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Good Morning Gang... Apples - I can't imagine living so far from a store :0) - Glad you are having a good time ... What's the weather for Tuscon - it's suppose to be 74 here today ;0) Linda - Watched 1/2 of BL last night - will watch the rest tonite hopefully Lori - Can't go to the show w/o popcorn - no biggie - your treat.. Meredith - Can't believe you don't pay bills online - stamps cost $$$ - Online banking free and quicker ;0) it's the only way to go and you don't need to keep copies of bills - I have a spread sheet that I put amount due for each and I throw the bills away - no need to keep them - I only get paper statements for Ranches and Bro's Estate - Well - I had uneventful evening too - watched my soap - little of BL - Dinner Fish Rice Squash - Popcorn and too many choc calcium they are like candy but the good effect is no problem in morning tmi ;0) Off to shower - CBL

Forgot....Happy Belated Anniversary, Julie. Happy to hear that you and hubby had a nice time. Our 30th is in Nov. I swear that time just flew by or someone stole them from us. We still think the other is just adorable and (tmi) can't keep our hands off each other. But, we are not that couple that is out in public that needs to get a room.

Teaching one special needs child can be as stressful as a class of 30! Good luck. It makes me sad that someone so young should be so angry--what went on in his life to make him that way. I hope the LB "sons" are all better now. All of us aunties worry. The show was fun. Six more performances to go--this coming weekend and next. The cast went out afterwards--I had a salad, PB twice, and then fine. I am going to the doc today. I wondered if I need a bit of an unfill. Sometimes, I can eat just fine! QUESTION: Can you be at a good fill and STILL PB occasionally? Or does a PB automatically mean too tight? Then I will see the Plastic Surg to check on my arms. He might want to do a revision on the scars--what does that mean?? I want him to know that I am not as happy with the breast lift as I thought I would be. I want PERKY! I paid for perky! Not that anyone, but Julie, saw them---TMI. How's that for my conclusion?

Well back from the gym... 3.2 miles 48 minutes - did 4.2 speed with a 4 incline - I beat my usual time by 4 minutes.. burned 300 calories - you see once you lose your weight it takes more intensity or time to burn the same amount of calories - heck this work out 6 months ago would would have burned 350 calories and that was with just a little incline. Yep Lori - it's funny about the aches - I know that when I deep clean - behind toliets etc my legs would hurt - but that's was pre-band - I can't say that I get to many aches from cleaning anymore. Yep come 1/1 you will have tons of new pple in the gym - but that will last about 2 weeks - 1 month.. A 24 hr fitness opened around the corner - so I have noticed that my gym has lost alot of pple - but 24 hr fitness is like $30 a month my gym is only $19 but it doesn't have classes - but I figure my trainer is better than the classes -so I will stay - my original plan was just to stick with my gym til 24 hr fitness opened - but cuz of my trainer - I am staying where I'm at... Ya Phyl it's cold - well I am warm now cuz I have worked out but leaving for the gym it was cold - tomorrow suppose to be 60 - and no winds.. Enjoy the cookies - it's not Xmas without them.. They are part of the tradtion of Christmas.. I am glad mine are gone - well I say that now - but in the middle of the night I might not think that :hurray: but in the morning when I don't have a sugar hangover I will be happy... I gotta get my water in today - that's my goal for the day - I have been really bad about my water and that causes tmi problems... Well gotta put some clothes in the dryer - cbl in a few...

Hi gang! I have been miserable all day. You see, I started on real food friday. I always take Miralax , but when I started the shakes I stopped because of all the fiber. Well, I forgot to take the Miralax. Oops, then last night I took a prescription laxative....not good. Needless to say.....I am sitting on donut cushion. lol I know TMI, but I don't want y'all to make the mistake I did. I couldn't even go weigh in. Okay, nough said. Apples have a good time.....you will be missed. Great, Pictures please!

OMW you all have been busy Charlene - lol I love spring rolls -and I make up concoction all the time - it's all good.. Eva I think we will be ok - we need to kiss and make up... I ate a beef/ostrich stick I got at GNC last night 80 cal 14 grms pt and a few bites of my oat meal - lunch was this great creamy tortilla soup - I am going to try to make it for dinner tomorrow night - but I am adding chicken to mine as my BIL won't live on just cream soup w/no meat for dinner. A lot of doc say to eat every 3-4 hrs - I feel that you have to find what works for you - and Beck say it too ;0) Laurak - Your penance is to ALWAYS ALWAYS read the calories of what ever food you are consuming... I know that a small lite mocha frapaccino w/no whip creams has 110 cal Last nite at GNC - I was looking at pt bars - hell some have 400 calories !!! I read the back of everything before I eat or buy the food.. ] Deb - Ok GF I know my doc's scale is 6 lbs heavier than mine - so I have never sweated the fact that I weigh more on his - I go by mine period.. As to your little binge - Yep GF we are food addicts - I know myself - if I had cookies in the house or candy that I like - I can not stop at one serving - I just keep on eating.. And I totally get you about night time eating - that's when I consume the majortiy of my calories - but I budget for them - and w/this fill - I really haven't been able to eat too much after dinner - but did have a fudgesicle last night and put a teaspoon of pb on it - that was bad So do what you said - get all the trigger foods out of the house - if it's not there you can't eat it.. Last Xmas i bought this white choc hot choc mix - I would dip my sf fudgesicle in it - and it wasn't sf - well - i took an 80 cal treat and made it 200 - so in the trash it went.. Log your food it helps and not having tempting foods around is a must - if you want a cookie - go to the bakery and buy just one (only do this every couple of weeks or once a month) - and then take it home and eat it slowly and enjoy it - if you are like me you might want more but you aren't going to go back out to get it ;0) - so if it's not there you can't eat it :0) Great - It was awful and painful (tmi) then having the runs after the constipation finally past was the pits - I know it was due to not drinking enough water - I did better today.. I don't eat out much - that's about the only thing (besides car issues) that I miss about not having a DH - I don't make the best choices when I go out - but since I don't do it often - those are my treat times - I will go an have a shrimp cocktail at a mex resturant instead of an enchillada (my fav) sometimes - I don't like eating out at some places - like at kfc - I want the reg fried chick instead of a grilled ck breast ;0) - I still eat the skin on a chick too - it's my fav part.. As far as dressy goes - I would like to go eat at emerils or the moon place - so I thinks something dressy casual - like apples said now a days you add a jacket to a pair of jeans and you are dressed up.. I hear you on the distressed look hate it - I like indigo jeans/capris - and no I no longer feel out of place at places like Macy's - But again I have been buying clothes in the reg department for quite a while now - and have learned to navigate the store - INC - Ralph Lauren - Style & Co - NY Jones are the sections I usually hit - the other stuff is a bit pricey for my blood - I am not paying $100 for a teeshirt ;0) Laura - Ya it finally passed - it felt like Apples kidney stone :0) - Like I said - it's my lack of fluids - so in FL make sure I drink my water - My GD will be 6 in March ;0) Hugs on Dad - Phyl has one of those scooters - We all took turns on it while at Mall of America - they are fun and fast.. Apples - Like I said just make sure I drink in FL and I mean water ;0) My mom was like your DS x - she was the abuser Jessica - Love the pic WTG on the 25 lbs !!! Linda - No I never hit a plateau - I was very very lucky in that manner - and I never did the food eaten minus exercise - that would have give me permission to eat more ;0) Personally I don't think you are eating to many carbs - I might switch from eats to meat & veggies for lunch . I think you are doing good on your calories and your body is adjusting - just keep doing what you are doing and the plateau will peak - and just a tweek to the calories one day may be enough Julie - Have you seen a nerosurgern - I had these major headaches yrs ago and it was a form of whip last - falling asleep on airplane - neck bobbing - ice at the side of the back of your head base of you skull/spine you know where those little indentations are - try it .. Ok gang it's 9 and I gotta go eat - CBL

Yes Ladies vicoden will constipate you - up your Water & Fiber or the mirlax - I do dulcolax myself - but as long as I get enough fluids I am usually ok... Ballett - I think he was funning with you and I wouldn't write a letter personally - but again that's mho ;0) Welcome glad to have you - look forward to getting to know you... Charlene you are getting the winds we had yesterday and the day before :0) - Glad you are feeling better - I heard on the news the other day the most pple are vit D deffecient - and it does help with moods etc. I think I am crocheting a scarf - maybe a lap blanket - I am not impressed with the color (pastel yellow) but it was free yarn - so maybe just a scarf for now and then I will get some better yarn and make more to give as gifts for xmas... Great - Well all have the tmi thingie everynow and then - hell I think it's part of getting old - remember hearing your grandma talk about being consitpated :0)... I'm with you I would be in the house and not out an about in the snow pretty to look out at from inside a nice cozy house :0) Julie - I sure hope things get better for you - how about going for a massage??? if your muscles are so tight that would help wouldn't it.. Well worth a try :0) What soap do you watch - I watch sometime All My Childern not like I use to -

Checking in......Oh what a beautiful day! 60 and sunny! Took mama to the doctor.....she is all good. Then drove back, stopped and got me a BBQ rib.....not good. I am sitting here sliming. When am I going to learn to slow down????? Okay ......TMI. I am so happy for all of you going to Florida. Maybe next year for me.

I guess all of us are getting a piece of that storm. We had t-storms today and the front should move in tomorrow. Hey, I told the dr. how I would get stuck because of the gas on my stomach. She said to try taking Gas-x before I eat. So, before we went out to eat tonight I chewed a gas-x, and I was able to burp between bites and not get stuck......Probably TMI, but I thought I would share.

First of all...welcome to the couple of newbies I came across while catching up on the pages and pages of posts. Have been away from the computer since last Thurs. Cannot wait till we have wireless service available at our lake place. Hopefully next year. Had planned on coming home on Monday morning. Got hit by the flu at 4am on Monday morning. DH had gone home Sunday afternoon. A couple of our little visiters from the lake had the flu last week and one had a very snotty cold. Of course, we both spent a lot of time playing with them over the weekend. I got the flu and DH got the snotty cold. There was no way I could drive home till today. Did not throw up but butt was attached to the toilet (tmi) for over 24 hours. Also had extreme dizziness. Completely sapped me. Was not easy trying to get the calories in but forced myself. Still weak and shaky but much better. I was just bragging last week that I NEVER get a virus. Not saying that again! I did think of you all and worried that you guys would be worried that I wasn't posting. Too many posts to respond to...was going to try. Just want you all to know that I read them all but I'm too lazy to respond, catching up on laundry, cooking, etc. Surprised DH with a chocolate/strawberry cheesecake that I made this morning. You wouldn't think something so simple could produce such a big smile and big hug. Sharon...so happy you have your DD back in your lives and Eli's life. Wishing for her a LONG and HAPPY recovery. Cheri...sorry to hear of your job worries. Hoping for you that your job is yours again next year. Great.....cannot wait to see photos of you in your MOB dress. I am sure you will be beautiful. Have a great time on your camping trip. A little destressing and enjoying nature. Laura...hope gyn can get to the bottom of your troubles. Would be great if you did not have to have such painful monthlys. Cute photos of Nelson. Good going on putting aside your feelings with your "friend" for the sake of Nelson and his buddy. Phyll....good to see that you are off and running and looking forward to getting down south again. Meredith....you rock! Don't know how you keep up with everything and still stay focused on your lapband life. Yep....condiments can have so many hidden calories. When I was in the weight loss stage, I used a lot of chunky salsa for dressings....mixed it with a little FF sour cream. I know I have missed responding to most of you....sorry. Need to run and catch up. DH is sooooo good about keeping everything perfect around the house while I run off and play. Plan on heading back to lake in the morning. Have a friend that is coming that is going through a "surprise" separation. Didn't see it coming and she needs me for support for a couple of days. Will talk to you all later.

