Vera

Thanks They had a way of makeing me feel like I wasn't good enough, so now I don't feel like being around them. But they are family and I will smile, and maybe some day I'll let them know how they made me feel. Accepted not Excepted ... Thanks again

This might be unrelated but.. My betterhalf's family would rarely talk to me during get-togethers, I felt as if I were jugded for my looks and that I had problems, they seem so fake. Now I'v lost some weight and inches and I'm looking better, they are speaking to me, I feel like screeming, I'm only excepted if I'm thin, people can be so rude. Its the person inside, your soul I try to see. Take care of yourself first!

My rings and watch spin Thick socks in my shoes. I get cold, I was always sweating before. I'm doing more with the kids, energy. The betterhalf says I much happier now, and so is he. I'm trying to shrink my clothes too. (Gave some to a Womens shelter) I need to get more clothes that fit. Isn't it grand.

Hi Kathy Sounds like your doin great and feeling happy! Looks like you might hit goal by next summer:D Keep up the good work and Congratulations

The night before my band placement surgery I had a dream that I ate a pickle without chewing it then started panicking because I thought I was going to pop my band or something horrible was going to happen. I told the nurse about it, laughing she said your still having your last supper in bed. It scared me so much to this day I chew very well, and yes I'v had a pickle since then.

Isn't it odd that the guys all want some perfect girl, when they themselves are not without flaws. Accept me for who I am. I have alittle theory, relationships are like stepping stones to your soulmate. Theres someone out there just for you. I'm probably not much of a comfort for you now, but I do feel for you and your not alone.

Misty You can find a list of doctors on www.obesityhelp.com Once your on the site, on the left open "find a bariatric dr" pick your state, in the middle of the list it shows who does lap. Hopefully this could help. Good luck:D

Sometimes it feels good just to talk and let feelings out. I will listen. I just got a good fill too. I cook the meals and sit with the family then watch them eat. Keep smiling:)

Congratulations In the beginning the weight drops fast, you've got a great start! Keep it up....20 lbs a month is a bit much for future expectations. My numbers on the bottom are: Day of band placement , dr. weight on day of surgery/weight today/goal You can do what you please, welcome to this forum and to bandland!

FYI Total cash cost Dr. McKeen San Jose Ca. $20,000. I'm sure you don't want to fly to California either. I wen't to Mexico for $10,850 and get my (blind) fills for $75.00. I'm still paying for my Band operation and flight via credit cards. Its the best Health choice I ever made. Good Luck

Wow Thanks for the info:D I was just at the doctors getting my 2nd fill and we were talking about metabolism, how when you eat less the body wants to store it as fat instead of energy, why I'v been feeling tired. Insulin spiking....Glucose index was another thing we were talking about and I want to learn more of both of these issues. Thanks again and Conratulations on your wonderfull weightloss.

Michelle I just had my 2nd fill. It was this doctor's first blind fill he had ever gave. It went very smooth! He removed all the saline first, in his words "to make sure there are no leaks. I should get close to the same amount of the first fill", which I did(1.75cc). I let him give me a total of 3.5ccs. I have an AMI band which is 11mm tall, verse Inamed band which is 6.75mm tall. I learned alot today including when the band is placed, its like a tie-wrap and is adjusted per the size of your stomach. A larger stomach would have the band wrapped loser. Thus the fill amounts are different for everyone. I never thought of leaks at only 3 months, but it could happen. I'm just learning. I'm not going to try to eat anything for a few days, I'll see how it gos. How do you get your fills? Good luck

Sushi I love it! Not a problem with me. Here out of Monterey Caif. the albacore tuna fishing boats prepare it as you catch it, so good.

Carmen Perhaps if you know exactly why your doctor put you on this pre-op diet it might help you stick to it. I'v heard of diets to shrink your liver (1/3 of its size) to get the stomach easier, less complications during sugery. Try to hang in there, the band will help change life for the better.

Congratulation:D Welcome to Bandland!

Congratulations I have my 2nd fill scheduled for 11/21/03, just in time for Thanksgiving too. I won't mind cooking the bird at all.

Michelle and Brandi How much total "Fill" do you have. I'm at 1.75cc and am going for my second fill this friday with a new doctor whos going to try giving me a blind fill. I'm going to ask for aleast an additional 1.5cc but I'm thinking of asking for alittle more and backing some out if I'm too restricted. I'm going to stand up and drink some water as a test. Do you have any suggestions? How do you know your at a good level...sweet spot? I saw some pictures on Oprah.com amazing transformations.

First the cheese and now the kringle, Help me!

I'm at the end of my cycle also. I have had less restriction in the last 2 weeks, have been thinking of getting my 2 fill. I havn't lost any weight for 2 weeks then this morning I'm down 2 lbs!! It must be the water retention, and as usually for me I seem to be more hungry prior to my cycle. So I guess I'm the opposite of what your exeriencing. As for the POP I feel for you, Don't have any advice except call the doctor.

Lea Sorry to hear about your fill dr. I came across a dr who wouldn't fill non Inamed bands. I counted 13 Texans registered on this forum and I bet theres more! Compare the cost of Mexico to finding a Fill dr. in Texas. I'm sure you can find a resonable Fill doc near you. Ask around? Obesityhelp has lists of drs. As for the cost... my first Fill cost me $371 och. Now I'm looking at a new doc who just started his practice 20 miles from me and is asking $200 plus needle fee. I offered to be a guinea pig...Still waiting for a response. Gee theres alot of 2 year olds, I'v got one too. Just watching him move wears me out. Good luck

Congratulations Lea Welcome to Band Land! Dr Sanchez is so wonderfull. I bruised alot too. Did you get an AMI band?

Wonderfull weightloss:D I love my calistoga carbonated water. I have 2-3 of them a day. I can't have diet soda cause of the aspertain reaction, I get muscle cramps and hip pain. Carbonation is not a problem with me.

Hello Everyone I have an AMI band also with Dr. Sanchez 8/14/03. I had my first fill 9/24/03 at that time they started at 5cc which closed me up alltogether and very painfull. As they started un-filling while drinking Barrium I could see the opening(X-ray) at 2cc and felt my esophagus open up. I had the dr. stop at 1.75cc. Everyone is different . Now I'm lossing very slow 1/2 lb a week if that and have starting thinking I need another fill? Most of my diet consist of a piece of chicken or fish, I notice every bite going down too, twice I ate Pork and it came right back up. I read alittle lubrication helps, ketcup, mayo.. and that helps me. Yes I can eat as much salad, soup, potatoes..I want but I don't. I'm trying a stick to foods I feel going down they seem to keep me fuller longer. With the Holidays coming up I don't know what I'm going to do. I just wanted to note that everyone is different. I think that as your stomach shrinks and the amount of fat around it has alot to do with Fills. I'm no expert. I believe that Barb from Penn who has an AMI also has had a 4cc Fill. So I'm not sure if theres any correlation to the AMI bands and Fill amounts, again I think its an individual process. I am always interrested with others that have an AMI band and there progress. Good luck with your Fills.

:cool: Robin You are inspirational! Are there any support groups around the Bay Area? I have yet to meet anyone else with a Band around here. I went to a seminar in San Jose. Good Sam Hospital has opened a bariatric center. It was fun to talk to prospective banders.

:cool: Hey I Know Dr Pamela Foster who works with him. I went to her for my fill which she wrote the orders for then actullay had the fill at Mills Penn $$. Last week I went to a seminar at Good Sam San Jose, they just started a bariatric center and I was very impressed with Dr. McKeen, he'll be doing my fills from now on. There cash(no insur) cost is $20,000 total for lapband, hospital etc... I had my band sugery in Mexico. Are you from around the Bay? Vera