DrewsLou

Puddin.... I have been following this thread and I just have on word for you.... WOW!! You are a true source of inspiration for me girl! You look amazing and you are finding yourself again.... I am so proud of you!!

I agree about the straw thing Jack... it never made sense to me. I use straws all the time and have never had any trouble with air!

I know with all the research I did... aftercare was stressed as imperative to be successful with the band no matter which band you had.

Yay libra!! Being able to wear knee high leather boots has been one of my fave NSV's so far! I feel so HOT when I wear them!

Another Dr K patient here.... LOVE him!

Funny you should ask that... as I sit here drinking my Starbucks!! I have not stopped coffee at all... just careful of the sugar and fat.

Ummm... warning?? That's hysterical. Please remember you started this thread by asking if anyone had ever filled themselves and what people thought about that. We gave our opinions... sorry if you disagree. Disagreement does not constitute harrassment though... sorry you feel that way. Peace.

Did you not know what kind of band you were getting before it was installed? For someone who is so big on "research" I would think you would have had all this info up front. I'm not sure where you are finding all of these "VG band only" threads as I haven't seen much of those specific threads here on LBT. Perhaps you are referring to another site? As far as being "stuck with this foreign object" why would you choose to have this procedure done when all over the Inamed website (as you are so fond of referring to) it stresses the importance of after care and the follow up of a good surgeon? Why not have another WLS that requires no follow up? I have to agree with ousooner and chickie.... I think it is highly IRRESPONSIBLE and DANGEROUS of you to be advocating self fills on this (or any) SUPPORT site. If you want to do your own fills fine... but don't tell other people they should do the same.

I don't spend less.... about the same as before banding. The difference now is buying healthier (and more expensive) foods. Organic food and natural meats aren't cheap!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I appreciate the link. I looked everywhere and read through the entire manual and could not find the graph you posted. Just saw your edit and new link. Thanks for the info.

One would think. :faint:

I do not have a VG band but my doc uses them and I asked for his input about it. Not sure what me having or not having a VG band has to do with any of this but whatever. Where did you get the graph you posted? Can you link me to the source please?

I have to ask... where are you getting this information? A VG band filled with 5.2 has the same tightness as a 4cc band without any fill. I have searched everywhere and even asked my doc and he said an empty band is an empty band no matter which type it is. The size of the band has little to do with the restriction level... just means the band is bigger because the stomach is bigger and requires more saline to fill it. I'm not sure why you feel the need to argue about EVERYTHING. I do think you need to be very careful about the advice you are giving though... make sure you state your opinions as such and not fact. Just my 2 cents.

I STRONGLY beg to differ. Misinformation can be very hurtful to people. She stated in her post that "I cannot swallow liquid in the morning and very little in the afternoon. Is this normal? does it last forever? will I be able to eat again???" Sure sounds to me like she has a bit of a problem. Perhaps you should go back and re-read her original post.

Once I hit about 40 pounds lost people started commenting. I have a guy that I work with (he's one of the bosses) who is just shocked everytime I see him... (about every other week) and always asks how much I've lost now. When I went to my company xmas party in December there were several people there who had no idea who I was.... geez... I don't look that different!!

Hi Terrimck.... I think if you are having a difficult time swallowing liquid EVER you may be too tight. Have you called your doc? What does he (or she) say?? You need to be careful that you don't get dehydrated. I certaily wouldn't wait 2 weeks foir this to get better. I would say if it's still not better by today you should be calling your doc ASAP. Just my 2 cents.

Kim.... I wondered the same thing! I will PM paladin today and let you know what I find out! Happy Monday! Yuck! I didn't sleep very well last night, just kept waking up and waking up. Thank god for Starbucks this morning! I am soooooo excited about starting training camp for roller derby this week! I got my pads and stuff yesterday and went and watched the girls practice/scrimmage and orderd my skates. The reactions from my friends and family have been so awesome! Everyone has been very supportive and can't wait to come check me out. Friday night hubby and I went out to celebrate with my BIL and SIS... I drank a bit more than I should have and Saturday was a bit rough but we had a great time. I am going in for a fill tomorrow... not a moment too soon! I haven't lost anything for a few weeks now... YIKES!! Have a good one! Peace.

:update: I went to try-outs last night and I made it!! I am now an official Baby Doll. I start training camp next week then will test out after that to see where I am. I am soooooooooo excited!! Any suggestions for me for my roller derby name??

:rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes :rolleyes

I have been pretty stalled out the past couple of weeks. I haven't lost anything since I saw you! Restriction is so hard to judge in the office drinking water, especially the first time you get a fill. I had no idea what restriction was supposed to feel like. He can always fill you super tight and then back it off and take the saline out until it's comfortable. Maybe try that??

I can't honestly say one way or another. I know when I had my flouro fill it was to check for a leak. I do think that he will fill you more agressivley if you explain your circumstances to him. I would think as long as you are hanging around for at least a day or so after your fill he would feel more comfortable doing that. That being said... do you have anyone in your area that could unfill you on the off chance you get too tight? There's mt 2 cents!

Hey everyone! I went to my roller derby try outs last night and I made it!!! YAY!! I start heavy duty training next wee. Trainging camp lasts 4 weeks then I test out to see where I stand. I am sooooooooo excited! It was so much fun! Alicia... if you come out in March we for sure have to get together! That would be great! Kim... I haven't been to Vegas since my honeymoon 4 years ago! It would be fun for a girls weekend sometime! Neal... sorry to hear about your PB. I haven't been there yet but have had the slimeball feeling for sure. Myra... congrats on joining the gym! I am sending you happy excercise thoughts! Kelli... I know EXACTLY how you feel! I am going in for another fill nxt week. Hope that evens me out!

I agree.... this has NO place here.

Jesse Jackson, while visiting a primary school class, found himself in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asks the Rev. Jackson if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "tragedy." So the illustrious leader asks the class for an example of a "tragedy." One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a runaway tractor comes along and knocks him dead, that would be a tragedy." "No," says the great Jesse Jackson, "that would be an accident." A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy." "I'm afraid not," explains the exalted spiritual leader. "That's what we would call a great loss." The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. Rev. Jackson searches the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?" Finally at the back of the room a small boy raises his hand. In a quiet voice he says: "If a plane carrying the Rev. Jackson were struck by a missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy." "Fantastic!" exclaims Jackson, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?" "Well," says the boy, "because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss, and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."