legster

*waves to mini!* This post may help identify your sweet spot...and lots of other things. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/how-tell-when-you-perfectly-adjusted-25721/

It looks like there are a couple of ways, but usually it is done with a skin prick. That's all I could find.

"my heart is in the right place!!!!" That's what counts! :-)

Sandra: Maybe you should find out now exactly how much the dress can be let out/sized up. That might give you a little peace of mind. I'm thinking it should be possible to size it up to an 18, but I'm no seamstress and just purely guessing. Maybe someone else here would know? Melissa: You didn't get the job because it wasn't the right job. I know you wanted it, but I'm firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Keep looking and the right job will come along, I promise. :-)

Tami, I have to agree with the others. It sounds like you know it's too tight. I understand the other concerns you expressed, but please get an unfill. Tell your Dr. or the fluoroscopy tech of your concerns and that you want a slight amount removed. They may have a different idea, but do tell them what you are thinking. The 16th is too long to wait. Call them today.

I have read on here that Crystal Light can cause gas. I don't drink it so I can't say for sure, but maybe you could try drinking something else (maybe Propel or plain water?) for a couple of days to see if that makes a difference. Hope this helps.

I'm sorry I neglected to post in last month's thread. I did meet the challenge for July though! :-) And I intend to do even more this month by adding some time in the sauna 5-6 days a week. At my gym it's an extra charge by the month (fancy infrared sauna) so I'm going to make sure I get my money's worth! It looks like everyone did great in July!! Woohoooooo!

Sandra, I'm glad she didn't give you any grief over it. Maybe you can change her mind on the subject! :-) Congrats on the pound! They add up, as I am seeing!

I was told by the nutritionist that if I drink, don't drive. Not even if it is just ONE drink. Something to keep in mind.

*crosses everything that will cross*

Congrats on your NSV. twinmommy! You are so right about men not noticing. Or if they do they don't speak out. I know that had to make you feel really good and it probably translated into resolve to lose more! I had another NSV yesterday that had been happening for a while, but it just wasn't registering. My skinny hubby always leaves the steering wheel tilted down when he gets out of the family vehicle because it's no problem for him to get out with it that way. I used to silently curse him :-) every time I got into the car. Now I can get in with it tilted down! Wooohoo!

Welcome agchick96! Glad you found us! I got my 2nd fill this afternoon. I have a 10cc band. Last time I got 3cc fill and when I got there today she said it had 2cc left. This time I got 3.6cc. Hope it works longer than last time, although I lost weight anyway. :-)

Paula, the only time I had pain on my left side (other than the normal that could be expected after surgery) was when I began working out about a month post-surgery. It was excruciating at times for about 2 days and I went to see Dr. Edwards about it. He said it was just from the new movement and not to worry. By the time I got to see him (it happened on a Thursday and he couldn't see me until Tuesday) it had gone completely away. That's all I know about port pain.

Hi Paula! Welcome! Once you get off the liquids they'll just be a distant memory. I go for my 2nd fill today. I have had almost zero restriction for the last 3 weeks or so. Still, I've held my own. Anyway, I'll be back on liquids for a couple of days myself! :-)

Here is a link to some information about it. It seems like the jury is still out about it's benefits, but that may simply be due to the fact that it is somewhat new? This is what a study done by Creighton University concluded. Check out the links on the left. I'm interested in the calorie burning and pain relief (arthritis). It just happens that the gym I joined post-banding has one of these and I can use it unlimited for a month for $40, so I decided to give it a go. We'll see! If nothing else, it is very relaxing. Far Infrared Sauna Therapy

Dori, hair loss was discussed at the seminar I went to and also an all day class I attended pre-surgery. They said it normally happens 3 to 6 months after surgery. I don't think there's much to be done about it. I haven't started to shed, but I've been taking biotin in case it would help although I've read that it may not. At any rate, don't worry. It grows right back. Sorry if this isn't much help.

Sandra, That's great that people are noticing! This weekend, I was bent over in front of my sister and she said, "You've lost weight in your butt!". Music to my ears. I also had a NSV today when I went in for a mammogram. I got back to the dressing room where they have the large and small gowns to put on. Well, I still clearly needed the large, but this year it covered me quite well! Last year I couldn't let go of it for a second or I'd have popped out! I decided to add some time in the FAR Infrared Sauna to my workout each time this month and see if it seems to help. I kind of like it. Gives me time to just sit and read a magazine and think. Has anyone else tried one?

Hey Stephany! Glad you found us here. I find it very helpful to have a group of people who are in the same stage of bandedness :-) to ask for help and support from. On the legster front: I just got back from 3 days in Kansas City with my sisters and daughter. We did walk a lot...well wander would be more descriptive. We went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum for a fabulous display of impressionistic art and a 4-story antique mall (only made it through 2 stories). Anyway, we ate regularly and since I'm feeling zero restriction at the moment, I was worried about my weight. Turns out I LOST a pound! Woohoo! I'm getting a fill in 3 days. so I should really be back on track then. Also, I entered a contest at my gym today. It's a nationwide contest where you "pair up" with another person at your gym and try to lose the most pounds and inches. The prize is a $250 VISA card for each of us. Even though it would be hard to win this, I think it is great to have a goal and accountability to my partner! Wish me luck! :-)

Congratulations to you both! That's great!

Great NSV there! It's so mortifying. Sometimes I will tuck both ends under my top and pretend it's latched! *shakes head* The last time I flew, I called the steward over and motioned him close to me and whispered, "Could you discreetly bring me a seat belt extension?" He was so sweet, he nodded and came back with it hidden under a note pad. Mortifying nonetheless though. A couple of weeks ago, we went to our favorite Mexican food restaurant. We always sit at one of the tables, but I'm always envious of those sitting in the cute booths in the window. When we walked in I paused by the only empty booth but decided it was probably a no go. I have a large stomach AND butt, so it may be a while before I fit there. I can wait though. And once I fit in it, I'll never have to think about it again.

I normally don't use the protein shakes (unless I talk about them too much!!) but Melissa was asking because it could be a good way to get some extra calories and protein as a supplement for meals. Normally for my protein I eat grilled chicken breasts, grilled fresh tuna, omelets with LF swiss cheese, boiled shrimp, ground turkey breast burgers, and lots of 1% cottage cheese with either berries, cantaloupe or tomatoes. I can see myself getting in kind of a rut with this because I don't eat beef or pork, so that narrows the choices quite a bit. Tonight I stuffed peppers with onion, tomatoes, black olives, fresh mozzarella, corn off the cob and quinoa (a whole grain that has a high, complete protein content) but I don't always feel so creative. Maybe soon I'll take the time to get some easy recipes like this one under my belt and into the rotation for dinner.

To me, that doesn't sound like more than a cup of food. Maybe even less than a cup? Regardless though, you may need a fill if you are feeling hungry a lot. That's where I am right now myself.

I looked some more and found them cheaper at this link, but not sure about the shipping (other place is free). I buy them locally for $19 a box so I think this is a pretty good buy. Also, you can add the cottage cheese to any flavor to round out the protein and add flavor and texture. Ok, I'm definitely having one of these tonight. Southern Oregon Health and Wellness Products Catalog More info: V.H.P. Shakes are a thick and delicious meal replacement formula manufactured by Bariatrix, a French Canadian company with long-term experience in weight management product development. In addition to high quality, hunger satisfying protein, V.H.P. Shakes are a great source of antioxidants, calcium, and B-complex vitamins.

Melissa, about the shakes, I prefer the kind that you can actually put in a blender with ice and water and it comes out like a real shake. The first 3 products on this link are ones I like (never actually tried the strawberry). They may seem expensive, but they are 35 grams of protein each, so I use half at a time. With the chocolate one, I make a Reese's shake by adding a teaspoon of peanut butter and 1/4 cup of cottage cheese. Yummmm. I also freeze slices of banana or berries to add to these, or even pecans or walnuts. Ok, now look what you did! I just ate dinner and I'm hungry again! lol Oh, also the "Bari" pudding/shakes farther down the list are cheaper, but one packet is a meal (unlike 2 for the others). Low Prices and Free Shipping - Meal Replacement - Manage Your Weight

Sounds great, Melissa! I'm happy for you.