VABandster

Interesting articl on Yahoo today about how eating Eggs for breakfast can help you lose weight! Here is the link: http://health.yahoo.com/better-in-2007/get-healthy-now/ghn4/32/make-breakfast-more-filling In case you're intrested! :hungry: Go EGGS!

SWEETHOT, I'll PM you w/the link for the yahoo group in just a few..... STEPH....Congrats on not pigging out at BK! Isn't it nice to know we can still go to the FF Places but not eat like a pig?? And don't worry about the popcorn...it's still a hell of a lot less calories than a candy bar!! I'm in CO about to go get my first Fill! :clap2: I'll be back later w/a report!

I see you guys talking about Burping...I seem to be burping a LOT more than usual. I have also found that (I think) when I eat too much or too fast, I get the hiccups...its kind of like my signal to stop. I'm going to confirm this w/the Dr. when I go in today for my first fill, but I'm pretty sure that's why I'm getting them. As for getting on the scale every day.....I'm SOOO GUILTY! I get on it at night before bed, and then again in the AM....I really do need to just get rid of it, but I can't seem to! Its like the # on the scale determines my mood for the day. I'm sure you can all relate! Anyways, I'm off for my first fill! Be back w/a report later! :wave: PS-Thanks to Steph for the tips on how to get the smileys!!! :lost1.5lbs:

I hope so too!!!! I'll call you tomorrow AM! :lost1.5lbs:

DANG Is it COLD IN CO!!!!! Official Temp..... -1F!!!! I am heading out shortly for my first fill (as long as I don't freeze to death on the way!) LOL Will check in later!!

OH BMAN....I'm soooo sorry about what happened to you!!! You Did NOT deserve that at all!!! :-( I can relate to your story b/c I too, was what I thought happily married and had lost 60 pounds on WW b/c my husband and I wanted to have a child together...life was great! Then he tells me he doesn't want kids....then I find out he's cheating on me. We separated and he led me on for 2 more years before I had finally realized he just wanted to have his cake and eat it too, so I had to file for divorce. To this day I'm not sure what I did to make him cheat (if anything??). But the point is....it doesn't matter. I didn't deserve it, and you don't either! But...we are strong women and we will survive! I gained all the weight back during my divorce and then some, so now I'm bound and determined to lose it all and then a lot more now! GOOD FOR YOU for doing this for yourself!!! I know it may not seem like it now, but you will get through it and you will be so much stronger in the end!! You deserve a great life w/a man who will adore you and be by your side forever....and you will get it, I'm sure!! BIG HUGS....and thank you for sharing your story.

Gerbera - Obviously you see you're not the only one in this 'mourning food' boat! We're all right there with you!! Just hang in there. Think of something you CAN have when you've got those cravings (i.e. sugar free hot cocoa or something like that) that will help you get through those times and the cravings will pass......Hang in there! Luckygirl....I can see your point w/the Protein shakes. And I have to confess, I may revert back to the Breakfast Protein shake myself a) b/c its quick and easy in the am and b)I hope to have more restriction as of tomorrow and c) It will give me the protein I need.....and I think as long as your not only relying on that as your sole source of protein, you should be OK! DENISE...don't get too discouraged about not losing now. LIke you said, you're on hormones, so that will make it more difficult...but, a lot of people actually gain during their 6 week healing period! Have you tried tracking your calories?? It may be that you're getting too few and your body is hanging on to every ounce of fat thinking that you're starving it, or it could be you're taking in too many liquid calories?? Just a thought. Oh yeah, and are you um....poopin? lol....It could be that you're constipated too. If nothing else, you could always call your Dr. and express your concern and see what he/she says. I know what you mean about the social aspect of eating out too.....I have barely seen one of my friends who also got banded b/c I'm afraid to go eat out w/him! lol.....but w/my other friends I have found that if I order Soup or a cup of chili, no one really cares! I can even leave some if I get too full and no one comments or even notices....so don't worry, you'll be fine!

NAT...how are you doing today?? You know that they say a glass of red wine is actually healthy for you right? Although I guess they say that about dark chocolate too lol.... BK...sorry to hear your dads not doing so hot....I hope they can figure it out and help him get better soon!! STEPH, I took my kids to see happily Never after this weekend....I didn't like it. The kids thought it was boring....All the funny stuff is in the commercials unfortunately.....and its not often I don't like these animated movies! But if there is another kid movie out that he wants to see, I'd recommend doing that. Glad to hear your friend is doing OK though!

BMAN...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!! Hope it was a good one!! KAY...yes, I have to confess, I went to McDs and got a Happy Meal w/1% Milk (drank the milk 1 hr after eating though). The fries were as good as I remembered them, and the burger was OK, but not quite as good as I had built it up in my mind. But, it was enough. I ate it, was satisfied, and don't feel like I need anymore for a while. I don't think I did too much damage b/c my scale moved downwards again this AM, so I'm pretty happy about that! I remember when I was on WW, a Happy Meal was 12 points, so I know that it can be fit into my day caloriewise.... Today you're off liquids!! Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!!

