MelodyJ

Grab your hankie girl for those tears....you are on your way!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Sparkling and Dana..... I'll keep being your cheerleaders.....just remember me when I'm "struggling" w/ pregnancy.....SOMEDAY! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Paul....LOVE your 2cents worth!!!! VERY true in this ladies opinion!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Thank you Photonut....very good "food" for thought!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Any juice that you can see through....I warm up my cranberry and it's like a cider....tastes very good. Broths are all allowed....I even cooked the ramen noodle broth because it seemed to have more flavor and gave my husband the noodles. Popsicles are clear liquid..... Keep hanging inthere!!!!!!!!!! You accomplished more than you have left!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Ok you two.....I am a bit jealous!!! I know the pregancies weren't planned by you...but God obviously has a plan for those little ones!! I am hoping to try around Christmas if I get enough weight off to be more healthy!!! I LOVE your attitudes....honest and sincere!!! God Bless, Melody banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

I got into a VICIOUS cycle of eat, pb, swell.....then I just kept doing it!! Finally took 3 wks of liquids --warm much better---then voila....can eat again!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

I sure used too....and that old addiction creeps up when I'm on a liquid phase or doing well....but I am trying to take control :huggie: and not let my weight control me as it has for SO MANY years!!! It's like I've won a small prize when I can walk by and don't feel compelled to jump on the scale. I absolutely weigh 1x/wk.....I must so I have the accountability....but rarely jump on a 2nd time! I have never gained back 1 lb since doing this....if Ihave I don't know it because by the next week it's the same or less I like that in a scale!!!! :huggie: God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Dating scene is TOUGH....I did it then quit then obviously did it again in a way....fortunately my husband was a CHristian not into games and pursued me wholeheartedly!!! It was wonderful....didn't have to "hope" he'd call....he did. I had drew some lines in the sand...some he knew of....some he didn't. It's all individual...but for years I had a lower self-esteem and would compromise!! Don't compromise....and don't chase....I know it's 2006....but men like to "hunt" I"ve read and the thrill is in the "chase"....if you make it too easy then they don't feel the power surges?!!? Who knows?!?!? Stay busy....and wait on God to bring the right one!!!! I know I was single for 36 years....I found that I enjoyed it.....that brought peace and when finally someone else came in it only got bettter for me!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

I usually drink hot cranberry/prune juicein the am....really hot and this helps soothe things. Around 10am I can have a cheesestick.....it takes me about 1/2 an hour to get it in (take bites between patients). By lunch I can have a thick Soup w/ chunks in it usually....somedays I can't. By supper I can eat 1/2 cup of food.....I don't eat after supper and it doesn't change my morning!! Hope this helps.... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

I was living in Sevierville, TN when I got my band done. I had BC/BS of Tn and it did not cover it....but I didn't fight real hard.....I accepted it as I didn't have any co-morbidities..... Dr Jaime Ponce in Chattanooga,TN is AWESOME--has done over 10,000 of the surgeries and was in on the trials....very professional and great!!! I did the actual surg in Dalton,GA as there is an outpt surg. center. It was $13,000 I believe w/ the first year of f/ups included..... www.lapbandinstitute.com God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

I have a 4cc band....he put 3cc in on the 2nd fill (2.4cc 1st fill) and I drank about 4 cups of Water then drove 50mi toward home and took one tiny little sip and promptly vomitted all over myself.....drove back 50mi they took out 0.1cc and said it was going thru on flouroscopy....I kept vomitting and got myself in a vicious cycle of vomit, swell, vomit, swell... finally passed it w/ time and liquids....3wks worth! It's now settled down. Have realized when you bump your elbow or toe you use ice....but when it's your inside you use warm!? Go figure! Anyway...I can now eat real food and it tastes great....very small amounts but food! Many days I must eat a Soup for lunch still....band is not quite open good then....but it's all a learning curve truly!!! I was always a "Volume" eater....so this is working well for me in smaller portions....move more! Am I perfect...NO WAY!!! But trying and hoping for more!! My biggest prayer is "Lord, don't let me gain anything back"....so far so good!! Have had some stay the same weeks....but no gains!! PRAISE GOD!!! God bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

Reagan--- Your welcome....you made me LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VERY FUNNY!!! At least you've kept your sense of humor ....it's a good thing to have especially if you do go on a murderous rampage!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

DOn't take it personal...it's obviously him in this case....definitely don't chase think you are wise to quit trying to hook up with him!!! It does sound like he's not there....the intensity and feelings may have scared him away..... Keep going...I was 36 when I got married....now I LOVE it....appreciate it as I am more mature!!!!! Don't rush....enjoy the ride..... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

Mert-- So sorry you are going thru this terrible time!!! It is a blessing to have a wonderful husband and children that love you! It is also great that you are smart and know that you don't deserve bad treatment!!! I would have a heart to heart and part of what I would say is by asking them if they would like to be told a fault about themselves each time that you came together....maybe too short, too skinny, whatever.....it's a hurtful thing to hear your faults repeatedly!!!! I worked w/ juvenile justice adolescent boys and found that praise does MUCH more than mean!!!! Maybe your mom could intervene....but most likely it will take you saying something. Then....you may have to have a season of separation.... maybe they'll realize how hurtful that is and that you want no part of it!! Not forever but until they get their heads out of their bottoms so they have more oxygen and use their brains!! God bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

Mini Me-- Just want to be your cheerleader!!!:clap2: You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't get discouraged....I agree w/ all the advice from Wheetsin....good advice!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

I prescribe it too many....including family. So far haven't had any complaints....seems like a fairly good, clean drug w/ minimal side effects. Night time is what I tell patients if they do have any drowsiness or other side effects. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

ReaganM04---- You can do it!! They liken stop smoking to an heroine addiction....VERY TOUGH!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once the band is in it will make it easier to stick too it!!!! GoD Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs :huggie:

Tammy-- VERY COOL.....WAYYYYYYYYYYYY cool!!! Can't wait til I'm even a thought for an infomercial....still have a ways to go!!!! Good Job!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

VERY exciting....but Tampa isn't quite Central FL....but hopefully, this will offer a MUCH cheaper price...I save $5000 by going to an outpatient center in Dalton, GA w/ my doctor when I lived there!!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Make sure you ONLY do warm liquids....I have just went through all of this....and until the last 4 days I have been on liquids for 3 weeks....My 2nd fill really filled me....but once you start vomiting you swell and then you get in a vicious cycle...your band needs a break!!! DO NOT CHEAT and eat....you will only make it worse....I couldn't even take room temp liquid tylenol...started the cycle for over an hour of vomiting for me.... I TRULY understand!!! You need to stick w/ warm stuff and this reduces the spasms....and keep up w/ your doctor!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Thanks Paulax!!! My husband took a picture and I still critique way too much!!! So no I am not on boards yet....I need too!! I did let him take a before just so I could prove this someday! I'm almost 1/2 way....wishing it was more!!! But know it will be if I keep trying!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

You can google and see who else is around....have also heard of lots of "fill centers usa"....Dr Grossbard took me a few months ago but I had my surgery w/ Dr Ponce in TN when I lived there....There is a Dr Kim in ORlando through FL hosp....Not much help here! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

The grumblies will get better....w/ time!! Hang in there!!!! You are DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will all be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs

Woooohooooo Robyn!!! GREAT job.....you are a superstar...take a bow!!!!! Keep it up ....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -74lbs