Mhuire

The changes ALWAYS occur in my face and, er, um, bosom. I lose and gain the face and boobs first...weird, huh?

My doc found and repaired my hernia when he went in to place my band. No biggie.

What a lovely bunch of folks. And, yes, Miss America, here we come! I was born on the Seabee base at Port Hueneme, CA, but was raised in West Texas. Ever have the accent...presently live in Dobbin, Texas.

I'm afraid the only tip I have will benefit Conroe, Texas bandsters: Vernon's Kuntry Katfish is lovely! You can get a piece of grilled catfish and a little pile of veggies for next to nothing. The fish is $1.25 or something.

Hang on, Lucy! You're right. It's a process. I just got my 2nd fill Tuesday of this week and feel little if any restriction. But then I've only 1.8 cc in a 4 cc band. We'll get there. Just work the rules and be mindful of what you're doing. I found out last night what being "stuck" feels like. I popped a piece of white meat chicken in my mouth, hit it a couple times, and swallowed. Ouch. A reminder of what I've done, what I've committed to. I've gleaned from the posts of our sisters here that in a 4 cc band, 2.5 seems to be the right fill for most. We'll see. Hold on, sweetie -- we'll get there.

Lucy, I'm suffering the same scenario: my first two fills did little or nothing to restrict. I've got a 4 cc band with a total of 1.8 cc filled. I bet it's going to take a good bit more before I feel anything. But let's be patient and try to learn as much as we can as we go along. Already, from reading the posts in here, I've learned SO much that I wasn't told at my doctor's office. Good stuff. Hang on, hon. And good luck and bright blessings,

The only time one glass of wine keeps me from losing for a week is when I couple that glass of wine with lasagna or Tex-Mex.

I don't mind giving up the carbonation: beer, Cokes, etc. But I DO really like dirty martinis. And I don't seem to have any problem downing a couple of those now and then. But two is my limit.

that's GREAT advice! And it would be satisfying to at least handle the offending tidbit on your way to the trash.

That's how I feel about weighing every day, too. I know the weight can and will fluctuate 3-5 pounds. But that's due to what's going on in my life. If I'm retaining 2 pounds of water, I usually know without a doubt what caused it. Weighing makes me face it, know it, own it. Lots of times, I don't want to weigh, but I have to hold myself accountable for what's going on there.

I think weighing and measuring foods helped keep me crazy during my eating disordered years. I want this band to do this for me: I want to be able to eat three small/reasonable meals a day without measuring or fretting. You know, like a person who doesn't have a ED. I am afraid if my eating getting checked, I'll have to work really hard to keep my impulses from appearing elsewhere. Haven't got that one figured out yet...

Seems to me I remember being told not to eat dried fruit. And I really like prunes and raisins. Play Doh does really stink. I bet that would kill your appetite for a minute or two. I just tried to eat a big spoon of black bean dip and some sweet potato chips. About 3 bites and I quit. Not because I feel full, but because I didn't really want it. Darn! This is hard.

West of Conroe about 25 miles -- out past Lake Conroe.

No one in Montgomery? Really?

Fabulous, Kim! Good for you! I'm East Texan, also (sort of). Know where Plantersville is? Be proud of your accomplishment. That's so great...

I'm tellin' ya. I feel your pain. You could lead me off a cliff with a Snickers. But as they say, nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I'd like to revise that to ..."as good as healthy feels." I've no illusions. I know I'll never be as flat-bellied as I was as a 19-year-old racehorse, but I would love not to drop dead before I see grandkids. Know what I mean? Hey, I think I sent an invite for you to get on my Yahoo Messenger. Let me know if I didn't do it right. My Yahoo ID is mhuire3.

Please, yes! I need some help. Those heartless b____ tches in my office have a bowl of chocolate candy sitting in the middle of the lunch table the size of an aquarium. AND someone left a chocolate cheesecake from the Olive Garden in the kitchen. I just ate a 3 oz. can of sardines. Somehow, that's not helping. The "curl" idea might work for me. I'm the receptionist here. That should be interesting....and that is a BEAUTIFUL bike. You ride? Blessings,

That would be great. Also, instant support during the day would be wonderful. Do you use Yahoo Messenger? We could IM. I go to Houston once or twice a month. Actually, I've got an appointment in The Woodlands 2:00 on Saturday. You won't be anywhere in the area, will you? Blessings, Fellow Traveler!

I wouldn't care for that at all. Doc Wilkenfeld and his staff are always ready to answer any and all inquiries ... no matter how crazy I sound! It took me 5 years to gather enough info to even attempt this, so I'm not likely to stop wanting info now. Your doc should give you this info. It's yours.

A FLIPPED port? That's an awful thought. My first two fills aren't restricting much. I haven't been under a fluroscope (sp?), so I just don't know what's going on. At this point, I have total trust in my doc and his staff, but it doesn't keep me from worrying if everything is as it should be.

I got my second fill yesterday. The clear liquid diet I'm supposed to be on today was horrible. My stomach GROWLED all day. I just ate about 8 Doritos and feel ridiculous. I know this will work, but I feel like I'm not doing my part. God knows that if my willpower were intact I wouldn't be here...I've got a 4 cc band with 1.8 cc in it at this point. I'm sure I'll be going back in a couple weeks for another fill. I need some RESTRICTION! Dobbin is a tiny, little town west of Montgomery, west of Lake Conroe. I work in Conroe, though. And that's no where from where you live. We should meet for supper one night. That is, if I ever learn how to eat with this contraption (I'm just being fussy. I'm still so happy to have my band).

For the tough stuff, my doc gave me liquid vicodin (a lifesaver right after the surgery!). But for regular aches, pains, headaches, I got Tylenol Blast! (I think it's called). It's adult strength. And cherry-flavored! I'm sorry that you're uncomfortable and hope you find something that works for you.

Good for you, hon. Go for it. I don't know anyone personally who isn't damn glad they made this decision. You'll do great. As far as the privacy issue goes, you're handling it exactly like I did. You'll know who you can trust with this very personal information and who you can't. Good luck and many, many blessings!

I'd love to find some band people near me. Anyone out there? I know Dr. Wilkenfeld has a support group that meets in Conroe, but my schedule won't allow... Thanks!

Hi ya. I was banded a few days before you by Richard Wilkenfeld in his Conroe office. I'd LOVE to find some local folks to chat with! I live in Dobbin, but my office is in Conroe. You?