*susan*

:whoo:Congratulations Paula, that is absolutely fabulous. Enjoy the new clothes, you have worked for it and deserve it. :clap2:

There are some good suggestions here. I am going to try eating on a smaller plate. My question is, do you ever feel guilty for not eating more? My favorite food in the world is steak. My parents owned a very nice steak house so I really appreciate a good steak. I felt awful last week when we had steak and I could only eat a small portion of it. It tasted so good, that I really wanted more even though I was stuffed. And, I felt guilty wasting so much of a perfectly good steak. I have this feeling with other foods too, and literally have to force myself away so I don't overeat and PB.

I love the way Jack puts things, although sometimes I do wonder if we are speaking the same language.

Tipper, I feel your pain! I had my first fill about a week and a half ago. Man, what a learning process. I think I have pb'd 7 times since then. It is also mostly my fault, I just don't think. I think what I have is that first bite syndrome. Ugh.

I really admire Telly and those of you that are so good about exercising. My hubby and I checked out Bailey's gym last week and are going to join this week. I would love to go bike riding, but right now, I don't think they make a seat big enough for my behind!

That is absolutely fabulous. Posts like yours are so inspiring to those of us who are just getting started. Congrats!! :clap2:

My understanding is that you have a legal right to copies of your personal medical records. If it were me, I probably would have suggested he can get them to me now, or I can have my attorney subpoena a copy. What is really sad is if he is like most doctors, he probably has an employee who puts all that stuff together for him and then all he has to do is sign off on it.

If I had to choose, I would definitely say the old Sara Rue. Too me, she was very sexy. Personally, I think too skinny is just yuck. Look at all the old famous paintings of nudes, those women all have a little meat and curves to them. I know my hubby prefers having some curves and I think Sara had them and was very voluptious. That is what I want to be, curvy and voluptious.

WooHoo Angie! :clap2: You sound like you got the motivation to do it girl. We are all here cheering you on! :Banane46::Banane55:

I used to wake up all the time with them (called them "charlie horses"). Someone also told me that it was probably due to a low potassium level and that if I ate more banannas that would help. I thought that sounded pretty silly, but I started eating them everyday and have not had problems since. Of course, your's may definitely be a more serious case than mine and it wouldn't hurt to check with your doctor.

Yep, congratulations and welcome to my world, lol.

Julie, that is fabulous! I am so happy for you, and know you must be excited.

Sweets don't bother me at all. It is definitely the salty, crunchy things that I am addicted to. I make a dip that in incredibly easy and very yummy and very fattening (cream cheese, milk and garlic salt). I could sit down and eat that and a bag of chips without thinking twice about it. I tried some for the first time the other day since getting my first fill and pb'd on it. That is probably a good thing for me, lol.

I have a 10cc band and just had my first fill last week. I got 1.5cc. He tried 2, but the water came right back up. I am glad we didn't go anymore because when I had no restriction I had gotten very lax on the bandster eating rules. I had a rough time for 3 days after that first fill relearning those rules. Now that I have things under control, I will probably go back for another fill in about a month, depending on how I am doing.

Ok, I had my first fill Monday morning. I got 1.5cc in a 10cc band. That doesn't seem like much to me. Prior to my fill, I had absolutely no restriction and could eat anything I wanted too. I had to do liquids Monday and Tuesday. Yesterday I went back to normal. I had to go to Publix to pick up a few things for lunch, and decided to get some of their chicken tenders from the deli for lunch. They really are quite small. I was able to eat the first one ok. Then I got to about the second bite of the second one and that was it. I knew things were not right and spent the next 20 minutes sliming. Last night I made teriyaki steak with rice and veges. for dinner. I stayed away from the steak because I was a bit nervous after my lunch issue. I had no problem at all keeping the rice down. I was hungry later on before bed, so I had a 100 calorie pack of cheese nips and had no problem with those either. This morning, I was not hungry so I didn't eat Breakfast. I decided to try the chicken thing again for lunch. I ate about 4 bites and started sliming and finished with vomiting. I get home, and my dh has made dinner already. OMG, more chicken!!!! Again, I ate about 6 bites and felt that lovely feeling again. Next thing I knew, here comes the sliming again followed by vomiting. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I can't believe I am over filled. And, I know I should call my doctor, but I am afraid he will want to take some fill out and I don't want to do that if it is because I am doing something wrong. I admit, I don't think my bites are as small as they should be. I think I am chewing good, but sometimes it is like I just involuntarily swallow before I am ready. And, I am not waiting that long between bites. So, do you think it is my fault and I should give it another day or so and try and take smaller bites and eat slower? Maybe I will not be able to eat meat, or at least not chicken. I hope my vomiting hasn't caused any damage. Any advice or words of encouragement would really be appreciated.

