Kathy473

No problem! Felt good huh? :banana

You know...I love coming to this message board...it's kind of an addiction. But anymore I feel like this is a horror movie that won't turn off unless you actually grab the remote and push "stop"! I don't want to stop coming here but when I read some of the threads on this board I start to second guess the way I feel physically and mentally. "Is that little pain a slip? Or erosion? Has something happened?" My Prozac doesn't even help it. Go figure...my Ob/Gyn puts me on it for PMS and then I actually end up needing it for more than that! I feel for each and every person that has had minor or major problems or set backs with their band. But if you read these boards and really "read" more into it, then you are setting yourself up for a roller coaster of emotions. Just because someone else has this feeling doesn't mean that you do or will. And that is exactly how I have been feeling lately. Some of this scares the hell out of me and then alot of it is helpful and makes me laugh inside and out! And I love giving advice to people when they ask and getting it in return. It's great. I am happy with my decision on getting the band. I am confident in my doctor and his staff. I have the support of my family and my friends that I can do this. I am confident in myself most of all. I read the boards and tell myself that even though this is horrible, what has happened to some people, but that I have to stay positive and know that it "could" happen. But to dwell on the possibilty that it will is more harmful to me. I take each day and I live it. I use the band as a tool not a miracle cure. If I feel the slightest tightness or pain that tells me to stop and I do, no matter. I take a deep breath, sit up straight and relax. I have a husband to love, children to cherish, a business to run and friends to laugh with, than to consume myself with feelings that aren't there. I don't think about my band slipping, eroding or leaking. I do think about how people are doing when I read that someone is having a problem and that is why I come here. For information, sharing information and laughter. With the holidays upon us....we need a little bit more cheers than jeers. And it doesn't hurt to have a Dirty Martini every now and again to just...........................chill. If anyone saw the news and remembers him you will appreciate this. And to end on a quote by the late Mr. Miyagi.... "Breathe in...........breathe out." ...........*Pause*............. Very good, Bandsters. Relax. Take care and take the time for yourself...don't worry....it's all good.

Give a couple of weeks for the restriction to happen. It'll kick in! I have lost about 7lbs since I had mine done, Thanksgiving and all! It's amazing what you can and can't get down when you have a fill. Plus, knowing that I have had the fill, I make better choices and I am more aware. Good luck.

This is the liquid diet that is on my doctor's website and is the only thing I followed. As far as sherbert, I would make the quick call to your doctor and ask them. Hope this helps! STAGE 1 (FIRST FEW DAYS POST-OP) liquids from the list below. Remember small amounts (4-6 ounces) at a time. GO SLOW WHEN YOU FEEL FULL STOP NO CARBONATED drinks LIQUID DIET coffee, tea, diluted fruit juice broth Blenderized soup Skim milk or Lactaid milk Jell-O, Popsicle’s Yogurt Sugar Fee pudding Cottage cheese Applesauce, oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat V-8 low sodium Protein drinks, carnation instant Breakfast, pure pro powder (no slim fast) In my opinion though, if you can find a sugar free or fat free sherbert and have a small amount at a time and let it melt before you swallow, it should be fine. But always call your doc first!

You are doing great! Keep up the good work. I would rather have mine come off slow than fast. Your skin bounces back better if it comes off slower!!! That is a plus im my book. Smaller chance of having to get a tummy tuck! OUCH!

I have to say that I am happy with my decision to get the band. I did Jenny Craig for 2 years straight and only lost 29 pounds and I have had this for 2 1/2 months and I have lost 25! I know that this is a tool and I could lose it at any time or keep it the rest of my life but I have my self-esteem back and I take time to make myself feel good inside and out. My friends and family have noticed the change and it feels great! I know how you feel about the negative stuff on this message board and sometimes it scares the hell out of me and gets my mind going so I have to take a break from it for a few days and not think about it and then check the boards again! And I try to stay away from all of the abbreviations too...those drive me nuts. I like to read straight through and not stop for a second to process NSV, PB, DH...etc...ugh!!! So I try not to use them for the new people! I have read alot of happy stuff, sad stuff, scary stuff and funny stuff. But I still some back.

Hey guys!! I am in Santa Fe, Tx, down by Galveston. Also used Dr. Spivak and love him to pieces!

So sorry about the PB. I haven't had one yet but have had the 'stuck' pain and that hurts. But I have figured out that I can still have drive thru breakfast but I have to take it apart to eat it. I eat the sausage and egg and then I have a couple little bites of the muffin or...dare I say....McGriddle!!! I loved those before but I behave now and just have a couple of bites...the egg and sausage are more than enough! And I usually have some ketchup or salsa to wet it so it goes down a bit easier. Take it easy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I AM GIVING UP STUFFING AND ROLLS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT! MAYBE NEXT YEAR!! XOXO'S TO ALL AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Finally! I have made it back into to 100's!!! I hopped on the scale this morning and it read 199!!! I was so happy I could have cried. I haven't been in the 100's since after I had my daughter in 1999. It felt great! And now with Thanksgiving tomorrow and Christmas next, I know that I can handle all the high fat and high calorie food that I am going to be around. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! :Bunny

Same here...I used Dr. Spivak and I was self-pay. He is absolutely wonderful and his staff is great. If your insurance doesn't cover the surgery I would definitely go with him if you want a great experience with everything.

That is so funny but sick at the same time!

Congrats! You made it through. I had my first fill a couple of weeks ago and Dr. Spivak made it very easy. I didn't feel alot of restriction for a few days so be careful!

Try some herbal tea or coffee...it's something...better than nothing.

Don't forget to wear comfy clothes that are not tight and easy on your tummy. And take a pillow with you to hold on to when you need to cough or going over bumps in the road. It does help, I promise! I know about the bumps on Houston highways...bad traffic and always construction. Who is doing your surgery? Dr. Spivak did mine and I just love him to bits! He is wonderful and the staff is excellent! As far as the Vitamins...I started out with Flinstones and then Centrum liquid and by the grace of God....Viactiv came out with a Multi-Vitamin chocolate chew like the Calcium chews!!! Woohoo! So, I chew 1 vitamin and 1 calcium chew in the morning and 1 more calcium chew in the evening. They are great! I also drink the Soup At Hand Soups...when you can tolerated the creamy soups.

So far, so good!! It has made a big difference the past 2 1/2 months that I have had it! I feel better about myself both inside and out. The outer changes have been great! My face has cleared up, I am in my 'old, smaller' clothes that were shoved into the back of the closet! I get compliments from people on how good I look. The inner feelings are so great! I feel like I can do more, I am happier...my sex life ROCKS! Not that it didn't before but I am in the mood ALOT more lately...LOL! My husband is really loving that! My kids notice the difference and that makes me feel great! So is it all that I expected? Yes and more!!

It is worth it!! It's great that you are so positive! I have gone from a 20 to a 16 since my surgery and it feels great! I cleaned out some of my clothes the other day and it felt unreal!!

I know how you feel...I looked up the meanings and still type out everything!!! I don't even say the abbreviations when I speak to someone because THEN you have to explain it so it is just easier and more efficient to say it or type it. I think the only thing I have abbreviated on this message board is PB and that's only because the thought of having one is just so disgusting, the further away from it I am the better!!!

Mushed bananas w/FF whipped cream Frozen SF/FF yogurt w/FF whipped cream Any Soup at Hand

I am happy to report that I was able to have Olive Garden!! Woohoo!! My husband and I work together and he wanted the salad and breadsticks and I wanted the soup for lunch yesterday. I had the Pasta Fagioli and it was great!! It stayed down and was very filling. I am very aware of my fill and take my time. I guess I chew my food very well because I ate the take-out size bowl which is actually a 16oz. size container but not filled to the top. Is that good or bad?? And I ordered 2 soups so I could have some for today and I have noticed that eating it today that I am filling up a little sooner than yesterday. Now I know that is a good sign. I miss the breadsticks but my thighs don't!! Anyways, I just wanted to share that tidbit with everyone. It was definitely a break from the ordinary.

Welcome Back! I would have refried beans and some cheese, little sour cream and some salsa on it....I would usually make mine like a 7 layer dip. It should fill you up pretty well, just take it slow. Good luck!

In the morning, after going to the bathroom, wearing my lightweight pj's. Scale is right on with the docs!

***KNOCKING ON WOOD*** I have not had one yet! But, I found that if what I eat has some type of sauce or gravy on it then it goes down great! I had some salmon the other night and it was kind of dry and I had to get up and take a walk and stretch it out and then it was fine. I had my first fill last week and I can really tell when I have hit my limit. I try to make the conscious effort of not having one so I quit early or go pretty slow but keep everything pretty moist and chewed really well. Last night I had some grilled chicken and I cut it up into small, diced up pieces (baby size) and for each piece of chicken I ate it had 2 navy beans with it to make it moist. Just a little trick I figured out. I remember my doctor saying that anything with the consistency of chewed, moist cake or chewed up potato chips will go through the band so I make sure that everything I eat has that texture. Hope this helps.

I usually have just 2 scrambled eggs w/salsa or a packet of grits or oatmeal. But I did find that the 'less sugar' cereals are really good. My favorite is Fruity Pebbles. Those go down pretty well and stay put. I usually let them get a little wet before I eat them. And they are about 150 calories w/skim milk. Hope this helps.

"Surprise!!! Look at me!!!" & "Oh my God! You look great! What have you been doing!?" The one phrase you think of and the other they will be saying! Don't worry about it so much, if anything they will be happy in the end for you because you are getting healthier day by day. It's not like you meant to hurt or lie, just the opposite. I didn't tell alot of people that I was doing this and they only have questions about "it" not why I chose not to tell them. I really didn't want to make a big production of it. Good luck!