Nikki

uhhh- I just had my first real PB. Thank God that I read about it here otherwise I would have gone to the hospital. I guess that I haven't quite gotten used to my new restriction. I finally got a fill on Tuesday after waiting 3 months and I can really feel the difference. Not too tight but just right. I was so hungry that I nibbled on my daughters dinner while waiting for my own to be done so when I finally took a bite of my own that was it. It took me like 45 minuted to get over it. Well that will teach me!!!

Don't be discouraged. I too had my surgey in March and until just a few days ago had only lost 25 lbs. However, in the past week, I've lost an additional 5 lbs, 3 of them in the past two days! I joined a discusson board with other people who have had their surgery in March, when I am discouraged I read about them and it really helps. With all weight loss, there are plateaus that you stay at for a little while and then you switch something up and off come the lbs again. Do something different and see if it helps, excersise in the am instead of the pm. Have something different for lunch or add or cut something from your diet. Here is the thread that I mentioned above - just cut and paste it to your browser. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/marchies-june-35915/

Hi Nurseamy! You have had 4 fills? I'm jealous. LOL, My doc is so conservative, I had to wait 3 mos for my first one. Juts had it on Tuesday, he put 1.5 in my 4 band. I am having a little bit of soreness around the port site (probably because of the huge needle) and I am defeinetely having some restriction, FINALLY!!! I was at a sstandstill with my weight for a few weeks and I've already lost 3 lbs more since my fill! I guess it's sort of like OHJuli with the stop and go weight loss.

By the way, I mentioned that I had my first fill yesterday morning and was on a liquid diet. Can you beleive that I lost 1.5 lb in one day!?!? I know that it was mostly b/c of the liquid diet but I'm glad to have started loosing again, I was so sad b/c I was stuck at the 25 lbs lost mark for weeks!!

Rosi- Thanks for the kind words. Things are just the usually crazy now!!! LOL Janine- I love tofu! My mom used to make me tofu sandwhiches as a kid and although I don't eat it in bread anymore, it's still my favorite way to eat tofu! It's also a great recepie for the BBQ season! Slice firm tofu and marinate overnight ina mixture half lite (and low sodium) soysauce and olive oil and add lots of garlic. You can then broil in your oven or cook on the grill. It's sooo yummy! Crispy on the outside! Enjoy

Hey This is the first time I've had a chance to check in for a while. I had to go to Puerto Rico b/c my dad had emergency surgery. Hospitals there are WAY different then here. My sister and I had to do EVERYTHING and also bring ourown medical supplies, not to metion bathe him and wash his sheets. I'm so glad to be back home, it's been so long that it took me whole day to read all the posts! (intermitently of course). TAMMYJ - When are you leaving for PR and where are you going? LARALYNN86- Be careful not to get dehydrated. Your goal to drink enough Water is a great one! How is it going? I got kidney stones a couple of weeks after surgery - the doc says that dehydration could have played a part. Also - I reccomend Isopure for Protein. I hate all the drinks, they are sooooo gross but when I was on liquid I LIVED on ISOPURE, it's sortof like gatorade, I found it at my local healthfood store. KYETHRA - How are you feeling after your fill? I had my first fill today, doc said liquids for today and I can go back to solids tomorrow. I already feel some restriction, he injected 1.5 into my 4 band. I'm so glad to see that everyone is doing so well! I like to come here for encouragement and I haven't been dissapointed yet!! It seems that along with the 2lbs that I lost in PR, I am also having a NSV. I've noticed that although I haven't lost any weight in the past few weeks (other than the 2lbs mentioned above). BUT my pants are falling off my butt?!?!?! My bra size went from a 44DD to a 42DD too!

Keiko- I too felt very weak, even a shower left me exhausted. I had "brain fog" at work and was just plain tired. After talking to my doc about it he explained that I wasn't taking in enough calories. Can you imagine that? I had never heard those words before. Maybe you should talk to your doc about your diet and see what's missing, and don't forget the vitamins. Good luck to you.

Mrs. Husker- My sympathies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey Everyone! I finally got an appointment for my first fill! YAY!!! June 12th. I have been feeling much better about my efforts since making my revelaion about who really benefits but I can't wait for a little more "help" from my band. I had to go see the doc before they would set up an appointment and he said it was great that I had lost another 5 lbs. I said it wasn't enough and he said I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I guess he is right - I'm just so anxious to loose more weight, get healthy and have more energy!!!!!

I called my doc again to DEMAND a fill. During my last visit my PA said that I shouldn't get one unless I felt like I was eating like I was before. Well I told them that I was and they said I had to wait.:help: I feel like I am being a rebelious child:mad2: just to prove that I need a fill, but I realized "Who the heck am I rebelling against?" myself? The doc doesn't need to live with my butt! So. . . yesterday I walked a mile and a half around the high school track! YAY for me! I felt sooo much better about myself!:clap2: Today I began a food log so that I can really keep track of my calories and not just eyeball it. I STILL can't have my fill until the beginning of June but I determined behave and keep reminding myself that I am doing this for a healthier ME!!!

