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Dear All, It feels like an age since I was last on here. Well Davids parents have now gone, thankfully. Your right Terri, I had to bite my tounge a lot whist they were here, his dad said some pretty hurtful things, and I ended up waiting on them hand and foot. Its sad really as I dont know what Ive done, but I've made up my mind now, not to go up to his parents home again, it gets me so stressed out. I went to see my Dr this week, and shes prescribed me some 'chill' pills, I probably needed them even before the holiday as I was pretty stressed then! Hopefully I'll soon feel like my normal self again. I'm not allowed any alcohol either on these pills, so thats a good thing for my diet too! Well, on Saturday I went to see the gastric consultant, and the dietician, luckily Ive only put on 1/2 pound in weight, my muscle % has gone down too (only to be expected as I havent been exercising) he's put in 7.5mls into my band now, and he said he'd phone me on Wednesday to see if I have a restriction. OH MY GOD I HAVE A RESTRICTION NOW!!!!! :whoo:Finally....... Dave's doing ok, we saw the orthopedic/spinal consultant on Tuesday and he was really positive, were hoping he can get back to his old job by January/February 08. He's still on pain killers, but he's doing a lot more now, and the physio has told him to walk a mile walk every day, and he's really positive. Laura what lovely pics, and what a wonderful cake...CONGRATULATIONS! Lunasa, gosh look after yourself, I hope life gets better for you xx Take care all, Lots of love Sara xxxxxxxxxxxx

The sugar free margarita mix is actually pretty good. I would make mine virgin because I dont' like the alcohol, but when I was on Atkins I actually drank it quite often. They also have diet cranberry juice that you could mix with vodka. I dont' know how carbonated Mike's hard lemonade is, but they do make a light version of that as well. Hey look at that...I CAN make alcoholic drinks healthy!!!

Canolie - you can call the Allergen toll free number and give them your surgery information - date, surgeon, address and they will mail you the card. You can do it online at their website, but I couldn't figure it out so I called them. Yes the Kaiser program I am doing is very expensive all together including the Optifast food it is about $4300 - it includes all the bloodwork, doctor visits, classes - but if you divide it by the 30 weeks we have to go it is only $143/mo or if you divide it by the total program time 84 weeks it is about $51/wk. I am having to charge the whole thing at this point - you don't pay it all at once. I am considering it as an investment in ME. Thank you for understanding and keeping any negativity to yourself (I know not everyone approves nor do they have to). Tina - I don't know if all beans are sliders, but I do know that refried bean and baked beans are. It is hard not to turn to them if dense protein gets stuck. I pretty much don't go out to eat with people other than my parents or kids. I think it is hard for some people to understand why we can't eat and certainly why we can't drink. I know they don't want us to drink alcohol but it isn't very realistic to think that for the rest of our lives - everything in moderation but I would avoid the carbonation. Of course I don't do food well in moderation. I think I will be doing laundry a couple of more hours - camping is fun, but it put me off schedule for the laundry etc. I am planning on going to the Point West meeting on Saturday.

