Melissa Lea

I had my surgery here in the states and financed through Capital One Healthcare Finance http://www.capitalone.com/healthcarefinance/index.php?linkid=WWW_1106_MEDL_09_HOME_H1_05_G_MC1 Hope that helps! Melissa Lea

Well Pinky --I only bought 2 pairs of pants and I think this will get me thru the next couple of months. I still have plenty of shopping in my own closet. But once I'm out of 16's I'm in trouble and will have to do some serious shopping. I have asked for alot of gift cards this christmas because I know I will need clothes in the future. Yes Barbara --it is exciting. It's emazing how when you are losing weight at times you can still feel like the "blob" you were "x" number of pounds ago (at least for me). Getting into smaller clothes reinforces your individual successes and for me motivates me to stay on track. Anyone going to watch the Biggest Loser Final Episode tonight??? I can't wait for it. I didn't watch it religiously this season but it is so motiviating to see what other people have accomplished. Although I choose to lose weight with band, diet, and exercise --it's still very motivating. Hummmm who do you think will take home the prize of being the biggest looser?? I kind of think Erik will. He played a smart game. He lost just enough to stay in the game to the final 4 but had still a higher percentage of total body weight to lose when they sent the players home to do it on their own. It will be a nail biting episode I'm sure. Have you seen the comercial?? The final 4 look awesome!! Melissa Lea

Speck --I know in the area that I live in, there are many comercials that come on each day about lap band procedure. Are you considering being banded?? Perhaps post what area (at least state) you live in so that others can give you info on the docs or lap band centers. Best Wishes Melissa Lea

Pinkylee --When was the last Holiday season you can say that your weight staid pretty much the same?? I can't remember the last season I didn't gain weight. Don't fret over it. You will be fine. Barbara --sorry to hear you had such terrible night with your band. These bands can be fickel. I had a NSV shopping Sunday. I ran into Dillards and needed 2 pairs of pants and a sweater (I wanted a new out fit for xmas). I seriously have not tried on clothes since losing weight. I have primarly been shopping in my closet and picked up a pair of jeans at the store a few months back. Well, I pulled a pair of 16 pants off the wrack and the sales lady showed me a few more pairs similar. One pair she said, these look to run big, you better take a 14. Ofcourse, the regular 14's didn't fit but the reg 16s, every pair I tried on fit. One pair of pants I ended up with a 14W because the didn't have it in 16 R. The Sweater is a XLarge (Regular). I have not lost my boobs --band size yes, cup size no. Melissa Lea

Josy -- If you want cosmetic surgery you better start to eat. No surgeron in their right mind will operate on someone malnourished. They will look at your labs (serium albumin, lytes, iron etc.). If any or all are out of wack you will not have your procedure done. Maybe this will motivate you to eat a bit more. I am not encouraging you to gain weight. But you do need a more well-balanced diet for optimal health and nutrition status as you gear up for procedures. My 2 cents! Melissa Lea

Bonjeanie -- I don't know if you have heard, but Dr. Sanchez passed away last week. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/called-dr-sanchezs-t26422.html

Yea Barbara --I'm 7 pounds away. The tickerfactory changed something up and I couldn't do my second scale like I normally do...so I just typed out 7 pounds. As for eating the Sr. plate Barbara don't fret about it. I'm certainly not saying to follow my league...but when it comes to eating I eat until I am comfortably satisified. I'm not counting calories or measuring how much or how little. I can say that there are times I can't eat very much at all and other times I could probably eat the Sr. breakfast plate. I try to listen to my body signals and do what it needs and can take in. It seems to be working for me thus far. Pinky --I don't understand scales that much. I have a very good scale at home (not digital) and there are times I jump on there multiple times in the morning and it says exactly the same thing. There are other times I seem to get a different reading each time I jump on it. I wonder if where you put your feet have anything to do with it?? Hummmm, just a thought. Melissa Lea

I notice changes in my band with the weather. The colder the weather the tighter I feel. It doesn't matter the time of day it seems to follow the temps more. Is that happening to anyone else? Melissa Lea

Barbara -- You and David are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us all posted. Melissa Lea

Anniversary ....a long weekend in Vegas works for me! We are all doing so great!! Melissa Lea

Takintheplunge .. Go to the yahoo group, Houston Area Bandsters. I am most certain that there is a group that meets out in the cypresswood area. You can join that group and post online to find out for a meeting near you. Melissa Lea

The doctor Jesus Sánchez Rodriguez, who lived in San Pedro Heron Garcia, was recognized by its processing against the obesity. 3-Diciembre-06 When it arrived at a land where was fincando a fifth rural one, a recognized doctor sampetrino was murdered to bullets by two subjects that already they were expecting it, in flax fields. The doctor Rodolfo of Jesus Sánchez Rodriguez, 53-year-old, went in company of its friend Susana González Gutiérrez, of 36, al rancho The Wall, located in the kilometer 30 of the highway flax fields to Galeana. The companion of the doctor was who he conducted a small truck Ford Wolf Harley Davidson, of the calls double cabin. The intention of the trip of the today deceased was to pay him the workers and to return later to Monterrey. The doctor descended of the small truck to open the zaguán of the rancho, and when he was pushing him so that the woman to put the pick up, suddenly of the mount you left two men with firearms. The types began to discuss with the physician, who of inemdaito ran of return vehicle and shouted its companion that gave reversa to escape. The witness said that one of the strangers began to shoot him closely while the other was hidden among the thickets, for which did not be able obervarlo well. "It shouted me go, fast; rose to the small truck and barely closed the door, I accelerated, suddenly I listened a strong noise between the sheet of the small truck and the doctor shouted", the companion would say. Then, Sánchez Rodriguez commented him that a projectile had given him, that a bullet had embedded him itself in the right side and that had exit in the stomach, was bleeding a lot. With life transferred it to flax fields. Already being in the city, in the payment Order, the woman asked some people they helped it to arrive at a hospital; then I displace themselves for the Noble avenue that to arrive al central of this place and volume but late the street Warlike cross with Beam, where this the Clinic of Specialties you Medicate. They were the 18:00 and the doctor carried hour and a half with the wound when entered al hospital. Al to see the gravity of the injury, by to have fallen in shock, the doctors of the place proceeded to intervene it surgically. Sadly around the 21:00 Sánchez Rodriguez lost the life. The delegate of the Department I Publish of flax fields, Catalina Ardines, he indicated that immediately niciaron the investigations of the case, but he notified that for the time being there is little information. "There is a person dead, he arrived with life here to the city of flax fields, but unfortunately he passes away, we are expecting all the homicides support team of the city of Monterrey... we cannot advance anything, for the time being only is the statement of the companion", the social representative said. Linares • Brígido Aguilar

Welcome acdsmitte. I'm glad that you found us. Barbara 465 --I doubt that you have a leak. You probably will benefit from the change in saline to the thicker solution (omnipaque). I am finding I have moments where I can eat anything and then I have moments I really can't eat. This is new to me to have such a "fickle" band. I guess time will tell over the next couple of weeks how this fill is working. Everyone else getting fills/unfills --good luck and hang in there. Melissa Lea

Just a friendly reminder -- the next North Houston Bandster meeting is: December 7, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are welcome! Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone -- The North Houston Bandsters will have their meeting: July 27, 2006 starting at 6:30 p.m. Jason's Deli 1340 Lake Woodlands The Woodlands, Texas 77380. All are welcome! Melissa Lea

Congrats Barbara465 on the NSV! I guess I've had a NSV myself this week. This week is the first week that I have actually noticed the weight loss in myself. I mean it's obvious with my clothes but it has taken time for me to see it in me. I can actually start to see my cheek bones again (and I have pretty nice cheek bones). I can feel the outline of my ribs when I lay down flat (still have to press through some of the fat, but I do have ribs). I can see climpses of my collar bone at certain angels. And most of all, I've noticed that I stand up straigter. Melissa Lea

Julie -- I just had my fourth fill. Don't fret over the number of fills it takes you or anyone else to get to the "sweet spot". Rather, get the number of fills YOU need to achieve your "sweet spot". I think that this 4th fill will last me for awhile. I too am hoping I have reach the sweet spot. Good luck with the fills everyone! Melissa Lea

Dr. Spivak allows soft/mushies the first 48 hours after a fill then regular diet. One of the main resons I picked Spivak is that I didn't have to do all this liquid diet stuff. He lets you progress as your ready. No problems thus far! Melissa Lea

PinkyLee -- At my 4th fill they put me at 3.4 cc and decided that the Barium went through way too fast. She bumped me up to 3.6 to be agressive. I too feared I would max out my band. But there is no way I could put more in at this time. She said that some people have less fat around their stomachs and need more fill (hince adjustable). I did not know that we could actually go up to 5cc in our band. WOW. I can't imagine. Like I said earlier --I think this fill will last me a long time. Melissa Lea

Barbara465-- I did not have to see Spivak to change the saline. But every doctor is different. He may want to see the fluoro for himself?? My first fill I was given 1.1 or 1.2 cc and lost down to .5 cc (2nd fill time). My 2nd fill I was given up to 2.3 cc and lost down to 1.5 cc (3rd fill time). On my 3rd fill I spoke with the fill person about possible leaks and the omnipaque. She agreed that I would be a good candidate for the omnipaque and changed me. I was given 3.0 cc and lost nothing. Everytime I go I ask them if I have stretched my pouch our dialated my esophagus (I have a strong fear of that). Everything is fine. I think my 4th fill has kicked in and I pray is here to stay. I think this is it for me for quite sometime. Good luck Barbara -- Melissa Lea

Yes PinkyLee you are correct. Barbara465 they changed me to the omnipaque on my 3rd fill. My first and 2nd fill, about half of the saline absorbed into my body. My 3rd fill was with the omnipaque. When they did my 4th fill last week they pulled out all the solution and I had exactly what they put in. The thicker saline means less absorbtion into the body. That's the only difference. Good luck with your fills this week! Melissa Lea

Congrats Cathy! Keep up the awesome work. Carol --hang in there. It will get better. I am happy to report I had no PB episode when I ate my lunch. Whoo hoooo!!! I ate it very very very slow. Melissa Lea

Well Junbies -- I think my fill kicked in this morning. I had the worst PB in the CAR this morning. I was eating my usual breakfast bar and when I was taking my last bite I thought .....hummmm, something feels a little funny. I ate that way too fast. It agreed and came back to visit!! Thank goodness I had a small plastic bag with me. I'm stocking my glove box with baggies just incase that ever happens again (but I'm not planning on it!). Melissa Lea

Thanks Pinkylee -- This years theme is red, white, silver. Problem is, ribbon has glitter. I have glitter all over me. I know it will be worth it once the presents are wrapped. I have to admit, wrapping the presents have been keeping my mind off of food today. I've been so hungry today. I don't know why that is. Well, I'm somewhat happy to return to work tomorrow. Not that I actually want to be at work but more for my "routine". I seem to do better with my weight loss when I have a "routine" and my so-called scheduled eating times. Is there anyone else that needs a routine ?? Hummmm, maybe I'm just different that way. Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone -- Glad to hear that everyone had a great TG day. I had a wonderful weekend and now back to reality (work). It was nice to not be over stuffed. I have to say I felt a bit deprived because I was afraid to eat (one day after my 3rd fill). I did well and I am still trying to see what this fill will do for me. Congrats Cathy!! I love watching life's full circle moments. Enjoy and be you. This one is for you Pinky -- I started wrapping Christmas gifts today. I swear I should have just bought bows this year like I wanted. However, I do love wrapping gifts). Here is a link to 2 I've wrapped. http://invite.filmloop.com/x?ZV/mhzxhWrVmXXRdLKOvMoRB4MI2twLj Melissa Lea