tacwoman

I was banded in Mexico, Dr. Joya on 1/7/06. 4 weeks out today. 23 pounds down and gone forever, will need a firt fill soon, found one dr who wants $490 each fill any one have any suggestions. I can't afford to have to many fills at this price.:help:

Minipearl#2, I know that even though it would be nice to hear from him that I am looking good and doing good with the weight loss, I DON'T need him to make me feel good about myself anymore. I know I look and feel 100% better and thats all that matters. If he CAN'T realize what he has right in front of him then one of these days it might be too late and he will realize he lost out on living a long full life with a wonderful and beautiful woman. I currently weigh what I weighed when we married and I had plenty of fishes in the sea to choose from, I just thought he was the best one at the time. Still is but just don't know if I can deal with his obessession/addiction. I use to have such low self-esteem that I believed that the only men I could have were losers that I "could fix". It took me a long time to realize that if they don't want to change I can't change them no matter what I do. If its meant to be it will work itself out and if not then life goes on and I will continue to look out for #1, ME.

Minipearl, I totaly understand where you are coming from. :cry I have been married for almost 12 yrs and knew when we got married that he liked to watch porn and once we got computer literate he liked to go into FREE adult websites to "LOOK". He too would always check out women we came across and even would check out women on TV, especially since we got TIVO and he can rewind if he thinks he could catch a glance at tits or ass. Over the last yr or so he constantly makes sexual related comments while we are watching TV (it doesnt matter what kinda of show it is) to the point I don't even like watching tv with him. Last night I was trying to watch a tv show and he was playing a game on the computer and he was only hearing bits and pieces of the show and all I could here was these rude and crude comments about the woman on the show (it was on Disc health channel), I finally told him to shut up and play his game as I could not here the show for his comments. He even took it too far back in October, as I found out he had secretively joined 3 adult personal websites and even posted personal ads, wanting to meet locals "to have a drink and see what happens." I would have never in my wildest dreams thought my husband who I use to think was one of the "few great men left" would do this. His parents were even dumbfounded to think he did this. He claims he never intended to really go and meet any one in person but I asked then why post an ad. He showed little remorse about being caught and was totally oblivious that he had disrespected or hurt me by his actions. I don't even really want to be intimiate with him as to him its a quick f**k and there is no attempting to pleasure me as once he gets done we are done. Think god for the battery operated machines. He never acknowledges that I have done great with my first yr of weight loss = 76 pounds, he instead tries to make suggestions of what I don't and do need to be eating and exercising when he is sitting there craming twinkies and Ice cream into his mouth. Making me feel quilty for not having lost more weight. Everytime he hears or sees something on bypass he says don't you wish you had done that one, you would have lost it all by now, I tell him I am happy with my decision and its my body not his and I think I made the right choice. :clap2: After all this we were gonna separate but because we are in Alaska I didnt really wnat to be up here by myself as my family is in TX. SO we are due to hopefully get moved back to OK, TX or NM within the next couple months. Between his actions and the changes in me personally with my weight loss I am not totally convinced that I love him the same way anymore. :cry THIS apprantly happens alot after wight loss of one spouse. We will see what happens come the summer when we are settled back down south. Well didn't mean to hijack your post just been thinking about this all day and when I seen it I thought OH MY it does happend to other women. Feel free to PM me. Terri

I am originaly from Texas, but recently lived in OKC for about 4 yrs, absolutely love it there. However, currently live in ANCHORAGE ALASKA. Hope to be moving back to Oklahoma in the Spring 2007. Will either be OKC or around Lawton havent decided. I am 11 months out. Would love to get involved in support group when I get back. Don't have one here in Anchorage.

I live in Anchorage, ALASKA. I am 11 months out and have a wonderful fill doctor here. I had surgery in Mexico and most of the Docs here won't touch you. However, I have the best fill Dr. Dr. Leland Jones of Medical Park Family Care will do lap band patients and doesnt care where you had your surgery. He charges $195 which is the cheapest I have found. He doesnt use fluro but if you need xrays or whatever he will set you up. His phone number is (907) 279-8486, His office is on corner of Lake Otis and Northern Lights. Never takes long to get in to see him. I can call one day and get in the next to see him. He is not conservative with fills as long as you arn't having problems. I have a 9cc band with 6.8cc's in it now. Email me if you need more information.

I am a huge Dale Jr fan and was on the edge of my seat thinking he is finally gonna win a race and at a track he loves, then whammm thanks to B Vickers my boy lost. He and Tony Jr do have a lot of class, the whole team seems to have matured this year, sorry Jr's Birthday couldnt have been better. But ya gotta love him:):girl_hug:!!!!

I am a BSN nurse and from personal experience the best thing you can do to get rid of loan debt is get a job through IHS (www.ihs.gov) -- Indian Health Services. 1 1/5 yrs ago I had $60,000 in debt today I only have $21,000 and in one more year another $20,000 will be gone. I currently work in Alaska but they have places all over the country if you want email or IM me and I can give you some more information. They have an awesome loan repayment program they will give you $20,000 above your salary a year which I make about $48,000 gross. They also then send another 20% to IRS for Taxes.

I too have been having a discomfort, heavy type sensation on left side right below rib cage. I began noticing it after a fill in July. Then it kinda went a way until I got another fill last week and then the last couple days the feeling is back. This time my restriction was really good after the fill so I too wonder if the pain has to do with the stomach being irritated? I am able to eat normal foods but have to be very careful when I first start eating and I can not eat a whole lot at a time, since this last fill.

I am also from Alaska, NICU RN. I had surgery by Dr. Joya and would do it over in a heart beat. Totally impressed with him, his team and the facilities. Being an RN I was leary of going to another country to have surgery, but all worries put to ease as soon as started making arrangements with Dr. Joya's services. I have a local fill Dr. who is awesome, he has no problems taking mexico pts, like the main WLS surgeon does. If your co-worker wants to contact me and ask questions give her my email paulandterri@clearwire.net .

I had irritable bowel with frequent loose stools prior to banding. However, since banding I think all the protein really stops me up I get discomfort if I don't take something regular to help. I have used stool softener with Senna in it and I am now using Lacy Le Beau's Super Dieter's TEA which is a herbal tea with natural senna. I drink one warm cup of tea a night - IT IS CAFFIENE FREE. I go like clock work every day and no longer have discomfort. I do not get gasy or crampying. I initially had fairly loose stools but after using it awhile it works like the stool softner pills but works better. It says on the package not to take more then 7-10 a a time unless dr okayed. My doctor advised me to take something to help with stools because the constipation I was experiencing was causing severe hemroidal bleeding, which has completely stopped. Plus with the tea don't have to worry about pills getting stuck, even though I have no problems with swallowing pills. If I skip a day and don't drink the tea I stop up immediately. It sure makes my life alot easier. Can get it at wal-mart and other big chain stores.

I used Dr. Joya in Januaury 7, 2006. I was extremely impressed with him and his staff. The hospital was emaculate and the staff there stay on top of things. You can see in my signature, my loss has been average. Would do it again in a heart beat. Besure and check out his website and support group, lots of really honest bandsters on there. WWW.DRJOYA.COM:)

Im not getting a link for pictures. Iwant to see your house.

I am 5.5 months post-op. Normally I don't have any problems with chicken cooked any way as long as it is moist or I use a sauce when I eat it. :hungry: I was trying to eat a chicken strip from Popeyes today and after 1.5 pieces. The chicken hung and I could not get any relief until I started slimming and threw up. It was a little dry but I was using some honey mustard sauce. Now I can relate to what ever one else is talking about in regards to PB'ing. I have had things get partially stuck but usually can get it to go down fine by walking or pattying myself on the chest.

I take flax seed oil gel pills and Hair, skin & nail (1 tablet) vitamin. The vitamin can be split, but I dont have any problems taking either one of these right now. I get them at Walmart. I have also lost lots of hair bt in 2.5 weeks of taking these in combo and alsready see lots of new hair growth and nails are growing good also. A bariatric doc recommended the flax seed gel pills, but I believe it also come in liquid - nutty flavor

What size band to you have? I have the inamed 11cm/9cc band. I have only had 2 fills and I am at 6cc, do for another fill VERY SOON. This last fill had some restriction, hoping this next is the sweet one, running out of fill room.

This sunday is my 4 month bandiversity with a 40 # loss to date. I have had 2 fills = total of 6 cc in a 9cc (11cm) band. I am losing steady again, had a mini plateau myself. Its been 6-7 weeks since my last fill hoping to hold out till June for another one, not as much restriction, just watching portions and exercising. I too have had lots of hair loss. Taking vitamin for Hair, Nails & Skin. Also taking Flax seed oil supplement which is good for hair and skin. Have been taking for about 3 weeks and have noticed a big difference, lots of new hair growth.

Anywhere from $279-$2.86 her e in Anchorage. Took me $52 to fill up me Dodge Durango. I have to fill up about every 3.5 weeks, luckily I live real close to my work. My DH pickup takes even more then that and he has to fill up about every 2 weeks.

We dont have any children other then our four legged critters. Animals are so awesome because of their unconditional love. You can be having the worst day and a little love from one of them and things don't seem as bad. The white and red one is Pepper, rat terrior we have had for 5 years. Black and white one is Ladybug she is 1 year old, and our beloved kitty (who loves my hubby more) is Crybaby, she found us about 2 years ago. She and Pepper travel with us all the way from Oklahoma City to Anchorage Alaska, in January 2005.

I am Married to THE MOST WONDERFUL MAN & HAVE GREAT IN-LAWS TO BOOT...we have been married 11 years this June 24. We are definatley best friends and love spending all our free time together. Here is a picture of us on our 10 yr anniversary last year.

I am 3.5 months out. I have to eat every 2-3 hours, plus drinking at least 96 ounces of water/crystal lite a day. I lost good at first but the last month the weight loss has really slowed down and even with increased Water and exercise 2-3 days a week. Sometimes I feel like I am eating too much but generally stay between 1200-1400 calories a day. My doctor wants me to get at least 1400 on the days I exercise. I am eating between 70-90 grams of Protein also each day. This plateau I am on is so frustrating. I currently have 6cc in my 9cc (11cm) band. I am not able to eat much upon getting up usually have Protein Drink when i get up as i am starving then either a Protein Bar or dry Cereal about 2-2.5 hrs later. For lunch is not at work eat deli turkey/sting cheese and maybe some cottage cheese and fruit for that sweet craving. Mid afternoon snack usually protein bar or beef Jerky. Then for dinner its whatver DH has but small portions (tonight broiled chicken breast (2oz) and 1/3 cup Pasta roni). Plus on top of not losing much, I AM LOSING MY hair BADLY ON TOP...aarrgghhhh Anyone have any suggestions for getting off the plateau. I dont think I need a fill even though its been 3.5 weeks since last one. I am so depressed, feel like I am the one the band won't work for.

Is it a true PB if you never actually have to upchuck whats hung, I have, on a few occassions had the golf ball, extra saliva and feel like i am going to puke but never what I would call slime. I have never thrown up since the day I flew home from MX after having surgery, then it was dry heaves. Usually I get up walk around can also pat my chest and it will go on down. I have 6cc in 11cm (9cc) band have only fair restriction the first couple weeks after a feel. This is when I tend to have problesm, usually from eating too fast or much.

WAY TO GO GIRL!!!

I also like SMOKE, he is my favorite second driver... I too was disappointed by them not showing him climbing the fence. I dreamed last night that Smoke married my sister-in-law. A little too much Nascar yesterday. Had to watch everything yesterday since I worked on Sunday...:ban: I like the boys from WV too, Elliot can talk to me anytime in that WV lingo....

Okay, I havent posted in a while but keep up with the thread. How about my boy JR.:clap2: :clap2: :ban: his car looked like he had been through WWII but he managed to get an Awesome finish... I watched Inside Nextel Cup and it was funny as they played more in car audio for the incident involving JR and Newman. It was hilarious, he was so pissed at Newman and said someone needed to punch him in the mouth. Newman can win poles but he really can't drive when it comes to racing. My DH gives me a hard time during qulaifying as JR doesnt always do that well, like this weekend 29th starting position. All qualifying does is give them a place to start. DH is a Gordon/Johnson fan :faint::help: . I think what Gordon said about showing the "real Him" now is good, I always thought he and Johnson were bullies, thats the only way they can win... Bullying/Cheating that is. He'll papa Rick Hendrick had criminal problems as well. I can't wait to move back down south so we can start going to more races in person.

I had Dr. Joya do my surgery, no complications and NO regrets. Would use him again in a heartbeat. I was impressed with his surgical team and patient representatives who were available for me anytime I called. The hospital is top notch, cleaner and better ran then most hospitals here in the states. I should know I am a RN and make my living working in a hosp. Have you checked out his website and support group. www.drjoya.com , lots of good information and access to current patients even ones who go back to him even for their fills. If you would like PM me and would be glad to talk with you. I have done awesome, with my loss and once again had NO complications...:clap2: