Kathy473

When I had my first fill in 11-05 Dr. Spivak put in 1.5cc and it helped. I still have some restriction but I really don't want alot put in the next time. I want to be able to use it as a tool and not a quick-fix...so knowing that I try to watch what I eat and to cut down so I don't have a PB or get stuck and figure out when to stop on my own. I guess what I am trying to say is that I want some restriction but not so much that food gets stuck and I want to mentally get to where I "know" how much I should eat not how much I can eat. Make sense??

:clap2: Woohoo! Good for you!!! I am about to have the same problem with my rings. They are starting to spin on my fingers. I might take them in a few weeks to get sized. Way to go!!

As far as Oprah, I think she is determined to be healthy and does a damn good job at it...no surgery on her part. As far as Kirstie, I was on Jenny Craig before surgery and she IS the spokesperson for Jenny Craig, NOT Nutri-System and she looks as if she is losing with it and not with surgery. As for Star Jones.....you know that woman had surgery!! Just look at her. She has lost 150lbs in one year. I think she might have had the gastric bypass and won't own up to it. She is half of her weight and actually she looks like she might want to put maybe 5-10 back on so she doesn't look like a drug addict with the bags under her eyes and the really thin face. I really like Star Jones and I think she is a good person but I think she should own up to if she had it or not. I watched her interview and she skirted the issue of wls like the lawyer that she is and didn't give a straight answer. Anna Nicole Smith is just plain weird and needs to get off the drugs. But everyone has their opinion, that is just what I think.

I am having a problem on deciding to get another fill. I had one 2 months ago and I got restriction from it but lately I have been able to eat a little more and I am just unsure about getting one again. It scares me to think that it is going to be too tight or I am going to start vomiting. I have not vomited since I have had the band...well....only that one night I had a little too much alcohol . And that scared the hell out of me because I had gone so long without one episode of vomiting that the thought of vomiting was terrifying. I thought something bad would happen to my band if I did. I cried so much that night and swore to not do that again! And I haven't **pat on back** !!! So...do I call and make the appointment and get it done or do I make the appointment and talk to him about it when I get there? Or just wait it out a little longer and see if I suddenly get some restriction back? Advice please! :Bunny And yes...I have put on about 2 pounds...not a big number but big enough for me to be really pissed!

I have my appointment set for 01-26-06 at the Surgicenter. As far as the weightloss...since around Christmas Eve...I have been bouncing around 2 pounds...they come off, they come back...back and forth. So we'll see how I am doing by the time I get my fill. I thought maybe if I lose the 2 pounds and then some by then that I might cancel my appointment. If I don't really need a fill then why get one. So, I am going to hit the bike and elliptical machine harder and get back on my Pilates machine and work on my core.

What got stuck??? If you don't mind saying...that way I don't eat it!!!

Nope! No numbing here....but if you have Dr. Spivak as your doctor there's no need for it...he is SO gentle...just a little prick and your done. The only thing I didn't like was when he applied some pressure to my port to make sure of the location. Great experience with him as always.

I bought an Ab-Lounge...Suppose to be easier on you...we'll see!

I had a really great experience with my surgery...I woke up, got up and dressed...went to the bathroom if I needed...did the swallow and the x-ray...drank a bottle of water and kept it down and went home! Yeah, felt like I got punched in the gut but overall great experience. :Bunny

Well a week after I was banded I swallowed my gum and FREAKED out! But it was a small piece of gum...not a huge chunk of bubble gum and I drank some hot tea once I got home and drank some hot soup later on and it was fine (this was pre-fill) but I do make myself aware of the fact that I am chewing gum now and the moment I think about the gum is when I spit it out. I carry mints now instead of the gum or a breath spray. It's just easier doing that than having to always worry about it. It's ok every now and then, especially when offered gum when with friends...I never turn it down....that's rude but I chew for a little bit and get rid of it soon after. So just be careful if you do but try your hardest to avoid it.

I did okay...but I was able to eat a little more than expected but I plan on getting a fill next month. I knew that if I put on a couple of pounds it would be okay...not going to freak out about it. The Christmas cookies were the bomb! And I am looking forward to the liquid enjoyment on New Year's....cheers!

Okay everyone...It's the holidays and I have been at 195-196 for the past week or so. I have been able to put down a little bit more than before. But I was wondering if I should get a fill before the holidays or trust my band will be up to the challenge of Christmas and New Year's. I want to be able to have a good time without the worry. I know what to stay away from and what to do but I don't want to to feel miserable either. What would you do?

