tonya66

who4u22 - yes, it does seem like a bit much, no I don't have a leak, been tested on that and they cannot find a leak. My doctor takes everything out of my band then refills it each time, has done this all along. Well, after much research, we found that this can actually change the shape, and slightly the placement of the band, which in turn can change the restriciton level. The last three times he has not taken any out and just added some more fluid. It seems to be working. Another problem I have is when he fills me up, I have major eshophagus spasms,which makes it looks like I'm tight then after they settle down, I'm loose. So, my fills have to go very very slow. Thank gawd for double insurance!!!!! I am getting close to 4 cc's again so I don't think I can go much higher. Its always a waiting game for me, it takes about 2 weeks for my fills to settle in, and then I will know if I have good restriciton or not. Right now, Its very tight. Could not even eat a 6 oz of yogurt, could only eat about 1/2 of it, which is good. Thanks for your support

Now that the doctor has quit taking all my fluid out every time I get a fill, the fills are slowly but surely getting tighter. Fill #20 did pretty good, but still too lose, so I just had fill #21 and I'm having a hard time drinking my shake. I have to slow down a bit on it, that is GREAT! My fingers, leggs and toes are all crossed, hoping that this fill is the one that works - I am hoping to keep the restriction! I am to be on liquids for the next 48 to 72 hours. Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :smile2: Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one! FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill. FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak. UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose. FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see. Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time. FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill! FILL #15 - 08/10/09 - Added about 1/10th of a cc. I think I'm right at 4.0 cc. Wt on the morning of my fill was at 165. But was very bloated from steroids I was on for the previous week. FILL #16 - 8/31/09 - My last fill lasted 2 weeks then I felt wide open. Went in for another fill, this time he did not take any out and just added 2/10th's of a cc. I think I'm just a little more than 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 cc band. I feel great restriction so far. I'm hoping this last. I'm sick of fills. lol. - I could tell my fill was wide open, I was starving all the time, wt at the time of fill was 170! grrrrrrr FILL #17 - 10/30/09 - completely drained me, checked for a leak - no leak YAY - added 4.6 cc's - I feel like he didn't add anything, feel wide open! Hungry all the time FILL #18 - 11/09/09 Doc did barium swallow test - I think he thought I was full of it. He saw what I was talking about and agreed I was way too loose. He added 2.5cc's. I feel restriction again, but not a real tight restriction. I have no idea where I'm at these days and I really don't care anymore how much CC's I have, I just want RESTRICTION!!!!!! Fill #19 - 11/23/09 - I had a some restriction, but not enough, the doc added 3/10ths of a cc. I feel pretty good, not too tight, which means it probably will get looser. I will ride this fill out and see what happens. Very discouraged at this point. FILL #20 - 12/28/09 - did not take any fluid out, just added 4/10th's of a cc. Still feel lose, but on the fluro it showed I was tight, so we'll see how it goes......... FILL #21 - 02/01/10 - Doc did not take any fluid out, added 1/2 a mil then I told him it was still too loose, so he added another 1/10th of a cc. Feel really good right now - but as always we will have to wait and see.

I read something about that same thing, Jillian Michaels from the biggest Loser said when you work out a certain muscle group, you will seem bigger the next day, because your muscle absorbs Water or somethig like that, but it only last a few days and then you will see the reduction start, so don't give up girl! It seems when you get overfilled, (I've been there 3 times now), it takes forever to find that good spot again. I've been trying to find it for over a year now and still not there. grrrrrrr. I told myself after my last fill - fill #20, I was not getting any more, but I'm now leaning toward just one more. I really am getting close again to that spot! Now that he quit taking all the fluid out, and just adding some, it seems to be working. Anyhow, my pitty party is over too!

Hey girl, I feel your pain!!!! But you know what, here is the way I look at it, PRE band, I would have been BIGGER, I never have been able to maintain ANY weight, I always got bigger. So with that being said, I have to count myself as a success. Even though I'm not at goal, and I can't believe its been three years now and I'm not at goal, I really thought I would be at goal by now. I still am happy. In the three years, I've lost a total of 83 lbs, I have gone from a size 18/20 to a size 8 (tight at times, lol), but I am wearing a size 8!! I started the journey at 248 and am down to 165, would like to be 145, so I'm about 20 lbs from goal. Which is where I was last year. So I know how frustrated you are, I feel that too. In the past year, I'm where I started, still weighing what I did last January! So, lets make this year our year! Lets quit playing around and get 'er done! The key is consistancy, I know its something I am lacking - I get inspired, I work out --- a lot, however, my eating is what is not consistant. I eat good, and then blow it for a few days. Not that I eat a lot, but I eat the bad stuff! I eat too many Lindor chocolate truffles out of the candy dish, I eat too many chips, and I snack out of bordom sometimes when I'm not hungry. These are the things that are hindering me. I too would love to hear from any January Bandsters, how is everyone else doing?

