New Hope

Hi Anastasia, nice to meet you! You can drink up until the time you eat, but then you should avoid drinking during your meal and for one hour afterwards. This lets the food stay in your pouch longer, gives you a sense of "fullness" longer by not washing food through so that you want to eat more. Eat and drinking together is defeating the way the band is meant to work. You have to remember to take small bites of food and chew, chew, chew. You should not be having pain when you eat. How much fill do you have right now? Could you possibly be too tight? Do you know what 17 kilos is in pounds? Best of luck to you!

Great job by all!! I think Nancy's BMI is too low to be considered "overweight" any more!

Wow, Melissa, hopefully that does the trick! Glad you're fixed and safely back home. I'm sure this is a typo, but is your current weight now 115?

Kim, you really should contact your banding surgeon and ask him. Try to make notes and give him as much info. as you can. Do these episodes hit after you eat or just any old time? Did these hit after you got a fill? Could you be too tight? Are you running any temperature? Does the area feel hot to the touch, is it tender? Do you feel nauseated with these spells? Do you still have your gallbladder? Please follow up and find out what's going on. Let us know and Best of luck to you!

It's quite normal to think that it won't work. We've failed so many times, what makes this one seem any better? But a little silicon band can change your life and help you get out and enjoy life w/ your family. You will figure this out and be a successful Bandster before you know it.

Best of luck to you on your surgery! Losing weight and getting that hip replaced are going to open up a whole new world for you! Take care of yourself, follow your surgeon's instructions, and you'll be back on here giving others answers before you know it.

I love those and most vegetables. I think I've eaten up all the junk food in the house by now. Is there a Betty Ford Clinic available for Bad Bandsters?

Shaz, when you get to mushies, you can eat anything that can be blended well. Whatever your family is having, blend and enjoy. Of course, try to choose wisely. Those first bites are heavenly!

I found low-sodium V-8 juice seemed more filling (if you're not on clear liquids).

Bright, glad to see you've got those necessities budgeted for...like Ikea Shopping! Too funny!! Glad to see you back on here!

Well, there you go! I bare my soul and Becky and Leatha get extra gold stars on their Food Chart!

Leatha, with the trend toward more bloodless surgeries, lasers, and laproscopic techniques, shorter operating and anesthestic downtimes...hopefully by the time you're ready, it won't be such a dangerous procedure for you.

Don't tempt me!!

Tracie, sending you (((hugs))) and prayers for a non-eventful banding and a minimum pain recovery time. You've done your research and you have a wonderful surgeon. Now get your band and get out there and enjoy life to it's fullest w/your precious family. Best of luck to you!

Best of luck to you, Leatha!!

So, Leatha, you're saying that this problem is a MALE? Well, that explains everything! Here's my deep, dark confession: I had a chili cheese tator tot pie for lunch yesterday (Leatha's fault about frito pie), oreo cookies for a late snack last night (Paula's fault about King cake), and blackberry cobbler after lunch today(I'll blame Betty since I can't think of an excuse). Now if I could just quit being influenced by all these sublimnal food messages on LBT! LOL

I guess I'm outside the DFW area. Boo-hoo! But I am in the same state. Does that count?

The King Cake is iced in gold, green, and purple. This represents the 3 Wise Men. The different rises in the dough on top represents the Wisemen's journey through mountains and valleys to find baby Jesus. The cake has a little plastic baby doll inside (representing the Christ child) and the person who gets that piece gets a prize. I have these facts from a true Cajun, our very own Paula! I love knowing the meaning behind different foods and traditions!

Now, slow down! No need for anything that drastic! You won't need any other weight loss attempt. This one will do the trick. Please give yourself time. Your band is still wide open (no fill) and you're able to eat just like preband. Please try to make healthy food choices. Keep drinking that Water (but not w/meals or one hour afterwards.) You'll get the hang of this, Really!

Betty, look at you!!! Didn't I just see you in Galveston in November? You have a waist, girl! How many inches have you lost in your hips and waist? And you look even prettier and younger than you did. I am so proud of you!!!:banana :banana

That Leatha is such a show off! LOL Leatha, would you come and give me lessons? I've lost my Bandster rules - along with my willpower!

Helen, congratulations! We have other bandsters here from across the pond. Look forward to getting to know you. How much weight are you wanting to lose?

I don't have those bad headaches since banding. Eating less carbs and more Proteins and vegetables seem to have helped. My energy level is so much better, getting some of that weight off my joints and bones. But if I go too long without eating, I want to eat NOW. If I make a conscious effort to eat at consistent times, I'll avoid that. Getting off of cokes can cause headaches. But, again, once you're "detoxed", they stop.

Those carbs are hard to let go of. Is there any healthy snacks that you can tuck in your purse and take to work? I waited 2 months for my first fill, just my personal decision. You want to be sure that your band is well-anchored (healed) and that you've been on solids long enough before you get a fill (to prevent band slippage).

Stop it, Paula! There's a package of Oreo cookies in the pantry calling me. I'm trying to fight them off!