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Holly....wishing you luck with your ins. approval. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I had a BMI of 40 with many comorbidities and I worried waaaaaaaaaaay too much about approval. Just try to be patient and see what your company does. You have comorbidities and you have done your 6 mo. required. Welcome to the group. A great place to be if you have questions or just need support!:cursing:

You know, Denise, I'm not really sure. I think you might have guessed right that it tenderizes. That is what I have always thought. I have friends that throw a can of real coke into their roast beef when they cook them.

You can always try them for your DH and sample a bit.

I find it so strange that everyone reacts differently to the amount of fills they have. I, too, have a 14cc band. 5.5cc's in it after my two post-op fills. I know now that I cannot get any more fills for a long time. I am not too tight but there are days (stress) that I could not get any more food in than I do. It's a mystery!

Our Walmart does not carry any flavors except for plain and vanilla. I just dress mine up with Splenda and SF syrups. I did try another brand of Greek yogurt in honey flavor and LOVED it but only had 6g Protein. Not enough when I make it my morning meal. Will have to see if I can find it when we are on our travels this winter.

Charlene...good job on the 50#. Also, happy you have some relief with the unfill.

I am disappointed also that we will not meet. I was looking forward to it. As far as I'm concerned, we are ALL Band Superstars!!!!!!! I am at the end of my weight loss journey but yet I am still inspired by all of you. It's hard work and it's so nice to have friends to talk to on a daily basis. Let me tell you...it is not over once the weight is off. I have been working really hard to figure out where I need to be as far as calories and exercise. I will get it but it's not easy. I just try to get all my nutrients in every day and throw in extra cals when I think I need them. What is so weird is that my doc says 600 cals for a woman on maintenance and 800 for a man. I am needing about double that to maintain. Good for you for losing over TG weekend! Always good feeling when moving to a smaller size. Alright....I am getting pissed...this site keeps putting all of my poop in a group today. I use paragraphs and then one big wad post shows up. Oh well, at least it hasn't deleted them!

Denise...forgot one thing I was going to say. I always keep a bottle of low fat Italian dressing on hand. Makes a great marinade. You can also throw in a packet of Liptons onion soup mix into any marinade.

Denise...sounds like you are struggling right now but have the right idea to get back to low carb. I know that I struggle less when I stick to high protein/low carb. It is not that I don't eat some carbs but just try to do "good" carbs in fruit and veggies. I do throw the one carb in a day of the 100 cal pack of popcorn in the evenings. It tends to satisfy my need for salt. I have never craved sweets...just snack foods. Let us know about that book. I love to read and have a few self-help type books and reread them now and then. I usually make my own marinades. There are so many variations with one basic recipe...just base it on your tastes. Also, you don't have to make the entire recipe..cut it in halves or quarters depending on how many you are feeding. I started using them for the crew I feed and they love them. Low fat and carbs. My DH lost 15lbs without trying just because he has been eating low fat along with me. I will list a few for you in this post. Try them and so how they work for your taste buds. My basic recipe is: 1Tbsp lite soy sauce 1Tsp garlic powder 1 can Sprite Zero or Diet 7-Up juice from 1 lime (I throw the rind in after squeezing) 1Tsp dried mustard 1Tsp chili powder Just throw all in a freezer bag (they are more sturdy than others). I use this recipe for up to 2lbs of chicken, beef, salmon, or pork. When I want a change in taste I add about a 1/2 cup of any sugar free jams to the same recipe. Smuckers has some great ones. My family likes the orange marmalade, seedless raspberry or apricot. You can also add 1/2 cup of lite teriaki (sp?) sauce when you don't add the jams. I throw my meat in the bag, squish it around a bit and marinade for at least 24 hours. Remember, you can cut the recipe down if you want. I sometimes throw the meat in individual servings in smaller bags with the marinade on it into the freezer. Or, I grill, bake or use crockpot and put the cooked meat into individual bags into the freezer to grab and nuke. Hope this helps. Also, hope your struggles will subside once your get back to your low carb diet. A good way to kick start!

Long...happy to hear that you had a good vacation. That .5lbs will be gone tomorrow, I bet. Not to worry. You wouldn't get me to eat venison in any form! Blah!!!!!!!

