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I'm doing great--I hit Onederland today! It seemed like I had a slow start to all of this, and only hit my sweet spot in June. But things have been pretty smooth sailing since then! 39 pounds till goal! Well, my first goal; I'd like to lose more than that, but we'll see. Glad to see other December people on here! Keep up the good work!

Hmmm... I voted "I don't know." I think I COULD give myself a fill/unfill, I just don't know if I WOULD. I've given myself several piercings and had to give myself injections when I was younger, so I don't think I'd be too squeamish. If at some point it became acceptable/common practice for patients to do so, I'd probably learn how, and might try to fill myself; until then, no. As far as emergency unfills, I would do it if it was in fact an emergency, was sure that's what was needed, and no other band-knowledgeable medical professional was available to do it.

I wasn't catheterized for my band surgery, but I just had a cystoscopy last week, which is similar to being catheterized, just for a shorter amount of time. They actually gave me the same info as cath patients. It hurt more after the tube was withdrawn than when it was inside of me! I was told that I could have some pain for a couple of days (especially when urinating). They said to call the office if I had pain past a few days, as an infection could develop. Luckily it subsided after two days. I would call the doc if you are still in pain at this point.

Some really simple things I've prepared recently: Meatloaf Fish and shrimp tacos Slow cooker chicken parmesan Slow cooker beef stew Beanie weenie (my husband loves this :tongue2:) Oven BBQ chicken Slow cooker ham, potatoes, and green Beans Grilled chicken or salmon on salad Tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad I LOVE to cook, and there are some really fast, easy recipes out there. Allrecipes.com is my favorite recipe website; Campbells Soup also has some really simple, tasty recipes--lots of easy one-dish meals.

I hit 200 lbs. today! I'm more than halfway to goal, and SO CLOSE to Onederland!

I agree with Restless Monkey. Before you burn any bridges, I think you would benefit from individual counseling to help you sort out why you are having these feelings and determine what you really want.

For a few weeks after I was banded, it seemed like I could feel the band (or something). The feeling eventually went away, though; I'm at my sweet spot and don't feel a thing.

It took six months and seven fills until I hit my sweet spot, and for much of the time before I got there I had NO restriction and could eat as much as I wanted. If you really think something is wrong, check with your doctor, but it's most likely that you just don't have enough restriction yet.

I really like string cheese for a snack. I also like nuts, especially almonds and peanuts. I'm pretty tight in the mornings, but sometimes have yogurt for breakfast, which works as a snack too.

I wouldn't have thought they'd be a problem either, but I can rarely keep eggs down no matter how they're cooked. I really like eggs too, and they're such a good Protein source. It's a bummer.

I did not want any "rerouting" of my internal organs. I did not want to worry about malabsorption issues. I didn't want to worry about the possibility of dumping syndrome. I liked that the band can be completely unfilled if needed for other medical issues (pregnancy, cancer, etc.). My doctor also deals with a lot of GB patients who regained weight and then get banded; I didn't want to risk that. It would be nice to lose weight faster, but I'm still happy with my current rate of weight loss and how much I've lost.

I halve or quarter most of my tablets. I was able to get one in liquid form, which is just easier. One I take is a large capsule, which I empty onto a spoonful of ice cream every evening.

Sometimes I can tolerate a little bread; it just depends on what "mood" my band is in that day! Once in a while I will have a piece of thin crust pizza, a small piece of well-toasted garlic bread, and the other day I was shocked that I could eat and keep down a grilled cheese sandwich! But I can never count on being able to keep bread down, so I don't do it too often. If I feel tight and/or have already PB'd that day, I definitely stay away!

I've tried both reducing the dosage and stopping my meds, but my BP shoots up again when I do. I thought almost 50 lbs. lost, a better diet, and more exercise would make a difference, but not yet. Hopefully someday!

I really understand what you're going through. My surgery was 12/31/08, and I only achieved a bit of restriction in May after six fills and only about 20 lbs. lost. It was VERY difficult to eat well and control my portions with no restriction, but finally in June I hit my sweet spot and have lost almost another 30 lbs. I wish it hadn't taken so long to achieve restriction and a good rate of weight loss, but now that I'm there I'm thrilled! You WILL reach it too, eventually.

I started my period the morning of surgery AT the hospital!:mad: It came a little early, so I was not prepared; they gave me a pad to wear. I assume they took the underwear off for surgery, but I woke up with them on and a pad in place.

My doctor allows coffee, soda, alcohol, and popcorn, so I don't have to do without those (though I don't have as much of them now). But he discourages using a straw; I want to follow that rule, but never realize I've broken it until a few hours or even a day later! I don't eat/drink out that often though, and I never use a straw at home, so it's not as bad as it could be.

When my doctor first asked what I wanted to weigh, I told him it would be nice to be able to get to my ideal weight (about 130), but at least wanted to get to 160. He said that 130 sounded too skinny (I'm 5'4). So we agreed on 160 for now; if I can get there with reasonable effort, I will push him to help me go lower, probably ten pounds at a time.

I adore salad, and I have found that my weight loss works better if I have a salad a day. My favorite that I have frequently is spinach salad with grilled chicken and lots of other veggies (peppers, mushrooms, cucumber, radishes, carrots, leek) and fat free garlic ranch dressing. I despise iceberg lettuce salad; if I have lettuce, it's usually Romaine, Bibb, or Looseleaf.

I am going to start it this week; I just need to watch some of it first so that I'm prepared before I jump in. I really didn't know much about it until my husband mentioned that his Army class was doing some of it for their morning PT; after that I did some research on it. I'm not in the best shape now, so I figure I may have to do my own version of p90x "lite" the first time around, then do the series again when I'm built up. That's the plan for now, but we'll see how it goes!

I haven't been banded a year yet, but I'll always remember it and will most likely be partying every year--it was New Year's Eve!

I found the process very easy. The required steps vary a bit depending upon which type of Tricare you have--I have Tricare Reserve Select.

This isn't a recipe suggestion, but it's been useful to me. I always try to fix a healthy dinner for my husband and I, and since it is just the two of us there is usually extra left over. Any leftovers there are go into the freezer in 3/4 to one cup portions. This has made it really easy for me to just grab something (usually for lunch or for when my husband has a fast food craving for dinner) and heat it up, knowing it's healthy and just the right amount.

That's only for Tricare Prime. Tricare Standard and Tricare Reserve Select do not require referrals. Just wanted to make sure that info was out there--this stuff is confusing enough as it is! :thumbup:

I also have TRS, and it was SO easy! I would call Tricare first to find bariatric surgeons in your area. Do your research on the doctors and their program requirements, go to one or more seminars (if offered), make your selection, and then make an appointment. You will NOT need a referral for a consult with TRS.