TexasFire

No reason, except that sugar is the #1 enemy for ALL folks...not just banded folks! :cheers2: Especially HFCS. (High Fructose Corn Syrup) For nutrition, EAS Premium Protein is a pretty good tasting Protein powder. I prefer the chocolate and I put a scoop of Peanut Butter in it and blend it up with some ice and Water. (Not milk.) It is pretty complete and is the highest protein grams I've found (27) for the manageable amount of calories. It has 150 calories for two scoops of protein powder in eight ounces of water/ice. The peanut butter gives you even more protein and calories, and makes it just plain YUMMY! It should get you through this time without issues. Of course, you can have bouillion, SF popsicles, SF Jello and whatever else your doc allows. I lived on bouillion, jello, and popsicles after surgery! Good luck and keep posting! You will figure all this out!

THANX! You will get where you want to be before you know it, too! Don't forget that exercise, coupled with your band, will get you there SO much faster, if you aren't doing it already!

I doubt it is anything to be concerned with, but definitely bring it to your docs attention at your visit if it is still present. I can't imagine it would ever prevent a fill. Fills are a very simple procedure and take mere seconds. If the bump becomes painful or red, definitely call your doc and don't wait for your appointment, but it sounds like you are just fine. I remember my port incision and one of the others, as well, took quite a while to heal on one end because the stitches weren't disolving completely. I thought it was this huge deal and when I pointed it out to the doc, he just grabbed it with tweezers and pulled it out like it was nothing...and it WAS nothing! LOL So I was worried unnecessarily! Good luck and keep posting!

Thanx for sharing that! I know most folks here are emotional eaters, so that could be very helpful. As far as "signs" of being satisfied before you feel over-full? First of all, it sounds like you might be eating too fast. Take a few bites, and wait several minutes. Always set your fork down completely in between bites. Don't drink ANYTHING while you are eating. Really pay attention to your band while you are eating. All that being said, I never felt full in the pre-banding sense of the word. I always felt a fullness in my chest, not my tummy, and that was the sign to back away from the table. Also, myself and many others have experienced burping as a signal of getting full. Stop if this happens and see how you feel in five minutes. You will likely not have to continue eating, as you will realize you are satisfied. The best thing you can do is to slow down and really pay attention to your body while you eat. Good luck!

It is from the gas they inflate your abdomen with during surgery to allow the doc more room to move around in there. It takes a while to dissipate out of your system and commonly pain in the shoulder manifests from the gas.

I take some really HUGE pills with no problems. In fact, I take a lot of supplements for my workouts, and I can take 5 or 6 at one swallow with no splitting or crushing. Take it easy until you get the feel for your band, as everyone is different. After a week or so, try taking one of your smaller ones to test for tolerance. Then move up from there as you need to. Your band will let you know! I never had to crush my pills, but I did have to split them in the first week after surgery. Crushing them has GOT to be nasty tasting! EW! LOL It will get better, trust me...and before you know it. Good luck!

That soup sounds awesome! Share the recipe? LOL on the hotness comment! I'm with YOU, girl! We are ALL uber hot now...so we're gonna be SMOKIN' and ON FIRE at goal weight! :cheers2:

I wish there were such a site! Let me do some searching for you. Green Bay? That doesn't sound right to me for some reason. I don't think I kept y'alls address from way back, but I'll check.

Naw, Ceradad...fills don't hurt as a general rule. It can take a lot of pressure to get the needle into the port, but that's no big deal. The needle entering your skin is no different than any other shot. That was my experience with my first four fills, anyhow.

I've got the small AP band, and the owners manual gives general instructions on fills being every 4 to 6 weeks. I've followed that schedule and never had issues with fills until my fourth, which was the beginning of October. I have waited over four months to lose restriction and finally have, so will be making another appointment in the morning since my weight loss has significantly stalled. It took a lot of soul searching and paying attention to every bite I put in my mouth to decide to finally have another fill. So you see everyone is different, and even the same person can vary widely from fill to fill. All docs vary, but my doc gives instructions to be on liquids for two to three days following a fill to allow for any swelling to go down. I hope you got relief and didn't lose all restriction. The band is a phenomenal tool, but needs monitoring so we can use it to be the healthiest we can be.

Okay, went to the fill forum for research. Based on the owners manual for the lapband, I am way overdue for a fill based on my progress and eating. So it is decided! I am going to make an appointment on Monday to get a fill as soon as possible. It has been over four months since my last one, so I don't think it will be an issue on getting one. Maybe even an aggressive one. I keep telling myself that they only do them under flouro, so I am not too concerned with an unfill any longer. I'm going to run with this logic and see how it pans out. Also, a couple of NSV's to share. 1) I was at Walmart grocery shopping when I asked a gentleman where I could find yogurt covered raisins. He looked and looked and looked, but they just don't carry them. He finally said, "Well, as healthy as you look, I know you want exactly what you are asking for. I'd try Tom Thumb." I told him that saying I look healthy was the best compliment I'd ever received! And it's TRUE! It feels good to know that it meant so much to me. It's confirmation that I am not just doing this for asthetics. The asthetics are the gravy! 2) I took my measurements today and I lost half an inch off my bust (which I really think came from further fat loss in my back), half an inch off my hips, an inch off my abdomen...and I GAINED a half an inch in each bicep! (All other measurements were identical to January 15th.) So while I didn't lose as much as I like, I'm happy that I gained in my biceps, lost where I did, and happy that I didn't gain where I shouldn't.

Ah, gotcha, Jess...thanx. I THOUGHT that is what you meant, but wasn't sure. I think I'm pretty much in the same place...starting to need a fill but trying to hold off. It's just so confusing for me this time because I'm starting to be able to pack away the food, yet it takes me forever because I get stuck by the second or third bite. Before this last fill...and I think I got it the beginning of October, can't really recall...it was VERY clear when I needed a fill. Now it's not. I've been getting stuck all the time now for months and I'm not losing anymore, really. Or at least not enough. I keep waiting for a clear-cut sign, but it just isn't coming. I'm starting to think that the lack of weight-loss is going to win out and I will get a fill. I just don't want to be miserable and have to get an unfill. ARGH! WHAT TO DO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

WOW, Jess! Sounds like you had an awesome day! Lat pulldowns are GREAT! Getting rid of that "back fat" was my first vacuous goal (I'm stuck on that word since it was discussed on the biking thread recently...can't get it out of my head now), and those are what did it for me. I love them! I'm confused about what you said about needing a fill and going on liquids? Could you explain that again? I ask because I'm in limbo about getting a fill right now and wonder if it might relate. I'm glad you liked the trail slide show! It is a nice place to ride. I'm finding more and more trails like that around here that I never knew existed. It's nice because there is no motor traffic....strictly cyclists/runners/walkers.

Yes, ma'am! We both sing our teenagers' music, remember? LOL But you are right that we never actually introduced ourselves! J named me TX! Glad you are here, C! I believe that! I used to do the same thing when I had a J-O-B! LOL

Where is everyone?

Where is everyone? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 45 minutes on my bike trainer today. It's so rainy, cold and disgusting outside...UGH.

You RAN in that?!?!? I bow at your feet! You are rockin' it steady, Angel! Keep it up...you're doing great! Oh, boy! I bet you ARE feeling good about that all! As well you should! You'll be back, I'm sure! And we'll have a SWAT guy on our forum! How cool! Hey, it's cool to have you here no matter what! I'm so glad you made it to the gym! Yeah, the babies are pretty darn cute, aren't they? :Dancing_wub: You guys go on chat? I just went there for the first time today...pretty cool! You like my music? Cool! It's such a wide array, I know! LOL I didn't get to make it to Trinity Trails, but here's a slide show I made of my regular trail. I have shared some of these in different places on here a couple times, so if I'm duplicating, forgive me! :biggrin: River Legacy Park by robbieandstef Funny how that 15 mile trail has become my "short run" if I'm pressed for time. It used to be that I would fight to finish it, and now I do it twice and then go out of that park on trails to another park all in one ride! From there you can see two other slide shows I've made, too. One is all before lapband (obvious, since I'm HUGE) and the other is from Vegas last November. Even in that one I look a lot different than I do now. Oh my goodness! That is the BEST story I have heard in a long, long time! I'm so glad she made you feel so special! Just by sharing that story, I know you deserved it! :cool2:

I hadn't heard! What a relief, J! Now I don't have to keep the collection "under wraps" in a private vault! LOL I LOVE IT! It's cute and sexy all at the same time! And the color and highlights are to die for...maybe that is what I need! I wouldn't feel stupid copying you since you live so far away! LOL Good move, Suze! She needs a "friend" as nice as you! She DOES look hot, huh? But you have hot little miss MM, who was the smart chica and grabbed you off the market! Suze, find one like Daddy, here! That would be a keeper that you could be yourself with!

EEEWWWW, Daddy! (I'm changing to call you Daddy now, by the way! LOL) I am SO sorry for y'all in all that mess! Are they good about keeping the roads cleared at least? Do you have to use tire chains? UGH...come on, Spring weather...huh?

Hey, Suze...we need pics of your new short hair! I am in shock that you did that! I would be terrified, you brave girlie! Me wants to see it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Aw...it's a weekday and there weren't too many folks on the trail. I thought I'd give the few folks a jolt for the day! LOL

Yep, and I'm going to the park to log a few miles on my girl. I heart y'all!

I prefer to at least be able to distinguish a word here and there.