54Shirley

That will depend on you, how you feel, are you hungry, the swelling plays a big part in this. But hopefully you do have some things purchased, that are all in liquid form.

I hear what your talking about, and I think we have all been at that point, because it is a major life change. Your Family will get use to it when they see the weight start to come off. You will have a support group there. I go to the Restaurant about 2-3 times a week. It's not a problem, just chew your food real good, and take your time, and enjoy it. You should also receive a Bariatric Card about the size of your license. The purpose is to also be able to go in a Restaurant, show your card, and tell them to read both sides. It will say that you can not eat the normal amount of Food, so,,,,, you are entitled to a discount, and you tell them what you want. (IT WORKS !) I show my card and save all the time. Just make sure you chew, chew, and chew. Then you won't have any problems. Remember,,, you just won't eat as much either.

Jack: your not missing anything at all. In Fact if you can puree those strawberries, or chunk them up (NOT TO BIG) That's the freshest way to do it. But you can't add real chocolate to a Chocolate shake it's to fattening, and I know you know that too.So for a plain Vanilla shake you can really change your flavor with extracts, or oils for flavor. I prefer the S.F.Pudding in the box on my cottage cheese once in a while. Since I am in this for life,,,, I want to find different things that I can do for myself, that's low in calories, and High in Protein, but I won't get tired of them this way. I don't do this all the time, but when I want to change things.... I know I can. It works for me.

They feel for the Port, and stick the needle in the Port and give you a fill. It's up to them what they want to give you with some Dr.'s it's a money thing. Fill after Fill after Fill. I went to a Hospital that put me under Fluoroscopy (LIKE A X RAY MACHINE FOR THE BAND, AND YOUR ORGANS.) She seen the fill line,, filled me to that line, drank some water to make sure that I wasn't to tight, and that was it. 3 months later I had a slight more added to it. But she put a little to much in, so I'll either work with it, or the end of July have a little taken out. I would rather keep the fill though.

One of my Hobbies that I retired from, but may some day go back to is: Cakes, Chocolates, and Homemade Fudge. The flavors that you are describing are at any Cake n Candy Nook. You will get a large Variety to choose from also. The prices are a lot cheaper too, and CALORIE FREE ! You can make your coffee flavored if you want. I'm not surprised to see that company's have jumped for telling people that they can flavor their shakes, ETC., with there product. Look up a Cake and Candy Shop/ or someone that sells chocolate Morsels. You should be able to get a couple ounce bottle for a decent price, and a lot to choose from. If your in Michigan Saint Clair Shores has the Cake and Candy Cupboard, Heindrichs is in Centerline, Michigan. Check your phone book for what's in your area. Lorann is another company, you have to find a shop that has a variety of these products for a dollar or dollar and a half a bottle. Any GIBRALTOR TRADE CENTERS OUT THERE ! They carry it too.

Thank You, Shirley.

I wish I would have known that my Fantastic surgeon, could care less if you were having a problem, and he just blew you off as another number to him. I wish I would have known that another surgeon will not touch someone else's mistake. Even if I moved away from my original surgeon. You would have to go back to your original surgeon. I'm GLAD that I found a surgeon to help me with my care, and fills. All he asks is that you lose weight.....

I had a 12 month pre op diet where I had to eat 1200 cal. a day. I drank Muscle Milk Light to kill the Hunger Beast, and it helped. I lost over 100 lbs. in a year. I ate what I wanted,(NO JUNK food THOUGH !) as long as I got my calories in, and 60-80G of Protein. Go to myfitnesspal.com it's free, and it looks up your foods when you enter it, and records, and calculates what you ate. Also you can log your exercise program on it, and it will calculate that for you. Everything is kept in memory. It beats journals by hand, which I did for a long, long time.

The Cottage Cheese is eaten in a desert dish, just sprinkle on the s.f. pudding, and stir well. Now the cottage cheese,,,, You really don't taste it, do to the flavor of the pudding. You can pick your flavors, and do what you want to the cottage cheese. It is really good. I'm thinking about adding it to yogurt. Will see. Another good dish is the following. Ingredients: 1 large container cottage cheese 8oz. cool whip 1 small pack of strawberry Jello (NO WATER) 1 can (DRAINED) crushed pineapple Put jello in a large mixing Bowel, add cool whip, and stir until well blended, blend it the cottage cheese, then add the drained crushed pineapple. Mix well, refrigerate overnight. This is Delicious. You can use any flavor that goes good with pineapple, and cool whip light if you want.

