Apples2

I had the eyeliner done last Friday and have eyelash extensions done two weeks from today. Have always wanted it done and just made a quick decision to do it. I was in the chair having my hair cut when I looked up at the person doing my hair. Told her I loved her nice, thick lashes and she told me they were extensions. I go in for an hour session to have them applied and every two to three weeks for an update. $25 for two week reapplication, $35 every three and $45 every four weeks. I will pick out lashes that are the same length as I naturally have. I find that the older I get, the fewer lashes I have. When I was a teenager I had nice long thick lashes. This girl that does my hair does not even wear mascara anymore. She also had the eyeliner done and it looks great. I had my eyeliner done in a smoky gray color. I think that besides my band I will be able to say this is one of the best things I could do for myself. We have extremely hot and humid summers and I cannot stand the "running" makeup. It's fun to not have to apply makeup. As far as the pain....I am allergic to novacaine (and any other in the family), so I had to tough it out. Worth it though. The pain was not extreme but uncomfortable and that was without any medication applied. So if someone is thinking of doing it and can have your eyes medicated, it should be a breeze.

Have not tried beef jerky since being banded. Has anyone tried the soft types of jerky (i.e. the nugget kind)?

I spread Laughing Cow cheese on Melba Toast wafers. Easy to chew and easy to get down. The wafers come in a few different flavors and are 60 cal. for 5. Don't think I am willing to try pretzels. Was a favorite but don't miss them.

Long2bthin...I am preparing myself that I will gain when I have my surgery. I have never been in the hospital that I did not gain. Ticks me off that have to go through it and come out weighing more. Your 8lb weight gain is not unusual and b/4 you know it, it will be gone and you can continue on your weight loss journey.

Doc put in 5cc but also put some in at time of surgery. It just slipped my mind to ask how much when I had my last appt. My doc does not like to answer questions about how much goes in during fills. I think he doesn't want us to concentrate on the amount we get. I am sure he thinks our feeling of restriction is more important. I got my fill last week. I felt restriction the next day and then nothing. On the fifth day after my fill, I felt more restriction and think that I am where I should be. No hunger 90% of the time. Loving it. Weight loss is where it should be with about 2lbs lose per week. Life is good. My family is very supportive and knew that I had to do this surgery in order to live a healthy life. Friends is another story. I would say that 50% of my friends are very supportive and the other 50% take great pleasure in either being jealous and not understanding the process at all. I'm too busy with my new life to try to sit down (yet again) and explain the process. I usually just give them the name of a lap band web site so they can read up on it. I have a feeling most of them don't take the time.

Hey Gina....we'll pick you up on the way! Never been to Destin but a friend of mine who winters there steered us that way. We are now thinking of renting a house boat for the two months. So many decisions, so little time.

Lessme....my surgeon hires all banded or soon to be banded staff. I think it is great. They always know what you are talking about and have great info to questions. I am thinking that the fill I had yesterday is what I needed. I am back to feeling the way I did after and for a couple of weeks after surgery. I can tell when it's my last bite when I eat a meal. Just what the band is supposed to do. I love my band. Isn't it funny that when you don't have hunger pangs, you don't think about food. The problem I was having was that b/4 my fill, I was so hungry that I would eat fast. Not a problem now. Good luck to you and I hope we all hit our "sweet spot" soon. Won't that be nice?:wink_smile:

Just had my first fill yesterday. No instructions from doc. He has me eating solids b/4 and after fill. I can tell I had the fill and I am thrilled. Hoping this does it for me for awhile.

I usually don't look forward to surgery but this time I am anxious for it. My doc did not want to put the band in when he opened me up and saw my mega hernia. But, he knew how hard I had worked b/4 surgery to get weight off and decided to do it. I have a great chance of slippage because of where the band sits so close to the repaired hernia. Anyway, he can go in and look to see how the band has situated itself and how the repaired hernia looks. I am anxious to know. I have had no troubles and would like to keep it that way. Yep, going to Florida. Not our favorite state but our son lives down there. Heading to Destin, FL. On the beach. By then I should be in a bathing suit. Our son lives a ways away from there but he is a commercial pilot and can fly to see us whenever. Our first winter down south. I am 52 and husband is 54. We farm and have a business one the side. I do the books and keep the jobs organized. Winters in MN are LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG and BOOOOOOOOOOORING. We want out of here for a few months. Was in FL a couple of weeks ago and really wasn't any different than out MN summers. It was about 90 and humid. That's about what we have. Try to relax and not think about your surgery. (Easier said than done). It will be good to get it behind you. Take care and good luck:thumbup:

I was on solids a week after surgery. My dr. has patients eat solids also the day of fills. No change in diet. I wish I knew how much he filled at the time of surgery. I just forgot to ask him today so I really don't know what I have at this time in my band.

Not sure how much doc put in during surgery but know he did do some.

I know every dr. is different and fills vary in how many cc's the doc puts in. I had my first fill today. I have a large band (10cc) and my dr. put in a 5cc fill. I am not sure if I feel restriction yet or not. When I ate dinner a couple of hours after my fill, I did feel like I could once again tell when it was my last bite. I was really surprised by the amount of the fill. Thought for sure he would try about 2cc's to begin with. Anyone else have that amount with the first fill?

Hey Cathy...sorry to hear of your troubles. I have been passing kidney stones since 1994. I get them on an average of every 2-3 months. They are Calcium based. I just tough it out at home while they are passing. The only time I need to go in is when they won't pass. I have a double ureter on my right side and they have to up with the basket to get them. I hope you will not have trouble with them in the future...no fun! Had my first fill today. My doc put 5cc's in. He had put a couple cc's at the time of banding. It might all be in my head but I think the fill helped. Try to stay away from the scale for awhile. You WILL lose. The body is funny that way. I can go for two weeks without losing and all of a sudden I see that I've lost 4lbs or so. I can always tell when my clothes start fitting looser. It's frustrating but just try to be patient. Yep, been spending six days of the week at the lake. I work out of the home (if you can call it work) and am so lucky to shift things around so I can be up there. Take care and good luck with your tests. Long- I know you are probably frustrated with the fact that you need to have surgery again. Will be good to just put it behind you..you will feel so much better. I, too, have to have surgery in another month. When the doc was in doing my band he found a number of hernias and a mess of adhesions. Going to get them repaired and on with things. Will mean I have to be careful not to lift for awhile but anxious to get it done and recovered b/4 we go south for the winter. Hang in there and good luck to you!

I am down 79lbs. I lost 50lbs on my six month pre-op. I am not losing a fast as I did when I first started this. This is to be expected and I stay away from the scale for two weeks at a time. I get my first fill this afternoon. I could care less if I eat in the morning but make myself eat. By afternoon I am hungry so know I should get a fill. I am not expecting the fill to do anything...don't want to be disappointed. My doc says that it can take up to three or four fills to do the job. Will just see how it goes. Looks like everyone is doing pretty good. It's a difficult road to take but well worth it. I feel so much better and don't mind fitting into jeans again.

Kizzie...I am sure you are so relieved that you did not have a slip or a second flip. Sending good vibes your way for quick healing. What you have been through is hopefully behind you and you can start living a "normal" band life. All the best to you!

I have been told to eat no more than 1/2 cup 3x daily. Protein first and veggies and fruit if I can fit it into tht 1/2 cup meal. No Snacks. I am six weeks out from surgery and the hunger hit last week. I get a fill next Tuesday. I am going to talk to my surgeon about the portion size. I am now not getting anywhere close to feeling satisfied at this point. I was for five weeks so this has been difficult the last week. I find that I eat too fast when I am hungry. I had asked the surgeon's nurse during my last visit if the portions get larger as we go along. Her answer was no. But, most of the people in my support group talk about their 1 cup servings per meal with not snacks. (They have the same surgeon as me). I actually have had a lot of energy and feel great. I often worry that my body will go into starvation mode at some point and my motabolism will be even more screwed up than it was b/4 I started this journey.

Don't give up. There has to be other options out there. As Mac said, find another surgeon who does not require weight loss prior to surgery. Give it another try!

There are people in life that are just plain asses. Good move on making your next appt. with your dr. that has consideration for his patients. Good luck with your recovery and hope you have an easy transition into life with the band.

I think you named it...it's all on how you are built. I have skinny legs and larger through my torso (built like an apple). I have noticed that I am only down 2 sizes on the top after losing the weight I have. But, on the bottom I am down at least 4 sizes. Try to be patient. When you reach goal, you will figure out what styles work best for you.

Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding, Brandy. I love your idea of posting monthly photos to share with us. Keep up your good work and you will most likely have to take your dress in at the seams by the time of your wedding. Good luck with all of your plans and your future with your man!

Sounds like you have fit right into the band life, Brandy. Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have stayed away from any uncooked veggies just for that reason. We all make mistakes along the way. We find out what we can tolerate. I have had eaten most proteins except pork and steak. I am sure I will be paranoid for a bit when planning my meals. I am feeling much better in the last 2 hours. Think things have passed and my stomach does not hurt as much. I don't feel as if I have a lump stuck in my chest. Everything going good for you, Brandy?

Hi Brandy..I'm only home one day a week (this week 2) all summer so miss out on a lot of the conversation on here. Since this is my first sticking experience, I don't know what to think. Had a yogart at noon. It hurt to eat at first and just took it really slow. I feel hungry so think that everything has passes through. Were you really sore after getting stuck?

Previous response spells it out.:thumbup:

Hey LapBandFan...thanks for your response. I have been sooooooooooo careful since being banded to chew till almost a liquid. I was in a setting yesterday and was nervous while I was eating. I was sure I chewed well but must have not paid as much attention to my chewing as I usually do. Anyway, will baby my digestive system the next few days (or as long as it takes) to see what happens and what I can tolerate. I have my first fill next Tuesday and do not want to have to cancel it. Thanks for the advice.:thumbup: