PrettyThick1

Job well done...you look great!

You go Amazon Princess! You told her what she needed to hear and you were spot-on with what you said. Misery loves company, let her wallow in it all by herself...keep up the good work and let your haters be your motivators!

Looks incredible! I can't wait to try this, thank you very much!

Way to go! I see a big difference already...you should post a ticker with your weight loss progress!

Insurance typically only takes a few days at the most. You will find out faster if you call them directly, your surgeon won't know until they get the letter in the mail which could take more than a week.

Something seems to change with every fill I get. It could be that you cannot tolerate eggs with this one; I couldn't eat them after my second fill, no matter how they were prepared.

I'm near Willowbrook Mall. Fashion Stylist is also in Houston, we stay in touch via text ; ).

What part of Texas are you in? I'm in Houston and was banded 2 days after you!

Restriction simply means that you are satisfied on a much smaller amount of food than you were before the band and that you stay full for a longer period of time. I'm not sure what your caloric intake should be (mine is 1,200), but if you only had 1.5 - 3 cups of food per day, given the requirements for our meals - you won't get anywhere close to that without Snacks. I am allowed 2 snacks per day (usually a Protein shot, a cup of Jello, pudding, fruit, cottage cheese, a cheese stick or smart pop popcorn) and have come to rely on myfitnesspal to keep track of what I am eating and how much I am burning off. When you eat, no matter how much you have prepared for yourself you need to stop BEFORE you feel full - you just want to NOT be hungry. Overeating, feeling stuffed isn't safe as it means you are stretching your pouch and overtime that could result in a slip or other issues. If you eat until you feel pain, you've taken in a few bites too many. I had a "soft stop" which was an involuntary sigh, but it's not working this week for some reason and I have overeaten 2 times this week. It's not a good feeling and it worries me a bit. If your band isn't full enough, you can't expect not to feel hunger for four hours and you are not in the green zone until you can make it that long without eating. You know when you've overeaten because it will be very uncomforable, you don't always PB or vomit, but you will feel a bit of pain - that's not restriction. Good luck...you learn something new just about everyday with the band. Just keep asking questions. I've had mine for 2 months and 2 weeks and I'm still learning things and asking questions.

Hi Byrdmen! First, congrats on your sucess! I am a newbie - banded just 2 months and 2 weeks ago and I'm dealing with a rough round of head hunger and overeating. While I've only had about 700 calories so far today, I am stuffed but I keep wanting to eat...so I've been nibbling on smart pop popcorn all day...again, I am stuffed but still want to eat. I know this isn't good. Have you ever had these times? If so, how did you deal with it?

This is the first time since I've had my band that I just want to eat, eat, eat! I'm not hungry at all, but that's not stopping me. Although I'm not eating anything that's terribly wrong, I'm just in a mood to constantly snack and it's scaring me. Have you ever experienced this and if so, how did you overcome it? It has to stop and I'll take any and all suggestions you have.

Great progress! Keep up the good work!

Left over baked chicken and broccoli. For dessert - cottage cheese and pear slices.

I hope they get to the bottom of your problem and you start feeling better soon.

Everybody and every band is different. I'm going to give you advice that I don't follow myself - weigh yourself only once a week...if that doesn't work, go to once per month. Most of all, do not be discouraged! It will happen, when your body wants it to.

Wow ladies...sorry to put the insurance covered TT out there like that. I guess God just keeps smiling on me, I've already gotten mine approved through BCBS simply because I had a C-Section.

That's terrific news and you look great! I think they made a great choice, you are very photogenic.

You go girl! I am addicted to the scale, I realize I have to put it away and resist checking my weight because it is very discouraging for the most part. I've been losing and gaining the same 3 lbs. for more than a week now and it's driving me crazy.

My sister is 59 years old and swears by Zydeco for walking...it's such happy music, especially if you're into New Orleans/Creole culture - no matter how you're feeling, it put's you in such a great mood. We are in Houston, TX so it's pretty much a way of life here. LOL Check out: Step Rideau and the Zydeco Outlaws (Step to You is awesome) J. Paul, Jr. and the Zydeco New Breedz Beau Jacques Keith Frank

Bruno Mars, Zydeco and House Music fill the bill for me.

Oh yeah, popcorn is a definite slider for me. I make it the old fashioned way - in a dutch oven, using olive oil and a touch of sea salt. It's not very many calories that way. I still buy microwave for my daughter and her friends, but the old school just tastes better to me.

You do know that since you've had a C-section, a TT is covered by insurance...right? I'm going for one next year.

I'd go for it...I don't have pubic hair anymore, mainly because there is more gray hair than brown, but I haven't gotten a brazilian wax yet. I never imagined being one of those women who went hairless, but in my experience men prefer it and now I do, too. It's just more comfortable. I've gone so far as to get the at home kit to do it myself, but it was an epic fail. I do plan on going to get it done professionally because the results last longer and you don't risk hair bumps like you do when you use a regular shaver...I quit using razors for that reason and bought a NoNo and it works great and I don't get razor bumps or ingrown hairs. Trust me, those women have seen it all...there are many YouTube videos out there on the procedure and I've seen a couple of biggun's on the table.

If you've had a C-Section a TT is covered by insurance. That's the route I'm taking.

Hello...are we separated at birth? The things you are experiencing are similar to mine, I was also diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in February. I'm happy to say that the band is a dream come true for me and has eleviated all of my comorbids - I no longer need any medications, no longer need my CPAP and I feel like I did in my 20's again. Good luck on your journey, you're doing the right thing and you'll be a new person a year from now. It only took a couple of months for me...I hope your results are similar or better than mine.