hagerteresa

Mellissa, Have you checked around in your area about other fill doctors? Perhaps there are some that are more experienced and a bit cheaper... I had my surgery in Mexico but found a fill doctor just two hours away. I had to have flouro used and the total cost for the fill and flouro was $250. My doctor doesn't think I'll need the flouro everytime so the fills will only be $150. If you were unhappy with the hospital fill I would check around for someone more used to doing fills. Best of luck, Teresa

Hi All, I have been really frustrated lately too. I have stayed the same the last two weigh in weeks. I understood the first week since I had had the huge loss the week before and that next week we had Thanksgiving, my 5 year anniversary with my husband and his birthday all within a 4 day period but for the last week I have stuck perfectly. Been tracking my calories again, etc. I know I have lost inches because a pair of jeans that still wouldn't button a couple of weeks ago now button and almost fit comfortably but I still like to see the rewards of less poundage. Anyway I guess there is always next week for another shot at a loss.... I'm still following along fine. The fill place I go to automatically wants you to make another appointment for a fill 4 weeks out. That will be next week but I really don't think I need or want another one so soon. I definitely have restriction. It is weird though because I swear I have massive restriction till about 5 pm and then it disappears...Sometimes it doesn't but it must depend on what I am trying to eat. For some reason nachos and salad go down very easily and I can eat way more of those foods than anything else. I am one of those who loves the mayo-type of dressings (high calorie) and recently discovered if I put a few tablespoons of salsa on my salad instead of cut up tomatoes and then put a little dressing on it tastes great. The salad is still moist thru out and I still get the flavor of the ranch but don't risk a zillion calories from it. Anyway on to next week, Teresa

Hi Tim, Congratulations!!!! Glad it all went so smoothly. Take care of yourself and keep in touch with us here. Teresa

That is what we are here for. Your doing a great job doing your research Sonia and Vickie. Teresa

Sometimes a small sip does help me a little bit but if you take a big gulp it definitely will come back up. Hope you get unstuck soon, Teresa

A BMI of 39-40 also is considered eligible too I think.

Hi Lauri, I feel for you too. All husbands have moments of insensitivity, TRUST ME... Like Alex said, treats are earned and deserved once in awhile. I remember my weight watcher days... Every week after weigh in if I did good I would allow myself a meal at McDonalds on my way home. My mom used to crack up about it but that was my treasured reward for having been a good dieter all week. I love to have my evening snack in bed too so I can completely relate about that. My husband has accidently made comments before too (few and far between) but I know he loves me for who I am. Hopefully yours does as well. Best wishes, Teresa

Christine, Please listen to Leatha, she knows what she is talking about.... Everything you said sounds perfectly normal. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Babs, I too am sorry about all your recent calamity. I know how it sucks when it happens. Been there/ done that/ I'm sure I'll be there again...LOL. My hair has been thinning a lot too since the lapbanding and it bugs me. My mom has thin hair anyway and mine has never been the thickest so just losing a little makes a big difference. Let us know how you solve that particular problem. I just had all my blood work done too a couple of weeks ago and everything looked perfect. I sure wish you the best and am sending you ciber hugs. XOXOXO Teresa

AAAWWWW! Group hug everyone!!! LOL...

Jane, you are an amazing gift from God allowing these people to move in with you. My husband and I had to move over to his parents for a few months last year and take care of them while one was dying and the other was having major health issues. They were both the sweetest, most grateful people in the world but I can't imagine having to take all of what you do on. We don't even have kids!!! You must be a very patient woman... LOL Have a great holiday!!! Teresa

Glad we could be of service and make you feel so special!!! Can we get pics please!

Hello, If you research the archives you will find that most everyone experiences hunger at this stage. I found the mushies and the solids (once I got there) really helped alleviate that initial hunger. In fact I was starving during the liquid stage but didn't end up needing a fill till 6 months. That is kind of unusual but I followed the criterias for determining the need for a fill. I think Kelly and Michelle covered all the yummy mushies... Teresa

Hi Penni!!! You do look wonderful!!! I am so proud of your progress! That is funny when you mentioned your doctor's office response because now whenever I go to my primary family doctor he calls me the "Incredible Shrinking Woman." I always crack up at him. I am his first band patient and he was really worried when I went to Mexico for my band surgery. I remember when I got home after surgery, my brother had an appointment with him and I went just so our doctor could see I was still alive. My poor brother felt upstaged because the doctor just couldn't quite glancing at me amazed I looked so good and energetic after surgery. Anyway I have veered off course from my well-wishings... Best wishes, Teresa

Ditto what Lisa said, I miss seeing you around too Kellymoos! Teresa

Hi Belinda, Great Job!!! I'm totally impressed. Nice to meet you, Teresa

Hi Sonia, Ask away!!! Welcome! Its nice to meet you. Teresa

Many of us have to pay for our own fills and I think your lucky they'll cover the two fills. If you can fight it and get them to cover more than that will be a blessing for you but I would also find out how much they cost from you doctor so you can be prepared if need by. My follow up doctor here in Oregon costs $256 for the initial consultation and fill and then $150 for all fills later. That seemed cheap in Oregon from my research but I know the prices vary widely all over the country. Best of luck to you, Teresa

Hi Blossom, How are you doing now???

I started week 1 on clear liquids but by the end of that week I was already trying protein drinks (I liked the Costco version of the slim fast drinks) and V8. I stuck with those for a few days and slowly added in pudding and very creamy soups. Just go slowly, be careful and follow your docs orders as closely as possible. I remember just kind of having aches and pains all over the first week. They got progressively less as the week went on but it wouldn't surprise me if I had had a soreness on my chest at night. I can't remember. I would call your doc just to let them know and see what they say. Best wishes, Teresa

Damn girl!!! Your absolutely amazing!!! You look wonderful. I was just looking thru all of your pics and remember seeing all of them as you've shared them with us. I even remember some of the earlier ones from before I got banded. I am so impressed with you band journey. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Lisa, I hope things are on the improve list now. Jeez' you've been thru a ton. Didn't you have an endoscopy earlier? Well, as you can imagine I sure hope its not erosion and the doc can put in a new port. That sucks you won't know either way until they wake you up. Great job on this weeks loss though. You make us all proud to know you girl! Love ya, Teresa

Hi Fran, That all sounds pretty normal to me. I understood what you meant before the corrections too. They gave me Jello in the hospital when I had gotten my band so I am under the assumption that jello is considered a clear liquid because it melts in our mouth too. Don't know... LOL. I'm glad everything went well otherwise and hope your healing goes easily. Teresa

I want the freedom of not worrying about erosion and Lopez... Lifetime fills in Oregon would be nice too... LOL. I do really want somekind of workout machine I can use at home. I don't have anything here and I hate to venture out into the cold to walk. I still do my water aerobics but want to do more too. I also really want a digital food scale, a bar of clinique face soap... etc. LOL... Unfortunately my family has had a really financially strapped year this year and not sure many of us are even doing gifts. I plan on it, but don't want to the people who can't to feel bad either. Don't know what to do. Best wishes, Teresa

You crack me up Lisa... Since my 1 cc. fill I have pretty much had to be careful with meals but last weekend we went to my mother in laws and she made us nachos for dinner. I LOVE nacho (mine was more like taco salad) and I just kept loading on the toppings. I NEVER thought I would be able to eat it all but I just kept plowing thru it. I couldn't believe I actually finished the darn thing. Salad type dishes go very easily for me as well as any kind of snack food such as chips, crackers and deserts... I don't understand WHY??? I am back to being a good girl this week but I was just amazed that sometimes things go down like lead while other times it all goes down way to easily... Best of luck to you and certainly hope you do not have any further band related problems. Teresa