bogiesmom

It seems like most people with the Realize Band do not have restriction until upwards of 7cc's: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f278/how-many-ccs-your-band-how-86086/index8.html

You and I are in the same boat. I have the same band as you and frankly resent it. Still waiting for the thousands of dollars in investment to start paying off. Friday is my 4 month bandiversary and still waiting to cash out. I lost 18 pounds with Weight Watchers so far in 4 months. 4h fill at the OCC coming this month. See, just what I expected, you are at 7cc w/o restriction & I am at 6.6cc, which tells me my gut instinct is correct. I am going to need at least 7.5cc but that will mean another fill next month too.

The tragic thing is that my TOM is not regular so there is no way to tell if I am going to be TOM or not when I schedule the fills. Last fill I was & I could not cancel due to my schedule being pretty tight at work. I have a feeling I am going to be TOM at this 4th fill also which means chances are I am going back to the OCC for a 5th fill next month as well. It is hard to explain but I just have this gut feeling that I am going to need at least 7.5cc for ideal restriction and right now I am only at 6.6CC. If I am TOM at my next fill this month then I will be lucky if I can get brought up to 7cc. It is a damn process and THANK GOD for Weight Watchers or I would be screwed royally. I can't help resenting the fact that I do not have the 4cc band! The resentment will keep eating at me until I get what I paid for and that is the part that makes me go into these freaking spastic angry rampages. I hate the giagantor band and even though I know beyond a doubt that those with the smaller ones have to have just as many fills, I feel as though that my body would have been better suited for the smaller band and I would have reached ideal restriction sooner with it. At least the band is working in one sense from day 1...I no longer have heartburn every other day & I have way less gas downstairs

Ahhh, the joys of suburbian living! The nearest Sonic to me is 25 miles away Eateries I wish we had in the city but do not: Golden Spoons Fresh N' Easy Olive Garden Red Lobster Sam's Club White Castle (okay, I know, there are none in California but a girl can dream can't she?) CC's Pizza & Pasta

This is exactly why I chose not to tell anyone as they tend to play into the media hype.

WW POINTS® Tracker entries Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Morning 1 serving(s) Think Pink Honey Oat Bar 2 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 Tbsp sugar 1 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 Subtotal 4.5 Midday 1/2 cup(s) cooked zucchini 0 1/4 cup(s) tomato(es) 0 1/4 cup(s) cooked onions 0.5 1/4 cup(s) cooked eggplant 0 2/3 cup(s) Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 3 3 item(s) egg white(s) 1 1/2 cup(s) cooked spinach 0 Subtotal 4.5 Evening 2/3 serving(s) Gardenburger Veggie Pattie 2.5 1 serving(s) Oroweat Multi Grain White Sandwich Thins 1 1 wedge(s) Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor 1 1/2 cup(s) Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 2 1 serving(s) Popchips 100 calorie pack 2 Subtotal 8.5 Anytime No entries for this meal time. Subtotal 0 Food POINTS values total used 17.5 Food POINTS values remaining 4.5 Activity 20 min Walking upstairs, carrying 1-24 pound load 1 Activity POINTS values earned 1

I am not a big breakfast person and I am really busy in the mornings. What I have found that works for me is to get a big box of granola bars (Fiber One, Kellog's Special K, Nature Valley, etc.) from Costco and on Monday mornings take a bunch to work with me and keep them stocked in my drawer. I find that it is enough to get the metabolism going and keep my appitite at bay until lunch. The OCC fround apon my eating cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, which was my first choice. I love instant oatmeal.

Melanie AKA Skymoon1982 from Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/skymoon1982#p/u/2/eqBaO_RGv2I mentioned that a plastic surgeon recommended products from this web site to aid in the healing of scars: http://www.makemeheal.com/mmh/home.do I am going to order some stuff from here myself since she really liked here consultation with him at the Las Vegas WLS meet & greet.

Storm, Please get in touch with me. I know you are trying to be strong but we really do nee to catch up in person. You do not deserve to be treated that way. Resentment has a way of festering for long periods of time. Also, the next time you are in the market pick up a box of Nestle Rich Hot Chocholate powder mix WITH CARMEL. It is literally a liquid candy bar for 100 calories a serving.

WW POINTS® Tracker entries Tuesday, March 09, 2010 Morning 1 serving(s) Think Pink Cranberry Nut Bar 2 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 Subtotal 4.5 Midday 1 oz gorgonzola cheese 3 1 cup(s) tomato(es) 0 10 nut(s) almonds 1.5 3 cup(s) Iceberg lettuce 0 1/8 cup(s) homemade croutons 0.5 1 cup(s) red onion(s) 0 1 item(s) cooked chicken fillet 3 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing 2 Subtotal 10 Evening 1 serving(s) Popchips 100 calorie pack 2 1/2 cup(s) Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 2 3/4 Taco Soup 1.5 Subtotal 5.5 Anytime 1 large tangerine(s) 1 Subtotal 1 Food POINTS values total used 21 Food POINTS values remaining 1 Activity 30 min elliptical trainer, moderate intensity 2 Activity POINTS values earned 2

New Products Alert c/o Hungry-girl.com: How Now, Laughing Cow?! BREAKING CHEESE NEWS!!! We mentioned last week that three new flavors of The Laughing Cow Light cheese wedges were soon to come... and now we've got the FULL 411. Put on your cheese hats, and prepare for good news! The new flavors are... drumroll, please... Blue Cheese, Queso Fresco & Chipotle, and Mozzarella, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil!!! (That's one exclam for each new cheese.) There are no words to describe how RIDICULOUSLY FANTASTIC these 35-calorie wedges taste... We can't even pick a favorite! We're beyond ecstatic and have already begun to create new recipes with 'em. Start looking for these in June alongside the rest of the LC cheese wheels (sometimes stocked with the gourmet cheese or near the crackers). Then you can join in our crazy Cow-themed celebration. Moo with us, people! MOOOOOO!!! Cow-abunga! Yummy! Fast Food 411: New Stuff Popping Up at Popular Chains Jack in the Box has released a slew of "grilled" items, some HG-friendly and some not. The Chicken Fajita Pita isn't bad at all, with 326 calories and 10g fat (POINTS® value 7*). And the cheese-topped Grilled Chicken Salad is impressive with only 251 calories and 9g fat (POINTS® value 5*), not including the dressing and croutons that come on the side. But don't be fooled by Jack's Grilled Sandwiches -- with 600+ calories and about 30 fat grams, they're as fattening as some of the burgers. Speaking of burger joints, McDonald's is testing out oatmeal in select regions, like Northern CA, as well as Real Fruit Smoothies in Vancouver, where Olympics attendees got a sneak sip. Those smoothies are scheduled for a summer rollout in the States, and the fate of the oatmeal is yet to be determined. We're eager to see the official stats on those items. And finally, Jamba Juice has branched out of the cold-drinks-only game and launched hot chocolate and tea lattes. A 12-oz. Classic Hot Chocolate made with nonfat milk has 220 calories and 1.5g fat (POINTS® value 4*), and a 12-oz. tea latte with nonfat milk has 150 - 170 cals and 0 - 1g fat (POINTS® value 3*). Mmmmm! Just beware of Jamba's soymilk, which can cause fat grams to rise kinda quickly in those hot drinks.

Absolutely! Just feel free to laugh at my temporary insanity and take my emotional breakdowns with a grain of salt.

Please do not take my outburst too seriously. I was just venting. As Angie says: "I'm touring with the band" and I know the tour is not going to be over anytime soon so I just have to learn to enjoy it (but I am still refuse to "Love" my band). Oh, and although I would like to believe that they give you what's good for you...I personally think that is a bunch of horse hay since the majority of us who got banded over the last several months have the same exact band. This is nothing against you or your opinion, I just think there is a backstory there that goes much deeper then that. Tissy fit over and ready to move on...

Warning...Bogiesmom blowing a gasket and having a tissy fit! Let me type this out of my system... Okay, here is the deal, I am going back to the OCC for a needed 4th fill in 4 months. I am angry and pissed, yes, I am. I am not one of those gals shouting I love my band. I hate the fact that I got the giagantor band. I do not want to make any waves by saying this. It is just that I am frustrated with having NO restriction and I asked for the smaller band and did not get it, knowing that I required the samller band. I think this crap about only needing 2-3 fills only apply to a small group of people and most of them with the samller band. I see myself having to go for a 5th fill in 5 months frankly. I love Weight Watchers and this is what HAS been working ... NOT THE FREAKING BAND. I honestly think I need at least 7.5cc before I start feeling ANY restriction & the OCC has been extremely conservative in my fills and that pisses me off to no end. My band sucks ass right now and has for the last 4 months. Thanks for reading and now I need a drink but will NOT have one since I cant afford the calories. At this point, thinking about getting Bogie enrolled into a "Service Dog" program so he can assist me when I go on these f****ing rampages, cause Lord only knows when the band will start working and I am probably going to have a lot more tissy fits between now & then!

