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I agree, I don't feel this forum is all or overwhelmingly negative. I wouldn't still be here if it was. I've learned a lot more from this site than any other source, INCLUDING my doctor's office. That's why I'm always surprised when I hear people say (specially people that have been around here for awhile) that they weren't aware of the possible complications.

I feel the opposite ... it seems to me like there's more negative stuff posted. That doesn't bother me because I understand that I have been very fortunate in that my band journey has been very uneventful so far. People need a place to talk threw what they are experiencing and it seems like more and more doctors just aren't fully informing people of what to expect with the band. "I'm 2 weeks out from surgery and so hungry! It feels like I can eat anything just like before. What is wrong with me?" Umm .. It wasn’t explained to you how the band works and the fill process? Sometimes I even feel a little guilty about my success so far (ok, not THAT guilty because I am feeling and looking awesome!! hehe) when it seems so many others are struggling.

Hey Dave - I kind of compare myself to you because we were banded at the same time and seem to be on the same track. Do you attribute the majority of your success to just being really disciplined (which I know you are!!!) or do you think your fill/restriction level has had a lot to do with it? Your doctor seems to be VERY aggressive with fills and my doctor is the opposite. I'm still only at 2cc's in my 10cc AP Band with NO restriction. Does your doctor just fill you each time as a routine to keep up the weight loss or do you go in and request a fill because you feel you need it?

I know this isn't the point of your post but .... If you decide not to say anything to her, I'm pretty sure you can use a Lane Bryant gift card at Fashion Bug as well. (They have plus and "regular" size sections)

UPDATE: Candle................238....................225 .............223..................2

princesst - You're doing wonderful!! You must be really tall - I started at 294 and up until recently, I hadn't seen 22's in a long time - lol! I already have a boob job savings account started with ING. I think that's my first PS. I already need a major lift and it's only going to get worse. I was originally hoping a boob job and a TT would cut it but my arms and inner thighs are looking pretty bad already. It's really depressing - lol!

I'm the opposite of you. I've been in 18 and 20 pants for over a month now but in tops, I am still in 22/24 and a few 18/20 's - lol

My doctor says 1 hour - they really do all do their own thing - lol!

Ah, thanks. These did not have the chart - that's what I was looking for.

Salsa - that was the PERFECT post. I feel the same way. I really identify with a lot of what you say. I had a latte and 1/2 a big cookie from Starbucks this weekend! (but did a TON of walking in NYC) See - we all do it. :biggrin1: Don't beat yourself up over a piece of YOUR OWN birthday cake!!

My next appointment isn't until 1/2/08 and I'm going on vacation* a week later so I don't think my next fill will be until Feb. I'm glad to hear you are doing so well. I still don't have any restriction but I'm plugging along. I need to work on exercise. Cardio alone isn't cutting it. I need to get some little weights to start. I just ordered the Biggest Loser DVD to try too. What I really need to do is grow some balls and join a gym! lol FL was great! We had an amazing time, everything went smoothly and the weather was beautiful. I am taking my boyfriend to Las Vegas in Jan as a surprise for his b-day!! I talked to his boss today and got him some time off, told both his bands not to schedule anything, booked the kennel for the dog, etc. He's going to be sooo surprised! You should have an easy trip. When we went to FL in Oct I was at exactly 250 (I'm 5'5") and the airline seats were no problem at all!! I even had a little slack on my seatbelt because I didn't have to move it allllllllll the waaaaaaaaaaay to the end! I haven't really seen ClaraMae posting lately - worries me a little.

Funny, I thought about you and a few others when posting this. You're a med student, right? Right up your alley.

I haven't even seen my doctor since surgery. The PA's seem to do all the follow up stuff. I just wanted to say I'm glad to see you posting, Shelli! You are doing awesome!!! I'm sorry to hear things aren't going well at home. Will you get to see your son for X-Mas?

That's what I'm worried about happening. Like with panty hose. How do you know what size to buy? I was looking at them in Fashion Bug tonight. Some are 1X, 2X, etc and some have numbers but not normal numbers like 18/20, 22/24. It was an after thought and I'd already been in the fitting room 4 times. I guess you just have to try them on, huh? I didn't want to ask the skinny high school students working behind the counter.

pizzacat (hehe) - I'm in the 220's :whoo: Taking measurements is a great idea. I wish I'd done that at the beginning. I felt so prepared before surgery but 2 regrets so far = not taking my measurements and not taking nude pics. I’m going to see a lot of friends/family/co-workers that I haven’t seen since my surgery. (I live in a different state now) I’m nervous. I want people to notice but I don’t want any attention – lol. I’m so screwed up.

