heartfire

Sounds like you might be a little too tight. Warm stuff relaxes everything (think of a warm bath) and it can go down a lot easier. Sometimes in the AM I'm too tight and can do NOTHING til I have a cup of hot tea. After, I can eat and take all my meds and supps. I'll stay with room temp Water after that. One day had ice water right before lunch, ended up getting stuck on lunch and PB'd. Not pretty! So if I'm running tight in the AM, I don't do anything colder than room temp! Some questions: It's been a week, have things gotten ANY better? Are you able to EAT at all, and not just mushies, actual food? Are you getting stuck a lot? PB'ing? Depending on your answers, you need an unfill. Soft foods for a few days after a fill is fine but it's been a week and if you aren't able to eat regular food at all, that's not good. Also, if you are getting stuck, whether a PB follows or not, you're causing stress and probably swelling and compounding the problem. You want to be tight enough to cause restriction while still being able to eat most regular foods, if not all regular foods. Too tight for too long and eventually you'll cause erosion or slippage. Not good. On the other hand, if you are NOT getting stuck and/or PB'ing repeatedly, you feel fine, are getting good nutrition and are comfortable with things right now, you could probably go another couple of days to see if things start loosening up. Best option of all? Call your doc, talk to him/her or the nurse and see what they say. They are the experts and should have the final say. Best wishes and let me know what you decide to do. Take care!!

Hugs! I'm going to be blunt but it's all in love. 'Kay? Here it goes! You've got to change your mindset about the band! 1. The band is a TOOL not a miracle cure. Like a shovel, you have to USE the tool for the job you are trying to accomplish (a shovel to dig a hole, the band to lose weight). 2. Did God not create man and give him knowledge? Man, with God-given knowledge, created the band to help those of us who need extra help. 3. Why is it okay to get a pace-maker to help the heart beat, or medications to help us breathe (I have asthma), or a dishwasher to do the dishes but it's not okay to get a band (sleeve, bypass, etc.) to help us lose weight? 4. The band, being a tool, must be properly filled to each individual in order for it to work as it was meant to. Bands are MEANT to have saline in them to cause restriction. In very few cases, the band has worked for people without being filled. I kind of wonder if the band wasn't maybe a little small for them to begin with (meaning should have had a 14 but they have a 10). Who knows, just a theory of mine. 5. You aren't going to get anywhere if you don't change your attitude. You've got to STOP feeling guilty about doing something PROACTIVE in order to help yourself get healthy! If you don't change your attitude and get your mind-set healthy, then you are eventually going to die of the exact disease you are trying to prevent by getting the surgery, meaning obesity! It's a big deal to have surgery. USE the tool you've been given! Lots of hugs to you! Take care!

Yep and it hurt like hell! I've got a toddler and we've got a full-size crew cab truck with a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires on it. She loves to stand on the seat and leap at us (we're AT the truck, she's not really airborne!). Usually I'm ready for her but this time I wasn't and I was standing a little sideways when she leaped. Her knee directly nailed my port! I almost dropped her! She'll be 3 in 2 months and I pride myself on the fact that I've never dropped her! She almost hit the ground the hard way that day! The other problem I've had is sometimes I still swell (surgeon says swelling can last upwards of a year) in the evenings, depending on what's happened during the day, and I'll bump the counters in the kitchen if I'm not paying attention. Direct shot to the port. When I swell, that part of my stomach "bumps" out a little more than the rest. Makes it easier to hit! I try not to worry about it too much 'cause when I do, it seems to get hit or bumped more often! Certain situations, like getting DD out of the truck, I pay more attention to where I am in relation to what's happening. Other than that, it is what it is. Sure hurts tho!!!

UGH! Try TWO months!! I've pretty much been sick with colds since the first week of February. DD got sick the first of January and was sick almost all month, got better only to get sick again the first of February, a few days later, I got it too. I've been fighting it ever since. She and I both are hardly ever sick. But this winter has been awful. We start to get better, only to get laid low again. This last bought, both of us were starting infections so both of our docs have given us antibiotics. I'm hoping it takes care of it once and for all! I figure it's due to having had surgery even tho I'm doing everything right as far as supplements and pro-biotics go. I never get yeast infections after antibiotics so I'm hoping that will hold the same this time too. I'm hardly ever on them but since surgery, who knows! DD is almost 3 and we're out and about more with other kids so I know that's why she's been getting sick so much. I couldn't believe I didn't get her cold in January. She was sick for so long I figured for sure I was nailed. But no. I waited til February! She starts preschool in the Fall so I'm hoping she won't be as sick then and that we took care of most of the immunity building THIS winter! Guess we'll find out! I am hearing from a lot of people that I know who've gotten sick this winter that they just can't seem to get over this stuff. Our docs are saying the same thing. Kinda scary but maybe it's a supercold. They keep talking about these superbugs that are out there. Maybe this in one? Who knows! Makes you think tho. Haven't been hearing too much about flu stuff. Take care everyone and lets hope we're all well VERY soon!!

Ky, so glad you checked in! That does sound like a bad slip! Thank God you still have your band! Hmmm, maybe the boxing bag is a thought for a new workout when you're up and about and able to do vigorous activity again! Something to think about! Would be great exercise for both body and mind. I'm sorry this round of surgery laid you so low. I hope you've got some good pain meds. I'm assuming you have to go through the whole post-op diet regime again? Hang in there. Things WILL get better and you still HAVE your band! Take care!

You're welcome. I've done that before. Changed the battery and all was well again! I'll pray that this is just a 24hr thing and you'll be all better VERY soon! Try not to get dehydrated! Take care!

Right there with you, Gilta, on the being sick. SO tired of it! I haven't really noticed anything but I haven't been paying attention either. I'm on Amoxicillan, you know the liquid, bubble gum tasting, pink stuff. What are you taking? I was afraid to chance pills. Last I remember, the pills are HUGE! I'm hardly ever on anything other than what I take on a daily basis so I have no clue if there are other liquid antibiotics or small pill-form antibiotics. In spite of being sick, this last time, it hasn't affected my appetite at all. I was STARVING til I got my re-fill on Wednesday. Got the .25cc back that he took out last month after I got so sick the time before. Seems to be working for me. Hang in there. I'm hoping you feel better soon. Take care!

Gilta, hasn't this stuff been horrible! Hope you're feeling better soon. I finally got antibiotics so I'm hoping to be A LOT better by the end of next week. You're doing great, Lellow! Hang in there! I know how hungry you must be. I was STARVING by the time I got to Wed for my re-fill! I've decided I don't LIKE being hungry!!! Makes me grumpy!! LOL! Best wishes on your surgery! Let us know how you're doing as soon as you can. Also, have you tried changing the batteries in your scale? Kristen, sounds awful! Hope you're back on your feet soon! That would be a tough trip for me! LOVE chocolate!!!! Congrats to all who are losing! For those who are struggling, please try to hang in there. Keep posting so you can get support and stay accountable. I find it so important. Have a great week everyone!

Whoo Hoo!! Last week: 184.1 (184 something ALL month!) This week: 181.9 Difference: -2.2 Had started finally going down at the beginning of the week, then mid-week got a fill and finished off with this! SO HAPPY!! DD and I are sicker tho. She saw her doc yesterday and got 3 different meds, including antibiotics and my doc wrote me an Rx for antibiotics today. Hopefully we can finally kick this junk! It's been 2 months! Bryan, just be careful. You don't want to be too tight for too long. That can cause erosion and slippage. Bryan and Misty, congrats on the losses!! WTG!!

Oh goodness, they're HORRIBLE!!!!! Green, they are hard as rocks and about as small and shaped and colored about the same as small gravel (think pencil eraser size [maybe smaller] and dirt brown). The have spiked points that are SHARP! If you have soft soles like flip flops, they'll actually indent the sole and come through to your foot! When you try to pull them out of the bottoms of your shoes (tennies, flip-flops, anything they can stick to) the spikes break off and you can't get them out! The points will then scratch up your floors when you walk in your shoes. I've ruined several pairs of shoes over the years from those awful things! I've seriously sat down with tweezers and a bowl to pull goatsheads and their spikes out of the bottom of my shoes. We don't have them too much here at this property and didn't so much at the last house we owned but the rental property we had before that was infested with them! It was awful. And the long hair on the animals can pick them up, then wait for the critter to come in the house before falling onto the carpet that is much the same color and lay in wait for you to come along in your bare feet to step on them! I SWEAR they have diabolical minds of their own!! Oh and it's not just the spikes you have to worry about. NOOOOOO, once all the spikes break off, you have a hard little pebble-like thing left. Step on that just right with bare feet and you've now bruised your foot!!! Jeez those things are HORRID!!!!!! And trust me, and I'm sure Kat will back me up, I'm NOT be a drama queen when it comes to these things!

Oh crud! I've gotta get going! I'm taking her to the dr. Both of us have been sick forever! And I've got to do payroll before we leave so I can drop it off at the office. Have a great day ladies! Thank you SO much for your help! I can't wait to check those sites out!!

Ok Ebony, my request to PM you sounds weird, so I'll just ask here. I seriously need help and don't know who to ask! I've seen several of your posts on other threads and you always seem most helpful so I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I asked you for help. We adopted our DD when she was a baby. She was 2 days old when we brought her home from the hospital. DD is 1/2 black and the other 1/2 is 3/4 mexican and 1/4 italian. I need help with her hair! It's absolutely beautiful! Dark brown, almost black with highlights of lighter browns, soft and fine and very curly! I love her hair! Problem. It tangles the instant I'm through brushing it out. It's helped since I've started putting it in braids at night. It's long enough I can do 2. It's so curly that her braids actually curl up! I can do her hair in the AM and within an hour, literally, it's like a rat's nest! I've been trying products like crazy but nothing seems to work or work well. Some stuff is too sticky, too heavy, not strong enough, not whatever. I don't know if I need a de-tangler or a smoother (just saw that one at Target tonight while looking for something new to try). I don't know what a smoother does! That's part of the problem too. I don't know any thing about specialized products, no matter the hair type! I shampoo and condition my hair and air dry. That's it other than combing and brushing! So, my question is ~ do you have any suggestions, where to find help, product ideas, etc? I seriously need help! TIA!!

I've been thinking about you and praying for the best. Let us know how you're doing when you can!

Ahhhhh! Trying to catch up! I hardly ever post b/c there's too much to read! Well, here goes a multi! I love Newfies!! DH and I want to rescue one but can't seem to find a group to talk to. :thumbup: Agree. Ebony, can I PM you? I have a question about my DD's hair. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I'm glad you two are talking and getting it all "out there." I agree that the trip for your revision will do you two some good. Take care. Best wishes on your surgery too. I hate when that happens! Feel so psychotic sometimes! You should've seen me when I was on Clomid during one of our many infertility treatments. OTH, maybe not, that's just too scary for other people to witness! LOL!

Don't apologize! You've done a great thing for yourself by stopping the madness and taking control of your heath. Some comebacks, if you'd like: "I'm sorry, I don't remember asking your opinion." "Actually, I'm not fine just the way I am. My doctor predicted my death within a few years if I didn't do something to get healthy." "I'd rather live than die, thankyouverymuch!" "Oh, I see, you'd prefer my kids grow up without a mother!" Okay, so the rude comments ticked me off. Especially when anyone close to you would be aware of your health issues, even if they are just a a coworker! If you want to be nice, you could just simply state that you had/have serious health issues that facilitated a need to make a solid decision about getting healthy. Stories like yours are some of the very reasons I have chosen to tell very few people. It's not like a secret, but I have kept it somewhat quiet. Not something I've been very vocal about. I'm also pretty private and really just don't want a lot of questions. I had several reasons for keeping mostly quiet. I admire those who can be vocal about their surgery. I just can't. Best wishes on your process and your good health! Take care!

Okay, no one caught it or they just didn't feel they could tell me but I've had 1 for January on the headings instead of 3 for March! UGH!! Sorry gang! Sorry I didn't get this up by last night. I never got back to the computer last night. DD is sick again and I'm worse. ****** So how did everyone do? I see a lot of us are struggling. Hang in there and do the best you can! Had a small gain this week. I'm actually okay with it b/c it could have been a lot worse. I was actually up to 186 at one point this week, so a .4 gain by the end of the week instead of a 2lb gain and I'm happy! I need a fill and will be getting one on Wednesday. I've been HUNGRY!!! So: Last week 183.7 This week: 184.1 Total: +.4 Hang in there and have a great week!

I'm so glad that you have your surgery scheduled so soon. That must be such a relief!? I'm glad they'll be able to re-band you after your assault. The idea of losing your band on top of the assault must have terrified you. Can you share a little about what happened or what you do that would be a possibility of an assault for you? I don't want to pry but I am curious. It also sounded from your OP that work didn't provide enough safety to keep it from happening. Are they standing behind you? They'd better!!!!! I feel so awful for you and I am praying that your surgery goes REALLY well and that you are able to FULLY heal from this ordeal. Hang in there and know that you are among friends. I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday. As soon as you are up to it and able, let us know how you are doing. I'll be wondering. Take good care. I'm sorry. I know you're trying to help but the only reason her band slipped and so badly is b/c she got the shit beat out of her at work! The assault caused broken bones and severe bruising, swelling and pain. I realize that you're trying to help. We all are. But that just sort of struck me wrong. I'm SURE you didn't mean it come across like that. The written word is SO hard with out the advantage of tone of voice (and lots of hand movements on MY part! LOL!). I just wanted to point it out and maybe you could re-read it and see if I'm just taking it wrong. I took it like you're sort of blowing off the horror of what she's going through. I'm almost POSITIVE I'm wrong. But just needed to say something. Dialog with me. Let me know.

tutornmom, the aunt needs to be shot. Nice lady! <not!> I just noticed this yesterday. I was sitting in my desk chair and DD climbed up and she sits on my lap and stradles my waist and lays her head on my shoulder. Well, her feet/ankles used to get stuck between my hips and the arms of my chair. Yesterday, there was PLENTY of room for her!! I was so shocked. I pointed it out to her. Of course she doesn't get it. She's only 2 (and 10 months). But I was excited!! I also started walking the neighborhood on Monday. Couldn't get out there on Tuesday but I got out there everyday the rest of the week. DD in her stroller and the dog on her leash and up and down the hills. I need to drive it to see what it is but I think it's about a mile or so. It's a lot of work, I know that! Feels good tho and the most amazing thing? My Exercise Induced Asthma didn't kick in AT ALL!! Usually it doesn't take much for it to start up. Monday and Wednesday DH was home and went with us and he kept asking me if I was okay and if I wanted to keep going or go home. I was out of breath for sure but no asthma! I guess 50lbs makes a difference after all!

Great job you two! I finally posted the Easter challenge thread just now. I didn't get back to the computer last night. Sorry. I'm up this week but only a little. Last week: 183.7 This week: 184.1 Difference: +.4 I'm okay with it b/c mid-week I was up 2lbs so to get back to only being up .4 by the end of week, makes me happy! I'm proud of myself. I got my butt outside and started walking my neighborhood with DD in her stroller. It's about a mile or so (not sure) and since I live in the mountains, it's all up and down. It's HARD! But I've gotten out there everyday this week except Tuesday. Today we were going to go but DD and I are sick again and it's raining. Didn't think that would be a good idea! I'll get back out there, hopefully Monday but for sure Tuesday. We're supposed to get snow this weekend but things are "supposed" to be cleared up by Monday. We'll see! I go see my surgeon on Wednesday for a re-fill after my un-fill in February. I'm glad. I'm STARVING!!! Oh and I ordered a pedometer online yesterday! Should be here the end of the week, I hope! I'm excited! Have a great week everyone!!

Hi Everyone! Hope all of you are having a good week! I'm sick AGAIN! Tired of this! Down to 183.7 That's -.3 Still a long ways to goal. Not going to hit it this time. Have a fantastic week ahead!

I was thinking Munchausen's as well only b/c I keep replaying that 911 tape in my head. It was supposed to be about the fact that her kid was missing but she turned it into being all about HER with her screaming threats of killing herself! I used to be a dispatcher for our local ambulance dept. and I was an explorer w/the sheriff's dept. We had people scared and worried and a little out of control but I never had anyone like that on the phone! Sure I had to calm people down a lot in order to get them to tell me what was happening and where so I could start EMS but her call was crazy!

This is horrible! I just want to add my best wishes and I hope everything all works out well. Take care!

<sigh> I don't know if I should faint from horror or call the circus to tell them their freak show was last seen here. LOL! That was funny, tap!

Do as your doctor instructs! Try the Protein shake. Drink 2 if you need it. MY surgeon doesn't have food restrictions after a fill but I have to go back to liquids/mushies for a couple of meals afterwards. Fills just kick my butt (stomach?!) and I have to take it easy. I'm also not usually hungry after my fills either. BUT that's me. Call your doc and see what he says, he may okay you to soft foods/mushies if you're really hungry but really, you need to follow his instructions. Best wishes!

Thanks, Lellow. Been working on getting rid of this garbage since I caught it the first weekend of February! Now my right ear is involved. I just can't win right now! LOL! I think all (most) of us are having problems right now. Don't know if it's weather, plateau time, moon cycle, placement of the earth/sun, atmospheric or what! LOL! I'm supposed to go see my surgeon (on the 25th) to get the .25cc back that he took out at the end of February. I sure can EAT right now but I'm afraid to get filled again if I'm still sick (that was scary!). Think I'll see what this next weekend looks like. I can always leave a cancel message over the weekend.