legallyKristin

Thank ya'll so much for the help. It seems to be better this morning, and my doctor basically said to stick it out for a few more days. Sigh. Hopefully I won't be one that gets tighter while flying! Kristin

They make these things called New whey Protein liquid in little vials. There is 25 g of clear protein in the vial. It tastes like fruit punch Jello and it only about 3 sips. You can order it at www.bariatriceating.com but you might want to Google it because I think it may be cheaper elsewhere. But it is yummy when I couldn't stomach any more Protein drinks. Also on that website are AchievOne that taste just like a bottled Frappuccino but has 20g protein. NO icky protein taste AT ALL. :Banane13: Kristin

Ok, I have generalized anxiety disorder. I went through the exact stuff that you're going through. There were SOOO many new rules to follow and I was having to make major changes. So I freaked out. I like order and routine and schedule. I talked to my psychologist weekly about it and changed my anxiety medication. It worked. I gained weight also about 3 weeks out also. I was miserable, I didn't feel my band working and that I had spent $11,000 for nothing. BE Optimistic. I promise once you start getting fills, it will all change and things will fall into place. After I got my first fill, I lost 6 lb in that next week and the scale has continued to drop. You just have to be patient and optimistic. If you get stressed/depressed you will gain more weight. Our bodies don't deal with stress well. :Banane13: Kristin

Hope Works- The slime thing is as rare as the PB. Your mouth just produces extra saliva to help get the stuck food down. If you chew properly and eat slowly enough it won't happen, at all. And a PB (which I had my first small one last night as a result of my time of the month tightening my band-happens to some of us apparently) is more like a last food bite coming back into your throat with reflux. It wasn't anything dramatic. I simply excused myself to the bathroom and spit the little bit of food out. No biggie. TMZ- You definately should talk to your doc, that doesn't sound at all comfortable or effective. I have a little tighter restriction in the morning, but by like 9am I can eat regular food. Kristin

C 233 (-65 total, -4 this week!) I am really excited about my loss this week! However, I am kinda tight right now and it's weird. Yesterday was the first time I've had my period since my fill at the end of last month. Yesterday was also the first time I've PBed, slimed and not been able to eat at least 1/2c food because my band was tight. Does anyone else's band do this to them during that time of the month?? I loved the 2 lb drop on the scale since Monday, but geez. Kristin

Pam, Most of us have extreme changes in our cravings after surgery. I ate anything that was a carb before surgery. I LOVED chocolate. Now, since I eat so little, I stick to Proteins and my body doesn't feel the need to crave food. I haven't had chocolate since I was banded, and pre-band it was an everyday occurence. Now around PMS time, I crave different drinks more than anything (like today it's iced tea!) weird I know, but it's true. And don't be afraid of the PB/slime thing. I've been banded over 2 months, have good restriction and still haven't PB'ed or slimed. I just have to take my time. AND THANK YOU for the breathing tip. I needed it today. I did get a "golfball" while eating with friends (not paying enough attention to how fast I was eating) and it passed very, very quickly. Kristin

Hi TXHoney, I'm from Marshall. I graduated from SFA! Feel free to email me anytime! kristinrglee@hotmail.com

WOOHOO Heather and Diane! Congrats on the big weight victories! I can't wait to see pics Heather, I love pics! Welcome to the club Cindy! I'm also from Texas! Kristin

Thanks Darlene for the info! I was about to head out and buy some products from Sally's but you've saved me money! Kristin

If you check the food thread, there are lots of other recipes on there for the different stages that may help! Kristin

Stupid ppl. Some RNY patients think that the RNY is THE only way to lose weight and can be mean about it to bandsters. I didn't know about lapbandtalk for awhile and was using obesityhelp, and LOTS of folks tried to talk me out of banding. Blah. Glad I did it. I LOVE MY BAND. Good for you for sticking up for all us bandsters! Kristin

It all depends on the employer. They can opt out. It sucks. Kristin

Also, make sure that you are getting about 60-80 grams of Protein. If you feel weak, that's generally why. On liquids you're probably only getting about 600-800 calories per day. My saving grace on Clear Liquids was broth with unflavored Protein Powder (www.unjury.com). I had 8 oz of broth 3x day which gave me about 60 grams of protein. I also had Jello and light grape juice. I promise it does get better. Once you get on mushies, you start to feel like a normal human once again! And you should be eating about 800-1000 calories on mushies according to my doc. Again, you should check with your doc as everyone's is different! Kristin

I knew the problem was with my mind allowing me to choose bad food options. I needed something to help give me the will power to change those decisions. RNY was covered by my insurance, lapband wasn't. But I didn't want a quick fix, I needed a permanent fix. Now I'm working through head issues WHILE losing weight. Not sitting around waiting on my body to dump all the weight on its own. I have to work with my body. I am finally in control of my body, rather than my body being in control of me. (Well my band is in control about 75% of the time, but we work well together generally!) Kristin

TellyMelly- YOU GO GIRL!!! I'm the exact way with the Uhaul thing too. Set the bar high and work hard at it. Just don't be too hard on yourself if you don't quite reach 18.5 lb or slow your weight loss as you get closer to goal. But keep it up! If you can't dream it, you can't be it. How many pounds do you want to lose by August?? That's when I'm setting one of my mini-goals. I want to lose 37 lb to be at 198 (100 lb loss) by August as well. I'll kick your butt if you kick mine!! Congrats on setting your mind to something and having the willpower to resist DH's fries! I know it's hard! Kristin

Whoa! I know why you feel full. 5 minutes is wayyy too fast to drink 8-10 oz, especially right after surgery. You're filling up your pouch by drinking it really quickly. Liquids generally go straight through the pouch, which is why we are on liquids post-op, to allow the area to heal without straining it. With shakes/yogurt post-op I was directed to drink 8-10 oz over 20-30 min. Remember, one of the biggest thing with the band is SLOW DOWN! Once I got on regular food, I thought I could eat at a normal pace again- WRONG!! It takes me about 30 min to eat 1/2 chicken breast. You don't want that uncomfortable full feeling, you just want to be satisfied. Kristin

Very nice ladies!! I did have a small NSV yesterday myself. The shirt I was wearing in my Avatar pic now looks like a sack on me. It was kinda my favorite shirt, but that's ok. I'm sure I can find a new favorite shirt in a smaller size just fine, thank you! Kristin

I actually think the upper GI stuff was kinda tasty. I'm weird I know. And I don't take nasty tasting chewable calcium, I take viactiv chocolate chews. They're my little daily treat! Kristin

MDL- How much fill did you get the first time??? I think we had surgery around the same date- 3/8/06. Before I got my first fill, I had NO restriction. As you said, I could eat as I did pre-op. However, I'm very thankful that my doc believes in agressive fills. I got 2cc in a 4cc band and it's working great. My suspicions would be that you didn't get much of a fill that first time. I'm not even scheduled for a 2nd fill until 6/6/06 and at this point, I don't really need it. The band doesn't do any good if it isn't filled for most of us. Stick in there, be persistent with your doc to give you more fill. Generally they will give you more if you do it under fluro since they don't just have to guess like they do in the office. Communicate all this with your doctor and hopefully he'll do his job, and help you achieve the restriction that you are supposed to be getting with your band. Kristin

There are lots of jazzercise classes in my area. A friend and I go about 6x a week. In the hour that we're there we do toning and strength training along with a great, fun cardio workout. There is a website to see if there are classes in your area. http://jes.jazzercise.com/jes.dll?JCLS:Index:0 Generally, the classes are $20-40 for an unlimited month. And they are sooo fun! There is a wide age and physical fitness level of people in each class, so I don't feel embarrased if I can't do everything that they are doing just yet, but I'm getting there! Kristin

For me, it's easier to follow the rules since the band. I don't constantly have a growling tummy. I am able to be satisfied with a smaller amount of food for longer. I made bad choices when I got so hungry, I would eat whatever I could find. Now, I eat so little, I have to make good choices. That's just my experience. Kristin

I'm sorry. I completely disagree. It does work the way it was told for some of us. I had no surprises. I eat the "healthy" food and I am losing weight. I'm sorry you're disappointed in your band, but I don't think it's fair to generalize a grievance. Additionally, if you lose weight rapidly there is a higher chance of saggy skin. If you lose slowly you can exercise and tone things while keeping up with the speed of your weightloss. Rapid weight loss doesn't allow the skin time to slowly resume to normal. Yes-age, heredity, etc. affect skin. But giving your body time to keep it together is also worth a lot.

Yeh they were crazy about what they did on the Biggest Loser. I couldn't imagine eating only 1000 without my band. I know I would starve. But maybe that's the point?!

Ahh..they're coming along! I have 3 left! Then I'm going to spend a week at the gym. I'm determined to reach OneDerland by the time school starts in August. Thanks so much for the compliments, they mean the world to me. :eek: Kristin

LOL FunnyDuddies. I'm getting close to feeling like I have an aquarium in my tummy from all the water. Of course yesterday, I had to cram it in after I got done with my final at 3:00 because I didn't want to keep running to the bathroom while I was trying to take a Contracts test! :eek: Kristin