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Holli...wow that is GREAT:whoo:Keep up the great work!! QUESTION what kind of scale does everyone have and if it a super duper, how much did it cost? I need to get a new one and don't know which one to buy. stef you are so funny! where do you get your clip ons? I don't know if I would want a sonic cookie dough blast, does not sound so good to me, but they look good! We only have one new sonic in our area, I have been there once! Where has toni gone???? I have not heard from her in a while?

Ladyhr what a GREAT Weight Loss!! Keep up the good work! sussie, hotty toddy,pippz thanks for sharing about your feelings regarding giving up the food, and your portion sizes. You are the leaders in the fills and restriction! I have only had one fill, and do not have that yet. I do only eat the three meals, but don't get full after a few bites. but after the suggested portion. so I feel I am doing ok. But I am eager to be where you are! Rhonda, how much do you have in your band already going for your 3 fill? it seems like you can eat a lot. It is so different the way each doctor fills differently. My dh 12 yr old daughter gave me her Ipod shuffle for she got the nano for her birthday. we went through all her music and deleted what I did not want. Her and her sister have been listening to the 80's so some of the music is good. I will look through my dh list tonight and add more. the only problem with the shuffle is it does just that, you can put in a catagory. but it is good for now!

Dan You were relaxing and having fun, does not mean you will do it all the time! Don't beat yourself up. You are an exercise person, you will work it out!!! I went to a crab house last weekend, sat and ate hard shell crabs and had 3 beers over a course of 3 hours. I was the dd, my dh usually does not drink and is usually the dd. But it was hot, we were on a deck on the river and it was fun. I did not dip my crab in butter, and you eat little specks. I could only eat half a tray, my dh said it was a waiste, but I love them. I brought the rest home for my son. How did the beer settle? I did not have a problem that time, but a few weeks ago I drank 2 beers and when I went to bed and layed down, I could feel it bubbling? It was weird.

Stef and bcrazy, How many brussel sprouts and broccoli spears can you eat with your protein? 2 or 3? I have a problem fitting in vegies and I love them, because if you eat 4 oz of protein that is the amount you are to stop at? It is all hard balancing it out. the same with fruit. pippz thanks for the added info on the fill and the air pushing it out. I will be curious to see when I go next Friday for my second fill how much is really in there. I to have a hard to find port, and they won't be using a flouro this time either, it will be in the office. It should be an experience! Rhonda, loved your Dog story!! My dog has done that to my dh several times, and I LOL when it happens. I keep telling him not to leave it on the counter close in his reach... it is not good but funny. Your diet is a lot of food and not sure with the band you can fit it all in, but like you said you can modify. And it is what works for you!! stef Hang in there with the weight gain. It was less than a pound, but i know how frustrating. You are exercising a lot which sometimes builds muscle for a short weight gain to turn around and lose more! At least that is what they told me when I was pi--- this happened to me!

I had my first fill on July 31. A week after my fill, I felt like a piece of food was stuck in my throat and I could not get it to move. I started eating slow and measuring my food to 4 oz. the food stuck eased up but now I feel like a lump when I swallow, like mucous or something? I tried to search the site, but could not find an answer. Does anyone know what this may be??

Mini, thanks I am looking too. I appreciate it. I ate slow all day yesterday and the food feeling was gone, but there is this lump in there. Someone asked if it might be my thyroid? not sure. I go to the doc next Friday. I will hang in there until then. TGIF

GREAT Weight Loss to Pippz and Suzzzzie!!!!! :clap2: All you guys getting 2 and 3 fills, I am jealous. I will ask my doc about the omnipac, but when i went for my first fill, the nurse said she never heard of using anything else? Maybe I was not asking the right question? TGIF.... I lost 2 lbs!! I am excited...but still slooooooooooow. :whoo:

Add 60 minutes from a step class last night. Not sure what I will fit in this weekend, if we take our kids to a historical event in old town Fredericksburg. If so, I will walk in th am. we will leave earlier and I won't make it to my double class Saturday morning.