Sorta Figured that one out :tongue_smilie: PJ - Are you getting your protein - My hairdresser says it's lack of fat - my gf went on medifast so she got her protein but was lacking in fat and she lost tons of hair... So since I still get my fats (not as much but still include it in my diet) I agree cuz I haven't lost any and I have fine/thin hair... I remember asking my doc about this and he said they really don't know why - but it will come back... Just make sure you get your protein and some fats in your food daily and the fat & Water helps with the TMI problems too. I bought a scale that give you amount of calorie - protein - carbs - fats in whatever you were weighing - you put in what you are weighting - cat fish raw - it would show the oz - protein - calories etc - I only counted protein & calories - I have never counted anything else (carb/fats etc) - I got it at bed bath & beyond - it was $100 but well worth it - I still pull it out when I have Pasta.. Also - you can buy glad containers that are 1/2 cup - that's what I would use to measure rice - I cook up a pot of rice then put it in the container and wala I have my rice for the week in portion sizes. I also bought 1 cup size and that's what I use to put up my one pot wonders that I take to work for lunch each week - no guessing - they are in the one cup container - just throw them in a bag and I have lunch for a week I weighed and measured for about the first 4-6 months - by then you have learned correct portion sizes by eye ball and pretty much know how many grms of pt and calories are in what you are eating and I logged my calories & protein and exercise for the 1st yr. (well I still track exercise & keep mental tabs on what I am eating - but will forget a bite of this or that very easliy - that's why I really try and stick with planned meals & snacks) Yep you need to join curves or a gym that's close and convient to your house or work so that you can go right after work at least 4 times a week. Yes dinner can wait for 30 minutes or an hour - this is about you - and we need exercise in our lives to be healthy - just losing the weight isn't going to make you 100 % healthy you gotta work those muscles - get that blood flowing - strenghty your core muscles - as we get older we lose more muscle this is why old pple fall and break hips - this is why they use walker - they have no muscles cuz they get no exercise... I was reading an article in a magazine - skinny obese - yep they are skinny but got fat hiding inside cuz they don't exercise.. Something to that effect - Januarys Self Magazine.. When was your last fill - August - why so long between - do you have restriction??? I really really beleive in weighing, measuring your foods as a learning tool - you don't have to do this for the rest of your life - but you do need to learn what a correct portion size is - you need to know how many calories are in what you are eating - how are you going to keep the weight off if you don't - I have a friend at work though she was eating healthy had 3 chicken thights from el pollo loco (grilled chicken) and they arent that big - I said GF you had about 900 calories in those thights - pluse the bean 130 - that's was just for dinner that truly a days worth of calories in just one meal :eek: and I was just guessimating (this part of my brain still remembers calories) on the calories and when I looked it up to verify - I was correct - so it's important to know what you are putting in your mouth.... It's all about calories in vs calories out to lose the weight - the band will restriction portions of hard Proteins - but not slider foods or make your food choices ( healthy vs unhealthy).. I never liked Abba and was told the movie was a musical with Abba so I won't watch - It looks like a cute movie (story line) so if they come out with nonmusical verison I might watch I might be a Cali girl - but I am a Cowboy Fan... My DS Dad was a Pearson and I started watch cowboys when they had Drew & Preston Pearson - Infact my DS wanted GS to be Joe Pearson the 4th - I said hell no we have enought joe pearsons (him & his dad) need a new name - so one night I come home and was told babys name would be Andrew Pearson - (drew pearson) so in away he is named after the cowboys !!!! Charlene - Yep I bought some navy & pinto beans yesterday perfect foods for the cold weather...

