ljones4521

I started all over with liquids as the doctor advised.It made sense to me as the fill could cause some swelling. I have been doing warm liquids since 7.12.06. I have also had yogurt during this time. I plan to do liquids/mushies until tomorrow and return to solids (fish) next week. Maybe by Thursday I'll try some chicken/hamburger meat. Keep in mind I am very conservative as I am self pay and don't want any complications. Hope this helps

I haven't the slightest idea what restriction feels like or my sweet spot. I recently (7-12-06) had a fill but I can't tell any difference. Granted I am not hungry. It is now 4:26pm and all I have had to eat is 2 cups of coffee. I don't know how much I can eat with this fill (this is my first fill) as I am still doing liquids. The funny thing is I don't 'want' anything. My family is anxiously awaiting an answer from regarding what's for dinner, but I just can't come up with anything. I am not hungry. So..is this the sweet spot? If it is then my sweet spot came after one fill of 1cc. At time of surgery I had 1.5cc put in to keep the band in place, but I think some of this seeped out as I used to feel burning around my port area.

The savings would be dependant upon the current price she has been quoted. Dr. Rodriguez in Acuna, Mexico is about $7000.00 or so. I think he is running a special. I just had my first fill (not with Dr. Rodriguez) and paid $200.00 total. I haven't had any complications. I stayed on the liquids for 2 weeks and then the mushies. I even decided not to have the fill at 6 wks as suggested as I wanted to make sure I was completely healed as I have no money for complications. Feel free to shoot me a line if you have any other question.

Have you considered Pilates. The exercises help to strengthen your core muscles (lower abdomen) which also helps with any lower back pain you might have.

Thanks for the article!

I too am happy she sat in your chair. You know she did it just to embarass her. Maya Angelou says, "Believe them the first time." I'd keep my eye for this one. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when you sat down and fit into the chairs. I am willing to bet she didn't expect that. CONGRATS

I try not to get hungry. That has been easier said then done the last few months but I managed to do a lot better than pre-banding. Now that I have a fill I am hopeful it won't be so hard. When I get the hunger pains I use that as a time to drink my Water while I prepare my next meal. The trick is to either have good foods available before the hunger pains get too intense or the meal nearly prepared. Once they get really intense I usually cave in but do it with moderation. If I am on the road I will grab something and take a few bites and then ask my sons to finish it. They can devour anything within minutes. MonaLisa regarding eating chicken. I know the breast can be pretty dry for some but I prepare my chicken with juice from a lemon and it always comes out very very moist. Actually, I don't know why it comes out so moist so I will share my entire routine. First I wash the meat with lots of white salt and a cap full of vinegar. The meat should feel squeaky clean. Rise the meat of all the salt and vinegar. Season as usual. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top. Preheat a skillet, lightly very lightly grease skillet (canola oil...just enough so the chicken doesn't stick as the breast doesn't have much fat). Cook until done. The lemon juice will turn the breast a very nice brown. This is the only way I can eat chicken breast now. Anything else is too dry and causes discomfort. Hope this helps

To be totally honest with you Paul I first became interested in WLS when I decided to have a breast lift. I knew I didn't want to spend money to have these things returned to thier original locations (breastfed 2 kids) and one day lose weight and my breast look totally stupid. I also had some concerns regarding my health but this wasn't what the motivating reason. So I used the money I would have used for the PS and am now saving up for the PS to be done one day...I hope. Shallow, huh?

Melissa, I weighed this morning and came just a smidgen (made up word) under 200. I am hopeful by Sunday the needle will be noticeably below 200. Do you eat the cottage cheese plain? I never thought of this. I have been drinking the Campbell's Soup at Hand and yogurt. Cottage cheese might be a welcome change.

