crazycoolbutterfly

I am happy for you! And, don't worry about that lump, Dr. Ortiz and his staff will be as awesome as ever and take good care of you!! Take care and have a safe journey home.

First, when this started, I was NOT eating enough. So I would eat a protein bar, or something else under 100 cals, at night. Then, I noticed I don't like to eat breakfast in the morning so, I drink a protein shake, or have a small yogurt. I have a nice big salad with chicken or chili for lunch around 1 or 2p. And I have a late dinner which is about 7 or 8 pm and this seems to work. I guess it's because I really don't feel hungry or want to eat early in the day, but as the day progresses I do want to eat. So I have "irregular" lunch and dinner times, which works for me. I don't stick to a schedule where lunch as at noon and dinner is at 5, so I am not limiting myself of when to eat. I just eat when i feel like i'm hungry or about to get hungry. My dietician says, its not WHEN you eat, it is the AMOUNT you eat (calories) and the exercise you do to maintain or reduce weight loss. It takes some time, but I'm learning to listen to my body again and use food as energy, not as an excuse. It's difficult, but I know this time my weight loss will be for the long haul. Patience and knowledge is a virtue, good luck on your journey.

Solids, o I remember it like yesterday... It's an amazing feeling, while at the same time frightfully delighted--kind of like a roller coaster. You know you want to go for the ride, but then you have that nervous sensation, yet while on it, you can't breathe- but yet your breathing is exhilarating and your laughing so hard that you start to cry. So you get in line to do it again. As for eggs, I LOVE them, but I can’t have them. I have tried them over-easy, scrambled, and just recently boiled -and I get that choking feeling that I absolutely despise and I know that eggs are not for me anymore. Fajitas are awesome, as long as they are tender, however they are HIGH in sodium therefore, I try to stay away from them. High sodium leads to water retention which leads to NO weight loss, and other health issues. And tuna, well I just tried tuna a few days ago, mind you it’s been 11 weeks post-surgery and 1 oz was enough for me. However, peanut butter and jelly, on the other hand is good. I thought I was going to have a problem keeping that down, but I am delighted to say I can eat PB&J. And of course it’s creamy which is just the way I like it. I think you will be fine, just eat slowly but only for about 20-30 minutes, no longer, and before you know it –you’re on your way Oh, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water…sometimes when you get to eat solids again, water is forgotten.

You guys are hillarious! Hey maybe when we do get together in CA of Vegas we can have a "worst/best fart and worst/best burp" contests. Can you imagine the disounts we could get? The waiter would come in to bring our drink orders, and leave so fast that they would forget to take our money Or maybe they would pass out because of the stinks in the air!!!! Ok, enough of that - but really, I only burp when I eat too fast or when I'm "full". That's when I know I need to take smaller bites or stop eating altogether. As for fluctuations, none. And hopefully it stays that way As for the bowel movements, they are normal, it used to be consistently on schedule, like every morning, but now it's daily and unscheduled. If you drink your water and have your protein and fiber, you should be good to go.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. This is a difficult time and I wish you all the best. God Bless.

Your welcome, I just hope everyone gets a minute to see the post...

Hi everyone! I would like to inform you that Continental offers a compassion fare discount of 5% or more ( up to 20%) depending on the amount of your ticket. Just click here and go to Continental Airlines Compassion Fare Discounts and buy your ticket online. You can save for your own ticket as well as your family members or others who may be traveling with you. Don't worry for those of you who used this airline and didn't get the discount, you can still submit your information and receive a refund! Hope this helps out...Take care and God bless

Hey Paula, who are you flying with? On Continental you get a 5% discount when you tell them you are flying due to hospital stay. I keep forgetting to mention this on the forum, but go to Continental Airlines Compassion Fare Discount and you can book online for flying. The flight is probably more this time because of the timeframe, last time you might have booked more in advance and that's why it was lower. On Southwest you can book one way $99 to San Diego, but your return flight is more.. maybe you can go Southwest and fly back Continental? Just a thought... hope it all works out for you.

May journey be successful and fun-"filled"

Michelle, I just noticed your new star and wanted to say NICE GOING!!! you are doing so well! LOVE the new pic!!! :lb13:

Paula, I didnt know you have TWINS, so do I. I have boys that are 14! AWESOME I noticed that with my contacts also, I went in for my annual eye exam and he told me my vision was unchanged, which is great because I normally hear " getting worse", but he also gave my new contacts and IMMEDIATELY noticed that they were not sticking to my upper eye lids. Normally my contacts would stick easily or dry out faster, so i avoided using them. BUT now, I love them! I use them all the time, which is awesome because summer time I get to wear my "normal and stylish" shades

MEEE TOOO! I used to buy a size 8, now I buy size 7. I hope to go back to my 5 1/2. Way to go! I'm glad you are doing awesome.

Great job ladies! a NSV for me, was when someone else noticed I'm losing weight. I can't see the difference, even though i should by now, I just don't see a difference? over the weekend my mom came and visited (since mother's day) and noticed that I AM losing weight. I guess it's just reassurance? Still felt good PS. she doesnt know i had surgery...actually no one els knows -except my husband and my best friend.

