Joyce Real

Maybe you are craving the caffeine in the chocolate? maybe you should try some tea or coffee and see if that helps the craving, it would be better for you than the chocolate.

We go out to eat most weekends. I have seen many people ask what can I eat dining out, so here is what I usually choose from, chopped steak, baked or broiled fish, grilled or baked chicken, most seafood, baked potato, and veggies, Now I can never eat a whole meal, but I just save the rest for later or for miss puggy my doggie. She loves leftovers lol. Some people can eat salad, I can eat a little bit but not much lettuce based salads. I can do better with salad that has no lettuce. I skip the bread unless it is a really crusty bread then I will eat a little bit of the crust just for a taste. I have no problem with mexican food except for flour tortillas. I prefer corn tortillas anyway. Usually I order the smallest meal they have like a taco and beans or a tostada and beans. Occasionally I order enchiladas but no beans or rice with that. At home we eat fish, chicken, ground bison, venison, shrimp, crab, occasionally potato, lots of beans, salad, but not lettuce based. There is food out there we can eat!!

Well I try to plan it out every day so I know what I am cooking and eating each day. I have had a little bit of difficulty with lunch planning. I am also learning to cook smaller for myself and my husband. at first I always had lunches because I made too much, but I am getting better at making smaller meals, and need to plan better for lunch. Yesterday I made broiled chicken breasts (marinaded with italian dressing and garlic), a cucumber and tomato salad and green beans. Was yummy.

everyone goes through this, I am still going through it and I was banded in October, I had good restriction but have lost some weight and need another fill. Just bear with the process. I know if you have read any of these forums, you have heard of bandster hell, and that is what this is. Just do your best and get your adjustments!

Hi Ya'll, I am a near Arkansan, I live on the Oklahoma Arkansas border. I had my surgery done in Fort Smith Arkansas, my cost was 14500. My surgeon was Doctor Chris Coleman. I too was happy to find some folks from Arkansas!!

There are different kinds, do you have a problem with lactose?

you are still healing too, they usually do not fill you for at least a month after surgery. You may feel different by then, but yes some people do not need fills.

I get the hiccup and runny nose, sometimes by then it is too late and I am gonna be sick, but sometimes it just means stop now!

I eat chicken, fish, ground beef, beans of all kinds, veggies, I have a bit of a problem with thick meat but if it is a thin cut and I cut it up really small then I can eat most any meat. Yes I miss the bread pasta and all that but it sure makes it easier to lose weight, not eating all that. My daughter in law is also banded and when she makes spaghetti for her family she puts her sauce over a baked potato. (yep I eat potatoes baked) I have had times where I ate bad stuff and usually ended up not being able to get more than one bite down then stuck. It is best to leave the baddies alone. Hope all this helps you some.

I get stuck now and again, and it is always because I wasn't Paying attention and ate too fast or did not chew enough. But I think the word stuck is kind of deceptive. With me, if it wont go down, it comes right back up. Everyone is different, I have a problem with the bread and fried foods especially breaded fried foods. I am diabetic, so I already avoided the rice and pasta so I haven't even tried those things since being banded. I would not let the fear of getting stuck deter you from considering the band.

I have tried the melba toasts, it seems to get stuck every time. sigh** everyone is different.

And you will, I know you must have read all of us fussing over the same thing during our first months! I still have periods where I dont lose, and I am three months out. I am still getting fills so It goes good for a while then slows way down. Dont be discouraged just stay the course and you will see progress!

There is also spark people, and fit day that are free and do the same thing! Spark people even has fitness plans and stuff.

Thanks Ya'll It has taken me 3 Months to reach 28 pounds down, but it is down and I am so happy about it!! IT is awesome Possum!! lol (love that )

I understand, how you all feel, but I personally don't much care If they discredit my work on this journey, I appreciate it if they support me. I have told everyone who wanted to listen about my surgery. My friends have been supportive, and they see that I still have to work at it. I think many expected me to lose fast, but they are seeing that it is slower. Nobody, has accused me of copping out. I explain it to anyone who asks. I feel like I am making them more informed. To me it is more important to get a grip on my health than worry about if someone thinks I took the easy way out. I mean there is a terrible coronary artery disease in my family, and my brother died from it when I was in the hospital having my surgery! My sister is in the hospital now fighting for her life. I know I made a good decision and will fight for my life. I say keep your head up and ignore the stuff people say, I wonder how that person would have felt if you had told them all about your band and how hard you still have to work with the tool you decided to use. Probably would have thought twice about making assumptions on a subject they really do not understand.

Well I am nearly three months out and 28 pounds down. I feel good, but I always felt good, Changes are happening, I am down one size in clothes and even my ring size is down one. lol My doctor visit last friday went well and I may get another fill Wednesday. My biggest gripe right now is my baggie pants keep pulling my underwear down lol

Alot of people get discouraged, at the beginning, but the truth is your are suppose to heal first and the weight loss comes after your band is adjusted to where it needs to be. Be patient and let your body heal.

gas X stips, help with the gas, and walking too, my doc told me the #2 would come when it was ready, and mine did, but some people use milk of mangesia. Most of us go through that. Hang in there it will get better.

your pics are lovely, and I hope you have a great date, in fact I hope you have a ton of great dates!!

I say yes you need another fill it helps so much to regain your footing!! Some people quit before they get the right restriction. Call your Doc and get the ball rolling!!

I have been hungry since I was born, and people remember me from being what my daddy called a human garbage disposal. He said from the time I was eating table food, I would eat my food and clean everyone elses plate too. Why would they allow a child to do that? They thought it was cute. Because I was not over weight as a child they saw nothing wrong with this behavior. The man who said that to you probably was not even realizing that you have a problem now. But that I know does not make you feel any less hurt, But look where you are now! You are on your way to changing all of that and you are going to feel so good!!

I am in on the facebook group. Thanks for making it!!

I am only three months in, and have had no complications at all. But as posted before we worry about our little bands, because they are the only tool that has actually worked before. My friends have called me the incredible shrinking woman. Yes we are all very excited about our bands, and we talk about everything good and bad. I never heard of the black bile thing, but that sounds more like a gall bladder problem than anything to do with the band??? (I am no doctor so take that with a grain of salt) lol. The results are most of the reason we all are very positive about our bands.

I have used fitday.com and Sparkpeople. I am using sparkpeople now because they off so much for free!! You can get meal plans exercise plans just everything.

My second fill was awesome, I lost 11 pounds the first three weeks! and have lost a few more since then.!!