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Dawnie I know! I always think it takes FOREVER to eat now.. usually I lose interest in food. I find that I can have a few bites of something and then have to wait 30 min to have a few more bites. I usually just give up but for Pinto's and cheese I will take it slow and eat the entire thing.

Hi Jessica.. it looks like it's split even on people who will only use fluro and those who are ok w/ blind fills. My first fill I went back to the OCC because I wanted to make sure everything was fine. It was! I have had 2 fills since then here in Portland, OR from Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick who does NOT use Fluro and they have been great! She has a lot of experience and does a ton of fills. If I ever need another fill I would try and go back to OCC for peace of mind and a "check up".... I think for peace of mind go back to OCC for your first fill and then maybe locally after that. Maybe you can do an "every other" time. Good luck w/ your decision and keep us posted.

Welcome home to P-town Stormy + hubby! The sun is trying to peek through the clouds today so hopefully that will make for some good walking weather.. remember sip sip sip... walk walk walk. Keep us posted!

I rarely go to fast food since being banded but there are times when I am dying for some drive through... I love taco bell pinto's & cheese. 180 calories, 10 grams of protein! It takes me about 45min to eat the entire portion but I enjoy every bite of it. This might be an option for some other bandsters who want something quick without going overboard. Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 serving (128.0 g) Amount Per Serving Calories 180 Calories from Fat 63 Total Fat 7.0g11% Saturated Fat 3.5g Cholesterol 15mg Sodium 700mg Total Carbohydrates 20.0g Dietary Fiber 6.0g Sugars 1.0g Protein 10.0g *PS* I also make little 1/4 cup portions at home.. 1/4 cup refried beans, 1 packet of taco bell mild or hot sauce then about 1/2oz of sharp cheddar cheese. I make 5 at the beginning of my work week and take a couple to work. It's a great quick meal/snack etc...

Everywhere has been sold out. I found this one on craigslist.com and paid $110. They sell for $89.99 in the stores. I was ok with the $20 mark up (it was sealed in box and came with a receipt) and and I didn't have to hunt around any longer.

OMG! I am "obese" "unbalanced" and my wii fit age is 47! (aack!)

I just bought the Wii fit.. I haven't even opened it yet. LOL I just had to post that I got one and wondering if anyone wants to start a WII fit challenge???

Welcome to Bandland! Glad you could join us!

alight.com curvygirlclothing.com hipsandcurves.com sizeappeal.com torrid.com avenue.com just a few off the top of my head.

Congrats on your fill! Remember that it can some times and for some people take a little while for their fill to "kick in" so don't be alarmed if you still don't feel much restriction for a few days/weeks... it will happen. Keep us posted!

:-h HI Ramona, yes it's me! You're 3/24 banding buddy Thanks for the compliment thanks for noticing

My views on food, my DESIRE for food have compltely changed. Do I think about food? heck ya but not like in the past. I use to go to bed thinking about what I could eat in the morning and the next day. I had my meals planned out b/4 I left the house in the morning. I obsessed about food, eating it all the time! Now.. I don't even give it that much thought. Seriously. I make sure I have my "staples" in my kitchen which for me are the following: protein drink refried beans / chili beans / black beans sharp cheddar cheese chicken thighs zucchini, or other veggies clam chowder/ split pea / chicken noodle canned diced tomatoes liquid vitamins sugar free hazelnut creamer At night which was my worst time if I have little or no restriction I will chug water! LOL I miss being able to down 32oz of any liquid! I am on my 3rd fill and it's definitely my *sweet spot*... food has ceased to become my obsession. thank god

Hey Stormy.. I brought back, tequilla, belite (similiar but better than crystal lite), ceramic, dress, jewlery, snacks in spanish.. LOL.. oh and tramadol. My mom brought back viagra and tequilla. I didn't have any problems with anything. I've been twice. 2nd time I brought back several bottles of liquor.

I really encourage you to call the OCC and speak to Carolyn or any other associate who will be able to answer all your questions regarding deposits, financing, payment etc... They will tell you EXACTLY what is required by the OCC and they are the final word. Good luck, see you in bandster land.

I avoided voting for March because of various spring breaks all over the U.S... families having to find stuff for their kids, vacations and higher flight/hotel costs. I didn't pic February becasue it is still cold.. LOL... I voted for the last weekend in April because I'm hoping it will be 1. warmer in CALI & 2. it's after spring breaks and should be less crowded/expensive. xoxoxo

My 3rd fill was a large fill and ended up being to much... 3 days later I had to go get an unfill... went from 3.1cc to 2.9cc's.. those 3 days were HELL! ugh.. I now exactly what you mean. Bigger is NOT always better... well unless of course we're talking about a hot man but that's a different forum. xo

You haven't lost any of your boobs?!?!? I have gone from a D cup to a droopy C... ( ( ( WTF!! sooo sad. my BF was like... wow... um.. Mindy your boobs are getting smaller... LOL ha!

GIRL BARB!!! I posted a topic looking for you.. I just saw your e/mail from a couple weeks ago.. when I tried to reply it says your inbox is full. If you give me an e/mail address I'll e/mail you Mindy

Barb I just saw the e/mail you sent me like 3 weeks ago! ugh.. I'm sooo sorry. I tried to reply to you but it says your inbox is full and wouldn't let me send it. Please let me know how I can send you the information you asked for. xoxox

This is a topic I've wanted to discuss... my BEST friend and I have been friends for 14 years.. we were always fat and have gotten fatter together over the years. We love to eat/shop/drink and eat some more. She was not supportive of my decision to get banded.. thought that I "knew" how to lose the weight just "didn't do it" ... now that I am down the 55lbs and weigh less than her our friendship has/is suffering. She tells me that I'm no fun anymore because I can't go out and eat/drink with her.. we do go out and but there are times, we all know how finicky the band can be, that I absolutely can't get anything down. When I can get something down it's usually 1 drink followed by a small portion of food then nothing more to drink for a minimum of 30 minutes.. it pisses her off.. she says that she is getting fatter becasue she has to eat my food and finish my drinks. I am VERY sad about it. In the past we have always gone on long walks together but she rarely does that with me anymore... she never says 1 word about my weight loss or how I look. I don't bring it up or mention any of my NSV or Scale victories because I don't want it to seem like I'm being haha look at me.. but shit she's my BEST FRIEND and I would really like her to continue to be at the very least friendly to me!!! My feelings are very hurt I've been trying to cultivate closer relationships with other friends but we all know it's just not the same as your best friend. thanks for letting me vent.. I needed to put that out there.

OMG Barb! I laughed out loud and gave my BF a heartattack when I read your post! I use to have the same problem with the bathtub.. LOL.. unless you've been there you can't know how GREAT it feels not to do it anymore! hahaha.. congrats my band sister. xoxox

I also bought the drinkable vitamins fruits/veggies at costco a couple weeks ago and LOVE it! It tastes really good, I take 2 tablespoons everyday. I didn't know about the fuze.. I will be looking for that! Thanks

=D> PHoenix, thank you for that post. I'm so glad you took the initiative and knowing someting was not right went to your doctor. It is VERY easy, at times, to compare yourself with out bandsters on the forum and leave feeling a little like your not quite up to snuff... I go through those stages also.. then I remind myself that I will get to my goal it might just take a little longer. Please keep updating us on your progress and results. >

I ate fish sauteed in tomatoes, oinions and zucchini my first meal.... fish never tasted as good as that first bite! Let us know what you decide.