ljones4521

I think you should wear or bring along slip on shoes. You will be so happy with yourself when you get to the airport security line and they ask you remove your shoes. Also, very loose underwear. I traveled in December to Mexico but bought along a wind breaker for the airplane ride. I kept the jacket on and sort of pulled togehter in the front to disguise the fact I didn't have on a bra. The bra was far too restrictive for me and much too close to my incisions. Also, the jacket really came in handy on the plane as I seemed much colder than normal.

Lianna, Thanks for bringing this subject matter to the forefront. I have been at 200lbs for a few months now and have been trying to maintain a positive attitued. Just recently I became a little irritated and upset with my failure. However, I was at 200lbs for about 2 years prior to being banded and perhaps this is why my body has refused to budge. I was about 165lbs for 2 years and 128 for most of my teenage and young adult life (31yrs). Maybe I'll plateau at these as well. Now, how do we break the plateau? I have a fill scheduled for July 12. I am hoping this will help. I feel burning around my port, I figure this is the liquid seeping out.

ROFLMAO!! Congratulations It took me a while to figure out what you were talking about.

I've never heard of Peanut Butter or sugar. Will keep this one in mind in case it ever happens again. This is the first time I've gotten hiccups since the band. DonnaB- I tell you the only thing I could think of was my $7,300.00! It was the only thing on my mind. At first I tried holding the bag to my mouth but I couldn't get a good suction, so I tied it around my neck and then held it with my hands. I was trying to get the bag to fill up with carbon dioxide as quickly as possible. I think if it had started to feel woozy I would have torn it off or something..:-). Fortunately, they stopped. I just can't figure out what brought them about. I sure hope they don't come back becasue i don't want to do anything to jeopardize my investment. Thanks

Thanks for responding. Yes, my surgery was in December of last year. I wonder what made them come about. All I could think about was my $7,300.00 for the procedure. I eventually got rid of them by tying a plastic bag (kind from Safeway) around my neck. My oldest son was completely baffled by my actions. He said, "Mom, do you remember you told me that plastic bags around your head will kill you? That's a plastic bag you have around your head." I fell out laughing.

could this lead to a slippage or anything? I keep trying to stop them but they keep coming. I am like holding my breath, drinking Water, breathing into the stupid paper bag and nothing will stop them. They just came out of the blue. Please tell me this is not the same thing as pbing. Thanks

Do a little happy dance for you!

I just called and te hospital fee is $300.00 AND the doctor's fee is $500.00!!!!

The SIL doesn't really want the baby, she needs the baby to access the Social Services System (food stamps, food, housing, vouchers, etc.) If the cousin wants to keep the baby she will need to keep money/luxuries (cigarettes, candy, etc) in the SIL's hands until she has legal custody. The child is simply a ticket for the SIL. The SIL will make demands for the child as long as the child is her ticket to free stuff...particularly stuff she can sell. I pray that the interest of the child is served in this case. Sometimes it is hard to admit what is best. Let's hope the SIL can come to grips that the innocent child's life will be affected.

I don't have a fill (have 1.5cc in my band but that is only because the band would not fit around my stomach) and I have lost 25lbs. Probably could have been more but I haven't been to the gym in about 6 wks and been involved in a lot parties (cakes and ice cream). I am finally back on my regular diet and hope to start losing again.

the best me, You could be right. Starvation can cause desperation and frustration.

I second the advice to get counseling. It sounds as if the mental state of the poster is questionable. Depression/frustration can be dangerous for some.

I remember posting a few months ago about starvation mode. I was truly in starvation mode because I wasn't getting enough calories! Imagine that. Here I am obese and I wasn't taking in enough calories. At any rate I think I upped my calories to about 1100 and I have been fine since then. My weight loss is slow but I am losing now. I have lost 24lbs so far. I feel completely normal, I like the size of my plate, I am somehwhat (not today) pleased with my food choices and I am learning everyday. Maybe it's the diet. This can be tricky for us to figure out.

MelAnne, I don't know what to write. I can't say I understand, because I really do not. I am really sorry this has affected your outlook and in generally has you so upset. I do hope you stay with it. I agree that lowering your food intake (particularly breads, Pasta, chips, sodas etc.) and increasing your physical exercise will cause weight loss.

I was banded December 12, 2005 in Acuna, MX. I have lost 24lbs to date so far. A little slow, but I have never had a fill, so I think it is pretty good. I currently have 1.5cc in my band, but my doctor explained this is not restriction. I had to have the fill at the time of surgery to help the band stay around my stomach (there wasn't enough fat around the stomach). I called yesterday to make an appointment for July 12 to get my first fill.

Hi Ellieroo, I just got on for July 12, 11:00am. I hope this is not a mistake. I haven't had a fill yet, so I hope I don't mess up what has been a pretty uneventful journey.

Cool Beans!

Joe, Have you found anyone other than the doctor in Frederick?

Mindi, Do you know if Dr. Brody accepts patients banded out of the country?

