voiceomt2002

Good point, Gus-Gus. As long as it doesn't go up, there's no need to panic.

I don't own or have access to an elliptical, but I remember trying one when I lived in an apartment complex three years ago. I barely lasted two minutes, so I'm impressed with your stamina, Peanutband. You must have thighs of steel, girl.

I miss salads, but only because I never have room for side dishes anymore. Seems like I fill up just looking at food these days. Nice change, huh? Besides breads and things, the only real restriction I've had was with cold meat on a picnic. I'd been eating Scottish eggs with no difficulties, but they'd been warm. The half a cold one at the picnic had me yarking in a hurry. I took the other half home, warmed it, and was fine. Annoyed the heck out of me.

(Lena wipes her monitor again) BEN! I swear, I'm putting a spew warning next to your name. You zapped me again. Buahahahaha!

(Saluting you with my iced coffee) Sugar, they can make me give up. They've convinced me of the evils of bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, and other starches. BUT THEY'LL HAVE TO PRY MY COLD DEAD FINGERS AWAY FROM MY COFFEE MUG. Yeah, I quit for surgery and drank hot herb tea so at least my hands were wrapped around my coffee mug like Linus needed his blanket. There are just some things this ol' author can't give up, and coffee is one of them.

Oh. Okay, then! And here I've been calling it all just barfing. (giggle) Who knew there were different kinds!

Both doc and I were a bit surprised when I didn't feel a restriction until 4 cc's. The only thing we can figure out is that I took a little more time to heal, and I finally did after my first fill visit, where I didn't get a fill. Then, I was losing only by virtue of the low carb diet, my increased exercise, and the dieting habit, with just a little help from my band. That's why I only lost 5 lbs last month. I think I have trouble recognizing a restriction, really. To me, everything is hunky-dory inside. I "guess" at when I'm full, usually about the time I feel like I should burp and can't. It doesn't hurt, but if I continue to eat after that feeling of pressure, LB throws everything in reverse and I'd better hope I can reach the toilet in time. For instance, I just finished a bunless cheeseburger for lunch. I'm just edging toward that pressured feeling, and even though the pepper jack cheese makes me thirsty, I'm taking it easy on the sips of liquid for a bit. (I may learn someday not to eat spicy food now that I'm banded, but probably not.) I guess that's how my brain interprets a restriction.

Between my food processor, my electric skillet, and my tiny crock pot, I rarely turn on the stovetop anymore. It's amazing. I can't wait until DH comes home again just so I can cook "normal" meals. Now I remember why I lost so much weight when DH was in the Navy on sea duty. It's no fun to cook without an appreciative (and very large) appetite.

Because I'm allergic to nuts, I substituted water chestnuts. It worked very well. New bandsters-- be very careful. I had problems with chicken every time it was overdone and stringy.

On Monday (March 9, '09) I went back to Dr. Baptista and had my first fill, because last time I didn't need one. This time I did. I'd only lost 5 pounds, and that annoyed the heck out of me. I was glad doc gave me 4cc's, though I wasn't sure that would be enough. I realize my viewpoint might be a bit skewed, though. Someone so desperate to lose weight permanently as to have surgery might not be too objective. :wink_smile: I wouldn't be happy unless I was throwing up everything but liquids, then went back and had doc remove 1cc. Yeah, that's a little extreme. Still, I waited until today to assess how the fill has helped me. Scale Whore that I am, I still checked every morning, but today I saw the number drop to below where it had been for two weeks. It hovered right between 242 and 243, so I'll wait to adjust my ticker until I'm sure. I'd like to be below 240 by the end of March, and down by ten pound increments each month. That's possible without being extreme. I hope. I'm trying desperately not to set myself up for failure by making my expectations too high or unreasonable. Ten pounds a month seems like a goal that requires a bit of effort but is still within reach. What do you think?

It's hell when LB makes you dump, isn't it? I keep a few MR shakes around for times when LB puts everything in reverse, 'cause I don't feel like eating afterwards. Congrats on the clothes. You have my sympathy, since I too am running around holding my jeans up or risk tripping on hems. LOL! Ain't it grand?

What the heck is PB and Slime? Lena, the Ignorant One :confused:

Like every other kitchen tool, a great deal depends on how it's used. If you have the right amount of moisture to cook the meat, you can really soften up a tougher cut. However, if you overcook without that necessary moisture, you'll end up trying to swallow the equivalent of an old leather shoe, strings and all. My main problem was that I had a huge old crock pot made to feed a large family that would hold six quarts. Trying to cook the much smaller amount I needed for only two diners wasn't working. I never thought it was possible to burn chicken in a crock pot until that day. I now have a tiny 3 quart crock pot that does very well for just Dante and I. I'll reserve that big crock pot for when I make chili, spaghetti sauce, and Pot Liquor Stew.

I did it! I did it! Talking on the phone works for me! I was on the bike 30 minutes! Woohoo!! Okay, goal has changed. Let's see if I can make it 35 minutes by the end of March. Okay, soon as my legs stop wobbling. LOL!

Because I'm allergic to nuts, I substituted water chestnuts. It worked very well. New bandsters-- be very careful. I had problems with chicken every time it was overdone and stringy.

Dante and I were invited to go to a musical at the theatre the other night. Since I've lost well over 40 pounds already, and can wear my pretty evening clothes again, I was thrilled...and nervous. I hadn't been in public much for the past several years, other than conventions where I was surrounded by other women similar to myself. Last time, I was nearly 300 pounds, brunette going gray, and in such poor health, I walked with a cane. The other night I stepped out as an overweight but healthy blonde wearing a cool outfit, makeup, and had the ability to not just walk unaided, but step lively. Imagine my surprise when, instead of being ignored or treated like an invalid, I was greeted and smiled at like a real person. Several folks complimented me on my clothes, hair, and jewelry. I was...suddenly human. Weird. Hadn't I always been?

How are y'all doing now? I've hit two plateaus, had 4 cc's put in my band on my second visit, and I've got a pile of clothes that need re-tailoring. Any good stories to tell?

I haven't been able to do anything but the softest of breads and starches like grits. My one attempt to have bread of any kind (a biscuit) had the same results as yours. Massive discomfort, and that was before I got my fill. Nuh-uh, not this lil' mammal! I'm swearing off the breads now. I'm scared down to my toes of what that biscuit would do now. No thanks. I'm even a teensy bit uncomfortable right now 'cause of a late night snack of string cheese. I wubs my band!

Like most of y'all, I can't eat much bread or starches. Toast would be out of the question. I can have maybe 1/4 cup of grits if I eat it very, very slowly. Then all that starch sits like a lead balloon just above my band. Blech! Not worth it for me. Breakfast: 2 cups of coffee with 2 T each SF liquid creamer 2 deviled eggs, eaten at my desk over the next two hours Lunch: 1/4 lb ground beef patty, served with a deglazing sauce. 1 slice of cheese like pepper jack or colby 16 oz Crystal Light Dinner: 3-4 oz Cornish game hen, roasted (I gave the rest to my roomie.) Dessert: 1 oz diet cheesecake Late Night Snack: 1 pc. string cheese 1 cup decaf coffee with 2 T SF liquid creamer I'd planned a spinach salad to go with the hen for dinner, but I couldn't bear to even make myself a bowl, I was so full. Total Calories: 851 Total Carbs: 18 Total Proteins: 57

Thanks, Olivia. We're all putting one foot in front of the other and holding hands with our LBT friends, aren't we? I don't feel fabulous yet but I do feel pretty darn good right now. I can't wait for my husband to come home and see the new me!

Can you think of a better way to grill out than kabobs and a cool salad? Try this set now, then save it for hot weather!

Can you think of a better way to grill out than kabobs and a cool salad? Try this set now, then save it for hot weather!

Wow, I can see why you'd have your Moment then.

I was banded January 2, and I've only lost 40 pounds. I'm in awe and envious. I'm battling head hunger and habit. Those are my personal demons. You've inspired me. Good luck, JA!