Morsaille

I'm with ya Jack! Like celery! I had a bite of lowfat potato salad and after setting my jaw to pulverize I realized there was a small bit of celery fiber that would probably start picking a fight with 'puckers'. So out it went. I have spit perfectly wonderful bites into the trash though. When the full feeling hits while I am chewing I weigh my options carefully. Spit, or swallow and PB.

Once it lets go and starts to dissipate you just might want the bloatedness back! Keep walking and the heating pad helps to relax the tightness making burping easier with less discomfort. It goes the other way too, so enjoy. Do anything soothing, like tea, or a good book (between walks). It came as a surprise most of the time at first in the form of a semi-painful hiccup.

28% - I am a Yankee! "A very strong Yankee score" It must have been my grandmothers influence. We were raised with a crick behind the house.

OK, the fill did not go so well. Was it just that this was a blind fill? Was it just my fat depth? I was impressed with both Dr. Chebli and Lisa, but I am a big bruised mess. He was patient, pleasant and devoted. Lisa is a crack up who loves to talk. He uses Lidocaine so the pain during was minimal, but the emotional trauma was significant. I must have had at least 100 needle sticks (I hate injections). I have 5 surface holes in a 3"x2" bruise. It is tender. On the bright side, the tissue damage may be like liposuction causing a reduced mass in that general area (unless it causes scar tissue). We had a hard time finding the port. It is very deep on my waistline. My biggest concern would be that he had no larger needles available. This probably would have been the problem-solver we were desperately seeking. He asked if I wanted to stop and I chose to continue. He was very concerned with my comfort the entire time. I ended with a 1 cc fill. Dr. Chebli is very clear that he is not just a "Fill Doc", he expects patients to subscribe to his program. He is of the opinion that Bandsters need supervision and guidance. I think he is right. I will probably pay more for my next fill (under fluoroscope). But will come back to Chebli when I have lost some more weight. He says that he is able to hit the port in most of his patients the first time and that I was a very unusual exception. I AM very unusual. I have a moderate level of restriction which is impressive since I am still on fluids. On the whole I am glad I went, I really needed a fill. It didn't hurt nearly as bad as it looks.

Whew! I go away for a day or so and... Well I am really glad I didn't have to blow my whistle ('cause I don't know how to spell it). See, I am the coach, remember? One caustic poster and we squabble like little nasties. I love you guys! I learned some of the finer points of the 3500 rule too, so thanks everyone for debating it through. Oh, btw, my fill is working so far, thanks for asking. I should be able to post a loss this week on the GfGc page.

My BMI was 52, at 312 pounds on Jan 16th. Today, even though I have lost less than most of those with similar band-dates, my BMI is 47 and I am down 25 pounds (on my home scale, the doc's is all a big lie). Thanks for the thread! I just had my second fill today and it did not go nearly as smoothly as I had hoped. But I did get an increase. With luck and a whole lot of work my numbers will start changing. I may even catch up to you bunnies! You know who you are... coughWheetsin&Photonutcough. Illude, you are amazing! I have read your story and seen your pictures on another thread and can only say WOW!

Mee...... toooo.........

Hey Klynn! Me too, kinda. I have lost 25 since mid Jan. NOTHING since the end of Feb. I am going for a fill tomorrow. As happy as I am for the people losing 30 and 50 pounds in a 2 month span, it feels like being the fat kid on the team all over again. Left out. Sorry you are discouraged, but happy that I am not the only newbie in the Turtle club. I hope the numbers start changing soon for both of us!

I'm pretty sure it's not just the journals. I have been having lots of issues getting pages to load or even access the site. Sometimes the main page is the only page. It doesn't "freeze" exactly, just dead-ends. Wish I was a little more techie and could explain it better. Most of the time there are less than 60 people on the site when it goes funky.

I really liked the name "Pandora". I just pictured all the evils spilling out into the world (PB) and Hope remaining. I wanted to steal it, but thought I would do better with a more whimsical band name... like Puckers. It's cute, its weird, and it sounds like it might even work on a Bad day. So welcome Puckers, I will do what I can to keep you happy.

I have only ever seen the huge ones, and I know the oil is foul smelling, but... If you pierce it and squirt it into something already fishy, like maybe some tuna, it might not be completely repulsive. You could add relish, onion powder, lemon juice...

You Bet! I get the grumblies all the time now. It is kind of funny if I am at home. sometimes I even get a glimmer of pride that I don't FEEL hungry even though I SOUND hungry. In public its a little embarrassing sometimes, like the library. There was a great idea to fix head hunger on another thread. La Madam said that brushing your teeth can help keep unneeded food out of your mouth. I personally loved that idea.

I will take a hot bath in a standard tub with only my head sticking out of the water. I will use a camping stool, excercise equipment, and a trampoline without having to check the maximum weight allowance. I will be able to relax around my daughter, knowing that I am setting a healthy example instead of poisoning her views. I will get friendly with my husband in the woods Its not many and I know there are hundreds more. Thanks for the fun thread, it's been awhile since I've seen something light hearted on here.

