TracyNYC

I went to Dress Barn today for some Yoga/Sweat pants. I was on the "Woman" side of the store, where I always go and picked up a pair of 1x. Tried them on Way too big! Standing there puzzled as to what to do and then I dared wander on the "Normal" size side. I picked a pair of XL and L. The L fits perfectly... I almost started screaming aloud. THEN I tried on 14W jeans and the skinny minnie sales girl said those are too big and brought me a regular 14. The fit like glove. I was so excited....... I really am excited by this. I have not been a 14 in about 20 years........WOO HOO Then the guy who does my lawn came to collect the money. It was the father of the company, who speaks very little English. I paid him and wished him aHappy New Year. He said you too and then said, "You look....." and made a motion holding his hands close together. . "Bery, Bery nice." LOL LOL He is about 65, but it was definitely a male "bery nice"...LOL

I was banded 10/09 and it took me 4 fills (may/2010) for things to really pick up. I did lose in the time in between but since that fill in May things have been moving along. Be patient. I just bought a size 14 jeans yesterday in the "Normal" department. Slow and steady wins the race.

I too hiccup when getting near the "full" mark. The other night I had regular hiccups, not food related, and my 9 year old niece said, "Uh-Oh". I asked her why she said that and she said that once you start the hiccups, then you get sick.... I felt bad and did not realize it was so obvious to her.

Dave- I guess I forget that men have these same clothing issues.....Good for you and the costco jacket. I always look at the stuff in BJs and marvel at the cheap prices skinny people can pay! Java- not all the male attention is good. The creepy basketball coach at my school (who is 70 if he's a day) insists at the top of his lungs, no matter who is around, that I am losing weight because I "Must have a man" now. He asks, "who is he??, and says stupid stuff like that in front of kids and even a parent. Luckily the parent was one I know fairly well and brushed it off. ICK!

NSV = Non scale Victory

[Thanks! Glad to have here to share. Others get PO and say I am bragging. I knew you guys would understand! Have a BERY GOOD NIGHT!

Does it count if I eat the whole box of chocolate/marshmallow protein bars from the surgeon in one sitting? LOL (They are so good)

I would have liked a more regimented food plan the first 6 months or so. Too open ended for me when they said"High Protein, but balanced meals". Not enough structure. I have made my own structures and can stick to them when motivated. That's the other part---ways to stay motivated. I am at a standstill now and have a feeling I will get an unfill next visit due to reflux issues. How do I keep going with the "Rah-Rah" attitude I had in the beginning of this journey? I guess that is why I come on here.

I just bought a case of MM light in the fudge. It is really good. Yes, it is best when very cold. I put it under the little "freezer" thing in our work fridge and it was fine.

Having never been married, but have been an "eternal bridesmaid", I am convinced these brides pick the worst dresses so they look even more beautiful on their day. LOL I tell my friends that if I ever take that walk down the aisle they will be sorry.

Stolen and adapted from Betsy B. Protein shake mix-vanilla (Proti) table spoon of FF SF chocolate pudding mix Almond milk instead of Water. Throw in blender. Yummy! i was bad w/ my shakes until I read this on here. It does not work as well w/ chocolate protein mix. Maybe it is the brand my surgeon carries.....

I can not eat pork, as in pulled, roasted or chops. Just won't work. I have shied away from bread and been stuck a few times after the temptation was too great at a restaurant. Oddly, steak has always gone down well. When out I tend to get quesadillas. (Getting sick of them) or a side salad and baked potato. They are my eat out "treat" as I can not have in the house or I will make them all the time. My new fave is mashed cauliflower. I buy steamers and run them through food processor. Yesterday I threw in FF cheddar and some real bacon bits and garlic. Like a "loaded" potato. It was awesome. I can get 3 servings from one bag. I can do eggs, cheese and deli meats well too. Baked chicken has started to become a problem, which stinks. I may need a slight unfill.

Well, I have been off here pretty much since the new format. Was having technical difficulties that I now hope are resolved. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I sort of stopped attacking the scale each morning when the goodies started appearing at work and certainly (over)indulged, but balanced a bit by walking some. Managed to lose a few pounds for a grand total of 83 since 10/09. Need to get back to surgeon and follow up better for my health. I quit second job and have turned over a new leaf at school by 'letting go' of a lot of my anger at Principal. he is still a jerk, but that is his problem and I am no longer letting it be mine. I feel better inside and out. Wore new jeans and an almost skimpy sweater to a party this afternoon and was amazed at the reactions of some. Felt good and now have a big head that no longer matches my a$$. LOL Hope to be back here frequently, as I know it keeps me honest and motivated. Here's to to having a year full of "less" Tracy

Just wanted to wish all my banded buddies a Happy Thanksgiving. I am attending my first "Italian Thanksgiving" this year and am looking forward to the new and different foods and traditions. They all know I am banded, so they won't be insulted when I can't gorge myself.... I just want mashed potatoes and gravy.... Blessings!

I had the same anxiety issue for a while. It did pass. I find that if I stick with things like potato and a salad or Soup I am fine. Most every restaurant has those items. I only do potato when I am out so it is a good treat and I even use REAL butter. LOL Try and do research as suggested. If the anxiety gets overwhelming, you should speak to your doctor. I am on anti anxiety meds for about 3 years and it was the best thing I ever did for myself and that was pre band. Best of luck and enjoy Thanksgiving.

No words of wisdom, but just sending well wishes.....

I had my GI series today. The preliminary report from radiologist says that my band has NOT SLIPPED OR TILTED in any way! woo hoo. He said that the surgeon may unfill me a bit or totally just to give things a rest. He said the opening of the stoma is almost too small and that the barium was 'hesitating' before flowing freely, thus my gurgling. The drink stuff was not too bad or too much. I did have to eat these dry granules and then swallow Water. It was like eating poprocks that smelled and tasted like rotten eggs. LOL I also like being lifted and lowered on the table. No one told me I would have an amusement park ride! I will call surgeon in Thursday to see what the plan is.

I want to go to a gym of exercise classes, but really am having trouble finding time. I am a HS English teacher and have taken on a second job at my school. Just a few hours 2 days a week. I need the money. My principal is extremely demanding. I come home and work 3 -4 hours each night marking about 700 assignments. We must give work back within 24 hours and he uses the online grade program to "spy" on the amount of work we enter each day. On the few occasions when I have not done enough I have been called in about my lack of professionalism and the fact that I shirk my professional duties. (Our union is working on him big time, but in the mean time....) I pretty much have given up any social activities during the week and will not commit to 2 things over a weekend for fear of falling behind. I really wanted to start attending Zumba 2 or 3 nights per week, but am at a loss as to how to squeeze it in. Am I being lazy and making excuses? If so, I will suck it up and try going. I need to exercise and need the commitment of "going". I even have someone who wants to go as buddy and that would make me keep the date. I am extremely frustrated by the job and my weight. Thanks for the whine time. LOL

Due to my "gurgling" the PA has ordered an Upper GI test AKA Barium Swallow. My question is: Does the stuff you have to drink cause bathroom issues after wards? I had scan a few years back and the stuff gave me bad bathroom issues after wards. I scheduled my exam for 7:45am and will be going to school after the test. As we can not leave the room to use the bathroom this could be an issue for me. Anyone know?

Good idea about the immodium!

Love the pudding idea. I got it from Betsy B. I gave up w/ using water and use the unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk. It is so worth the calories and makes the shake truly like a shake.

I expect some of that. It will be early, I have bad gag reflex, will have empty stomach and that stuff is awful. Blech....

I would rather constipation than the other problem while in class...

Since my un-fill last month, I notice that whenever I eat or drink I have a gurgling sound in my chest/band area. I assume this where the band is doing its thing. Does anyone else have this? People swear they don't hear it, but I was in a workshop yesterday and it sounded so loud to me...It almost sounds like I am burping inside. LOL