Ann D

I know what you mean, the waiter at my restaurant only plates half my food and keeps the other half in the kitchen until I'm ready to leave and brings it out in a to-go box.

Luluc, I know what you mean. Until I saw pictures of myself after my wedding and about fainted. I wasn't fat. Yeah right! I also rarely ate, I usually had one big meal a day. then when i did get hungry I woulld binge. I have never journaled what I ate. So this is all new to me. Now with the band I try very hard not to eat after 7pm only because i don't feel comfortable lying down right after i eat. I try to be in bed by 9 or 10. so eating any later then 7 really bothers me. I think I will try and do better. get on here everyday and journal my foods for all to see. ACCOUNTABILITY!

Yep I say gall bladder too. extreme chest pains especially after you eat. Think about it, the gall bladder filters fat and when it gets overtaxed the fat hardens and forms stones. We are all losing weight and flushing the fat out. We are over working our gall bladders. Good luck have your doctor check for both the band slippage and gall bladder, a simple ultrasound will tell about the gallbladder.

I can't eat french fries, potatoe chips, pretty much anything that has to do with potatoes even mashed. Left over meat (like when I bar-b-que) it is impossible to eat. I have not tried Rice, or sandwiches; I can eat bread by itself but have not tried it with anything on it. Scrambled eggs I used to love them, now I can't stand them. Fritos and bean dip - why I don't know, I used to love them. Cori, I'm like you my preferences have really changed.

Tyler, I did Optifast several years ago. I too do not have the full nerve. I used to constantly over eat and even tried it with the Lapband. BIG MISTAKE. I thnk of the Lapband as my full feeling nerve. I get that full feeling realy early and I stay full as long as I follow the rules. Anyway, with Optifast I lost a lot of weight, but i couldnot stay on it, I just had to chew. Drinking my meals was not for me. I could not take it. I loved the weightloss i got from it, but could not stay with it. I was always hungry, and thinking about food and I wanted to chew on something. Gum just wasn't cutting it. I don't know what advice you are looking for. I just know it did not work for me and it cost me a lot of money. Then to add injury to insult, I gained all the weight back and then some. that is how I got to were I am today and using the Lapband. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

I got the stomache flu about a month after being banded. I was told to buy liquid meds like for the kids and double the dose, and just ride it out. I guess my doctor is a little old fashioned.

Okay so, I know I reported my food for the day already, but it has already changed and I am just heading into lunch. And I did not mention that I over did it last night. Today, B'fast - 5 pieces of bacon, 1 piece of wheat toast snack - none Lunch - fruit & yogart parfait Dinner ??? I am taking my mom out to eat. Last night I had a bowl of soup and a glass of wine, then for my snack I had these walmart Fruit slices (candy) the jelly candy covered in sugar. I suck on them unti lthe disolve and then I have no band problems. However I ate quite a few of them while laying in bed watching TV. I have not worked out in over a week. I fear I am going to gain weight. WHAT AM I DOING????? I am a grazer and I have tried to curb that and stay to three meals and maybe 2 snacks a day. it ususally works. My brekfast usually becomes by breakfast and snack as well as lunch becomes my afternoon snack as well as lunch. Sorry for the VENT!

Okay so what are Pepitas? Breakfast - 4 pieces of Bacon 1 wheat toast Snack - Fruit/Yogart parfait Lunch - Mini Raviolis Dinner - Don't know yet

Clothes I usually buy myself, because yes they are a must. My husband is the one that buys me jewlery, but if I can get him to buy other WOW would that be something. He did tell me a long long time ago if I lost weight he would buy me a whole new wardrobe. So I have a goal and its only about 35 - 40 more lbs away. I want to be at the weight I was when I joined the Academy (175) Anything less then that is too skinny for me. I am a meaty girl, big boobs and hippy even when I was skinny. Away we go.

Jewelee, I never thought of that; JEWELRY. I might change my plan, new outfit or jewlery...big dilemma!

Felicia, I wish I would have talked to you before I went. Two different Buffets would not even consider my request even with the card my doctor gave me. I'll have to PM you next time we plan a trip.

COngrats to all, My surgery was December 13, 2007 and I am now down 40lbs. A little slower then I like, but I just keep thinking it took me 15 years to put this on, so it's not going to come off over night. But I am 8 pounds from onederland. I am getting very excited, I am celebrating iwth a new outfit when I make it. Of course on my husbands credit card. Keep up the good work December Bandsters

Hi all, Myself and a couple of others have been adding our favorite recipes to a site. It is too easy to add and view the recipes added. Please visit this site and see what you can add or use. http://creator.zoho.com/forucet/recipes-for-lap-banders/form/3/

Okay so I've done several searches and I saw something once about a protien Tea? I can't seem to find it again. Any Help would be appreciated. I did a site search and came up with too many possiblities to even go through.

Ann, Way to go girl! That's fabulous:thumbup: How does it feel. Did you do the Happy dance:lol:. Keep it up and again Congratulations.

My sister asked me about gastritis and getting the band, I could not help her because I did not know. I know if you have some stomach issues they will not band you; any help She has Gastritis and is over weight, the doctor says she will never get rid of the gastritis. Has anyone had gastritis and had lap band surgery and had it go away or help???

I know what you mean about not getting a break or it being interrupted. I have gone an entire day without eating due to the hectic days. I have been keeping a small soft sided cooler in the car, with my snacks so in between calls or on my way to the next one I can try and eat something. Or when I get a second to sit down and fillout some paperwork. It will all work out. I am at a desk for a while working on a project so I am bored to tears even though I am working my a%@ off. Good Luck!

BlooEyez, Thanks I'll look for it when I go to the store tonight.

These two are soo true That needle my doctor uses is no joke, I about pssed ot the first time I saw it. And two weeks agoI thought I was going to have to use one after I tried to eat some chicken nuggets.

Angie4b1g , I posted several recipies on Zoho Creator - Recipes for Lap Banders before I realized you did not post that message. I can copy themand send the to you. Ithink I already sent you a few awhile back. I would Love a CookBook, and will help you with whatever needs to be done. I think it is great and I am just getting into cooking. Married for a year and now the lapband, fast food won't cut it anymore,so I need some new ideas.

I love mine and my crock pot, for meats. I put them in and even some of the toughest meats come out tender. Be careful with the pressure cooker w ith the steam and letting the pressure out before you open it. My DH nearly blew off the lid when he blocked the pressure gauge once. A loud pop and boiling hot liquid everywhere. Luckily no one was hurt. He stays clear of it now. As for the crock pot put it in add liquid and leave it. the longer it cooks the more tender it becomes.

Breakfast - Yogart Snack - Chex Mix Lunch Hormell Chicken & dumplings Snack - Cheese Dinner - Hamburger no bun Blooeyez you have been able to eat beef jerky. I love jerky but have been afraid to eat it, since it is so tough, I am afraid I won't be able to chew it enough.

During the mushy phase I loved the Pintos and cheese from Taco Bell. My DH and I love Charlie Gittos restaurant in St. Louis. I have had to change what I get to the mannicotti, I only eat the cheese filling, and maybe a few bite of salad. I can eat bread but only if I dip it in the olive oil first and only 1 piece. (if you ever come to St. Louis you'll have to try Gittos) I have not tried Mexican food yet, but we go to Mexico every year for vacation so I guess I better try it before we go to see what I'll be able to eat. I also need to try some Jamaican Jerk, I love that too but have been too scared to try it. I just have to remember slow down and chew. I get so excited when I get good food that I eat real fast.

Robin, I know its not the smartest idea, and I'm sure you have your reasons. I have not always followed doctors orders. I was a cnacer patient for years and did a lot of things I probably shoudn't have. Does your friend know what she is doing, has she ever had any experience with someone who has had a lapband? Just think long and hard about the complications that can arise, are they going to be worth it. I am sorry for the harsh comments but I want to be the voice of reason. if you don't see any other way then do what you have to do. I had to have an unfill due to some circumstances in my life. I talked to the nurse in my doctors office under the utmost of confidence and she told the doctor I needed a partial unfill, no reason given to him, she just assured him that I needed it. I did not have to pay for it. I went back a month later and got a re-fill. I had to pay for that one. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Hi Tess, Hi all, I too on occasion will work 12hour shifts. Tess if I can ask what do you do and can you eat at work at your desk or whereever? I have the luck or the unforunate role as a Police Officer, I eat in my car. Not the greatest. That is how I gained all my weight. Eating fast food for 12 hours a day 4 days a week. Anyway, I now bring food and I try to make time for lunch, we only get 30 minutes for lunch so now I bring food with me. My breakfast consists of yogart, fast and easy, and since I have a problem eating in the morning so the smooth liquid seems to go down. Then I keep chexmix or some type of cereal with me, to snack on along with a lot of liquids. I eat a pasta for lunch or a soup since I am limited on time. Towards the end of the day I will eat string cheese or the chex mix snack if I have any left. The cheese seems to really help hold off the cravings, if I don't get it I'm like you ready to ravage the fridge. Then I usually eat too much to fast and PB and feel miserable the rest of the night. Then for dinner I try to get a pure protien and maybe a veggie in if I have room. Good luck. Keep up the good work. Think healthy snacks. Oh yeah, I don't have the energy or desire to workout either when I get home. So I don't. I get yelled at regularly by my surgeon.