LadyHR

Hi, everyone: About a month ago I decided to add B-12 complex for more energy. I am taking a product called Berocca (made by the Bayer Co.) that has the B complex with vitamin C, added calcium, magnesium & zinc. They are orange flavored effervescent tablets that taste pretty good. The only thing is I have to order them online from Canad -I don't know why they are marketed here. But I have noticed a higher energy level. I also take Centrum Silver multi-vitamins and a calcium chew. I also started taking a biotin every day and my hairing is growing back! The Berocca also has some biotin in it.

Hi, everyone: I have read all the posts for the past couple of days and it is encouraging to read about the newbies' fills and the exercise programs of the veteran bandsters. We are all at different stages of banding but the experiences share so many commonalities. I am going through a rough patch but am holding on to my weight loss and exercise regimen. I had another episode last week where my band totally closed off and I had to go for an emergency defill. Of course, I was out of town on business again! But I get immediate relief when they take some fill out. They checked the position of my band and it is okay (whew!) but last time it took me six weeks and two fills to get back to restriction so I'm pretty much getting by on will power right now. They believe it is stress causing these problems. My Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the past month, my mother-in-law's health got so bad we had to put her into a nursing home a few weeks ago and we are in week four of a major remodel at our house while living here! If that's not enough my usually busy 60 hour a week job has been particularly stressful the past two weeks (part of my job is to conduct investigations into employee misconduct for my Region). I am pleased to say that I have only turned to food (a pint of Haagen Daz) once the past few weeks. But I guess I'm not fooling my body that I am handling all this stress well. I do think the exercise helps, I've not forgotten prayer and had a couple of good old-fashioned cries! Any other ideas? I am thinking of calling my doctor and asking about some type of anti-anxiety medication. Anyone have any experience that will share? I am not depressed but I am wondering if the anxiety meds might help my body not react by tightening the band so I can get filled again. Hope everyone has a good weekend and keep posting - your sharing is encouraging to all of us. Marlena

Hi, everyone! I haven't posted in a while but have been doing well until last week. I had another (my 3rd) unfortunate incident where my band totally closed up. This time I was out of town training a group of employees and I had to run out of the room every 30 minutes to dispose of the built-up saliva. And then I got the hiccups! Someday it might be funny... I went to a True Results affiliate in Houston and they took out 1cc and I felt immediate relief. They say they believe it is due to stress. What with my 60 hour a week job, my Mom's cancer diagnosis and the major remodel going on at my house, I can't imagine! You just have to take one day at a time. I hope this doesn't set my weight loss back too much - the last time it took me 6 weeks to get back to decent restriction. Hope everyone has a good week - I read the posts as frequently as I can and am still feeling the support! Marlena

Holli - that's so exciting! What a milestone - it's very encouraging to the rest of us. Marlena

Please let me know if a "DFW Meet Up" comes together. I live in north Arlington. I travel for work during the week so weekends would be best for me. Marlena

I make pretty good food choices most of the time. But today I was faced with emotional eating issues again. Yesterday I received a bad cancer diagnosis about my Mom so yesterday I felt too sick to eat. But today I wanted to eat all the wrong things and did! My intestinal system finally revolted and shocked me back to reality so hopefully the rest of the evening will go well. I did just finish working out for 45 minutes. But I am still disappointed that I didn't deal with the news without abusing food(although the Band definitely limited the quantity). I know it's a learning process and I just need to get back on track tomorrow. Anyone have any advice about how to handle the stressful days I know I will have in the near future without getting off track with my eating? Green - How nice to hear from you!

So sorry to hear about your grandpa. I had my band tighten up completely one time and it was no fun - had to go for an emergency unfill. I think it would be a great idea to stay on liquids for a few days, then start testing it with mushies before going back to solids (that's what I do now when I get really tight). I think mine is due to stress and ice cold liquids which I no longer do.

Janet, You look great!! Not only are your posts inspirational to all of us, now we have pix to go with them. Thanks for sharing!! - Marlena

Where do you find the Supreme protein bars? They sound too good not to try them! Missy, so glad it was not a slip. The same thing has happened to me three times. I only had to have a de-fill once. I have tried to figure out what caused it and I "think" it may have been a combination of cold things (drinks ice-cold, ice cream) and job stress at the same time. You are fortunate your doc put most of the fill back in as I had to go two weeks with no fill and that was not fun. Best wishes. Stef - Those Ambien episodes sound downright scary! Have you tried taking just half a dose to see if still works but you don't have sleepwalking/eating? My company's Annual Business Meeting is coming up in three weeks and I had to buy an evening dress for the banquet. I was very excited to find a 16W that looks pretty good (with Spanx)! I will see people from other parts of the country that haven't seen me since I lost 70# - I think it will be fun. Have a nice weekend, everyone. Marlena

I think the traffic on this site is down because it's harder to find the thread! Has anyone figured out how to get email notifications again? I have selected it several times but I still don't get email notifications. I have to go to My Account and select it as Subscribed Thread and then try to find the last page I ready. There's got to be an easier way... Missy, I hope your band hasn't slipped. Will be thinking of you this week - let us know. I've had trouble with my band getting too tight and too loose off and on - I haven't figured it all out yet. What are your symptoms? Suzzzie, I will just continue to use my home gym room (stationary bike, elliptical, home gym). I did just buy the Bender ball for abdominal exercises and have ordered some elastic bands. I travel with work during the week and can throw the bands in the suitcase. I have started working out at the hotels now and that's quite a step forward for me. This one hotel I stay at in Houston has Precor equipment - the quality is great! Anyone found any chewable calcium citrate?

Janet, What form is the B-12? I looked online at GNC but they didn't have chewables. If yours are tablets or capsules, do you have trouble swallowing them? I am feeling more energy each month but might add the B-12 complex. Marlena

Way to go, Suzzzie! Many congrats!!

Hi, all: I'm 56, married 37 years, 2 daughters (26 & 28), no grandchildren yet. I didn't feel extra energy at first but am picking up some now but not how I felt in my 20's!! I may try that vitamin B12 supplement - anyone found it in chewables? Anyone having trouble updating their ticker today? I tried to reflect my new Onederland status but it will not recognize my PIN. o2bthinagain: My signal is that I do feel full and I start to "burp". But this is only when I good restriction - I've gone weeks with no restriction and could eat a lot! Last week my band tightened up so much I couldn't eat but I worked through it and I have just the right restriction now. The other thing that helps is when I follow all the rules: no drinking during meals, no snacking between meals, make good food choices, eat protein first, etc. Good luck!

Hi, all: One of my good friends is getting banded tomorrow! She's in this age group so I hope she will join us in posting. It will be great having another buddy on this journey. I've just been banded 6 months but I feel like an expert when she calls to ask questions! So hold her in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow (her name is Linda). dianegoe, I don't remember fearing failure before my surgery but I did go through a couple of days of anxiety just before when I thought of giving up my comfort foods and making a permanent life change. I think it is good to examine all your emotions so when you take the step it will be with full commitment. I have no regrets. Good luck on Tuesday! Marlena

Hi, all: Sounds like everyone made it through the Holidays intact. I had a few "bad" moments with the holiday sweets and had to overhaul my mindset after Christmas. I just came out of my third episode of being too tight. At least this time, I recognized the signs before I started the hours upon hours of vomiting and I didn't have to go for a unfill. But three days of liquids put me back on track. My band is a puzzle to me -my last fill was 12/10 and I felt no restriction until last Jan. 3 when it tightened so much I could only get water down in small sips. My fill person says it could be due to stress - I replied that it certainly causes stresss! Anyone had an experience like this? The good news is that during this last episode, I made it to Onederland! I haven't been under 200 for about 20 years so I'm pretty excited. Hope everyone has a good week - I hit the road with work tomorrow and will be gone all week. Marlena

MKUS - Great going on your weight loss!! Suzzzie - You'll be able to breathe in those new jeans soon! Stef - The Ambien story is scary - glad nothing bad happened and you got rested! My band has been so fickle the past two months - ever since I had to get a de-fill mid November, I haven't gotten back to restriction which was a lot of fun to operate on sheer will power during the holidays! Then on Friday it decides to tighten up so much I couldn't swallow anything except liquids. I've stayed on liquids the past 3 days and today I can swallow bigger gulps without pain so tomorrow I'll try "mushies". The good thing about all this is that this morning I officially entered "Onederland". Haven't been under 200 for about 20 years so it's a great feeling. I am on the road all week but I'll be reading your encouraging and entertaining posts! Have a good one, all!

Hi, everyone, Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I enjoyed a few days off work and loved every minute of it but back to work tomorrow. I am having to get back on track with my eating as I indulged a bit for a few days. But I have been trying to exercise a little bit extra to make up for it. I go for another fill next Monday and hope to feel a little more restriction. I just haven't really been the same since my de-fill the middle of November. My weight loss is still okay although it has been sheer will power for the most part! Marlena

Thanks to all for the good advice about sugar - I'm going to recommit to no sugar for a few days, too! Michelle and Momlambert - I am in a Majongg group, too. We have been playing for about 17 years and are only able to meet about 4 times a year. We play by very "loose" rules (i.e. we play all hands open) but we have a great time. Every year or two we take a "road trip" for a weekend. Southerngal - I wish you the best for Friday. We'll be here to answer your questions. It's quite a journey! I am going in tomorrow for a slight fill. I had an emergency de-fill two weeks ago so I doubt she will give me much. But I have no restriction now so wish me luck!

Hi, everyone! I haven't posted in a while but am doing pretty well. I also changed my email address two weeks ago and couldn't get emails at either address until today. So I have just finished reading all the past posts. I did have another episode of nonstop vomiting (this time a day and a half). Of course, I was out of town on business and had to find a clinic in Houston who could do an emergency de-fill for me last Friday. I don't know what causes this as it is the second time it has happened and it was 12 days after my last fill. Anyway, water still wouldn't go through after they took out 1.0 cc so they took out another 1.0 cc for a total of 2.0cc. Of course, now I can eat a lot... Hope everyone's Thanksgiving went well. I opted not to cook this year and we went to the Gaylord Resort with a group of 13 of us. It was fabulous buffet and we stayed for 2 3/4 hours which worked well for me as I ate a little bit, waited a while, then ate a little bit more. Never even felt uncomfortable. DH was worried about me not getting our money's worth but I think I did just fine. Then it was on to the Cowboy/Jets game where it snowed! So it was not our usual traditional day, but a fun one, nonetheless. I have 7 more pounds to Onederland and would love to make it by year end. Are you all as anxious as I am about the Holiday food-fest this year? I don't want to nibble my weight back. Any plan of defense??

Hi, everyone! I haven't posted in a while but am doing pretty well. I also changed my email address two weeks ago and couldn't get emails at either address until today. So I have just finished reading all the past posts. Stef, loved your Vegas pix and you look great. I did have another episode of nonstop vomiting (this time a day and a half). Of course, I was out of town on business and had to find a clinic in Houston who could do an emergency de-fill for me last Friday. I don't know what causes this as it is the second time it has happened and it was 12 days after my last fill. Anyway, Water still wouldn't go through after they took out 1.0 cc so they took out another 1.0 cc for a total of 2.0cc. Of course, now I can eat a lot... Hope everyone's Thanksgiving went well. I opted not to cook this year and we went to the Gaylord Resort with a group of 13 of us. It was fabulous buffet and we stayed for 2 3/4 hours which worked well for me as I ate a little bit, waited a while, then ate a little bit more. Never even felt uncomfortable. DH was worried about me not getting our money's worth but I think I did just fine. Then it was on to the Cowboy/Jets game where it snowed! So it was not our usual tradional day, but a fun one, nonetheless. I have 7 more pounds to Onederland and would love to make it by year end. Are you all as anxious as I am about the Holiday food-fest this year? I don't want to nibble my weight back. Any plan of defense??

Help! I haven't had one bit of trouble with my band until now. I guess the fill I got last week got tighter - too tight! While on my way on an out of town business trip today, I started throwing up about every 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind that I haven't vomited in 40 years so this has been particularly unnerving! Anyway, half way to my destination, my doc called in a prescription for Phenergan. They are pills and I can't keep them down either. At this point even a "sip" of water causes pain and the cycle starts again!! Has anyone been in similar situations? How long did it last? Any ideas on how to keep the meds down? I have a full week of work activities planned and probably should just cancel, go back home and get an unfill. If I can just stop the throwing up, I would be a happy camper! My doc said to call tomorrow if no better and maybe he could arrange an "unfill" here in Houston. Wish me relief....

JoJo an JaVa - I am following your posts and hope there is light for me at the end of the tunnel! I had a fill last Tuesday and threw up for the first time last Thursday. Then I slowly built up to solids over the weekend and was okay until this morning. Then I started throwing up after 2 ounces of cottage cheese. That calmed down and I had to drive out of town on business. I got some mashed potatoes for lunch and then things got really bad. After about 8 stops to throw up, I called the doctor. He called in a prescription for anti-nausea medicine but I can't keep the pills down. Any ideas for help on that? I've only had about an ounce of water in the past six hours - just a sip will cause pain in the chest and the nausea returns! I let those very bitter pills dissolve on my tongue and it deadens my whole mouth! I think if I'm not better in the mornig, my doc is going to find someone in Houston who can do an unfill. Oh, just let me get past this trial!! The fill process is definitely trial-and-error!

Hi, everyone: I'm back from vacation and went to get my third fill on Tuesday. Wow - now I know what restriction is! After 3 1/2 months I experienced my first PB/slime experience on Thursday morning. Unfortunately it was in the car on the way to a business appointment - yuk! It was caused by cottage cheese?? Two days later I've only been able to progress to mushies again and even that is not comfortable. I'm going to stick it out for a few more days and see if it loosens up some. I know I've read similar experiences by some on you - can you refresh my memory on how long it was before you could eat solid foods again after a very tight fill? Thanks, everyone! - Marlena

Trudy and Joy - I know you are getting excited about your band. I hope you find this decision as rewarding as I have. Trudy, I have to ask - what is an LSD diet? I smiled when I read that but I'm sure it's nothing to do with the 60's! New Life - Sounds like you are doing well. I had no appetite for about 10 days after surgery and it was great. Then I did well until about 2 weeks before my first fill was allowed and I was starving! I lost weight those two weeks only through sheer will power. I'm still not at the "sweet spot" yet but will have my third fill on Oct 2. I will be ready as I get hungry between meals now. I'm off for a 6 day vacation Wednesday and am worried about gaining - wish me well!! Hopefully, all the walking will help offset the "I'm on vacation and should indulge" mentality. Marlena

Hi, Stephanie, Yes, Amy does my fills. I'm sure the reason I get so much is that I have the new large AP band. Last time I asked her for the capacity of that band and she said it was unlimited! My first fill hurt so much but the second one had no discomfort and I asked her about that and she said she must have hit a nerve on the first one. I'm hoping for no more of those! Good luck with your fill tomorrow - let us know how it goes. Marlena