TerriDoodle

the sore throat is mystifying. the other things you mention just sound like you've got some good restriction going. I'd go ahead and keep your appt and discuss the sore throat symptoms with your doctor or his nurse. If you do opt for a fill, make sure it's a tiny one!

I disagree with this!! Every time I've gotten a fill I have gotten progressively tighter over a two week period! If I'd have followed your advice I would have had some serious issues! A "few days" is not long enough to judge whether or not you are ready for another fill....especially as you progress and are nearing your sweet spot.

Michelle,I think you are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! I love that pouty mouth of yours and your perky little nose...and you do NOT have a turkey neck!! I think you are just looking for something to criticize because you're just used to doing that! (I know I am!) Just look at the difference in these two pictures! Simply AMAZING and I am soooooooooo proud of you!!! Mmmmmuuuah!! I don't have one yet either, Jane. I generally HATE pictures of myself (do I really look like that?? :drool:) and no matter how I try I can't seem to get one I like! :teeth_smile: The last time I went to the doctor I had only lost 5# in 5 months....and he was thrilled!! I was like, "Huh??" Tracy and I have the greatest doctor in the world!! He is just happy that the scale is moving in the right direction and that's all he cares about....not whether it takes 10 months or 10 years, it's all good. He does not prescribe a strict diet either... "just eat what you enjoy eating, only less of it." When I heard those words in his seminar I wanted to throw my money at him then go kiss him on the lips. :teeth_smile: Suzie, it's very difficult to lose weight consistently. Some people do, but most don't. Don't beat yourself up...you've done a FANTASTIC job! I can't imagine that your doctor would have any problem with it if you don't lose for one or two or even three months!! As long as you aren't gaining 20-25 pounds he should be very happy. And so should YOU!

It WILL however, help you to feel less hungry on a lower calorie diet, if that is what is required to lose weight! Being hungry all the time is a real drag!! In that respect I do believe the band will help you.

I went to a weekend workshop last year on Past Life Regression led by Brian Weiss (author of [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Many-Lives-Masters-Prominent-Psychiatrist/dp/0671657860/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205340144&sr=8-2]Many Lives, Many Masters[/ame]). One of the exercises we did was to get a partner and hold one of their personal possessions (like a ring, or keys, etc.) while Dr. Weiss led us thru a meditation. We tried to connect to any images that holding the item would produce for us...and it was such a cool exercise. Anyway, my partner saw images of a white house, surrounded by trees, and rose bushes near a fence that were glowing and pulsating with color. When he asked me if this had any significance for me, i was blown away! I had just earlier that day been telling my friend about the times at my grandparents farm in the country and how they were the best times in my life. And yes, it was a white house, surrounded by big pecan trees and a white fence....along which my grandmother's prize climbing roses thrived. I thought it was odd that the flowers were so significant in his image because it was my grandfather that I was particularly close to....but I realize that in the heavenly realm my grandmother's love for me is as pure as anyone's and i thought that was her way of letting me know she was always with me.

Oh. :huh2:

Kat, I loved the story about your Grandma!! i mos def believe in guidance from above and I'm glad you were on the lookout for it. How cool is that!?

200 lbs????... She'd weigh 3! LOL

I'd be thrilled if you were to call me, Pamela! Anytime girlfriend!

Jennifer - Celebrate this new year, new you, new attitude, new body, new job....by giving that asshole a kick to the curb, dammit!!!!:huh2: This is just NOT who you are anymore!!!!! Make it a GREAT day....just to spite him!!! You are a beautiful, strong, independent woman!!!! CELEBRATE!!

Wherever your largest incision is ...that's where your port is located. Some surgeons locate them in the mid-ab area like you describe. Mine is located just below my sternum.

Y'know Kat.... we all reflect each others fears and issues. I hope it wasn't judgement that you were sensing, but perhaps it was their looking at you wondering how they could avoid such a situation themselves. I mean, we all undertook this surgery with very high hopes and there are so very many great success stories here! When i see someone who hasn't had "success" I admit I'm also curious....but certainly not judgemental. I realize that it could just as easily be me who is having a flipped port, erosion, reflux, .... or lack of weight loss! You're among friends. :smile:

A couple of thoughts come to mind: 1) This has been a very rough cold and flu season in my neck of the woods ever since school started...but particularly January and February! Just seems worse than normal!...so maybe that's all it is. 2) ARE you taking vitamins, calcium and essential oils regularly? Maybe look at supplements that boost the immune system and take those as well.

Yes, as you lose weight the fat deposits around the stoma disappear...and the band becomes looser. So you need another fill. Also, with some people, the band develops very slow 'leaks' (really more like an osmosis thing) and Fluid just mysterioulsy disappears. This is another reason the technicians pull out the fluid in your band before they refill it...they're checking to see if all the fluid that was in there previously is all still there!

Ditto what Crystal said! I'm just glad you have not given up, Kat -- that's what many would have done in your shoes. I hope that you have a great band experience from here on out and love your band as much as I do (most of the time!:smile:)

Well, for gawd's sake don't go near Jack-In-The-Box!!!!!

I hate to freak you out, but I think you're feeling the port.

I'm posting this just cause I know 3 in a row just isn't enough to satisfy....

Oh, Pamela - sorry - I am glad you're getting that 'mess' taken care of. You'll feel so much better when its all said and done! BTW, are you taking iron???

I didn't have snacks or sugar all day today either (I did have sugar free ice cream...but that's legal, right? In my book it is! :w00t:) The amazing thing is how I have actually survived without having snacks!!! With my hypoglycemia I've always, always had to have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. If I didn't I'd feel hungry and weak by 10:30 and 3:30. But this band helps to slowly allow food into the stomach...which in turn slowly releases insulin...which in turn keeps my hypoglycemia (and related weakness and hunger) under control. Cool, eh? I might be onto something here! Man, if I can do without snacks, that's a 300-400 calorie deficit/day! LOL TracyK ... too funny... a month early. Gotta love that Chantix!! :wink: Although, I have to admit I've never heard that 'stupid' was a side effect! :smile: You're making medical history. TracyinKS - Ya'll just look soooo happy!! Gives me goose-bumps. :hurray::tt1::laugh: OK HAYDEE -- one more day and we send out the monkeys!!!!!!!

Jennifer??? DOes this happen to have anything to do with your BF???

EXCELLENT post!!! Thank you!

Melissa, My doctor regularly solves this issue by injecting a contrast medium called Omnipaque into the band. It's thicker and so less likely to leak. He has done this for many years without complication and it works like a charm. It worked for me. The way he explained these small leaks is like air leaking from a balloon...there's not any one spot that can be 'fixed'...you just need thicker 'air'. You might want to ask your doctor about this possibility...or even put him in contact with Dr. Hadar Spivak in Houston. He is one of the most experienced LB doctors in the country, being involved from the beginning with the FDA trials, then proctoring doctors after that. In addition, you may want to do a search for 'omnipaque' here on this board...there are more than a few that are filled with it.

YES!! The port is the last place that heals...it just takes longer there because of the muscle sutures, etc. I think i had port pain for 3-4 weeks and then suddenly one day it was gone! Sounds like you are perfectly fine. Remember to take it easy!

Well, it is kind of unusual not to feel any restriction, but not unheard of by any means. Sometimes it takes months to get filled up to the level where you really feel it...and you WILL! It's not time to fret just yet! Have a bit of patience! You might want to talk to your doctor about when he is willing to schedule your next fill.