Sharpie

I can't see mine at all, just a small incision.. never had staples at all. wonder why each surgeon does things so differently..? the only way I feel my port is if I push on it and tighten up my stomach...

as for the protein shakes,, most are lactose free. muscle milk I know is.. yogurt is another story but you might research some of the websites on protein shakes.. I thinnk GNC's lean shake is also lactose free.

woo hoo great job..

fantastic... you will get more and more compliments as time goes on... keep up the good work...

it means sabotaging yourself... subconsiously or consciously...

how great for you... I discovered that I have collar bones after many years of them being hidden in fat also... I can't wait to feel my hip bones...

I am sorry to hear about your issue with Lobster.. I love it too but have not tried it.. maybe I won't now... I have eaten shrimp and of course fish .. wonder why the lobster got stuck? maybe it was dry? do you think it was too dry or maybe too big of bites? I really would like to try some but I want to stay away from being stuck...

If you told your Dr. the problems you were having before he filled I am surprised... my Dr. is very conservative and he asks me lots of questions before deciding whether to give me a fill...I have only had 2 fills (tiny) since my surgery in Jan... I know if I told him I was having problems he would not do it..You need to be very honest with your Dr. and see what he says... I think like Mis you might be too tight..

go to emilybites.com or some of the southbeach diet sites.. they have good fish recipes.. Talapia is a good white fish with very little fishy smell or taste.. it can be baked with butter spray or a little olive oil.. grouper is also very good ... once you eat well cooked fish you will learn to like it .. it's a great source of protein...

wonderful posts... yes the diet industry is making millions or perhaps billions . I am sure there are some statistics that show how successful or unsuccessful each program is... I think overall the weight watchers program has been the most successful as far as teaching correct eating habits.. however, I did the weight watchers and was not compliant.. hunger got the best of me.. like B52 says it's wonderful to be able to control your portions and not be on a "diet" everyday... this is the first time in many years that I feel free .. I can eat out, go to family functions and not stress over what to eat and if I will "fall off the wagon".. I have fallen off of so many wagons in the past and have even eaten the wagon.. so I am grateful everyday for my band...

Good luck and prayers to all new bandsters... You will do great....

You might check with your Dr. to make sure it's okay... I didn't drive for a week or so...

I absolutley did not cheat pre-op or post op.. I was scared to make a stupid mistake... I had decided that my future health was at stake, once I decided to get the surgery I made up my mind to do whatever it took to be successful... I had about 2 weeks of liquids, I was given a full book of instructions with each weeks do's and don'ts so I had plenty of guidance... like CG I either had to put up or shut up... Same goes for any other instructions.. no straws, no gum, no carbonated drinks... no drinking during meals, etc. if my surgeon said stand on your head and spit wooden nickels.. I'm doing it... I hope I can continue to be smart enough to do what I need to...

my best friend was my challenge.. She doesn't have a weight problem and had made comments in the past about working out, etc.. but surprisingly when I told her my plan for surgery she was 100% supportive .. so much so, she made the 3 hour trip to be with me during my surgery and stayed all night in a chair beside me in the hospital.. I realized how lucky I was to have her as my friend... my husband was always very supportive.. now that I have lost a good amount of weight, I tell anyone who ask .. I think there are a lot of people who would benefit from surgical intervention with their weight struggle..but are perhaps afraid to have surgery..

You might explain to your Dr. that your work won't let you come back for that length of time and you would prefer to return earlier.. I think at least a week would be okay since you are not doing anything physical.. I am lucky in that I work at home but I felt tired mostly the first week... good luck..

You shoud be very proud of yourself.. it is very difficult to face off with the food monsters....keep up the good work...

yes it is a normal feeling.. I thought for about a week that this was a bad decision.. now after losing 45 lbs and feeling so good I am very happy that I had my surgery... Give it some time and you will start feeling better...

I would like that let me know the next time you are coming this way... I own my own business and work at home so I am available most of the time.. I also go to Gainesville to see my surgeon about once a month so that's another good meeting place... you can email me @ charhorse@msn.comThanks for your response.. Mary Lou

tell you what Terry let's call a truce, because neither of us will win.. I am way more concerned with my future health and how I can get to my goal. You did tell me to stick to the Lapband right? so you need to do the same.. There is way too much controversey and divisiveness in this Country for us to explore in this forum.. so we can agree to disagree all day long on that subject.. To all the folks out there like us who are working towards a healthier life,, I apologize for making any statement that might seem poltical, stay positive and when someone posts something negative or scary do some research before becoming alarmed...

I did not intend for this to become a political discussion.. however, first of all Terry you are not the moderator so you are not going to control what I can say... and for your information I can think for myself unlike some people and do not have to depend on Fox News or any other news source to form an opinion... perhaps you might want to start listening to someone besides Chris Matthews or any of the so called "fair" media folks... I think the explanations on why the Europeans are not supportive of the lapband are correct but I also know the original post reported on outdated information. The last time I checked this is still a free country and the part about free speech still applies.. We all have our own demons and can get inspired from each others successes or we can bash the band , post erroneous information and scare the hell out of anyone who might be undecided.. I have enjoyed everyone's posts about their journey but will refrain from offering my personal opinion for fear it might conflict with Mr. Terry P.

yes I live in North Florida, between Lake City and Live Oak... about 30 min from the Ga. border..not close enough to the beach though.. but I grew up in Orlando and lived near Daytona for many years...

Florida has the best beaches and warm weather for sure... no state income tax and our employment rate is 2nd highest in the U.S.

so you don't know the answer? okay then well it's always in the news that wealthy Europeans and heads of State come to the U.S. when they need special treatment.. I too have a rather busy life and if I wanted to prove a point would do some research but I think enough people have seen the news to verify my comments.. not my opinion honey, just the facts... not prejudiced as you say,, because really I stated that Europe is not the best and I stand by that... I too have a weight loss journey to take and this is a petty argument that requires way too much of my valuable time.. sorry you have such thin skin...

I have bought quest bars individually at gnc.. the cookie dough one is the one I like the best.. other flavors are not great...and they are quite chewy... however they have the lowest amount of sugar of all the protein bars.. walmart does have a great selection I have bought muscle milk bars that I keep in my purse in case I get stuck somewhere that I can't eat....

I have bought quest bars individually at gnc.. the cookie dough one is the one I like the best.. other flavors are not great...and they are quite chewy... however they have the lowest amount of sugar of all the protein bars.. walmart does have a great selection I have bought muscle milk bars that I keep in my purse in case I get stuck somewhere that I can't eat....