I'm still here

Me too Olga, we must be related!!! Ha . . . When I read that some have never slimmed or PB'd I think we should tell them they don't know what they are missing! Just kidding . . . My episodes of both have decreased significantly since I started making a conscience effort to S-L-O-W down and C-H-E-W until I don't think I can possibly chew anymore. That really does seem to work . . . Well, that and totally avoiding bread and pasta. Sunshine2 ~ I wanted to tell you that my family and I are going on the same cruise as your family, only a couple of weeks before. It would have been so awesome if we were on at the same time! We leave out of Galveston on 7/22 and return 7/29. I'll let you know how totally awesome it is when we get home. This will be our first cruise and we are really looking forward to it!

I totally with the others who have given wonderful, supportive advice. I was banded on 1-12-07, have had 3 fills and have 'only' lost about 35 pounds so far (I would be happier with 50!). It IS frustrating, because I think we all 'wish' we could lose the weight overnight but that is not going to happen and we have to accept that this really is a s-l-o-w process in order to keep our sanity; easier said than done I know. Hang in there ~ There are many others who are in the same boat, but we all have to keep working toward our goal, one day at a time. We will eventually get there, and my doctor says we will have less saggy skin to show for our patience. Yippee!

Oh My Gosh !!! No doubt I would have fainted! :faint:

Yes, I was there for a fill last Thursday and he still has it. Leslie, the new nurse did my fill and did a fine job. I have always requested Dr. Spivak because I felt like I should see him, but with her doing it I was in and out of there in less than 30 minutes and have not had a single problem. I would have liked to have seen him, but you can't complain about the time as it was. I also had my surgery at Park Plaza.

I am glad to hear from you Sue, I have been thinking about you and hoping that you are doing okay. Don't be too hard on yourself . . . When I lost my sister in January of 2006 it was all I could do to function, much less make good choices regarding eating healthy and exercise. That will come, for now take care of you and let yourself grieve your beautiful daughter. Thinking of you, Lynn

Thank you for the swift kick in the pants I have been needing Mark!!! Your post spoke to me . . . .

I totally agree with Socialator . . . I still struggle with 'thinking' I need to eat, just out of habit, but my band won't allow me to eat very much at a time, or very often and if I take too big of bites or don't chew the food forever, forget it! The band takes care of alot of things and after a couple of miserable episodes, eating becomes more of a chore than an enjoyment. At least that has been my experience. Good luck ~

I have only been to his office for my fills.

My first fill was with saline but most of it was gone when I went in for my second, so Dr. Spivak used the Omnipaque. My third was with the Omni as well . . . I prefer that I think ~ As unpredictable as my little tool is I don't want to worry about my fill evaporating too . . . .

$12,900 cash in Houston, Texas with (the wonderful) Dr. Hadir Spivak. Our insurance (really employer!) had a WLS exclusion in our policy and there was no way around it. I finally decided that the band is an investment in me and my future with my family. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! That is also what I chant in my head when I start stressing out over having spent that money! ha . . .:omg:

I usually tip $5 each to the girl who does my nails and toes, an extra $3 if I get an eyebrow wax.

Mine too! I love Dr. Wynne . . . She was the first person I talked to about the lap-band and she was so supportive. When I recently saw her for my annual check-up she was so complimentary of my 30 pound loss and wanted to hear everything about my experience.

Doddie & Fluffy ~ I read both of your posts with tears in my eyes. Like Fluffy, I lost my only sister to breast cancer in January of 2006 and not a day goes by that I don't wish she was still here to see me losing this weight; I know she would have been my biggest cheerleader and would have been the first person I would have told. I am sorry your sister is treating you that way Doddie, and I don't understand why more people don't appreciate what they have until it is gone . . . I would give my right arm to have my sister here.

I am so happy I found this thread!!! I was banded on 1-12-07 and have had three fills totalling 2.2 ccs in a 4cc band. I have been trying desperately to get answers to what the sweet spot FEELS like. After reading all of these posts, I think I may be there!!! Yea . . . I still struggle with thinking I need to eat, so what I need to pay attention to now is whether or not I am truly hungry or am just eating out of habit or boredom, etc. I can only eat a tiny amount at a sitting and certain things I just totally avoid (bread, pasta) after several PB'ing episodes. I have found that it is true - if I eat very small bites and chew until I don't think I can chew again, I do much better. It took me several times to figure this out . . . Thank you so much to all of you who posted on this subject.

What I keep trying to get answers to is what does the sweet spot FEEL like??? I don't know if I am supposed to be able to eat normal foods, just in tiny amounts or if people who feel they are at their sweet spot are really limited to what they can eat . . . I would LOVE to know this . . . I was banded on 1-12-07 and have had 3 fills for a total of 2.2ccs in a 4cc band. Thanks, Lynn

Hi Terri ~ Although I have that problem quite often too, I have never asked Dr. Spivak what to do about it . . . I have read liquids for 24 hours after a PB, but honestly unless it is a really bad episode, I don't usually stick to that for very long. Hope you feel better soon ~ Lynn

Hi Terry ~ I went in this afternoon and got a small fill. I was under the impression that I only had 1.8cc's in there, but Leslie was able to get 2.0cc's out - ??? She decided on a small fill of 2.2cc's to see if that will help get me started again. I did not see Dr. Spivak today; I was finished before he came in. I hope the fill helps . . . At least I am getting better with having the fills and don't almost fall out of the chair anymore! :clap2: I'll keep you all posted; thanks for your help. Oh, and I was very pleased with Dr. Spivak's new nurse, Leslie. She was able to access my port the first time even though she said it is a little tilted due to the weight loss. Lynn

Okay, I just called and talked to Brenda and I am going in this afternoon. I just feel like I need a little boost in my fill, so hopefully that will help. As I have read on here before, if I could have done this on my own I wouldn't have paid for the band, so I want to maximize the benefit of having it. Hopefully it won't be too much and I'll get started on the losing track. Thanks, Lynn

Thank you for responding Terry. I think I am going to try to follow 'the rules' a little closer and see if that helps. Having not lost an ounce in forever, my frustration is at an all time high. I have a feeling though that the problem is with me, not my band. Thanks again, Lynn

Hi everyone ~ I have been trying to decide if I need a fill and have now managed to get myself worked into a tizzy over it . . . How do you KNOW if you have proper restriction? What does it feel like? Can you eat just about anything you want, just very small amounts of it? I have been banded almost 6 months and have only lost about 30 pounds. I don't eat bread, pasta, etc. but can eat just about anything else as long as I chew it really well and eat slowly. It took me longer than most I think to figure that out, but now that I have, I think I am eating too much . . . How do you know??? I really want to kick this weight loss into high-gear, but don't know if I am just being impatient. I think I have 1.8 in my 4.0 band, but haven't lost an ounce in at least 6 weeks. I am planning to call in the morning and try to talk to Brenda, but I don't know . . . Any thoughts friends??? Thanks in advance for your input ~ Lynn

I always go in on Thursday afternoons because Dr. Spivak is in his office then. I prefer he do my fills as well.

You look beautiful Tonya and oh my goodness YES!!! I can tell a difference! Lynn

Is it possible that she is considering it? I ask because before I started researching, I had never even heard of it . . . . Lynn

Very good advice - I think my reaction was personal because I am on pins and needles waiting for someone to ask me! Maybe now if someone does, I'll remember Shawn's advice . . . Thanks Lynn