Kat817

***quick hi-jack---please forgive!!*** Julie---I couldn't take it, and called insurance, they claim they have yet to receive it, and the Dr.'s office says it has been mailed off for over 10 days---it must just be working its way through their system--------so I still know nothing.......but I can quit letting myself get worked up every day when the mail comes for a few more days!!! ****ok sorry for the interuption!*** Kat

Rice is one of the things I can eat very little of. It is like it keeps growing once I eat it!! A couple of tablespoons literally is a meal. So I don't do much rice. I can eat Beans of any kind, without issue. I ate fried plantains once years ago, from what I remember of the texture it would not be a problem for me, but I have not eaten any since being banded. Milkshakes are no different from Protein shakes in my ability to have them. I have no idea what arepas are--I am so sorry! I feel like zero help here!!! You will have to let us know, and let us know what you can and cannot manage to eat of your culturally based foods. Kat

Michelle I am so sorry about your friends....you would think that having been there and done that I would have words of wisdom to share....things to suggest you do or say---but I don't. The only thing I can say, is call regularly--or visit, depending on what you do usually now----and keep at it. I know I went through a couple of serious depressions, and times of barely controlled anger---and I think I pushed people away during those times, and it was really then that I needed them the most. What I would have done without Becky I have no idea! My first instinct is to turn to Rick---but I could see the fear in his eyes, and I could not do it! He is a typical man, he sees a problem, and wants to fix it---there was nothing he in particular could fix----so he was out of his comfort zone anyway, and to let him see my fears, and especially my anger---made it worse, because looking in his eyes was like looking in a mirror. Becky was here one day, she was here every day almost--but I digress!! I was unloading the dishwasher and dropped the lid to a casserole dish and it broke. It was my undoing, I started crying and I picked up the half of the lid and threw it in the sink, making it break some more! She let me scream and say all the scary things-about just wishing I would die and quit feeling so bad, that I hurt every second of every day--------all the things I had never voiced, and she cried with me. A couple of weeks went by and the stress had built again, and I was short with her or someone....and she showed up, told me to come with her. I went very few places....I had no hair, I sneezed over the littlest things, my eyes looked like I had been beat again---it was not pretty. And as I say--I hurt. So we just went to her house, which is out of town a ways, and she leads me behind the deck---and there is a box she had bought plates and glasses and anything she could get for a dime at the thrift store, and we threw them all, smashed them against the wall. We laughed at the silliness, we cussed cancer, using every nasty word or phrase we could think of, then moved on to the God Forgive me for that, and saying a prayer of healing with every piece we threw. Was the wierdest day. We said when it got bad again we would go smash some more. Things got better, and we have never smashed any more dishes, but I went out there last summer when we went to pick them up for a motorcycle ride----and all my smashed dishes are still there....fading and making their way into the ground. Of all the food she brought, calls she made, emails she sent, hugs she gave--everything, that day will always be MY personal turning point. We had been best friends for years---her family is part of my family---when we nursed my Grandparents, she took her turn same as me. But that day is when I realized why sisters were so special! My brother is special---and he might have been closer to me had he not been injured so young, I don't know. Always wonder about that! So.....long story to make a point. The news is new to her----she will go through many emotions....be there for all of them, don't let her scare you away, she is likely to try. It is easier to think of leaving people if you are mad at them, and she can be mad at you if you quit coming around. Fear makes our minds work in mysterious ways! I wish I could say I was one of those who held up under the stress beautifully, and with dignity--I wasn't...not at all! I will say a prayer for your friends... Kat

We buy our tires from a large chain tire place, but the prices, and service have always been top notch! The guys are quick, and the counter help friendly and helpful. I have seen them hold their cool in times I would have told people to take a flying leap! I utilize the services offered with my tires, I take them in regularly to be rotated. So between all of our vehicles and the rotations, as well as carting both of our parents in to get tires, and kids in to get tires through the years....I see these people fairly often. So last time I was in, I was having tires rotated on my car, and I ask what they charge to do rotations on tires not bought there. They give me a hard time about buying tires elsewhere---I explained that nope.....when we were given this van, the engine was blown, but the tires were good, and we were wanting to fix it up for my inlaws to drive and wanted to rotate the tires. He said it wouldn't be much, so I took it in the next day, and they did not charge me. I agree you put up with lots of obnoxious acting people, I have witnessed them! I for one, appreciate the ones I deal with.....and will do my best to remember this post and tell them so!! Kat

I agree Haydee---it makes ya wonder!!! I had my DD from my first marriage. He was a nice kid, ended up not being a very reliable man. He could not grasp the concept of monogamy!!! He has 2 kids older than our divorce besides our own. One of them, he remained involved with the Mom and went on to have 3 more kids with. The other child from some woman he met in a bar, claimed to be pregnant, and have his child, no one ever heard from after the little girl was about 7 months old. She looked a LOT like my DD. She HATES that she may have another sister she knows nothing about. When we divorced, Manda spent time with him and his family sporadically. He did not ask for visitation, in fact he ask that his rights be terminated! The judge refused. He never paid child support--but, through the years we developed a working relationship for Manda's sake. I would take her over to spend time with him and her 1/2 siblings, and I would go pick her up!!! That was the arrangement! I did all the work! My DD was worth it! At that point I did not know Rick and I would end up together, and I thought that those kids were going to be her only family. I mean if all goes right in the world and I die before my child, she needed to have someone, and those were her only siblings. So it was worth going out of my way, and dealing with things. Through the years, 3 of their 4 kids and I are very close!!! Rick helped her brother put a starter in his car last week! It was worth it. Manda's ex husband, also had a civil relationship with his divorced parents---heck they still ALL go to dinner for holidays and birthdays and such. I never went that far!!! But in the end---when they divorced, there was of course hard feelings, they were divorcing! But they work very well together concerning Kinsey. He (Jason, Kinsey's Dad) is a pathological liar---and that is the only real bone of contention. He admits it, but refuses to seek treatment, and Manda does not want him lying to Kinsey---and he lies about everything! But they share time, they don't use her to manipulate one another. Manda always makes sure she has something for Kinsey to give him for Father's Day and Christmas, and he has done the same for her. So while maybe the divorce rate will not go down, maybe as it becomes more of a normal part of life, maybe the children will suffer less. As children of divorce learn to parent their own children of divorce....if that makes sense. They see how they did or did not like being treated, and treat the kids accordingly. I mean even when I was in school, it was fodder for the gossip mill if someone was divorced! And when I divorced-I was the first in my family! Both sets of grandparents, my parents all made 50+ years....Ricks are over 60+ married now----our divorces were the first in our families. I hope each generation that now has to deal with divorce learns to not use and hurt the kids. I know I did not do things perfectly----but I did my best, for the most important person in the equation. Kat

Divorce and kids suck Pamela! I have a 6 year old granddaughter I would love to see. But her Mom is not willing for that to happen. She was so-so, off and on with visits before our son got married again. But she had left him, and went back with her ex! Now she has left the ex, had another child with an extremely different looking fella---he is a Goth dressing, gay mortician. First time I saw him, I swear I thought it was a girl, and I thought her pants were painted on----no joke! When I was told it was a guy----me, being me---looked for proof of that in those tight pants!! Still couldn't have proved it by me!!! BUT he apparantly is, because my former DIL had his child. Now she has been living with a woman, and says she has known she was a lesbian since she was 7 years old. And we don't get to see our granddaughter. All 3of her kids have different Dads, and none get to see the kids anymore. Daddy to the first one, used to get his son and our granddaughter, and bring them to see us....he saw us in the same boat he was in--but now he doesn't get them either. They spend most of their time I understand with her parents. My son should pursue it, but it is one of those subjects we ALWAYS fight about. Like you Pamela, I keep thinking in time it will get better---not so sure about that anymore! We are having the kids over for Easter---and inviting our parents, and my brother, and that is it! Not sure if his parents will come, I doubt it, I imagine they will sit at home and pout that we have divided the family. I do not have a huge house anymore---and with all 3 kids, their spouses, and 3 kids...and parents and brother, my house is full! I refuse to be intimidated into inviting the rest of the family! We thought about grilling, but with Easter so early, it is still pretty cold---so will do the usual Easter fare-----ham......blah, blah, blah!! Well I am off to boil some eggs! TTYL~ Kat

