AngelaT

When I went for an unfill, they said that even Water can cause dialation of the pouch if you are too full. Now I have a bulge and am wondering what is a "small portion" does anyone have ideal portion sizes? Should I go with the standard 4 oz Protein, 1/2 cup cooked veg, 1 cup raw veg?

I want my pouch to shrink!!!!!!

From what I heard in this case is to do liquids for a few days, not many and mushies for about a week or two, then solids again max. 1 cup total each meal. the liquid and mushies shoulod help your pouch get back to normal sooner.

:clap2: The one thing i look forward to is going into a regular clothes store, picking out something not from the plus section. I can't wait until I can do that. I just wanted to say how much I get from this site. It's a chance for all of us to get together and inspire the ones who are down or just share our stories. YOU GALS(and TOM )are GREAT!!!

I also look forward to going to the regular section instead of plus size! That will be so awesome!

Welcome to the thread Lady!

Well day 3 on Atkins, and day 3 with my unfill. I want sweets in the worst way, but have done my best to stay away. Have found sweet iced coffee (with splenda of course) helps.

Here is what I have had today. Please tell me if this is good/bad/ok. This is the first time in 4 months I have been able to tolerate solids, so I think I am enjoying it way too much.

Brunch: 6 swedish meatballs (3 oz total) (around 11 am)

Lupper: 3 oz pork tenderloin and 1/2 cup low carb Pasta with sauce (around 3) YUMMY!!!

snack: whey shake with English Toffee Syrup, really craving sweets now

Dinner: 1/3 cup guacamole, 1 thick slice roast beef from deli counter (around 7)

Snack: Iced coffee

Now that I look at it, it does not look that bad. I am full, but really wanting something sweet. May have another coffee before bed, Decaf of course. Tomorrow I should be home free on Atkins.

Just can't tell you how good it feels to not choke on a whey shake in the am. I could not believe that meatballs went down... and they were good!

Don't forget they do have the low carb Protein Bars that are just like candy bars...that should calm your sweet tooth...Atkins and South beach are good and Think Thin makes some good ones also.

Awesome!!!! I am so happy for you!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

People seem nicer, men open doors for me again as opposed to letting them slam on my face, some people at work are nicer, while others appear to be envious or jealous, overall reactions are better than pre-op. Yikes! I know part of my fat was for protection...a sort of man repellent...now I will have to work through my insecurity and my distrust of men....:faint: Don't get me wrong...I like men, but I have been hurt deeply more than once. Time to start fresh!

Thanks Everyone! Could be the estrogen being stored in fat...I almost forgot that it of course could cause PMS-like symptoms such as breast discomfort. I will also watch how I am sleeping.< /p>

Ok, hopefully it is all just women looking here.... Has anyone as they lost weight had pain and discomfort in their breasts? I think mine are shrinking some and I do feel some pain...at first it scared me, but it goes away and it changes from one to the other..rarely on both sides.

The other thing is I was banded Nov 7 and I still feel left shoulder pain, especially if I maybe ate a bit too much...is this normal after almost 2 months?

Thanks!

DR. ACEVES is wonderful!! <.4 complication rate and those were just minor. Great bedside manner...sweet as can be! Great staff all speak english. Great hospital and hotel. Top of the line care and facilities.... i have worked in hospitals for 20 years, and yet i would go back to him for any other G.I related problems or surgeries!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! :clap2: :clap2:

Please do post your story of a life changing event...many times it is not something you might think is life changing... the birth of a baby, a job that inspired you, someone you met, etc. What effect did it have on you in a positive way...

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to repost this for everyone to read and participate. Originally it was posted in November Bandsters, but I thought many people here would benefit from stories which show how a then perceived negative experience has changed their life into a more postive fulfilling one. Below is my reply to Tom (Oberhasi)

Tom,

I had a feeling something like this had been part of your life due to your positive outlook. It is great you learned and are using this experience for yourself and to help others. It is amazing how a difficult time in our life can force us to learn and change...most people unfortunately wait until then to learn these secrets which can change our life for the positive.

