Great2BThin

I hit 60 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Susan, when your dr or nurse gives you your fill, do they first withdraw all the fluid in there to be sure it's all there? Mine does just to be sure then puts it all back in with my new fill. It feels really weird when she draws it out too. But I like that she does that as it gives me reassurance that it's there and working.

If you can get ahold of the last issue of Obesity Help magazine (or possibly their website) there's an excellent article on this. One of the biggest differences, I believe, is the Lap band has several pillows on the inside that fills with saline to give restriction and the Realize is one continuous ring.

One word........... 60!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still here. Things are going great. Scale is stuck a little but that's to be expected. Today is my 3 mos bandiversary and I am down 60 lbs (well 59 1/2 if I were honest) and can't argue with that. I do need to up the exercise some. First it was post op from the gall bladder that I didn't do much and now I just don't feel like it because of this dang rash that I am fighting. Dionna, failure stories? I'm not sure where you are reading but I see lots of success here, I try to stay away from the 'complications' thread because I freaked myself out pre op by reading it too much. I did get an email just today from this board and they started a section entired 'success stories' maybe you should check that. As to hunger, what it usually means to me is 'head hunger' I may not be physcially hungry but I see something and I want it. or if a meal was particularly good and I am full due to the band, my head still tells me I want more. Rarely anymore is it stomach growling, feeling faint and weak type hunger.

3 mos ago at this exact moment I was in surgery getting my band. It's the best thing I've ever done. Can't believe it's been 3 mos already and at times it seems like forever ago. Editing to add, that one day after my 3 mos anniversary I hit 60!!! Never in a million years did I think that was possible!

I've wondered that about the medications, one of them was a steroid shot as well. I am drinking a lot. (now any other place if I said I was drinking a lot they'd think I had a problem ha ha). And you are right, before my gall bladder surgery I was stuck at 49.5 and was asking the dr. how much a gall bladder weighed. LOL That was one month ago. I need to remember the way my body seems to lose. I will stay stuck for 2 weeks or more and then WHOOSH!! I will have major big losses. I lost 8 lbs in one week after g/b surgery. And I am still doing great, I've had great numbers, just got spoiled I guess. Today is my 3 mos bandiversary date and I am down just shy 60 lbs! Not too shabby at all!!! Never in a million years did I imagine that possible. I want to hit 75 by Halloween hope that's doable.

Good morning, at least the clock says it still is. I got up so late this morning, totally unlike me. I think my RX Benedryl is really knocking me out. I was so tired last night too I went to bed right after McCain's speech, and in my time zone that's only 9pm. I don't take it during the day but take a different RX but it's still making me drowsy. And the worst part is, I'M STILL ITCHING!! Though it might be a tad bit better but not a lot. I'm so sick of this. Weight is stuck too so that's not helping my frame of mind, still holding at 59 and 1/2 GRRRRR I did meet two gals from LBT yesterday for lunch. That was nice, Zippykat and JSoto. It's fun to get together with others going through the lap band as well. We talked forever and didn't leave lunch til after 2.

I'm doing great. I am down almost 60, holding steady at 59.5 GRRRR Every time I am about to hit a number ending in a zero I stall. The 3 mos class was very interesting, a lot of repeat info. but it was info that was more needed now. In the post op classes I was so busy concentrating on the new post op stuff I guess. They handed out new books too. I agree, wish some classes were during the day, I hate driving and even more parking down there at night.

I've been enjoying reading this debate the past few days until this post. Can't the debate remain on the issues and not insulting one another? Can't one can be passionate about their stand without saying the other side has lost their minds and has their heads in the sand? Let's stick to the issues and the debate.

Oh Joann!!!! did you get a surgery date today???????

Good evening, I am back from the dr. about my rash. My PCP says it's a very 'angry' allergic dermatitis. He gave me a shot of steroids, which 'may increase my appetite' :thumbup:, an RX strength of Benadryl to take at night which will make me very drowsy, and an RX for Allegra to take during the day. He's pretty confident that this is what it is, it is definitely not shingles. If it doesn't improve, however, I go to a dermatologist next. You know when this started, I had allergies or hay fever really bad after a very wet weekend here and was taking an OTC allergy med so maybe it's some type of allergy. I had to have steroid shots for a cat allergy once and even was close to pnuemonia and going to the hospital so it's possible. Haven't been by any cats though. I just hope the itching stops. I feel like I am going to go crazy. Editing to add the good news: I had lost 5 lbs since my last visit 2 weeks ago, my b/p was 132/82 (I stopped taking my b/p RX a week post op from banding per dr's orders) so am glad it's still good. They are very impressed, I am there first lap band patient, they've had patients get bypass but not bypass at my primary care dr's.

Thanks for the clarification. I put in the right numbers then.

I notice the same thinga after fills. I've had 4. I am on liquids and mushies for a day and it seems I am always very tight for a day or two after, then it seems to level off some. I lose pretty good that week then sit at a plateau for a week or two. Then start losing slow again. I've had 4 fills and am at 9 in a 14cc band so that seems pretty full to me, but will see how this one goes for a week or two. Strike - sounds like the upheaval you are going through is really a mess. It sounds like you are working through it well and you eventually find something that works for you.

Linda, add some good quality protein like chicken or fish you don't have to eat much to get some good protien it's usually like 7gms protien in an ounce I think. If you don't have room in the pouch for more protein, cut back the carbs and fruits. Eat protein first, for me it's supposed to be 80% of my meal and eaten first, then if room the carbs as in fruits and veggies and if still room the carbs like whole grains. Also be sure you are getting a minimum of 64 oz of water. Seems strange to drink when you are retaining but you really need to to flush it out. Also, I've heard if you put lemon in the water it helps as a diuretic, not sure about that though. Good luck. Congrats on getting off some of your meds. Well I am off to my PCP today to see if I can get to the bottom of this awful rash. It has spread up to my breasts, between them, on them, under them. I'm just miserable. Why won't it go away??? GRRRR Last night I had my support group and was so sad to hear the leader is leaving. So far no one has stepped up to take it over, you have to be 6 mos post op so I couldn't if I wanted to. I hope they find someone as the next closest ones are just so far and hate dealing with driving at night in the winter. Scale still not moving back down. GRRR

I'm confused by some of the starting weights. For a challenge that is just beginning there's a huge change between starting and current weights. Or do I have it wrong, was starting weight supposed to be our weight before surgery? Mine is my weight when I posted to start this challenge, not my highest, Is this correct? Sorry to be confused.

ah no probably not!! My jar would be empty and I don't even like chocolate much but M & M's I make an exception.

Well since I had to go weigh in for the Biggest Loser thing at the clubhouse. I forced myself into the gym as well and worked out for 20 min. When will I learn to love exercise? Ever??? Tonight I have my support group meeting, looking forward to that. I might bring my 'jar of weight loss'. I got this fancy looking glass jar with a lid and a bag of colored glass beads (like you put in bottoms of vases). For every .2 that I lose a bead goes in the jar. It gives me a visual of my progress. I started this presurgery when I went to WW and they weighed you to the tenth but my scale as well as the dr.'s also does so have continued it. The jar is getting close to half full and I am getting close to half way to goal. Or maybe I am, just not sure what goal will be. Right now it's set at the highest number to give me a normal BMI but I see many posts of folks my height (5'9) with higher goals and right now any number below 200 sounds good!

I've not heard of that site. But have checked out Bariatricadvantage.com and celebratevitamins.com (I think that's it) but as of yet haven't ordered anything, been just using Centrum chewables for 50+. I just got home from the gym/rec center in my development. They started a Biggest Loser competition today that will run til December. Thought it would be fun. There will be prizes weekly. the gal running it knows I've had surgery, at first I wondered if I should participate. So all's good. I should've weighed at night though my first time in heavy clothes!! LOL What's up with scales today? Mine was up a pound as well. Could it be some of the not so good choices I made this weekend? Please tell me it isn't true! :thumbup: I guess you play you pay, but I didn't play too hard foodwise, just made a few not as good choices as usual.

Crzytchr, How can you have lost 30 lbs already in the challenge? Your start weight and current weight are 30 lbs apart. if so I want you are having!! LOL

I've updated my weight earlier with my 2 lb loss but it's not showing up but does on my original post? Why would that be? So I am just changing it again. _____Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****:cool2:***********:laugh:*************:tt2:************:thumbup:*********:w00t:**** 1day at a time.....263............263............243............0 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............199............180............0 Barb12590..........228............228............213............0 Bea1128............210.5..........210.5..........188............0 Caramia71..........208............208............195............0 Crzytchr...........310............281............265............0 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............245............230............0 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........210.5..........200............0 HeatherO...........155............154............140............1 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............194............177............2 Leslie2Lose........220............220............205............0 LisaB..............205.5..........205.5..........180............0 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............246............230............2 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 Mamanmidwife.......299............299............285............0 mamato3............186............186............170............0 memom..............210............210............170............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........299.8..........275............0 nip50..............175............175............160............0 NurseNiki..........258............258............239............0 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............252............232............0 Renewedhope........171............171............150............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Tess...............304............304............280............0 Turler.............225............225............210............0 wowox7.............195............195............170............0 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Instructions: Start Weight = Weight at the beginning of the challenge, Current Weight = Weight at time of posting, Goal = Goal to attain by Halloween, Lbs Lost = Difference between start weight and current weight

I got a 14cc band in June, and the dr. prefilled it with 4cc's. I have had 3 more fills since then and am at a total of 9cc's now. I have great restriction now. Don't worry it will come. I started getting fills at 6 weeks post op so never got to the 2 cup volume of food but was at least a cup and now I am definitely at the 1/2 cup mark. Also my first fill was 3cc's and that large of a fill must've irritated my band as I was super tight for a day or so and thought oh no I am going to need an unfill. It only lasted 2 days, evidently the swelling went down and then I had way less restriction. I read some place that a large fill can do that. Just forewarning you in case when they finally give your first one and it's a large one.

Name______Start Weight____Current Weight____Goal________Lbs lost *****:frown:***********:frown:*************:tt2:************:smile:*********:w00t:**** 2BHealthE!.........194............179............194............0 ahsem2bme..........244............244............225............0 aJoneen............223............223............213............0 Aphrodite1984......208............208............190............0 Ariel..............199............199............180............0 Barb12590..........228............228............213............0 Bea1128............210.5..........210.5..........188............0 Caramia71..........208............208............195............0 Crzytchr...........310............281............265............0 DebinFl............181............181............168............0 georgiagirl........245............245............230............0 HarleyGirl.........188............188............175............0 HeatherA...........210.5..........210.5..........200............0 HeatherO...........155............155............140............0 Jazzyywan..........255............255............190............0 Jodi_620...........196............194............177............2 Leslie2Lose........220............220............205............0 LisaB..............205.5..........205.5..........180............0 livn4thm...........235............235............210............0 Long2bthin.........248............246............230............2 Luu2008............203............203............183............0 Mamanmidwife.......299............295............280............4 memom..............210............210............170............0 mominlv13..........299.8..........297.6..........275............2.2 nip50..............175............175............160............0 NurseNiki..........258............258............239............0 odamay.............242............242............225............0 paige65............252............252............232............0 Renewedhope........171............171............150............0 SpecialK...........294............294............280............0 Tess...............304............304............280............0 Turler.............225............223............210............2 wowox7.............195............195............170............0 WyominGirl.........327............327............312............0

Well I didn't get here at all yesterday. We had a big family BBQ here at our house, had 22 folks, so had lots to get ready and then just when we were going to eat, here comes the rain!! So it was all indoors in my small house. but we adjusted and it worked out fine. Foodwise, I was beating myself up pretty good thinking I really blew it. But then got to thinking of what I had and what I used to have and it was nothing. I had half a hotdog, some chips and one cookie and ate pieces of that same cookie all night long. Not the perfect day nutrition wise (lunch and Breakfast were okay) but it was one day. I now feel energized that yes I can do this. Both my sisters came and they asked lots of questions about my surgery and eating habits now. When I first had it done they weren't so interested. I hadn't seen them for almost 2 mos so they saw a dramatic change in me in the weight loss yesterday. Maybe they are afraid I'm not going to be the fat sister anymore!!! :smile: I plan on relinquishing that title in the not so distant future! Ellen, so sorry you had such a tough day yesterday. It happened to me too. You are in what is called bandster hell around here. It will get better with your first fill. I also had major troubles at that point with constipation. I tried metamucil, didn't help. I tried Colace (stool softner) didn't work. Finally the nurse at my dr office said to get some glycerin suppositories, and I had read that on here as well. I didn't want to do that but when I read the label and it said relief in 1/2 hour to 2 hours, I was like okay. And it helped so much!!!

BobbieDoll, did you ever go to that 3 mos and out class a week or so ago? I went it was great. Kim led it and did a good job. I got a whole new notebook now that I don't need all the pre op stuff and things. Bikini, I am doing great. Down 60 lbs. in less than 3 mos. Did have the gall bladder surgery set back but am feeling pretty good now. I did develop a rash on some of my incisions and he thinks it might be from the glue he closed me up with, however, I think it's then strange that it didnt' happen on my banding surgery too. However, every one there has been great in getting me in to see it and check it out etc. Just got my 3 mos labs back and 'I have the cholesterol of a 12 yr old!!'. So glad I did this.

You don't have to be a flight attendant to work for the airlines and travel. Any job with the airline generally comes with travel benefits. I worked for the airlines for many years, DH still does. I love the travel benefits. Bad thing is, with the high fuel costs and cut backs in airlines it might be difficult to get on. Now the travel isn't usually completely free but a small service charge.