I was at a support meeting this weekend. There were about 3 woman there that have lost over 100 pounds. I thought it was interesting that they all said that they notice their noses running when they are full.

that is funny!

AFter my surgery I plan on attending those meetings.

Tracy...that was the first one of Dr. Malley's Support group meetings I had been too. Here is some of the other things we talked about. I am just copying and pasting from another post...

There was about 15 people there. Four of them lost over a 100 pounds. Three or four of us were newbies. Everyone talked about what was hard for them. I talked about the fact that I had ate 2 pieces of pizza and tons of other junk last week. Everyone said that was normal. Oh...and the leader gave me a spoon and fork...it was tiny! It's to help teach me to eat smaller bites. The meeting lasted 2 hours. It was worth it and I enjoyed it. Very helpful. I am motivated again...LOL.

One suggestion that I liked was that cooking in a crockpot helps make meats more tender, so that it is easier to eat. Some people were worried about not being able to chew their meat. I fixed some beef stew today...yummy!

Another suggesion was that we eat Protein bars for Breakfast or just some kind of protein instead of a carb because the carbs will just make you hungrier the rest of the day. Low Low carbs...worked for all these woman the best.

I can't think of anything else, but if I do I will update this.

I went bowling last weekend and this weekend I took my kids to the skating rink. I am trying to exercise, but I hate to exercise, so I am trying to think of something I can do with my kids too. It was fun and they learned a little bit about skating. I didn't even fall.

Hope any of this helps....stay warm!

UPDATE! Another thing they were saying that will sound very weird is that they all have found that their noses run when they are full :speechles

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Runny noses are a VERY common "soft stop" - a "soft stop" being a signal from your body that you've eaten what you can, and anything else could push you into discomfort. A lot of people consider it to be the "one more bite and you're in trouble" indicator. Runny noses, sighing, hiccups, and watery eyes are among the more common soft stop symptoms.

As for breakfast Protein bars - wouldn't necessarily agree. Have you looked at the carb counts in most of the Protein Bars out there? Holy moley! You have a lot of other protein based alternatives out there, even for on the go, that are better nutritional choices.

Several of us in our local support group do best when we keep carbs under 50 per day. I personally do best when they're between 20 and 30. This gives you a) high protein that we require and benefits of low-carb targetted weight loss, as well as c) fullness that Proteins give you.

Another tip - don't rely on soft proteins like cottage cheese. Give your body something it has to digest, a "hard" protein. Will help you stay full a LOT longer.

Any other questions? (I'm not a patient of Dr. Malley's, but I'm in Kansas City and happy to help)

The first sign that I know that I've eaten enough is my nose starts to run. It's not subtle, if I take another bite or two, I develop back pain and, occasionally, some chest pain... the golfball feeling. The bottom line? LISTEN to your body and pay attention to the sign it sends.

I have never experienced the runny nose sign. My sign is a very loud, obnoxious hiccup (just lovely when dining out or with company). When that happens, I better stop eating or bad things are bound to happen!

The runny nose thing is very common. Take it as a sign of being FULL! I did not noticed so much when I did not have much in my band but now that the restriction is more I really notice it. Watery eyes, hiccups and the runny nose are all good indications of when to stop eating. Good luck everyone.

Thanks guys.. I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY!!! Very interesting.....

I get the runny nose, hiccups and too much saliva forming. I know it's time. If I don't ....then I'm very sorry.

Also, it's been 3 months for me and I still have a problem taking small bites. I try too much in a mouthful and then it gets stuck. That's no fun at all.

I guess i'll eventually learn how to take smaller bites as too.

Another tip - don't rely on soft Proteins like cottage cheese. Give your body something it has to digest, a "hard" Protein. Will help you stay full a LOT longer.

Any other questions? (I'm not a patient of Dr. Malley's, but I'm in Kansas City and happy to help)

I have a question - what are some "hard" proteins. I just had surgery 12/11 so I'm just out of the mushie/soft food stage and its hard to make good choices, I get my first fill next wed.

Proteins that aren't mushy. For example a piece of fish vs. cottage cheese, or pepperoni chips vs. a protein drink, or a fried egg vs. pudding with protein powder mixed in it. Proteins that have solid substance is maybe a better way to word it.

This provide something to sit in our pouches, which gives us the full sensation. (Long story short). An egg is going to sit there and pass more slowly than, say, a protein drink.

I get a runny nose now when I'm full, and I won't be banded until Monday.

I get a lot of runny noses; that's why I'm overweight!

PRBrooksie,

How long after you were banded did you go bowling? I'm hoping to be banded in February by Dr. Malley and I bowl on a league. I'm assuming I won't be able to bowl for a few weeks.

Sharon

Hi, I get a runny nose everytime I eat chillies! :eek: Susannah

Yep, no joke about the runny nose. When mine start to go athletic it's time to push back from the table otherwise it will be time to run down the hall to visiti the porcelain crown.

PRBrooksie,

How long after you were banded did you go bowling? I'm hoping to be banded in February by Dr. Malley and I bowl on a league. I'm assuming I won't be able to bowl for a few weeks.

Sharon

Sharon...I didn't go bowling for weeks after the surgery I had my surgery 11/2 and it was 12/30 for the 1st time, but I only bowled one game and my left side started to hurt. Then the 2nd time was 1/6. I bowled 3 games and I made it. I guess it would just depend on you, but I would do it for a couple of weeks.