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stef you make me laugh!! You will join me anytime, as hard as you work at it!! suzzzie you too, love the little figure shaking there!! every 5 to 10 lb loss is another step to a milestone!! You will be there soon. Two terville!! LOL thanks toni, love seeing you post.. I have a question regarding steak. I ate it a few weeks ago and it went down. But my fear is when it does go down in the lower bigger stomach, does it digest the same as prior to the band? I know steak takes a long time to digest. what do you all think? Before i get your message, I would have had it if I decided to?? I also think, like you Stef, sometimes that extra protein gives you a boost!

Name...Challenge Start Wt...Current Wt...Challenge Goal...To Go Huntersmom...... 174........... 172....... 159............ 13 SWEETY.......... 202........... 198....... 180............ 18 MJsafari........ 268........... 260....... 238............ 22 captdanbo....... 211........... 211....... 185............ 26 PaulaD.......... 216........... 216....... 199............ 17 Stefanie42467... 206........... 202....... 175............ 27 Suzzzie......... 349........... 341....... 320............ 21 glindab......... 277........... 269....... 250............ 19 MM.............. 242........... 231.4..... 218...........13.4 finallythin..... 254........... 254....... 225............ 29 BeckieT......... 259........... 259....... 239............ 20 Miscontext...... 303........... 303....... 275............ 28 ja9va........... 207........... 199....... 182............ 20 wombat712....... 180........... 174....... 165............ 9 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252....... 230............ 22 Waters.......... 214........... 213....... 190............ 24 lessnless....... 206........... 195....... 179............ 16 MissDarlene..... 223........... 223....... 195............ 28 o2bthin..........238............233........215 ............18 insubordination..300............296.5......283.... .......13.5 __________________ SWEETY Yahhhhhhhhhoooo, I just joined you!!!

Maryw, glad everything went well!!! How have you been through the weekend? It is great weather to get out and walk, even if it is just a few feet and back. This will help with the gas pains and make you feel better. Are you taking a few days off of work? I took a few, probably could have gone back, but it was worth it! pbeyez sounds like you are doing great. Your first visit is usually a weigh in, checking your incisions, your eating, pain etc. Then you will be given an appointment for your first fill! I beleive your doc also gives a fill around 6 wks from surgery. How have you been eating? I am down 3 lbs and very excited. I am in One..derland and half way to goal!! I have set a goal of 160 however once there I will evaluate, shoot, another 10lbs will make me happy at this point. The BAND is GREAT...

sorry for that long post!!

WOW WE ARE OVER 200 POSTS!!!!:clap2: Welcome Mellie!!! You have been given great advice regarding exercise. I agree about getting up early prior to the kids to exercise. Even if you only start with a 15 min walk and build up to an hour,you will feel so much better through out your day! suzzzie Glad to hear you are doing great. I hear ya with the pizza. I hope I can always eat at least 1 slice. But the craving for more is there sometimes! GREAT weight loss:whoo: stef and insub First, Stef you are the QUEEN of exercise and information!! your insight and ideas are great for everyone. I also agree with insub about her position too. I think that it is all up to the INDIVIDUAL AND ALL IN MODERATION!! What ever works for one may not work for the other, does not mean it is right or wrong! I don't count calories or keep a journal. I probably should journal, because it does help reflect what you eat. My NP said, Protein, vegies then fruit. However, I love salads and feel that it is so important to have the nutrition of green vegies. Regarding lifting weights, I agree. Juleeann your frustrations have been mine at times. You have to get through those dry spots and know you are doing everything right, and when your body is ready to let it go, the weight will come off. I agree with Stef's suggestions on mixing it up and wieght lifting. My gym has this class that is a national program, Body Pump. You lift weights, with combinations of squates and lunges to music in a group class. I love it! I am celebrating this weekend, I am down 3 lbs,,, to One..derland!! I only hope I can keep it there!! :clap2: Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and the nice weather!!