OMG, Laura, your poor little guy.... But he does look as though he made it through in good shape.... It will probably bother him when it starts to itch!!!! Glad you will be coming home soon... You all need the routine again... Take care Apples, sorry about the ice... We are getting snow here, very wet stuff..... the roads are awful, says my brother who just came home from Bismarck.... I'm content to stay in and veg out for the night... Mimi was better today, but after falling asleep for a much needed nap she started coughing.. I had her propped up, but once she started it kept on until she threw up all the phlegm that must catch in the back of her throat... Then she starts gagging and it all comes.. she had green beans in her hair and all over my couch... I know........TMI........... I got her in the tub and all the blankets and clothes in the washer and all was well after she quit coughing... DD just called to say she fell asleep sitting up in the chair and was going to leave her in hopes that mess won't happen again.... Poor baby... Lori, I understand about not knowing if you can go back and pick up old friendships... People move on and you lose some of your connections... But you'll make new ones, too...... It will all work out I'm sure.... Linda, oh, if you could only make it to FL I would be so happy... Glad to hear you may at least try.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed..... You are just an exercising dynamo..... good for you... Arlene, congrats on the new addition.... You'll have a job like mine then..... Lots of work, no pay, many benifits..... It's a good way to spend the day... especially when they are little..... DH went out to move snow from in front of the door, but he's fighting a losing battle.... Apples, I'm putting off getting my hair colored and such till closer to time for FL, too.... Just be careful on the shoulder...... you can get pulled down pretty easy... but you farm girls are tough!!!!!! I used to be one...... I'm kind of wussy anymore.... DH takes good care of me..... I have renewed drama on the family front again... Mother and brothers.... Just when I think it may fade inot the background something happens to stir it all up again... One brother pulled a fast one with mother a couple days ago and I'd like to ring his neck... Now the rest are all stirred up and things are about ready to blow sky high..... I'm thinking of coming to FL early and staying longer!!!!!!! How much room do you have in the pick-up again, Apples????? I'll sit with the dog!!!! Well DH is back again and it's time to spend some quiet time, just us.... It stays pretty busy around here most of the time and we get little time to ourselves... Just nice to sit and be still together.... Talk to you all later... Julie

ditto to almost all above stories. a couple different things though. i have never been in touch with my body. always put taking care of othes needs first and didn't see that i had/have needs to take care of on myself. add that to eating for for numbing purposes and gives you a recipe for "fat". began putting weight on after marriage. my self esteem has always been low and i have always interpreted affection/conversation from men as interest in me sexually. Though sometimes I'm sure there was a two way intrest. I wasn't very tame and responded on impulses frequently. when i got married i had made a committment. i became worried that i would mess up (affair) and began packing weight on as a way to protect myself from anybody being interested in me sexually and thus I would not screw up my marriage. I've only come to realize this when my shrink and I have talked about me getting the band. This is a new revelation to me and I am worried about how I will behave if I am approached sexually by another male when I lose weight. I'm very different than I was when I married 13 years ago. I believe I've matured in many areas and the struggle won't be as intense. If for no other reason, my libido is different. Just FYI I have been faithful to my husband throughout our entire marriage. This is probably TMI but I'm guessing that I'm not the only one out there who has had a struggle with weight for a similar reason. Take what you can, leave the rest.

Thank you for that insight, my surgery date was 09.27, however maintaining the liquids are very hard as I always feel full after a few sips, I know I’m dehydrated as my urine had changed color ( sorry TMI ) however I’m just unsure is that normal to be dehydrated even though you can barely get any liquids down? And if I force it I feel bloated.

TMI moment coming... I suffer from Endometreosis and PCOS. Before I had my surgery, I had my period for 4 months straight and the time before that about 3 months!!! Since I had this surgery and lost a few pounds, i'm actually on a normal, monthly cycle. It likes a miracle every month :smile2: Best, Lauren

@@Dar200 You sound just like me. Day 1 4 tablespoons, lots of rumbling. Day 2, 4 tablespoons, 2 hours later full eruption! The funniest part is when the stool that is plugging you up comes flying out. Then, on the verge of TMI, chocolate pudding for about 1/2 an hour. Then it is over. Weight yourself if you can before the second BM. I lost 5 pounds in one sitting. It made my week.

