Morsaille

I really liked the name "Pandora". I just pictured all the evils spilling out into the world (PB) and Hope remaining. I wanted to steal it, but thought I would do better with a more whimsical band name... like Puckers. It's cute, its weird, and it sounds like it might even work on a Bad day. So welcome Puckers, I will do what I can to keep you happy.

I have only ever seen the huge ones, and I know the oil is foul smelling, but... If you pierce it and squirt it into something already fishy, like maybe some tuna, it might not be completely repulsive. You could add relish, onion powder, lemon juice...

You Bet! I get the grumblies all the time now. It is kind of funny if I am at home. sometimes I even get a glimmer of pride that I don't FEEL hungry even though I SOUND hungry. In public its a little embarrassing sometimes, like the library. There was a great idea to fix head hunger on another thread. La Madam said that brushing your teeth can help keep unneeded food out of your mouth. I personally loved that idea.

I will take a hot bath in a standard tub with only my head sticking out of the water. I will use a camping stool, excercise equipment, and a trampoline without having to check the maximum weight allowance. I will be able to relax around my daughter, knowing that I am setting a healthy example instead of poisoning her views. I will get friendly with my husband in the woods Its not many and I know there are hundreds more. Thanks for the fun thread, it's been awhile since I've seen something light hearted on here.

I am all soggy because I am having this conversation with my mother too. I think you should let her read this thread... Of course the Journal is a great idea too. It is quite a gift to give - hope, quality of life, and a longer future for your entire family. I am stuck because my Moms insurance WILL pay for her surgery, but she has been obese her entire life. She has been alone since my parents divorce in the late eighties. She lives a small life in what she calls a "box". Scared to leave a five mile radius from home, she slowly withers. She told me that the greatest gift she was ever given was her grand-daughter, my daughter. She fully expects to die within three years from her multiple co-morbidities. I hope that she sees my progress and dares to want it for herself. We need her. She too, blames herself for my food issues and weight. She punishes herself by wasting her remaining time. If I could give her the motivation to reach for her dreams, I would. To keep my family tree green, I would shed blood, sweat and tears (just like the ones on my face right now). Tell your Mom that money can't buy happiness, but it can buy time if you use it right. Lots of love to you and your family, from me and mine. Brenda

I had a reaction like this (less severe) on my entire abdomen. Wheetsin, you're a redhead, right? Do you have the skin? The pale, delicate skin of our clan? I think my reaction was the iodine wash they used. I lost a thin layer of skin that flaked off when I scratched like it had been chapped. I had a few hives too, but none of the cut-like openings (cringe). I have the adhesives problem too, I had to quit smoking the old-fashioned way 'cause I was allergic to the patches. Take care. Much luck and rapid healing! Brenda

I haven't heard the port-flipping thing, but I am a stomach sleeper. I had a hard time getting adjusted and comfortable, but I was stomach sleeping within a week of being banded. The first 3 nights I propped myself up with pillows, but my butt went to sleep, not me. I tried side sleeping, but it caused my incisions to "bunch up" and was pretty painful. Side sleeping lasted maybe 3 minutes, tops. Lotsa luck Sarah!

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15377 Thought this link might be helpful. My surgeons instructions said "as tolerated" and did not go further. My port incision was pretty sore for awhile, so we got creative.

OK, I agree killing a Girl Scout would probably be bad, but a 12 year old BOY? It's not fair if they are recruiting outside the organization. Something must be done. Let them do their own dirty work, leave the Boy Scouts to their food drives! And scraping him out of your tire? Gawd, that was hilarious! I think I felt something burst... Wait, it was just the Girl Scout I was sitting on. Oh well, there's more where she came from...

Thanks La madam for the redirect, AND the Great Idea. Brushing my teeth sounds like it would work very well. I've always been a little weird about eating after brushing my teeth, and now I can use that sick little quirk to my advantage...hehehe I am almost eager for the Head Hunger to climb out of the basement or wherever it is hiding right now. I am going to use my new weapon and kick it's nasty little tukus. Eileen~I get between 50 and 70 grams of protein per day from mostly animal sources, but I still believe in some soy. I figured there had to be some limit to the body's abilities. It can only produce so much acid... Lucky for us right? Brenda

I am the Protein Queen, I even use half a shake on my shredded wheat in the AM (chocolate is pretty tasty). I take a Centrum daily, so I am hoping that this is just the "anesthesia shock" people were talking about. I would really like for this to stop soon. Doesn't excessive protein intake cause kidney stones? I remember hearing this from somewhere that seemed credible. Wait, this is three topics in one generally ignored little thread. I should probably consider another title/thread, huh?

YAY!! POST NUMBER ONE-HUNDRED AND THREE!!! LAST NIGHT I HIT ONE-HUNDRED AND DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE. SO YAY! ONE-HUNDRED AND THREE!! WOO HOO

Thanks ladies. It helps knowing I have company, misery loves it.. I am feeling much better today, but last night? I didn't give in, but I may have lost some more hair which is NOT good. I mean, I still have more than enough, but I call my hairballs...kittens..small red kittens the size of my daughters fist.. Eeew, right? I read somewhere there is eight weeks of hair loss? I have been doing so much protein I am sure it's causing some sort of damage. I know it's a long shot, but what if the key to keeping my hair is giving in to the craving? Nah, (shaking head) Nevermind

I checked on Dr. Chebli's rates. First fill is $250, subsequent fills are $200, an office visit with no fill is $40. The receptionist is very pleasant, they answer emails promptly (check out Obesity Help for contact info), and I scheduled a fill for Monday! Will let everyone know how it went on Tuesday. He is in Ballard.

Aaargh! I knew it was coming, but tonight the head hunger showed up and brought its luggage! I had a healthy, satisfying dinner of chicken breast simmered in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce with some overcooked broccoli to make the chicken slide better. It was about 15 minutes after eating. I was still satiated, FULL even, when the cravings started. Innocently at first... "maybe just a sip of juice.." "a Cookie might be nice.." "I Think Josh has some Ice Cream in the Freezer" "GIMME SOME CHEESE!" What the Heck! I take vitamins! Where are these cravings coming from? <--rhetorical (my head, I know its my head) I had a plan too. I had iced tea in the refrigerator, bite sized ice in the freezer, crystal light, frozen grapes, Rooibos tea, yeah right. How do you fix head hunger when you are two hours away from fluids? So... I turned on the computer. :help:

I had conscious sedation for my oral surgery and it totally rocked. The not eating part is just what they do, even they don't know why sometimes. But it's a good idea in case you get nauseous. You don't want to wear the contents of your stomach home on your shirt... Here's a handy dandy million-dollar secret... If you do get nauseous, pull your knees as near your chest as possible. It works for motion sickness, blood loss, and the stomach flu. WAIT, what am I talking about? Don't do this! Protect the vertebrae at all costs! Heal quickly

Sharilynn- If you don't have issues eating alone, but PB when you dine with company, maybe it's your focus. I know if I am putting my attention anywhere other than my mouth while I am eating, I am much more likely to take bigger bites or swallow too early. I just haven't mastered it yet. It could just be the old culprits taking advantage of you when you are distracted. Maybe you are constantly irritated from the vomitting... Have you taken a couple days off from solids? All review I am sure, but food for thought? Brenda

Happy Birthday Doc! It's good having you around. Wish you'd consider a practice in... say... Seattle?

YAY!!! Congrats on the fill Kim! Feeling good? I'll be gurgling soon, my fill is scheduled for Monday! Woo Hoo! Found a local-ish doc who only charges $250 for the first and $200 for subsequent fills. Going to post this discovery on my local page. I was so excited I got the receptionist laughing. One more for the road... Woo Hoo!!

OK, putting a positive spin on things because I have been a banded saint this week, honestly. I gained two pounds of muscle, it HAD to be muscle, then lost a pound of fat! Total for this week: +1 But I am still smiling. Scheduling a fill today!

I am not a man, but I am post-op AND previously a volume eater. After banding full feels different. Very different. But hunger feels different too. When I get hungry now, it is without the pain and nausea I used to experience. I think that pre-op hunger was withdrawal... Now when I get hungry, it is without the urgency or cravings and I can make healthier choices for myself. The highs from being FULL will be gone, but I don't miss them, yet. I am hoping that when I lose some more weight, my quality of life will give me my highs.

I haven't had a problem, yet (it's still early). My husband however sweats CONSTANTLY. He tried Certain Dry(Dri?) last week and has been mostly dry all the time. He doesn't smell bad though. Maybe Paula has something and you should switch from Secret.

Three years ago I was a Mental Health Counselor for the county (clinician of the year hold your applause please), I went on long national disaster assignments with the Red Cross - twelve total (I've done some famous ones), and I always wanted to have an herb garden. :humble: Then, we got pregnant and I decided to stay home with my DD now 2. I fingerpaint, scrapbook, watch Barney, and I am going to have one heck of a garden this year (I'm adding blueberries, rhubarb, sunflowers, and a "salad patch"). Mommyhood is pretty good work, if you can get it. The money sucks, but my little slice of immortality is quite the benefits package.

My first fill was an ordeal for me. It kind of hurt. Not the needle so much, but the poking, rolling, pinching, pressing, and prodding was a little much. I felt kind of beat up when it was all over. My doc was training a new technician and first one, then the other had to find my port through my portliness. I hope it gets easier and that was with fluoro. I was so tense that I only got half the amount they thought I should have. Nothing was going down. The barium sat there like a rock. My next fill will be blind. With luck I'll get some lidocaine. Good stuff, I remember it from my C-section. Like a bee sting, a good bee sting, cold, sharp, and keeps you from feeling the needles so big they could be straws.

The hard place under your breasts is called a sternum. Just kidding... The band is stitched into place so it can't shift around casually, in slippage events you usually have to apply some kind of force. I am pretty new and I swore that I could feel unnatural pulling from time to time. I just told myself that everything was getting used to the new gear and eventually everything in there would make friends with everything else. Yup, it's all friendly in there now.