Melissa Lea

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So far, my fill is not giving me any problems. Hard to really say how effective it will be since I'm only eating very soft foods. I have been eating less today than prior to the fill. I think this one will stick. Have a great weekend everyone. Melissa Lea

Pinky -- My doc does not require liquids after a fill. He says to eat soft, mushie foods and progress to regular textures over a 48 hour period. I had my fill this morning and they added .6 cc total. They were going to to just .4cc and the fill person decided to go up .2cc. I am happy to report that I did not lose any of my last fill like I did the previous 2 fills. That in and of itself gives me peace of mind. I will have to take it VERY VERY easy with this fill. I can so totally fill the difference already. I pray this one last for some time. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Melissa Lea

No need for guilt PinkyLee. Enjoy a treat every now and then. We got the band to lose weight and be healthier. We didn't get the band to stop living! Melissa Lea

PinkyLee -- I wouldn't say my tree is exactly designer. It's just, I love to make bows and my ribbon bows have become my trademark. I make them so people can cut them off their gift box and reuse them OR use them in a decoration. My family and friends have come to expect it. It's time consuming but it's something I enjoy and keeps my mind off of food this time of year. I will take some pics when it's all done and post them. Cathy --enjoy meeting an old flame. I'm positive he's experiencing the same or similar insecurities that you are. Why do you think most people never return to their high school reunions? Enjoy the holidays and be thankful for being the LOOZER that you are! I'm right here with ya! Melissa Lea

Well, Barb and Pinky -- I will let you know how my fill goes Wednesday. I did manage to lose 1/2 pound this week so I'm not complaining. If they tell me that I did not lose any of this fill....then me and my 2 part brain are going to have a SERIOUS conversation. I'll be getting my Christmas tree out next weekend. I bought some new ornaments today to add to it this year. I have a few more gifts to buy. Of course, it's for the people that are so DARNED hard to buy for. I will start wrapping presents next weekend. I love wrapping presents and tying the ribbon into a bow. I have a new color theme every year. This year is red/white/silver paper with silver glitter ribbon. Melissa Lea

Pinkylee -- I can't wait for my fill on Wednesday!! Yes, that is the day before Thanksgiving. I feel I have absolutely no restriction. I'm still losing about 1 pound per week but my banded buddies tell me that I'm able to eat way too much. I fear I might have lost some of this 3rd fill (praying I don't have a leak). I think I might be getting the fill primarly for peace of mind....determine if all the saline is there or not (I want to know either way). Melissa Lea

Welcome Larua ---so glad you found us. Ditto on Barb's rec, talk with your doc about the heartburn issue. Pinky --I have no idea why my hair is staying put. Perhaps it's because I have enough hair for 4 people. I was blessed with hair. As for the veggies going down, everything and anything seems to go down. I almost feel like I did right before my very first fill. I'm wondering if I lost this fill too?? I lost some of the last 2 fills I had. That's my primary reason for going to get a fill next week. To see if I still have what they put in or not???? I'll let you all know. Melissa Lea

Pinky --I guess I'm lucky in that respect. I haven't lost much hair at all. Just the usual hair loss you get on a daily basis from brushing etc. But you are right, it's windy here in Texas. Melissa Lea

Pinky-- I eat brocolli, cabbage --well lets just say a lot of fresh fruits and veggies all the time. Some I have to chew more than others. I say give it a shot. If it goes down ok then eat it. If it doesn't go down well, then cook it more or peel it. I've had absolutly no problems with veggies etc. Thank goodness because I love them. I'm not a big "meat" person (no pun intended). Melissa Lea

Due to popular demand, the North Houston Bandsters will have one meeting in December. The next North Houston Bandster meeting is: December 7, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are welcome! Melissa Lea

Hey Barb465 -- Have you thougt about putting some canned chicken or something like that in your soup? That would give you more bulk and protein. I also will add frozen (mixed) veggies to my soups when I cook them. That way I get more fiber etc. Just food for thought! Melissa Lea

All I can say is that today I am STARVING!! It must be something in the air. I have anohter fill next week. I am starting to wonder if I lost some of my last fill as well. I can eat anything that I want. I haven't had any problems with the things that I don't chew well. I'm doing well with the calories. I stay between 900 and 1200. I don't count, count, count everyday. I don't want to spend the next 30 years of my life counting calories like I have the first 30 years. Everyone hang in there. This too shall pass. Melissa Lea

Poodles -- There are only 3 people that know that I have had the procedure. I too am a closet bandster from everyone else. No one seems to be making a big deal about my eating. I tell them that I am only eating until satisified and then I quit. Some of the people that I've told that too are actually trying that technique to get some weight loss results of their own. I'm not lying about what I am doing. I truely am only eating until satisified. Melissa Lea

Rsbell --you will be a bandster soon enough. It's a great blessing in desguise that they found the ulcers prior to surgery. I can not even begin to imagine the post op complications you might have had if these ulcers remained undiagnosed. Best wishes and get well!

Well, I think that I will handle the Thansgiving Holiday just fine. I scheduled a fill the day before! I know I can eat too much (a whole chicken breast plus some more). I don't think I need much of a fill but I do think I need a fill. No problems with PB etc. I hope this next fill doesn't do me in. Only time will tell. Melissa Lea

Regina --sorry to hear that you have been ill. I hope that you are feeling better soon. Pinky --I figure if they weight you butt naked at birth, why not do it now. I always weigh in my b-day suit. Barb465--hope you do well with this fill. Take it slow and easy. Does anyone else feel like with the weather changes your band gets tighter? I have noticed for the first time since surgery that sometimes my band is tighter and I can associate this to the climate changes. Hummm, wonder if it's just me?? Melissa Lea

Congrats Pinkylee!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I'm right behind you!!!!!!! Melissa Lea

You may want to try capital one healthcare finance. You can only apply for this online. I think they work with various credit scores (of course, various interest rates). Best wishes! Melissa Lea

Oh my goodness! I had that gas pain in my shoulder something terrible. It was worse than the actual procedure. The only thing that helped me was to lay FLAT on my back with a heating pad on my shoulder. Two days of overnight thereapy (flat on my back with heating pad) and all the gas was gone. The walking didn't release the shoulder pain gas, only the abdominal gas. Good luck! Melissa Lea

I used the sap from a fresh alo vera plant. I've always used that for cuts, burns, etc. My scars are fading nicely. Melissa Lea

The next North Houston Bandster meeting is: November 9, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 We will only have one meeting in November. There will be no meeting in December. All are welcome! Melissa Lea

I could have had my surgery done the next week if I wanted too. I had surgery several months after my initial consultation (my choice). Melissa Lea

Congrats Socalgal! What a victory. You will go up that mountain more and more. Each time with get easier. This has been a bad weekend for me. I feel like I've eaten like a "pig". I didn't get on the scale today. I will tomorrow. I think I'm just feeling bloated as TOM will visit soon. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! Melissa Lea

Well, no goodies thus far today. Infact, I was so nauseated from my migraine I didn't even eat lunch today. I did manage to eat a small fruit cup about 45 minutes ago. I had to get something in me, I was feeling too weak and jittery. Forget liquids, I barely had 3 cups of anything to drink. At least I'm not feeling dehydrated yet. I will soon leave work and dope up on imitrex and vicodin. So off to la la land I go. Happy Halloween!

I posted this on another forum. Hope this helps you out. Melissa Lea For more info go to: http://www.gicare.com/pated/edtgs35.htm Purpose The soft diet serves as a transition from liquids to a regular diet for individuals who are recovering from surgery or a long illness. It can help to ease difficulty in chewing and/or swallowing due to dental problems or extreme weakness, and it is sometimes recommended to relieve mild intestinal or stomach discomfort. The soft diet can be especially helpful to patients who are undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, or radiation to the head, neck or abdominal areas, which may cause digestive problems or make the mouth and throat very sore. Foods may be softened by cooking or mashing. Canned or soft-cooked fruits and vegetables may be used in place of raw or dried varieties. Refined breads and cereals are usually recommended over coarse, whole-grain types. Moist, tender meats, fish, and poultry are permitted; it is not necessary to grind them unless desired. Eating small, frequent meals can help to reduce gas or bloating. <TABLE width="90%" border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=3> Guidelines for the Soft Diet </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">food Group</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">Foods Allowed</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">Foods to Avoid</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Beverages</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">all</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">none</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Soups</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">mildly seasoned broth, bouillon, or cream soup; strained vegatable soup</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">bean, gumbo, split pea, or onion soup; chunky Soups or chowders</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Meats</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">any moist, tender meats, fish, or poultry (lamb, veal, chicken, turkey, tender beef, liver stewed pork); eggs (see exceptions); creamy peanut butter</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">Fried chicken or fish; fish with bones; shellfish; fried, salted, or smoked meats; sausage; cold cuts; raw or fried eggs; dried beans; nuts and seeds</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Dairy</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">all low-fat milk products, smooth yogurt, mild-flavored cheese, cottage cheese </TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">(avoid milk if lactose-intolerant), yogurt with nuts or seeds, sharp or strong cheeses, cheeses with whole seeds or spices</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Fruits</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">cooked or canned fruit, soft, fresh banana or avocado, fruit juice</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">all raw fruit (except banana or avocado), dried fruit (dates, raisins), coconut </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Vegetables</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">soft-cooked or canned vegetables (see exceptions), fresh lettuce or tomato, potatoes (mashed, baked, boiled, or creamed), vegetable</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">gas-forming vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, green pepper, onion turnip), whole kernel corn, raw vegetables (excerpt lettuce or tomato), fried vegetables french fries, hash browns</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Grains</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">refined cooked or ready-to-eat cereal; refined white, wheat, or rye bread, rolls, or crackers; plain white rice; pasta</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">whole-grain breads and cereals (bran, rye with seeds, or whole wheat); breads or rolls with coconut, raisins, nuts, or seeds</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Fats</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">butter, margarine, mild salas dressing, mayonnaise, gravy, cream, cream substitute, sour cream, vegetable oil</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">Spicy salad dressings, fried foods</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Desserts & Sweets</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">smooth ice cream, ice milk, or frozen yogurt; sherbet; fruit ices; custards; pubbings; cake or Cookies made without nuts or coconut</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">desserts or candy made with dried fruit, nuts, coconut; candied fruit; peanut brittle</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="17%">Seasonings</TD><TD vAlign=top width="37%">ketchup; cheese, cream, tomato, or white sauces; soy sauce; chopped or ground leaf herbs</TD><TD vAlign=top width="46%">garlic, horseradish, chili powder, whole or seed herbs and spices, barbeque or cajun seasonings, worcestershire sauce</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>