jmegirl

If they didn't clean the rim well, then certainly the rest of the cup wasn't cleaned well either. So that means you don't want to drink out of any cups when you go out to eat...straw or not. :tounge_smile: I gotta say though, I've been out to eat a few times since being banded, and it's almost a waste to even get a drink, because I am really trying not to drink during/immediately after meals. I find that I stay full much longer when I avoid liquids for an hour after each meal (with the exception of one or two tiny sips just to get my mouth wet). So I just order a Water, it's free that way, haha.

Hey, nice to finally see your face Brad! :tounge_smile:

Good to know! I'll check out the GNC chews!

I actually noticed just this past week that my hair is thinner as well. I've not actually seen more hair coming out (no more than normal) when I shower or brush, but it's definitely obvious to me while I'm blow-drying my hair. Which is both shocking and sad to me, because I'm only 6 weeks out and I've only lost 14lbs! I might be bald at the end of all this! I've decided to make a conscious effort to have at least one protein shake a day, and take my children's chewables vitamins, and I may even get some of those Viactiv calcium chews too!

About 2 weeks ago I forgot that I wasn't supposed to drink with a straw. I was out shopping and went to Starbucks for a passion fruit tea. When I had finished it, I realized I'd been burping an awful lot and it was rather annoying. While trying to figure out what was in the tea that caused me to burp so much, I realized that I'd been drinking it through a straw the whole time! So in my experience, it causes excessive air bubbles in the pouch, which causes burping, which is bad. Wasn't really painful, but when you burp/hiccup for 30mins or more, it gets really annoying and sorta makes you nauseous, haha.

Thanks! And let me know which ones you like once you have a chance to try them all! That website is really great to order protein powders from, as well as other items, because they have always got good deals going. Sometimes it's free shipping, sometimes it's a free t-shirt with a certain dollar amount purchase. And their Ground Shipping is actually really fast. We typically get our shipments in 2 business days. :tounge_smile:

showmepat, you should try the Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Whey Protein powders. My husband is a body builder and has tried every supplement out there and swears that these are the best. They have a sampler pack available that isn't that expensive, so you could try all the flavors and see which ones you like. My favorite is the Vanilla Ice Cream and his favorites are the Rocky Road and the Strawberry. Sampler pack here.... Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Whey Protein Variety Pack 16 Flavors - 16 Packs by O at DPS Nutrition - The Nation's leader in Discount Nutrition

Deb, I will also more than likely be in Denver in February for my 3rd fill. My 2nd fill is Jan 9th, so add 6 weeks to that and that's probably when I'll try getting another one. Of course there's really no telling at this point if I'll need it or not - but if I'm in town I'll be staying one night and getting a rental car so if we plan for the same day then I can help you out! :tongue_smilie:

you're welcome! and just so you know, i'm 6wks and 2days out from surgery, and my port site is still somewhat sensitive to the touch and when i strain to pull myself up off the couch, or strain to lift something heavy, i can feel it at my port site. i bet it'll be at least another month before i forget it's there. i don't mind, it doesn't hurt really, i just didn't realize the discomfort would stick around this long!

Your ticker doesn't seem to be working. :laugh: Well drats, mine either. LOL Must be something wrong with Ticker Factory's website, haha. Nevermind!

I don't know why it would be more noticeable after you eat, but what you're feeling/seeing is your port. Your port is where they inject the saline that tightens your band, and the port is placed just under the skin, typically in the area you're talking about.

If you go to the NEW Weight Loss Spreadsheet thread that she made, you can post your updates there and she'll make sure they get on the spreadsheet. She posted the link a few posts up, or you can find it on the main page of the November 2008 forum. She might not get the information updated unless you post it in the actual Spreadsheet thread.

She has requested that you post your updates in the NEW thread that she created for the Weight Loss Spreadsheet. It should still be on the main page of the November 2008 forum. :biggrin:

I've only talked to her once or twice, but she seems to be going through pretty much what we all went through in the weeks following surgery. She just doesn't come on here that often anymore, for whatever reason. I'm sure she's fine.

Awesome, thanks! :huh2:

YAY for DMB!!!! We are going to party!!! :huh2:

So you just ate the stick?? :ohmy: Kidding....that just gave me a giggle, haha.

I am 2 weeks since my first fill (Dec 5th) and just this past Monday I started to feel good restriction. Be warned - it might be a delayed reaction! Everyone is different, so there's really no way to know!

Here is a link directly to the sample pack! Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Whey Protein variety pack 16 Flavors - 16 Packs by O at DPS Nutrition - The Nation's leader in Discount Nutrition

You aren't the only one stuck. The reason you think everyone is losing weight is because the only people posting are the ones who are losing!!!! When you gain weight you tend not to post and tell the world you gained. So don't feel like an outsider. You are the norm. What a lot of people don't understand is that it takes 2 to 3 fills before you get to the good spot. Until that time, you really aren't going to drop tons of weight. Just concentrate on maintaining, keep with the protein and veggies, and trust me - eventually, you'll start to lose too! In the beginning, the reason you see such huge numbers is because you're on a liquid diet. Of course you're going to drop lots of weight. The minute you add solids back to your diet, it's only natural to gain a few pounds back, simply because your body went into starvation mode during the liquids, so now it wants every calorie it can get! All of this is perfectly normal!!! So relax, eat right, exercise, and get regular fills. Don't worry about it! We didn't pack on this extra weight in 2 months, and we darned sure aren't going to lose it that fast either!

That's so great to hear!!! Keep us posted about your next appointment. Hopefully you'll maintain your restriction over the next two weeks. If the restriction starts to dwindle though, I'd bet it really is a leak, and if so....can you sue the guy who did that to you???? I chose to have surgery in Denver, CO (and I live in NC) because I was self-pay and he was one of the cheapest I found in the US. I've also decided to make the trip back to Denver for every fill, instead of going to a local Fill Centers USA location (3hrs drive one-way) because I insist on having my surgeon or my surgeon's fill nurses doing the procedure. I hate that your experience was such a bad one, but I guess that's what I'm trying to avoid by flying back to Denver for every fill. One thing is for sure - it's costing me a little more to fly to Denver each time, haha. :ohmy:

Impatient is my middle name. :ohmy:

Optimum Nutrition at DPS Nutrition - The Nation's leader in Discount Nutrition There are several different types of Optimum Nutrition Protein powders, but I get the "Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold whey Protein" flavors. The vanilla Ice Cream and Rocky Road flavors are :ohmy: Someone on here said that site I posted offers a sample pack of all flavors, so you might try that first if you want to find a flavor you really like.

Great! I think I'll take a look at every box they offer and pick the lowest calorie box. And it's not like I'm eating them every day. Just a snack, every other day at most, and the Summer Sausage won't be available in stores for too much longer I don't think. Thanks LULUC!

In my mind, any loss is stellar, because it's not a gain. :ohmy: Tis the Season of chocolate and cake and pie (OH MY!) so losing is losing!