KarenG.

It went well today -- I really liked the surgeon. I am going to go for the lower body lift in a first surgery and then think about the arms and breasts at a later date (maybe lift and reduction). I am going to try to lose 25-30lbs and then come back to schedule probably aim for the fall. I will have drains and a pain pump. She told me I should plan on taking 2-3 weeks off from work. Exercise is ok after 4 weeks but no spinning or intense exercise until 6 weeks. Something interesting she said was that she reccomends waiting until after summer because of the drains (instead of dealing with that in the heat). I had never thought about that before. I should get some insurance coverage because of my hernia.

I am kind of nervous! I know that I need to have a hernia repaired so my surgeon thought that he could fix it while I am getting a tummy tuck to avoid a second surgery and extra scars........ so that has moved my timeline up for surgery considerably. I really want to lose at least 25 more lbs before I have anything done though. It is a female ps which I am very pleased about. I would like a LBL - my front half isn't nearly as bad as my backside but the front is where the hernia is. My thighs are a scary wreck - really they make me want to cry. My arms are also something I want to ask her about - I am most self-conscious about them. My breasts are last on my list somehow because they look "ok" in a bra - I would like a lift at some point. I keep feeling like the ps is going to take one look at me and me like "sorry there is nothing that can be done for you" - I know that is just body issues rearing its ugly head.

That is the first sign for me that I need a fill --- If I start getting hungry between the three meals and after dinner. Sometimes I think wow - this is a really bad combination of not being able to eat too much and getting starving between meals. I think when it gets just a tiny bit loose the amount your pouch can hold increases a little bit but the emptying of the pouch gets much faster. Totally unscientific guess.

My port sticks way out and will even more when I have a tummy tuck. I have to admit it doesn't look great - I have very little fat in that area and you can see the port in detail. BUT in terms of vaneness I much prefer a little port sticking out instead of being fat.

Months ago I had one bad PB in a chinese restaurant in chinatown, followed by 2 more sliming incidents (one on the street!!!!) and one in the garbage can at starbucks - there was a line for the bathroom. It is the worst! BUT to answer your question I have pbed at a restaurant many times but I always have notice, recognize the signs and can get to the bathroom in time.

I have a latte with skim milk every morning. My nut. is ok with it b/c I don't eat breakfast and the skim milk is a good source of protein. I have never had a problem with the acid.

I am always swollen for several days and can't even drink too well but it is important to be able to at least get water or milk down. If you cant say by tomorrow I would get unfilled - dehydration I have learned can make your band even tighter and make your vomit and then you get even more swollen.

I always care about food. You will experience more food intolerance the more restricted you are. Also, mistakes such as chewing and speed of eating are less forgiven when you are more restricted. Slow down and think when you are eating and you will have fewer problems.

Very weird ... this entire fill thing. Every time I think I understand what is going on I learn something new. Anyway, I am glad I scheduled the fill now!

So interesting because today I made a real effort to drink all my water and I was able to get about 9-10 glasses in. I think I was tight because I was dehydrated. Completely hydrated I feel almost no restriction.

I definately hear what you are saying. I am not worried about not being able to get an unfill b/c my surgeon works in a practice and one of his partners could alway unfill if neccessary. I do think I need an adjustment - I guess I will just try and really do a good assessment over the next week and reschedule if needed.

Thanks for your input. My fills are completely covered by my insurance so that is not an issue for me. THe problem is that the doctor is going away for a few weeks and I may not be able to get in until the end of April. I guess I will see where I am at next week. I am not worried about being totally closed off or anything because the fills are done under the floroscope.

OK so here is my dilema. I have been thinking over the past few weeks that I need a fill. I started the process at my doc's office and got approved to get one last week and I am scheduled for next week 4/1. NOW after I am scheduled I am suddenly having several incidents of PBing/stuck kind of situaton and I hadn't had the problem in over a month. My period is due next week and I have had a ton of stress in my life over the past couple of days. Also, I am sometimes able to eat a ton and sometimes not able to eat anything. Possibly I am not being as careful as I should because I know I am looser. 2 Questions: 1) am I jumping the gun on a fill and 2) am I insane to be getting a fill just before my period? In the past I have not noticed any change in restriction around my period. Thanks for the input!

Depends on how much you love raw fish. I eat sashimi all the time OR I get a maki roll without rice and ask for soybean paper and have no problems that way. The rice and the seaweed can be problematic for me personally but some people can handle it.

Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope................208...........195...........2................13... georgia girl.....................254...........244...........0............... 10.... darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .......14... KarenG..........................179...........173..........0......... .........6 Chocolate_Snaps............274...........260...........0.............. ...14 Wannabthin...................197.5........187.5.........0............. .....10. OH Juli...........................199..........190..........2........ ............9 jfran.............................165...........160..........3........ ............5 Candle...........................194..........186..........0.......... ..........8

Yes, minorly (not enough to stop drinking!) and it is always with the red which is sad because I prefer red.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........195........197..........0 cQQlgirl........215...........209........205..........4 destiny79.......255...........245........240..........5 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234..........6 Jackie..........164...........160........157..........3 Jill............220...........212........210..........2 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........179........181..........-2 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........220........225..........-5 legster.........209...........199........196..........3 LessnLess.......164...........157........157..........0 Linda Lu........228...........217.2......215..........2.2 Longhorn........204...........195........195..........0 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195..........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........247........241..........6 Redtulips3......225...........217........215..........2 Renewedhope.....213...........206........199..........7 Sades...........201...........197........190..........7 Skinny_Jill.....186...........179........178..........1 Stacy73.........222...........219........212..........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........262........260..........2 wombat712.......145...........141.8......135..........6.8 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........220........220..........0 Trixie..........241...........219.5........221..........0! Jennypoo........199...........193.5......194..........0!!!

Please don't feel that way... you are lovely and so inspirational. Don't worry about telling people an exact number (I never do) just think about how far you have come. I have seen your pictures and you look great!

CONGRATULATIONS. This is by far my favorite NSV.

I agree about them needing to do a biggest loser women's and biggest loser men's. It totally is unfair that they are competing with unlevel playing fields. I wonder why the producer's haven't decided to do that? Isn't it obvious. By the way - I agree about Kelly but I really don't like Mark and Jay - particularly Mark. Also Dan is getting so arrogant. It is nice to see him have better confidence with his weight loss but still he is getting a bit annoying.

Is it getting anyone else down how the women are completely being eliminated on BL? I almost don't want to watch anymore - every week another woman. Soon it will be all of those silly men (not that I don't love men and all - just would like to see a woman win for once!).

It is kind of different than vomiting because you don't have the stomach acid - also no nausea (usually)

Thanks so much Luluc: You are doing great too. I had an issue when I got my last fill when I wasn't eating enough before spinning classes (4-5x per week) and I was told to have another snack 1/2 yogourt or glass of skim milk when I was spinning.

Restriction is kind of different for everyone. FOr me it means that I feel stuffed and if i go too far I get a painful lump in my throat. That means I have eaten too much. You probably need another fill because when I was properly restricted I barely felt hunger. You are right about the reviewing thing. I naturally prefer healthy foods so that was never an issue for me - portions are. My doctors office has us do a food log for a while before deciding about a fill so I think I will accomplish both.

I have had 4 already. I have been very restricted for almost 2 1/2 - 3 months now and lost about 26-27 lbs during that time period. In the last 2 weeks my portions have been getting bigger and I have been getting hungrier between meals. Am I jumping the gun on a fill? I decided to get the ball rolling and at least schedule an appointment with the nutritionist for this week. My restriction is totally inconsistant - one day I can eat a ton - one day I feel pretty restricted again - all and all my restriction has decreased since where it was at my optimal restriction when I was losing weight more quickly. What do you guys think?