Shesha!! Congrats on starting your preop!! You must feel like it's finally happening, huh?? Congrats on the job too! What will you be doing?? I am starting a new job myself on Monday (which is why I"m getting my fill at 4 weeks instead of 6 b/c I didn't want to have to explain so soon in my new job why I needed a day off). I'm heading to CO tonight and will be getting my first fill tomorrow, and will be back on Sunday. Mark....hope you have a safe flight on Sunday, I'll probably pass you at DIA lol....check in w/us as soon as you can to let us know how it all goes!

Annie, I bet you're psyched to be on Real foods!! I only had to do liquids for 1 week, mushies for 1 week, then real foods. SweetHot, I would call back and tell them you haven't lost and that you can eat way more than a cup at a time and that you NEED a fill! Mystique, sorry you didn't pass your driving test...but next time for sure!

Mark, Glad to hear you're doing ok! Don't worry, I'm sure everything will go fine! I talked to my sister last night and she said the snow is mostly for tomorrow and Friday, so you should be clear on Sunday. I know I need to be to get home on Sun. b/c I'm starting a new job on Monday! I'm actually at 22 pounds down now...but that includes my preop weight loss of 10 pounds, so really its only 12 since surgery. But I haven't gained, so that's a good thing!! I will check in on Friday after I get my fill! And I'll make sure I tell Dr. K to give you the VIP treatment

MARJON...how are you doing?? Are you already for your trip?? I don't remember your exact Banding date, but I know it is coming up soon b/c I think we're both going to be at the airport on Sunday! Let us know how it goes!!

NAT....thanks for sharing that info about your friend! I had to laugh at your comment about being 2 crack fiends together!! I feel that way about several of my friends...that they eat so much and now they are hesitant to be around me b/c I may not eat as much as them. Its a really weird dynamic I have to say.....I also have a friend who is a food addict like me and was banded a month before me but his Dr.s 'rules' are much more strict than mine so we've gotten into some heated 'discussions' about what is right/wrong and I think we just have to agree to disagree at this point, but not being able to eat out together has definitely slowed down our socializing! I hope your friend is feeling better now that he's out of the hospital and hopefully you've given him a good dose of your 'reality' Cause we know he needs a good kick in the A** Kari...You're right...we ARE too hard on ourselves....but I think we're all conditioned to be that way right?? I don't know...I think we all are trying to be perfect but you're right, we need to know that this whole thing is a process its not turning a switch from on to off, so we need to take the small victories as they come and learn from the mistakes we make along the way. Thanks for that reminder!

SkinnyMom...glad to hear you're unstuck!! and Thanks for the helpful tips on what worked so we'll know what to do if we get in that situation! Steph....glad to hear you passed on Pizza!! I've been craving McDs for days now....but have not yet given in although today may be the day I go for a cheesburger. But that's still better than the Big Mac or Qtr Pounder I used to get! I figure the cheesburger has Protein in it so it wouldn't be totally horrible right? LOL...plus this way I"d get the craving out of the way and be able to move on. Aren't I great at 'justifying'....geesh...... I hope your friend is doing ok!! BK....Hope your Dad is doing ok too!! DAWN...glad to hear the first fill wasn't traumatic or anything! I'm getting a little nervous about mine on Friday, but also anxious cause I'm definitely eating more than I should be!! CAROL....CONGRATS on the Job!!! I start my new job on Monday!! And I'm getting my first fill on Friday so I'm right there w/you on the fills and the new employment! lol.....

LuckyGirl...just be careful about relying on the Protein shakes....I know it may be 'easier' weight loss wise, but you do need to eat solids b/c that is the basis of how the band works...just a little reminder I will definitely check in after I get my fill on Friday...I can't Wait! Ibrahem...glad to hear you're going to stick w/your Dr.s orders. It is weird how every Dr. is different, but you have to follow what yours says. Hang in there and just know you're not on liquids forever!! Steph...sorry to hear about your friend!! I assume she had GB?? ugh...please let us know how she's doing. I have to tell you all about how great the band is, even though I don't have a lot of restriction right now!! Last night....I was hungry....starving! and so I went to the kitchen and was out of cheese (my fallback protein snack)....so I went to the pantry and there was a bag of Pirate Booty (basically like Smartfood or lite popcorn for those of you who aren't familiar). So I open the bag and start eating...not my standard bandster small bites slowly eating, but the old me way of big handful, stuff in my mouth way. So I do that for about 30 seconds and stop......then I feel neaseous....and realize I sooooo can NOT eat this way anymore!! So I put the bag away and just sat quietly on the couch until the icky feeling went away...and said "Thank you Band....for making me stop eating like that!" So.....even though my Brain hasn't gotten rid of all the old bad habits, my Band is gonna stand tough!!! Sooo glad I got this thing! Hope you all have a good day!

