Penni60

Eva: I wouldn't be in a rush to get a fill. Some doctors have a regular fill schedule and try to stick to that. Some docs like mine work with the person to see if the fill is needed. I have been banded since April and I have gotten only two fills. I am not at my sweet spot just yet but decided to not get a fill over the holidays. My doc thought that was a very good idea. IT makes me be more responsible about what I eat. Now onto your question of what to eat over Christmas. It really depends on what your doc gives as your diet to follow post surgery. If you can eat solid foods by then I would try some of the turkey, ham, any veggies, jello, stuffing but last and only if you have room. Just remember the band rule. Protein first, veggies next, then starches or desserts if you have room. Remember to take small bites. I tend to cut everything up like I was a toddler and that seems to work for me. We are all young at heart anyway. LOL!! Hope this helps.

Susie: FIrst thing I am a Nurse as well. Second thing who did your surgery? I had a protruding thingy as well. I have a pic I will post. If yours looks anything like this then go to your doc and ask that the port be repositioned. The red, warm, and tender to touch are all signs of infection but thank god mine was NOT infected. IT could be irritation from the port rubbing on the inner abdomen which is what mine was. Please do get this looked at SOON as it can eventually break through the skin and then you would need to have the port removed until this area heals and then have another port placed. One word of warning, if you doc was Dr. Lopez then find another doc that will repostion your port. He was my doc and when I had this problem initially he told me it would go away with more weight loss. THAT IS NOT TRUE!!!!!!!! I found a doc closer to home and he did a port revision surgery and told me it would NOT resposition itself and the surgery was imperative or it would break through the skin. After my port revision I am doing GREAT. No protrusion and the area is flat like a pancake. Here is a pic of what my protrusion thingy looked like. Oh by the way, the protrusion was where my port had tilted (I think due to improper positioning from initial surgery but can't be proven) and the thing you see protruding is from the tubing that attaches at the end of the port. The tubing was cut too long and causing this problem along with the port being tilted.

Well Greg: You site looks to be OK. I just wanted to make sure you had it checked out. Glad there isn't anything sticking out like mine was. Lauri: The doc said to take it easy for a couple of days. I felt so much better this morning that I was able to walk 2.2 miles. So I guess if I am feeling NO pain tomorrow I can resume my normal routine. I know your fears about gaining weight. I had the same thought every time I have to skip my exercise routine for a day or two. It freaks me out. But oh well.

Well I feel MUCHO better this morning. NO pain. HOORAY!!! I even tested it and went for a 50 min walk (2.2 miles) at a much slower pace than I normally would walk. There were a couple of twinges of pain but nothing like it was. I feel some minor achiness now but heading to the shower and then back on the heating pad for the rest of the day. Greg: don't let that go too long before you let the doc see it. My port was tilted and almost caused some problems. I had to have a port revision and make it lie flat again. The port being tilted isn't much of an issue unless there is pain or unable to access the thing. The reason to watch it is my tubing attached to the port was also tilted up and was sticking out. I will attach a pic here for a visual of what I mean. It was through the skin but almost. This is an old pic and is all fixed now. My port lies nice and flat now. Easy access for the doc now as well.

OK: didn't exercise today and probably won't for the rest of the week. You know just when I get on an exercise routine something happens to throw me off. I went to bed last night with an excruciating pain in my port area. I had on Lortab left over from my July surgery and so I took it. I got groggy but not sleepy and the pain stuck around. I did not get much sleep. The pain can only be described as this: It felt like I had just had the surgery and the port pain that goes along with it. Very muscular type achiness with occasional sharp pains that subside but never truly goes away. I called Dr. Billy this morning expecting him to not get back to me till tomorrow. Then I get a phone call about two hours later and he is on the other end. I just love him. He said I probably pulled a stitch and that is what is causing my pain. I am using a heating pad and taking Liquid Tylenol for the pain during the day and just gritting my teeth when I have to use those muscles in my abdomen which is all the time. LOL!!! NOthing much else to do at this point but to let it heal. I will most likely not do anything strenuous over the next few days to give it time to heal. SIGH!! I hate this. I will probably gain at least a pound since I can't exercise like I want to. SIGH!! Only time will tell. This really bites. I can only think of one thing I did that could have pulled the stitch. That was to lift a dining room chair. They are really heavy chairs. Oh well. Who knew?

Ok now that Lisa is gone,...let's talk about her. Did you know she has a fetish for boa's. Oh my gawd!!! And did you see her on that bike? SHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Here she comes. Look like we weren't talking about her. LOL!!

Zoe: I will play the drums since I already have the boobs that I can bang against the drum heads. LOLLOLOLOL!!!!

Hey Samy: What a cutie! Welcome aboard. Nice chatting in the Chat room Monday night. Good luck on the meeting with Doc. Where are you located and what is your docs name? Come on share info. We all do.

OK so when is it OK for you to go to Mexico and not invite me? HMMM!!??? Darnit. We have guests this weekend too. SHOOT!! Oh well, next long weekend lets plan something. Hey what you guys doing for Thanksgiving?

Sue and the rest: I just went through a particularly trying time emotionally. Loss of step-father's dad, a favorite aunt, a family pet of over 10 yrs, and the death of all my pet coi fish all within two months time. Not to mention my mom's health is failing. So pre-banding I would have resorted to eating everything in sight including the kitchen sink. Now I decide first if I am hungry and if I am not then I find something else to occupy my mind and cravings. The emotional craving is worse than the physical in my opinion. Harder to deal with. You can get something to eat and the physical is satisfied. The emotional craving will NEVER be satisfied. NEVER. So you have to ask yourself what is making you eat to try to fill that need. Mine was to go numb and not deal with all the pressures and stressors of life. When I realized that I was not only doing myself a dis-service but harm I elected to look at WHY I was eating when I was not hungry. I had to face some really horrible demons but I successfully exorcised them. It is hard work and not always work we want to do but if you want to get healthy and stop the cycle then you must do the work. Hope this helps.

