renewedhope

I avoid carbinated drinks because I have read that the carbonation can stretch your pouch????? It can also cause reflux Amy

Kandi, I am right there with you, except I have further to go to get to wonderland. I am also at 6cc in my band and can still eat too much. I do have to be careful though as to not get stuck. I also go for my next fill on 1/3/08. I am really hoping that I will find good restriction at 7cc. Keep us posted on how your next fill works for you. Amy

OK, I'm in. My goal is 500 miles this year!!

I have the 10cc ap band. I have had 3 fills for a total of 6cc in my band. My first fill was 1 month after surgery. The others have each been 2 weeks apart. I hope to get another fill next week. I have some restriction, but not where I want to be. Amy

Somehow I missed this thread. Is is too late to joi January goal- Exercise 3 days a week Lose 15 pounds focus more on what I eat Amy

Thanks for all the advise. I am glad to hear that I may be getting close to my sweet spot. I read lots of posts last night. I tried to find the ones about head hunger. This is the hardest part for me. If I had stopped when I was full my entire life I wouldn't be here, but I know this is key to the success of the band. So here I go today, with a renewed determination.

OK, I was banded in October. I have had 3 fills for a total of 6cc in a 10cc ap band. I can still eat WAY too much. However, if I don't chew well, or forget and take a drink with my meal it hurts REALLY bad. I am guessing that is stuck. It feels like a knot in my chest. Within a few minutes it goes away. This is worse with breads and meat, so I am guessing I have some restriction. Today, while cooking Christmas lunch, I ate a small piece of turkey. I chewed it really well. It got stuck. This time it didn't go down quickly. After several trips to the bathroom to "spit" I finally threw it up. I felt much better. After this I sat down to eat dinner. I didn't eat anymore meat, but I ate dressing, brocolli rice casserole, scalloped potatoes and a little sliver of coconut pie with no problems, and once again I could eat way too much. Here is my question.... Why can I eat so much?? Do I need another fill?? Is my pouch stretched? I am not sure what to think. I know I need to make better food choices and with the holidays behind me I will, but does it sound like I have messed something up, or do I just not have good restriction yet???? Thanks so much. Amy

I can't stomach the Fiber shakes either. My FIL however loves them. They make me gag. My husband and I mix the chocolate and vanilla together and really it isn't bad. I prefer the taste of unjury, but really it isn't that much different. I think everyone should follow exactly what the doc says and then venture out and find what is most satisfying when you are given the go ahead to do so. My doc had me dring myoplesx shakes preop. The were much too frothy, but I drank them because that is what was subscribed. Aren't we glad there are so many to choose from. One way or another we can all find one that fits out taste buds :eek: Amy

I got my 3rd fill on Tuesday. I can really tell a difference. I don't have as much restriction as I would like, but I can finally tell that I have a band. I have 6cc in my 10cc band. I really hope that I see the scales start moving again. I am much more optimistic than a week or 2 ago. Amy

Hey guys!! Sorry I have not posted in so long. I have been reading everyone's posts, but adjusting to having a 12 month old and a 2 month old has been quite an adjustment. Today I cleaned house and did laundry. All 3 boys are in bed asleep and I feel half way sane. They are such a blessing though. I love being a mom. I am not complaining, just busy. I plan to make sure I post more often, because I really enjoy the support from you all. To catch you up. I have had 2 fills and now have 5cc in my 10cc band. I still have very little restriction. I have noticed that I have to eat much slower, but I can still eat whatever I want, pretty much. I go for my 3rd fill on Tuesday. I am hoping that it will make a big difference. As far as my weight, I have stayed the same for several weeks now. I really think this next fill will make a difference, because I can tell a little difference since the last feel, so hopefully I am getting close. Pamela, How are you?? You are doing awesome as far as weight loss and your before and after pics are great!! Keep it up girl!! Apple, I have sleep apnea, and sleep with a cpap. I don't know if it goes hand in hand with PCOS, but it is a common problem for obese people. I can tell a HUGE difference since I began wearing my cpap. I am much less tired during the day. I don't wake up with a headache in the mornings, and I have much more energy. I really didn't want to have the study done. According to my results I have moderate to severe sleep apnea, and I would never want to be without my cpap again. Amy

I use Dr Querry as well. I love her!!! I was banded on 11/24. I thought about going to Tyler for my band, but am VERY glad that I chose to use Dr Querry.

