kima

5jacks- What a super result you are having. Congratulations on such a great loss! Happy Summer. About exercise-The thing that helps alot is that I hooked up Tivo to a small flat screen television in front of my treadmill! It's ME time, doing something I have come to enjoy (and surprisingly enough, look forward to- that's another first) watching something I look forward to seeing (as opposed to what just happens to be on and doesn't hold my interest) Last night I walked for almost 2 hours because I got into a few good shows! I don't usually have that kind of time, but nice to take it on a weekend if I can. Have a great day! Kim:kiss2:

Hi All! Well, it's taken me a while, but I finally have it going in the right direction again. Was going sideways for 2 months- trying to "half do it" and depending on the band to make it easy. I needed to get my head "right", that this really is just a tool. I know it's cliche, but it took time to really see that I needed to go deeper with the cuts and make the ultimate commitment that anything less would never work. I have reduced my calories to 800-1,000 per day and upped my treadmill to 1 - 1 1/2 hours every day! For me, any less will not do. The good news is that for the first time in my life I can live with those numbers without wanting to eat paint off the walls. I put off my third fill for a few weeks in order to see more success. Imagine, me... oh impatient one, willing to slow down and get it right. I have had one sliming/Pb event- eating a piece of chicken on the fly while preparing a party in my home- hope it never happens again. 4 months well spent. Thank you all. When I was down about not making progress I got a lot of support from everyones posts. I had been so disappointed about not losing more, but am feeling reinvigorated by having success from the consitent effort of the last few weeks. I hope you are all well! Would love to hear from Gigi8, Sherrilynn, Thatgirl and other 1/30 and 1/31 buddies! Kim:kiss2: banded 1/30/07 223ps/217s/198c/140g

patsygrn You are not alone. My port is still tender to the touch and I find it very uncomfortable to lie or sleep on my left side. Hope it helps to know you are not the only one. Kim:kiss2: banded 1/30/07 223ps/217s/203t/135g first fill 1.0 3/09/07 second fill 1.0 4/12/07 (only 1.5 total- .5 lost)

AMY YES.. For my second fill (under xray) I was told "no food or liquid after midnight" the evening before my fill. I'm guessing it makes it easier to see the port on the xray. When he did my first fill and atempted my second in the office, I was not required to do this. (He was unable to acess my port for my second fill and I had to reschedule for the second to be done with xray) Good luck Kim:kiss2:

Haven't checkd in for a while. Had my second fill this morning under xray. Was supposed to have it last week in the office, but after 2 tries Dr. could not access the port. I was surprised, because my first fill was reather easy in the office. I had a 1.0 fill the first time, and this a.m. he found only .5 left and added another 1.0... so, I am now at 1.5. Seems less than a few of you who I have read about recently- I sure hope it is enough. I have been feeling almost no restriction, except for the 10 days after surgery, and the one week after my first fill. I am trying not to be discouraged, but the weight loss has been VERY slow. I am down 21 pounds. With very little loss in the last 2 weeks. I feel just like I always have on a diet....trying hard to stay at 1,000-1,200 calories, but hungry all the time! I'll let you know. Kim:kiss2: bnded 1/30/07 223s/217s/202c/135g first fill 3/9- 1.0 second fill today- 1.0, 1.5 total

Dear Lost I travel a lot, and eat out often. Here's a few thoughts. Proten first. You can almost always find a good piece of fish or chicken on most menus. I hand my butter plate to my husband and children and take a bit of each of theirs: 1. cheap date- I tell DH that in a few years of sharing we will more than pay off the cost of the surgery 2. variety- I get to sample a few different Entrees 3. portion control for husband and kids- They usually don't miss the 2 -3 bites I took from them. Reminds them often that there really is far too much food on their plates. The band just makes it easier to be satisfied with less. You can eat anywhere. It's about the choices we make... knowing what to look out for...and making the changes. You can definately do this! Good luck Keep in touch Kim :kiss2: 223ps/217s/202t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/09/07

Hi Angie! WOW this hits close to home! Here's how we solved it! My daughter is 13, my son is fifteen. We have had a "science experiment" going on in our house since they were toddlers.... he needs 3,000 calories or he's like a starving third world child all ribs and knees (the pediatrician would tell me he was underweight- until I brought in pictures of my husband when he was the same age. He never brought it up again.) On the other hand... my daughter smells bread and gains a pound! Just like mom. You can not tell me that genetics are not a massive indication of future weight. Like many on this site I had a painful upbringing with foods issues, including parents that meant well but were uninformed. I was determined that my daughter would have a better shot at it! When she was 9 or so, and first bringing up to me that she didn't like her belly, I brought her to a local nutritionist who specializes in children. (She was about 10 pounds over where she should have been, and heading higher). Karen explained to me in private how damaging parents can be- she gave us (husband and me) articles to read on the subject and met with our daughter in private. She talked to her about food choices, food cues, portion size, levels of hunger.... and many other things. Karen gave her the power to make the decisions and the knowledge on how to make good ones. She asked us not to tell her how much to eat... it was merely our job to provide healthy food. The "what" was up to us, the "how much" was up to her. Karen does not even tell her how much she weighs when she goes. She has told her that girls her age often get thick bef'ore they grow. " just stay healthy, and it will even out as you grow." Our daugther has been amazing! She makes terrific decisions. Her food thermostat is so much healthier than mine ever was!! She is in great shape- maybe 5 pounds heavier than middle line on the pediatricians charts. She has not had a growth spurt yet- she is still one of the shortest in her class. Pretty soon that will come- she doees not have her "friend" yet. I was a late bloomer,too. This was the best gift we could ever have given her. Once when she was 11 she asked to go back to see her... just to get re-centered and on track. Also, since she is more creative than sports minded.. and dropped out of field hockey and soccer and karate and ballet.... I told her that she would have to pick a trainer and develop a lifelong exercise routine. She has a great trainer at a small gym owned by a friend of mine and she goes 3-4 days a week. She likes it! She likes how she feels... she shows off her arm muscles to me once in a while with great pride! If you take away the expensive equiptment our son has for lacrosse, squash, golf, skiing...and so on, she's still a bargain in the money spent department! She owns it. At thirteen she gets it. I am not her food cop!..and I am not stressed about her having unhappy teenage years... at least not in regards to her weight! If she is going to a birthday party, she'll say "I'm going to have a smaller lunch so I can have a piece of cake"... I'll say, "that's a good decision honey, I hope you enjoy that piece of cake. " We keep only healthy food in the house and cook only "delicious, nutritious lite!" No cookies, no junk...mostly organic. We will sometimes bake a healthy dessert from cooking lite. We'll do a baked apple- which she loves- or a modified apple crisp...there's hundreds of great healthy lo cal Desserts out there. She loves to bake! My husband gets credit in this department. He grew up in a "healthy eating" home... his mom was way before her time on this. When the kids were little he found a package of oreos I bought for "treats" and threw them out... we have never had much junk since then. Even the chips are baked veggie chips. Children learn to like good stuff if that's all you have. He's always been crazy about the hydrogenated oils as well. Peanut Butter is our one vice. NOTE- in the small world category... Karen was one of the nutritionists on my Dr's list for the nutritional pre-op evaluation! She wouldn't even let me pay. She thougth I was a perfect candidate. She has followed my progress and has been an amazing source of information and support! I would be happy to refer any of you to her or get copies of the articles if you would like. ANGIE, Good luck with it...it's so important! Best, Kim :kiss2: 223/ps/217s/202t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/09/07

Sunshine2 Now THAT's what I call a great NSV! (Non scale victory for our new friends!) Don't we all have a few people we want to run into when we get to goal?! Old boyfriends... old boses... unkind people! Victory is living well! Congrats! Kim :kiss2: 223ps/217s/202t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/09/07

Hi Gigi! They're saving the best for last! Don't be nervous... i was a wuss enough for the both of us- it's really not bad at all! Childbirth-10 Lap Band Surgery and recover-8 First Fill-1 Let us know how it goes. Luv ya Band sister! Kim :kiss2: banded 1/30/07 (same day as you) 223ps/217s/202t/135g first fill 03/09/07

Lynn leck I was swollen and sore after my first fill on Friday. Swelling- not sure why but firm around the upper chest. I'll ask why next time. Soreness- I described it like this to my husband. Imagine you have a belt around a major organ and someone just tightened the belt a notch. Not really painful but definitely sore...you know it's been done. It took 3-4 days for soreness to be unnoticeable. Good luck! I hope you are feeling better now. Just curious... is that a normal first fill? I am still learning ... and a newbie regarding this whole fill process...but that seems like it might be a lot for a first fill? Some of the veterans are going to have to help us out with that one. It feels great to share this life changing journey and amazing experience with so many going through the same things! I have told only a few very close family and friends and none of them had even heard of this procedure before. I'm on my own... I rely on you all to lead the way. My humble thanks. Kim :kiss2: 223ps/217s/203t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/09/07

Hi Susan Just a thought- I use a much smaller plate and bowl. My kids made them at a local ceramics studio years ago and they have been in the cupboard for a long time- they're really cute... and they work. A salad plate works too, but not as much fun. Maybe next time I'll go with my daughter and make one with some inspirational reminders to keep me motivated.... or just laugh! I need a few more dishes (and laughs) Everyone here is just terrific! Happy Spring Kim :kiss2: 223ps/217s/203t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/07/09 1 cc

Sunshine2 Wow. I want to remember that one in case someone tells me I'm taking the easy way out. Nothing about this has been easy. But it has been the best thing I could ever due for my health, my happiness, my future and that of my family as well. Thanks Kim :kiss2: 223ps/217s/203t/135g banded 1/30/07 fill 3/09/07

Spydr Great advice! Especially the box idea. Just looking at your fill schedule...can you share, why the unfills? Did you have too much restriction? If so, what was it like with too much restricton, and what did you experience after the unfill. first and second? Trying to get more educated about the fill process. Figure someone who handles the restaurant situation the way you do might not mind me asking! Thanks Kim 223ps/217s/203t/135g banded 1/30/07 first fill 3/09/07 1 cc