conniesueb

I was just wondering how many of you were given a card to present at restaurants asking them to allow you to order off the kids menu, or get a half-portion. It explains that you have had a surgery that has permanently altered your stomach to only allow you to eat 2-3 ounces of food at a time(which is a bit of a stretch, if you ask me--I can eat more than that). If you do have the card, how often do you use it? I used mine for the first time the other day, and I felt a little uncomfortable. We were at IHOP, and they have a Jr. Cod dinner--one piece of cod(pan-seared, not breaded and deep fried!), and steamed broccoli. I really wanted that, so I pulled the card out for the first time, and the waitress kind of looked at me weird, but said that since I had the card, they would let me order off the kids menu. I know I shouldn't feel so weird about it, but I did. Everyone tells you to order off the appetizer menu, but everything on most appetizer menus is a.) expensive, and b.) not healthy!! Deep fried everything! And most kid's menus aren't much better, but IHOP has a whole healthy menu portion, and they cod was very good! They do have the same thing in adult portions, but I just figured, why waste my money?

I was hoping neither of them would end up in the finals, but oh well. I agree that Daniele is soooo whiny and annoying! And they are both just so cocky! I hope her boyfriend dumps her after seeing how into Nick she was! But, she probably will win--bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys! It has been a while since I have posted--I hope everyone is doing well and had a good summer. I am stuck at a plateau, but I know it's my own fault. I am eating things i shouldn't be, and not exercising as much as I used to, but it has been a very stressful few weeks for me. My mom was in the hospital for almost 3 weeks, my son had mono(with a couple relapses), my daughter cut her leg open clear down to the bone and had to have 20 stitches. It's been crazy, and I've always been a stress eater, so.........I guess I should be happy that I haven't gained, but I just really want to get back on track and start losing again. Betsyjane--that video is hilarious--she was on the Today show and got a chance to redeem herself, but boy was that funny!

Hey girls--how's everyone doing? Michelle in Denver--I feel your pain! I do know what you mean about feeling like you have lost your best friend. I have not been so perfect in the eating department either. It just suck sometimes to go out to eat and not be able to order what you are really craving, and ordering a salad or fish or grilled chicken instead. But don't give up--it'll happen. And Michelle in Pueblo--definately call me for lunch. I'm sorry to hear about the hysterectomy, but if it will make you feel better, then good. Are you still planning on moving? This week would be good if you are available. Trish--I didn't make it to Alb. this weekend like I wanted to--too much stuff going on here, but I'm still planning on making a trip down soon. I will e-mail you when I do. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Hey girls--it's been so long since I have been on the boards! I've missed everyone! Trish--congrats on the 5 pounds, and don't get discouraged--slow is better anyway! And Michelle--I have been meaning to call you and see how you are doing! 18 pounds is great! I know what you mean about the pb'ing and sliming, though. I have that bad habit of eating too fast sometimes, too. It is not fun to get something stuck is it? I am down a total of 78 pounds and seem to be stuck there. Part of the problem is I have been very stressed lately--my mom was ini the hospital for almost 3 weeks, my son got mono, then an abcess on his tonsil, my daughter cut her leg open--clear to the bone, and had to have 20 stitches, so it's been a little crazy for me. And, i have not been able to get to the gym as much as I would like, but now that things have finally settled down, i am trying to get back to my normal routine. I will call you soon, Michelle, so we can catch up. And Trish--I am thinking about coming to Albuquerque Labor Day Weekend, so if I do, I will contact you so we can hopefully get together. Take Care Girls!

Hi--I had my first fill yesterday, and I have a few questions. How do I know if I was filled enough? I thought I would feel really tight, and not be able to eat much, but I kind of feel the same way I did before the fill. I guess I figured I would go back to getting full on 1/4 cup of food, but I am able to eat more than that--is that normal? He did tell me that if I thought I needed more, to just call back, and he'd put more in, but I'm not sure how much time to give it. By the way, does anyone else's doctor do their fills with them sitting up and sipping water? It was a trip!

Marni--I really don't think it's normal to throw up that much. I think getting a fill may make it worse. I would really watch how I eat--small bites, and chew, chew, chew. I agree with Betsy about the carbs, too. I don't lose as well when i eat carbs. I try and stick to meat and veggies, and if I do eat carbs, I try to make it whole-grain, not white carbs. White carbs are the devil! Maybe you should check with your doctor about the throwing up.

