Sugarbear

Guns, Wow! I can't imagine only 800 calories, especially with your workout routine. But hey, if you can do that, good for you. I am no where near that, but I am going to try and work towards more starting Monday. I believe you are a week behind me on the surgery date. I was 3/7/07. Your hard work will pay off. It will be exciting to watch your weight and inches fall off. Way to go Guns!!!!!!!! Sue, How long will your parents be there? I don't know how you do it all!! You are sure to lose, I don't see how you have time to eat! lol. Hang in there, we might have to start calling you Ms Energetic. Mrs. Husker, keep up the could work, sounds like you are having a pay day! Get ready to buy new sweats! Hazelbunny, sorry you are so sick. Maybe the meds will kick in soon. Hurry and get better. Tammy, Thanks for the challenge. I hope to dig in Monday. We will leave for vacation the following Sat. and I have plans of getting in exercise in some form every day. Thanks for giving us the incentive to go the extra mile. I needed that, I am stalled out on weight loss right now. I put that in my signature, just hope I can change it when the time comes.

Priss, glad to hear you are feeling better. Did you read my post about things to drink? Take your chewable vitamin too. Not trying to be bossy but just want you to get back to feeling better. Take care, and no lifting, pushing, or pulling, don't want you to upset your port. One week behind you already! This next week will go by quicker, and then you will begin to add things to your diet. You will enjoy that. Take care.

Lisa, yes, everything is fine other than I haven't lost an ounce since my fill. I talked with Ms. Betty the other day and she was going to talk with Dr.K and said if I didn't hear from her by today to come in Mon. a.m. 8:45. Maybe they will reconsider the fill situation. If not, that's okay. I will wait til the 21st. I don't want to jeopardize anything that will hinder the success of the band. I lost about 6 pounds after surgery, then notta..had a fill 4/5 then notta. Anyway we are going to talk then I'll see what she decides. If she offers a fill, I'll take it. If not, that's okay too. Good Luck with your fill.

lo2us, I wished I had asked to see an actual band. Ms Betty did show me a very good illustration and showed me how it was placed and everything. She was very through. Before my surgery I thought of several questions and decided that I wanted to talk to someone before the surgery. I stopped by one day and she was very nice to see me and answered my questions and just put me at ease. I was so ready for surgery after that little pow-wow with her. I think it was just a case of pre surgery jitters. Will you be getting your date mon. a.m. ? I think you will like the staff. Do you know what doctor you will be seeing?

Hi Lo2us. You do not have to fast to go see the doctor. They don't do blood work or anything like that there. I didn't even have to do that when I went to do my pre-admit at Wadley. I will be there at the dr. office Mon. a.m. also. 8:45 I believe. So we may all see one another! I will be sorta short and probably the only gray-haired one amoung us, lol, and of course fat. I think I am older than most in our group if not the oldest. Oh........I just scrolled up and looked at your ages..........I'm definitely older. I am so glad you girls are doing something earlier than I did. Oh well, better late than never. What matters is we are all going through the same thing regardless of age. Also I am so grateful to have all the support I get here and hope I will be of some help for others as we travel along.

Vlynn, like I said before, wish I had your will power. I admire that. I am steadily working on mine. Lisa. glad to hear you have an inches victory. That is great! I am also impatient with the scales. Of course I am going to cut back the the eating portions to lose. Larger portions and weight loss just don't go together. I am going to see Dr. Keilin Mon. to have a little talk. Priss, how are you doing? Let us hear from you.

DL Drivers License. I thought you were talking about getting a new drivers license so when I was saying what we do here to get a new one I just abreveated. ooo I misspelled that. usually sp for spelling. Sorry if I confused you.

Hello Lisa. I know just how you are feeling. I know exacty how much I SHOULD be eating. I also know whose fault it is that I am over eating. 1/2 cup of food is a small amount of food if I am hungry. Heck! It is a small amount even if I'm not! Now, when I get restriction and it gives me that full or at least, had something to eat feeling, I think I will do much better. I am still new at this but I think I do understand what a full feeling feeling is. Just have to get there. I am going to talk with my doctor about it Monday. I am also going to step up exercising, and the "water thing." That is hard for me. I am just not a drinker. I will just have to make a better effort in that department. I believe in this lap-band and I know it is going to help me eat less portions. I think we all believe that or we wouldn't have done it in the first place. Portion control is the part of the band that I need the help with. I believe I will achieve that when I get the proper restriction. Just have to wait until I get there. Maybe I will see you in Texarkana. WE WILL SUCCEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Cindy. I am not sure what your doc has you do when you get a fill. But I have to go on liquids for 24 hours, then mushies for 24 hours. You really don't feel restriction with liquids. Some, they say, could take up to two weeks to feel some. Personally, I felt little to none. A lot depends on the size band you have, and of course how much was put in it. Everyones stomach isn't the same size, so the amount of restriction is different for everyone. I have seen some lose without a fill, some no more than two. Then again some take several to find their "sweet spot." Hang in there and give it a little more time. If you still have doubts call your doc and discuss it. They may have some pointers they didn't tell you on how to work with the band. My doc tries to be very careful about amounts that goes in the band as not to over do. I hear that is miserable. Hang in there. Josiebies, glad you are on the mend. That must have been horrible! Feeling that way only after surgery and not before, I would have thought it was something to do with the surgery too. Well, I guess it is related to the band if it is caused by the Pbing. Have you been doing that often? Glad things are better. Here if you "lose" your DL they have you to pay $5 and make you another one. Sue, you must be an angel to have to be cooking like that not so long after you surgery! Let Grandma do some cooking, whew! What about eating out? I know that is a big crew to have to take out. If I were there I'd bring you a few dishes, like cassaroles and such that I have in the freezer for emergencies and lazy days that I don't want to cook. Take care.

Priss, are you taking your chewable vitimans? Did you read the post about different things to drink? Be sure to get in the protein. Everyone says that really helps the tired feeling. Another thing, your body is having to do some BIG TIME adjusting to lots less food. Just think about your calorie intake!! Less sugar, less carbs, less fat, less everything. I think our bodies were screaming "Im shocked!!" Less than a week out.....that's early. Your may not be getting enough nutrition, try to step that up. If you aren't feeling better soon, just call PS and talk to someone to be on the safe side. Anesthesia takes a while to clear out on some folks too. Hang in there it will all get better. Keeo us posted. Are you staying home or working? Take care.

I had my first fill 4/5. Went smooth. I have to wait at least 6 weeks before another one. That is the way my doc does it.

Hi lo2us. I had the discomfort of the gas for about 5-7 days. But after a couple of days it lessened each day. It was never bad as I have seen some describe. I walked and moved around a lot. I took walks outside at night before bed too. I also used a heating pad at night. I could not understand how gas-X could help, since the gas isn't in your digestive tract. It is in and around your abdomen. I did use gas-x for a couple of days but then quit. My apnea wasn't severe, and I decided to wait and see how I do after weightloss. Some people swear by the c-pap machines. I couldn't answer that since I don't really have the problem. Did you get a date yet? You might get PS to call the doctor for your results. They never even mentioned mine. I even forgot to ask about it. Still don't know the results. The girl that did mine said that it wasn't bad. If yours is bad I think I would get them to fit you with the machine. If I had done that I would had to go back for a second night and wear the machine, at least that is how I understood it. I don't think your surgery depends on that test, unless insurance requires it. LisaG, what size band do you have? I have a medium. I can't get a second fill till May 21. I will be so glad. I could eat a horse right now.

I wish I had your will power! I am very happy that you are doing so well. I don't think your success makes anyone feel bad. It shows some of us that this can be successful. I know my lack of success at this time is my own fault. I am eating too much, that is it in a nutshell. I think I will do better when I get some restriction. You and Billy keep burning up those pounds! We might have to name you our Dynamic Duo!!!!!!!!

Pris, glad to hear from you. Have you tried a heating pad on that side? Of course walking should help if it is trapped air. You could probably walk more at length now. Have you tried sf hot chocolate, apple cider, tomato soup or about any soup that is thinned down and no chunks of anything. Ms. Betty said I could do that. Thin down with water or skim or fatfree milk. I made some thin potato soup and it was really good. I just drank it from a cup. Jello, you can even drink it hot if you like it or let it set as usual. The potato soup saved me. Just make some creamed potatoes and thin with milk. You can also have protein drinks if you can find some you like, you need the protein anyway. Hope this helps a little. Any sugar free drinks (not carbonated). How many days post-op are you now?

Hello April. You are being way to hard on yourself. This journey is not an overnight one. We didn't get our weight, attitude about ourselves or food overnight. This will take time. I am at astalling period on my journey. I was banded 3/7. You are a busy person and you are going through a lot of emotions right now at home, let alone your stressful job. The band is not designed to restrict liquids for a length of time. You will probably see some difference in a week when you go to solids. Take it slow and easy. Also you mentioned having a 4cm band. That is the smaller one. I have read many post that say they have more restriction and sooner, than those of us that have larger bands, like myself. Just try and stick to the rules of the band, there is a pay day down the road if you do. As hard as you work and as devoted a mom as you are you certainly deserve one. I am impatient too. My support system here and on another thread is what keeps me going, especially now. Some take several fills to get to their "sweet spot." Some, hardly any. We are all different. It might help for you to prepare your dinner ahead of time or in the a.m. so when you come home so mentally and emotionally exhausted you won't have to make those decisions. Just heat and eat. Try to take care of your band and it will serve you better later. Give yourself some time. Take care.

Hi Lisa, You are really trying hard, so don't get so frustrated. I just know it will show up but not immediately. As you know I have been frustrated too. Vlynn says to hang in there and that's what I am going to do. I have been worried I may have stretched my pouch, but she says I probably haven't so I am going to quit worrying about it so much. I am 7 weeks out and have lost only 6 lbs, and I did that by the time I was 4 weeks out. I know I am eating too much. I am just so darn hungry. I am looking forward to my next fill. which is 4 more weeks. Most of the time I eat the right things but of course sometimes I don't. I have a friend got the band and she absolutely does not diet. But she has restriction and eats much less than I do. With the exception of soft bread like rolls, she eats most anything, just small portions. She has had her band three months and is down a little over fifty pounds last I heard. I believe she has had one fill and is going this month for another. I am going to start walking and trying to get in some exercise to see if that might pry a pound or two off me. I guess it is different for everyone. I am going on vacation the 5th of March and was hoping to be down more pounds and allow myself to shop a little. But that is out of the question at this point. I'll make up for it later!! Take care. I think all this changing on this site is making it harder for my computer. Seems slower when I go to a page.

