gentlespirit

Call your doc and go in...this doesn't look like it should be left without him checking! Emily

I just had my second fill on April 4th and had the same experience. My first fill I had no restriction at all. When he checked the amount of saline in my band, there was .6 cc but he put 1cc in at my first fill. So he put in .6cc more and I'm now at 1.2. I was worried about a leak, too, but was told that it's fairly common and that he's only had one leak in 300+ bandings. I can feel a difference now and notice that I have to be more careful, which is good. Emily

I have purchased their swimming suits and really liked them. They are kind of pricey, but quality is worth it in the long run. I love their Chloroban suits for Water aerobics because they stand up to the cholorine in the pool. Emily

You can enjoy things even more when they were a good deal, can't you! I have purchased a lot of my clothes on eBay and will continue as I lose weight. Hav e gotten some really nice things very reasonably but can't match your jeans story! I love thrift shops, too. Emily

Jessie~ I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was a really wonderful woman, and I know you and all of your family will miss her tremendously. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this most difficult time. Emily

Kellie grates on me because no one in this day and age could possibly be that naive and innocent...she really overplays it. And I think she uses her "poor me I had such a hard life and I'm just a little country girl" thing too much. She tries to be so sweet it makes my teeth hurt! I think she can sing, but not as well as some of the others. I really hope she goes home soon. She's totally annoying, IMHO. Emily

I use an Atkins Protein shake for my Breakfast every morning on the way to work. And I eat my protein first, then veggies, and if I have room, carbs. Some hair loss is normal following anesthesia, and I'm going through that right now, but it will stop. A I wouldn't worry too much about it...the dietician I see doesn't seem worried...when I told her I as concentrating on protein at my first visit, she kind of yelled at me about eating more balanced. Emily

Good luck tomorrow...we'll be thinking of you. Hope everything g oes perfectly! Emily

If it were me, I'd probably wait because my budget is so tight it's painful. Emily

I'd also check with your doctor and hospital. Mine has a major discount for people who are self-pay. Might be worth checking into... Emily

Seems like I've read a lot of posts about periods being out of whack following surgery. It seems reasonable, sinc e this is a major surgery and surgery of any kind is a trauma to your body. If you're really worried, I'd call your gynecologist...otherwise give it a couple more months and see if it doesn't stablize. Emily

Each person has to make the right decision for himself or herself...there are no right or wrong decisions. I wish you all the best as you pursue your goal. Emily

We all owe him a lot of hugs and major thanks! This place is so special. Emily

Kellie~ Congratulations on your 1-year anniversary! You've been an inspiration to me as a new bandster, and I'm glad things are going so well for you! Emily

I agree with Catherine that you can't really wean yourself off sweets...any at all just make you crave more. I did Atkins for a couple of years and the most amazing thing w as walking by the candy aisle in the grocery store and not feeling the urge to get and eat some. I am having the same problem now, though, since I stopped the Atkins program and started allowing myself some sweets...some keeps increasing! I am iong to HAVE to cut them out all together or it will just get worse. Good luck with this! Emily

I am so sorry for your loss. It seems so much harder when it's someone too young. Hugs to your family. Emily

Brenda~ How do they taste? Are they tolerable? Emily

Susan, I'm so sorry that you find yourself in such a hard place. I wish there were something I could do to help other than send a big hug. Chronic pain pinches your soul, and I can't imagine how hard your days must be. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I, too, have had a spinal fusion (from T5 to L1) and was in pain for a couple of years but then slowly got better, for which I am truly thankful. So I can empathize a little. Please know that we are not here to lecture or judge you but to support you and love you and help if we can. Emily

Have a marvelous time! New clothes are always fun but even better when they're smaller! I tend to wear my clothes looser than a lot of people so I'm not yet needing to shop for new ones, but I can't wait! And I am noticing smaller things, like my feet are skinnier and my watch is looser. So we have to enjoy those NSVs to the max! Shop till you drop, and ha ve fnu! Emily

I also had BC/BS of Minnesota and ended up paying about $2500 because I hadn't had any other expenses and that was my max out-of-pocket expense per year. I'm having to make payments to the hospital, but they are fine with that as long as I pay on time. You would have to c heck with your specific insurance co. as to what they cover. And there is a separate forum on this site for insurance and coverage information/questions. If you check there, perhaps someone has had experience with your insurance company. Best of luck...hope you find out that it's covered...if not, a lot of hospitals/docs will do a discount for self-pay people. Emily

I remember reading in several different places that after a year or two, bandsters and those who have had the bypass are pretty much even in the amount of weight they lost. But I've also read that quite a few bypass patients regain a lot of the weight they lost so quickly. Try not to compare yourself with them...it's like comparing apples and oranges. 50 pounds is a year is great! Emily

Karen~ With all that you have going on, I'm amazed that you know which end is up! I wish you the best and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Emily

I really admire your restraint in that awful situation...I would have been in tears from frustration and anger. And now i'm glad you are able to put it behind you and do what's best for you. Best wishes on your surgery...hope everything goes very smoothly. You sound like an amazing lady~ Emily

Congratulations!! Emily

I had surgery on Tuesday and went back to work the following Thursday but worked half day that day and Friday. I found I got really tired even the whole following week but I did work full time then. I'd take a couple of weeks if you can, but I know everyone's job is different. Emily