Although I have been spiritual since childhood and with a tendency more for the positive, I still had bouts of self pity due to childhood stuff... I have always been into reading positive, growth related books...since I can remember... however it was not enough. With my only pregnancy I got sick with severe cramping and seizures...that was the first sign of something wrong...for years I experienced similar symptoms with no one giving me an answer. finally about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...In a way I was relieved because I finally knoew what I had... the problem is that M.D.'s essentially wanted to put me in a wheelchair and told me I would probably not live a long and full life...HA!:faint: Their outlook in relation to chronic illness is So negative! I DECIDED I WOULD NOT let that happen to me. I began to do research and to change my life starting with taking yoga, and then meditation and lots and lots of reading about self improvement and learnig how our universe and mind really work. I also got massage and chiropractic and evrything natural. I began to reverse everything wrong! I became more spiritual, which does not mean more religious, and made sure i kept negative out of my life as much as possible...that includes, violence and negative topics on TV, movies and books. and staying away from toxic people... I do live in the real world so I am informed, but I do not replay these thiongs over and over in my mind. The point is, any person CAN CHANGE anything they want to change in their life through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. My one weakness has been the weight, in part due to not being able to do hard exercise and ride a bike...but I can walk and hike, etc. so I finally opted for the band so I can control portions...even healthy food is fattening when you eat too much of it After being in western medicine for many years I went back to school and got my Doctorate in Naturology/natural medicine and became ordained so I can help people physically as well as spiritually.

Anyway...who has had a life changing experience...something that changed the way you think in any way... and how did it change your life?

Sorry about the length, but I hope somehow this story and Tom's story has something click inside any of you reading this and can be a positive change in your life...

wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!:dance: :girl_hug:

Tom,

I had a feeling something like this had been part of your life due to your positive outlook. It is great you learned and are using this experience for yourself and to help others. It is amazing how a difficult time in our life can force us to learn and change...most people unfortunately wait until then to learn these secrets which can change our life for the positive.

Although I have been spiritual since childhood and with a tendency more for the positive, I still had bouts of self pity due to childhood stuff... I have always been into reading positive, growth related books...since I can remember... however it was not enough. With my only pregnancy I got sick with severe cramping and seizures...that was the first sign of something wrong...for years I experienced similar symptoms with no one giving me an answer. finally about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis...In a way I was relieved because I finally knoew what I had... the problem is that M.D.'s essentially wanted to put me in a wheelchair and told me I would probably not live a long and full life...HA!:faint: Their outlook in relation to chronic illness is So negative! I DECIDED I WOULD NOT let that happen to me. I began to do research and to change my life starting with taking yoga, and then meditation and lots and lots of reading about self improvement and learnig how our universe and mind really work. I also got massage and chiropractic and evrything natural. I began to reverse everything wrong! I became more spiritual, which does not mean more religious, and made sure i kept negative out of my life as much as possible...that includes, violence and negative topics on TV, movies and books. and staying away from toxic people... I do live in the real world so I am informed, but I do not replay these thiongs over and over in my mind. The point is, any person CAN CHANGE anything they want to change in their life through positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle. My one weakness has been the weight, in part due to not being able to do hard exercise and ride a bike...but I can walk and hike, etc. so I finally opted for the band so I can control portions...even healthy food is fattening when you eat too much of it After being in western medicine for many years I went back to school and got my Doctorate in Naturology/natural medicine and became ordained so I can help people physically as well as spiritually.

Anyway...who has had a life changing experience...something that changed the way you think in any way... and how did it change your life?

Sorry about the length, but I hope somehow this story and Tom's story has something click inside any of you reading this and can be a positive change in your life...

Denise...I can tell!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

PR Brooksie.... get a closer fitting outfit...they will notice.... and smile...that really shows! Every morning look at yourself in the mirror and pick one thing you like about yourself...it does not have to be physical...it can be pretty eyes, a nice smile, what a good friend you are, or a kind heart, etc. you get my drift? Then look at yourself...directly into you eyes and say to youself i am proud of being ME because I have a kind heart, or pretty eyes, etc. etc. a different one very day and you will see your mind changing... repeat it as many times as you need.... when you get the hang of it then you can begin to say things in the present tense that you want for your future as your subconscious will make it happen...but it must be in present tense like:

I am slim and beautiful!

