Road Queen

Congratulations - your shake sounds awesome. I don't like fruit so I do struggle but I try to do shakes. I am lucky to get GNC whey in the blender with water. I also do protein bars for breakfast or mid-morning. I need to order the Reliv Vitamins I used to take and that will motivate me. One of my problems is that I take my anti-malaria pills when I get up and have to wait a couple of hours to take vitamins. So the shakes have to wait. Celeste

Hiccups - I get them when 1) I overeat 2) I drink after I eat 3) I have carbonated beverages too fast I figure they are a sign I'm messing up!!

Drooling, drooling, drooling. Good thread. You guys are making me so homesick I am going on-line tonight and going to order some shrimp. Of course when it gets here next month, I probably won't have any spinach left for salad, or the store won't have dressing, or something... I am totally craving luncheon meats. I do get Hickory farms shipped to me every other month so I think I will have some after this. Eating has been a struggle for me again lately. Its hot, I have no appetite, its too much work, etc. Thanks for giving me some incentive. Anybody want to meet me for a safari somewhere??? Celeste

food amounts - When I cook meals to freeze or reheat later, I measure out 1 cup servings. I seldom eat the full amount but its just a measure. If I overeat, I throw it up. Not the whole meal. Just the last bite. I know it sounds weird but I have no tolerance for excess food in my pouch - and I am almost 18 months past surgery. Good luck.

I just returned from a weekend of going on safaris and was very glad I am not an elephant. Their pregnancies last 22 months. They need to eat 18 out of 24 hours - only 6 hours for sleep. They fight for territory. They struggle to find continual food.....hmmm....except for the pregnancy part, I think I was an elephant pre-banding.... Celeste

Hootie, When I was first banded I took Reliv Now Vitamins. Its a powder that I mixed up with Water, sometimes adding it to my shakes. The vitamins also have 7 grams of Protein. It has great vitamins and stuff in it but it was expensive. Remembering how much better I felt then, I think I should switch back. If anyone is using them, can you put me in touch with your distributor. Celeste

Let us know how everything goes and welcome to bandland Celeste

Yes, some days I gurgle like mad, then I won't for weeks. I can't control it or know when it is going to happen. It may happen in a meeting, during a discussion, etc. Its a small price to pay for being 'normal' weight.

Jodi and Yvonne - great questions. After you wake up, you are tired and from what I remember, sore. I could't sleep on my port side for awhile. Some people sleep in a recliner for a few days. I feel my port even now. Some days more than others. But overall, I just feel like a smaller person!! Normal sized. It still doesn't always sink in that I am no longer obese. In fact, I'm not even overweight!!! And I can just buy clothes... Hmm, I am going through some mental things right now and it is good for me to remember these positive things. Good luck on your journey. Celeste

KM, I still use a cup to measure or proportions (like the thumb reference or 4 oz of meat is the size of a deck of cards). Sometimes I can eat more and sometimes I can't even eat that. As time goes on, you will find what works best for you. Good luck. Celeste

Hiccups are a sure sign I over indulged. If I eat past the first hiccup, I throw up my excess food. Its not sliming. Its just like the excess food just ejects. Not everybody has this indicator so appreciate it if you do.

Congratulations on getting a date. Good luck and keep us posted. FYI, when I started buying clothing in the US I found out I am a size 6 or 8. But I did gain 5 pounds on vacation. And became addicted to chocolate - something I never like before.

CCBSTX, Temptations are different. Generally, the food is limited and not as good. But garden vegetables are plentiful and cheap. Depending on the day, there may be good meat. There are less than a dozen places to eat and they are okay but not fantastic I also have alot of stuff shipped from Amazon.com, Netgrocer, Hickory Farms, my food coop, friends, etc. Its the stuff that friends send me that are the temptations. Candy bars, Cookies, licorice, etc. There isn't much to do here. Unless you go away for the weekend (and that gets expensive), there isn't anything to do at all. The only real stores are grocery stores and they close at 1 on Saturday and Sunday. So the real eating issue is boredom. You have given up home, friends, security, etc. The most consistent thing and comfort in your life is food. EXCEPT FOR ME, I have LBT.

