La_madam

It all depends on your fill level, with little or no fill, like right now for me, I can eat anything with no difficulty but when I was filled to 2.5 I could not do bread, pasta or rice. Even with no fill I have still a small level of restriction, but not like it was when I was filled Each person finds what works best for them, trial and error I guess

What an amazing difference! You look fabulous

SO is the weight loss challenge still going now that it is June 2nd? Who won?

Wade, could you use a fill? What is your current fill level, when was your last fill? A fill for me rejuvenates me to get things going again, it is very motivating. Have you tried journaling what you eat in a day, that also works for me, it makes me see where I went wrong, sometimes we graze and nibble all day not realizing how much those little bites here and there add up. How's your protein intake? Portein helps curb the appetite, if you are in a carb rut, carbs will crave carbs and you will only eat more of them, same with sugar. At night time, try and find something to keep you busy, even if it means coming here to LBT to read and post, there is always helpful info here and support...or how about making phone calls to other bandsters when the urge to eat comes on, we all feel your pain and frustration, I have been there..do not give up. You can call me anytime, I wil ltalk you out of eating, give lots of enocuragement and support, if you want my number PM me and I will send it to you

Yes call him or Dr. Martinez, both answer their cell phones. He will most likely reply to your email tonight, he does all of his email replies in the evenings but why wait until tonight when you can speak to him directly now by calling his cell phone, if you need the numbers to both him or Dr. Martinez's cell phones , PM me and I will send them to you.

Many of the fast food chains now offer healthy alternatives..its all about choices, if you are forced to eat fast food, pick the most healthiest on the menu, all fast food chains have web sites to show the caloric, fat, protein of each menu item. We used to eat fast food atleast 2-3x's a week before I had my band, now it is once a month if that and when I do eat fast food I usually order a salad or a grilled chicken sandwich w/out the bread or a cheeseburger protein stlye, no bun..no fries & no soda either.

Jonathan, you sound like you have a great attitude about all of this, I wish you the best in your new endeavor at the seminary. SOrry to hear about the divorce but things in life happen for a reason.Hang in there

Congratulations to you! Sounds like you are doing great. Take it easy , even though things went so smoothly, you do not want to overdue it.

I need to drink more milk, the commerical even says it helps reduce symptoms of PMS and I need that in a big way! and if it says it will help in wieght loss too.WOW I'm in!

Sending you lots of possitve thoughts and well wishes.

Penni, that was so neat..WOW I cant wait to see it in full.

You just had a fill didnt you? You could be a tad too tight, relfux at night or anytime is a good indicator you are too tight...call your Dr. and explain this to them , they may reccomend removing a small ammount of your fill. Enough to make the hearburn go away, as little as .2 cc's can make a huge difference. Here is a great thread to maybe help you http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4154&highlight=heartburn

You can also email Don Mills at Inamed and ask him for a list of Inamed surgeons in your area. You will have to call all of them to see if any of them will take patiens banded in Mexico. Don.Mills@inamed.com is his email address, he will be glad to help you.

20 years from mow when you are still alive and enjoying your grandkids and retired together and enjoying life and did not die from obeseity related problems like diabetes, heart attack, or a stroke from high blood pressure, Im sure he will think differently about resenting spending the money to lose weight.

You are absolutely right...you do not need any one to validate you. You did not do this for him right? You did it for you

How Great, Im sure the two of you hit it off real good, I have met many of the same as you Donali, Penni, Vera, Carole, Leatha, Ginny, Lisa Teresa, Megan, Babs, Karen, I hope to meet many more

Mexico will do your surgery no matter what your BMI is, this is why many with low BMI's who are self payers go to Mexico, I beleive Princess_nthe_p was a low BMI and went to Mexico,More power to you if you are a self pay and getting it done in the US. Unfortunately the price difference for me going to Mexico or staying in the U.S was 1/3 of the price. I had a BMI over 40 and I could not get it covered by my insurance, I had NO co-moprbitities, I too was a healthy OBESE person, imagine that! Now Iam a healthier OVERWEIGHT person..

Since you are newly banded, my guess is that is is trapped gas, I had the same pains, have you tried any kind of gas releiver medicine like Gas X, walking may help to, to move the gas around and out

Paula, thati s so awesome...I'm so happy for you, isint it great that the littliest things make the biggest difference? I'm proud of you girlfriend:)

It could be, this is why some Dr's reccomend 24-72 hours of liquids after a fill. Everytime I got a fill I would stop at McDonalds on the way home from Mexico and I would get a chocolate milkshake ..the same thing happend to me, it finally learned to drink slower.The next day after my fill was always better. You will adjust to the new sensation, just sip slowly for now but when it comes to solids in a day or2 and you can not keep food down, definately you may be too tight

It was not me but here is a couple of threads I found for you about ice cream This one was started by Paula http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=4627&highlight=Blue+Bunny This one started by guitarman http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6689&highlight=Blue+Bunny

I feel the same way, when I am out shopping I find myself gravitating to the plus size department, I can not seem to get away from it even though I am now a size 10,

How great that you got to meet Paula..She is a sweetheart! I'm glad you both had a nice time together. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her but would sure love to:)

Do you have the 9.75 Inamed band that holds 4 cc's or is your band the larger band? I ask because 2 cc's is alot for the first fill, please be careful the first time you east solids and chew chew chew , take tiny bites. I hope it works good for you

I had the dizzy feeling during the liquid phase but once I added a protein drink I felt so much better. It could bewhat you are experiencing. Are you drinking protein yet?