Yenken- That must have felt so wonderful that your brother noticed your weight loss when he didn't even know to look for it. Good for you!:waytogo: I finally did some real excersise this weekend. I spent some time with my mom is is an avid hiker and went on two short walks in the woods! That's the most excersie that I've had since I broke my leg back in 2004 (that's when I really started to put o the weight). With my second surgery (for my leg) 1 year behind me I am pleased to announce that I had vey minimal swelling after our second "hike" today and I'm looking forward to doing it again!!!!

Thank you all for your understanding. I get sooo busy at work that I forget to call the doc to set up the fill. I HAVE TO CALL TOMORROW!!!:faint: I read something about a greather percentage of weight coming off in the beginning too. Have any of you heard the stats on that?

Glad to see that you are up to even typing. I couldn't do that for about a weel.. LOL Keep us posted!!

I clocked to say hello to our new member Elaine and saw Edie's message! How great to read it. I was feeling a little discouraged today and replying and supporting other's usually helps me feel better about my own isuues. I must say that I am greatly encouraged by Edie's message. I can't wait to be healthy too!!!!! THANKS:bananapowerslide:

Good luck!! Make sure that you have shopped for your liquid protein before surgery so that you are all set afterwards. Congratulations on taking this step toward a healthier life! Fill me in when you feel up to logging back in!!:gluck:

I wish that I was as happy as you all today:( I'm feeling a little discouraged because I'm so HUNGRY!!!:hungry: and my doc says no fill till June. I don't think I can wait that long - I have to call and demand that he see me for a fill ASAP! I am not loosing anymore and feel like I can eat like I did before the surgery. Granted I really am trying to be good!:angel: I know that if I eat the way that I did this will have all been for nothing. I see now how I got as heavy as I did. I am defeinely a STRESS eater. I catch myself going to the kitchen whenever I am stressed out. :help:

Hang in there April. You are in good company. I too am having these feelings and my doc says no fill for 90 days after surgery. I lost 17 lbs right away and since have not lost much more. As a matter of fact I have not lost a pound since my last visit. I too feel hungry all the tie and stress at work and home just make it worse. We shall overcome :-)

I'm wondering about the fills? I had my surgery on March 5. I went in for my 2nd post op appointment last Thursday and was expecting a fill. Doc says "nope" not because I'm feeling too restricted or anything but becasue they "typically don't do fills until after 90 days". He says that it is so that I can get used to having the band in, but I suspect that it is more of an in$urance i$$ue. I know that my insurance says that he is covered for all procedures for 90 days and pays a certain amount. He cannot put in another claim for 90 days. Anyone else having this experience? Any feedback would be appreciated. By the way - I DO NOT want to bash my doc - he has been great and so has his staff, I would defeinetly reccomend him. But thisthing with the fills is eating me? (pun intended) LOL

Hey soon 2- was your husband banded at chilton memorial? I'm assuming that dr gritsus will perform your surgery as well? How wonderful that you can support each other! I'm so happy for you! Good luck!!!!! Cherg- I was in the ER on THursday with kidney stones. Were you there?

Hi, I was just banded on 3/5 by Dr. Gritsus in NJ. I'm looking for others that were banded my him too! Were you? Please respond.

Ok - so I've officially passed my one month bandiversarry. LOL I've lost 24.5 lbs and am so excited! Only thing is that I have been trying to be so goos with my diet and not drinking and eating at the same time that I am not getting enough water. I was in te ER on thursday with kidney stones. OMG was that painfull, I was so scared with the band being so new. I was afraid something was REALLY wrong. I was glad that the ER doc said that it was unrelated to my band and they eventually passed on FRiday. What made it harder is that I have such a hard time with nausea and pain meds, I must have been really dehydrated because they couldnt find a vein for the IV I have a water bottle by my side and that will be my faithfull companion from now on. So DRINK YOUR WATER!!

Isopure makes a clear liquid as well. It's sort of like gaotrade but with a funny aftertaste. It actually has 40 grams of protein - no added sugar - and no carbs. The only calories (240) are from protein itself.

Hey Cherg: How is it going? I heva to get to a support group, I feel a little like I'm neglecting myself. My Dad is coming to visit tomorrow for a month, I haven't seem him in 2 years, so I have been painting and doing all sorts of things making myself nuts!

I finally purcased a scale today and to my delight I lost another 6 lbs since my follow up appintment. I wish it was more - I know I should be excersising more :-( I go for my first fill on 4/12!

Anna B- It seems that everyone on this site has received their oen personalized advice from their docs and nutritionists. Some here say they went on liquids before some had "mushies" after. My doc recommended all liquid the day before suregery, then liquid for 3 weeks and then straight to food, more concentration on protein - no "mushie" phase just food, chewed very well 3 times a day, very small portions. Hope this helps

I asked my doc about swallowing pills. He said no problem. My primary put me on more B-12 and magneseum to avoid migraines, I've also given up coffee and aspertame, MY GOD I MISS MY COFFEE!!!!! But I did not get a migraine this month! (I always het one when I menstruate) So daily I take 6 differnt vitamin pills and I take tylenol for pain. I also have prescrptions for migraine med (just in case) and anti neasea meds ( just in case I get the migraine). I was very worried about all these pills but my doc says it's ok, I haven't had any issues?