Cocoabean

Hey Humming Bird, My surgeon says that as we get more fill it takes less to make a difference. He draws a picture with a curve to explain it all. But it makes sense, just like with a belt on your pants. When it is very loose, you can take it in several holes, when tight, you really have to pull to bring it in even half way between two holes. So, you might be surprised what that 0.1cc will do for you!! Here's hoping it busts that plateau wide open!!

Wow, 2 shakes and 1 lean and green? Yeah, I'd be whiny AND grumpy! I did 5 medifast products and the lean and green. I had a limit of either 1 or 2 bars per day (can't quite remember which). I was not allowed to snack other than the medifast stuff. I'll say it was not gourmet, but it got the job done and I got my band. As of a couple of weeks ago, I am at a normal BMI. You can do it!! You can come here and whine, we all understand!

I hope this is your coverage: From: https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com From the home page, scroll to the bottom, type in bariatric, it is the second article. Bariatric surgery is proven for the following: 1. Class III obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) 2. Class II obese (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) in the presence of one or more of the following comorbidities: • Type 2 diabetes • Cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris, hypertension or coronary artery bypass) • Life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, obesity-related cardiomyopathy) Surgical revision or a second bariatric surgery is proven for inadequate weight loss if the

Do you get to do the full medifast? I did, it includes a lean and green meal each day. That kept me from going bonkers and helped with the headaches. Actually getting to chew each day really helped. I went through two days before I read the instructions and realized I could have some meat and veggies. The day of my surgery, I was down 8 lbs. and my surgeon told me he could tell I had stuck to it as my liver was nice and small. He said that made the surgery very easy for him to perform. That made it all worth it!

I have to go with the don't eat crowd. Eating in a group of people is always difficult for me. Too many distractions to concentrate on what I am doing. Add to that being sensitive from a bad stuckage....yes, I'd have to not eat at the event. If they have soup, try that. Much worse than explaining to someone why you aren't eating would be getting stuck and sliming in front of people. Worse than that is urping in a public toilet, especially of the multi-stall variety, with people you know on either side of you. I even had one urp into a public toilet that splashed up and got me in the eye. Yeah, that was super fun! "I am not hungry," "I already ate some" ...those work well. If it is a buffet, you have much more control. If not, move as much as you can off your plate when you can. After my hubby eats his share, I'll move some over to his plate so it doesn't appear as so much waste. Less explaining to do to servers when they clear the plates. You can get some odd looks sometimes. For cake time, just get busy taking pictures. Wander around and "forget" to be served any. Or take it and put it down somewhere and wander off. I know that for me after a bad stuck episode, I'll take it very easy for a few days. Not always clear liquids, but mushies and the like. Best wishes at the wedding, just remember to enjoy yourself!

For me, crust is the easiest part to eat. But I don't eat much bread these days. I just don't have the room for it. I can do tomato seeds, it's the skin I have issues with. I ate one of those little grape tomatoes whole. Discovered the hard way that they are not easy to chew, chew, chew! But easily created slime, slime, slime! Never had a problem with cucumbers. Yummy!

Thanks Hummingbird! Going through all the pics on disc to put them back on hubby's computer got me going. The changes in my face really amaze me the most. That, and the fact that I blend into the crowd now! :frown:

Hi Everyone! Betsy, my prayers are with Mark and you and your family! Hope everything goes OK with the changing doses of medicine. Illuminationlady, welcome home! Glad you had a great trip! Leigha, your story of the empty cup just cracked me up, that is something my hubby would do, too. :frown: Gosh, so many of you noticed my new pic! That was me in New Orleans with my ice cream strawberry daquiri...yum. The bloody mary belonged to DH, NOT me! hee hee! I blame the lap band for the wrinkles around my eyes. As I deflated, the wrinkles became more prominent. Wonder if my insurance company would consider a face lift a reconstructive procedure? :smile2: Crazy day today, many of you know I got new office cubicle furniture a month or so ago. Well some of the panels were damaged during shipping. As I was preparing to facilitate a meeting, my cubicle mate announced that the company was coming in about an hour to replace the panel. THANKS A LOT! I had to clear my desk for them to come in and do the work. Sheesh. So, I went to the meeting not as prepared as I'd have liked. Meanwhile my boss was in a different meeting, it did not go well for him, from what I hear, so he is still counting down the days (52 now). I used to facilitate those meetings (all the managers in the district I work for). A couple of years ago, the district manager decided they did not need facilitation and I stopped. Well, the other managers requested I be brought back in. I took it as a compliment to my facilitation skills. Ok, I am off to post some before and after photos!!!

Bobbie, My only thought is "that sux!" Wow, maybe cook the heck out of them, but I am sure you have tried that. Baby food. Gack...I'd not even try it. Do canned go down better? Maybe crockpot them? That's about all I can come up with... Anyone else?

After last week, yours could be Wyatt 'Urp'!

Wonder if it is swish and spit or a pint per batch?

