Suzzzie.

Water: I can drink it, it's just that the first few sips kinda lump up in my throat and I have to wait a minute for them to go down. Lol. All liquids ar ethis way, though thicker liquids like a protein shake go down easier for some reason. I am still drinking about a gallon a day, so I doubt I'm dehydrated. I'm a BIG water drinker!! I just suffer through the pain. And I like the restriction that I have right now cause I can only tolerate a few bites of even the BAD stuff!! I had Cold Stone ice cream on Tuesday night, only ate about 5 or 6 bites and I was giving the rest away to a friend I was with! Lol. NEVER have I given away ice cream!! I know, I know... I need to call for an unfill. But it would be Wednesday before I could get it done anyway... I'll keep you posted. Really, I'm hoping that if I take it easy and quit trying to force things through my band that maybe it'll be OK. Like, it just needs a break or something? Lol.

Yeah, I tried to blame bite size too... but OMG, I've never taken such tiny nibbles in my life! Its crazy. The weird thing in, that after I go through the whole nausea/burping/hiccup routine, I can sometimes get a few more bites in without incident... but usually by then I'm so frustrated that that is the last thing I even want to try! Also, along with the nausea feeling, I also will occasionally feel light headed, almost like I'm going to pass out... Its kinda scary.

OK, serious question for you all... First I will say that I've lost 8 pounds in just under 2 weeks... which I LOVE but... Sigh... do you think I am over-filled? Here's the issue: I do fine with things like nuts, chips, beans, etc... but when it comes to meat like chicken, pork, turkey, beef... etc... I can take about 3 bites and I get really light headed and feel a slight waver of nausea. I've not thrown up, but ran to the bathroom a few time to only end up burping and then having the hiccups for a while. My chest feels really really tight, my eyes water and turn red... OK, I think I know the answer... Lol. But dang!! I don't want to go in for an unfill! This is what I've eaten today: 3 bites of pulled pork (from a BBQ sandwich) 4 bites of chicken 8 Doritos 1 mini chocolate bar (the bite size ones) 1/2 cup baked beans Thats been about the sum of my food for the past 2 weeks... some days I've eaten less... I want to 'tough it out' until my appointment on the 12th, but I don't think I can deal with this. Oh yeah, I haven't been hungry hardly at all, only eating cause I know I HAVE to - thats a totally new experience for me! Also, water kinda hurts, I have to sip it very slowly. My fill didn't start out this tight, it just got worse over the past week... I have 7cc in a 10cc band. what do you all think?

Lol. Thanks Stef! I LOVE penguins! Those are great!

Name............Chall. Start Wt........Current......Chall. Goal......To Go alwayscurious........245......................245. .............212..............33 Amelia40...............270.................... 270................240..............30 areellady...............232....................228 ...............212.................16 argon..................162...................157.8 . .............142...............15.8 Ariel....................207...................... 199 ..............182...............17 aussie_jode...........212......................212 .................190...............22 BabygotBack..........164.....................164. ...............145...............19 Babygrl1234...........215......................219 ................190...............19 Becky42................253.....................251 .5.................220............31.5 bekafina.................225.....................2 25.................199.............26 Cherrybomb...........311....................306 ..............291................15 chickatee..............203.....................201 .................175..............26 chocolate_snaps....344......................342... ..........299.................43 cQQlgirl..................225....................2 25................185................40 Chris_NJ................284....................272 ................250................22 cindyluhu...............194....................194 .................184................10 dacer123...............243....................243. ..............223................20 Denise...................170....................17 0...............155................15 Denise..................244.....................24 4..................220............24 Desertbunnee.........232....................207. .............180.................27 DonnaD................185......................185 ..............170..............15 eclipse..................215.....................2 12... ..............199.............16 faithmd................303.....................303 ............ 283...............16.7 glindab................ 277....................269...... ........250....... .......19 gonnabfree............231..................231. .................205................26 Guinessgirl77..........241.....................241 ...................210.............31 gweniper................253...................243. ...............223................30 hf2havefun...........240......................240. ..............210..............30 ihadenuf................216....................216 ...................190.............26 james2539............235.4.................235.4.. ................220.............15.4 jglong54...............206....................206. ...................195.............11 jadrad7.................224....................224 .................200..............24 jazzystouch...........246......................246 ...............220...............26 Jeni 85.................237....................234 ...............207................27 joisey....................307....................3 07................290................17 josiebies...............188......................1 88...............165...............23 JulieNYC................155.....................14 9.................136..............13 Kaelin's G-Ma.........272....................272............. ......220.............52 KarenG................. 240.....................237...................225. ..........12 katalin.e................230.....................1 79.................150.............29 Kellymovingon........207......................207. .................187..............20 Kimmie..................296.....................29 0..................270.............20 ladydi............. .....233.....................228.................2 08...............20 legster..................261....................25 1................235...............16 LeslieLee...............216.....................21 6................186...............30 lisa_in_toronto.......180......................180 ................160...............20 losingjusme...........273.....................269. ...............238................31 luvinke..................225.................. ..223..................195..............28 maddog.................230.....................230 ................205.............25 marcar35...............277.....................273 ................250............. 23 mcgreen...............236.................... 230.................210................26 METALBAND...........187.....................184... ..... .......167..............17 momlambert............207....................207.. ..............185..............22 mpalen.................229.....................229 ................200................29 Peache8887...........330.....................306.. ...............275..............31 Rainer....................298................... 285................258................27 robgoblin87............279......................27 9...............250..............29 SC2VA.................233...................... 233.................200..............33 sdakotaRN.............254.....................254. ................225..............29 Short C................. 166....................166.................146.. ............20 Soniacan...............198.5..................198. 5.............175.............23.5 Stacy73................259.....................246 ...............230...............16 Sunny112..............215.....................165. ...............140...............25 Suzzzie. ...............349....................341....... ........320................21 sweethot143..........197....................197. .............175.................22 tanderson..............231.....................231 .............199..................32 ToniaPatt …..........286……….....……......283………........2 43.…... .....……40 UK-Lady...............255.....................223.... ............210...............13 Wannabthin...........231......................231. ..............211...............20 want2beme...........225.....................225.. ............195................30 wen.....................288......................2 84................255..............29 Whosyadaddy.........388.....................369... ..............335.............43 LifeLover..............289.....................289 ... ..............259.............30

Name...Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt...Challenge Goal...To Go Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13 SWEETY.......... 202........... 198....... 180............ 18 MJsafari........ 268........... 260....... 238............ 22 captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26 PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17 Stefanie42467... 206........... 202....... 175............ 27 Suzzzie......... 349........... 341....... 320............ 21 glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19 MM.............. 242........... 231.4..... 218...........13.4 finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29 BeckieT......... 259........... 259....... 239............ 20 Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28 ja9va........... 207........... 202....... 182............ 20 wombat712....... 180........... 177....... 165............ 12 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22 Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24 lessnless....... 206........... 195....... 179............ 16 MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28 o2bthin..........238............238........215 ............23

Liberty... It's being held through the Liberty Nutrition Center. I called the lady about it today, she said there were no restrictions... of course I didn't ask specifically about WLS. Lol. She said its $30 to enter, they meet every Tuesday evening to weigh and measure and they willh ave healthy Snacks and guest speakers. If you gain a pound during the week you have to add $1 to the 'pot' (well, $1 per pound gained!) and then if you miss a week then you add $5 the next time you come. Lol. I'm trying to get a few of my family members to join up too! I'm going to go sign up and pay tomorrow, then the challenge will start next Tues. I think it will be fun, even if I don't win! It will give me a chance to meet new people and maybe I can find a good exercise buddy or something. Very Exciting!! I flew Southwest too, and the seatbelt fit me with a few inches to spare... whereas when I went to Vegas a few weeks pre-op I had to suck in my gut and still barely fastened the dang belt!! I'm not quite able to get the tray table down, but I wasn't far from it!! Its so neat when something that so many people take for granted FINALLY work for us too!! Ya know what?? I was so busy in the week or so before leaving that time just flew by! I was barely packed before I had to leave for the airport!! Maybe we can meet up next time? I think I'll try to get down there for New Years or maybe sometime in Feb. or March!!

Hey all! I'm finally back from vacation. I had a great time visiting my best friend in Houston!! I will have to work on catching up with ya'll over the next day or so. Eh, maybe I can get it all done tonight if I read fast? Haha!! THis morning the scales said 341.4... before vacation I was still hovering around 345, so I'm pleased. though I won't change my ticker until I go to the doc again. Also... would I be considered a cheater at a weightloss challenge? My city is having a weightloss challenge between Oct 2 and Thanksgiving, $30 to enter, and whoever loses the most % of body fat wins the jackpot - which is variable depending on how many enter. I figure I"m losing weight anyway... may as well try to win some Christmas shopping money while I'm at it! WHat do you think?

I was thinking about the clothing thing yesterday - since I've been shoping lately!! I have some fairly nice clothes that are too big now - 30/32's. I think I'll just ebay them though... since no one here is that big! Hahaha! I love my band!

See, I've heard lots of bad stuff about Southwest, but I've never had a bad experience. I guess I'm just lucky! On one flight home from Vegas about 2 years ago we had the most awesome flight attendant and as we were coming back into KC she got on the intercom thingy and beautifully sang a soft song about coming home from a vacation... I have no clue what it was but I could have listened to her sing all night! OK - And wanna hear something GROSS!?!?! On my way to work this morning I was drinking my protein shake and after about my 3rd sip I sucked a bit into my airway and started coughing. Uh... don't cough while there is still stuff above your band! I totally PBd the protein drink (made with MILK!) all over myself!! It was everywhere! It was think and slimey and gross. I had to turn around and come home to clean up and change and was about 30 minutes late to work! haha!

haha! Thanks Faithmd!! You're awesome! I've only ever flown Southwest - and have never had a bad experience. Just flew to Las Vegas in late May at my high weight of 380 - could still buckle the belt and everythign (barely!) And I'm flying to Houston on Thursday on Southwest. :confused: I'm excited to not have to struggle with the seatbelt Lol. Speaking of happy things!! I went shopping for my trip yesterday at for years now I've only ever bough 4x or 30/32 in tops - and yesterday I bought 3x and 26/28! How exciting!!

Lol BigBaby! Glad you like them. I'm not big on cooking but do come up with a few recipes now and then. Haha. Funny too, cause I was just thinking today about making some of those meatballs!!

MM - I think you look GREAT!!!!!!!!! I've lost 30-something and no one has said anything - except ONE friend that knows about the surgery... so I don't count him. Haha. I think I look the same and its FRUSTRATING!! I JUST WANNA BE THIN! I WANT PEOPLE TO TELL ME I LOOK SUPER FABULOUS!

Stef - can't wait to see your beautiful bics! Haha. I have one of me lying on the gurney just before surgery but they'd already given me a small 'tester' dose of the good juice and I was feeling loopy - its AWFUL but so funny. I might have to post it!! So my scale has me down to 344 this morning - 5 pounds less than I was Friday when I got my fill. I'm not changing my Ticker but I'm excited about it! I really haven't been below 350 in over a year, so anything under that is awesome for me. Actually, I hit 350 about 4-5 years ago and have since then struggled between 330 and 380. I can't wait to be below 330!! THAT will be a celebration day!

Lol! Labor day was Sept 3rd, Thanksgiving is Nov 22nd.

Toni - When was your last fill?? Its crazy that you'r not losing anything! BTW, Its good to see you post. We miss you when you're not here!! Speaking of missing people - WHERE IS EVERYONE?!?!

Now, mind you no one at work knows I had WLS... but I was looking through the newspaper one day with a co-worker and we spot an ad for the WLS center I went to. She had GB about 5 years ago and has gained back 100 pounds. She says to me " I am thinking about getting lap band." I about fell over! Haha. I mean, I'm all for it, if she wants it! It was so hard for me to not be like "yes yes yes! Do it! go here!" I simply told her "I've considered it and done some research..." I told her what I know aboutthe band and she was amzed that I knew so much. Lol. I'll probably end up telling her about my own surgery... I just didn't tell anyone at work fearing they'd watch everything I did and ate. Lol.

OK - So I had my fill yesterday and all is well... on liquids. I'm SCARED to eat food, which I can do soft foods tomorrow. I had an episode last night and this morning of getting my protein drink stuck, and therefore sliming. I'm not ready to call for an un-fill yet!! I'll let the swelling settle down a bit and see where I am come monday. But as long as I'm taking small sips I am fine. How's everyones weekend going!?

Lol. Insub!!! Thats awesome!!

Name...Challenge start wgt...current wgt...chall. goal...To go Huntersmom...... 174........... 172........... 159............ 13 SWEETY.......... 202........... 200........... 180............ 20 MJsafari........ 268........... 266........... 238............ 28 captdanbo....... 211........... 211........... 185............ 26 PaulaD.......... 216........... 216........... 199............ 17 Stefanie42467... 206........... 206........... 175............ 31 Suzzzie......... 349........... 349........... 320............ 29 glindab......... 277........... 277........... 250............ 27 MM.............. 242........... 237.4......... 218...........19.4 finallythin..... 254........... 254........... 225............ 29 BeckieT......... 259........... 259........... 239............ 20 Miscontext...... 303........... 303........... 275............ 28 ja9va........... 207........... 207........... 182............ 25 wombat712....... 180........... 179........... 165............ 14 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252........... 230............ 22 Waters.......... 214........... 213........... 190............ 24 lessnless....... 206........... 199........... 179............ 20 OK - I gave in and adjusted my weight according to the scales at the surgeons office. So now my start weight is 349 - and my goal was adjusted to 320 - for a goal loss of 29 pounds. I think I can do that!!

I'm HERE!! Just back home from my third fill - 1cc for a total of 7cc in a 10cc band. I'm home now sipping on my Bolthouse Farms Perfectly Protein drink (dinner)! Judy - my NP - says my weightloss is great (13.6 pounds in the past 4 weeks!) and didn't want to do a fill at all... but I begged for "just a little... please!?!" Lol. But I'm at 349, so I'm going to go ahead and adjust my ticker to that. Right now its set at 346... so, grr. I think I will use my monthly weight at the office as my 'official' and change it only then. Well, I"m going out tonight with my cousin and some friends - there is a Benefit Drag show at a local gay bar. Haha. Ever been to a drag show? They are so fun!! I hope you all have fabulous weekends!!

Wow LadyHR! Thats some story!! I'm heading to Houston next Thursday... I hope all the hurricane weather has passed by then!!

- I can't IMAGINE not being interested in food!! Hahaa! I think about it from the time I get up in the morning to the time I go to bed! Of course, these thoughts have mutated since I was banded... as in now I think about going to some of my fave places to eat and they don't sound as inviting just cause I know I couldn't eat as much as I want, etc... - I said the same thing about antabuse this morning! (well, been saying it for years!) - Pineapple juice. I don't eat enough fruits/veggies, and since I'd read the pineapple juice thing before I thought maybe I could eat canned pineapple in juice! So I bought a small can (1 cup of pineapple) and was stuck on the 2nd bite. 2 spoonfulls of the juice later and i was fine. Lol. So I think that is my new snack! And I get the unsweetened one, so its only 60 cals, no fat per 1/2 cup serving.

Thanks for the tip - I'll try that!

Well my scale says 348 this morning... finally down from the 350-351 it's been saying... though my ticker is still set at 346 which I was about 2 weeks ago! I'm still debating on a fill tomorrow or not. I've kept my appointment. I'll go and see what the NP thinks. Basically, I go on vacation a week from today, so if I'm too tight I can go back in for a slight unfill before I leave... I"m not too concerned about that. I just want MORE restriction!! I dunno. This whole band thing is hard. Lol. It's good to help feel full faster and stuff, but if it could only make Snickers taste nasty I'd be in business!! For years now I've said that I wish there was a medication for food addicts like antabuse for alcoholics. Lol!!!