HI all! Judy, I did get your PM, and will share it with my kids, to keep in mind, if she struggles in 1st. I have only had 2 days to closely observe...and in all honesty, it looks to me as though consistency, and lack of personal attention are the main problems. If I take the time, to get her full attention, and explain or show her...she has no problems. Now that her home life is going to settle down, and she is so happy about it, it is just downright sad. She wanted to live with her Daddy, and my DD so badly....and she was for the most part, but when it was time for her Mom to get some CS she would demand her to come home. Long enough to get a check, then she would call about leaving her for a few hours, and come back a couple of weeks later. She must have told me 25 times in the last month that she gets to live with them ALL the time, and she and Kinsey are really going to be sisters, she is just so much more relaxed, I believe the consistency in her life will improve her abilities as well. Her Dad and my DD met with her teacher, the counselor, and the principal of the school when the court ruled in his favor. They let it be known she is not allowed to leave with Mom etc. So that may have been some of the reason they chose to send her on to 1st grade...I don't know. Awww Lunasa---hang in there Hon....it was very apparant to me that the words of wisdom you shared with all of us here, come from someone who feels all things on a very deep level. Unfortunately for you, what allows you to understand our fears, and disappointments---is the same part of you that makes you feel your own so deeply. Some of what you are feeling is emotional, of course, and likely some is actually caused by fluctuating hormonal levels, changing as the "diet" we are now eating makes different things in our systems hit unusual highs and lows. It has to be part of it---I think everyone hits them! And not just band patients---anyone who begins a new eating regime. Makes you wonder if some of these feelings are not why the stats are so high for WLS patients becoming alcoholics, etc. We go through these emotional swings, and many people soothe them with alcohol. As the years go by, they will find out all these things---we my friends are the guinie pigs!!! But thanks to these bands, Guinie pigs are the only kind of pigs we will be!!! Lunasa, if you need to try on your old clothes a few times to remind yourself how it has changed, do it! Take some pampering time for you! Do like the others, paint your toenails, the ability to do it, will be another NSV! Back to the taco debate.....did you calculate what the one taco was calory wise? It doesn't seem like a horrid choice to me...meat, veggies, cheese. The shell is the worst of it. I have no intentions of giving up my occasional taco!!! TracyKS---I agree, your boss, sees the changes in you---both in your body, the way you eat...your overall outlook....I don't for a second believe he ask it because you look like you are PG, but because you have changed in a way he cannot put his finger on...I too think it is funny. Take it as a compliment! I have had 3 people in 2 days act shocked that my granddaughters are my granddaughters, and not MY kids.......oh how thankful I am that I am not full time Mommy to a 2 & 6 year old!!!! But I felt thrilled that they thought I was!!! Well I am not sure what the next week or so will hold. Rick is off now until 2 weeks following his procedure---which will make it the end of the month, which is right at my party for my parents! So I will be hit & miss during that time. I will be here, but likely not as often---don't panic, I'll check in. And I'll be thinking of you guys!!! Kat

Lol, hope you have got plenty of after sun.. how did i know you'd be having alcohol ha ha x

That's true! I had something called "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," so for me it was cutting out alcohol AND carbs. I say, enjoy your pasta! And have a couple bites for me please!!! With parmesean . . . . .YUM!!! Riley

hiya homecare:smile: being honest i am not too bad and as i said before my only worry is he cant do the surgery for some reason..that would just be disastrous:sad: been on the pre op since week past thursday no alcohol and trying to stay on low fat low sugar foods,had a treat last night though .....had a pizza:tongue_smilie: yeh my partner and son are coming over with me for moral support so just hope it all goes to plan. roll on thursday will probably catch up with you in the hotel the night before the big op? got an email from Frederik about the taxi etc and he will visit my room at 2100hrs approx to collect the cash and give me some more info. lets just think posititve!

Welcome Galatea, its a big step to book up for the operation but well worth it, I dont think anyone on here regrets it one bit, read back thro the posts and ask any questions you want, and join in the banter. Big sis, I'm gutted for you but this band is a funny thing, I put on 1lb last week, I've not eaten any less in fact I've eaten more this week and its come off again, lets hope the same happens to you. You must be so thrilled to be close to 10st thats my target weight I'm so jealous. Gary have you had a date to go to Belgium yet? As we're talking babies, I'll give you all a quick update on my daughter, she due mid Oct, and has not yet had any fill taken out, she's 6.5 months now and has put on 7lb in weight, because she has a band her pregnancy has been consultant led and she has had an extra two scans, the last being last wednesday, where the head was the right size, but the baby was 2 weeks bigger than her dates, we now agreed for her to have a glucose tolerance test in two weeks time in case there could be any underlying diabetis,although there are no other symtoms. She is booked into her band consultant for a defill on the 8th august, all is progressing wonderfully and she has'nt had a moments sickness or any other problems. Everything is now in place if she should need to deliver early, both my house and her house is awash with pink and white frills, we've got lists upon lists of thing we've got ready. Freckles we now need an update about yours. Whats happening with you reflux, last night was the second night it came back, I read the main causes are smoking, alcohol, and chocolate, I dont drink or smoke so it might be my evening treat of choc, I hope not :crying:

