Domika03

Gosh, I don't know why I can't seem to get this straight. I was banded in mid- August. I mean, I'm losing weight but geez. So, what if you don't finish your 1/2 cup of food in those 20 minutes? Do you just stop eating anyway?

So, I got a 3rd fill Monday afternoon of .75 on my 14 cc band. Already had 8 cc's filled prior to this. I had 1/2 cup of small strips of beef & brocolli last night & at lunch today. It took me about an hour to eat each time. After a few bites I could feel the pressure in my chest, so I would stop eating. It eventually goes away with PB (productive burps). I know I"m eating slowly & smaller pieces. Do I need an unfill?

I was uncomfortable the first day after the surgery, but lucky enough did not have any pain. Didn't even use my pain meds. I was only going to take 3 days off, but I was sooooo tired, that I wound up taking the following week off. Just make sure to get plenty of rest while you can, and drink plenty of Protein so you have energy. I think you'll be sluggish during the afternoon's, but others were able to do it, I'm sure you will be able to as well. Best of luck!

Oh my gosh, I've got the same allergy. Who would have known it was such a common ailment? LOL I like the idea of using a bathroom on another floor, but we only have 2 floors right now. In May, our new office building will have 4. Of course, I'll be on the 2nd floor again, but great idea to go up & down the stairs. Keep moving! I like it!

Oh em gee... I was looking at my niece's family album on FB, and Lord & behold, there I was.... I was sitting down, which of course, added even more weight to my already large thunder thighs. I can't say enough how unflattering of a picture it was. I'm talking absolutely terrible. So, anyway, this picture was taken in May 2010 when (apparently) I was at my heaviest. I could easily tell, in my personal opinion, that I look "much" thinner now. At least, 25 - 30 pds. I told my husband about the picture last night & told him I wanted him to see it, so he could see the difference in what I looked like. Oh, wait for it... He looks, and he's studying the picture. I said to him, uh, you're taking way too long to say anything. He's frigin' analizing the picture, and I felt as though he was trying to formulate the words.... He says, I think the picture was taken at a really bad angle. My boobs looked bigger (because I had a breast reduction since 2010), and he could easily point that out. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT, he didn't say anything about me looking thinner now. I"m like are you kidding? You can't tell that I look much thinner now than in that picture? He goes, ohhh... I didn't know that's what you were asking me. I thought you were just critisizing yourself in the picture. You know your weight doesn't mean anything to me. Hummmm ... nice try to safe..... Needless to say, it was quite the buzz kill for what might have been a 'fun slumber!' Let's try this again tomorrow babe!

Thanks for the ideas everyone! Next time, I'll be more prepared. I wound up only eating 1/2 of it.

Black bean burgers, huh? Do they taste good? What do you add to those? I've got a Costco close by so I may give those a whirl...

Hi guys, So, I'm eating my 1st veggie burger. It's OK, nothing to write home about. I'm finding it kinda dry & slow to go down. Kinda feeling it kinda/sorta sticking there on top of my tummy. ot sure if it's because of my 3rd fill, or because it really IS dry. The only thing I had at work to add on top of it to make it softer / mushier was a deviled egg. Any suggestions on what else to put on top of this thing? thanks Fran

Honestly, everyone is right. I'm also under a lot of stress, having a dad in stage 4 cancer, and he is the caregiver of my mom, who I think has a touch of dementia or alzherimers. Nonetheless, my point is, as mentioned above, life will always throw us curve balls. Having been banded, we need to decide how to react to that. It might not be easy, but you have to gain control. Post here for support. This group is awesome. Also, track your food on MFP (mitfitnessplan.com). Great way to stay focused & be aware what we're eating. Another option is to see your primary Dr, and see if he/she thinks you might benefit from taking an anti-depressant. You never know, it might just be the thing you need to helo you deal with life's stresses right now. Good luck! And remember, we're all here to support each other! You can do it!

MFP - my fitness plan. GREAT website to track what you eat! Very helpful overall!!!

