DonnaMarie

I agree with Jack.. you are only on this planet once and this is leading to a healthier new you.. probably extending your life!! 18,000 bucks in nothing! We think nothing of spending that on a car or an addition to a house and what not.. why not ourselves??!! Good Luck and please stick around.. the advice you get here is wonderful and you also get a taste of tough love if you need it and it can really get you out of a funk!! Regards, ~Donnamarie~

Me again.. lol Keeping the thread alive.. I have news.. I am going to be in the audience of Emeril Live in NYC in April! How cool is that? My bro won tickets and cannot make it so I am going with my mom, SIL and her sister.. I live in CT so we are going to take the train in.. BAM! LOL sorry had to say it.. I am doing well with this restriction. Don't have any hunger at all really and when I do, it is usually time to eat anyway. I am just so happy that my Doc finally figured out what I needed in regards to a fill and did it. I was a big one.. but necessary since I was getting very discouraged. Today I am going to buy a scale so I can keep track weekly. That should hold me reliable too. Hope everyone has a great day! ~Donnamarie~

Ok.. moderator? Maybe time to close this thread.. kinda getting old.. Everyone have a great day!!

I saw a suggestion on this site for pepperoni "chips".. mmm when I get a fix for something crunchy and salty, I make them! In case you didn't see it on here, take turkey pepperoni and microwave on a paper towel for a minute or so.. (get the sliced.. I use Hormel).. blot them with another paper towel and they crisp up.. great to "dip" in cottage cheese.. maybe not an everyday thing but it sure helps with the crunchy salty cravings I get during PMS! ~Donnamarie~

Down with "Aunt Flo"!!! She makes me want to eat everything! Band or no band! (sorry you men out there) Those 4 days are the hardest for me. I just try to keep protein rich snacks around.. low fat turkey pepperoni works great for that salt fix.. I got the idea from this website! You just nuke them til they are crispy and you have roni chips! I am not a chocolate girl.. salty and crunchy for me please! ~Donnamarie~

Hello everyone! I don't know if anyone remembers me but I had my band surgery in July 2006. What a roller coaster I have been on! Nothing major just I have only lost 20 lbs!! We are back on top of it so it should be better but I was discouraged and frustrated for a long time. My Doc was new to lapband. In fact, I was his first. He used a 10cc band on me and I have a wiggler port so when he thought he was filling me, he wasn't etc. Sooo finally, with more bands under his belt, he nailed it.. so now I have 8cc in a 10cc band. I am restricted alright! UGH.. it is like I am a newbie all over again! Anyway, there have been lots of changes. I belong to a gym!! Can you believe it? Me.. LOL If you asked me a year ago to join a gym I would laugh at you. AND I go about 4-5 times a week! Hopefully, now that I am finally restricted, I can start to drop these pounds! To sum it up, I didnt lose much cuz I was not getting the fills I should have AND I probably wasn't eating as I should since I wasn't restricted AND I was put on wellbutrin for the winter and that can cause weight gain. (I suffer from seasonal depression) Hello to everyone that I talked with before and Hello to those I will be meeting... I do have a quick question.. Does anyone have a NOISY stomach??? Since my huge fill yesterday, I have a hard time getting anything down and it gurgles SO loud! Also, I have had increased saliva.. yuck.. but not like sliming with PB.. anyone? Luv to all! DonnaMarie

Thanks! I am doing much better with the gurgles.. I tell you though.. I cannot eat much at ALL! I am not even hungry. Last night I had meat and veggies for dinner and couldn't even eat a half of the piece of meat.. I just chew chew chew.. lol Thanks for all the kudos and well wishes.. you guys are the best! Always, Donnamarie

So sorry for your loss.. I too went through the same thing in Jan of 2003.. My dad also rallied for a couple of days and then died in his sleep peacefully. Thank God for the peacefulness.. Just do what you can as far as bandster ways. VERY understandable if you are not perfect.. Hugz going out to you today.. Update on me.. WOW.. am I restricted. The gurgles stopped and right now I am pretty much just not able to eat much. I should have had this happen like 3 months ago!! But better late than never that is for sure.. I did not go to the gym this morning as we had 5 inches of snow and I didnt want to dry to drive in it early on with no plowing. I am definately going tomorrow morning and continueing the every other day process.. I went out with my mom, brother and SIL yesterday for lunch. I ordered a grilled chicken ceasar salad with dressing on the side, no croutons, light on the parm.. wow.. I only had a quarter of it and was STUFFED.. everyone else had these HUGE burgers and I couldnt believe what they were packing away.. Kinda made me nauseous.. LOL Geez over a year ago, I would have been able to eat that no prob.. but now.. kinda makes me sick to think about it. Never thought that would happen! Hope everyone is having a great day.. I am off to go to work again! Hugz, Donnamarie

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Yay! I love that post. Yo go girl! I have a guy who sounds just like your guy.. I do the same thing.. umm honey, we need a date night.. and he just says "okay" and does it.. we are lucky! ~Donnamarie~

Sounds like acid reflux to me.. I would get an unfill if it continues but let your tummy calm down.. it does get pretty swollen after a fill. I am going thru that now! But luckily no acid reflux.. ~Donnamarie~

Sorry to see you are leaving! I just came back after a hiatus and never talked with you but I can understand if you have to leave. We all must do what we feel is best. I wish you luck with your endeavors and hope you are happier at the other board.(Although I wish you would stay..at least for the ones who have responded and spoken with you ) Good Luck! DonnaMarie

Hey guys! Remember me?? I was banded on July 5th 2006.. OMG what a roller coaster I have gone thru.. I have only lost 20 lbs. First thing is, I was my Doc's guinea pig. I was his first band. (of course he had a specialist with him to do the surgery) Filling was new to him and he thought he was filling me up but in actuality, he wasn't. I also have a wiggler port. It takes 2 people to fill me. One to stabilize it and another to inject. Doc says I might have to get that stabilized in the future but it is okay for now. That was the first problem. Second problem was me. I totally BLEW it over the holidays. I got a mixer (Artisan) for christmas from my fiance and was "going to bake for the family and friends".. well, apparently that means for myself too.. UGH.. When I went for my January check up, I gained 6.. thats right 6 pounds!! Boy did the nurse ream me out.. whew.. she made me cry but then felt bad and hugged me.. she said I had to get some "tough love" .. I then went home and went thru my kitchen. I got rid of the crackers, pretzels, bread, micro popcorn etc. (just like Dr. Phil says, get rid of the triggers) And then I did the unthinkable... I JOINED THE GYM! ME! wow.. If you would have asked me if I would join a gym a year ago, I would have laughed in your face! And it is a regular gym.. not curves or a gym geared towards "fat people".. do you know it was sooooo hard to walk in there the first time.. My friend couldnt make it so I went alone! I went alone!.. I got there, scanned in, went to the locker room and even struck up a conversation with a young girl (24ish) who was all thin and trim.. she said to me, "comon! lets grab a treadmill before they are gone!".. So there I was.. working out with a stranger.. a nice one at that! Me, Ms. Low Selfesteem.. I walked on that thing for 30 mins and then rode a recumbant bike for 15 mins. WOW.. and I actually liked it! I go every other day now. Last thing that inhibited rapid weight loss is that I suffer from "seasonal" depression so I am on wellbutrin. My doc says wellbutrin can cause weight gain. yay.. but I will be off that shortly.. Fast forward to this past Friday... I went for a check up and lost 7 lbs!! and Doc gave me a 2cc fill.. aggressive I know but I tell you.. I feel restriction now.. for the first time in 8 months!!! So with my new exercise routine and FINALLY getting restriction.. my ticker better show some loss! I have given up some comfort foods and what not and that is very hard.. things like pizza, rice, regular pasta (I do still eat wheat pasta but only once a week or so) That is my update and I am so glad to be back. So sorry this was so long but I really wanted to get stuff off my chest. Love and loss (weight loss that is!), Donnamarie

YAY waterlilly.. The same is happening for me. I have a 10cc band too and it has been 8 months since surgery and FINALLY.. *grin* I have only lost 20 lbs so far but I am excited!

After about 8 months being banded, my doc (who was new to banding), finally figured out I was not getting properly filled. I have a wiggler port and he wasn't hitting it.. I also have a 10cc band.. SOOO yesterday, He had a nurse help him stabilize it and found he only had 6cc in it and added 2 more ccs... so I am finally up to 8cc and FINALLY getting restriction. Okay, I am having a difficult time.. I was just done yesterday and it IS getting better. But will this gurgling EVER stop?? I do not feel like I am going to PB but I get alot of saliva while eating or drinking Water and it gurgles and feels soooo wierd.. anyone else experience this? Is this what it is like? Or maybe because I just had it yesterday and my tummy is swollen? (let me tell you, i get bruised, they have to push hard to stabilize the port.. in fact, doc says I may need another procedure to stabilize it in the future) Thanks for any answers! ~Donnamarie~

wow.. guess no one remembers me.. LOL well, I will respond to myself.. *grin*.. I am so glad to be back to lapbandtalk.com!! :clap2:

I just want to say Congrats for all you have accomplished! And I was looking at your pics and you are right.. you are pretty.. better yet, you are gorgeous. Do not put down yourself or your personality because you broke up with some man.. lol I am 33 years old and I found the love of my life.. We were friends first. (in fact, i thought he was too quiet for me!).. we then started dating and dated for 2 years. Last summer we decided to get married and on May 27th, we are flying to Vegas and eloping! My guy loves me for me.. I am a size 24 now almost 22 and he was there for my surgery last july and is there for me every day! He doesn't judge me for my looks. He loves me for what is inside. I too thought I would NEVER find the one.. I am divorced and had 2 failed long terms before I found my guy. He is out there! I just wanted to share my story to let you know that you are not even close to being alone. Hold your head high! Be proud of your looks and your personality! Find a man to enhance your life and if he doesn't ... NEXT! Hugz, Donnamarie

Thanks for the responses.. the gurgling is subsiding so I think I am ok.. just not used to restriction!

I just have had my 6th fill and FINALLY have restriction.. Patience is a virtue.. depends on the person, on the band etc.. you will get there!! ~Donnamarie~

I used to be a size 28 and now I am a size 24 almost a 22.. I can comfortably cross my legs.. depends on your legs too.. LOL I am five nine and have LONG legs.. :nervous

I sooo understand where you are coming from! Over the holidays, I swear it was a free for all.. LOL the best thing you can do is not beat yourself up and get back on the wagon as soon as possible. We are all human and not perfect. We all have our weaknesses... Move on.. it happens.. and it might not be the last time.. I know I have had a few! But good news is it tends to really space out and not affect you as much.. regards, Donnamarie:)

:update: :update: Okay guys.. I have had a rocky road the last 2 weeks. I have the larger VG band and it is taking ALOT of adjusting to get to where I need to be. Last time I went to the Doc, I hit a plateau but actually gained!!!! :omg: I think it was a combo of the Doc not filling me up the time before, me not making the right choices (of course), and starting on birth control again. I always gain like 5 lbs on that crap. The Doc seemed to agree and filled me up 2cc on 10/16.. well today I went back and lost what I gained and then a lb.. so I am still at a total of 41 lost. Just a little hiccup in the road. Today's appointment was a nightmare. The Doc said my port was a "wiggler" cuz I had lost belly fat and he was having a hard time getting it. He stuck me 5 times!! well, during this process, he had me raising my legs to do a bit of a crunch and stuff. Only problem was, I kept holding my breath waiting for the pinch and I nearly passed out!! LMAO.. I got all sweaty and clammy and he had to stop and the nurse put cold washclothes on my neck and forehead.. I was sooooo embarrassed.. I have NEVER done that before. lol Well, long story short, another Doc came in and stabilized the port and my Doc nailed it and put in 2 more ccs. I am a bit sore and what not but ok.. but that really sucked!! I saw my Diabetes Doc today as well and he said that I have reached "remission".. my sugars are well below diabetic level!!! So now it is maintenance.. YAY YAY YAY.. this means the world to me cuz I lost my Dad to diabetes like 3 years ago and I am gonna beat mine! Sorry for the long post but wanted to catch up.. Hugz, DonnaMarie

Having a pretty good day today.. work is going well and I paid off all my debt!!!!!! woo hoo!! Only debt I have is the usual.. house, car.. I destroyed all my credit cards but 1 and my fiance put it in the safe. I told him not to tell me the combination. It is only for emergencies. I am going to sleep well tonight! I feel so good! As far as eating, I did pretty well today.. I had an egg white omelete w/mushrooms and bacon bits.. it was pretty good.. I had some cheese for a snack and didnt feel like lunch.. lol soo for dinner I made a killer salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green pepper, bacon bits, low fat croutons, and low fat chicken... mmmm fat free ranch dressing.. I will probably eat that at 630ish.. If I made anyone hungry, SORRY!! :biggrin1: Hope everyone is having a great day! Luv, Donnamarie

Hey Sherri.. I think you should wait on the fill.. I think you should cut out the white flour carbs and concentrate on protein first, veggies and salad.. if you are going to have rice, just a tablespoon.. seriously.. I got stuck and when I evaluated what I was doing, too many bad carbs.. I cut out bread all together.. only have the occasional wheat pasta, or tortilla wrap.. mostly protein protein protein! Good Luck!! Donnamarie

Yikes.. didnt lose a darn thing.. in fact, gained half a pound.. GRRRRRR.. but I am totally not restricted.. he put in 2 more ccs and now I am up to 5cc.. thank Goodness.. I have the larger band and the doc did say that it is going to take some time to find the sweet spot.. I think alot contributed to the "non" weight loss.. not making the best choices, not exercising like I should, and starting Birth Control. So I am not beating myself up too much but I have my game face on again. No playing around anymore! Just thought I would check in.. Love, Donnamarie:phanvan

Bravo Kari! There isn't anything wrong with needing help or seeking help. I, myself, have gone to a therapist and am taking meds that have saved my life! I had different circumstances. I was a bottle it up type of person. I lost my dad, a pregnancy and a fiance in the course of 2 years (about 4 years ago) and I bottled it up until I burst and ended up out of work for 2 months on 2 kinds of antidepressants.. but I knew to get help.. I am on lexapro Sherri.. I love the stuff.. It will NOT make you groggy.. it has a great effect.. suddenly, you see things clearer.. and you are able to cope.. little things don't send you over the edge and big things aren't as bad either. If you doctor gave you a script, TAKE IT!! Please.. it will help you! We love you and want to see you shine! This is a time for you and it seems you are letting it go by.. Okay, I am off my soapbox.. thanks Ericsmom for the kind words.. I do have alot going on!! Everyone wish me luck at the doc's.. I need this fill.. lol Luv, Donnamarie:)