Well, in my small town....I am not a meth addict, nor have I had bypass---but I did have a girl at the grocery store, that I have known through the years (school mate of my brothers), that she was sorry I was sick again. I just said "Excuse me?" she had heard my cancer had returned, and since I was losing so much weight she thought it must be true. So all day I was bumming! I went into the store feeling pretty good about me. hair was done, make up on, and I was wearing a size 14, comfortably.....I left feeling like I must look like crap for people to think I was that sick again. It still bothers me! I avoid that store!!! And I have told anyone and everyone who would listen about being banded! It is obviously a no win situation! I am starting to chuckle about it.....kinda.....I think it might have been a snicker I started with once.....surely the chuckles will come! Kat

Me thinks what you say is likely true Michelle---I just bet you could shock us all!!! Still waters run deep......hmmmmmmmmmm LOL!!! Maybe Frank has a point, maybe we ARE psycho!!! Ah no more than Tracy herself!!!! Kat

My DH was concerned......said he could go visit one of the guys who transferred to Houston---I ask why in the world he would do that---they were never close! He responded no, but we are and then I would be close if you chose not to stay. I think I have him assured I plan to stay!!! Silly men!! Nighty night Kat

I ate 2 bites of Rick's dessert!!! I just made him a little bowl of Apple Crisp---so I would not be tempted! And I ended up tempted enough to take a couple bites anyway!!! Oh well, I used to would have made a big dish, and we would have eated it in a couple of days!!! Now I make a little bowl!!! It ain't perfect but it is progress!! I got the new Jonathon Kellerman paperback today, and I really want to start it, but if I do, I will be up all night, so I am refusing!!! Will read it tomorrow!! Got new pics of my grandson today----adorable!!! She had them done at Sears....he was in a great mood, and was full of laughs---I love that little critter!!! He just makes you smile back at him!! I was going to give you a link to see him, but not sure that is wise! I exercised my Granny options today!! I bought Easter outfits! It was hard for the girls, everything out there is sleeveless, and it is still cold in the morning here! Finally found some little sweaters, that I could coordinate to the girls dresses. Lindzie is now in the bigger girls sizes, because of her height---so no way to match the girls anymore!! I bought Lindzie a white dress with an orchid sash across the hips and the skirt below is floral....it has a really cute neckline, it is open weaved kind of on the collarbone. She has really good coloring, blonde, olive skinned with big brown eyes---so white looks really good on her. Kinsey ended up with lime green, with the sheer overskirt, and it has pink and white flowers. Her sweater matched the green perfect, Lindzie got an orchid sweater. Connor I found a pair of khaki colored pants, and a light blue plaid button up shirt with the collar that matches the pants---it is really cute. Bought him brown boots---like a hiking boot style, and both girls white dress shoes. Tights for the girls, and maybe they will stay warm! I could not find shoes for Lindzie that did not look like shoes my mother would wear!!! Heels, but old looking---she liked them, I didn't! Kinsey is still in small enough shoes, she got flat, little girl shoes!! We got things to color eggs. I know Manda is going to color eggs with the girls on Saturday, but Kinsey and I are going to do some here tomorrow. Why? Cuz we can!!! I remember when the girls were little they always had hats, and gloves out for the little girls---not anymore! She never wore them for more than a minute but they sold them just the same!!! Well---I am going to check my mail and go to bed. Take care all---see ya in the mornin'! Kat

My first question would be---how much have you lost. You say you lost great at first---did you lose approximately the equivalent of what you were losing on these diets pre banding? The less you weigh now, the less you can take it without exerting more. If you are seriously watching the basic calories in and calories out--and still not losing, then it seems to me it is time to have a complete blood work up done, and examine things closer. There are health issues that interfere with weight loss---but I don't know anything about them suddenly appearing post banding---it is not something I have ever heard of. If I don't do some exercise (and I am not a die hard, hours each day kind of person---I am talking a walk, or a trip to Curves) AND get my Water in, I am to a point I simply maintain, I will not lose if I do not do both, on a daily basis. I don't care to cut my caloric intake any further, I feel I am at a good place to be healthy in the nutrients I am able to take in. So, my option is to work a little harder, or a little longer---and that is it in a nutshell---the rest is up to me! I could go for another fill, and likely lose it much quicker, but at what cost??? If I cannot take in proper nutrition, then I have not gained what I was after in the first place---good health!!! It seems like a stupid thing to ask, but have you seriously tracked your intake---on something like Fitday? It is often the little bites of this and that that knocks our calorie count way up during the day. Hope you figure it out, I understand the frustration. I went through it not long back---a sudden and total stop to loss. Nothing I did changed it. So I did just as I suggested, and had some blood work done. Not only did my thyroid come back at a bad level, they discovered it had a mass on it. I ended up with a huge tumor removed, as well as most of my thyroid, and my weight loss will now rev up IF I do as I said above....otherwise, here I sit...... If you know you are not sabotaging yourself in anyway, have a check up! Better safe than sorry! Kat

There is one guest....that is in here spying on me!!! Information gets back to family, and things tossed in my face----and I don't care! What I say is either totally true, or how I FEEL about things, and that is not arguable, they may not agree with how I feel, but it is MY feelings not theirs!!! Let them read it all----and know I am sick of their crap!!! LOL!!! Be back in a few---Rick is sick---he has a horrid cold, gonna go rub some Vicks on his chest.....and that my friends is love. I am allergic to menthol....but he just thinks I don't care to use it myself! Hahahahaha!!! Kat

Let's see Dianne---I noticed the lump in my throat---both inside and out. Like you I assumed it to be esophageal, and band related. Then I began seeing it from the outside....it became very noticable before they removed it. I was told the same thing, that if you have to have cancer, it was an easy one to deal with. I was extremely scared, it would have been recurrance just before my 5 year mark, which takes me from remission, to cured! Something I am looking forward to---in September. Recovery was EASY!!! They kept me iced in the hospital, and I had to stay overnight, mostly because my blood pressure was very low. He said it was a 50/50 proposition, some go home, some stay a night---I stayed. I kept ice on it day and night for 2-3 days----and I never had much swelling. I think the worst was the fact I could not yawn for a couple of weeks! The incision is about 3.5 inches long, and is becoming very faint. My stitches come out after 10 days....and it was really lumpy, I thought it was going to be horrible, as I have a tendency to keloid. But he said they go between the cords in your neck, and it is usually a nice healing scar--I agree. Symptoms----swallowing anything that was not mushy became a problem, ear, jaw and sinus pain on my left side. Sounds totally wierd, but my tongue felt too big for my mouth. 2 days before surgery my vision in my left eye blurred, they said it was pressure from swelling on the optic nerve! It cleared immediately. I could not lay flat, my air was cut off. Other normal thyroid issues---slow metabolism, always cold, hair was dry. I felt so much better the next day when I left the hospital---that even the normal pain of having surgery---and a wound in my neck....I still felt better! Watch what you wear, tshirts pushed on it, and choked me, I felt better wearing V necks. I am PMing you my #'s. You can share them at anytime with the girls here----it is the rest of the world--that keeps me from just adding them!!! Hugs~~~ Kat

Well you know I heard that the old saying "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach" was aiming a bit high!!!! But hey girls you got it covered (yeah I intended it) cool whip DOES go to his stomach!!! Ok---sorry......retrieving MY mind from the gutter now..... Kat

My newest NSV, is one I can not believe!!! I have been friends with this gal for 20+ years. We have neither one been tiny in that time span---but she has always been within normal size in my mind. She has never had to make the jump to Plus size clothes... so the other day she pops over and brings me 2 bags ---garbage bags full of clothes she has outgrown to see if any of them will work for me! I am getting hand me downs from a friend I always considered normal! And I tried one on, and it was too big! The shoulder fell off! Another now, was too tight across the boobs--she has never been as well endowed as I am....dangit! I am still in shock! Kat

:Dancing_O_o::Dancing_sad::Dancing_biggrin::Dancing_O_o::Dancing_biggrin:YAY!!!!! Tracy is goin' to Gruene!!! We not crazy----we just strange!!! LOL~~ This really DOES make me so happy---I picked out all the Gruene (Green) dancers!!! Kat :Dancing_O_o::Dancing_biggrin::Dancing_sad::Dancing_O_o::Dancing_biggrin::Dancing_O_o::Dancing_biggrin::Dancing_sad:

I drink OJ without issue. I have to be very careful eating an orange though--and only do it in the privacy of my own home, where I can spit out the parts that don't seem to chew easily!! Gross I know! Chili's--they never say a word about me ordering off the kids menu--so I often will get chicken tenders, and grilled veggies, or loaded mashed potatoes---still is too much food so I take leftovers home. Or DH and I will share some fajitas---he eats the tortillas, I eat mine on a plate sprinkled with some cheese, and pico de gallo, and sour cream.....mmmmm! I also like their chicken salad--the one with the mandarin oranges, it is just sooooo huge, and does not take home well---so only order it if someone is sharing! It sounds like I eat out all the time! But I am almost 2 years out--so have had a chance to try different places! Kat

Awww Jenn----the best thing I can think of at this point, is it is laid off, not fired. Clients come and go, and it might be related to this horrid stock market/financial center fiasco----so maybe when things begin the upswing, it will either bring the client back, or another to re open your position. 2 weeks ago, just before the dinner with the boss--they told Rick to be thinking about his department, he might be looking at layoffs. He was very unhappy about it. Without equipment, the entire place is in the crapper, but they don't see it that way. So at the dinner the boss is talking about how the company owns hunting ranches, and the company owns hunting dogs--and time shares, and on, and on, and on. Majorly pissed Rick off. He is having to decide who to lay off, and they are spending money buying dogs! So he has been freaking out over his 401K, but we had moved it not a week ago!!! So we didn't get hit hard-----but he calls me today, and they picked up several billion dollars worth of work here for Conoco Phillips, so he has to hire an entire crew and get his shop ready to roll 24/7. Now they are working 12 hour shifts. He fights to find one experienced hand---and is now needing to hire no less than 14! So----while I know this is shocking and scary, and would make me mad as hell too----don't despair yet, we are in some turbulent financial times -- and many companies are making adjustments. This is your year, it WILL work out! I read this thread----reading about the loves of our lives, and the simple thought of trying to put into words what Rick means to me---how to impart the heart of the man he is, reduced me to tears! Rick is the owner of my heart. He is a true man....one not afraid to try, not afraid to fail, not afraid to express his love, his fear, his hopes. He supports me in ways I cannot seem to support myself. He loves our families, he loves me enough to love me in spite of how mean I get about our families!!!! He is smart--also very political! He is an incredibly gifted mechanic. He gets calls from head hunters quite frequently, he is in demand for his job. He is handy---he has built on to our home, and built garages for both sets of parents. Not to mention he looks hot on his motorcycle, has a really cute butt (but Judy and I discussed this before!) and keeps me a smiling happy wife!!! All that said----the man can be irritating as hell! The TV volume is always on HIGH! He always wants the same thing for dinner--'I don't care' or 'it doesn't matter' or sometimes we have 'whatever'! And while he was wonderful and fair minded disciplining our kids, he lets the grandkids go wild---makes me the bad guy! UUURRGGG Gotta go peel some potatoes for tonights I don't care!! TTYL~~ Kat

Ms.Tracy--I may just have your answer!! I was just given a bunch of shirts---and the woman who gave them to me is smaller on top than I am, and also shorter. So I plan to go through them here the next day or so-----want me to forward the rest for you to go through? She has some nice ones, some I know we will not want in general, she went through a stage she dressed "older"! But in general---what I have seen looks like normal everyday shirts! She has put on too much weight to wear them....and handed them off to me----that in and of itself is an NSV if I ever had one!!! Let me know. Is there a style you prefer? I mean, I like longer V necks.....as a rule....but for years avoided stripes, and big prints, and am kind of now thinking WTH!!! LOL Laura----all of us with husbands, kids, parents, best friends--know what you are talking about. I DO come here and speak highly of my DH, I also come here and complain. With those we love whatever the relationship, we are free to say what we want, no one else has that option! I can call my DH a jerk, but would be highly offended for someone else to, and I would not hesitate to say so.....you are free however to say he is ACTING LIKE a jerk----I am the only one who can comment on whether he is acting or not!!! Kat Kat

Hi April Avengers! My name is Kat, I am an April '06 bandster. Last year, I joined the April '07 Shrinking Violets as their mentor...one April bandster to the next. For those of you waiting to ride again---it WILL happen! I have been riding again for over a year now, it is wonderful not to worry about my weight, and to be able to pop a foot in the stirrup and swing up--at my heaviest, I likely would have dislocated a shoulder minimally! Just wanted to wish all of you luck as you head into your pre op diets, and off to join us in bandland. Please feel free any time to stop off over in our Shrinking Violets Thread, and ask anything that concerns you. April is a WONDERFUL month to be banded in. Spring is in the air, and it makes you want to get out and walk, which is the best thing you can do for yourself! Enjoy the cameraderie, and friendships you will make through your April Avengers -- the Violets are making their Bandiversary trip ( a month late to accomodate everyone!) in May this year, we will meet up face to face for the first time! Please let us know if we can be of any assistance--we will be hoping for simple, uneventful surgeries and recoveries for you all!! Kat

Suzanne---I hear ya!!! I am of the same thought in many points you make!!! For many, many years I made horrid choices food wise. I would sit down and make a meal of french fries---helllooo??? I feel like some minor friends, might have distanced themselves from me maybe due to my weight, but overall, my friends have proven to be good friends. Some of them are in more of a quandry now----for the first time ever in our friendships, I am the smaller friend....I sense that troubles them. Not enough to cause rifts in the friendship--but enough to get them off their butts and working on their own weight!! One of them is a little put out with me right now that I do not care to join her choice of gyms and work out with her. She didn't ever care to go with me before, I told her! LOL I do share meals with Rick, or with Kinsey. And as you point out, I do a lot of picking at home, a bite of this or that---but my weight stall right now is lack of exercise!! I cannot get my motivation back! Winter has been hard! I cannot take Kinsey to the park---which we walk to--no yard work--lots of sitting here at the computer or in front of the TV!!! I could use my exercise equipment--but I don't! And I have lost enough weight now, that I need to DO more to get the rest off----and I don't do it! You have been my saving grace for reminding me to drink, or that too would have been falling off for the winter! All my momentum seemed to vanish last Fall. I was having all the thyroid issues----and I really hoped getting it resolved would give me my energy back. And I know it did work, I feel tons better, but cannot seem to find my get up and go----I think it got up and went--------away! I see glimpses of it----when the weather is nice I want to get outside and do things! I get to ride, and walk, and I think of tons of things I want to do--then wake up the next day and there is more damn snow, and I just want to crawl back under the covers! SAD to a point I fully believe. Between us here, I pray that my determination makes a return when Spring really, finally gets here! Unlike you, I have hung my head and tossed up what I have eaten! But I do not PB often---only 2 times since banding have I known I was going to die, and ended up PBing and living afterall!! I have slimed enough to fill a pool----but nope not your new one! Some days I just have too much trouble eating in the morning, and push it, trying something simple--and it starts me sliming. I know I would feel better if I would just PB it up, but that is not good for your band, so I fight it, and slime---till I finally get relief and it passes! More than really tight restriction, my band has helped with my hunger issues. I am not hungry all the time anymore. My snacking now is done out of habit, and boredom, not hunger. I cannot remember being really hungry in a long time. IF---big giant IF I could control those snacking impulses, and get myself moving again, I could lose the last of my weight.....wonder why I don't do it????? Kat

Awwww Tracy---that is horrible! We all understand how things can be disrupted at home--and we love you and do not want things to be made worse for you. Maybe if nothing else, those of us flying in that were supposed to ride with you--could get together and have lunch with you or something since you will be soooo close??......just a thought. If you want to talk---------you know we are always here. Remember we have replaced Dr. Phil. Slept much better last night. I am sore! Trying to manhandle cows is not always easy! Well Miss Kinsey wants some waffles....so BBL. Kat

I have never used a fill center. When I originally began researching the band, I planned on using a Dr. in Colorado, attended his seminar, and made arrangements. Then I was involved in a car accident that required hospitalization and surgery, which interupted my 12 month medically supervised weight loss attempt, required by my insurance at that time. So they were going to ignore my 10 1/2 months I had done and make me start the entire year over! Including all the tests I had already done--which insurance would not pay for again without cause....mixed up mess! When I thought about becoming self pay--I discussed it with the surgeon I had chosen and found his prices close to $20K, that was out of the question! I had a couple I knew who had been banded by Dr. Rumbaut, so I ask my surgeon about surgery in MX. He laid out the pros and cons, and to be honest, emphasized the cons, just as I would have expected him to. When in the end, insurance failed me in my appeal, I ask him if he would refer me to one, and he referred me to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. They had trained together, and that is who he suggested. At that time I took over, and researched his suggestion, had my Uncle who is a Dr. ask around and check things out, and got back good reports, so contacted Dr. Aceves. He spoke with Dr. Brown, and they determined if Dr. Aceves did my surgery, Dr. Brown would do my follow up care. But Dr. Aceves was concerned that it was still 6 hours away, so had me try to find someone more local in case I needed an emergency unfill--so I contacted my former oncologist, since they are used to accessing ports----he in turn, spoke with both surgeons and agreed to do an unfill, but no fills.....so finally I was able to schedule my surgery--but my aftercare has never been an issue. I have only had 2 fills---but have seen my aftercare Dr. many times more than that! My first fill was at about 7 weeks and I received 1.25cc's in my 4cc. band. I had very mild reaction to it, I found I had to slow down and take the smaller bites. I had practiced it, but slipped into old habits! With the fill, I had to slow down. I was still eating too much---so returned in a month for another fill. At that time he only gave me .50cc. I was sooooo disappointed!!! I got mild restriction with 1.25, and now I got less than half of that! He always puts me on liquids for the entire day of the fill, and often the next day, since we travel so far. So day 3 when I could eat....Holy smoke! I could only eat 3 bites!! I had massive restriction with that little fill! It has slowly through the last year and a half )longer actually) loosened of course, as I dropped in weight. Now I can eat a small meal. But I am comfortable where I am in restriction. I opt not to be super tight. That is a personal choice---some like to be very tight, where their portions are super small....with this fill level, my hunger is eased, I seldom if ever experience real hunger, but my ability to eat a healthy balanced diet is not as severely restricted. So far it is working for me, so I am going with the old adage....if it ain't broke---------don't fix it!!! Kat

I'm off to bed early tonight too....CSI is a rerun!!! So gonna go snuggle in and watch something in bed with Rick, and let it lull me to sleep....I might make it past the opening credits if I work at it!! See y'all in the morning. Kat

You are grazing!!! I do that too! Restriction will definitely put a stop to it! The fact that you are finding enough things to keep your calorie intake low, and not causing yourself pain, is admirable!!! When the band tightens down, and you feel almost miserably full for hours at a time, you lose the urge to snack and dine all day long. Hang in there!!! Kat