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I got a medical alert braclet after my surgery - and only receive compliments on style. They ship to Canada. Lot and lots of styles for everyone. I got C15 - gold and silver beads. Lauren's Hope - Medical ID Bracelets, Medical ID Watches, Mothers Bracelets, and 14k Gold Bracelets

Judy -- Great pictures - everyone looks very happy and having lot's of fun. You and DH look tremendous! Gina

I am unsure what your doctor requires as post-op diet but it seems you could continue the Optifast as your liquid food. Good Luck! Zoom Zoooom Zoom.

I don't usually eat bread - but when I do it is just small bites and the moist part. Only then after my restriction has lessen. I love bread -- and so wen we were at my girlfriends and my husband was RAVENING about it -- I tried a couple of small bits of his. I have only had pasta 2x (I use angel hair-which is extremely thin)-- I can't eat it the day I make it - but I take the left overs and mix with leftover sauce and refridg. Then when I have eaten it I add extra sauce making it saucey (sp?) and take small bites -and haven't had any issue. Peanuts -- I buy Hubs - and eat one piece at a time and chew chew chew - and no issue. At the support group most eat nuts daily due to health benefits. First - everyday usually breakfast --> I use the 42 gr IDS New whey liquid Protein Bullet's - it is 3.2 oz of protein in liquid form - comes in Fruit Punch (best flavor)- Grape - and Orange (second best flavor) (in a test tube look like container - virtually unbreakable.) I take one - empty it in a (empty) Water bottle and fill the tune up 2 x with water and add to the bottle - so I get every drop out and dilutes it to my taste. They are expensive The Vitamin Shoppe. go to: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/...intsource=main or call them at 1-800-223-1216. $29.99 for 12 of the 43 gram bullets -- week following surgery I use 2 a day. I put the 2 of them in a 16oz water bottle - add water to the top and drink a third at B-L-D. I have a coupon -- that the website didn't recognize but I called them and they did honor it -- "Save $10 on any purchase of $50 or more" promo code VSC-3123 -- received it from my doctor's office - it also is a "Supplement and Grocery list for Gastric Bypass Patients." (Feel free to use it as well!) Second - I bought these for the pre-op diet and was recommendation of my doctor's office-- I use Smart Forme powder (35gr) mixed with 20 oz water in my magic bullet - I make them up and keep in the refridge as need - tasted the best from all the ones I tried - and I don't have to buy milk for them. Check them out at: Bari-35 Shake Mixes - Each Easy-To-Mix Packet Makes 2-Plus Servings! - vanilla and chocolate Temp. Out Of Stock. Back Soon! I also use EAS 42gr shakes pre-made - you can get at Sam's Club or Walmart. 17oz each. You have to just take it slow on trying stuff and as long as moderation - no big deal - better than feeling deprieved. You did NO DAMAGE. I drink 64-96 oz daily = I love Crystal Light! My fill is July 12 -- as of today I am at target for him of 2 lbs a week loss - so depending how I do from here on out till then will determin if he gives me one I guess. YOU are doing GREAT!!!!! Keep up the great work! Hugs! Gina

Jane - you got it. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers on Tuesday! Gina

Judy -- your property is gorgeous and so many colorful plants in bloom. That looks like it would take ALL of your time to keep up. I am jealous. I do not have a green thumb at all. I do my magic in the kitchen baking - all the stuff we can't eat now - cakes, cookies, candies, homemade ice cream. Hope you enjoy your birthday and gt some well deserved rest. Gina

Hi Janine: I am doing well -- I have been at another plateau since June 14. (Bouncing around in 4-5 lbs range.) I have restriction up to the past few days I have had the munchies -- b.a.d. It seems once I over-eat or eat excessive of what I feel I should I get on a roll that I want to keep eating. Every morning - I drink a 42 gram IDS Protein bullet mixed in 6 oz of Water. then... Went to a friends for lunch Thursday who made shrimp - some steamed and some marinated and grilled, with homemade cocktail sauce. Potatoe salad, Italian bread and rainbow sherbet. I ate probably a dozen shrimp - 1 spoonful of potatoe salad - 1/3 slice of bread - 1 cup of sherbet. That was way more tan I normally would eat -- but it tasted so goooood. Then she gave us the left over shrimp, cocktail sauce and potatoe salad to take home. I ate another 5 for dinner and 2 - 3 bits of potatoe salad, and some red pepper slices with ranch dip. 1/4 cup peanuts for snack later. Yesterday I left at 9:30am after eating 3 bits of egg salad - took my IDS drink with me to drink while I was out running around and when I got home at 3 to 4 pm I warmed up spagetti for my DH - I love spagetti and ate 1 cup with more red pepper's and 2 bits of potatoe salad. More peanuts (1/4 cup) and a new Hersey's Mint Choc Stick - 60 cals. And each day the scale went up 1 lb. --- I got to get back to basics. So today I will do the 42g IDS for Breakfast, and Protein shakes for the other 2 meals -- to stop the madness. I see you are down 18 lbs -- that is wonderful. How are you feeling? Any more bounce in your step? Have a great weekend! Gina

Does it have a battery that may need replacing??:rolleyes

Lauraj23 I just rceived in the mail the "Lap-Band For Life" book that you highly recommended. I look forward to reading it! Thank you for sharing! Gina

On my post-op visit when I wasn't losing -- my doctor told me to increase my protein to 120 grams per day. Some of us need more protein. Gina

I am wishing you the best. I didn't realize that if the band slips - they can unfill and let it heal. That is good to know. I thought they had to remove it completely or do surgery. Have a good night -- and start over -- you will get back on track! Gina

Hi Bonnie -- the doctor's office will be able to take over care for all your band needs. I would give them a call. Gina

Edie - Fantastic News - I love hearing success stories. You have done wonderful and should be very proud!!!!! I hope I can say the same on my 1 year anniversary. Gina

Okay here is doctors in your local ara that will do your fills as long as you can get them a copy of your records - Dr. Keith Gersin, Dr. Timothy Kuwada they are part of the CMC Mercy Bariatrics Center in Charlotte, NC 28204 704-355-9484 If this doesn't work for some reason -- let me know. Good Luck! Gina

Hi Bonjeanie -- what city/state are you in? if you prefer you can PM the info -- I might be able to help. Gina

Hi Violets! I know it is frustrating not losing the lbs - or should I say losing s..l..o..w..l..y. I had my first fill 5-31 and I have lost 8 lbs since then - so I am right on track for 2 lbs a week. (Which is my doctors goal for me - I think that is slow, I like the 1 lb a day loss -- hahahaha) My doctor won't do a 2nd fill until after 6 weeks from the first - so I am scheduled for July 12th. I am unsure if I keep losing as I am - if he will do it then. When I eat solids - I don't lose - and gain a few so --- I have been doing the 42gr protein bullets for breakfast - eating a salad and very small piece of meat. for lunch or dinner, and another protein bullet for the 3rd meal. It really is so much harder than everyone knows (family and friends) - I think they see the commercial "that it controls your hunger" and think it is no big deal. I don't know if it is head hunger or just deprevariation -- it takes so much willpower to do it to see just 2 lbs move in a week. Have a great night! Keep up the great work violets! Gina

Hi Jennifur: I drink lots of crystal light (64 oz - 96 oz daily) - Raspberry Green Tea - and no I don't have the BM problems. But if I do eat the low carb candies - I do have issues - so I believe the answer is "no". I have noticed that when I haven't eatten solid foods for a while and I go shopping or doing phyiscal things- that about 2-3 hours I do have BM issues as well -- so I think it is just my body reacting to the inconsistancy of food I put into it. Laura - I said earlier your pictures you posted, weight loss and exercising was spurring me to start exercising -- so today I did it!!!!!!! Thanks for posting. Be safe and hope everyone has Happy Father's Day celebrations! Gina

You are doing wonderful! And now you started exercising - I bet you will be buying NEW clothes because the old ones won't stay on anymore! I need to start the exercising, you are encouraging me to get my butt in gear as well. Keep up the great work! Gina

Hi Jen -- I live in Chesapeake - we are neighbors!!!!!!!!!! :welcomeB: You are doing great! Have a great weekend! Gina

Hi Janine. No that's not my puppy dog. Mine is an German Shephard - 6yrs old in August. We have been thinking of getting a 2nd puppy dog for the past 2 years and been thinking about maybe a corgi (pictured) or another german shephard. They are so smart - ours is way smarted than us. (hahaha). During the mushies - I did alot of tuna salad, egg salad, and chicken salad. I know it is hard -- but I must warn you - when I went to mushies and solids - my weight loss stopped for a month - until I went back to liquids. Hopefully you won't have this happen to you. I will try to convert and post a picture of Heidi for you to see. Good luck! Gina

I have been checking in on you Marchie -- hope you don't mind... My doctors nurse said to take Biotin to prevent hair loss. And she strongly recommended B-Complex as well as your normal Daily Multi-Vitamin. Happy Flag day everyone! Gina

Suzanne -- wow you are doing wonderful -- I wish I was doing that good. Janine thanks for asking about exercise -- now I feel real guilty -- I haven't got into any type of routine yet. I need too -- :boink: I did read that some have more restriction early and during the day than in the evening. I even found that right before my TOM I was eating and munching on everything -- couldn't get satisfied. So hormones can be a part of it - I believe. I have restriction now -- but I only lose when I go to liquids only -- this is frustrating. Since my 5/31 fill to 6/4 I lost 6 lbs -- and today nothing more. That's 20lbs since 4/9 surgery. :smellie: Ticker thing -- I have no idea -- I have read others having the same exact problem -- let me know what the resolution is when you find out. Have a great evening! :cheer2:

April 9th 2.5cc in 10cc band 20 lbs since surgery (total 66 lbs since starting the lapband journey!)

Janine! Fantastic news. How are you doing today -- getting better each and every day? Zannie covered ALL the great tips, tricks, reminders --- KUDOZ Suzanne! Just so you know - my husband was similiar (although he is overweight) in that he thought that if I exercised and stuck to a diet that I didn't need the surgery. But I have to tell you immediately following surgery he became fully in support of my decision -- he saw my dedication to the pre-op and I think alot of it is being scared of losing someone in surgery or from complications. He has been tremendous - my rock every since. As they see you feeling better - energy return - you returning to the person you were when you first fell in love -- they come around -- and understand the benefits and it is the right decision for YOU and him! (Hugs!!!) The absolutely most important thing I remind him is that I did this to be healthier and live longer and be able to spend as much time as I can with him! We went to my SIL's yesterday for birthday celebration for my DH -- it was so funny -- I always hang out with the boys watching baseball-Nascaar- and such. Well I got called into the room with the girls -- and was shot questions about the surgery - how I feeling - fill - what I have been eating - what does it feel like - and you can imagine the rest of the Q's.... I felt like I was being interigated. whew --- I made it out of their alive!!!!!!!!!!! lol. Talk more soon! Hugs! Gina

Mine was under fluro - standing in the xray machine -- seeing it on the live screen -- even got to watch the barium go through. My doctor does all under fluro--