shortgal

I don;t know what she was thinking wanting to put in 1cc when I already had 8! So glad I talked her out of it. Still had some pain last night that woke me, but it's better today, so I just continue to eat soft stuff, when I'm ready I'll try firmer foods, but no salad or fruit for me for another week, at least. You could not believe how much I ate, b/c I could not believe it. Once I started letting the food in, oh boy! Too many sweets for sure. I seem to be back on track again and that feels good. They weighed me Monday and then again Weds when I went back for unfill and it was six pounds. At least I got something from all that pain. so I ended up weighing the same I did when i left for vacation. Good Luck with the fill, when we get this much in our band, even a little can make a difference, so be careful. After waiting the two days, I just couldn't stand how much it hurt and not when I ate, (because I wasn't eating) but pain all the time!

I am kind of in the "size" dilema you describe. Plus is too big, but I need petites and some go to 16 and others only up to 14, so it can be hard to find clothes. But it's getting way easier than it was before. There are very few plus petites. Maybe a few pairs of pants, but a jacket or sweater forget it. Another size or two and it will get better for both of us.

there is a whole section devoted to complications and many posts are current so I'm not sure why you can't find people to talk to. I guess perhaps the question is what kind of failure you think you have. There are people who have complications like band slipping or erosion and then there are the more confusing issues, where people have no problem with the band, but don't lose weight. But in the complication section you should find someone with a similar problem. Good Luck. I'm sorry if you are having a problem with your band. It can happen to any one of us and we all keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't happen to us.

JANET: I couldn't be more happy for you. CONGRATUALTIONS! It's been you, working with the band and you prove to all of us it's possible. I finally had a small unfill yesterday after two days of suffering. Feeling better but going slowly with food as I'm sure the stomach is still irritated. Lost all the vacation weight I gained in those two days and with eating carefully now, I'm back on track. Hoping to feel normal again soon. I have a lot of things coming up I need to focus and have energy for. Seems like I need to have very small fills from now on, as I have tendency to swell a lot after the last two.

A lot of this band thing needs to be worked out in our head as well. Many Desserts will go down with no problem ( as I found out too well on vacation). My eyes and head were so tempted by all the food no matter what my stomach/band was telling me. when is your next fill Sades? I know we have about the same amount in our bands. This last fill (Monday) left me very uncomfortable. Not when I ate, but all the time. I'm confused b/c before this fill I could eat anything, bread, steak, pork etc. with no problem. didn;t even have to chew that much. They put in .6cc and I went back two days later for .2cc to be taken out. Things seem to be calming down but I have not even thought of trying really solid food yet. The PA wanted to put in 1cc. I am so glad I talked her out of that. I get so much swelling after the fill, it seems like the motion of pushing all the fill in at one time is what does it. I just wonder now if I can get to my sweet spot without having pain. If I need more fill to get restriction but more fill is painful, I'm just kind of confused. Let me know when your next fill is and how much they put in. I'm at 8.4cc's now.

TXARcher: the problem for me is not when I eat. the tightness was there ALL the time. Very painful, like I had right after surgery, like a heart attack feeling. It's better since I had a little taken out but it still comes and goes. I tend to get swelling after a fill, so any additional fills will have to be very tiny ones. I am so happy I talked the PA out of giving me the 1cc she was going to do. I'm not sure what foods I can eat. I've only had liquids and soft stuff because I don;t want to irritate things more until it calms down. Plus I've had wicked allergy trouble this week, sore throat and headache from pollen. What a wreck I am! Getting better tho'. You and cindy are cracking me up.. you both are so close to the 100 mark, you'll both get there soon. We're cheering you both on.

I could not be happier for you! :cursing: We sometimes forget that clothes can be important to men, too! I noticed I am not as "pissed" anymore either when shopping. Congratulations! It must feel so good and your wife must be enjoying the new you, too! How's the new job? And new state?

First on vacation and then after a fill Monday, in pain! Had two very tough days after the fill, fluids went down but I had no appetite and lots of mid chest pain. Went in for a slight unfill today. Feeling better, but taking it easy as I'm sure I'm still sore/irritated inside. See your last fill has left you kind of tight and I've noticed your impressive "summer" challenge goal. Bet you make it, too! Watch out for those eggs!

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 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........95.....................27%.................38 linda.................42.5..................19%.................31.6 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........76.4...................26%................33.5 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......56.6...................21%................33.3 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............92.....................23%..............52.8 to 40.6 Cindyg...............42.....................17%.................38 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....71.....................23%.................51.3 to 39.4 gabeekeeper.......89......................27%....................?? stranger138........36......................15%.................35 shortgal..............40......................18.5%..............33.8 TOTAL::::::::::::1,237.1 LBS.