Hey....anyone else having trouble today with posting on this site. I break my posts into paragraphs but when I go back to read them, they are all mushed together

I have been really struggling lately because of comments made by people I have not seen since I started my weight loss. Have been running into a lot of them in the last month or so. I have been getting the "You're too skinny and you better not lose any more". My answer is usually "I'm right where my doc wants me to be and I feel healthy, not too skinny." I know that most people do not mean to demean me but just don't think b/4 they speak. The worst are friends that have quite a bit of weight on them. The word anorexic was being tossed around at a party a couple of weeks ago and started by a so-called friend. The last time I met with my surgeon, he was happy with the weight I am at. My BMI is within the normal range and he told me I am done with my monthly meetings and would see me in March. Then he added that I should come back for a fill in the mean time if I start to gain any weight. I am quite tall and have a boyish figure with boobs. Have always had skinny arms and legs, even when I weighed 249#. I had a similar incident on Thanksgiving day. A person who is an RN started questioning me about having the LB. Drilled me for about 5 minutes and just stood there staring for about 30 minutes while I was busy in the kitchen but not saying another word. Another incident happened two weeks ago while volunteering at our local hospital. Was in the cafeteria getting a cup of coffee. The lead RN (what is it with these RN's? LOL) came up behind me and stated that she thought I was too skinny and that the surgery I had was not meant for that purpose. The purpose is to get healthy...not skinny. I couldn't even open my mouth to respond. There were about 20 people standing in line within hearing distance. I was appalled. The RN walked away and then turned around and said "In MY opinion you are way too skinny". It's too bad that it threw me cuz I would have told her that if I wanted her medical opinion, I would have made an appt. (This RN works at the hospital I had my LB surgery at). Very inappropriate. In my opinion, this incident was reportable but I cannot be bothered. I am proud of the steps I have taken to get to where I am. It was a lot of work and I am finally at peace. The obesity cloud has lifted. And...I AM NOT TOO SKINNY. Where were people when I was sooooooooooo obese? Why didn't they say something then? I will have to say that there are more people than not who are encouraging and compliment me on how good I look. All in all most people mean well. There just has to be those few.....

Cheryl...we all have a little ruts that we get into. Try to just focus on your successes and you will be fine. I feel that a person is lucky if a fill doc is careful and does not give much of a fill at a time. I know it is extra travel for someone like yourself that has to travel a distance. Just get the fills that are recommended by your doc. Sounds like he will not overfill you. It does happen and that is why I am very careful to stay at a spot where I have a little hunger but still get that satiated feeling for about 4 hours after a meal. You will know it when you get there. It actually took about a month for my second fill to kick in. I was really wishy washy that month about not knowing if I would need another fill. Then one day I just felt it. It pays to wait and see. You can always PM me any time with any questions you might have. There is also a thread started by Indiogirl "I'm here to help". Find that thread and go there also. I have enjoyed it. Janet (Indiogirl) and others on that thread got me through a couple tough spots. I was feeling like I was all alone in this until I connected with my June girls, the 50's and Indio's thread. Just don't feel like you are alone. We've all been through what you are going through. Rely on people to get you through. You can get there. Get the fills you need and tame your hunger and you will notice such a difference! Sending hugs your way. K

Hang in there, Cheryl...sounds like you need a fill. Try not to get discouraged. Call your doc to see when you can get in. It's a tough time b/4 your reach a spot where you are not hungry. We have all been there. Don't beat yourself up...just get back on tract NOW. You will feel so much better about things. I use a treadmill but have heard the ellipticals are so much easier on the knees. I do not have problems with knees anymore but think the workouts with the ellipticals are better.

I have done a fair amount of travel since being banded. I usually make sure my carry on or purse contains the following items: 1.5oz beef jerky snack packs...25g protein, 140 cals....works as a meal in a pinch. Low fat cheese sticks Pure protein bar...purchase at WalMart Most hotels provide a continental breakfast. Some have hard boiled eggs (cannot do them), fiber cereal, oatmeal, etc. I have found that airport food is a challenge for me. Especially deli type meat that my band does not allow me to have. Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!!!

JoAnne....hopefully you will not need that knee replacement for awhile. Wait and see what your weight loss does first. My right knee was HORRIBLE b/4 I lost. The stairs were a killer and just walking brought tears sometimes. I have not felt a pain for months. Unbelievable!!!!!!

Lulac....reread my post....the part about people not accepting themselves was not directed at you. You seem to have a great attitude about your new body.

Lulac...I have a couple of friends that have model type figures. Stand about 5'9" and at the age of 50 have no detectable cellulite. They are always complaining about their cottage cheese looking ass and thighs. They look HOT in shorts and bathing suit. I decided that whatever I ended up with after my weight loss, I would embrace and go with it WITHOUT complaining. God gifted those friends with what I see as amazing bodies. SHUT UP has come across my mind a few times....but need to practice some kindness. DH says women are never happy with themselves. I beg to differ. When a person has been where we have with the extra weight....we tend to accept the few imperfections we end up with.

My doc says to absolutely wait a year AFTER reaching goal to make any decisions on PS. I reached goal in Oct and can tell things are better two months later. I am 53 and did worry about the tummy since I carried everything thru my torso. I happened to luck out. I have no bat wings on the arms and the tummy does not hang. In fact, I can wear french cut panties and nothing is hanging out. At times I think my upper thighs look like melted butter but something most 53 yr old women have. And, I can cover that area. My DH is the only one that sees them. I would never worry myself b/4 the LB surgery. You are young. Just wait and see what Mother Nature gives you in the end.

