MarcyLoo

* huge hug *

How are you all doing? I'm scheduled for fill #2 tomorrow but have bene debating going or not. the past couple days I've stayed full longer and hve eaten smaller portions, but I htink it may be hormone related tightness. Is it silly of me to go in and request just a small fill, half a cc or so? Today's portions have still been better, but I'm hungry after 2.5-3 hrs. (and the hormone surge is ending...the joys of ovulation)

Our Lord Christ has nothing to do with it. I asked a question that is hormone related. It has nothing to do with my weight being at a stand still. I'm happy to lose weight at a healthy, slow pace. I don't see how my getting 2 fills this soon after getting my band is "getting continuous fills." I'm at a point post-band where I am trying to get to the green zone that my surgeon wants me at. That zone including satiety & reasonable portions. Actually, my surgeon wants me in for a fill if I go 2 weeks without losing any weight, but knowing my own body and how my weight stalls according to my cycle (then resumes again) I'm not as worried about that 2 weeks without loss rule as my doctor is. I've worked very hard the past 6+ weeks, and continue to do so. My wanting to get in the green zone (and my surgeon wanting this as well) is not in any way me expecting ny more from the band that what it's purpose is, nor is it me expecting to not work hard. The clinic I go to are the ones who advised the 2-week apart fill, unless the first was adequate. I'm only questioning it because as I have ovulated I noticed it feeling tighter and giving me better satiety & portion control. Funny, because today I'm not noticing the satiety lasting as long yet portion control still seems pretty good. It just happens my hormone peak is over. Yes, I posted looking for answers or advice. I haven't seen my question answered STIIL, about ovulation related tightness.

Where on earth did that come from??? I'm not in any way shape or form expecting my band to do all the work. What I DO expect is to get to the "green zone" to utilize the band as a tool to the full extent to assist me in doing the hard work. My band is half full. I've only had one fill, and the goal is to get to a point where I am not hungry all the time so that I can comfortably do this work. Did you actually read my posts? I'm actually considering very hard right now wether or not I need a 2nd fill at this point, and if I decide to have one I even said I plan to ask for a SMALL fill. I think I also pretty clearly stated my reasons for opting to go ahead with the next fill t this point: to acheive satiety, not to make the scale move. I'm just not sure how you interpreted my posts as "I'm not losing weight so I want to have the other half filled so I lose without having to do the work"

I'm scheduled for 2 weeks apart in my first two fills incase the first wasn't enough. It's only been the past few days that I feel it's working better, and I strongly suspect it's hormone related (and once that hormone swings ends I may be back to eating too large of portions and not staying satiated long enough). It's not so much my being stalled out on weight loss that makes me want to go in for the fill. I know my body, and I know I go for days without losing at various times in my cycle...so that doesn't have me worried. I'm eating the type of diet I've been instructed to eat, have started exercising, so I know in time I will see more weight loss. What I'm basing my fill needs on has more to do with satiety (or lack of) and amounts I'm able to eat: ie 3 cups vs 1 1/2 cups per meal

Oh wow! I hope you heal up quick!! Did your doc discuss the sleeve at all? I only like that option over bypass because it doesn;t remove intestines, which can lead to malnutrition issues. I know of one person lookign t the sleeve but I guess insurance isn't always on board with it yet?

I take zoloft. I'm at higher risk for gaining weight DUE TO DEPRESSION, or failing with the band, if I do not take it. My psyhologist asked me to stay on it thru my WL journey as well (which I fully agreed to...was glad to agree...)

Hey all! Well, I made it thru Easter dinner. I had about 4-5 ounces of plank-grilled salmon, 1 small serving of potatoes (think scalloped), about 1/4 cup of fresh veggies, and my favorite Jello salad (also bout 1/4 cup) ... and a tiny piece of custard pie without crust. and, I was full. I recall looking at my plate and realizing that the servings were wayyyyy smaller than pre-band, and I didn't do seconds. I hadn;t slept in almost 3 days, so just had about another 1/4 cup of Jello salad and 2 cubes of beef jerky for dinner. Sucess!

Just wondering how it went. Sorry some replies wer eharsh...I know you're not leaniogn towards dying over keeping the band (duh...sorry people but really)...I'd be scared too, of undoing all the hard work so far. I was also going to suggest the sleeve or even bypass if you do los eyour band. Many hugs...let us know how it went?

Ok, so last November my job required me to train to a new specialty (I'm a nurse) so in order to work in labor & delivery I have to wear hospital scrubs. When I wear my own scrubs, I was a 3X pants and a 3-4X shirt (my hips are my widest part and these shirts were always too tight at the hips). I was scared beyond belief imagining the hospital scrubs would not fit. I even took some home beforehand to make sure I'd be ok. The biggest pants/shirts they have are a 3X and I could just barely squeeze my butt into them. I even ripped the inside seam of a pair of pants once when I sat down. How embarassing! The 3X shirts I could get on but they were so tight my gut just stuck out in all it's rolls & glory. I always wore a scrub jacket to try to hide that (2X but really roomy). So since I've started losing the 3X's have gotten much more comfortable...shirts fit better at the hips and pants are now getting too saggy and I can even go without the jacket & be comfortable. So I brought a 2X pants home with me to try on down the road...just tried them and they FIT!!!!! With my wide hips I imagine I'll still wear the 3X tops for another 15-20 pounds? Butman oh man, am I ever giddy right now.