Skinnymom....you still alive?? Let us know that you're ok! NewMe...OUCH!! That sucks that the surgeon niked your liver!! But glad to hear you're doing well now!! That's all that counts! Luckygirl...thanks for telling us about your fill!! I go for mine on Friday, I can't wait! Mine are free for the first 3 mos too....but I have the biggest band (VG, holds 10ccs)....so i don't know how much he'll give me for my first fill.

SkinnyMom...I answered you over on the December thread too...but I think Nats advice is the best! Never heard about trying Olive oil, but I like that idea! You guys have been busy today while I was away....shopping.....for a pair of pants one size SMALLER than I got before surgery! whoo hoo!!! I'm so excited! I even managed to stay on track when I had lunch at the mall by ordering a small cup of turkey chilli...and they gave me a roll and a bannana to go with it. I had a few bites of the roll, but didn't finish it, and a few bites of the bannana, but that was it! Yeah me! lol Hope you all had a good day too!

CAREBEAR...we're getting our first fills on the same day! I'm getting mine on the 12th too!! Here's hoping for some restriction on the first try! SKINNYMOM.....don't worry...you're not insane, but you probably do have the onion ring stuck. If the warm Water doesn't work, I'd defintely call the dr. b/c more likely he/she has suggestions on how to fix it! I hope you feel better soon!!! I almost PBd on a bite of chicken I swallowed w/out chewing enough and OMG...I thought I was gonna DIE! But luckily it passed through w/in a few min w/the help of some water, but ugh....definitely don't ever want to do that again! The list was quiet today...I figured I'd have pages and pages to catch up on! I am happy to report I went out shopping today and bought a pair of pants A SIZE SMALLER...woo hooo!!! :welldone: I'm soo excited!! Although I realized I'm not only losing weight in my butt....but my boobs too, which is the one place I DON"T Want to lose it! oh well, beggars can't be choosers right? LOL

DAWN.....You can vent about your kids here anytime!! I have teenage boys, so I know how much kids of any age can get on your nerves sometimes! And you're right....a Dr. wouldn't do a fill if they thought it was going to damage anything! That makes me feel better Let us know how your fill goes!! Madden...welcome! Congrats on the 19 pound loss!! I weighed in this AM and was Jumping for Joy to see my scale moved down another pound in the past few days b/c w/the food that I've been eating, I thought for sure I would have gained!! So my total now is 22 pounds, 9 of which are from the pre-op diet. NAT...I'd LOVE to hear more about the book too!! Definitely something I need to work on! KIMMY...this is not an "exclusive" anything...you are more than welcome here! Congrats on your loss so far!! I would have to say that your 'pleateau' is probably based on you either getting too many or not getting ENOUGH calories in in a day. Your body could think its starving and is therefore holding onto every cell of fat you have in order to survive! Have you tried journaling to figure out how many calories you're getting in a day?? If it's under 600, you may want to up it to about 1000 for 2 days and see what happens. I've found that if I do one or two days at around 6-700 calories, then 1 or 2 days around 1000 calories, my scale seems to move more. Good luck and let us know how it goes!! CAROL....any news on the job front?? You interviewed for a position last week right?? Oh...don't talk about Ice Cream! That will be my downfall, IF I ever let it back in the house! LOL

*PHEW*!!!! Thanks for checking!!!

Carebear...yes, I think it is normal...some people even gain weight before their first fill....but I'm desprately trying NOT to be one of those people!! When is your first fill??

OFFER....I'm supposed to get my first fill on Friday in Denver.....but thats assuming I can get there!! I am supposed to fly in on Thurs. night, but if the storm is a big one, that may not happen...so keep your fingers crossed! I really need it!!

KAYDOT...glad I could help you put things in perspective! NAT...I Try to keep a food journal just to make sure I'm getting in enough Protein and also to see how many calories I'm getting in. The first 2 weeks I was only at 6-700 cals a day....but now that I can eat anything, I'm definitely hovering around 1000-1200 a day....can't wait for that first fill! BY...welcome to the group!!! Look forward to seeing more of your posts and hope you're doing well!

Carol, as long as you didn't have any pain, I'm sure you did not do any damage! don't worry about it, just get back on track! We're all gonna have 'bad days"...in fact I had one today!! I took my kids to the movies and we always go to CVS before hand to buy our Snacks (I refuse to pay $5 for a small soda!)....and I bought and ate a small dove dark chocolate bar! :-( omg...it was soooo good though! Transformer....Ok, you are pretty far from me...Oh well! If we were closer we'd definitely have to get together! Guess we'll stick to meeting here on the board I am getting my first fill on Friday....providing the weather in Denver holds out so I can get there! Someone on another thread said that if you get a fill at 4 weeks it can rip your sutures out?? Anyone know if there is any truth to that?? I'm going to call my Dr. tomorrow just to make sure I'll be ok b/c I will be at my 4 weeks, and I gotta tell you, it can't come soon enough! I can definitely eat waaay more than I should and that is frustrating b/c now I just feel like I'm on a "diet" again and having to stop myself from eating too much.