SteveFrett

Hey to all my fellow Banders and Bandettes, Just thought i would post something to keep everyone positive and motivated. Many have been posting about how they feel like failures because they are eating too much or have been cheating, mostly due to the fact that your all fairly new and many have not have had any fills done yet. I'm here to say and know i'll be backed up others when i say, " It's OK! it's not the end of the world, you didn't ruin your band, let anyone down,or fail! Again you are still in the early stages, your body and mind both have to adjust to their new lifestyle. As you progress and get filled on regular basis, the foods you found so easy to sneak in will not be so easy eventually, and trust me when i say after hurling it up a few times you'll eventually say, It was fun while it lasted! I must remind everyone of the ultimate deadly sin! ICE CREAM! it's a silent killer, so easy to eat , slides right down, But remener it's all just sitting in your pouch turning to sugar! I try to tell all who can't live without it to try Frozen Yougert, it comes in so many flavors now, I personaly worked in a Baskin Robbins as a kid and have nightmares about the lines i would have around the corner having to scoop rock soild ice cream all night long to the point my hand would cramp up while in mid scoop. and all the damn Ice Cream I ate then, Lets just say I rarely touch it now. Ok I've bored you all enough with my mindless blabbering, Keep up the great Progress everyone, Be Proud, Never feel like you've failed, it's a long and difficult journey but so well worth the end Results!!! I always say That's why they put erarsers on pencils because we all make mistakes, no matter who you are. As long as you can honestly admit you screwed up that's the start of making it right! As stupid as this sounds it actually does have truth to it, Slow and steady always wins the Race!

Welcome to the former FAT KID CLUB! nice to see a fellow brother join us! feel free to ask us any questions you may have or address any concerns!

hey that's excellent!! Way to keep the positive attitude, im proud of you as well, Keep it up! Onward & upwards!

It's Raining Men!!! Welcome my Banded Brothers.. Ha were a band of brothers!

Your half way there Lassie, plenty of room in the boat now! 6 years 160 lbs !

Hi Jelly, Ok here is the dealio, drink before or after you eat not during. and never attempt to chug it. it will only come out as fast as you put in down. Listen consider this as your last meal on death row, eat til the inner fat kid screams uncle, but lose the required 10 lbs before hand, eaiser said then done i know. Try this rather than eating a huge portion of one thing have a small portions that way you'll still be cheating and keeping it light. Congrats on the start of your new chapter, and don't ever feel silly remember the only stupid question is the not asked, You have so many people here willing to help so take advantage of it. If i can be of any other help please don't hesitate!

Oh and Congrats to you as well Mrs. Popeye on your new chapter, Stupid ass!

Cool I was saying that to PBK that some people still continue taking protein shakes for one reason or another. Congrats to you! keep up the good work!

Listen if you dont like what i say dont read it! Just because you know what your doing dosen't mean all RN's do! so why don't you get off your high and mighty educated horse lady! People please get it right not saying all RN's are stupid. and I have alrwy been through it all lady six years post op lost 160 lbs so i think i can speak my mind with confidence!!!

CONGRATS SUZI, almost at half way mark BE PROUD of your acheivments !

Hi PBK, Yes this is an essential part of your diet at this time, Your body still must have Protein, I personaly found using skim milk rather than Water does make it more fullfilling and should also fill you up. I will recomend to go the Vitamin Shope over GNC or any others because they have much better prices. Once you progress and are able to eat solid foods you will ween off the Protein shakes unless you choose not too. Some people have difficults eating beef or chicken to get the need protein. I remember I had bought a Cookies and cream flavored shake mix, or you can get the unflavored and add it to fruit juice. Hope this helps and if i can be of any other assistance feel free to contact me my email address is on my profile. GOOD LUCK Steve

Hi C, LOL, HI-C.. What you have experienced is PBing. and like Maya said once you get that feeling stop eating and get to a bathroom ASAP! This happens when you on't chew your food enough or if you eaten something that expanded in your pouch or throat none of wich are fun, i basicly tell anyone that asks what it feels like and i tell them think of trying to push a golf ball down a straw. it don't go down. so what you want to do is one slow down your intake chew whats in your mouth until its mush, slow and steady wins the race. also know that the weather will also effect your eating. I found the hotter and more humid the less i can eat, as if my throat closes up. I will pass on a few tricks to you, One is Drink something HOT prior to eating, this will help relax your throat and allow the food to move eaiser, Avoid all Carbonated beverages, you will experience sharp pains in your chest and neck up into your shoulder, this is normal it's just gas. I know its summertime but Soup is a excellent food for you at this point one its a liquid for most part and any other ingridents wil be small enough for you to chew and should be soft enough to pass, if i can help you with anything else just let me know , CONGRATS on your next Chapter!