Morning everyone!!! Laura, here in NM now you have a 3 mph grace is it, and when it gets radioed in that they are stopping such and such vehicle, they have to state the speed, and then a ticket is REQUIRED!!! No warning! It is supposedly that way due to something in Las Cruces, about pulling over a legislator several times, only to let him go, once they found out who he was, now the ticket is started before they even find out who is driving they say. In my little town, in our little corner of NM, they have an agreement among the 5 (yes, five) local law enforcement entities, that they work in an among the area. There are 3 towns/cities, each with their own police force, as well as the Sherrifs office (we are the county seat, so their main office is here), and the State Police also have several local branches. Any officer can stop you at anytime, even an officer from the other cities! So it is saturated!!! We run radar detectors, because DH had such a hard time going 55 mph. Yep 55----there are so many rural, county roads branching off our state highway, they will not raise the limit, in fact have lowered sections to 45 mph, out in the middle of nowhere! It is a glorified speed trap----we refer to it as "revenue enhancement blvd." DH has his CDL, so he is given NO slack, he is not allowed a single mile over the speed limit, if he is stopped, his tickets are a lot higher. Normally you are considered driving under the influence with an alcohol reading of .08, he cannot have above a .02. Lucky for us we both have good driving records, he has some tickets from his teenage years, but those are looooooooong gone!!!! Be careful, buckle up and slow down----cheaper than the ticket and the resulting rise in insurance!!! Well I was going to try to get to Curves this morning, thinking DH could watch the girls, but he has already taken off!!! He is off getting supplies so he can come home and we can mix and pour cement in our new woodshed....will the fun never end??? It will take 3-4 days to get it all. Mostly because the shed is long and narrow, and enclosed on 2 sides, so we have to be able to get to it to work it, so will have to pour in small batches. As of now it looks like a schedule of making forms today, pouring the first section this afternoon. Hauling a load of wood for the inlaws in the morning, then pouring the second section tomorrow afternoon. Might go after wood for my parents (they can and DO do their own, but Rick feels bad making him do it alone when we have to do his folks, so we may bring them a load too.) Then the next section of cement. Finish the cement on Thursday. Hit the fair Thursday night, which is fun, finally---not work!!! Then I think we will run away Friday for my birthday, and go back up into the mountains....come home late Saturday or early Sunday....Then we have the last 3 days of his vacation, Mon-Wed. to reload the woodshed, and relax!!! Not sure if or when I will fit a traditional workout at Curves in---but I will be working out, rest assured!!! And I will continue to ride/walk/whatever it is you do on it-- my elliptical trainer each evening, I have not missed a night yet!!! I am saving them up, so when I am gone for a few days---I can still consider my goals met! You hear that Terry??? I really AM doing it!!! LMAO Now if Judy would get inside my head a bit better about my food choices....!!!! I LOVE this blaming someone else thing! I find myself in an ebb and flow of making good choices, I do really well, then I have a few days of slacking off, then I get with the program again!!! I think like you suggested to Jenn, I may need to chat with my Dr. concerning my diuretic again, my hands are so swollen this morning, my rings are tight, and usually they spin and slide all around. Water retention has always been an issue with me, and I ate popcorn yesterday, so I know it is the salt. Might go look through the medicine cabinet---see if any remain! Why? Because TWJWD...thats what Judy would do!!! I only have one isse, and that is I am afraid if I take it, I will do just like your DH, and I am going to be covered in cement dust, and do not want to be running in and out of the house!!! Hmmmm swelling, or running in and out, which is the worst of the 2????? Ok, well I am off to get some things done in the house before Rick gets back with the first load of supplies, and we get started....cement mixing with 2 kids running around, this could be fun!!! Wish us luck!!! Kat

The little glass of wine worked so well that one night.... is that an option or can you not take it with this new medication? I know you can't have alcohol with many anti-anxiety/anti-depressant meds. Also, I used to work as a pre-cert nurse... if they refuse to pay for the Rx, it may help if your doctor will write a letter documenting your "failed trial" of Zoloft, etc. and state your case for why you need to be on this particular medication.