Just get some long shorts, that are stretchy (that have some spandex included in the fabric) A tank top or long T-shirt, march right in that water and exercise away. It is less stressfull on joints etc. We are all embarrassed about our size or something. But you might be surprised at the encouragement and respect that might be shown to you because you have the courage to get in there and work to help yourself. We are all on a journey to better ourselves in one way or another. I know this is hard but if we don't take control and help ourself, no one else can do it for us. So treat yourself to the arobics, you deserve it. Take care.

Bandstar, do not give up now, you have been through too much. Making the decision to have the surgery, the pre-op, the post-op, the liquids, the mushies, and your weight loss. Don't throw that away, especially over one set back. I am sorry you had to go through that, you should not have had to. Eventually you will learn all the ins and outs of what has to be done. We are all still learning. I am having no weight loss at this time, and I'm pretty frustrated too, but I have a few that are encouraging me and it really helps, Just get back on track, today is a new day, just move forward, don't look back. You can do this, and you are worth it. Keep us posted. Get right back on the band-wagon and and keep on riding. I am trying to hang in for the 21st of May, that's when I get another (my second) fill. We have to MAKE this work, and we WILL!!!!

Oh. I meant to ask....Did you guys find out what that Green Box is for? Also the Rep thing? Where did that come from and what do we do with it?? You all know I am the one that is computer challenged on here. Unless the little icons are over to the side I don't even know how to get them in here. I like them but can't always figure out how to get them on here. Like now, there aren't any. Pooey.

Happy Birthday Hippmom!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm older than you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope that makes you feel better! Get out and kick them heels up girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OR Go to dinner and take in a good movie. That's more my style........haha. Have a good day!

Hello Gail. I had my surgery the same day you did, 3/7. Haven't lost hardly anything since surgery, only 6 pounds. Had my first fill 4/5. Thought I could feel something at first but then nothing. I haven't lost a pound since my fill. I am hoping the 2nd fill will be better. I have talked with a couple in the same boat. I have lost about 24 pounds but a lot of that was pre op diet. Sorry about the fill experience you had. My surgeon did mine and other that the sting of the numbing shot I didn't feel a thing. I have a 10cm band. I am looking forward to the next fill. How much have you lost since your first fill? I got mine earlier than you did which was a surprise to me. It is usually 6 weeks, I got mine at 4 wks. (from surgery date) I am having trouble with portion control right now. Which has always been a problem. Glad to hear you are doing well.

Alma2bfree, just curious, did they have you eat and drink before you left the office? When was your surgery? I have only had one fill. I have no restriction at this time. I have a 10cm band. I have heard that sometimes they have to unfill a small amount. How has your weight loss been going otherwise? I am kinda new at this, hope you don't mind the questions.

Vlynn, Sounds like Billy is enjoying all the attention you are giving him. haha! You tell him it is a beautiful day and to get out and walk!! Take him somewhere about 15 or 20 minutes away from the house and let him out and make him walk home. Ooooooooo that's too cruel. haha. Just joking. But it would be a beautiful day for a long walk, for any of us. We are going to a college baseball game this afternoon. I am trying not to get discouraged. I guess I am just so ready to shed some pounds. I do know I am eating too much and sometimes the wrong things. I guess I am comparing to the way I was eating 7 weeks ago, pre surgery. Three meals a day, what I wanted, when I wanted, and most of all...how much I wanted. What I eat now, even though I know it is more than I should, doesn't hold a candle to what I was eating. Sooooo I figured I would still lose, but maybe not as fast. Portion control has been a huge factor with my obesity problem. Probably more than "what" I eat. That is why I got the band. So I am really looking forward to reaching my "sweet spot," as they call it. I am in just too big a hurry. Have to adjust my mind-set. Gotta go. Have a good day.

Lo2us, The meeting at Wadley, I believe, is a seminar for bandsters to be. The support meetings are held on Magnolis St. at the YWCA. It is behind Legends Gym, (which faces State Line). That is where the last two have been. I don't see why there would be any problem for a bandster from somewhere else that has moved. I am sure that happens. I do know that they don't do fills for folks that get banded in Mexico anymore. Somebody said that on one of the threads. The support group meeting are usually on Mon. nights at 7:00p.m. I believe the second mon. of the month. The last one was Apr. 9th. You can go to noscales.com The first group posted is the seminars and further down are the support meetings. One in Mt. Pleasant, one in Texarkana, and then Idabel, OK. The last I checked, they had not posted the new meeting schedule. I think they wait til the end of the month or the first of the following month to do it. They encourage those that aren't banded to attend also. As a matter of fact they talked about that last meeting. You can always call PS to be sure. Hope to see you there.