Apples2

Would probably be a good idea to go back to your doc and insist on further testing. Maybe a gallbladder ultrasound and function test? Doesn't sound normal to me.

JJ...hopefully it well be the last time they have to go in and drain. In the long run it will all be worth it. It's a loooong process from what I hear. Any surgery takes a lot out of a person for awhile. What you have done is MAJOR and takes a lot of patience. Here's to fast healing!!!!!!!

I have never done the pics, Donna. Not sure why but not one photo during weight loss. I do have a pic of b/4 I started but none at goal. Not sure if it's my thing to post them.

Thanks, Donna. I've done little celebrations all along the way. Have been having fun filling the closet with clothes (think I am done now). Was so much fun NOT being in the Plus size depts. I had permanent eyeliner applied and also had eyelash extensions. Woohoo.

Happy Halloween to everyone. I have a fun night planned. I have a date with my 27 yr old son. My DH and I aways would dress up and go out for Halloween. We always dressed so no one would know who we were. We would start out by going to friend's homes. Just walk in, grab a beer out of there frig and just sit...say nothing..stay about 1/2 and move onto another house. This year DH does not want to go out (way too much field work to do) so asked my son if I could go with him. He always has the BEST costumes. He ordered a wig, beard, etc., wearing a trench coat and going to be a stalker. I went online and ordered huge boobs, huge butt and went to Salvation Army thrift store and found a sleezy dress. Ordered a wig on line...Suzanne Summer hair. Have all kinds of glitzy jewelry, rhinstone glasses and head band. We are going to dance, rage and just have a good time. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it!!!! Happy I am feeling better today so I can go through with my plans. Had a flu and also a pneumonia shots on Wed. They kicked my butt. My arm was so so I just winced when I moved it. I got feverish and achey all day yesterday. Anyway, today is good.

Hey Donna.. I remember those chocolate cravings. I used to always have a large bag of M&M's or Rolos in my drawer at work. Once I hit menopause (at the age of 38) all my sweet cravings went out the window. I think I would have been three times my size at the beginning of this LB journey if I would have still had those cravings. I consider myself luck not to have them. :teeth_smile: But, if you feel you really want some, have a couple and get rid of the candy after tonight.

I miss running. I admire those that can. Was on the track team in college but started to develop blood clots with my first pregnancy and they continued for years. Do walk 4-5 miles a day though. I have incorporated two Snacks into my daily food plan even though it is against my doc's rules. I like where I am at with my weight, don't want to go any lower. Jachut...thanks for your input. I need to lighten up a bit on being so stidgent (sp?) with following my doc's food plan to get more cals in.

I find it in the same section as regular yogurt. I'm hooked on it and always make sure I have enough in the house. I live 65 miles from Walmart so have to stock up for at least two weeks at a time. I believe it has a longer shelf life than the regular yogurt. The brand name is Oikos. Takes just a little getting used to...kind of tangy but find a syrup you like with the soynuts (if you choose to). I love, love, love it with banana, English Toffee or Caramel syrups.

Thanks for the input, Janet and thanks for the congrats. I am not worried about gaining at all. I am worried about losing any more with the strict diet (600--800 cals) that my doc insists on. I don't know how I can get any more cals in with eating only 1/2 cup meals 3xdaily. It just does not make sense to me. I know if I eat 800 I will still lose and that's not what I'm after. Maintenance IS scary and, to tell you the truth, I am not willing to live with such a restrictive diet the rest of my life. I am going to start adding one more daily snack. I see my doc on Nov 4 and we are going to have a discussion on how he expects me to maintain a healthy weight with so little to eat. Thanks, also, for documenting what you eat. Gives me an idea what to throw into my diet to help keep me at the weight I should be.:thumbup:

Toosy...I would definitely call my surgeon to let him know what is going on. He will most likely tell you to take some form of liquid (Tylenol) cold meds to cut down on the coughing, etc. Hope you feel better soon and welcome to the board

Hey Janet....restriction has been really good for me the last few weeks. B/4 that I was really suffering with hunger. Fickle band! I thought for sure I would need a fill at my Nov 4 appt but just going to appreciate what I have. I take my time eating but have never pb'd and have only been stuck on deli meats 2x. That's it. My tummy must not like the consistency of deli meat even after chewed to liquid. Would rather be sitting where I am right now with restriction than getting a fill b/4 our 2 mo trip and suffering with being tight. I will see how it is when we get back to my doc again after vacation. I document what I eat and am a very active person. Exercise, walk, etc. Can you give me a clue as to how many (approx) calories you take in a day? I am kind of hanging at goal (3lbs lower than goal because of virus) and want to stay at goal. I get between 3-3.5 Protein at a meal and usually the rest is veggies or fruit to meet my 4oz per meal. I do have one snack a day (100 cal popcorn or other 100 cal snack). I was told my the doc's nurse that I should be consuming 600 cals at day. I think that sounds terribly low. I guess I will just have to play with it all and see where I level out.

