, filet mignon could not have tasted in better! It sounds like you are healing and progressing very well.

Which charity ride are you getting ready to ride in? Also, just curious, but do you ride in daniel's Rock 'n Ride?

I get eggs tomorrow morning! I might even put some shredded cheese in them!!!!!!!!! It's just really amazing how much I appreciate food that I used to take for granted.

We try to do all the charity rides we can. Tomorrow is Ride for Smiles which helps children with facial deformities. During Bike Week I am riding with 500 other women for MDA. I haven't done the Daniels ride yet but I definitely will!!! If anyone wants to help sponsor me just write me off list with your email address and I'll send you the donation letter