Kris_TX

I work for a chocolate factory!! I work on the line that enrobes things in chocolate, like all the nuts and pretzel rods and twists. We make speciality items also like s'mores and they are working on making chocolate covered blueberries... OMG are they good, I tried some of the sample runs last year. That's not the worst part of working there, the worst part is... from the day you start working there, you are told that you can eat whatever you want, as much as you want, you just can take it off the floor!!! [Like to the breakroom or home.] I've been there 2 years and gained 55lbs!!! And I have summers off!! We make all holiday candies, different sized Easter eggs [up to 5lbs.!] Dark chocolate, milk chocolate and we have our own chef that makes caramel, marshmallow and all the cremes and nogout[?] from scratch!! :lb12:

I used to take banana's in and run them through the enrober on the days we did peanut butter on one enrober and chocolate on the other. :cray:

OMG...I gained weight just reading about your job!

No idea who Paula Dean is...guessing this is a show we don't get in Mexico!

Well, I've just gotten back from having a COMPLETE unfill. My last fill was nearly 2 years ago, and I've never had a problem...but, this new antibiotic is absolutely brutal and is aggravating my band something awful. I thought he would just take out a little, but he took out all 2.3 CC's and said it has to stay out for the next 2-3 weeks to give my stomach time to heal. The antibiotic is almost worse than the food poisoning! I can already feel a difference though. I have been miserable the last couple of days...my stomach so inflamed that I could actually feel how tight my band was. Already with no fluid, can drink and eat again.

I see on the news that they still don't know where the outbreak of the Salmonella originated. Dern tomatoes are probably from Mexico!

I have been banded nearly 2 1/2 yrs and its always been this way for me. In my case, its due to being allergic to the planet and having lots of congestion that settles in my band overnight. I can't even think about eating solids until at least midday...usually around 1pm. I've just gotten used to it. With all of the problems I'm having from this stupid food poisoning, I think I might have to have a little fluid taken out and we'll see what happens then.

Good Luck!

Cathy,

Glad you are doing well. I wasn't sore after surgery...up and about soon after. Only my port site was a bit sore, but that's it. I wasn't hungry for about 3 weeks after surgery...amazing, but true! Stick to your prescribed diet and beware of "mental hunger". You'll do great!

I understand that the US is having an outbreak of Salmonella Food Poisoning. It hit Cancun too. I am in my second week of fighting this horrible bacteria, and on my second round of antibiotics--spent time in the hospital and now in day 9 in my house. Its moved past my intestine to releasing toxins into my bloodstream, which is causing continued fever, nausea, dizziness, and horrible headaches. Sunlight makes is about a million times worse.

My doctor here told me that having the band changes our metabolism and makes us more open to being hit harder and having a longer recovery. So, just some advice...until this whole thing is under control, be careful of raw foods. I have no idea what I ate that caused this, but am so incredibly frustrated, and well, just tired. Here's hoping 2nd round of antibiotics gets me feeling better soon.

I have never been this sick in my life (and I nearly died as a child)...you don't want anything to do with this bacteria. BE CAREFUL!!

I have an appointment in a couple of weeks to check out my band. With the massive amounts of vomiting that came with the initial infection, better to be safe than sorry. Take Care, guys!

Congratulations on your decision to change your life! Best of luck to you!

Kim,

You have an absolutely gorgeous family! Congratulations on the weight loss and keep up the great work!

I remember the attack of the spammers and porn. Glad its gone. Thanks for all the work you guys do!

Thanks Chad. I reduced the size and finally had success. Cheers...

Congratulations Lauren! That's so great for you!! I just started wearing one for the first time, in...FOREVER!! I'm not completely comfortable in it yet either...we'll both just keep working on it and it'll get better!! Whoo Hoo!!

Thanks Misty! You look fantastic too! Keep up the great work!

Heather,

I've been in the hospital with Salmonella food poisoning this week...sicker than I've ever been in my life (not really the way to lose weight). I vomited more than you can possibly imagine and my band is fine. Still swollen and aggravated, but otherwise fine. Don't worry...just take care of yourself, eat the way you are supposed to and all will be fine!

Take Care,

Kris

The other posters are right...this is mostly mental. The band is a great tool, but wrapping your head around what's really going on and getting a handle on it, is what's going to help you succeed. Have you tried talking to someone (professionally) about why it is that you are turning to food? We all have our own reasons, and I think once we can figure that out and learn to love ourselves (which can be the hardest thing to do)...we can finally let our band help in our weight loss journey.

Don't beat yourself up...we are all in the same boat. If I can offer some advice, it would be to talk to someone. Work out what's going on inside and when you get up in the morning, say out loud "I LIKE ME! I LOVE ME! I FEEL HAPPY, I FEEL HEALTHY, I FEEL SKINNY, AND I FEEL LOVED". It may seem silly, but it really works for me. Once I decided that I was worth something...I decided that I'm worth a lot...then, I let my band work for me.

You are worth a lot. Tell yourself that, believe it, and get busy living!

Hi Cathy,

Here is something I put together to show me 2 years ago (immediately pre-banding...on the left) and now (2 yrs 3 months post-op...on the right). I've still got a little ways left to go, but you can see that this does work! Best of luck to you and Congratulations!

Kris

I've been trying to upload a couple of pics to my album for several days, with no success. After clicking on upload photo, it just takes me to a blank screen. Anybody know what's going on?

Thanks!

Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

Donna,

Stress definitely affects my band. The more stress...the tighter my band. I've no idea why stress causes more restriction...but after two years, I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't!

There are NO services offered in Cancun. I've lived here for nearly two years...I send emails asking if they have any plans to visit (for a check up or a fill), but the answer is no. Go to TJ.

I live in Mexico, and traveled many, many times before making the move. The following is my opinion, based on extensive experience:

If you are out and about, drink bottled water. Hotels in a tourist area-- the water is from the "garrafon" (5 gallon purified water) and is safe to drink. Ice cubes, as long as you can tell they are from a machine (round or cubed) are fine.

Happy Traveling...

Kris

I generally can't eat anything until after 12 o'clock, noon. I am allergic to the planet and have tons of congestion at night (which ends up in my stomach by morning). I have to be "upright" for about 4 or so hours before anything other than liquid will go down.

Congratulations and welcome!

Remember that this is a time for your body to HEAL. If you have weight loss with this, that's great...but, if not, that's ok too! You will start losing after your first or second fill.

Something that has helped me a lot is that I measure on the same day every month. There have been months where I didn't lose so many pounds, but I lost inches. Get a small notebook and write it all down.

Neck:

R Arm:

L Arm:

Bust:

Waist:

Hips:

R Thigh:

L Thigh:

R Calf:

L Calf:

This has helped me tremendously!! I know you're ready for the scales to go down...I really do know. If I can offer you any advice, its this: Calm Down! Let your body heal and get ready for the weight to begin to come off in a few weeks. Use this time to prepare your mind for the way you will be eating for the rest of your life. Your weight loss will come! You're doing GREAT!

Congratulations Dottie! You can really see a difference in your pics! Don't worry about the weight loss being slow...I'm the slowest of slow! Just keep the scales going down...little by little, you'll get there! Great job!! You'll break 200 before you know it! Get ready, because that is an AWESOME day!!

Dr. Miranda gave me a goal weight: 142. I'm only 5'4. That's what I'll hit by my b-day of this year. From there, I'll lose another 5-8 lbs...maybe. I am at 156 right now and in a size 8. My goal size is a size 6. I have figured out that I weigh a lot...so, if I can get to the size, but the numbers aren't there...that's ok too. According to the BMI calculator, at 150, my BMI is what they consider "normal". Where I'm at now is still considered "overweight". If at 142, I'm in my goal size...that'll be great. I'll just concentrate on tightening everything up!