Phyl, so sorry the restraunt couldn't make special arrangements for us bariatric patrons, so it's their loss. I wonder if they have carry out???? If she was nasty about it, I'd let her know that you'll be letting others in on the fact that they shouldn't go there if they expect to get what they pay for. Our Golden Corral is like that. A nurse in my doc office had bypass 2 years ago, and she went there and tried to order a childs dinner buffet. They refused, so she said she'd be letting all of her patients at the office know about it. Now, they probably won't be going out of business any time soon, but we did go there to eat about 3 to 4 times a year and if you multiply that times the number of patients that have ate there in recent years, and their families, then you can see they are losing out on some business. I believe as the trend grows here in the US for bariatric surgeries, that more and more food joints will realize that people are just trying to control their portions, and they'll have to bend the rules to keep up with the trend. Persistance is the key. AppleBlossom, inline skating sounds like fun, but we don't really have anywhere here to do it. I bed you'll have some killer calf muscles after all that!! Marcy, you're so funny. You've spent all this time raising those chickens, and can't even enjoy them. Oh well, you did get all the crab meat, which I'm still jealous of!! I'm starting to think you were a little "wild" in your pre-kids days with your comments about doing anything once!! Shannon, that's a tough decision to make about the fill. I'd question myself as to whether or not I was getting all my protein and liquids in each day before making a decision. If your absolutely sure you're getting all the requirements in from your doctor, then it seems it may be time for a fill. Or, you could try to up the numbers. If your doc requires 60 grams of protein a day, try to up it to 70 to see if it makes a difference. For myself, I'm to get in 55 to 70 a day, but the more protein I eat, the fuller I stay. I can eat a 20 gram south beach bar and be hungry 2 hours later, but if I mix a shake with a scoop and a half of powder, which is 35 grams, I'm full for 3 1/2 to 4 hours. It may not hurt to try and start to figure out where your own sweet spot is, and how many grams it takes to keep you full for 3 to 4 hours. It may help you out with not needing a fill as often. Chim, I'm having an ok day. It's another hot one here, but relief may be in the forcast for Thursday. At least I have one night of excercise behind me already this week, and tomorrow I'm going to a friends to swim for a few hours with Hunter and DH, so that will be another night. Tonight is my night off, maybe, have to converse with DH on this one!! Kathy, your trip is getting closer. I bet you're getting excited!!! Jeanie, how's your new students?? I bet you come and are totally exhausted. I've only got one to deal with, and I can't imagine a classroom full of them!! Dini, sounds like you're enjoying your time off. I bet Annafrancesca is getting spoiled rotten with her grandma right now!! Sunny, where have you been lady. Haven't heard from you since the chicken salad!! Hope you're ok and it didnt make you sick or something!! Cazulay, so the food got the best of you for a day. It happens, but today is a new day. Wipe your slate clean, and your conscious, and go right back at it. This has got to be a worse addiction than drugs, or alcohol, or tobacco, because we have to eat to live. But you'll be ok, we all will. Practice makes perfect, one day at a time!!!!

Hi All - OK, gotta tell you what happened to me in Belgium - a cautionary tale for anyone heading out there (or getting the band anywhere.) I went through the surgery and Dr. Chris had to stop without banding me because of problems with my liver. I have non-alcoholic cirrhosis. I did inform the doc on the forms of this but did not verbally go into the full history. Nor did he ask - which I think makes us each 50% culpable. As I understood my medical condition - which is seven years old - I had improved to the point where it was a lasting but non-progressing condition. So, I had the surgery but no band. Dr Chris said it was only the third time he had to stop a surgery. It is not only the money I lost (but I was refunded 2K for the cost of the band and, I believe, the doctor's own fees) but it is the huge disappointment - and also the trauma of undergoing surgery for nothing. My disappointment is huge, and I am actually feeling quite depressed about it. As we all know, no one enters this lightly and I believed it to be my real last chance. If I had successfully lost weight on my own, I wouldn't be here! I had so many hopes and plans for my thinner, healthier future. Anyway, please, please, please, do yourself a favour and do not hold back any information whether you think it is relevant or not. I understand and appreciate that Dr Chris stopped my surgery as a life-saving measure (he said when my liver was touched it started to bleed enough to worry him that I could bleed to death - you can't argue with that). But going through surgery for no gain is a serious situation. Good luck to you all - and especially ShellyG and Mairaid who were there with me, also lovely Alan. Shelly, thank you for all your support and I wish you all lots of weight loss and good health! Kathy

A shot works for me! I haven't drank any alcohol since surgery! Has anyone had problems with it?

Hey Everybody, Cals today very good until I got to the bar. Then...... like Phyl says.... there was this Vodka......and..... Well I felt the need, NEED, to drink. I wasn't wasting cals. on fancy drinks so I downed the vodka straight. Lemon drops, you dip a lemon in sugar, down the vodka, then bite the lemon. Did you know that Vodka taste exactly like rubbing alcohol? Yuck! Cals today not too good, not horrendous, but not too good. OMG, I just glanced at the TV, which I am not watching, and Tom Cruise sliced someones head open straight down the front. DH's kind of movie, YUCK!

GOOD ALMOST AFTERNOON LADIES !!! I have been up since 7 a.m. (well the smoke alarm went off at 5 a.m. need new batteries i guess as there was no fire ) I have read the paper - done 3 loads of wash - cleaned my room, closet and bathroom (hairspay on mirrors - counter tops -floors ugh- but gotta look cute)- Ironed - (done all between 7 - 11) Then got online - answered Phyl's email - then had a message from someone named ellen about the band - then Cheryl about the flabby skin issues for us older ppl and all that took 1 hour I finally made it here... Peaches - I like catfish the most - it is less fishy than salmon - don't get me wrong I like fishy (or should I say strong foods - I like lamb too) and it's soft - I bake it with evoo salt pepper and garlic - or top it with Parmesan cheese - or salsa. I love it I eat it most nights... Sounds like you had a lot of fun - what a great DH :thumbup: and you had a special weekend - I give you a pass for the alcohol :biggrin: cuz for us who drink - special occasion are drinking occasions :biggrin: and you don't do it every day - but now that you are back - watch those calories and hopefully you got some exercise (hint hint) that will help too :tt1: Nic - anyone can help you here - just post your questions and you will most likely get 4 or 5 responses from us lucky #7's - as Karri said WE ARE THE BEST THREAD on this website - we have had like 9000 post - but we have had 138,000 people viewing our thread - what's that tell you Ok gang - I am alive and well - but I need to do some Target & Walgreen shopping and may be hit Home Depot (a new one open down the street and we even have signal lights now - i am really getting up town) So will ck back later ----:tt2::tt2::tt2::tt2:

Adjustments - for those of you who didn't want to click on the link: How to Tell When You Are Perfectly Adjusted You are losing 1-2 pounds per week. If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week: A. You may need an eating adjustment 1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day 2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber 3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories a. Soup can be sign of “soft calorie syndrome” b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories – 7 calories per gram (1) It’s also a stomach irritant c. Fruit juice is just sugar water 4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can’t just eat what’s easy c. Cheese is glorified fat 5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals 6. Are you eating too much junk a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don’t avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places 7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily 8. Do you always eat the protein first 9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable 10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. Meat or fish (1) 3 ounces – the size of a deck of cards b. Vegetables (1) ½ cup – the size of your fist c. Starch (1) If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don’t need much (2) Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t 12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (1) Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine (2) The body has no way to break down artificial fats a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you’re not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait. 2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks 3. Are you sitting down to eat? 4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions 5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying 6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork 7. Are you chewing well? 8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won’t be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal 9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it’s a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop 10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing. 11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes? 2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey? 2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days 3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor? 4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings? 5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends? 6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically? 7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey? 8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive – compulsive thoughts (1) Obsess about something else b. Perfectionism (1) All or none, black and white thinking c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss 9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards? 10. Have you learned how to take a compliment? 11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as “good” and “bad” e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food 12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place? E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals? 2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions. 3. You are having to struggle to lose 4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set. F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down 2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much? 3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables a. Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (6) Peppermint a. Baking soda toothpaste (7) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (1) Tylenol is OK n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider 4. See your health care provider immediately (or call 911) if a. You have a squeezing, tightness or heaviness in your chest, especially if the discomfort spreads to your shoulder, arm or jaw or is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, irregular or fast heartbeat or nausea. These could be symptoms of a heart attack. b. If your symptoms are triggered by exercise. c. If your pain localizes to your right side, especially if you also have nausea or fever d. If you throw up vomit that looks like black sand or coffee grounds. Or if your stool is black, deep red or looks like it has tar in it. These are symptoms of bleeding and need immediate attention. (Note: Pepto-Bismol or other medications with bismuth will turn your stool black. Iron supplements can also make the stool tarry.) e. If your pain is severe This was written by Jessie H. Ahroni, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., C.D.E., B.C.-A.D.M.

