Skinny_Jill

I'm so sorry that you had a bad fill experience. I've had 3 and the 1st 2 weren't pleasant but they weren't bad. The 3rd was a breeze. My fills have been done by nurses. The 1st 2 were done by 1 nurse and she struggled to find the port. The 3rd was a more experienced nurse and I didn't feel anything except for the Water that didn't go down because I was too tight. Those not banded do not let this scare you. It is worth it!

Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI Foofy..............37.5..................14%.................38 Sades.............31.5..................14%.................36 Shalee04.........61.....................24...................31.1 Bandpal...........66.8..................24%................36 Skinny_Jill....48.....................22%..................32.7

Amy, I am still in my 1st year so my fills are covered for now but the last time I was there I heard someone checking out and it was $150. Not sure if that was under fluro or not. I have followed your plastic surgery posts and I am so impressed with your loss and how wonderful you look. You are very inspiring. You give me hope that maybe I can look as good as you someday. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I just gave 5 pair of pants to my best friend. I had a hard time because I am still scared this isn't real. I am changing how I eat and am exercising and I do believe I will do this and keep it off but every once in a while that little fat voice pops up. GO AWAY FAT VOICE!!! :biggrin:

I'm so sorry you are sliming so much. I've never slimed or PB'd but I have a question. Do you switch to liquids for 24 hours after you slime? If not, maybe you should try it. Maybe you're stoma is really irritated and needs time to settle. Just a suggestion. If it doesn't get better you probably need to get a small unfill. I really hope it gets better soon. Get luck!

I was self-pay and it is the best money I've ever spent. My grocery bill is less than half what it used to be so those savings help me with the note payment. When I eat out I have left overs for the next couple of days. Life is so much better with the band!

Things like chocolate, ice cream, chips and dips go down easily for most. Most bandsters have problems with bread, rice and Pasta. The food that is best for bandsters to eat is lean meat, veggies and healthy carbs. It is good that you don't have a sweet tooth. That tends to be a weakness for anyone trying to lose weight. Good luck.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I hate to ask this but are you taking very small bites, chewing well and waiting between bites? Are you doing liquids for at least 24 hours after you PB. It is important to heal after each episode. I agree that you must trust your doc and your doc must trust you or it won't work. Find another surgeon or find a fill center and get unfilled and let your stomach heal.

Barb, It sounds like you 2 are very close. The next time she makes a comment I would pull her aside and nicely tell her that it bothers you. Tell her you know that she doesn't mean anything negative by it but it really gets to you. Talk to her openly about it. That is the best way if you want to save the friendship. Explain to her that it isn't easy. Keep in mind that she is probably having a hard time with it too. She is probably a little jealous which is normal. Good luck!

I use protein shakes occasionally. As with anything else look at the nutritional info. Some are high calorie. Find one that is low calorie and low fat. I use Unjury and it has 80 calories and no fat.

I just had a WW chocolate fudge brownie ice cream cup and it was very good. The best part is the nutritional info. 140 cal 1.5 fat 7 gr Fiber 5 gr Protein I definitely need the fiber.

I bought some of those at the store today. I can't wait to try one later.

Refried beans are great and healthy. I buy Rosarita fat free refried beans and I put them in a skillet (spray with pam) and I chop up some jalepenos for extra flavor. I like to cook mine until they dry out a little and get a little crispy on the edges. During the mushy stage I didn't cook them as long since they need to be mushier than I like. I put a little low fat or fat free cheese on them and they are great.

That is great to hear. I always feel guily when I drink it. If I have any discomfort then I don't drink it but it usually goes down fine.

My doctor said no carbonated drinks at all. coffee and tea were fine with him. I was given tea and coffee immediately after surgery. I felt the same way about Diet Coke. I gave it up for a few months after surgery but I drink it occasionally now. I have to drink it over ice. It is too carbonated right out of the can and burns a little. If you try to drink after surgery or right after a fill you won't be able to. It hurts pretty bad. If you really only have 1 a day it won't be hard to give up. I used to drink 6 or so a day and I gave it up for a few months with no problems. As for caffeine, each doctor is different.

I usually have an ounce of cheese and 5 crackers. You don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast. Have a sandwich or some lunch meat. Growing up I never ate breakfast food. I used to eat chicken noodle Soup for breakfast. My mother would put milk in it because I would not drink milk at all. I bought some bacon today so I am going to throw a couple of slices in the microwave the next few days for breakfast.

Tracy, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You are very inspiring. Just imagine what year 2 will bring. Jill

What are you eating? You need to track your calories, fat, Fiber and Protein and see where you are. You also need to follow the band rules. Protein first, veggies and then carbs if you have room. Do not drink while eating or for at least 30 minutes after you eat. The band is a tool and if we don't follow the rules and eat healthier we won't lose weight. If you are doing all of these things and are still hungry and not losing then you probably need a fill. It is also possible that you aren't eating enough. I had to evaluate what I was doing and when I was honest with myself I know I wasn't using the band the way it was intended. After I adjusted my eating and added exercise the weight started coming off again. Remember just having the band won't make you lose weight. Come here everyday. The stories are inspirational and really help me. You can do it! Good luck!

Debbie, That is a great weight loss. Be proud of what you've accomplished. You have reached that point in this journey where you need to re-evaluate what you are doing. I believe the 1st step is to get a fill. I was struggling a while back and had to re-evaluate. I bit the bullet and bought sessions with a personal trainer. I started logging my food and found that I was eating too much fat. I changed what I was eating and the weight started coming off. Good luck! You can do it!!!!!

Hi everyone, I am doing great. I need a fill but I am waiting until I get back from Vegas on May 18. I am counting calories, fat and Protein and I am losing but I do get hungry more often than I should. I guess it is good old will power for me for a few more weeks. I can do it. I am working out with a trainer and I am loving it. Cindy - I think I missed the pants story. I am going to try to find it. It's a good thing you tried the bathing suit before you went to the Y. Yikes, that would have been embarassing. Cingyg - You were eating 600 - 800 calories a day and then jumped to 1000 a day. It will take a few days or a week for your body to adjust to the new calorie level. Anytime we increase our calories this can happen. If you don't start losing with the 1000 calories a day then try going up. I need to eat 1200 calories per day to really lose. Also be careful that you aren't eating too much fat. I was sticking to my calories and not losing and it was because I was eating too much fat. I cut back on the fat and the weight started coming off. Linda - Congrats for making the changes to get in gear. I had to do the same. I feel much better now.

Kendra, That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you. I will keep stompin' away.

You will hear many different theories on weight loss. Some feel it is change in diet and others feel it happens due to the anesthesia. Either way, eat your Protein and take your Vitamins. I had surgery 5 months ago and I've had no hair loss. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Cindy, Has your hair stopped falling out? I hope so.

I found a way to get over that "normal feeling." Sit around in a bathing suit all weekend. :cursing: My friends and I had our annual girls weekend this past weekend and we live in our bathing suits by my friend's pool. I look much better this weekend but bathing suits don't hide much and it made me realize I still have a long way to go to really be "normal." I've lost over 3 pounds this week. I guess it worked! LOL

I don't have any info but I am in Houston and will probably have some PS after I reach goal so I am gathering info about docs. I thought I would help by bumping up this thread. Good luck!