That's a big difference in size. I need to do a bra fitting as well, but waiting until I get closer to goal. Then I'll get one professionally fitted and wear it a bit before I decide if I want more. Standing in one trying them on, is so different from actually doing things while wearing one. I think it's harder figuring out a new bra to buy than clothes. A new bra might not fix all the problem areas you have, but might minimize them. Let's face it, we all have problem areas we're trying to hide. :cursing:

Candle: Just wondering if you've had a professional bra fitting since you've lost your weight? A small shop that specializes in bra fittings are in most areas. You might find that you're wearing the wrong type or size of bra and that could make a difference in the area you mentioned. It's worth a try to go in and be fitted.

Name..............Start...........Current..............Goal........ To Go CindyG..............210................210..................198....... ....12 TxArcher...........308................308...................285....... ....23 Foofy...............235.................235..................225...... .....10 Skinny_Jill..........173................173..................163...... .....10 Hollyberries.........257...............257..................247....... ....10 Stephanie...........173...............173.................159......... ...14 gabeekeeper........246..............246.................236........... ...10 Sades................197...............197.................185........ ......12 shortgal..............175...............175.................165..............10 Well my average lately has been five pounds a month, but what the heck, I'm shooting for ten. I always get optomistic after a fill! Last fill was Monday after returing from vacation ( where I gained, a LOT). I must have been too tight becasue I had a lot of pain since the fill and just today went back and had .2cc's taken out. I had .6cc's put in. Had absolutely no appetite for those two days, had to force myself just to drink Water or a shake, so those vacation pounds just dropped off in two days! So I'm right back where I started and hopefully this fill will help. I was able to eat way more on vacation than I ever thought possible. Just starting to try soft foods, don't want to overdo it since I figure things need to calm down after being tight and the last thing I want to do is slime and PB since that will only aggravate things more. I will be delirious if I can lose the ten in seven weeks! Go Nymphs!

Molly, Nothing soothes my soul more than doing a project around the house or yard. I love flowers and plants, just ordered three peonies off e-bay to plant, so that I have more to cut in the next few years. I have a large yard ( and three small yards in RI that are rentals) so it's a good thing I like gardening. I get cardinals in my yard from time ot time and they really stand out in the green shrubs in the yard. What's better than getting in some good exercise and beautifying our yard all at the same time? Congrats on getting back on track with regular exercise and enhancing that with work around the yard.

Cindy, A few months ago, I had a day like that. I just gave in. I counted the calories and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I did schedule a fill right after that and I was better the next day. Who knows? Hormonal changes, maybe? If it's only one day, then it won;t hurt. I just got back from vacation and boy that was bad, I got on the scale and was horrified, but I ate a lot. Went for a fill today, so things should be better. Just keep an eye on the hunger thing. Sometimes our head can try to sabotage us and it's so easy to think, "hey I've lost a lot of weight, relax a bit", so it's a struggle of the head, stomach and band.

Well I was doing ok until vacation! No restriction and french bread and pastries do not add up for weight loss. Luckily, I had a fill appt scheduled for today. If this is restriction, it hurts! Liquids go down, but I have a tightness in my chest that is painful. I always get tight after a fill, so I will wait a few days, but this one is different. If this continues, losing what I gained on vacation shouldn't be a problem. I have no appetite. Someone messed up my goal on the list along the way. I didn't reach goal (was close, until that yummy french bread) and now I'm not even close, but hey, vacation with no restriction is tough! Onward to the next challenge! GREAT JOB, NYMPHS!

Hi all, Just returned from a vacaton with several long flights. On one flight I got a "little" tight at descent and I can tell that I felt that little bit even with a not so tight band. I know it's not too tight b/c of how much went down on vacation. I guess I had been using more willpower than I thought. Fortunately, I have a fill apt Monday and I will be sure to let them know that French bread goes down way too easily. Bandpal, sounds like you're having a wonderful trip, the "false god" that we both worship needs to leave my life for good. Enjoy your trip and thanks for sharing it with us.

Sades: It's hard some days, but getting to be a habit now with writing down the calories. I think I need .5 cc's more but I might try .25 first. I have a big fear of being too tight. I can always get another .25 after that. Maybe I'll decide that AFTER vacation, where there will be lots of temptation and I know I won't be tracking on vacation. when's your next fill?

Thanks Sades. Just a week. We'll do a lot of walking so that will help, but I'm worried about wine with dinner and at the same time want to enjoy and have fun. I might gain a pound or two, we'll see but I'm not worried like I used to be about getting those gained pounds off. It would just mean "wasting" time getting the weight off. I'm still stressing about the dress for the wedding but less so now and I want to start living like a normal person with occassional splurges. I've been walking now ( three miles) not every day, but at least walking, so that ( and a fill) will help. How's your fill level?

I never really have a day where I'm tight. I know the band is there when I eat certain foods like some fruits, then I have to go slow, but most food I eat ALMOST normally and almost all the time. I find the first few bites are the important ones, remembering to start off easy is important, then for me things go down fairly easily, too easily. I tihnk another .5 cc's total and I'll be good. Linda, I would NEVER have lost this weight without the band , either! Oh yeah, I've noticed Cindy's weight loss, she does rock!

Name..............Start...........Current.................Goal........ To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............228.....................220 ............8 Osangriared.....252...............247.3.....................232 ..........15.3 Skinny_Jill.......180...............175.....................168....... .....7 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .....12 kandiceb..........187...............176.....................175....... ....1 shortgal............183..............175....................175....... .....1 TxArcher..........328..............315......................308....... ....7 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... .10 Momto1plus1.....223..............215.4..................210........... 5.4 zippykat...........173..............167.....................160....... ...7 Trixie...............219.5...........209.....................199...... ....10 wnt2lose..........219..............213.6.....................209...... ..4.6 plump_princess....215.............209.....................199........1 0 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239........ 11 Foofy..............239.5............237.5...................230....... .7.5 Shalee04..........196..............189......................185....... .4 Hollyberries......267...............261......................254...... .7 CindyG............215...............212......................199...... ..13 MollyBrown......258...............253.......................245....... ..8 lindata............189?.............185.......................180..... .....5 Ok, shortie here with my usual measly one pound. I think I'd make goal for next week, but I'm leaving on vacation today (with a not tight band) so anything could happen this week. Fill already scheduled for as soon as I get home! Great job Nymphs! TXARcher: Did you find a fill Dr. in SC? Sounds like you won't need a fill for awhile anyway. I'll check in as soon as I return!

Janet, I'm terrible with the Vitamins. I hate taking them. I took them in during the first few months when I was on a lot of liquids and shakes. Now,I really think I get enough from my food. I don't eat much differently now than I did a few years ago when I was on WW. Same with the Calcium. I have skim milk with a.m Cereal and I eat yogurt. I don't know maybe I'm in denial. I read the labels of the Fiber bars and the cereal box and they have them,plus the other food I eat. My fingernails are very healthly if that's any indication! Welcome Becky! I'm sure Janet will pop in and tell you how she did it. She's done a great job. I (almost said hope) will do the same as she has. ( Caught myself just in time, Janet)

Hey Bandpal, Great to hear your news. 61.5 pounds is a big accomplishiment. Congratulations! I know you say it's two weeks since your last fill. It sounds like you have a lot of restriction, I hope you will see your surgeon if you start to think it's too tight. I've heard that can lead to band slippage,so i worry for you. I'm amazed at how many of you have good restriction, seems Sades and I are still searching for that. I think I'm close, maybe next fill. I can still eat too much, don't have to chew, chew, chew, much. How nice you'll be visiting the states and weddings are a happy, fun, family event. Funny how we notice things differently when the focus is not just on the food at events now, like you're experiencing during Passover. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I agree with Janet. The only thing I would add is after getting the band my stomach shut up long enough to listen to my brain. Before that I couldn't hear waht my brain was saying, what with all the screaming my stomach was doing! LOL With mild restriction, my band only whispers to my brain and I have to listen really hard. With better restriction I'm hoping my brain can hear my band better telling me when I'm full. It's a fine line between good restriction and being too tight. Like Janet, I track my calories every day. I weigh and measure unless I'm using a meal that's already figured out for me ( like a lean cuisine). And since being banded, I've had to use willpower a LOT! Portion control and eating when bored (were) are my problems.

ONE fill? For most people one is not enough. There is no one right amount of fill for everybody, we each need our own "right" amount to fit our stomach. Maybe you just need more fill? when i go to the Dr's office, we chat about what foods I am eating and the quantity of food I can eat and how long a meal keeps me satisfied. Then we decide if more fill is needed. I've had EIGHT! and I still need more, maybe you do, too.

Working with the band is hard. It takes planning. Meals, shopping, figuring out when and where and what kind of exercise to do. You have a lot on your plate right now and you probably just can't dedicate the effort and mind set to all these things at one time. Moving, no husband anymore, selling house, etc. Ok, so you slowed down or slid backwards on the band thing. Tell yourself that is over now! You don't need a trainer to work out. Walk out the front door and walk. Find a walking path or trail and just go. You'll proably find you can use the time while walking to plan other things out or just clear your mind. Clothes: Go to a consignment store or Marshalls or Target. They don't have to be expensive. Consignment stores have lots of clothes that other people might have worn once or twice and some still have tags on them. You know when you buy something "new" someone before you probably tried it on, so what's the difference? You've been banded for nine months and have been doing well, you don't need your bandster rule book, you know the rules! do I have to come over there and kick you in person? LOL P.S. Do you need a fill?