DonnaB

I just sent an email to Ziploc and asked about safety. I hope it IS safe. Sounds really easy, especially when camping. Their website said it would take one business day to reply. When they do, I'll post here again.

OK, not to be like Saturday Night Live's "Debbie Downer" but, is this safe? Plastic can leech into foods if its heated - unless it's been manufactured to withstand high heat. I worry about unexpected sources of chemical contamination in my food, and plastic has always been high on my list of things to be careful of. If anyone has information about Ziploc Freezer Bags being safe to boil or microwave I'd love to hear about it. The Ziploc Omlette sounds like a good way to go - if it's safe. (Did anyone see that Debbie Downer skit? Any time I urge caution about something I think about that SNL skit!)

I avoided lettuce since moving to the solid food stage because I read lots of people having problems with it. I went to Olive Garden with my family and then couldn't resist trying the salad. I was careful for the first few bites and when it went down with no problem I was SSOOOOOOO happy. I didn't realize how much I was missing salad. I've had salad several times since then and I never have a problem with it. I hope I can still eat it after getting a fill.

You have plenty of time. Forever in fact. They're commenting on the motivation to continue folowing a diet diminishing. You're fine as long as you remain motivated. The RnY is the one where weight loss slows way down or stops after about a year.

Wheetsin, you NAILED it! Gross or not, that described it perfectly. BTW, I love your signature quote about walking a mile in someone's shoes! lol Very funny.

Gentlemen, please welcome to the stage: Heidi Glitter-Ridge Now if that doesn't sound pornographic I don't know what does! Pornographic and uncomfortable!

I came to LBT right about the time that Photonut was being 'board slapped' by people saying she was a newbie and her enthusiasm was due to being recently banded and that she was judgemental. Because of those posts, I was wary of Photonut for a long time and read her posts with scepticism and, occasionally, attributed them with a negative connotation. But I read them. After watching her posts for a long time I finally came across one that I felt I had to chime in on - but I refused to call her P'nut. I didn't want her, or anyone else on lapbandtalk, to think we were pals. After all, she was that judgemental newbie! But I kept watching her posts, knowing all the while that that negative personality of hers was going to rear its ugly head eventually. Funny thing is, months have passed now. MONTHS, and I still haven't seen it. What I HAVE seen, is consistent good advise, unending willingness to help out others (no matter how many times she's already answered that question about how to post a picture!), constant support for anyone who needs it, and an open, honest, caring, soul that she doesn't hesitate to bare if she feels strongly about something or feels it will benefit someone else! I'm not the kind of person who jumps in and makes friends with everyone (and I'm certainly not making any now!), but I'm ashamed of myself for allowing a few people's negative personal feelings - probably attributable to their own self-doubts or failures - color my perception of someone I would be proud to be allowed to call a friend. NOW, as to that so-called Honeymoon Phase . . . It's called the honeymoon phase in reference to the feelings newly married couples have for each other. Everyone knows that those feelings tend to calm down as time passes. The thing is, isn't it our own individual responsibility to keep that honeymoon feeling alive? Isn't it best for our marriages to think of ways to keep the focus on our relationship strong? Wouldn't it be wrong or hurtful for "old married couples" to tell us that our committment will dwindle no matter what we do just because theirs may have? I tend to think think that couples who stay together forever have figured out something that couples who divorce just didn't, couldn't, or wouldn't. They've decided that they will stay the course. They've made a committment to each other to never become complacent when it comes to their relationship. Sometimes it can be rough or even rocky but with perseverence they remain committed. Do I need to point out the comparison being made in my (long winded) analogy? I don't think so. Anyone who isn't getting the point, wouldn't get it no matter what I said anyway. And Finally . . . P'nut, I apologize for judging you based on what total strangers had to say, and I hope you'll forgive me. I can think of no better role model for "newbies" and jaded elders alike. The proof is in the sugar free fat free pudding! 70 pounds is amazing and truly inspirational. BTW, your message is perfectly clear to anyone whose perspective has not become clouded by self-doubt or just plain exhaustion.

Seriously, you need to go to liquids for a few days to let any swelling go down and then move through the mushies phase before trying solid food again. If you keep trying to eat, it will continue to irritate and cause problems. It's a vicious cycle that you need to break. Good luck, let us know how you're doing.

I don't want to be a fly in your ointment but . . . The biggest reason doctors have lapband patients do a pre-op liquid diet is to reduce the fat in their livers. If your liver is too fatty, your doctor won't be able to retract it - move it out of the way - in order to place the band. You could wake up from surgery with all the scars and pain, but no band. Are you sure you're physically ready? What did the doctor say about a pre-op diet? Did he discuss your liver with you? I know you're anxious to get this done but if your doctor anesthetises you and opens you up, but can't place the band due to your liver, what kind of "I told you so's" are you going to have to endure from your husband? If there's even a chance that this will happen, isn't it better to wait and be sure of the outcome rather than go forward this quickly just because the doctor had a cancellation?

I've been to Hippie Hollow! Years ago. When I was skinny. And a hippy. Instead of a hippo.

Ok, this isn't a little lol. I am seriously LAUGHING OUT LOUD! That's the funniest thing I've seen in a while! Jack, if I were you, I'd be starting to get worried. You don't have any pet rabbits do you? (Someone please tell me they get this reference.)

Make sure you explain all this to the plastic surgeon. It may make a difference in his diagnosis which may change the CPT code, which may mean all the difference in insurance coverage. The doctor won't lie to the insurance company (or he shouldn't) but there are many ways to de-fur a feline - and he wants the business.

LOL You posted while I was wording my medical disclaimer!

I'd do it the other way around. I'd try staying on liquids for a couple of days just in case you are swollen currently. Give your stomach a chance to rest and shrink down, then, if I still couldn't get down solid food I'd call my doc. Of course this is just my opinion and your doctor is the only one who can offer medical advise. I really need to add a standard disclaimer to my posts! lol How's this one: The post you have just read is a personal opinion and is meant for entertainment purposes only. Only your doctor can determine medical necessity. If you are experiencing pain, swelling, fever, halitosis, are covered in boils, growing mold, bleeding from the eyeballs or are generally making the people around you nauseated or uncomfortable, you should seek prompt medical attention.

In my experience - limited since I've only eaten chicken and fish - it helps if you use a little sauce or gravy on your meat - I think I've heard it referred to as 'lube-ing the tube'. You have to be careful with that though because of the added calories involved. I use a powdered gravy mix - it tastes much better than it sounds, I promise - which has 25 calories (5 from fat) per tablespoon. It's made by "Tone's" and I buy it at Sam's Club but I'm sure you can find it elsewhere, most likely in the spices/seasoning isle in the market. It's inexpensive and can be made very quickly with just Water and the powder mix. I've used the Poultry Gravy Mix quite a few times with chicken and it tastes good. I've just bought the Brown Gravy Mix thinking I might try out beef here sometime soon, but, since I'm pretty scared of beef I haven't tried it out yet! I know, I sound crazy being scared of beef! lol On fish I sometimes use Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade Sesame Ginger (30 calories per tablespoon, 0 fat). It's good as a marinade or to drizzle on the fish after it's been baked or grilled. Sorry you're having such a hard time of it but maybe by eating a little slower and possibly trying the 'lube-the-tube' method, things will get a little easier. Good luck, let us know how its going with you. Edit: I didn't notice that it was back pain you were having. Maybe it is gallbladder. Of course you could still try the gravy/sauce thing to see if it helps. Good luck.

www.ObesityHelp.com has both lapband and RnY forums. You can also do a "Google" search on RnY forums and I'm sure you'll find some. Good luck on your weight loss journey.

Yay for you! Home is good, huh? Glad to hear about the fibroids being benign. Yay for you! Now heal up quick and feel better.

I flew on American Airlines and had no problem in coach, either going or returning. At the time of surgery I had about 125 pounds to lose and asked for a seatbelt extension - but didn't need it. I asked for it because I have flown on American in the past and did need the seatbelt extension. I don't think all the belts are the same length. I didn't feel uncomfortable on the return flight in coach, but I should add that I had very little post-op pain and was out site-seeing 48 hours after surgery. Good luck on your trip and your weight loss journey.

I haven't eaten at Subway but I have eaten tortilla with no problem. If you try it, make sure to take tiny bites and WAIT between bites to see if it's gonna go. Even if it DOES go, keep waiting between bites - you never know if it's gonna 'ball up' on you and stick. I agree with Wheetsin, the grain types are less likely to stick and are better for you anyway. Have you thought about lettuce wraps instead of tortilla wraps? It would be a better choice but I don't know if they offer them at Subway. The hardest part of this journey,for me, is waiting between bites. Good luck to you.

So what you're saying is, he gives good aural? lol Whoops! I REALLY don't need to take this thread down that path do I?

LOL, I posted in your other thread while you were replying to me in this one! I'm glad you're going to consult with Dr. Rumbaut. I think he'll probably do it for you. He's banded himself and certainly understands dieting history, family history, and social stigma. Good luck.

How can you NOT have a crush on a guy who's "playful" in the shower! lol I've never been into Vin Deiesel but I can certainly appreciate the photo!

Hey GonnaDoIt, I posted this in that other thread but I'll copy it here too: Have you you spoken with Dr. Rumbaut himself? While I was in Mexico being banded he did a patient who had a lower BMI. She said she spoke with Dr. Rumbaut about her weight, lifestyle and dieting history and he agreed to do the surgery. She may have had other issues which she didn't mention but she seemed pretty healthy to me. If you've only spoken with Dr. Rumbaut's staff, see if you can speak with him directly. It might make all the difference.

In addition to the other suggestions, I would like to suggest a better Protein drink. Slimfast is not the best choice - at least according to my nutritionist. I think you're probably just still suffering from the gas pain or possibly your diaphram was irritated during surgery and needs more time to heal. I'm betting on gas pain. The best thing you can do for it is to walk. Walk. Walk. Walk. Walk slowly, but walk. Also, the more you burp and pass gas the better you'll feel. So if you feel the need, don't hold it in - you'll feel better letting it out. Don't worry, this won't last forever. At least it doesn't for most people. Good luck, and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Have you you spoken with Dr. Rumbaut himself? While I was in Mexico being banded he did a patient who had a lower BMI. She said she spoke with Dr. Rumbaut about her weight, lifestyle and dieting history and he agreed to do the surgery. She may have had other issues which she didn't mention but she seemed pretty healthy to me. If you've only spoken with Dr. Rumbaut's staff, see if you can speak with him directly. It might make all the difference.