jbflorida

OK--I had fill #2 and do feel restriction. BUT, I went out to dinner and had a grilled chicken salad. I ate 4-5 bites and whoa! painful lump in my chest! I waited a few minutes, the pain went away and then, I was able to finish the entire salad. What's up with that?

Nancy--you've lost 42?? Go girl! It is so motivating to see the scale go in the direction we want! And to think, of losing it forever....makes me ecstatic! I have lost the same amount and when people ask how much I've lost, I answer, "I've lost a small child." Let me know when you want to go out for broiled fish with ME! I have a coupon for The Island Grill in Apollo Beach. Judy PS Anyone else can join us....c'mon down to FL

Last night, someone (heavy) came up to me and said, "I know this is personal--but you have lost weight--HOW did you do it?" Of course, I told her how (I feel I can teach people about the band) and about all the work that goes into it. People are just fascinated! She asked about pain and I told her there was discomfort and to be honest, the ONLY real pain is the needle for the fill. She said she hated needles--I put my hands on my hips in my size 14 (a little too big) pants and said, "But I love THIS!" She is going to look into it. I should be a spokesperson!! haha Surgery 5/13--down 43 lbs this AM-- 217 to 174 To those waiting for their dates--I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Congratulate me--I just had my first 'stuck." I got filled on Monday (from 3.1 cc to 5.7 cc). NOW I know what restriction is. I just took too big of a bite of salmon and whoa-- I had a combination of feelings--part PAIN and part HAPPINESS--this thing is working! I will be banded for 2 months in 4 days and I have lost 41 lbs....44 to go!

Jeneal-- No regrets here--not for one moment! Be prepared to make changes for your health, but it works! Use this board for support. There are nice people here who want you to be successful. Banded May 13, 2008--down 39 lbs. Almost to size 14!

Hi all-- I had a fill 2 weeks ago and only had slight restriction--if any at all. I went in today for fill #2 and was changed from 3.1 to 5.7. The doc said, "You'll feel this!" Uh-oh. I can swallow Water, but let's see what happens when I can eat again on Wednesday evening. Part of me is anxious to have a real change--let's knock this weight off!! Who's with me? PS I went to a singles' dance in the community--got some attention for the first time in a long time. NSV!

Hi tiger-- My surgeon is Dr. Rehnke in St. Pete. He also works through JourneyLite, but I signed on directly with his practice (in order to spend a night in the hospital--same $$--I am self-pay). I am down from 217 to 180 and will go in for Fill #2 tomorrow. I was doing so well and the last couple of weeks--plateau'ed and eating more. I am still making good choices, but I am having More than I want to want! I want to get to 6 bites and I am done. I am recommiting myself to Phase 2 and anxious to get that scale moving. Anyone that thinks the Lap Band is the easy way out--is WRONG! You HAVE to "work it" not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Oops, this is supposed to be a "where are you from" thread, but my fingers took control and typed too much....not my fault.

Tigerlilli--I am 15 minutes south of Brandon and I was also banded on May 13! Good luck to YOU!

I used something for insect bites---anti-itch. That helped.

I see Joan in perfect health, smiling and energetic. She has skilled doctors and nurses who shower her with their healing arts. Joan is filled with good Spirit and her heart is full knowing of all the prayers and good thoughts of her fellow banders. And so it is.

Prozac comes in liquid. It tastes like hell.....but I'd rather make one mean face a day than mean faces all day long.

One article I read said not to exercise on an empty stomach, to have something to eat before. The lady at GNC said not to have a Protein Drink until After exercise ( saying that if I drink first, the body will be working on digesting and burning off those calories rather than working my body....). Advice, please. WHEN do I have a Protein drink??:thumbs_up:

That is GOOD advice. Your friend must be very smart!!

Anewme--I can just give you my experience. I got the band 7 weeks ago and my first fill a week ago. I went out to dinner last night and was able to eat 1/2 a piece of grouper and 1/2 a piece of chicken (my friend and I shared our meals). I ate some of the vegetable and had 2-3 tastes of the mashed potatoes. I was not stuffed, but I WAS satisfied. Normal eating, indeed!

