marathinner

Great thread, Gib!! As of June 23rd (my 4.5 month bandiversary) I have lost 47 pounds and have had 4 fills for a total of 6.5cc in my 14cc band. I'm at my sweet spot and still losing slowwwly but surely. Like my sista, Rhaps, I am 3 pounds from Onderland!!

I think I speak for all of us when I say "WE HAVE MISSED YOU AROUND HERE"!! What's going on, girl? Really, the boards haven't been the same without your clever wit and funny posts. You know,....we're all in this together so if you're going thru a tough time I hope you will come here for support. Anway, just seeing you post today made me smile!! Hugs, Amy P.S This goes for all the other Double V's who are M.I.A. (Angie, Queen, Patti, Aveamora..and all the others I know I'm forgetting...WE MISS YOU TOO!!!

Awww...that's so sweet of you to say:redface:. I'm glad my positive experience can help you get motivated for YOUR positive experience. As for Dr. Mueller's personality...I think he's hilarious! He talks REALLY fast, so you have to make him slow down when he's explaining stuff, but he always spends as much time as needed to answer all your questions. The bottom line is he's a talented surgeon who has changed my life for the better!! I think once you get to know him better you will really like him!! As far as my procedure, yes..I was outpatient. My surgery was at 9:45am. I was in recovery for an hour, then they sent me up to a private room for another 4-5 hours. I was home by 6pm. Again, feel free to ask me anything and everything either on this thread or PM me. xo -Amy

I have good restriction and can eat mostly anything in small bites. I've only had 2 "bad" episodes and they were both after eating seared ahi. It's weird because I can eat sushi, beef, chix, bread..etc. Needless to say, I stay away from seared ahi now!!

Hey Michelle... I feel your pain!! I'm totally in between sizes!! My 14W jeans are too big so I went shopping for another pair. The good news is I tried on size 16 regular and they were too big too!! Unfortunately, 14 regs are still too tight. I know....it's a good problem to have but frustating nonetheless. I'm going to hold out until I hit Onderland which HOPEFULLY will be in the next couple of weeks. Crossing my fingers that those 14 regs fit soon. Good luck with finding your right fit too!!:redface:

Hey Lizzy.. I had my surgery by Doc Mueller on Feb 5th! He's awesome and I'm so happy with my results. Please feel free to ask me any questions. I can't say enough good things about Doc Mueller, his team, and Sharp Hospital. Congrats on your decision...you won't regret it!! -Amy :redface:

Beautiful picture!! You look amazing...keep up the great work!!

I'm going thru the same thing right now, too!! I've been stuck for close to 2 hours and am sitting in my office MISERABLE. I haven't been stuck for over a month, but it's that TOM and I get super tight during that time. You know what they say..."misery loves company". Hang in there morning....I'm right there with ya!! I've just been trying to walk around and put my arms over my head. Hope we both feel better soon!

Hottie alert!!! You look absolutely fantastic...like a whole new person!! Keep it up girl....JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!:smile2:

I usually get a chicken tostada and pick at the chicken and beans and leave the crispy tortilla on the bottom.

It's so true about being the "kind of restriction above and beyond what anyone needs". I've been miserable the last couple of days!! Today is better and I'm still waiting for AF to show up. The good thing is by experiencing this, I will know what to expect from here on out. Thanks for your input Mel. You know what they say...misery loves company!!:tongue:

I definitely think you're a ringer for Carmen! Oooo....good new thread topic!! What celebrity have you been told you look like! :tongue:

Hey Bloo.. Went to the store and scored our beloved shakes. They still had the regular ones in a can. Next to them I saw them in cartons...is that the new ones you are talking about? If so...MAJOR BUMMER!! I tried the Mocha one's in the carton and they were GROSS!! I cleared out the rest of the cans!! Grrrrrrr........

This info is so great and ultimately validates the "everything in moderation" philosophy. Last Friday I had a piece of thin crust pizza for lunch, a couple of chicken tenders for dinner and a few (ok...like 4 glasses of wine!!) My scale was down 2.5 the next day. This came after a very strict week of healthy eating. God bless the band for helping us with our portion control which was obviously the demise for most of us! Ahhhh...it's good to be a bandster. Oh and Crystal...you look like Carmen Electra in your avatar pic....total hottie!!

I just posted this same topic in my monthly group. Since my last fill last month I've def hit my sweet spot! Then out of nowhere I got MAJOR restriction and had my first PB'ing episode. It dawned on me that AF is about to start. I've gone on mushies and liquids for the last couple of days and everything seems fine, but LORDY I am tight!! Like Laura said, it's kind of a blessing in disguise.

Since my fourth fill last month I feel like I've been at my "sweet spot". Well, that wicked little witch Aunt Flo is about to rear her ugly head and HOLY MACKERAL have I been restricted!! I've read alot about this on other threads but thought I'd see if any other VV's have experienced this yet? For the last two days, I have BARELY been able to get down soft foods. I've just stuck to liquids. It's so weird to go from eating my normal small portions to having this extreme tightness. Oh well, I'm getting down H20 ok and should start AF tomorrow. Boy, this lapband just facinates me!!

Ooooo...that is SUCH a bummer! I too, am an Atkins Caramel Latte girl! I look forward to it every morning!! I was planning on going to stock up at lunch today. Grrrrr.....that really makes me mad that they messed with the taste. How did the taste change in your opinion?

Hi Ezma...I didn't even know you were having problems! Sorry to hear about this complication and am glad that you got a date to get it fixed. You know we will all be here to support you!! You are such a doll and are always chiming in with such wonderful comments and positive support. I know your great attitude will get you through this with flying colors and you'll be right back on track. Hang in there girl!! Sending you some big hugs from sunny San Diego!! -Amy

Karen....that is SOOOO awesome!!:smile: Congratulations!! You have been a great bandster role model for us Double V's!! I'm only 7 pounds away from Onderland myself! Hope to join you in a couple of weeks so save room for me:biggrin: So happy for you! -Amy

I think large doses of Ibuprofen can cause ulcers with our without the band. I take 800mg Ibuprofen about once a week with my Dr.'s blessing. I think if an Advil is getting stuck you might be too tight. Sorry you're experiencing pain and I hope you feel better soon!

kaninag..I went thru something similar with my Doc. I had lost 4 pounds in a month and was FULLY expecting to get a fill because i was also dealing with hunger and volume issues. My doc said "nope, you're doing great..see ya next month". My jaw hit the floor. I basically "argued" with him in a pleasant and diplomatic way. I also pulled out this 'GREEN ZONE" card his office had given me that outlines where a lapband patient should be in terms of your "sweet spot". Because I had NONE of the criteria for being in the "green zone" he gave me a small fill (only 1cc). I was expecting to get 2-3cc's that day but was just happy to get anything!! Fortunately, the next month he gave me 3cc's (for a total of 6.5 in a 14cc band) and I feel like I hit the "green zone". My advice is be your best health advocate (which you obviously are as you are taking such great care of yourself) and push for what you feel is best for you!! Good luck and don't give up!

I also posted these on another thread, but thought I'd share them here too!! These are my 4 month progress pics. Everyone is just looking fabulous!!

Ohhhh girrrl....SO SORRY you had to experience that pain!! In one hand, I'm glad it's not band related but in the other I just CRINGE knowing from experience what that feels like. I hope you are taking the time to recover and rest!! We missed you!! Take it easy my friend, and know that all of us Double V's are here for you. xoxo

YAY!! So glad you are feeling the benefits of a fill. You were already doing great and you always help motivate so many of us with your cute, clever and witty posts. YOU GO GIRL!! JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!! xoxoxo

I think we all agree it's a work in progress!! Some days are better than others. For me personally, I have loved having this band as a tool. I stay on track during the week and allow myself to enjoy what I want (within reason) on the weekends. Having proper restriction is KEY. I just reached that a few weeks ago and it's made a big difference. Congratulations on your success so far (especially being in ONDERLAND). And as us Double V's have come to adopt our little mantra..."JUST KEEP SWIMMING"!!