I agree with Woody's and Donna. Are they all aware you have the band. I think many people are still under the misconception that fat people are just that, fat and lazy. And, they believe if we have WLS it is because we are too lazy and taking the easy way out. Therefore, when we do lose the weight, they discredit us and don't acknowledge that we too have to work hard. They probably feel your friend did it "the right way" and therefore deserves praise. I know they are your friends and family, but really, it is basically ignorance on their part. Like Shackdog said, you know what you have done and you know you have worked hard to get there. As long as you are proud of what you are doing, and are healthier for it, that is all that matters. And, I agree, you need to post some pictures. Good luck to you.

Hey Lady, long time no talk to. You are doing fantastic. I had my first fill last Monday. Prior to that, no weight was coming off because I had no restriction, but things are definitely happening now. As you know, I had Dr. Herrera and absolutely love him and his staff as well. He makes you feel so comfortable and like as long as you leave everything in his hands, everything will be just fine. I have found a support group in Mandarin that I go to every other Tuesday night. If anyone from Jax is interested, let me know and I will have the group leader contact you.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/237/165 - 45 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/282.5/150 - 17.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/248/150 - 63 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/187/135 -53 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/246/150 - 27 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/247/170 - 23.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/263/165 -26 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/255/145 - 11 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/217/145 - 47 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/244/145 - 40 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/292/145 - 41 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I am probably still too newly banded to put my two cents worth into this discussion, but, I am going to anyway. For the first time in years, I have not been gaining weight every week. Prior to my first fill, I had no restriction. I did not lose during that time, but I did not gain either. That in itself is a victory for me. Diets do not work for me. Just the fact that I would say I was on a diet would send me into a panick and binging mode. With my band, I am doing so much better. Am I a perfect bandster, absolutely not. I still make unwise food choices all the time. But, the beauty of my band is that even though I do, I can only eat a minimum amount of those bad choice foods. So, would I do this again, heck yeah, in a heartbeat!

I finally had my first fill today. I was so nervous and had myself all worked up? Why? I don't know, it was a piece of cake (sorry about mentioning cake). Dr. Herrera gave me a tiny shot to numb the area then put the needle for the saline stuff in. It didn't hurt at all. He put in .5cc first and then 1. and I really didn't notice a difference when I drank the Water. I definitely noticed something going on at 1.5. He then took me up to 2.0, but decided I was a bit too tight with that. So, I ended up with 1.5 cc for my first fill. I am on liquids for the next two days, and so far am not hungry at all. So, if any of you are worried about your first fill, I can personally tell you that it did not hurt at all. I can't even say it was mildly uncomfortable, because it wasn't.

Thanks Ddiedre, I think I will take your advice and do liquids for a day or two. I have no problems at all with liquids, they go down very easy. And, to be honest, after my epsidoes with chicken, I don't think I will have any desire to eat it again for a long, long time.

You know, I think some doctors take the whole liquid phase to the ridiculously extreme. I had my surgery on a Friday. My doctor told me liquids only until my follow-up appointment which was 10 days later on a Monday. However, he told me if I was really hungry, I could try something soft like scrambled eggs over the weekend. When I went for my follow-up he released me to real food. He just told me to stay away from meat and anything real tough for a week or so. Basically, as long as my system tolerated it, I ate it. I wouldn't worry if I were you, I think some docs are just overly cautious. JMO though.

I have extremely large breasts too. I know when I went in for my pre-op, my doctor noticed I was wearing an underwire and said I would not be able to wear them for a while and suggested I get some sports bras. Like you, being so large, I don't like to just let the girls hang free, and they need to be supported. I went to www.roamans.com and they had some pretty nice sports bras in larger sizes. I ordered them and was very happy with them. They also hook in the front, which is more comfortable than a back hook right after surgery. The prices were reasonable too. While I did not get the support of an underwire, I was comfortable wearing them and didn't feel there was a noticeable difference between the way I looked in them versus the underwire.

Why are you on liquids only for a month after the diet? Are you sure your doctor didn't mean you would be on liquids for one month total, i.e., two weeks before and two weeks after your surgery. A month just seems extreme to me. Actually, you will probably find for the first week or so after surgery you are not very hungry. After that, I think it isn't so much that you are physically hungry, you just start craving real food. But, it really is important to do whatever your doctor tells you, as he knows what is best for you. Try finding a hobby or something to do with your hands that will take your mind off of the head hunger, or go for a walk or something. Good luck.

There is no way, no how, no chance I would ever go back on the liquid diet again by choice. To me, that was boring! Have you tried looking at the new receipe forum? There are some bandster friendly meals there that look really good. I am planning to export them to Master Cook and try a few of them.