Apryl Showers

It took me while to get "regular", and even now, I am not "regular" compared to what I was pre-surgery. I eat Frosted Mini Wheats for breakfast at least 3 days a week and this helps a lot...plus itieasy to eat on the go because I just put it in a baggie and chew, chew, chew.

Just my two cents worth....I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz and I saw that every instrument they used on me was brand new out of the package. And....there was no open window anywhere in the surgical center...there was a window in the OR...but nothing that was open.

Hi Everybody! I am going for my second fill the end of this month, and while I wish I could be going back to see Dr. Martinez, and have it done under flouro...I just don't have the time to fly across the country right now. I am using a Dr. in Frederick, MD who seems to come pretty highly recommended...but I am still nervous because she doesn't use flouro. I am still not even sure if I need a fill. Some days I am always hungry and could eat every hour, while other days I am not huingry at all. But...my weight loss seems to have really slowed and instead of losing 2-3 pounds a week...I am only losing like 1-2 every other week. Plus I have been able to eat bread (half a grilled cheese the other day) and other stuff that I think would have given me a problem a couple month's ago. Sounds like I need a fill right? Anyway...I was wondering how agressive I can expect her to be with my second fill...could I end up with only .1 or .2 of a cc? I only have 1.2 to begin with...will .2 more make much of a difference? Since she doesn't do it with the flouro...will she be able to tell if there are any problems like a slippage or anything? Any advice from those of you who have had it done both ways would be really appreciated! Thank you so much!

I was going through the same thing about a month ago and while I haven't really changed my diet (which is my New Years resolution) or started taking any supplements, I did talk to my stylist and this is what we did... ~ I changed the side that I part my hair on (which is where I was getting a bald spot) ~ I cut three inches off my hair (brought it to my shoulders) and layered it....this takes some weight off and helps ease hair loss supposedly ~ I wash every other day, and condition every day....this helps keep my hair looking healthier ~ Avoid pulling your hair back and don;t sleep with it up in a band So far it seems like the hair loss has slowed down. I really think that since I am 4-5 months post op I was experiencing the loss because of the anesthesia (someone mentioned this in another post). I wouldn't worry too much....my friend went through this when she had her surgery and she is now almost 2 years post op and has a full head of hair! Good luck!

I try to avoid taking pills unless I absolutely need to, but I was wondering what exactly are NSAIDS? I know we are supposed to avoid them, and I figure I should at least know what they are! Thanks!

Congratulations! That was one of the first NSV I had...and like you it happened without me even thinking about it....and now I do it all the time! Keep up the good work!

Thank you far all the advice...this website really is a wonderful thing! I am going to try the flax seed oil, and keep my fingers crossed!

I am haveing a really ahrd time finding a doctor willing to do fills on Mexico patients. If anyone knows of any doctors in these areas, please let me know! Thanks!

I am getting a little frustrated and was wondering if anyone had any advice. Since having my surgery in August I have lost just over 50 pounds, which I am happy about. However, I am frustrated because most days I eat between 400 and 800 calories, and yet over the past 3 weeks, I have hardly lost any weight. I was used to losing 4-5 pounds a week and now the scale has barely budged! I don't think I need a fill, but I was wondering if eating more calories might make the scale move a little faster. Have any of you experienced this?

Ok...I know this was really wrong but I never told my Dad and Stepmom that I had surgery. I never even told them I was thinking about it. I saw them right before I had it done (3 1/2 months ago), and now I am flying to Florida to visit them next week. I have lost 50+ pounds since getting my band and I don't know what to say to explain it. Plus how do I explain my new eating habits? I should have told them before having the surgery but somehow it didn't feel right. Now, 3 1/2 months have passed and I don't know how to bring it up. If it was the other way around, I would be very hurt to know that a family member had not told me before having "major" surgery. Should I tell them now, wait until I reach my goal weight, or never tell them? :cry

Thanks for the advice....I love how helpful everyone on this board always is. You guys are the best!

Wow! Thanks for the advice....although I think I will avoid putting the neosporin on my lips! It's nice to know that I'm (somewhat - ha) normal.

