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Hey T! Good to hear from you. Wow.. sorry about all your storm damage. Those were some really nasty storms! Hopefully we're done with them for this year. I was lucky- Rockwall seemed to be spared from what I could see. Glad you're doing well. You'll see a difference after your first fill, but be prepared that it may not be much. I really haven't seen much even after my second one. I'm going out of town tomorrow, but next week I'm going to try to get in for another fill. Right after surgery, 6 months seems like a long way away, but it's already been 3 months since my surgery and time is passing FAST! Unfortunately the scale hasn't been going down much. :glare: I want to get in all the fills I need in that 6-month "free fill" zone. (if you can call $10K "free"). How is everyone else doing? Dianne? Did you get the PM I sent yesterday? Hope things are better today.

Oops... I got interrupted in the middle of my post so some of it didn't make any sense.. sorry about that! I was "going to say" that to make things worse, I've got a business trip (HONEST!) to Las Vegas on Wednesday. Dianne, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's health problems. I hope he'll feel better soon. Insurance companies can be so difficult, can't they. Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth it. We pay our premiums then have to fight with them to get the benefits we've paid for. (Don't get me started!!) Most of us here had to pay for our own surgeries, I think. You'll both be in my prayers. I'm sure this is just as difficult for you as it is for him. Hugs to you!

Good morning all! What a gorgeous weekend we had! Cowboy, unfortunately this was NOT one of my better days at Winstar. To make it worse, I'ved got a businessUgh! But hey.. why don't you invite us all out to your ranch for a Texas-style BBQ?? Just one chicken could feed all of us! *LOL* Woohoooooo... I went shopping yesterday- and bought slacks TWO sizes smaller than the last ones! It felt really strange to be shopping on the "skinny" side of Dress Barn! I just couldn't help myself.. I had to tell *somone*, so I mentioned to the (very overweight) saleslady that it was a sort of celebration for me, because I'd had lap-band surgery in January. Well, that opened up an entire conversation because she told me she was having the gastric sleeve surgery this Wednesday. She was sooooo excited! We talked a while, and it felt so good to be sharing and encouraging to someone else who's about to embark on this journey to better health, although via a different route. I can't wait to go back and see her a whole lot thinner! How was everyone's weekend?

<CLAP CLAP> YEA FOR DIANNE!!!! You go, girl! Heya Cowboy.. haven't seen you are around in a while. How have you been doing? Have fun building that fence. Where's your ranch?

TGIF!!!!!!! What is everyone doing for this weekend? Me: Go play at Winstar tomorrow. Yea! Clean house on Sunday, and work in the yard. Boooo! Oh.......and exercise 30 minutes each day, of course. *lol*

Dianne, NO WAY am I better than you are about this! It's just that we've lived so long NOT doing much exercise, and it's like our eating habits.. it's hard to change! I still eat too fast and don't chew well enough. The difference is that we feel THAT negative effect immediately. If we lived closer or worked near each other., we could be exercise buddies. My sister-in-law and I used to do that... We'd use the exercise room at another friend's apartment complex 2 or 3 days a week, but as usual, neither of use kept it up for long. I moved 20 miles away and it wasn't easy to do that anymore. It just felt like one more "failure" in my elusive search for lasting weight loss. I really didn't feel like it last night, but I just told myself I *had* to. Unfortunately I don't always listen to myself. Is there anyone at work that would walk with you?

But I did make up for it tonight.. just finished 30 minutes on treadmill & bike (and with pretty nails, too!) I'm sooooooooooo good!!

So....Dianne.........Did you go for a walk???? I went to get my nails done. <grin> Hey don't laugh.. it's hard work!!

Baggio... I was told that I could have stuff like tomato soup, broccoli/cheese soup, etc. and one real food meal per day- my choice, but that was because the Optifast disagreed completely with my digestive system. But every doctor is different, and you should check with Dr. Kim's office or Cindy at TLCEdge. It doesn't look like many on here used Dr. Veninga- most used Dr. Kim. You could also maybe get those "soup at hand" soups... but only IF your doctor allows it. I can't imagine wonton soup being a no-no, but you'd have to check. Does anyone know from experience? Just follow his instructions, and remember this is not *forever*.

