Doddie63

NJ I would rather have the band stuck on my ribs than rolls of fat :tt1::rolleyes2:. I am slowly loosing these layers of insulation and the more I loose the more I feel my band. Uplifting or what. Doddie

Hi Angi1982. Congratulations on the upcoming start to the rest of your life. I will be thinking of you. I think your doctor will write you a prescription for pain killers. You shouldn't need tyelnol as well. Just buy a pill crusher and crush your pills. I did that for 30 days and then the clinic allowed me to take the pills whole. Granted the pill powder can be gross but it works. Also, talk to the pharmacist and find out which pills can be crushed. One of my blood pressue pills stated it should not be crushed be cause it was slow acting. I crushed it anyway and had no problems. Doddie

My port lies on its side and it is very difficult to get in a fill. Takes about 20 to 30 minutes. I am told it is a very easy surgical proceedure to turn the port around so people with flipped ports don't worry too much. I find that my port portrudes also but I rub it like a soother. It makes me feel so comforted in tht I have the band doing its job. Sounds weird I know, but I do find comfort in feeling the port. Doddie

:smile:Candy patience, please. The band is a tool that helps you control your appetite nothing more. It is not a magic panacea. You need time to heal before going for fills that will tighten the band. If you loose 1 -2 lbs per week after your THIRD fill then you will be on your way. Your weight was not put on overnight nor will it come off. You still have to work at the way you eat and exercise. Doddie

No your scale is not wrong at home. I doubt there are many scales that read exactly as another one. Pick one scale as your official weight and stick to it. Anyother information should not be included in what you call you weight loss. I use my home scale as the offical one, mainly because I like to weight every day. My doctors scale is for his information not me. When I am asked what my weight is, I always reply which scale. Then I give my home weight. Don't let all the excess information from outside depress you. Doddie

Good Decision NJ. When you are married if you are half as happy and content as I have been, you will be very happy and content. Lots of support. Doddie

Any reputable surgeon in a reputable clinic such as the TLBC will repair the hernia as part and parcel of putting in the band. They will tell you the medical reasons why they repair it. I just know they do. When I had my consult, it was free but once I fixed a date, I had to pay a substantial down payment for them to maintan the day. Don't blame them as they have to pay all the staff whether or not the surgery goes ahead. If you go to the TLBC website, you can find out a lot of information. Check it out. They even have a little video.

You will be fine and beautiful if you decide to marry at any weight. You have had a rough life and getting pregnant can be avoided until you are ready. I agree, you want to be slim when you decide to have another and you can find weblinks that bandsters that are pregnant or become pregnant can give you "tons' of information. No one can make these critical decisions for you but all I can say is don't let the weight issue cloud your judgment. Face your decision head on. Good luck.

Well that bit of information from PsTEVENS9 would be enough to turn me off. The TLBC replaces any defective ports or bands free and doesn't pass off their responsibilities. I would suggest you look to other cllnics and ask them their policy on relacing slipped or erroded bands. Doddi

Where did you go?

I have found them. Yippee! Now I just have to figure how I can see them all as half the smileys are covered by the column of ads and writing.Thanks again.:confused2: Doddie

Go with your gut instincts. There are well established clinics in your area and take your time choosing. Doddie

One other thing I forgot to say, your fiance proposed to you at your present weight. It is obvious he loves you just as you are so there is no excuse really unless you have other reasons you are not saying. Doddie

Where are the little smileys found?

If you both love each other, weight should not be the criteria for getting married. This is a life time committment and your weights will flucuate up and down. You will look just as beautiful in a wedding gown at any weight. You will radiate your beauty no matter what so get married. Doddie PS: I was 303 lbs and my husband loved me just like he did when I was 129 lbs. We have been married 36 years.

I weigh in every Saturday. My pattern is the lowest weight at the lst week and I have increases and decreases for the next three weeks. On the 4th weeks, I usually show a lower weight than the lst week. then I start all over again. Gets pretty depressing over the month to see myself heavier but by weighing in regularly I know my pattern and I don't allow myself to get too down. What about all of you. What is your pattern? Doddie

Hi Marcar 35 Yes, I use Dr. W.'s scale as the officail weight, but I am addicted to the scales. I have tried to stay off them but I get into a real lather is I don't weigh. At least now though, I know my pattern and I don't get discouraged. You are really do well, congratulations. Doddie

Yes the lower the weight of the individual the slower the weight loss is my belief. For instance at 300 lbs after 30 minutes of exercise I have used over 200 calories now at 250 I use 170. So it seems to me I have to walk longer to use more calories as my weight decreases. Doddie

Good point fousilly. Most staff at the TLBC have been banded and lost a tremendous amount of weight not just 20 or so. I am not sure about Dr. C. but I am sure he has some. Doddie

Please do away with this blue hue and blue writing. I have eye problems and it is horrible for me to try and read. At least darken the type. Thanks Doddie

Can someone tell me what full is. Is it measuring the 1 cup of food allowed per meal? Is it a "stretched painfully tight" feeling, hiccups. I have all of the above. Doddie

Oh NJ I forgot to mention. Don't deny yourself a treat once in awhile. I factor into my daily foods one treat. Try it. By denying yourself everything you love, you are doomed to failure. So treat yourself, just cut back on something else.

Hi to Cchristy and NJ: Thanks for responding about not overdoing it. I have spent my life yo yoing and resenting every minute. So I have empathy about the cigerettes. We spent huge dollars to be like everyone else, then pressure from all quarters to "diet", "exercise" get the weight off fast. Why? what is the rush. My priority from day one was to change my lifestyle and the way I eat one day at a time. If I sound "angry" I think I am a bit chippy. I am told almost daily and I read on the website about "gung ho" this or that. That is fine for those that want to be in the old rut and/or want to take it off fast but please everyone respect the slow losers. We are going another route and for me at least, it is working. Good journey is wished for all Doddie

Hi: comments are on one of the doctors we think is backing the clinic, not the clinic itself. But the general consensus in deciding on any clinic is to try and pick a surgeon who has done roughly 200 bands and has a network of support organized. After care is vital and I personally would pick one of the longer established clinics if they were all within my home. If you do go with your clinic please let us know how they do. Doddie

I think the post about a slow metabolism is what most of us suffer. Our problem involves genetics along with all the other hangups we have. I have stated I am not in favor of exercising to the max, because no way will most keep up that pace. We got the band to help us control our eating volume not to kill ourselves or cause joint injuries. Everything in moderation and the weight will come off. There was an article in the paper today that just walking 30 minutes a day will take two pounds off a month and I find that is a true statement. I have taken of an average of two pounds a month for a year just by walking or taking aquafit for one hour a day. I eat properly. So my point is relax. Exercise moderately, eat as dictated by your doctor and let the body take care of getting rid of the fat in its own time. Enjoy your life and try to stop worrying about not being fast enough. Doddie