minpinmom

I have to laugh, I don't see how I could be anyone's inspiration! But one day - I hope to feel that way. I do my blog for the same reasons. I can't wait to go back and say, wow, I can't believe I was struggling with that, now I can do it with my hands tied behind my back!

Yes, it means the band is working. Each time you get a fill, it will make the band tighter around your tummy, making the food slower to go through. You want the perfect amount of restriction - so that you eat a small amount and it takes a while for it to go through. I haven't had any restriction, meaning I can eat just like before I had the band. You don't want to have too much restriction - where you can't eat anything solid. You have to find the perfect spot, known as the sweet spot. :-)

Okay, so I had my 5th or 6th fill today. I was at 2.6CC in a 4CC Band. My Dr. requires a Barium Swallow before each fill. So, I went in, told the gal doing the Xray, that I have ZERO restriction. After the Swallow, she agreed, she pulled up the stills and showed how the liquid went straight through, it didn't slow down or anything. She also showed me how wide my opening is, she said most people the opening is so small it looks closed on the xray. So, at this point I am getting a bit nervous thinking maybe I have a leak. I haven't really had any restriction ever - and I have had lots of fills. I go in and sit on the table. Dr. Spiegel comes right in and said he just reviewed my xray and is amazed that I don't have any restriction yet. So, he starts to give me a fill and pulls out all the liquid to make sure there isn't a leak. There wasn't. All 2.6 was in there. He said I am one of the few people that he has seen that has a super thin upper stomach. He gave me a whoppin' .4 to bring me up to 3CC. He said at this level that is a very liberal fill. He said for me not to worry, he has yet to find someone who he can't get as tight as they want. So, I am on liquids for the next 3 days, then soft foods for 3 days. I can't wait to try and eat something to see if I have restriction! Keep your fingers crossed for me, I don't want to be the first person who is filled to the brim and has 0 restriction! I like making headlines, but not like that!

I was still doing that at my 5th fill. Hopefully this one was the one. I will know in a few days. (kinda excited, kinda scared)

I went to the Dr. yesterday for a fill, he checked my level, I haven't lost any. I had 2.6 and he upped me to 3 I have a 4CC Band! So I am at 75%. I will know in the next week if I have any restriction. My Dr. requires a Barium Swallow before your fill - the gal doing the xray said my band was very open. She showed me, but it was like finding a baby in one of those ultrasounds! I think I know what she was talking about, but I wouldn't bet my life on it! Anyway, my Dr. had originally planned on using a large band, but when he got in there, he said the upper part of my stomach was very thin. So he chose to use a 4CC. He said I am one of the very few people he has ever seen that is this full with no restriction. For some reassurance - he has done over 5000 bands and said he has never seen someone that he couldn't get as tight as they wanted. I hope this one was my magic fill! I will let you know in a few days when I get to try real food again.

I have food envy today as well! I had my 5th or 6th fill yesterday and I am on liquids. It is killing me cooking and smelling everything. Ugh, I want a bite of something not liquid!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You would be surprised at how your blog will help people! As for the blood work - I hate needles too. I will be thinking about you! W

I can't wait!

Thank you! I am so excited - I mean don't get me wrong - I hate this liquids part of the deal, but I am so excited, I think I may be close to restriction!

Well I got my fill today (wooHoo). I will be on liquids for 3 more days and my dr. doesn't want me to exercise at all till I am on solids again. My Dr. says I don't lose weight as fast because I exercise too much. I find that so hard to follow, but my last time in WW, they said the same thing. Lose a lot of the fat first, then move on to heavy exercise. I will be back next week, starting at week 1 again. I am such the Rebel! Keep me updated as to your progress! And send me "get restriction" thoughts - this was my 5th or 6th fill, I am now at 3CC in a 4CC band. I pray I will finally get restriction!

Okay, so I had my 5th or 6th fill today. I was at 2.6CC in a 4CC Band. My Dr. requires a Barium Swallow before each fill. So, I went in, told the gal doing the Xray, that I have ZERO restriction. After the Swallow, she agreed, she pulled up the stills and showed how the liquid went straight through, it didn't slow down or anything. She also showed me how wide my opening is, she said most people the opening is so small it looks closed on the xray. So, at this point I am getting a bit nervous thinking maybe I have a leak. I haven't really had any restriction ever - and I have had lots of fills. I go in and sit on the table. Dr. Spiegel comes right in and said he just reviewed my xray and is amazed that I don't have any restriction yet. So, he starts to give me a fill and pulls out all the liquid to make sure there isn't a leak. There wasn't. All 2.6 was in there. He said I am one of the few people that he has seen that has a super thin upper stomach. He gave me a whoppin' .4 to bring me up to 3CC. He said at this level that is a very liberal fill. He said for me not to worry, he has yet to find someone who he can't get as tight as they want. So, I am on liquids for the next 3 days, then soft foods for 3 days. I can't wait to try and eat something to see if I have restriction! Keep your fingers crossed for me, I don't want to be the first person who is filled to the brim and has 0 restriction! I like making headlines, but not like that!