You guys are so bad. LOLOLOL!!!!

Here is info will come in handy when thinking about fills/adjustments. Great information. I have seen this information before and it is really good. 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

Hey: Mine have lost weight but they still are large when I stuff them in a better supporting bra. I get underwire now. I think we should call ourselves the "Undulating Pendulums". At least that is what mine look like. Ryan: Love the comment "no wrinkles in her face". Too funny. You are a gem.

MICHELLE MICHELLE MICHELLE: Let him eat the whipped cream. You get the benefits and all the pleasure and he gets the calories (which will be worked off later.) :)

Ok guys: Here is my thinking on this. I would NOT get a fill right before the holidays. With all the festivities and feasts it would be awful if you spent most of the time in the bathroom PBing. So I talked with Dr. HUNKY today and we both agreed that no fill for me till after the holidays. Here are some tips I am going to incoorporate this holiday season. Add to them as you see fit. Just copy and paste them to keep the list complete. 1. Just make better choices and eat less. 2. Use a smaller dessert plate for your meals instead of the humongous plates. 3. Remember to think in terms of a teaspoon of everything if you must try everything. 4. CHEW CHEW CHEW 5. NO liquids with meals 6. CHEW CHEW CHEW 7. If you must have dessert then cut a piece of pie or cake in 1/4 and only eat that much. 8. Protein first, Veggies second, then if you have room eat some stuffing but remember only a teaspoon. 9. Join in the football game outside or ask if anyone wants to go on a walk after you all eat. 10. CHEW CHEW CHEW 11. Have an emergency number of a close bandster if you feel the need to call someone. In case you feel like pigging out call one of those numbers. 12. CHEW CHEW CHEW Love you guys.

OK DARCY WHERE IS THIS STUFF AGAIN?? JOHN IS A CHOCOHOLIC BIG TIME. WHOO HOO!!!! HOT TIME IN THE OLD M-PIRE TONIGHT. lol!!!!

Michelle: I love this thread. My great aunt was the queen of belching and burping. IS there a difference?? Anyway, she would belch and peel paint off the walls. Now my daughter has taken up the scepter and is the Queen of Belching in our family. I on the other hand have taken up the Princess of Farts scepter. I used to have gas before banding but NOTHING like this. I swear I see green clouds when I fart now. I went walking this morning and had a sustained fart for about a mile. LOL!!!!!! NOT a quiet one either. Thank goodness no one was behind me. IT would have been like a Cesna engine blast. LOL!! JOhn swears he is gonna cork my butt hole. I said if you do that I will just blow up.

OK remember the 3 lbs I gained over Halloween. All that nasty horrible icky yummy candy? Well I lost those 3 lbs and another 2 lbs on top of that. SO I now weigh 244 lbs which is 52 whopping lbs GONE FOREVER. HOORAY!!!!! Walking every day is a plus and drinking tons of water helps bunches. I am now up to walking 4.5 miles every other day and 1.5 to 2.0 miles on the other days. Last week alone I walked a total of 12.5 miles. WOW!! That is a heck of a lot. My legs feel it too. So does my butt. LOL!!! Lisa you said something about me and John coming to Vegas in Dec. When are the dates. I will check with John and see if it is doable. Sorry I couldn't stick around and get your email. I had to rush off to my Dr. Billy appt. NO I am not getting a fill today. He keeps tabs on his patients every 6 to 8 weeks. He says it keeps them honest. LOL!! He also said it shows more success cause you have to report everything you eat to him. ACK!!! I will take my super duper drool rag this time. More later. HUGE CONGRATS to all losers and non gainers and to the gainers as well cause it still isn't what would have been gained had you not been banded.

Thanks guys for all your support and prayers. Things are definitely better right now. IT gets easier every day. Thank you again.

Alex: I have not heard from him yet. He sometimes doesn't respond but just fixes the problem. If I don't hear from him pretty soon I will resend the email. Too weird that some have the option and others don't.

Alex: It all stems from our old way of thinking that we use other peoples opinion of us to validate or show our worth. STOP THAT THINKING!!!!! You are an awesome person and giving and a GREAT MOTHER. None of us NEED anyone to validate our self worth. We see it everyday in our children, our works, our values, our actions. IT is not GIVEN to us by other's opinions or perception of us. So go see these friends and put a HUGE smile on your face dress up and put on your best outfit and be the self-confident person I know you are. It is all in the attitude darlin. Ain't that right Lisa??

TannsGranny: Let me guess you are a granny? ME TOO!! I have 6 grandkids. How many you got?? Keep your chin up and if in my case keep the razor sharp to shave the whiskers. LOL!! Welcome aboard. Tell us more about you. Come on spill the beans.

Nikntyme: I live in Van Nuys so if you need someone to come be with you let me know. You can send me an email. Penni60@aol.com

If someone starts those threads I will sticky them.

Love you right back Pat, Teresa, Marie, Delarla, Donali, Michelle (both of them), Vera, Carol, Ryan, Jack, Ginny, Leatha, Babs, Megan, Becky, Betty, Blossom, and anyone else I have forgotten to mention.