Flutterby2b

Oh how sad. I haven't had that problem. But I do know that I sip on the 12 oz can (180 cal, I think) all morning. Or if I use it as a snack at 10 am, it's gone by lunch. I really like the Boost-(8 oz w/ 15 gm. protein) but it's so high in calories (240) that I hesitate to get those unless it's that time of the month and I'm really tight. (I know TMI) :thumbup:

I've used the Slim Fast Low Carb chocolate drink since I had surgery in 2005. I get them at Sam's Club. 2 carbs and 20 protein. It works for me when I need a quick breakfast or extra protein. I happen to like them better than any other protein drink, plus it's already a liquid and I don't have to fuss with mixing it up.

I was Banded June 2, 2005. Wow - time does fly when you're having fun Would I do this again- ABSOLUTELY! I need to go get a fill, because I have hit a plateau forever and I'm not loosing anymore. Guess I should be on the ball and try again. I'm just enjoying the wgt I've lost and being able to eat what ever I want within reason.

I was banded 6/2/05. I had the same symptoms initially post op for at least 6 mos, they do go away. I now have a good size bump (the port), under my left lower ribs, that sticks out because of the wgt loss. Dr says that he can reposistion, but I don't wear biniki's (don't plan to either), so why go thru the discomfort and surgery to replace it. I've learned to live with it. To this day, the port site will still get tender if I over do abdominal exercises. I have pair of pants that I wear that hits me right at the port site, they are irritating, even now almost 3 yrs post op. I find when I wear them, that I'm constantly repositioning the pants or pushing on the port to get it out of the way of the pants band. I now know when I buy new pants to try them on first and see whether they have a high waist.

Date Banded: June 2. 2005 Country: USAA Doctor: Dr. Hamn Erodoed: NO If Eroded Date Removed: n/a

I'm fine with wine. I loved Wheat Beer before banding (HD makes it), but I'm too uncomfortable after 1-2 sips to go much further. So, I've nixed the beer. I have a vivid picture of what my surgeon said about beer. He said the foam has to have someplace to go and the first time it comes out your nose will be the last time you have a drink of beer. I had a friend say to me that she thought drinks were out for me. I told her that if I choose to consume my calories in a liquid form, then I can do it. But I have to pay the consequence with a slower wgt loss P.S- the Mai Tai's went down really well when I was in Hawaii last week. :success1: I haven't done it very often in 12 mos- so thought "what the hey, I'm on vacation"

Congratulations. WOO WOO :clap2: Way to go. Being persistent pays off. This last 7 mos you have been retraining you mind body to a new way of life and eating. IT'S WORKED:whoo: You'll always have a reminder when you eat something wrong. Your attitude is great. You have the right frame of mind that the band is a tool to help you out. Keep up the good work and keep motivate by coming here.

CONGRATS Jill! It was the same way with me. Actually, I sent my paperwork to the Doctors ofc on Wedesday nite, over the internet thru his website portal and was approved the next day, Thursday. I ended up using a different surgeon and hospital. (another story) If your policy covers MOS (Morbid Obesity Surgeries), they usually approve these surgeries toot sweet after they look up the Employer policies. If your policy does not cover MOS, then your out of luck. (I worked for UHC for quite while, I'm sure that helped me also. I knew who to get in touch with.) Each Employer has a different policy. They are not all the same. Way to go for you. Happy Dance! Best Wishes.

I bought my Magic Bullet at our JC Penney's outlet for $20.00. It works great for all smoothies. My kids love it and make smoothies daily. It also makes great mushie food. The chicken/tuna salad recipes are actually mush, but good. I also have a Oster blender, mixer, breader maker, meat grinder etc... that's 20 yrs old and going strong. But I recommend the Magic Bullet.

I can't do bread or tortillas. They are really the only things that don't go down. Actually I haven't done bread since surg on 06/02/05. It's not worth the chance of getting a dough ball stuck. The couple times that I've tried tortillas, I've gotten into big trouble-- so these are both out for me. I can't do ritz crackers, but have no problems with gold fish crackers. I have problems with pretzels- so I stay away. (shouldn't have them anyway. ) I miss subway sandwiches- now I just eat the guts (meat and cheese w/ salad fixin's) when the family goes to subway. I had problems with salad's for while, but now I'm back to eating them without problems. I can eat moist chicken, tender steak and fish. I have problems with artichokes when I fix chicken and artichokes. I normally can eat Pasta and rice in small quanities. One day I'll have problems with hard boiled eggs, the next I won't. Go figure? I can probably eat most anything, if I remember to eat slow and chew, chew, chew. Just depending on the time of day and if there is a blue moon or not. Sometimes I really wonder if it's not all in my head. The band has worked GREAT for me. Now that I've had my 3rd fill, we'll see how things go. Hopefully I'll continue to progress with a little faster weight loss. I've put the fill off for 2 months because we went to a Family Reunion/WestPoint Graduation over Memorial Day to see a newphew graduate and I wanted to be able to eat. (The family hasn't seen me in 2 yrs- so I got lots of compliments.) Then last week we went to Hawaii with my DS's High School Band. They were invited to perform at Pearl Harbor Point, over looking the USS Arizona Memorial. We had an AWSOME time there. I actually did the climb to the top of Diamond Head. let me tell you, the climb up Diamond Head was a B--ch! But it was worth it once we got to the top. BEAUTIFUL! I work out and do 3 miles daily on the treadmill as will as strength training. And I didn't think I would make it. Anyway- I had my 3rd fill the day we returned to Hawaii. (Jet Lag and all) I'm now on liquids/mushies. So the process continues. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Weight Loss Continuing to Go. No time to stay, It's Weight to go. Hi Ho Hi Ho. Hang Loose,

My kids and DH think I'm crazy. But I've always eaten salt on my watermelon and sugar on my tomatoes.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one this is happening to. I've waited 7 months for my 3rd fill. I'm always tight in the am. I drink lots of hot herbal teas. Something I can tolerate Progresso veggie Soup at noon and sometime not until 2pm. And then, sometimes I sip and pick at it all afternoon at my desk. Then on other days, I can try anything and not have problems. Go Figure. I thought I was going crazy or that it was all in my head. Well, I had my 3rd fill this past tuesday 6/20/06. Just 0.5cc to make a total of 3.0cc. My Dr told me 2 days on liquids. Well I've tried Cottage cheese and it's making me really tight and miserable. Even lentil soup which is real soft is causing tightness that I've never had....I guess it's more liquid stuff for me for awhile. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. I was starting to think I was a head case:p

Hi everyone- I've yet to attend any of the dinners. But I really want to. Unfortunately, I was in Hawaii for this last one (shucks ) We (DH) went with our HS Band. They were invited to play at Pearl Harbor Point. It was an awsome experience for the young adults, and it was a great time for the adults. I actually went parasailing- something I would have never done 70# ago. So-- when is the next get together planned? I haven't seen anything posted.

Hi Susan- I've been a RN since 1982. I had lots of 2nd thoughts about this surgery, but after all the wgt lose and gains... I felt this would be the best for me. I have the surg last June '05. To date, I've lost 70Ibs. It's been slow and steady. I've had 2 fills and I'm at 2.5cc. My last fill was 11/05. This has held me until about 2 wks ago. I need another fill, but have a trip to take next week and another in June, and both trips are during the week the Dr's does his fills. So-- I have to wait until July.... I researched and read many boards, visited over 12 Dr's and made many seminars, for 9 mos before making a decision. Like everyone else, I have lost wgt before but never kept it off. Over the last 20 yrs- I've lost over 150Ibs, but just to put it back on.... plus more. So, for me... I can say that this decision was definately the correct one. Would I do it over again? ..... In a heart beat. It's teaching me the correct way to eat. It's helping my family learn the correct way to eat.

I haven't had any Subway bread since surg, last June 2, 2005. I will get a Tuna Subway with all the trimming and just eat the guts. I just haven't been able to do bread at all. I've tried tortilla's a couple time, with bad results- so I stay away...