Woodys

You have received some great advice here so far. However, since your daughter has threatened to kill herself I think that you need to seek advice from a Doctor. Your daughter needs more than just a healthy eating plan. Carol

Same suggestions as Sunshine. Ensure that you are drinking lots of Water throughout the day, change up your menu and EXERCISE! Sometimes if you adjust your calories by 100 - 200 less per day for a week or two that will give the scale a kick. Carol

Hi Josephine: I started a thread yesterday with general information on what and how to eat with the band, and also about knowing when to have a fill or unfil. The thread is titled "How to tell when you are perfectly adjusted". Hope this will help. Carol

For me it is a very personal subject, never liked talking about my weight and still don't even though I'm only 20 lbs from goal. I own two small businesses in a small village....as it is, I don't have a private life. This is one thing that I wish to keep to myself and not have the entire village discussing.....this is very personal to me and I'm keeping it this way. And, I don't think its up to anyone to make suggestions on what would be best, or what may work for someone else just because it worked for us.....not unless we are directly asked for our help. Carol

Have respect for your band Marissa. Having an unfill just so that you can pig out totally defeats its purpose. Carol

I am only 20 lbs from goal but still regard myself as a big person because if it wasn't for the band I would be....and I never want to lose sight of how it use to be, it helps me to stay where I am today. As a big person it hurts so much when these small minded ignorant creatures treat us like that. Why, because of size, do they think we are so inferior to them and deserving of that kind of treatment. Why do we get treated like second class citizens just because of size? My overeating or choice of foods has never threatened anyone else's life...so what's the big the big deal. I never lashed out like that to a smoker who would blow smoke right in my face when sitting at bar or in a restaurant....but I would have more reason to then what this guy just did to you. I could go on and on but this A-hole doesn't deserve my effort. Carol

Good for you Doriana.....keep it up! Believe me when I say this....I own a fine dining restaurant, I spend 14 hours / day here and we live above the restaurant...even my refridgerator and cupboards in the apartment store restaurant food....so, If I could make it through the pre and post op diet.....then there is absolutely NO EXCUSE why anybody else can't. Good luck Sweetie...they will treat you very nice at TLBC, you have nothing to worry about. Carol

I am in the restaurant business, husband is a chef. Here are some ideas...but, like Jack says.....you welcome the food no matter what it looks like on the plate. Buy a smaller plate with a fancy border on it that you really like to look at, sometimes there are food combinations that are difficult to "pretty up" on a plate so the nice china will help, and be sure its small....like "side salad" size. Fish....overlap approx 3 thinly sliced cucumber or lemon slices on the top with a little bit of fresh dill fern poking out between each layer; find a recipe for a low fat white sauce, only a very little bit is needed to drizzle (not pour) over the filet....put whole pink peppercorns in the sauce or chopped chive Beef....there are recipes out there for vegetable pates....we make a red pepper one and set it in a roll formation and wrap in plastic wrap...when needed with cut a round approx 1/2" thick and place it on top of the grilled beef medalion....a small sprig of rosemary or other fresh herb gets poked into the top of the pate. chicken....we use Lemon/Myrtle rub on the chicken breast when baking...it adds a fabulous flavour. We make a mix of veg such as patty pans, baby corn, asparagus, carrots, turnip and green beens....after cooking they get tossed in a very little bit of extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. The Chicken breast is placed in the centre of the plate....the veg are spread around it, and then, around the outside of the rest of the plate we drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil that has some safron in it...the colour is amazing and looks so appealing on the plate, If you use your imagination there are so many things you can do. To make my salad plate look more appetizing I cut cucumber very thin...works best on a mandolin. I make an overlaping layer around the outside of the dish. On the inside I place all my greens and try to stack it so that it stands "up" instead of flat. Then I make 5 scores on the outside of a carrot and when I slice it they slices look like little daisies, I scatter these on top of the salad. The greens have been mixed with a light vinaigrette before I put them on the plate....it really looks pretty. I also make a low fat salsa packed with lots of colour and flavour, I often use this as a condiment for chicken, pork, beef, and mostly white fish....it makes a great appearance on the plate as well. Carol

I have the 10cc Swedish band as well. I am at 9 cc now and have lost 72 lbs. Its been 2 weeks since my last fill and I feel like the restriction is at a good level. All my fills provided adequate restriction for a while but as I lost more weight I also lost restriction. So, if I can't get this last 20 off with 9 cc's then I just might have to go for another tiny fill before I reach goal and go into maintenance. Carol

I never did like to talk about my weight.....big or thin, so this is a very personal subject to me and I really am not comfortable talking to many about it. Having the band is also very personal, I just don't like talking to people about it unless they can relate. Carol

I was craving a Big Mac a month ago, went for it and was totally disappointed. It just wasn't worth it. I had to eat such small bites and still ended up PBing...with the PB I would have only been able to eat 1/4 of it.....I'll never go back. Carol

I have had several fills. The Dr. just feels and fills and I have never had a problem....as a matter of fact, I barely feel the needle being iserted. Carol

When people that don't know about my band relentlessly ask me about my weight loss I just tell them that I'm working very hard at it and so far so good....I leave it at that. My MIL knows about my band and her biggest problem is that I paid so much money instead of doing it myself. She has never had more than 5 extra pounds to deal with so she has no idea how difficult it is to lose on your own when its close to 100 lbs. Everytime she sees me she compliments me but then her compliment is wiped out by making reference to the money I spent.....and then carries on to tell me that she doesn't understand why I couldn't have done this myself......ARRRRRGGGGGGGGG! Carol

Deli food is easy for me too. I was on a blue cheese binge last month. Hubby made me poached pears (sliced) with crumbled blue cheese on top.....makes a fabulous lunch. Carol

Protien drinks in the a.m. don't keep me full for very long either...would prefer to eat the real stuff instead. Carol

You will probably be given post-op material which will include the post-op diet of Clear liquids, liquids, mushies, and solids. I would shop for the liquids and clear liquids before surgery...like chicken consome, sugar free Jello, etc. Here are some other helpful items: a pill crusher, chewable gas tablets (or strips), bottled Water (medication made my mouth really dry). Carol

I was 100% sure the second I saw the commercial on TV. I never doubted that it was the best thing I could do for myself....the risk of being obese totally outweighed the risk of the surgery, the risk of surgery was never a concern for me. As far as I was concerned life after the band could only be better and it was up to me to make it the BEST....and I have. Carol

I had the same thing, Doc told me it was gas or too much liquid in my pouch causing pressure...don't think its anything to do with the band slipping. Carol

I have restriction and I can eat everything I've tried so far, including bread, rice, potato, egg, pasta, steak, chicken etc. However, I have to take very small bites, chew it to mush and take a break inbetween bites. Green: I have had restriction with every fill for a small period of time but as I continue to lose the weight, I also lose the restriction and then go for another fill....maybe that's what is happening to you????? I am losing very very slowly now, even though I eat such small amounts of food I think I need to be more conscious of what I eat.....went on a blue cheese binge for about a month.....nobody needs to tell me to "Put down the cheese"....I figured out that one for myself...LOL Carol

Wow.....wonder what goes through the stupid head of the person who wakes up next to him every morning? How nasty, sorry you had to experience that. I've been laughed at by men and women because of past appearance but never verbally attacked like that.....so sorry. Carol

Credit counselling is the way to go, they will contact all your creditors and reach a mutual agreement for a new payment schedule. Re-financing on the equity in your house is also an excellent idea....this can all be discussed with the counsellor.....I would definately start there before you make any decisions on your own. Here in Canada our government has a credit counselling service that comes at no cost to the customer, one reason is to try to reduce the number of personal bankruptcies. Perhaps your local level or state government offers an assisted program as well. You have recieved very sound advice here.....I would act on it. Carol

One shredded wheat biscuit with just a little boiling Water to soften it and heat it. That's all I can manage til about 1 pm. Carol

VLB11752....he doesn't want or need to know us, that wouldn't make him money. For him to tell our real story wouldn't carry enough "shock value" to gather attention or earn a living like "shock jock" Howard Stern. He did this not because it is his real opinion, he did it because he his trying to make a name for himself like Howard Stern.....he doesn't care about the insensitivity, he doesn't care if he is right or wrong........what he cares about is a hot controversial topic that would allow him to create a shocking response for attention to get his name known.....and he doesn't care how much people will hate him for it. So many hate Howard Stern and by them voicing their hate for him it only made him more famous and put more money in his pockets. He is to be ignored, this type of tactic for fame and celebrity status does not warrant acknowledgement. Carol

I'm working on my last 22.....just had a fill on the 7th, hope this helps. I find that I have days where I can't stop munching. I do really good at meal time but whether I'm hungry or not I sometimes find myself "grazing". Carol

I have a 10cc swedish band, filled to 9cc. I feel that I have maximum restriction. I still have the odd day where I feel like I could eat a horse but not often....for the most part I have the restriction level I need. Carol