This is a great problem to have. I have nothing that fits to take home with me. I ordered one outfit from Chadwicks - capris and t. And I have a skirt that I moved the buttons on. No jeans, t shirts all hang, tanks show my bras etc Okay, I just figured I would shop in the US. But now, Friday morning I pick up my new motorcycle (and will buy jeans at the hd shop), Friday afternoon I have dr appointments, Saturday I am booked all day, I'm thinking I should talk at church about Malawi on Sunday (nothing to wear), Monday morning at 7 I am speaking at Rotary. My bags are filled with packages that I am mailing in the US for others that live here. Its very expensive - in the hundreds of dollars - to send a package from here. Thank goodness Walmart is open 24 hours. I have 1 pr size 8 WalMart twills I could bring but they will be easy to buy there I don't think its worth packing them. I am so happy to have this dilemna!!!

Okay, nothing special but I just have to brag. I was invited to the neighbor's and he has one of the best cooks in town. I had a marinated steak with gravy that melted in your mouth. Steamed carrots with some herbs, cauliflower with cheddar cheese sauce, and steamed peas. When asked what I wanted for supper, I had said steak and veggies - but I didn't know he would do 3 veggie dishes. Yummy. For lunch I had lemon pepper tuna with sprouts and carrots combined with a little ranch dressing. For breakfast I had some black beans, ground meat, and homemade fresh pico de gallo (its what I wanted). Nana, thanks for starting this. When I write what I eat, I realize my dieet isn't as bad as I think.

I leave here in 30 hours for the US (and arrive Thurssday night). I am so excited. I have been eating terrible all week and got on the scale this morning and found I was up to 149! I wonder if that's the popcorn and candy bars I had for dinner last night - oh, and almost a bottle of wine too. Yeah, that explains it. My fridge is cleaned out so its Protein shakes for meals except tonight when the neighbor invited me for steak! His cook is supposed to make the best marinade around here for steaks. Maybe when I get back he will teach me. I have ordered a portable grill so that will help. The temperatures in Bismarck are the same as the temperatures here this week. Around 80 during the day and 50s at night. Of course, when I get back, the hot season will be starting here. Did I say that I am excited??? I don't even want to go take a shower and go to work. If Im this way today, it will be difficult to go on Wednesday morning - but I have to attend a couple of meetings. Later. celeste

The idea of flying naked for 40 hours and through 5 airports is interesting. From what I can tell, I am about a size 8 now. I have a few things that I have ordered since I got here. I just haven't worried about it - my attitude has just been - I'm living in Africa, anything decent I wear is okay as long as my knees don't show. When I moved in April 2006, I was wearing 14 or 16 so its pretty major change.

I had one night of vomiting, dry heaves, etc. It was miserable. I am sure it was food poisoning. It doesn't seem to have done any damage - it was probably early June. I am going to ask the dr when I see him this week though.

Isn't she getting ready for Sangria whatever this weekend? Post pictures anyone who is there.

LapBandit - you are doing awesome. Don't worry, you will lose it. Losing the weight was stressful for me. It helped that I would lose, plateau, lose plateau, etc. It was easier to get used to a smaller me. And its so strange. I don't think it was as obvious when I lost the first 40 as the last few pounds have been. I guess when you get smaller, little changes really show. Keep up the good work.

Breakfast - coffee Lunch - protein shake Dinner - black beans with lean burger and cheddar cheese Snack - glass of wine and choc chip cookie (bad!!)

Alexandra - WOW! Congratulations and you are looking great. Keep motivating the rest of us.

Alexandra, thanks for posting. You know I am going to see my surgeon this week and won't have access to a dr again until 2008. I have been struggling on should I get a fill, unfill, stay the same, etc. One day I will eat too much so I think its time for a fill, the next day I can't keep anything in so I want an unfill, the next day I think I'm perfect. What an educational experience the band is.

Nola, I was just realizing that all of my tats are older than you. Now that makes me feel old. My armadillo on the top of my right foot is fine. The snake, rose, and three cherries on my rear end has fared well. The shovelhead motor with flames on my lower stomach is a mess. The butterfly, Water lily and phoenix on my right breast has fared okay - not great but okay. Hope this helps. This is one of the few times I have admitted all my tats. Celeste

Since the motorcycle is in North Dakota and I am in Malawi Africa, a friend went and took this photo for me. I will send a side shot next week when I get home. BTW - this is the 11th HD I have owned in the past 26 years.