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Has anyone been experiencing a problem with the site, slow and not getting to the main page? I have verizon coming up saying there is no such site, and then a page saying the site is down, and then today, hard to sign on and very slow??? I want to see if it is the site or my pc? You guys are amazing. I looked up the gadget and I will wait on it. I don't think I want to spend that much money yet. do you have to input everyday what you eat? I am not sure how it even works.

Pat and Gina thanks so much for your thoughts! I have my fill appointment on November 13, at 12 at St. Marys' Hospital in Richmond. My first fill was flouro, the other two were in the office. This one is another flouro, for an inside check! For that reason alone is why I made the appointment. My NP at the last fill told me to make a check up in December and if I thought I needed a fill before to make an appointment. I decided just to get on their busy schedule and make my decision as I get closer. I agree with having not experienced pbing! it is great, and I really dont' want to go there. I hate that! I have restriction now with many foods, and stop eating for that reason, but last night at Olive Garden I had to make myself stop! it was so good, no full feeling and no restriction. the band is a crazy tool!!! Gina how are you doing this week with tempation? and the gym? I did not go all weekend and need to at least walk with the dogs and my dh. I am off to a business trip next week, three days. This is the first one since bandland! I should be ok, most eating is on your own, so I will have choices. thanks for being a great support!! talk to you soon

Diane Glad to hear it all went well and the goblins did not get to you!! How are you feeling now, day 2? Donna, glad you are doing great too!! You will love your new life! One day at a time... Gina and Nana, I have a question for the veterans! I had my third fill on october 8, and have felt real restriction just this week, food getting stuck and having a harder time of eating. I have been slowing down and chewing more. I can't eat some foods I ate before such as thin crusted pizza and wraps. My question is; I have a fill appt. on November 13, should I get it? I don't want to be at a point that I can't eat or drink, and I am pbing all the time like some others... I have NOT pbing yet, and I want to keep it that way. I am wondering if I am in my "sweet spot" and need to work with it? My weight loss is slowing do to poor choices and no exercise. what do you think? well, better run to work...wish I was going to be in richmond to see you Gina.

Beckie and Suzzzie You both look FANTASTIC!! You can really see it in you photos....but why doesn't anyone SMILE! Stef welcome to ONE..derland!!! You jumped right in(down) there!! :whoo:Glad all is ok with you, I am glad for gramps... I bet you are excited for Monday..we want pictures! Suzzzie I have not looked up the bodybug yet. I need to check out all the excitement! I like price of $159 better. You are doing so well. I am believing that the band has a mind of its own. I had my third fill on october 8, totalling 6cc. I had a bit of difference in the first few days but then after three weeks the restriction really kicked in. I have had food get stuck that I could eat before and been in pain. But just slime here and there, no pbing. Not yet, which beleive me I am not complaining. My biggest question now is if I should get a fill on November 13 or cancel it? I really dont want to get to a point of not eating at all. I think I may be in that sweet spot now, and need to work with it. I am not losing weight as quickly but that is do to 2 reasons; eating bad stuff such as Halloween candy and not exercising. What do you all think? :help:

Gina, I hope she is okay. I worry about domestic violence when situations occur like this, the social worker in me. I am not sure the doctor's office would tell you anything, but maybe the next time you are there you could state your worry about her that may prompt them to call her if they haven't heard anything. You would still not know, but you could know you passed it on. I hope she does not feel she could return to the site because she went back to her husband? that is not what friends are for. thanks for the update. Janine

Holli OMG 84 LBS!!!!!! that is so fantastic!! you are doing great. And 9LB LOSS you are an inspiration to us all! Rhonda GREAT Photos!! But you need to :car:! You look great. I have not taken any photos just for this, but I will have to try and cut and paste some. I can understand the unfill, I don't know if I could go on to long with that situation. Keep us posted. Suzzzie I can understand your struggle with the compliments at work. It is good and bad! You enjoy the comments but then the interigation can get to much! I try not to answer the " How much" ?? But focus on eating changes and exercise. then when you get compliments I feel good and it is a green light to cheat. So, I try to be aware of that. insub I can understand the "stand still" first hand. I have been at 199 for a while, I lost 1lb and now I am at 198. BUT I have not been good with some of my choices either. this week I was tempted with M&M's and chips. So, I need to stay clear of foods that go down easy with calories!! dan there are exercises that you can do other than the traditional crunch. Suzzie's recommendation is a good one, however if you are on the ship and have to comprimise, look up on the computer for other options. I can't recall off my senior brain right now!! GO REDSKINS!!!! They will lose today, but I will still cheer for them!

you are all doing great!!! I do think I reached to high! but even if I get down 10 more, I will be pleased....it is slowing down. All of you are inspirational!!!

Donna Hope all went well! You are probably on your way home. Be sure to walk, walk and walk! It will help with the gass pains. gina my first fill was aggressive, almost 5cc in my 10cc band. then I would say they were smidgens, or I asked for a "tweak". I did not want to pbing or be where I could not drink, etc. after that my two fills were .5 and now I am at 6cc. I go in November for my second fill with flouro, I am not sure I want a fill, but wanted to get on the schedule, for my doctor's office books up fast. I am still tight at times, and then others I think I eat to much and I get hungry. tracey welcome!! I am not from Hampton Rd.s bug Northern VA, and was banded in Richmond!

holli I understand the pressure you feel with the events coming up. this summer I had my son's wedding on July 7, weeks after entering band land and then to the beach the end of August. But I decided not having a fill would be better for I would atleast be able to have some food, rather than no food. In addition you have been pbing several times still, regardless if you think it is due to your eathing ways, your doc may think you need an unfill. I know thanksgiving and christmas are great holiday's surrounding food, but more the reason to be in control. talk to your doc and see what they say. suzzie GREAT for you... it is so nice when others notice your success. your new gadget sounds cool.

rhonda...I am so sorry about your puppy! My dh and I are going to court in Nov in regards to one of our dogs. He is about two, a mutt we adopted from a rescue. My dh had him out front and he ran in the road after a man walking. He startled the dog and the man fell. nothing else happened. the guy was physically fine. The dog did not bite or touch him. But the guy called the animal control and he pressed for us to be charged and to go to court. My dh is very upset. He wanted to charge us with a "dangerous dog" but the officer said that she would not do this for there was no bite. We agree that we should not have had our dog out, but this guy is going to far! I am a dog person, and feel your sadness. bbaby I agree to be sure to drink and if you can get fluids down and eat a little bit, to hang on. I responding from what I read not my own experience. I have yet to pbing, but have had food stuck and slimed a little. the food usually will go down. I need to eat slower, smaller bites and chew. I think this is so hard for us for we are use to enhalling food!!! suzzzie I will have to look into your new buddy! I never heard of a body bug? where do you put it on your body? I have not looked it up yet. How are you feeling Toni? glad to see you chatting in. I have been busy the last few days, 3 pages later!!!

suzzzie your weight loss is amazing as well! each lb is an accomplishment. I know we all said this before, it does not matter if you have 80, 180 or 280 to lose, we all have the same eating challenges!! I feel about pizza the way you feel about the tequito's. I am glad to eat one piece rather than half the tray plus! My dh and I took the kids to an apple fall festival in the country. it was beautiful. All was great except for the 16 year old compliants! There was blue grass/country bands playing all day, apples, pumpkins, hayrides, and the sun was out! I am planning to make an apple pie and some apple crisp today. I feel like I can eat the apple crisp. I love fall. it is still a bit to warm, in the 70' but nice! tomorrow back to the grind!

Rhonda/otbthin I have reached One-derland! At least I think I am still there? I have not weighed myself in over a week because I am afraid to! I am 1/2 way to my weight loss. I am excited and have bought some clothes that are a size 14. I am more happy with that than the numbers. I went to Belk, like a Macy's and bought some clothes on clearance and sale. I figure for the next two or three months they will still work!! Dan and others, it is so easy to begin to question the band, who is really working, the band or our will and diet choices. Dan I agree with Suzzie and o2bthin, that you did a FANTASTIC JOB so fast, so it is easy for you to think that the band may not be the tool for you! BUT, I think you did so good with out it that at a point you will need a fill, you will feel the restriction to keep your weight off. that is the main part of the Band that I focus on, that once I reach my goal, I won't gain it back like all the other 100's of times! I knew going in that I would still need to make good choices. I can still eat chips, salsa, junk, wine, ice cream and more! this is an ongoing challenge. but I also love to eat real food! so, the meal restriction truly helps me. I am sorry for going on and on, but the band has not stopped my from eatng poorly and since June, i think we are all learning.

Donna, good luck on tuesday! I bet you are getting excited and nervous. You will do great. signgirl your surgery is around the corner, Halloween, that is funny! hopefully no goblins in the room. gina wow, your 5th fill!!and 20lbs!!! that is great. how are you feeling now with the fill? are you eating ok? I have had 3 fills, and I am at 6cc. My NP told me to make a doctor appt. for two months away and if I needed a fill to call for a flouro this time. I decided due to their busy schedule to go ahead and get my name on the schedule. My appt. is for November 13. I may or may not get it. After my fill on October 8, just another .5cc, I feel restriction. it is so weird. i can eat crisp calafornia frozen brand pizza, 2-3 peices, no problem. but today had a hard time with stew and spaghetti and meat sauce. I have eaten pasta before with no issues. so who knows? I may or may not keep the fill appoinment but at least I am have it ready if I do. I am jealous Heather and HarleyNana! I would love to retire and move to nags head! I love the beach. Maybe some day. I have one grandaughter, age 2 and one on the way. I am not sure I want to be to far away. I am glad for us Virginians! has anyone heard from Zannie? I hope she is doing ok.

theres your hug girlfriend!!!

capt dan I am so happy for you!! You are the BIGGEST LOSER!!! I need to be on a boat...take us all with you!! :whoo: I agree about the support here, it is fantastic. I am glad you can eat more, because I felt as a guy, 1/2 c -1c was to little. You will look hot on your bike!! missy You tooo. 80lbs!! :clap2:great celebrations, with Ashley half way!! welcome to the half way club!!! rhonda don't let the gain get you down, it could be anything. I look at the time of the day I go to the doctor and then go from there. Just keep with the plan!! it will bounce down next:) toni I am soooooooo sorry you are feeling :(sad! You are such a positive voice here. I agree with some of what you are saying, that the band was to help you control your eating, but with any diet, or restriction you need to exercise, for more than losing weight. I am no perfect work out guru, beleive me, I have fallen off the gym wagon more than once. I know it is good for me and actually enjoy it once I am there, but stress and exhaustion from work gets in my way! Even if you just walk, it would be good for you. You don't need to go and pump Iron, or run 30-60 min on a treadmill. walking 15-30 min a day is a start! I agree with what suzzzie said about all we gave up, bread, soda, beer, salad (for some of us), but it is all good. when I read it I just recalled how I did not have bread, a sandwhich for 5 months! I can't beleive it. I don't miss it either. I do miss a few beers, but I drink wine instead:)! I don't count my calories or write down a log. I should write a log for that is helpful when I put stupid things in my mouth. But I think if you stick to the portions and the right foods, you don't need to do all that work. toni, I am saying all this because I don't want you to put so much pressure on yourself and make you feel bad about what you did or didn't do or with the band. it is a process! you are great!! You are here with us. just hang in there!! I missed you... as well as others did... well, hope I did not go on and on, but Toni, we all have visited the depressing moments of this journey... but we are on our way to better days...

suzzzie GREAT total WL. glad you were able to get your ticker updated, the visual helps Celebrate:whoo:!! Enjoy your NSV with the clothes!! nv you most likely need a fill. Like the others said, it takes a while to get there. I have 6cc in my 10cc and feel some restriction but not to the point of only accepting 3 bites! However, I want to get to the sweet spot, but I don't want to be pbing either. Some docs will put in tiny bits at a time. if you only have 1cc, I am thinking your band size is not a 10 but a 4 something? when is your next appointment? My three fills were 4 weeks apart. I don't have another appointment until December, 8 weeks, and my NP told me to make an appointment for a flouro fill in between if I feel I need it. All docs are different. stef/suzzzie I looked at the bracelets, they are designer!! Like you suzzie I never thought of wearing one because I did not want a sign on me for that, but now that I see the nice ones, I think I will go for it! I wish I new a beader like Stef to make me different ones! I am thinking at the mall and some stores, you could buy the beaded ristlets that are availbalbe for watches and they would be the same? Stef, what do you think??

Stef glad to hear your grandfather is doing better, he surely does not look that old in the photo! "bracelet" How does all that fit on it? I did not look at the site yet, but it looks like a lot. I never thougth to get one, but after Dawn's experience, I might just do it now!! Dawn glad you are OK! I know how it feels to go through something like that with no answers. Now you have to pray it does not happen again! For now, smile and take care! suzzzie you are doing great in your contest! You are lucky to take advantage of the trainer deal. When I watch the Biggest Loser, I wish I could have a Jillian for a day! GREAT NSV It feels so great to fit into the next size down! NSV for me too! I bought a new pair of size 16 pants, modern ones, cream color with brown and and like a slate pin stripe. I wore them to work yesterday with a black sweater and black shoes. I received compliments all day. then I saw my 22 year old son, and he was giving me a hard time, telling me I was all trying to be young again, whatever!! Son's!!! His wife was saying I looked nice, and told him to be be quiet! At least he noticed!! I have been having a really hard time getting to the gym. I had planned to go to a 8:30 am weight lifting class and then take a 9:30 step class, and here I sit. I will leave and go to the step. I really need to get there, I hate when I am so much in a rut with the gym. why???? not sure!! Have a great weekend everyone. hope to hear from Toni and where is Monica these days? Or Holly? We miss you if you are reading.

Gina and harleynana, thanks for you support. I had difficulty eating some things today, such as salad. My NP says mushies later in the day after a fill, eating it slow so if you PB you are home, but to take it slow. I agree with all you said. I surely don't want to lose my band. I did this for a reason! take care

ladyhr I would call your doc's office again. If you cant' keep water down, then it sounds like you need an unfill. From what I read this appears to be the general doctor practice. A slite underfill might do the trick. you don't want to get dehyrdated. for food stuck some drink pinapple juice. We had a luncheon today and I could not eat salad. one bite and it was stuck. I only ate a little. rather than walk away, I had a sliver of chocolate cream pie from a local bakery everyone loves. I passed up homemade carrot cake a coworker makes for all birthdays, I feel at least I did not eat both!! where is Stefanie? and the rest of the gang?? Hope all is ok.

gina and harley nana than you for the advise. I had a .5cc fill, now 6cc. I really only wanted a little because I had restriction at times, I just lost the full feeling. I am now at 6cc. I am wondering if I should have had a little more for I can eat today. I had some taco meat for dinner and it went down fine. but I also know it can kick in later. I was really unhappy with my weight. I gained 2 lbs since last week, which is upsetting. but I have been eating chips and salsa a lot. I am hoping I can't swallow them anymore!!I lost 7lbs in the 4 weeks. I hope the fill helps more lbs come off!!! I hate when you leave the office and forget to ask the questions you wanted to ask. Such as if eating over the amount damaged my band/pouch? or if I can eat more than a cup of liquid type of foods, Soups and chili's? What do you veterans think? How do you all stick to your portions? could you give me an idea of how much of what types of food I should eat? I hear about people who can eat a tablespoon and be full?? i don't ever see me there, nor do I want to be.

Jaime welcome to the site! I hope you will post, share and read all our challenges. It is helpful to have each other!! jojo I am sorry you were sick and still recovering. I went to my doctor today and asked about being sick and vomiting. I was told exactly what they did for you. that only if you are sick ongoing or more than once, you should get an unfill to help you eat and drink better. I felt better that I was ok, that I did not call. I hope you are feeling better. I had a fill today but only .5cc, now at 6cc. I only wanted a tweak because I was already feeling restricted. I did not want to get to full. I was very upset with my weight loss, only 7lbs since the last visit 4 wks ago. I know that is because of eating bad things. I am disappointed in myself, I gained 2 lbs since I weighed a week ago, up above Onder land!!I hope this fill gets me back on track!! hope everyone is enjoying the day!!

Hello Gina and all HarleyNana, thanks for sharing your photo's! I am not a Williamsburg bander, but a Richmond bander, but have posted here just to chat with other Virginians. I am a Nana too, my grandaughter had her 2nd Birthday party yesterday at Chuck E cheese. That was fun! I was good and ate a salad! I go today at 10 for a doc appointment. Not sure if my NP will give me a fill, but I think I need a tweek. I have 5.75cc and feel some restriction, but that full feeling has gone. I have been able to eat more than I should. but I lost weight too, so I am not sure what she will do? I will see soon, a couple hours. I will post back later!!!

suzzie you are doing great!!! I am sorry about your grey hair! I was premature gray in my early 20's. First one pulled out in college. I held out coloring my hair until I turned 30. I did not want to look old. At age 48, who knows what it looks like under this color!! missy great about the JOB!!! I know it must be exciting and scary at the same time. I have changed jobs, but never out of state. It sounds like you planned it all out. How did the Chiefs do? Go REDSKINS!!!!!!! We are finally winning games! I will keep my fingers crossed. I have my doc appointment today at 10 am. I am hoping for a small fill. I will see what happens. I will write later! I hope some of you are off today to enjoy a 3 day weekend!! I am! sometimes it is great being a government employee.

Ingrid welcome! I am so glad you joined our group. you must have been a fast reader, 207 pages!!! You are doing great. I agree about the fill. You have been doing great with will power, but do you ever feel full? get a tight feeling? Or is it all control? dan I agree about the scale thing! I don't weight every day, try to keep it to weekends or even longer! I thinkk if you weigh every day I get to discouraged. Keep up the great work, I would love to go to LV, never been! toni how are you??

missy GREAT NSV!! Don't focus on how big you are but that you are losing every day!! We are all at a different spot, but all working at the same goal!! Keep up the great work!! portion control I agree with all your posts. this week I have been eating over the 1 cup or 1/2 cup. I am worried that I am stretching my pouch. In most cases I don't feel full, but there are times I do feel restriction. Sometimes I stop eating others I don't. Now, I am still eating less than before and do stop, but I feel that I should feel full sooner. I have a doc appointment on Monday. I am on the fence for a fill, the reason being is I do feel restriction, should I just feel that and stop eating, regardless if I feel full! But that is so hard. the band is to tell me I am full. I am confused about it. I read so many that get a fill and can't eat anything and PB. I dont' want that either. sorry for rambling!!! stef I wish I had a suggestion for you! I have not been on the scale since I reached 199. I am afraid I gained:paranoid. I will wait until Monday!!