cissy

ok, so after much procrastination, I finally scheduled that 2nd fill for next Thursday (they were all booked this week). I'm nervous about it, but at the same time I know it will kick-start my weight loss again. still fluctuating b/w 212-215, but more so on the high end than the low end.

my dr said 4 weeks post-op, but I waited an extra week to practice my *chew chew chew*

I just recently replaced my protein bars with Raisin Bran for breakfast

count me in as another happy bandster. 34 lbs gone in 2 1/2 months. I couldn't have lost it without the help of my band. still working on behavior modification- I am a work in progress, after all.

they run commercials all the time in Houston advertising Dr. Speigel, Dr. Spivak, and I recently saw one advertising 12 Oaks Hospital, which is where I had my surgery

In the seminar that I attended, my surgeon mentioned that he had done it, but I don't know anyone who has had it done.

I'm only 2 1/2 months out, and have only had 2 episodes that I think were semi-PB's. First was the day before my fill, I ate WAY too much, got a pain in my chest & left shoulder, and a horrible headache. It lasted about 15-20 minutes. 2nd time was when I tried to eat a small bite of toast. Pain in the chest, and after about an hour I burped (the kind of burp when you drink a soda too fast). *Relief*

I haven't had the nerve to schedule my 2nd fill yet, but for some reason (I think it may have been PMS) I started feeling restriction again and I lost 3 more lbs in the last week (yes, DURING Thanksgiving, for a total loss of 31 lbs) I don't think I will get one if I start back losing weight. My scale has been fluctuating between 212-215.

I have the card, but I've never used it. It contains both medical jargon, and a statement that says 'this person can eat only small portions of food at a time (1/4 cup or 2 oz)' an it has my dr's name & phone# on the other side. Usually if I eat out, I ask for a to-go box at the beginning of the meal and put 1/2 in the box, and eat whatever I can of what's left on my plate. No buffets.

I was the same way- after I got my 1st fill, I hardly felt any restriction. I waited until I got a period, and restriction kicked in. I noticed that for Nov, I was able to eat anything I wanted for about 2 weeks and I didn't lose (or gain) weight. The week before my period, I felt more restricted and I lost 3 lbs... and this was during Thanksgiving week! I'm thankful for that because I wasn't able to pig out like I normally would have for T'giving. Anyway, I would say wait until you get a period to see if your restriction kicks in.

I was banded by Dr. Spiegel at 12 Oaks Hospital in Houston. I think he did an excellent job. I had hardly no pain afterwards. A couple of hours after surgery I was walking around like I didn't even have surgery. He came into my room before I was prepped to speak with me for a moment, see if I had any last minute questions/concerns. Nana, my process went extremely quickly compared to others. I attended the seminar on Saturday Aug. 13; received a call from Dr. Speigel's office on Tuesday Aug. 16; consultation w/ Dr. Speigel on Thursday Aug. 18; insurance approval on Aug. 28; surgery on Wednesday Sept. 14. (when I called to let the office know that my insurance approved me, they wanted to schedule surgery for Sept. 8 but I decided to wait an extra week so I could be mentally prepared because the whole process took virtually no time)

I have 4 puppies, 6 weeks old, dad is a Rottweiler. If anyone can tell me what kind of dog the mom is, I'd appreciate it. Mom is Shy. Puppies are Blacky, Shoes, Socks & Spots.

I can only see the difference when I am fully clothed (my clothes are too big). I can't see the difference in myself, although everyone tells me they can see the difference in my face, in my shoulders, etc. I guess I still have that "fat" mentality that wants me to see me as I was, and is blocking me from seeing me as I am now. It wasn't until I looked at side by side photos that I saw the progress in the way my body is changing shape. When I don't mentally refer back to the photos, I still see 246-lb Christi, not 218-lb Christi.

