donna12

thanks for the link, great read! I had a Podiatrist remove my big toe nail and see about the first little toe nail and he said "hm, due to injury or fungus" well all my nails look normal and normal color and he even said that too then he touched on my diet and nutrition. I'm so lost. Thanks for the link. Donna

Congrats to the banded journey! You are doing wonderful. I'm 10 months post op and teetering on 64 and 65 lbs down, I'm losing slowly but that's ok with me. I know you will do great. This is a wonderful forum and such wonderful people and support. Love my banded friends here! Donna

I'm 10 months post op and I'm losing hair. I get plenty of protein and take Biotin. I just noticed this 2 days ago as I was washing it and it was in the drain of the shower and then putting hair products in it. About 3 months into my journey I had a problem with my hair being very brittle and dry and breaking off, almost damaged, got that controlled and is now healthy again but is falling out now, OMG, what else is there to do besides protein and Biotin?

I am on meds but not any new meds, have been on the same meds for a while. I know it will grow back, I'm not losing clumps, its just thinning and its noticeable (did I spell that right, lol) anyway, just when i got it healthy again, dang. Thanks everyone for your input. Haven't asked my stylist yet, that's my next step. Donna

glad ur unstuck now. I was stuck on broccoli for 5 hrs one night until someone on here told me to take a sip of Sprite, guess the fizz did it because it came right up, thanks goodness because it was painful. needless to say haven't had broccoli since and that's been several months. lol. Papaya pills have never worked for me but haven't tried pineapple juice yet, will keep that in mind. hm?

thanks summerrain, I actually had that top and outgrew it, yep got too big and kept it and was excited that I kept it, I have another one just like it with all colors in it. Thanks again. Donna

Slowly but surely its coming off.

I've asked this before but I just seem to can't put my finger on the post, sorry for posting again. How do you know when you are in the green zone or hit your sweet spot? I can go 4 hrs sometimes 5 between meals but usually 4 hrs, nights are my worst while watching tv, cravings I mean and for snacking or wanting to at least. I'm not hungry it is just habit and wanting something, at which time I will eat a piece of fruit, greek yogurt or one string cheest (low fat), not always but sometimes. I think I have 4.5cc's in and I just can't imagine getting anymore put in as I do get stuck, well you all know that as you see me post but a lot of that is too big of bite or not chewing well but I don't want to get to the point of not being able to eat eggs, chicken, Protein like that and now I can. I have a 10cc band and I know everyone is different with fills. I just don't understand or know the triggers of the green zone. For the past 2 1/2 weeks I've been battling bad bronchitis, nasal drainage and severe coughing so it has affected my band and my eating, just now getting over this mess so things are getting back to normal, whew. Please explain the green zone to me again. thx Donna

thanks 2much and thanks elcee for the input, greatly appreciated.

Don't be scared and please don't question whether you did the right thing, it is blissful on the other side. All I was trying to explain was a stuck episode in detail, yes its gross, not fun and what PB'ing is all about. I think I have 4.5cc's in my band, not sure and as of right now I cannot eat bread, rice, or Pasta. I also cannot tolerate dry meats like over cooked chicken or it warmed up till its dry or it won't go down. You just need to be mindful of your bite size and your chewing till liquid form. I've had my share of stuck episodes, my fault, bite size or not chewing because we are all used to shoving it in and chomping down food. I would do this all over again, best decision I've ever made. Not sure how long you've been banded, forgot to look at your profile, sorry but your pain will get better in time. I was slow at recovering, moreso than others on here. I honestly don't know how someone can have it and go back to work in a week, I was still recuping 3 weeks out. Luckily I don't work. It will get better for you, just hang in there. Best wishes.

CG girl, I know its not good but I've been battling bronchitis for 2 1/2 weeks and with that I've been tight and I think it was Sunday or Monday heck I dunno when I ate that but the BBQ got stuck lo and behold and I do have to blame it on a too big of a bite most likely and being tight from nasal drainage and coughing and game was on with being stuck and then I lost it, puked my guts up till I peed. yep I said it.

bandedlexi, oh my, keep reading on this sight you will learn and learn my dear friend. Dan is right and I've had my share of many stuck episodes and many PB'ing episodes, one being Sunday, it was one of the worst in a while. For me its still learning my band, yes I'm 10 months post op and still learning how to eat, you must take tee tiny bites and I mean the size of your pinky nail, no joke and chew till its liquid or you will get stuck, yes of course after you get fills but taking too big of bites and not chewing now could end in this result without fills too. But for me this past Sunday I happen to be eating pulled pork BBQ, not the healiest choice but was craving it so I got some on Saturday and warmed it up on Sunday, anyway, didn't take my tiny bite and swallowed and BAM, you better be near a bathroom too, for me I start to salivate excessively and then the nasty slime starts and you spit it out, sorry its gross but happens then you PB (productive burp) up the some of the food. For me however after doing this I was still stuck till finally I threw up forcefully which is NOT good for the band, it can cause a slipped band if you throw up a lot. But for Sunday I lost my lunch to say the least or not so least at this point in my story to you. Whatever you do on your journey is don't hesitate to ask questions on here no matter how dumb or how small you may think they are. I'm sure some of us have been there. Donna

Missy is right I'm afraid. I honestly don't think I'm in the green zone yet and I'm 10 months post op, not sure how much I have in my band, sorry but some days I can eat chicken and some days I can't, some days I can eat eggs and some days I can't, same thing with toast. 2 days ago I tried eating pulled pork BBQ and either ate too big of a bite, didn't chew enough or the stringy mess just slid down but I got stuck BIG time and ended up sliming, and then vomiting up everything I ate, a forceful vomit, not PB'ing which was not good for me at all. Am I afraid of trying BBQ that I have left in the frige, no, I will try it again but will be mindful of cutting it up into tiny pieces and chewing, what has really helped me is what someone else posted on here not too long ago, chew and say the alphabet. Most of my food intake is healthy choices like chicken, fish, oatmeal, cereal, tuna, cheese quesadilla grilled in a nonstick skillet with low fat cheese and for dessert greek yogurt with fruit on bottom or fresh fruits. It just so happen the other day I was craving pork BBQ and got some and well that night it didn't agree with me. I try to stay away from chips because I can't stop at one, however I'm a popcorn freak and I will eat that once a month as a treat but only a little. Be a little more creative in your food choices. Chili is good, loaded with protein, actually I love Wendy's chili, I get their small and eat it and its all I can do to eat that amount. However with that said when I go to Cracker Barrel and order a bowl of beef stew I can pretty much eat the whole bowl, go figure, I'm sure that is more than a cup worth which is what we are suppose to go by, eating 1 cup of food at each meal or at least by my surgeon's directions. I wish you well and good luck, you can do this.

I had surgery this past June 13th, had to do a 2 week all liquid diet but got sick and weak during the diet and was allowed because my sugar dropped I was allowed to add things to my diet, not much but dr approved which resulted in not losing much during this time, I think it was like 8 lbs. My journey has been long and hard because for the first 6 months I was very sick vomiting and nausea due to gallstones and diseased gallbladder that needed to come out and finally the surgeon that did my lap band said lets do it, lets take it out it needs to be done you've been thru enough. So on Dec 3rd I had to go in for gallbladder surgery and what was suppose to have been outpatient surgery ended up being an overnight due to complications (leave it up to me, lol) so was slow to heal from that but after that all is good with the occasional stuck episodes when I don't chew chew chew, my fault, I know. That's my story.

thanks everyone, wow, I didn't expect all these comments, I'm in aw.

thanks all for the wonderful comments, its so encouraging to hear. Wish I was down more but a loss is a loss and I can really tell it in my clothes and I'm having to buy clothes, woohoo. Thanks again.

you are asking a non-computer savvy person to do the impossible, oh lordy I don't know how to post a side by side pic on my profile pic, omg, ha ha ha.

thanks, what can I say, I'm a neat freak, lol. Don't hate me!

thanks KCA and Hope2.

dang is that a collar bone I see, oh my goodness, its the beginning stages of a collar bone hee hee.

I feel a hiccup coming on then I know to stop and yes my nose will run.

what are some cookbooks that you recommend?

I'm with 2012 I still crave it and need another fill and when I can't stand it any longer I will eat a skinny cow packet of chocolate but my go to most of the time is crystal light hard candy, its really yummy and sweet and fruity. Also Walgreens has a brand that is sugar free that I like that is fruity.

Going on a week and half of this, I don't know, bronchitis junk, constant coughing, blowing my nose, fever etc. Anyway, I can hardly eat, it's making my band tight with all the drainage going on, I'm having to resort to soft, mushy, soups type of foods as if I've had a fill. Have been to the dr and have gotten an antibiotic and precrip cough med but its not helping. Eating tonight, got stuck, threw up, ended up drinking some hot tea. Guess it will be chicken soup tomorrow-twice! sigh. And it is supposed to be so nice here in Western Ky and I so want to get outside and walk but just not up to it, no energy. Dang it!!!!

I'm so sorry this has happened and you will be in my prayers along with your family. Glad you got it resolved. I too went thru some really stressful I'd say 3 weeks a few weeks ago and had to have an unfill but I'm back at it again, like you I had the reflux at night. Good luck with your move and how exciting!!!