NJshoregirl♥

Yes! Vitalady dot com. You can get sample packs of most of the varieties of Protein Powder she carries for about $2.99. Go to Shop - Protein and you will see a lists of brands and flavors, then prices for whole tubs and samples.< /p>

That's where I work. Small world!!

Did you go to PV?

dani_nyc - I work in Little Falls!

Ok NJ folks, since I suggested it I will volunteer to coordinate. How does everyone feel about a weekly check in on the Local NJ Board? I can start it up. What is a good day for everyone? How about Mondays?

Good news - I hope this is what you needed!

.2 cc's can make a big difference....when you are close. My last two fills, with fluoro, were both .2 cc's.

I definitely agree with this!!! I've never had a fill using Fluoro, but I have had many .2 or .5 fills or unfills. It takes time and a LOT of patience to find the right spot.

And to make things even more complicated, the "right spot" changes. I posted about my own frustrations last week. I really felt like I needed a fill, but a few weeks ago I was too tight and went in to have .5 removed. My doctor reminded me that our bodies are always changing for one reason or another. Maybe that .5 was too much in April, but it seems that now I need it added back. So I went in over the weekend and I already feel like it has helped.

Hang in there! I understand where you're coming from. I was down almost 80 lbs at one point. This can be a long journey.

This is a GREAT suggestion!

Yes - Northern!

We should do a weekly check in on the NJ Local Board. It's so dead over there.

Everyone is different, but my port has never been noticeable unless you feel around for it. Even when I was pregnant, I read horror stories about it popping out like the cooking timer on a turkey and I was SO terrified. Never happened!

I agree - I have ALWAYS been told that it's Protein first.

Update: I called my surgeon's office today and talked to the PA that works there. She is wonderful. She recommended I come in for a small (.2) fill and see if it helps. Even though I was too tight about a month ago, she reminded me that our anatomy is always changing and maybe I need that little bit back in again.

Thanks for all your input!

I actually have more of a fill now than I ever have before, but my doc said that anatomy can completely change after a pregnancy. He was not surprised that I needed more Fluid. I was tighter a few weeks ago and it was definitely too much - I could barely keep more than a couple bites of solids down.

He said we could try another small fill again and see if it helps. I wanted to give it my best effort first and see if there is something else I can do. I don't like to be too tight for obvious reasons, but also because when I get frustrated and hungry it is WAY too easy for me to turn to things like shakes, ice cream, etc.

I am brand new here...just created my account today and I am excited to join your community! I am looking forward to being more active here. And I really need some help making sense of this issue I am having.

I've had my band since August of 2010. I did GREAT for 2 years. Lost a total of 75 lbs and was only 15 away from my goal. And then...SURPRISE! I got pregnant! My surgeon's protocol was to completely empty my band, which was very concerning to me. It really messed with my head. Not only was I physically able to eat whatever (and AS MUCH!) as I wanted again, but I felt like I had a "free pass" because I was pregnant. Ya know...the whole eating-for-two excuse, cravings, etc. When all was said and done, I gained back about 60 lbs. Despite getting several fills since the baby was born, I'm still struggling.

Here is what I need help with...I think I am at a good fill level right now. I can comfortably eat about a cup of Protein. However, I am not feeling satisfied for very long. I feel like I am ALWAYS hungry, even if I follow all the "rules" and stick to dense Proteins. I eat my cup of food, and then 30 - 45 minutes later I am hungry again. This leads to all kinds of problems. Either I overeat healthy foods, or I eat too quickly and get stuck, or I get frustrated and start eating unhealthy foods just to give myself some sense of satisfaction.

What can I do about this? I have not been tracking my food (I know I need to!), so maybe I need more Protein? I feel like I already eat an awful lot of it! I honestly don't know how I lost so much weight 2 years ago!