kittyforet

Honk, I was not drinking with my meal....I took a baby sip every now and then and drank a total of about 1/4 cup over the span of 1 hour, including before and after (took my Water in a to-go cup) and after about 1 hour after eating, I drank whatever water was left in my cup. I do not drink while eating, but I was told by my doctor that a tiny sip every now and then during a meal is ok, so that is what I do. I'd rather listen to him and take a teeny tiny sip to keep my mouth moist than stay completely away from a drink.... Normally I do get fajitas, but last week I ate so much grilled chicken with black Beans that I wanted a little change, so I ate a tamale and some beef taco meat. Eyeballing it, the beef was less than 1/2 cup and I did not eat all of the beef, and had no cheese on it... Thanks.

You may not be stuck.....you may have just irritated things.... can you drink Water and have it stay down? If so, you aren't stuck. Does anything come up? I once got stuck on banana bread (tried to wolf down a too-large piece!) and it feels like a huge boulder right above my chest that won't move. Mine only lasted a few minutes and I was able to relax and walk around and it went down. You might still be swollen, so go back to liquids if you can keep them down. If no liquid stays down, go see your doctor ASAP, you might need a slight unfill. good luck!!

So my mom made a comment yesterday that I took as hurtful, but maybe I am reading too much into it....not really sure how to take the comment, maybe I am too sensitive. Me, my mom, sister, and niece went for pedicures and then to eat lunch at a Mexican restaurant. I ordered a platter that had a taco, chili con queso puff, rice, Beans, enchilada, and a tamale. I ate less than 10 chips (a HUGE deal for me to stop at less than 10!) and salsa and took baby sips of my Water when needed. I wasn't planning on eating the entire platter, but wanted a few bites of everything that I could handle. So far I can eat rice, tortillas, etc. No problems with any food yet, thankfully. Our food arrived and I pushed away the taco shell and only ate the meat, then most of the ccq puff (ccq is my favorite!) and about half of the tamale. At this point I didn't want to over-do it, so I pushed my plate away. I intended to take the rest home to hubby. When I pushed away my plate my niece asked if i was full, and I said no with a little laugh, thinking I was going to win over the hunger monster.... And then she said it..... My mom said "wow you ate so much" I took it as "wow you cow you ate so much!" maybe she meant it as "I can't believe you were able to get so little food in" Pre-banding I would have eaten the entire platter plus a bowl of chips by myself. Post-banding I eat small portions that are pre-weighed or pre-measured, unless I am going out to eat, and then I only eat up to half or order a kids meal....The band doesn't stop me yet, I stop myself to prevent PB, etc. I've been stuck a few times and don't want to chance that. Was I tummy full? Not sure. Head full? no way. I did end up eating the rest of the tamale, it was small....but lost my appetite after the comment. So far I have 3.9cc in my band and work every day not to gorge myself....I have fill #3 in 2 weeks. I struggle every day to change my eating habits and track my food and exercise online. My mom has been very supportive of my surgery, even asking people at her work (huge medical center) that have had the surgery and will share their success/failures with me. I've never been super close to her, so that may play a part in why the comment has me confused. I'm finally in onederland, right now betweem 196-197 and 195 is in sight. Haven't been under 200 in at least 14 years, if not longer. My sister is a little older, 40, and after 4 kids, she still weighs 95 pounds soaking wet. I am the only one in my family with weight issues...... I did watch what my sister ate yesterday (we ordered similar plates) and I ate about the same as she did and she eats like a bird. She even had 1 full Dr Pepper plus drank half her refill, while I sipped on less than 1/4 of my ice water. Anyone else deal with anything like this? Am I being weird? I'm a little hurt thinking the comment was meant to be mean, but again I am sensitive..... blah.....

My port is almost dead center, right below where my bra sits. A few inches above my bellybutton.

I can meet Sunday! Friday night I will have my kids with me and I won't be able to relax. I also told lcoughlin, who lives in La Porte. Email me to let me know!! I don't get to get on LBT much now that I'm back to work! kittyforet@yahoo.com

I've been bounded since June 2011, lost 26 pounds total....I just had my 2nd fill....for a total of 3.9 Doesn't seem like much though....I noticed today I didn't get hungry between Breakfast (egg mcmuffin) and lunch OR between lunch and happy hour (4:30 taquito) and even since making dinner for my family, I didn't eat it. I've sipped on Water and decaf tea all day long. Normally I can only go 2-3 hours before I feel hungry (or at least THINK I'm hungry!).... was super busy at work today so maybe that helped keep me from snacking. So, while I know it may take a few more fills to be in the green zone, I think I am getting closer!! So far it has been a struggle to lose the 12 post-op pounds. I hope soon it won't seem so hard to lose even 1 pound a week!!! My doc said the rest of the fills this year will be .5cc each time. Good luck!!

I sometimes eat something that I know isn't the best, like cake! I too feel guilty, but I have to tell myself eating a small piece is ok every once and a while, otherwise I'd binge on it! Good luck!!

Hi! While I have yet to lose a big amount of weight, I am starting to go through my closet and get rid of some clothes. Today's offering is a size 22 cropped khaki pants from Fashion Bug. Tags still attached (bought them and they were a little big but never actually got to wear them!!) They are 98% cotton, 2% spandex, nice and soft. According to the tag, they are straight through the thigh and knee, mid-calf length, sits below natural waist. I'd be happy to send them to someone that can use them. I think I also have a matching white pair that I've worn once, washed on delicate, then hung to dry...then realized that even though they were a little big, it was too much of a pain to Iron them, so they've sat in the closet!!! If you like these khaki ones and also want the white ones, I'll send both! They're not like leggings, they are actually somewhat dressy-looking. Send me an email if you're interested. kittyforet@yahoo.com thanks!

Praying for you. You are a REAL woman. REAL women feel, hurt, laugh, cry, gain/lose weight. Hoping you can be strong and do what your heart says to do. You deserve more than emotional abuse. Hugs.

Hi MAY!! I use www.myfitnesspal.com A lot of people from here are also on MFP. I love it. It has really helped keep me on track with eating and exercise, and if you friend people on there, you can see their food diaries. It does all the number crunching for you. If I were trying to do this manually I would have given up a long time ago on tracking my food. If you decide to join MFP, add me as a friend and you can see my food logs. They aren't the best, but they are WAY better than they were pre-banding!! My user name is kittyforet. Good luck!!!

I feel your pain!!! I was banded in June 2011 and so far only 1 fill!! I had 1 cc fill in July to bring my total to 3.4 cc. I go back this week and hoping that gets me closer to being in the green zone!! It has been 100% work and effort and will power on my part these last 2 months; weighing my food, counting calories and Protein, and stopping when my pre-measured or pre-weighed food is gone....it's been HARD!!! I didn't expect the weight to fall off overnight but losing 1 pound per week, if that much, seems too little!! I guess I was expecting more. Lost 14 pre-op and 12 since, but ugh! I'm ready for more!!!! Hang in there and it will happen soon!!

I've had a tiny sip twice and was ok. I have a banded friend that drinks dr pepper still after surgery and is doing ok but not losing as much. I've been more than 6 weeks without a daily can of coke and every so often I feel like I just need a big swig, but haven't acted on it!! My nutritionist told me i could drink flat soda, but that just sounds gross!

Congrats Roziecakes!!! Woo hoo!!! I've heard that losing weight can help you get pregnant easier..... and congrats on your wonderful loss!! <note to self, keep my legs locked at the knees! LOL>

I was using the Nuva-Ring for 4 years and loved it....except the monthly cost of $40!!! Plus some months I would leave it in longer to avoid a period. Two weeks ago I went for my yearly and told my doctor I needed something that cost a little less and that she would suggest for me (I have 3 kids, 11,8, and 4 and right now I'd love another one but hubby says no). She suggested an IUD and showed the pros/cons of both and I ended up with Mirena. Had to go back while on my period to get it inserted and that was horrible!! She prescribed me one valium to take an hour before but said only take it if I had someone drive me, which I didn't, so I had to endure that painful event!! But, only being on it a week, I can't tell a difference. It did cost about $300 but it was because I had to finish paying my deductible...so a lot upfront, but won't have to pay $40 a month for birth control for the next 5 years! I am not ready to get my tubes tied, but would love for hubby to get the little snip snip!!! I've had enough surgeries in the last 20 years, (ear surgery, 3 c-sections, gall bladder, lap band) it's time for him to do something!!!

I'm not sure how much their fills are, as I was self-pay and that includes post-op for one year....check with your insurance to see how much you have to pay....I've heard some people pay $100-150 per fill, some more, some less. Dr. Reilly was my surgeon and he's nice. Only saw him pre-op and post-op, so far only 1 fill until next week, surgery was June 20.....he did not do my fill, it was a nurse, no machine used either... I know Dr. Reilly also has a West Houston office...I'm debating asking their office if I can go there to get a fill if needed...True Results has at least a month wait, so far I have already scheduled my August and September fill and will make my next appointments when I go August 15 to make sure I get the time I need. good luck!!

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I've gotten some of the dannon okios with fruit and it's not too bad. But i will try some of the suggestions and see how it goes. I also added about a tablespoon of granola cereal to my yogurt and that helped. Tomorrow I will add some frozen berries and see how that goes. While I didn't love the taste, it did help me go way over on my protein count yesterday, so that was really good!! It helped me stay full between breakfast protein drink and lunch!! Thanks!!

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I've gotten some of the dannon okios with fruit and it's not too bad. But i will try some of the suggestions and see how it goes. I also added about a tablespoon of granola cereal to my yogurt and that helped. Tomorrow I will add some frozen berries and see how that goes. While I didn't love the taste, it did help me go way over on my protein count yesterday, so that was really good!! It helped me stay full between breakfast protein drink and lunch!! Thanks!!

It IS an addicting song!!! Evrytime I see your status I start singing it!!! LOL

I agree with all of the comments already mentioned!! It has been hard for me to give up my daily can of coke and my sugar-free gum, but I don't want to take any chances!!! My nutritionist also said NO straws!! UGH!!! Without straws I tend to wear my drink on my chest!!! LOL Now I have to get used to small sips and careful not to spill. ( I know some people are allowed to use straws if they bite the end of it first to eliminate the air) I was told I could TRY a soda, IF I let it go flat first to eliminate the carbonation....well, to me, that sounds HORRIBLE!!! I am very picky about my coke and drinking it flat does not appeal to me! Gross!!! (I have a friend that is banded and has no problems drinking Dr Pepper, but her list of foods she can eat are pretty small....I'd rather be able to eat than drink a soda!) I use the little Listerine brand of dissolvable breath strips now in place of gum....not as good, but it will help with the funky breath! I like the cinnamon ones. I also have some of the Listerine breath spray but don't use that as much. I've also found that I want to brush my teeth more, especially after the pre-op diet!! For the Protein, again find a few you REALLY like, as you will probably need them for a while. I'm almost 6 weeks post-op and have one daily to make sure I get all my protein. I personally like both the vanilla and chocolate flavor powders from The Ideal Chocolate Milk Diet. Very tasty (to me anyway!) I printed off a lot of Protein shake recipes and really haven't used any of them....now I just add sugar free flavored syrup or the little bottles of flavorings to my chocolate or vanilla when I need a change. But mostly I am a chocolate (or vanilla) milk-tasting kind of girl. Plain jane. You might have to give up bread...I am just now able to start adding toasted THIN bread occasionally to my diet, but don't have much of a fill yet....and I don't want to get back to being Mrs. Bairds white-bread addicted, so I try to avoid it, as I have a feeling with my next fill I might experience more restriction, and then won't be able to handle any bread at all. Good luck!!! The people on this site give great advice and are always willing to share what they've experienced!!

Hi Shirley. I think for now only the iphone can do the scanner thing......that's what I have and I use that feature a lot!!! Now if only all restaurants across the country had that feature on their menus online, it would be PERFECT!!!! I wouldn't have to rely on someone else's info!!

Hi Katied. I got my first fill almost 2 weeks ago and up to 3.4 cc in the band, still no restriction. Hoping it will come soon though!! I go for my next fill August 15. In the meantime I am measuring and weighing my food and trying to eat as much Protein as possible...so far I haven't found anything that doesn't go down and stay down....I've eaten small amounts of skinny spaghetti noodles, macaroni noodles, thin toasted bread, white rice, but trying hard not to have any of those!! Gotta start eating more veggies, which I hate!! Good luck!!! I'm going to go read your blog!!

My nutritionist said to check out the special K cereal bars, that they would be good....I haven't tried them yet though. Looked yummy. I bought the Sample Bag from bariatric pantry.com and so far none of them wowed me enough to want to buy more, but the bag came with at least a dozen different bars and I've only tried maybe half. I paid about $15 for the bag, so it was a pretty good price to try them out. Let us know if you find one.

WOO HOO!!! YAY Shirley!!! Congrats on the loss!!!

Ok, so today I chose to try 2 new things and so far BOTH of them were HORRIBLE!!! How do I make Greek yogurt taste better? I bought the Kraft brand of plain and added 1 tsp of sugar free vanilla syrup to it; still tastes bad to me....added granola, still yuck. Added 1 packet sugar, nada.... Any suggestions??? I hate to feel like I am throwing away food but if this is how greek yogurt is supposed to taste, I'd rather eat regular (I really don't care for it either but like it better than greek!)......I only bought 2 small containers of it. thanks!

I make my tuna and chicken salad the same way: Can or pouch of chicken or tuna Hard boiled eggs Dab of mustard 1 wedge laughing cow light cheese (in place of mayo) Salt and pepper or other seasonings Sometimes I add dill pickle relish or chopped apples