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Stef - LAY OFF THE AMBIEN! Lol. Seriously, girl, be careful! You could get choked sleepeating...or maybe aspirate while PBing and you could seriously injure yourself or die. I'm worried for you. :party: I know, I'm a nurse and a worrywart, its a bad combo. OK. So, my band is a fickle lil biotch. The other day I could eat pizza and about anything else I could shovel in. And the past couple days I get stuck easily... and today I slime on my protein shake this morning... at lunch I only ate about 4 small bites of veggie chili... and dinner was about 1/4 cup of left over pasta from the other day - which I got stuck and slimed for about an hour on. So here is my question, might be TMI, but I'll talk about anything... I'm on my period. Would that affect my band at all? Maybe I should know this, but I have no clue. This is my first period in 18 months. (Yay PCOS!) So yeah, I'm wondering if you all notice restriction changes during your periods? Maybe I'm just grasping at straws here, Lol. I think I am going to still go to my fill appt on Monday afternoon... I'll get an 'official' weight and talk to the NP about this stuff. She'll be excited I'm menstrating anyway. She's not heard of anyone to not have a period for so long, and here I thought it was common for obese women to not menstrate, especially women with PCOS. ?? Not that I care, I'd prefer to never have a periord - ever ever ever again. Lol. Oy.

O.k. note the time... I havn't been UP and AWAKE this early since I don't know when! I've taken myself off of my Bedtime Meds for Bipolar just for a week or so... I am thinking that its the ONLY medication left that I take that could possibly be responsible for my RASH.. Ya know the Allergic reaction RASH that I've been struggling with all freeking summer... Well, I got the "bottom end" rash cleared up... stoped taking my HRT Vag cream.... but I still have the rash under my one armpit.. actually in front of my armpit but not quite on my boob... anyways TMI!!! I just have to get ride of this last bit of itch... i am hoping that it is NOT my Bipolar meds cause I like them.. they don't bother my stomach like the other meds did... So my hubby is "watching" me mood wise in case I start to go loopy or something... you guys know me pretty well too... so if you NOTICE I am different or talking a little SIDEWAYS you have my permission to Say so... enough of that... I'll be fine for a week or two... while I check out the skin reaction... I got off my butt and went for a walk this a.m. at 7:30.... felt good, I hadn't had ANY exercise since last weekend when we went hiking on our camping trip. Its a good thing that we went last wkend... as the Temperature now is COLD... and FREEKING Damp and COLD... Yuk... Phyl, I don't know what it is but I've had a headache all week too???? are you bothered by barometric pressure changes? That's what I amputtin it down tooo, either that or coming off these meds... maybe is causing the headaches? i'LL survive.. not a biggie Good job, on all those shopping finds.. girl you do get the bargains! I am back in the basement today, gong to work on my newest quilt.. Peter HATES it.. its for a girl at work and its PINK and Green... not my colour picks.. I'm a green/blue/purple kind of person.... Plus I've got to package up the Swiss Baby quilt and get it in the mail this weekend for sure! Steph, Karla hugs to you both... Kari, good work on staying away from the POP... you can do it.... the food will come.:thumbup:

Ok all I am sorry I am so late with these but I had a yard sale this weekend and have been SUPER busy. I have gotten up at 4:00 the last two days and been up late.. But we made over 800.00 so it was worth it. I am still up now because I talked my family into taking the kids so my hubby and I could have a date. (Yes, a real date) It was so fun, we went and saw taladaga nights and devil wears proda. Ohh they are both awsome movies. If you like funny movies taladaga nights will have you peeing in your pants.. (don't drink alot before going) Then we went to outback. He wanted that for his last super.. I ate about 10 french fries, 3 bites of potatoes, and one coconut shrimp. And I was satified. I did try a bite of his steak, but ended spitting it in the napkin after chewing for seemed like an eternity. I am down 22 as of this morning... My dh and me have had alot of moments if you ladies know what I mean. I mean we have always had a good sex life but he's has been complmenting me latly and seems to be a bit more frisky.. Is this TMI? Hope not.. LOL OKOKOK on with bingo!!!!!! 1st two words are "July" "Scared" Good luck all!!!