You aren't hungry? That is great! I am starving 2 - 3 hours after eating. I had a yogurt and that seems to fill me up for 2.5 hours. I am gonna stay on liquids for tomorro to give my stomach a little more time to heal. BTW I think I have lost too. I weighed myself when I got home this evening and I was 202lbs with clothes on. I usually weigh in the morning with no clothes on. I think as the day goes on you weigh a little more. I cant wait until the morning to check. Lisa

Hello fellow bandsters, I feel compelled to share my experience yesterday. Yesterday I had my first fill with Dr. Susan Brinkley. The procedure itself was uneventful. She numbs you which feels like a little sting and then she fills you. I didn't feel anything after the numbing. Now, if you are wondering why I am writing, I am writing becuase it was 'her' that was so different as well as the office. I had to drive nearly an hour for the appointment and it was worth every minute. The office is decorated with household furnishings, not the furniture you find in office catalogs. Nope it was the sort of furniture you would find in any country furniture store. Even the examination room is decorated comfortably. There are pictures of horses, stars and little angels in the room. There is even a big comfortable chair you sit in and wait to see the doctor. You remain in this chair (fully clothed) to discuss your concerns and in general get to know her. I absolutely loved this. I just loved it. I hate being practically naked when a doctor enters the room to examine me. Then all they do is look at the stupid chart, ask me what's wrong as if they are interested, half listen then immediately start the exam. They are in and out in 5 minutes. Well, not with Dr. Brinkley. I can't really say how long she was in there but I can assure you I never felt like she had anywhere else to go. It was a great experience. In fact it was the second such experience. The first was in Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez. At any rate I mentioned the above things and she tells me it is her philosophy not to meet her patients with their clothes off (if it could be helped). She remembers her first exam experience and doesn't want to do it like that. I am almost done. The other unique thing is after she got to know me and I her, she educated me about how to compute a fill amount (something about r2 (r square), hyperbole, etc)and th elast thing that impressed me is her down to earth dress. She wore jeans, a shirt and just looked like someone's sister or close friend. All in all I am so happy I drove to Frederick, MD and did not return to Mexico (she accepts Mexcio patients and even had her procedure performed in Mexico). I saved a bundle and walked away with a wonderful experience. I am not affiliated witht the office in any way. They do not have any sort of referral program that I am aware of. I just wanted to share my experience so other Mexico banded patients are aware o their options.

Melissa, Liquids for a week?! I was gonna do liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 2 days. Now I wonder if I should try doing liquids a bit longer. My doctor told me to do them for the next day. BTW my fill was today and it was a breeze. The only discomfort I felt was the little prick for the numbing. I didn't even realize she was finished. Heck I didn't even realize she had even started. My next fill is scheduled 3 months out. May I ask why you have another fill scheduled in a month? I am hoping I can stretch this next fill for four months so I can save a little money. The first 25lbs were without a fill.

My first fill is scheduled for Wednesday as well. Not sure of the time. Have to search previous posts to find out.

I too applaude you in your courageous act. This attack somehow feels so personal as I think of my fellow lapbanders as an extended family of sorts. It really pains me to know you have been injured. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Count me in! I think I do better with 'buddies'. I am with Telley in that I will be doing a lot of weight training the next month so not sue if the scale will register, but I am willing to give it a real try. I am also scheduled for my first fill on the 12th so this might also help. Current weight:200 7/7/06

Rum Congratulations! You're 76 proof, with specific scores in beer (20) , wine (50), and liquor (60). Bring on the mixers! Take something strong, add something without any alcohol and you got yourself a Cuba Libre, a Presbyterian, a Greyhound or a Whiskey Sour. You like your drinks strong, but with the flavors of your favorite colas or juices. You're willing to try something new, just so long as it doesn't give you a headache What does Rum mean? My score seems pretty low, huh? BTW I am not much of a drinker. Love Whisky Sours, Amarretto Sour...anything Sour. I scored 0% on proof and 99% in wine, beer and liquor.

Here are mines. The largest is my current weight at 200lbs. The next are 175, 150 and 140. I want so much to get to 175 but can't seem to get the scales to move. I am scheduled for a fill on the 12th so hopefully I will begin to see some progress.

What's the cost for the VG sleeve? Can you have the surgery in Mexico or Europe? Thanks

EmileeKaye, Have you been out on your bike recently? Don't you just love the freedom, the air blowing, the close up view of nature? I do, in fact all of us do. My oldest son loves birds while the younget son loves reptiles. Makes for an interesting bike ride. They are able to see so much more than we are in that darned car. We have been out twice now within a week. Last weeked we went out, got lost and came back exhilerated. We tried to get our more last week but the torrential rains prevented us from doing so. Now the sore muscles might prevent us from returning too soon (LOL). We did right at 10 miles yesterday. I hope to do 20 miles 3-4 times a week soon. Might have to get a new seat as the one I have doesn't feel very comfortable after 6 miles or so. How does Telley do it? Thirty five miles in Florida's humidity must be unbearable. Let me know when you jump on your bike again. Lisa

Today the family and I jumped on the bike and decided to explore the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda, MD. We arrived just in time to avoid the crowds. We unloaded the bikes in record speed and jumped on the trail. Like others on the board my mind wandered to you. I thought of your 35 mile trek and figured we could knock out the one way ride of 7 miles in no time. Well going was absolutely great. Wind was blowing through our hair. Efffort was minimal. The nightmare started when we returned. I had not realized we were traveling downhill that entire time! Again, my mind wandered to you. I kept thinking, "Telley, never said anything about inclines, hills, resistance etc. Where the hell did this come from. If I ever make it back to my car...." I never finished that thought :-). BTW the trail was completely dark (absolutely no light. We couldn't even see the boys in front of us) becuase the sun had set and the trees formed a canopy over the trail preventing any light from penetrating. Once we got back to the car we went for a bite to eat and had a wonderful time discussing all of the birds we saw, the river, the cars below, the fishing banks, the really scary ride back etc. I am so happy we went and just want to say, "Thank You" for bringing biking back into my life. I strive to accomplish 35 miles as you do. You are the WOMAN!:clap2: Lisa

I would do a dance with you except my butt hurts from a long bike ride. CONGRATULATIONS!! What a wonderful accomplishment.

Kathy, I totally agree with you. I have been banded since December 12, 2005 and I can count the number of people who have been told (other than lapband and other boards). I really can't figure it out, why I haven't told more people. I just haven't. Somehow it really does seem very personal. I can't imagine what it must be like for a person to be in the limelight and have to tell. Criticisim, haters, gossip would be too overwhelming for me. Perhaps this is why I haven't discussed my decision with many people, my mother included. BTW I am not a fan of Star Jones. I have watched the view on several occassions and enjoyed but not a real fan of anyone. I do believe Star shot herself in the foot when she refused to discuss the procedure, had a wedding befitting a queen and more importantly her dress and make up both on and off of the show. At the Daytime Emmy Awards she looked like a professional working woman (actually not as good...and I am not talking about the professional working women who pay taxes on thier income), on one of the shows (The View) she came out in a black after five sort of dress while everyone else had on daytime attire. She really turned me off by her dress. Somehow she thought she was J. Lo or Beonce, Brittany. She is far too old to wear some of the outfits she selected. DonnaB agree with you as well. I support her in her decision to disclose she was not returning on Tuesday. The network wanted her to wait until Thursday so they could avoid the media. This way everyone would have returned from teh long holiday and forgotten about the whole thing.

Now that I no longer have any sort of pain, I ALWAYS forget. ALWAYS. Even when I eat. It is pretty customary for me now to prepare smaller plates, but it is not that I remember I am banded. Instead I catch myself saying, "I really am not that hungry" or "I just don't eat that much anymore" Even if we are at a restaurant I just look at my plate and mentally calculate how much I am going to eat. The only time I really remember is when my youngest son is excited and wants to hug me. He is my "accident prone" child. If there is pain to be inflicted you can believe he is the one to do it. On a few occassions he has squeezed me too tight or elbowed me or something. Sorry to go on and on.

It appears we all have our own experiences and so you will definitely have to make the best decision for you; however, for myself, I would not attempt to drive home alone at all. I had sharp pains, spasms, gas etc. If I had been behind a wheel of a car it really isn't any telling if I would have survived much less anyone else. Also, what if you have complications later that night. My coordinator was a lifesaver because she was able to bring things to me and in general made me feel safe. Can the friend come over? Perhaps teh friend knows a someone who can spend the night with you. Nurse's Aides are usually pretty affordable. A teenage babysitter, etc.

The family and I biked for about 15 miles yesterday. Initally we planned to do 5 miles but realized we had gone about 5 miles in one direction. We then got lost in the woods and decided to go with the flow. It was a really beautiful ride. Eventually, some 14 miles later we found our way to a major street and were able to take the street back to the car. My husband and I plan to attend a bike touring next month in July. Each day we will bike about 15 - 30 miles. Just depends on our (my) body.