Went for my 3rd fill today, .75cc's as she thought 1 full cc would be too much for me. Sadly, I only lost 1/2 lb in the last 2 weeks. That's the lowest amount since week 8. Quite disssappointed as I was starting to feel better about myself. We discussed what I was doing, and how I was feeling. I don't know about anyone else, but I've been having major gas issues lately, and I'm not referring to my car either She asked if I was eating a lot of protein bars. Well, not a lot, but almost once a day as a meal replacement. I guess those can give you gas because of the sugar alcohol content, I think she said. She also said I should try not to eat more than 2 soft foods a day (like cottage cheese & yogurt). Oh my! I always eat cottage cheese. What else? Oh, I shouldn't be eating more than 15 grams of protein per calorie, and keep the carbs down to 15/20 per meal too. I've been keeping track of my food intake on MFP, but I guess I need to re-think what I eat. On "paper' I think my meals looks OK, but .... Have to incorporate veggies in there too. I know, I know.. but I"m not a big veggie eater. The other thing she mentioned, which is o surprise, is that I need to exercise more. She suggested mixing up, and taking it up a notch. My hubby and I were talking about getting me an exercise bike that I can just keep in the LR, and ride while watching TV. The bike we saw recently was low to the floor. I'm thinking it's supposed to be better for you 'some how' being close to the floor. IDK??? Soooo, I'm going to try to mix things up starting tomorrow, and focus better on everything. I have to go back next Monday for my 3 month check up, and follow up to see how I did this week. I learned something today... and I hope to use my new-found knowledge!!!

Great job planning ahead. More imortantly, you look GREAT!

How do you guys cook your shrimp & scallops?

How do you guys cook your shrimp & scallops?

What are Special K chips? Not sure I ever heard of it...

Great, please add me thanks!

I enjoy almond crusted lemon flounder with cottage cheese, or turkey chilli. What's your favorite?

Ya know what? I think I'm starting to feel a little better about myself lately. While I'm very aware that at 5 '3, weighing almost 210 pds is overweight, I've managed to lose just shy of 35 pds in the last 3 months! I notice my clothes are loser, and that I've dropped 1 dress size. Techinically 1 1/2, but that doesn't quite exist, now does it? I actually felt good about myself when I got dressed for work today. I put on my size 20 pants, and they were loose. I tried my size 18, and I'm not quite there yet. Need to lose more stomach weight... LOL... My pants felt loose, and even my shirt was a little big. My co-workers haven't noticed the weight loss, or at least they haven't said anything. My guess is that they don't want to be rude wondering if I have lost any weight. But, I'm hopeful that come mid January, when we host our Dealer Meeting, people (co-workers) will have no choice but to notice that I've lost weight. Yes, I'm hoping for compliments. Looking forward to continuing this journey & looking and feeling better each day!

Thanks for the info. I'm going to need to work harder on this, because I know how important it is. Ill have to see if I can find the calcium citrate in gummy style. My fiber & multi-vitamins are gummy style, and at least enjoyable

I know how important it is for bandsters to take their vitamins, supplements, and lots of protein. I take my vitamins daily, but I struggle remembering to take the calcium citrate, and sometimes, meeting my daily protein intake. The calcium citrate I take is chewable, like a star burst type candy. I got it from my Dr's office. The problem is that since I need to take 1000mg, each "candy" is only 500 mg. And, your body can only process 500mg at a shot, so I have to take 2 'candies' at a time. Since I take my other vitamins in the mornning, and they 'suggest' you take these after lunch, I forget. So, I try to remember when I get home & only wind up taking 2, if any at all. Anyway, between that & not always getting enough protein in, I worry a little about my health 5 yrs from now. I tell my husband that I'll finally be thin, but wind up sick with osteo or something else My mom has low bone density, so it gets me thinking. I"m wondering what kind of calcium citrate other people take. Do you take pills, or liquid? Oh gosh, if liquid, I"m sure it tastes nasty. I'm curious...

Congrats. Don't worry, everything will go well! Good luck.

Hey DarkAngel, Just added you on MFP...

Thanks, it went ok, I suppose. It's a tough time, but we'll just make the best of it. We're going to have a consultation with Hospice & decide if it's something we want to use. Hoping it's something that works out.

Dad's oncologist apt is tomorrow at 10am. I'm a bit nervous because we should find out how much the cancer spread in his lungs. My parents were over my house yesterday, and dad talked to me (on the side) telling me that his lower left side was bothering me. Kidneys maybe? Or, just a strain? No point in guessing as I'll be sure to ask the Dr. For anyone that is reading this, if you read my recent posts, you'll know my 86 yr old awesome dad is in stage 4 of cancer, but has been kicking it's ass for about 20 months now without chemo or pills. I go to all his oncologists apt's because my parents are Castellian (spanish from Spain), and while they have lived in the U.S. over 50 years, they struggle with English sometimes. I'm there to make sure that not a darn thing gets lost in the translation. Oh daddy, if I could just make the pain stay away....

Bariatric insurance coverage varies from one company to another. But, usually the Dr's office has a billing specialist that's used to working with insurance companies on these types of issues. So, hopefully they'll be able to figure something out for you. The only other option you would have is to ask the Dr's office if they will work with you on payments. I believe as long as you're paying something per month, they can't turn you into collections. Try not to worry to much. Wishing you the best!