*slim*

Your fourth fill sounds similar to my fourth fill. I felt it that day, but I actually didn't feel it any more after that. I waited 2 weeks to see if it would kick in, but it didn't. I was another month before they could get me in for a fill. Hopefully, your next fill will last longer.

I agree with Kat, living well is the best revenge.

PJTP-When you are sick with something contagious, stay at home! I can't stand when people know that they are spreading something (i.e. stomach viruses) and go to work, church, or other places anyway! GRRRR Why do they feel the need to share?

I had my fill Tuesday. Dr. Ponce did it so I guess I will see how it goes. I really feel the difference this time. I actually feel fullness on very little food. As long as it doesn't start to feel tighter, I think this might be the one. In all of the time that I have had my band, this is the first time that I actually felt the full feeling on a small amount of food. I have to admit that because I am feeling some restriction, I am scared to try solid food. I am still eating soft food. I plan to make a meatloaf for dinner tonight and plan to try to eat a little of that. I just don't want to feel the pain that I have heard about. So far, on my stuck episodes, it didn't actually hurt. I just could feel it sitting in my throat. I am not ready for pain. Congrats on getting close to onederland. I am hoping to be right behind you.

:laugh:

I am actually shocked that the hospital let her touch them with those nails at all. I remember that was a rule when I visited the NICU when my DS was born. You could not have fake nails. Heck, they didn't want you to even have long natural nails. They talked about the delicate nature of the babies' skin and also the germs they hold. Has anyone seen whether or not she has actually done anything about the nails since the doctor sent her the letter?

That is awesome Ebony! You obviously raised her right!

Ok, am I the only one getting a little orange banner in the bottom right corner of the screen that says "give feedback" on it?

I bet she just won't touch them as much since her nails are obviously so important to her. I mean, she can't have ordinary nails for the cameras, and gloves would ruin her manicure.

Well, it has almost been a week with fill #5. So far, I can really tell a difference. I am still on soft foods, so we shall see how I do.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't hire me. They said that after seeing you in your "hooters" uniform, no one else would do.

Hi. I am still around. I have just been having a heck of a time getting on here for the last week or so. I haven't watched this season of the biggest loser. I watched the first couple of seasons, but this year I just couldn't get into it. I had my 5th fill this week. I think I can tell a difference. I don't know how long it will last, but I am getting full off of less food (at least for now). Hopefully, I won't wake up at some point with it being too tight.

How funny tap. I finally had to break down and get new work uniforms. I was really glad to get a smaller size. I will now have to wear these until they fall off because they only give us uniform allowances once a year. Since I could no longer fit into the pants or shirts, I had to get both. Though it was troublesome, it was trouble that I am so glad to have. I love my band.

We don't normally get to 70 either. Our normal for this time of year is around 50. I was shocked that we went from possible snow this past weekend to spring like weather this weekend (or so they predict).

We are supposed to reach 64 degrees here. My boss has take off tomorrow to go fishing because it is supposed to hit 70. Who would have thought, 70 in March?

How sweet!

We missed you too much! Ceradad-Congrats!

LJM-I am sorry about your friend. That is tough. I am now into the preteen farts. My son is the KING of farts. Hi everyone!

luluc-You mentioned eating off of a salad plate. I know that this is going to sound really dumb (hey I haven't done an etiquette class), but what size is a salad plate? I currently use an 8in plate. Is that bigger than a salad plate?

I haven't made it that far. I take longer than 10 minutes now, but I haven't made it to a complete 20. I am striving for 30 minutes. I am hoping that if I am able to slow down that much, I will start to get that satisfied feeling before I finish what is on my plate. That happened here several years ago. There was a popular restaurant that specialized in egg rolls. One of the local TV stations did a story on them about how they found cats in the freezer. The owner tried to say that the cats were never put into the customer's food, but they were never able to recover. My aunt used to say that it was the best cat that she ever ate.

I am that way. My chart at the doctor's office is the size of a large book. I told her my chart looks like I am a hypochondriac (sp?). She laughed, but I was so serious. I don't want trouble sneaking up on me only to find out that had I gone to the doctor sooner, something could have been done. I have too much family history to take chances.

I have done that too. That is when I have really taken a very large first bite (usually when I have gone too long between meals). I try to decide if I am going to eat or just have a shake just in case I have irritated my stomach. I am greatful that right now (knock on wood), I don't get the pain when I am stuck. I just get that feeling of the food sitting in my throat that won't move. It is a learning curve. I was so used to wolfing down my food that slowing down is foreign to me. Everything is so fast that I would be done eating in 10 minutes. I have to make an effort to slow down. It is so touch and go sometimes. I think we will get there in time. Good luck to you.

I have started trying to work a puzzle or something similar between bites. I am hoping that will help me slow down. I don't know what is going to help me with first bite syndrome.

First, I cracked up when I read the cat comment. I just wanted to tell you that after my first and second adjustments, I felt the same way that you feel now. With me, it wasn't really that I wasn't going to be able to tolerate meat, I found that I was still eating too fast (even still working on this), and my bites were still too big. It was usually when eating with others. I lose myself in the conversation and the food. Of course, the food "reminds" me, but by then it's too late. As time goes on, hopefully it will become autopilot on eating slow and taking smaller bites. That is the only time I have trouble as far as stuck or PB.

Kat-you touched on every thing that I have thought but could not put into words. Thank you for your well thought out response.