Chickie

I politely as them not to talk about my weight loss with me any more. The voices in my head think they are a bit obsessed, and asked me to ask them if they had thought about getting help? Failing that, I say that my weight loss, while fantastic, is not my whole life, and I do have other things I like to talk about. And I gently steer the conversation in the other direction. And when the conversation starts with "gee you have lost so much" I say yes I have, thank you, and move the conversation on.

A bubble sounds great till you think about the pee issue. I know it's sterile and everything, but being as scared of dying of something as I am, I wouldn't ever open the bubble, and drown in my own pee within a week.

Uh. Yeah it is. Anything that claims to be about "Weight management" is a diet pill. Have you actually read the product description? Here it is, you might want to read it before saying its not a diet pill again. Health 4 Wealth - Zylene If my doctor told me to only eat meat, I would slap him with a raw steak, and find a new doctor who didn't want to starve me to death. But that's just me.

See. That's where I fall down. You can't use regular soap, or the anti bacterial stuff, so what to do? Oh, if only life was simple!!

Hi Misty! Yes, it's true,, for some people it can take a little longer to get to the sweet spot. But we all get there in the end. Good luck on the 25th!

And I am having a quick look at roboop's doc's nutrition forum. They don't really seem to advocate a balanced diet. It's more a case of 50 ways with pork rinds, peperoni chips and cheese cookies. All quite yummy, I am sure, but part of a balanced diet? I am not so sure they have a huge role. But not my body, not my life. Thankfully.

I am no doctor, but I would imagine that you feel like you are falling apart because you are eating an imbalanced diet. We need to eat a balance diet to live. And by cutting out all carbs, even good one's from veggies, you have starved yourself of essential Vitamins. It's no wonder you feel badly.

And what about the cups you drink them from? What about the plastics, and glaze on the ceramic cups? Pfft. Drink from a natural spring from your own cupped hands, and breathe only fresh mountain air. Better safe than sorry. Right?

It could also be an issue with the band. If no proper follow up was done after the three fills, and no regular testing was done, there could be an erosion, or slippage. But it is just as likely to be a lifestyle issue too.

It's not a case of the second you swallow you feel the blockage. It can take a couple of minutes to feel it. That is why we are told to eat slowly. Depending on how well you chew your food, a small amount will go straight through the band. And if you don't chew well enough, the first few bites will get "stuck" in the part of your stomach where the band is placed.

I go by my scale, since it's the one I use most.

Not evil, but you are doing yourself a disservice. We have to be honest with our doctors. If you are really feeling like you are struggling, tell your doctor. Your doctor can only help you if you let them know how things really are going. If you said to your doc "Yes, I have lost 18lbs in 6 weeks, but over the last couple of weeks, I have found I don't stay full for any real amount of time, and I think that it might be time to try a little fill" He / She might say no, but at least you have stated your case in a factual manner. But every time I have said anything like that to *my* doctor, he has whipped out the fill needle, and told me to go lay down on the table.

That's the way my DS eats mostly. He wants to be a Veggie, but finds it hard (he is only 10.5, so I have to give the kid credit for even trying) So he eats fish whenever we go out, and while he is away at school camp, he will be eating whatever is served (we decided not to tick the vegetarian box, after seeing the menu - yuck!) If you want some recipes, I am happy to share, just let me know! I really look forward to reading the post that announces your Vegetarianism.

*Blushes* I am actually a Vegetarian. Considering going Vegan. If I didn't eat veggies, I would starve to death. I actually lost weight quicker, and my muscle tone was better after going veggie. Maybe it was because I was more aware of what I was eating, and what I was putting into my body? I don't know. All I know is, this is the only body I have for this lifetime, and I have already damaged it to a degree I care not to think about, and if I can avoid any further damage, I will. Complicated answer to a simple question (Bowing theatrically, and exits stage left)

I don't think anyone was attacking. We are just trying to understand how a human can live on meat and Vitamins. And while a diet of meat and Vitamin supplements may result in weight loss, the loss may not be a "healthy" loss (Women in particular need to eat from all the food groups to prevent a range of degenerative bone and tissue disease) We are designed as omnivores. We need the vitamins derived from plant foods, as well as meat for protein (or high protein meat free foods). And I cannot believe for a second that eating a couple of cups of veggies a day (steamed veggies, without any sauces) will stop anyone's weight loss. If anything, steamed veggies will only do good thing for the body. Naturally derived vitamins leads to energy and better skin, nails and hair, veggie fibre = less constipation, and a myriad of other health benefits from only a couple of cups of veggies a day. It's wonderful that you are off all meds, but if you are taking vitamins supplements, you are just swapping one pill for another. But if you were to get your vitamins from foods (like humans are designed to do) you would be off all pills!

Congrats Alexandra! You sound so happy with life right now. It's good to hear from someone so contented.

I sold the higher end stuff, and gave away everything else.

Just over 3lbs a week is a fantastic loss. I wouldn't be too worried if by chance you did regain a little. Some of that 19lbs would have been Water weight, and as you become better hydrated again, your weight may go up a little, or you might just get to a point where you don't lose for a little while. Or you might just keep losing like a champ! It happens. The trick is to work through the time when we gain a little back, or stop losing. It's tough at the time, but so worth it in the end. Again, congrats on the weight loss!

Hiya M! Question 1; Only if something goes drastically wrong (catastrophic slip, or erosion). The current thinking is, as long as everything is sailing along, there is no need to replace the band. It is designed to last longer than us. Question 2. Simply. No. The amount of excess skin after massive weight loss depends on a couple of factors. Age, duration of obesity, genetics, and if you smoked (smoking cuts circulation to the skin to a degree, making it less elastic) Some people get lucky, and don't need surgery. Some don't, and it becomes a health issue. It's just one of those things. You don't know which camp you are in till you are in it.

The way it sounded to me was only meat. And meat only. No wonder the poor lady feels like she could use the extra energy from those pills! I just hope I misunderstood!

You are well within your rights to think that. Just as I am to think you are an asshole. Good day to you.

Thank you Nikki!

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In my non medical opinion. You are not going to starve to death while on liquids and mushies. Eat / drink whatever you feel you need to. Don't push yourself to "get in" enough calories or Protein. It just adds stress to what is already a pretty stressful time. And who needs that? There is plenty of time to work on your nutritional needs after you get on to solid foods. Just make sure you don't get dehydrated, and it will all be fine!

Also, if you were only banded last December (Dec '06) It has been less than a year. My port "bothered" me for at least a year. We get on fine now, but for the longest time, it felt uncomfortable. I would get to goal weight then worry about the port, and replacing it if need be then.