jbflorida

heatherO--you are so right! Those endorphins kick in and you feel goooooooood!

I had fill #3 today. I was up to 5.7 cc and today the doc added .2. Can that tiny amount make a difference? :crying: I have been having good success, but wanted more food lately. Can the .2 help--or was that done to appease me???

After a fill (had one this Afternoon), I have to go on Clear Liquids for 48 hours. The fill itself makes the band and me swollen--that's the reason for the clear liquids. Do you try to eat too soon after a fill?

Prozac and volunteer work. You'll be amazed at how you will feel about yourself and your life.

Please clone your husband, put a stamp on him and send him to Florida. Thanks.

And then there's New Year's and then Valentine's Day and there's always a birthday, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, someone's anniversary, someone retiring, Father's Day, July 4th... get the idea??? You can still enjoy EVERYTHING--but just enjoy it as a "normal-eating" person. Get your surgery (only the beginning), schedule your fills (the real magic of the lapband) and start exercising and making good choices. The weight will drop off of you and your motivation to do even better will skyrocket! Besides, I hear that bandsters in FLORIDA do exceptionally well! (tee,hee)

ME TOO! 50 seems to be a curse to me. It's when I truly feel a difference and start to think I'm "cute" and so, I let myself be a little more lenient. Pound by pound it creeps back and voila! I am starting all over again. boooo! I am getting a fill this Thursday and am going to recommit myself for getting the rest OFF! Join me! Here's the kick in the ass part (and I am listening to myself)--We took a major step to change our lives and our health. This is the rest of our lives...and now, that life can be a long one. The band and all of the rules are not PUNISHMENT--they are the REWARD!! You gave yourself a GIFT. Why? Because YOU are so worth it and deserve everything good. It's going to be better than you even dreamed about. Look for all of the NSV, no matter how small. Make a list! Today I realized that the "shelf" on top of my tush is GONE! Jump back on the bandwagon, TX. We're here to pull you up.

Here's my plan now that I am open to dating: 1.Take me to a late afternoon movie. 2. Let's go out for Mexican food. 3. Go back to my house and fool around for an hour. 4. Get out of my house.

I had the exact same feelings the week before my surgery. So did so many of us. So what you are feeling is normal! I went ahead with the surgery and am so happy I did! My surgery was May 13 and I am now down from 217 to 164. I feel great, energetic. My BP (off of meds since surgery) is 120/50. Of course, you have to follow the rules to the letter! Make good choices and make exercise a part of your day. In just a few weeks, you will enjoy the exercise AND the compliments! It is not easy, but I have not struggled. Remember, the magic of the band is not the surgery, but the fill. Give yourself and the band time to heal after the surgery; do not worry about weight so much. Then start those fills! I wish you the best. Would I do it again? YESYESYES!!

I will need a wig or hairpiece soon.

I had to do clear liquids for 48 hours AFTER the fill. My 2 cents--don't go in with a full stomach, even liquids. You will be asked to drink a lot of water to get the proper fill and you want it to be able to go down. Ask for some kind of numbing agent before getting the needle inserted. Some people don't have a problem at ALL with the needle. Hopefully, you will be one of them! To me, it's been the only painful part of this whole thing--including surgery! BUT the fill is the Magic of the Band, and I am willing to accept what goes with it. I have Fill #3 next week. Probably only need a tweak--I have an aggressive doc! As far as the needle being huge--nope! You'll be fine. This will be the beginning of the real action! Let us know how you did.

We understand the frustration. But hang in there girl, not even 2 more days now! There's always a reason and sometimes, it's in our best interests--even tho it is hard. In the grand scheme of things, consider this a "blip." Have a Wonderful Wednesday and Get Well Soon.

I too am losing hair. Bummer. I am taking Biotin and Zinc and Folic Acid. I also started using Nioxin Shampoo, conditioner and Scalp Therapy...but it makes the hair soooo dry and straw-like, that I must stop. Did anyone have success with Nioxin? I may have to put a wig on!

I agree--the band is FICKLE! I "knew" we had to eat slowly and take small bites and chew forever. But I didn't really know this until I learned the hard way (pain). It's a different way of eating for the rest of my life--still, no regrets. Wishing you the best.....JB

Aunt Lucy, How much Biotin and how much and what kind of Vitamin B? I am considering starting with Nioxin. Has anyone tried that? thx

psch--saving all receipts and hope to get a lot back!

This will make you feel better-- My package cost me $16,000.

If the request for update is for me-- I am fabulous! And you will feel the same way. I have lost 48 since the beginning of this journey, off of BP meds, and feeling great! I have gone from a 20 to a 12. Of course, I am exercising daily which helps. I have had 2 fills and though learning not only WHAT to eat, but HOW to eat is an omnipresent challenge, it is possible to succeed. I wish the same for everyone. No regrets. None. Not one. Not even a little bit.

I can feel my port (I even let others feel it!) I told my doc (in a lighthearted way) that the port is going to stick out when I wear my size 4 bikini. He replied, "Won't that be nice!"

BS--why haven't you gotten a fill yet? That may make ALL the difference.

I started this journey at 217---but knew 300 was in the future. My mantra became, "Who am I kidding?" Like all those bad things weren't going to happen to ME? Some already had (high BP, High Choles, sleep Apnea). Was it going to take a stroke to make me pay attention? As I was wheeled into the operating room, I remember one of my last thoughts was, "I am never going to have diabetes." (no guarantees on anything, but I have a much better chance at good health) Make the decision for you---but only do it if you are REALLY ready to make a change. This is surgery! Your head has to be in charge. My weight has cost me alot (financially, socially, mentally, emotionally) and it does not serve me anymore. It can't be done on willpower--it has to be CHOICE. Wishing you success--Judy

I named my band Phillip (Fill Up). He is making me very happy. He doesn't send cards or flowers, but yesterday, a good friend gave me a long look and said, "You look like a normal person." I took that as a "gift" from Phillip. Judy Banded 5/13/08 217/171/132

How to get out of bed= Turn on your side and get close to the edge of the bed. Let your legs dangle off of the bed. Use your hands and arms against the mattress to push your shoulders and chest up until you are in a sitting position. Ta-dah! You're up! PS To those who are in pain, hang in there! This is soooo worth it. You will feel renewed in just days from now. I am 2 1/2 months out and am so grateful for this new health--body, mind and soul.

What a gift you have given yourself and those that love you!

Diva--I have lost 45 lbs since my surgery of May 13--217 to 172. I have stuck to what I need to do and yes, I am a frequent exercise--now! But I reaaaaaaalllllly want this to work. If YOU work it, it works! Wishing you the best---I would do it again in a heartbeat! (And I thought I was the diva!!)