Sarie, 1st thing is listen to everyone who has responded to your post. You are Not even close to being a complete failure. 2nd remember your dealing with a RN not the Doctor, What your experiemcing is 100% normal, matter of fact you are doing GREAT 20 lbs down in that short of time is FANTASTIC. remember your body is still adapting, as you go you'll find yourself eating less. It would seem to me the RN doesn't know wtf their talking about. Nothing has been ruined and let nobody but the stupid ass nurse down and yourself, Now would you rather believe the RN or people like myself who have been there and done that we all got the T-shirt too!!!!! CHIN UP! don't lose the faith !

congrats on your next chapter, please do take advantage of my knowledge, I wouldn't say it unless i ment it. good to see that you feel the same about paying it forward, like i've said we forgot what our founding fathers built this nation on. and my love of history has shown how we were once a country that helped one another, as we all know history does repeat itself so if i can be of assistance to a felow man,woman or child i do my best

Lmao bro, gotta love those stupid days, love the fact you added your own story, dude if we can't laugh at ourselves for being gavones ( italian for pigging out) sure can't to others. Everyone please feel free to post your own fat kid experience it's actually kinda theraputic... in a humorous way...

Hey never said it was gonna taste good just said it was an option, It's gets eaiser and if not option 2 is carry a rubber mallet with you every time you get the urge to eat just whack yourself once you wake up the massive concussion you gave yourself will help forget your hungry. Sorry I watched to much Cartoons as a kid and mental state is still in Toontown!

I agree nice to see another guy, pull up a chair and join the Former fat kid club!

LOL Tippy Toes, Should'nt laugh but we all have our own horror story, Was it your Surgen who preformed the fill? I can relate to the needle thing, stupid as it sounds i have 9 tattoos and hate needles but will endure the pain for the love of art. I can only say I hope whomever did your 1st fill gets more practice under their belt, good news is you only have to go every few months from here one to get fill, i will reccomend you keep a chart for yourself of the fills, mistakes do happen. if I can help with anything please don't hesitate to as good luck, Steve

Well Sheila, It's only the honest truth, it really comes down to learning to eat to live, not live to eat. Trust me like i've said many of times deep insde me my inner fat kid is still lurking, he tries to take control at times, but it really has to come from inside one self, Each person must learn to have self control. I could easily have band opened and eat like i'm going to chair again but I refuse to. I wish i could have the same positive attitude with other aspects of my life as i do with my weight control. Oh well if we were are sane all the shrinks would be unemployed, Guess i'm doing my part to keep economy afloat huh? LOL keep in touch always love making new friends.

Guess what? your human!!! don't beat yourself up over it, now you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, say " $h!t happens and get back on the horse! everyone makes mistakes, I know i certainly did, hell still do.... bottom line is you made the 1st step, you admitted your error, and went as far as looking for support. Keep the Faith, think of how good your going to look,feel soon!

not long island, westchester still willing to help if u like

i live in Westchester County, not upstate but like all others here to help.

hi, saw your post i live in Port Chester, NY about 1 hr from Milford Ct. i was banded in '06 lost 160 lbs my name is steve and always looking for a new friend. feel free to message me if your interested.

Some of the new members are asking about soft foods, what is considered a soft food? Mashed Potatoes, Jello, pudding, Anything that is just that soft, But So many are having issues with eating same stuff, Guess what there are some other forgotten alternatives, BABY FOOD as nasty and gross as it sounds, think about it before you say HELL NO!.... 1) you have no problems giving it to your newborn right? They are growing right, So Don't you think Gerber know what they doing, not saying eat the damn strained green Beans UGH! But for those of you who have not had the joys of parenthood, take a stroll down the baby food isle next time your food shopping, go see how they have gotten better with choices. Another trick we all forget we all have either a blender or food processer in our homes, how often do you use it? Did you ever stop to think, Well I could probably eat that if it was softer, TAAA DAAA there is your answer to making it soft enough to eat! Now don't go get stupid and toss a Big mac and fries in there and think i'll still lose weight, You got the band for that exact reason in 1st place (some of us). So Yeah I'm saying there are ways to still eat what you loved before but use it wisely! I was able to lose my weight in the most unconeventinal way not condoning it but willing to help those " MAVERICKS" who walk to their own beat like myself! GOOD LUCK ! P.S. no matter how much you lose, everyone will still have that inner fat kid living inside screaming to get out! I just learned to tune him out much like my ex wife and son when they talk to me!

Greens are not considered a soft food they actually will cause blockage! Like Laura said Mashed Potates, Jello, Pudding, People!!! did everyone forget of the invention call food processor or a blender? all of what you have eaten can be pureed to easily consume! I should say that not everyone is a cook. But SALAD Mike, is without a doubt not a soft food!