Sunflower - thank you L. Boogie - my insurance has paid for my fills, I actually have double insurance, so it hasn't cost me a dime.....yet. We just switched insurance companies, not sure they will cover a fill or not. I think I need just one more fill. Now that my doc has quit taking the fluid out and just adding, I'm getting restriction.

Had my 20th fill, and I feel a lot more restriciton so I'm pretty happy with it. I've been exercising, but the last few weeks, eating has been bad! So, back on track now and have rid my house of all the bad chocolates my clients have sent me! Menu today: Bfast skinny latte Lunch spinach turkey olive oil snack ff pudding dinner grilled fish steamed spinach Exercise upper body workout and cardio

Yes, it was hard to beat the Tara Machine. I'm looking forward to this season, hopefully there is a little more excitement!

Guess what, my daughter (17 years old) take a health and Wellness class, she got to workout with Danny from the Biggest Loser, he was there with her class! She was so excited! He looks great and so much younger, such a nice guy!

For some reason I'm not getting any emails when there are new post to the this thread, so I thought, I better just mosey over here and see whats going on, and wow, lots of action on the thread and I'm missing out! I don't like to be out of the loop! lol. Things are going slow, we had lots of snow in Oklahoma, so that put a damper on the exercise for a few weeks, eating got bad too. But, back on track with my exercise and eating. Its amazing how quickly you can gain weight by not paying attention, I haven't weighed, but I can tell my clothes are tighter, and I REFUSE to go up a size, I'm in my size 8's and I will not go buy any bigger sizes, nope, just won't do it. So, I have to eat right and exercise or I will have to go to work naked! I had a great workout last night, and felt good afterwards. I'm so ready for spring, I just absolutely HATE winter, with a passion I hate it! depresses me too! I hope all is doing well, Sula, how is your finger doing?

Me too!!!! Work hard to lose the rest of the weight and exercise is my main focus for 2010. New motto, in 2010, we will win! I've seen the insanity workout, not sure I could do it either, looks intense!

Maria - Congratulations!!!! 3 lbs is good for as early as the little guy was. I'll be praying for his little body to get stronger and stronger so he go home with his family.

Had my 20th fill, and I feel a lot more restriciton so I'm pretty happy with it. I've been exercising, but the last few weeks, eating has been bad! So, back on track now and have rid my house of all the bad chocolates my clients have sent me! Menu today: Bfast skinny latte Lunch spinach turkey olive oil snack ff pudding dinner grilled fish steamed spinach Exercise upper body workout and cardio

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :Dancing_wub: Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :present: Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc. FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one! FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill. FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak. UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose. FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see. Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time. FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill! FILL #15 - 08/10/09 - Added about 1/10th of a cc. I think I'm right at 4.0 cc. Wt on the morning of my fill was at 165. But was very bloated from steroids I was on for the previous week. FILL #16 - 8/31/09 - My last fill lasted 2 weeks then I felt wide open. Went in for another fill, this time he did not take any out and just added 2/10th's of a cc. I think I'm just a little more than 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 cc band. I feel great restriction so far. I'm hoping this last. I'm sick of fills. lol. :bye: - I could tell my fill was wide open, I was starving all the time, wt at the time of fill was 170! grrrrrrr FILL #17 - 10/30/09 - completely drained me, checked for a leak - no leak YAY - added 4.6 cc's - I feel like he didn't add anything, feel wide open! Hungry all the time FILL #18 - 11/09/09 Doc did barium swallow test - I think he thought I was full of it. He saw what I was talking about and agreed I was way too loose. He added 2.5cc's. I feel restriction again, but not a real tight restriction. I have no idea where I'm at these days and I really don't care anymore how much CC's I have, I just want RESTRICTION!!!!!! Fill #19 - 11/23/09 - I had a some restriction, but not enough, the doc added 3/10ths of a cc. I feel pretty good, not too tight, which means it probably will get looser. I will ride this fill out and see what happens. Very discouraged at this point. FILL #20 - 12/28/09 - did not take any fluid out, just added 4/10th's of a cc. Still feel lose, but on the fluro it showed I was tight, so we'll see how it goes.........

