Road Queen

Happy Birthday to you. wishing you the best possible day and year. Celeste

Sometimes I 1) am smart and stop eating when I'm satisfied 2) hiccup and know that the band is telling me I'm full 3) feel like I've lumped my meal in my throat, then I take a swallow of something because I think I'm chocking, and the something comes back. 4) am smart enough to just cook/serve a bandster serving 5) just get tired of chewing and give the rest to my spoiled dog 6) ......

Okay, is your new dr single and in my age bracket (25-80)? Congratulations on finding someone who will do your fills and has great looks besides. Celeste

I'm coming to Arizona - do you have an extra room? For the last few days, we had highs in the lower 70s and I could eat alot. I can feel that is changing today. I had chicken tortilla soup for lunch and tried to eat a tortilla - no can do - (I could eat them yesterday when it was in the 60s). I was losing until the weather cooled off but I don't want a fill - maybe coming to Az for a long weekend is the best bet. Bands are fickle...Celeste

Diane, like Alexandra said, you are learning to live with your band. The other part of the equation is you. You need to take the small bites, chew, eat slowly, and make healthy food choices. Figure out what works for you and your band. Most people have more restriction in the morning. Mine is tight in late afternoon and early evening - bad if you decide to have a late night pigout, good if you eat an early dinner and stay out of the kitchen. My band is also very tight when its hot out. So then I try and eat more at noon and Snacks and just have Soup or something at night. Work with your band and it will work for you. Celeste

I didn't get any restriction out of my first fill and then ended up getting sick after my second because it was such a shock to have restriction (I guess I didn't believe it was really going to happen). To find my port, my dr places a pillow under my lower back and that makes the port protrude. Just a suggestion.

Camen - congratulations! I have always lived my life not wanting to regret that I didn't try anything...maybe that's why I bought my first harley in 1981 and rode to Sturgis alone in 1982. I didn't always make the best choices and decisions but those experiences made me the person I am today. I travel overseas as much as I can and experience life with the locals, not play tourist. I have always been uncomfortable that my excess weight (which is a sign of wealth or having food) was rude so I"m hoping that excess weight will soon be gone. Go for your dreams. Your dreams may not be what others want but that's what makes each of us unique. Live your life to the fullest and have no regrets. Celeste

See you next week in Bandland...Celeste

trying this to see if I figured it out!! Thanks for pushing for this and getting me a little more computer savvy. Celeste

Keri, sorry I can't help. Can you point me to the thread where it discusses staying on soft protein too long? My dr and nutritionist told me it was fine to continue with a protein drink a day forever. they did warn me about using too many food substitutes. Celeste

Isopure is a clear protein drink.

Kathy, are you 1 week out from surgery? You are probably just being allowed to have mushies. You are letting your body heal. Your band is 'on vacation' until you get a fill. I lived on cheese soup and potatoes when I healed. This is a life time committment and changing process. If you were 3 months out from surgery, my question would be - did you get your protein in today? and some vegetables. then carbs are okay. Don't worry. just heal. Celeste

I had the Starkis tuna packets - herb flavored, lemon pepper,hickory smoked, sweet and sour - for lunch all last winter. Since my last fill I haven't been able to handle them. I'm going to try the filets and see if they work any better. They sure sound good.

I use a powder Vitamin by Reliv that has 7 grams of Protein. I put a cup of milk, a Protein Powder, and the Vitamins in the blender in the morning and figure I've got 35 (or more depending on the powder) grams of protein down before 7am. You have to get them through a distributor - I'm not one. If you want to see the products, go to www.reliv.com

Good Wearing clothes that didn't fit before Stopping eating before I am stuffed Knowing that I have a tool to stop me if I start gaining the weight back Feel better about myself, fitting in the airplane seat Some foods don't work anymore Bad When I want to pig out and can't Lack of desire to cook since I don't eat enough to make it feel productive Loss is slow Some foods don't work anymore Ugly Slimes PBs When my pants won't stay up I was a self-pay (re-financed the house) and am glad I did it. I have a local dr.

Micki, you are doing great. What you are able to eat will change. Just try things, take it slow, chew everything well, small bites, etc. If you have a pb, your body is sore - take some time - 24 hours and only have liquids again. Let your body heal. Make sure you are losing at a reasonable rate and still managing to get in your Vitamins, Protein, etc. As far as weighing yourself, that's your call. I weigh daily but I don't think that's a good idea. Once a week works best for most people. Some people only weigh when they go to the dr office. Make sure you track your Non-scale Victories (NSV). These are a great reminder on how far you have come and what is going on with your body when you aren't losing pounds. Measuring is another good way to track. As far as eating, what does your dr/nutritionist say? Mine says 3 small meals and 2 Snacks a day. Just make sure you wait the appropriate amount of time until you drink after a meal. I wait 30 minutes. Go out and read others messages and threads on good and snacking. This site is a great source of info. Celeste

Good job! Keep up the good work and keep posting. That's what the site is for. Celeste

Daniela, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last year and his death was the final step in my determination to get the band. I know if he had had either a bypass or band in his life, he would be here today. But I also thank God that I am having this opportunity for a longer, healthier life and hope that he is looking down and thinking the same. When you are ready, you will reschedule. In the meantime, message here when you need support. I know I gained about 20 pounds in the 2 weeks following my dads death. Hugs. Celeste

Congratulations! It sounds like you have done a good job researching and looking at your decision. I was banded in May in Bismarck. I have been very happy with my dr and his staff. I looked into Mexico but made the decision to go locally for a few reasons: the first year of fills was included in the price, local dr and care, etc. The price difference was about $2500 - less than the amount I am going to save on my taxes. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. My sister and a cousin have had the bypass and another cousin and myself have the band so I know a little about the comparisons between the 2. Good luck on your journey. Celeste

I am flying to Kansas this morning so I need to post early - Under bust 37 waist 38.5 hips 45 weight 184 Will send a picture when I return Wednesday

I'm jealous - wish I was there instead of trying to find clothes to wear to Topeka Sunday.

Nicki - it is a very personal decision. I'm terrible with secrets so I pretty much just told people. I hear lots of stupid comments. And first I get a little upset then I laugh about it later. And sometimes I kind of get even ....one of the ladies has told me numerous times she would really like to get the band to help her get rid of the 7 extra pounds she is carrying around..yes 7 pounds...so the last time we talked and she was complaining about her excess weight I got into an explanation of what sliming and pb's involve. I know it was a mean but...

One thing I noticed when I was too tight was that water was terrible. Protein shakes slid down easier. Maybe this will help until you can get some taken out. Celeste

I did the Walk away the pounds tapes for years. For the last couple of years I don't use the tapes but pick the music. I have been trying to get back into exercise and have been struggling. Tonight I am watching InXS Rockstar. I loved the songs and just 'walked away the pounds' to the first two songs. I'm gonna order the cd. I'm gonna be a "Rocking Walking". Celeste

Karen, sounds like you have had a tough time here. Isn't the band touchy? One day I'm wide open, the next I'm tighter than all get out. I know it takes awhile for us to get this all figured out - but I'm just figuring out how it works in the summer and now winter will come and I"ll be back to square one. Keep us updated and good luck. Celeste BTW - what are you using when you eat tuna? I haven't been able to get tuna down and I'm really craving the herb and garlic tuna packets.