jbflorida

I had fill #3 today. I was up to 5.7 cc and today the doc added .2. Can that tiny amount make a difference? :crying: I have been having good success, but wanted more food lately. Can the .2 help--or was that done to appease me???

Hi--I posted this in Fills, but I want the advice of my Gang of 50's. I have been doing well, but have wanted more food lately. The doc gave me .2 cc today for fill #3. (I now have 5.9) Will the .2 make a difference? Also, according to the doc, he wants my BMI to be 28. That's only 15 lbs away! I think I want less. What is everyone's BMI goal? (Since our weight can vary so much)

After a fill (had one this Afternoon), I have to go on Clear Liquids for 48 hours. The fill itself makes the band and me swollen--that's the reason for the clear liquids. Do you try to eat too soon after a fill?

Prozac and volunteer work. You'll be amazed at how you will feel about yourself and your life.

Please clone your husband, put a stamp on him and send him to Florida. Thanks.

And then there's New Year's and then Valentine's Day and there's always a birthday, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, someone's anniversary, someone retiring, Father's Day, July 4th... get the idea??? You can still enjoy EVERYTHING--but just enjoy it as a "normal-eating" person. Get your surgery (only the beginning), schedule your fills (the real magic of the lapband) and start exercising and making good choices. The weight will drop off of you and your motivation to do even better will skyrocket! Besides, I hear that bandsters in FLORIDA do exceptionally well! (tee,hee)

ME TOO! 50 seems to be a curse to me. It's when I truly feel a difference and start to think I'm "cute" and so, I let myself be a little more lenient. Pound by pound it creeps back and voila! I am starting all over again. boooo! I am getting a fill this Thursday and am going to recommit myself for getting the rest OFF! Join me! Here's the kick in the ass part (and I am listening to myself)--We took a major step to change our lives and our health. This is the rest of our lives...and now, that life can be a long one. The band and all of the rules are not PUNISHMENT--they are the REWARD!! You gave yourself a GIFT. Why? Because YOU are so worth it and deserve everything good. It's going to be better than you even dreamed about. Look for all of the NSV, no matter how small. Make a list! Today I realized that the "shelf" on top of my tush is GONE! Jump back on the bandwagon, TX. We're here to pull you up.

This AM, I swear the scale stuck its tongue out at me and said, "nah, nah, nah, nah, nah." It ain't movin'! Fill #3 on Thursday--yay!

Here's my plan now that I am open to dating: 1.Take me to a late afternoon movie. 2. Let's go out for Mexican food. 3. Go back to my house and fool around for an hour. 4. Get out of my house.

I also want arm surgery when I am done with losing. But I hear the scar (elbow to armpit) can be ugly ugly ugly! Does anyone know about this?

MaryD The beauty of the band is in the fill! Hang on--we've been there and we understand. It is so worth it to STILL make good food choices. Your fill will be here before you know it. I got wonderful support from the gang here on this thread and now, I am passing it on. Won't it be wonderful when it's YOUR turn tell someone of your great success? 50 lbs and counting! Judy

How do you get in Smartbanders....what do I need to type in? Judy, thinner, but still a computer moron

I had the exact same feelings the week before my surgery. So did so many of us. So what you are feeling is normal! I went ahead with the surgery and am so happy I did! My surgery was May 13 and I am now down from 217 to 164. I feel great, energetic. My BP (off of meds since surgery) is 120/50. Of course, you have to follow the rules to the letter! Make good choices and make exercise a part of your day. In just a few weeks, you will enjoy the exercise AND the compliments! It is not easy, but I have not struggled. Remember, the magic of the band is not the surgery, but the fill. Give yourself and the band time to heal after the surgery; do not worry about weight so much. Then start those fills! I wish you the best. Would I do it again? YESYESYES!!

I will need a wig or hairpiece soon.

The only place I may need plastic surgery is my arms and the "wings." I have lost a lot of the fat, but the skin is there and it is waving! Tonight, someone told me that the scar that is left on the arm is much worse than the flappy skin. True? I really want to have tighter arms and I don't think exercise will do the rest of what I want. Any experience with this?

I had to do clear liquids for 48 hours AFTER the fill. My 2 cents--don't go in with a full stomach, even liquids. You will be asked to drink a lot of water to get the proper fill and you want it to be able to go down. Ask for some kind of numbing agent before getting the needle inserted. Some people don't have a problem at ALL with the needle. Hopefully, you will be one of them! To me, it's been the only painful part of this whole thing--including surgery! BUT the fill is the Magic of the Band, and I am willing to accept what goes with it. I have Fill #3 next week. Probably only need a tweak--I have an aggressive doc! As far as the needle being huge--nope! You'll be fine. This will be the beginning of the real action! Let us know how you did.

We understand the frustration. But hang in there girl, not even 2 more days now! There's always a reason and sometimes, it's in our best interests--even tho it is hard. In the grand scheme of things, consider this a "blip." Have a Wonderful Wednesday and Get Well Soon.

I too am losing hair. Bummer. I am taking Biotin and Zinc and Folic Acid. I also started using Nioxin Shampoo, conditioner and Scalp Therapy...but it makes the hair soooo dry and straw-like, that I must stop. Did anyone have success with Nioxin? I may have to put a wig on!

Sandi--follow your doc's orders. I had to have clear liquids for 2 weeks. Broth, Crystal Light, SF Jello, SF Popsicles, Tea, Water, Light Apple Juice. Remember, this is the time to heal--don't worry about weight. Just keep that stomach "quiet" (no digesting) so the band can set. It will be hard, but the pay off is worth it! People who cheat ARE hurting their bands and courting the possibility of future slippage. I am 3 months out, followed all doc's rules and am 51 lbs less. It's sooo worth it. Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery. Judy

To all of the teachers---and their bladders! Good luck and have a wonderful year! As a retired teacher, I know that every day is an adventure. Remember that the students don't care what you know--they want to know that you care. You are creating memories for your kids--so make them good ones. Don't sweat the small stuff--decide to enjoy each day. I loved teaching--so I never went to "work." And the retirement and pension benefits are sooo worth it! PS DON'T EAT SCHOOL LUNCHES!! I swear the game was "how many fat grams and bad carbs can we fit on a styrofoam plate?"

I agree--the band is FICKLE! I "knew" we had to eat slowly and take small bites and chew forever. But I didn't really know this until I learned the hard way (pain). It's a different way of eating for the rest of my life--still, no regrets. Wishing you the best.....JB

If I have a craving for a little sweet or something--I remember that if i ate it, it would be gone in 5 seconds. Sooooo--- I pretend that I have already eaten it and am finished! (crazy, but works for me!) I just got back from the dr. and he said no fill for me--I lost 12 lbs last month and seem to be doing well. I just have to keep plugging along! (I was talking to a man in the waiting room--he was going for bypass--and I was sharing about the band and he told me I was hot. I had to laugh because part of me was insulted AND most of me was thrilled!!)

Long--congrats on the 49.5--and in only 2 months! You're doing something right! And glad your GB surg is behind you. Yes, it was white meat chicken--with a bit of mango salsa over it. I know that some people have trouble with chicken. I am just curious why it was fine at 6 PM and 3 hours later, a big problem. That's why this band works--we're afraid to eat!! (kidding...I think)

I am sticking to liquids this AM and afternoon after last night's fiasco. This band is so fickle! I am supposed to go for a fill tomorrow and yet, last night--stuck! Sometimes I want and know I can eat more--which I don't want to do, and the next meal--the opposite. What gives? I can spend the rest of my life making good choices (please, God), but I can't spend every day worrying if I can make it through a meal without pain and what goes with it. Meanwhile, today is my 3 month anniversary of surgery and I am down 50 pounds. 217 to 167. I am happy--but last night's horrendous pain that lasted over an hour--takes some of the celebratory feeling away..... Judy who is grateful for all of you here

Aunt Lucy, How much Biotin and how much and what kind of Vitamin B? I am considering starting with Nioxin. Has anyone tried that? thx