My fills have been covered, except for the $12.00 copay. My Dr. now requires a Barium swallow before a fill, it is NOT covered. He just started it and charges $50.00 for it. Most Dr.s don't do this. I have had 4 or 5 fills, and only the last one was under the new Barium.

I am pretty much over it now, but I got sick over the 4th of July weekend - and couldn't go to the gym and workout. I usually go everyday, rarely missing 1 day a week. I missed 4 or 5 days in a row and it was SO hard going back. I am doing the Couch to 5K program and I have to repeat week 1, I didn't get to finish it last week. I feel like such a loser! Not really, I am just bummed that I am behind on working out. I can't believe I am saying this, coming from someone who NEVER workedout a day in her entire life! I can't believe how lazy I was! I get my 5th or 6th fill tomorrow. I am really hoping for some real restriction. I have run out of willpower. I need some help. I can eat anything, just like before. I chew very well because I am scared of PBing, but tonight I had Ribeye steak, baked potato and corn on the cob. I still try to keep my calories low, but damn it is getting hard. Please oh please let me get restriction tomorrow!

I am pretty much over it now, but I got sick over the 4th of July weekend - and couldn't go to the gym and workout. I usually go everyday, rarely missing 1 day a week. I missed 4 or 5 days in a row and it was SO hard going back. I am doing the Couch to 5K program and I have to repeat week 1, I didn't get to finish it last week. I feel like such a loser! Not really, I am just bummed that I am behind on working out. I can't believe I am saying this, coming from someone who NEVER workedout a day in her entire life! I can't believe how lazy I was! I get my 5th or 6th fill tomorrow. I am really hoping for some real restriction. I have run out of willpower. I need some help. I can eat anything, just like before. I chew very well because I am scared of PBing, but tonight I had Ribeye steak, baked potato and corn on the cob. I still try to keep my calories low, but damn it is getting hard. Please oh please let me get restriction tomorrow!

The stars didn't align for me today. I ended up first forgetting my phone (with the pod cast), went back to the house to get it, got to the gym and realized hubby had taken the earphones out of the car. So, I did the Elliptical and thought I was going to die. Normally I do it with no problem, but 4-5 days off, huge difference. Hopefully I can start back tomorrow and just go every other day and eventually catch up. You guys are all doing awesome - keep up my daily inspiration!

Tricare required me to stay overnight - Spiegel had said I could do it outpatient. I am actually glad I had to stay. The Hospital was totally Posh - flat screen TVs in all the rooms, all rooms private, valet parking for everyone. It was an upgrade for the night :-) I love Spiegel - he is totally no nonsense. His front office could use some help, although, I have seen improvements since I have been going.

It didn't take too long for me. I had all my medical paperwork transferred over (less than a week), the surgeon's office submitted (took forever, they didn't believe me that it was covered). Once they actually submitted it, Tricare approved me within minutes. Then, once again, the Surgeon's office took forever (they insist on waiting for a hard-copy of the authorization instead of the online version. Finally, after 2 weeks, I got a copy of the Auth from my regular PCM and had them fax a copy to my surgeon's office. Once they received it - I had pre-op the next day and surgery 3 days later! It is the paperwork that takes so long. I think it took about a month, but would have taken a couple weeks if not for all the hassle.

Hopefully you are now in Bandland, let us know as soon as you can. And use a larger font so us blind people can keep up with you too!

You guys rock. I didn't get to do day 3 of week 1 (I have been sick). So I am going to repeat week 1. I am a bit scared. Since I have started going to the gym a few months ago, I went every single day, missing, at the most 1 day a week and that was rare. I have missed 4 days and still feel crummy. I hope I can continue my regular workouts. I feel like if I miss that much I may never be able to do it again!

AWESOME! You are starting to look like Lindsey Lohan!

Yes, we are medically retired.

If you are Tricare Prime, you should have a $12.00 Copay for certain Dr.s Appointments. (non-MTF) Same as if you go to your Dr. for a cold, you have a $12.00 Copay unless you have maxed out for the year.

I am sick too - just drove in from my parents this morning - so I could be in my own home - it is tough being sick at someone else's house. I just hope I am well enough to do my 3rd day this week. Yesterday I was involved in 4th of July festivities, then got sick last night. Hopefully I will be better tomorrow and can keep up with this week. Congrats everyone on doing so well and a Happy belated Independence Day!