Ladybandito

Great post SueBee! Every newbie should read this ... And some vets now and then too, as a reminder!

Yay Nicki, on the loss! I'm with Chrissylu, unfortunately. So we'll both have to keep at it. Like you, Chrissy, I wonder "what gives?" I'm really sticking to the calories and working ou, even been logging all week! My sore throat is gone, all on it's own. Such a worry wart I am!

So very, very happy for you!!!

Are you sure it is convection? Convection isn't necessarily healthier, it is just more efficient. You use your same recipes, reduce reg temp about 25 degrees, and cut cooking time 10-15 mins per reg hour. Great for roasting a whole chicken faster and more evenly! Now a steam oven, that is for healthier cooking because you don't need oils and it retains more nutrients in the food.

Aww, go for it .. Nothing feels as smooth for as long as a wax, and even with a Brazilian, you can still leave a "landing strip," which is what I do, or if your tech is artsy, a heart or a jewel or something. Don't worry the weight issue, I've gone for waxes even pre-band. It's pretty clinical and really, they've seen it all. My first "garden" wax, the gal said, "oh, well you haven't been doing much of anything (grooming) here lately ... This will be fun!" that was years ago, and like I said, it can become a whole individual statement. Kind of like a private tattoo! I'm in my 50s, you're young .. Seize the day. If you don't like it, it always grows back!

Initially, I received 1 cc and then .5 or .2 every 3 weeks. Don't worry, you'll get there just fine!

Congrats on 55! Nice job!

Interesting. I never had indigestion or Reflux before surgery, even though I had a hiatal hernia (never knew I had one!) which was repaired during surgery. My stomach now is greatly irritated by any amount of alcohol (thankfully I rarely imbibe!), and I find myself popping a tums more and more often, even while avoiding irritants. I guess my question was whether the band itself causes more acid in your tummy and whether we should all be taking acid blockers. It will be a question I ask the doc on my next visit in November! Thank you for the replies, and any other input would be welcome! :-)

Welcome Eas! We're a friendly lot here. Congratulations on your great loss! I, too, think a tummy tuck would make all the difference for me at this point, but not eager to go under the knife! There's some great info on this site under cosmetic and reconstructive surgery forum. Take a look there, too!

That sounds good! I made something similar (no bacon, which would have made it relish!) last night for dinner, on a baked potato. I also make a "comfort dish" of canned albacore tuna, fat-free mushroom Soup, and peas that I eat when I'm craving something creamy. Kind of like tuna casserole without the noodles. Heavy on the tuna for Protein.

Karen! So glad you are doing well and found some time to log on. I'm sure you'll feel better after the back surgery and I will keep you in my prayers. Chrissylu, good for you. I am going to start logging myself tomorrow. I have stayed the same weight for way too long now, even though I know it harder in the final stretch. I'm working out and slimming, but I think my small meals are more calories than I would care to admit! Nicki, a kitty is a nice addition, so happy for you. And DD getting on her own feet is a big relief I am sure, and is always a good thing for the young adults too. You gotta grow up sometime and make your own path in life. So lots of good news on your front. SueBee, that's great that you volunteer for an animal group. All of my pets are shelter animals ... Two dogs and a cat. They are the best, and keep us "in the moment." I've recently been having some tonsil/throat issues (sore, kinda inflamed). I'm hoping it was from the smokiness in the casinos in Las Vegas where the conference was .. Or fall allergies... Or the dryness of the plane... Or maybe it was the couple of cocktails I had... Or maybe its a cold coming on. Sometimes having the band makes you suspect of so many things! I know I don't have GERD (at least I don't think so, and I'm only at 3.8 in 10 band), so I'm thinking I will make a regular doctor visit and not with my surgeon if it doesn't clear up in a few days, Do any of you take acid-blockers or PPI's? My doc didn't say to take them, but I read online that a lot of people do ... Even if the've never had reflux. I may start a thread on this to ask others. Happy Labor Day! I was busy at work, and it was good!

Ever since I was banded in Jan 2012, my doc has always said "start slow, soft foods for today, and regular tomorrow, just take it slow and easy."

Hi Missy, I am also a 36DD. I recently went for a private measure at a boutique that specializes in bras for mastectomy patients, but also for the general public. I was measured, and left with a Dominique brand 36DD and a Bali 40D. They both fit beautifully, and she chose two bras that have exceptionally large back straps (heighth-wise) which smooths out my problem of back fat under my arms and from the back. Both bras cost me about $40 bucks total, which I thought was great, and neither were bras I would have selected to try on. My vote is for the professional fitting! I just got tired of having a drawer full of bras I didn't want to wear for one reason or another.

