toniteach

I treat myself to them, too. And I don't feel guilty..there's only about 100 calories in one! Plus, you can't get more soft than ice cream, so you can't harm your band. Good for you at having self-control and stopping at one! Hugs, Toni

I feel like I'm back being newly banded being on full liquids today.....but hopefully it will encourage that scale to MOVE! Faith...I have the small AP Band, too, and was the first to get one at my facility, Journey Lite. We're like sisters!!! Who else has the AP band?!? Joeygirl...today I saw only the technician and the X-ray Tech. No Dr. for me for another week or so.....but you may have a different experience and actually get filled by your Dr.!!! Danielle....so GREAT to see your post! Glad you called and got the instruction you needed and I'm relieved for you. BTW, I saw this today on Obesityhelp and thought of you: "Is it possible to stretch out the small stomach, or "Pouch"?" The pouch seldom enlarges, because it is created in an area that is very resistent to enlargement. The esophagus above the pouch will usually stretch before the pouch itself does. That is almost always caused by repeatedly over-eating, AKA "Stuffing the pouch". Not very many people do this, but if they do, it can result in "Esophageal Dilatation" or stretching of the esophagus, which can be a very serious thing. The usual remedy for esophageal dilatation is to completely unfill the band for a period of time, in the hope that the esophagus will shrink back to it's original size. In some instances, where the patient refuses to stop "Stuffing The Pouch" band removal is necessary. To answer your question, do you have the burp/hiccup sensations while you are eating? If so, it may be a signal that you are full! Also from OH: Patients who are post-op report many different "Full Signals", some of which I have listed here: A hiccup or hiccups. Sneezing. Stuffiness in the chest. Watering eyes. Coughing. Burping. Excessive saliva. I hope you had a good first day at work! Angeladarling----Best wishes on Thursday....you'll do GREAT Nina.....Your exercise regimen is unreal! I feel like I climbed a mountain after just 30 minutes on the treadmill, then I look at what you're doing and I go, "Oh, yeah....treadmill....big whoop"!!!!:embarassed: Hello to the rest of you! Toni

Just wanted to give you all an update....my first fill went just as expected. I found out I already had 4 ccs in my small AP Band. Anyway, I went and had to lay down, got a little numbing shot, then the tech used an X-Ray machine to get a good look at my port because it was tipped a little. After she got a good peek, she put 2 more ccs in my band. I couldn't feel a thing! :nervous I had to stand at the X-Ray machine after that for the barium swallow test. I could feel it go down, then go down again to my stomach.....good restriction. I'm at home and sipping a protein shake for the first time! I'm so excited. I just wish this feeling would stick. I'm afraid it may vanish in a few days..... Then I'll be back to the "no restriction" feeling....ugggh. So my instructions are to be on full liquids today, soft foods tomorrow, then regular foods on Wednesday. Piece of cake! I know we'll all have different fill experiences. I can't wait to hear about YOURS! Cheers, Toni

Good Luck, Sweetie! Let us know what your Dr. office says tomorrow! Toni

Jen----Ditto on the diarrhea situation AFTER I got off the Lortab (in which I had no bowel movements) It went from one extreme to the other......yikes! Pippz----Don't worry about throwing up (PB'ing) if you eat soft foods and take it slow and stop when satisfied/full you'll have no problems! I haven't had one yet, and I've even pushed the envelope. :embarassed: (But did get sick from a Migraine)

Did you try tickerfactory.com? If not, try that site and see if it works! Then come back to show it off or get more help!!!

Wow Carrie.....I'm in shock! :omg: We are going to miss you going through this with us *this* month, but hope you'll stick around through Sept. and beyond.... September should be a good month for all....hopefully the Junies will be feeling restriction with 2 or 3 fills under our belts, and you'll be banded! Have a BLAST on your upcoming vacations!!! Cheers, Toni

Wow...this is new news to me! I didn't know straws were a no-no. Can anyone explain why? I drink my protein drinks with a straw!!!! Toni

Hi Leenie....call your Dr.s office and ask. Most first fills happen 4-6 weeks post-op! GL, Toni

Cap'n...when I first told my Mom, she was really "cool" as in cold about it. Then she warmed up and became supportive. She is out of state, so I'm different that way, but she did offer to fly to me and help with my recovery (I declined)....you won't really need your Mom's help too much. Don't worry. Let her comments wash over you like water off a duck's back. That's just the way Moms are!!!!! When I said you won't need her.....I mean, right after banding I told myself that in order to make myself walk around, I would wait on myself. So whenever I needed broth, a new drink, pain Rx, etc....instead of asking my husband to bring it to me, I would get up and go get it. It was a bit of a pain (figuratively and literally!) but it helped with my healing. Tell your Mom that you need a ride (or not) and that the recovery is a piece of cake! All you need to make broth is to boil water for heaven's sake! And you might want to take her up on helping you clean your place. You'll be just fine. Are you going to get a recliner?!?!?