MsPriss (which I have been called before...) I am 4 months from 57 and was banded mid-May. I have lost 39 lbs, off of BP meds, last BP reading (on Sat) was 101/62. I can do energetic exercise. I ran on the treadmill today for some of the 40 minutes I did. Don't think I have run since ... a long time. I am down 3 sizes and feeling great. Don't let age stop you from...anything!! Go for it, girl! Judy

What is considered a reasonable fee...and what would be unreasonable?

One quick prick. (Oh my, there are soooo many things I could write here......)

My doc says, Heartburn? Call him!! I had my first fill yesterday and he had me drink Water (good sized swallows). He told me to tell him when I feel the water "backing up." At that point, it was too tight and he took some out. It sounds like you are where I was when it was too tight. Please call your doc and tell him/her how you are feeling. Let the doc make the decision. Don't just wait a week and suffer. Sure, it may get better, but you may hurt your band. Just one opinion.

Hi all-- I am obese! (never thought I'd be happy to write that but I am officially out of Morbid Obese and as of this AM, Severly Obese!) Can't wait until I am overweight!!! LOL I got my first fill yesterday and am on clear liquids for 2 days. I am anxious to "test" it with real food. I got 3.1 cc in a 10cc band. I know--chewchewchew and tiny bites! Last weekend, I hosted a progressive dinner and since I didn't feel any restriction, I had 1/2 of a roll and a little bit of pasta. WRONG! It didn't give me pain or discomfort, but I was certainly aware of it for 2 days. I guess that there are things we have to experience for ourselves so we know for the future. BTW, I taught for WW about 15 years ago. I had lost my weight with Quick Weight Loss Centers, but I didn't tell WW that! I had 80 people to come to my class and the weighing in, teaching the lesson, teaching the new folks the plan---it took 3 hours! And all for $14 a class for me! Only worked 1 1/2 years. Surgery 5/13/08 217/182.5/132

Young at heart--I was on BP meds for the last 7years or so. The day of my surgery, got off of them. My BP this afternoon was 114/70. No meds! Pretty good deal, huh?

I am 56 and was back to exercising in 2 weeks. Feeling good with no regrets!

Hi nana, Part of the surgery fee (self-pay), was 2 weeks of Optifast in those little cartons (looked like juice boxes). I had 5 of those a day, total of 800 calories. I could also have Crystal light and broth and Water, of course. I lost 13 lbs in 2 weeks and except for days 4-6 (?), I was not hungry and felt fine. I liked not having to plan a meal, prepare it and wash dishes!

I use GNC Whey Protein ISOLATE (better for you than the concentrate). I did not use it during pre-op as I was on Optifast only. I mix it with a small amount of sugar free flavorings. (Does anyone else find themselves reading this board and sending lots of posts on the day they are supposed to clean the house??? It is 6:30 PM, I still having cleaning to do---but I got to talk to a lot of Banders today!)

Handling emotional eating.... For me, it is becoming AWARE that it IS emotional and not true hunger. Before the band, I just ate...all the time. My appetite has changed and I have no cravings......yay! BUT--- 3 weeks ago, I went to a dance (I do not like going to dances as I am single and hate sitting there watching dancers--most were couples--but a friend was singing and I said I would go). When she was done, I left--yes, feeling lonely! and as I drove by a grocery store on my way home, I had an instant CRAVING for potato chips! My immediate thought was--"where did THAT come from?" I was not hungry. I made the instant connection of emotion/craving. I remember that moment and that has helped me stay on course. (I did NOT stop for the chips or anything else!)

Hi Bas--Here's to a successful and uneventful surgery for you. This journey has been very smooth for me. Yes, I am hungry at times, but I am dedicated! Today I had a cheese omelette this AM (eggbeaters, 1/4 cup) and for lunch I had a turkey burger with some muenster cheese melted on top. For dinner, I will have some cut-up chicken with peach-mango salsa. I will have a Protein whey isolate shake (vanilla with banana flavoring) later on for a snack. 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of decaf and--WATERWATERWATER! I had 6 weeks of liquid. Did I like it? Did it kill me? Only a few of the 36 days were a problem. The time IS going to go by, why not do the right thing? Now, 5 weeks past surgery--down from 217 to 184, off BP meds, exercising with plenty of energy---and feeling goooood. I am excited about what is to be! Feel free to write me anytime! Judy