suzzzie I am not where you are, but I agree with the given advice, if you can't drink, you should call your doc. Maybe just a .5cc unfill will do the trick. I can't always eat meat either, I have to put sauce of some kind on it to make it moist. Try cottage cheese, cheese, and other soft Proteins, quiches. faith and suzzzie I don't think you are cheating at all if you enter a contest. The band helps you stop eating some things, but like any other diet you have to make good choices or you gain. I don't see it being any different GO FOR IT!! Sheila and missy thanks about my doc. I did go to a new doc yesterday, she was great. when she was asking me my med history, I told her I was banded in June. She was excited and asked how much I lost. that was it. my old doc is a goner for good!! She gave me a script for an enhaler which I will use when I go to the gym. sheila great about the high blood pressure meds!! I am hoping the enhaler is short term as well. Even though I lost wiehgt, I am not there yet, but will. insub great fill!! toni great to hear from you!!!

Welcome PrettyB! I was banded by Commonwealth Surgeons at St. Mary's as well. Dr. Batista is accross the hall from your doctor. When were you banded? Have you been to the support groups at the hospital? I live in Stafford, so it is an hour to the hospital and the groups are late. I did attend one. My NP said the Thursday groups has many banders with gastric bypass. How are you doing with your eating? Since you are on soft foods did you just have the surgery? I have had 2 fills, now at 5.75 cc. I have my next appointment on Oct 8. I am hoping to get a bit more and then stop. we shall see. Keep posting, I read every day and will keep up with you if you need to chat!

stef I understand your thoughts on the fills, are you at 5.1cc, if I added correctly? I am at 5.75cc. I am hoping to just get a tweak on 10/8. I don't want to get to much, but I feel this week it has been loser if that makes sense. I am right behind you with Onderlandddd....! I am hoping that I get there by my doctor appointment, 3lbs. I have not been there in 3 years or more. Every time I joined wieght watches I would get to 190 something and stop with discouragement, so I am getting excited. Your slide show is great thanks for sharing! Rhonda your doctor sounds very good! you are doing great, and every lb down is a step in the right direction! I see a new GP today, I need to get blood drawn since my surgery for my thyroid check and an enhaler for my asthma. I have not been back to the gym since last week when I had a bit of a breathing problem. I did not have that happen in years. but I can feel the air struggling when I am resting. I have friends who go to this doc so I am hoping I like her. My last GP was not good. he did not agree with the Band and thought with all the energy I was giving thinking of the surgery I could lose weight. He was not helpful and simple minded!!! When he said that, I knew our relationship was over! Happy fills this week!!

Hello to all reading and posting!!! Stef good luck today!!! Cant' wait to hear about your fill. Off to work!

I AM HERE !!!! It has been slow, but life gets busy for all of us at different times! insub GREAT NSV!! I know it must have been a comfort to sit in the plane this time. Just think, this is the beginning! Now you are going to make it even smaller next time! dawng I never heard about the insurance making you wait. I would ask they give you a big fill! If you have a 5cc band, I would ask for 3cc and if you have a 10cc band, 5-6cc. Or like Stef said if you have to wait long, a 1 or 2cc will be nothing! I am sorry you are struggling. I had to wait due to the NP schedule 7 weeks, which was frustrating to me, so I know you are dealing with a lot of stress over it. Hang in there. You are almost there. suzzzie I plan to make your meatballs tonight for dinner. I will let you know how it goes!

Name...Challenge start wgt...current wgt...chall. goal...To goHuntersmom...... 174........... 172........... 159............ 13 SWEETY.......... 202........... 200........... 180............ 20 MJsafari........ 268........... 262........... 238............ 24 captdanbo....... 211........... 211........... 185............ 26 PaulaD.......... 216........... 216........... 199............ 17 Stefanie42467... 206........... 206........... 175............ 31 Suzzzie......... 349........... 349........... 320............ 29 glindab......... 277........... 277........... 250............ 27 MM.............. 242........... 235........... 218............17 finallythin..... 254........... 254........... 225............ 29 BeckieT......... 259........... 259........... 239............ 20 Miscontext...... 303........... 303........... 275............ 28 ja9va........... 207........... 202........... 182............ 20 wombat712....... 180........... 179........... 165............ 14 Texasmom5573.... 252........... 252........... 230............ 22 Waters.......... 214........... 213........... 190............ 24 lessnless....... 206........... 199........... 179............ 20 I am down 5lbs since I posted on the chart and then I missed it all up! I am sorry:confused:

Maryw, 7 eleven has had crystal light slurpies here in northern va for sometimes, but it is hit or miss, which is disappointing when you think of one and stop at a 7 eleven and they don't have it! they are good!!

welcome back Hollie!!! missed you.

Grace I am glad you found this site. I have met some great friends on the Richmond thread and others. I had my surgery with Commonwealth Surgeons, Dr. Batista, and had a wonderful experience. The staff at the office are great. They need another surgeon, not sure what they are doing about that. But Dr. Brengman's group is very good too from people who went there. It is a go with your gut call! MaryW 1 WEEK!!! Are you getting excited? I know it is one minute excitement, the next questioning your choice. All is normal. It sounds like you are doing great on the preopt. I enjoyed it, lost weight before surgery which was nice. Is there a September 2007 thread on here? I find that my monthly group is helpful for sharing day to day experienes and support. But don't leave here either!!! Lost 2 more lbs...it is coming off!

bigbaby I know a support group at a hospital near me where I did not have my surgery has an exchange. I need to give my support group that idea. My clothes continue to pile up, which is a nice feeling. I have never bought clothes from a consignment, I guess I am a snob, but I hate to buy stuff if I am not going to where it long! I might change my ways. suzzzie thanks for the recipe. I would like to make those this weekend. I think the kids would love them. misssy I was sick all weekend, not the same symptoms, but just did not feel good. it was crappy. Feeling much better now. I hope you are feeling ok. NV glad you are happy with the fill, your weight loss is GREAT! Lost 2 lbs!! I am excited it is finally moving, almost halfway!!

Thank you Suzzie!I can't wait to try them. I was reading the May thread and one of the members was offering to ship some pants to someone that they may fit. That would be so cool! She said the Sister hood traveling pants, for bandsters! I have a brown lined suit that is a size, 18 or 20, I will need to check, Liz Claiborne, I bought in February at Macy's. I am 5'8"/ 5'7" so I if your shorter you would need to hem them. I also have a nice pair of black heavy material, size 20. I have more, but they are all summer. Jeans too, size 20. I would be happy to ship if someone wanted them. I don't mind. You can PM me your address. what do you think??? I thought it was a cool idea. Have a good day!

suzzie..by any chance do you know how many pages back? I remember reading about them, but never saw the recipe! Today was a bit long at work, still not feeling myself. then a woman that works for me that had gastric bypass asked if i was getting my protein and what vitimans I was taking? so, I emailed my NP to give me a refresher on vitimans. I think I am ok on the protein. toni great to hear from you! stef enjoy your time with your dh.

Hello Maysters! I am a Junie and read your posts from time to time to get a heads up on my future challenges and for hope, which you have all given me. Your successes are huge!! I love the NSV stories, they are so good to help us when the scale does not move. lj Like the others said, you may want to call your doctor. Does it fill like you have food in your throat or it is a lump or something? I have this happen. My NP said it is a sign if I over eat and that I am regergitating, my food is coming back up and stays there. It is a gross feeling and does not go away quickly. I watch my portion sizes and since my second fill I do feel fuller and know to stop even when my brain says it is sooooo good! Hope this helps..

toni great to hear from you! Please post, you are a bright light on the thread. Do you think it is the food choices that have you at a stand still? How about exercise? I know you know all this already. You will get there! stef what does your dh do that he travels? that must be hard having him gone at times. I give military wives alot of credit. patty that is remarkable that 1 cc is all you need. someone told me they heard of woman who had no fills and lost over 100 lbs. I think you eat a good meal it will boost your metabolism. Maybe it is the steak I ate last weekend that did it for me. rhonda I thought of jeans yesterday, but like you I don't want to spend money for pants I will grow out of. I retired another pair of jeans, a suit and some shirts this week. It is a great feeling!! The Biggest Loser Does anyone watch this? I never watched a season before, caught clips here and there, but started watching it this time. it is so emotional to watch. I cried for some of those woman and men. I envy having a trainer like Jilian, it would be nice for someone to kick my a__ into shape!

Hello all...I drink wine mainly. My son was married one month to the day after surgery, July 7. We had a yard reception at my house, bartender, and I selected two cases of wine, etc. I drank, and I think with the combination of the release of stress up to the wedding and not having the capacity to drink, I was waisted. My son said the next day, " Mom, I don't think you can drink so much anymore after the band...YA THINK!!" I do like a corona light also, and have had one or two, but I really stick to wine, about 2-3 nights a week. I have to confess that if I go Mexican I do have a rita like the rest of you! I did ask the doc before surgery, if alcohol would cause erosion of the band. I am not sure where I heard that one. He laughed actually. He said if the wine did not bother me before it would not now. I did not want to sound like I was dependent on alcholol, but I wanted to know! I think the big strategie is the calories that come with alcohol drinks! Especially ritas and white russians. Hang in!

Missy, I hope I did not offend you by saying that! It was not my intention. What a wonderful story. I have heard so many stories of couples who get pregnant after they have struggled so long and begin to just relax or adopt. I work for Social Services, and we have couples who contact us to adopt. GREATWeight Loss too, 62!!! Almost double of mine. suzzzie Keep us posted on your restriction level. I know my NP is going to be resistant to a fill, but I am at 5.75 and would like just one more cc. Then I think I will be ok until I need it after losing the weight. Great weight loss to you too during fills...13.6!! ladyhr I am glad you are safe. I saw it on our news station. bcrazy..:clap2: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :sickI have been feeling under the weather since yesterday. I can't seem to get any energy. The only plus is I may lose more weight this weekend! Rhonda how has your unfill been treating you? Hello's go out to Stef, toni and others.

NV Hang in there!!!

stef Great about your appointment. I heard about the pinaple juice too but haven't had to do that yet, i have the papya tablets, but they are unused too. Someone told me they did not work for them. Maybe it is back to everyone is different!! Sometimes that is good, but it would be nice to have an answer to our questions that works for ALL OF US!! mj you have a 4 and 15 year old! Wow, God Bless!! I have a 15 year old soon to be 16, so much fun! restriction...wooohooo It seems like it has kicked in for many of us now. I feel more this week then I did last week after my fill. I hope to keep it up until my next appt early Oct! But it is still unpredictable from being able to eat steak and then not a cracker or rice weight loss finally... I have been stuck at the same point for over two weeks, I weighed this am and am down 3!!!!!!! Have a great day all!!

Rhonda, Wow what a day, I guess the bright side is all you learned through the process! I agree with you on so many points. I am glad they were able to get someone in to complete the unfill, it is harder when they can't find it and they are poking around! Keep us posted on your eating. GREAT NSV!! those mean so much... Missy and Amy, I agree so much about the band for teens or young adults, I know I would have been thankful to have this then. I have yoyo so many times, I lost count. And when I finally decided to do this at age 48, I am at my all time highest weight! I only exceeded 200 after babies and then two years ago and oculd not change habits or get the scale to move! I don 't judge those who have a low bmi, because the band is there for you NOT to GAIN it BACK. To me that is so important! Stef sorry about your fill appt. that is how my doc office is. you can't get an appointment, even if you call and beg! Now if there is a medical problem, I am sure they will see you. Hang in there! when is your appt? Mine is not until Oct 8.

Gina, I am not sure you recall my first fill. It was in the hospital under flouro. she did not even use the flouro to stick me to do the fill, only after to see the bariam go down. I was upset because she did stick the needle in and have to move it around until she was able to get to the port. that worried me and made me feel dizzy and faint. Mainly out of worry, not hurt. I asked her why she did it that way, that I thought the reason for using the flouro was to locate the port. she said she did not need it? But then the second I layed down on the table, mainly due to my dizzy deal. But it went 100% smoother. I was worried I would have to push up my stomach like a crunch, etc, because they say when you lay down the port goes down in ward and it is harder to feel. It goes to show it is even different per person there. I do agree seeing the doctor makes you feel he is in the loop and following up with your progress. I have yet to see my doc in three months, and that does concern me some. Have a great day!