La_madam

Penni I'm thinking of you..sorry to hear of your aunt's passing. Travel safe ((hugs))

Victoria I think that depends on the individual. My firstfill took a week to kick in but my 2nd fill I felt instantly. Take it slow..

The only thing my Doc told me I HAD TO AVOID FOREVER after banding was diet coke. I was told by my nutritionalist at Dr. Ortiz's office that the gasses and carbonation colud increase the risk of erosion so beer and soda are out for me..it's not worth taking the risk!

Yep I get an ice cream headache and that is my signal ..after that I'm done eating.

Hi Sharon....You are in good hands with Dr. Ortiz and his staff. I wish you all the best..Good Luck

Glad you are home Betty... We missed you.. Welcome to the other side ( the losing side) Congratulations!!!

Hi Guys, we are home from the Dr.'s We will get results of his CBC this afternoon, but the other 8 Viles of blood the drew were for other tests IGb, IGa, IGm, T4 & T8 and a few others I dont remeber the names of ..I have no idea what they all mean but I know it has something to do with infections and immune system stuff,( you nurses will know these I'm sure) he has a low grade fever today and is right now sleeping, all that blood being drawn made him sleepy. I need to schedule an EKG for hhis heart and an MRI for his brain.. The other dilema I was told today is I have to get him to gain weight..he has only gained 1 lb in 6 months and was too thin 6 months ago. I never imagined that one of my kids would ever be too skinny but fortunaltey all of them were blessed with their dad's metabolism.. . This boy eats non stop 24/7, I basically let him whatever and when ever he wants to like the doctor reccomended, I cook every single night good well rounded meals.I pack him the biggest and healthiest lunch for school everyday, he eats dessert every night, constantly eating between meals, I will just give you an example of what he has eaten so far today and it is only 1:00 in the afternoon Breakfast Side of ham, cheeseburger & French Fries from my restaraunt and a bowl of Cereal... Lunch 10 chicken McNuggets 1 cheeseburger and large french fries from Mcdonalds on the way home from Dr. also on the way to Mcdonalds he ate 6-8 pieces of licorice and a handful of beef Jerky they gave him after they drew all the blood..I just dont know how to get him to gain weight..any suggestions? You guys are so wonderful, thanks so much for all your support, prayers and kind words. I appreciate each and every one of you. I will keep you posted when I get the results

WOW what and inspirational story! Fantastic Job..you give us all hope! Thanks for sharing and I hope you stick around so I can pick your brain from time to time A Huge Congratulations to you!! I could not even imagine being a size 6 nor can I remember the last time I was a size 6..

LOL>.Yes I am Miss Lisa!! Good Morning to you too

I do not know if I agree with that theory..I drink 2 cups every morning loaded with cream and sugar and I have been losing 2-3 lbs a week with no exercise and no effort since surgery 6 and a half months ago . If anything it is an appetite suppressant for me..just my theory

You are very beautiful Carmen

Hi Joanne..Welcome home & Congratulations on your band. I think the worst part for me was the gas in the daiphram but it got better each day I never had the shoulder pain though just horrible trapped gas in my diaphram. I wish you the best with your new band. Take it easy and rest up..you do not wantto overdue it ..Best of Luck you tou

Hi Penni..thanks for the thoughts and prayers..we go tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. He is feeling better but they are still wanting to draw some blood and check things out...They will be doing a T4 test to see why his imune system is still so low and going to check things out on his headaches..CATSCAN, X-Ray or MRI whatever test it is they do for that. I'm hopeful that everything is going to come back negative.

Hi Vera I love the change of seasons..I too see a change in food ..I have been using my crock pot for the last week...pot roast, corned beef, stroganoff..chicken & rice...My fav salad dressing is Blue cheese ( Bob's Big Boy) I buy it at the grocery store but now I use the lite version of it and I mix it with Red Wine Vinegar ( seven seas) And yes I can vouch for your love of salads, since I ate every meal with you atthe bash P.S. I wore your Capris I got from the clothing exchange to work on SUnday and got many compliments ..Thanks again for them they are working out really good for me.

LOL @ "a hunk fell down my throat" Lisa you crack me up girl!

This book is on Amazon.com Laproscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Achieving Permanent Weight Los swith Minimally invasive Surgery By Jessie H. Ahroni..however I don tknow if it mentions the success rate of the Lap Band but it is a very imformative book for patients considering the band or newly banded. Also Dr. Ortiz is supposed to be coming out with a book this month I believe, not sure of the name of it Also here is a great article just out today from the INAMED coproration http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=90325&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=631593&

Hi Tall Guy! I drink my coffee every morning ( 2 cups with cream and sugar) It has not bothered me one bit nor has it slowed my weight loss with the cream and sugar I add to it.. My Dr. told me coffee was OK but now Leatha has me worried about the erosion thing. I will have to call him and ask him about that

Hi Veronica I'm so happy to hear it all went well for you on Saturday..you did not get lost and made it OK..that is great! Isint it great to feel a difference..maybe this fill will be just what you needed to get the scale moving again..I know the 2nd fill for me has been my sweet spot..I have been losing 2-3 lbs a week since I got mine on August 17th..This morning I hit 61 lbs ...What did he fill you to? How did you like his new office? Isint Gabrielle nice?? ( the new secretary) Glad your home safe and doing good! Email me and tell me all about it when you have time Love Ya..

I have been banded 6 months and have PB'd 2 times..one of those timeswas on Sushi..like you pre band we would do a weekly sushi night..now I remove the rice and eat the middle I also have them make all of my rollls with soy paper instead of sea weed..it is much thinner and easier to chew. Most sushi places have a soy paper, it is a very think pink colored paper that they can use in place of the sea weed..much easier to chew and tastes very similar to the sea weed. Ask for the soy paper and take some of the rice off the rolls..go slow and chew chew chew..I barely made it to the bathroom at the sushi place..there was a one stall bathroom with someone in it..I had the slime and my mouth was watering, I made it just in the knick of time ...I now am so careful with sushi...

We all were wondering what had happened to you. I'm sorry ot hear of your husband..I know all to well about cancer ..I feel guilty now, my son is in remission from his cancer and has been extermely sick the last 2 weeks but I went to Vegas My hubby would not let me stay home, he was adamant about me getting away and letting loose..I sure hope your husband is doing better ..I will keep him in my prayers. ((hugs to you))

Celery - I eat with Peanut Butter and have had no problems yet Vericose Veins - I do not have those yet

Looks like that Damn scale is moving in the right direction! Way to go! You will be at goal in no time the way you are having restriction.. Congrats!

Ok I posted last week that I was game for this challenge..well I did not exercise one single time and I lost 3 lbs.. go figure But today is Monday again and I am going to get on my bike as soon as I finish my lunch I promise!! 4 more pounds and I will be in onderland. If I can lose 3 last week with no exercise then maybe I can lose 4 this week with exercise..Hmm.. HAPPY EXERCISING TO YOU ALL!!!

Ginny I agree with Penni go see your doc and make sure your 2.6 is still there. The band is a tool, it does not make the food choices for us..we have to do some of the work ourselves. It is not a magic wand. It does help trememdously once you get good restriction I can tell you that. I'm at 2cc's an amd losing 2-3 lbs a week with minimal effort. Do not wait around if you are not losing for 3 weeks in a row, call your doctor find out what is going on. If you are following the rulles for a fill and you still are not losing then get a fill. check out this link it is on adjustments http://lapbandtransformation.com/Adjustments.htm Ok Ginny come on girlfriend you can do this! I will help you, call me anytimee when you are feeling like you are struggling..hey if it helps I will even start a challenge with you like Penni and Lisa did ...challenges help me becasue they keep me honest and accountable other then to just myself. Seriously call your Dr. tell him what is going on..does he do his under fluoro? Good Luck to you..hang in there Ginny Love You

Darcy, I'm so sorry to hear that you are struggling But you know this unfill is only temperorary so try not to get too discouraged OK once you get your fill back you will be on the losing side. Just try as hard as it is to follow the bandster rules as much as possible during this unfill stage. You can do this Darcy! Better choices, more exercise and Drink your water!!! If you need a little verbal encouragement you can call me anytime. I will talk you out of it Hang in there Darcy (((Hugs to you)))