StLouisGal

Congrats! I can hardly wait til I'm past the halfway mark! Keep up the good work.

UGH!!!!! It's Ben and Jerry's for me, I started out with half a cup and before I knew it, the whole pint was gone. Ice cream goes down so smooth. I gotta stick with broccoli.

I have ordered off the children's menu, but the choices are usually less nutritious than the senior menu. I usually try to talk my husband into ordering something I can eat and then eating part of his. If all else fails, most restaurants have a side of cottage cheese and some fruit. Last night we went out for Chinese and my husband and children each ordered an entree and I nibbled off of their plates. The worst problem I have in eating out is convincing the server that I really don't want anything to drink. I also try to tip for two Entrees if I am eating off my husband's plate because it is just as much work for the server to bring me an extra plate, napkins, etc.

Good luck tomorrow! I was off two weeks. I probably could have managed after one but I was still pretty worn out after minimal exertion so I took the second week. My doctor would have written up to six weeks but I thought that was a bit excessive. I was pretty drained after the first few days but I got back into the routine pretty quickly. I was ready to go back because I was getting bored with being at home alone. The only concern I would have about TDPW4 is sitting that long without a break. You are still at risk for blood clots so make sure you walk around a bit after every hour or so. If you can't do that you have a legitimate reason for staying home for another week or two.

Thanks for reminding me of all the great things that have happened in the last six months or so. Our stories are so similar. What a great idea for sharing. Keep up the good work!

I started looking into WLS in early September and had my surgery in February.

I went through the DePaul Weight Loss Institute with Dr. Scott. I had an awesome experience. I don't have UHC but I do have a federal insurance program and they worked with me. I know they cover a wide variety of insurance programs. They are a Center of Excellence. I started looking into WLS at the Barnes program but my insurance would not cover them (Fortunately I figured that out before I put out the $550 non refundable fee.) DePaul has no upfront fees and my insurance has covered everything I have needed. Good luck in whatever program you decide on.

I've had the sinus crap that you are talking about. I think it was allergies to the construction dust in my office, sore throat, cough, etc for two weeks. My main problem was nothing sounded good to eat but ice cream (not a real good choice for a lap band patient) I called the doctor and asked for cough syrup and she sent more Loratab elixer, If I had known that would work I would have taken some of what I had. Now I have two bottles and have probably taken four teaspoons of it. GRRRRRRR. It makes me have weird dreams but the coughing stops so I guess it is a trade off. Hot tea helped the sore throat too.

Sorry, but that sounds like something I would do. Welcome to Bandland. Hang in there! There are things that smell worse than peanut butter.

My doctor said no carbonation but straws are OK. He said no coconut because it swells up in the stomach, go figure? They want us to wait six months to chew gum and never swallow gum. I have to have a straw to drink the Protein shakes. I don't drink with my meals. I agree with Jaimie, they look at you very strangely if you don't order a drink with your meal. If the Water is sitting there I will drink it and for me that is a very bad idea, and a sure way to get stuck.

Congratulations Gibson, You are doing great! Besides, dancing the jig burns calories so dance away!

Looks to me like your butt and your belly are pretty well gone. You look great! (but we already knew that) Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the info. That makes me feel a lot better. I talked to the nurse at my doctor's office and she said it isn't uncommon to have a small bruise. She didn't think mine sounded too big.

Has anyone ever gotten a bruise from a fill. I have a blue bruise about the size of a silver dollar (The old ones not the new little ones) I was surprised because I didn't have any bruising from the surgery or the first fill. Any thoughts? :thumbup:

I got a whopping 0.5 cc yesterday. I now have 2.5 cc. I am not going to complain though because I don't feel hungry and I am losing weight steadily.

I was back at Curves 12 days post op. I skipped a couple of the machines that work the abdominal muscles really hard but other that that everything was fine. I didn't do those two machines until 6 weeks post-op.:thumbup:

I work out at Curves five or six times a week. I also try to add more walking into my daily activities.

You look awesome! Thanks for showing all of us how well the band works.:wink2:

Wow, You have to feel so much better. Keep up the good work, you are looking great!

You are so right! I, too, went out for Mother's Day yesterday. We went to PF Chang's and my wonderful family ordered all my favorites so I could have a little bite of each of theirs. I asked for an appetizer plate so I could guage how much I could eat. I ate tiny bites really slowly, enjoyed the conversation and had a wonderful meal. I think this is the best part of the band. Because I eat such tiny portions I can eat a lot of the foods I really enjoy so I don't feel deprived but still fit within my calorie and Protein needs. I don't do well with being restricted to "diet" foods. It was hard on Saturday when we were eating out at a grill celebrating my neices graduation when all of the deep fried appetizers came out and I pretty much sat and watched everyone eating deep fried green Beans, jalepeno poppers, chicken fingers, potato skins, etc. I simply explained that I could eat it but that I preferred more healthy food and I couldn't afford to fill up on appetizers. I gave the same excuse at the post ceremony reception where they served huge cookies. I explained that I wouldn't be able eat lunch if I ate a cookie. I sipped on a cup of coffee because it was going to be at least an hour before lunch. I did eat one tiny piece of portabello mushroom so that I didn't look totally anti social. I was fine when I got my grilled chicken breast and cottage cheese. I even snuck a couple pieces of my husband's broccoli. The family was quite impressed at my self control. That made everything wonderful. The band is a wonderful tool but it takes work. Hang in there everyone. We all have our eyes on the prize. We have to educate our family and friends on the wonders of our bands.

Congratulation! What an accomplishment. I'll be there soon so save some room. Keep up the good work!:frown:

Welcome, You are about a month ahead of me. My surgery was February 15. My surgeon is Dr. Scott and I was at DePaul. I think you will enjoy this site, lots of good support. Take care,

Keepinfaith, I eat a lot of egg beaters. They are much lower in fat than eggs so I think they are a better alternative. I sautee a little green onion (or regular chopped onion, a little finely chopped ham and 1/2 cup of southwestern egg beaters. Top it off with a little low fat cheese and it makes a nice meal. You can also put a little salsa on top for a little extra kick. It has about 28 grams of Protein with 2 ounce of ham and one ounce of 2% milk cheese. It's a lot of food but I usually don't have a problem getting it all in if I eat slow and chew well. The whole thing has about 216 calories and depending on the ham you use about 8 grams of fat. Besides it is quick and easy to make. TriAgain, If you eat dairy products try cheese sticks or string cheese, boiled eggs, etc. individual servings of fruit, like applesauce, peaches, or pudding are also easy to tote in a purse. Try to find a small insulated bag to put them in and slip it in your purse. Protein Bars are good but it is hard to find one that has no sugar alcohol (something I try to avoid) Individual servings of Peanut Butter are also good to carry for hunger emergencies. I try to always have something with me in case I get delayed. I don't want to go to a place that sells food when I am extremely hungry. Good luck to both of you!

It sounds like a PB to me. The nurse at my doctor's office said that happens when you fill your pouch too full. It sounds like the drink pushed you over the top. Had you had any pain, sliming, etc before it came up? That usually happens to me before it comes up so I have enough time to grab the trash can.

It is definitely something to check into. You don't want it to drop any below that. Mine usually runs about 110/60 but I haven't had mine checked since my first post op appt. A trip to your primary is a good idea. It may be something as simple as a medication that is now too strong because of your weight loss. Try not imagine things until you know. When they know what it is, they can treat it. Hang in there.