NJGirl32

Today is much better! I can drink my coffee and plan to have my yogurt and blueberries mixed together (my fav. morning treat!). I really do think I am either in the green zone or at least very close! I am glad I went-even stepped on the scale today to see 2 more pounds gone! I really think the gym has helped with getting my sluggish metabolism going. After a long plateau things are finally starting to kick in! Melissa-I am going to New Orleans on Thursday for 2 nights and then sailing out to Mexico for 4 nights-I can't wait!! I would have preferred to have my fill last week but the doc was on vacation. Where are you cruising too? By Feb. you will be in excellent cruise shape!! Dave- These guys were so proud and they were actaually talkingto a young girl who was filling out a form for the Lapband. I personally don't think she will qualify because she didn't look like she had much to lose. It was really good to hear 2 guys with 100+ weight lost-and you too!! I have heard so many people say it was the best decision of their life-and I really feel like I am beginning to understand why!

I would have to disagree withe the poster who said it doesn't restrict the amount of food-because with me it does. I have also read the Dr. Simpson article and I don't agree with everything he says. I can't eat food that I once could and it I push it there is a price to pay. Before my 2nd fill I could eat 2 slices of pizza and did it once. AFter the 3rd fill I tried eating one slice and I got so sick. Now that I have my 4th fill forget it- I can barely finished my soup! The tennis ball feeling is a stuck episode-sometimes lots of slime comes up at this point. I agree, the sandpaper feeling might be acide reflux-definitely mention it to your doctor.

I can only suggest you shop around because some docs will cut you a break. The woman at my office ( a patient) knew her friend was paying lots for her fills and ask if he could do them and what would he charge. He said he would charge $50!

You have been offically stuck! Remember to chew the hell out of everything-especially dry items. After being stuck stay on liquids for a while. My throat alwaus hurts he next day.

Fluids they pump into during surgery (IV) plus bloated and swelling from surgery-not to mention gas. I wouldn't worry about it at all. When I went back to work I had to leave my pants unbottoned at the top because my stomach was so bloated. You'll be fine and back to normal in no time!

I don't see any reason why not!

The last 2 weeks of August are goingto be tough! I just came back from Atlantic City (2 nights) and I did pretty good -not great but I okay. We had free passes to buffets. I don't like buffets-all the food tastes the same and I hate eating all the combinations at once so I did pretty good-except dessert wise. This weekend I am goingto my grade school reunion with my BFF down the shore. We don't get together too often so it will be a girl's weekend away! There wil be drinking-that I know. I only see her about 3-4 times a year and we are way overdue. On a positive note I have been working out 4 times a week and I did the treadmill for 4 miles today 60 minutes! Woo Hoo! That's a big accomplishment for me. Monday I have a doctor's appointment for a fill. I have 3.5ccs and I am really hopingto get another.5cc -I just feel like I really need it prior to going on my cruise next week. I just feel like I could use a little more help from the band. I really did go back and forth with my decision. The doctor might not do it since it would have only been 11 days since my last one (which did absolytely nothing). So I'll give it a shot and see what he says. September will be a much better month for me. I will be back to work (teacher) and be back on a routine. September will be less festivities too and I feel like I will be better diet-wise. I would really LOVE to be in Onderland by the end of October-we'll see. One thing I do know for sure is that joining the gym is the best decision I have made. Don't get me wrong-I hate going-but I feel so much better after I go. I have more energy and I am noticing that my size 18's are getting looser on me! I even squeeze my ass into a size 16 suit-tight but loaded and locked!! lol So tomorrow if my grade school reunion-last time I went (2 years ago) I was almost 40 pounds heavier. I feel a little more sexier now and more confident too. I am even looking forward to getting on the airplane for New Orleans next week-I know the seatbelt won't be as big of a stresser for me! Have a great week in Bandland!! I'll let you know how my Monday appointment goes and my reunion!!

Mine gave me 2ccs-1cc-and now they give.5ccs for every visit. I guess that's not too bad except it's not making much of a difference! I am goig on Monday and hoping he give me .5cs to bring me up to 4ccs which I think will make a difference.

Congratulations on 35 years!!! Fish is always a great option especially with a good sauce! Or maybe something that will hold up to reheating (that way you can make a few meals out of it!). Enjoy, and congrats again!

