PrettyThick1

Thanks Ms. Vickie! I was supposed to go get the fill yesterday but didn't go in. I'm loving this lower fill level...I hope not too much though, LOL. I'm going to see what happens over the next couple of weeks, if I start gaining or see that I'm eating too much of the wrong thing I'll ask for .25 of it back...I think I was too full and losing too fast to be honest.

You're in bandster hell right now. You aren't full enough yet, so watch what you're eating until you get to the right fill level. 5.0cc's (10cc band) was enough to put me in the green zone for several months. I developed stomach flu and had .5cc's removed two weeks ago, I'm surprised that while I can eat whatever I want I still have a stopping point and have not gained much weight back as a result.

If you're a bandster, chewing gum is supposed to be bad mmmkay? But some of us need gum - to help with boredom, food and smoking cravings. However, small particles of gum can still be swallowed even if you don't swallow the whole piece. If you notice you are having difficulty eating or drinking after you've had gum: drink a bit of vegetable, coconut or olive oil to break down the gum base and allow it to pass through your stoma.

I can't lie...quitting smoking using Chantix is a breeze. I've hardly had any cravings and when they do, they go away about as fast as they came about. The first day was tough, I wanted to have something hand-to-mouth like I have done for longer than I'd care to mention. Day 2: I decided to go buy up as many healthy Snacks and chewing gum (usually a no-no for bandsters) as I could get my hands on. It helped a lot to nibble on seeds, nuts, fruit and Cereal bars when the cravings hit me. But today, I don't even feel the need for all of that...I'm happy I have a cabinet full of goodies here in my office, but the band is still keeping me from wanting too much food! I thought I would need to go and buy celery and carrots to cut into cig sized sticks today, but I seem to be doing alright so far. What an added blessing! Anyway, I'm staying strong and I believe I will stay smoke free using Chantix and I shouldn't gain too much that I can't get back off quickly since I have the band. *Chewing gum is not advised for bandsters, even if you don't swallow, small pieces can still go down your throat. If you notice difficulty eating or drinking after you have chewed gum, drink a bit of vegetable or olive oil. This will break down the gum base and allow it to slide through your stoma.

A got a slight unfill two weeks ago because I had the stomach flu and didn't want to risk injury after I'd vomited a few times. Lo and behold, a mere .5cc's made me feel like I don't even have a band anymore. I can eat what I want, enough to make me content and not want more food and stay full for several hours. By all accounts, I think I'm still in the green zone even though I'm not losing weight - I've stayed steady at the 6 lbs. I gained after the unfill. Yes...6 lbs. came back QUICKLY and it scared me to death at first. Well it seems I'm stable now and perhaps I'll just stay where I am. I'm happy with my size, I look and feel good and I eat like a normal person. Maybe this is where I am supposed to be. Yes, I'd like to be about 5lbs. lighter, but there's nothing wrong with the way I am now.

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans And miss it both night and day? I know it's wrong, but this feeling's gettin' stronger The longer, I stay away. Miss them moss covered vines, the tall sugar pines Where mockin' birds used to sing And I'd like to see that lazy Mississippi hurryin' into spring The Mardi Gras, the madness A creole tune that fills the air I dream about magnolias in bloom and I'm wishin' I was there Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans Cause that's where you left your heart And there's one thing more How I miss the ones I care for Just as much as I miss New Orleans The moonlight on the bayou A creole tune that fills the air I dream of oleanders in June and I'm wishin' I were there Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans Cause that's where you left your heart And there's one thing more I miss the one I care for Just as much as I miss New Orleans No place in the U.S. like it.

First off, you're a great friend to be so concerned with her well being and recovery - we should all be so fortunate to have someone like you in our lives. She has been through quite the ordeal and has a delicate road to recovery ahead and by far the best thing anyone can do is to let her rest and recouperate on her own time. She will let you guys know when she needs something, but I'd safely bet that what's most important now is that she's comfortable. There isn't much you need to do for her now in terms of being an emotional support other than when she is in pain, remind her of why she went through with the surgery - then follow up with all of the rewards she will begin reaping very soon. Lastly, let her know that she has some great surprises in store...no one can completely prepare you for the "evolution" that takes place as the weight begins to drop, but that would take the fun out of the journey. It's the little discoveries that will make it so much more worthwhile.

I'm trying to quit...again. I'm on Chantix and it's helping, I've done other things that have me terrified at the moment but I just can't give up the urge to go and buy a pack. If you are a former smoker, how did you quit? How did you deal with the cravings? What did you do with your hands? How did you get your mind off of smoking? How are you now?

Sexy pic...not at all goofy.

How much Protein are you getting in? If you're on a plateau, I would recommend at least 80g a day for 7 days and drinking plenty of Water. You should also take your measurements and see if your progress isn't hiding there.

I had the same fear...that I'd lose my job before the insurance claim could be processed or during after care and I couldn't afford to pay out of pocket. It's normal and you're going to be fine. You've wanted this a long time, it's finally happening...trust the process and don't allow it to stress you out too much.

Go at your pace. As long as you aren't feeling too full or think it's backing up, you sound like you're doing fine. The smoothie was pretty big, so I'm not surprised it took you that long to finish it, especially if you are a newbie. Drink or chew ice chips to help get your Water in without getting so much that you're flushing your nutrition through your system too fast.

I can eat whatever I want to, too. This is the scene where will power and determination lead you to making the right food choices. And...Action!

Your husband's band is too full and he should get a tiny bit removed. I had a stomach virus last week that caused me to vomit (violently) so I had .5cc taken out to prevent damage from occuring. It turns out that .5 was a bit too much as I don't even feel like I have the band anymore, I can eat as much as I could pre-band and I'm making horrible food choices. By all estimations, I was looking too thin, too. It didn't take but a couple of days for the weight to start coming back and I'm glad I have an appointment next week to get a tiny fill. Rather than getting the full.5cc back, I'm going to ask for .25cc's which should have me just about perfect. Not so tight that I can't eat or that it comes back up but not so loose that I can go to a buffet and get my money's worth either. Good luck to you both. I think getting a tiny unfill is your best option and it will make a tremendous difference.

You were definitely tight after your workout. Combine that with being hungry and rushing to get your food ready in time and you have a recipe for getting stuck. I resume eating (often the same food) once the episode is over and I don't have a problem because by then my stoma is wide open.

Welcome to banded life! Don't worry about being able to eat more than you think you should right now. It sounds like you've healed well and your swelling has gone down and now the hunger is kicking in...you're right on schedule. That's the good news. For the bad news: During this time, unless you had a fill during surgery (3cc's is popular) you're just in the stages of adapting to the band and it's not "turned on" yet. You're going to be hungry, you're going to be able to eat a whole lot of food and you'll worry that the band isn't going to be right for you. Sound about right? Quiet those thoughts, what you are experiencing and what is to come is normal. To fill up without doing too much damage I ate: Cream of wheat Oat meal Green Beans Broccoli (crown only) Salads Tuna Boiled chicken Crab meat String cheese Peanut Butter Cottage cheese Berries It's been a while, I'm sure there were other things but this is a pretty good idea of it.

Six weeks. Don't worry, it will go by faster than you think. Not being able to get in the pool was one of the hardest things I went through in the beginning.

No it was a young woman who worked at a drug treatment facility, but found a wrapper with "a white powdery substance" that had been dropped by her supervisor in the bathroom. It appeared the supervisor knew that she found it and started being extra nice to her. She mentioned that at first she discarded it, but later retrieved it and was going to give it to someone she knows that sells drugs, so that they could profit from it. Meanwhile she is also considering using her new found knowledge to blackmail her supervisor. This chick is all the way gutter...which is the lowest point in the ghetto.

I personally messaged her, just in case she wasn't aware of the storm she started.

You go girrrrrrlllllll! Congrats on size 4...that's awesome sauce for sure!

Most of us don't need to be told this, but it's clear that some do. This is a WLS forum and for the most part your posts should be something that a majority of the group can gain from or contribute to. Going off-topic is fine, we all need a diversion. However, posting information about illegal activities you have knowledge or involvement in, mean spirited thoughts/deeds/actions and or displaying disregard for the well being of others has no place here. If that's what you're into, I think I speak for a majority of the group when I say you are in the wrong place. Decorum, decency, respect and moral values are always encouraged and welcomed here and a big reason why I look forward to reading posts every day. The Blackmailers and Opportunists Coalition meets next door, super easy mistake! Please don't pick from our fruit and cheese tray on the way out, we know your type and you don't wash your hands. Thank you.

I smell B.S. Something is wrong with that figure, if the US cost was actually $35k, there's no way you could get it in Mexico for less than $15 - $20k. It's not THAT much of a cost difference.

I'm so glad that there are others who could quickly answer this question for you. More than that, I wanted to wish you the best of luck and a big hug for your decision. It's never too late to start feeling better or to add more years to your life. You sound like a gem and I hope the process goes quickly and with as little stress as possible. Please do keep us posted!

Yes. I used it when I could. After the preop diet I'd had just about all I could stand of Protein shakes by the time post-op rolled around. I opted for protein shots so that I could get it over with quickly or use them to make a protein fortified fruit drink. Nice and light, hydrating and gets the grams in. Yummmm.

Congrats on your recent surgery! I hope your recovery went well and you're starting to feel more like yourself again.