Hi All, I'm home, yay. Very tired but wanted to check in and say you guys are doing well! I'm going to weigh on Monday ... Gives me a couple of days to get back on track, mostly with upping my water intake and getting a little cardio in. Will ttyl.

Nicki and SueBee, you both are having awesome weeks, yay for the both of you! SueBee, I can understand your thrill at being able to work out again. Right now I'm out of town (but still checking in!) and missing my Pilates class something awful. Went to a buffet here at the hotel for lunch... What a waste of money that is! I haven't really been to a buffet since banded. I had thought I have been eating larger quantities somewhat lately, but my lunch today proved otherwise. I was so shocked at how little I need to eat. Never really thought about it too much, but I have eaten at this buffet pre-band, and I've got to tell you I'm horrified at how much I used to be able to put away!! Today I had about 2 ounces of salmon, some wonderful mushroom soup, a piece of broccoli, half an English sausage, a taste of some augratin potatoes, a tiny serving of ceviche, and a little piece of bread. I also had some creme brûlée for dessert. So I got to try all the things I wanted and I was done! Probably not the best choices, but not an ever day thing either. Tonight I have to go dinner with some work folks. Not very hungry at all, we'll see how this goes. It's a steak and seafood place, so I'm thinking crab and veggies. I'm horrible at logging, to answer you Nicki, and I'm certainly not going to do that until this trip is over! That's why I'm thinking hcg (yes with shots) might be the ticket for me. Lol. But then again, I may just start logging and continuing the Pilates which I love. I don't lose pounds with it but I have dropped sizes definitely. Well, off to get ready for a dinner I'm not hungry for... Did I really say that? Lol. Will enjoy the company and move the food around my plate. At least I'm getting a lot of walking in. Oh and btw, I bought a bikini!!!!! Ok, so I'll probably only wear it in our home pool, but it doesn't look awful, and if I can lose that 15 I've been talking about, I might actually wear it in public next year! Sorry this is so long, I just got kind of talkative all of a sudden. Must be missing home and you guys are like family! :-)

Same as was Mis73 said, although early after surgery I used to have problems sometimes with shrimp and chicken and some crackers. Now I can eat pretty much anything, slowly. I usually don't do sandwiches and haven't had a burger on a bun since surgery (just too big!), but today I had half a grilled cheese sandwich. I find them sandwiches way to filling if I eat the bread too. Relax, you will be able to enjoy all your favorites, you just won't be able to wolf them down or eat 3 helpings!!

Once again, we're all on different advice. Mine is drinks up until the first bite and then 1 hour after after eating. Small tiny sips are OK when necessary with food. Idk, works for me.

Sure. Just don't swallow it whole!!

Kymmie, I did a fruit cleanse... Not sure if the same as lemonade cleanse... You take Epsom salts/water, and a mix of grapefruit juice and olive oil all on a certain schedule. It really does help "clean" you out and get you into the mindset of eating healthier stuff. It's supposed to help your gallbladder too, but I'm not sure. It's a one-day thing pretty much. I would do it again. If you have access to, and $$ for, a doctor-prescribed hcg diet, that works very well if you stick to it (which should be easier banded since the portions are so tiny). I asked my surgeon and he said there are no contradictions to the band and try it if I wanted to ... I'm thinking I might for the last 15 pounds. Maybe September. It's just I've been doing a lot of weight resistance, and walking is all that is recommended on hcg since the calorie intake is so low. Like Nicki, I'm gonna take a nap... Was up all hours last night, yawn....

I'm still here, Nicki. So very proud of you, girl! I am experiencing loss vicariously through you, so keep on keep in' on!! Hi SueBee, glad life activities are getting easier as time goes by. And RKImom, hello, hello. Life does seem to speed up at times, for sure. Congrats on the graduations, you must be very proud. I think exercise would be a great way to deal with "empty nest." It is also a mood elevator, you know. Weight-wise I'm still the same. I don't know, maybe I'm at goal. I'm wondering how Nicole is doing? Haven't heard boo in a while from her?

I drink decaf coffee regularly. Pre-band I was 4-6 cup regular coffee drinker. My surgeon said no caffeine, and I stick to it. Less acid produced in the stomach....

Wow, you look great!

Great job, handsome!

Protein and biotin, must-haves!!!

I'm in that range, and no I don't think age made it any harder. In fact, since I'm post menopause it seems to be better not having to deal with fluctuating monthly hormones. Do I wish I had done it sooner, yes!