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Hi, Kendra. I am really glad you are getting a break from stress and feeling bad for a bit. My mom has bone cancer. I'm glad you have a lot of support. My husband has worked in clinical trials for the past 29 years. He has always said people who have a good attitude and good supports have a much better prognosis. Your doing good!:redface: Tina

At the park where I go we have a variety of people. Diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, hurt backs, weight loss, and people who just like to exercise. (You can tell I'm during the time older people are there.) :redface: The thing I enjoy is seeing people who have been coming for years. One friend does 12-15 miles a day. She lost 60 lbs many years ago and she really moves every mile. She is 72. I guess I like the people. Maybe over time you could find people to join in with. Our lap is one mile so we run into each other a lot. I walk slow so I tell them I get to visit with everyone when they pass me.:biggrin2:

I've been wondering that myself. I figure I can get the face lift, stuff my bra, and hide the rest with clothes! I would be interested in other peoples experiences though.:huh2:

I have always had trouble with all sweeteners except Equal which really limits many foods and drinks. It is my understanding that sugar does not affect the band. The reason for limiting sugar is for weight loss if I understand it right. Sugar has never caused me any problems but I have not reached my "sweet spot" yet. I don't know if this changes with optimal restriction. I sometimes split sweetness between Equal and sugar because too much Equal also makes me feel bad. I would be interested also to hear other peoples experiences.

I plan on being there. I'll be on time since I don't have a meeting before it across town. Had my second fill today. I may have a defective port.:huh2: See you there. Tina

Hi, Bonniep. Thanks for the response. I did pretty well after my first fill 2 weeks ago but it wore off about a week ago. I haven't done too well after that. Really I was able to eat anything again. Like most people say not as much as before surgery. Still, I lost and then gained it back. Phooey! I have had restriction today after my fill. Yea! I think my doc feels I will cause my band to slip or erode. I have never PB'd or had pain from eating. Except right after surgery I have never felt tight. I would love a weight-loss buddy. I do walk 2-3 miles about 4 times a week. I enjoy it and have been going to the same park for 10 years. I started after I hurt my back. Doing the strength training is not so successful. Thanks. Tina

I had my 2nd fill today. It was a bit of a bummer. The nurse practitioner dug around for a while. Then she took forever giving the fill! She could not withdraw any fluid from the band. After poking around in ther about 7 times I told her she just needed to stop or I was going to throw up. Then she wanted me to sit up but I told her I just needed to lay there for a while. She said she thought she got some in.:sad: I guess she did because I am not hungry today. I think I felt it go in. Later my doc called and lectured me on only losing 1/2 pound. I have been eating wrong. I know it of course. I'm just having trouble. I know it is only a tool! Anyway he said if I wasn't going to lose then we needed to remove it so I did't damagemy stomach. Also, he wants to check my port. The tubing my be kinked or the port may be bad. Oh joy.:crying: Anyway, that has been my fun for the day.:thumbup: Yuck.

Hi, Michelle. If you really want to get in earlier, my suggestion would be to call every other day or so to see if they have a cancellation. As the saying goes, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". That is so true. Even if they say they will call you if there is a cancellation they get busy and forget or lose the note. So just say nicely that you are very worried that you will gain and REALLY need a fill and if they don't mind, you will check with them in a couple of days to see if an opening comes up. Good luck.:smile2:Tina

Hi, Ashlee. Glad to have you. Picking a surgeon is always a little tricky. I'm in Memphis and had Dr. George Woodman as a self pay. He always tries very hard but has little patience for anything he considers nonsense. However he is an excellent surgeon even if he can't understand my joking around.:tongue: I really thinks he cares about people. As it turns out the nurse practitioner does the fills and she, as well as all the staff, is very nice. Good luck. I hope all your experiences are encouraging.:thumbup: Tina

You are very right. I try to decide if I really like something before I eat more than a bite or two. What is the use of taking up valuable room in my reduced stomach for something that I only find okay.

I like the way you put it. Dieting up to my current weight. I, too, am at the beginning of this. Banded in Feb and not knowing what the experience will bring. The only way we fail is to not try. :regular_smile:

There's a fun little book called "Eat This Not That". I don't know if it will be of any help but it gives you alternatives for eating out. I got it at Target. I'm sure it is in the bookstores too.

I am afraid I had a similar experience. It will change with time. Sometimes the other way until your diet kind of levels out. Any way. Welcome to being banded andI hope you are doing better soon.

