Apples2

Rose...do you think it might be the cod? Was it too dry? If there's something I get stuck on, I stay away from it for awhile. I will try it down the road and usually it works again. Maybe your system needed a rest from hard protein for the day. If I ever get stuck I do liquids the rest of the day and the next. I always feel swollen and sore after a stick and know it's best to give it all a rest. The more you irritate it, the longer to heal.:rolleyes2:

Carrie...wishing you the best and a speedy recovery from surgery. Just check in here on this thread daily...there are plenty of people that have been through this and have a few years under their belts. It's a great place to ask for advice and we LOVE hearing how everyone is doing. Please let us know how things go. Janet...you can ticket me if I DON'T get my cals in. But, those tickects will be few and far between. I am as faithful getting them in as I was not getting them in after surgery!

I'm starting to shake!!!!!!!!!!

Blue...I have to jump in on this. I have been following this thread since you first posted and you have gotten some great advice. When I was 20 yrs old and in college there was a night I woke up and started throwing up a brownish bile. I IMMEDIATELY called someone to take me to ER. I ended up being transferred to a University hospital for more than a month. Nothing to mess with. My medical problem was pancreatitis from a previous injury two weeks prior. No prior symptoms until the vomiting incident. Scared the crap out of me. I was in very bad shape by the time they admitted me. I am not saying that you have the same problem but our bodies are trying to tell us something is terribly wrong when symptoms are presented like yours. Please press your surgeon to work with you on this and get to a local hospital A.S.A.P. Check back and let us know how you are doing. Take care and PLEASE take our advice on this!

Cheryl...I have travelled quite a bit since being banded. I really plan ahead and pack some backup food. I take at least 2 Pure Protien bars per day...just in case I cannot get my protien in. I do not rely on these for meals but if a meal is skipped for some reason, at least I am getting my required protein. I take 1 cup servings of Fiber One cereal so I stay regular, I package up 2 oz servings of beef jerky in snack bags to have on hand as a healthy snack. There's always oatmeal with dried fruit at Starbucks, like Janet said...a burger without the bun or a chix breast sand without the bun. Good luck

Mornin' girls! Allie...you are soooo close to goal also. You and Long and almost neck in neck. How about a good ole' race? Just kidding. Everyone is different and wouldn't want anyone ending up disappointed. Crazy around here with hauling corn to town and getting equipment ready for spring. I have said this b/4 but think it really does happen. I think DH stand out by mailbox (we live on an extremely busy tar road) and waves people in and yells "She's cooking today and there's room at the table!". I have two homemade chicken pot pies in the oven, three loaves of yeast cheese bread, a strawberry, banana, fresh pineapple and yogurt salad made and a two warm Dutch apple pies sitting on the counter. Then I go to town and volunteer at the hospital till 6pm. But, busy makes me happy. Tomorrow I am heading to Fargo to look at my new tanning bed. This is something I promised myself I would buy when I got to goal. Got to goal in Oct, 2008 but just haven't gotten the task done. Need to have an electrician come in b/4 the bed is delivered to put in a new outlet for it. I'm EXCITED! I never overdo in a tanning bed but a couple of times a week makes me feel and look better. VZ...we are going up to our lake place on Sat to open up and stay over night. Can't wait. Gotta hit the shower b/4 the "herd" pulls in for lunch.

Band life can be tough for all of us but believe it's tougher for someone that feels the need for sweets. IMHO the one and only way to break the sweet habits is to go cold turkey. The longer you stay away from them, the fewer cravings you will have. Just try it. They say (whoever "they" are) that it takes 18 days to break a habit. Just try doing without sweets for that length of time and hopefully you will notice a huge change. Go for it!

You should be seeing your GP to get skin irritations, etc. documented. I believe the only way ins. will pay for PS is if you have skin irritation or skin truly gets in the way of exersize, etc. My doc recommends giving it a year after goal b/4 thinking of doing anything with excess skin.

Long...so happy that your unfill took care of the reflux. Such a worry. And even better that you are on a losing streak again. Allie...wouldn't do an oyster either. I LOVE all seafood but that one is off the list. I must be a strange one. I have never had anything come back up. I've been stuck a couple of times but have never had the urge of something coming back up on me. Not sure if I have ever "slimed" either. I don't have much restriction so maybe that's why. Doc's sure are different on their fill reasoning. My doc fills according to hunger. We fill out a form prior to him seeing us and you check if you feel you need a fill or not. He is VERY conservative on how much he givies (not more than .5 at a time) but he really listens to how a person is doing on hunger. I was soooooo afraid he was going to unfill me on my last visit because of my weight loss. He was fine with it. I just didn't want him messing with perfection. I worry about reflux with refills, etc. I very rarely get "hungry" days anymore. Today was one of them. Hard to figure out. The only thing that concerns me is eating too soon after a meal. I eat every two hours but sometimes wonder if my tummy is emptied out by that time. I feel hungry every two hours so think it is safe. Doc said every two hours was fine so I could get my cals in. Beautiful day here. Our first in many months. Snow is almost all gone and it's looking like we might have spring after all. DH and I are going up to the lake this weekend to open up our place and stay over night. I AM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED. I could live there year around.

Julie...at least SOME news for you as to what is going on. Hope they figure out what the plan is for you and get you on the road to home. I shot a package off to you today. It should occupy your mind for awhile. Take care and keep us informed!

My ten month bandiversary will by on the 17th. Never regrets and have been blessed with the ideal band experience. Just make sure your head his wrapped around what you are in for. Start now with changing your eating habits. Good luck

Hey Everyone..........I hit 1200 posts with that last post. I looked awhile ago and had around 500. You girls keep me busy. Such a motor mouth!

Long...congrats on the 116.5! You have the right to yell even louder as you get closer to your goal!

Allie, Strike and Lucy...GREAT PROGRESS and your photos are beautiful! Long...good luck with your meeting for you doc. I was asked last week to do a written testimonial and b/4 and after photo for my doc to be used in the monthly support group paper. Just gotta sit down and get something written and find a b/4 photo and take a new after photo. I avoided the camera so much that I think the only one I can come up with is after a 30# loss. Even that is hidious to look at. About makes me sick to think I looked and felt that unhealthy. Not much complaining on this thread about slipping up on Easter candy, etc....good goin' girls!

Like I've said b/4, Julie....."Hurry....straighten up, girls...I hear Janet coming"!

I say do research on docs that have at least 500 LB surgeries under their belt. I do realize that they have to "practice" on someone but, I can tell you this, I wouldn't lay down on his table unless I had my will up-to-date and a living will in hand.

Elayne...you are in my thoughts and prayers today. Hope everything goes as planned and that you have a quick recovery and total success with your band. Take care of yourself!

Phyll....caught your photo on b/4 and after thread. You look great and such a pretty sweater and the hat is so cute. My DH is always saying I look great in hats but I never have the nerve to wear them. Tempts me after seeing yours.:smile:

Meredith...you sound sooooooooooo phyched for this surgery. We've all been there and dreamed of what life would be like after banding. You sound like you have your head wrapped around what to expect. CONTINUE to weigh and journal your food. It is very important to have a handle on what you are putting into your mouth and what your portion sizes are. I am ten month out and still weigh my Proteins and keep a running total in my head of the grams of protein I am getting per day. I have had LOTS of energy every day and I attribute it to getting all my nutrients. I think we all went through the "Last Supper Syndrome". Just be sure to follow your pre-op diet given to you by your doc. Prepares your liver for sugery and also prepares your mind for the liquid diet after. As far as the wraps go...I am not able to tolerate them. Too gummy. I do not eat ANY white carb except for a little potato once in awhile and did not eat any of them until after I reached goal. I am sure there are some bandsters that can tolerate them but not on my menu. Any breads bother me except hard crunchy garlic toast, Wasa crackers or rusks. When I was in the weight lose phase, I just stayed away from white carbs. Good luck to you and keep us informed. I think I can speak for all of us that we want to her from you at every stage of your journey. This IS a great place for support and you should never feel intimidated by ANY question you need to ask. Take care of yourself. "God helps those who help themselves"!:smile:

You look wonderful, Teach. I LOVE Ann Taylor and have bought four of her dresses, a number of tops and blazers and also a pair of shoes. All peices that I know will be in my closet for a long time. Good to hear you had a great trip, Allie. Always fun to get away for something special with DH. Hope everyone had a nice Easter.

Hey Long...again we posted at the very same time and almost the same post. How many times have we done that? I am sure you looked just beautiful for Easter. Did you buy a new Easter outfit? I just have to tell you again that you look amazing. I bet you feel just great. Not too far from goal. Looking forward to your next "Yoohoo"!

Cheryl, Meredith and Spay...Phyll has great advice. She has experience with this and is a RN so knows what kind of advice to give from that side of it. MAKING yourself follow the bandster rules isn't so bad once you make a habit of it. Start out fresh, get out your booklets provided by your doc, get your fluids in and be proud of your accomplishments. Put any bad habits behind you and forget about them. Like Phyll said....hard proteins first (3-4 oz) and then a bit of veggies or fruit. By eating the hard protein, you will stay full longer. Wait the required time and then get your liquids in. I keep a running total in my head (or journal) on my grams of protein per day and make sure I get at least 60-70 grams a day. By doing this, I am more satisfied and am more successful on those days. I feel better and have more energy. You don't have to be so rigid that you cannot throw a treat into it once in awhile. I am not a believer in total deprivation. But, plan your treats. Make sure they fit into your daily caloric intake. An example of my meals is: Breakfast I try to get in some fiber. Homemade steel cut oatmeal with raisins or chopped dates, Fiber One or Kashi chunch cereal. Lunch is usually salmon, talapia, chicken with some kind of veggie. Dinner is whatever I feed the rest at my table. I have learned to cook low fat for everyone in the household. It is easy to revamp almost any recipe to make it healthy. No pasta, bread or rice for me. My band does not like it. I am like Phyll. I might take a bite of DH's garlic toast (hard and toasted) if I feel like a treat. A small dose of it satisfies my. It's all about being prepared and planning meals. Eating out is a pleasure. There's always SOMETHING on the menu that is band friendly. Cottage cheese and greens or tomato slices, chicken breast with veggies, eggs, chili, etc. I don't eat out often unless I can split a meal. I just have a really hard time feeling like I am "wasting" food. If I don't split a meal I order a side order of something healthy. You can all change this around and get back to where you should be. We've all had bumps in the road. Sometimes there seems that we've lost focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. We all walked into this with goals and somewhat knowing what it would take to succeed. Don't sabatage this for yourself or let anyone else to it for you. You were all strong enough to go through the surgery and you can be strong enough to finish this journey and get to your personal goals. Take it a day at a time and celebrate each day and be proud of what you have done. This journey we are on is for a life time. But, day by day, week by week...we can accomplish what we set out to do. Wishing you all the best. Check in with all of us daily. I know that I have found the best advice on this thread. There's always someone that has been through the same thing and ready to give advice. Hey, Phyll. I took your advice and got some papaya enzymes. We have had extreme stress in our lives the last week and when I am stressed I have trouble. Had my first iffy meal today and popped three and it took care of it right away. What a relief! Thanks.

HAPPY EASTER TO MY CYBER FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will be thinking of you Elayne. Post when you can to catch us up on your surgery. Take care and sending good vibes your way!

Spayneuter....what kind of help do you feel you need? Why don't you tell us a little about yourself and any troubles you are having. Indio Girl is unavailable this weekend but there are plenty of us around that can try to help. Just post and we will get back to you.