KatieC

Try Calorieking.com type in the type and amount of the ingredient, run the total, divide it by the # of servings and you should get the calories per serving.

If anyone wants to get together this weekend for a little support? I'm up for it. Lunch or coffee? I had out of town guests and now I'm available.

I will say maybe...my nephew is in town for work and I'm not sure if he's staying through the weekend. If he doesn't, I'll be there for sure. Katie

Hi Banded, A lot of surgeons use the flora for just the first fill. The fill center numbs the skin and then finds the port, I have had three and two were a piece of cake and one took two trys...but I was numb. They ask that you don't eat or drink for 12 hours prior and they first remove the saline to measure what is left in the band and then add that amount and a bit more, then you drink Water. They can determine how much water you can take down and know how much restriction you have. Then it's a little in, a little out until you can hold the correct amount of water and no more. The doctor there is an anesthesiologist who is great. My surgeon in Wyoming feels confident that I'm going there. See you at Dennys.

I'll be there, I thought I had replied, sorry! I'm looking forward to it.

I'm using the Fill Center USA in garden grove. Dr. Smith. They do fills on Thursdays. I called the 800 number and they set up my appointment for me and call every 6 weeks to see if it's time to reschedule. I can't find the number right this second, but if you need that info I can find it for you. KC I think I paid $300 for the first fill and $150 for each one now.

Great job Esmerelda....you're the example of why I chose the band! Please email Brenda so we can all meet. Katie

West side seems to be a common thread, let's try and set up a time to meet. Weekends and evenings work for me. How about everyone else? Katie

Hi Brenda, I would be interested in your group. I live near LAX and work in Santa Monica. I was banded in December of 2007, and haven't lost much. I feel that I need the support of others who are experiencing the same as I, and willing to share with others. Katie

How are the fills going for everyone? I have had 3 and have 4.2cc and always leave the office feeling like I have restriction and within three days I can eat just about anything without any restriction. How many fills have you all had? How much saline until you felt it AND stopped eating with results? The fill center told me that on average people need four to six fills to hit the sweet spot. Would love to hear everyone's thoughts and experience.

Hi Cher56, My experience with Dr. Parnell was fabulous. We actually grew up together and I wouldn't have trusted this proceedure to anyone other than her and her team. I am using the Fill Centers here in California for my fills and am still trying to get to the "sweet spot." I am told on average it can take 4-5 fills to get to the right place, I just thought it would be one time and I would be set....my weight loss has not been fast, but I am making head way and am learning a lot about the band and myself. Dr. Parnell told me that 1/3 is the band, 1/3 is exercise and 1/3 is the food. I am striving to keep that healthy balance for permanent weight loss. I hope you are already set up with a team of professionals in Casper for your after treatment, I wish I had a little more of that here. When I was in the hospital I met four nurses that had all had bariatric surgery with Dr. Parnell and they were all walking proof that this works. Best of luck to you. Please feel free to contact me for anything.

Hi Overweightmom, I think you're doing great! 50 pounds a year is what my doctor said would be successful. (You're on the way to 60!) People lose weight at different rates, just look at why we all had the band. I have just started my journey but learned a few things during many of my previous weight loss attempts. 1. Measure yourself....sometimes we lose inches rather than pounds, and we can feel successful during our plateaus of we're wearing a smaller size. 2. Body fat analysis...another GREAT way to look at your acheivements when the scale isn't budging 3. Like MollyBrown, look at your medical information. How are your blood tests? How is your energy? Don't you feel lighter and healthier after losing 30 pounds? If you're worried, make sure you're following your program, getting the Protein and Water you need, but don't beat yourself up. Slower is often time better. Katie

I grew up in Laramie...I live in Los Angeles now, BUT I was banded in Cheyenne December 2007.! Glad to see some Wyomingites here.

Hi Everyone in So Cal. I'm new to the site, I was banded in December and still waiting on my first fill. I had surgery in Wyoming (my childhood best friend was my surgeon) but I live in Los Angeles. I am looking for a local support system. I'm near LAX. I hope some of you are still interested in meeting locally. I think it's such a good idea to have a suppory system...I don't know anyone else who has had any bariatric surgery, much less the band. Please contact me if you're interested. Katie