54Shirley

I'm that way to. As I lose weight and go into smaller sizes, I try on smaller cloths then check them out in the Mirror. Yes I can see the difference, but,,,, I still see a FAT Person. Well I am 251,,,, so yes ! That's because I'm still FAT. I also look at old pants, and say Amen. I'm glad I am not that big anymore. So you have to prove it to yourself. At least I do..... Shirley.

That's Normal. The air is coming up threw your New Plumbing. That means it's clear.

Welcome Aboard ! Good luck on your Journey. Yep if you ask away, most people can answer with some kind of Been Their Done It... Were not Doctors, just someone that might be able to help out, if you ask. But,,, of course if it is Major, then ask your Dr.. Well I'm sure we will see you around, so..... See Ya, Shirley.

Yep the Noxema is a oldie but a goodie, and the cream that Dr.,s give out on this.... It's gone the next day unless it's really bad. But I don't let it get that far anymore. Glad you have a solution to the problem.

Please get his 2 cents too. Thanks, Shirley.

Husband suggested a Bulls eye ! They say do to infection from the ink, when your stomach moves around, That they can't go threw the ink do to infection that it will cause..... Also TaTs on the lower back, No spinal Taps at all because of infection.. Anyone here this before ? How about some Nurses get back on this one. Thanks, Shirley.

Here's a turn around. I went for a unfil yesterday. I spent almost 1 hr. on the table while they kept sticking me, and twisting, and trying to find the PORT. The first Tech. is sweating so bad, that she takes off her white coat, and starts again, then in some time she says she needs a break... O.K., JUST COME BACK WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING I'M THINKING. She comes back, and says I will try again. now in the past,,,, never had a problem with her. Also nothing for pain. Never needed it before, but might have helped yesterday... But ALLERGIC to it. So this is all done poke after poke. She finally gives up, sweating something terrible. She says wait for the R.N to come in(That would be a Hour wait.) WE JUST DROVE 2 HRS. TO GET THERE, SO I CAN'T LEAVE, AND TO TIGHT... Finally in comes the Nurse. She is having a hard time ! So now I am thinking what's wrong? I told her to get a big needle that's what the Dr. uses, She got stuck in scar tissue.. Wouldn't go down, or come out ???? So I take a look, and I almost fainted knowing that when she pushed or pulled, I could feel that Port move with it.... Finally she pushed harder, and broke through, and got it. she took some out, then with 2 hands pulled on the syrange to get it out. I kid you not ! It sounded like a PLUNGER ! The job was done, but am I sore ! I have not even taken off the Band Aids yet. I will a little later. Poor Husband almost got sick... Poor Baby... But that's the Flip side of the coin.

Almost 5 yrs. out, and I still do shakes. Shakes and Vitamins probably for the rest of my life.

Don't let him get into your Head ! or Under your Skin. google him and check out his success. Mine was on T.V too, and they talk about their success. Yep they are one of the best as far as surgery, but his aftercare s u c k e d !

I got ya! So you will receive a friend request from me. Shirley.

I sent you a email, but it says it will not send it ???? So look me up Losingintime on that site. Shirley.

I would be interested in them, also looking for some Jeans. Shirley.

This is a Oldie from my Doc since I was a kid (long time ago..) but,,, it works. You will use NOXSEMA MEDICATED SKIN CREAM. It's for chafed skin. Wash the area with soap, and Water, then rinse. Pat dry with a towel don't rub you could split the skin. Then rub in Generously the skin cream. Your skin will soak this in, so reapply. Repeat every day till gone. Then Dust with a dusting pad. If you get it real bad, use ZEASORP POWDER to dust with. Go to the Dollar Store and buy a Dusting Pad, and a container to keep it in. Then your good to go. For me,,,, 2-3 days, and totally gone. Yes take pictures, and document when this happens. If you go to your PCP, and it is documented, he/she will also prescribe something for it

Read my above post for variety.... One of the newest one is CAKE BATTER, now I don't know if I would like that or not, but they keep expanding their varities. Don't know where you shop,,,, but it is available. I just ordered Pina Coloda, and Blueberries n Creme. Shirley

Jim: A couple things here. First of all, Ithink it is safe to say that most of us have lost, and gained back more. Like you said Diets don't work... That alone is True. For some reason we again a lot of people on this site, have had this surgery. If you listen to your Dr., Keep up with the fills, stay on a weight loss program, Protein shakes and exercise, you will lose weight... It's that easy, but ! ! ! It is a slow go... It took time to get to your current weight, it's going to take time to come off. But I know it is possible, ask Jen's opinion ! You have a GOLDEN Opportunity here. You have people on this site, that when you have questions, they can help answer them. FOR FREE ! and they would be glad to help you. That includes me. My highest weight was 356. I lost 155 lbs. when my surgeon deflated me by a mistake, I regained most of it back. At I think I was 328 when I said no more, it ain't happening again, so I went on 1200 calories a day, until i could find another surgeon to take me. I found a student of his, and the band was in beautiful shape, so he filled me, and were off and rolling again. Once you take this off, you won't have to worry again. All the fills will help deaden your appetite, and limit what you can eat. Go to myfitnesspal.com and look and view the diets that you will be a part of. A lot of us belong to this site, so check it out. Hope this helps. Shirley.

MUSCLE MILK LIGHT 195 Calories, 25 G. of Protein in powder form. Lots of flavors. I buy Strawberry Milkshake, Cookies n Creme. Peanut Butter Chocolate, Chocolate Milk, and Vanilla Creme. 2 scoops do a 8 oz. shake. If interested PM me and I will give the website to go to. That's for a 1 1/2 lb. jug. shipping is $5.00 for 1 or 101. It's still the same. Key thing is,,, it's good stuff. Shirley.

Hang on to your baggy pants ! LOL Cause it only gets better in time..... Shirley

Welcome aboard Jim! I can only tell you what I know of. My Surgeon was from a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE in BARIATRICS, and he was Chief Surgeon. He would explain that if you were 600-700LBS., you would have to come down to 500LBS., because that is how much weight the surgical table can hold... I have seen people around 550LBS., with no legs do to Diabetes, and they are in Wheelchairs busting there BUTT trying to get down to that 500LB. weight.. They would come in 1x a week, just to get weighed. Trust me when I tell you they work hard in that chair trying to lose weight. Cutting Calories, Lifting Weights, what ever it takes to get the weight off, so the surgeon can, and will do the work. So get with a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE, look for a good surgeon (check him out) I went to 2 different surgeons, and boy where they different ! So I made my choice. Also The University of Michigan recommended them. So that worked for me. You get the idea,, look around, it's your Health, Money, and Life. A good surgeon won't shy away, but don't be shocked if your told to lo lose weight. If you choose to lose weight, then they see your serious. Good Health to you, Shirley.

That's unrealistic ! That's one of the first things we learn is to set realistic Goals............... Sh&t,,,, I would be dead if I tried to do all that, and I am not kidding. Or these Artificial Knees would where right out. I told my original surgeon, when he wanted me to bust my @ss, (AND BY THE WAY, AS FAR AS AFTERCSRE, HE TURNED OUT TO BE A @SS.) I told him it was out of the question, my Orthopedic Surgeon says "JUST WALK!" Well he was pissed, and I stuck with it.. I said I will do what I can...... I eventually got a new surgeon, and he is a decent guy, Maybe you need to move on too. Or set him straight ! Sounds like his head is swollen to. I travel a little over 100 miles one way to see him. There's NO ONE up here where I am located. So he accepted me in as a patient, so we must drive it..... I'm sure you can find closer, and just tell them your surgeon moved on. Have you googled him, and seen where he is at ? That might be doable for you. I wish you Luck, Shirley.

I only have a 4cc Band. I'm sure yours is bigger. You can always have it done under Fluoroscope, and they can take you to your fill line. It's that easy. But first you have to see if your Doctor wants to do it that way, or will he have you keep coming in for the fill after fill process. That's up to him ! But just so you know, there is another method. Fluoroscopy is painless, and it's like a big x ray machine, that can be used for the band. They see your band, and so do you, then they start the fill process, and take it to your fill line. Down the road you might need a little fill, but basically that's it. I know I prefer it.

I am going to see my Dr. tomorrow, to take a little bit out, I think I'm to tight ! I keep Bubbling, and spitting up Flem. Sinus is also plugging me up I think ! Anyway,,, Whatever it is,,, I think a slight un-fill will correct the problem. Because I have no appetite, and can barely swallow saliva, so,, I will do what I think is right...

They took out 3/4 of a cc, and what a relief. I told her last time ONLY.1CC to go in. She put in .1 and a quarter. That was to much, and she new she messed up. So it's a step back for a little while, then I'll go back again for a slight tweaking "IF NEEDED." Yoli76: you should call your Dr. and go in. Throwing up can cause slippage. Not to mention I know how you feel, and it's not very well ! ! ! So do yourself a favor, make that call, and don't suffer... I dropped 4lbs. that was the good part.

Ask away,,,, that's what we are for! Were not Dr.'s !!!!! Just someone that's been through the hoops !

Hy you 2, Welcome aboard The BANDWAGON.. Lots of good wishes for the both of you on your journey. One has joint problem Soreness, hard time getting around. That's a comorbidity, so make sure you tell your surgeon this. It will make your Ins. go threw a little better. Also any urinary incontinence at all? because that's another. Well again welcome, and say hi to us throughout the forum Shirley.

I started here in October of 2006. Everyone that I was friends with, went on to lose weight, and now have no use for this site. You see newbies, some veterans, and people who have questions. I know I had them, and was helped, and I pass the good words on, and my own experience also. Then you have those who b i t c h ! I don't see much in that area, but even I have let it ROLL........... Basically it is a good site, or I would have never came back to it.. It is different then 5 yrs. ago, but so are the people. If interested My Journal is under my Topics. Just scroll down, and it will pop up. Shirley.