Last night’s dinner: Sweet n spicy BBQ pork and Buffalo Cauliflower. I had one pork medallion and a couple cauliflower florets: 134 calories. P.S. As an aside, since we’ve been doing a “Dry February”, i find I’ve been eating much less. I wonder if alcohol consumption is somehow tied to food consumption?? And as a bonus, i also notice i’ve been sleeping much better (like longer and more soundly…go figure).

Jaime, First of all, please don't call yourself a failure. You're not. You have to realize that we all have a food addiction. An addiction, not unlike, drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. It's been our obsession for many years. Sometimes, it takes more than a Lap Band to get us on our road to recovery, There is a reason, we overate in the first place. Have you considered seeking therapy? For me, I was just so ready to do this. I had been diagnosed as a pre-diabetic, I had PCOS and I had just been diagnosed with arthritis. I was scared straight! Just like when I used to take my juvenile probation clients to the state pen, I was scared straight! So scared of becoming a full blown diabetic, and so afraid of ending up in a wheelchair from my arthritis, that I felt I had no other choice. I had to force myself to make huge changes in my life. The Lap Band was the tool that I needed. With that being said, I must confess, it wasn't easy. Like I said above, I am a food addict. I overate for over 20 years. Food was a big part of my life. It took the place of feeling loved, of feeling wanted and of feeling worth. I had to find my motivation to get on the Bandwagon and stay there. I learned many years ago that I do best with a very strict regimen. I can't fly by the seat of my pants. This is odd since I am the least type A personality - you'd ever meet. BUT when it comes to meeting goals, I have to make lists, I have to make plans and I have to be very strict with sticking to them. The same happened when I graduated from college with my triple degrees at the age of 19. I had to make studying my life. It had to become me. The same when I returned to school for my nursing degree. I had to eat, sleep and live my studies. I have done that with my Lap Band and my new lifestyle. It has encompassed every part of my being. EVERY part of my life is associated in some way to my new lifestyle. My advice to you - is don't give up! You just got a fill today! A time for a new beginning! The Lap Band is good at giving us new chances to start fresh! Sit down and make a list of reasons why you want to be successful. List everything you can think of! Your health, your happiness, smaller sizes, more attractive appearance, better sex, all the NSV's available with a new body. List them and post them somewhere you'll see them daily. Then return to the good ole Bander Rules. Portion control is a biggie if you don't feel you have restriction. Measure Measure Measure! Buy yourself some pretty little measuring cups, several different sets if you want, I have 4. Measure all of your food 1 cup to 1.5 cup per meal. Eat slow, take tiny bites and allow your pouch to stretch properly. Write on a paper when you've taken your last bite. Don't drink anything for an hour. Then drink your water, crystal light, tea or whatever you drink. Get your 8 glasses in - through out the day. IF you get hungry before your 4 hours, that's okay, focus on foods that will feed your body. Foods that will help you meet your protein goal of 60-80 grams a day. Nuts, cheese, a boiled egg, hummus, whatever you want in that area is a good snack. Eat your snack. That's okay, if you're hungry don't starve, but make good nutritious choices. Log onto www.fitday.com or www.dailyplate.com or anything other service that helps you track your intake. List everything that enters your mouth. Try to keep your fats down around 30-40% of your total calories, if you're consuming carbs, if not, than a higher fat % is okay. Start moving your body. Don't try something that is impossible. Start with 5 mins a day for 6 days a week. 5 mins, walk in place in the morning or afternoon take a 5 mins walk. Anything, but do it everyday. After meeting the 5 mins a day for 6 days, increase it to 10 mins. There are three components to working out - Frequency, Duration, Intensity. Get the Frequency down first, then increase the time and lastly, once you're on track with 6 days a week, 20 mins a day, then you can increase the intensity. Don't do it all at once. Give yourself time to form a habit. 3 weeks makes a habit. Jaime, I have faith in you. I remember meeting you the night before you were banded. You were excited, motivated and ready to start your new life. Don't lose sight of that excitement! But as you know, it takes work. I know you can do it. Be smart about it. Plan to be successful and you will. Believe you can do it and you will! Truly, you can do this! I know you can!

Lol yea maybe in a dessert but not in food like coconut curry or something like that, coconut lime chicken, coconut rice ... nope 🤢 a desert is even pushing it for me... but for some reason I like coquito (cream Puerto Rican alcoholic drink) and pina coladas