Suzzzie and others; I went to my first support group at my hospital where 2 weight loss groups practice. the meeting was for banders only, those thinking of surgery and those who had it. I was disappointed in the meeting, really looking for answers and success stories. Instead I heard 20 minutes of surgery questions and an hour guest speaker on Yoga! I go to the gym, and know all there is to know about yoga. Maybe for those who are regular meeting goers and not exercers enjoyed this, but for me I was disappointed. I met a woman there that I met on this site. That was the highlight of the evening. I think I get more from this site than anything. I may try the meeting again, to give it a fair shot, but not sure. Bottom line; WE ARE ALL GREAT FOR EACH OTHER!:whoo:

Question for all you May banders; I was banded in June, first fill July 31. After about a week I have found that food, a piece feeling, is in my throat. I was told by another bander that maybe I am overfilling my pouch. So, i started measuring my food to 4 oz, it is still happening. then other advice is it is irritated, and to drink liquids for two days. Any thoughts? Am I eating to fast? Did I damage something. If anyone else has experienced this please let me know. I go to the doctor next Friday and want another fill, I don't want this to stop that. ...Help?

Gina I went to a support group meeting at our hospital. it was not that good. I guess, I need to give it a chance since this is my first time. We hardly talked as a group, they brought in a yoga instructor that took up 90% of the meeting. I was disappointed. the group is also a combination of people thinking about the surgery and those that had it. So, many questions were those prior. When I brought the question up of the food stuck in my throat, or backing up in my throat, they asked if I was eating to much. I have been keeping to 4 oz per meal, and it is still happening. I don't really feel full, and I do get hungry. But this is bothering. Plus I want another fill when I go next week. I am wondering if this will prevent that. what do you think? I need to now try and slow down my eating to see if that has anything to do with it. And it is all food. Except soup, ice cream, Jello, soft stuff. I will keep you posted on my trip. I am going to Mryrtle Beach on August 25- Sept 1. I will be sure to let you know upon my return.

I haven't been posting in a couple days and wow, 3 pages to catch up on! ree and serena One thing that I found to be really helpful is to find other banders in my area. I have met several people that I am in contact with both in person and/or by email. That connection has been really helpful.When I go to a business meeting in VA Beach, about 2 hours from here, I am going to meet some others from this site. Maybe you can do the same. From what Stef said, she lives close to you! Stef You are a great cheerleader and helpful to everyone. You are quick to give reference to some other research to help someone. I think that is great. Good luck with your fill tomorrow. Zumba fans...sounds like fun. I will have to see if it is taught around me. mk you are doing great. marga hugs to you. I know how hard this is, I am feeling the stress of no weight loss too. It is hard. But when I add it up it is 10lbs a month which really is good. I think we want it all now and have to take each baby step! weight goals; I think it is up to how you feel Stef. You know when you get there. I agree, no one should judge because it is what feels good to you. QUESTION I am trying real hard this week to only eat 4 oz per meal however, I can not stop the speck of food from backing up in my throat. It is gross, and annoying. Do you think I am eating to fast? I have little or no fullness, or pain, food getting stuck, or anything. I had my first fill on July 31. This did not start until last week. mj how did your fill go today?

Stef I did not know about your band being that way. My port is tilted but no special instructions. You are the Exercise Queen!!! Keep up the great work. marga, Dawn and pacu... I know how you feel. But I really beleive this will happen to us in time. I am taking some step backs this week to measure my food and think about how I feel. I think that my band is working with some restrictin, just not that pain or pbing or limited foods. Like you I can eat some foods that most can't like pizza. But I think that the restriction is tighter a week after my first fill. Some say it is delayed. joeyg glad you called the doctor. Keep us posted on how it goes. cmp I never heard of a omnipac either. I even asked my nurse at my first fill if they use anything other than saline, and she said no, and looked like I did not know what I was talking about? I had a NSV this week, for this shows exercise and the band is working. I tried a black skirt on for work that was so tight prior to surgery that I could not wear it, now I can turn it around zipped. I also fit into a pair of white shorts yesterday!! I was so excited, my dh was too! :whoo:

suzanne, I agree with Kat, when I suggested taking care of yourself, I agree with Kat, getting your own therapist/counselor, will allow the private, one on one time, for you to vent and deal with your own feelings. You always can vent to us, but a professional would be outstanding to you!!!

Suzanne, I am so sorry you are going through this. You have been given great advise. How are you doing today? Is your dh with you and are you in counseling? I don't think it has anything to do with your band either, but timing. He may have been a bit selfish thinking it was all about " you" now and then was given this attention at the office. One of the main things to remember that it is very important to take care of YOU! Keep on the "band wagon" and keep your goals at the front of your plan. This will make you stronger for yourself and for your kids. I was married to my first husband that I met in college for 18 years. I wish I had the strength to divorce him when my boys were your kids age. Because when I finally got the courage, they were pre teens and it impacted them A LOT. I feel that they heard and felt the stress in the home which impacted their trust and anxiety. Marriage does not have the same road map for everyone. In my situation, my x dh was an alcoholic. If he was not verbally abusive or sick, I may have stayed. We had been through counseling but if he could not give up drinking, then it was worthless. But my advise to others with children is to try to work it out with counseling, anti-depressents, what ever it takes. I think it is important to try when you have children and have been good together for so long. If you give it your all and it still does not work, then I support leaving. If your dh will not go to counseling( and find the right one, which is hard) and won't give up the gf, then I agree that it is over. An affair within itself does not have to end the relationship, but you do have to put it behind you and not bring it up at every fight, which I am sure is hard. I have a good friend who had older children, maybe college and high school and her husband of 20 plus years cheated. She was devastated. He truly hurt her, like your dh hurt you. Like you, they had been together since HS. They are together, 10 years later and are very strong. When I look at them now when we are out, I can't beleive they went through that, because they are so in love. I told you that story because it can happen if the love is there and the "want". As you lose your wieght you will become more and more emotionally stronger and you will feel the energy and postive parts of your life. You are GREAT:clap2:. Keep in touch.

Suzanne, thanks for the explanation. I have been eating more than 1/4 cup of food, but I don't feel that "full" feeling all the time. I guess I may be fuller than my brain is saying and need to do what you said, measure and wait. I don't have any pain with the food in my throat or vomit it up. it is just there. It sometimes goes away in an hour, sometimes not. After my surgery I had food get stuck, and I know how that feels. it hurts. Since, my fill that has not happened again. do you measure your Soups the same way, or can you eat a cup if it is a cream broth kind of Soup? Like Fat Free mushroom or broccoli/cheese? I am sure like you said, when eating just three bites, it is strange to have the feeling you are done!

Zannie and Gina GREAT JOB on your weight loss!!! You are both doing so great, you are my inspiration.:clap2: It seems as though my weight loss is slow. I can honeslty say that I have eaten bad things, such as sasla and chips( mostly baked) and some alcohol here and there. but over all I eat what I should and have been working out. I was hoping to get to the 200 mark by vacation August 25, but that won't happen. Gina, good luck on your next fill! What number is this? I hopefully will have a fill on August 24 when I go to the doctor. My first fill was July31 and not so great experience, long story. I hope we can all meet in September, that will be fun. I go to my first support group on Monday, August 13. It is in Richmond at St. Mary's Hospital, but it is still an hour away from home, which stinks! they have one specific for lapband and then one every week for all wl surgery. Great you are at your zone Zannie, let me ask you both a question. there are many times I get a feeling in my throat like food is there, or after you vomit, I know gross, but that is how it feels. i cant get rid of it. A friend who was banded same date as me said maybe I am getting full with my last fill and I am over eating and that is causing the food to back up. What do you think? Well, got to run to the gym!!! Take care. I wish when you changed your ticker, it did not go back and change it for the previous months, that is strange! I lost 2lbs!! :whoo:

Stef I am not sure if you are chewing well enough or if the food is moist enough. Before my fill, which is weird, I had food stuck just as you are describing. I slimed but never to the point of vomit. From reading and talking to others, I am thinking you just need to pick the right foods and chew. If you were vomiting and getting stuck with every bite, then i would say no fill. But I am a one time filler rememember, with little restriction. mj sorry about those wings. I knew they were bad, worse than a regular wing. But we learn every bite! waters I had to laugh about you looking, if you read my fill post you will see I am doubting that my nurse put in what she said! I don't feel that different. I almost agree with the person who said her doctor would not tell her what he put in because we get caught up in the numbers and not the feeling. That is true. Big question, How are you feeling now? Big loss...2 lbs! But the needle jiggles, I will take it!

Dan You are so right! I agree. I hope to start walking/hiking some trails in the fall with my family and two dogs! I am not the only person who can benefit from exercise! My dh is thin, but needs to exercise to stay healthy! His girls, 12 and 15 really need it for they are indoor kids, yuk! My boys were always out side and I had to find them to eat a meal! I want to post my total to include today: 555.

Mary I feel like it is when one person goes to a Ford dealership and has a wonderful experience and then another has a terrible experience. I know several people who went to your surgical group and had a good experience. I would hate to steer you to another place since you are so far into it. However, having said that, I went to Commonwealth Surgeons, and they a pateint coordinator( not sure that was her title) but she was the gate keeper of everything, she mailed all the informationt to you, she recieved information, set up all your appointments, submitted to the insurance, answered phone calls and mainly emails. and scheduled the surgery. I never talked to the doctor or nurse until I was into the process. But even then, she set the appointments and processed the paper work. She was extremely helpful and informative. But that was my experience. who knows about the patient behind me? You have to do what you feel is right. Good luck,

Mary, Hang in there! When I got the call in late March and was told my date was June 7, I was not happy. I could not beleive it was so far out. But the date came and I am banded! The positive is you will lose weight over the holidays!!!!

DAN :bandit YOU LOOK GREAT!!! A HARLEY MAN TOO! You should be very proud of yourself. Thanks for sharing, although I am envious of guys, you can lose faster, but also know you have to work at it. toni as usual you bring great humor to the boards. pippz how are you doing it? I think out of most of us, you seem to be the one who has met most challenges with positive results. We will all get there, but like suzzie and others said, some habits are not as easy to break, but day by day we are working it! TGIF It is weekend time again, yahoo! It is going to cool down here on the east coast which will be nice. My dh and I plan to go out for crabs at this shack restaurant on the water. I feel I can eat that, because if you ever ate hard shell crabs it is bit by bit bites! You can eat for an hour and not get to 4 oz. the only sad part is NO Corona's :cry

:whoo:Stef and Dan....Show Off Just kidding, you two are doing great!!! I wish I could get that much exercise in. On Wednesday I planned to go to a class at the gym at 7:30 but it was 104 out and by the time I got home, I was so HOT. The air conditioning in my office building went down around noon, so we all sweat our butts off for the rest of the day. Thursday, 60 min of step class. !! I will total my month so far after my two hour class tomorrow.

Marga I don't have much restriction. I had my fill a week ago, July 31, and I can eat just about anything. After surgery I would get chicken and some fish stuck, with the pain in my chest and sliming. I still don't eat white meat chicken, but I have not had that happen. Maybe I am chewing more, I don't know? I have had this weird thing happening with food feeling like it is stuck in my throat. Like after you vomit. It is gross. Yesterday that was there and after about 2 hours from lunch I felt like I was going to pbing, but I didn't. So, maybe I have some thing going on, I just don't feel it? I have my next appointment on August 24, and should get another fill. Munchkin everyone is so different. I did not have a good experience. It was not due to pain, but due to my anxiety when they could not find my port and they had the needle in me, searching around. I kept trying to talk myself out of the faint feeling, but I could not control it! I felt so stupid, because it really did not hurt! My port is tilting a bit. I am not looking forward to the next one, but I WANT IT!!!!!! You will do fine.

musicalmomma!!! thanks for doing the charting!!