I am all soggy because I am having this conversation with my mother too. I think you should let her read this thread... Of course the Journal is a great idea too. It is quite a gift to give - hope, quality of life, and a longer future for your entire family. I am stuck because my Moms insurance WILL pay for her surgery, but she has been obese her entire life. She has been alone since my parents divorce in the late eighties. She lives a small life in what she calls a "box". Scared to leave a five mile radius from home, she slowly withers. She told me that the greatest gift she was ever given was her grand-daughter, my daughter. She fully expects to die within three years from her multiple co-morbidities. I hope that she sees my progress and dares to want it for herself. We need her. She too, blames herself for my food issues and weight. She punishes herself by wasting her remaining time. If I could give her the motivation to reach for her dreams, I would. To keep my family tree green, I would shed blood, sweat and tears (just like the ones on my face right now). Tell your Mom that money can't buy happiness, but it can buy time if you use it right. Lots of love to you and your family, from me and mine. Brenda

I had a reaction like this (less severe) on my entire abdomen. Wheetsin, you're a redhead, right? Do you have the skin? The pale, delicate skin of our clan? I think my reaction was the iodine wash they used. I lost a thin layer of skin that flaked off when I scratched like it had been chapped. I had a few hives too, but none of the cut-like openings (cringe). I have the adhesives problem too, I had to quit smoking the old-fashioned way 'cause I was allergic to the patches. Take care. Much luck and rapid healing! Brenda

I haven't heard the port-flipping thing, but I am a stomach sleeper. I had a hard time getting adjusted and comfortable, but I was stomach sleeping within a week of being banded. The first 3 nights I propped myself up with pillows, but my butt went to sleep, not me. I tried side sleeping, but it caused my incisions to "bunch up" and was pretty painful. Side sleeping lasted maybe 3 minutes, tops. Lotsa luck Sarah!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15377 Thought this link might be helpful. My surgeons instructions said "as tolerated" and did not go further. My port incision was pretty sore for awhile, so we got creative.

OK, I agree killing a Girl Scout would probably be bad, but a 12 year old BOY? It's not fair if they are recruiting outside the organization. Something must be done. Let them do their own dirty work, leave the Boy Scouts to their food drives! And scraping him out of your tire? Gawd, that was hilarious! I think I felt something burst... Wait, it was just the Girl Scout I was sitting on. Oh well, there's more where she came from...

Thanks La madam for the redirect, AND the Great Idea. Brushing my teeth sounds like it would work very well. I've always been a little weird about eating after brushing my teeth, and now I can use that sick little quirk to my advantage...hehehe I am almost eager for the Head Hunger to climb out of the basement or wherever it is hiding right now. I am going to use my new weapon and kick it's nasty little tukus. Eileen~I get between 50 and 70 grams of protein per day from mostly animal sources, but I still believe in some soy. I figured there had to be some limit to the body's abilities. It can only produce so much acid... Lucky for us right? Brenda

Aaargh! I knew it was coming, but tonight the head hunger showed up and brought its luggage! I had a healthy, satisfying dinner of chicken breast simmered in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce with some overcooked broccoli to make the chicken slide better. It was about 15 minutes after eating. I was still satiated, FULL even, when the cravings started. Innocently at first... "maybe just a sip of juice.." "a Cookie might be nice.." "I Think Josh has some Ice Cream in the Freezer" "GIMME SOME CHEESE!" What the Heck! I take vitamins! Where are these cravings coming from? <--rhetorical (my head, I know its my head) I had a plan too. I had iced tea in the refrigerator, bite sized ice in the freezer, crystal light, frozen grapes, Rooibos tea, yeah right. How do you fix head hunger when you are two hours away from fluids? So... I turned on the computer. :help:

I am the Protein Queen, I even use half a shake on my shredded wheat in the AM (chocolate is pretty tasty). I take a Centrum daily, so I am hoping that this is just the "anesthesia shock" people were talking about. I would really like for this to stop soon. Doesn't excessive protein intake cause kidney stones? I remember hearing this from somewhere that seemed credible. Wait, this is three topics in one generally ignored little thread. I should probably consider another title/thread, huh?

YAY!! POST NUMBER ONE-HUNDRED AND THREE!!! LAST NIGHT I HIT ONE-HUNDRED AND DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE. SO YAY! ONE-HUNDRED AND THREE!! WOO HOO

Thanks ladies. It helps knowing I have company, misery loves it.. I am feeling much better today, but last night? I didn't give in, but I may have lost some more hair which is NOT good. I mean, I still have more than enough, but I call my hairballs...kittens..small red kittens the size of my daughters fist.. Eeew, right? I read somewhere there is eight weeks of hair loss? I have been doing so much protein I am sure it's causing some sort of damage. I know it's a long shot, but what if the key to keeping my hair is giving in to the craving? Nah, (shaking head) Nevermind

I checked on Dr. Chebli's rates. First fill is $250, subsequent fills are $200, an office visit with no fill is $40. The receptionist is very pleasant, they answer emails promptly (check out Obesity Help for contact info), and I scheduled a fill for Monday! Will let everyone know how it went on Tuesday. He is in Ballard.

I had conscious sedation for my oral surgery and it totally rocked. The not eating part is just what they do, even they don't know why sometimes. But it's a good idea in case you get nauseous. You don't want to wear the contents of your stomach home on your shirt... Here's a handy dandy million-dollar secret... If you do get nauseous, pull your knees as near your chest as possible. It works for motion sickness, blood loss, and the stomach flu. WAIT, what am I talking about? Don't do this! Protect the vertebrae at all costs! Heal quickly