Post-Op Update - 9 days Out. First five days were fine, a bit of soreness, kind of loopy from the pain meds, but I was able to walk around. My appetite was non-existent and I had a hard time getting my liquids in. Then all hell broke loose on Wednesday! I was extremely constipated, and finally able to go, and it just made me sick! (Sorry for the TMI). I was able to go do report card pickup for my son, but by the time I got home, I was bedridden. I could not get out of the bed on Thursday, called the doc, he gave me a refill on pain meds. Nurse told me if one dose did not help to go to ER. BP and HR shot up skyhigh! Forced myself to drink a protein shake and eat a small cup of yogurt, went to sleep, woke up the following day feeling 100% better. Long story short, get your liquid and protein or your body will rebel on you! I learned the hard way! Today, I was able to get up, go run errands, clean house and for lunch had some pureed chicken curry over mashed potatoes, about 1/2 cup total. I felt like I'd eaten a five course meal. All and all I seem to be healing and getting back to my old self. I am actually anxious for my first fill so I can really start losing. As of my first Dr. appt, I am down 26 lbs, 12 since my surgery last week.

Glad the liquid diet is going well for you guys so far! Michele, I am really excited for you!! One day away from a fresh start. People on the liquid diet - is anyone else having constipation? I'm sorry if that's TMI.

i am assuming that nsv means non-scale victory? if not, that is what it will mean for me. that being said, i hope this one isn't tmi (too much information) but here it goes. i usually have to buy queen plus size pantyhose for sunday morning services. about one week after surgery i noticed that i had on just a pair of queen sized pantyhose and they didn't hurt in between my thighs nor did that make that annoying sound that pantyhose make when they run up against your inner thighs as you walk. i was elated over that. pre surgery, my panties used to be so tight that they cut into my upper thighs but i just refused to go buy a larger size than they already are. about a week out of surgery, and definitely now, i don't experience that anymore. no pair of panties are too tight on me. they are so comfortable. and i have alot of extra space in my bra now and my breasts aren't hanging over the sides competing for underarm space!!!

Michelle, everytime I look at your pix...I think of popcorn!!! I love popcorn (although it gives me gas TMI!!) I've got $550 in my pocket and am going to the PTG (like the PTA) president to get a check for our field trip to the Museum of Tolerance!!! I am soooo excited and it has taken us FOREVER to get this money from the kids! Pop in later...I need to do my xmas cards! Laura, I LOVED mine. Jackie recognized Carson from the voting thing, lol! He is famous on the west coast! xooxox

Yes, this is my mental game as well. Once I've eaten something I think I shouldn't, then all bets are off for the rest of the day and I eat EVERYthing in sight. Wacky! I know that 99.99% of my food "issues" and problems are in my HEAD, not my gut. I need a brain band! LOL! Sounds like we're in the same place... which is good to know I'm not alone... but I also want each of us to succeed... sigh... So here we are... a new day... new vows to myself... & I mean them!... ugh. My weight/dieting/failing color every freakin day of my life and I wish it didn't. I wish I could just finish what I've started this time and be done with it!! ACK! Ok... back to work... sipping on a vanilla chai protein shake... mmmmm (really -- I love them!). I'm glad there wasn't twitter, etc., when I gave birth... that takes TMI to a whole new level! :cursing:

Great to see everyone doing good. I'm 14 days out and totally pain free. I haven't lost a pound in 3 days though and it's a little discouraging, I know this should not be a weight loss time it should be a "healing" time but at less than 1000 calories a day and 30 min a day on the treadmill I'd like to be loosing a little. On the other hand I'm able to do things I haven't been able to do in a year or more. I buttoned my under the belly pants in place YEAA!! And I peed through my fly, Super YEAAA!!! Sorry if this is TMI but I'm damn proud of myself. Aside from the lack of weight loss I am still shrinking the belly is down 2 inches in the 3 days that I haven't lost any weight " not sure about the physics behind that".:tongue2:

So glad to read that, Terry! Thrilled for you!! I was SO sick in the night! I awoke about 1am and my stomach HURT, I was having gurgling reflux, and I felt nauseus (sp?). I was up and down several times, then thought that maybe "sleeping" (ha ha) in the chair would help, so I got all situated there... I didn't sleep, really, just kind of dozed while continuously telling myself "It's ok." and "You'll be ok." and "Don't throw up." stuff like that. Made for a LONG night. I never did throw up, but did have other digestive issues (sorry trying to not be tmi). This a.m. I still feel "off". Honestly, I was internally freaking out that all my bad food choices & overeating had harmed my band or my stomach... & I still don't know for sure that it hasn't... but at least I'm functional (so far). I think the incident scared me straight... at least so far today it has. Yikes. I had to get up & going this a.m. even tho all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed... had an eye doc app't & got to get new frames! I've had these since '05! I told the guy that if they came in by Weds (very doubtful) that I'd bake him pumpkin bread! I'd love to have them for Ala. It's always so hard to choose glasses... they're such a major part of what I look like... I was choosing between the same pair, but one was brownish & one was red... one blended in and one was a bit sassy... one was what everyone probably expects me to get and one would've been a bit out of character... which one do you think I got? Ok... I've got to try to get a little work done, & then I think the kids and I are actually going to go to the pool for the first time this year!

Hi - i am 7 months post bypass. I’ve lost 82 lbs- which is great. I have struggled- ulcers-gall bladder removal and my blood sugars are still high(type 2 diabetic for 22 years) I still have a lot of diarrhea(tmi) and occasional vomiting. But my biggest struggle is feeling light headed and dizzy all the time. Anyone else??? I haven’t been able to exercise much at all as I get too dizzy. Anyone else???

All of your comments are really helping me to stay focused and not to stress over the little pangs and setbacks. Thank you! I see my family doctor tomorrow for a three week after surgery check up. My first fill is Oct. 26 and until then I'm on pureed foods and eating about 700 calories a day. If I overdo it, I know because the incision for my port starts hurting. I use it as a gauge to when I need to stop and rest. Today I went for a 35 minute walk in the beautiful IL fall and had no pain. Yes! For the most part, I am not feeling the hunger between meals and can stick to the suggested amounts without a problem [2-3 oz. meat, 1/2 c veggie, and/or 1/2 c. fruit with tofu pudding and kefir smoothies] and am getting enough protein and fluids. I am still taking Tylenol morning and night - junior chewables - because i find I sleep better and get moving faster in the morning. My only real problem is feeling light headed or dizzy when I stand up - I think I will talk to my doctor about whether it is blood sugar dips or maybe blood pressure lows - and see if any meds can be adjusted. My doctor/nut are pretty strict about no carbs - no bread, potatoes, corn peas, etc. and no fresh fruits or veggies during the healing time. I really want a fresh apple! I'm wearing an outfit today that I couldn't wear last fall - and it feels good to know that I've lost enough weight to be able to move down a size or two. And my bras are very uncomfortable - either because of the incisions or because they don't fit anymore - but I really hate to spend money right now on clothes. Bras are NOT something to find at resale shops! I guess i will have to go out and get at least one I can wear! [sorry to the guys for TMI] Sitting at the computer is still painful after an hour, so I better get off and go upstairs into the recliner and rest! Remember that the Lap-Band is NOT the only answer - it is a tool! And as our bodies are healing, the band is not yet working to its optimum. We just have to work thru this 6 weeks until the healing is done adn the band can be fine-tuned to do the work it was designed to do. Eat what is healthy, safe and good for you - it is only a month more! [i'm saying this to myself you understand!]