Mine didn't hurt at all ! Now covered in scar tissue, I watch them forcing to try to get the needle in (SOMETIMES I DON"T THINK THERE GOING TO GET THREW...) They get threw the scar tissue, but there is no pain ! I don't know why you should hurt. It's just in the belly fat, then into the port. Sorry to hear your having a hard time, I hope it does get better for you.

I use sugar free pudding in the box.... Put a teaspoon or two in your shake , and WOW ! It blows up the flavor. Not Fattening either. Shirley. P.S. I also take 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and add 1 1/2 tsp of Sugar Free Pistachio Pudding to that. Mix well, and is that good.

I couldn't believe it this morning. I drank a protein Shake for Breakfast, and for the first time since I was banded 10/31/06 I finally slimmed up. That was nasty. I have had my share of throwing up from being stuck ! But never had mouthfuls of slime to spit out.. I'll wait another 4 1/2 years before this happens again I hope.

I have not tried it yet. The thought of making salad dressing sounds good. How about sharing your secret recipe? Shirley.

If you are having so much pain, and it is rubbing, and scraping. You should go into a hospital, and let them look at it through Fluoroscope. If they see it's that bad,,, they might do something for you. Even put it back together with a adhesive that they work with for the Band. Otherwise I am very sorry to hear that something like this has happened to you. I wish you the best of luck, and Good Health only, Shirley.

That's really cool ! When I go threw my cloths again. I will have Winter for this Fall, and I should have a load of Capri's. All will be 2x and up. If no one needs those sizes, then I would give them to the Free Store in Town. I'm sure there will be some 4x that will be looking for some smaller clothes. So look forward to this in a couple of months, or sooner. Just giving a Heads Up to the Larger Ladies. Shirley.

My guess is with some time, like another day. Your sugar level should drop. Make sure you don't drink anything wit sugar, and I hope your off the IV. If your not Diabetic, then I wouldn't get started on medication for it. They thought my Husband was type 2 Diabetic. They finally went further into testing, and seen a Dietitian. She said I wouldn't start him on Medication, he's not Diabetic. I never gave him the pills, and told him, if they figure out that yes you are Diabetic ! Then you have the Meds.. Never needed it.

Thank You !!! That's appreciated. Also I am working at it, and plan to get their.

I to was a success story, until my surgeon blew it. I started out at 356, was 1 year on a pre surgicial diet, and lost over 120lbs., on a 1200 calorie diet. Then banded I lost around another 20-25lbs, He over filled me, and swore he blew the Band, So when I went back, he deflated me, and said the band was blown. He wouldn't see me, they would call, and say that he is i Switzerland learning new things about the Band. So 3 years later I gain it almost all back. Now I am entitled to Medicare, and they give it to me for the knees. I can't find a surgeon to touch someone else's junk ! Well i found one, that was a student of my old Surgeon, He took me on, and asked me "who was the bigger pain in the *ss? him or his Nurse." I new the Nurse was, but I told him it was him.... Through Fluoroscope,,,,, there was nothing wrong at all ! Just deflated (I COULDN"T BELIEVE IT !) Anyway I started all over again, and this 4cc band works. I am a little more smarter now, because I have been through this before. So because I am able to do this again, and not quit. I call that a success in it's self. WL helps too.

That is a success story. Congrats on the birth of your Daughter.

Welcome to all the Band Sisters....

It's a very good thing ! really! I walk unassisted, I am pain free, but,, I will never run again, or walk fast. They are Titanium, like hinges that open and close. So they have one set speed. S l o o o w ! But I walk around the block 3x a week, in about 20-25 minutes. Plus all around the stores. Shirley.

Next to having my knees replaced. It's the best thing I have ever had surgery for, and done.

Welcome to BAND LAND !

I'm going on 5 years this October.