S@ssen@ch

I'm with Sunta. Everything in moderation. I haven't really given up anything. I eat pretty much what I want, just in smaller amounts. I eat fast food, I just make better choices. Instead of the Big Mac value meal with giant sized fries and coke, I get a hamburger and eat it with half the bun. I might get fries. I might get a fruit and yogurt parfait. It all depends on how I've been doing for the day. I also agree that all this over-processed, fat-free, sugar-free, flavor-free food is a load of crap. "real" food is so much better for us and as long as we eat it sensibly, cook it in a healthy manner, we are so much better off. Besides, it tastes better. Look at butter for example, taste a bit of butter. Then taste margarine.......I'd say butter wins, hands down AND, all those hydrolized fats in the margarine can be bad for you. The only "diet" food I use once in a while is splenda. I put it in some hot tea or make lemonade with it. It keeps me from going over my daily caloric intake with liquid calories, it tastes good, and it's made from sugar. Also, as far as eating out in general. I do, regularly. For my job, we eat out daily. I just make the best choices I can. Sometimes I get salad. Sometimes I get Soup. Sometimes grilled chicken. It all depends on what's available and what sounds good to me that day. It's all about making good choices. I NEVER get deep fried, breaded anything. It's just one of my rules for myself. I haven't given up chocolate, wine, pizza, chips or anything...I just limit it, don't eat it every day and enjoy being able to eat these things without fear of dumping, but in smaller quantities. It's good to be satisfied with 1 or 2 pieces of pizza instead of the whole pizza! The only thing I have truly given up (and I can honestly say I don't miss it) are carbonated beverages. I didn't drink them a lot before, so it hasn't been a big sacrifice.

I used to eat them a lot when I was on mushies. They either come in a box or packets. I've always found them sold with all of the other instant mashed potatoes and they come in great flavors. Cheese is great so is garlic butter but I think the best that I had was loaded baked potato-that had bacon bits in it and a rich buttery sour cream flavor.

My weakness isn't the Cadbury eggs...........it's those delectable REESE's eggs. The darn things come by the bag full. OH my that peanutbutter center covered by rich milk chocolate. My mouth is waterin'.......OH, OH, OH AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I gotta have one now. Wait, I don't have any in the house! (panic)........(comes to senses) maybe that's a good thing.

Once you're finished with the post operative healing period I would think you could enjoy those glasses of wine as you did before. BUT remember that they are loaded with extra calories and be prepared to work them into your caloric intake for the day. Your absorption of the alcohol or the calories hasn't changed at all.

I have 2 boys, now aged 14 and 9. When they were about 2 or so, we started potty training them. I got "real" underwear, not those pull-ups and I especially got ones with their favorite characters on them so they'd like to wear them and do their best not to soil them. If I bought pull-ups it was for going to the store or outings, etc so we wouldn't have wet accidents in public. I just took them to the potty and encouraged them to go. No treats, but lots of praise. If they couldn't go, that was all right I just took them again a little later-maybe an hour. Since they hated the feeling of the wetness next to their skin it only took a few accidents for them to realize that Mommy and Daddy weren't going to let them have their diapers back and they had to learn to do this. A couple of times, I found wadded up wet underwear in the corner but it really didn't take that long. As for the poop, I don't know what to tell you, my two boys just didn't like having the poop in their pants and quickly learned how to do it like Mommy and Daddy. Patience, persistence and consistency are the keys.

Isn't amazing when we have those eye opening moments?

Yes there are those POSSIBLE negatives like erosion, slippage and esophageal complications. Not everyone faces them. Personally, the negatives of morbid obesity or other malabsorptive procedures are much worse. The positives of the band, thus far for me far outweigh (pun intended) the potential negatives. I never would have lost 70+ lbs and kept it off this long without the band. Yes, we all struggle a bit and we may lose slower but that's O.K. with me. The point is, we lose and the band is always there as a tool to help us in our endeavors.

I didn't notice the Kelly/Chris antics going on....guess I'll have to keep a keener eye out next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's disappointed in ACE. I had rather high hopes for him. He's so good looking but these sappy, smoldering looks into the camera are getting old and his singing isn't as good as I thought it would be. Makes me kinda miss Constantine's bad boy image. In general, most of the contestants did not have a good night this week. Elliot did a great job, better than I had anticipated. Most weeks I don't care for Bucky, but he really kind of found his groove this week and I think it was one of his best performances. I can understand why Katherine was in the bottom, she sounded off key for a lot of that song. Now, I like country music but WHY THE HECK would they do a country themed show? Isn't it "pop" idol, as Simon would say?

