wanttobe110

Hey! It did take me three fills to feel restriction. Look at my signature below and I have my fill history. I put it in my signature for bandsters like you who are frustrated after two fills. I was frustrated after two fills!

Drinking liquids while eating does not make my food watery and go down the band quicker----it makes the food come right back up. My doctor said that for some, drinking with meals acts like a plunge and it sure does that for me. It's a sure way that I'm not drinking with MY meals! I do drink right up to eating and then I wait at least 30 minutes.

hah- That's cuz I gave the wrong address. Ooops. Its www.riversideinn-ny.com More details to follow on my aunt's place. Anyone up to joining us Friday night for dinner at my aunt's apartment? We'll order in or maybe even cook something.

Me again, The walk starts in Riverside Park which is on the Upper West Side, starting at 72nd street. I found a hotel near there- www.riversidepark-inn.com and a small room with a private bath is $90/night.

Hi everyone, I am doing the 5K walk Saturday morning and The Producers that afternoon (with Penni!!). I am staying with my aunt in the City who lives on 1st and 50-something on Friday night. Would anyone like to come over to my aunt's house on Friday night--she has a huge terrace---and we can have dinner out there and chat. I'll be leaving Saturday evening.

Hey, Pizza is okay for me. Forget the pasta and bread though- no good.

Hey everyone, I just heard about a new weight loss surgery alternative for those that have less weight to loose. It's called Intragastric Balloon. It has been used in Europe and is supposedly undergoing approval by the FDA now. Predictions are doctors in the USA will be doing them sometime in 2006. A balloon is placed in stomach so it takes less food to feel full. Then in about 6 months the balloon is removed and you fly solo. Just another alternative.

Debbie and Christine, Keep at it. The band WILL work when used properly. J Lynn's advice is right on. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hey Debbie, I was in same situation as you. Look at my fill history after my name and you'll see. I didn't get restriction until the third fill. So get another fill- and another one after that if you need it- and so on. Be on top of it (which it sounds like you are). Don't wait too long, but be safe. I felt the same way- like I was going to fail at this. But once I got the right amount- it worked. You really won't be able to eat a lot. Really. I have lost 23 pounds, which is about 2 pounds a week since my first fill. I lost NOTHING the first month- talk about depressing! Do what you are supposed to do (right fills, water, protein/right foods, exercise) and it WILL work. I've been where you are and soon you will be where I am. My email is kcuillard@hotmail.com if you need some more personal encouragement.

I have no idea where you are but the N.E.W Program of Orange County (www.weightcontrolsurgery.com or 949-722-7662) has a Low BMI (between 30-35) study for the Lap-BandAE.

Do some research on the internet---I've neard of some studies being done for those with a BMI under 40 and they are looking for subjects (YOU). If I can find anything, I'll let you know.

Kudos to marimaru, vinesqueen and everyone for such great words of advice. We are proud of you and YOU certainly did do this "on your own". You used your tool on your own. Working the band properly takes skill. I am proud of you that you didn't pig out on ice cream, coffee drinks, etc. That you ate your protein, drank your water and cut down on the bad stuff. I know you did that because you would not have lost 35 pounds otherwise. Good luck and keep up the good work!

Who cares how the weight comes off? Call it cheating, call it the easy way out. I call it wonderful.

Hi everyone, The Walk from Obesity is going to start in Riverside Park (at 83rd Street), along the Hudson River on the west side. Also, Penni and I are going to see The Producers on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon--anyone want to join? We'll be getting tix soon. They are $109 each.

Hey, My check is in the mail for the walk! Thanksf or letting me know registration was open. I still plan to meet up with you on Friday and Saturday. What did we want to do about a play. We can get seats now for The Producers (a $110 a pop) or we can get half-price tickets the day of the show (the catch is that whatever seats and shows are available is all you can choose from. We may be able to get The Producers, we may not). I live here so I can see The Producers whenever--I will go with whatever you want to do when it comes to the show. Also, what type of restaurant are we looking for- my brother and aunt are NYC restaurant nuts and can recommend something. What hotel are you staying at?

Hey Penni, I'd love to meet you for dinner on Friday. I'll be staying with my aunt in the city Friday night. I'm glad you are walking on Saturday. I am so excited for the walk and now I have someone to walk with me! I'd love to see The Producers. Pehaps a matinee. Also, my aunt has a small apartment in the City, but a great outdoor patio. We could hang out on the patio and order in dinner.

Good evening bandsters! Well, here's my scenario. First fill of 1 c.c was nothing. Second fill of another c.c. was nothing. Yesterday, I went in for fill #3. She put in .5 c.c. but I couldn't get any water down. She removed .2 c.c. That makes me at 2.3 c.c. I am still drinking liquids and it hurts going down. It's only been 24 hours- am I still swollen? Should I wait a few days? How do you know if you are too tight? Any advice would help! Thanks so much!

Hey Alexra, Congrats on being banded. Don't worry about food now. Keeping hydrated in most important. How about trying some juices?

Hi Roxanne, Welcome to LBT! Where in NJ are you? I am in near Sandy Hook. Who is your doctor? From info seminar to surgery, I'd say about two months (all depends on how quickly the insurance company moves). Who is your insurance company? With my doctor, the order was: info seminar, meet with my primary care physician for blood work, meet with psychologist, meet with nutritionist, meet with surgeon and set a surgery date, wait for insurance approval, pre-admin testing about a week before surgery and then the surgery itself. We have a lot in common- we're the same age, I had 108 pounds to lose and my BMI is about 47. I have no other health issues. Thank goodness for that. I recommend reading about the befores and afters. Some good books I have personally found are Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding By Jessie Ahroni and The Success Habits of WLS Patients by Colleen Cook. Also, I have subscriptions to WLS Lifestyles magazine and Obestity Help magazine which I found invaluable. Any other questions, feel free to post and I'll answer or send me a PM.

Hey guys....went in and had .1 c.c. removed and it makes a world of difference. Still have to be on liquids for 2 days but I think I'm just about right.

Hi Jenna, I just checked CP and it loks like I have my email and PM on. My email is cuillard@comcast.net if you want to email me. My doctor says 48 hours of liquids after a fill and then 48 hours of mushies. I am going to see how things go today. If it hurts to drink water then I must be too tight. It's amazing how 2 c.c was nothing and 2.3 c.c. is tight. Augh. It's a 4 hour round trip to see my doctor so it's a whole day event!

Okay gals--- I had my SECOND fill of another c.c. (2 c.c. total) last week and still no restriction. I can still eat like a truck driver. Most of the time I don't, but I did today (two parties). Although, I must say that I did eat less than I normally would have, but still too much! I am wanting the restriction so badly but it's just not there. And what if it takes to 3 c.c. or more to feel restriction? Then I won't have restriction later on, right? Don't you need an adjustment every few months or so as you lose weight? There won't be any room left in my 4 c.c band. Getting discouraged...........

Hi gals, Yes, I usually want everything yesterday. I did get another fill and I am at 2.3 c.c. They filled my to 2.5 but I couldn't get Water down so they took out a bit. I've got to be on liquids/mushies for a few days but I think we've got it this time! Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. It really does help!

Hi Harley, I want that restriction! It is amzing how we're all different. i thought I would definitely feel it after the second fill. I'll keep you posted. And shortney, I think PBing is throwing up. Not sure though.

Any more on the plans for the bash---who's coming, what are we doing, where are we staying?