lisacaron

You don't even need one that cost over $20. You can use a simple blender they even have tiny ones now that are about 2 cups, and you can use those to puree just the right amount of food for your band. If you are thinking of juicing and/or making smoothies, watch the calories here! It's easy to drink excess calories that will not fill you up, but slide right through the band and not stimulate it to feel satisfied. Best of luck to you!

Those what if's....they can be killer! In a negative sense they have the power to undermine every intention, they can be the worst excuses that have ever existed. They work because we power them! We take all our strength and all our beliefs and put it behind the "what if" and make it the impossible. We can't help it, there is always at least two sides to everything. I know this...but there is more then that, and I know this too. So what I try to do is look at things from all sides. Not just the up and down the positive and negative but all sides, even inside and out if I have to just to find a way to take my self from that negative place. To find another road or another avenue of thought so I can get myself where I want to go. Yeah it might take a bit longer for me to do that, and I might not get there as fast as some but I don't give up, and I learn lots along the way. I am ready when I get there to be where I am, and if I'm able to blaze a trail for others to accompany me, to follow or shoot off of then I am even happier. So I say what if, everything you ever wanted in life is possible! You just have change your perspective and find route that works for you or create a new one!! What if...you have the power to change your life and everyone you ever meet just by changing your perspective and making the impossible possible?

It's hard work friend. Your not going to wake up and be back to that college size but if you invest the time in yourself and take it one step at a time and have the commitment and perseverance that having the band requires you will be one of the many success stories I read about and one day hope to be! Having a good sense of self and body image even at a larger size is a great benefit to you. You will be able to take things easily and work to improve your health and well being and the weight loss will follow. It has been only 5 months for me, but I can tell you even through all the hard work it's been MORE then worth it to me and my husband. I would do it again tomorrow if I had to. I wish you all the best on your journey!

PT you are so on track, your doing awesome. Sometimes we need a to kick ourselves in the butt and we have a cheat and our bodies respond so don't feel bad. I try to keep myself accountable with the monthly Dr. visits and support groups. They can get old fast...but I find that scheduling them into my month and going really holds me accountable to myself. I always find it easier, (go figure..) to put everything and everyone else needs first, so this is for ME and I make sure I find the time to do it even if I have to whine the whole way

What is the cottage cheese pouch test? Never heard that one before.

Just to add to Missy's post which is 100% right a nice hard pillow will help you as you cough and you MUST cough and take those deep breaths even if they make you cough lots and lots. If you don't get the Fluid up and out of your lungs you will end up back in the hospital and sick with post op pneumonia and that's not going to be fun. Try drinking something warm as well to loosen things up before you start taking those deep breaths. The steam will help as well. Good luck and feel better soon!!

I totally agree with you on that end Missy. I was able to view the link without logging into my Facebook account. There is also the fact that not everyone has it as public knowledge that they are banded and having that spam to all their friends is just not cool. Amanda, keep striving for what you want and need. There are very good and supportive people on this site, it's just not really the forum (literally) for something like this contest. It's kind of like trying to sell girl scout Cookies here or farting in church which some of us can't help

I try to look at things like this, well it only cost me $70.00 to know I am healthy, that's money well spent

It is sad because I feel that Amanda is legitimately asking for help here, and may want/need the surgery. I think the bigger issue is the Dr. and this free contest thing he has going on this Facebook page and even on other media outlets including radio! The rules of the contest alone violate the HIPPA law!

I would like this on here twice for you if I could. I just went back and read through all the posts. Amanda is out of line and way to aggressive in her requests and replies. It comes across as insincere and shammy whether it is or not...well Alex....Calling Alex Brecher who can and should check out those posts and perhaps take them off the board if they are found to harmful. People that questioned the link and the "help" request did so because they wanted to help but they are 100% right to protect their privacy and they should not be harassed or berated because of it.

You are all doing great! The first week and the last day are the hardest but I have faith in you all and you can do it!! If you are needing to crunch ice pops work great, if you need something warm decaf tea or coffee work great. Adaptation and perseverance are the keys to success here, keep up the good work!!

So true! What works for me does not work for my Husband and I tell people this all the time. We were banded at the same time, we travel the road side by side. We even see the Dr. on the same dates and times in the same room for fills and updates BUT what works for him food wise and exercise wise and fill wise is not what works for me. We have the same exact bands, made by the same company, but on each of us they work differently. I needed more Fluid in my band to feel the same satiety as he did. He has lost a bit more weight then I have, though oddly...I have more muscle then he does, so go figure....everyone is different and everyone's experience in their life and in their body is different. So I/we go with the flow, we practice with the band every day. Practice makes perfect and someday we will play Carnegie Hall, OK maybe not but at least we will be able to fit in the seats!! Now that is music to my ears!!! (yeah I'm being corny today...I think I need a nap!)

It looks like you are at or close to goal, but you are now gaining a bit of weight back. It could be head hunger, emotional eating, hormones or just about anything. If you feel like you have lost that green zone feeling it might be time for a tweak. You might not need a huge fill some times even .1 or 2cc can make the difference they say. I was worried about getting a fill this last time, I don't want to be too tight, I am still searching for that green zone feeling...and yet my doctor told me if it is too tight, you come right back and we adjust, that it's good for me to know what that feels to be too tight so I know where I need to be. With that I had the fill and I think I'm maybe a tiny bit away from that green zone feeling. So maybe go in for a little tweak and see how it goes...?

Way to go Anna!!!! I love my band too!!! :wub:

Hi CG, I don't know who the person is that said that, but I'm sure she suffers from low self esteem. People that make crass comments to harm others usually do. They only feel better when they can make someone feel worse. You are one of the best type of people not any kind of tub scum, because you are able to look in the mirror and say I need to make a change for myself and actually get up and do it! Most people only lie to themselves and others so that they can "look" good. You my friend actually do look good! Why because you have worked dam hard to do so! So this person can have their pound of flesh, hey it's one more off my ass is the way I look at it

Hey Janice, looks like your doing an awesome job! This will be my first banded holiday, and honestly I am looking forward to it! It will be the first in many years where I am not going to walk away from the table feeling like the stuffed turkey! I learned yesterday that I can enjoy a nice family meal, and partake in all the good food but in band proportions and still feel happy and satisfied. We had a large multifamily gathering after the funeral service for my sister in law's Mom who passed last Saturday. Big Irish & Italian family and all the food that goes along with it. At the restaurant it was a feast to rival any wedding, starting with the bread basket, the salad with red wine vinaigrette, the stuffed clams; fried gallamad with marinara sauce...then the huge buffet of Penne ala Vodka, chicken Francesca, sausage & peppers, chicken parm...Napoleon for dessert. Awesome, celebration feast for a great lady! Me...and the hubby....enjoyed it all on a tiny dessert plate. A bit of this, a taste of that, and we were full happy and content with our band size portions. Sure it might have only been a fork full if that of each item, but we were glad to be able to sit with everyone and enjoy it just the same. I'm ready for the holidays! Bring em on This year I'm going to lose 10 pounds instead of gain!

Try using a body pillow at night. You can either hug it or place it at your back to lean on. If your port is in pain, or other incisions try using an icepack. If your having shoulder/gas pain try a warm heat in that area but no on the wounds. If you are having an internal discomfort (reflux or nausea) when sleeping please give your Dr.'s office a call and let them know.

Looking good!! Keep up the great work!

Oh yes I am the allergy queen, and no matter how many allergy pills remedy's I take there is always something that starts the party. Every morning I wake up with that nasty sinus drip, some days it affects my band more then others, but then I find that is true for my band. Some days I am tighter then others, less hungry then others...I don't know why that is but I'm able to work with the fluctuation as it's not too tight, but I don't think it's just right just yet...still targeting that green zone here.

Awesome! WTF faces rule and make some drool cause they are so darn funny!

Awesome!

Ah..I'm sorry friend. I have had to deal with those type of people my whole life. They always need to be one up on someone so they can feel good about themselves. Have pity for her, she must really not like herself very much. You on the other hand, are showing yourself some real love and taking care of your body without putting your issues onto someone else plate. (all pun intended) Keep up the good work, give yourself some TLC and come here for support any ole time you need it!

It really is a vote of confidence to hear that so many medical professionals choose the band. Thanks for sharing that story! Every day these stories help to reaffirm my commitment to the band. :wub: