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thanks Kami...I was using it and taking it....can't tell if anything is helping at this point due to so much of it...I went to a different derm for a 2nd opinion....he says that it could be eczema or just a sensitivity to anything...he gave me a steroid shot which I have wanted from the start.....and then said on the next visit, if I am not a ton better he would do a biopsy......He also gave me a new rx for a cream to try.....I have been using coconut oil in the bath too for a quick way to get all over! This too will pass! Shelley

Allison, I hope you are doing OK...I had a clear protein drink the second day because I got a headache so bad....it will be time to eat soon for you! Good Luck!

That is sooooo amazing...I know from your posts that you HAVE worked your butt off too...as in exercise and good food choices! Keep it up...your heart thanks you! WOHOO!!!!! Shelley

HI ya'll! Sorry I have not responded sooner...I went to the cabin in the cool pines of pinetop and do not have internet up there! I am actually going again in a few days...until school starts at the end of July between doc visits...it is Pinetop for me! So, on July 2nd I got my first fill of 4cc's in my 9cc Realize band. I can feel a bit of restriction...a few times I eat too quickly and go...ugh...I feel that! I am NOT as hungry as I was the 2 and 1/2 weeks before the fill. I think I will have just a bit more fill on August 7th when I go back. I really need to exercise more...here I was sooo good from Dec. until surgery...however, I am not allowed to go to Inches A-weigh quite yet...too much shaking of the machines....and all core work...so walking is it for me still. My other issue is that I still have a scab on my port scar...altough it is getting smaller finally! I had hoped to be doing Water aerobics by now....'course going to the cabin would have complicated that too! I am soooo bad about routines during the summer when school is out! OH well, just about 2 weeks left anyway....teachers out there...you know what I mean, I am sure... food wise, doing pretty well....grilled fish, turkey burgers, canned tuna or salmon, Protein shakes for Breakfast, fruit, veggies, oh...I can NOT forget...Refried Beans....anyway, I just still try and limit my bad starches..... I had chicken lettuce wraps tonight.... As for my Psoriasis...I went to the derm for the 3rd time since surgery today, now he says, "It sure doesn't look like Psoriasis now! UGH!! Ok...no I do not want an auto-immune disease but then why do I look and itch everywhere with red spot????? GOSH, can I be allergic to something in the band??? I DID break out 2 weeks before the surgery....so we are all hoping that it is NOT from the latex etc....???? OK...I am scared a bit...trying to be sane about it all. Well, Hope you all are doing great... ALLISON - I did have a pinto in the 1980's and let my Pinto of a boyfriend (8 years!) drive me in it! I even let him borrow it at college...I am sure he was cheating on me in MY PINTO!!! So, hang in there and "Kick him to the curb!" You are not in high school anymore but unfortunately guys are well into their late 20's or 30's....sorry any guys! TTFN, Shelley

Great Responses everyone! I am still a newbie but I did have my first bought of...TMI....hard constipated bowls...so I am using a stool softener quite a bit right now....OUCH! I am definitely getting my Water.... Keep posting all!

Stephanie, I think you are very brave and I am happy to hear you seem to be getting better. What a great idea about cleaning the seat.....there is a bar/grill in my town that has this stuff in the potty stall for you to spray on TP and then wipe the seat to sanitize...instead of the paper....same concept...LOL the first time I saw it I thought it was antibacterial gel for my hands....anyway, more places should have that stuff! Are all the drains out? I bet sleeping is hard...I'm up right now because my Psoriasis flair up (from LB surgery) is soooo itchy that I am awake....YAWN! I'd love to go to sleep soon.... I hope that each day brings you more comfort....You sound like a busy person so I hope you are back doing everything soon! Take care, Shelley

HI...I just read your thread and I am amazed at how well you are doing...thanks for sharing...I hope this set back today is just a hiccup for you and no big deal... You do not have a ticker...so how much weight did you loose from banding? I'm sure many pounds judging from the skin pics..ugh... I know what you mean about your new boobs...I think mine were here before I was! As I loose weight, I wonder where they will end up??? Take Care, Shelley

LOL I had the same experience last year (pre-band) when I had my hysterectomy....after a day of just juice and popsicles not SF things....I had a diabetic order...they even had to give me insulin which I had NEVER had!... Anyway, the next morning my diabetic tray comes in with a whole banana (I was only allowed half at home...if that!) 2 4oz apple juices...4 pieces of French toast...oh sugar free syrup (good call!) and a carton of milk 2%...I only used nonfat at home...and to top it off about 4 oz of oatmeal! My doc came in as I was laughing and wondering...where is my Protein...and don't tell me in the egg wash on the French Toast.... Anyway, I told him if I ate like that at home I would be in a diabetic coma...and if people who are not educated in how to eat for being a diabetic...came to the hospital and thought this was a healthy tray of food...The hospital was never going out of business because people would never understand how to eat healthy! Thanks for sharing.... BTW...even though my blood sugar is controlled now, not with meds!...I still believe I am a diabetic because it is a remission of sorts but I was told it never goes away.....hm...

CALM DOWN!!! I READ ALL THAT STUFF TOO AND THEN WHEN MY DOC TOLD ME I COULD EAT AFTER THE FOURTH...YES 4TH DAY OF SURGERY...OBVIOUSLY I STARTED WITH SOFT FOODS LIKE REFRIED Beans ETC..BUT ABOUT A WEEK AFTER SURGERY I HAD SHRIMP, SEAMED BROCCOLI ETC... I WAS SO CONFUSED THAT I CALLED THEM ABOUT THE 5TH DAY OF SURGERY AND SAID I MUST HAVE MISSED A PAPER ABOUT MY "STAGES" OF food....THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A STAGE JUST BE SURE TO CHEW CHEW CHEW ETC... I WAS NOT ALLOWED CORN, RAW VEGGIES, STARCHES LIKE BREAD AND POTATOES ETC.... WE HAD A POST OP CLASS ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY SO I ASKED THE NUTRITIONIST AGAIN...SEE AFTER READING THE BOARDS I WAS SO CONFUSED AND THEY SAID I WAS DOING IT EXACTLY RIGHT! THEY SAID THE REASON WE WAITED ON THE STARCHES AND SUGARS ETC WAS TO RID OURSELVES OF THE CARB CRAVINGS THAT FIRST MONTH WHEN MOTIVATION IS HIGH AND COMING OFF OF 4 liquid DAYS ETC... SO, I THINK YOU ARE SCARING YOURSELF...BUT...YOU DO NEED TO START TRYING TO MAKE HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES...THAT IS WHAT WILL SET THE "TONE" FOR HOW YOU EAT WITH THE BAND...WE ALL HAVE BAD HABITS TO BREAK BUT THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE RIGHT? OK..so here is my disclaimer...I am not a health professional and some of your docs have given you different directions which you should follow BUT my doc is a center for excellence...blah blah blah...very respected here in AZ...people come from all over to go to her and her Bariatric program so I trust them! That was my 2 cents worth!

HI Everyone! I was out of town after my fill. I was on Clear Liquids for 3 days...UGH!!!! I had souch a headache but I'm sure it helped me go down a few pounds. As for restriction...not exactly yet because everything seems to go down fine but my hunger has definitely been tamed! So, now just have to work at the portion control! Hope you all are great! Shelley

I just got my first fill today and it was not painful at all!!! MY nurse practioner did it and she is VERY good giving fills because she does so many. I ended up with 4cc's in my 9cc band...She had me drink Water and pay attention to any feeling or tightness. At about 3cc's or so, I burped! Too funny....I am now on Clear Liquids until earliest Friday night then mushy...or maybe Sat...I'll see how I feel. I'm heading up to our cabin in the mountains so I hope I don't have any problems!!! I can't decide if we should leave today or in the morning but I will pack and if I feel good, we'll go. I won't have internet so I'll catch you all when I get home Monday. It will be nice to be out of this 113 degree heat and in the cooler pines (Pinetop, AZ) Happy 4th of July Holiday! Shelley

I got my first fill today...YEA!!! 4cc's in my 9cc band!!! I hope I tolerate that and I get some restriction!!! It was not painful at all, by the way! Shelley

Good advice gals...I see the nutritionist today...I'll see what she says...when I was doing weight loss before...at Inches Away...they had you do 2 protein supplements a day equalling 30 grams of protein on top of your 3 meals w/protein like deck of cards sized chicken or fish...about 4 oz.....That was based on the American heart/Diabetic guidelines....it did help me loose...that is the hardest part I have about my banding guidelines because they say no snacks so no extra protein???

I go in the morning...we shall see????

I bet you loved hearing the word solids! Chew Chew Chew...remember digestion starts on the plate...cut everything up the size of a pencil eraser tip....you won't most likely have a problem it is just good training!

Good Luck you two! I am just starting out but thrilled I made this a priority!

Not nice here...so I went to the Mall to walk...needed to walk more than I looked though! Good for you globally yours!

I am so hoping I get my fill when I go to the doc's on Wednesday....my port site looks so much better since the round of anibiotics I just finished!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed...and scared of the fill process too ...LOL

That is great Allison...I I was excited to go under 300...puts it all in perspective doesn't it? You'll be in smaller sizes in no time!

Good Luck on the July 2nd Bandings! Hang in there! Shelley

Great idea! Thanks

Maybe they will! I hadn't thought about that! Thanks for the info! I'll let you know....

WOW!!! What a story about your liver...I am so glad that the diet worked so well for you!... Now, good luck with the healing...folow docs orders!

Camjay...love the credit card ticker! Good Luck all you banders with surgery..You'll do great...you are in my prayers tonight! Shelley