I am fitting perfectly in a size 12!

I am a confident and positive person!

I LOVE myself!

etc. etc.

Actually we all ned to do this...I try to do this at least a few times a week...it does work.

That IS an accomplishment as I too was a 12-pack a day person and am basically caffiene and carbonation free now. Trust me, if you can do that, you can do anything! Success is built on one small accomplishment at a time. We didn't become overweight overnight nor did we learn all of our eating habits that led to the weight problem overnight. Don't expect to unlearn those behaviors overnight either.

For me, the point of this is to recognize what we are doing right. None of us, I'm sure, are 100% "good". We can either bask in the glory of those things we are doing right or waller in the misery of our mistakes. Just like with a child, if we continually tell ourselves we're failures, we will be. If we continually tell ourselves we're doing great, we will! (And no, I wasn't a cheerleader in a former life. Those short skirts and my hairy legs just didn't go together. :heh: )

Tom

Very cute Tom...very cute! :biggrin1: the hairy legs and little skirt made me laugh!

PRBrooksie...way to go!!! That IS a BIG accomplishment...focus on the positive. We attract what we think.... we create our reality...I know you can create a reality where you have complete control of your eating and of your emotions towards food... really it works! If you have not seen What The Bleep Do We Know...rent it, it might take a couple of times to get it, but the concepts are life changing :clap2: :clap2:

What have you found to be the most concentrated source of Protein?

I'm having a shake (22 gms protein/110 calories) for breakfast and lunch and a small normal meal for supper. 3 months later my hair continues to come out at an alarming rate and I'd like to increase my Protein intake. My surgeon suggested 60 gms/day and I've stuck pretty close to that.

Should I add some unflavored protein powder to my shakes? What's the maximum protein intake per meal recommended? Does the body not absorb more than so much protein per sitting, would I be wasting additional protein? What have you found to have the highest amount of protein grams in the least amount of bulk? Sure I can get 40 grams of protein by eating a lot of fish, but I can't physically consume that much fish at one time.

Anyone else having the same issues?

Suggestions?

Yes you can add additional protein to the shake. However it is important to consume more animal protein as it has nutrients needed...several which will help with Hair loss. If you are not getting at least 800 cals most of the days and at times about 1000 your body will go inot starvation mode and hair is one of those things which is not that important in the scheme of things. Also make sure you take supplements...vitamins especially the B's B6, B12, Folic Acis and Biotin to help your hait and overall health. Take care and make sure you are eating enough!

CHALLENGE FOR NOVEMBER BANDSTERS!!!!!!!!

Everybody write one email here that says only everything you did right, small and big. Hesitating before taking that bite counts. Drinking Water counts. Telling yourself something encouraging counts. ONE COMPLETE EMAIL ABUT GOOD STUFF< NO MATTER HOW TINY.

We gotta get used to doing that anyway, and we're not naturally inclined to be positive about our eating, ladies. We've had too many failures...Let's teach ourselves to focus on good, at least some of the time.

BetsyJAne I think it is a wonderful idea!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Hi everyone...just passing through. I've finally got a surgery date with the new surgeon! I am truly happy about this, but of course, I had expected to be banded by now.

Either way it goes, I'm still in it for the long haul...so I'll check back with you in a couple of weeks to let you know how I'm doing.

Oh yeah, I'm now to be a January 2007 bandster. So, keep me in your prayers for Jan. 24th!

_______________

Chris

Good luck Inner ME we miss you!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you had a nice holiday. How di you do with all the temptation? I had my litlte bits of everything...hope the scale tomorrow is kind to me.

From what I can tell many of us have been too busy to use the internet much...I hope we remain in contact during our weight loss journey.

Will check in tomorrow!

Thanks Everyone!! I hope Xmas didn't ruin my progress!

Hi Everyone,

As you can see I am up again @ almost 4am because I am in pain again. This is what I am more afraid of for the fill not just the needle part...does anyone else go through what I am. It happens about an hour after I eat...the pain starts in the center of my back and in my stomach and lasts for hours.....I try throwing up, that doesn't help...I walk on my tread mill...sitting hurts...laying down hurts...I am very nervous about pain pills but I feel like I would take anything if it would stop the pain, but I don't because I worry they wouldn't go down and would erode my band. I have an e-mail into my Dr's but probably won't get a response because it's x-mas. UGHHH won't the pain stop. I feel like to only thing I can eat it Soup and I'm sick of soup. Once again sorry for the rambling and the complaining.

ust sick of hurting.

Jess

Jess,

You obviously do not need a fill yet. THE PAIN YOU HAVE MIGHT BE DUE TO EATING TOO MUCH and also from not chewing enough. try not to eat close to bedtime also. Make your more solid food earlier in the day, or when you feel less tight while you eat. remember about 1/4 cup- max 1 cup of food and chew, chew, chew even if you do not have a fill, because you still do have restriction. My surgery was Nov. 7 and it is just the past two days I find I do not have much restriction, but I still keep my portions small and chew, chew. I will not have a fill until January. This morning I woke up with a bit more restriction again. So do not hurry, enjoy your restriction and prevent the pain by having little portionas and chewing and on the way you will be losing weight!

Good luck!

Been banded since April and doing well. EXCEPT that recently I have been getting very dizzy. Could this be a vitamin/iron problem. I will confess I have not been taking my Vitamins. Has anyone else experience this or know any other reason. Thank you.

Here are a few possible reasons:

*not eating enough?

* not drinking enough water/liquid possible dehydration

* low blood pressure- were you taking meds for high blood pressure and need to have the doc check you and maybe lower dose?

* Have you had a cold or sinus infection...can affect balance and ears

*ear infection- can affect balance and cause dizziness

* vertigo-sometimes people develop vertigo out of the blue...is the room spinning sometimes? does it change when you move your head? Sit? Stand? this is another doctor visit... for now you can use dramamine/meclazine to help you out until you can see a doctor

Good for you Anglea. I think tiny bites lead to another and you are doing good to resist. That will make it even better for you on Christmas when you can have a little of what you have been deprived.

I'm off for a week long cruise tomorrow so I'm sure I will have lots of temptation. I plan to stay busy so maybe it won't be too bad.

Have a great holiday.

Have a great cruise!! Enjoy! tiny tastes on occassion while on the cruise should not hurt... take pics!

I do not measure exactly, but eyeball it very closely. I bought the Gladware, the smallest round ones...they are exactly 8oz. So I know very closely if I am eating 1 cup or 1.2 cup. They are great because they are portable and reheatable...so I take them to work. I make for example chicken, stewed so I can add different flavorings each time if I want... No skin, no bone.... sea salt, a few spices, chicken broth....boil until chicken is very tender. Then I cut into small pieces and divide servings into the little containers...put them in fridge or freezer... ready anytime! and I know how much I am eating....same goes for anyother food I eat. I also sometimes buy Gerber baby food fruit in the little plastic containers and recycle those for my little portions of carbs, or fruit or veggies...I think they are between 3-4oz...

WOW! I have survived another shift at the hospital. Chocolates, Cookies, cakes, etc everywhere! In between rounds I sit in the lounge with collegues and the table in front of me is FULL, I mean FULL of all kinds of goodies I would have gone for last year. :faint: :clap2: This time...hmmmm I guess it is an NSV I sat there several times a day and did NOT have anything!! I went to the fridge and had only the food I brought to eat that day, plus a light yogurt!

I am sure I am not the only one with this experience... how have you handled it? Tiny tastes? big bites? nothing at all?

Xmas with my family I will try little tastes of everything.

Hi I was looking for a group to belong to I was Banded 28th November so i thought Id take a chance with this one

Hope you are all doing well

Welcome!!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: