Marimaru

My port is on my waistline, so no bra trouble for me. I can't wear things that are TOO tight or it bothers it (even a year out), but then I don't wear stuff that tight normally anyway.

Zoe, I hope that this makes you feel better! Maybe you could get on the cancellation list and have the surgery sooner?

I am hoping to do something similar when I go shopping tonight. My size 18's are kind of loose, so I'm hoping to get 16's... fingers crossed... Congrats!

Well, you really are just going to have to buckle down and do it. Once you get back in gear, it'll be easy to stay there, but you gotta just do it! Start with one meal. One meal, good bandster style meal. Once that meal is over, congratulate yourself for following the rules and make a pact with yourself for the next one. You can do it!

never heard of it here either

I find the same is true for me, with the drawing=not eating. I'll tell you honestly, I started by tracing. It helped me get a 'feel' for it more than trying to copy at first.

Penni, I'll get some stuff to you soon as well. The timing was bad for me to get it to you in a 'timely manner' for your original request

Gastric banding is the same thing as the lap band. Go to Inamed.com and pull info from there on the FDA trials. I've also heard good things about them helping people who are being denied by insurance because it's "Not FDA Approved" or "Experimental" Good luck!

I like some of the fruit 2o's, and I like propel, but only at room temp. For some reason I don't like it cold. Aquafina and Deja Blue have come out with some new ones as well that aren't bad. They only have 2 flavors each that I've seen so far. People must be drinkin' less soda for them to come up with so many different Water flavors, lol.

I seem to be stealing this thread, haha. Now that you all got me drawing again, I'm onna roll! This one I did of my sister in her wedding dress. The wedding isn't until April, but the dress is picked out, etc. http://www.joygraffix.com/wedding/samiami3.gif

Take things slow at a comfortable pace. You don't have to dive right into any kind of relationship. Don't do anything that scares you (too much), and don't let him take away from the time you are going to need to find yourself during this whole process. Congrats tho!

Hope it helps and you get to feeling better soon!

Are you sure you have that much in your band? Does the doctor pull all the fluid out before he adds more in? Even if all the fluid isn't there when he tries to pull all out, there's a chance it isn't a leak, but you should have all the tests done anyway. for some reason, sometimes the fluid evaporates a little, or gets absorbed, or... something. Either way, have him check!

This happened to me as well. I was banded in Mexico, and as happy I was to get the procedure there's not alot of extra information handed out from them. I was banded in July of '04, got my first fill in August, and didn't lose anything between then and November when I got my 2nd fill (after I'd found the forums and learned that it wasn't MY fault!!).

does it count if I'm HOPING to enfluence someone? In all honestly there aren't many MO people in my life but there is one in particular that I am very afraid for. She's one of my best friends (but unfortunately we don't live close anymore) and if she doesn't have any co-morbidities already, I just know she's on her way. I truly hope she is watching me to 'see what happens' and gets motivated.

I think you definitely need to be eating more. Your body probably does need a rest from the quick weight loss, but it's probably also panicking because it's afraid it isn't going to get what it needs. I try not to go above 1300 calories, but try also not to go below 1000. Maybe have a chat with your doctor and see what he thinks? Your weight loss is fine, but you need to make sure you are eating enough

Liquids in, liquids out. You aren't dumping, none of us have that, fortunately . Sounds like you've been through the wringer. I hope that you get to feelin' better soon!

I went through the same thought process that you are going through (been through it a few times, actually, lol). I count calories like a mad woman, and I used to stay between 1200 and 1500, which actually meant 1400 to 1500, lol, and I just wasn't losing. How can a 230 lb person not lose on a 1500 calorie diet?? Well, I swallowed my pride, and made my max 1300, and within a few days the scale started moving. I can maintain at 1500, but I can't lose. You just have to figure out the math that works for you I guess...

I've had to re-sign in each time I come here as well. Also, I haven't been getting emails to threads I am subscribed too. I was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with my email account, lol

Here's Dee's request. I'll finish Lisa's when she tells me what kind of outfit she wants (although I'm getting ready to redo the hair, because I found a better way that I liked to do it, if anyone cares, lol). I still have the layered file, so if you want any of the colors different or anything like that, let me know.

My first fill was also 2 cc's. The band that you have is the smallest band, so I don't know what your BMI is, or what the nurse thinks, but the band that is used is supposed to be decided upon once the doctor is looking at your stomach organ when he's got you open. Anyhow, fills generally get smaller after the first couple. My first fill was 2cc's, then .6, so I was at 2.6 for quite a long time, and then something happened (stress I think) and I got tighter and tighter and had an unfill and now I'm at 1.7 and I'm doing fine right here. Some people have there 'sweet spot' at .5ccs, and some people need almost the full capacity of the band. That's what is so great about it. As long as you aren't too tight, a big first fill shouldn't be a problem. Hope this helps

I want to go to my 10 year high school reunion lookin' good (still a few years off, but a long standing dream of mine). I want to weigh less than my boyfriend! I want to scuba dive with less than 15 lbs on my weight belt. And I want to cosplay at a convention (maybe next summer, but probably the one after, and yes, I'm a geek).

Penni, try this: it's the first picture in the portfolio, and you can just hit "next" from there: http://glennferon.com.nyud.net:8090/portfolio1/portfolio01.html

Wow... they even fix lop-sided breasts!

Good luck, don't go to too many crazy parties now