Mamadot

Ann, I've been noticing your amazing weight loss from your ticker, and now seeing your pics is truly inspiring!!! You look absolutely FABULOUS and should be THRILLED with your hard work and results :tongue2: Here is a progression of my headshots... Dec 2006 (heaviest face pic) May 2009 (1 day before start of pre-op diet) Aug 2009 (3 months post-op & -40+ lbs)

That's a fantastic accomplishment, Untfluter, that benefitted your health and others through your charitable act! :biggrin: I was banded the same date as you and started my pre-op diet on 5/5. We are very close in our journey and I am thrilled with my progress and increased energy, improved health, and much brighter outlook. Best of luck to you and to us all!

Reading through all of our successes on so many levels is so motivating! I'm celebrating just being ON the road to success instead of on the sidelines watching (like I was for most of my adult life) as others achieve their weight/health goals! I just got 'over the hump' and have lost more than I still have to lose - over half way to goal and I couldn't be more excited :tt1:

I just spoke with my doctor at my 3rd fill this past week, and she said I was on the right track by taking Biotin and upping my protein intake. As noted in this thread, the hair loss is temporary, but 'temporary' could last up to 8 months according to my doctor. :tt1:

Yes, a very warm welcome to Southern California and Burbank, Josie! I would respond the same as Serenity - insurance covers my fills, but for self-pay I think it's around $250. Appointments are easy, but wait time can be long (but well worth the wait). If you are interested, you are welcome to attend the next Dr. Quilici-sponsored free support group meeting on Wed. 9/16 at Prov. Saint Joseph Medical Center (501 S. Buena Vista, Burbank) Hope Conference Room 6:30pm-7:30pm. Dr. Quilici will be the guest speaker at this meeting (he usually does not attend). This group includes people who are just looking into Gastric Bypass or Lapband, and those that are in the pre-op or post-op stages. Also, on the 4th Wednesday of each month is a lap-band specific support group at the same time and location. This group will meet this month on Wed. 9/23.

I participate in a large support group meeting, and the instant protein shake of choice is 'Premier' brand available at Costco. It has 30gms of protien, 160 cal, 3gms fat & 3gms fiber, with 25% of most all recommended daily vitamins. I have only been able to find chocolate, but I LOVE it - rich, creamy chocolate without the artificial sweetner taste. It comes in a case of 18 for about $24. I drink one daily for breakfast, and I just decided to start drinking a second one around dinnertime as my hair has started to thin, and I don't think I'm getting another 30gms of protien from the food I am eating. Even though it is mostly protien that I eat, it's just not enough of it. I've also started taking a multi-vitamin with Biotin for the hair loss (CVS brand 'Hair, Skin, & Nails').

I'm so glad you're adjusted more comfortably, Sarah. My best friend had similar issues after her 2nd fill, and removing .5cc's gave her instant relief. As for the hair loss - I'm right there with you. I was told to take Biotin. CVS has a 'Hair, Skin, & Nails' mulivitamin that I just started taking. I'm also upping my 30gm Protien Shake from 1 to 2 a day. I think I've been vitamin and protien difficient as I wasn't taking a multivitamin and I thought I got enough protien from my food - but it wasn't enough when I analyzed what I was actually eating. Also, my hairdresser friend gave me Nioxin shampoo and conditioner to treat the scalp for thinning hair. It's available at beauty supply stores. She said she's never seen someone go bald from weight loss, and that it is very temporary.

It's so nice to know I'm not alone! I'm a bit slow on the uptake, too, but it is so comforting to hear others are experiencing the same things. Thanks so much for posting - we'll all get the hang of this 'tool' at some point. Have a great weekend, all!!!

I breezed through my first fill and felt little to no restriction. Then came my 2nd fill 2 1/2 weeks ago. The fill itself was no problem, but getting used to the increased restriction has been a challenge! I'm really learning what this 'tool' is all about :drool: Many episodes of eating too quickly, too much, food that's too cold/solid, or eating when I am stressed have ended in burping, hicupping, hard painful stuck lump, and sliming like a St. Bernard dog for a 1/2 hour before PBing. It's been QUITE a learning curve for me, but I know each incident could be avoided if I follow the 'rules' of eating small bites slowly, CHEW CHEW CHEW, and stopping at the first signs of full. Oh, and not drinking for 30 minutes after a meal is not just because it will wash the food down more quickly - it's because you can clog up like a drain and the liquid just sits on top until you PB it out!!! I'm learning the hard way, but I wouldn't change this adventure for the world! I'm learning a much healthier eating style that will keep me at a healthier weight for life - and that is SO worth it!!! Hang in there everyone!!! :confused:

I've had one fill and it was really quick and painless. My port was easily accessed - no lidocaine needed - and I barely felt a tiny pinch. It was over in a blink of an eye. I had 4cc's injected. I'm very happy with my suregeon's placement of my port. I think that makes a big difference when it comes to fills. I'm so sorry to hear that some of you have experienced such discomfort with fills - I wish you all easy fills in the future!

I just hit 40lbs - FORTY POUNDS in 2 1/2 months!!! I am down to the weight I was over 9 years ago at my wedding. Last night I pulled out one of my husband's favorite lingerie that I haven't fit into since my wedding. IT FIT (and I didn't look like a sausage stuffed into it!) I recently purchased a few new undergarments, bras, and a bathing suit. And I went through all of my clothes, donated the now-too-large items, and found several 'fun' items that now fit - a 'free' new wardrobe on my way down! I'm SO excited - this is the BEST decision I have made for my health and welfare! Also - I can actually BREATHE when I bend over to cut my toenails or put on shoes - WOW!

Hallelujah Girl, If you ever figure out how to develop the 'Brain Band' - I will be the first in line to buy one! You would be a BILLIONAIRE!!!! LOL :thumbdown:

You go, Girl! Enjoy your new 'do'! I've never been too daring with my own hair color - just a light weave, but I admire all of you who try new things!!! I think it is very much our time to be a bit 'selfish' and treat ourselves while we are working so hard to be healthier! I always buy cheap shoes at Payless, and I splurged on 2 pairs of Skeechers so I would have some nice-looking shoes that were comfortable to walk in at work. I also went shopping in the clearance section before work today, and found a few real bargains to wear and feel pretty in while I'm shrinking :thumbup: It's so fun to wear more stylish clothes vs. my 'fat' wardrobe - I have been receiving so many compliments - very motivating!

Burping, gurgling, and tooting right along with you ladies! My two young boys and my husband are all getting a lot of laughs out of the whole situation! I, too, work in a 'cubicle farm' and have become the loudest, non-verbal 'animal' in the herd! I rustle my papers a lot and make as much office noise as possible to obliterate my body's crude sounds :thumbup: I'm so glad to hear there may be an end in sight...

PB is a 'Productive Burp' and it's what happens when food gets 'stuck' above your stomach pouch, and comes back up with saliva. :thumbup: There is no bile, because the food never made it into your stomach. It's kind of like a baby spitting up their food when they are fed too fast.

Last week, I went to a carnival with my son, and we went on a ride. I was able to get the bar completely down to my lap where my son was also secure next to me. I guess it didn't latch, 'cause the ride operator came over and pushed it down 'til it did latch - no problem. If it had been 2 months ago, I would have had to get off the ride, 'cause there is no way that bar would've got past my belly! I went to Disneyland earlier this year, and my son kept hitting his head on the bar on one of the rides we went on together, 'cause I couldn't get the bar down to his level. No more problem - that feels really good! :thumbup: Oh, and I bought a size 18 pants (I was in a 24). I haven't been in this size for over 10 years!

My friend (who is also banded) just gave me some under-the-tongue tiny B12 vitamin pills. I believe B12 is also given as a shot to boost energy, as a friend who had Gastric Bypass 8 years ago used to get B12 shots. I'm trying the pills. Also, I've been drinking a really good pre-made protein shake with 30 grams of protein every morning for breakfast (low fat, low carb, low calorie (160) - from COSTCO - I think 'Premier' is the brand - $24 for case of 18). I used to drag in the mornings because I was a carboholic pre-band, but now having the protein shake and solid protein for lunch I am doing much better. I also have better energy level when I'm exercising consistently. Cutting caffiene and sugar can definately give you temporary decreased energy. Hang in there, all! :thumbup:

We were just talking about this at our last support meeting - grieving over the lack of volume of food we can eat. It's not that we aren't thrilled that we can survive on less and be physically satisfied, it's just after years of 'bad' eating habits, it is sometimes hard to get our minds around not having all the variety and volume on our plates at a meal (especially when out at restaurants when others are eating what they want). So last night I was PMS'ing, which causes me a day or two of extreme mood swings and ravenous 'mental' hunger. I wasn't physically hungry, but I wanted the leftover spicy asian chicken from Wendy's that was in my fridge. I didn't even take the time to get a knife or heat it up. I chewed real good, but I ate WAY too big of bites on a full stomach. I even started to feel there was going to be a problem, and kept eating 'cause I just WANTED to eat it all! Now I know what getting stuck and sliming is ! Luckily my friend (who was banded the same day I was) just gave me some Papaya enzyme, and that helped within about 5 minutes of chewing 3 pills. So, while most days I'm doing great and love this band, I'm still challenged with my mental food issues! :thumbup: Good luck to all of us!