Tom, you've got it all planned out don't you? I totally pigged out today, too. Well, it feels like I did, anyway. We went to a potluck and I had one chicken thigh, one rib, and a tiny bit of potato salad. Then I had a couple of tortilla chips with green chili(that I make myself). That doesn't sound like a lot, but it sure felt like a lot! I did manage to find a gym up here in MOntana--my friend's mom is letting me use her 24-hour fitness center, so I am thrilled about that. We went to a barbeque last night at there house, and I had a little too much wine! But it was fun. I am loving being here, and won't want to go home on Saturday! Oh Well!

My surgeon told me about a lady that would throw up every time she ate bread--she wouldn't stop eating it though, and eventually her band slipped(well, duh!). When he scheduled her for surgery, he asked her if she wanted him to put it back where it belonged, or just take it out, and she told him to just take it out!:eek:Can you imagine going through all that, spending all that money, and not being willing to give up bread? That was the craziest thing I had ever heard! I can eat toast okay, but no soft bread, and I don't miss it either. Some things are just worth sacrificing.

Josie--does your surgeon offer monthly support meetings? If so, you could try there. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of all those big clothes? I love shopping now that I can buy regular sizes and not plus sizes! I have to be careful, though, I tend to get carried away sometimes, and shouldn't since i am still losing! You are doing awesome--keep up the good work! If you can't find any lapbanders to give them to, why not take them to a consignment shop and make a little money?

Hey guys--when I posted earlier and asked Brooksie about her fill--I put the initials in front, and when it posted, it came out Page Ranking, instead of the initials--what is up with that? Brooksie--you must have thought I was crazy!! That is just so weird! Hey Karen--congrats on the weight loss! Sorry to hear about your gallbladder troubles, but I understand that it is not uncommon for lapband patients to have gallbladder problems. Glad to hear you are on the mend and back on track. Betsyjane--sorry to hear about your troubles, too. It's always something isn't it? Why can't we just feel good for a while? Tom, good luck on the sleep test. I still have to wait until August for mine, but I am not wearing my CPAP anyway. I hate it. Good luck on the sex-ercise, too. Maybe with a goat bitch?

Michelle--I would love to get together when you get back. Just call me and we'll set something up. Have a wonderful time in Oklahoma--I know I will in Montana--it is one of my favorite places, too. Talk to you soon.

Tom--you are THE MAN!:clap2: The poster boy for lap-band! My doc also tells me I am one of his greatest success stories. The patient who wants to be able to eat 25 wings is obviously dilusional:wacko:! My doc told me about a patient who would throw up every time she ate bread(duh) , but just wouldn't stop eating it. Eventually, her band slipped(big surprise), and when he scheduled her for surgery, he asked her if she wanted it put back, or just removed, and she told him to remove it! Because she couldn't give up bread?!! It takes all kinds, I guess. But, I am really happy for you and hope that you will be feeling better very soon. PR Brooksie--how are you doing with your fill? Is there any difference this time? I hope things are going well for you. I think I finally found my sweet spot--at least I hope so anyway. I am leaving for MOntana on Friday--yeah! I'm glad I am filled properly so I can't pig out on vacation! And it helps that my in-laws(who we are visiting) are on Weight Watchers, so hopefully there will be healthy food to eat while I'm there! I am just freaking out about not being able to work out for a whole week! My friends up there are trying to find a gym that I can get a temporary membership for. I'm a little obsessed with the gym I guess--words I never thought I would ever say in my lifetime!

Hey Michelle--I was wondering when you called yesterday why you were getting a fill so soon after surgery--that's good that they agreed to it. He is just so darn nice, isn't he? Did you notice a diffrenece right away? I am at just the right level of restriction now, which is good because I am leaving for MOntana on Friday, and don't want to pig out while I'm on vacation. The thing that I am most worried about is finding a gym up there that will let me buy a temporary membership. I am freaking out a little bit at the thought of not being able to work out for a week! Wow, I never thought I would utter those words in my lifetime! What a difference 7 months makes!

Trish--that sucks! I am going to be in Montana that week! Bummer! I would have loved to get together with you. I am still planning a trip to Albuquerque some time this summer though, so hopefully that will work out. Good luck with your fill--I hope it turns things around for you.

I can remember running into an old friend(guy) that I grew up with, and he said "Oh, i didn't know you were pregnant!" and I told himI wasn't, that I was just fat. He won't believe me and keeps saying "no, really, c'mon, really?" I was so embarrassed! And of course the old stand-by--"You have such a pretty face!" Yeah, but apparantly the rest of me looks like total crap! Even now, that I am 74 pounds thinner--the other day, I ran into someone I know, and she starts yelling--"Oh my God--you've lost a TON of weight--you look amazing!" NOw, I know that's suppossed to be a compliment, but all these other people in hte store were staring at me probably thinking what a huge cow I must have been before! I am not Thin by any means, but Ijust wish people wouldn't make a scene when they see me for the first time in a while!

Well, I don't know if everyone feels the same, but to me, the proper amount of restriction is when I can still eat real food, without PBing, but just not too much of it. There are certain foods that I try to avoid, because they inevitably get stuck, and cause a PB, or sliming. For me, those foods are soft bread, rice and pasta. Some steak if it is really chewy, and any meat that is just too dry is usually a problem, too. If you are PBing after everything you eat, that is not normal. Are you taking small bites and chewing really well? I can eat about a cup with good restriction--well, what I consider good restriction. I want to be able to eat real food, and for the most part I can. I, too, can vary on my restriction level from day to day, so you just have to experiment. Maybe try a small fill again,, and see how it goes. I guess i would say that 21 pounds since November does not seem average to me. What does your doctor say?

Annie--that's a great idea--I'll have to try that! My cravings can really get the best of me sometimes. And it's all in my head--I know I'm not actually hungry--I just always used to snack on something while I watched tv at night, so I still can't get that out of my head. I will definately try your suggestion! I am afraid to chew gum now, because I always end up swallowing my gum without even realizing it, and am scared that it would get stuck and really cause some problems!

Wow, that's a tough question--it seems to differ for me on a daily basis! After a fill, I am usually only able to eat about a half a cup to a cup before I am satisfied. I try not to eat until I am actually full--that is pushing it for me. I stop when I don't feel hungry anymore. But, for luch I can usually eat a small Weight Watcher's or Lean Cuisine meal--one that just has meat and veggies--and that is completely satisfying. Mornings, I seem to be a little tighter, and sometimes only drink a protein shake. It's just so different for everybody. We have been banded about the same amount of time--I was done on NOvember 30, 2006, and have lost 74 pounds so far--(10 of that I lost on my pre-op diet), so I think we are both doing great! But, if you are able to eat more than you think is normal for you--get a fill. Just don't get so tight that you can't eat real food!

You may be a little too restricted. I told my doctor at my last fill appt. about some heartburn I had been experiencing after having an episode of getting food stuck, and inflaming my esophegus. I now know that if that happens again to go to liuids for a cuouple days to give it a chance to heal, but he said that if after my fill, I start feeling the heartburn again, I should come back and let him take a little out. Just a thought. And, it may settle down after a couple weeks, too. A lot of people can't eat right before bed because of acid reflux--it's pretty common--but if it really bothers you--maybe call and ask about a slight unfill.

I have been able to go off one of my HBP meds completely. The other that she left me on is a diuretic, and I tend to have a little swelling in my ankles, so she wants me to stay on it. But my pressure now runs about 115/75, where before banding it was running about 145/90. So, I am very happy about that. I also was able to go off my Diabetes meds. recently.

Plentsweet--I answered your post in Introductions, but jjust wanted to say HI and Welcome! You will be so happy if you have this done--it has truly changed my life--best thing I ever did!

Hey Dynamo--I would love to meet you too--I have also met a couple girls from Pueblo, and it was great. I'm not sure what our exact plans are, but when I figure it out, I will let you know, and hopefully we can figure something out. ill be staying in Aurora--what part of Denver are you in?

Hey Char--what part of Colorado are you in? I am in Pueblo. I've been banded for 6 1/2 months, and absolutely love it! I hope you can find a way to finance your surgery--it will change your life! There are lots of finance companies that specialize in financing for this particular surgery, and will finance pretty much anyone, so good luck. Welcome to the boards!

See, You are still cracking me up! I had a fill yesterday, and I think it has gotten me to where I need to be. But for God's Sake, until that point, I could have eaten a horse! Restriction--proper restriction, is a wonderful thing!