2 Buck Chuck!!! Mmmmmm...now I need a few bottles!

Apparently there have been several attempts in the past in terms of getting an OCC meet & greet off the ground but those attempts were unsuccessful. My understanding is that it did not happen due to the OCC wanting the patients to organize something and the patients not wanting to get on board & spend the money unless it was an OCC event and not some casual meet & greet put together by a committee of patients. So you can see that both sides were at cross purposes. My response from the email I sent to the OCC was that they feel that such an event would be a huge & expensive undertaking and it is one that they cannot commit to. I purposed some ideas to the OCC for off-setting costs such as a registration fee & combining a meet and greet event with a prospective patient orientation. However, I am not getting the vibe that the OCC is interested at this time. That being said, I have decided to attend a Weight Loss Conference being sponsored by obesityhelp.com the weekend of 5/21 5/22 in Costa Mesa. It looks like they are going to have a great panel of WLS speakers and I would love it if any of my fellow OCC bandsters would like to meet up with me at the event. The registration fee is only $60.00 and it is being held at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa where the event rate is $99 per night for guest rooms. I have included a link here for anyone who might be interested in attending. Weight Loss Conference

WW POINTS® Tracker entries Monday, March 08, 2010 Morning 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 1 bar(s) Chewy Granola Yogurt Coated Bar Blueberry Yogurt Chewy Granola Bar 3 Subtotal 5.5 Midday 1/2 serving(s) CPK Chopped BBQ Chicken Salad 6.5 Subtotal 6.5 Evening No entries for this meal time. Subtotal 0 Anytime No entries for this meal time. Subtotal 0 Food POINTS values total used 12 Food POINTS values remaining 10

Your my hero!!! The angels in heaven are rejoicing to you God given talents! Take that Rachel Ray! When can you move in with me? You can have the bedroom and I'll sleep on the couch and I promise to kiss the carpet you walk on (dog hair and all)

Thanks Debbie It is a pleasure to be here

WW POINTS® Tracker entries Sunday, March 07, 2010 Morning 1/2 serving(s) Gardenburger Veggie Pattie 1.5 1/2 cup(s) Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 2 1 serving(s) Thomas' Bagel Thins 1 1 wedge(s) Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor 1 2 Tbsp Coffee-Mate French Vanilla Liquid Creamer 1.5 1 Tbsp sugar 1 1 tsp coffee, instant or regular, powder 0 Subtotal 8 Midday 1 can(s) Chunk light tuna in water (3 oz can) 1 1 1/2 wedge(s) Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor 1.5 1 serving(s) Popchips 100 calorie pack 2 1 serving(s) Oroweat Muti Grain White Sandwich Thins 1 3/4 Taco Soup 1.5 Subtotal 7 Evening 1/2 cup(s) Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese 2 2 serving(s) Basil Pesto Tilapia 5.5 Subtotal 7.5 Food POINTS values total used 22.5 Food POINTS values remaining 0 Activity 30 min elliptical trainer, moderate intensity 2 Activity POINTS values earned 2

I know a few of you are struggling with the liquid phase right now so I want to purpose a little mind game challenge that REALLY helped me through 21 days of liquids... Your mission over the next 21 days is to find as many interesting, exotic, flavor-filled combinations of liquids that you possibly can. You must venture out to every corner market, culturally diverse, hole-in-the wall joint in your immediate universe (yes, the internet universe counts!). You must be creative! This is especially true when ordering off a menu. If something comes in liquid form but has chunky ingrediants asking them to remove said ingrediants. If you are not accustomed to asking for food prepared to your liking then now is a good time to get used to it as you will be special ordering for the rest of your life. Watch "When Harry Met Sally" for inspiration as it is an art form. And go ahead and purchase the canned egg drop soup and strain & add seasoning to give it a little kick. Lastly, you must post you findings here so everyone can share in your new found glory and kiss the ground you walk on! The prizes include dramatic weight loss, an over abundance in self esteem, golden knowledge, and let's not forget great products! Some places of interest include but are not limited to: Trader Joes Whole Foods Fresh N' Easy Costco Target 99 Cent Only Store Sam's Club Japanese Restaurants Indian Restaurants Brazilian Restaurants Peruvian Cuisine Persian eateries Juice & Smoothie Bars Starbucks Korean Markets (note - if just the thought of walking into an eaterie alone scares you, do not forget, that is why they invented take-out. walk in, grab a menu, read it outside and walk back in and place an order to-go or call 'um on the cell phone while still outside.) Via Con Dios!