Olive

Hi, I recently tried the FillCenter location in Mt. Laurel, NJ. It was a really good experience. The doctor was named Dr. Lee. I was initially apprehensive because of some of the things I read about people's experiences with FillCenterUSA. However, I think it must really be case by case. I will definitely use this guy again if I need another adjustment. Hope this helps. Olive

Thanks LilMissDiva...I guess .6 per week will add up! I am not discouraged like i was after week 2. I feel a lot more hopeful. And yes, we must must must journal! I think it helps a lot. GetFit - great week! - keep up the good work. Just dont be like me and get discouraged if next week is low. jollygreen1955 - I have that same problem with my scale...its weird..sometimes my home scale weighs me higher than WW and sometimes less. Very weird. Everyone- one more thing I learned from the WW meetings... sign up for hungrygirl.com daily emails (or just look at the website). They have lots of great low cal recipe and they profile a lot of low cal products. Have a good week!!! olive

Hello - Another small weight loss (- .6lbs) this week. But I wasn't really that good this week. There were two days that I didn't even count points:thumbdown:. ughh. But I guess slow and steady wins the WW race! Has anyone tried PB2? It is this weird product extracts the fat from peanut butter. It comes as a powder and you add water. It is pretty interesting..it has half the calories (or less) of regular peanut butter. I am not suggesting having a sandwich with it (although one of my friends does) but it is perfect for sauces. good luck this week everyone! olive

josiebies - Thanks for the encouragement, I do feel defeated after a bad weigh in. I have been eating everything for the last two days and not even tracking the points! (shame) I think I am back in control and will start over tomorrow(: nurse melly - congrats on the milestone! get fit - welcome! scottishlassywsp - here is the recipe for the zero point mexican soup : Ingredients: - 2 cups fresh green snap beans, cut into bite-size pieces - 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced - 2 small zucchini, cubed - 1 cup tomatillos, chopped - 1 medium jalapeno pepper, finely chopped - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, Mexican-style preferred - ½ medium poblano chili pepper - 1 medium Spanish onion, chopped - 1 medium green pepper, chopped - ½ tsp cumin - 1 tsp fresh oregano - 6 cups vegetable broth - 2 roasted red peppers packed in water - 1 Tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (caution - these can be very spicy) - ¾ tsp salt - 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice - ½ cup fresh, chopped cilantro Directions: Put snap beans, garlic, zucchini, tomatillos, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, green chili pepper, onion, green pepper, cumin, oregano and vegetable broth into a large soup pot. Puree roasted peppers with chipotle in adobo sauce in a blender or food processor, and add to soup; stir to combine. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, partly covered, for about 10 minutes. Stir in salt, lime juice and cilantro. Serve and enjoy! Makes 12 servings. Serving Size = 1 cup Each Serving = 0 Weight Watchers Points ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I like to add a can of black beans to the recipe. I also like to top each bowl with a spoon of yogurt and some pumpkin seeds. Its not zero points anymore, but it is SUPER satisfying. olive

Uggghh...week two curse. I weighed in yesterday and only lost .6 lbs this week. The first week I lost 6 and now only .6 - it is so frustrating because I did the same things both weeks. I know you always lose more the first week, but this is disheartening ): hope everyone else is having a better week (: olive

Hello, I just started WW for the first time last week and had my first weigh in today. Amazingly, I lost 6 pounds!!!! I don't think I have ever lost 6 pounds in a week...well maybe the VERY first week of the pre-band diet when I weighed 230 ): One thing that helped was a big pot of zero point mexican soup. Glad someone started this thread...I think the band plus weight watchers is a great combo. Olive

triciaself & ready2bthin - Good to hear from you! Although my results were not as dramatic as I had hoped, I don't have any complaints about the band. The doctors and literature say you can expect to lose and keep off an average of 50% of your excess body weight...which is just about where I am. I guess the rest is on me:) I would probably be back to 230 or more without it. I do know that it is still a good tool if I get back to the rules. The trainer is a great idea...I never work out, I only walk (usually 2-3 miles a day). My goal is to make it down to my true goal (140) by September. Thanks for the support guys, I really think it helps! Olive

Hi! Is anyone still out there? It is the beginning of a new year so I thought I would look to the site for some support, but it looks like everyone has left): I was down to 159 at the lowest, but have slipped back up to 185. I want to get back on the wagon. I hope all is well and everyone is still losing/maintaining! Olive

Hello All, Anyone have a doctor around Philly? Thanks! Olive

eGADS. I finally saw 159 on the scale! But only for two days|: But it still motivates me. I have been stuck around 162 or so since March, but it was heaven to see that 5. I definitely need another fill (last one in November) but I just dont have the time to go down to Mex. Tonight I looked at my journal which lists all of my weights; I didnt realize it had been so long since I lost. I would like to get to goal (150) by my bandiversary (july 6) but it doesnt look good! I did join a gym a couple weeks ago, but I have only gone 3 times. However, I have been taking long walks in the evening. It is funny how 2-3 miles goes by like nothing. I remember last summer (and several before then) when I would dread walking anywhere because I would get sweaty, tired, and out of breath. Now it just seems effortless. Anyways...Hope everyone is doing well. Keep on losing! Olive

Hi All! Hope all is well...Sorry I have been too busy to post for the last month or so. I just read up on everyones progress! Looks like everyone is doing great and looking forward to our 1 year anniversaries. I know I am, however I am really feeling the pressure of making my one year goal. I had hoped to get to 150 by then. Also, I haven't lost in at least a month. I would consider a fill, but honestly, I am so tight in the AM that I can hardly drink. But of course, by night I can eat anything in larger quantities. By the way...what happened to the journals? I can't find mine. I'm worried because that is the only place I have my weekly weights recorded! Olive

well...not so good. I have been so busy at work i have not even looked at LBT for weeks. So, I did not make my goal of 164.2. I weighed 168.4 on Valentine's. This is not terrible news, though. I mean, I have been working 13 hour days...mostly sitting at a desk and only getting up to get a snack! Therefore, I cannot complain. (Six pounds in 5 weeks.) I don't mean to use this as an excuse, but with no time for physical activity, there is only so much you can do with diet. Of course, that being said I could have done less snacking and made better choices. But during every other tax season I have gained at least 15 pounds (that I could not get rid of). This year I have lost about 10, so far. So, my new goal is to avoid snacks at work. And if I could keep up this one pound a week loss until April that would be a success. I have about 2 more months of this work schedule so my new goal will be 8 pounds by April 15- lets say 160! That is the news with me. Hope everyone is meeting their goals.

Hi, Just wanted to post a little update. When I got my last fill (3.1cc) I was scared that it may be too much, but actually I think it was perfect. The first 4 weeks I felt perfect restriction and I lost 2 pounds a week. I did have 3 PBs during that time (mostly the first 2 weeks- learning!). Then in the fifth week I noticed it was a little looser. It is still helping a lot as I have continued to lose @2 pounds a week (total 15.4 in 7 weeks). No PBs in the last 3 weeks. I am not going to be able to get another fill until April because my work schedule is so hectic, so hopefully this one will keep on keepin on. Olive

Jane, I am not sure what to do about the dress...I mean, I know I will lose more weight before August. But how much? Dont know. Of course I don't think anything is more motivating than a wedding! I actually have a super secret outrageous wedding day goal weight of .... sshhhhh .... 130! This was my high school weight. So, I agree with you that I should wait as long as possible. But, most places make the dress after you order it and so you need to order several months ahead. But I might get lucky and find something off the rack. (fingers crossed) Mostly I am confused! And a little scared to try stuff on! As far as the challenge goes...I do have a pretty good fill. My last one was 3.1cc about 6 weeks ago. And it was perfect...for about 4 weeks. Now, it has loosened a little, but it still helps a good deal. For exercise I mostly walk a lot. About an hour or so a night at a brisk pace. On the weekend we walk everywhere (we live in a great walking neighborhood in a big city) and rarely use the car. Thanks for the advice and support! Olive

Hello, I wanna get in on this V-day challenge. My next mini-goal right now is to get to 169...which would make be overweight, not obese. But, V-Day is 5 weeks away and I would like to lose 10 pounds by then. So, my start today was 174.2 and I hope to make it to 164.2!!! I'm so excited. I have never joined any of these challenges so I hope this motivates me! On a side note, my real goal is to lose as much weight as possible in the next 2 months. I just set the date for my wedding for August. And dress shopping is coming up. I can only push it off until 6 months before, but I would like to be close to goal before I put that first dress on (egads!):nervous Anyways, good luck to everyone. I hope we all meet our goals! Olive

VLP! Congratulations on a job well done. Keep up the good work! Olive

Hi All, I just wanted to post and say that as of today I am down 50 pounds! 11 of these since my second fill 5 weeks ago. But I do have some slightly bad news. I have had heartburn for 3 days. And I never get heartburn. It started after a small PB at lunch (the first in 3 weeks). The culprit...broccoli rabe. Since that night...wow...pain and an acid taste in my mouth. I have been on liquids since then and it just started to let up tonight. My doc said to stay on liquids for 3 days. So that is the news with me...Hope all is well and have a Merry Christmas! Olive

My first fill was 1.6cc, 2 months after surgery. Last Friday (Nov 17) I got my second fill - 3.1cc! I was a little worried and I have pb'd once, but I think it is under control now. I have to eat really slow, but am able to most solids (not tortilla, as expected it caused the pb!) So, I am crossing my fingers. Olive

Hi All, I am in Mexico...just got my second fill. I went from 1.6cc (Sept 1), which was virtually no restriction, to 3.1cc! I am a little worried, but I don't go home until tomorrow night. So, I also had an official doctor's office weigh in....189.6. So down from 213 on the day of surgery. Four months, 23 pounds, no restriction- I guess I am satisfied. But I am also hopeful that this fill will do the trick! Keep up the good work everyone! Olive

Hi, Can anyone comment on their experience with these two companies? I just started a new job and have a choice. I wonder which would pay for fills or revisions in case of a complication. Thanks for any input! Olive

Hi, I know this may be frowned upon, but... I have bought phentermine over the internet a couple of times. You may consider this option. I mean, who could live on a liquid diet for more than a couple of weeks. Anyway, usually you fill out a questionnaire and a doctor approves you in a day or so. The ones that I used to get were the time released blue capsule(30mg, i think). And they definitely work for the short term. I think it probably cost @ $50 for one month. Olive

Hi All! I am in Monterrey and got my first fill today. It was a little scary. I ended up with 1.6cc/4.0cc. It was pretty cool seeing the barium flow through the stomach. I am staying the night here so hopefully if there are any problems with an under/over fill they can be fixed tomorrow! Wish me luck. Let the losing begin! I hope everyone is doing well. Olive

Hi All! I am in Monterrey and got my first fill today. It was a little scary. I ended up with 1.6cc/4.0cc. It was pretty cool seeing the barium flow through the stomach. I am staying the night here so hopefully if there are any problems with an under/over fill they can be fixed tomorrow! Wish me luck. I hope everyone is doing well. Olive

6/15/06- 228.6 7/06/06- 213 7/31/06- 201.4 8/10/06- 199.2 8/22/06- 198.6 (30) 8/23/06- 196.4 8/24/06- 195.2 8/27/06- 195.8 9/1/06 - Fill (1.7cc) 9/11/06- 195.6 11/4/06 - 190 11/17/06 - 189.6 (40) date of fill (3.1cc) 11/25/06 - 187.4 11/27/06 - 186 12/2/06 - 185.6 12/5/06 - 183.4 12/8/06 - 185 12/14/06 - 182.4 12/20/06 - 179.8! 12/21/06 - 178.6 (50) 1/3/07 - 176.2 1/5/07- 174.2 1/12/07- 172.4 2/16/07 - 168.2 (60) 2/20/07 - 167.2 3/15/07-163.6(65) 3/22/07- 162 6/1/07 - 159 10-15-07 - 173.4 Fill(3.1-3.2) said only 3.0 in before 11-11-07 - 180.6 11-14-07 - 176 1-6-09 - 185.2 1-19-09 - 179.2 4-6-09 - 173.2 8-8-09 - 171.4 10-21-09 - 155 (70) 12-29-09 - 146 (80)

6/15/06- 228.6 7/06/06- 213 7/31/06- 201.4 8/10/06- 199.2 8/22/06- 198.6 (30) 8/23/06- 196.4 8/24/06- 195.2 8/27/06- 195.8 9/1/06 - Fill (1.7cc) 9/11/06- 195.6 11/4/06 - 190 11/17/06 - 189.6 (40) date of fill (3.1cc) 11/25/06 - 187.4 11/27/06 - 186 12/2/06 - 185.6 12/5/06 - 183.4 12/8/06 - 185 12/14/06 - 182.4 12/20/06 - 179.8! 12/21/06 - 178.6 (50) 1/3/07 - 176.2 1/5/07- 174.2 1/12/07- 172.4 2/16/07 - 168.2 (60) 2/20/07 - 167.2 3/15/07-163.6(65) 3/22/07- 162 6/1/07 - 159 10-15-07 - 173.4 Fill(3.1-3.2) said only 3.0 in before 11-11-07 - 180.6 11-14-07 - 176 1-6-09 - 185.2 1-19-09 - 179.2 4-6-09 - 173.2 8-8-09 - 171.4 10-21-09 - 155 (70) 12-29-09 - 146 (80)