NancySmiles

I was told to have about 1200-1400 calories per day. Our Dietitian gives us a copy of the ADA diet so it is based on the number of grams of fats, carbs, and Proteins, and dairy you have per meal. I agree with you Pat. I have an easier time with crackers too!!! And I love crunchy so it's hard for me to control the portion; but my band lets me know! I've tried a half sandwich with turkey and whole wheat bread and still cannot make it through 2 bites. Good luck!

oops....that was 4 - 8 oz. glasses - Yikes!!! I'd be floating....!!! What do they say about hope? HOPE FLOATS??? sorry...best I can do today! Have a great evening!!!

Breakfast: coffee w/FF SF flavored cream 1 Ensure High Protein (using 1 liquid protein per day per doc - too much restriction but he does not want to unfill me till I see him next week....may not need to now.) Lunch: refried beans - 1/2 cup 1/2 cup canned spinach water Snack (having late dinner) 1 rice cake 1 tsp peanut butter 1/2 tsp SF jam Dinner: not sure yet Calories: Water: 4-80z glasses so far

Everyone is different....it's hard to say what the average is...my doc says 1 1/2 to 2 lbs per week is great! Good luck and don't be in a hurry! :-) it took us a long time to get this way! N*

Check out the Website if you haven't already! dinner, Entertainment & Dancing. Join us and help make the FIRST ANNUAL MICHIGAN BANDSTOCK 2005 a success! Come Celebrate your life-changing decision with local and long-distant friends. See you there! Nancy

Check out the Website if you haven't already! dinner, Entertainment & Dancing. Join us and help make the FIRST ANNUAL MICHIGAN BANDSTOCK 2005 a success! Come Celebrate your life-changing decision with local and long-distant friends. See you there! Nancy

You're in my thoughts and prayers....as well as Jacob and the families and friends of both young girls....hoping that they will find comfort in the memories during their sorrow.........

I actually thought I might be able to stop my Aciphex that I take for GERD...but spoke to others who have lost weight, had the band, etc, and they still take it. So now it all makes sense why ....thank Sarah!

PS - I used BOOST HIGH PROTEIN....LOVE the chocolate!!...and recently bought some protein poweder supplements to add to my coffee etc...

I have a few questions: 1) Will the gas ever go away? YES most definitely!!! Byt the time you read this it is probably gone!!! 2) Has anyone used any of the scar therapy treatments to shrink/smooth the scars? If so, what brand and how soon should I begin using it? I've never tried them...was more concerned with them healing and the scab falling off so I could go back to Water aerobics back then.... 3) Does anyone know where I can get any good multi-Vitamins in liquid form? Try this site http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search/query.jhtml?q=liquid+vitamins&x=16&y=15&intsource=main I've heard good things about the "Source of Life" Liquid....read the ingredients...it will amaze you! 4) I am still debating over whether to tell friends and co-workers about the surgery (only my immediate family knows). Does anyone regret telling friends about it? The only people who knew BEFORE the surgery were my family and my boss (didn't want her to think it was a life-threatening surgery and she was/is very supportive!).... I was still in the "fat person" mind set...always thought that when I told people i was on a diet or anything, i was set up for immediate self-sabotage....soooooo...I waited till after...and when people started noticing that i was losing and I was convinced they would think of it as a good thing....if they asked how i did it...I told them...didn't want to lie....there is only one person I work with who i feel uncomfortable around...because she was convinced WW was the answer....and it worked...till i gained it all back and then some...well you know all that....but she kinda stays away....luckily i dont work closely with her. sweet gal and it makes me feel awkward....but that was the only one. now everyone who asked knows and I also speak at the seminars and am in charge of the support group so it keeps me motivated.....no regrets at all...was the best thing i could have done for myself! Thanks in advance for your support in answering any of my questions. This website has been a Godsend.

only 15 more to go!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!

I do the same as Babs....I can eat toasted wheat bread; have had only one or two half-sandwiches since banding as they are difficult; can eat crackers and breadsticks with no problem. I even tried lavash, pita, and tortillas and forget it....too doughy... I am fine with crunchy things too.....but i love crunchy anyway!!! Nancy

Hey Christina! Looks like I just missed you.......again. I hope you get some answers at the office this week. Would probably check to make sure he is there. Either is a good choice to talk to. Let me know how it goes. Left you a couple voice messages so hope we can hook up soon! Take care! Nancy

I started strength/weight training after my 2 week checkup....and was fine. Normally do water aerobics but my scars had not completely healed yet.....so I did a 10 week session with a perconal trainer while I waited.

I take the candy to work and leave it in a central location in the middle of the building. It only lasts SECONDS there!!! So if I have any left after the basket filling, there it goes.....!!! Can you give it away???

Announcing the FIRST ANNUAL LAP BAND REUNION being held by Dr. Hawasli & Dr. Meguid of the Eastside Surgical Specialists. Wednesday, May 18, 2005 6:00 - 9:00 PM St. John Hospital & Medical Center on Moross Rd at Mack in Detroit Auditorium & Lower Level Conference Room Please RSVP by May 6, 2005 Please bring a guest of your choice Send your Before and After/Current Photos all 586-774-8811 Join us to Celebrate our 1st year of healthy lifestyle changes. E-mail: NancySmiles@gmail.com

I went to see my doc this past Monday because I had trouble with proteins (meats mostly) going down and needed to get them in. Chicken, beef, pork, anything. I chewed till I was blue in the face but they got stuck. I know at the beginning, they said that if you have a problem with sticking your esophagus will swell a little from the problem and to wait a bit before trying again. I have been losing consistently so he did not want to do an un-fill. He said to try liquid protein supplements once a day or so for another month...and see how that goes. Plus I really needed to take the time to eat....i was eating way too fast. I am so glad I waited....I have been taking more time eating (reading books or magazines while I eat) and i have been fine all week! I do drink a Boost when I need to. Also heard that you have lots more restriction in the morning for some reason, so I try to have oatmean or a yogurt, something that goes down easy. Good luck!

Paula: You must have ESP or something!! I have been asking my daughters to help me choose a new scent. I love the one I wear right now and choosing a new one is so challenging! I purchase my perfumes on www.fragrancenet.com since they have great prices. I love it because they give a description of the KIND of scent it is. So when I look for a new one, I kinda stay in that same category because I like those types of scents. I work in a large health system and always kept my scents light so as not to offend patients, as we were always told. But I found it bothered me too, so I keep it light. Here is an example of my current fragrance from that site: DESIGN HOUSE - Jean Paul Gaultier YEAR INTRODUCED - 1993 FRAGRANCE NOTES - fresh spicy amber, vanilla and wood, an alluring scent RECOMMENDED USE - casual Hope this helps! Also, I get a weekly ad from Marshall Fields and they have samples in it; so I can test them out at my leisure. Good luck! If you find a nice oriental, woodsy, light kinda perfume let me know!!! Nancy

Now I don't feel so RIDICULOUS!!! I have been so dry since surgery.....dry lips, dry skin.....wish the Water i drink all day would get absorbed in the right places!!! good to know it's normal...i think!

Dear Philip ~ Nobody can even begin to understand the pain you are going through ~ but as you said, please feel comfort in knowing that Carolyn was doing exactly what she wanted to be doing on the last day here with you ~ and how many of us can say that? I looked again at her picture and her beautiful smile, happy eyes, and sunshine blonde hair and how young she was. "Blossom"....what a perfectly fitting name for a beautiful young woman who will remain in our hearts forever..... Yes by William Stafford "It could happen any time, tornado, earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen. Or sunshine, love, salvation. It could, you know. That's why we wake and look out -- no guarantees in this life. But some bonuses, like morning, like right now, like noon, like evening." Like "Blossom", Like Carolyn........

Blossom is our own sweet beautiful ANGEL in heaven watching down on all of us and smiling.....taking care of us and keeping us healthy in her own way.....

I am STUNNED....absolutely stunned!!! What a horrible tragic loss of a young beautiful life. Even though we have never met each other personally, I feel we all share a special kinship with each other...going through the same things, feeling the same emotions....and I know you join me in deep prayer for her husband in his time of pain. It's comforting to know that Blossom felt no pain, and was working on a lifelong dream as she fell to her death. We know she died doing what she loved best....LIVING her life to the fullest...full of hopes and dreams. We should all reflect on this and remind ourselves how precious a gift life is...and just as easily as it was given to us, it can be as quickly taken away....Rest in Peace beautiful Blossom....You are in our hearts and minds forever.......

I ordered some "virtually hull-dree" popcorn from a well-known home shopping network and it was NOT hull free...do not buy this !!! Nancy

Christina! I read your first post and now your last and a few in between and I have to say, I totally agree with the choice you made!!! I would have done the same thing at your age, especially if I had your beauty, brains & personality!!! I have always said you are gorgeous gal, both inside and out, and deserve the BEST in life! You are a NATURAL!!! You are young, beautiful, talented, intelligent, outgoing, ambitious, funny, and so much more!!! I always say that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON...and you shouldn't look at it as a negative thing! Maybe since you have had so many questions and concerns about HAVING the surgery, you were actually trying to find an excuse NOT to have it....An ALTERNATIVE maybe....but you didn't have one...at least not until NOW!!! Remember I told you it took a while for my insurance company to approve, and that I was TOTALLY ready and prepared for it when it finally happened. You are still questioning it a few months later, so maybe THAT is the sign that you should wait. And usually they give you a deadline when you have to have the surgery....find out the date and at least you would have that as backup! As someone said earlier....the band will ALWAYS be here. This opportunity in the acting business doesn't happen but once. And when opportunity knocks, you should answer the door! Do it while you're young!!! You have to at least TRY!!! I can see you in a few months if you don't...you will be wondering why you didn't at least give it a shot. Who knows? Nobody does...that's the whole thing! Talk to your friend....get on the show if you can...try your best....if you succeed, then AWESOME...if not, then what better way to prove to the insurance company that you need the surgery?!?!?!?!?!!! What more proof would they need than that of millions of viewers??? :glasses I say GO FOR IT GIRL!!! Look at your name......I'LL SUCCEED!!!...and I KNOW YOU WILL....no matter what you do!!! Keep me posted.....Remember me when you become Thin, Rich, and Famous!!! I am always here for you!!! And I would love to be able to say I knew you when!!! Because I do!!! And if things don't work out....which, how could they not work out???...I am still here for you...whenever you need me!!! HUGSSSSS & Fingers Crossed!!! Nancy* :banana

LaMadam: You're right!!! We've come too far.....to let this get us down!!! Thank you again for your encouraging words. We all know what we have to do....just need some reinforcement every now and then!!! Pat: This is the part I was worried about when I was banded....making good food choices always.....I knew I had too since I am diabetic and had to keep a close eye on meds and diet. But you reminded me exactly why we need to make them!. Donali: Your words made so much sense!!! We ALL know all this; but sometimes we need to be reminded that this is indeed FOREVER!!! And that it's DIFFERENT from all the other weight loss efforts we made before. It's always the case....just when we think we are going through the worst time, someone else has it worse than us!! I am not sure what I would do if I had to have my band removed...and here you are....you are the BEST!!! Hang in there!!! And thank you for your wise words! Rica: Not gonna crash and burn either!!! You're right! Keep the faith! Debbie: I too still go to my WW meetings. I NEED to go....for the accountability and support just like you! We do exactly the same...stay in the background about our weight loss....it's not fair to the others..but we're all there for the same reason! Thanks everyone!!! I knew I could count on all of you for support....always have...I am so glad we have each other here! And remember that I am here for you too!!! Thanks again for being here and putting it all back in perspective....just gonna take one day at a time....just as Betty reminded me....and that is as it should be! Hugssssssssss Nancy*