You know Debbie, I faint when I get a regular shot. I can't watch anything on tv where they show any type of pain. I guess I'm a wimp.:biggrin2: The fills are not that way. I'm more afraid of the forced changes (even if I am the one doing it). So far I think it is a good choice for me. I hope you think so too.

Hi, Winegoddesstx. My husband has the same problem. He loves to try new beers as well as wine when he travels. For a couple of months he stopped drinking beer and Cokes and lost about 20 lbs. To say the least the world is not fair. I agree about how hard it is to leave food on the plate especially when you are traveling (especially 3-4 days a week). Did you get the guilt trip about all the children in China who are starving?:regular_smile:

I used to love to have people over for "gourmet" meals. The more I weighed the harder it became. I'm sure I'm out of date but I love French food. No need to worry about portion size at a French restaurant.:thumbup: I have also swallowed my pride and ask up front for a to go box. Even the nice restaurants have them now. It takes the pressure off if I take half off my plate and stash it away in the box. Wonderful food for another day!:regular_smile: I do love to go to many ethnic places. The mixtures of seasonings and ingredients in an Indian, Mexican, or Thia cuisine is amazing.:tongue: Better stop now. I'm thinking too much about restaurants. I definitely need that second fill next week:biggrin2:

Hi, Plum. I wasthinking yesterday I haven't seen you around for a while. How is the end of school coming? It gets so hectic at my daughter's school. PTO is expected to help or at least make an appearance at everything. My dh's job was eliminated last week. Things are a bit stressed here. He got 3 months severence pay so that helps a lot. I really don't want to move. The older I get the harder it gets. I better lose weight fast so I will be able to get it done.:regular_smile: Maybe a job will fall from the sky and we will get to stay. Actually you could say that is what happened last time. I'm not holding my breath though.:thumbup: I hope you are doing well. How has your eating and weight loss been? How many fills have you had? I hope you will make it to the next support group. I'm sure it won't be as entertaining as the last one.:biggrin2: Take care. Tina

Hi Debbie. Glad to have you join us. I was banded Feb 8th. Afraid all the way but felt it was the right thing to do. Then the fills. Afraid to have them but more afraid if I don't. It isn't easy but something caused you to go this route. For me it was when I could no longer go hiking with my husband. That is how we met! So frustrating. Someone started a thread a while back asking each person to share their moment they decided to be banded. It was fun to read them. Anyway, glad your here.:regular_smile: Tina

Things have been going along slowly here. I had my first fill March 24th and have relost the weight I had gained when I lost my restriction before Easter (It couldn't have happened at a worse time. All those homemade goodies.:tt1:) My next fill is scheduled for April 9th. I'm hoping for a good result. My walking has improved. The world hasn't cooperated with that. Gallbladder surgery in January and band in Feb, then a twisted knee. I finally ordered a kneebrace big enough and it seems on the mend now. To gripe, my husband lost his job last week so stress is a little high haround here. On the bright side he did get 3 month severence pay so that buys time. I just want to stomp my feet and scream...but it wouldn't help now any more than when I was...a child?:sad: Oh well. That's life and it would be nice if we don't have to move. Not much chance there. Sorry about the rant.:frown: On the other hand, if I have to move LBT is still there no matter where I would go and the info for docs is available....and 100 years from now noone will care so it must not be that catastrophic:rolleyes2:. Thanks for listening. Tina

I take a Viactic multivitamin and a calcium. They are my chocolate treat every day and I don't have to feel guilty about it.:tt1:

Audrician, are you glad you got the last fill? Do you think you will have to have some removed? The problems people have seem so scary to me, but I also feel I have to get another fill to use my band properly. Anyway, thanks for the comment.:huh2: I hope things go well for you.

I had my first fill last week. It helped. At least I'm not wanting to eat everything in sight. I've gotten my courage back up and have an appt. for my second fill next week. Any one else get afraid every time they are going to get a fill? It's not the actual fill. I think it is the fear of the changes with each fill. Oh, well. Thanks for "listening".

I like Gas-x with Maalox chewables. They seem to work the best for me. I hope things get easier soon. I have always had trouble with my stomach so I know how miserable that can be.

Hi, Kendra. I really admire your determination. My mother gave up when she heard the word cancer. We had to placed her in the psych ward until we could get her stablized on an antidepressant. It was the 5th one we tried. I'm not sure I would do any better. It has to be almost overwhelming to hear the news of cancer and then deal with it. You're doing great and it sounds like you have a good support system. On a lighter side I had a friend who dropped her cell phone in the toilet while she was out. She was very very frustrated. I'm afraid we all had to give her a hard time about it. I hope things ease up a bit for you. I will keep you in my prayers. Tina