Taynuh

Thanks, Shelbi! Tina

Thanks, Nic ... and Dee! Just a word up on the handle/nickname Taynuh... it's a play on my real name. When I was a kid growing up in St. Lucie County in Florida... where the southern accent/drawl can be quite drawn out (took me years to lose it)... the locals called me "Taynuh"... prounounced tay - nuh. Which is how a true Floridian, back in the day, said "Tina"... a lot of people think it's a play on Tanya, but it is not... Just thought ya may wanna know (then again...maybe ya dont). :biggrin1: Tina (in Maine... moved up there when I was 13... they called me "Teener")

Today I picked up a copy of my new son's (G-d, I love that word) birth certificate... with his new last name and me listed as his mother... woo hoo... No matter what happens now, as far as Guatemala is concerned he is MINE!!!!!!! Now, I wait for his new visa appointment so I can go get him!!!! He most likely will be home before Christmas... that would be the coolest gift ever!!!!! Tina :whoo: Mom to Tessa, 2.5 yrs waiting for Tanner, now 8 months old

Rosey - I'm glad you called the doc. Sometimes just knowing the cause of pain helps, as it reduces the anxiety from not knowing what is going on. I am a firm believer that the worse part of pain is the anticipation of it and the anxiety it can cause. Knowing why it hurts/is uncomfortable makes it a bit easier to endure. As for the gas pain... I think they sell those melt on your tongue strips for Gas-X, which rumor has, helps with the gas pain... also I hear walking and moving around also gets it moving and...ummm.... out! :confused: Dee - Wow, so that means he has two patients with the same name (or at least nick name)... It also explains why she seemed to understand the sensation of being overfilled (which was odd, since you have yet to be banded...). Tina

Angie, I was "spitting up" (vomitting)(PBing)(what have you) each night... water went down hard. However, if you were fine at first and it's only been a problem since you threw up the first few times, perhaps its a learning curve thing... something got stuck or you accidentally ate too much/too quick (darn band is unpredictable and fickle). When you spit up, your stomach can swell up, making you tighter, which then creates a vicious cycle... you can test it, by doing full liquids a few days and seeing if it improves (mine did not). Or, as they taught us in law school..when in doubt, check it out...Call your doctor. I would not recommend that you prolong discomfort or jeopardize your health... especially if its hard getting water down (you do NOT want to get dehydrated). Call the doc. The band works great when you have a good fill. I lost a little more than three pounds a week on average from first fill to second fill and was not having any problems (I did throw up three times in that 4 weeks, but it was learning curve issues...doughy bread, too fast, too much). I liked my food volume and things went down fine...but during the last week, pre-second fill, I did notice I was able to increase my volume... I think initially my stomach may have had some residual swelling left from the surgery...which went down/away between the first fill and the second, thus making the band looser...plus, the weight loss also makes the fat pad in the stomach smaller...so the second (and subsequent) fills are necessary. When I was too full, it felt like things were going down too hard and slow. I also got that uncomfortably stuffed filling too quickly and would start sliming and/or eventually throw up until my stomach was empty and the discomfort went away. Sometimes, when I drank, the swallows went down hard and I was belchy and making those weird feeling gurgly sounds in my throat. (pleasant, huh?) Normally, for me, when I eat, I eat until I feel a fullness without discomfort. About a cup of food for me. I also can drink easily and about a cup or two at a time (avoiding meal times of course). That's my experience as requested. You know, if you are uncomfortable and it does not feel right...please don't wait too long to act. The band works nicely when it's a good fill and the weight will keep coming off nicely too (I'm assuming you make good food choices)... I told Dr. K, while I appreciated the pound a day weight loss when it was too tight, I'd much rather go with a better fill...and do it comfortably... and safely. Tina :biggrin1:

