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wow 300 PAGES!!!!!!! I need to read everyday, I had to go back four pages, sorry guys!! Missy and Ingy welcome to ONDERLAND!!!!!!!! Great job!! Missy, I can relate to getting mad sometimes when you can't eat. I have been having a tough week eating anything at dinner time, it just won't go down. I am wondering if my TOM is coming. I will need to begin to look at the timing. My TOM is never regular either, so that is difficult. STEF Wow, sorry to hear about your band. Now I am scared since I have had food struggle through the band. I slimed last night, but not to the degree you described. I really need to listen to the band and not eat what I know it is not working. I guess I keep trying and hoping I can eat it! eating slower and chewing, but it still does not work. I can drink and eat soup and sometimes a energy bar or crackers, cheese. so the food is going down. At almost a year you would think I had it down to a science!!! But still LEARNING! I loved your bike photos! you look lik a pro! suzzzie congrats on the XL scrubs!! you earned it...soon you will be down to L! Vent any time, your experiences relate to us and we all learn from each other! BANDAVERSARY!!! I mentioned this to my DH and he was like, " what is that!" well, something to celebrate!! One final note, my grandson, Anthony James, was born on Sunday night! he is so tiny and beautiful! he has a 2 year old sister. I am to young to be a Nana!

beckie God Bless to you and your BF. Losing a Mom is painful! She will need her friends and family...and don't beat yourself up for emotional eating. The first step is you are aware it is happening!! BLoser...I agree about Paul. I really thought it was strange that Kelly went on the show with him. but maybe that helped her get on, so good for her! She can now move away from that emotional roller coaster! Paul needs help, more than losing weight! Very sad. Kelly looks GREAT. The weather has been wonderful this week which has allowed me to walk with my dh and doggies. I really enjoy getting out and doing it, it is the cold sloppy weather that makes me hide! I have been having issues eating some foods, even fish. yesterday I had eaten a few bites of a quiche I made. It would not go down. I did not throw up, but it was girgling. I went into someones office to discuss something and the two woman were like, " what is going on over there!!" They could hear it! I started to laugh, they both know I had the surgery. I have had it happen in a meetng, and try not to eat or drink to much when I will be in a meeting for it is loud sometimes, and just comes out. does anyone else experience that!! it is like your band is talking... Have a GREAT DAY!

GREAT WORKKKKKKKKKKK SUZZZZZZZZZZZIE!!! YOU ARE THE BIGGEST LOSER!!! kEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! YOU INSPIRE OTHERS. Do you all watch the biggest loser? I was so glad that Ali won, however I was routing for Kelly too. She looked Fantastic last night. do you think her x was really sick? Probably could not face her hot self! Most of the others were fantastic too. well, need to run to work, just wanted to say hello!! I am down another LB....everyone counts!!

karla GREAT JOB!! I hope I am right behind you. I have been at 192 FOREVER!!! I need to exercise for sure but have been really bad this winter with all that. hopefully now that the weather is better. what is up with this site changing. It took me a while to find my threads. I am not sure now how I found it. Any hints from you experts?

Diane It does not go down!! I wish it would...sometimes I really miss good food, not that I want to eat alot, but just crave some foods that actually aren't bad for you. so, I still am adjusting or trying to accept that, even after 10 months!!! I have been in the 190's for EVER!!! So, I can relate to that. I am hoping with good weather I will feel motivated to get my butt moving. I have been bad going to the gym and not doing anything, which is not good! GS I would say walking and getting up is the best remedy. Hot tea, and a heating pad. Eventually it will get better.... promise! How are you feeling otherwise? Congratulations on the decision to be banded...

bigbaby you r in my thoughts and prayers, losing a grandmother is difficult. stay close with family, it helps. jojo sorry to hear about your struggles, hang in there and hopefully they will find out what is wrong so you can get filled up again soon! there is nothing more frustrating when they can't find an answer! I didnt realize Texas was having weather problems again, Stef is a trooper, thanks for checking Suzzzie. the weather across the country has been very tough on many this winter season. I should be happy that virginia did not get hit so hard, but the rain and cold weather is miserable to me regardless! Yesterday it was 80 here and wonderful. this morning my husband and I took a very long walk with our dogs, I fast paced it and it felt really good. I love when spring comes! Maybe I am finally on a role, exercise has been difficult for me this season. well, hope all of you are having a nice weekend.

Just a quick hello to everyone!!! How is everyone doing? Looking at the last few posts, I can see we have all been busy. I had a fill in March, now I beleive at about 7.75 in my 10cc band. I had a good restriction before and now it is little tighter, but food goes down if I am real careful. I beleive I am still struggling with the chewing and portions. I put some chicken on my plate with these new baked potatoe fries I found, low fat, and said to myself, " wow, you know you can't eat that much!!" but it did not matter, I had problems with it going down, so I handed the plate to my husband who is always ready to eat my leftovers!! hope to hear from you all soon. I am so glad it is Friday and the weather will be nice!

Iam61157 I agree that you need to go where it feels good. I started the journey in late 2006, December or January 07. So, Mary Wash was really not up and going full force or I did not know anyone to give me a referral. I like to talk to others who dealt with it first hand. my port is in the middle of my stomach, below my breast area. I dont have problems sleeping any way. I never was a stomach sleeper so I dont know if that causes any discomfort. I will be happy to answer any questions. Good luck

Hello everyone, remember me!!! I am not sure what has been going on with me and not reading and posting for I think if you all a lot! I guess I have been busy. For the past three weeks I have been in pain from oral surgery. I had a tooth pulled that ended up with cut bone and tissue. I never took my pain drugs from my band. Well, after two weeks of taking all my percusets from my dentist, I cut into the leftovers I had stashed from surgery. the pain still is not gone, but it is better. I can't beleive I can champion through the band with maybe a day of them and a tooth has almost killed me!!! I read all your posts, atleast three pages, and you are all doing great!!!!!! Suzzzie your sense of humor never stops, and Stef you are the champion! NV, Missy and Bigb GREAT LOSS and welcome to ONE-DERLAND!!!!!!! I have been doing fine, still at 192, but hey, I am doing better than I have been in life pre band. I had a small fill in early March, now at 7.75 in my 10ccc band. I am having restriction with a lot of food. I did not eat anything good in several days and had to eat something. so i went to Baja Fresh for their Tortilla Soup. it is outstanding!! and not to bad in calories. if you have one of them near you, try it. it is really good. what else is going on? where is Dan these days? Do you all watch the Biggest Loser? What about those Woman!! Ali and Kelly. I really would like to have Jillian help me out. she is great. Exercise has been my worst challenge. the weather is finally getting better here. so, hopefully... well,I will be back later or tomorrow, promise. And Mj, great shopping. doesn't it feel good!!

Hello all you Virginians. I have been MIA for a while, just busy. Iam61157 Welcome! I live north of you in Stafford. I had my band surgery in June 07 at St. Mary's. My doctor is Dr. Batista at Commonwealth Surgeons. I really had a great experience. I know others who went to the Richmond group, at St. Mary's too. I think they are both good. I did not choose Mary Washington because they had been out of the weight loss surgery for some time. From what I understand they stopped their program which then only included gastric bypass due to some bad experiences. I am not sure if the program is yet Certified or considered a special center, I can't recall the correct title that St. Mary's is. I knew several woman who went to Commonwealth surgeons and felt their experience was all postive. Dr. Batista is a surgeon, so his pesonality isn't always warm and fuzzy. but at the hospital I think he was excellent. I am happy with all the office staff. the only thing I can see now for new patients is that they need another surgeon! they are busy. Susie...great you got a date. What is your insurance? I have BC BS federal and had no problems. but I know some can be difficult. Good luck with your journey. May 14, wow, a month. you will be so happy. Hello to the rest of you guys out there if u all have been sleeping like me!!

Good Morning everyone!!! Wow. I have missed a lot! Now "My Space!" I won't know where to start. My kids could help me for sure. I am sorry I have not been on lately. it has been so busy here with my won and his family moving and work. How is everyone!! I will have to catch up. I went to my doctor yesterday, 9 Mths!! I saw the NP and had a fill. Now at 7.5. I am down in my weight today, finally passed the spot i have been in for months, at 192.7! I am siked. I need now to stay on this roll. well, I promise to catch up. I miss chatting. later.

Rhonda I can relate to all you said! I have been at the same weight for months, but I guess the positive is that we are not gaining. I have 7cc in my 10cc band. Big Baby I read what you posted, and it is on target. when I met with my doc/NP last time she said to forget the idea of being "full". You should just eat your portions. Salad( if you can eat it) soups, chili type stuff, can be more than 1/2 c. That you should not be to a point you are PBing or getting food stuck. I know I am at where I should be, but it is all in what I am eating. Last night when I watched the Biggest Loser ( glad to see Paul leave!!!) Bob got mad for drinking wine, and Jillian for a small slice of pizza. Although, I think we need to live, I thought about me drinking wine and eating bad stuff from time to time, this is most likely my problem! suzzzie I agree to with all you said. I eat more than 1/2 cup at times, and then I know I ate to much because of belching. To late then, really need to measure! stef okay I am dumb, what is DFW?

Hello everyone It has been a few days, well maybe over a week, since I posted. Stef, Suzzzie, Wombat and Rhonda, you all rock keeping the thread going. I have been struggling a bit. I seem to be stuck at 196 and can't move the needle. I know it is due to some choices I have made, like Dan, I can eat bad stuff, but when I try to eat a good thing, it gets stuck! I need a jump start! I keep telling you all I need to exercise and still have not done it. I know I have season depression. I hate the winter, and it is not even that cold in virginia! I need to just do it!! I don't know how you could eat a cheeseburger. Is that the bread too? I have tried to eat a wrap and it is a no go. I can eat a quesadia, crisp, if I eat it slow. But I have not tried bread since surgery. I do not miss that much, once in a while a nice sandwich would be good, but it is not a craving. Dan, you got good advice on asking the girl out. Maybe you would want to ask her if she had a minute to walk you out to your car when you leave to ask her? if that would be easier to whisper, but I know how open the layout of an orthodonist is, and the traffic of both patients and techs, depending on how busy your office is. but that may be difficult for her to leave for a second. Either way, ask her!!!! If she turns you down, her loss!! Any hints to your great success, let me know!

Hello all Virginians! Mammie How are you doing? Are you on mushie foods now? Are you walking around and getting back to your routine? I felt after surgery it was very easy to get to that step! Keep us posted. luvmy2dogs I love your screen name! I love mine too!!!! What kind of dogs do you have? I have a golden retreiver and a mutt we adopted. How is your process coming? did you get a date yet? The process is not that difficult at all. I have bcbs fed, it went well with the approval process. suzanne how are you doing after your fill? Are you having problems with any foods? Let me know if you ever want to get together or talk on the phone. Do you work outside the home? In Spotys? I met a person on here that realized she new me from our line of work. I was a bit worried because I did not tell many people. Only a few people at work know and a few friends. maybe someday I will get brave and spill the Beans. I just did not want everyone watching every bite or my weight loss. It is not Gastric Bypass and the weight loss is slow, like many other "diets". chica what day of the month is the support group at Potomac Hospital? Maybe I will try to go there since it is closer to me. Let me know if you plan to go. playball how are you feeling? I know you must be nervous, but all will be GREAT. On Saturday you won't beleive it is over and you have arived in bandland! It is like when you have a baby and all that planning and bamb, it is over! Keep us posted. Well, I have been struggling. I can't recall who posted about the data on gaining weight back. I think the only way to do that is to stop getting fills and totally eating the old way. if you have a fill, you can't really eat. However, after saying that, it is like any other diet and you can eat around the band, eating bad stuff, even a little can hurt. this is where I am now. I am in that 7 mth slump! I need to get back on the wagon and exercise...keep saying it, not sure why I can't just do it! I don 't want to discourage all you newbies, because I am happy with the band, but the docs are all right that it is a tool you must follow a program too!! sorry for the Lonnnnnnnnng post, haven't posted in a while.

Mammie, The support group meeting is tomorrow,Monday,but I am unsure if it is at 6 or 6:30. It is usually the second Monday of the month. I plan to be there this week. I am not sure when the meeting starts. The hospital website no longer has a weight loss center icon. I plan to ask this question tomorrow for it has been confusing. I am not sure what I am wearing yet. I can email in the am. maybe we can meet up.

Mammie I don't want to discourage you, but I had my surgery on June 7. So, it was longer than 5 weeks, but still doing well. I would enjoy keeping in touch and talking to you at any time. Where do you live in VA? AshleeS I plan to go to the support group on Monday, Feb 11. I am not sure if hte meeting is at 6 or 6:30. It would be nice to meet up. I am meeting another friend that I met on here that also went to St. Mary's. she is going too. this is only my second time to a support group. the friends I met through here have been my best support group! It is a long night driving an hour home after the meeting, that is my only negative with it!

Mammie Are you being banded on the 15th? the LB support group is on Monday, the 11. I am not sure if it would be worth it to you. You have been to all the Pre opt classes and that is what you really need. I have only been to the support group once, and although I would never discrourage anyone from a support group setting, I did not feel overly excited about it. That is one reason I have not been back. I am going on Monday with another LB friend I met on here. I have met several friends on this site and we get together which is a HUGE support group with in itself. I am giving the support group another chance, meeting some folks before and going together is the draw for me. But this is only my opinion. talk to you soon!

Stef thanks, I never heard of that. I will check it out. I enjoyed the bar overall, I just had a stomach discomfort. I will make a trip to GNC.

SuzanneG One week until your big day, your first fill! that is exciting to look forward to! how have you been feeling? I have been struggling and need to stay on track. They are 100% correct when you are told the band is a tool. you can learn to eat around the band just like cheating on any other diet. you really have to be aware of your weakness areas. Is any one going to the support meeting on Monday, February 11? I am hoping to attend. I ahve only been to one and need to give it a chance. it is just a long drive home with the meeting at night. hope everyone is having a good week.

Hello all, I have been busy lately and have not posted, just reading the last couple of days!! Rhonda sorry to hear about your grandfather. losing a relative is so hard! Suzzie glad to hear Asher is doing better. I have two dogs and they are very special to me. I consider them a part of our family! how is you fill feeling today? Stef and Rhonda I bought three of the Supreme Bars, Carb Cons, at the Vit. Shoppe. They only had caramel ones. Boy are they BIG! I could not beleive how heavy they were too. It takes me half the day to eat one. I am not sure it is the bar, but I don't feel so good after eating it, stomach cramps and potty issues. Anyone else having this? They taste real good, but I guess I will try the last one in a few days to see if there is any stomach response. If so, I guess I wont be eating them.

Suzzzie Hang in there! I know the feeling, today when logging on my daily plate I looked at my list of frequent foods and although I do have some healthy foods, the chips, alchohol, now added chocolate, chips, nuts...shall I go on are there in my FACE...that should be an alert to ME> YUK> I love your WTF,...you make me laugh...Hope your ability to get a fill is successful!

Ok, this is weird, I posted yesterday and it is gone somewhere in lapband land...not sure what happened? Oh well, thought I would share with all the changes on here.

missy...me to, what happened? How did you feel different that you went to the doctor to check you? I hope all is well. Keep us posted. suzzie I know how you feel about the pizza. what is weird is that I can eat it one time and not the next. When I was home in PA there are good pizza places everywhere, and I could not even get a couple bites down, but then came home and a week later could eat the crappy thin frozen kind...maybe that is good, but I was disappointed at the time! Don't beat yourself up to much, it sounds like you are back on track. craigs list I never thought of that for working out? Sounds neat, let me know if it works out. I just need to go to the gym. the weather here is still cold and yukkie. Some would think the 30's is not cold, but I would prefer the 50's and above! take care...

Lumpy How are you doing? Have you had your first fill yet? What do you think of Dr. Batista's staff? When I went earlier this month for a check up, not a fill, I was finally scheduled to see Dr. Batista. I haven't seen him since surgery. But he was so behind, I ended up seeing Jeanine again. I like her alot but since I thought it would be good to see the doctor 1 time! I guess they don't see it as important. I don't go back now until February. Jeanine feels I am in my "green zone" tipping to the Red, but the last few days I have not felt much restriction. I will say it is unpredictable and changes day to day. Support Group You mentioned going. Maybe I will try and go on Feb 11. Did they change the schedule on the website? Some of my friends that I met in lapband world and I have seen that change and no newsletter. what do you think? Corey and Ash....this is your Month! Ash next week you will join the great land of bands...:cursing: I know you are excited and nervous. Everything will be fine.. keep us posted. Suzanne I live in Stafford! It is a small world. I have met some local others who have had your doctor too. How are you doing? If you ever want to chat, go ahead and email me or we can get together. Redd, Kris and chica... How do you like Dr. Tran and Dr. Halmi? When I selected Commonwealth Surgeons in Richmond I did so because I knew of others who went there. At the time in June Potomac Hospital was not a certified weight loss center and I did not know if I should go there, it would have been a lot closer. Have you been to any of the support group meetings yet? I can go there as well as Richmond.. I have been banded now for almost 8 months. I really need to concentrate on the program. One of the real truths of the band is that it is a "tool" not a cure. you still have to make the right choices and eat appropriate portions. After my January appointment I have been logging food on my Daily Plate and trying my hardes to stick to what I need to do. My main struggle at this time is the gym and exercise. I am having a hard time getting back to that. It sucks:confused:. I need a trainer like on the biggest loser to arrive at my door and kick my a$$ in shape! You all are doing great!!!