Mimilou2004

Mary, I am so happy for your 8 pound loss, and a little jealous!!! Money well spent at FCUSA, in my opinion. I am here to tell you that at your practice it would be $2000 and 4 more fills to get that same 2 cc fill. I believe you are correct in that they are so assembly line to make sure they maintain their statistics to keep their Center of Excellence designation. BAH!!! I gave up waiting and constantly called Misty to schedule until I finally got an appt. Mimi

I can do carrots if I remember to CHEW, but white meat chicken gets me every time!!! Bread is off limits, it balls up and plugs the opening, ouchie!!! Mimi

I agree with Joy about not telling ppl until you are closer to goal...ppl watch every bite I take and always have something to say, mostly lovingly, but still an aggravation, Mimi

Mis, you are doing so great, congratulations!!! Keep up the good work. Mimi

Abby, I am sorry your friends didn't give you the affirmation you deserve. You did have many NSVs (non scale victories) though, with the wearing of smaller shoes and clothes!!! Give yourself a pat on the back and reward your success with a facial or manicure or pedicure...you deserve it!!! Mimi

No restriction and raging hunger and sick of dieting!!!!! Short version answer!!! I am now down 33 after my 3rd fill. Mimi

Punkin, I feel your pain, TRULY!!! I have been on Prednisone for an acute Sciatica attack and I am afraid to go back to exercising. I am losing a small amount by strict dieting, but not like if I could exercise. Good luck to you and a fast resolution of your Sciatica. Mimi

Isn't the surgeon going to repair the hiatal hernia during LB surgery? Many ppl become reflux free when they change their eating habits to accomodate the band life style. Mimi

Since it seems you have no restriction yet, don't worry about it. Just be careful after your next fill that you take it easy in case you can't tolerate that much. I could eat that much up until my 3rd fill that took me to 6cc in a 10cc band. Always practice small bites and chew chew chew. Mimi

Gained 13!!! Mimi

The fact that you have lost 25 pounds is fantastic...it is GONE, never to return. My doc is very conservative, too, but yours wins the prize. When can you get another fill? I was banded 2 weeks before you and haven't lost as much as you have. I have 6cc in the 10cc band. Mimi

I am experiencing the same thing, and haven't done anything yet. I am at 6ml in a 10ml APS band and am scheduled for a small fill next week. I am going to hang around the general area for a while afterwards just in case. Mimi

Oh, Mary, I am so happy for you. It sounds like you had a wonderful experience at FCUSA. We share the same Lapband Doctor group and I have been very unhappy with them, too. I would love it if you keep posting how you are doing with your better fill. Mimi

Kygie, I hope you are doing well and can post soon. Mimi

Jodi, I am sorry you have to have more surgery but am happy you have a diagnosis. I am happy mine is out and I don't have to worry about it any more. Good luck, Mimi

Lady, don't be so hard on yourself. You didn't gain it overnight and as a slow loser you aren't going to lose it overnight. There are many good suggestions here. I, too, am a slow loser and have lost the same as you but was banded 10/7. I was getting discouraged but read here daily to get positive reinforcement and ideas. We will make it. Best wishes, Mimi

I always take Slimfast low carb and a cheese stick with me where-ever I go, just in case. That way if time doesn't permit real food I get some nutrition to hold me over. Otherwise I am going to get so hungry I will either binge or eat too fast and have issues. Good luck, there are lots of good suggestions on this thread. Mimi

I have the 10cc APS and it has been three fills so far to get me to 6 cc and am not yet at the sweet spot. I think I am close, though. Next week is 4th fill and I already know it won't be any more that 0.5ml. Maybe 6.5 is sweet for me, I hope so. Mimi

Aubrie, I am sorry for your crappy news, but glad the area was found. Let us know how the tests go. Mimi

Kygie, you have done so well in losing your weight. I am sorry you needed to be rebanded, but I wish you much success on your new one!!! Mimi

Hi, Susie. There are many posters here who will tell you to do what your doc says. Now, that being said, here is my experience. I was a Diet Coke drinker...about 6 cans a day. The nutritionist said the carbonation is bad for the first year. Well, I had a craving last week and sent her an email asking if it would hurt me to have one. The answer was "NO it won't hurt the band! Just don't make it a habit." So, after 6 months doing without I had one and it was fine. I shook out some of the bubbles first and took it slow. But, OMG, did I belch up a storm.

Good pictures, Lingling. Even full figured you are curvey in the right spots. I can't wait to see more pictures as you progress. Mimi

Does anybody have experience with weight gain after starting Prednisone? I have been gaining a 1/2 to 1 pound a day but am careful with my calorie intake. Will this gain leave as soon as I stop the Prednisone? I am on 10mg a day for 14 days for severe Sciatica pain. Which also means I had to stop exercising. Help!!!! Mimi

Thank you, Denise. I am hoping the pain and the pounds go away. I am sorry to hear about your Mom's health issue. Did she lose the wt in between courses of treatment? Mimi

Thanks for continuing the thread. Any chance we will see skin pictures? How are your arms coming along? You are very brave. Mimi