EricaG

So before I went to bed last night I made some quiches in a muffin pan. I made mine similar to the sausage one you have here. I just improvised with what I had in my fridge. I had fresh broccoli, ham, cheese and chives.. so I made a whole pan and before I left for work this morning, I threw one in the microwave before I left and had a yummy breakfast. I usually have a hard time with scrambled eggs but this way, I was able to chew it way better and enjoy every piece. Thank you doll!!

just resize it. if you have a photobucket just edit your picture there... if you still arent sure how let me know.

I had my small black coffee this morning and right after I was done I had 1 (One) Milano cookie... It went down fine since I don't have much restriction... But lately I've been having slime come back up... I usually have to spit and It's gross. It's not a PB, no pain, just gross. Does anyone know what triggers that? I usually stop at this point even if it was my first bite. Just would like to hear your input.

I went to Sams club the other day and bought Carnation instant breakfast essentials ... I just throw it in the blender with some fruit and non fat milk.. and it fills me up until lunch. This is just Breakfast.. I still have trouble with Lunch and dinner. I just eat what everyone else is eating but I disect it and eat the good stuff.. Like my mom made "caldo de pollo" yesterday.. I grabbed a bowl... left the potato out and grabbed some chicken breast and cut it into pieces..with zuchinni and made it a meal... I also had some steamed brown rice with it.

I've always noticed hair in the drain after a shower... nothing has changed.

I just noticed you're getting the sleeve...I have the band

I've always noticed hair in the drain after a shower... nothing has changed.

oh gosh...I know what you mean. My tummy and butt area is so itchy from where I have stretch marks from the weight gain. I'm on the same boat as you are.. I just have to tone up and doubt that i'd need surgery to correct that too. I use BI-OIL after I get out the shower... and let is soak into my skin. I usually get extra itchy now that it's getting cold. But that's what I do and it soothes my skin from the itch.

OMG no-no-no... please tell you you haven't been eating after that.

Stop. your band needs time to heal. I know how hard it is to just go 21 days without eating. We all went through it. I locked myself in my room to get away from the insensitive jerks at home. They cooked and made my favorite foods to mess with me. The worst think I did was put it in my mouth, chew and spit. Then ran to wash my mouth. It's gross but I did NOT EAT. Call OCC and tell them. They should be the ones giving you advice. You're going to hurt yourself if you continue with this. A cheeseburger, no matter the size is NOT worth it. There is so many yummy foods you can eat at this point. I believe this is the soup phase? I'm not too sure but get creative with the soups... blend everything really well and savor them. Make your own soups and don't deprive yourself. A cheeseburger, I repeat... IT IS NOT WORTH YOUR HEALTH. I hope you feel better.

I haven't had one, but normally you can't get anything down - or barely - based on what I've heard - you really know when you have a slipped band.

We all think we do from time to time - its normal to worry. Most of the time its just that we were a little to hard on our ol band and need to go on liquids for a while to get swelling down. Whenever I have any problems I just stick to the liquid diet, that always gets me back to normal.

The band is a tool, if you abuse it you can break - simple as that. Take good care of it, follows the rules and it will take good care of you.

Take care,

Lisa

Thank you Lisa.. I just think I've turned myself into a paranoid wreck. LOL i always think it has slipped. But I'm being extra careful especially because I know I paid for it myself and It's my health I'm talkin bout.. thank you. <3

I personally think you have an advantage to all of us who ran off to get our fills when were able to get our first fill... If you were able to lose weight without the restriction and relied only on your self control, determination, and hard work (not to say, losing weight with restriction is not hard work, IT IS) but I think that now you're actually going to get that extra little kick in the butt to lose more weight. I hope you've been practicing drinking 45 minutes after you eat because with restriction it will actually hurt if you drink after you eat... I don't think you would have any complications if you have already been exercising the small meals and chewing well... If not. Then maybe you'll have to start. Good luck on getting the weight off. I'm getting a fill on the 20th of November.

I stayed at the Marriott but I hear that Camino is waaaaaaaaay better... Marriott was nice to me though. All I cared about was the nice comfy clean bed and pillows and Marriott gets a A+ for that!

I think it all depends on how you feel. Do you feel really hungry in between meals? are you able to eat more than 1/3 or what you're expected to? also most importantly, are you following the rules? drinking 45 mins after eating, chewing very well, eating slowly.. if you're not doing this then maybe you should stop and try doing them for a few days and for some reason your band will adjust. I only say this because that's what I did when I thought I needed a fill and all of a sudden I had restriction!!

Good Luck, all that matters is that you feel well and comfortable with your fill number and restriction.

I did! I also have a ton of old clothes I want to get back into..Especially my size 27 7forallmankind jeans. I was 130 when those fit me. I also have a really sexy wine colored strapless dress I want to fit into soon.

I've felt that sensation where I can feel my band sometimes and I know it's there. I don't feel any restriction right now but I know it's because I could use a fill. I was just wondering since I've noticed an increase of people getting the sleeve or plication after being banded... for those that have been through this, would you mind sharing your experience with the rest of us? I would really like to know what the symptoms are.

I really don't see the dangers of TJ, well I guess it you're affiliated with any of the Mexican Cartels then you should worry, if not..pfft, no biggie. I go there very often and even have family that live further down, in rosarito.

Well I stayed in the Marriott and had no issues. Everything was clean, they were nice, the pillows nice and soft, beds were a bit small but comfy, tons of pillows to sleep comfortably. There was two beds in my room. I went with my bf, and normally we would sleep together but, at a time like this, you don't need anyone hurting you during recovery. So the two beds are very necessary in this case. The broth and the popsicle is a nice added touch. The broth was yummy but the popsicle was not very appetizing. I passed on it. I brought instant broth packets and asked for hot water and they brought it right up. I tried using the coffee maker the first time to heat up water and..OH no. Just ask for it. And don't forget to tip your delivery guy. They seem to be happy to come up to our room and even stayed to tell us what to do, where to eat (my bf), and were very helpful as far as inside tips on how to get around the $20 taxi ride to Rosarito Beach... We only ended up paying like 40 pesos each (3.75 or so) each way.

Some people have complaints about the Marriott but I really don't. I hear that Camino is really nice or nicer, but I've never stayed there.

awesome!! congratz!

I'm actually really glad to see long term bandsters post and finally come back to let us know that there is life 4-5-6 years after banding.. I would hate to be one of those that had to have it removed. I want to live with my band forever. It's actually a blessing to have an assistant help you stay healthy and in line. So glad to hear about your success and may you have many many MANY more years of good health.

ive been setting mini-goal and have had mini-rewards that go along with them --- losing 10% was a new purse, onederland (coincidentally my halfway point too) was a new fabulous jacket at H&M, fitting into size ten jeans was a hot pair of jeans (got a pair at the GAP they were twice as expensive as any jean ive bought to date but so fabulous and the fact that i fit in to them was cause enough!). im 21.9 lbs from goal weight and when I get there, my sister is buying us a ticket to las vegas!

my personal reward for getting to goal wt is shopping in NYC. my little cousin is graduating college and im taking her to NYC in march for her final spring break. that will be one year from the beginnign of my journey and I hope to be at goal weight and have a fabulous shopping experience.

cant wait!

ps) this is my sister's reward for when she hits goal, courtesy of her hubby: http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod23450087&ecid=BGCIFroogleFeed&003=5842946&010=X04QV&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=X04QV

that's awesome, so digging the Christian Loubotins!

I am coming in for my second fill on 12/9 (a Thursday) with my appointment at 12:30pm. I am curious about how long it will take to cross the border back into the US on a Thursday around that time? I ask because there is a flight out of San Diego at 2:40p that would be great to get, but I am concerned that I would be seriously pushing it. I know that when I had my fill last time the whole process took about 15 mins, however, the border crossing was almost 2 hrs. But that was on a Saturday afternoon. Is it more or less crowded during the week? Am I being overly optimistic about trying to catch that flight?

Oh no... It's usually 1 hour MINIMUM. and that's on a good day.

omg that's so awesome!! and the girlfriend story is just so cute. you guys look great!!

this sounds delish. I keep buying tofu and don't really know what to do with it, except than fry it. This is a great idea and a good way prepare it for the rest of the family.

I have told very few people about my band. Frankly it's no ones business. A lot of my friends and colleagues are what you would call picky eaters so, if we go out and I pick it goes relatively unnoticed. I think we , the bandsters, overthink our situation sometimes. If you're in a group no one is really paying that much attention to what you order. We are self conscious because we know and therefor we think others must know too. If anyone questions a quick "I'm trying to eat healthier" or "I'm trying to watch what I eat" will work. For the soup phase, you can just say that you've had such a craving for soup lately you don't know what's come over you. To tell you the truth I have had a craving for soup lately and I had my second fill in August so it's not like I have to eat it.We can also say "I'm just not that hungry" it sounds weird to hear myself say that but a lot of times it's true. Hey, that's why I got the band in the first place.

Haha... about the soup phase. I went back to work like 2 days after surgery because I just have to sit in front of my computer and answer phones. So I dealt with my liquid diet at work in front of my "food partner in crime" that actually helped me GAIN like 20 lbs.. grr. well I told him I was trying a new thing and "detoxing" that I was going to try doing liquids and soup for a while. LOL he thought I was crazy and that I wouldn't be last 20 days on liquids. Little did he know, I had to. Well since I obviously proved him wrong, he stopped shoving the fast food in my face since I stopped showing an interest in it. But it does get annoying when they bring back food and don't ask me anymore, sometimes I want a salad.

Thanks for the info. I use Bob's Red Mill when cooking but I will try the tip of keeping it in the fridge. I also look for healthy food choices that contain flaxseed, like my new found tortilla chips. I also just made my family pancakes with flaxseed and they were pretty good. I am still having trouble with adding in protein..but just have the liquid form as needed for now. I am also trying out a new program starting the 4 of November to address my new busy lifestyle and hope it works. This plan has prepackaged, fresh organic foods, delivered to your door on a weekly basis. By working day and night I have found I am finding little time to eat properly (meaning healthfully) and I hope this helps..I live alone so I don't want to cook or eat at 11 PM when I get home...I will let you know how it goes, I am trying the three week trial plan. Keeping giving us those healthy hints!

Oh wow that's great. Let us know how that works out for you..

I'm a sucker for things that are made with flax seed too..lol but you know whatt!! I never added them into my pancakes!!And that's a great way to fool my bf into eating it..LOL he think's it's gross. I usually just drink it with some juice or in my yogurt. I'm glad you guys are giving me all these extra little ideas.

First of all, Congratz on getting banded. I got banded in Dec 2009. I'm sure the band is going to work well for you, you just have to put in the work. Which is not all that bad when you start seeing results.

I haven't really heard much about it. I read a few post and I think it's kinda like a bypass but they don't cut, they pretty much fold? and It's reversible.Well...I'm not sure. I'm a bandster... and I'm happy with my decision I made and I wouldn't change it for the world. But I do think it's nice that people have more options at the OCC... I'm confident that what ever they do there, they do beautifully. They're good at what they do.

I had a similar issue. I was pretty much spitting up... I wouldn't call it vomiting. I was spitting after each meal and sometimes I wasn't able to keep anything down at times. But I have to admit that I wasn't chewing well enough and sometimes eating things I know my band doesn't like. I don't think I was too tight. I think the restriction was just fine. I just had a lousy time adjusting to it and wasn't really helping it along.

I also have to admit to making myself throw up when I felt like I was about to get stuck... which is a huge NO-NO.

I didn't do it very often but I did it instead of stopping myself and chewing some more. I also irritated my band when I got sick and threw up a few times... I woke up with a chest pain and felt sore around the band area.

I called Dr.So and he told me to go on a 3 day liquid diet... It helped a lot. I learned my lesson the hard way. It's not worth it, It could've been worse but I'm not going to take that chance anymore. Also, as soon as I started to pace myself with this fill ... and baby my band, It's showing me love..LOL I started to lose weight.