HotButterFly

I'm scheduled for a fill tomorrow but I'm not sure if I should get one. I'm very close to green... If I'm not already there. I'm hunger-free for FOUR hours, but I can definitely eat more than a cup of food; also, I don't wake up hungry, but I've been sliming & throwing up a little too much lately MOSTLY because of eating too fast and not chewing as much as I should. I need to chew better, eat slower, and take smaller bites and that should take are of the sliming & regurgitation If I get it, I'll ask for .25 ONLY.... Help me sort this out, guys. Thanks.

What does your surgeon say?? By two weeks I was already back to normal, if I could remember correctly.

Yes, a fill can leave you swollen inside but it shouldn't get you to a point where you can't keep liquids down. I had an aggressive fill two months ago and when I tried to drink coffee (because warm liquids relax the band) about two hours later, something went horribly wrong! Later that night I checked myself in the ER and demanded they take all the saline out. It sounds to me like you're too tight.

You can lose 100+ pounds. Who said you couldn't lose more???

If I could hug each and every one of you I WOULD. Thank you for your responses; they were, for the most part, things I ALREADY knew, but I guess I just needed to HEAR it again to drive it home. Missy, I know the band's job is not to physically make us not eat, what I meant by I can eat more than a cup is that sometimes I'm not totally satisfied with that little bit of food... Although that might be a "head" thing, and I'll probably sort through that issue as I learn more about being in GREEN. Thanks for all the info Nana, I don't ever want to be near RED. I was there once after an aggressive fill, and I ran to the emergency room the same night because a sip of coffee almost killed me. Yes, I need to slow down. I noticed that all the times I've found myself in trouble, it has been times when I'm eating right before I leave the house, or when it's almost time to pick up the kids and I haven't had lunch yet, or when we are going shopping and its getting late... I also have to start using my TIMER again. I had it set for every four hours and I wouldn't eat before it went off. I need to start doing that again. I definitely know I'm not TOO tight, as I'm able to eat dense food with no problem, as long as I take my time. B-52, I have 6.5 in a 10 band and its probably my 6th or 7th fill (I lost track). It sure does feel like a balancing act. I hope I have this all figured out soon. I'll start with eating slowwwwwer. Thanks again to all of you for helping me figure out I DON'T need another fill (for now) and that I am, indeed, at GREEN!! Now I just have to learn how to really work this to my advantage. XOXOXOXO

My first fill was with a NP. I love him cuz he's a good person and very professional. HOWEVER, he left me with a HUGE black and blue. It was so big and DARK, that I can still see the "outline" after 5 months. My current filler can fill me with his eyes CLOSED. He's jus that good.

My angel (SLASH) surgeon was Christine Ren-Fielding, the WIFE. You are in the hands of BEST team in the country. CONGRATULATIONS! The shake I've found to taste the best is ""Boost High Protein"" I get them at BJ's

I found my new FAVORITE pants at Khol's. They are by Jennifer Lopez; however, they are leggings, not dress slacks. I would advise you to check out her clothing line, as she DOES have plus sizes.

Yep!! HEAVY periods. I also have an IUD.

Ummmmmh, let him HURT YOU Concerns be DAMMED!! LoL

I'm sure some of you know Skymoon1982- aka Melanie from YouTube. This is EXACTLY the reason why I didn't hesitate last week and IMMEDIATELY went to the ER when I got "stuck" while drinking coffee after an aggressive fill. I was so scared my band would slip. I feel for her, but she waited TOO DAMN LONG. Now she had no band.

Define "newbies" LoL.

Yes. If you're in the NY/NJ area you may be able to use Gaspar Rosario, a NP from NYU. I can't find the website right now but his practice is called The BandWagon. I get my fills from him. He's wonderful and has a 6th sense for finding that port!!!

I'm really sorry about your diagnosis. I don't know too much about Lupus, but I'm sure you'll take it by the horns. God bless you and keep you.

Keep bottles of water by your bedside and drink everytime you get up to use the bathroom. Remember.... Tiny, tiny sips. Fell better soon!

WoW! You were beautiful then and you're gorgeous now!! CongratZ!

If you are already taking small bites, take even smaller ones. Use small utensils.... You won't believe how helpful that is! Try counting how many times you chew (I think it should be 30times) AND, wait between bites. It's very weird, I tell ya, but eating this way really helps in preventing what you explained. When I get "stuck" it only lasts a few minutes. I can't even begin to think about being stuck for hours.... I couldn't deal with that.

It would help of you told us how you feel. PBing is sometimes cause by what he said above. Its a constant burp, usually there is also pain in your chest. It can also be accompanied by a buildup of a Fluid we call SLIME in the back of your throat. It's highly uncomfortable and usually results in vomiting the slime and/or the food you're stuck on. There is usually immediate relief after it comes up. Hope you feel better soon.

Fun times. LoL.

LMAOOO. We are all ears, B52!! LoL.

For most surgeons the goal is for us to be satisfied with ONE cup of food for 3-4 hours (I'm there now). I've also been where you are, frustrated and discouraged. These are all emotions that we eventually work through and conquer. As many people have said before, the first month should be focused on healing (even if there is no more pain) because your insides have taken a beating... If the scale determines your MOOD for the day, you should stay off it. Have someone hide it from you. I use the scale everyday, BUT, I don't let it "get to me" whatever the number is. I use it just out of sheer habit... Sometimes I see the number and it doesn't even "register" in my head. What I DO use as a booster or as a warning sign is a pair of jeans.... They tell me the truth-- am I gaining or am I losing (right now they tell me I'm losing). It is said that we should expect a loss of 1-2 pounds per WEEK.... So a total of 8 a month.... That sounds pretty darn good to me. Good luck!!! Ps... Many times our band tells us when we've had enough or when we are nearing that point. Some people get a tinkle in their nose, others a little hiccup. I get a small involuntary sigh. I noticed it about a month an a half after surgery and I'm always aware & on the lookout for it... You may or may not get a similar sign. When we take our time with our meals and pause between bites, not only do we appreciate and enjoy our food more, but we are more aware of our bodies and their signals.

Hottie alert!!

YEP! Thank God we are in fact ALL different!!!

I do... In fact, I did last night. I just make sure I have band-approved items around, but MOST OF ALL I try to eat BEFORE I partake... If I'm full and not hungry, the "munchies" don't get me (but that's just me). I never get baked to a point where I lose all self control, so I'm comfortable. Also, instead of a bag of Reese's, I just have a bite-size chocolate and I'm goooood.

they'll reschedule those consultation appointments soon.... You'll get to green, don't worry.