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It sounds lik you need to good hug. {{{{crzytchr}}}} Too bad you aren't a local friend. I actually enjoy going to dealerships and shopping for cars. I've gotten pretty good at playing the game, too. One thing I learned the hard way: Don't just test drive the model, insit on testing the exact car you are buying. In one instance, the car I drove was fine, but the car I got never accelerated smoothly. In another, the used car we drove was fine, but the one they brought over from another dealership had a serious problem with the driver's side window. It wouldn't roll back up! Remember, the power is yours, especially once you walk off of the lot and they want you back. Don't let them steamroll you. A couple times when I really did have last minute cold feet, they sweetened the deal and/or improved the loan percentage to complete the sale. Good luck!

Kimaly, how do I find you on Facebook? Or maybe you can find me? Orea de Sa'Hana

Joann, I did a search for you and didn't find you. See if you can find me. Orea de Sa'Hana

My procedure is scheduled for March 2. Your thoughts and prayers are most welcome. :-) {{{hugs}}}

Good work!

It sounds to me like you are a little too tight. When you are properly adjusted, you should not have trouble with solid food, if you are taking tiny bites and chewing well. Also, when you PB, you should STOP EATING, and go to liquids for a day or so to let your stoma get over the irritation and swelling. After what you've been doing, PBing, repeatedly, give it two or three days. Then cautiously go back to eating, mushies first. Furthermore, many bandsters have trouble with scrambled eggs. I don't, but I hear about it a lot. When you do start eating again, go back to basics. Take tiny bites. Pay attention to chewing extra well. Every fill we have to re-learn what we can do and what we can no longer tolerate. If this continues despite all you efforts, call your Dr. and get a little fluid taken out. Keep us posted. :-)

You'll find me on Facebook as Orea de Sa'Hana. Tell me you are a LBT friend. :-)

Is anyone here on Facebook? I'd like to add you to my friend list. :-)

Is anyone here on Facebook? I'd like to add you to my friend list. :-)

Terriffic!!

Thanks. Me, too!

Hi, Butterflies! Without notifications, I forget to come here and see how you are. I'm not losing fast, but it is coming off. No news on the job horizon for my husband, so my band is a little tighter. But that is a good thing, as there was room for that. I have a surgical D&C scheduled for early March, so I've been doing the pre-op stuff required. I'm trying to get as much done as possible while we still have this really good health care coverage. I'm not sure what we'll have later. I'm going to get my mammogram done, too. Fun, fun, fun.

Katy, I'm praying for you.

I've been avidly reading the Smartbandster list for about a year and a half now, soaking up Jessie's wit and wisdom. I give her major credit for the overhaul in my ways of thinking that have led to my success thus far. I'm glad to share the gems I've gathered there. The same issues come up for so many of us, it's good to have tools and answers on tap. BTW I am within a few pounds of reaching 100 pounds tossed (from my highest weight). I can't quite comprehend that. :thumbup: There is still a long way to go, so I'm not going to get cocky.

As Jessie Ahroni says, the food can hit the trash can today or the sewer tomorrow. (Same basic result, but one makes us fatter.) I find that thought helps.

What my mentor, Jessie Ahroni says, is that you can bend the rules about cereal and soup IF it works for you. She often has a latte and a high fiber cereal bar for breakfast on the way to work. When I have soup, i try to have most of the liquid part first and then the solids if there are any. Hope this helps.

I've only had 4 fills. My commitment is to avoid sweets and other non-nutritional foods for as long as it takes and probably beyond. Sweets do nothing good for me and I don't feel good after eating them. I make small exceptions, but only rarely. They are by no means a regular part of my diet. So, how are you doing?

Thanks for noticing. I've got a good fill level, which I am loving, and of course the stomach virus last week helped. :thumbdown:

Jane, I honestly think I enjoy food more than I ever did. I'm enjoying cooking more than ever, too. (It tastes so much better with the guilt and angst gone.) And my husband is loving this new way of eating!

Tell him about a recipe search site called foodieview.com. You type in what kind of recipe you want and it searches them out and gives you the best reviewed ones first. My foodie son introduced me to it. :-)

I'm glad you like the recipe and the site. I've liked Recipezaar for years. I get tired of the same old thing, so I really enjoy finding new recipes to try. The reviews make it easier to find a winner. Please share your discoveries! Happy Hunting, Orea

Speaking of cooking fish, I tried a new recipe last night and it was amazing. Next time I will make a bigger batch of the sauce for extra "food lube" in case the fish gets dry. My husband says I should make this sauce by the vatfull because it would be good on everything except possibly ice cream! I used low fat mayo and sour cream. And the cheeses at the end really don't add anything so I followed the reviews and skipped them. Give this a try, it's my new favorite, and it very well might become yours. The Ultimate Salmon Fillets Recipe : Recipezaar

A baby! How wonderful! The band will be there for you when you are ready to resume. :-)

That's good news! :-) Stress (or the stomach virus last week) has tightened me, too, but in my case I think it may have brought me to my sweet spot. <fingers crossed>

There are so many aspects to consider. Your bone structure, how much you exercise and build up your muscle mass. How you look and feel. And there is your lowest attainable weight versus your lowest maintainable weight. Lots to consider. Isn't it nice that we are even in a position to be thinking about this! :-D