I'm lilke Ute, mornings are difficult, even with water. It's been like that from the beginning. I'm not a breakfast person anyway, so I also drink a protien shake or have a small yogurt to start the day. But then by night time, DONT dare bring me a steak or cake or other foods I would normally avoid! I can eat just about anything, except for soft buttered rolls, tortillas, and steamed rice. I NEVER can eat those items. Which I'm glad, but at the same time sad, because hot soft buttered rolls are my FAVORITE, well I should say WERE. I guess the food in the esophagus, like mamamichelle, mentions is accurate. I also find that if I wait TOO long to drink fluids, then have a COLD drink, I get that pressure feeling. So all of the things combined could be causing it. So what I do is drink water MORE than I eat. Even if I'm hungry, I will drink a 8 oz glass of room temperature water, and usually, I was actually thirsty and NOT hungry. But on occasion, if it turns out I'm hungry, then I eat a small snack (under 100 cals). Normally I can have a protien shake for breakfast, a nice big salad with chicken or chili for lunch, and then 4 oz fish / chicken and 1 cup steamed veggies. That's it. Sometimes at night when I feel "hungry" I have a sugar free pudding, or something light like that. All day I drink water, slender fuze, water, vitamin water, water, tea, water -in that order, because I stay away from high calorie drinks so I start with low to high -if I even get to the high cal drinks...at times all i feel like drinking is water. Nutty huh? Maybe if you start to keep a food and drink log daily, for a few days, you will notice what is causing it? I'm happy to hear that you have restriction, and hope you dont have to go back for an "unfill".

I hope everything goes well for you this month while waiting, maybe you can do the pre-op diet to keep you in check, or Maybe if you call, like once a week and ask if there were cancellations if they could squeeze you in? Good luck.

Like I tell my boys when they go hiking "Now you know!" and we all laugh about it! There is ALWAYS an adventure when you go for a hike, whether 30 minutes or in your case 9 HOURS! I went with them ONCE and I wont try it again, well maybe after I lose a few more pounds? Glad to hear you came out of it ok

I have to agree with you Paula, it IS difficult - especially after dropping major $$ and not seeing faster results... and the percentage (thesuse) mentions makes it sound better by rationality When I went in for my fill, on June 16th, I told Dr Acosta I was a little disappointed with the weight loss- because I am exercising (which I would have already stopped doing, before the banding) and I do not drink when I eat, and you know, doing the majority of the things I am supposed to do… but still see SLOW loss. And he looks at me and tells me, “You’re doing GREAT!!” I thought he was NUTS! I gave him that look, “ya you’re just saying that because I am a patient and you don’t want to discourage me” look… BUT when I came back from vacation and updated my stats… well I have to admit I am doing GREAT! 30 pounds in about 12 weeks averages a loss of 2.5 pounds a week!! Which is better than “average” THANK YOU GOD!!! So, IF I can do it, YOU can TOO :lb11:

Hi ya'll! I know, I know, I need to post sooner and more often... it's just been a busy month, BUT I'm back... I'm So looking forward to this month because I get to work on my ABS!!! Finally, 3 months! Thanks for the encouragement Lynn!! Mon June 23 -Walk moderate 1 hr Wed June 25 -Walk moderate 1 hr Fri June 27 -Walk moderate 1 hr Sat june 28 -Walk moderate 1 hr Mon June 30 -Elliptical 30 minutes It's good to see you Paula!! How's the fill coming along?

I am pretty regular and had an usual cycle after surgery, it just came earlier than normal and had some in between spotting, however just figured due to change in eating, exercising etc.. so assumed it was normal. Then, exactly 28 days later again, but went back into my "normal" mode. So really not a big deal, other than the band does feel TIGHTER during PMS and Dr Acosta WARNED that during cycle my band feels tighter, I should eat softer foods and REALLY chew thoroughly, swallow slowly and STOP when I even TWINGE of fullness because then I could get sliming or spit up

Well :lb5: everyone! I know I've been MIA here on the forum, however, we have been on vacation and loving it! Ok here is my update for the past two weeks, and NO I am not fibbing... Mon June 9 Walk moderate 1 hr Tue June 10 Walk moderate 1 hr Wed June 11 Walk moderate 1 hr Thu June 12 Walk moderate 1 hr Fri June 13 Walk moderate 3 hrs Sat June 14 Walk moderate 3 hrs Sun June 15 Walk moderate 3 hrs Mon June 16 Walk moderate 3 hrs (after my fill with Dr Acosta in TJ -aka Tijuana) Tue June 17 Walk moderate 3 hrs Wed June 18 Walk moderate 3 hrs Thu June 19 Walk moderate 3 hrs Fri June 20 Walk moderate 1 hr During the 3 hour walks, I was sight seeing, shopping, and spending time with my family uphill, downhill, straight cement sidewalks, streets, grass -you name it Alot of fun on vacation, lots to do with limited time so always in a hurry

Feliz cumpleaños! Dr. Ortiz, and MANY more!! :lb21: Best Wishes!!

Wed June 4- 30 minutes "easy" elliptical Thu June 5 - nothing- i'm sick with a sore throat (strep), but went to the dr and got antibiotics, he said i should be good to go by Saturday Thanks for the cheers lynn, i would LOVE to fit into Victoria's lingerie SOON--my husband would be gaagaa

I agree with the previous posts.. YOU NEED REST. you may think you are well enough to handle the stress and emotion of going back to work, but from what it sounds you are OVER worked and need time off to recoup. I think headaches are the first signs of overload. Maybe you could review a video that shows the entire surgery and what your body is put through to realize how much trauma it has endured. Put it this way, if you don't get rest NOW you will pay for it LATER. OH and you definetly have to WALK WALK WALK...make some time- even 10 minutes every three or four hours, make it like a "smoke break" or "coffee break" but instead "WALK break" this will relieve your gas as well as start setting you up for longer walks which will help you lose and tone faster. Of course this is strictly my opinion and hope that you do take care of yourself because if you don't who will? :lb23:

Tuesday June 3 - Elliptical 30 minutes on program 5 which kicked my rear into HIGH gear :lb25: Thanks Lynn for doing this for the month of June :lb13: