illuminationlady

1. You're not supposed to drink while you eat or for 30 min. after. This is so that you stay full and aren't hungry. If you do drink the water washes the food right through the band hole and you get hungry faster. At first this was hard for me and now I am so used to it that I feel uncomfortable if I try and drink with meals. So, you get used to it. 2. PBing (Productive Burp) happened to me when I get stuck. This is when a piece of food gets stuck and you get a sharp pain between your breast bones. You go to the bathroom and "slime". Yes, slime comes out of your mouth and then I bend over and the stuck food comes back up. It's not like throwing up. It just comes back up. Then the episode goes away. Slider foods are foods that go right through the band. An example would be ice cream. Your sweet spot is when you have good restriction after several fills. It means you are not hungry between meals and that you can only eat a limited amount of food at any one sitting. 3. I am just honest with anyone who asks. Some people like to hide the fact that they're banded. It doesn't bother me to answer anyone's questions.

Good Morning to my friends! My scale won't move. I'm doing everything right and now I'm afraid to go to the doctor's office for fear that he will make me feel badly again. I guess I'm going to take the approach suggested by you all. I'm going to look at him as a paid employee. I'm doing all the right things and if I don't lose any weight this two weeks then I need another fill. I am hungry in between meals and maybe I'm not at my sweet spot yet. I'll just hang in there and be grateful I'm not gaining. I'm going to do some gardening this morning and am looking forward to that. Cleaning things up. Last year I planted herbs but the bugs all ate them. This year I'm going to do flowers. Can't wait to get out there in the dirt. It's going to be sunny and 80 degrees here in SoCal. Take care everyone! Besty, still praying for you and Mark. Love to all, Dottie ps. Bobbie, praying for you too.

I get the hiccups a lot. Almost every meal now. And it started after my fills.

I would wait a few days for the swelling to go down. Best wishes to you!!!

Wow! What a video! Almost creepy what these chicks can do!!! Too much!!!

Denise, I'm glad you saw a doctor after what happened the other day. Thanks to all for your words of support. I am back on track now with my eating and was just spouting off about what my surgeon did. Still don't think it was right. But maybe I overreacted too. I am a very sensitive person and cry easily. Get my feelings hurt easily too. So maybe it was more me than him. It was just his approach that was a little mean. Besides that I have been very happy with everyone from his office and the support groups. Sorry about the fact that my text is all running together. No more paragraphs. I'm using this new browser and it runs the text altogether. Well have a great day everyone and thanks again for the support. I couldn't do this without you!!!!

Yes, very informative post and reminder. I, too, am not getting enough protein and have stalled in my weight loss. Even gained 5lbs on a long journey across the US. We went on an 18 day road trip. I will try to up my protein to and see what happens. Thanks, Voodoo for the reminder that protein is key to weight loss.

I like this one! I'm going to use this phrase from now on with everyone who asks. Good answer!!!

I'll say a special prayer for you tomorrow!!! Hugs...

So glad you're okay Denise! Maybe your blood sugar dropped. But watch out for your health! Okay, so here's my update. Went to the doctor's off yesterday for a fill. I thought I only gained 1.8 lbs but really gained 5 lbs. on my vacation. I ate a lot and ate a lot of bad foods so it was to be expected. I earned it...if ya know what I mean. Anyway, he kinda scolded me and I started to cry. I told him I started with an empty band and I know my weight loss hasn't be great but he really made me feel bad. So, he decides to draw allll the fluid out of my band to "check how much is really there". I thought I had 6.5 ccs. Come to find out I only have 5.4 ccs. So he gives me an additional .5 ccs and acts like this is a lot. I'm to go back every two weeks until I hit my sweet spot. I know he had my best interest at heart but has anyone else experienced this with their doctors? My doc keeps statistics and this may have something to do with what happened. If his patients gain weight then his stats go down. Besides that I hope and pray all is well with everyone! Have a great evening all...hugs your way.

Thanks for the info. I am going to do this. And you guys are too funny...lol

If your doctor permits it try cream of chicken soup. I also had Cream of Wheat with Splenda on top. My husband shared a baked yam with me about a week out of surgery. Just take it real easy and slow..... Oh and get in your protein and fluids. That's really important. I added unflavored protein powder to my Cream on Wheat. Take care and best wishes!!

I just got my 4th or 5th fill and I'm feeling it! I am much tighter now and know true restriction. Hopefully this time it will last. I lost most of my weight (shown on the ticker) presurgery. Some was post. But I believe without true restriction it is difficult to lose weight. If you can maintain, you're doing a good job. Just count your calories and be careful. Some people actually gain weight during this difficult time. Take care and best wishes!!!

Good Morning everyone! Well we're shakin' and rollin' here in SoCal. I was in a movie theater when it happened and boy did I head for the exit. It was pretty strong and we shot for the door. Everyone did. It was right at the end of the movie and I missed the best part, although the movie wasn't very good. We saw The Bounty Hunter with Jen Anniston and was disappointed with it. Besides that Easter was a beautiful day and I spent it with loved ones! Getting a fill today and boy do I need it. I can eat just about anything and did on my vacation. Ready to get back to business. Thanks to all who added me on Facebook. I'm pretty new to the site and am learning. So bear with me. Have a great day everyone. Take care. Dottie

Okay, someone explain to me how to find everyone on Facebook. Or find me. I'm listed as Dorothy Glanders Morris. Happy Easter everyone! I'm only making steaks tonight but am going to lunch and a movie with my daughters. DH is a homebody. Just checking in but would love to hook up with you on Facebook too. Let me know. Leigha I tried to find you and several Leigha Masons popped up. Have a glorious day!!!

Good Morning everyone! It's great to be back and reading everyone's posts. Becky continues to recover well. My oldest daughter is home for Easter. I really enjoy reading about your daily lives and progress. You are all doing so well! I thought about my trip and my weight loss. I actually gained 1.8 lbs. but have already taken it off. I ate crabcakes, ice cream, and drank Bloody Marys. Just pretty much had a great time and didn't worry about any dieting. When in the world have I ever been able to do that and not gain 10-15 lbs? The whole way back, on the road, I'm thinking, "Please God, make it so that I only gained a few lbs." But low and behold only 1.8 lbs. and it's already gone! I couldn't believe it. So, the band really does work. It did it's job and only a few stuck episodes. Just some thoughts I had about my trip and weightloss. Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and weekend!! Love to all, Dottie

Good Morning everyone! I've been super busy. Becky, my 23 year old daughter was banded on Tues. without incident. She is home, here, recovering and I am the nurse...lol. She's doing great and we walked the neighborhood yesterday. But still haven't had time to catch up. I did read enough to know that Besty needs our prayers. I have been praying for her and Mark the whole time I was gone. Well wishes and hugs your way, Besty. Leigha, sometimes I, too, get a lot of saliva. For me, it's a sign I'm full. But it doesn't happen all the time. Maybe you're too tight. A slight unfill might do the trick. Sometimes a few drops can make the difference. I didn't lose any weight while I was gone but that's okay because I thought I would have gained. Ate too much good food and slider things. Back to business now. Have a really great day today. Back to nursing the sickly one here for me. Love to all, Dottie

Good Morning everyone! I'm back from my vacation. Had a wonderful time. Saw my dad who will be 90 in Oct. He looks and sounds great. My old laptop died in Indiana so I couldn't check in. I need to go back and read everyone's posts and catch up. Just thought I'd check in and tell you I'm back. I missed all of you and nearly went nuts without a computer...lol. Will post more later when caught up. Have a great day!!!

Hi everyone! I've missed a lot as I am trying to read all of your posts. We are still in DC. My husband is going to Capitol Hill tomorrow at 12 noon for a protest on Health Care. I'll try and upload a picture we took yesterday. We were there yesterday and there was a guy with a sign. My husband asked if he could hold it for a picture. But tomorrow is supposed to be a big day. I'm not going. Besides that we have seen all the sights and museums. Having a great time. As far as eating goes it's been hard. I've gotten stuck and slimed big time almost every day. I'm trying to stick to liquids for a while, but the whole thing is hard. I'm trying not to let it ruin things and keeping a smile on my face. I can't even eat scrammbled eggs! Oh well! Sunday we leave here for Northern Indiana to see my dad. He's 89 now and will be good to see him. Well, just checking in and letting you know I'm having fun. Dottie

Thank you to my very dear, dear friends. I'm in Washington, DC and having a great time! Wish you were here!!! lol

Hi all from Bristol, Virginia. We will arrive in DC on my birthday tomorrow. I haven't had a chance to catch up but wanted to check in. It will take us a total of 4 and half days to travel coast to coast. So far the trip has been uneventful. Thank God! We stopped one night in Oklahoma City, Ok to see his brother and his girlfriend. We went out to dinner. The hotels have been an interesting trek. I like to stay at Courtyard, Marriotts and in Memphis we couldn't do that. Long story but made it through. Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be 51. Food has been difficult to say the least. On the run it's hard to find food that won't get stuck. I've been eating a lot of slider foods. Once we are in DC things will calm down and I'll get back to normal. I did have Prime Rib tonight but only about 3 oz. My husband says I'm a cheap date now since I don't eat much...lol. I haven't actually been good but maintaining. We will be in DC for 5 days and then head back the Northern route. We took route 66 to get here. My dad lives in Northern Indiana. He's 89 and we will see him for sure. The way back will be much easier. My husband wanted to get here in time to protest the signing of the health care bill...lol. Actually he's never been to our Nation's captial and he is very patriotic and very much Republican. He will really enjoy it. We are going to see everything. It was really a birthday present to us both! I'll check in when I can. Love to all of you...I miss you...really.. Dottie

Today at 10 am. So I'm going crazy right now!!!

Good Morning all! Just to let you know my DH decided to surprise me with a road trip to DC and back up the US for my birthday. I won't be posting as much and didn't want to just drop out of sight. We are taking a computer but won't have much time for the boards. I will miss you but try to check in. Love and Hugs to all of you...

After I take a bite I place my fork down on the plate, swallow and wait about 10 sec. before I pick up the fork again. But I get stuck a lot so I have to do this to make it through the meal.

Since my third fill I have been getting stuck and sliming. I did get a fourth fill but only a half of a cc. I told the doctor about my getting stuck but did say that it's my own fault. I was eating too fast, not chewing enough, etc. Since my fourth fill I have been good about eating. The doctor told me that getting stuck and sliming are not good for your band or body. Naturally. If I hadn't admitted that it was my own fault and said I will do better she probably would have refused the fill. Evalute your eating habits and see if that might be the problem. About the protein shakes I don't do them anymore because they go right through the band and don't keep me full. Best wishes.