I took my zoloft pill on an empty stomach at 5pm...got int he car to drive to work and 10 minutes later wanted to die. It got stuck. I had to pull off the road twice to retch, stopped at Starbucks for a hot coffee and even that hurt to take sips...it's 2:30 am and I'm just now able to take bigger sips and eat soem soft foods. It sucked.

CONGRATS!!!! what a wonderful achievement! Way to go!!!!

I was only told that if I was suddenly needing to use antacids a lot it was a sign of needing an unfill (being too tight).

I chose to tell my MIL, who tol dme she wnted to tell one brotherinlaw which I ws fine with ... so the other night we went to her house for dinner. I brought homemade turkey chili, she made a salad, and her friend came over and made cornbread. I love her friend, but as soon as I walked in it started. "you look skinnier." I said thank you. So we proceed to the kitchen, where said friend started in about her friend who "did that" and is on Iron transfuions now and having such a horrible time with health. So this friend was told too, by MIL. So I explained that her friend had a different surgery than me, and I'm not at all likely to have health issues like that. Finally we sit down to dinner, my husband cross from em and a lady to each side. as I go to prepare my plate/bowl, I get BOMBARDED with questions.."what can you eat? how much can you eat? Well you know I'm never sure what you can eat." All while I'm juyst trying to enjoy my freaking dinner. So I explained that I can eat until I'm full, I can eat whatever I want so no one needs to "cook around my needs," and that some foods don't go down well and I know within a bite or two if I won't be able to eat something. I R R I T A T I N G

2:20 am : one of our cats, Buttertime, woke me up wanting out of the bedroom. I get up and notice the hamster is not in her cage and realized I didn;t fully latch her door when I fed her at bedtime. Found her in the boys bathroom cowered behidn the trash can, our other 2 cats just watching her. She was 100% unharmed. 8:50 am : I got home from dropping our 2 oldest boys off at the school bus, to find the bird cage torn fromt he hook in the ceiling and both parakeets got loose. 9:00 am: I went out to the car to grab a recipe for bread, and locke dmy keys in the car. AAA got my keys out and finally I have both birds back in their cage. That was not easy. Bread is baking. I ate breakfast way later than I should have so my meals times are off. Yesterday I managed to strain a muscle in my back really badly and I work tonight. Hoping to catch a nap soon. To those who celebrate, happy Good Friday!

Bad day here, not band related though. My life is crazy.

My surgeon told me NO, but I would call yours to check with them as each doctor is different.

WTG Gika! I've stopped losing and can tell I'm ready for another fill. I know the 4 pounds I'm UP re water weight, so I keep drinking water to flush it out but it's slow going. I'm scheduled for the 27th for my next fill. We hve our bible study group tonight (potluck) and the main course is baked potatoes, so I think I'll take my own meal. Or at least a main course alternative. I know it's ok to eat one in moderation but it's high carb and I really want to get back to losing.

Let us know how it goes. I didn't know they even make a 4cc band...

Let us know how it goes. I didn't know they even make a 4cc band...

Just wanted to offer a virtual hung...and I'm so sorry you've been hurt. You're an inspiration, sticking with it through the tough times.

Ok, so this is embarassing but... 1) be naked in front of my husband and not feel shy 2) be able to fully participate in intimate moments (sex) with hubby 3) to just not have to wear clothes to try to hide flab. I know I may need excess skin removed down the road to fully accomplish this 4) to go hiking again

Yeah they're back to their obnoxious selves. :-) Oskar had to sleep with a pair of underpants and folded over toilet paper on his head that night, leg holes tightened with packagint ape, so keep some pressure on it otherwise the swellign was causing the blood drop to not clot. He thought that was pretty cool (the underpants on the head). Had a tough food day yesterdayw ith snacking and overeating at meals. Have done better today. This is a struggle.

IMO it's ok to have the occasional treat. One of the benefits of being banded vs bypass'd. Just be very ware that it's a choice, and an ok choice, to do it on occasion so you don't get down about that choice if that makes any sense? (for me if I "lapse" it's hard to get back on the wagon unless I mentally prepare myself for the choice of a splurge) I went to see a movie recently...I seldom do this but my old love was an XL Cherry Coke and a bag of popcorn, and even sneaking in a couple Mcd's cheeseburgers. So I have been avoiding the theatre. So i got the courage to go...prepared by sneaking in a serving of granola w/ greek yogurt (my lunch) a few apple slices, some Crystal light. I was still hungry half way thru the movie so bought some chicken tenders and shared the order with my 3 yo son. Bad for me, but a better choice than a big sack of candy I suppose. Oh and I also ate about 1 cup of homemade popcorn. Next time, I'll take some raw veggie (cucumbers, carrots, celery) in rice vinegar.

It's beeen very worth it to me. I'm only down 25 pounds with a long way to go, and each day is it's own struggle, but it's worth the struggle for better health.