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lo2us I did not think that the hair loss/liver was as high a concern as gastric bypass. I am still getting protein, because that is what will keep us full. faith sorry to hear about your hair loss. I have a wicked head of hair, and I shed more than my dog, always did. but I am not concerned at this point because of my hair volume my hairstylest brags about. But I will keep an eye on it! mj/heather Great to hear from you! GREAT weight loss mj and dh! stef I cook it in a variety of ways. because it cooks so fast, you may want to only cook what you are going to eat. I use lemon, lime, lemon/pepper, cajun seasoning, ground pepper, pepper blend, salsa after it is cooked. I also have spread light mayo and chopped onions and put it in tin foil and bake. All the above is not all at once of course!! also the butter spray, with the seasoning of your liking. Hope this helps.

Gen, sorry to hear that you have such a long drive to the doctor. That can't be fun. My doctor said everyone is different. Some people feel restriction from the first fill and others takes a few. I asked about the multiple fills, and the nurse felt that it may be a learning process. I just feel everyone is so different. As you learn from reading the posts! Good luck.

HOLLI GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!

Huntersmom, what a cool idea, I agree with FarmerE, when and where? Maybe after our 3-6 months? bigbaby, someone at work just told me about the individually wrapped talapia at walmart! nina the Grace Jerk Seasoning sounds GREAT, I love that kind of stuff. I will look for it. toni I am so jealous of you! keep us posted when you start eating again. Do you have to go back on liquids for every fill? I would like it! I think I had a good food day, I need to count it all up. I really have not been counting the calories, but sticking to the portion size and the three meals a day. Does anyone know if the focus on Protein in the beginning is because we are on liquids and after we are on all foods we should eat protein because it fills you up more? Not really for the nutrition value and that once on total food you don't need the 60 grams as much? I am thinking it is different than bypass, where they stress protein due to deficiency. Or am I off totally???

lelee I beleive the ticker site is tickerfactory.com. I wish I could help you set it up, but I had difficulty with mine. you may be able to get through it easier than I! Good luck with your journey! I had my surgery at St. Mary's but with Commonwealth surgeons. they work together with the weight loss program.

Joeygirl thanks for the explanation. I am going to pray after soda for an afternoon, I am ok. I am thinking when I have my flouro fill on July 31, they will be able to look at my stomach, and hopefully it is OK! dan thanks for the info. I am going to the store tonight. bigbaby the emmi series is an educational video on line learning tool. It is really a recap for us that are on this site, and those who have read so much. I get an alert from the doc to read a chapter for every step, I just looked at the fill one, it is www.my-emmi.com You have to have an access code, given to you by your doc. diane yes, your stomach will rumble from time to time. I believe drinking will help, such as Pippz suggested. pippz I like the idea of a cyrstal light slurpie! 7 eleven use to have crystal light slurpies. But they are not always available. Walked this am with my dh. added more time,but still need to work up to the 50-60 min!

o2bethin...Hang in there, I understand everything you said. I lost the majority of my weight pre opt and only I think 3/4 since June 7! It is frustrating. I am not going for my fill unitl July 31..yuk Nina do you know if your doc left any fluid in your band after surgery? My nurse said sometimes the doctor my leave some in there. My nurse feels I may have some because I feel restriction now, like I can't eat bread, chicken and some other foods. But I can eat some foods I shouldn't and don't get that full feeling to often. What did your doc say about what happened? Beckie Wow passing up on cheescake from the cheesecake factory!! That is great. I love that place and I am glad there is not one closer than an hour from me! Marga My dh and I were headed out of town on Friday and I wanted to eat something. so I bought a turkey sandwhich on toasted rye, to split with him. Well my dh lucked out because after one bite, I knew I could not eat it. Toni good luck with your #2 fill! I am envious, but we can learn from you! Big question for you all...why can't we drink soda? Is it due to gas? burping? Well, I am not a soda drinker, before surgery I may drink one soda in a week. This weekend I was at my brothers 50th birthday party and had a couple drinks with diet mountain dew. I did not even think about it until my way home today and a Light Bulb went off, and I was like OMG! Do you think I am ok? The good thing about the party is I ate good, stayed away from bad, made good choices.

Hello all...I guess I totally missed the schedule for the support group this week. I looked at my blackberry and I do have it on for the second MONDAY in August. Not sure why I thought Tuesday this week? Maybe because I was off on Monday and that messed up my mind...very possible! Did anyone go? Has anyone been to the lapband group only? or the other groups? there is one every Thursday for all weight loss surgery. I would like to get to one in the next weeks to come. Maybe we can meet there! I am off to Pennsylvaina today for the weekend. Another party. I will watch my food intake so I don't choke and watch my alcohol too. Little sips of wine, on a limited basis! Those are my goals this weekend. After my son's wedding, I learned my lesson!! Hope you all have a great weekend. Down one more lb!! It has been a snail process!

:clap2:Oh, BIG NEWS, down 1 more pound!!! every little step counts and needs a celebration

Dan Thanks for the menu ideas. Your soup blend sounds interesting! Everyone's bodies are different and we will all lose at our own pace, but it is frustrating, we need to keep reminding ourselves that. Is the gordans samon, frozen? cb when I was on mushies, soft, I could have: tuna/chicken salad( low fat or ff mayo); fish,pototoes,rice, pasta, fresh fruit,eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese. Does this help? One good source of protein and is good/cheap is egg drop soup! suzzzie Hang in there. How about flavored water? bigbaby wow, I did burp this week after eating pork barbeque with coleslaw on top. I knew when I was done, it was to much, but it was so good!!! I began to burp! thanks for the heads up. lotus wow what an experience, but better to happen there then when you were home! It sounds like you may be in a zone already! Lucky you. Some people only need one fill, some 6-8 adjustments in a year from what I read. I would prefer 1! GREAT Weight Loss too!!!! 40!!!! I am so jealous of those of you who were banded near or after my date and are getting a FILL! I feel that due to my nurse's vacation, I am being held hostage! My fill is not until July 31, almost 8 weeks! I am really going to need to focus the next few weeks. Did anyone have to watch the emmi series? It is a on line learning videos. My doctor sends them to me every step of the process, I have to log on and watch it. it is helpful, but most info I know already. It is good for family. Hello Stef, Toni and the gang!!

Welcome Paul, My husband was not to excited about me having the surgery! He is thin and always been thin. When he was a kid he tells me the story how his Mom stood on the porch and made him run around the block. I don't think he had the chance to be fat. But his metabolism is just right, he eats alot and never exercises! He is one of those people over weight people envy. But after we went through the process, he had to watch an on line video, Emmie series, which my surgeon required. He learned a lot and went to the orientations and meetings with me. I was afraid to much info may have been a bad thing for him. But he was interested and became very supportive. I believe the surgery part of maybe something happening to me was his biggest fear. Now he calls me " Queen of Lap Band!". When I was in surgery, he ventured to the education area of the hospital where there was another orientation to possible new patients and he joined in. I thought that was funny, maybe he was bored! Good luck with your process. I have been banded now for a month. I am on all food. I am discouraged that the weight loss has slowed down and that I need a fill! My appointment is not until July 31. But I am trying to learn each day about it. I am sure there is a July band thread, that will be most helpful, but read the June thread too, because you can learn from what those stages ahead too. I read May's and it is helpful. Take care.

cb please forgive me for I don't remember what stage you are on? As you have already read, we are all different. When I went on all foods last week, my nurse told me to limit the shakes because we need to begin to learn to eat small portions of regular food. it makes sense, but you need to be sure to get in your protein. She said that drinking a shake in the am usually does not keep you full until lunch. Suzzie I understand what you mean about the overwieght life as a teen. My Mom use to call me thunder thighs, needless to say she was a twig! But when I entered high school, I lost all the weight, and then she said I was to thin! Mothers!!! but my thin life did not stick around long. Since college on I yoyo and did all kinds of bad things to stay thin( no eating disorders, thank god!). I am off to PA this weekend for my brothers and sister inlaws big 50th Birthday party. It is in the mountains, very country. they are having it at his cabin. After my sons wedding this weekend, my big worry is to stay away from alcohol, or be sure to eat!! The band for sure makes a difference with that. I think i will be ok with meals. take care all!

Suzzie, chips and salsa I hear ya!! My big down fall, and crunchy stuff goes down. .. why can't that get stuck? cb Marga's explanation of a stretched pouch is what I understood, my doc said you would know it if you had a slip. dawn last night after dinner, I grabbed some tortilla chips and spinach dip. Now, only a couple table spoons of dip, but after two bites, I was like " what are you doing!!!???" I stopped and scraped it in the garbage disposal. I guess we have to keep thinking of those times we eat just to eat! Stef I was told 1000 a day. I am surprised Dan's is so low being a guy. You would think his would be higher than 1000. But if you go to low, such as 600 your weight loss will slow down. You need food to burn calories. Joey I think there are many of us with a slow wl. the nurse keeps telling me to be patient, but that is not happening. I think Marga spelled it out great, how we feel through the process! Hang in there. Well, I need to get to work, I get to caught up in getting on line, it is so good to relate to everyone....later folks!

Simplyme I am jealous! We were banded the first day and my first fill is not until July 31!!You will need to keep us posted to help prepare. Heather My fill is the day after yours!, July 31. I can't beleive it is so long away, but I have a date! Missy I just ate some shredded pork barbeque, but I had barbeque sauce and coleslaw on top of it that wet it down. I ate it over 30 min in small bites. I do beleive I ate to much, but it went down ok! I just think regular grilled or baked chicken alone will not work. The nurse said to make fajita chicken, it is moister. I will need to try it. It is such a strange feeling at this point int he process, because unless you get food stuck you don't even know you have the band. I really have to keep it in my head at all times! Does anyone else feel that way?

Toni, glad to see your humor is still with us! Vance welcome to a great thread!! Suzzzie You are amazing. Once I am home I can't see myself going back out again. I am truly impressed. I really need to get back to the gym. My last weight loss success and for a while after I went 4-5 times a week. I enjoyed it, really. But once you fall off the horse, the motivation just stops! I know many of the instructors and the regulars and I am afraid when I go back, they will be saying, " what happened to her!" But I know I need to do it. Pippz Hang in there about the portion control and eating to much. try to let the worry go. I know this is so hard. I was so hungry today after my work, I had to go to the mall to return some things and I walked past to many food places, but I did not buy. Marga My meals today were: Breakfast: yoplait lowfat yogurt, fruit; Lunch: Lean Quisine, Dinner: pork barbeque ( tons left over from the wedding) and a tablespoon of coleslaw on top. I am not sure that is enough or to much. I know I was hungry at 6. My son's wedding left lots of food around and I am staying away from the bad stuff, but it is hard! Great work, Nina, Toni, Heather, Insub, dan and all I missed !

Dan thanks for the hint on the wasabi purchase. I love hot food, and I will look for it. Your weight loss is awesome!!You are inspiration to all. quadmom GREAT weight loss too, 4 lbs is GREAT!! I finally moved the needle on the scale, lost 2lbs. Probably all the sweat I poured out preparing for my son's outside reception. Thank god it was not today or yesterday, 100 in VA, feels like 130! heather you are so funny!! I had to laugh, this makes exercise a go. o2bthin just take it slow on the diet. You will do fine. When I went to mushies, I found it to be hard to get in all the food groups and portien sizes. I was told to focus on Protein and if i could get a few other things in great. I am on all food now, and it is hard with out a fill, because I can eat stuff I probably shouldn't. I have been trying to keep on a good program. I plan to grab a Lean Quisine today. I finally got my fill appointment for July 31! It is far away, but at least it is on the schedule. I received the letter last week and did nto know it because I was busy.. Have a great day.

Thinner1 GREAT JOB on your weight loss and shopping!! what a great feeling!

Hello all! You have been all busy posting, I have been away for a few days, for my son's big day! His wedding was on Saturday, 7/7/07! It was beautiful. I had a food scare, popped a piece of chicken in my mouth down my throat with out thinking. I have had problems with chicken from the start, and I was not paying attention. Well, it hurt and it finally moved after much pain! I did not eat then the rest of the day and as a result the aclohol went straight to my head! I had a rough Sunday recouperating. So, for those of you asking about drinking alcohol, be careful! I had pizza this weekend too, only one slice. I cut it up in tiny peices and chewed it well. My husband did make a comment regardign the bread factor. But it is different texture than a slice of bread or roll. My nurse said not to eat bread now before a fill because once I have it, most likely I won't be able to. So, I haven't tried a roll, sandwich, etc. I read people eating toast, crunchy bread is ok. Dan Your salmon recipe sounds great, I actually have some in the freezer and will try it. Where do you buy wasabi? Pippz great w loss:clap2: Suzzzie I am glad to hear you are doing better!! Glad to be back. I feel like I have been away from my band and need to get on it! If that sounds strange.. I just have had company and so much to do, I have not been focused as much. I have been ok on what I have been eating, but just not sure, if that makes any sense:confused:

MARY, GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!! I am glad you were approved. I don't have the same surgeon, I was banded by Commonwealth Surgeons, same building, same hospital. The work together with the support groups, educational classes, etc. Keep us posted on your scheduling. Try to be patient, I know that is hard. It took me a month or two to get on the schedule after I was approved. Maybe your surgeon has more openings on the schedule!!

FarmerE I am sorry to hear about your boyfriend. I agree with others that it is so hard for the "thin" person or one who never dieted to understand our position and choice. I have a thin husband, who has terrible eating habits and can eat anything! He does have cholesteral issues, but he does not seem to think he should change. He was very resistant to my surgery, just could not understand "why" I needed it. I realized that he would never get it. I told him that I really did not want comments anymore because I made the choice and needed his support. One of his beefs was me having problems and what if I died? But now that it is over, he has accepted it and calls me " Queen of Lap Band!" I made choices not to tell certain friends and family, ones I love dearly, becuase I really did not want to hear the same comments your boyfriend said. " why don't you just eat less, you lost it before, get out and exercise...and on and on!" People don't realize we made a very hard decision, a COMMITMENT, for life. I know this is hard, because it is my husband and it is a boyfriend telling you this stuff, but try to take care of YOU, and what happens, happens. He will see how devoted you are and hopefully if he loves you, will turn that fear into positive support!!! It sounds like he is afraid of change and worried how he fits into your new goals. My husband is happy we don't go out, he says we are saving money!!! Hang in there... Your BAND buddies are here.

Well, we made it through our first holiday banded! Sounds like we did great. Missy great food choices! I agree about the chips. I will have to confess that I did have a few tortilla chips and fresh salsa. I had a 1/2 burger, grilled vegies and some tortilini salad( light dressing). Insub Great Weight Loss for you :clap2: That is interesting about your fill. When I went to the doctor this week, I asked the nurse about how many fills, that some people seem to get many. She taked about then taking fluid out because some will want more and realize it is to much. So it is good you went with how YOU felt. Toni Great Weight loss to you too:D I know you have been struggling. Why don't you update your ticker!! and CELEBRATE! How was the game? Pippz I agree about the vomit feeling. I really hope I can prevent that. I realized that I can't eat chicken( previous post) and I can really feel food go down when it gets stuck. It is like a BIG swallow in my stomach, it is hard to describe. I really need to chew more!!! Angel I agree with others, but to feel comfortable call your doc Stef Sounds like you are doing great with your fill, I am anxious to get there. According to my doctor, the number of fills is really individual.

Heather I understand your thoughts of waiting until after a trip. My son's wedding is this Saturday and I really did not want to have a fill until it was over. Then the end of July I had this leadership conference to go to for a week and I decided not to go, thinking I would have a fill and need that adjustment time, well, now it may be after that time frame. It looks like I will be filled around the same time as you! either of those two weeks. We can learn together!!! My vacation to the Beach in SC is not until the end of August, so I hope to be down at least 10 or more lbs by then! And experienced eater.

Toni My son is not getting married at 7! But 1 PM. I have been up since 5 am today, could not sleep thinking about all I have to do. The reception is in my yard, caterers, tents, decorations, etc! I love to entertain and when I retire I would love to be a party planner, but I am tired because it is my son's wedding and have to think of other things too. Crazy!! Maybe I won't have time to eat Big Med I saw the show when I was clicking through, but never watched it. I will be sure to check it out this Monday!! Stef thanks for the tip. Since I won't be filled for a bit I should use this time to practice slowing down and chewing. I have had deli meat stick already, but it did not come up. I paced and it finally moved, I could even feel it go down, creepy! But better then pbing!

Appointment today with Nurse Practitioner. She said that I can stretch my pouch prior to a fill, and that it is usually for overeating. So it can happen prior to a fill or if you are filled and eat to much. She said when you start to feel the full feeling, stop. She said if I hurt my band, slipped, I would REALLY know it, vomiting and being ill. I am not having my fill until the end of the month, so that was a bummer. Regarding measuring, she said to use a small plate. put my food on it, eat protein first and stop when I am full. It is when you get over full, like that Thanksgiving stuffed feeling, is when you can hurt your pouch and get sick! Hope this all helps. But as you all know all our docs are different !!

Kt I live in Virginia, US. It is 90's here! I live about 45 miles outside of Washington D.C. It is a very humid and sticky area from May - September. Not always fun! New Zealand sounds cool, but I am not a snow lover! Lor Thanks for the positive Post! I think eating slow and taking breaks is the hardest of all! I have problems with some foods getting stuck, like chicken and fish, and I am not always sure if it is the food or my eating patterns. Visit to my Nurse/Doc today...FILL, not until week of July 23 or the following week!! Heather as you can imagine, I was wanting it today!!! My nurse that is the specialist in fills is on vacation next week and not sure what her week she returns looks like. I will get a call with the date! She feels I may have some in there, that sometimes the doc puts some Fluid in to start, just a little. She thinks this because I can't eat chicken, fish and other things so she feels I have some restriction! Booohooo. I want a FILL! I really need to up my activity, exersice. That will help my weight loss and my motivation... but we all know that.. we just need to DO IT. Happy 4th of July !!