critterlady

Are there any? For those of you who have had a dilated esophagus, were you surprised when you got your diagnosis? I've been eating way more than I should. No PB'ing but there are times I feel really full. On admittedly less food than before, but....I'm still worried I'm going to ruin this. Can anyone help? thanks

What are the symptoms of a dilated pouch? No restriction or something? Just curious. sara

I'm so glad this thread was started! I am definitely an apple. I have lost about 33 lb and so far it's noticable in my face/neck, and my shoulders and boobs. Maybe my thighs, too. But my belly.....AACK. I've always said I'd never get rid of the stomach...and I probably won't. If the middle would go down some, I would be in the next size down. But it's slow-going losing the spare tires. sara

I love restaurant salads with chicken strips, and am looking for a good, store bought (frozen) kind. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know, grilled chicken would be better for me; I just don't like much meat. Please don't fuss. Thanks. sara

I have had my band for 9 or 10 weeks. Have had 2 fills and do feel some restriction. Last night, I had some chicken and salad, felt satisfied, then had some frozen yogurt. AFter that, I felt really uncomfortably full. Now I'm worried that I've done some damage. This morning I feel fine, but I'm still worried that I might have stretched my pouch. What are the symptoms? Thanks. sara

When you talk about small bites, how small is small? Use concrete examples, please! Thanks! Sara

I just got my first fill last Monday, which was 7 weeks post op. He did it under fluoro, so all appears well. He put some in and when I felt the barium was stuck in my throat, he took a little out. He scheduled me for a recheck in 1 month. Well, I have no restriction. I'm doing all the right things, but I get hungry an hour or two after I eat, and I don't like it. I've been fairly patient so far (in healing and waiting for the first fill), but this is ridiculous. I understand we have to take it a little slow....but I went ahead and scheduled another fill just one week after the first, because I am tired of white-knuckling it. I'm sure if it's too soon, he'll tell me, but I paid a LOT of money for this and I'm ready to start feeling it work. Any thoughts? sara

Hi everyone, I'm looking for ideas for meals that are band friendly that can be made in advance and frozen. So far I have only come up with chili and vegetable soup! I know some casseroles are good for freezing, but most of those are really not all that healthy (the ones I can think of, anyway!) Ideas welcome! Thanks sara

How do you know if you are "rejecting" the piercing?

I'm nearly 7 weeks out and WHITE KNUCKLING like crazy!!! I posted something similar to this in the "Fills" forum, but I thought this forum might geta little more feedback. I haven't had a fill yet. I'm back to normal foods, trying my hardest to eat appropriate types and portions, but I"m SO HUNGRY. I've pretty much been in Bandster Hell since about day 2 post op, but this is BAD. I understand that my surgeon is pretty generous when it comes to fills, and that makes me very happy. I get my first fill on Monday, and I'm seriously hoping it will knock the edge off this hunger. I really didn't get the lap band so I could diet or restrict or deprive myself for the rest of my life...and I'm really hoping the first fill will help, at least a little. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I'm almost 7 weeks post op and I'm having my first fill on Monday. I have had some scale and some non scale victories in this time, but have stalled. I am hungry a LOT of the time (but, oddly, certain things DO really fill me up, as if I may have some restriction already?) and frustrated. I understand my doctor is pretty generous with fills, and I'm HOPING the first fill will help me. All I want to do is eat. I'm trying very hard to eat appropriate foods and portions, but it's hard doing the white-knuckle thing. Did your first fills help you? I didn't sign up for this! I didn't sign up for being starving all the time and still needing to "diet" but not losing! I would appreciate some words of comfort! Thanks. sara

I wonder if anybody knows a better way to mince ginger besides just chopping it into tiny pieces? I also tried a garlic press, but that pretty much just squeezed the juice out. Do they sell pre-minced ginger, the way they do garlic? Thanks!

I'm with skinnygirl! Please let us in on your "secrets"! Congrats on the 50 lb! That is awesome!

I had no idea how to choose my goal weight, so I picked a "normal BMI" weight, which for me at 5'8" is around 158, I think. I hope I'll get there. And maybe even lower! Time will tell.

Thank you Cheri! I am not a true vegetarian, by any means, but the only meats I like really aren't good for me....chicken is too chicken-y...I like ground beef, hot dogs, and bacon....so yeah, processed is okay! I'll look up her books and would love to see any other links you have! Yes, i do eat eggs and cheese. Thank you! sara