DonnaMarie

I had the stomach flu about 3 months ago.. I was scared to death.. plus I am the type who do whatever it takes not to vomit so I just laid down and hoped it would pass.. no such luck.. I only got sick once and it was just like every other time. My surgeon never said anything about "you shouldn't throw up".. I was fine and once I did, I felt better..

Amen lapdancer! The best thing you can do is get up, get dressed, put some makeup on and get moving! Do things around the house that you have been meaning to do.. a project etc.. pretend that is your work or job.. turn off the TV! I am a sufferer of depression and that is exactly what you are going thru. A milder form.. I understand how you feel. Doing the opposite of how you feel will make you feel better. That is how I got started. My depression got severe though and I needed some medical intervention but I think you will make it! I KNOW you will make it. TV is the devil.. all those "shiny happy people" on there LOL .. and limit your computer use if possible.. go for a walk, call a friend, go to the local humane society and ask to see the animals and pet them! LOL I am serious! These things can cheer you up! Take care hun and things will get better..you just have to DO it! ~Donnamarie~

Sounds to me like you didn't give it up so now he is thru with you. GRRRRR! I have been out with men in the past who thought I was good enough in private but not good enough in public. Thank GOD I have found my fiance who loves me unconditionally. One time I said, "Look honey! I am getting a shape and I am not just round!" (I made this remark after losing weight).. My honey said to me, "Round is a shape! and I love you no matter what!".. that clinched it even more for me. Trust me, you should email this guy back and tell him everything that is wrong with him! Something like, "That is ok that you feel that way cuz I think your nose is too big and when you eat your nose whistles and I think your arms are too skinny".. LMAO People who are superficial like that will never truely be happy.. quite sad actually.. ~DonnaMarie~

Patience my bandy friends.. Patience.. I know.. it is HARD! I am just now seeing a difference and feeling restriction and I am 8 months out! Sometimes it just takes a bit for your body to kick in. I found that uppin my exercising just a little bit, jump started me. Good Luck!! ~DonnaMarie~

You will definately catch up.. I was banded in July of 2006 and am just now starting to get the weight loss. I have a 10cc band and finally was filled to 8ccs.. Let me tell you.. I am NOT hungry. The bigger band takes alot of adjustments and sometimes takes longer to kick in with the weight loss. It will happen.. but the hardest thing is.. patience. I have learned to have it! ~DonnaMarie~

How long have you been banded? 8 months April 5th What have you learned from this experience? Patience! For me it is slow and steady wins the race.. Could you share your most rewarding NSV (non-scale victory)? Putting on a pair of jeans that have been hanging in my closet forever. Wearing them today!! What is your biggest challenge? I am a carb-o-holic and HUGE boredom eater.. gotta keep busy! What tips or advice would you pass on to newbies? Everyone is different and you have to find what works best for you! What is your greatest fear? That I hit a plateau and don't lose anymore! What goals do you have for the future? Keep losing weight and being healthier, start a family with my fiance (once I get married in May!), get my degree so I can teach How has your life changed? I have more self confidence, happier, feel like I am in control for the first time in a LONG time.. Has living with the band met up to your expectations? DEFINATELY.. best decision I ever made for myself If you could talk to yourself prior to being banded, what would you say? You are worth it and what are you waiting for??!!

I am so sorry for your loss.. I have 3 angel babies.. I had 3 miscarriages in a year. You are right, everything happens for a reason. In my situation, my ex ran off with my best friend.. so it was a blessing that I didnt have to bring children into a failed relationship. The miscarriages also made me stronger. I did not have the band when I miscarried.. I do not have any children yet. It is VERY common to lose your first pregnancy and alot of times, women don't even know they are miscarrying. They think it is a late period. Hang in there.. it isn't your fault. Sometimes these things happen.. even under PERFECT conditions. Please take care of yourself and pamper yourself.. you deserve it.. and your partner will come around.. he is hurting too and men often use anger to get thru it at first.. he will realize he isnt getting anywhere with it. Hugz, DonnaMarie:)

Lot's of good advice here darlin.. I dont have too too much to add.. One thing I will say is this.. you dont NEED a man to have a great life.. and a man doesnt NEED a woman to have a great life.. when I started realizing this, I became truely happy and finally found my true love! My fiance and I (yes getting married in May in Vegas!) are very happy and truely supportive of each other and enhance each other's lives.. Why would you want to be with someone who doesn't support you, calls you names the first chance he gets angry, and would throw you under a bus just to make himself look better or for revenge? I say, when you are feeling better, spruce yourself up, and go out in your "red high heels"!! Enjoy being an independent woman.. someone who made the decision to change the rest of her life and don't take any crap from anyone!! Hang in there! ~Donnamarie~

Geez Louise.. :paranoid Can a moderator end this thread?

Uhhh you guys need to take this crap off the board.. honestly, this board isnt for you 2 attacking each other. If I wanted drama, I would watch soap operas..

My Doc said that it will fill you up and cause discomfort.. the nutritionist said that too.. (the whole balloon thing).. They said it won't stretch the pouch (cuz it flows thru) and wont erode the band but your tummy would fill up with gas and make you uncomfy.. I do have diet soda from time to time.. but not all the time.. I love crystal light!

Prayers sent your way Donna.. You can BEAT this demon.. Lord knows we are all pulling for you.. God Bless! ~From one Donna to another!~ Hugz!

I understand your feelings. i was the same way.. for Breakfast I usually have scrambled eggs.. I tend to do 1 yolk and 2 whites.. I also like the weight control oatmeal.. has alot of Protein and Fiber in it.. goes down pretty good for me (made by quaker I believe) Lunches I usually have chicken vegetable Soup, chicken salad no celery, tuna salad, ham-cheese-lettuce rollups.. Once you are passed the mushy stage.. you will have better choices.. just eat slow and chew chew chew.. no drinking!! (that is toughest for me!) HTH, Donnamarie

This is a really great thread. I can honestly say that I was blessed with great parents who really helped me with my self esteem.. they never teased or ridiculed me.. they always told me i was smart and pretty.. I appreciate them now more than ever after reading some of the posts! One incident that always hovered over me happened in high school. I have always been big but had alot of friends and never really had any issues. I was also athletic and played softball for my school. So most of the time, I didn't deal with anything.. at least not to my face. The incident happened in Algebra class.. this class clown/trouble maker named Jack put a "WIDE LOAD" sign on my back.. I left class and walked down at least 3 hallways before a teacher took it off my back while everyone was laughing. I tell you, the look of PITY in the teachers face was worse than the laughing. Fast forward, 15 years later, Jack messages me online thru messenger out of the blue.. saying he recognizes me from high school. I didn't recognize him.. then he told me his name.. I immediate remember the incident. I even told him about it. He totally didnt remember and said he was a jackass back then and he apologized! OMG.. never thought that would ever happen.. He went on to tell me he dropped out of school cuz he was a loser but then got his GED and college degree and now is successful in computers.. needless to say, that chapter closed in my life and I am blessed that I was able to talk with him and get the apology. ~Donnamarie~

:rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree ummm enough?

YIKES! I don't know what diets you guys were told about.. I am not "allowed" pasta, bread, pizza, crackers, chips, cookies etc etc etc.. I was told that the band is only a tool and if I continued to eat those things, it just wont work right.. If you find something that easily breaks down in water, you are not supposed to eat it. I know, easier said that done.. but my doc said to me, "I can fix your stomach, but I can't fix your head".. It is work.. for sure.. and the band wont cure eating habits.. only you can do that. I understand though.. I am finally restricted to where I should be and am having a hell of a time with proteins. I chew the heck out of it and it sometimes still gets stuck. Even though I have my band and am very happy to have it, I know that what it takes to lose weight is within me.. no band is going to magically make it go away.. restriction is good.. but if you eat stuff that flies right thru, you are not restricted for long and hungry again. Ok.. done now.. LOL ~Donnamarie~

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :D Way to go! Good for you! You are on your way to a new you! Congrats! ~Donnamarie~

Best of luck to you ladies today!!! (errr I think it is today..lol) thinking of you both and celebrating with you for a new you!! Congrats!! Regards, ~Donnamarie~

I agree with Jack.. you are only on this planet once and this is leading to a healthier new you.. probably extending your life!! 18,000 bucks in nothing! We think nothing of spending that on a car or an addition to a house and what not.. why not ourselves??!! Good Luck and please stick around.. the advice you get here is wonderful and you also get a taste of tough love if you need it and it can really get you out of a funk!! Regards, ~Donnamarie~

Ok.. moderator? Maybe time to close this thread.. kinda getting old.. Everyone have a great day!!

I saw a suggestion on this site for pepperoni "chips".. mmm when I get a fix for something crunchy and salty, I make them! In case you didn't see it on here, take turkey pepperoni and microwave on a paper towel for a minute or so.. (get the sliced.. I use Hormel).. blot them with another paper towel and they crisp up.. great to "dip" in cottage cheese.. maybe not an everyday thing but it sure helps with the crunchy salty cravings I get during PMS! ~Donnamarie~

Down with "Aunt Flo"!!! She makes me want to eat everything! Band or no band! (sorry you men out there) Those 4 days are the hardest for me. I just try to keep protein rich snacks around.. low fat turkey pepperoni works great for that salt fix.. I got the idea from this website! You just nuke them til they are crispy and you have roni chips! I am not a chocolate girl.. salty and crunchy for me please! ~Donnamarie~

Thanks! I am doing much better with the gurgles.. I tell you though.. I cannot eat much at ALL! I am not even hungry. Last night I had meat and veggies for dinner and couldn't even eat a half of the piece of meat.. I just chew chew chew.. lol Thanks for all the kudos and well wishes.. you guys are the best! Always, Donnamarie

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Yay! I love that post. Yo go girl! I have a guy who sounds just like your guy.. I do the same thing.. umm honey, we need a date night.. and he just says "okay" and does it.. we are lucky! ~Donnamarie~

Sounds like acid reflux to me.. I would get an unfill if it continues but let your tummy calm down.. it does get pretty swollen after a fill. I am going thru that now! But luckily no acid reflux.. ~Donnamarie~