Dee, After they called you in at Dr. K's yesterday... I realized who you were... lucky me, I sat there until 3:55 p.m. and left at 4:15... quite a haul to Longmont, but I was able to pick my kid up in time from daycare... made it in less than an hour...woo hoo! I got filled last Thursday, so was over-filled for 4 days total... lost a pound a day according to Dr. K's scale (mine says differently)(it always does...). It was unpleasant/uncomfortable, but certainly bearable... except for the PBing 3 nigths in a row... by the 4th nite, I had placed myself on liquids only, so I got a break. Good luck with your surgery later this month and enjoy the ride... it's got some bumpy spots, but its well worth taking!!! Tina :clap2:

Thanks, Woofay.. I have to say, I am still amazed at what a difference just .2cc's makes.. I mean I think a teaspon is like 5 cc's (I think ml's and cc's are equivalent?), so .2 seems so tiny... heck, the fact that my band has less than a teaspoon in it is kinda neat and amazing... who'd have thought that a teaspoon of saline could be so powerful! Tina

Shelbie, by the way, 30 pounds down is awesome... what strikes me is how we all lose differently... which makes sense, all different metabolisms, diets, bands and fill amounts... and approaches. I need to start walking and working out soon, but I really hate exercise... and currently, I use having a pre-schooler (wow, she's growing fast) as my excuse... but I need to get out there and "just do it" as Nike's ads say...

Shelbie, I hear ya on the hunger. Physically I am not really hungry much these days. But, psycholigically, I am constantly thinking about food and in huge portions. I get very frustrated about the idea that I cannot eat as much as my mind wants too. I am surprised by how much I "miss" eating big amounts... Tina (who is craving a huge rocky dog loaded with everything like crazy!)

Sorry to hear about your cat, Mal. I lost one over a year ago after almost 16 years. I still have days when I miss her little chubbiness and her cute ways. Cats are part of the family unit and when you have had them so long you do miss them. My cat was a huge part of my life and was like a kid to me. Sorry again for your loss.

U-N-F-I-L-L Okay, 0.2 cc's may not sound like much of an unfill...but it sure made a huge difference!!! I can eat solids again with no discomfort... and just the right restriction (well, the scale will confirm that soon enough I guess).

:help: While I am sure it's helping my weight loss...it's really as Dr. K says, "making me miserable". Anyone out there ever get too tight after a fill? How quickly does DR. K get ya in to unfill a bit? I am eagerly awaiting Monday (a day I normally dread). For newbies... while it is miserable (it's bearable, just unnecessary), I do have to say, I'm not feeling hungry (well, mind hunger yes...). I'm just tired of the nightly barf fest (or shall I say, PB fest)(I used to like saying PB, in the old days, when it meant peanut butter and I could have it slathered on bread... a food I definitely can't eat while too tight)... I'm whining... yes indeed! I really tried to cooperate too during the fill... the water was going down so smoothly and all... hardly any resistance. I should have stayed and had a snack locally before heading north to Boulder County... that way, I would have known it was more than tight enough... then again, maybe it's temporary swelling issue. I was able to eat a small Wendy's chili later that day... although it did take an hour... You experienced folks...do you think I could have swollen after my lunch that day and then am just aggravating it with the PB fests? Heck, I gotta stop second guessing myself here...I'm just calling in Monday morning and letting him/his office make the decision... I want restriction yes, but whoa, this is a bit much... On the bright side (I'm a firm believer in finding a silver lining to everything)... tonight I bought new pants two (woohoo) sizes smaller than my norm... pretty cool...even the same brand and style as some I was wearing...so it's really two sizes.... Tina

Hi all, Yesterday, I got my second fill (hey bookholder, when were you at Dr. K's? I was there at 11-12:30...ugh). Anyhow, I am now up to 4.3 cc's(got 2.3 cc's on my first fill), I do not know how much my large Inamed AP band holds all together), but I think I might be a little too snug. I tried to sneak in a piece of pizza last night (well just the toppings) at 9 p.m. and was up till about 1 a.m. ...ummm...getting rid of it. (Okie dokie...lesson learned...do not snack after dinner). I am hoping it was just that I got something stuck and/or that I may have some temporary swelling that will go down in a day or two... otherwise, I am heading back in to get "loosened up a bit" next week. So, for now and the next day or so, I'm doing just mushies and soft foods to let things settle down a bit. I can't recall who said the band was like a shock collar.. but truly, I do think that's the best description... it really drives the rules of eating with a band home the hard way. I certainly do not like the consequences that's for sure... so back to behaving for me. Tina

Well, yes I am single... sorta... I have a live-in boyfriend... been together over 6 years... so legally and financially, yes it's just me... but mentally/emotionally/task-wise, I get a lot of support... he even changes poopy diapers!!! Tina

Thanks...Mal and thanks Dee... I have a 2.5 year old daughter (also from Guatemala) who at 30 months has some un-cute moments. I see why they call it the "terrible two's" now. LOL But, that being said, I have to admit, she's very cute, even when venting her frustration about not getting her way or momma's inability to understand everything she says... it's all a part of becoming a little person and I just remind myself that it's even harder on her. At first I thought the terrible two thing was just a myth... then around 26 months it kicked in... still, she is a lot of fun and a little learning machine (make note to self, do not say "sh*t when the world's longest train beats you to the crossing... little ears pick up on EVERYTHING...so cute hearing her say it exactly the way momma did... but I just ignored it and she has stopped saying it)... Tina (mom to a little parrot apparently)

but I had to share. I got the call last week that I finally completed the last step in my Guatemalan adoption process and that my new son will be home in 4-6 weeks... Tanner James will be home for Christmas... possibly even Thanksgiving!!!! He is 8 months old right now... woo hooo!!!! God is good! A very happy, Tina Who by the way is fitting in airline seats much more comfortably nowadays!!! yeehaw!

Well all, This evening I tried the kids' menu at TGIF's. They were very nice about allowing me to order off the kiddie menu (in fact the server's friend had lap band in November -- down 80)... Anyhow I ordered the bbq ribs and a salad with bleu cheese. No beverage. Hmmm...they were tasty...perhaps too tasty. I kinda tore into them like I used too... so, anyhow, after my bulemia routine...after my 2nd rib...and definitely way more than a PB... I'll be trying them and my salad tomorrow... maybe, some how I kinda don't think I'm going to be able tolerate them... but its the principle of the thing... I gotta kinda mad seeing that greedy look in Paul's eyes, knowing he was all set to swoop in on MY ribs... so for now, they are hands off setting in the fridge with my name on them (not literally...why that would be down right petty). hehehe Which brings me to the salad...does salad go down okay? Some one let me know before I try that.... I think I'll stick to Mexican for dining out in the future... enchiladas and refritos seem to like me... at least they treat me better. Tina (whose "mind" is still wanting those ribs despite the consequences already experienced... silly mind!)

[Taynuh - Thanks for sharing about your first fill. Did you notice a huge difference in the amount of food or what you could eat vs. no fill? I know it varies for everyone post-fill. I also know everyone's band sizes and fill amounts vary too. Plus, I think the variances in people's stomach sizes are probably a factor too in how much they can eat with a fill. Basically, lots of variables... Having said that, for me, I find I am eating significantly less. The amount varies throughout the day. I feel tighter in the morning and looser in the evening. In the morning, I have all I can do to eat one fried egg (with pam spray!) and a small (less than 1/2 cup portion) of cottage cheese or single packet of instant grits. At lunch today, I was able to eat an 8 oz. (small) chili from Wendy's (I added a scoop of whey protein) and 4 crackers. If I took another bite, my band would have let me know. I stop when I feel gurgles and wanna belch (sorry, but that seems to be how my body says stop...experience has shown me going beyond that point means major discomfort...PB). Last night for dinner I had a small gr. beef enchilada and some refried beans at 3 Margaritas. A handful of chips/salsa. I squeeze in three snacks a day between meals, either of the following... protein bar, v-8 juice, unsweetened applesauce cup, light fruit cup (splenda based syrup), slice/stick of cheese, or a low fat, no-sugar added fudgsicle. By the way, I am not low carbing it... I am just eating normally, but smaller portions and using low fat, no sugar products that I like along the way. No fruit juices or sweetened beverages other than iced tea with splenda or minutemaid light lemonade. So that's how much I can hold now. Post-surgery and pre-fill, during the regular food stage week #3/4, I was back up to eating about a third to a half of what I normally ate. For instance, I would 2 enchiladas, all the refried beans, some rice and a handful of chips/salsa. Plus, I was bad and drank while I ate. I might add though, that I kept my breakfast, lunch and snacks to under 800 calories a day though...and was "splurging" on dinner. So I still managed tolose weight before the fill even after my pre-surgery diet. Pre-surgery, Evil Tina would normally have the large mex combination meals with three items, slaw, rice, beans and at least a basket of chips/salsa and clean my daughter's leftovers too. Oh and (sigh) a large Dr. Pepper or two (I miss the Dr. Peppers! But, fortunately I love iced tea!) Since I got my first fill on Tuesday, I am down 4 more pounds (yep, I to step on the scale more than I should..keeps me honest and focused). DR. K would probably prefer that I do the low vcarb diet, but I never intended to. I would prefer to eat like a normal person as much as I can and as long as I watch my caloric intake/fat ratio within a day, I think I am okay... should I not see weight loss, then I will do the low carb thing, but so far, I feel happy with my results. One other note, Dr. K said he'd rather the band be too loose vs. too tight especially on the first fill, as it can be adjusted again and again later. On November 1, when I go in for my follow-up, if my weight loss is not on target, then I'll probably just ask to give it another month and see what low carbing does before I go for a fill. I am kind of just checking it out right now and seeing how "working it" for me my way does. Tina

If this works, I'm attaching a pic of the new Inamed AP band... Kind of cute, ain't it?

Taynuh~Let us know how your fill goes for you. I didn't know you had a different kind of band. Did he explain to you what this means to you? I've heard they are better now, but not sure in what way. Woofay, I don't think so... seems to be treating it like any other kind of band... I think the only difference is that the band has a continuous inner lining that is filled versus the others which had a gap.... so it fills a little better... The fill is good. I am certainly eating way less. I had just a few bites of last night's ham steak, couple bites of sweet potato and one bite of mixed veggies... This morning... I made sure I added protein powder to my grits, egg, bacon and cheese concoction... still I only got half of it down... and I had reduced the amounts to begin with... I am drinking water when I can ... before and after meals. I do drink a V-8 as a snack to get more veggies in... Tina

Really, it was kind of an interesting experience... the first needle went in nicely... lol I should have known it was a fluke... it was defective and was leaking saline... so had to do it again... second time, not so nice... but it's all done now and hopefully I'll be stepping up on my weight loss, although I've been pretty pleased thus far.... Anyhow, I got 2.6 cc's this first time... (of course, I don't know how much my large inamed AP band holds... but DR. K said rather too loose in the beginning than too tight... so, we shall see... when he had .2cc's more in it, my Water went down hard and I salivated a lot... so 2.6 seems right... Time will tell... but I must say, it was not a big deal... uncomfortable for a few seconds...but a piece of cake (wish I had some).... Oh yeah, I like the new gal Natalie... heck, I like them all actually... Tina

Shesha... what cool news and what a great reason to take a break from the band. No better reason on the planet in my mind.... Littleroo... Ya know, I think its karma... God gives you the baby meant for you, when the time is right. I am so happy that you are getting another referral and so soon... Congrats to both of you!!!!!:whoo:

Hi all, Anyone out there utilize the card the Doctor gave us, asking restaurants to allow us to order from the kids'/seniors' menus? And if so, how did that go? I haven't tried yet, because I fear rejection by waitstaff? So far, I've just shared my meals with my daughter... but there are times when she's not with me... plus...TGIF's has an awesome looking kids bbq ribs plate I want... Tina

I have a question... when you get a fill, is it worth having someone come with you or is it something I can drive to and back home from with no problems? (It's like an hour drive each way....) I suspect it's the latter, but I said I would ask, as Paul said he'd come with me if I wanted, but I'd rather not make him bother, if its no biggie... Tina