serenity55

Humming Bird, my roommate is visually impaired, but I think she'll be able to see the pictures. I'm going to have her look at them, because I think she would love them. I'm sure the deer are adorable! What a wonderful place to live! Thank you! Debbie

I went for a fill Tuesday, and boy! do I have restriction! I love it! If this isn't my sweet spot, I'm hoping it's pretty close! ! I have to eat even slower. I get full on even less and haven't been hungry between meals. I really feel like my band is working with me. I haven't had anything get stuck, or slimed or pb. If anyone had told me that I could get full on even less food, I would have said, not me! How often I've read about bandsters only eating burgers without the buns, or half of something. I think I'm joining those ranks. And you know what else? It's motivated me, and I want to exercise, because I really understand on a much deeper level that it all works together. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. Has anything like this happened to anyone else?. It's taken me 16 months, but the good thing about the band is that I can always keep trying. It's just waiting for me to take advantage of the help it has to offer. I love my band! Debbie

Thank you all. Humming Bird, I'll try to remember what you said about my attitude being another sweet spot. I really like that, and I'm sure it will help me. AshleyLin, you can do it! I've still got a long way to go, but I feel more than ever that I can too. Debbie

This is so cool! If I ever get rich (hahaha!!) I'm going to visit each and every place mentioned here! Thank you all! Debbie

Hi Robin, You've come to the right place for support. I found lots of that and encouragement, and friends too. It really is normal to be nervous--that just makes you human. Please ask questions, and read as the other poster said. I've found there's always someone willing to answer questions or just offer encouragement. Let us know how things go. Debbie

This may sound like a stupid question, but usually when I go for my fill I wear pants. I've scheduled one this Tuesday, and I'm having a picture taken, for which I'm wearing a dress. (I do wear them to work a lot, but when I have a chance to walk on our track it's easier to wear pants. Maybe TMI, sorry.) I prefer having my doctor doing the fill as opposed to the nurse practitioner, whom I'm not crazy about . Anyway, my question is, does anyone find it awkward getting a fill wearing a dress and hose? I've been thinking about this today, and it really sounds silly asking, but there it is. Debbie

Great idea! Thank you!

Humming Bird, your description was wonderful! I could almost smell the pine! Thank you. AnnieM, it must be just as wonderful living in the city, but with all the trees you planted giving you privacy. Sometimes I think the best places to visit are those where there aren't a lot of tourists. Thank you, too. Debbie

Hi all, It's been nine months since anyone posted here, and I'm just wondering how everyone is doing. I'm on vacation this week. I've been on the treadmill every day, and done my weight resistance training, but I really don't like exercising. Yes, I feel good after I've done it; yes, I've lost a couple of pounds, but that doesn't make it easier. Can anyone relate? I just wanted to see if any of my fellow not overachievers are still out there! Debbie

Thank you Sarah Marie and Subie66. I have been to places where it is quiet at night, and there have been millions of stars. I can't see them, but my friends have always described things for me. The peace in those places is what I want, and the safety one must feel as well, Not to mention the changing seasons, clean air--I could go on, but I'm sure you all get the picture. Debbie.

Hi Shayna, It's an exciting and nervous time, but one that will definitely be worth it. Welcome to lap band talk. Before my surgery I came here a lot, asked questions and read. It was the best thing I could have done, apart from having a surgeon I admire and respect. Good luck, congratulations, and ask away! Oh, reading is good, too! :cursing: Debbie

Hi Tiffany, I lurked for quite awhile before joining, too. Once I did, I was glad, and I hope you'll find the same thing is true for you. I found lots of encouragement, support and information here; so much so that, when I went to the support group meetings at my surgeon's office, there were lots of things I already knew. Good luck, and congratulations! You're almost there Debbie!

Hey Lynn, welcome aboard! Congratulations on making the decision to get banded. This is a great place for information and support, so feel free to ask any questions you may have, and someone is sure to have an answer. :cursing: Debbie

Linda, I don't think I was hungry so much as I wanted to eat real food. Before your first fill is often referred to bandster hell because there can be so many things happening. You've just had surgery, it's a life change and there may be emotions that come up as well as the hunger. Many of us are losing our best friend, food. :cursing: I think some people are hungry before the first fill, but even afterward you may not feel restriction, that is, feeling full after you eat. Please don't be discouraged, though. As long as you have support and are willing to take advantage of that, (including this site) you'll do well. Ask anything you like, and I hope this helps. Debbie

Mickenut, it's so true that no matter how well meaning friends and family are there's really no way for them to know exactly what it's like. , It is an exciting, nervous time, but it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I hope you feel the same way. Good luck on your journey, it's going to be quite a ride! :-) Debbie

Linda, welcome to band land! There is quite a lot of information here, and friendly people willing to share and encourage you, if you need it. Feel free to ask if you have questions, or just post to talk. That's what keeps me coming back here. May you have lots of success with your band. Debbie

Hello Fresh, and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on making a choice to get banded. I'm sure you will find lots of people with your surgery date, and lots of others with lots of knowledge and support and encouragement to share. Please keep us posted on your journey! We're all here for you! Debbie

This is fantastic! I'd love to visit everyone! Thank you all so much for responding. I especially love the quiet and peace, something you don't get much of here in the city. There is a difference between living on a residential street in a city as opposed to where Humming Bird, or Annette live. It all sounds wonderful. Thank you all so much. Debbie

Hi Alainajoann, First of all, welcome to lap band talk, and congratulations on your weight loss so far! I think what happens after the first fill is different for everyone. You may not feel any restriction, although some people do. If you don't, don't be discouraged; sometimes you have to have several before you reach your sweet spot. My surgeon has me have liquids for at least the next 24 hours after the fill. I don't leave his office before drinking Water to make sure everything is all right. I hope some of this helps, and again, congratulations! Debbie

Hi Celialou, The advantage you have is that you are young, and by getting banded you will avoid any possible problems that might pop up as you get older, not to mention the possibility of more weight gain. As someone told me when I first joined this site, it's better to have the risks with the band, than the ones you might have without it. I am not where I'd hoped to be but I have been taken off a couple of blood pressure medications, and have more energy than I have for a long time, not to mention all the things I can do that I couldn't preband. Please keep us posted. I hope you go through with it, and as others have said, you may look back on this in six months and be as happy as so many of us are. Good luck! Debbie

Way to go, Catherine! You take your thread back, girl! When a friend of mine was in elementary school she had a "friend" who was a bully. This girl threatened to tell on my friend because she'd kissed a boy in the coat room, you know kid stuff. Well, it escalated from there. Fast forward to adulthood, and that kid is now a heroin addict with kids of her own who have done a geographic, and don't even live in the state any more. It was another case of someone with a visual impairment who wanted to fit in with the "sighted" kids, and tried to make my friend feel bad for not acting the way she did. I have quite a few stories like this. Debbie

Congratulations, Dana, and welcome to band land! Now, get ready to enjoy the journey, and the love and support of your bandster family Debbie!

The first time I had surgery I cried for days before. No matter how much I talked to people it didn't lessen the fear. The same thing was true this time: Though I didn't cry, I was terrified the day I got my band. Congratulations to you for going through with this. It makes you one courageous young woman! I believe that courage means feeling the fear but going through with whatever scares you, anyway. We're all proud of you,, Dana, and we're going to be cheering you on your lap band journey :thumbup:! Debbie

Hi, and welcome to LBT! I'm terrified of needles, but the first thing I learned about fills is that they don't hurt. The second thing I learned is that I haven't had anything get stuck. My doctor is pretty cautious, I guess, and I'm going for another fill soon, but I haven't had any nasty things happen. The first fill I had was six weeks after my surgery, and then I didn't have any for a while because I was losing weight. I too was afraid of yucky things happening once I got a couple, but so far, so good. Good luck. Let us know when you go for that fill. Debbie

My first consultation with my surgeon went very well. I met the registered dietician, patient liaison, and one of the other doctors in the office before I met the surgeon. I think it varies. He didn't try to persuade me to have any other kind of surgery. His partner asked questions that I can't even remember now. I met everyone but the psychologist, but I came away feeling taken care of and informed. I think some surgeons may do some kind of exam of the stomach. I remember having to fill out forms, and when I saw the dietician she had a model of the lap band and how it looks when it is around the stomach. I may have even had to watch a short film. . . I hope your consultation goes well. Be sure to let us know. Debbie