brown bear

Sounds as though everyone is doing well. This is just the beginning. Enjoy the journey! I am past Cypress out 290 and thrilled to be banded.

We love it with chicken breasts and our favorite smoked sausage. Italian dressing is good to add moisture.

Glad you are better. My doc recommends liquids the day of and the day following a fill. The day after that I can have soft food and the next day eat regularly. I have never had a problem with the swelling while following this.

You are in my prayers, too. This is my worst fear. Let us know how it turns out.

I agree about the soft foods. I can eat more if I eat soft foods or junk food. I do better by eating grilled chicken and veggies.

Many people on here swear by Biotin. It can be purchased over-the-counter at any place where they have a pharmacy (Wal-Mart, grocery store) and also at GNC, Vitamin World.

hopeful - you are not a failure. I don't know why your doc is sending mixed signals. I know some like you to diet instead of relying on the band, I am so glad I don't have one of those docs. Congrats on the fill, this will probably help you a lot. Try to only eat until no longer hungry - it is hard sometimes to adjust to the change a fill commands. It sounds like you got what you needed so be happy with that and good luck!

Don't give up yet! I saw a post recently where many people said they did not feel any restriction until they had at least 8cc's in their bands. I think you should get more fills. Get them until they work. Maybe you get stuck because you eat too fast or don't chew enough. I know I get stuck when I eat the wrong foods or am really hungry and don't chew as well as I should. It is too soon to quit - what have you got to lose by getting a fill? Good luck!:smile:

Thanks for asking this question. I hope there will be more responses. I would have said no until recently. My hair has started falling out. I know many people take biotin for that and I probably will get some but in the meantime, my family helped me to realize that I am not eating that much and may just need extra protein. I have started using the liquid protein and it keeps me from snacking as well.

I had the same problem. Had my surgery, then got the bill - can't pay all at once. I don't owe the doctor any money so his office is fine with me continuing to get fills. They are very unconcerned about it.

I have had the PB in the car experience and TX Diva - thanks so much for passing that on. I was trying to drink water to help it down and let me tell you it would have taken a lot of napkins to absorb all that water! I'm putting sandwich bags in my car as soon as I get home.

I went through True Results and they had a doctor that was in my network so assigned me to him. His name is Dr. Hollis. I had surgery in June and have had no complications and really like the attitude of the staff regarding aftercare. They are great! This website is my support group. I was in the surgery center for a few hours for the 1 hour surgery. They keep you overnight only if it is a requirement of your insurance. I think you should find out who is in network for your insurance, then research those doctors and see if you like any of them.

I could only tell I was banded when I tried to eat bread until my 2nd fill. Now I do have to slow down and I do not eat as much but still more than a cup per meal. I will want another fill sometime in the future but have too much going on right now to deal with that. I bet you will notice more of a difference with future fills.

I think you are fine if you are not having problems like pb-ing in the days after.

I also use Body Fortress from Wal-Mart. My doc recommended mixing with sugar-free instant pudding powder and water. Pudding makes it much better. For clear liquid, you could use the liquid protein bullets. It looks like a large test tube and comes in fruit flavors. I hear that some Wal-Marts carry a 20g protein version (mine doesn't). A 42g protein version is sold at GNC and Vitamin World and is expensive but if it is only for 2 days it is nice that you can buy small quantities instead of a tub. People usually mix these in Crystal Light because they are very strong straight.

Stay on liquids until the weekend, then try drinking something hot then eating something soft. I have been very tight lately and the hot liquid does help. I also don't even attempt really solid or dry food right now. Maybe your stomach has just gotten irritated somehow and needs some time. You are in my prayers.

Still no power...

How is everyone? We have no power but sustained no damage. We have a portable 400w generator that allows a little time on the net and cell phone charging. We are trying to eat what we have in the freezer as much as we can.

I agree with Jodi. I tried to eat as a bandster pre-band also and also gave up. It was hard. Now, it is almost effortless. Once you have felt that pain, you do not want to feel it again. I just have to remind myself to eat slowly and carefully the first few bites then I just eat and am fine. Don't worry, you will be fine.

Kizzie - I am the same with solid food but I just take small bites and take a break from eating when I get that feeling. I try to stick with solid food because I eat less of it and hopefully will lose more weight this way.

MiniPearl - add your stats, I put you in the list. If anyone has been inadvertantly dropped, don't take it personally just add yourself back in. Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead............237......................205...........180..... ..............25 areellady................189.......................189...........159…. ..............30 BIGB......................342.......................342...........300 …...............42 BellaPerdente..........287.......................251...........200.... .. ............51 Boos02...................258.......................226...........200…. ..............26 Brandy....................221.......................219...........191. . ................28 BrownBear..............240.......................235...........200.... . ..............35 Cadets71................223.4.....................223.4........189.... ................34.4 Claudine.................250.......................250.......... .225. ...................25 Bunkey1965...........194.......................189...........170...... . .............19 Cutiew/booty...........251.......................251............220.......... . ........31 Dionna113..............199.......................198...........160... ….............38 Ekat........................527.......................172...........152....................19 feefee57..................262.......................212...........180. ...................32 FeliciaLevy75 .........240.......................234...........190.................. .44 GillieBean..............304.......................304............264. ..................40 Hollie ....................l54.......................154............125..... . ....... .....29 Jeni 85..................182.......................182............160.... .. ....... .....22 Jillbeme...........235..................212........185..............27 Josie74..................260.......................260.............21 5. ......... ......45 klmsilva.................216......................216.............19 0. .......... .....26 legster..................183......................183..............1 60 .......... .....23 linksmom..............251......................251..............200 ... ......... ...51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199 ... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................158..............13 0... ............28 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250. . .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................199.5............153 ... ...........46.5 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260.... .... .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173.. ... ..........50 MiniPearl#2.............. neefam.................... 238.................... 189............. 158................. 31 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199 ... ............43 paige65.....................252....................252..............2 08.. .............44 rainer........................236....................233........... ..199. .............34 reif78........................294....................195............ ...40.................40 RichardCranium........338.....................276..............200...............76 soontobehottie...........201....................201..............165. . ............36 srknepler...................285....................285..............25 5.. ............30 squale.......................353....................353............. 325...............28 Sunshine2................177.....................176..............160 ...............16 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................239..............199 ................41 Truediva.....................299....................285............... 235..............50 thininside28...............255....................255...............21 5.............. 40 youcandoit!...............196....................196................16 2..............34

Thanks Misty! We appreciate all your work on this.

The way things are looking now, we may need to reschedule due to Ike. I know my workplace is recommending we leave at 1pm today and not come in tomorrow.

I cannot eat soft sandwich bread and have difficulty with pasta. At restaurants, I either share, order something really small, or pack a lot of food away for later.

Yay! I will be there. I had something else come up for that afternoon and thought I would miss this but the threat of Ike has cancelled the other event. See you there!