Good morning, gang! Stacey, YES... I was awake when they put the Heparin in. It stung a bit, but I was so nervous and tense that it probably hurt a bit more than it would have. It really was no big deal on the grand scope of things, however. I just remember being VERY glad when they finally said they were going to give me the "knockout" drug! *lol* Dianne- We must be kindred spirits. My intentions are always good to exercise, but by the end of the work day, all I want to do is go home and crash in front of the TV. Logic tells me that when I lose a bit more weight, I'll feel more like exercising.. but the "catch-22" is that if I'd exercise, I'd lose more weight! So how do we motivate ourselves to do that? I've always *HATED* physical labor- the kind that makes you sweat. *lol* Baggio.. don't be afraid to step on the scales while you're on the pre-op liquid diet! You'll be amazed at how many pounds will come off, and that will inspire you to hang in there! It's just AFTER surgery that you need to avoid the scale for a while, because you may not see much movement then, and it's easy to get depressed over it, especially when you're feeling sore and tired. Does it feel as if the 24th will *never* get here?? :thumbup: I remember that feeling! I was originally scheduled for Jan. 22, and then there was a problem with the heater going out at Prestonwood, and their water pipes froze, so they had to reschedule my surgery. I was sooooooooo disappointed that I nearly cried! Just remember we're all here for you!

Stacey is right- it was the same with me. I was asleep before even leaving the pre-op for the operating room. They DID give us the blood thinner injection just at the navel and that bruise lasted longer than any of the others. It stung a bit, but no big deal. Try not to stress about it.. the only needle you'll see besides that one is the IV they put in first. You'll be just fine! Want us to come hold your hand?

Good morning! Wow.. what wonderful weather we've been having the past few days!! Hope I didn't just jinx it. Dianne, great to hear from you. And I couldn't agree more- it's like a new day every day with the band. It would be nice if things were more "predictable", but it helps when we learn to recognize the early warning signs that something isn't going to go down. It's a process. I wonder if the "old timers" that have been banded a long time still have these kinds or problems? Do you ever fully know what you can and can't eat? Or is it constantly changing, depending on the time of day, mood, type of food, etc? That's the frustrating part for me. I'm probably posting this on the wrong section of the forum. Most of us here are "newbies"! Hey Baggio... just a week to go! I'm sure we'll all be waiting to hear from you about how you're doing after your surgery. Hang in there with the liquids- it will be worth it, although you're probably wondering about that right now. Even just the little I've already lost has made me see that- I haven't gained any of it back, like I usually would have by now. That's the exciting part! Once you lose it (in MOST cases), it's GONE FOR GOOD!!! I absolutely LOVE having to change clothes several times in the morning when I'm getting ready for work because everything is getting too baggy! It's about time for all you guys to report in--- Stacey? T? How are you all doing?? :confused:

First, I second the "WELCOME", Baggio! I feel just as you do- this site, and especially THIS TLCEdge group is fantastic! T- welcome back! Glad everything is going well for you. Don't worry about the port swelling, etc.. I had the same problem, and at times, mine is still a bit tender. I'm happy to report that after I quit using the Ab-roller, the stinging feeling finally went away for the most part. I thought I'd really messed up my port! Whew!!! Take it easy for a while longer until your tenderness and swelling goes away. I learned the hard way not to overdo it too early! Stacey- Isn't it weird how we feel so much more restriction at more times than others? I'm also thinking I might need another small fill because I can eat a lot more in the evenings, but then sometimes I'll eat something and feel that pressure starting to build and know it's not going to go down easily. I had a pretty miserable weekend in New Orleans two weeks ago, and existed on mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and grits! Nothing else would go down. Then came home and ate a whole personal size Totino's Pizza! Go figure! How is everyone else doing? (BTW.. I'm in LOVE with those protien bullets!! :thumbs_down: I just got the grape, but I'm going back to get some of the other flavors also. I wish they made some unflavored, so you could add them to water or iced tea. OMG it's 3am.. *LOL* What am I doing up at this hour??? :huh2:

OMG!! I bought a case of the bullets, took a few to work, and boy oh boy.. did I ever get teased about the "shape" of those things!!!!!!!!!!! I'm still laughing about it. One guy said "hold it- I want to take a picture of it to send to my wife". He wanted the empty container to take home. Sheeeeeeeeesh.... Hey, they're GOOD! I mixed one in a bottle of water, added a package of sweet n low, and it tasted just like the grape Propel water! Yum!! Thanks for the info about those.. I'm already hooked. What an EASY tasty way to get in your protein, especially if you can't bear to even *think* about another protein shake!

