notateechanow

Sherry, Glad to hear it all went ok. Rest up and be glad you can't shovel! :tongue_smilie:

I actually had my first fill last week since April. I am finally losing again. I actually think I wasn't eating enough. I'm doing at least 14-20 miles a week on the treadmill---I'm limiting my workouts to cardio because I build muscle really fast--and while I know it may rev up your metabolism, I'm the ONLY woman I know who manages to bulk up at Curves..... So now, I'm focusing on eating everything right--following the rules and making sure I eat enough. Thanks for offering though. My scale is finally moving again. :thumbup:

Thanks, Sherry! I'm not quite where I hoped to be...but I think I may have relied a little too much on hope and not enough on wanting and doing. I will lose the last 40 this year, but I'm happy with how far I've come. Good luck with all you have going on!

Breanne, Congratulations. It's an exciting journey. I hope it works out well for you! :rolleyes2:

I think we go to the same doctor!! Funny enough, I, too, hate having to schedule fills because I wonder the same thing. I do whatever works in the schedule usually, but feel more comfortable with the Monday afternoons because I've then had a half day of eating solids before being on liquids only for 48 hours......though, I usually weigh less in the morning, and I love to have lost weight when I visit. I am tighter in the morning, so I prefer the afternoons because I get a better sense of how I'll truly feel after the fill, whereas the mornings are a challenge to get/keep food down regularly. I'll be curious to see what others say....

Did your doctor give you a particular goal for pre-surgical weight loss? If not, I wouldn't agonize. If you're following directions and not gaining weight, you should be ok. To help with the weightloss though, be sure you're drinking enough water. There are natural diuretics that you can have--caffeine is one. If you're on full liquids, the others are irrelevant! Good luck with staying on track. I see you have surgery in just a few days. May it be quick and your healing be fast. Good luck!:rolleyes2:

I hate to admit it, but I think the reason it takes me such a short time is because I start to panic and need to control it. I never wait to see how things go.... As far as calling, the pain isn't at all constant. I've had it off and on, and it isn't really bad. I'm getting used to it. I don't think it's anything to worry about....so please don't worry. If I thought I should worry, I'd call. :tt1:

Wow...20 minutes? You must have either had a tough time getting them back up or eaten a lot of them! It takes me 3 minutes to get rid of everything.... That burning in my chest is ok. I find that it gets worst when I haven't eaten......but I'm thinking that it's not reflux. I'm doing ok. I'm PMS'ing and having a rough week both with work and with my emotions.....it will get better, right???? Thankfully, I haven't had a broken heart in YEARS, so I forgot how difficult this can be....

Hey there, girly..don't give up yet. You've worked too hard. It will come. Clearly you just need more in your band than others. I sincerely hope you're taking measurements. That was my only saving grace in all of this---was having measurements to look at when the scale wasn't my friend. It's a hard time of year to battle with this. Go back, get another fill, and do your best to work at it. You knew this was the right choice for you. For some, this is easier---for us, not so. I'm telling you---I didn't lose anything but a few pounds for like 3 months or more. If not for my monthly measurements, I would have given up. Eat as well as you can....until you're at the right place in your band, you're simply dieting. You'll get there. We're here to help. Don't be a stranger. This is when you most need to be online.... OH, and stop worrying about what others think. You'll drive yourself crazy. They'll notice soon enough. :thumbup:

Well, I'm not sure it's even heartburn. It's in my chest, not my throat where it was before surgery. I have been ok today and didn't wake last night, though I didn't go to bed til after 2 and had to be up at 5:30.....so it's not as if I had much time to try! Is the support meeting next week? If so, I won't be able to go. My bosses are taking us to dinner for the holidays---and since they've never done that before, I don't want to say no. I'm sorry because I'd really rather go with all of you and talk with you than sit and pretend to eat with people I don't really care for.... Anyway, having a rough week. $2k in car repairs and hours online with my ex last night. Did finally get some answers to questions in my mind with him, though, and hoping that moves me toward closure. I also stopped wearing jewelry he's given me.....hoping that out of sight, out of mind will help. Being tight and not being able to eat is just an added bonus:frown: I'm PMS'ing so hoping next week is better. First fill in 6 months and I'm not willing to give up on it yet!!

