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Susan, this is my thinking. Make an appt. with now, to see your doctor tomorrow. It sounds as if you are a little too tight and need a slight unfill. Your stoma (opening) is getting a bit agitated. If you aren't too tight, when you see the doctor...then he can still check you out. Often our bands are fickle, during certain times of the day. It may be better this evening. Keep trying to drink your liquids. I know it's bit of a drive, but it will be worth piece of mind. See your doctor. Good luck. Let us know, how it turns out. Shawn

Thanks to you all! This is a well-laid-out message board. Easy to read and well maintained. Thanks guys! Shawn

It sounds like you are swollen. Keep on the liquids for a day and see. If you are having trouble keeping liquids down, then you may need a slight unfill. Good luck. Shawn

Wow...The band has already potentially saved your life, and you don't have it yet!!!! It's wonderful that this was caught and you can have it corrected. Take care of yourself. Shawn

OK! First test=NO Pregnancy Detected Retest=JANET RENO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG...Shawn

This is interesting....I understand the states are pretty clear as to when/if you get your regular pay, after serving on a jury. However, I am not so clear as to making "time" up at the job. Your husband was essentially working, as a juror. Now he is being penalized by working, at his real job, additional hours to make-up for jury duty. What's the law regarding this or is there? Shawn

You're doing great. Many folks don't feel ANY restriction without a fill or 2 under their belt. When are you due to get a fill? Things will be a bit better, after you feel restriction. Congrats! Shawn

Hi Gayle, Welcome to LBT! Shawn

Susan, Amen to that! My perception is way off. That's why the calorie counting helps me realize what I am eating. I also rely on the numbers and fitday helps me out bigtime! Shawn

Thanks Plunder. I am always looking for way to increaser fiber and decrease constipation....I find it hard to eat enough quantity of fiber to get 20 grams. I am always looking for high fiber foods. Shawn

Good thread. I had a little "meat" on my bones pre-adolescent. Come 14 years old and menstruation my meat was no longer there. I had turned into a 5'8" inch and 125 pounds. In high school I averaged 135 pounds. I wasn't into athletics, but was very busy. I always worked and went to school. That kept me slim. My eating habits were the same as they are now. I LOVE food. I ate any opportunity that I had, even the junk and the healthy stuff. It didn't/doesn't matter. I would eat the bag of chips, after school on a daily basis. I also hoarded. It's amazing that I never developed bulimia, but I didn't. I was always pretty confident and independent. My family life sucked in high school and I lived with a friend, for most of it. Fast forward...I've been married since I was 19 years old (21 years now) and had gained almost 120 pounds since married. Part metabolism, pregnancy weight, and time. My eating habits didn't change. Oh, I tried to change them. Today, I am banded and my life and eating habits have altered. I hope that I never have to lose the band, because I am not sure that my head is on straight regarding food. Shawn

My surgeon forbids calorie counting! His deal is "you've dieted before it and didn't work." He tells his patients...3 meals a day and no snacking (protein first, then veggie, then...). This is what I REALLY do. I count my calories on fitday.com. I usually try to get 1200 average per day, with a min. of 60 grams of Protein, plus fiber rich foods. I do snack, as when I get hungry I also get the shoulder pain. The only relief, from my shoulder pain, is feeding my stomach???? I need a fill, but have averaged 1200-1400 per day. My loss had slowed, but also I am not requiring the amount of calories because my body isn't as large. I expected this... Shawn

Leener, don't worry! You WILL slow down, once you get a fill/restriction. Otherwise, there is pain involved!!! That is great behavior modification, at least it is for me.... Shawn

I like the way Vines put it! Use this time as a way to learn and gather information. Shawn

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8 You might want to read this thread on insurance. Also post here for insurance questions. Sometimes, I've read, folks can appeal if they have an exclusion. Other times, they pay for it via credit, financing, or going to Mexico. Good luck...Shawn

Have fun! I agree driving to your destination and then driving to see EACH individuals is the pits! I know whatcha talking about. Shawn

The most I've EVER lost on my own was 20 pounds. That was about 15 years ago. I gained much more after that...I would NEVER have lost this amount of weight, on my own. Call it willpower or whatever, I just didn't have it. What I did have was a sickness in my heart and head, that told me that I had to do something or my life was going to be the same or get worse. I was tired.... Today I am less 75 pounds and still working on the "rest." I am a success, even if I don't lose another pound. Shawn

Hope you are doing better tolerating your fill or have a slight unfill already! Let us know, how you're doing? Shawn

Audrey, your pictures and incredible weightloss are awesome! You must feel so different? Any tips? Sorry, about the loss of your MOM. Shawn

Bandman, I would get a tiny bit out for relief. If you can't drink without discomfort, that a signal in my book. With a little relief, you can eat the healthy foods that you need. Good luck. Shawn

I am sort of "winging it." I know my ideal range according to charts. I am thinking that I will be happy around 160, but I have my goal listed as 150. I am 5'8" female. I will no longer be overweight. I already feel better and confident. I was 140 when I was 19. I know my body is capable of that weight range. Sooo, this is a great question. 5 years with the band is incredible for the US. You have done wonderful. Congrats. Shawn

Good for you! That giving-up-smoking-thing is VERY difficult! Your body will LOVE you for it, in the long run. I love all sodas, diet or regular. However, after banding I don't do well with the carbonated stuff. It feels bad and my stomach is distended. I love a sip and no more... Congrats and good luck. Shawn

Jacqui, sorry about the sliming/after porterhouse. However, it great that the band is serving as a appetite supressant. I am still not sure, for me, why I lost most of my cravings the first 6 months. Was it that I was "gung ho" after banding and very motivated, or did it do something to my stomach/brain that made my appetite/cravings disappear? Anyway...I am now over 8 months post-band and have found some of my cravings. YUK!! Shawn

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16691 Here is a thread that discusses Shoulder pain: Looking for theories. I am 8 months have had the occasional shoulder pain, some worse than others. This is what I've noticed....Instead of hunger pains, I get should pains (eating immediately helps). Also, sometimes stress will give me this sensation. It is always on my left side and has NEVER occured prior to banding. Good luck Sunta. Shawn

Mandy, you are doing well. Congrats on the band!!! Shawn