Seppi, Remember, just because they didn't find stones via the ultrasound doesn't mean there isn't problems with the gall bladder. If your barium swallow comes back O.K. and they can't seem to find anything else that is causing your symptoms..........ask for a HIDA scan. Your gall bladder may be poorly functioning. A poorly functioning gall bladder can cause these same symptoms. Stones are not the only problems we can have with our gall bladder and a HIDA scan tests the functioning of the gall bladder. Good Luck,

I've always eaten my eggs like that, but I saw on a cooking show that if you add a touch of milk to eggs when you're making scrambled eggs or an omlet they fluff up. It changes the consistency of the eggs a bit and makes them "lighter" so to speak. Scrambled eggs can be a little rubbery if you overcook them. So, in an effort to break up the Protein of the egg itself put the milk in it when you scramble it. It doesn't affect the protein quality, jut makes them lighter, fluffier. Although I haven't had any problems tolerating eggs, I would think that the slight change in texture may help some tolerate eggs better. Worth a try?

My husband and I are regular RVer's. Unless you're on a special consistency like mushies, I would think you could eat what everybody else is eating. Granted, instead of eating a hamburger on a bun I eat it without and with a fork. But I still eat it. If they make chili over the fire, I eat it. It's great. Same with fish, or chicken. Baked potatoes over the fire are great, too. For the healthy side, I always had a bag salad and some fresh fruit on hand. And, I'd make a low cal dessert for everyone to enjoy. eggs in the morning are great, as long as you can tolerate them. I always find if I add a little milk to them they scramble up really fluffy. If you're on mushies, I always took those packets of instant mashed potatoes. All you gotta do is add hot Water. I always had those packets of tuna to make a quick tuna salad. Refried Beans with cheese and sour cream. Cinnamon applesauce. Yogurt.

OH my gosh. I think we all go through this to varying degrees. I'm struggling right now to make good choices and not spread my meals into all day snacking binges. Vinesqueen said it well. Bread is not the enemy, but eating a whole loaf is. Same with the ice cream. Let's hold hands and support each other in this weak moment. Besides, remember your band is unfilled right now. That doesn't help things.

I did at first mostly out of fear. Then I asked why they told me that, because I swallow a lot of air when I drink out of cups and bottles. My surgeon's nurse told me that we're not supposed to drink from straws so that we don't drink a lot of Fluid, fast AND so that we don't swallow a lot of air. I think we each have our own techniques that we use with straws and because I'm not a gulper by nature, I use a straw. I sip a little, hold it for a brief second in my mouth then swallow it down. Less air, reasonable amounts. No sucking over and over, I'd choke. That's me. You have to know you.

I felt good about walking around and doing things after 1 week, but really I don't think you'll be ready to do any lifting. If the children in your care are heavier than 20lbs, I'd take an extra week. You wouldn't want to do any harm to your incisions even if they are small ones. Besides, your port will probably be rather sore yet. Little ones won't understand and may bump it accidentally. Lots of things to consider.

40lbs since August is great. It's actually well within what is considered normal weight loss. Don't discount it. I know you were hoping for more, but you ARE losing. That's the goal, to lose and not gain......Right? Second, are you following all the band rules? Not drinking while eating? Stopping when you feel full. Eating only quality foods? None of us are perfect 100% of the time. We all make choices we regret, but you still need to make an effort to try to make better and more healthy choices. Cookies seem to be my demon as well. I do my best to either cut them out all together or extremely limit them. Good Luck,

this is great. I'm gonna have to dig out those Spanish books and learn it all over again. I only retained the words for food and the swear words. LOL

I suppose it depends on how big the gap is DAA. If it's only a few millimeters then I'd say just keep it clean and dry. As long as it's not showing signs of infection like red (not just pink, but red and inflamed) or pus coming out of it (not just clear, watery stuff). Studies have shown that anything over 8 hours old don't do well with stitches and steri strips. They are prone to poor healing and infection. I would think this wound is over 8 hours old since you said a scab fell off of it. Anything bigger than, oh say a quarter of an inch I'd probably clean with hibiclens and get some steri strips. If it's that big, it's not going to heal well either, puts you at risk for infection with it being open and will leave you with a big scar. The risks of closing it are less than leaving it open. JMHO as a nurse.

OH yes it does. I know of one in Ft. Wayne. That's the one that I'd drive an hour or so to visit. If there's one in Ft. Wayne, I'm sure there's others in Indiana.

