Pinkylee

I was surprised at how quickly many former "cravings" left me. I still want an occasional diet coke, but that too is diminishing. I can eat any bread crust that is toasted, and teeny baby bites of any bread. Look forward to enjoying bread in a different way. I really "taste" everything I consume now. You have a whole new world to look forward to.

Dancing Queen, What an amazing transformation! Congrats. Thanks for sharing.

I wish I could say I controlled myself and the cashews today. I finally threw them out. I'll worry about how to deal with temptations when the weather turns. I've had a tough day and I'm glad all I have left is my water and my carmel viactiv to deal with. Bananas freeze well. Add some skim milk, frozen banana and sweet n low and ice together in a blender and blend till creamy. A great milkshake. Honest! Surely, tomorrow will be a better day!

You look great JT. I have a young friend who lives in MI your age and he's also into music; techy stuff. Needs a band in the worst of ways. What made you jump in? Congrats on your decision and accomplishment.

Hoooray for Julie and welcome back. Congrats on losing what someone once said was equivalent to her manicurist. Eight bowling balls? Lucy, a big congrats on being "incognito" weight wise. You know, that could come in handy if you had a mischievious soul. Today has been a better day for me rule wise and I have to admit I've felt better and had more control. (most of the time) Timing of liquids is a better help than I thought. It's those *&%#@! cashews that called me out between lessons. Not much damage done. I thought about throwing them away, but I want to build some willpower into this new life of mine. Why oh why didn't I remember to drink some water or even a V8? Today would have been a nice light day if it weren't for those buggars. NSV - I had jury duty today and we had assigned seats. The people I sat between actually smiled a welcoming smile as I sat down. No scrunched shoulders today!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I think some foods we eat go right through. Those 10 ounce dinners may have some sauce that's more like water when it hits the pouch. Veggies are also mostly water. Chewing thoroughly and eating slowly are probably the most important thing to do. Six ounces of salad is more than one cup, so I prefer to weigh rather than measure. Meals aren't my problem, eating and drinking too fast, and snacks are. Using hot drinks and chips and all the bad for you foods that go down so easy. I don't know if there is enough restriction for me to last 4 - 5 hours without a growling stomach. I'm already 3.0 in a 4.0 band and I'm not anxious to add to that fill until I'm closer to goal. My hunger between meals makes me wonder about a stretched pouch. The thread didn't confuse me, it scared me.

There's a great new thread on "Complications" - "Dilated Pouch" started by Beversman. I need to get back to the "old ways". Barbara12 you snuck in on me and no you aren't. I polished off the last of the Hershy dark chocolate today and didn't even enjoy it!

Lady, you said that right. My own PCP talked a good talk, but when I mentioned my port he was surprised the band was adjustable. Scarey.

Herein lies the problem. Many different surgeons and many different ways to approach how much to eat. My surgeon says weigh the food. Eat 4 - 6 ounces (of course I eat 6) three times a day. Don't drink liquids 30 minutes before eating and wait l.5 hours after a meal before drinking liquids again. It is amazing. No matter what I eat, if I go beyond 6 ounces, that uh-oh feeling comes on quickly. Wish I could say I haven't at times managed to wait it out and eat a few more bites. I've also gotten into the nasty habit of TOO BIG OF A BITE. Thanks Beversman. I've needed the reminder of how important it is to follow all the rules all the time. AngieM, just read your post. Maybe we should start a rededication thread for the next month. I'd also be interested in hearing other's post-op instructions. Not to follow, but to learn. I think part of my problem is that I stretch the rules by taking a little of every's instructions and forming my own gameplan. The first one given me worked beautifully. Man, have I slowed down in the loss column in the last 3 months!

Take it one step at a time and know that perserverance will bring results.

Medical devices constantly change and we'll see many more changes over the life of our band. What I would rather see is the ability to live (thin) without the band. Barbara4 assures me we're in this for the long haul and I'm afraid she's right. A girl can dream can't she?

Regina, We are happy that you are back. I'm not a smoker, but each day you have only a few has to feel better than throwing in the towel. Barbara, congrats on the new friend. It's really been a blessing losing weight and then finding great new friends too! Put me on the Vegas list. Lady, residuals from tramatic events are surprising and hard to take. Give it time. IN the meantime, remember, there are attorney's out there who will take all your settlement money. There are honest ones too (DD is an attorney). Perhaps all you need to do is contact a state representative or senator or your state insurance board. Your insurance company probably has the address to the insurance regulatory board and probably has to furnish you their info and your options (by law). Don't take no for an answer. Make a copy of accident report, your insurance info and their offer (insist they give it in writing) and send a copy to your district's state rep and senator and the state insurance board and ask them for help. Don't forget to include your contact information. Going through an attorney could take years of red tape. Talk about residuals! Good luck.

Amy Please call your doctor tomorrow with your concerns and in the meantime try to relax. A warm bath and some hot tea? I have a constant "stitch in my left side" that my PA says is probably gas. I twisted really hard a few days after surgery and felt a great burning pain. I've worried about this ever since. Worried about stretched pouch and slippage. The band is not an exact science because everyone seems to react differently. I'll bet 90% of all lapband patients have concerns that just can't be answered. I don't mean to minimalize your situation. Your concerns are valid, but at least your surgeon is aware and you do have an appt on Friday. The more tense you are, it is likely your stomach muscles will tighten and cause greater pain. Reactions to fills are varried and can be quite alarming. If you are able to drink liquids you are probably ok until you are able to contact your doctor. Try to get some sleep and think positively that answers will be found soon.

