Great2BThin

I am so encouraged reading about knee pain getting better. I have a really bad left knee it is bone on bone arthritis. I've tried some injections and got little relief. It's my only disappointment so far with the surgery, i guess I was looking for a miracle. Bone on bone may not get better, but the pain is still pretty intense, I limp a lot. However, when I stop to think that before surgery I was taking up to 10 ibuprofen a day and now I take none that is an improvement, though some days I'd like to. So I am going to hold on to hope for more improvement. It's what keeps me from exercise. I do a stationary bike and do walk some but when I do too much it hurts worse. There's no water aerobics around so that's not an option at the present. I bought a bike thinking that would be good. It doesn't hurt much while riding, but afterwards it sure does. Sometimes I feel like such a baby but I am doing more and more and just read about strengthening the quads and that helps the knees so am going to check out the leg machine at the gym when I can do weights again.

Cathy, Way to go on almost being in onederland. That is a goal I can't wait to acheive. It will be awhile yet (see ticker) but I am closer than I was!! I don't have your energy yet, but look forward to it! I have more than I did. What color did you paint?

I had a hernia repair as well so maybe that's why I got the large too as he said something to that effect, can't remember I was still in a drug induced state. LOL I like to know all those numbers too. I figure it's my band, it's my right to know all I can.

I only have to be on liquids after a fill for 4 hours, then mushies. Tomorrow I can have solids. I had r/f Beans for dinner. And my dr. does seem pretty aggressive on fills. I got 4cc during surgery, then 3 for my first one, then .5 because I was pretty close to perfect then, but that didn't last long, so then got 1 last week and another .5 today. But I think this is the one!! Do you know if you have a small or large band? If it's the LapBand and not Realize, I believe a small is 10cc and a large is 14cc. I know I have the large AP Lapband therefore, 14cc. I didn't know either until the nurse told me. I just knew I had a bigger band. LOL I guess all the numbers don't matter so much because what is a good fill for me might not be for someone else. But I just like knowing all that stuff. She did tell me today the reason I have needed quite a few fills is due to my losing weight so well. There's a fat pad under the band over the stomach and as that melts away the band gets loose so that is why I was good before then not again.

Wow, Armywife, that's a long time to wait for a first fill. I am sure once you get it you will be less hungry. Though it might take a couple fills. Greyhound, congrats on the new smaller Capris!!! Apples, I was where you were if you remember wondering if I needed a fill or not. I got one last week, 1cc and felt pretty good at it at meal times, however, was hungry in about 2 hours so today I had to go in and have a rash checked on my gall bladder incisions and they gave .5cc more. I have a total of 9cc now in a 14cc band and I think I am there! I get solids tomorrow but beans tonight filled me up. I hope I am not too tight when I get the solids if so, I will have a tad taken back out. Congrats on being so close to goal already! That's awesome!!

Lynn, is the mahi mahi generally dry? I got it at a restaurant yesterday and it was so dry I couldn't eat it. But I don't remember it being that dry but I hadn't had it since being banded. Now I am afraid to try it again, but generally that used to be one of my favorite fishes.

Hope your day gets better Ellen. The head hunger is a _itch. For me it's more grazing. So I have gotten rid of things in the kitchen to graze on. That's helping some. Can you have something delivered for dinner that your parents like? Or make them something special for their anniversary? I had to go back to the dr's today. Seems my gall bladder incisions have developed a rash. He looked at it and doesn't think it's infected, I am to put some cream on the rash and go back in a week. The cream is helping with the itch thank goodness. This afternoon I went through my closet and tried on lots of clothes. I went through all my pants. In the past almost every pair were too small. I blew right past some of them and they are now in my too big bag. I have lots that fit and a few too small still. Ellen, I am wearing lots of things I wore when you last saw me, some even too big!! Tomorrow I will go through the tops. Many were sweaters and I don't have the a/c on today and it's pushing 90 so didn't feel like trying those on.

SUTB, sorry to hear about your job situation. I tend to believe that all things happen for a reason and that would mean there is something better out there for you. I just had my 4th fill today, and I am hoping it gets me to my sweet spot. I was about there, but was just getting hungry too soon. They said I shouldn't get hungry for at least 3 hours and for me it was 2. So she said I just needed a 'tweak' and I got .5cc. I am still sipping clears right now, time will tell. The nurse commented she could tell I lost a lot because she can see my collar bones, that made my day. Who knew I had them!!! :biggrin2:

Good late morning! I just got home from the dr's again. I was to get my 3 mos post banding lab results, but seems my surgeon still had my file at home for dictation from my last visit. But I needed to go anyway as I have developed a rash around my gall bladder incisions which he looked at. I am to put some cortisone cream on for a week and go see him next Tues. at which time they promised lab results. Also got a 'tweak' fill, they called it. They asked how I was doing, I said good but get hungry too soon, so I got a half cc. It was my 4th fill already which seems like a lot to me, but I do know that I got a larger band than they originally thought I needed because of difficulty in fastening the smaller one. They said they were treating me like a smaller band person. I guess it makes sense to me, all I care is that it is working. I thought I was going to be affected traffic wise in my drive to the dr. office as I had to go by City Park which is where 'Tent City' is where a lot of the protesters are staying for the convention, but they must be on the other end of the park as I didn't see or hear anything. My sisters work downtown and were goign to go stroll the outdoor mall and go celebrity watching, guess they saw a lot yesterday. No weight loss this week, but I gotta remember the 8 I lost last week. My body needed to rest I suppose. I got spoiled last week, but I now know that's how my body loses. nothing for a week or two and then I will have huge numbers then nothing for a while again. The nurse commented she could tell I lost a lot in my face and neck/chest area as she could see collarbones. That made my day!

I am so glad you posted this. My sandals were really loose, I kept thinking well I must not be retaining Water today (sometimes in the heat my feet swell) but it's occurring all the time. I put on my sneakers and they kept pulling my sock down off my foot as they rubbed. DUH!! makes sense that your feet would lose weight too! I know my fingers have as I am wearing rings I couldn't wear before.

Exercise? That is a loaded question. I HATE it!! But I was doing it. I recently got a bike so was riding that, or walking, or going to the gym and doing a cardio and weights. That lasted 2 weeks, from my 6 week release from lap band surgery, until I had gall bladder surgery. I am now just over 2 weeks out and I am walking and going to the gym and doing a stationary bike, that's all for now. And that I am not doing as much as I should. Calories? Usually about 700 something. Some days more, rarely less.

Phylser, I hope I didn't sound like I was talking politics if I was sorry. I was just merely trying to convey what an impact it's having on my city during the convention. I bit my tongue on other politics posts. I don't want there to be any of that here either. I don't care if folks here are blue or red, nor black, white, or purple. I come here strictly for lap band support and friendship. I apologize if I did. Now when football season starts, I might have to root for my Packers. :smile2: Martie, Not sure about the loose skin. Frankly, that is the least of my concerns as I'd rather be healthy, thinner and feel more energy and have some 'empty' or excess skin, than have it filled up with the 300 lbs I was carrying. And if it is an issue there are ways to have it taken care of as well. Surgery for me was about 30 min. I believe it was at 1 and I was sent home at 5. As to normal activities, I think that varies. I couldn't lift over 10 lbs for quite some time, but felt pretty good right away, then I see posts from others about how bad their pain etc. was. I did notice for a few weeks I tired out really easily and did as well after my recent gall bladder surgery. Good luck to you! Almost forgot to add my exciting (to me) news. I went shopping at Penney's today with my daughter. I had to take the purse I bought back since I got my new one. Well they had a bunch of things on sale, of course. I had seen this sweater last week when shopping with my MIL but didn't want to risk trying it on and having it be too small with her along. It was in the 'normal' sizes after all. Well....today it was on sale and it fit!!!!!!!!! The Large even fit but was snug and i wouldn't be able to wear something under it comfortably (it was a put on a sweater because you are cold type sweater) so it was still XL, BUT....I got some long sleeved tshirts and they are just L's no X in the size at all!!!!!! I was just elated. My plan is from this point forward to try and not to have to buy anything plus sized again. I am still plus on the bottom especially but I think in the wide variety of sizes in my closet I will be good and if I need a pair of jeans in an 18 or so, then fine, it won't be for long. I need to sort through that closet and see just what I have!

Fran & Liz, congrats on your victories!!! I crossed out of the 300's a bit ago too and vowed never to go back. Crossing into them is what made me realize I had to do something soon. I haven't had a 1 in front of my weight in over 20 yrs. And now I crossed over the 250's to the 240's so I can say I am closer to the 1's than the 3's now!!! Am going shopping with my daughter today. I have something to return at Penney's not sure what she has in mind. Tomorrow I go to the dr. and get the results of my 3 mos. post banding blood tests. I am anxious to see how they compare to my preops. May get a small fill haven't decided.

I go to a support group on the first Tues. of the month at the Northglenn Library about 105th and Huron. It is put on by my surgeon, Dr. Snyder but anyone can go. It is run by Lana who works for him. It's bypass and band though. There's also one on the 4th Wed. of the month in Westminster for Lapband only. I know there are more around town, you might check: www.denverbariatrics.com and hopefully they are listed there. They just changed the website so I haven't figured my way around it yet. Hope that helps.

(not sure how that ticker got quoted as it usually doesn't) anyway welcome Lapbandnana. I also have a 14cc band and had 3 fills. And am down about the same weight. Keep coming back this is a great group of folks and they are so friendly and supportive! So you are calling a 13 lbs loss in the 18 days since your surgery slow? That's awfully close to a pound a day if you look at it that way. THAT'S FANTASTIC!! but to answer your question on liquids I lost a lot, on mushies/soft foods, not so much, then starting losing better on solids. It's stayed pretty consistent through my fills so far. But please don't look at your progress as slow. Congrats!!! Welcome, Nancy! Congrats on 80 lbs! That's awesome. Glad you are feeling so great, I feel better and better with every pound lost.

Then, Becky, all those people are coming to my town next. The Democratic Convention starts here on Monday and they have so many road closures etc. Rush hour for folks working downtown is going to be awful, especially on Thurs. night during the acceptance speech. Obama wanted it to be moved to the Bronco stadium so starting at 530pm, I-25 is going to be shut down for security, that is the main thoroughfare/highway in and out of downtown. It will be crazy. I went to the airport to have lunch with my husband (works there) on Friday and the security was something I haven't seen since I worked at the airlines in the aftermath of 9/11. The protest groups are gearing up, many residents are leaving town and renting out their homes. Hotels were booked solid for months. however, my daughter (works at a major hotel chain) said the past few days the DNC has been cancelling tons of rooms and now they have vacancies they could've sold. It's just a mess. I guess it's always that way when ever anything major comes to town. I remember living in Salt Lake when the Olympics came to town, same sortta deal. Next week in will be Minneapolis' turn with the Republicans. I don't go downtown often but think I will avoid it next week for sure.

Great job on getting the 3 miles in despite your head trying to talk you out of it this morning, Janet! And, Arlene, way to go on the Curves thing. I would to them in a heart beat again to get going again but unfortunately where I now live it is too far a drive for me and I know I wouldn't go as regular because of that. Do you mind my asking what the special is?? Okay my exciting news!! (not really), I got to the Coach outlet and got me my new Coach purse!!!!!!!!!!!! it is my 50 lb reward to myself and DH was supportive, I told him it was the money I saved on no longer needing my blood pressure RX. He did nervously ask what 100 lbs was going to be and by that he meant cost. I said a lot because then I will need a new wardrobe. 75 lbs might be the matching wallet to my purse. I couldn't believe how busy the outlet store was! And the money people were spending on purses. I debated back and forth forever on my one purse there were folks buying many. Next, I finishned reading my notebook from my 3 mos class. Interesting, not a whole lot new, and no mention about pills. I do know I can take the allergy pills but at my 3 mos appt with the nurse on Tues. to go over my blood tests I plan on asking for future reference. I was up 2 pounds this morning. What's up with that?? I do know it's water retention. I can feel it in my rings and feet. Lastly, if you have read this far is a question, maybe I should've put that first. Anyhoo, I got my fill on Wed. didn't really notice much difference at the time. However, today I feel much tighter. Is this normal? I know I read bands are fickle. Now I am wondering whether to get more on Tues. Guess I will see how it goes til then. Funny we went to Costco today and by the time I had a few samples I wasn't hungry and DH just got a $1.50 hotdog/coke at the snack bar. I can go to Costco for free lunches now. :tongue: Costs me in gas (it's not close) to get it though.

Sandi, in the first few days post op when I was on clear liquids I had to sip 1 oz. every 15 min. that I was awake. And one of those times every hour it had to be protein. I used the Isopure protein drinks. Some folks hate them and called them Isopuke, I didnt' mind them as much as I did the shakes later when I could have full liquids. The apple was my favorite. They are available at GNC, also protein bullets, they are 3 oz tubes and I broke those into 3 individual sips, they had 42 gms of protein per tube so even at 1 oz you got quite a bit of protein. I also had broth. Then after the first 5-7 days I could add in 5 preselected foods by the hospital which were: scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, pudding, yogurt and refried beans. I hate cottage cheese but rotated those other 4 a lot. That was for 2weeks, at 3 weeks I got solids. Every dr. is different though so follow your's instructions. Also on clear liquids I could have jello and s/f popsicles. Hope that helps. I was lucky and had very little pain, my dr. said he sucked out most of the gas, the gas is what gives most folks pain. So I'd ask if he tries to get rid of the gas before closing you up. I came home from the hospital with an abundance of little paper hospital cups those helped so much in measuring out my ounces. Good luck, when is the day??

And then if you try to point out to them how to fit in in their day or how you do, you get, "but you don't walk in my shoes' comment! :eek:

Hi Ellen, I had hair issues a few weeks ago. I started taking the 1000 strength biotin, I got it at Walmart and it seems to have helped some. I think there is also some biotin in my multi but I take this in addition. I've not heard about that shampoo but the nurse told me I could use rogain shampoo or some by Pantene, haven't tried that yet though since it seems better. Also, as a bonus my nails are the best they've been in years! The discomfort you are feeling is normal, I considered that my full feeling. It was a different full feeling than I was used to. However, I notice I dont' get that as often anymore. since fills when I get the discomfort it hurts much more and it's usually something stuck. It's almost always happened when I am not being real mindful of what I am putting in my mouth, like at a party and too busy talking and not watching my bites. No help on the breakouts, sorry. On a side note, I got an email from my friend in Sacramento that flew down for the first, last, and one other Dr. Phil show with me. She's had bypass surgery and doing well.

No experience with Medicare here, and I know we have a few here that have it, but you might also want to post your question in the 60, 70, 80 board as there might be more there. Good luck to you!!

My first fill was enough for about a week then it wasn't anymore. I'm noticing a little difference in this my 3rd fill. I might see about a 4th in 2 weeks, they won't give them sooner than that. For exercise right now very little. I was biking, going to the gym and/or walking. Since g/b surgery I've done light walking and some stationary bike but not enough. That is my goal for next week to up it now that I am feeling better. Oh, Janet, how scary. I just said a prayer for Andrew. PTL it wasn't more serious than that and the car didnt' roll, etc.

There is a age specific support group on lap band talk for 50+ in age. I think there's also one for folks with 50 or more pounds to lose as well as 100 or more pounds to lose. When I said it in that post I just meant welcome/congrats on making it past 50 lbs lost. I didn't mean anything more. Sorry for the confusion. The orginal poster posted about losing 50 lbs, I did and then someone else did so I meant it as a way of reaching a milestone.

Arlene, Good luck with your fill today!! I hope it gives you the right amount of restriction. This is your first isn't it? So far I'm not noticing a whole lot of difference in mine.

AS to what weight loss to count, I figure you lost it all count it all. In my ticker though I put my highest, then my preop weights. And I almost always say...I've lost 57 lbs but 10 of it was before surgery. I qualify it too. So far I seem good from my fill yesterday am so worried about getting over filled but he said I'd know if I was. So far doesn't seem much different other than I am burping some??? I had solid protein for lunch and it went down just fine.