Tralynn222

Wow Becky that is so awesome! As an inspiration to so many of us, could you share a little bit about your success? Aside from using the band as a tool, it is still hard work losing that much weight, I'd love to hear your story.

misjanete: How ironic is that....your scenario sounded exactly like mine yesterday. I was on the fence on whether or not I should go in and get another fill. So, I did...I went in and discussed with my doctor. We both decided to do .5 cc and today I think I'm at my "sweet spot". I was able to eat my mushy Breakfast ok, and I'm trying to eat a bowl of Soup for lunch but not able to eat all of it which is exactly what I wanted!! I'm just hoping it doesn't "kick in" later in the week because then I'll be screwed, lol. Good luck with your decision!!

After this fill (5th one) I have finally found some restriction. I'm hoping that it is the sweet spot that I've read so much about. I've also joined a gym and can actually feel myself losing inches. FINALLY!!:biggrin:

After this fill (5th one) I have finally found some restriction. I'm hoping that it is the sweet spot that I've read so much about. I've also joined a gym and can actually feel myself losing inches. FINALLY!!:biggrin:

jwright: I just had to answer your post because I know exactly how you're feeling. I was banded on 11-13-07 and was wondering if I would ever reach restriction. My doctor has been very conservative with the fills but after my 5th fill last week (7cc's), I think I've finally hit my "sweet spot". Hang in there and be patient. Keep going for your fills and you will get there and then your weight loss will take off. Watch and log what you're eating, and remember to exercise!! I learned that you can't wait for it, you have to make it happen. :ohmy:

Hey guys!! I've been LC'in for the past two weeks and can't believe I found you guys. I've been lurking over on the LC Friends site but I'd much rather be over here since we've all been lap-banded. Here's my menu for today: B - Homemade cheesecake muffin L - Romain lettuce w/ feta, ham and (3) green olives D - 4-5 Chicken wings -Traci

I live in North Port, FL and have BCBS of MI too. They've paid for everything so far - band, fills, and three ultrasounds. You should have no problems.

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go 1. TxArcher............345 ............342................325.........17 2. Skinny_Jill..........186.............184................178........... 6 3. Momto1plus1......228.8..........229.2.............218.8.......10.4 4, Longhorn...........204.............199.4.............195...........4.4 5. Mariegabrieleee...252.............251................240.........11 6. Teresajo............195.............193...............185.... ... .10 7. Shortgal............189.............189.................184......... 5 8. Trixie................241.............235.................221......... 14 9. want2lose........226.............223.5...............216..........7.5 10. bandchick64.....241.............238.................230...........8 11. Shalee04..........205............204.................197............7 12. Hollyberries.......278............276.................270............6 13. Sades.............201.............198.................190............8 14. Tralynn222......320..............318.................310............8

Whew....my husband thinks I'm crazy too, lol. I think my fill is finally kicking in a little bit though..this morning I got stuck a little bit and had my first PB. Thanks for all the support!!

Has anyone else been able to taste the Saline after a fill? I honestly think my doc is missing my port and just injecting the saline into my body. I have had four fills and have very little or no restriction. I can still eat basically whatever I want, including bread and I don't have to chew like crazy. I was just wondering if anyone else has been able to taste the saline. I don't think that's normal.

1. Momto1plus1......228.2..........228.2.............218...........10 2. Mariegabrieleee...252............252................240...........12 3. TxArcher............345.............345................325..........20 4. Trixie.................241............241................221.......... .20 5. Longhorn............204............204................199............5 6. Tralynn222.........320............320.................310...........10 I didn't get in on the Valentines Day challenge but count me in on this one now that I finally have some restriction. :cursing:

I feel your pain. I know how it feels to wait and want that restriction and so frustrating that we still haven't achieved it yet. Don't get depressed though. Depression leads to overeating. Hang in there and definitely talk to your doctor about what you're going through. You're not alone...trust me. 48 lbs is a HUGE accomplishment.....be proud of yourself! You CAN do this.

Well...that explains it. Those measurements are the measurements my doc has been following. I couldn't figure out why my fills were so much smaller than everyone elses, but now I know...he goes by the book. Thanks for sharing that info!

Cynthia - two pounds is not a big deal. I keep gaining and losing the same two pounds. It's probably just water weight. If you feel your clothes are getting looser that's all that matters. You also have to remember that if you're lifting weights and building muscle - muscle weighs more than fat, so that will reflect on the scale too. I go in for my second fill tomorrow....yayy me. I cannot wait to have some restriction. Last time I went in I had a pocket of fluid above my port site that the doc had to remove. He's having me have an ultrasound tomorrow to make sure it didn't fill up again. I think it has. :rolleyes2: Wish me luck. -Traci

Cynthia - Be sure to let us know how the weigh in went!!

Hey Cynthia!!! Wow...I see you were banded at Buffalo General. I'm originally from Buffalo (Lancaster) but moved to FL four years ago. I'm actually headed up there this weeked to see my newborn neice. Not looking forward to the cold and snow but...oh well. I weighed 338 pre-surgery, lost 20 lbs on the pre-op diet and the scale hasn't budged since. I've been going up and down on the same two pounds for weeks now. My doc reassured me though that it's normal and as soon as I get some restriction, I'll start to see the weight loss. I go for my 2nd fill next Wed. I'd love to have a friend to share our challenges and successions. That's what I'm here for ....I need that moral support!! (I think we all do) -Traci

Well...I'm two months post op and one week post first fill. So far I feel like I did pre-surgery. I'm holding steady at the 20 lb loss and am seriously looking forward to seeing the days when it starts to fall off. I went for my first fill last week with Dr. Erbella and it was easier than I thought it was going to be, however, I had a hemotoma (pocket of fluid) above my port site that he had to suck out with a needle. It's left a bad bruise on my tummy. He wants me to have an ultrasound before my next fill next week to make sure it didn't fill back up. The fill itself was painless. I don't have any restriction at all....soon though, hopefully sooner than later.

Well...I'm two months post op and one week post first fill. So far I feel like I did pre-surgery. I'm holding steady at the 20 lb loss and am seriously looking forward to seeing the days when it starts to fall off. I went for my first fill last week with Dr. Erbella and it was easier than I thought it was going to be, however, I had a hemotoma (pocket of fluid) above my port site that he had to suck out with a needle. It's left a bad bruise on my tummy. He wants me to have an ultrasound before my next fill next week to make sure it didn't fill back up. The fill itself was painless. I don't have any restriction at all....soon though, hopefully sooner than later.

Hey guys....just chiming in here. I was banded two months ago and just got my first fill last week. I'm living in bandster hell right now and seriously cannot wait to get out of it. I'm hungry all the time and look forward to having some restriction. We can all do this!! -Traci

I have BCBS of MI. I never actually received an official approval from them. They sent me a letter of what they required and I followed it to T. I then submitted all of my documentation and after waiting for 8 months, received a letter stating that the surgery would be paid for. I gave this to my new surgeon's office and they accepted it as an approval. BCBS of MI adamantly states that they do not require nor do they give pre-approvals, it's up to your surgeon's office to make sure you have filled all of the requirements. Hope you have better luck than I did. -Traci

My doctor told me that if you see a bright red circle, sunburn red, and it is warm to the touch, that is an infection and MUST be treated aggressively immediately. If you even suspect you have an infection..get it looked at.

Wow...my doc won't give me a fill until exactly 6 wks and that falls on Christmas Day so I have to wait 8 wks before I get my first fill. I know I have to be patient but..grrrr, it's not fair!

Summer, Just this past week I went in for my post op exam. My doc took one look at my port site and insisted that I had the beginnings of an infection. He said that it would be terrible to have an infection at the port site because that's where the mesh is..etc etc. He put me on Keflex and made me come back to see him in three days. He said that if it didn't get better by then I would have to do the antibiotics through an IV. Fast forward to Friday.....I go in and show my port site to the nurse. She said it looks great just finish the antibiotics. She said that if there is any temp change (heat) at the port site, or if there is a round red circle, that indicates an infection. Obviously that is exactly what you had. This is important for anyone out there reading this that they know what to look for and how important it is to have it treated asap. I'm glad you did get yours taken care of, even if it took the longer route. I've heard of infections happening at the port site up to a year later, so...I guess we'll always have to watch out for the signs. Good Luck

I went to see my doc yesterday for my post-op exam and he immediately said that my port site is infected. It's red and sore but I would've never known that it was infected. He put me on Keflex three times a day and said that if it doesn't clear up by Friday morning he is going to admit me into the hospital so they can administer antibiotics through an IV. I'm praying it clears up before then.

Oh Gosh I know what you all are talking about. Even though I can't eat as much, my mouth certainly wants to. I drink my protein shake for breakfast, I'm not usually too hungry at this point, but I know that I need to get in my protein. Come 10:00 a.m my stomach starts growling like clock work. You can set your watch to it. At noon I have my soup and that holds me until I get home around 5. By that time, I'm really famished but thankfully I can't eat the way I used to. I have a few bites and I'm full!! Gotta love the Band :clap2: