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Teri, congratulations! What a huge achievement. You go, girl!

The interview process as prolonged because the first project they interviewed him for, developed a hitch. They asked him to come back and interview with a different group, but that was postponed because the manager of that group unexpectedly went into the hospital and wasn't well enough for a couple of weeks. So the interview happened last week and we are waiting to hear...DH has been in TX this week and not available to be contacted. I'm thinking their prolonged interest in him is a hopeful thing, but I want it nailed down soon (please God). The good thing is, I'll still be able to stay with Aetna, who paid for my banding, if it works out. We still need to check the fine print and be sure bariatric stuff is nor excluded, but it looks good. I wasn't hanging around here much because I was pretty dispirited from the struggle with the hunger. Things are much better now that it has abated and I have my second fill. I've done some softish foods this afternoon after my 48 hours was up, and they went down fine. So far, so good.

Congratulations! What a thrill. Onward and downward...

Too bad some men don't realize that the sexiest thing they can do is the dishes, the laundry, etc.! Orea

BRAVO!!!! Great job.

Orville Redenbacher and Pop Secret both make the microwave bags. And they are both pretty good.

Long, that is wonderful news. What a thrill!

Welcome! I try to keep it to veggies and low fat dip or low fat popcorn, or lean protein if my body is craving that. I love the sugar free microwave kettle corn, too. I just made up my mind to not eat "recreational foods" any more. If it doesn't have something to offer my body, it isn't going in my mouth. Or, how about sipping a calorie free drink that you enjoy? But first look at why you are wanting to eat. Are you really hungry? Bored? Angry? If hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the answer. I do little art projects to keep my hands and mind busy. If I have glue on my fingers, I'm not eating! LOL My newest fun thing is "serendipity squares." You can Google them for instructions, but they take very little in terms of stuff, and no real ability. Just up my alley. Good luck!

Thanks. It went up a long time ago but I didn't really want to record that. I don't know how long it will last, but I really have restriction today, in the good sense. I had some leftover beet and cabbage soup so I pureed it with some cottage cheese and thinned it to drinkable consistency. It was still thick but would psss the straw test, if you know what I mean. I had to drink it in two sittings, and boy, am I full. This is so cool! I could kiss Dr. Tran. :-D

Every time you resist temptation, you strengthen your "resistance muscle" and every time you give in, you weaken it. With practice, your good habits will get strong and it will be easier. I find if I stay away from the sugars and simple carbs the craving eventually goes away, pretty much, and I am not tempted any more for the most part. Granted, it can take me months to get there, but it is so worth it to get that monkey off my back.

Donna, congrats! That is the mystery, isn't it, how our bodies work. :frown::cool2::thumbs_up:

I hear you on that one! I'll decide on my goal somewhere down the line. Right now I'm just aiming to get under 300 and see a beautiful 2 in front. :thumbs_up: Baby steps don't seem so intimidating.

I have a sense of pressure behind my breastbone today, one day after my second fill.

I had fantasies about broccoli and hard boiled eggs.

I suspect many people lose their initial motivation. Other than that, I don't believe the band has that limitation as you can always have the Fluid level tweaked. I know I can't get where I need to go in a few months, it will take me a couple of years to get there, most likely. I plan to keep at it as long as it takes. Period.

BTW my current favorite "at project" takes no skill whatsoever. All you need is a glue stick, a piece of heavy paper or light cardboard for the backing, and some paper with patterns/ designs. Even old magazines work, you can use the pictures. Google "serendipity squares" for full instructions. I am even using old road maps!

You should emphatically not be PBing every day. If you do PB, go to liquids for a day then ease back into solid foods gradually. Make sure you are taking tiny bites about the size of an M&M and chewing thoroughly. Pause between bites. This is really hard to do if you get too hungry. (I'm still having trouble slowing down.) If you are doing all of this and still having a problem, you should talk to your surgeon and possibly have a slight unfill. Leigh, it is possible to fill your band way beyond the written capacity. Don't worry about running out of room. Also, the fuller it gets, the less Fluid it takes to make a big difference. Sometimes only a drop will do it. So dont worry about the numbers. There are only three fill levels: too little, too much and just right. :frown:

I was banded July 30 and just got my second fill yesterday. It has been difficult and at times demoralizing waiting for something to happen. I think maybe finally I have some restriction, but I won't know for sure until I get off liquids tomorrow. Don't give up. Try to make the right food choices. Just because you can eat certain things, doesn't mean you should. Try to get those good habits in place, because that is what will take you and me to our goals. There is no doubt that I underestimated the inner strength required for this stage of the journey. Hang in there. We will make it! Orea

You are not alone. Surgery and the aftermath of new ways of living and not eating so much, are very stressful. It's a real eye opener to see how much food occupied our lives. I find that simple art/craft projects really help keep me busy sometimes and away from snacking like I used to. :thumbs_up:

Your body is still healing. Surgery is a major stress, which might affect your BP. Keep the faith and keep up with following your program and good things will follow. I have reduced my BP meds some, my BP is better than it has been in a ling time, and more will follow.

That may work for you, but when I stop weighing, it usually means I am up to no good! :rolleyes2:

Report on my second fill: Dr. Tran stuck in the needle, had me sit up and sip while he adjusted the fill level. He added 2 cc. for a total of 6 in my 10 cc. APL band. I'm on full liquids for two days. So far, so good. I am so ready to start losing again!

My hunger has been much better today. I think the worst is finally over. My second fill is tomorrow. I can't wait to see the scale start going downward again.

I lost all that weight BEFORE the band. That is why I am so frustrated. To have my successful efforts be brought to a screeching halt by the Optifast and subsequent raging nonstop hunger really hurts. It's like bandster hell squared. But things are getting a little better. The hunger is less intense and even goes away for a while the past day or so. Perhaps the worst is over. Can you say "extremely sensitive to sugar?" Next fill Thursday.

It could be a signal that you are too tight. Talk to your doctor. Keep us posted!