NukeChik

I do not use straws as a rule...I have had to use one every now and again, but I could count those times on one hand. My doc says not to use them.

I think you have a great attitude auntlucy! Its great to see a bandster like you :tongue_smilie:. I recently went on vacation, I wasn't quite as good as I had hope to be, but still pretty good. I did eat a little too many sweets, but did much better on the exercise and drinking of "empty calories" (i.e. frozen drinks!!! :tt1:)

Mine got dropped, even as measely as it is it still a loss Name_____________Weight Now____Goal_____lbs lost aJoneen............230.........220.......3....... Bea1128............220.........199.......1.5..... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0....... Bunkey1965.........209.........205.......3....... Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0....... Darr5380...........170.........150.......0....... Epm316.............209.........199.......0....... erikadawn.................199..............175............0.......... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........168.........155.......4....... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......0....... KarenG.............164.........158.......2....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Leslie2Lose........221.........209.......3....... Lunabeane..........221.........200.......5....... Luu2008............219.........189.......7....... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......0....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0....... mominlv13..........316.........300.......1....... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... NANAbanded.........225.........199.......4....... NukeChik...........225.........199.......2...... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........191.........180.......3....... Renewedhope........176.........155.......3....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......0....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......5....... Sunshine2..........187.........170.......0....... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sadie..............216.........199.......4....... __________________

Georgia, I bought mine off ebay. I actually found it for a great buy it now price and jumped on it. When I got my Wii, I had spent weeks looking for it and eventually sucked it up and bought it off ebay also. I looked at the 30 bucks extra that I paid on ebay to be a "convenience" fee, I didn't have to spend all my time looking for it and even more importantly a tank for of gas! The boxing is an AWESOME workout. I have found it to be the best by far for me and the most fun!

My Dearest Kashi TLC Country Cheddar Crackers, It breaks my heart to tell you that we can no longer be together. I have grown to love you over the past few months. Your tasty goodness, your 130 calories per serving and seven whole grains. Alas you no longer live in harmony with me. I'm so sorry that I buried you in the watery grave that is my toliet. I should have picked a more serene final resting place for you, but I could not due to the insurmountable strain that you put me under. I thought our problems could be solved by time, space and amount, but alas you leave me no other choice... You will always be in my heart

I was holding out for a bigger update, but oh well, TOM NAME ____________weight now____ goal___ lbs lost *****:tt1:********** :tt1:**********:party:******:tt2:***** aJoneen............230.........220.......3....... Bea1128............220.........199.......1.5..... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0....... Bunkey1965.........209.........205.......3....... Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0....... Darr5380...........170.........150.......0....... erikadawn.................199..............175............0.......... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........168.........155.......4....... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......0....... KarenG.............162.........158.......4....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Leslie2Lose........223.........209.......1....... Lunabeane..........221.........200.......5....... Luu2008............219.........189.......7....... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......0....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0....... mominlv13..........316.........300.......1....... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... NANAbanded.........225.........199.......4....... NukeChik...........225.........199.......2...... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........191.........180.......3....... Renewedhope........174.........155.......5....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......0....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......10....... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sadie..............216.........199.......4.......

fish-tuna salad, salmon, tilapia, etc.. chicken-all different ways beef-I can actually still eat burger and steak (chew, chew, chew) beans- pintos, black quinoa cheese yogurt (greek, tons of protien)

gingy, I think anything that makes you feel better is an NSV. I would even have to classify the smoking thing up to a SUPER NSV since it will have such a positive impact on your health!!! WTG girl!! WTG all the knockouts!!

Okay, these are in celebration of my 6 month bandiversary!! Looking good Mamato!

Sorry I'm an idiot! NAME ____________weight now____ goal___ lbs lost *****:tt1:********** :tt1:**********:tt1:*********** aJoneen............230.........220.......3....... Bea1128............220.........199.......0....... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0....... Bunkey1965.........209.........205.......3....... Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0....... Darr5380...........170.........150.......0....... erikadawn.................199..............175............0.......... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........169.........155.......3....... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......0....... KarenG.............164.........158.......2....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Leslie2Lose........224.........209.......0....... Lunabeane..........221.........200.......0....... Luu2008............219.........189.......7....... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......0....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0....... mominlv13..........316.........300.......1....... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... NANAbanded.........225.........199.......4....... NukeChik...........227.........199.......0...... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........194.........180.......0....... Renewedhope........176.........155.......3....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......0....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......5....... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sadie..............220.........199.......0.......

Count me in! I'm determined to make it this time! I'm shooting for Onederland! NAME ____________weight now____ goal___ lbs lost *****:tt1:********** :tt1:**********:tt1:*********** aJoneen............230.........220.......3....... Babs0101...........185.........170.......0....... blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4....... BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0....... Bunkey1965.........209.........205.......3....... Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0....... Darr5380...........170.........150.......0....... erikadawn.................199..............175............0.......... FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0....... HeatherO...........169.........155.......3....... JennyPoo...........169.........159.......0....... KarenG.............164.........158.......2....... KathyStrick........305.........290.......0....... Leslie2Lose........224.........209.......0....... Lunabeane..........221.........200.......0....... Luu2008............219.........189.......7....... Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0....... luvinke............206.........190.......0....... mamato3............199.........184.......0....... mcgreen............189.........175.......0....... mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0....... mominlv13..........316.........300.......1....... MSnika3............228.........204.......4....... NANAbanded.........225.........199.......4....... NukeChik...........227.........199.......28...... Ollie..............242.........210.......0....... Redtulips..........194.........180.......0....... Renewedhope........176.........155.......3....... ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0....... slgandera..........185.........173.......0....... StartingOver.......220.........205.......5....... want_so_bad........170.........155.......0....... Sadie..............220.........199.......0.......

Thought I would throw in a recent pic. From vacation...My 6 month banniversary is tomorrow. Thought I'd be down a little more than I am, but still trudging along. Go for another fill on Tuesday, that should help some!

This is a pic from my recent flight home.

Well, I didn't make it, my final number is 227. I went on vacation and thought I might be able to make it, too many sweets and frozen drinks. Renewed, So happy for you! You did great and your new pics are hot, hot, hot!! Congrats to all the others that made goal!!

I would also look into the Liberator ramps and wedges. I bought the set about a year ago and we love them. They also make them in plus size!!! They are kinda expensive, but are extremely high quality. They also helped us have sex sooner after my surgery. Lots of great new positions with them.

I just noticed that you updated your hair on your avatar, that's cool! I just looked at both the pics on this thread, you really do look awesome!!

Thanks for that reply Kat!! Very informative. Makes sense to me. I don't know if I would do it or not, my mons has always been "pudgy" even when I was at my goal weight, I have lost some weight "down there". I don't know my man doesn't seem to have a problem with it, so who knows...I would consider my journey about a third of the way there, who knows what I will want when its coming to an end!

Well IMHO you just need to eat as healthy as you possibly can. Try and remember that the first month of banding is about HEALING, not weight loss. I know its hard not to be frustrated and impatient, but it too will pass. Don't worry if you don't post huge weight loss numbers during your first couple of months, now thats not an excuse to eat everything in sight! Focus on getting your docs recommended protein amount in everyday incorporating exercise into your daily routine (when recommended) take your vitamins drink plenty of fluids start living by the lapband rules!!! You'll probably feel like you are eating too much, try to focus on YOUR body and what its telling you. For instance I have learned my soft stop signal is the roof of my mouth gets tender (I know its weird, but it is what it is). If I keep going I'll start to get pretty violent hiccups. Start listening to your body and get into the habits required to be a successful bander. There are tons of exceptional banders on this site. A lot can be learned from them and what has worked for them!

Sofia, Be very careful with this type of behavior. Try really hard to only eat when you are HUNGRY...This might be what you meant, but I read it as you were eating everytime you aren't full as opposed to when you are hungry. My stomach quit threatening to eat everyone in sight about a month and a half after surgery. You probably can still eat anything, but please, please, please follow the guidelines set forth by your surgeon, they knows what they're talking about! I took me about 4 months to get good restriction so try not to get too frustrated. This is a process!

BBK, If its the pH has he ever tried anything to help with that? I think apple cider vinegar (ACV) might help with that. I can't research it right now cause I'm at work, but I think that might help with the pH problems.

Think of it kinda as a bottleneck in traffic. All the cars can go through, it just takes a while for them all to pass.

I answered maybe, but maybe ya'll could help me answer a question. What do they do about the extra hair area? Seems to me if they pulled mine up and taut it my pubes would cover quite a large area. Following me?? I'm just wondering if they remove some of the skin that has the hair on it so the hairy area is not so large?? Don't want my bush turned into a tree!

I'm almost 6 months post op and am always very aware of my port during sex. I find myself holding it sometimes if everything gets to jigglin. It always comforts me to put a little pressure on it for some reason. Sometimes I'll bend and it will cause a little tenderness, but nothing too bad.

Congrats my svelte friend!! So so happy for you. Don't know if I'm going to make it or not. I will be on vacation starting Monday till July 2. I don't know which way things will go for me, hopefully south!!