The only feeling I get is a little needle-like sting but it doesn't hurt. I figure it is just the feeling you get as your healing. And a little tenderness around it but no inflammation or unbearable pain.

I remembered someone asking for different recipes for Soups and I found this website that has 58 recipes. www.soup.com It will take you to the Knorr website and just type in 'soup' into the search bar. Some of the recipes are Soup recipes and a few are recipes that use a soup mix in it so just read through them. I hope this helps.

I named mine Nike, after the Greek Goddess of Victory. Thought it seemed fitting since 'victory' over my weight is my goal.

Congrats on the amount of meds you take now! That is great!As far as the foods, it was alot of figuring out on my part. But, just try different things...Like...Beans and sour cream, with cheese and maybe some salsa or sugar free and fat free frozen yogurt with some fat free whipped topping. yum! Or you can try any of the sugar free and fat free puddings, jell-o and add the whipped topping, great snack! Grits, eggs, oatmeal, cream of wheat and applesauce are good too. Mashed potatos, soup-at-hand soups are great! Just play with it a little, you are doing great so far!

Personally, I have NO problem reading about "male" problems. So what. I hear about my husband's and he hears about my "female" problems. And maybe one of us on this website might have an answer or advice to give. Well at least those of us who actually care about your problems and want to help out. Believe me, nothing shocks me and nothing emabarrasses me...I own a tattoo shop...can't get any weirder than that at times. So let it out and see what happens. One of us might have an answer for you or we might care enough to ask someone else for you to get the answer. Don't be shy!

I totally agree with you 100%! Here in Houston, there are alot of ads on TV talking about the LapBand procedure and how it changed their lives and everything else. But I knew it was my decision and how I handled the process was all up to me. I researched the doctors here and when I read of Dr. Spivak, I knew he was the one for me, no question. And when I went to his seminar and talked to the women there that had the surgery by him and aftercare was by him and their success AND his success rate was astounding, I knew I could not go wrong. So, my insurance turned me down and I went to the bank, rolled over my loan and got another $15,000.00 and had the surgery. I know not everyone can do that but I was in the poisition and grabbed hold and never let go. Now, here I am, doing fine and glad I made the choices that I made and that I didn't cut corners just to save some money. I could have taken half of the money and gone to Mexico and used the rest to pay off bills, but I didn't. Would I do it over again? In a heartbeat! Am I happy? Absolutely.

Congratulations! I had mine done in Houston also. Who is your doctor? That is so sad to hear about that man, how awful.

I have always loved the Food Network channel! I even TiVO some of the shows. Tyler Florence is my favorite. And the best thing that came out of that channel after I had my surgery was watching Essence of Emeril and FINALLY learning how to make the perfect omellette! I was happy and proud of myself. I always screwed them up before and ended up just scrambling the eggs! LOL~ Food Porn? ooooooh yeah!

Good luck!! Go on wit yo bad self!!!! I have a brand new elliptical machine that I need to dust off too!!! Motivation is my demon that I will make my lover and friend! I have to get the exercise in....that is my biggest problem. But now that I have hit the 100's again, I have to do it! Can't be a slacker now! Hey just noticed you are in Michigan. My husband is from Dearborn. Cool!

I went to my seminar in August and had my surgery done in September. But, I was also self-pay and my doctor accepted my labs from March of this year since they were less than 6 months old and I only had to have an Upper GI. So it was quick and easy for me but it did take a month, not a week to make it happen. Good luck!

Way to go Jacilyn on your weight loss! I am up to 25lbs gone. Great feeling isn't it?

I know how you feel about the jitters! I took them a while back and ended up having to have my heart checked out. Around 5-6 years ago. That is a scary feeling, no doubt. Just be careful with it and listen to your body when you take them.

Well Kathy, sounds like a plan. The one thing that I have found that helps me deal with feeling sluggish is instead of drinking plain water, I drink Propel and take a Viactiv Multi-vitamin chew every morning. I was never one to take vitamins and now I don't miss a day! Plus it's like getting that chocolate that you crave with no guilt! So I am getting a dose of B vitamins all day. Maybe that has helped my metabolism, who knows. Plus, green tea is great for your digestive tract, from what I have heard, so that doesn't hurt either. Every little bit helps. I don't know about taking a diet pill though. Which kind are you wanting to take? If you don't mind me asking.