Bandme08

WELL, It's been forever since I've been on here, I can't even remember what my ticker was at when I last logged on! I hope all the Mainer's out there are successful, and keep in touch!

Melolo has a great point regarding tattooing names on your bod. My theory is, if they didn't bring me into this world, or if I didnt bring them into this world, their name isn't going to be a fixture on my body. :cool:You never know what the future holds. :smile:

As the saying goes..."Think before you ink." I have 2 tattoos. One a rebellious pre divorce, "i'll do what the hell I want" one, which I now really kindof regret, it's Winnie the Pooh, and a memorial tattoo on my ankle, memorializing my mother who passed away 607. that one is for keeps. So go with your heart, and as one who has worked in a nursing home, it wouldn't hurt to stop and think about what it will look like when you are of geriatric age, wrinkled and tucking the boobs into the tube socks.:smile: Things sag and go south everywhere- buyer beware!!

Hey Kerri! Good to hear from ya! How cool that you got a bike! My brother acutally has the same bike! Kinda big for a starter bike, but I'm sure you can handle it! Congrats on quitting smoking- to your dh too! Wow! what an undertaking you have gone through with everything lately! 4 pounds will disappear in no time! Just think about how healthy you are making yourself!(BTW- how did you get away with smoking and the band? I didnt think they would band a smoker?). Anyway, are you still at your sweet spot? I have my days where I start to get stuck after 1 bite, and others when I feel like I could eat an entire sandwich (WTF I know, who would have thought that some day I would be saying that- "Some days I could eat an entire sandwich," and make it sound like I was eating a horse!) Not much going on here, same old, same old. I sent you a request to be my friend on My Space-" Will you be my friend?" (Sounds like "won't you be my neighbor?" Mr Rogers.) Well gota get back to work- talk later- Sarah

So, I am officially 1/2 way to goal! I hit 205 this morning. Funny thing is, I was doing the right thing, eating the way I should, and didn't loose anything for 4 days (I know, I shouldn't complain at that rate.) I had lost about 1 lb every other day since my fill. I had a really bad day, and sat there and ate everything I shouldn't have- chips and dip, and icecream for dinner! I guess I was depressed that the scale didn't budge for 4 days after such regular loss... Anyway, the next day, I'm finally seeing the scale move. I think I kicked my body into breaking the plateau. I know I can't eat like that all the time- I'd be stupid if I did- but, I think I will try to have a "go for it" night after having any plateau of 4 days or more. I can't say that anyone else would reccomend it, but it works for me! Plus, I know that I will still be able to eat what I crave, just every once and a whyle. Till later- Sarah

Hey Kerri! Good to hear from ya! Datona sounds like so much fun! You won't have any problem reaching that goal! Isn't amazing how just having a ticker to report to really helps to keep you accountable? Yep- the fill is going well. I am down 6 lbs in 7 days since the fill! I have ok restriction, but I think I could have taken maybe .3-.5 cc more. He told me to come back in 3 months- is that normal? Do you know if I can go back earlier if I loose restriction, as long as it's more that 6 weeks out? I really don't want to wait until December to get another fill- I just want to see onederland- It seems so close, yet so far- at the rate I'm loosing, I could be there by next weekend- we'll see. Ditto on the potato! I dont' know what it is, but I definetly can't eat 'em in chunks, even chewed to oblivion! not such a bad thing- empty carbs and calories! Gotta go- hope to chat with ya again soon! Sarah

Ok, so I had my 2nd fill today... Dr Mckee put in 2cc for a total of 5cc. I thought I had swallowed the water all the way, but I did feel some resitance. He asked If it went down, and I told him yes. So, I go to check out and schedule my next appt, and uh oh, severe pressure all the way from my throat to my band, and saliva city! I swallowed and swallowed, but It only got worse. THe nurse looked at me and said," are you ok?" I shook my head, and she took me out back again where I got rid of the water... yuck. Yep- too tight. So the Dr took out 1 cc and I'm much better now.. Man, I never want to feel like that again! I am much more comforable now, so hopefully I can get back on track, and really see what this band can do.

oK, Haven't written in a wyle because I cant believe it. I was at 208. Then, what seems like the next day, I was back to 212, and have been there since. I have no Idea what is going on. I have a fill scheduled for next week, and I am afraid that if I go into the office at only 2 lbs ligher than my last fill 9 weeks ago, they wont give me a fill- do you know if that's true? I will go on liquids for the week if I need to show wt loss...I just can't see losing a large amount in 1 week that way! I am so bummed! I thought the plateau was over- nope, it just teased me into thinking I was 8 lbs from onederland. Sorry to rant and rave- So, how was your weekend? I'm glad you had a good time at OOB! Hows the restriction? Gotta get myself motivated and out of this hole! later- sarah

Hi- I was banded 6/10/08, and things were really going well. I started at 260 lbs back in 1/2008, and up until about 1 week ago, I was down to 212. This past week I have really screwed up my eating habits, and have gained 3lbs. I have had 1 fill, with absolutely no restriction, and because of scheduling conflicts at the dr's office, I have to wait 10 weeks instead of 4-6 for my next fill. I feel like I am really getting myself in trouble. Eating burgers with the bun off the grill, chips, sm pieces of carrot cake that my kids wouldnt eat, that would be a shame to waste...etc. I really need to get excersizing more, but I am working 6:30am-9pm 3x a week, and 3 10hr shifts the other days. I have no time! I find myself eating things I never ate before banding. I really need a swift kick in the @$$ and some serious motivation. I will not go back to the clothes I was wearing, but I am starting to feel my current ones get tighter- Please help!! Thank you in advance for listening...any good and bad criticism is welcome, as well as inspiration. (I dont want to change my ticker...so it is lying by about 3 lbs...)

btw- have a great time at OOB- I can't remember the last time I was there( if you know what I mean- I reccomend Mr Goodbar, on the main drag!)- and it was only 4 years ago- And Happy Anniversary!

Kerri- How freakin cool is that that we were both there? They weren't letting any motorcycles up on Sunday because of the wind gusts- my Brother was all set to go up and they turned him away- so he got in my car and we all went up- You should do it next time, When you are on the top, it's so spacious up there, you don't notice how high up you are. Drivin' on the edge (literally) of the world and making it down, really gives you a sence of accomplishment. Kinda like, well, I'm at the top of the world, and I can do anything! Next time- you will go, I just know it. Well, after my piggish rampage on food whyle camping, I have finally broken my plateau of almost a month! Admittingly enough, I was back up to 216- omg- when we got home on Monday. This morning, I am down to 209!! 7 lbs in 4 days- yeh!! I think I will see if someone can watch the kidos tonight so I can go to Nate's class at KVHC. I really need to start exersising, and I just can't find the time! Hey- I was just thinking- I wrote a novel on here yesterday, and it never posted! Well- talk to ya later- gotta get the kids on the bus! Sarah

Hey Kerri- sorry I've been absent on here lately- alot going on- Had a good time camping, went over Labor day weekend, thurs - Mon in Newhampshire- Did the Mt Washington road thing, but the winds were blowing at 87 mph! SO windy, we couldnt even stand up! Still fighting major plateau- ate really badly whyle camping, but am finally down to 211 this morning- I had been up to 216 (ouch) again after camping, but set myself straight when I got home. I think my system needed the big cheat to reset itself. How are things with you? I know you've been working your tail off at work! How's the new fill- unfill doing? Hopefully you have reached your sweet spot by now, and can continue to kick some serious @$$! Gotta run- just wanted to let you know I'm still here! Sarah

Jackie- Congrats on the 40 lbs! Just as you said. It's 40 lbs off of your body that wouldn't have been! It is so hard to see other people have extreem loss, like 80 lbs in 6 months, etc.. and it's really hard when you hit a plateau! Where region of Maine are you from, if you dont' mind me asking? I know, like me, I don't specify what town I'm from as it is a small one, and work spreads like you know what on a hot day... (not that anyone not in our situation would be reading this, lol..)but I am from the Midcoast area. Talk to you later- keep in touch- Sarah