MelodyJ, May I suggest when you go for those 'couple more bites' that you stop and ask yourself if you are satisfied. If you are satisfied, then don't consume those last couple of bites. This is what I do when I want to snack. I stop and talk to my stomach. Most of the time I realize I am not hungry. I am just reaching for the grapes becasue they are there and everyone else is reaching. (I did not employ this strategy while on vacation :-( BTW I am down to one snack a day. Two months ago I was at 2 or 3 Snacks a day. I think this strategy for snacking has helped to get me down to once a day. Hopes this helps. Thanks for the encouraging words. I use the other strategy for my 3 main meals a day (saucer and one servign only)

Barbara, That's a great idea and that saves me some money! Will try this first.

OH, NO!! I love chicken wings. Absolutely addicted. Actually, I think it might be my underwire bra. All day yesterday I noticed how it was irritating me. When I sit down the underwire sort of puts pressure on my rib cage. I think this migt be the problem. It did this twice yesterday and I unhooked the thing. If I continue to be uncomfortable, then I go to the store and purchase a new one. I will keep you guys posted. Just in case any other bandsters experience similar complications.

When I was banded the doctor had to put in 1.5cc to secure the band in place. He said there wasn't any fat around my stomach so the band was too loose (I think he used the smallest one). I have never had a fill. For this reason, the strategy I use is to prepare my food on a saucer. I don't allow the food to overlap into the decoration. I eat what is on the saucer. I don't ever ask myself if I am satisifed. I am trying hard to re-train myself to want just what is on that saucer. Seconds really aren't an option. Now, I am ususally satified. Sometimes I feel a little stuffed. When this happens I take a look at what I was eating (ususally beef). I serve myself much smaller portions of beef now. My main focus is not to listen to my stomach but instead have my stomach listen to me. If I should ever lose my band I don't want my stomach to start screaming more food and I continue to give it more. Does that make any sense? Forgot to mention, I also sort of plan my meals. Nothing too elaborate. For instance last night I decided I would have an omlette this morning. Now I have decided that for lunch I will a little chicken breast with a salad, for dinner medley of vegetables (green, yellow, red bell pepper with a little sausage).

Hi Everyone, The last few days I have been 'noticing' my band. Never before did I notice it, heck weeks have gone by and I had completely forgotten about the surgery. Well, the last few days things have changed. A few days ago I felt some sort of burning just above the big scar in the middle. My port used to be below this scar but now it is above due to some weight loss. I can feel my port through my skin very easily now. So, I think it was the port or maybe some of the saline slipping out. ??... The last few days I have also noticed that when I get in my van to drive I feel uncomfortable. Not pain, just uncomfortable. I reach behind me and unbutton my bra. This seems to help a lot. All day today this happened. When I just got home it seemed like I had a recurring throb just under my left rib cage. I timed the frequency of the 'pain'. Again, it is not painful, but whatever it was was definitely noticeable. I took a few pillows and sort of hyperextended my back. The discomfort has stopped. I am not sure if this actually helped or if the episode has run its course??..?? BTW I had eaten before this episode started. I had a bite of one chicken wing, 2 bites of pudding, 2 bites of a chicken finger and a cup of coffee. None of these would have gotten caught in my band. The chicken was chewed very well (finally has become habit). At any rate, please share. If you have had complications or episodes of discomfort, will you please share your experience. I feel relieved the throbbing has stopped but am scared to death this might be an indication of something worse to come. I am going to do liquids for the next two days. Here are the times. They indicate how much time passed between each throb. 28256028383149554438233937215014404327281:07122933281:171:192:11564832

Hi Everyone, The last few days I have been 'noticing' my band. Never before did I notice it, heck weeks have gone by and I had completely forgotten about the surgery. Well, the last few days things have changed. A few days ago I felt some sort of burning just above the big scar in the middle. My port used to be below this scar but now it is above due to some weight loss. I can feel my port through my skin very easily now. So, I think it was the port or maybe some of the saline slipping out. ??... The last few days I have also noticed that when I get in my van to drive I feel uncomfortable. Not pain, just uncomfortable. I reach behind me and unbutton my bra. This seems to help a lot. All day today this happened. When I just got home it seemed like I had a recurring throb just under my left rib cage. I timed the frequency of the 'pain'. Again, it is not painful, but whatever it was was definitely noticeable. I took a few pillows and sort of hyperextended my back. The discomfort has stopped. I am not sure if this actually helped or if the episode has run its course??..?? BTW I had eaten before this episode started. I had a bite of one chicken wing, 2 bites of pudding, 2 bites of a chicken finger and a cup of coffee. None of these would have gotten caught in my band. The chicken was chewed very well (finally has become habit). At any rate, please share. If you have had complications or episodes of discomfort, will you please share your experience. I feel relieved the throbbing has stopped but am scared to death this might be an indication of something worse to come. I am going to do liquids for the next two days. Here are the times. They indicate how much time passed between each throb. <TABLE style="WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=64 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right width=64 height=17 x:num>28</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>25</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>60</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>28</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>38</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>31</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>49</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>55</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>44</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>38</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>23</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>39</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>37</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; 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BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num="9.0972222222222218E-2">2:11</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl22 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" height=17></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE style="WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=64 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; WIDTH: 48pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right width=64 height=17 x:num>56</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-TOP: #e0dfe3; BORDER-LEFT: #e0dfe3; BORDER-BOTTOM: #e0dfe3; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" align=right height=17 x:num>48</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #e0dfe3; 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