This sounds like gall bladder to me. Whether or not the gall bladder ultrasound was normal or not, I'd pursue this. It's possible the stones are moving back and forth, but it's more likely that you have a poorly functioning gall bladder. Ask for, and possibly demand a HIDA scan. That will test the functioning of the gall bladder. DO NOT let them keep convincing you that your pain is related to the band if it's not. I did because I didn't know any better and I let it go on for at least 5 months. It's possible, I had an attack before that and blamed the band for that, too. So, if it's your gall bladder it's only gonna get worse. You said the pain comes about an hour after you eat. EXACTLY the same as me. And all the medical experts just scratched their heads. If you've already pinpointed it to after a heavy meal, don't wait. The location and description of the symptoms are textbook gall bladder. The next time you get an attack, go to the ER. If the tests are negative or inconclusive-demand a HIDA. With all sincerity and hope for you,

Oh Jack, you do have a way with words. :faint:

I haven't had to drink Protein shakes since around Christmas. But when I do (adjustments, illness, etc) I drink a sugar free CIB and for extra protein, I add a scoop of unjury. SF CIB= 150 cal with 12 g protein Unjury=80 cal with 20 g protein I add about 2/3 cup ff milk with it, ice and if I'm feelin' creative I'll add peanutbutter or fruit depending on the flavors of the CIB. Pop it with a cup of ice in the blender and I have a great smoothie. YUMMY

KFC - I don't eat fried chicken anymore unless I pick off the breading and then it's only the meat of 1 piece, I love their mashed potatoes and coleslaw BK- don't usually eat BK, BUT once I ate a Jr. Whopper with the bottom bun removed. Had a couple of onion rings with it. (guilty) Subway-about half of a 6" sub. If I'm doing good, I might be able to eat 2/3. No chips or anything with it Pizza- 1, MAYBE a small 2nd piece of hand-tossed crust. If I don't think I can handle the 2nd, I'll just pick the toppings off. Rotisserie Chicken- again, chicken I do not eat the skin I'll have about 2-3 oz of the breast. Ramen noodles- YUCK! don't eat them, don't want to. Too much starch and sodium Mcdonalds- hamburger with bottom bun removed with fruit and yogurt parfait. I have snarfed a couple fries from my kids, but I definately can't eat the whole pack. Breakfast- 1 egg with toast OR a light yogurt with 1/4 cup cheerios. If I eat pancakes, it's only about 1, 4" pancake. Any larger I can't eat the whole thing-It's gotta have lots of syrup. BTW-Believe me, your band will tell you when you've had enough. Large amounts of food will mean NOTHING to you afterwards. I am a recovering "clean your plate" syndrome victim. There comes a point where, when you're full, you're full and if you eat anymore you'll have pain, you'll see it again, or both. Good Luck

My thoughts were pretty much the same as P'Nut's. After any surgery, they pump you full of fluids. You're body's electrolyte balance gets a little off kilter and holds onto those fluids. Remember, you're healing and swelling goes along with healing. So the slower scale movement may be related to post op swelling. Also, you are about 203lbs, depending on which scale you believe. It's possible that the individuals you're comparing yourself to (which you shouldn't do by the way) may have started at much higher weights than you did. I've noticed that those who start at higher weights seem to loose quicker in the beginning. By the way, although I may weigh at the doctors office I don't pay a lick of attention to it. I swear by my own because that's the one I weigh on regularly. AND, who the heck wants to weigh on the doctors office scale NAKED? Don't get down in the dumps. It's going to happen. You sound very determined and ready for the band life. BE PATIENT. Once you heal and the post op swelling goes down, you'll do just fine. This can take 4-6 weeks. Good Luck,

First, the band is stitched into place on the stomach. Mine (I was told) has a little flap of the stomach stitched around it to help secure it into place. Once the healing is done there may be adhesions (scar tissue) which are more fibrous to help secure it. Second, all of us have liquid in our guts to help our guts move freely with any activity. If we didn't, our stomach would stick to our intestines which would stick to our liver or pancreas.....Well, you get the picture. We're designed to move and we have BIO-LUBE to help keep us movin'! No matter how vigorous the activity, including sex, the band itself is on the stomach and will move with the stomach. The port, is on a muscle and I would think it could get sore from movement. Thanks to my intelligent protection of the stomach muscle <sly, but lazy grin> I don't get that soreness. I don't know about the Karate thing or any other contact sport. I would think one would want to protect at least the port area.

StrawartS, I think we've stumbled upon ANOTHER explanation of sliming. After all, saliva is a protein-based substance produced by the body for the purposes of moisture and lubrication. Same as mucous, only thinner.