Hmm.. I wonder if this is tax deductible as a "medical expense"??? *lol*

Hey Thanks! Just got back from the Vitamin Shoppe and bought a case. The GNC website showed they had them too, but the one nearest to me isn't there anymore. They were $35.99 at VS for a case of 12. And you mix this with other drinks, like Propel or Crystal Light? The guy at the store said just drink them- he'd never heard of anyone adding them to other things. He said they tasted kind of like those thawed "freezer pops". I got the Grape, since I like Propel grape flavor best. I'm going to look for an online source that's cheaper if these work for me!

Stacy/Dianne- who makes the protein bullets? I was looking at Vitamin Shoppe online and couldn't find anything called "protein bullets". What's the name of it?

(You're Stacy, right?) Thanks for the encouragement!! One big problem: I HATE seafood! I would have a lot more choices if I didn't, but I can't even stand the smell of it. (Tuna now & then, but not even much of that.) I've been reading about everyone trying those bullet things- I'm going to run over to GNC today and see if I can find some. I've been drinking Crystal Light and have read that some add one of the protein bullets to that. Worth a try. I had a Nancy's Quiche about 8:30 and I'm already hungry. No more breads, rice, and pastas??? *LOL* Those were my complete diet! I can't tolerate bread much now but pasta and rice don't seem to give me much trouble. I'm still on the "learning curve" with this.

Dianne, congrats, girl!! You're doing good! It doesn't take much to make us happy, does it? *lol* :huh2:

Hi, all you TLC guys! Glad to hear you're all doing well. George did a small fill for me last Thursday, the day before I flew down to New Orleans for the weekend. Wow.. I had a real struggle all weekend eating ANYTHING. Ended up eating baked potatoes and mashed potatoes. Grits for Breakfast went down too, but gee whiz... I can't live like that forever!! I'll NEVER lose weight if all I can eat is the carb soft stuff. *sigh* Since coming home I've tried to eat the way I should but this is proving to be more difficult than I thought. It seems the BAD stuff goes down a lot easier than the good stuff. Sorry .. just venting here! I'm frustrated!! Not giving up though! Me and my scale are having an argument every day. I say I've lost- it says I haven't.:huh2:

How did everyone do today with George? I was there before 8am because they kind of squeezed me in to get my fill. George said my port had slanted a bit, which might be why it has been bothering me. He said no more ab-roller for a while to give it time to heal. It would be nice to meet you, too, Dianne! Do you attend any of those TLC meetings? I haven't yet.. they're all too far from me. I still don't feel very restricted. *sigh* I'm always one to "push the envelope" just to see what will happen, and didn't have any trouble with dinner. Guess I'll go back to see him again in a week or two. Let me know how you guys are doing! Yes, this was my second fill. I wonder how "T" is doing too..

LOL.. yep, he'll be in Duncanville next week. He does travel from place to place, but he's good. My fill was a little painful because my port has moved a bit, but he said it was still ok, just no sit-ups for a while. He didn't have any trouble finding it and doing the fill. The first fill takes a bit longer than others, because he really walks you through it and explains things. You'll like him!

Hi Tweenwaters, we must have just missed each other today. I had my second fill by George at Prestonwood also this morning. I think I was his second appt. Sure hope this makes a difference. I had very little restriction up until now. Good luck!

I hope there's some "old hands at this" out there who can offer some good advice on lunch ideas. I'm having a very difficult time and I know I'm eating the wrong stuff. Here's the problem: I work all day, and we have only a fridge and microwave at the office. I HATE every thing that's seafood, so I can not figure out what to bring for lunch every day that's nutritious enough, yet will keep me feeling full. I also can't stomach the smell of protein shakes anymore. So what's been happening is that I end up going to Wendy's or someplace like that and eating "fast food". True, I can't eat as much as I used to, but they're still bad choices. So... if you brown-bag it to work, what kinds of foods do you pack on a regular basis? (Stuff that doesn't swim!) What does your normal work-week lunch have in it? I do NOT want to fail at this, but it's frustrating every day to figure out what I'm going to eat for lunch. ANY advice will be greatly appreciated!!!

Is it true what a few have posted- that your band will be tighter when you fly right after a fill?? I'm traveling by plane on Friday, and scheduled for my second fill on Thursday morning, because the earliest they could get me in after that date was 4/17, and I didn't want to wait that long. I've flown since being banded, and I didn't have any problems, but then I hadn't had any fills at all yet. I love this site, and I'm so thankful to all of you who are so willing to offer help and encouragement!