I agree...everyone on this board is very nice and supportive. I don't post very often, but when I have, I have always had a great experience.

Thanks Carrie....someone already suggested her to me. How is she with her fills? Agressive? What was your experience like?

I had to go to the ER last month (kidney stones) and every time (don't they write this stuff down) I gave my medical history (to everyone who came in to poke and stare at me) I was met with a blank stare after mentioning my band. No one knew what it was, and my DH had to explain the entire procedure! And they still had no clue. Finally they just said that my pain was not band related (duh). It is so frustrating that I know more about the band than most medical PROFESSIONALS!

WOW! That was a great post...mostly because it let's me know that I am not CRAZY! I have been obsessing about the whole fill thing ever since I got my band...and now that I am 1 month past my first fill...I am obsessing about getting my second fill. (I also weigh myself at least once a day....but that's a whole other story.) I constantly read the posts on here and compare myself to everyone else (I have less of a fill than her, why can I eat chicken with no problem, why am I not constricted in the morning, why haven't I ever PB'd, she had her second fill only 1 month after her first one, etc.) ARGHHH! It's enough to make you want to tear your hair out! Ok...I feel better now! P.S. Chicken and Peanut Butter...gross....but chicken and peanut butter satay....YUM!

I (knock on wood...don't want to jinx myself) have not experienced the PBing thing yet. But, I have not tried to eat any of the things that I have heard could cause a problem. The only thing that I have eaten that has made me feel uncomfortable (like something was clogged) was turkey and some really gristly meatloaf (gross anyway). I stopped eating and a few minutes later the feeling went away. I do have a question though....what is "sliming" or "the slimes"?

That is a great idea...except for the fact that my local hospital (and doctor) have never heard of this procedure! I had to go to the ER two weeks ago for a kidney stone (ouch, ouch, ouch) and when I told them about my band, they had never heard of it. (My doctor doesnt even know what it is) My husband even described the whole concept and process and they were still clueless! I live in somewhat of a small town, but this is ridiculous! Any suggestions for this sort of situation?

I had my first fill with Dr. Martinez on October 1st. He gave me 1.2cc because I was pretty restricted anyway. I am not sure if it was enough, although I have noticed a difference, and have lost 5 more pounds. It has been really hard for me to figure my band out...I am never really hungry, so I don't really know what "full" feels like. Prior to my fill I could eat 2/3 of a Lean Cuisine, and now I can only eat about half of it. I guess this is right...will have to wait and see. Hope I won;t need another fill for quite some time....flying from Baltimore to San Diego gets pretty expensive!

I am having a really hard time getting motivated to exercise. I have a treadmill that I use once a week (big deal huh), but I get extremely bored after 10 minutes. I was thinking or joining Curves. Has anyone had any sucess with their program? I was also wondering what kinds of exercise you do, how you get motivated to do it, and how many times a week you do it for. When I was banded in August I was told by the Dr. that I only needed to exercise 3-5 times a week for 5 minutes a day. This seems a little absurd to me...how on earth can 5 minutes do anything? Any suggestions you have would be great! Thanks!

First I want to say hello to everyone. I have been reading some of your posts for a while but haven't posted before. I was banded about a month and a half ago and I am so happy! I was just wondering if any of you have pain where your band is after eating. I haven't had a fill yet, but I am wondering if maybe I am taking bites that are too big, or if I am choosing the wrong foods. Sometimes after I eat (especially if I eat more than "normal") I get really sharp pains in my stomach. I haven't thrown up or had any PBing, but it is really scary and painful. Yesterday I had some fish, cooked carrots and peach slices and about 15 minutes after eating I got these pains. I also got them after eating a cheeseburger (small with no bread) from McDonalds. I realize the cheeseburger wasn't a good food choice, but I really had no choice because we were in a hurry. Am I doiing something wrong?

Wow...thanks for all the help ladies....I hope I can be as motivated and inspirational as you someday!

I went with Dr. Ortiz and I had the most wonderful experience. The total cost was $ 9500 for surgery, and three nights in a wonderful hotel. That includes a lifetime of support, and fills are only $100. Their website it www.obesitycontrolcenter.com