Candle

Oh yeah! I'm starting to talk pretty openly about my band and success but I've never recommended or inspired anyone have the surgery. (as far as I know) I'm less than 6 months out though ... maybe things will change?

The most important thing is to get Calcium CITRATE not Carbonate.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I also take the Citracal Creamy Bites. I can't find them in stores around here though, I order them from cvs.com<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> (I don't recommend Viactiv because it's Carbonate.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The body doesn't absorb Calcium Carbonate as well as it absorbs Citrate. Carbonate is what's in Tums and that kills the acid in your stomach. You need the acid to break down the Calcium so your body can absorb it. Carbonate causes bad gas in a lot of people too.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Don't take Calcium at the same time as your other vitamins.<o:p></o:p>

-0- for me (which wasn't a poll option) I'm scared someone would get the band and fail or have a complication … then it would feel like my fault. Kinda the same way I don't ever recommend anyone I know personally for jobs at my company … afraid they will screw up and it will be my fault for hiring them.

I don't know anything about stomach stapling but to answer the other question .... Yes, in some cases a bypass pouch has been banded. Any revision surgery carries a lot more risk though. Make sure you look for a doctor with experience in revisions. I think a lot of doctors shy away from them so it might be a challenge. Good luck

Sounds like you were thinking of that new condom type thing they are testing right now. No surgery - they put it in thru the mouth some how? It was in the news recently.

I agree with everyone else. Just keep doing what's working for you.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I've been very successful so far with no restriction either.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I did get one small fill in Nov but I never felt a difference. I think I did it just to get the experience out of the way. Now I'm not anxious about the needle or anything - it was quick and painless.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>

I've never done any kind of cleanse but there are a lot of them out there that people swear by. I've been thinking about getting a colonic. Has anyone ever had one? Any advice?

I was told they look at the starting weight too. I think I gained 8lbs in the first few months and then lost 10lbs right at the end.

I need a TT very badly. (along with breasts and possibly inner thighs) Once I'm at a stable weight that I'm comfortable with, I am going for it! My biggest fear isn't the pain or scars, it's re-gaining the weight. I assume that since you are still happy with the TT, your skin hasn't stretched back out too far? Thanks for sharing your experience.

Would too much Vitamin A cause a problem? I don't know anything about Vitamin A. (I take 2 Flintstones w/ Iron daily)

I'd rather have someone see the suckeriner for a brief second than someone see my fat roll and/or my huge muffin top without it. I'm in the same boat. I could probably go down 2 sizes in pants if it wasn't for my stomach. The legs and butt of my 18's are so baggy. It sucks!! I look like a lollipop from the side.

name.............starting#......current#......goal#.....togo# Anitak33...........245............218..........199.......19 Anna2766____.......232............232..........220.......12 TxArcher...........360............346..........345.......1 Candle.............218............209..........207.......2 Cerrin.............350............350..........325.......25 chickatee..........188............181..........175.......6 Cookielover........202............202..........192.......10 cQQlgirl...........220............217..........210.......7 Faithmd............306............301.2........296.......5.2 georgiagirl........275............265..........260.......5 Hollyberries.......298............298..........285.......13 Hoppingto..........350............314..........294.......20 Irishmae11.........233.8..........234..........219.......15 Jennie1976.........290............251..........235.......16 jfran..............187............181..........177.......4 Jillrn.............176............171..........166.......5 Jsrico.............255............178..........165.......13 juliegeraci........220............220..........210.......8 KarenG.............207............194..........189.......5 keekahari..........220............217..........205.......12 kjl315.............237.5..........231..........220.......11 legster............223.5..........212..........199.......13 LessnLess..........172............168.5........164.......4.5 liz_hager..........202............198..........190.......8 Manatee............188............177..........175.......2 Mandyjo............191............187..........180.......11 metawnny...........252............252..........240.......12 MJRouse84..........274............233..........218.......15 nip50..............250............241..........238.......3 Rainer.............264............252..........248.......4 Redtulips3.........248............233..........226.......6 RenewedHope........228............215..........210.......5 rharriet...........367............256..........248.......8 Sades..............229............199.7........189.......10.7 Skinny_Jill........195............190..........180.......10 Stacy73............230............223..........222.......1 SueMagoo...........230............222..........220.......2 Sunny112...........145............145..........140.......5 Susan4794..........240............240..........225.......15 Suzzzie............303............294..........290.......4 SWEETY.............180............174..........170.......4 Trystelle..........219............211.5........205.......6.5 Twilight...........206............194..........185.......9 uxbus5.............240............240..........230.......10 want2lose..........236............236..........225.......11 wombat712..........154.8..........148.6........140.......8.6

That's exactly what I was wondering about! Thank you for the info!

I voted for you. Good luck! I like this line in your story ---> I wanted to live and not just exist.

Good for you! 2007 was my "Start to get healthy and take care of myself" year. I got my band and 2 root canals I've been putting off forever!! I also started taking vitamins and exercising. It feels great! I've even upped my 401K deductions because now I feel like I'm going to live a much longer life :biggrin:

I don't really drink and the whole alcohol vs pot thing is a real hot button issue for me. I've seen alcohol destroy a lot more lives than pot or any other drug for that matter. Look at the drunk driving stats alone. I really don't understand how alcohol and cigarettes are legal but a plant that grows naturally from the earth, can put you in jail.

My question was about doctors that DON'T do fills under fluoro.

You can do it!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> The weather will be getting better soon (hopefully!!) and you'll be down more weight and it will make it so much more enjoyable to walk, run, ride a bike, do yard work, etc ... <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Look forward to the nice weather and activities!! That's what I have been doing to stay motivated!<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I've been here over 2 years and I'm going to Splish Splash this summer damn it!! lol<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>

I have the APS Band, which is 10cc's. There are two 10cc bands - the other is the Vanguard. The 4cc is an older band. I got the same package you did, with the 4cc card. Just a mix up I guess. Ask your doctor again.

That's really really sweet of you.:rolleyes2: Be sure to let us know when you have a date. You are in good hands at NYU. (Did you read Fighting Weight? The book Dr Fielding co-wrote with K. Ali)

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> We have the same doc and he's definitely changed his program. I got the AP band in August and it was 2 days clear liquids, 2 weeks full liquids, and 3 weeks of mushies!<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Do you think that will affect fills that aren't done under fluoro?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I ask because I know my doctor doesn't use fluoro (unless he’s changed that too) and I wonder if the port will be harder for them to hit.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>

I wouldn't say "like". I think all protein drinks are gross but Unjury was the least gross I found out of the 1,453,745 I tried :rolleyes2:

Thanks I tried this today with the canned chicken. Since my cheese was a Mexican blend, I also mixed in a little salsa! YUMMY!!

1) I have PCOS. I would miss 1-2 periods per year and I'd go thru phases of being light or heavy. In the 5 months post-op, my cramps seem a little worse and my flow a little heavier but no real changes.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 2) I really lost my sex drive in the months leading up to banding. It had previously been very HIGH! I've not experienced much of a change in this area unfortunately. It's been about a year now

An update on me: I stuck to the plan I mentioned above. I'm now 5 months out from surgery and down almost 85lbs!!! And back to my regular smoking habits with no problems.