Once you are banded and get comfortable with your band I think it may be ok to venture out, but during preop, do exactly what your doctor says. IMHO, the cheapest Protein is not necessarily the best. Always discuss with your doc!! Amy

It is a skin care company. They also have nutritional supplements, weight loss products (including Protein shakes), etc. They are really very good products. No animal products, or byproducts, so if you are lactose intolerant these shakes would be perfect. The protein in the shakes is a pea protein, so it is supposed to be more easily digested. OK, I feel like I am selling it again. LOL Go to Arbonne.com for more info. I still use a lot of the products if you have any questions. Amy

We aren't much into smoothies. We prefer just the shake. I love fruit, but for some reason, not with protein shakes. I am using Unjury right now, but I will probabl go back to using Arbonne shakes as well. Amy

I actually used to sell Arbonne. My husband still drinks the shakes. Your doctor is right, they are not great with water, but are fine with skim milk. I don't care for the chi tea. This may sound crazy, but to us, the vanilla has too much vanilla and the chocolate, too much chocolate, so we buy one of each and mix the 2 containers together. We really like them this way. I thought about using Arbonne for my preop diet, but decided that I needed to follow what my doc recommended, but if this is what your doc recommends, then I say go for it.

No. I don't have a lot of discoloration, but the texture of my skin in those places is much rougher. My neck is starting to get a little darker. I am hoping that losing weight with my band will help get rid of it. I don't know if it will ever completely go away. Amy

I have acanthosis as well. It is on my neck, under arms and inner thighs. The discoloration is not as bad as the texture of my skin being different. I am hoping it will resolve with weight loss. From all I have read, I think the best thing any of us can do for PCOS is to lose weight. For me, that is the hardest of all solutions. I am getting my second fill tommorow, and I really hope it helps, because i have very little restriction right now. Amy

There are 2 different kinds of metformin. One is extended release and one is not. When I took metformin mine was not extended release. Amy

Glo, I am doing well. I had my first fill on the 22nd but I feel no restriction. I called Dr Querry and she is not going to make me wait a month. I go back for fill #2 on Tuesday. I am really hoping that it helps. So far, I have 4cc in my 10cc band and I have very little restriction. I can eat way too much. Amy

I asked my doctor about spironolactone, and he said that is is contraindicated during pregnancy and since I choose not to use birth control, he is not comfortable prescribing it to me. I tried laser hair removal and epilation, but it scarred my face and was so expensive. I wax my lip, chin, and sideburns once a week. Facial and arm hair are probably the two things, next to weight gain, that I hate the most about PCOS. Amy

Thanks for the encouragement. I have never been known for my patience. Kiss, you are right, I am usually gaining rather than staying the same. I really hope that the fill on Tuesday will make a difference. The baby is doing great!! He is so sweet. He rolled over for the first time tonight. He is only 6 weeks old. What a smart little fella. My other baby turned one last Saturday!! His name is Dylan. You may remember me saying that we just adopted him in November. He has lived with us since he was 2 months old. I am so thankful that he is ours. I was watching him play tonight and thinking that it still seems too good to be true. I also have an 8 year old biological son. I have SOOO much to be thankful for, and yes, my band is still on that list. Just ready to put it to work. Amy

Hey everyone. Congrats Buttercup! I felt really good after surgery too, and I know that is a HUGE relief. I haven't posted in awhile. It has been pretty busy around here with the new baby. To be completely honest, I am a little discouraged with myself and my band right now. I had my first fill on the 22 of November and I don't have any restriction. I have 4cc in a 10cc band. I can eat anything, and am frustrated with myself because I have been eating anything. I have not lost any weight in a couple of weeks. Ok, so what am I going to do about it. I am reading SugarBusters. I am realizing that at least until I get good restriction this is still all up to me. The band cannot help me yet, and I don't want to gain back what I have already lost. I called my doctor today and she is not going to make me wait another month for a fill. I go Tuesday for my 2nd fill. I SO HOPE THAT HELPS. Everyday I say that I will get back on track and I am really having a hard time doing that. I know why I need to and I know that I can damage my band if I don't. SO WHY IS IT SO FREAKIN HARD!!! Sorry to be such a downer, but venting actually makes me feel better. Looking for re-renewedhope Amy

gadget, I homeschool as well. We love it. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for the adoption of our son going through, and for our foster son, Shawn. I am thankful for boys!! I have an amazing husband and boys who are 8, 1, and 1 month. God is so good!!

Dr Kathleen Querry in Pittsburg, Tx. She placed my band, and I went for my 1st fill today. She is great. I think she charges $100.00 for fills. Here is her website.Dr. Kathleen Querry Surgical Solutions. Best of luck to you. Amy

Hey guys!! Sorry I haven't been on in awhile. I go tommorow for my first fill. I am sooo hoping for some restriction, because right now, I can eat just about anything. I haven't lost any weight in the past week, and I know it is because I have eaten things I shouldn't. I am looking forward to my fill, and getting back on track. Good luck Slim. I'm sure everyting will go great!!