julie.ann

I am so sorry that you had this experience and I'm glad the next fill atempt was better, but please don't tell the newly banded an unbanded that the doctor always has to push in a bunch on your stomach for a fill because my doctor never had any problems at all finding mine with a tiny bit of palpation. Good luck on your latest fill. I know the one I just got kicked in immediately which was a big change for me. Keep us updated on progress!

I stuck to chicken breast, pot roast, red meat and allowed myself some carbs but absolutely positively NO BREAD, PASTA, RICE or POTATOES!!!

It is a mother's dream for their children to be the best they can and as happy as possible. That is what is in her mind. I have a 15 year old and as stupid as we mothers can be that is usually the basis of most of the stupid, idiotic, unfeeling, rude comments made. With that said I know it doesn't make it hurt any less. Let her know. "Mom, I know you want me to be as happy as you know I can be and as comfortable as I will be when I reach my goals, but in the mean time just support me. 'You look great! I know you can meet every goal you have.' will be the best thing you can say to me to support me." It might not help, but at least you have done what you can and carefully and lovingly voiced your feelings. You can do it!!!!

Okay....so much for it taking 10 days for the fill to kick in! I had a fill two days ago and I can tell!!! I even have to really watch my bites I haven't had to do that in months. I have to admit that I am a little worried about how tight I will get in the next 10 - 14 days. I guess we will see. Maybe this will get me just where I need to be. For the first time I didn't schedule my next appointment. We will play it by ear. I am hoping that it will be 2-3months or more before I need to go back. My six month banniversary is coming up. I will post pics soon. I can't believe that my next goal is the -100lb mark. So far I am down 86!!!

April 4, 2009 Well the day is here! It is time to do the ONEderland Happy Dance!!!! I can’t believe it!!! I want to scream it to the heavens! I had this grand goal to hit it by April 1st. It happened a few days late, but who am I to complain? I just can’t believe it! In under 6 months I have gone from 285lbs to 199lbs. I just can’t believe it! My next goal is to get to the century mark and lose 100 lbs. That is about 15 lbs and my next goal is Memorial Day. I have big news on top of that. I shared my experience with a friend. This sounds like a small thing, but it isn’t for me. I have a 7 hour drive one way for a fill and I asked a friend to go with me. About 45 minutes into the drive I told her why we were headed out to Denver. I was very nervous about sharing with someone else. I’m not ready for everyone to know. I guess I am more ready than I have been in the past because it isn’t a question of whether or not I will be successful. She told me that sooner or later people or going to start to wonder if I had something done because usually people plateau and I haven’t yet. She might have a point, but have to tell people on my terms when I am ready. She even came back and saw me get a fill. I did get a fill yesterday. I was on the fence about whether or not to get one. I have been doing pretty good. I was surprised that I needed 0.6cc. Everything went down without a hitch after that….water, lunch, supper. No problem and we will see how things set in about 10 days when the fill takes effect. I still find it funny that it takes that long to kick in. Well this fat girl will keep doing the happy dance all day and someday I might realize that I’m not the fat girl I used to be. I still have a long way to go, but I’m not sure when my head will catch up with my weight.

That is great BG! When is the date?

Thanks Don, You know I have been really lucky in that I have had pretty good results without needing to REALLY watch my bites and such. Today we had a covered dish dinner at church and I had to excuse myself for a few minutes. I was more careful with my bites and chew, chew, chew....but it has been a long time since I had to worry about chewing everything so well. I guess I will see over the next week or so how it goes. I am out of town on business all next week. I'll just have to be careful.

I have a question for you. Usually after a fill it doesn't start to kick in for about 10 days. This one is pretty obvious right away. What is your experience? I am happy to feel a difference right away, but in the same breath I am afraid I will get too tight in about 10 days since that is usually when I get the most benefit. What is your experience?

No, don't have regrets yet. Once you get to the sweet spot it is great! I do track everything I eat on www.sparkpeople.com. Lapband now has something that will do this too. I have heard people like thedailyplate.com as well. It really helps me see what I am doing and where to improve. Get another fill if you still have hunger less than 4 hours after eating and watch the difference between real hunger and head hunger. The craving went away once I took bread, pasta, rice and potatoes out of my diet. It took a couple of weeks, but then what a difference! Hang in there. Find the green zone. You can do it!

:thumbup::cool2::scared2: ONEderland happy dance!

Well my goal is to hit the -100 lbs. That would put me down for 18.5 lbs.

Down 1.5 lbs. I weigh 201.5 I just got a fill today. We'll see how that goes.

I am so close to ONEderland and my goal weight for this challenge is a big milestone. My goal weight is 185 and that will put me at the -100lb mark. I can't even imagine!:wink: I like weighing in on Monday's that is when I do my personal weigh in so it is ideal for me. Thanks for keeping track Bella!

YAY!!!! That is awesome! Three weeks and we will see you on this side! That is GREAT!!!

Sounds to me like you need a fill too! The band is a tool, yes. And just like any other tool it won't work without you. If you buy a hammer because you need to pound a nail into the wall and then lay it on the table it isn't going to get up and do the task for you. The band is the same way. Just having it isn't enough. You need good follow up care and get fills until you are where you need to be. I remember wondering for my first two fills if I needed a fill. Boy I had no idea how much I needed a fill. When you hit the sweet spot.....well it is SWEET!

Here is my blog about what my band does for me. What does my band do for me? - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum Remember cravings and hunger are two completely different beasts. If you can get the bread, pasta, rice or potatoes out of your system the cravings will decrease. If you are truely hungry 2 hours after eating then you need to concentrate on eating 3oz of sollid protein first and then your veggies and you need a fill. Hang in there. When you get to the sweet spot you will finally realize what all the happy shouting is about.

What day will we start our new challenge? I my goal is to hit the -100 lb mark! I can't even imagin how that would feel! If Memorial day is Monday do we want to weigh in on Mondays?

April 1st Challenge Minidriver ------(Goal -10lbs) -4.5,+6.5,-3.5, , , , Lap_dancer-----(Goal -33lbs) 0.0,+4.5,-2.0,-2.7, -2.0,0.0, (Total -2.4) Deboregon -----(Goal -15lbs) -2.6,-3.4,+1.8,,, , Julie.Ann -------(Goal -19lbs) -4.9,-1.9,-2.0,-2.9,-2.4,-2.4, 0.0 (Total -16.5) PrtyAntOvrYt---(Goal -30lbs) -4.2, ,-1.0,-1.8,,-4.0, (Total -11.0) BellaPerdente--(Goal -12lbs) 0.0,-3.0,-1.0, 0.0,-2.0,-1.0 (Total -7.0) Lotzasunshine--(Goal -12lbs)+1.5,-0.0,-0.0,-3.0, 0.0,-2.5, -1.0 (Total -5.0) Jmegirl----------(Goal -15lbs) -2.6,-2.4,+1.2,+0.8,-1.8,-1.2,-0.6 (Total -6.6) KaleighsMommy-(Goal -10lbs) ,-0.4,-0.4,-5.4,+3.0,-2.6, (Total -5.8

April 1st Challenge Minidriver ------(Goal -10lbs) -4.5,+6.5,-3.5, , , , :thumbdown: Lap_dancer-----(Goal -33lbs) 0.0,+4.5,-2.0,-2.7, -2.0,0.0, (Total -2.4) Deboregon -----(Goal -15lbs) -2.6,-3.4,+1.8,,, , :seeya: Julie.Ann -------(Goal -19lbs) -4.9,-1.9,-2.0,-2.9,-2.4,-2.4, 0.0 (Total -16.5) PrtyAntOvrYt---(Goal -30lbs) -4.2, ,-1.0,-1.8,,-4.0, (Total -11.0) BellaPerdente--(Goal -12lbs) 0.0,-3.0,-1.0, 0.0,-2.0,-1.0 (Total -7.0) Lotzasunshine--(Goal -12lbs)+1.5,-0.0,-0.0,-3.0, 0.0,-2.5, (Total -4.0) Jmegirl----------(Goal -15lbs) -2.6,-2.4,+1.2,+0.8,-1.8,-1.2, , (Total -6.0) KaleighsMommy-(Goal -10lbs) ,-0.4,-0.4,-5.4,+3.0,-2.6, (Total -5.8) Well here you go. Our last weigh in of our April 1st challenge. I lost 10 lbs this week.....April Fools Day! :tt2:The Wii Fit played a joke on me already. I didn't lose and I didn't hit my goal of ONEderland. It was a pretty big goal and I'm okay with the fact that I didn't hit it. Maybe next week. I think we all did a great job! I'm just so glad I have the band. I am going for a fill on Friday. I don't think I need one, but even if I don't I have some questions for Dr. K I am taking a friend with me and I will be telling her on the way. That is a big deal for me since I have kept this a secret so far from everyone except my hubby and another friend.

I stayed at the Westin Hotel. It was very close to the surgery center and very comfortable. They give a small discount for patients. Natalie sent me a list of hotels. It was on that list. I would stay there again.

He if you are self pay anyway you might look into Dr. Kirshenbaum at www.lapbandrockies.com He is in Denver, CO so most airlines fly directly there. He has patients from all over the US because it is cheaper to fly to him than have it done in their own backyard. $9950 for surgery and 3 months of free fills. Fills are only $15 each after that. I can drive 7 hours one way and spend the night for less than it would cost me to get a fill closer to home. He has alot of experience and I think he is great! Good luck!

I too was a water lover before surgery and struggled to get in what I needed after surgery. I found Crystal Light or at least the Walmart version. Cherry limade is my favorite and I rarely drink water without it. I don't have any problems getting in what I need. Try a few flavors, even as a water lover you may be surprised. I was!

Here is my blog: My Secret Journey Remember it lists the most recent post first so to read from the beginning to to the last page. I hope it helps. I love my band. The best desicion I ever made. I made my decison in August/September. I was banded in October and I have lost 80 lbs since my pre-op diet a little over 5 months ago.