Ok...so I have this tightness in my chest and a burning--but not in the base of my throat the way it was pre-surgery for reflux. I am sore on the spot in the center of my chest, at the base of my ribs.....am I too full?? I finally got my first fill in 6 months and need the scale to move. UGH. I've been really stressed and just realized next week is my TOM...so I'm probably PMS'ing, too. I don't want to be on liquids for the rest of my life, but if it helps lose weight....oh, I'm up for it now!! Anyone else get the burning in your chest of the soreness at the ribs? I feel congestion in my lungs, so I'm wondering if I'm just getting a cold or if I'm overfilled....anyone??

Not sure I did this correctly, but I'll try! First pic was taken in January 2002 (I didn't allow pictures at my highest weight when I was sober!) at about 310 pounds. The second was taken in August, at about 240, though I've lost more since then.

If you're sensitive to sodium, read labels carefully. Heck, even if you're not particularly sensitive but happen to eat anything with a lot of MSG or sodium, it will have an effect. (Watch canned soup, processed foods--frozen meals, etc....they're loaded) Congrats on your great work! Keep it up. If it came off before, it will come off again...just give it time and stay away from the scale! :thumbup:

Depending on when you went to the meeting there, you may have already have met most of us, then!! Glad to hear you're feeling well, aside from the milk issue. I actually tried taking some lactose intolerance chewables with mine. It really helped me tolerate being on liquids. Are you able to sleep? Are you in much pain? Have a good weekend. :thumbup:

Welcome, YLJ. How are things going for you thus far? Who was your surgeon? Many of us tend to go to the support group meetings at the Brigham, rather than the Faulkner because they're more widely attended and easier access from the highway for all of us. Tiny, glad to hear you're home safely. I'm not losing since my fill, but I'm at least able to once again eat some solids...I'm hoping it's a girly thing, but we'll see. Only time will tell. I saw my ex on Thursday briefly and I expect that'll be it for us. I am going to indulge in a haircut and color tomorrow morning...new look for my new life. LOOK OUT!! Have a great weekend, ladies! :thumbup:

Ok...I've definitely confirmed it--my band tightens when I'm stressed out. I can't even get water down right now but ate full foods last night. My ex came by to deliver the box for my tv. Now that we're definitely not on good terms, figured I'd better take everything in the event he gets nasty....and I didn't sleep at all last night worrying about seeing him. Funny thing is, with as much thought as I gave it, he nearly drove and dropped at the same time. If it weren't for the box being so large and cumbersome, he probably wouldn't have even gotten out of his car. So...best news is that it's been almost 45 minutes since he left and I'm starting to feel better and relax. Frustration is that he still has this effect on me. Oh....time....time heals all wounds, right? My bandiversary is a week from tomorrow--and we had that HUGE snowstorm the next day! One day at a time....I'm working on it. :cursing:

Call back again. Someone has to be on call. If the pain is intense and you can't sleep, go to the ER. Why take unnecessary chances if you have insurance?

Congrats, Heidi! I hope Fatmommyslim will find the same thing with her new fill... Fatmommy, how's the liquids going? Are ya eating the solids yet?! I gave in. I'm stuffed, but I couldn't do liquids. I figure, it went down, no issues, just restriction. I'm good. :cursing:

Oh, and I'm on liquids for the first time since April. I never was very good at following directions. I don't know how you guys do, but I'm not good with things like mashed potatoes. They're just too thick. It's not a restriction thing for me--I got stuffed really fast on them back when I needed a fill, too. I'm hoping that this fill will make things move along. Glad to hear you're feeling better, Tova. You may be up a few pounds, but with your emergency room story, I'd rather hear you're up a few!! I haven't worked out since Sunday. Monday I wasn't feeling well, Tuesday I felt worse and had the fill and just can't drag myself out today.....I figure I deserve a few days off. Oh, well.

My father went to jail for allegedly raping a woman with whom he was involved. My dad is a pillar in our community. It was--without a doubt---THE hardest thing I've ever been through in my life. Please, keep a close eye on your daughter. I was an adult when it happened to my father but it was still tremendously traumatic. Support her, let her express herself and grieve in her own way. She's old enough to get it. She'll need you to help her through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. My dad had a 3 week trial. He was found not guilty of every charge. I still have the panic feeling when I see tv programs that involve jails. I don't think it's something you ever get over.....Be strong and keep the lines of communication with your daughter open. Be sure to remind her you're there for her--for anything she needs. If anything inappropriate ever happened to her, she'll be more likely to open up to you. Be well....

I'll bite!! I'm fairly careful about following the plan. I originally had surgery on Dec. 12, 2007 and had 3 fills. I subsequently had 2 slight unfills, with today being my first fill in 6 months. I workout at least 45-50 minutes 5 days a week. I watch what I eat, and yet I'm not losing many pounds. (I'm down about 75-80 now...) Ideally, I'd like to lose another 45-55 pounds. I expected to struggle with the LAST 10 when I got close, but this doesn't make sense. I do build muscle easily, but my workouts are almost entirely cardio now to avoid building muscle. I thought this would all be a simple mathematical equation--I eat less than I expend and I should lose weight. I should mention that I went about 2 months before losing much weight initially. Please, tell me that as long as I keep at it, the weight will start to come off again? I'm working so much harder at this than most of the people I know, and I just want this to work. What can I do to jump start the weight loss again? (I went for a fill because I had little to no restriction for a while....) Suggestions, please?! I've tried changing up my workout, increasing protein, even liquids for a few days here and there. I lose 1-2 pounds, but seem to gain it back on. I've been at the same weight--within 5 pounds or so--since August. Help, please.... :cursing:

I'm headed in for my first fill today since April. Like you, Lachica, I went months before going for unfills. I have been trying to figure out how my band could get tighter as the months went on. I round that the days when I worked out hardest were easier to eat. My surgeon and I haven't been able to make any connections, but I think---now that I've had a lot of stress in my life lately--I finally have it all figured out. Like most, I tighten during my TOM. I also tighten when I'm stressed out. I have always gotten sick to my stomach when I was bothered, so I'm not terribly surprised. So, after 2 unfills in 6 months, I'm finally going to get a fill. I've been losing inches again, but not pounds....As I near my one year bandiversary, I want to get back to losing..... Do any of you notice that you're tighter when stressed out??

Ok..so the joke with this whole setting me up thing is on me. I talked with this friend of a friend again today. We've been talking for a few days but haven't gone out. He was talking about having his monthly dr. appointment this week--so I asked why. He simply said he's been going since April and left it at that. SO I had to ask....and he's had LB surgery. My friend who set me up with him has had GB and is one of the few people who knows I had surgery. I think he intentionally set me up with someone else who had surgery, too! How funny is that?? Sad part is, the guy had surgery 6 months after me and has lost as much weight as I have...WITHOUT working out. Not fair. He drinks beer. I bust my butt on the treadmill and stay away from carbonation. So unfair. Tiny, have a super trip. Hope the weather is good and you are able to get a little time to yourself. What's up for this month's meeting? Are you guys going?? :biggrin:

silly girl, they don't get rained out. My friends are all married, too, but they all have coworkers, friends, etc.... No more BC games this year. Season is over. League Championship is on Saturday in Tampa! Have a safe trip. Fill tomorrow for me! I'm so excited!!! :thumbup: Katie, good luck with your fill. let me know how it goes!

I have a 9:00 AM appointment! Don't give up yet...and, as far as your MIL goes, LIE! Don't let her be one of your stresses as the holidays approach. You have so many other things that demand your attention--focus on them. I did go out and eat everything and anything at the Melting Pot last night. I've been working out hard and finally broke to the low 230's.....then, after a big weekend out, blew it ALL! Yep...back to 242 this morning. LOL. ONE WEEKEND! It happens. I'm just happy to get a fill. (I'll have to ask how much he's put in there and how large my band is, too......) So, my darling, you're not alone. Get your fill--it's in 2 days. Follow the rules as much as you can. I hate to say this, but you would not have gone to the extreme of having something surgically implanted if you had the self control to do this yourself....when you're adequately filled, it will get easier. Of course, as Tiny and Tova will tell you, there are things that get far more challenging, too. You will start to lose more weight, but it won't be easy. The whole getting stuck thing becomes a challenge and makes you focus on something else, no doubt! Keep your chin up and face each meal as it comes. Forget about the pressure from you MIL. Lie. Tell her you've lost a few. She won't know the difference!!! Talk with you soon! :cursing: