Kitt3000

Sounds like you are where I am right now too. I'm trying to tough it out until Tuesday, but Gatorade G2 is my best friend right now. The first week was fine, had to change to new BP med, the pill is huge. Easy to get stuck. Now my band is feeling tight , painful, and having trouble eating more than one bite, or getting enough liquids. Arghhhh!

Hey fellow bandsters, a little helpful trick that works for my extremely dry skin... If you are not allergic, try almond oil. After your shower or bath, with a shay butter soap my favorite is l'occutane, I rub almond oil head to toe. It really helps the dry skin and creates a little barrier I think. Prior to banding, I took one- two flax seed oil capsules a day, now I find they are too large to swallow . Good luck! It's worth a try and only about 8$ in your grocery or health food store.

Midwest, $107.00 for fill or unfill

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Dear E, I see that you are an executive assistant, that means you must be a take charge kind of lady? Take charge of your health and put you first. Think about posting somewhere, wk, church, neighborhood, etc that you need help with transportation, poss. Rent a car? My guess is, once you see your original surgeon, it will be easier to transfer to one closer to you, with the original doctors help. Request copies of your records and last most current visit for the new doc. Good luck E, give yourself the gift of making you the priority. When you are in good shape, phys. And emotionally, it's easier to take care of everyone's needs, including those near and dear.

Weighing in on this one, my dads wife had total acceptance from me, helped her with photos, computer, FB. She used all that to create a profile on a dating web site to cheat on my dad. Felt so betrayed and used. #respect and trust are better earned than blindly trusting...

@@Nikky, Not a failure hon, it's a process. Really. Trust it. B52 really says it all above, I have also found wisdom in lisacaron' s post.(thanks guys!) It's hard to come to the realization that this has changed your life, stop fighting your band, listen - it's talking to you... Docs have seen it all. Let your shame and fear go. Ask the professionals for help.

@@JustWatchMe, hang tough girlfriend.

Familiar. Try doing something physical, move your body, not only your mind. I'm rearranging a room as we speak. Trust me- I would rather be.. I've let things pile up- now it's time to move it out!!????

You are on the right track! It's pretty amazing, once your band is properly adjusted (on your way!), you will understand what he means about the protien. Fish, meats, poultry, pork- all of those choices for me, engages the band and I feel very full- satisfied for hours. It really helps put and end to the constant food thoughts. The portion control will take care of itself. Happy holidays and it actually sounds like you have a pretty good doc ????

You have done amazing! Consider this, maybe it wasn't so much what you ate, but how soon you ate it? I remember my doc being very strict about when, how much, how soon. Maybe he just wants to see you be successful and not sabotage yourself? The early days help establish your eating behavior, and maximizing the weight loss during the first year. It really stinks when someone is disrespectful - yelling is unacceptable to me, I would tend to shut down, but this is about you. You are the one alone with your band day in and day out, I don't know how you handled this in the room, but you certainly have every right to protest when anyone disrespect you or belittles you. Chin up, try not to dwell on it, and keep on doing the awesome job!

Thank you. Great info!

I'm not an expert by any means. I would think you have seen a dermatologist to check your scalp? Some people are destined to have balding. I personally find a few things helpful for my dry thin hair. 1. I take two caps of flaxseed oil daily as well as a multi Vitamin . 2 an hour before I shampoo, I rub olive oil into my scalp 3 shampoo with Chi shampoo 4. An apple cider rinse, about every two weeks. the flaxseed oil helps every inch of skin on my body- I swear by that one. I really noticed hair fallout after any surgical procedure, but it slows down between 4-6 months after for me. I was desperately seeking something to help stop the shedding, this routine along with letting my hair air dry, no color, no pulling into a pony tail, especially when wet - in other words, handling gently, has helped tremendously. Good luck, hope this helps you too

The weather is AMAZING right now, I think you will enjoy that as much as Mickey!!

Hi Carole, Thank you for taking the time to help by coming back to post this message onthe board. You have given us a gift today, I hope and wish for you, success. I think your name Sojourner,says it all. Best wishes, Kitt

For the past three weeks I have had significant lower back and shoulder neck pain. Guess what I found myself doing? EATING to make myself FEEL better. Ugggh, didn't work, of course. At least I recognise it sooner now. No damage done, but for pete's sake! Those pesky old responses are tough to recognise, modify behavior, try to figure out what would be a better choice to take care of the real problem. I would like to do that at the moment it happens- not two weeks later to have an ah haa moment, please

@ sparklecat Wow! Agree, should have bought it, the upside? Having fun shopping looking for one like it!

Isn't it crazy how such a small amount can make a huge difference? I'm so glad for you! When I had a similar situation, I think I panicked because I didn't feel tight enough. I talked myself through that, and found within two weeks, my sweet green spot???? loving it!

I've been having fun re inventing my "look". Jeans and Tshirts are the norm, because of all the animals.. But, I've joined Pinterest and have been having a great time "pinning" new looks. It has actually made me less uncomfortable with shopping. In the past, it was find jeans that fit, buy five pair, dozen tee shirts, good to go... Not any more!!! Fun times! So I guess, I indulge my dream outfit every time I pin!

I smile, say I quit eating and laugh! They usually laugh and move along. I hate people making comments about my weight up or down. I grew up in a house where there was discussion on weight at least five times a day, no kidding. My husband and one adult child knows. That's it. When we go out to dinner with people, my husband reminds me about the protein shake I "just" had, no wonder Im not very hungry....lol It's no ones business! This may be very petty of me, but I really enjoy saying this to people who made cruel or sideways shots at the heavy me for my girth.

Have you thought about a lap band?

I drink my greens, greens+. I do have a salad, usually when we are in an Italian restaurant and pasta is the main fare. I will get a salad with a tomato slice, shredded motzarella. If there are other things on the menu, I will add if they meet my needs. Then, I spend a lot of time cutting everything up into small bites, being very mindful of slow eating and checking in with myself. I take a vitamin every day and drink the greens.it seems to work for me, but I totally get missing the slightly undercooked veggies.

Sorry, missed that one! Guessing, just like everyone else, but from what I understand, the dense protein is what stays there long enough for your brain to get the "I'm full" signal, the things that slide right on past the band don't stay there long enough to trigger that signal. Unfortunately, that's usually the high calorie drinks, creamy foods, things that break down quickly like cake, cookies, ice cream, pudding, chips etc... Do you get stuck and PBG with bread, pizza dough, pasta, rice, things that plug up?

For me, this happens when I am over hungry, or ate too fast. I have to be very mindful of what I am eating, or those old bad habits creep back in. Here's what I TRY to do, if I want the pie/ice cream, whatever, I tell myself to eat my protein first. For instance my one egg and small piece of breakfast meat. Then, I allow myself to have one spoon of the treat if I still want it. No one is perfect, and I think most of us occasionally struggle with old behaviors. Once I throw up something, I have protein shake for the next two meals in case I've irritated something. Take care.

Lee, one thing my son did say to me was to be mindful of staying hydrated. Good point.