NancySmiles

I have searched for this answer forever and cannot seem to find the rationale!!! Why do CRUNCHY and CRISPY foods go down so much easier than ANY other foods.....ie: it's easier to eat pretzels, crackers, tortilla chips, etc than fruits, veggies, meat, etc??? Has there been any research on this? Any websites that have posted the answers? Only reason I can think of is that since it's rougher it makes it through and doesn't get hung up. Nancy

This has got me thinking!!! There are sooooooo many different reasons why someone is coughing all the time. When I was on Zestril years ago, I could not stop coughing either....the doc had me on inhalers and other meds too!!! Finally he realized that it was the Zestril (since it's a beta blocker) and stopped it and miraculously it went away!!! A friend of mine has been coughing for almost a year and her doc now says it might be her Accupril.....see the pattern? I warned my husband who has just started taking Lisinopril.....that if he gets a cough, it might be related. But this reflux-induced asthma I had never heard of before!!! I am looking it up now and reading up on it. I have been coughing relentlessly for at least the last 2 months....was on a Z-Pack for 5 days....have cough medicine with Codeine. I stopped taking it cuz it made me nauteous and started coughing again. All I want to do is get some sleep!!! It's crazy! PCP says it's allergies, which I had never had before....The Allegra-D does not help at all....and I just want an answer!!!! Argggggghhhhh! GI doc said that since I have been on the Aciphex (for reflux) for the past 3 years with no problem....then it has to be something other than being caused by reflux. Yet, my friend's doc says that you can DEVELOP an allergy to a medication. She has been taking the Accupril for 7 years!!! Who's right???? Help!! Nancy

Hi there ! It's Nancy from Warren!! Dr. Hawasli at Eastside Surgical Specialists did my surgery. He is AWESOME and caring and taes great care of all of us! Dr. Meguid is the other surgeon and he's AWESOME too!!! You will not find a better pair of surgeons anywhere!!! They are on www.macombbariatrics.com and the office is in St. Clair Shores. Seminars are every third Monday at 6:00 pm at St. John Hospital on Moross in Detroit. The next one is tomorrow, July 17th, Lower Level Conference Center. Come and hear what it's all about!!! Nancy

Reading your post was like reading one I would have written myself!!! I thought I was the ONLY person living in this coughing hell!!! It's EXACTLY the way you say! I wake up so tired from coughing all night that it's tough to stay awake at work! I DO have GERD; but thought that this would have stopped once I had my gallbladder out last October; but it's even worse!! I wake up with a sore throat too. I've tried not eating anything in the evening after dinner but it doesn't matter at all...it still happens! It's like a coughing spasm!!! Once you start you can't stop! Anyone ask their doc about this? It really concerns me because I have heard so much about esophagitis and esophageal cancer and all. I sometimes think the acid has burned my tongue so much I will lose my sense of taste. I had my surgery a month after yours....and I have been able to have no more 1.25cc fill. When I had 1.5 everything got stuck!!! To the point of needing a scope! What's up with this???? I am also at a standstill after losing 83 pounds....but I consider myself lucky because I have not GAINED it back!!! I still have another 60-80 pounds to lose but cannot budge! Any ideas on this? Nancy

Makes sense to me Jesse! But you should probably make sure the doctor agrees. I always worry about slippage or increasing the size of the pouch...and it seems that all this air and the pressure might just do that!....I would probably make sure this is NOT the case. But thanks!!! At least it's a temporary fix to a painful problem! Nancy

I have the same problem with Crab, Shrimp, Lobster...what's up with that???

Hi All: I have been reading this thread for awhile, and I am coming to the realization that I MUST be EATING WAY TOO MUCH!!! It's no wonder my weight loss is at a standstill !!! I read them again just now and want to know if this is (seriously) ALL that you eat every day? I am not being sarcastic or critical or a smart aleck...I am totally serious...!!! I am the leader/coordinator of our support group and everyone says how much they eat....I have been researching and racking my brain to find out EXACTLY how much we should eat and it's all different! Most say 3 ounces at a meal and a small snack in between. Then you read something different everywhere! Is it me or just wishful thinking? I have also discovered the thread on the ObesityHelp website - WHAT R U EATING TODAY? under the Lap-Band messageboard and Lisa on there posted Dr. Fox's Plateau Busting Diet!!! I have forwarded it to my group and will follow it myself. My system needs to be cleansed....back to the basics! Back on track! I have been at a plateau since last summer and I am totally frustrated...!!! Now I see why I am not losing! The writing is in your thread! And I thank you from the bottom of my heart and the pit of my stomach! Hugs, Nancy ObesityHelp Support Group Leader Lap-Band Suport Group Leader/Coordinator:help:

Just wondered if the Cookbook is still a plan in the works? Let me know! Looking for some awesome recipes for our 2nd Annual Lap-Band Reunion in May. Nancy :help:

NancySmiles: "322 pounds, 12 months, 5%, 120 minutes, 2 fills, no diet drugs, Caucasian, 82 pounds lost". "We'll be looking at the first 12 months you were banded, or some number of months between 6 and 12 if you have not been banded for a full 12 months. If you would like to participate, and have been banded for at least six months, then respond to this thread with: 1. Weight when banded (in pounds, if you'd rather not disclose then reply via private email to me) 2. Study duration (between 6 and 12 months) 3. Percentage of meals where you drank during the meal or within 1 hour after the meal 4. Average minutes per week you exercised during the study period 5. Number of fills you received during the study period 6. Regularly used diet drugs during your study period (yes/no)? 7. Race (race showed as a significant success factor in the initial FDA trials for lap-band surgery, leave blank if you object to testing this factor) 8. Weight loss during the study period (in pounds)"

Protein shake - Peanut Butter 1 scoop whey Protein Powder (vanilla or chocolate) 1 cup Skim Milk 5-6 Ice Cubes 1 TBSP Peanut Butter (or any nut butter) 1 tsp cocoa powder 1 tsp instant coffee 1 tsp vanilla 1 pkt Splenda Mix in Blender 30-45 seconds or until smooth. SMOOTHIE: Omit peanut butter , coffee and cocoa and add 1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit. Can also substitute 6 oz fat-free yogurt for milk and use vanilla whey protein powder instead of chocolate. Makes two 10 oz. servings. :clap2:

Just went through my first experience with STUCK food since my surgery on 9/24/04 - had an EGD (scope) on Friday because the chicken I ate on Monday didn't go through. Wednesday night, about 3 am, I woke up with violent chills and shaking....and a Temp of 102....the doc said it was probably the virus I was fighting at the same time. Saw the doc on Thursday and he removed my Fluid - which is only about 1cc - and I drank fkuids to try to push it through. Didn't work - so he did a scope on Friday. For the rest of Friday and Saturday I had diarrhea and loys of bloating and gas. Am I crazy? Or could I have had food poisoning??? Had all the symptoms and it makes sense since the food is sitting there for days....Has anyone gone through this? Nancy

Just went through my first experience with STUCK food since my surgery on 9/24/04 - had an EGD (scope) on Friday because the chicken I ate on Monday didn't go through. Wednesday night, about 3 am, I woke up with violent chills and shaking....and a Temp of 102....the doc said it was probably the virus I was fighting at the same time. Saw the doc on Thursday and he removed my Fluid - which is only about 1cc - and I drank fkuids to try to push it through. Didn't work - so he did a scope on Friday. For the rest of Friday and Saturday I had diarrhea and loys of bloating and gas. Am I crazy? Or could I have had food poisoning??? Had all the symptoms and it makes sense since the food is sitting there for days....Has anyone gone through this? Nancy

Haven't been around in a long time!!! Even had one of those special messages at the top of the Welcome screen!!! YIKES!!! Has it been that long??? Love the easy fonts and colors and stuff.....WAY TO GO!!! Nancy :clap2:

How many of you have hit a plateau and been stuck there for what seems like forever??? My weight loss has come to a complete HALT!!! I've STOPPED losing...and I can't get the scale to budge again! Need your suggestions & ideas to help get past this!!! HELP!! Nancy :help:

awwwwwwww I am so sorry for your loss. Pets are like family...and they love so unconditionally......they have only us and will always remember how we took care of them...........hugs.......

I had my surgery by the BEST LAP-BAND SURGEON IN MICHIGAN!!! DR. HAWASLI is the BEST Surgeon; he's the Director of Laparo-endoscopic Surgery and also the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at St. John Hospital & Medical Center in Detroit. The next Seminar is tomorrow, Monday 12/5/05 at 6:30 PM - Call 1-888-757-5463 to register. It's held in the Lower Level Conference Center at St. John Hospital at the corner of Mack and Moross in Detroit. Website for Dr. Hawasli is www.macombbariatrics.com - and you can also talk to Kurt at Inamed who works very closely with Dr. Hawasli and his partner Dr. Meguid. Please join us at the seminar tomorrow night. They are held every 3 weeks at the hospital. Good Luck to you, no matter who you choose!!! Nancy

My Dad passed away 6/30/05, and his funeral was delayed in honor of the Fourth of July holiday. I know he was very proud to have left this world on the very holiday we Celebrate our Independence, the independence he fought to preserve. Stephen, my Dad, was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps and served in Guam, Iwo Jima, Korea, Bogenville... I have never felt more proud than I did on the day of his funeral, when two Marines, in their dress blues, escorted his coffin into the chapel, and very reverently folded the American flag to present to us, his family. And the most touching part of the ceremony was when they played "Taps" on the bugle...saluting a man who was proud to be a Marine...and proud to be an American....and I am proud to be his daughter.......... I salute you Dad.....and all those you represent.........

Check this thread often for Updates pertaining to Eastside Surgical Specialists - St. Clair Shores Lap-Band Support Group Meetings AND Lap-Band Seminars at St. John Hospital & Medical Center in Detroit. For further info, contact nancysmiles@gmail.com or call the office at 586.774-8811. Thank you, Nancy

I was banded on 9/24/04 .....after all this....how is averyone else doing? It will be my 1 yr Bandiversary on 9/24!!! Anyone have any "re-focusing and re-motivation" tips to share????

me too....I was curious what the symptoms were too....I had an UN-fill about 3-4 weeks ago due to horrible reflux at night...could not get a night's sleep and could hardly eat anything without losing it! The doc really didn't want to un-fill it...but i told him I NEED sleep! he did, reluctantly...figures I would gain. I think I am going to call to have 1/4 cc put back in... .5 was too mych and .25 would be just enough!

You've really said a (healthy) mouthful there Jack!!! Now please esplain Lucy...what the heck all that means!!!

You are so incredibly motivating!!!! I NEED to get back on the ball!!! I have been slipping back to my old habits....and you STILL seem so motivated!!! I have lost focus....and i was so focused for such a long time!!! I DON'T want to gain the weight back that I've lost....but it's getting harder and harder to get re-focused.....how do you do it??? How do you STAY motivated, focused, disciplined??? Nancy

RE: "now I can eat the right things again....and can't seem to get back on track!!!" I guess what I mean is....with the 1/2 cc more, I could not eat veggies, fruit, meat, anything but carbs, liquids, crackers, etc....things that were giving me calories, but no substance....!!! Everything would get stuck.... Maybe it was a bit of both me eating all the wrong things and me not being able to. Now I am having a problem getting off the carbss....portion control....etc.....

Hey there.....I am at a complete standstill!!! I had an "un-fill" 2 weeks ago....since I could not eat ANYTHING but carbs...without getting stuck...and had reflux every night.....but now I can eat the right things again....and can't seem to get back on track!!! Any tricks on how to do that??? HELP!!! :cross-eye

Hi all: One of our fellow Bandsters, called me yesterday excited about an awesome and informative show on "The View" yesterday. There was some excellent information and the featured guest was Joy Bauer, who wrote several cookbooks and nutrition books, the latest being "Cooking with Joy". Read below what the show was about! She said it was EXCELLENT and wished she had taped it!!! Maybe we can catch the re-run. ******************************************* The View Tue., Aug. 16: "Weight Loss" special Tuesday, August 16th (Originally aired 6/20/05) Today's show was all about getting in shape! Since recent studies have expressed that eating dairy may actually help you lose weight, we recruited nutritionist Joy Bauer to explain exactly what that entails as well as to disclose other foods that also vow to assist in shedding those extra pounds. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For more nutritional advice, pick up a copy of Joy's latest book Cooking with Joy. This publication is now available through the ABC TV Store. Fiber Insoluble fiber takes a longer time to chew and provides volume to food without adding a lot of calories. All-Bran Cereal Low-Carb Bread Wheat Bran Soluble fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which ward off hunger and cravings. Strawberries Apples Pears Steel-cut oats oatmeal Chickpeas Black Beans JUICY FOODS Fruits and vegetables with a high Water content "built in" helps to fill you up resulting in eating less collectively throughout the day. Drinking straight water separately does not have the same effect since it leaves the stomach more rapidly. Watermelon Lettuce Tomatoes Cucumbers Mushrooms Grapefruit Cantaloupe LEAN Proteins Lean proteins can slightly rev up your metabolism after ingestion. To calculate your daily personal requirements, multiply .50 x your body weight in pounds to find out how many grams your intake should be. chicken breast Canned light tuna Shrimp cocktail Turkey breast Tofu Turkey burgers DAIRY There is some evidence that ample dairy can help promote weight loss. Stick with low-fat or non-fat sources and reap the other benefits from Calcium as well, bone health, colon protection, alleviate menstrual cramps and help manage blood pressure. Non-fat yogurt Part skim string cheese Skim milk Low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese Low-fat or fat-free cheese SPICY FOODS Capsaicin has been shown to increase fat oxidation. However, studies have yet to prove that hot spice can promote weight loss. On the other hand, studies have reported that people are often satisfied with less food when the meal is spicy hot. Plus, you automatically eat slower and drink more water. Chili peppers, jalapenos Habaneros Hot salsa Spicy vegetarian chili Stir-fry veggies with chili peppers DIET SODA A study from The University of Texas has shown that people who drink diet soda are more likely to become obese because they are over compensating and give themselves permission to eat high caloric foods. Bottom line is you must be accountable for the calories you intake and drink water! Next, Jorge Cruise, weight loss expert and author of The 3-Hour Diet, showed us how the things we do in our daily routines, such as brushing your teeth and going to the mall, can actually burn calories and help us lose weight. Below you will find a brief description of the topics discussed on this morning's program. For details on how to set your metabolism in motion and for a free weight-loss profile ($40 value), please visit 3hourdiet.net. Furthermore, The 3-Hour Diet is now available through the ABC TV Store. The Ultimate Calorie Countdown Brushing Your Teeth 2x a day = 46 calories = 322 calories per week Getting Dressed 10 minutes of extreme activity = 100 calories maximum a day = 700 calories per week Pushing a Stroller Working with the stroller (i.e., opening, closing, picking up the baby) 3x a week for an hour = 1,800 calories per week Sitting and Eating If you eat 400 calories of food per meal you will burn 100 calories from chewing and digesting, 3 meals (at 400 calories each) and two Snacks (at 200 calories each) per day = 2,800 calories per week HOUSEHOLD CHORES Vacuuming 3x a week for 10 minutes sessions = 300 calories per week Doing Laundry Vigorous activity once a week = 600 calories per week Cleaning House Deep cleaning for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week Grocery Shopping Vigorous activity for an hour once a week = 600 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR FUN Playing with your Kids 3x a week for 30 minutes intervals = 1,400 calories per week Sex 2x a week for 10 minutes = 200 calories per week Shopping at the Mall Actively moving around the mall once a week = 400 calories per week THINGS YOU DO FOR EXERCISE Swimming Biking Jumping Rope Running Pilates or Yoga Weight Training Each individual activity 3x a week at 30 minute intervals = 900 calories per week Then we met two women, who each lost more than 130 pounds through weight loss surgery, who felt that while the physical results were what they expected the emotional results put a whole new weight on their shoulders.