juno610

I had my band done by Dr. Deol, but I am now seeing Dr. Krause. So, while I can't offer any info about the surgery portion, I can say that I really like him, and I am happy I chose him to continue with my after-care. I also met one of his associates (Dr. Laffey?) and found them both very pleasant and I felt comfortable talking to both of them. The office staff is nice too, and the office itself is fairly easy to get to (considering it's on the Royal Oak campus). My only complaint is that I waited nearly 45 minutes after my appointment time to even be called back into a room! Maybe it was a busy afternoon. Who knows? I've only been there once so far, so I will be keeping an open mind on that front.

Where is everyone? It's been quiet here the last few days! Hope everyone had a good weekend. I had a stomach bug the last few days and was feeling quite miserable, but that seems to have passed. The only good thing about it was that I lost 2 lbs! Maria

Wow Candice! Hang in there girl! I can't imagine coughing so hard as to break ribs -- sheesh! I do hope you feel better soon! Well girls I am seriously frustrated. My doc checked my progesterone levels and found them to be a little low, so I am taking the Procheive vaginal suppositories. Strangely enough, the day after I start them I have horrible stomach pain and non-stop diarrhea for two days now! I'm not sure if this is a side effect or if I just have the flu! Has anyone else had to do any progesterone supplements? Maria

Tonya - good luck with the Lasik! Can't wait to hear how much you love your "new" vision! :smile: I haven't felt any nausea really. Mostly I am just so so extremely tired and my back hurts and I'm very headachy. It almost feels like the flu minus the gross parts!

Well guys, I got an unfill today! I finally saw my new band doc (liked him, thank goodness!), and I told him how I've barely been able to eat anything for the past two weeks. So, now I'm down to 1.3cc. It seems scary low, but now is not the time for me to be worrying about weight loss. I still feel restriction, but I was able to eat a fish taco for lunch today with no problems. Yay!

Lisa -- for me the trick has ALWAYS been exercise. And it doesn't have to be much, just something to get moving. You'd really be surprised how much a little exercise can affect your overall metabolism!

Hi Maryum! Well, I am only 6 weeks, but the last two have been horrendous as far as eating goes. I've barely been able to eat at all. I actually just went today and got 0.5cc taken out. It has made a world of difference! I actually ate a fish taco today with no problem! I am so relieved to be able to eat a decent amount and still feel some restriction. My doc said that if I felt that restricted now, he expects to have to take more out as time goes on. No big deal. I'm encouraged to hear that you haven't gained anything! I'm really hoping to keep my gain at a minimum. I still weigh about 236, so there's really no reason to gain much. Can't wait to see pics of your nursery! Maria

OMG! He actually said that to you?!?! What a JERK!

I totally hear you! :wink: I luckily do not have to wear hospital scrubs (well, luckily depending on how you look at it), otherwise Lord only knows what I'd end up with! We seem to either have super small or super large, and hardly anything in between. I've had pretty good luck with XLs from Landau and Cherokee. I just hate scrub tops with a passion! I still only fit in 2X in tops because of my boobs! Lately I've been going with a t-shirt and a lab coat, and that has been way more comfortable. I'll be so excited when I can finally fit into an XL in Dickies!

Sarah - I have PCOS, but my periods were always regular. We tried for about 8 months, then I started metformin. One month later, here I am!

Cindi -- Are you making sure you get enough water in between meals? Being dehydrated can make your body hold onto some extra fluid. When is the last time you changed up your exercise routine? Maybe throw in some interval training with your cardio or switch your resistance training exercises around. Sometimes we just need to keep our bodies guessing! Hope that helped a little. Sounds like you are doing fantastic anyway though I feel like the master of maintenance too. I have not lost a thing since my last fill in October. I guess it doesn't matter now though! I go see my new band doc on Monday -- I think I will have him back me off just a hair.

The only people that know are DH and my mom. My mom is constantly asking if I started my period (she knows we've been trying), so I couldn't NOT tell her. She is really good at keeping secrets though, so I know she won't blab to the whole family.

Well ladies, my weight loss is going to have to take a backseat for awhile..... I'M PREGNANT!!!! :whoo: Not very far along yet, but it's hard to keep it in, ya know!? Looks like the metformin did the trick! I will be staying on that for awhile because my insulin levels keep going up. Yikes! Please pray for me that I do not end up with gestational diabetes! Off to bed -- got to work tomorrow and I am totally wound up! Maria

Sometimes I feel the need to eat more, but usually I just get pissed off about how much longer it takes me to eat. Well, it's not that in particular the angers me -- it's more that even people who know I have a band don't seem to take my slower eating into consideration. For instance, once I was out to dinner with my mom and sister. I was literally about 4 bites in when I realized that the waiter had already brought them doggie bags and the check. Someone picked up their purse to go, and I said, "Are you kidding me?" Granted, it was Italian food, which I have to be a little more careful with, but I didn't think I was eating all that ridiculously slow. Enough of my rant LOL Actually, sometimes I get grossed out by how much I see other people eating. We were at a Coney last week and I was eating my usual cup of chili and stealing a few of DH's fries. I looked over to see some dude with 3 coney dogs, a bowl of chili, and a plate of cheese fries in front of him. All I could think was YUCK. A blessing and a curse, I guess.

Thanks Bex and Raynie You are right -- I am bursting at the seams! I was with my sister tonight and it was pretty much all I could do not to just blurt it out! I'm sure someone will catch on with all my crabbing about being crampy and headachy and bloated. My DH just reminded me that I probably will not be feeling much better for about three months!

Actually, it's a little embarrassing, but I'm barely a month along! DH has sworn me to secrecy until 12 weeks (insulin resistance = higher miscarriage rate), but I had to spill the beans somewhere. I have an appointment with my OB next Tuesday and I see my new band doctor on Monday, so that will be interesting! My original surgeon moved out of state, and I've been lazy about finding a new one, but this kinda lit a fire under my arse. Maria

Hello everyone! I've read through this whole thread (haven't posted since the first page! LOL), and it's been very exciting to see you all go through nearly your entire pregnancies! Congratulations to those that have given birth already! Well, I thought I'd pop in to say... I'm PREGNANT!!! We've been trying since May, and I seriously thought it was never going to happen. I was three weeks late in November, but it was not to be -- the only good thing was I found out I had PCOS. So, one month on metformin, and here I am! Of course, it is ridiculously early to be telling anyone, but I had to tell SOMEONE. I figured you all would understand Maria

5jacks - Welcome back! And big congratulations on what you've accomplished! 90lbs is truly awesome angyl - Wow! You look so great and I love the big smile in your after pics!

Happy New Year! I went to bed early this year too. Conked out at 10:30. Two glasses of wine didn't help there! My band is oh so tight today. It must be TOM about to hit.

Ebay is a good bet. I've sold some jeans and sweaters, and I'm about to list a whole bunch of other items since cleaning out my closet yesterday.

Shawn -- I cleaned my closet today too! I tried on everything and divided into four piles: donate, fits now, will fit when I lose another 10-15lbs, and will fit when I lose another 25lbs. My mom bought me some of those Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers from HSN, so I've been meaning to do this. Jennifer: So glad you came back. I tend to do the same thing -- stay away when I'm having a rough time. But I have to remind myself that those times are when I need this group more than ever!

I'm up for anything! Let's do it!

You are so lucky to have a good workout buddy! I'm jealous Congrats on the loss and let us know how you place!

I'm the same way. I rarely eat anything solid before noon. If I happen to have woken up very early (like 6am), then I can sometimes have a scrambled egg or granola bar around 10. Otherwise, I usually stick to yogurt or cottage cheese, if anything.

Hey girls! Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Guess what! I walked on the treadmill today! Yay me! And, I went shopping and got some sweaters at Lane Bryant -- in a smaller size! Wheee! It's been a good day. DH and finished all of our Christmas shopping in one marathon 5 hour trip. We are totally wiped out!