Kimberly- I'm sorry you have been having so many troubles with the ins! Have you spoken with the office to see how they can work with you? You may want to get on a waiting list for the psyc consult. The report can take a while to get back to the dr... I have heard of many people getting in earlier by being on the cancellation list! It cant hurt! Good luck with the approval process- it will get better!! Sarah

Kerri- still stuck at 212... I can eat larger amounts, and I still cant get in for another fill until 9/15, but, I will have to go 1 week after that, because I will be at my cousins weddding out of the area that day- yes, friday. So, it will be a whopping 10 weeks between fills. I guess I can consider myself lucky that I haven't gained anything with all that I am able to eat! I'm glad you had that .5ccc unifill- at least now you can eat , and not pb or get stuck with every meal! Not much going on here- Just checking back in- My father, his new wife, my brother and his wife, and my 2 boys and I are all going camping on the Saco river in New Hampshire this week- we are leaving Thursday and coming back Monday morning, just in time for the boys to start school on Tuesday! This is the 2nd year we have gone, and the weather is favorable! So, I will chat with you later- have a good weekend! Sarah

jda- Yep- I had my Surgery at Me General on 6/10/08. Dr Mckee is my surgeon. Who do you have for a surgeon, and when were you banded?? The Maine boards are usually pretty quiet- there are a few regulars on here, so we try to keep in touch often- Tell us more about you! Sarah

Helloooooo.....Is there anyone out there in Bandland??? WHere did all the Maineiacs go?? Sarah

Connie- Congrats on the move! The phone # for Me General Bariatrics in Augusta is 626-1078. You will talk to Pat, the secretary. If you go onto the Me General Website and select Bariatrics on the drop down menu- go to contact info- more info there! Sarah

Hey Kerri- Well, it sounds like your best bet it the slight unfill. If the scale hasn't budged since the fill, then maybe your body is in starvation mode, and is going after the muscle rather than the fat. You will feel so much better and not so deprived after, and you will be able to eat what you want, just a very small portion, which is what you want to be doing anyway! Hope the unfill goes well! The whole access thing is never fun, but you need to be at a comfortable state. I met with the nutr. on Tuesday, and she told me basically that I need to double my caloric intake! I'm getting about 80 g protien and about 550 calories a day. I told her that I dont' have any restriction, and have been forcing myself to only eat about 1/2 c at each meal, leaving the table slightly hungry still- I am trying to do the job of the band without the restriction- dont do that- she said to eat until I am satisfied, and beginning to feel slightly full. But do not stop eating whyle I'm still hungry. She said that my diet looked more of that of an anorexic- I said," I dont think so". ANyway, so, I'm supposed to eat more at each sitting, and just wait out the 9 weeks for my 2nd fill- Dr is on vac. at 6 weeks, and the next opening is not until 9 weeks since my first fill- sucks- For fills that are supposed to be 4-6 weeks apart, and to have to go for 9 weeks, unrestricted, is going to kill me! But, I am down to 212 this am, so I guess I will just keep on trying! I hope you have a great weekend, and I'll chat with ya later! Later- Sarah

Kerri- I think you are right! I think you were really swollen from getting stuck so frequently, and now you are finally at restriction! If you can eat potato salad, I would say you dont' need an unfill, just a little more carefull attention to how you are eating! I can only hope that I can reach my sweet spot soon! I still feel like I can eat more than I should be eating, so I just go a "little bit" hungry throughout the day. At least this way I know I'm not taking in any more calories or fat than I should. If anything, I eat alot of Protein, and just a taste of other stuff- never any sugar or solitary fat foods. Hopefully that will work! I have not gone above that 213 mark at all today or yesterday- usually I would have gone back up a lb or 2 throughout the day. Nope- stays between 213.1-213.6. Man, I never thought a 1/10th of a lb would ever have so much influence on me! anywaay- So, I think you are on a great track of restriction! Just give it time to adapt to, and you will be all set- just think- you will be eating this way alot longer than you were eating the other way! Take care, and have a great Tuesday! Sarah

Kerri- it seems to me that they could have gotten you in earlier for a slight unfill! If you can't even get fluids down! Can you at least drink fluids?? Man- I don't know if I would even go to the ER in Augusta for an emergency unfill- If you can get fluids down, and you are ok with that, then yougurt and pudding it is! Just do what you think you need to do. I still don't understand why they won't see eachother's patients if it's a matter of needing an unfill!! Hello! ANyway, good luck this week with the liquids. (I think twisted tea is considered a liquid if things get real tough! ha, ha! ) -oops. did I say that out loud! I'm gonna go before I say something I don't want to! Later Sarah

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share- Another pound off the bod this am! I, again, in true "me" style, got on the scale 4x just to be sure it wasnt' a glitch! I went to Nate's class at KV fitness on Friday night- I was the only one there, so I got a personal workout- we did the ball thing for about 10 minutes, then he asked me what I really wanted to do- KICKBOXING! I love it! I have followed the DVD version with Billy Banks for about 3 years- I have been doing nothing with that compared to what I was taught on Friday! It was so much fun, and man, what a workout! I was sweating like a pig, and felt muscles I never knew I had the next day- sure beats the Natulis machines at the Y! I have dropped a pants size and 3 lbs since working out- I guess that is the key! I have been working out on a regular basis all the time, but never really had been pushed to do "3 more". I've decided that If I cant' get to the Y because I have the kids, I think I will find a sitter for them for 3 hrs every friday night and go to Nate's class. It was so well worth it! Of course, I can't always expect to be the only one there, but I know the way he pushes, I will still get the great workout and push I need to get rid of the 13 lbs before Onderland! Seeing as my next fill isnt until 9/19,(yes, that will make it 9 weeks between my fills... I will let the excersize and the gross picture of me on the fridge be my driving force! Sorry to go on, I just wanted to share that if you are in a rut, or on a plateau- excersize! Later to all- Sarah

Kerri- I just noticed you have hit THE 50 LB MARK! CONGRATS!!!!!! It must feel so awesome! You are more than half way there!!! You are kickin some serious a$$! Keep up the good work- Thursday will be here soon enough! Just remember to drink as much as you can- you dont want to end up deyhd. Leavin in a few for Nate's class- acutally looking forward to it! Later- Sarah

Kerri- I'm very surprized that someone cant unfill you .5cc's in the office! what if it were an emergency!! If you like deviled ham, (me too!!) you might try the low sodium kind, or, do what I did- I found SPAM lite! it's loaded with protien, but not alot of sodium! mix with mayo and eat up! I also believe that you can prob. milk down some ricotta and sauce to be thin enough to get to taste something! Good luck with the next week- it must really suck to have to go that long again. The scales now say 214. I need to change my signature and ticker. I think what I did was the old dieting ritual- less is more. The past 2 days I have had steak and cheese - no bread- for lunch. yummy-(sorry, you don't want to hear that right now...) but it has really launched my loss- Monday I was 220 again. Now I am 214 on the scales x3 to be sure! I am going to Nate's class tonight at KV health club. I think my spirits are back up, and I really need to get some new excersze tips and ideas from him. I see the nutr. on tues- we will reasess then. They got copies of my CT scan to see what fluid it might be...anyway- i'll chat with you later. At work and the Phone's ringing- Sarah

Kerri- I typed a long msg to you last night when the power flickered- go figure! ANyway- Thanx for the encouragement! I hope you dont need an unfull! If you do, it will prob be only .5cc or so- it seems like you are so close to your sweet spot! Of course, you really need to be able to get some food into you! No solids since last week!!?? Man, you have more willpower that I do! I got on the scale thismorning- reluctantly, of course, and I think and hope I finally broke my plateau! I am down 3 lbs from yesterday. I got on the scale 3 times, because every once and a while, the scale will say some really outrageously low number, so I get back on it, even more depressed to see a larger,, more accurate , number. ANYway- i'm back down to 215. After the hospital stay I went up to 220- SUCKED!! so, 5 lbs down in a week, only to see it happen overnight- I'll take whatever I can get at this point! So, have a great day, and I would really consider calling for a slight unfill if you still can't get solids in!! Like you said- dehydration is NOT fun!!! Take care! Sarah