PrettyThick1

Eat broccoli or spinach.

Strive for at least 650-700 calories, it's hard but 600 is starvation and that has damaging effects that aren't immediately apparent.

Four weeks is right until you've reached the green zone - which is a different fill level for everyone. I haven't had a fill in 8 weeks; fill #3 put me at 5cc's in my 10cc band and I'm in the green zone.

I have a lot of friends that went to West Side. Small world!!! I love the way they have started having major concerts and plays there. West Side is a very nice school.

You are absolutely correct there. Most oncologists will tell you that cancers can start decades before they are detected or begin to affect a person.

You have my condolences.

Wow! If I still lived in the area, I'd be your buddy! I was born and raised in Gary...before it went all the way down hill. I still visit about every other year or so. I love Chicago!!! My mom worked at Lever Brothers in Hammond for 20 years, my dad worked at U.S. Steel in Gary for 45 years. And I am a proud graduate of Roosevelt High!

I'm sorry you're going through this at a time when you really need support. I told everyone...I'm just an open book about things anyway and don't really care what people have to say. I had plenty of people say "you don't need that" "oh, that's dangerous" "I hate surgeries" blah, blah, blah! The fact of th matter is, they are not in my body and don't know what I've gone through to try to lose weight and keep it off. I took the plunge and I'm so happy I did. Much of what you are experiencing is pure jealousy, please see through their negative comments and judgemental behavior as just that. They know what this is going to do for you and they are afraid to see you get further in life than they are. Because honestly, once you start losing weight so much about your life is going to change! I am a witness, so many things have changed for me in a very short amount of time - the same will happen for you. Being overweight holds you back and now much of that won't be an issue for you. You think they are upset now? Baby, please prepare yourself for the haters once you start dropping pounds left and right. I hope someone comes around and can help get you home and settled in. You won't need anyone after the first day or so, just get all of your things together and make sure you won't have to go out of the house for the first couple of days. You just need a ride home and someone to get your prescriptions, which can be done with a cab ride; just have your doctor call the prescriptions in before you leave the hospital, then go to a drive-through pharmacy. Good luck and keep us posted!

Congrats! You've lost a 4 year old...seems like so much more when you put it like that, doesn't it? LOL

Standing ovation!

I think the happiest birthday gift I got came from my scale yesterday. When I read 169.2 I was in awe and had to step back on to make sure it wasn't playing one of it's cruel jokes on me again. It wasn't! This morning I weighed in at 169.0 and I'm tickled pink! Miss Pearlie is doing her job and she continues to make me happy! I've only hit short plateaus during this journey - a week or less at a time. My secret? Increase your Protein by 20 - 25g over what you normally consume, in 3 days the scale is moving again. Have a great week everyone!

Everyone is different, but I could always tell I needed a fill when I started being overly hungry and what I ate didn't last but a couple of hours. I'm not very strict with what I eat, simply because it's a challenge getting in enough calories every day. I am on fill #3 and have gotten to the green zone with my band at 5cc's (10cc band). How long do you stay full and do you track your calories? You could lose more if you boosted your Protein without getting a fill.

Wow. It sounds like you're alergic to the meds. Not sure what you need to do, but please avoid vomiting at all costs.

I'd kill for cooler weather...it's 93 today. Hot gets old, fast!

Technically, it's a solid with a sauce/cream. But if you blend it with mayo in a blender it would be like a mushy, I wouldn't try to do it with a fork.

Adios! You are overly sensitive and need to grow up. Temper tantrums don't work here.

Good job!!!

She's probably blocked many more blessings in the process.

Forget about what people who don't matter say or think about you. You are changing your life for the better, but at the end of the day she's still going to be an old, wicked woman. I'll bet her family doesn't even like to be around her, so she is to be pitied. You have friends - albeit virtual, we like you just the way you are.

Chester passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday 9/30/13 at 7:30pm. Just as the New Orleans Saints were kicking off, my little Saint went marching in. I miss you Ches, Love Mommy

Let me chirp in...honestly, bigger doesn't mean better. ***drops mike and walks off stage***

Missy is right, I totally missed the part about you not being able to keep liquids down. That is a problem you need to have checked out.

Weight Watchers fudge bars or Blue Bell No Sugar Added Dutch chocolate ice cream are my go-to's. At only 90 calories a serving, no fat and 9g Protein - you can't get much more guilt free than that. Don't be too hard on yourself, this is a process.

Get well soon!

My experience with fill #3 varies - sometimes I have no issues, sometimes I do. For instance for the past couple of weeks, I've been able to actually eat food in the morning and in the evening. This is the first time since I've had my band that I've been able to do so. I'm still in the green zone - I stay full for 4 -5 hours on 1/2 - 3/4 c. of food, but I don't have an issue with early morning or late evening tightness anymore. Just ride this out, don't get an unfill especially if you were doing well with it in the beginning. This is just a phase you and your band are going through, and it's worth navigating rather than getting an unfill.