Hey Long...good job not gaining during your TG vacation. It is so difficult to NOT gain during holidays. Just think of what you would have eaten last year. You will see the weight start coming off again. You have been steadily losing all along. There were weeks at a time where my scale didn't move but then would put the scale away for a week or two. Just helped with not stressing about it.

What is with this site this morning. I broke my previous post into paragraphs. It ran them all together. Tried to edit post and messed it up further!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honestly, I did pay attention in school

Hey JoAnne...I know what you are going through on the liquids. Hang in there. Just a few days remaining until you are a changed woman FOREVER. I just wish I could better put into words what the LB has done for me and my life in general. My quality of life compared to a year ago has increased 120%. No crap! My journey started with fear. A fear that I would not be around for that wonderful retirement my DH and I have always talked about. Well, we'll see if my DH will be able to keep up with me during retirement. LOL. He has always been very fit. He leaves the front door each morning on dead run. Now, I can outrun him. I wake up each morning with loads of energy and I can honestly say I have not been tired since my LB surgery. Even when I went through that huge hernia surgery three months later. I am sure it has to do with getting all of my nutrients/water/etc. I love this life. I agree with JoAnne on the neg comments on LBT. I made myself open them up and read them when I was researching the LB because I wanted to know everything. But now I avoid them. I learned that most negative threads or comments usually come from those that do not follow the LB rules but still sit and complain that things are not going right for them. I have to just not look at them. I know there can be complications for those who DO follow the rules and truly feel bad for those people. I went into this with my fingers crossed and with determination to, for once in my life, eat right and do whatever I needed to so this would work for me. I honestly feel that someone was watching over me when I made the decision to do this. I am not sure if I posted this statement here b/4...did on one of the threads. I was so ready for this surgery after researching LB for three years and going through the 6 mo. diet and sticking to it and losing 54#. I cried all the way to the OR as the nurses walked me there. A couple of them were trying to calm me and I had a hard time getting my words out. I finally was able to tell them that I was crying "happy tears". I was sooooooooooooooooo ecstatic that FINALLY there was a light at the end of that obesity tunnel. It was the day I had been waiting for all of my life. I was born hungry and it seemed that no matter how much I ate in my previous life, I was always hungry. I was so tired of fighting. My wish for you, JoAnne and Sooverit is to get to that point where you no longer feel that intense hunger. I get hungry....but at the appropriate times. It just reminds me that it is meal time. I choose to not have a lot of fill in my band. I struggles with that for awhile but decided I didn't want the trouble that come with being too filled. It has worked for me and thinking that I am maybe at my sweet spot (kind off).

Sooverit....Just sending "hugs" your way and thinking of you and your surgery tomorrow. It will all be behind you soon. The LB was the easiest surgery I have ever had and I had a large hernia repaired besides. Wishing you a successful surgery and a quick recovery!!!!!!!!

DeeDee...Yes, a food journal is a good idea. I still do it and started it last November 22, 2007. I does help to keep a person in line and accountable for what is eaten during the day. For me, it just makes me try harder the next day when I can see my oops on paper. I really shoot for getting all my protein in. My doc really poo-poos protein drinks and protein bars. I do carry pure protein bars that I get from WalMart in my purse. I use them only if I have no options or am going to miss a meal. Other than that, never rely on them. I also carry the 1.5oz beef jerky in my purse for snacks. 25g protein in the pack. (I stated 23g previously). Some days it does seem like a chore to get it all in but just keep plugging away at it. One thing that has saved me, since I seem to eat a lot of chicken, is to use different marinades. I take about six breasts or thighs and marinade them in interesting sauces and throw into freezer in individual bags (can be cooked and thrown in freezer also). I use a lot of lite soy sauce and sugar free jams. I always keep Sprite Zero on hand and throw it in when marinading. I usually marinade for at least 24 hours in frig first. Just some ideas for you. I know the menu can get boring at times. Just try some new ideas with your chicken to spice up your meals. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

I put the Fiber One or Kashi in it for fiber which really helps to keep me regular. It is so nice and thick and filling. I have tried other Greek yogurts when I could not find the Oikos brand. It is more than double the cals per serving and half of the protein content. It is so nice when I am tight in the morning to get that protein in. If it wasn't for the Greek yogurt, I would be short on protein per day. I also eat a lot of beef jerky. My 1.5 oz serving has 23gr protein and 140 cals. Filling snack. Can't get over the fact that I can eat jerky but not hamburger in any form. Even turkey sausage does not go well.