I saw that show, and Paula's Thanksgiving show came on right after. Her sons fried a turkey and it looked soooo good! She also made a TurDucKen (turkey stuffed with duck stuffed with chicken) I don't know what to say about that one! Anyway, about Thanksgiving, my Mom's cooking turkey ham cornbread dressing w/gravy candied sweet potatoes broccoli & rice casserole greens macaroni & cheese (courtesy of yours truly) potato salad (we have this with EVERYthing) green salad rolls sweet potato pie (my Granny) apple pie (my Granny) ice cream Now, I was debating on whether or not to get a fill before next Thursday so I won't hurt myself

Dr. Spiegel is an excellent doctor. The only person on his office staff that I have had to deal with directly is Lorena. She's extremely helpful & knowledgeable. Dr. Spiegel banded her, and I think a couple more of his staff.

I was just thinking about this, wondering if I would be able to eat this Thanksgiving. My mom always makes a huge spread of food. I can eat smoked turkey breast (lunchmeat) so I was wondering if I could eat real turkey. I'm apprehensive about cornbread dressing, because I haven't touched bread (or anything made with white flour for that fact) since being banded.

Too funny HarleyNana!!! I weigh myself in the mornings after I pee in just my nightgown & panties.

Not sure about set points? I was stuck at 230 for 3 weeks. After I got my fill, I lost 7# in 7 days, then another 4# over the next 7 days. It's only been 2 1/2 weeks so I don't know if this is my stopping point yet. I won't weigh myself again until Wed or Thurs, which will be 3 weeks after fill. I do know that I have lost inches because my clothes don't fit the same way as even just a week ago, but I won't do measurements until I'm 60 days out (Nov 14).

I can eat refried beans, charro beans, pinto beans no problems. I have to be careful of chili w/ beans because of the ground beef mixed in with it. Haven't tried string beans because they have the little seeds inside them.

I had my 1st fill of 1.8cc 2 1/2 weeks ago. At first I was able to feel the restriction, but now it has tapered off and I can eat a little more. Doc requires 4 weeks between fills.

I lost 15 lbs the first week post-op, another 6 lbs the 2nd week. When I started soft foods the 3rd week, I gained back 5 and stayed there for the next 3 weeks until I had my first fill. After the fill, I lost 11 lbs in 14 days, so my fill was the jump-start that I needed.

I guess I would be considered a rabbit?? I'm 7 weeks out and have lost 28 lbs (average 4 lbs per week). Kare, let the fruiting begin I hit a plateau for 3 weeks before I got my first fill, but after that, the weight has been falling off. No working out, only necessary walking around the office, and to and from the parking garage about 1 city block. I have no idea how many calories I get in per day. I only eat when I'm hungry (which is usually for Breakfast and a late lunch). I drink either 40 or 48 oz of Water per day (depending on whether I have a 16 oz bottled water in the morning, and I have a 24 oz cup that I keep at my desk). Absolutely NO snacking between meals, but that has never been too much of a problem for me. My major problem was fast food (burgers, fries, pizza, etc.) Since being banded I have made a conscious effort to avoid bread, sodas & fried foods at all costs. I slipped up once right before I got filled and had a chicken sandwich, fries & lemonade. I paid for it with horrible shoulder pain and an even worse headache. Lesson learned! It only took one time and I haven't turned back.

Hi everyone! I'm Dorfus Dippintush

Jacilyn, good luck with your fill tomorrow! I was in the same boat as you. The first 2 weeks I lost 21 lbs, gained back 5 when I started eating mushies, and stayed there for the next three weeks until I got my fill. I think getting the fill is the absolute BEST thing I could have done. I immediately lost 10 lbs in 10 days. Granted, I'm not looking for the scale to move that fast any more. I hope I can lose the next 15 lbs for the challenge by New Years.

Vines, these are excellent goals. I was just trying to think of some. For me, though, double digits in kg is probably just around the corner. I'm currently at 220 lbs (100 kg). I've been making personal scale goals in 10 lb increments. When I was stuck at 230 lbs for three weeks, I was very disappointed, until a co-worker pointed out to me that I looked smaller. I went home that evening and measured myself, and sure enough I had lost inches, but I couldn't see it for myself until I did side by side. (click here: http://www.geocities.com/cissy1218/photos2.html) But then of course, after my first fill, I lost those 10 pounds in 10 days. I'm not even looking for the scale to move again any time soon. So what I have determined now is that when I'm looking for scale victories, but the scale isn't moving, look for a NSV with measurements.