paula

I think this is a neat idea... id wear it to a support group meeting... and maybe to the grocery store (just kidding)! LOVED whippledaddy's idea!

Alex, my doc only told me to take 2 chewable vits everyday... NO calcium or any other supplements (this has always bothered me). So, just wondering what vitamins and supplements everyone takes on a daily basis?

Hi Audrey! Im NOT from NH, but just wanted to say Hi anyway! Good luck and glad to meet you:) .

Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you... and like the others, waiting for the end result! If I remember correctly, you are around the Dallas area, right? If so, (I hope this is a consolation) you know as well as I do that Dallas is THE place to be if you have any sort of health problems. People around here go to Dallas ALL of the time for their medical needs... so girl, youre in the right place to have a problem such as this one!! (Just hope they find it soon)

Yippie.... another spicy food eater! Im waaaaay down here in the south, actually cajun country (Louisiana) and Ive always been able to tolerate the spicy things just fine... before AND after. My doc.'s orders were anything that fits through a straw for the first 2 weeks. So I did popsicles, slim fast, milkshakes... but my favorite was the Spicy V-8 juice!!! YUM! Blue Bunny brand has MANY suger free frozen things... popsicles, choc. bars, etc. I camped out on that isle everytime we went to Walmart. Good luck... and WELCOME!

THIS IS WONDERFUL... WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!!!! And I love LOVE the new bra.... I want one just like it! And I agree with the others, you are such an inspiration to all of us... God bless you and.... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Hi! Ive used other diet pills other than Meridia... mainly because of the cost. (It seems like Ive talked to you about this diet pill stuff before). Anyhow, prior to my first fill I took a couple of diet pills to help with the weight loss - mainly not to regain my initial 12lb loss. I certainly dont think it will hurt the band... did you ask your surgeon about the meridia or your pcp???

THanks Donali...... with a lot of help from you!

And Delarla... You have lost 47lbs in 3 months?????? woohooooo...way to go girl!!!!! (a high five for ya) THAT is awesome!!!

Hi 4jobe! Glad to meet you! Ive only been banded for a month and I had the SAME concerns. I woke up from surgery starving!!! Later I found out (through this board) that this is VERY normal. We have all agreed that this shouldve been told to us pre-surgery (that we may be hungry before first fill). And what dissapointment I had when I only lost 12 lbs the first month... BUT... Ive gone down 2 clothes sizes!!! Everyone is different. And yes, after you get that first fill, you should notice some restriction. There are some here that have been banded for 3 months and feel enough restriciton and continued weight loss to not have the first fill (not like me).... like I said, everyone is different. I hope I answered your question and didnt just babble! Good luck and WELCOME!!!

Ok, now IM playing with it! I had NO idea how to do this either. Lets see....

Penni, Your daughter is a cutie! I wish I could go "naturel" like her (no make-up). What a precious family... you are truly blessed!

I also got my first fill on Monday. Ive been VERY hungry since the band surgery... even took a few diet pills to help things out. Well, on Monday, my fill appointment was at 3pm, so around noon I had a bit of something to eat (not knowing you are NOT suppose to eat before a fill). Anyhow, when I went for my fill I told the doc how hungry I had been and about the diet pills.... so, he gave me a 1.6cc fill. I was very concerned about this being too tight. He told me I would be fine! Ha! What a joke... getting Water to go down that first afternoon was an extreme accomplishment! (I think alot of it had to do with me eating beforehand) . Things are better now... just slow, small bites and chewing well. But this is what really got me angry.... while getting my fill, I asked the doc about my diet for the next few days(liquids, soft stuff etc). He paused and said, "Its all in the paperwork". I had NO idea what he was talking about. So the nurse whispered to me, "Liquids for about a day and a half". What an ass! Sorry for venting... But the reason I replyed on this thread was to warn you NOT to eat before your fill!

Darcy, I honestly can NOT believe this is still going on. You have been suffering for a week now. I went out of town for 2 days and thought about you... couldnt wait to get home and find out what happened. Are you sure we dont have the same surgeon??? Tall, dark Russian guy that drives a convertable mercedes (got rid of the porche b/c it rode too rough).... poor guy! They seem to lack the same concerns..... patient satisfaction! These foreign doctors are coming here makin' a killin' off of us poor overweight folks. And the services they are giving post-op were obviously tolerated in their own countries because of the lack of money/insurance to afford better. How sad! Oh well, maybe it may wisen up the other folks that may be thinking about WLS... to be more choosy. Im thinking about ya and will certianly keep you in my prayers...

I say "Amen" to everything this article stated... Im a BIG Water drinker, probably a gallon a day. But I would like to offer a little more info. I (actually my family) drinks ONLY distilled water. Walmart, .53 cents a gallon! Distilled water is MUCH better for our bodies... it goes through a distilliation process and filters any unsafe particles - MUCH safer then tap or spring water. ANd about the constipation thing... (you can even try this one) it acts as a better lubricant for our bodies and helps the bowels move easier. If I find an article on this, Ill post it.

Oh yes, I fit right into that same family catagory. But as an adult, Ive realized that food has always been the big crutch.... something that was instantly good. Now the problem IS... that I cant seem to find anything else for a food replacement (for the instant good thing). Id ask for suggestions, but Im sure I could give you a real good reason why each suggestion wouldnt fit in my lifestyle. Heck, I might go meet Lisa at the Funny farm. At least there I could sleep (nearly every night, one, two or all three of the animals, oops I mean kids, wake me up). Sleep would be considered "instant good", right?

Oh, this is waaaay too funny!!! Just to ease your thoughts, Ive never met a man that didnt have "toys"..... mine is into guitars ! But just think about all those guys that are into hunting and fishing and they have all the boat stuff, fishing stuff, guns, licenses, hunting leases, cabins...... Im sure that crap adds into the THOUSANDS!!!! One thing Ive always wondered..... how come men have these hundreds and thousands of dollar toys, and us women have to "fit it in the budget" to buy a new bra??? hmmmmmm......... :guess

Hi Phatdaddy (love the name) I JUST had mine on the 5th of July and my surgeon was out of state, although its just an hour away from home. Is there anyone in your area or that you may know of that has used this doc before? I know nothing about BCBS. My ins. gave me NO problems with the approval, like Ive said before, you have to do alot of foot and phone work, but heck, its worth it! And about the post surgery problems, everyone is different. For me, it was day 2-5 having moderate gas pains, and if you take a walk down the street, it will help. Oh, and the hunger . I woke up from surgery hungry as a bear. Like weve all talked about before, thats something the doc's fail to tell folks about is the hunger you MAY feel pre-fill. Good luck and keep us posted with your progess!

You certainly do NOT look 250ish. What a beautiful family.... what are the ages of your girls? I have a 8, 3 & 1 yr olds. How in the world do we have a weight problem with young kids?????? :guess

Hi Amy! Good Luck with all of the pre-op stuff. Its alot of foot work, but well worth the information we receive on our health (like Marie said). Just wondering, have you talked to you ins. comp about paying for this surgery?

oops, I wasnt clear enough... the little pic on the left (I thought it was called avatar) that we see everytime you post a message.... it looks like a little kid is standing in front of you. Am I the only one that sees this??? (Maybe its time for me to take a lexipro and get in bed):cool:

Hi Leatha, you look wonderful! WOW!!! Your before and after pics could be (honestly) two different people. And where's the kid??? Your avatar pic shows you with a little one... Im like Vera, I love these pics, they give us "newbies" such motivation! You are awesome :cool: and a great inspiration!

Hi! I was just wondering about the fills that Spiegel gives. Is he the one that gives it or the nurse? An does he do it under the "fluro" thing that everyone talks about? Just wondering....

Penni, you are right, thats does look like it would hurt. OUCH! Maybe I missed it in another forum, but what actually happened?

My God, yall are beautiful. I cant wait for 211. I can only imagine what your family members must be thinking!!! :cool: God Bless you and Congratulations!