cateringqueen

power bar brand called Pria 2 impact carbs and10 grams of protein. 170 calories. These taste great and I buy them by the box. they carry them at Sam's and Costco.

My moment-- I have always been a basically happy person. I got married about 8 years ago and up until that point I could always keep my weight under control. When I got married I started gaining weight, and it seemed no matter what I did I could not control my weight. In 8 years I went from 140 lbs to 225. I was so misreble. My whole personality had changed. I was not myself at all. My family noticed it, but my husband who does not have a weight problem was always supportive of me. Well my whole life I wanted to have children and be a mother but I could never get pregnant. I don,t know if this was related to my weight my mental state or what. Then 21/2 years ago God blessed us with the most amazing miracle. We traveled almost 8000 miles to the country of Ukraine. In an orphange in a small town near the border of Romania a nurse brought a tiny baby to me and placed her in my arms. I suddenly realized why I had never become pregnant, Iwas suppose to be the mother of this child. this was the child that God had chosen for me to love and care for and to raise. At that moment I knew what my reason to live for was. Analisa Viktorya is now 3 years old and truly the Joy of our lives. My mother calls her the bonus she never expected. When I reflected back on what a wonderful gift I have been given my moment came. I have to stay healthy to raise Analisa. I was baned the week after I found out about the band. Self paid and worth evey penny. In 3 months I am down 32lbs. (194 today) I feel like a new person, I have my life back an amazing daughter a wonderful husband. I feel so blessed, and I want to thank all of you on this board for the continued support and fellowship

there tons of books out that give you info on all foods, carbs, fiber. protein, Cal, fat etc. Look at any book store.

I agree with all of you. If I eat with distraction the phone ringing baby crying door bell ringing etc I am in big trouble. I will take everyone's advise and try to chew chew chew, take very small bites and spend more time. One thing that is really werid that happens to me is this really loud and I mean loud gurrling sound that comes up from my throat. Also is it possible for my fill that is about 4 weeks old to be becoming more restrictive? How long does the fill take to kick in for most of you? Some days I can eat almost normal and then some days I can hardly get anything down.

I have been banded now 10 weeks. I received my frist fill about 1 month ago. I have had quite a bit of a learning curve. Have PBed many times. I am still losing very well, but I am having a hard time determining if I am full or if I have not chewed well or if I have eaten to fast. I can;t tell 1 feeling from the other. Actually I really never feel hungry anymore,but I am eating very little. I mean I can not eat much at all. Can some of you explain the differnce between being full, eating to fast and not chewing well. I feel the burning sensation in my chest a lot.

I have a question for all of you long time bannisters. Before band-land I use to love going out with my husband for Sushi, this was one of our favorite foods. I really loved the rolls much more than just the fish. I have not tried to eat a grain of rice since I was banded on 8/5/04 I am afarid to even try Sushi since I am quite restricted. Has anyone been out for Sushi or had any luck eating it. I also am concerned with the seaweed wrapper as it can be sort of chewey. I would love to surprise my husband on our 7th anniversary by taking him to a Sushi bar, but I don't want to gag through dinner(so romantic). I am doing really great so far started at 225 and in 10 weeks I amdown to 196.

Vera, I to am a big blue cheese lover, Sometimes I mix my fresh blue cheese with the balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olice oil or some times I mix it with some lo-fat mayo and buttermilk. I mix the dry ranch the same way.

Penni, I think we are on the same page. Wow what a difference a day makes

Hello all, well I just got back from my cruise where I gained 3 lbs not to bad I have now lost that back and I am down about 15lbs since my surgery 8/5/04. Here is my question I went 2 days ago for my frist fill. I got 1.5cc The doc told me Clear liquids the frist day and then liquids for 1 week. Is this normal? I was really hungrey yesterday all day. I had some yogurt some watery mashed potato's and protien shake, I never felt full. I am of course wondweing if I got enough of a fill. I thought that 2 bites of anything would probably fill me up. I guess I am wondering what to expect over the next couple of days, and how I will know if I am filled enough. Any advise would be great.

Just wondering if any of you have experienced this. I have been banned for 3 weeks now. It seems every afternoon around 5:00p.m. I began to get this severe headache it last until I go to sleep at night. I have never suffered from headaches inthe past. I called my Doctores office and spoke to one of the girls in the office,(she has also been banded) she seems to think it is caused from food withdrawl I know I am eating way way way less but I can hardly beleive that I would be getting headaches like this. I also usually use to drink 2 diet cokes in the afternoon, and now I am off those for 1 month, but I do drink ice tea. I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have been taking tylenol, It does not help that much. Please let me know if anyone has advise.

I took my 3 year old daughter to school for the frist time today. She looked so cute with her little back pack and lunch box. It just broke my heart. She is my reason for getting banded. I don't want to be a fat mother that she will be embarrassed by at school. I remember when I was little my mother was always beautiful, (she has never had a weight problem) when she would come and get us she always looked better than a lot of kids moms. I want my daughter to be proud of me. I am already old, 45 and I don,t want to be fat too. I also want to be thin so I will stay healthy for her. I want to be able to play with her and do trips and ride bikes. It is so awful to be fat and not be able or feel like living life. Having her so late in life makes me realize that I don't want to waste one day. I really believe everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for all of us. I look for the signs, and I know that I was led to do the band surgery. I am so happy that I did it, I feel like for the frist time in many years I can reach my goals now. I have now been banned for 21/2 weeks and with post surgery I am down from 220 to 207. I am 5'5 I feel beeter thanI have in years. I also lost 10lbs before I decided to have the surgery. That took me 5 months. So all together I am down 23 lbs. I might actually be able to buckle my shoes soon. This site is terrific by the way, and I have really enjoyed reading it over the past few weeks.

You look so awesome. I am so happy for you. How about your over all health. I bet you feel so much better.

Shelly. Wow you look so great. You must feel so empowered. I am so happy for you.

Hello All, Just wanted to update everyone on my progress. I was banded 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I am just so happy those 2 weeks are over. I went to see my Doc. today I have lost 11 lbs. I was thrilled. I have also graduated to soft foods, oh I am so glad. I think the 3 weeks of liquids was worse than the surgery. Tonight I went out and celebrated with my husband. We went out for mexican and I ate about 1/2 cup of refried Beans and about 1 cup of salsa and I was thanksgiving day full. I couldn't beleive it. In the past I would have eaten a full basket of chips salsa and a full meal, then gone for ice cream. Not tonight, I just can't beleive how this band is working. I get my first fill on Sept 15th so I am looking forward to that. Any way I am only70lbs away from my goal. I haven't been this happy in a long time.