NJGirl32

You have to look at each fill as a stepping stone that gets you closer and closer to the green xone. The first fill is your first step. I felt restriction for a few days but then nothing, but I did notice some small changes in my body. I experienced getting stuck once and never experienced that before my first fill. That was my body's way of telling me that something has changed and something is different. My appetite came back big time, but I still managed to lose something. I had my second fill-another stepping stone...I feel different now then I did with the first fill. I have trouble eating more foods then I did with my first fill. So I view each fill gets you closer and closer. The band require a lot of patience but it gives your body a chance to slowly adapt.

Wow!!!! Congrats on such a wonderful achievement!!!

Honestly, when you get home you'll be able to do pretty much everything you were able to do before the surgery-except drive. The small pillow tip is something I found very useful. I never needed Gas-x or a heating pad, but everyone is different. The pill crusher is a great idea-I wish I would have thought of that because they want all meds crushed to powder form. Good luck!!

Congratulations on your weight loss!! I think we do obess with our weight and we do get a distorted view of our bodies at times. Even when I was 40 pounds lighter than I am now I can remember not being totally happy with my weight and still feeling the need to hide parts of my body. As I lose weight I tend to lose it in my waistline first - which I love! People lose weight in all different area-some lose from the top down first. If you are a size 14 and you were a size 18 you should be feeling amazing!! You need to get out the Spanx and buy a sexy new outfit to get your groove on! lol Get out of your funk girl-you are doing a great job!! Our bodies don't need to look perfect! Just think how happy your heart is that you aren't lugging around the extra 40 pounds!! The chart below is worth repeating-you lost a human leg!! lol Your weight loss = 1 pound = a Guinea Pig 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs 3 pounds = an average human brain 4 pounds = an ostrich egg 5 pounds = a Chihuahua 6 pounds = a human's skin 7.5 pounds = an average newborn 8 pounds = a human head 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year 11 pounds = an average housecat 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs 16 pounds = a sperm whale's brain 20 pounds = an automobile tire 23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year 24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream 30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year 33 pounds = a cinder block 36 pounds = a mid-size microwave 40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of Water or an average human leg 44 pounds = an elephant's heart 50 pounds = a small bale of hay 55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner 60 pounds = an elephant's penis (yep, weights more than his heart!) 66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year 70 pounds = an Irish Setter 77 pounds = a gold brick 80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape 90 pounds = a newborn calf 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse 111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year 117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11") 118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica 120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month 130 pounds = a newborn giraffe 138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year 140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year 144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's '4") 150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary 187 pounds = an average adult man 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds 235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger 300 pounds = an average football lineman 400 pounds = a Welsh pony

Did anyone go on a cruise while banded? How did it work out and what did you eat? I have 2 days in New Orleans and 4 nights on a cruise next month. Any suggestions? There will be tons of food available! Also, I was goingto get a fill the week before-is that a good idea or no? Thanks!

Thanks everyone! Today I do feel a little different with my fill. I could eat watermelon after my first fill, now it sounds like a garbage disposal when I eat watermelon and I had to stop because it felt like the beginning o=stage of being stuck. I could only et 1/3 of a hot dog and threw the roll away. Had a very small piece of chicken. My stomach felt a little upset today foodwise. So I feel my 2nd fill has done something different and I feel uneasy and a little sick if I eat too much. I'll give it some more time! Each fill gets me a little closer to where I should be!

I am jealous!! I don't think this fill did a damn thing- I wish my doc was more aggressive with fills like yours! I mean come'on it's been 2 months-give a girl a break with the fills! I am going back in 2 weeks if things don't improve! They didn't even say anything about liquids but I know from last time I was on liquids for 24 hours. I hope corona lights count as liquids because I had 2 tonight! I still feel hungry too, but I barely ate anything today.

It's been slightly over 4 weeks since my first fill and I need this one really bad! Two nights ago I was able to eat 2 slices of pizza! That was very bad I know! I was in and out of the doctors office in 10 minutes. She didn't ask me anything about my eating habits and really any questions other when I had my first fill. I was a little disappointed and she nor the NUT commented on the 10 pounds I lost since my last visit. She had me sit up so she could feel the port better, then lay back down. Do you guys lay down for the fill or sit up? She did tell me she gave me 1cc and now I have a total of 3ccs in a 10cc band. I drank the water with no problem at all. I had a realization in the office. I always went by people's fills on this board-like fill #3 was the magic fill or #5 did the trick., but you need to consider your body and the amount of the fill For me 3ccs = fills, for someone lese 3ccs=3 fills. The point being that each doctor put in different amounts and you can't really compare someone else's fill to yours. The NUT said I need to have 1 protein shake a day. I said I thought no shakes because the band works with solids. She said I should have a shake as a snack, not a meal replacement because I need the extra protein. I am really hoping the 3ccs helps to control the hunger monster! I went shopping afterwards and bought a cute bathing suit that was 1 size smaller! I love those miracle suits!!

I just had my 2nd fill today. My doc says liquids (including shakes) the first 24 hours and then back to regular food.

3 inches for brunch and then another 3 inches? I don't see the problem either! The band doesn't promise you'll nevr feel hungry-although it does help! I find when it's really hot out I get hungry for some reason. Are you stressed about anything?

That had to feel good!!

Now I am in my late forties and I was married 7 years ago. I would say the last 6 years the sex had been on a decline. Now it's almost nonexisitent more or less. When we were dating my hubby said he wasn't attracted to heavy set women. I was 190 at the time and I said "Well I am not exactly skinny" and he said I was perfect. SInce then I have gained anywhere from 50-70 pounds-slowly but surely. He also gained around 40 pounds (but he's 6'4). He also is on back pain mes so I think that effects him too. I am really hoping that once my weight comes off our sex life will get a lot better. If not, then we will have to find out what medical issues there are.

LOL-thanks for explaining that!!

Now that IS good news!! Yep, you're just a sneeze or two away from Onederland!!

First off let me back track by saying what an AMAZING job you have done thus far with the weight loss!! You didn't mention when you were banded in your signiture but 66 pounds doesn't seem slow to me!! Okay, now I HAVE to ask what toitle is? I just assumed you misspelled turtle? I am blonde so please enlighten me! LOL

I didn't tell my BF either. Weeks prior to surgery I told her it was something I was seriously considering. SHe didn't know what the lapband was and I gave her some ino. She never ever mentioned another word about it and neither did I. Will I tell her someday? Probably. Dod we have to tell our BFs everything? Maybe that;s something we did when we were in our teens, but I don't think it's necessary as we grow older. Does that make us lesss close? Absolutely not! I think her son is on meds for ADHD and she opted notto tell anyone, but I understand. I don't think you owe her an apology especially since she was so negative. With that being said, I do think it would be good to clear the air and move on. Friends are hard to come by and perhaps through your surgery she will have a completely different outlook on being banded. Maybe you'll even inspire her to get the band!!! Next time she wants to borrow something or needs something simply say "Before I say yes I need to make sure we are good about the surgery. It was never ever my intention to make you feel hurt. I was ready to share my choice back then, but I am now. Can we move forward?" See what her response is.

That must feel SO good!!!! Congrats on all your hard work and enjoy being skinny and all it has to offer!

I agree, you are an inspiration and I have been following you since you were banded-it was right around the time that I joined this sight. You are almost there girl!! Keep up the awesome work !

What a nic elittle turtle and I am so glad he is moving along!! Slow and steady wins the race! Great job!

I agree that pasta is one of the worst things you can eat at this point! Next time you are hungry have options on hand like soup. Soup seems to always satisfy me and it takes a while to eat it because it's hot. You will be VERY hungry if you aren't getting the right amount of protein in. How are the protein shakes? Als take your vitamins becasue a lack of vitamins could also make your body crave food. Plan somehow to drink lots of water. But a large, very large water bottle and fill it up with water and ice to sip on throughout the day-have a time set to finish it by. You can do this-really you can! Get all tempting food out of the house!!

I love a bowl of blueberries with skim milk and some Splenda -I would probably opt for the fruit and maybe a side of turkey bacon or susage.

LOL You'd just have to be a woman to understand it! lol If they put it near the newborn section the could buy clothes for themselves and their soon to be born baby! Tell me why my Macy's has the woman's department segmented to a completely different floor than the "general population?" Most men don't care about clothes much-at least I know my husband doesn't so it's hard to appreciate all the things we women go through!

Oh good it's not just me! They keeping making our section of the school smaller and smaller. You are right about Target-they run so small! Kohls too in the sleeves are so tight. The tops all look like old lady tops-nothing stylish. At least Lane Bryany has trendy clothes so I'll put up with their skiiny models and I notice that they do hire heavy set women so I will give them that! Except I hate how they changed their pant sizes to single number-I am confused with all that!

I hope you don't mind if a vent a little...so here it goes! I am SO sick of stores putting their women's clothes right next to the friggen maternity clothes! I find it so insulting! I went to Target and they are set up like this Juniors, Ladies, Maternity, Womans. WTH?! I found myself looking at clothes only to realize that I crossed over to maternity. Kmart is the same way. Why don't they just put maternity clothes near the baby clothes-seriously! I just get so mad! And the woman's sections at these stores just keeps getting smaller and smaller! I would love to know what thoughless A** decided that would be a lovely idea!

Great News!! I can't wait to say bye bye to Lane Bryant!