So, this got me curious. I went to guinness.com and looked up the brewing process. Under Fermentation it says: Arthur's yeast in action; now the liquid is cooled, our special yeast is added and is allowed to ferment for a number of days. The yeast converts brewing sugars to alcohol and carbon dioxide gas, creating that wondrous flavor. This gas is collected and purified for re-use. Then in Packaging: The beer is now almost ready for packaging, but whatever the variant, GUINNESS® is always crowned with a distinctive head. With GUINNESS® Draught, nitrogen is added in the packaging process , this is what gives the pint the magical beauty. When the beer is served, the nitrogen bubbles will be released, bringing the beer alive and creating that famous surge, settle and wonderfully creamy head. With GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout — the depth of character in flavour is matched with the amount of entrained carbon dioxide. When poured from a bottle it releases an eruption of foam, creating the classic, slightly brown, full and creamy head. After packaging, every batch is tasted by the brewer before leaving the brewery, to ensure that it meets our exacting standards - one of the world's greatest jobs! It's the tradition, craft and passion, passed down through generations for 250 years, that makes it GUINNESS® beer, draught, or stout. Finally our creation is offically GUINNESS® beer, draught, or stout and it's ready for the rest of the journey. Whether in keg, bottle or can it's on the move again, bound for pubs and bars around the world (or the local just around the corner). I dunno what it means, but they mention both CO2 and Nitrogen.

Hi All! Happy Tuesday! TJ...you didn't call? We could have split an appetizer somewhere to celebrate! Bobbie, what is the issue with veggies? many bandsters have issues with salad, but lettuce doesn't have much nutrition anyway. I do best with veggies that are cooked. They are much easier to chew. I do well with broccoli, cauliflour, beans (which will increase the protein), mushrooms, onions, & peppers. Really fibrous ones, like asparagus, I don't do so well with. My surgeon doesn't want me drinking protein shakes on a habitual basis, he prefers me to eat my calories. Leigha...GREAT on the loss!!! Woohoo!!! You know, I haven't "dieted" since I was banded. It was important to me that I not. I have never been able to stay on a diet my entire life. I knew being banded would be no different, so I have changed my eating habits. I make better choices, eat to my appetite, and accept my body as it is. It gives me the confidence to believe that I will not regain the weight. I have not sworn off my favorite treats, and I eat meals with my DH. My food plan is as "normal" as it can be, and I am much healthier than I was before surgery. I don't track my food, or weight and measure portions. Betsy, how's Truman? He dragging you out? I hope so. I've been phenominally lazy. I can give you all sorts of excuses, but I won't. Blah! Bob, any more incidents? Karen, my response to Leigha sort of applies to you as well. My band is tighter in the mornings, too. But I just go with it. I have my coffee on the way to work in the morning. An hour or two later I have a protein bar, graham crackers w/peanut butter, or a protein shake (just started that, against what my doc said, cause I was getting bored and wanted the vitamins). I have to be to work at 6:30am. So there is no way I could eat before leaving my house. I am in too big of a rush to make something, and I'd hurry too much to get it down. If I am not hungry, I don't worry about it. Christie, glad Steve is behaving a bit. You know, when I was overfilled, I had half the fill taken out, felt MUCH better, went back in a month and had it plus more put back in. Our bodies are freakish that way! Anne, sorry you are delayed even further! That totally sucks! We are here for you for venting, though! Elfie, how's the pain thing? (It was you, right?) Sometimes I find it hard to remember who did what with whom! Well, I am finally all caught up at work from being away in New Orleans! YAY! This week my co-worker and best-peep is on vacation, so I am covering for her. Tomorrow I am facilitating a meeting most of the day, so good thing I am caught up! My boss has backed off the retirement thing a bit. But I still worry, it will only take one really bad day after the next 53 days have elapsed and he becomes eligible. But then, I barely saw him today, so I could be misjudging his change of heart. Ok, nearly din-din time, yay!!!

Hi Bobbie, here is a link to the post: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/did-you-name-your-band-108604/ There were some hilarious responses!

I can still eat bread (if I go easy on it--very small bites, or toasted), I just often don't have the room for it. It becomes a question of which do I need more, the bread or the sandwich filling. So, I start with a sandwich and use the bread as a handle and tear it apart as I go. Leaving strip and pieces of bread behind. But after you get stuck on it a few times, you'll find you just don't miss it that much. :thumbup:

I had to go for the obvious choice of Bandit, because he steals meals from me when he decides to be mean and get stuck. I did a poll on this a while ago. The name that really cracked me up was Ralph!

Hi Everyone! Very happy to say the weekend is almost over. DH has been in a pissy mood most of the weekend. Will be glad to be back at work tomorrow. Bob, just sent you a friend request on FB. I am wondering if the turkey breast bothered you because your stomach was irritated from your last PB attack. I find that I sometimes have problems for a few days after a stuck event. Sawyer! Welcome!! You banded your butt? I need one there! I braved the scale this morning. After soy sauce at PF Changs yesterday (which is usually good for a pound or two), I can report that I maintained my NORMAL BMI that I hit right before we left for New Orleans! Woot Woot!!! Yes, I am a happy camper! Christie, welcome home. Sorry Steve is being a poopy head. Doncha hate how laundry piles up? Nasty stuff!

For me, it is a matter of being done, not full. Full is pain. Done is satisfied. I listen for a whisper of satiety. As soon as I hear the whipser, I need to stop. If I don't, I can be in for big trouble and pain. You'll find it, listen well while you are eating and learning new habits!

What Betsy said :-) But, I'd add that I shy away from anything chicken at Chinese restaurants because it is usually breast meat. I have a terrible time with breast. So, I'll pick meats I don't have problems with, like shrimp, beef, or scallops (your mileage may vary on the meat choice). I will also often do a steamed veggie dish if available.

For me, sometimes beer goes down fine, sometimes it gives me the hiccups. Nothing like the looks you get having the hiccups while drinking. Yes, Guinness is carbonated. As a previous poster said, ask your doctor for guidance. Each has his or her own rules.

Hey Eric, Another welcome! My surgery was not approved by my insurance until all my requirements were completed. I had several tests that were needed prior to submittal. My guess would be that the surgeon's office will not submit the request until the 3 month diet is over and you've met with the dietician & doctor. I did not receive a letter of approval, just a phone call, but I imagine if I'd asked for written verification it would have been supplied. I am not sure about losing copious amounts of weight on the 3 month diet. I have read rumos of people being turned down because they 'did so well,' and so did not need surgical intervention. But I don't know if any of those stories were true. Mainly don't gain weight. If you have proof of previous diet attempts, like weight watchers or working with your doctor, so much the better. I know my surgeon will cancel a patient who gains during the pre-op period. You want to be as healthy as possible going into the procedure. Best wishes to you for a quick approval and speedy recovery!

Welcome!! This is a great place to be for support!! Best wishes for a speedy approval and recovery.

Congratulations! Best wishes on a speedy recovery! This is a great place to be for support.

Hi all!! Happy Saturday to you. My computer woes appear to be coming to an end. Hubby's computer is nearly set back up. Dratted thing! Am scanning the hard drive now for bad sectors. He took me to PF Chang's for lunch as a Thank You for fixing it for him. Otherwise he'd have a Dell paperweight. Yummy! It's a beautiful day here in San Diego. 80 degrees and the sun is shining. We sat outside at the restaurant and enjoyed the day and the food. Betsy, they knee is much better, thanks. Taking it easy a few days helped quite a bit. DH took Butters out for his walks while I have been arguing with computers. Leigha, did you eat the sandwich with your hands??? uh oh! Well, off to see what else I have been missing on the board!!!

Ok whew!! Hiiiyyyaaassss everyone!! Sorry I dropped off the planet for a couple of days. I had computer problems with my work computer the other night, was messing with that, trying to get the dratted thing to hook up to my wireless network at home. Finally got it working, just in time for dinner. It was fine before New Orleans, where I never could get it to connect at the hotel. Then not fine when I got home, go figure. Then yesterday, I walk in the door to my DH saying, "Honey, my computer isn't working quite right." Ok, so before I change clothes I figure I'll take a quick peek...turn it ok, major BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH. 5 hours and a reformatted disc later, his computer is working, with nothing on it. Yay for me. (sigh) Computer could not find the hard drive, then when it could, it could not find windows. Good times! Elfie, You can do it!! We are cheering you on. Good news about your friend! Bob! Congrats on the PPB (Public PB)! :tt1: You are now a real and true Bandster! Woohoo!! My voodoo really worked well, didn't it? My last PPB was on fish as well, and my urp into the toilet included the backsplash into the EYE!! EEEUUUUWWWW! I think we can all understand the desire to finish what is on the plate. Even though we know we had surgery to eat less, we still want to finish it off. Frustrating and annoying. Leigha! Great bike, sorry about the public puking. Bad thing. Way bad. Betsy: Congrats on ONDERLAND! You are doing so well. Truman deserves a major treat! Butters and I made it out on Wednesday, but not yesterday or today. Tomorrow is another day. My knee has been bad of late. After all the walking in New Orleans, I have been paying for it. Work was crazy busy this week, I had Monday off for camping, came back Tuesday after the travel for training in New Orleans last week and half the week before that off sick. Then Wednesday I had mandatory CPR training. I am sad to report that Resusci-Annie passed away. Funeral services are Monday if y'all can make it. Thursday was just a madhouse, came home wanting to just sit and relax for a bit...to the blue screen. My boss is majorly stressed about stuff coming from above and happening from below. He hates surprises, and some of the technicians in my unit (I provide administrative support) have been surprising him lately. He's threatening to retire in 57 days when he becomes eligible, which will devistate me, because we have a fantastic work relationship. I really don't want to train a new manager! Not real sure where my weight is at. Finished up the antibiotics for the sinus infection. They really played havoc on my system. So, will give it some time to settle down and see how it goes. Anyway, to everyone else I missed, I've read all the posts, good to see you all!