KarenG.

KarenG................195......165......179.........................14

You may be too tight if you have heartburn all the time.

Wow, I was never told not to eat those things. IN fact I am encouraged to eat raw veggies and fruit. I should eat more of that! I was told that some things would not be tolerable to me and that has been true. I eat popcorn all the time and it is so easy for me to eat. I am confused by the instructions you received.

I had a consult with one at NY Hospital this week. I liked her but I haven't had surgery yet. PM if you would like her name.

KarenG................195......165......179.........................14

It went well today -- I really liked the surgeon. I am going to go for the lower body lift in a first surgery and then think about the arms and breasts at a later date (maybe lift and reduction). I am going to try to lose 25-30lbs and then come back to schedule probably aim for the fall. I will have drains and a pain pump. She told me I should plan on taking 2-3 weeks off from work. Exercise is ok after 4 weeks but no spinning or intense exercise until 6 weeks. Something interesting she said was that she reccomends waiting until after summer because of the drains (instead of dealing with that in the heat). I had never thought about that before. I should get some insurance coverage because of my hernia.

That is the first sign for me that I need a fill --- If I start getting hungry between the three meals and after dinner. Sometimes I think wow - this is a really bad combination of not being able to eat too much and getting starving between meals. I think when it gets just a tiny bit loose the amount your pouch can hold increases a little bit but the emptying of the pouch gets much faster. Totally unscientific guess.

I am very nervous about doing this and may take the pics down at some point. But for now... me before and where I am now. Still have about 25-30lbs to go (at least!). Also, my sister is not the best photographer and you will notice I have no feet.

My port sticks way out and will even more when I have a tummy tuck. I have to admit it doesn't look great - I have very little fat in that area and you can see the port in detail. BUT in terms of vaneness I much prefer a little port sticking out instead of being fat.

Months ago I had one bad PB in a chinese restaurant in chinatown, followed by 2 more sliming incidents (one on the street!!!!) and one in the garbage can at starbucks - there was a line for the bathroom. It is the worst! BUT to answer your question I have pbed at a restaurant many times but I always have notice, recognize the signs and can get to the bathroom in time.

I have a latte with skim milk every morning. My nut. is ok with it b/c I don't eat breakfast and the skim milk is a good source of protein. I have never had a problem with the acid.

OK so here is my dilema. I have been thinking over the past few weeks that I need a fill. I started the process at my doc's office and got approved to get one last week and I am scheduled for next week 4/1. NOW after I am scheduled I am suddenly having several incidents of PBing/stuck kind of situaton and I hadn't had the problem in over a month. My period is due next week and I have had a ton of stress in my life over the past couple of days. Also, I am sometimes able to eat a ton and sometimes not able to eat anything. Possibly I am not being as careful as I should because I know I am looser. 2 Questions: 1) am I jumping the gun on a fill and 2) am I insane to be getting a fill just before my period? In the past I have not noticed any change in restriction around my period. Thanks for the input!

I am always swollen for several days and can't even drink too well but it is important to be able to at least get water or milk down. If you cant say by tomorrow I would get unfilled - dehydration I have learned can make your band even tighter and make your vomit and then you get even more swollen.

I always care about food. You will experience more food intolerance the more restricted you are. Also, mistakes such as chewing and speed of eating are less forgiven when you are more restricted. Slow down and think when you are eating and you will have fewer problems.

Very weird ... this entire fill thing. Every time I think I understand what is going on I learn something new. Anyway, I am glad I scheduled the fill now!

So interesting because today I made a real effort to drink all my water and I was able to get about 9-10 glasses in. I think I was tight because I was dehydrated. Completely hydrated I feel almost no restriction.

I definately hear what you are saying. I am not worried about not being able to get an unfill b/c my surgeon works in a practice and one of his partners could alway unfill if neccessary. I do think I need an adjustment - I guess I will just try and really do a good assessment over the next week and reschedule if needed.

Thanks for your input. My fills are completely covered by my insurance so that is not an issue for me. THe problem is that the doctor is going away for a few weeks and I may not be able to get in until the end of April. I guess I will see where I am at next week. I am not worried about being totally closed off or anything because the fills are done under the floroscope.

Depends on how much you love raw fish. I eat sashimi all the time OR I get a maki roll without rice and ask for soybean paper and have no problems that way. The rice and the seaweed can be problematic for me personally but some people can handle it.

Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope................208...........195...........2................13... georgia girl.....................254...........244...........0............... 10.... darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .......14... KarenG..........................179...........173..........0......... .........6 Chocolate_Snaps............274...........260...........0.............. ...14 Wannabthin...................197.5........187.5.........0............. .....10. OH Juli...........................199..........190..........2........ ............9 jfran.............................165...........160..........3........ ............5 Candle...........................194..........186..........0.......... ..........8

Yes, minorly (not enough to stop drinking!) and it is always with the red which is sad because I prefer red.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........195........197..........0 cQQlgirl........215...........209........205..........4 destiny79.......255...........245........240..........5 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234..........6 Jackie..........164...........160........157..........3 Jill............220...........212........210..........2 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........179........181..........-2 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........220........225..........-5 legster.........209...........199........196..........3 LessnLess.......164...........157........157..........0 Linda Lu........228...........217.2......215..........2.2 Longhorn........204...........195........195..........0 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195..........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........247........241..........6 Redtulips3......225...........217........215..........2 Renewedhope.....213...........206........199..........7 Sades...........201...........197........190..........7 Skinny_Jill.....186...........179........178..........1 Stacy73.........222...........219........212..........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........262........260..........2 wombat712.......145...........141.8......135..........6.8 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........220........220..........0 Trixie..........241...........219.5........221..........0! Jennypoo........199...........193.5......194..........0!!!

Is it getting anyone else down how the women are completely being eliminated on BL? I almost don't want to watch anymore - every week another woman. Soon it will be all of those silly men (not that I don't love men and all - just would like to see a woman win for once!).

Please don't feel that way... you are lovely and so inspirational. Don't worry about telling people an exact number (I never do) just think about how far you have come. I have seen your pictures and you look great!

CONGRATULATIONS. This is by far my favorite NSV.