MeredithMcFee

I had my second fill yesterday and while the Dr was giving me my instructions afterward, my ADD mind was elsewhere. I forgot the rule of thumb PO. Is it 24 hrs liquids? I know all Drs have different methods but for the most part, what are the rules? Thanks so much.

Just came back from having my second fill. Also found out I have a 12cc band or as the dr. referred to the size initially, a "regular size" one. I just got 1cc today so now I'm up to 3.5cc's. Like it's been said before on here, each doctor has different ways of treating us. Most of you seem to be on your 3rd fill and have a good 5+cc's in your band. Oh well, I am doing well so far, I'm not complaining. It's still a good thing. It was quick and so easy with a little pinch and he was right in!

I'm going for my 2nd fill this afternoon. Only have 2.5 cc's "under my belt". I have to ask him today what size band I have. I've been getting stuck and having some PB's lately. Think it's the choice of food and not chewing properly. Taking big forkfuls {bad habit} but chewing it as best I can. WRONG! Nicole, I too enjoyed your bathing suit story. I use to get my suits online. They had great bathing suits, great designs, styles and good quality. I never cared for the suits in thes stores, even LB, for me. We went on my first cruise 2 weeks before surgery and I wore a bathing suit and took a picture of myself in the stateroom mirrow w/o DH there. I actually blew it up and printed it out and it sits hidden on my desk behind papers for only me to see. Ugh! I'll put the website out there for all as summer is coming and no matter what our weight, it's nice to have a nice bathing suit that fits.

Oh yeah, I'm in New Jersey, at the Jersey Shore. Not THE Jersey Shore with Snookie and the Situation. I'm north of them between Asbury Park, Bruce Springsteen's home away from home back in the day and Monmouth Racetrack, Oceanport.

Nicole, we're all here for you. I had some issues for a few years with hubby/stepdaughter who came with lots of emotional baggage and me being the last person she wanted to see when she woke up in the morning. I ate and even started drinking to numb the pain.{where I put on all this weight baggage}.Finally after a few years and intervention, things are much better. Never thought I would come out alive and not become an alcoholic too as well as being a foodaholic.Didn't meant to share this here, but you're not alone when it comes to family dynamic. We all have it one time or another. Unfortunately, you have now. My favorite saying is, "it could always be worse", although there have been times when I looked up to the skies and whispered, "it could always be better, damn it". At least you have one less thing to be unhappy about, you are losing weight and feeling good about yourself. Hang in there and again, know we're all here for you. You're awesome!!!

Justdoit: I agree with you on the LB issue. I am not going to cut off my nose to spite my face. I'm not a user, but when it comes to LB, I'm going to be! I already have re-enstated my old catalog where I use to buy some of my clothes before gaining all this weight called Boston Proper. I'm cutting out ideas and styles that I like since I have to "find" myself again. I never was able to buy their slacks or shorts before, only tops and accessories, but this time, I am determined to buy some smaller sized pants, etc. That's my final goal which I can patiently wait for since I'm seeing major changes now. I might even think of lowering my ultimate goal down another 10lbs.

My motto always is: If I put it out there, then you can ask. :-) I have a herniated {bulging} disc in lumbar spine area which is also effecting my legs. It's been going on for too long and I finally did something about it. I promised myself the beginning of this year, this is the year for me to "fix my body in many ways, my mind too!" Lapband, surgery, check, Nerve block, check, Colonoscopy: still working on that one!! :-)

Congrats "Justdoit". It's an awesome feeling. I got on the scale today and found out I finally broke through my 3 week plateau. I lost 2lbs and finally I've down 30lbs! This Thurs I go for my 2nd fill which I can't wait. My first goal and promise to myself was to cut up my Lane Bryant card when I lost 30lbs which I mentioned in the beginning. I think I'll hold onto it for maybe another 10lbs or so, since my weight is mainly in my bottom and I'll still need LB for my slacks and jeans. I just never had any luck with other brands of jeans so I'll stick with LB until I'm truly able to go into Macy's or some other cool store and buy them. LB has a brand called Seven jeans that really fit me well with my curves and I think I might need to buy one more smaller pair when I lose another 10lbs or so. It feels so good to look in the mirror and see the pounds and inches coming off. My husband went to hug me this morning and told me my upper back is feeling more muscle, not fat. That felt real good. He's lost 17lbs since his lapband in mid March. We see food so differently now. I just came back from having a spinal block and was dying for coffee and some food so we went to a nearby diner. We ordered light but we watched the amounts of food that were being devoured by area tables. It was incredible to see the large amounts of food and most people finishing it. Not judging, as that was the two of us before the band. We now have left over containers in our fridge that we can stretch out for days when we do go out. It's just amazing how America has decided how much food we want and need, when we really don't.

Otaknam quoted: I had my first out in the publics eye for a event yesterday and all I heard was OMG you look great!! I wanted to say " I have always looked great! (on the inside)" But I was nice and said Thank you....... I just love your "inside voice" comment, "I've always looked great!" Its a wonderful feeling to get accolades when we lose weight but no one knows what we are feeling on the inside as a heavy person. Kudo's to you and all of us on here who always looked great before, during and after losing our weight, getting healthy and feeling GREAT!

Chrissy, congrats to you. That's awesome. I'm still plateauing but that's ok. I'm not complaining. I get my 2nd fill the end of this week so we'll see if that helps. I was bad last week and exercised only one day instead of four so I can only blame myself. I think it's a good idea if you push it a few more pounds. If you don't make it, you still made it with your original goal. :-D

Yes, I was lucky, he was at Bayshore already. My husband has his surgery don 4 weeks ago today. Still not filled yet. He went last night for follow up and goes back in two weeks for his fill. I think we're very lucky to have someone like Dr. Strom and his entire staff so close by. When I hear some of the stories of those who have their fills by PA's {nothing against them} however, I like my surgeon to do the fill since he knows where he put it. Also, some go to the Dr's office, get the fill there, then go to the nearby hospital, have the barium and then back to dr's office if it's not the right amount, etc etc etc. Like I said before, one stop shopping. :-D

It does get better. While focusing on the post op healing, one day you realize, the discomfort is gone. It does take time, and everyone heals differently.

I was banded by Dr. Strom also. At Bayshore. He is awesome and so is his staff! It was great to have everything all in once place, nutritionist, psyche eval, and suggested area doctors for all pre-op tests.

Holly, you wear it on your wrist with a band they give you. Somehow, it tracks your sleep activity, how long it takes for you to go to sleep, how many times you wake up and how many hours you actually sleep. It's cool.

Many of us January Bandsters have the fitbit. The first I heard of it was on here with all the others'. I think Amazon and BestBuy had a major spike in sales in February due to many of us buying it! I love mine and am never without it. Love the MFP/FitBit programs too!

Hmm, Violet, that's odd, because I can, although I don't usually do this, I do have the ability. .

I use straws all the time as I feel I can control the gulps too and haven't had a problem so far.

Love the area. Moved out 6 yrs ago. Just took a ride last weekend to visit some friends in Belmar and Wall area and saw that Belmar is a changin' big time. Love the new look! Have a great weekend and don't eat too much on Easter.

I'm in Monmouth County between LongBranch and Little Silver. B-52: I use to live in Belmar for 25 years. 2 blocks from the ocean near Silver Lake, what I referred as the "mild side" of town, not the "wild side". Loved walking the boards from Avon to Spring Lake. Went to Bayshore in Holmdel for surgery. AscherCrasher's, Alexd: we probably had the same group of docs. Mine works out of SOCH and originally Mountainside. Kudos to all of us.

Laney, I have BSofNJ Direct Access and it covered both my husband & myself, 100%. Never knew how long the wait period was as my Dr's office scheduled my surgery a month and a half out from my initial visit and that was only because I couldn't do it sooner. I went through all the testing required and then I heard from the staff I was precerted. I'm not sure, but I think they have to wait for all the testing to come in, making sure you're a candidate and then get the precert. We were both assured from the get go we wouldn't have to worry about getting precerted.

Me Three! I'm in too! My goal is to get down to 199 {Onderland} by losing 8lbs! Good luck everyone!

Otaknam: I agree totally with Nicole, you are doing a fabulous job. I'm 9.5 weeks out and going back and forth 28-30 lbs with 1 fill of 2.5cc's. My next fill is in two weeks. I'm starting to see that I'm getting a little more hungry now but like Nicole, I'm using my willpower to control my food choices and thinking before I put something in my mouth that doesn't belong there. I too have a conservative dr. and I'm ok with that. So many things come into play, age, I'm {a very young} 57, medications we might be taking, our metabolism, etc etc. Inches count big time! Are you working out? Doing any cardio? Be good to yourself, enjoy the loss/inches, and be patient. It will come.

Congratulations! You not only feel like a million but will look like a million bucks! As well as being the talk at the Easter dinner table. Enjoy and soak it all up, you deserve it!

I have gels and just had to remove polish from one fingernail and one toe for pulse ox too.

I had my 1st fill in early March, {2.5cc's} and thought the same thing as you. I couldn't relate to other's here, however just last week ,I had a major pbing Friday & Saturday. Not sure if it was the food as I ate the same thing days before and had no problem, or did I not chew it well enough but it was a good 45 min episode of major discomfort. The next day I had another issue with something which I chewed really well, but I think it was due to the effects from the day before. The rest of the weekend, I drank protein drinks and real soft foods and haven't had a problem since.