Hello all, hope everyone is doing good. I'm doing good on my exercise, just not so great at eating, need to focus now on my eating, I do pretty good all week, but weekends seem to throw me for a loop! I'm going for my final fill today, this will be fill #20, and I'm fed up with it, I'm done after today. If I don't get restriction then so be it. I will have to live with what I have. I've been exercising 6 days a week and have lost 5 lbs that I gained, I've lost 2 " off my waist, and another 2" off my hips. I'm hoping to lose another 5 lbs by my 3 year anniversary and this will put me into the 150's. Well, I'll keep you guys posted on my restriction level, but I've pretty much given up on ever getting to the "sweet spot". Don't get me wrong, I do have restriction, but its not enought and I can't seem to get any more than what I have. I guess I should just be grateful and move on. Confused - the nike sports band sounds cool, is it similar to the body bugg? I've been wanting a body bugg but just haven't broken down and bought one yet, they are $200. ouch. Talk to everyone later.

So glad your doing good! Can't wait for the baby to get here and we can see some pics. Take it easy, don't want the bp to be going up! Wow, can't beleive your already 32 weeks! 25 lb gain is not bad at all. Keep us posted on your delivery!

Sula, I had the same problem, I realized that I needed to recommit myself. So I did just that. I made a plan and got a workout partner and have stuck with it now for almost 4 weeks! I have one more fill scheduled and after this next fill, I'm done with fills. I give up! If I don't get good restriciton with the next fill, I'm not going back. So I'm hoping I get some restriction. They have tested me and tested me and no leaks, so not sure why I keep losing restriction. But I do have enough that I don't over eat, so I'm thankful for that. I can't beleive we are now approaching THREE years with our band!

Just updating my blog. I weighed on 12/11 and lost 5 lbs, weighed in at 168. I am not weighing again until 1/1/10. I still have not measured again, but will do that on my next weigh in. I'm on my 4th week of my exercise plan. I was up at 4:45 am this morning, and let me tell you, its still not easy to get up and get to the gym. But I've got a buddy and I don't want to let her down, so I'm a firm believer in the buddy system! Eating has been GREAT! I have been doing very good, lots of fish and chicken. I've had a few days that I splurged, but they were planned splurges, so I don't feel guilty. Will check back later...............

Just updating my blog. I weighed on 12/11 and lost 5 lbs, weighed in at 168. I am not weighing again until 1/1/10. I still have not measured again, but will do that on my next weigh in. I'm on my 4th week of my exercise plan. I was up at 4:45 am this morning, and let me tell you, its still not easy to get up and get to the gym. But I've got a buddy and I don't want to let her down, so I'm a firm believer in the buddy system! Eating has been GREAT! I have been doing very good, lots of fish and chicken. I've had a few days that I splurged, but they were planned splurges, so I don't feel guilty. Will check back later...............

PS - I can't wait until May of 2010. That when the Finale will be I think. I want to see the progress Shay makes!

Glad to hear Kevin. I've recommited myself as well to the lap band eating. I've been tracking my calories for the past few weeks, been going to the gym 6 days a week. I haven't weighed, but will on the 14th (2 week mark). I also took my measurements so I can see if I'm losing inches. My clothes feel looser, and I feel better, so I think it is doing me some good. Glad to hear you and your family are doing better with the horrible flu bug.

I just joined your challenge too! I actually began on 11/30/09, so I put that date as my start date. I haven't weighed yet, and not going to weigh until my 2 week mark which will be 12/14/09. I've been exercising 6 days a week and eating around 1200 cal for the past two weeks, I better see the scales move, or that scale will be thrown out the window!!!! lol.

Just checking on you, how are you doing?

8:15 am - South Beach Protein bar, Coffee w/cream - 210 cal 11:00 - 7 almonds - 48 cal 12:00 - grilled chicken and green beans from Goldies Patio grill, mini candy bar - 405 cal 3:30 - non fat yogurt mixed with all bran cereal - 130 cal 6:30 - 1 oz cheese (sharp chedder), 1 cup of homemade turkey chili - 410 cal Total calories 1203 Exercise: Elliptical - 30 min Quads/thighs Hip Abductor - Inner - 3 sets - 1 @ 80bls, 2 @ 90lbs Outter - 3 sets - 1 @ 80 lbs, 1 @ 85 lbs, 1 @ 90 lbs. Leg Press - 3 sets - 55 lbs each set Bench step - 2 sets on each leg holding 5 lb dumbbells. Ball squats - 1 set of 10, holding for 10 seconds. Hamstrings/Glutes: Glute Machine - 2 sets @ 35 lbs (need to go up next time, easy with 35 lbs) Seated Let Curl - 2 sets @ 45 lbs Lying Leg Curl - 1 set @ 30 lbs Calves: Calve Machine - 3 sets - 1 @ 90 lbs, 2 @ 100 lbs Standing dumbbell calf raises - 2 sets holding 8 lbs dumbbells ABS: Laying hip raises - 2 sets @ 15 each Ab Crunch machine - 2 sets of 15 with 10 lbs weights Incline sit ups - 2 sets of 25 each Stretched - did not hop back on elliptical, I called it a night after 1 hr 40 min. Notes: I'm starting to see my body change, my DH told me last night my butt sure is smaller. :tongue2:. Still have not weighed, and excited to take my measurements to see how far I've come in 2 weeks! Today is my 21 year wedding anniversary, I wonder if I could fit into my wedding dress? I might try it on tonight to see.

8:15 am - South Beach Protein bar, Coffee w/cream - 210 cal 11:00 - 7 almonds - 48 cal 12:00 - grilled chicken and green beans from Goldies Patio grill, mini candy bar - 405 cal 3:30 - non fat yogurt mixed with all bran cereal - 130 cal 6:30 - 1 oz cheese (sharp chedder), 1 cup of homemade turkey chili - 410 cal Total calories 1203 Exercise: Elliptical - 30 min Quads/thighs Hip Abductor - Inner - 3 sets - 1 @ 80bls, 2 @ 90lbs Outter - 3 sets - 1 @ 80 lbs, 1 @ 85 lbs, 1 @ 90 lbs. Leg Press - 3 sets - 55 lbs each set Bench step - 2 sets on each leg holding 5 lb dumbbells. Ball squats - 1 set of 10, holding for 10 seconds. Hamstrings/Glutes: Glute Machine - 2 sets @ 35 lbs (need to go up next time, easy with 35 lbs) Seated Let Curl - 2 sets @ 45 lbs Lying Leg Curl - 1 set @ 30 lbs Calves: Calve Machine - 3 sets - 1 @ 90 lbs, 2 @ 100 lbs Standing dumbbell calf raises - 2 sets holding 8 lbs dumbbells ABS: Laying hip raises - 2 sets @ 15 each Ab Crunch machine - 2 sets of 15 with 10 lbs weights Incline sit ups - 2 sets of 25 each Stretched - did not hop back on elliptical, I called it a night after 1 hr 40 min. Notes: I'm starting to see my body change, my DH told me last night my butt sure is smaller. :sneaky:. Still have not weighed, and excited to take my measurements to see how far I've come in 2 weeks! Today is my 21 year wedding anniversary, I wonder if I could fit into my wedding dress? I might try it on tonight to see.

I totally agree about your Rebecca statement. I thought she looked trashy, although she has done great in weightloss, she just didn't look classy. She would have looked a lot better if the dress had been a tad longer, her makeup not so dark and her hair not blonde. When she was on Jay Leno she looked great! I also figure her and Danial must have broken up since they never mentioned them dating. She said on Jay Leno they were dating and that she fell in love with him, he was her best friend. I take it just from the show not talking about it, they must have quit dating. I'm glad Danny won too. They had a huge watch party here in Oklahoma that I wished I would have went to. Him and Rudy looked awesome! The one who surprised me the most was Julio, he really did good. I wasn't impressed with him when he was on the ranch, seems he always gave up etc, but he did very good, I didn't recognize him at all. Amanda looked good, Tracy looked very old. I didn't like her dress either, made her look like a high school prom queen wanna be. Abby looked good, everyone really did well on their weightloss. Liz didn't do as hot as I though she would do. The new season starts Jan 5th, looking forward to it!