I have a question: I am 4 days post op and my abdomen still feels really swollen...is this normal??? I went to TJ alone and had to handle my carryon through two airports on the way home, and it was definitely over 5 lbs. I know I overdid it, but what else could I have done? I have been dying of hunger, then I made the family a big roast with carrots and potatoes...no, I didn't eat any meat, but I did grab some of the broth and pureed a few potatoes and several carrots. I added a cup of beef broth to thin it and it was definitely a liquid. After only 1/2 cup, I felt better than I had all day! Saving the rest for tomorrow. I was eating jello and popsicles and chicken broth and it just wasn't gettin' it. I am amazed I feel so much better! My stomach is still very rumbly and dh can also hear the hunger pangs! No abdomen gas, but am getting some out the other direction! (tmi?---but feel so much better when I CAN!) Every once in a while I feel a 'wave' of my stomach---I don't really know what else to call it---but it is wierd and kind of hurts, but not much---just a really weird feeling---does anyone else have this???

Well hello fellow bandster hellians, Seems like we are all in this together. I am having more problems with head hunger I think. I don't really feel hungry because my stomach always feels bloated or gassy. I take the gas x strips and I do pass gas (tmi) but I still feel bloated. Nevertheless, I still have an urge to eat something. This is what makes me think it is only head hunger. I have not gotten on the scale since surgery on 12/17 but I go for my first post-op appt tomorrow so I will see what it says. I started at 282 prior to pre-op diet and was at 268-269 on the day of surgery. I am just feeling tired, although I am trying to get in the protein and I have started to exercise more. I guess this is just a process that I am determined to get through.

Oh, another thing: one of my big worries has been getting a bit stopped up - I tend to get constipated every time I go on a diet. I've been pretty good with keeping up my Water intake, and have been using Benefiber twice a day, and I've been fine. I'm going to try to increase my Benefiber after banding, but I don't know if that'll be possible. Sorry if that's TMI, but it's an issue that's been one of my biggest fears, so I imagine there are others out there with the same issue!

Tracy... that's exactly what it is... "wonderment at early risers"! & here's your cheering for today: "Go Tracy! Go Tracy! You can do it! You can do it! Hello 230s! No Count Chocula! Yay Tracy!" Terry... I don't know why I write that... "I'm going now..." "I'm back!"... like anyone is keeping track! ha ha ha! Jenn... Well, after much huffing & puffing (it never used to be so difficult) (sorry if TMI!!!) I can cross THAT off my list for today. Phew! Good luck! I'm in Maryland... will plane, train, or auto anywhere... any time (pretty much)... just give me some time to make arrangements & save up some dough! Vegas? A spa (I love Ariz for spas!)? A cruise? Just daydreaming about a trip is nice!

Well, ended up in urgent care last night followed by the er... Without getting into tmi, it was NOT gas :-/. Anyway, had full work up (CT, X-rays, ultrasound) and all is well with the band. Thanks to the great staff at DRH (you guys rock, and addressed my crippling pain first!). Went to Walgreens and got chewable flintstones with iron rather than the sizable costco style I had been taking (flintstones are more complete as well). Thanks to my LBT CREW for all your comments! Gonna work on my fluid intake as well, heard you all loud and clear!

Good morning all you lovely Violets.. It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood.. I'm setting out clothes for a garage sale and boy does it feel good to price those puppies and say... I'm never going to wear them again!! They are all good quality clothes.. some never even worn so I hope I get some good prices on them cause I need the money for clothes shopping. It's a vicious circle, isn't it!!! For those considering liposuction.. as Terry says.. be VERY careful. There is a new procedure out now that is an injection rather than a suction. It dissolves the fat cells. My daughter was telling me about it. Her DH is a Physician's assistant and one of the people he graduated with does the procedure. I might even consider it when I get to goal. But at my age, who the heck cares if I have an apron as long as I can fit into regular sized clothes! Not like I'm going to be wearing a bikini ever in my life. At least not out in public. Might be nice for the backyard pool.. Yes, I watched Big Medicine last night. The lady sure didn't get a lot of support from her bf, did she?? But glad they showed the surgery.... DH kept saying.. that was us.. that was us!! Lunasa.. glad the meds are kickingin for you. It will take at least 6 weeks before the full effect is felt. But sounds like they are making a difference already. TracyK.. I take a water pill once a week. It really makes a difference for me. Plus I take a laxative every 3 or 4 days. The fiber sure works to keep things soft, but I guess I need that extra "push". I know, I know TMI!!! Back to sorting and pricing those big clothes. Everyone have a great day and remember to follow those bandster rules. Though I don't know why coffee is banned for some!! DH has had it since day one after his surgery with no problems.

Good morning Violets....... boy oh boy do I have a story to tell........ yesterday you may remember that I was very hungry all day at work, my egg drop soup did not hold me. I went to the store after work to pick up some odds and ends.. cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, grated cheese... etc... I was set to have refried beans for dinner....... so I combined in a bowl, refried beans, sour cream, taco sauce, grated cheese...... metled in the microwave til down right soupy....... I added to much sour cream so I wasn't all that happy with the taste but I did manage to eat about half of it...... but to get the nasty taste out of my mouth I watered down some SF pudding with calorie countdown milk and ONE tablespoon of peanut butter icecream....... I stirred till a chocolatey soup and ate....... THE PAIN, THE PAIN, THE PAIN :target: ......... to much, to fast, to rich, My little Billy the Bad Ass Band (Kat ref) Knocked me FLAT on my BACK FOR the ENTIRE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! I ate at 5:00 p.m. and by 9:00 p.m. I had the WORST (TMI) "squirts" and it still didn't relieve the pain...... I didn't feel like PB'ng because everything I ate was a soupy consistancy.. but it was like my entire "inards" were full to the seems..... finally at 9:30 p.m. I took some of my pain meds and by 11:00 it had relieved somewhat........ DBF was telling me that I shouldn't do that to myself....... (I wanted to throw something at him) LIKE I DON"T KNOW THIS FACT! and he thought I was funny laying there moaning then I got the hiccups..... Maybe I can't do beans.... I am better today except I am STICKING TO SOUP! HOURS and HOURS of Pain.............. Nothing like a little fear to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Happy New Years Eve Violets! I'm sick, sick, sick today. Woke up nauseated and on the verge of getting sick, diarrhea (TMI i know!), and I haven't been able to eat or drink anything today. I just wanted to tell everyone Happy New Year! Hopefully I'm not sick tomorrow on the first day of 2008! That just won't be a good sign for me LOL

Does anyone have the same problem/issue as me? First, sorry for TMI, but please read and answer if you can help......Since starting all the protein intake, extremely low carbs, low fat, etc etc, I have noticed that BMs are not the normal easy-going thing. It's more like pebbles or clumps, and not every day. I know not every day BMs is normal with our "new" diet, but what about the fact that it's kinda hard, need to strain, and small amount? I thought about maybe trying to get in a lot more fiber but I don't know how to do that or if it would just bind me up more? Or maybe I should just start taking stool softeners? But can you take those forever? Not sure what to do, so I thought I'd turn to my shrinking violet banded friends. Can anyone help? Thanks! Bandedme 4/5/07 262/227/155

Good Thursday Morn-- whoops! AFTERNOON, Violets~~ Wow... time flies! Yikes! Where is today going? Teach -- glad to "hear" from you & so glad that dh is doing well. Enjoy Canada! Pam -- Yay, a skinny day! Haven't had one here lately, but I'm hoping I'll know it when it does arrive! Brenners -- wow, what a start to banded life! Glad to see that you're still happy w/your decision & are ok now! Laura -- that cake combo sounds yum! mmmmmmmmmmmmm Househuntress -- What a fantastic idea!! Very creative!! Jennifur & others -- re: constipation issues (which I've been having a bit, too, w/this liquid diet... really, every few days or so I wonder where I got enough "material" to create a poop... all I'm doing is DRINKING! for goodness sake... hmmmmmmm)... I picked up a 6-pack of these teeny tiny cute little cans of prune juice to have on hand if it goes on too long... haven't had to pop one open yet, but it's good to know it's there if I do... (sorry if tmi!) Ok... Day something... I'm losing count!... it's....... (counting on calendar)... 11! ~~ OMG -- so that means only 4 TO GO! When that dawned on me just now I whipped my head around to check the calendar -- ow... I think I got a crick in my neck doing that! 4 MORE DAYS! Aye Yie Yie! Doing well w/liquids now... it's just what I do now. Got my whey Gourment Smooth PB chocolate Protein powder in yesterday... I did not realize that it would be in a gargantuan tub! It barely fits in the cabinet! I also ordered the Cookies 'n Cream (w/out having tried it first, but it sounded good) & had one this a.m.... it's ok... definitely NOT as good as the PBC... but ok... nice change from choc & van plain. Have a busy tomorrow & weekend... I'm the Book Fair Chair @ the kids' ES & have to set up the BOGO Fair tomorrow... then it's game 1 of ds's soccer tourny weekend tomorrow night... whoever scheduled THAT is crazy -- making soccer parents drive on Mem'l Weekend Fri eve??? That's just cruel... Then it's soccer Sat AND Sun... + our annual neighborhood Block Party/BB! on Sun (which my family is one of the 3 "host" families that started this 3 years ago, so we HAVE to be there)... my plan for the BBQ is to make up a couple pitchers of Crystal Light and maybe freeze a couple containers of it so I can have it as a "icee" type thing (digging @ it w/a spoon may entertain me, I hope) + have lots on hand to drink... I figure if I keep mingling all around maybe no one will notice that I'm not actually eating -- they'll all think I ate earlier w/someone else! OH -- AND one of my best friends is moving back to our town (in MD) from St. Louis after 4 years away... they bought a new house in a nearby development & I'm going to go over on Sat morning and put up balloons & sprinkle confetti along the sidewalk & put a sign on the door, etc.... can you tell I'm excited she's coming back?? I guess all that is my way of explaining that I probably won't be on here much 'til Monday... and then that's the day before surgery!!! Calgon, take me away! But I procrastinate... I must go now & CLEAN MY HOUSE... I must! Everyone have a great weekend if I don't get back here 'til Monday!! And if you all are out & about having fun all weekend & don't get back on here 'til Tuesday -- PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS ON TUESDAY MORNING (7:30am surgery time)!!!!!!!!! I need the Purple Power of ALL the Violets in Tights!! Love you guys!!!

My last post "tummy looks small" was supposed to be nice incisions LOL ...drugs .... what can I say? My tummy actually looked like I was 6 months pregnant again and hard.. full of gas they kept saying it will pass soon soon it will pass ...4 days until i finally started getting rid of that gas wow!!! ( TMI - sorry) Now I am at home doing so much better.. it was difficult getting fluids in at first I know logically that it wasn't going to be forever but still emotionally it felt like it was. today I hit my protien target 60g and I drank 2 bottles of water plus ONE of my vitamins ..ha its a start! Getting better every day. Today I even walked down the street and back with my daughter. I know we aren't supposed to weigh in this early but curiosity got the best of me and I am down 5 lbs. Nice.... Follow up on Tuesday.

Aww thanks ladies! Yeah I still have a gallbladder, I'm just so scared to go back to er I'm really tired of being there. My lil one has been with me on and off, my mom took him for 6 days because I couldn't get up from bed and when I did get up it was literally crawling to get him stuff. The last 4 days he's been here and so has his dad ugh yuck. I think I'm losing too fast too but I know its because of me not eating. I did go get blood work with my pcp around xmas and everything was good except my anemia and everything that has to do with hematology. I feel better today but I just don't feel any hunger or desire to do anything with my life. I also think I'm dealing with depression due to everything that has happened, its like I just sleep all day and I have moments that I'm crying reflecting on my life mistakes. This is tmi but I've been so down that I haven't even showered in like 10 days, the pain won't allow me to stand in the shower and call me nasty but I haven't even tried to wash myself, all I do is crawl to the kitchen fill up a water bottle, cry and then sleep. I'm a mess, I can't wait to feel better.

Don't worry about the TMI - I think we've all had that fear at one time or another. Let me tell you about a product that I've used when I've had a similar problem. It's called Kondremul Lubricant Laxative. It's a liquid and doesn't taste too horrible. I bought mine from CVS (Link here: CVS Online Pharmacy Store ) It's gentle on your tummy and it also softens the stool. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. :drool: I ordered mine from the website but I would love it if they could be ordered locally!

It does get better, I was sleeved November 20, and there were some days that I didn't think I could tolerate another Protein shake (I still use them to supplement). There is no way I can get 80-100 grams of protein in a day without them. This may be TMI, but I had problems with gagging while I was having a bowel movement for about 4 weeks, it was very strange and scary. This was the closest to "slimming" I have done, and it was awful. Eeeewwwwwww!

No nasty FB messages between family members today! Praise God!! I can't deal with much more of that! Beach house.... You gals are going to love it. Setting is just wonderful. Place is smaller than I pictured it, but it will work just fine. The outdoor areas are GREAT... pray for good weather so we can enjoy it!! July 4th weekend can be wonderful, or not!! The remainder of our bill is due June 1... $802, and $200 of that is cleaning/security deposit. So we'll get that back. But... I think we have 8 confirmed.. so $100 each. If you are in agreement, I will spend $200 stocking with groceries, wine, etc... whatever you want me to get.. and then The $200 deposit will be mine, assuming we get it back. And I don't know why we wouldn't. Let me know what I should get... I know red wine for Candice and I. Then... what else... Long Island Ice Tea??? Tequila?? Vodka??? Beer??? Seems we drank mostly wine at Candice's, but I'll stock whatever you want me to get. Then... suggest some breakfast items... Kashi Go Lean?? Eggbeaters??? Yogurt??? Give me some suggestions... I may have to spend more than the $200 but we can sort it all out later. Place is rented Thurs night through Sunday night... so those coming in a day before or staying the day after, can stay in the condo here with us. We have an extra bedroom with queen bed and a pull out single in the LR. Suzanne preferred payment by PayPal with the deposit. Some of you had a problem with that, so just send me a check for $100 and I will deposit the checks in my checking account and pay with my PayPal account. Sounds like you guys are driving hard this week!! Relax... take your time, smell the roses! Are you stopping at the Mall of America after Steph's??? I hear Uncle Ed is doing pretty well... still a little confused at times. I think themain thing is tha he is depressed... I can't drive anymore, therefore my life is over. Making comments like, "I'll be leaving this place soon", etc. My sister, Barb said he was already talking like that before all this happened and now it's worse. Told my Mom they can't go to church anymore because he doesn't want anyone driving him aroujnd! Ridiculous! Their complex has a shuttle that will take them places. AND, he's been driving ladies who can't drive around to church, lunch, etc., for YUEARS!! Male ego!! UGH! Kinda pissed at Earl the last couple of days. Since we bought the new car he's doing things like sending me a detailed email account of our projected expenses for the next 6 months telling me our finances will be "touch and go"!! RIDICULOUS!! And today's thing... having a fit because I'm taking the cat for her once a year checkup and shots tomorrow... about $75. He wants me to take her to the animal shelter for the shots and not get a check up! He says he doesn't get a yearly check up so why should she??!! She's 13 yrs old! I'm taking her in or a check up tomorrow and shots!! Told him I'll take the money out of my "mad money" account if necessary! We only financed $10K, and our son-in-law financed that for us... so we're paying him...at 3% interest instead of what the car dealer was going to charge us. So the payments are minimal. Did it all formal with a contract and all. And it is not going to stress out our budget!! He had our financial adviser take a few K out of our IRA so we could have a "cushion". I told him... in 3 more years Uncle Sam will MAKE him start taking money out of that based on his life expectancy. That was a revelation for him... guess he thought he'd have control over how much he withdrew. Not the way I understand the "rules". So... then our income tax is going to go up. It's to our advantage to start taking some out yearly NOW! WHAT are we saving it for... for our kids to spend when we're gone!! SORRY... TMI, I know! I have had 2 glasses of wine and I am really frustrated... and YOU are truly my closest friends!! I have to VENT to someone!! Oh, CRAP!! News is reporting there is NOTHING you can do to help ward off Alzheimer's! Can't prevent it! But.. a better diet can lower the chances of getting it! HUH??? May have made more sense before the wine!? What a cheery new report! Now they're talking about breast cancer! I think I'll be done with the news now! Too depressing! Oh... here's some fun news from my family!! My nephew... sister Mary Lou's DS#2... just about to finish many years of school and officially be certified as a pediatric neurologist.. His wife and he wantd to wait until he was finished to start their family. He is 36 years old this month. I got a very clever email from him a few days ago about a "high terror alert". It went on and on with all these big words... and said the "non-specific indications of terror" were to increase on or about Oct. 14. There were two photos attached to the email. They were the most amazing ultrasound pictures I have ever seen... 3-D... of their TWINS!!! It was incredible! You could actually see that they are undoubtedly fraternal because they don't look very much alike... and one looks just like he did as a baby! They don't want to know the sexes, so you could only see the torsos, but, you could see the placenta, details of the fingers, etc. Needless to say, my sister is on cloud 9. She is 62 with 4 kids over 30 and these are her FIRST grandchildren! She is so thrilled! She already ordered two "onesies" online... Dr. Seuss theme.. "Thing 1 and Thing 2"!!

omy gosh, I am sitting in the lobby of the hotel... to get wifi servcice..dosnt work in our room??? There is this little family sitting beside me on the sette... their 3yr old is jabbering away in Italian...does it ever sound funny... I can't stop looking at her... so cute... GOD I wish I knew wht she was rattling on about... it soundsbou SO interesting.We board our ship today, but not until this afternoon.. and Typing here, hoping it will bring on a BM... I know too much TMI but, alas that's what I am thinking about this morning. Karla, I have a superb pair of shoes that I brought from Canada... ALso bought the cutest shawl/sweater thing yest. I think it will be cold on the ship... About 45 degrees yest. nice for hiking around and up and down. PB'd on breaky this a.m... had to go back and drink yougurt thingys... they are good, probiotic I think... but really just guessing cause everything is in Italian... ha,ha,ha... calories, no clue!! but with all this walking and no snacking, I think I will be doing o.k. calorie wise.WHere is Phul?? Is she driving?

ok I posted from my blackberry but it didn't show up?! HHMMM So I was feeling better and even hungry. Decided I wanted to splurge and eat Chinese so ordered Generals Chicken extra extra spicy to drain the sinuses and it is my favorite. Was so looking forward to my son bringing it home. Fixed my small dish sat down took a couple bites and NOPE I lost it. This is TMI but the extra extra spicy burns like hell coming back up! Back to broth for me. not tonight maybe tomorrow. Need to just move slowly but really wanted my dish! DANG!!! Oh well....hubby and son are eating it now. LOL

amy, maybe this is tmi but i couldn't reach around the front because most of my weight is in my belly. so i lean forward and get to it that way from the back. hopefully when i lose the belly, i can do it the "normal" way. it works for me though and haven't had a uti in more years than i can remember.

TMI but omg these cramps are horrible :**[

Hi everyone! Long time no see sorry lol I wanted to say hi to Lila & congrats on the recovery so far! Good luck to all of you on pre-op diets! I'm currently fluctuating up to TEN kgs depending on whose scales I use, my lowest is 126, my highest is around 132.5 or 144! Incredibly frustrating since all three of those numbers are from medical grade scales! I just had my implanon removed yesterday so hopefully the hormonal fluctuations will stop- I'm expecting to drop 10 kgs or so in the next month just from that! I also got my copper (non-hormonal) IUD in yesterday, and have to admit it did hurt ALOT but only for about 60 secs then only mild cramping in the afternoon and fine now! Best decision ever, so far the nurses were so lovely, held my hands, and I have to admit (TMI) that the obgyn was lucky my legs were strapped down or he probably would have got a decent kick to the chops lol Anyway, I have another app with my surgeon on 8th and hoping to get the go-ahead and date for next year, but honestly may just have to be patient and keep trucking. We're discussing trying the new endo-barrier in the meantime, but id be the first for my surgeon so well just continue to consider options... But hey, maybe is get a discount for being the guinea pig lol!!! Peace and safe travels!

I am feeling better everyday. I just wanted to give a heads up to everyone: stay on your stool softeners or miralax. Going into TMI, I had gone small tiny amounts a couple times since surgery, at one point I thought the "water" time cleaned me out. Today I had/have the mother of all constipation. No joke, hours, Some relief but I know the job isn't finished yet. Even if you think you are okay, take it as a precaution. I will never go a day without it again.

This may be TMI but, I finally pooped!!! Wasn't much but it's a start!!! Maybe everything is waking up finally!!!