PS. Even my feet have gotten smaller :whoo:

I didn't think it was possible but I actually hate shopping more now than ever. I got a cute outfit for my X-Mas party but it was such a chore. I used to know what would look decent on me and what size to get ... the biggest - lol! I don't know what size panties or bras to buy. I was so overwhelmed trying to pick out a shaper thing I just gave up!! It is nice to not get all sweaty and frustrated in the dressing room though!

I kept saying that too! What ever they use to preserve them, changes coloring of the muscles & organs and the fake eyes were weird. I kept forgetting they were REAL bodies! The only part I could see bothering people was the section with babies.

BODIES...The Exhibition If you're in the NYC area I strongly recommend seeing this exhibit. I think it's now held over but was suppose to run through Dec. We went on Sat. I think it was about $26.00. It was soooo cool! It's all real bodies and body parts that have been donated. There was a lot about the digestive system too. We were looking at a stomach and I was showing my boyfriend exactly where my band is. A woman over heard me who had RNY and was laughing because she said she had been explaining her operation to her mother at one of the other display cases. They had a stomach lining with ulcers, an enlarged liver and spleen, blocked arteries, a heart of a person that had a heart attack ... made me so glad I am on the loser’s bench now - lol! <O:pThey even had a cross section of an over weight woman. They split her from head to toe into 4 sections. Front, back, and the middle in 2 parts. It was so weird to see all the fat on her compared to the "normal" size bodies.<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Maybe my sex drive was fueled by carbs and sugar? *goes to look for a bag of chips and some cookies* LOL!

LovingWhatIs - Thanks for the concern and giggles. I think my "kitty" may finally be back on track. I just got over that TOM so we'll see in the next few days. I have PCOS and I think the insulin resistance makes me prone to yeast infections. I had so much on my mind at the time of surgery, that was the last thing I was worrying about. I should have known better. newlife35 - I think you are doing GREAT!! It sounds like you are right on track. It really is true that the first few weeks are for healing. I've even surprised myself at how well I have done so far. I lost 14lbs on the pre-op diet from 8/16-8/27 and 53lbs since surgery on 8/27. Low carb and exercise seem to be my keys to success. I've only had one small fill so far and I don't have any restriction yet either. I understand where you are coming from! <O:pThis is my day today, which is a pretty average day: B: sugar free oatmeal w/ PB2 (or fruit)<O:p</O:p L: salad w/ Chic/hard boiled egg/cheese S: 1/2 cup cottage cheese w/ fruit<O:p</O:p D: left over stir fry - chic w/ peppers/carrots/onions/snow peas Per day I shoot for: < 1000 calories > 70 grams Protein < 75 carbs (if they're good carbs I don't stress out about it)<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p I try to eat a lot of whole grains, fruit & veggies, and mostly meat for protein although I do enjoy garden burgers, Beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, Protein Bars (Pure Protein or Luna), etc<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p If I "cheat" I just try and make up for it with more exercise. We walked about 30 blocks in NYC on Saturday, so I let myself have a latte and 1/2 a big cookie from Starbucks. <O:p<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I read this book a few weeks after being banded. I found it to be VERY inspirational and I also related to a lot of the stuff she said about childhood obesity. I've always been over weight. My mom said in 1st grade, my teacher called her to talk about how chubby I was getting - Ugh! I thought some of the info on the band itself was a little vague and dated but it was a short book (meant to be a promotional tool for the band) and I'm not sure what year it was written. (I never knew Dr Fielding and Ren were married!!)

I've been losing at a consistent rate. I've lost 67lbs since I started the pre-op diet on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com8/16/07</st1:date> <st1:date Month="8" Day="16" Year="2007"></st1:date> For me, low carb really is the answer. I eat mostly "whole foods" - nothing pre-packed/processed. Lots of whole grains, fruits & veggies, and mostly meats for protein. Tons of water and moderate exercise have also been part of my routine. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Don't question it - lol!! My sex drive has been non-existent. It's really freaking me out! Sex is soooooo much more enjoyable now that I am down over 65lbs but my sex drive is still M.I.A. (I'm hoping it has something to do with the 2 yeast infections and 2 UTI's I've had since surgery in Aug. The IV antibiotics during surgery seem to have started this NEVERENDING cycle. My poor kitty is the only part of me NOT feeling better since being banded)

I've never been stuck or PB'ed but since no one else has answered ... Most people say they do become irritated after, depending on how bad the episode was, and stick to liquids or soft foods for a day or two after. Sounds like what you are experiencing is totally normal.