OMG-that really does sound so dangerous. Please don't do it. You risk the chance of puncturing your tubing or worse (infection). I understand your frustration-really I do. Surely there is someone who will do the fill for you! EVen if you have to travel a bit. I know many Bandsters get their surgery in Mexico but the fills in the US. Could you possibly contact the doc who did your surgery and ask him if he could recommend one? If you post your city, maybe some fellow bandsters could steer you in the right direction .

I started watching Hungry Girl -the tv show and I LOVE it!! The tips are band friendly and you really get some great ideas! Today she made a low cal s'more -looked amazing. If you haven't tried this show I would definitely recommend it!! I know she has a website too. Being educated about the band is one step and being educated about food choices is another important step. So if any of you are in a food rut-check out the show for inspiration!

Yep! Main site: http://www.hungry-girl.com/

No, I can't even feel mine! I have no idea how they can find it to do fills! Maybe it's the stitches you feel poking you?

I also had a fill last Thursday and I didn't feel any different until today. Today, 4 days after my fill I woke up not even thinking about eating. It was weird. I wasn't hungry at all. I didn't eat until 4pm and even then I wasn't starving-but I figured I 'd better eat something. I wasn't purposely trying to eat slow-but I found myself eating slowly. Maybe this was a fluke?? I really don't know-I guess I'll see if it continues. One thing that has really helped me lately is eating proteins first and not drinking anything after I eat. Good luck and continued success!! Let us know how it goes!

I know we are suppose to eat Proteins first to help with the feeling of satiety. Truthfully I haven't really applied this except for dinners. Breakfast is usually yogurt - so no solid Protein there- lunch is salads, Soups, or egg beaters, or veggies/fruit so limited solid proteins. What proteins to you eat first for breakfast, lunch, and dinners? Does it really make a difference getting proteins in first?

Girl, from your stats it's obvious you know exactly what to do - you have had amazing results! Pick at starting goal-maybe exercise? You can aboslutely turn this around !

LOL That's a great idea!!

I haven't been really good about getting proteins in and waiting before drinking anything. Today I decided to make some changes and see how it works. I usually have yogurt with fruit when I wake up. This is a "slider" type food. So today I loaded up with solid proteins. I had an egg beater veggie omlette with melted string cheese (I watched Hungry Girl and she suggested using string chees in dishes because it's pre-measured and low calories). I also had 2 turkey sauages-(70 calories for 2). That was at 12:30 - I didn't drink afterwards. I am thinking that should last me until 3:30-4:30 at which time I'll have a protein shake-BUT since the shake is a liquid and not a solid protein,,,I wonder if that will give me the "Full" feeling until dinner time? My NUT said to have a shake as a snack-not as a meal replacement so that would fit in. I'll let you know how eating solid - nonslider foods first works!

I don't think you are suppose to be having shakes for meal replacements for breakfast and lunch?? I was makingthis mistake and my NUT told me I need to eat solid for the band to work (at this point) and shakes should be snacks only? I know some people can't eat in the mornings and have a shake instead, but I think with 8 weeks post op you should be eating solid proteins and that might help with satiety?? Just a thought.

Good for you for being an advocate for yourself and not giving up even when it seemed hopeless!! It is inspirational since I don't have restriction yet. Where is Dr. Lee located in NJ? How does the fill center work? Do you just call them and they hook you up with a doctor? I hear a lot of docs don't want to take someone else's patient.

Congratulations!!!!!! That's quite an achievement! I wouldn't mind losing 10 pounds a month! I was a late May bandster and I am 1 pound away from 30 pounds so 10 a month sounds about right! It's exciting isn't it?!! I haven't been able to lose this kind of weight in the last 7 years so it feels good! I think exercise has helped me with my plateau. Good luck and continued success!

I needed to read this info!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Just be careful-that's a lot of calories especially if you are drinking more than 1 a day. I also love GNCs brands-I like Total Lean Choc (but all flavors are great). I think it has 170 calories with 23 grams of protein. I simply do not like all the the thick pudding-like shakes out there. Plus GNCs brand shakes don't seem to have the nasty after taste more brands have! Sounds like that shake would be great as a meal replacement shake!

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!