Regina, Where are you??? It's ok if you've had some troubles with your smoking. We're here for you if you want to talk.

Lucy, I am also afraid of reaching that final plateau, but I think we are a little early in for that. I'm certain it's activity level that's working against us right now. At least my hair isn't falling out any more.

Cathy - good to hear from you again and congrats on the holiday loss. You must have met your Christmas goal. I do so want to make my anniversary goal, but I'd settle for a looser waistband in my new pantsuit! You and Barbara inspire me to do better tomorrow.

Lucy, DS has a theory that you do lose while on a plateau. Inches. That's what it's all about. Good luck on business trip. Pack a few protein bars or a lo-carb slimfast or two. I did on the last trip and it was helpful. Makeovers? Maybe we should fly to Thailand and check out the PS stuff? Had soup for dinner and I'm positively sloshing. Reminds me of post surgery days when soup was all we got for days on end.

Congrats Barbara. Ditto on the weather. Don't know how I stood Michigan winters for 17 years. I made 2 miles on my walking DVD today and kinda wish I had stopped at 1.5. It'a a bummer to have creaky bones. There is a new Bigelow Tea called Vanilla Carmel. I put one pkg of sweet n low and some coffeemate in my microwaved hot water. How do you spell d-e-s-s-e-r-t? I'm getting away from using the raw sugar with all these new flavored teas. Yeah! Drat, all that lovely tightness is diminishing. I was counting on getting on the losing track. So far I'm at 191.5. I'll change my ticker back up if I'm not down to 190 by Wednesday. Name it claim it is a good philosphy, but there does come a point when it just ain't so.

Aimee, how many grams of protein per serving? Special K has a new Protein Water out. Kinda pricey if you ask me ($1.50 a bottle). It only has 5 grams of protein. If they get that price down to fifty cents a bottle I would love a protein water to tide me over when protein isn't going down. I'm really doing well today. Not too hungry because I'm so tight. I'm so tight because I'm so stressed about a condo we are renting. Our renter is a friend of mine and need I say more? Extreme cold weather coming and I'm concerned about freezing pipes. Wish I could bottle this tightness when I need it! Poodles - great NSV. Twentyseven pounds plus or minus is progress any way you look at it.

Avilla, Glad to hear from you. Sometimes I count calories if I'm not happy with the scale. 3 small meals isn't enough for me. I usually have a morning and afternoon snack of something healthy and it's usually a fruit cup or lofat cheese, etc. Our dietary needs are all different. As long as you're losing, I wouldn't mess with success.

Your welcome. And I'm jealous. Remember that 189.5 I saw. Today 193 (haven't seen that one since Christmas). I think it must be fluid because I've been eating ok, just not exercising. Also had diarrhea yesterday. I still have hormone cycles, just no TOM. My instincts told me the 180's would be elusive, but this is a bit much.

Teaching chords, jazz electronics, etc. - Having a strong drive to learn music is a gift. What is his instrument?

Yes and No. I teach, but only have 6 students. We moved from Michigan where indoor activities ruled and I had a plethera of students and a long waiting list. Quite frankly, I was burned out. I've been doing a lot of soul searching. I've finally decided that teaching piano is my life work. I can honestly say that I am ready to recommit and grow a business. I've made some calls and decided to brush up on skills and thoroughly research my schooling options. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. SoCalGal, welcome back. We're all struggling to get back on track after the holidays. How soon can you get back to fill land? Thank goodness I still have my fickle fill. I'd say hats off to you for maintaining. Do you have any restriction at all? I just asked about you yesterday. Lisa, take care with the new meds. All the best to you brave lady for dealing with life in a positive way. We will miss you in Vegas. Yikes!!! I just thought of something. What if the last loss I've seen is due to a little muscle atrophy from stopping my daily exercise? Numbers, what are they good for--absolutely nothin' (and everything)

Regina, you've come a long way. How many smoke free hours? Maybe you should start a ticker for smoke free days (or hours until you build back up) and keep us posted. We won't let go of you. My ticker is an inspiration these days. The 189.5 I saw fleetingly still isn't back, but I'm closing in. The thought of seeing the 180's again is a happy one. I'm setting more realistic goals these days, and I'd like to start meeting them! One more thing. It's time for me to polish my piano teaching and playing skills. I'm toying with the idea of studying electronic stuff and jazz, but I have a heart for the very young also. Please pray, send positive thoughts, etc. To attend school?, private study, or self study? I've been on the fence too long. Guys, Barbara4 has bought clothes in a smaller size and looks really great. In fact, the next smaller size looks iminently close.

Ladypitboss, A story to tell the grandkids!! Sounds like you've got some living to do. Congrats on it all. You are on the right track encouraging DD to get involved in activity of any kind. Good luck to her and congrats to DH! Barbara4, you made a good point. No sense in waiting to pay for that Vegas trip. I'm gonna put a little away each month so I'll have something to spend while I'm there! Aimeeeeeee - you scare me honey! Now I'm worried about that constant stitch in my left side (right under my ribcage). Could I too be growing rocks? Regina congrats on those wonderful stats. And to kick the habit to boot. No wonder you love the band! We are so proud of you. Jana, Can't claim to have your stellar loss, but I can claim some loose skin. Welcome to batwing city! Welcome back. lunch was fun and enlightening with Barbara4 today. Having a face to face friend that's a bandster is a real gift. We ALL need to go to Vegas! DH is not anxious to go and he is a wet blanket when he is someplace he doesn't want to be. I'm open to share a room with one or more (ladies please). I don't snore as loud as I did before the band and I'm not quite as gassy, if that helps!