Wow, Lizalee, Look at you go on that weight loss. A huge congrats. You must be so proud of yourself. I understand the insulation layer thing. You most likely have been having similar weather to us in MN. We've had a chilly fall. Sounds like today will be up near 70. Hard to know what to wear. Wear a sweater in the morning and a Tshirt in the afternoon.

Yesterday B - Greek yogurt w/SF syrup and a few bits of Kashi cereal L - Grilled chicken salad 1 cup S - SF Jello D - 3.5 oz Salmon w/mild picked bell peppers S - 100 cal bag popcorn

Denise...I get mine at Walmart. They don't seem to stock much of it but I get enough for two weeks at a time. I like the plain. They also have vanilla but I find there's not much taste to it and higher in cals. It is so nice and thick and yet easy to get down in the morning. Seems to hold me till noon. Like I said, I put SF syrup and soynuts in it and sometimes Kashi Cereal. There's 90 cals in the plain, 15g protien (more when I add the nuts) and 6g carbs. I see from other posts that you are struggling with acid reflux at night and not much restriction during the day. The night time reflux thing is worrisome. That would be so aggravating! Hope you find out what it going on with your band soon so you can feel at ease again.

Whoohoo, Becky...45#, congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the input, Denise. I am a big fan of Greek yogurt. I put soynuts and SF syrup in it. I can tolerate fruit and will see if I can get at least 2 servings of that a day.

Thanks for your input, Restless. I, of course, had a fatty liver b/4 surgery and thought the numbers would go back to normal now that I am at goal. No such luck. I'll try not to worry about it until I get rechecked.

Well, Orea...I would have to aid my regularity by sprinkling my Murilax on the popcorn!!!!!!!!!!!!:w00t:

Got retested today and got a call from the clinic with results. The nurse said my numbers were in the "somewhat normal" range. A +1 instead of a +4. Good to go. Get liver rechecked in Dec. Does anyone know if a ALT of 89 and AST of 78 is extreme? Would appreciate an answer on this. Thanks

I have gotten to the point that I love my Orville R. 100 cal. popcorn just as much as I did the other. I look forward to it when I am doing my night crosswords. It's the only snack that I allow myself. If it were up to my doc, he would eliminate that because he says no snacks. I do have SF popsicles and SF jello once in awhile also. Don't worry about not telling some people you are banded. You tell who you are comfortable with telling and after the attitude you tell us some are portraying, I don't think they have earned the right to know.

I also (even though I was a late comer to this thread) feel very fortunate to have found everyone here. I feel like I am at home. I kind of bounced around for awhile till I found my spot. You will get there with the head thing, Long. The big rug was yanked out from under all. No food to rely on when times get tough. I could forget about anything as long as I had a big (huge) bowl of popcorn in front of me. It does get better and you know it will. I have gone through things with friends. Some of them are sitting by the wayside till they come around. Most had to do with them not understanding why I did the band. Why I could not just do it on my own. The way I see it is that they have been my friends long enough and saw me struggle year after year, diet after diet. I just don't want to take the time or waste my precious time trying to make THEM feel better about MY decision...the best decision I have ever made. When I am stressed and upset and miss my food there is something I say to myself and it seems to work..."There's no turning back. Life changes that came with this band are way too good".

Long...sounds like you have it all figured out with your ladies that are coming over tonight. Try not to completely ignore "the one" but do not go out of your way to cater to you. Let them think what they want, say what they want, act the way they want. The way I figure it is: if a friend is a true friend, they are there with you all the way through your struggle. They should not even make you doubt that they are supporting you. Envy? I'd bet on that. We all change as we go along this journey. Hopefully for the better (better health, better feelings about ourselves, etc.). Hold your head up high tonight. Be a gracious host...but most of all. Do not let her see that she is in any way getting to you. You have worked hard. You deserve the respect that is coming to you. Good luck tonight.

Thanks for your response, Aubrie. I have not had a gallbladder for 15 yrs. My urine is clear and I get a lot of liquids. I don't feel any symptoms at all. I went in today for another test and should get the results in a couple of days. Hoping it is all clear. Keeping my fingers crossed that the first test was off because of my diet.

Congrats on your banding, Ktravel. Hang in there and take care of yourself. Everything will fall into place. Just be very aware of getting your protein in. It will make you feel so much better and will help with the healing process. JoannMarie...you guys are welcome to come and stay on the farm anytime. Everyone else...Happy Hump Day!!!!!!!!!!!

My shopping cart does not automatically steer itself straight for the Plus size section of a department store anymore. I still get the feeling that I should not be in the "normal" size section. Weird, huh?