This board is waaaaaaaaay too good! If I am craving a bowl of cereal at midnight, I have it. I think that's the part of "bandster hell" that I'm giving in to. One banded friend said to enjoy it, so I guess I am! But all of you who are denying yourself.....I'm proud of you! That's some sacrifice! The scales will reward you generously (where mine is at a standstill!) :phanvan Cheers, Toni

I'm so jealous, Faith....you have a "Meijer Shifty Acres"! I used to live in Michigan for 24 years (now TX)....I miss Meijers! Have fun at your parties and take it easy!

I've been wondering what the new sensation will be like, too....if we'll actually feel it happening, or just when we eat? It will be interesting, and we'll all have different experiences/different ways we get filled, even! Happy Saturday to you, too, Stef!

That is too cool, LB...and we're both at Journey Lite, so I wonder if that's exactly how it will be done?!? (No floro, etc....) Guess we'll find out soon enough!

Good Morning! How is EVERYONE!?!? Looking to hear from Hotty.....oh Hotty, where are you?!? Pippz....I keep meaning to tell you, I have relatives in rural CT (East Hampton). Is that close to you? Hope you can get in that pool soon! Lo2us...good to see you posting! Congrats on the lowered B/P! :clap2: That's amazing! Pretty soon you'll be off that RX completely! Suzzzie....now you're my partner in crime: I was considering the treadmill last night until I saw you were lounging in your jammies. Well, I just HAD to follow suit! Beckie----17 pounds WL is amazing! Way to go, girl! :clap2: Keep it up! :welcomeB: Kimberly in the Big Apple and Adventure-Rider! Good to see you! Minty....do you think your kiddos will behave if they know Mommy has some boo-boos and can't get around like she normally does? If not....can you send them off for playdates? I would LOVE to take them, but I have a luncheon on Saturday. :ohwell: Wish I could help!!!! Jackie...I'm so glad to hear you're healing....every day will be better. :amen: 2BHealthy and LadyHR....glad you're over the fence! And Lady....go for the Rx! It's there for you!!!! FaithMD---you got the AP band! :clap2::nod: I'm so happy for you! I got one, too, but not sure which size. I'll find out on Monday. Hi Stef...How's my fellow Texan this weekend? You sure add a sparkle to our board! Hi :cup: (Java!) Congrats on :lost1lbs:Every little one helps and moves that silly scale!!!!! Woo Hoo! MM....I hear you about needing a fill! I can't wait until Monday, but my nurse said it's just sooooooo temporary (the feeling). But I don't care. Any restriction would be GREAT right now. I had pizza last night!!! :embarassed: (Don't ask how many slices, either!) :angry Looks like an Isopure Shake for Breakfast {{{{{{{{{{ BB and Insub }}}}}}}}}} More Hugs and love to all! Toni

I'm getting my first fill in a few days, Monday, June 25th. I'll give you all a report, but from what I've read and heard, it's like a 5 minute process! Hugs, Toni

I was worried, too, Cap'n before I got banded because I didn't have a recliner. I made it just fine, and even climbed the stairs my first night. You just have to find the "right spot" in bed to be comfy, and put the Lobtab bedside....I did, anyhow!!! But hey....if you can swing it, why not get a new recliner?!?!? You have EARNED that luxury already!!!! Cheers! Toni

I love that story about Aunt Phyllis, Suzzzie! My mom did the same thing: after having two girls, going into labor with her third child she told the Dr., if you give me a boy, I'll name him after you---well, it was a boy. My sister and I have "T" names, and he was supposed, to, too....but she named him John after the doctor! :biggrin1: Does anyone remember Toni home hair perms? I think they still make them. Insub, I do have too much time on my hands because I found this on Wikipedia this morning: A number of brands of home permanent kits are available, but their numbers have decreased as permanent waves are not as popular as they were in the 1980s. The first popular home permanent was the Toni brand. The Toni company used a set of twins to advertise their products — one with a salon perm and one with the home perm. Tee Hee Hee! Anyway, Miss Suzzzie....I hope that your day at work went smoothly and painless!!!!! Gotta love those half-days! Hooray! :clap2: Speaking of Hooray.....GET OUT CAP'N DANBO with all your weight loss! I just can't get over you, Pippz, MM, and more.....you all are just JIVIN' the SCALES! Pippz...you need to teach me how to give up the carbos! (Personally, I'm on Insub's side...scales be darned!) But I can't get over the 54 pounds BEFORE banding. Holy smokes! I guess logging calories like you and BB do is for LOSERS!!!!!! Best Wishes Lady HR if you see this!!!! Let us know how you are doing when you are up to it! QuadMom....I don't know what's up with the dark pee. :cry I'm like you....I feel like I drink more than I used to pre-op, but I still don't think I'm drinking enough. I think Marylou had some water intake concerns, too. Let's just try to step it up! <like you have time to drink more!> Good Morning Jackie & Java and all the other J's and letters of the Alphabet!! Hugs, Toni

Good night Joeygirl! But if you see this before you doze off to sleepytown, I just wanted to let you know I think you're doing a GREAT job on your post-op diet. My weight loss has been slow, too, and I'm not eating sweets, etc. However, I AM getting more than 500 calories a day! Holy smokers!!!!! Your metabolism may be slowing down and you could lose muscle mass if you aren't careful. Make sure you get enough protein each day with your mushies, OK?!? BTW....I did have some Ben and Jerry's, but it was just to try Americone Dream. I had been waiting FOREVER to try it, and I'm not a huge icecream fan, but I do love Stephen Colbert! Oh, and one more thing....your doctor's office is not going to kick you to the curb if you haven't lost X amount of pounds, so please don't worry yourself too much!!!!! Hugs, Toni

Welcome Terry! My eyes jumped when I saw your screenname...those are my initials, too! Holy crow on your weight loss.....Men, hurumph! Y'all lose it soooooo fast! Seriously, though....way to go!!!!! Cheers, Toni <------ knows male Terrys! and BTW, I'm a female. Back in the 60's when I was named, my mom lost her head and named me after a hair product! :biggrin1:

Hi CMP....I healed fairly quickly and wanted to be out socializing within 5 days or so! I remember telling Musical Momma a few days after that I was in a restaurant having soup. And lots of Junies are out walking *outside* the day of/after their surgeries! Gotta get that gas up and moving out! No worries...you'll be fine! -----and for a few shout-outs!------ Lovlibabi---Good luck on Saturday. How cool is that that you're getting banded on a weekend!?!? I'll be thinking of you! Pippz....your weight loss is amazing! Way to go! What's your secret?!? :biggrin1: {{{{{{{ Nina }}}}}} You are a treasure! I loved your advice to BigSexy and couldn't have been said any sweeter! Amcmh95----Good luck with your Pre-op diet! I really admire everyone who adheres to theirs for more than a week (I got lucky and mine was cut short). We're here for your support!!!! Holli.....Glad to hear you're hangin' in! Like I said, p-a-m-p-e-r yourself, too! {{{{{{{{ Suzzzie }}}}}}} I'm sorry you had such a tough go at work! I wish you could've stayed home a wee bit longer maybe? Not sure what you do for a living, but sounds like it was too taxing on you!!!! Let us know what your Dr. says, OK?!? Howdy to all our M's! Musical Momma, Minty, and Missy!!!! Good to see you guys! Hunter'sMom...I am with you on the first fill anticipation! Mine is Monday and it can't come soon enough!!! Sweet Java! Thanks for asking how I'm doing....I feel better, but like someone beat me up a bit....my sides are sore from all the dry heaving. A nurse from my Dr.s office called today and told me not to worry, so that was comforting. How are YOU doing? BB & Hotty...How are you tonight!?!? Rhonda----good to read about your experience in Mexico!!! I'm so glad you had a great experience, sans the liver report..... .....speaking of which, we can ask Stef how come hers is so lovely!?!? What's your secret, Stef???? I specifically asked the staff to let me know how mine "looked" after I woke up and after surgery they said it was fine, but I would've loved to have gotten your A++ report, Stef! Hugs and Hellos to all I missed!!!!:biggrin1::biggrin1: Cheers, Toni

Hi There! Would you believe that I took one, and no change...then after 4 hours I took another one and finally stopped dry heaving?? I don't know why the first dose didn't work. :phanvan But I'm just thankful that the 2nd one was the magic bullet! (no pun intended!) It's good to have them on hand, even as uncomfortable as the dosage is!!!!! Anyway, thanks, Miss....I'm going to remember that the next time this happens.:sick Cheers to you for feeling great! :clap2: Toni

Hi Becky! Don't be too discouraged. I'm thinking the weight is going to start falling off after the 2nd or 3rd fill which puts us at about August to start seeing the scale move dramatically. For now, just Celebrate the little victories and don't get too down! I'm with you! Cheers, Toni

Hi Season, Don't panic yet. Call your insurance company. Worse case scenario: that may be your deductible, or out-of-pocket percentage. Hey, if it's any consolation, I paid for the whole tamale!!!! Trade you! Anyway, good luck and keep us posted!!!! Toni