sarahbellzz14-4

put some new pix up. I guess click on my profile to see em lol.. I can't figure this out

FINALLY!!!!! after about 8 weeks of absolutly NOTHING, an unfill then a tiny re-fill I'll take the 3lbs down. at least it's something..:sad:

I find myself doing that too... while sitting in bed watching t.v or talking to the dh... LOL I'm actually doing it right now. The DH also noticed that I'm not complaining about my hip as much (for those of you that don't know, I have severe hip arthritis from an injury) and the snoring has almost eliminated itself.....

I was actually too embarassed to write that same exact thing. the first time it happend I looked behind me to see if there was someone there because this couldn't possibly be me. Way to go mama!!! Ann... FABULOUS feeling isn't it way to go

So, I consulted: a neutritionist, a personal trainer and a pharmacist and got a concensious on the hair loss issue.. and it doesn't involve Rogaine or nausiating Protein shakes (b/c I have had my Fill with them!!!) We all should be taking a multi-Vitamin to begin with post-op but for those of us that still have hair loss or a protein deficiancy, The answer comes in Biotin. Most pharmacies (and GNC) have special Vitamins for women to improve hair skin and nails, but they also have Biotin (aka Vitamin H) I was told to take the straight up 1000mg Biotin pill and in about 2 weeks I should start to see an improvement and less hair falling out and more re-growth. I went to CVS the other day and looked at the Rogain package, and My "symptoms" don't qualify me to start doing it yet. besides the fact I have a sensitive scalp to begin with I'm afraid to use it and kind of embarrassed to buy it. So there is my suggestion to help us out. And a plus side to the Biotin, is that the pills are small enough to not get stuck.

5 guys burgers & Fries.... It's mainly an east coast (Wash. dc, virginia, Maryland, NJ, PA, NYC) thing- (ANN, you better back me up here lol j/k) and in my personal opinion puts both in & out burger & carls Jr. to SHAME. They make awesome burgers, and I did as I said and had one for dinner last night, and it was amazing. There are somethings when cooking I just can't adjust and the #1 thing is my grilled cheese sandwiches, They have to be soaked in butter and almost to the point of being burnt, thats the only way I'll eat them. BUT I don't eat them often so that is a wonderful thing. Anyway, since I had one for dindin last night, I've been low cal/carb/fat today, thats how I alternate. and I'll do the same tomorrow. I didn't budge weight wise despite my fill last week, so I think by next weekend my ass will def be hitting the treadmill, because obviously what I have been doing isn't working anymore. so it's time to buck up and finally join the gym. Hair wise, the re-growth is amazing, my part has filled in, and it looks like I'm wearing a wig lol!!!!

Juniper, it is miserable... 5 months out and it's just simply on my list of no-no foods, no matter how awesome it looks and how much I'm craving it, I'm just asking for trouble. but for some reason, I can eat deli ham, not a sandwich though, but like ham (1 thin slice), egg & cheese omlets. Pepperoni (turkey or otherwise) is also out of the question for me. when I was a good 3 weeks out on solids I attempted a turkey wrap and almost choked to death on it, to the point the DH stuck his fingers down my throat while I was hovered above the toilet to get the bite out. So I just stay FAR FAR Away from the deli counter now.

I feel ya jenna. I have 2 poblems... The muffin top & the bread basket. Basically when I was pregnant with my son 8 years ago I didn't wear a support garment so my stomach muscles seperated at the belly button, so now I have the bottom pouch as well... I joke around and say I have 4 stomachs, 2 on the inside and 2 on the outside. Everyone I've spoken to from Personal trainers to doctors have all told me to start saving my pennies because the only way to get rid of it is a full tummy tuck (where they re attach your muscle wall- give you a new belly button etc) The trainers have said that we can work on it but the damage has been done and that skin is just flapping in the breeze on it's own. Thats my frustration with size of pants... I have to compensate a size for the "bottom half" so while my "Real" size is probably 2 smaller then I wear, I won't know until I reach my goal weight and *when pigs fly* have the tummy tuck.

John, That is awesome. Congrats!!!!!!!!! I was a size 8 when I was 25, but that was 3 years ago, and it was for a Hot min. I did a lil shopping this morning in a store that caters to the microscopic, but has a plus sized section (basically for the slightly anorexic) Bought a blouse in an XL came home put it on (Because I refuse to use the fitting rooms b/c the mirrors LIE to you) and it's too big. I'm just finding things in my closet that I haven't worn in ages, they either fit or they will soon fit. But Jeans are a tough one. I had an incident recently where I bought a 12 and had to exchange them for a 14, basically, I really should have kept the 12's because once they're broken in, they fit... so now, the 14's after a few hours, start to slide on me.

I agree with the fats thing, that was one thing I found with my research on this. Along with the Biotin and increased protein intake, I also upped my fats content, but was really smart about it. The Protein drinks I buy, are vegan, but they also have 6g of fat & 12grams of Protein per serving (2 servings in the bottle- which I can down in about 2 mins) and I had 1 of those a day and just watched everything else that I ate, so long as it was high protein. I'm a vegetarian, but crave red meat every so often, and usually when I crave it I eat it. fo the first few weeks on the biotin, I upped my red meat intake, basically I live with 2 carnivores, so I would make tacos & put a tablespoon of meat with 3 tablespoons of Beans, and with meat sauce, I would Strain the sauce off the top and then strain meat out of the pot and put about 2 tablespoons on my Pasta. And once a week there was a no holds barred of a 5 guys little burger. And then there was the steak incident lol..... So at this point, today esp. I haven't had meat in about 3 weeks but now that I said 5guys, I want one, and will probably give into it!

Wheat thins Flatbread crackers. with babybell lite garlic & herb cheese... to.die.for.

I rub the center of my chest until the "clog" goes down. I've heard horror stories with chicken. I've only had 1 bad experience with it and then I waited 2 weeks before I ate it again. and it too was right after my first fill. I try to stay away from bread, but sometimes I have to have a VERY well toasted croissant. Wheat thins came out with these awesome "flatbread" crackers, I munch on those. Speaking of bread, I had a garlic knot the other night and I wrote this somewhere else, It got stuck at the Bottom of my pouch and it was the most ungodly pain I have ever experienced. I still can not eat deli meats, and since I was over filled, I can't eat steak anymore. And I've been craving a Philly cheese steak for a week now, but even the thinly shaved steak I'm avoiding for now. it's still a learning process for us. And I've heard from a few people after a certain amount of time your band & body will flip the script on you as to what you were able to eat and now can't. Broccoli is now another no-no for me, and I lived on it the month of june. Steamed sauteed, boiled, I can not eat it now.

I've had a few over the past month...... 1st and foremost, I can see my feet again, not just the tips of my toes, but my entire foot. I have a shape again, and Don't look like an over-ripe grape when wearing pants. My winter coat looks good on me, and I can actually tie the belt around my WAIST. I wore a gorgeous velvet suit jacket yesterday that I haven't worn in a good 2-3 years, only sad thing is, last time I wore it, I was able to button it. but just the face I was able to wear it was a Victory for me. and I'm just enjoying my jawbone lol... Congrats everyone!!! lets keep em coming!

The sweetspot to me is a myth, honestly. It's all up to you and where your comfortable. I thought I had my sweetspot until I got violently ill from it, and was too tight. It's very frustrating, and I think everyone is right, it's second opinion time. And you need to speak to someone about repositioning your port. My 2nd fill was a HORRIBLE experience. I had fat deposits around my port and they kept poking those thinking they hit the spot only to pull the needle out and try again. You've lost 65lbs so far which is FABULOUS! and I hate to be a downer by saying this, but start really looking at what it is your eating and your activity levels. I'm the laziest person on the planet, but I walk for an hour every day and I do yoga, and first and foremost I watch every single peice of food that goes in my mouth. at this point I know what I can and can not eat. It takes time and patience, and a positive attitude. I'm really sorry you feel like you want to have the band removed, but think of the positive things that have happend so far.... and talk to someone. Your hospital or doctor should have support groups, try one of those out.

You are quite welcome. I have to say it is a terrifying experience, and actually, I owe a huge thanks to Blaire (BEK) Because she was the one who alerted me to being over-filled. I actually had a slight fill last friday (6 weeks after I was unfilled) because I had absolutly no restriction. Almost choked on spaghetti last night (that was a trip) it was a stuck I have never ever felt before, basically, instead of the "chest" stuck, this was a stomach stuck, like it couldn't pass through the opening to the stomach..... I thought I was going to pass out. Anyway. I'm glad I was able to help. And I'm glad your feeling better. And btw, It's O.K after an unfill to gain 2-3lbs. Like I said after my unfill, it's your bodies way of saying Thank you. You'll lose those few.... So long as your healthy thats all that matters

Ann, You look absolutly AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to have DH take a pic of me tonight... I've noticed the incredible difference lately.

Hey Guys!!! 2000 mg has been working for me, within the first 2 weeks (and with my unfill- now re-filled) The loss stopped dramatcially. sunday while blowing out my hair, I noticed the regrowth around my hairline, which believe it or not is what had me panicing in the first place. Ann, The bottle I have says "for energy support" on it, but I have so much coffee in a day that I don't notice the extra boost!. And if you check out the GNC -hair, skin, nails vitamin packets, there is a 1500mg of biotin vitamin. Alot of the research I did on this little miricle, Said that, can strengthen nails, and hair folicles (because they are actually the same thing believe it or not!!!!) I do know that I am feeling good again, and well not as self concious to go get my hair re-touched up (held off on that until I knew wtf was going on) Glad to see I helped everyone :cursing:

John337 105 SpideyMom 70 hdmdavid 75 less-of-me 58 Oliviasmommy-25 tulsarealtorGB 38 ruguay 35 Sarahbellzz- 34 Total= 440

I actually gained 2 lbs this week and I'm not upset about it at all. I was told when I was unfilled that I would probably gain something or stay the same since I was technically in starvation mode (for all that don't know- I was a few days away from being hospitalized for dehydration and malnutrition) and not getting the proper nutritiants because of how tight my band was. So I'm embracing the 2 lbs, because I know now, That I will lose them and more, and It's just my bodies way of saying thank you (for the moment)

it's more then 100 strands. I know you natuarally shed while you sleep, this is to the point where it's noticable in my hairline, like it's receeding. I've spoken to a few family members to see if it's genetic and it's not. As for the iron, Thats the thing, I have very Iron rich blood, so before my surgery when they did the pre-op blood work, I was told to stay away from the iron, the vitamins with iron etc. But the vit. D, Didn't think of that. Ann, I'm gonna make you laugh... I was bald, well half bald VOLUNTERILY! for a good 7 months.... I sported a Mohawk when I was 16. I will call the doc. see whats up.

after 6 weeks of nothing and having .6cc's taken out (yes I had an unfill) I LOST 4lbs this week VICTORY IS MINE!:laugh: