srknepler

Hi September Samuris. I haven't checked in here in a few months...life keeps getting in the way of my PC time. LOL I was banded 9/11/08 weighing 277 and today I weigh 230. I have been tossing around 5lbs for the last 2 months, but finally had a good fill about two weeks ago and those 5lbs left. Whew...I was getting pretty frustrated! I have went from a size 28 to a size 20 since August...it's been a crazy ride! You all were talking about bras....man, I was so freakin' happy the day that I could wear an underwire bra again! Finally...they are up where they belong again. I don't think that they've sat there since before breastfeeding! LOL I really hope that I can get into the habit of checking in here daily and getting to know you all better. I feel like I do better when I'm talking to other bandsters on a regular basis!

I too am having a hard time getting away from the carbs after a yummy few weeks (ie, holiday eating). My band is nice and tight, if I just eat right. It's the sugar/carb cravings that are killing me. I guess a 2 week diet like atkins/south beach is what it's going to take. I had reached a point where I didn't crave carbs/sugar at all....I wish that I had never put another in my mouth!! Oh well, you live...you learn.

31 as of today!! (2 month band-iversary)

I find that I don't have room for carbs most of the time. I eat my Protein & veggies and then I'm full. I do have a carb heavy veggie from time to time, but not daily. I hit a plateau a few weeks ago and I increased my calories for a few days and then went back on track and immediately started losing again. Do you still have restriction? Is it time for a fill?

Sasha~ I am right there with you! I wanted to shout from the rooftop last week when I saw 249. I honestly have no idea when I weighed this last? Maybe back in 2001 when I got married? I had some short lived weight loss due to stress and IBS....but after the ceremony it returned and then some (as usual). Have you been measuring as well?? I love seeing the inches go down, down, down!!

agreatknead........204............190...........180...........10 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............217...........195...........22 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............208...........191...........17 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71.........223.4............220.4.........189...........31.4 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 Bunkey1965.........194............177...........170............7 CubsGirl17.........172............161...........150...........11 Cutiew/booty.......251............237...........220...........17 cQQlgirl...........195............189...........175...........14 crzytchr...........276............265...........246...........19 Donna113...........199............192.5.........160...........32.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............222...........190...........32 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............244...........225...........19 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235..........205.5...........185.........20.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............236...........200...........36 Liquidbluegal......225..........214.6...........199.........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............227...........215...........12 lotzasunshine......292............283...........250...........33 Luu2008............230..........199.5...........153.........46.5 Lunabeane..........244...........197............187.........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............276...........260...........16 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160....... 73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............231...........210...........21 Redtulips3.........180............175...........160...........15 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............186...........165...........21 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255.........-5.7 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............167...........160...........07 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............227...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............213...........194...........19 youcandoit!........196............187...........165...........22

Debbie, I meant to come tell you this last week, but I got sidetracked making costumes. My doc said that I could use miralax as needed and to keep using the stool softeners as needed. My problems seem to have eased up in the last week or so. I've increased my Fiber intake by eating more Beans (lots of Protein too!). They used to trigger my IBS, but not anymore!! The only triggers that I have left are eggs (:thumbup: which makes me sad because I love them!!) and wheat products. I hope that the benefiber is working for you!! I still take a few chewables everyday for good measure...

Debbie~ Like you, I am an IBS veteran and am not used to consipation at all! I nearly went to the ER on Saturday because I was so miserable. I ended up spending the entire day back and forth in the bathroom Trying to go. I got the hives and even fainted once....it was ridiculous! I finally went...after a glycerin suppository and 3 stool softeners. I've been using benefiber regularly this week and taking the stool softeners too! My mom made me promise to buy an enema to keep on hand so that I don't ever get a repeat of last weekend. Oh, and to top it all off....I was home alone with my 4yo! LOL

Like Gone 4 Ever, I sometimes find that my plateaus are caused by too little calories for a few days. If I increase just a tiny bit it makes a huge difference. Good Luck!!

Mine is also a general blog, but includes my weight loss. www.srknepler.blogspot.com

Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:tt2:</v:shapetype>***********:cool2:***********************:wub:****** :biggrin: * agreatknead........204............198...........180...........18 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............227...........200...........27 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............211...........191...........20 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71.........223.4..........223.4...........189.........34.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............177...........170............7 CubsGirl17.........172............161...........150...........11 Cutiew/booty.......251............240...........220...........20 cQQlgirl...........195............191...........175...........16 crzytchr...........276............269...........246...........23 Donna113...........199............193.5.........160...........33.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............222...........190...........32 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235..........207.5...........185.........22.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............236...........200...........36 Liquidbluegal......225..........220.4...........199.........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............230...........215...........15 lotzasunshine......292............284...........250...........34 Luu2008............230..........199.5...........153.........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............282...........260...........22 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160....... 73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............242...........220...........22 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............191...........165...........26 srknepler..........285............253.7...........255.........-1.3 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............167...........160...........07 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............227...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............217...........194...........23 youcandoit!........196............191...........165...........26 Today I surpassed my goal by 1.3 lbs!!

I've been contimplating a goal as well... The doctor's office has a Tanita Body Composition machine and it predicted my "after" weight at 179.5. That was at my initial consult and I weighed 310 that day. My fat mass was 176lbs!! and it predicted 45lbs after surgery. Now...I made some minor dietary changes and had lost 33lbs by surgery day, so I'm sure that little machine would have made different predictions at that time. I like the calculators at: Better Ideal Weight Body Calculations Anyway...my current goal is 170, which is a BMI of 26.6. That's a bit higher than the recommended 20-25, but my doc says that I'd be OK there since I dont' have any co-morbidities or health problems. I may re think that goal when I get there...who knows. Mostly, I just want to feel good, look good and be healthy!

I use the Centrum chewables (which have iron). You should be able to get fatty acids in liquid form at your local health food/whole foods store.

Chickie~ Your description of how you're feeling right now is how I felt the week before my first fill (at 4 weeks). I think it is a sign that it's time for a fill...

Your photo and/or link isn't working...

Robert~ That sounds miserable! I hope that the u/s fill goes better for you!! I'm 5 days out from my first fill and I am definately feeling restriction now! I started solids yesterday (first ones since surgery) and it's amazing how little I can eat before I'm full. My biggest problem is waiting the half hour after eating to drink. I have no issue not drinking during a meal, but I want Water immediately after!! GL to everyone!!

I've been using that simulator (on myvirtualmodel.com) for a while now and I can't see much difference in the higher weights. I've lost 50lbs this year and the pictures look identical.... Now, if I put in my goal weight there is a definate difference.

I thought that I'd start a new thread for fill stories....I think that most of us early September bandsters are starting to get our first one. Today was -1 day shy of 4 weeks post-op for me and I had my first fill. My instructions said to fast for 4 hours before the appointment and stop Water 1 hour before. I got to the aftercare center and they weighed me (down 15lbs since surgery!) and then went over the consent form and the PG test waiver. The PA came in and went over the post-fill diet (2 days liquid, 2 days mushie) and some other reminders (chew, chew, chew...small bites...no carbonated beverages...etc). Then she had me lie back and she pushed around for my port. She found it and then asked if I wanted lidocaine (I declined). Next she had me do a semi-crunch to confirm the port location. She stuck the needle in and then moved it around a bit (not painful at all!), then she pushed it into the port and drew out some Fluid. The fluid was tinged, so she removed that needle as they didn't want to put bloody fluid in my band (the blood was from scar tissue that she had pushed through while moving the needle around). The second needle was prepared and she put it in the exact same hole...I didn't feel a thing. She tapped the needle against the port (I could actually hear it) and then pushed it through. She withdrew my original fill (from surgery) which was 3.4cc and then pushed it back in along with an additional 1.6cc. All done! Next they gave me a cup of water that I had to sip for half an hour during which time I met with the patient educator (5 year post-op patient). She gave me some great advice, recipes and general information about the band and eating with it. That's it....I left to have lunch with my hubby :eek:. I had chicken noodle Soup without the chicken and noodles...LOL

I can feel my port and it gets sore if I poke at it. I have felt it since losing my steri-strips (always standing up), so imagine my surprise today when they stuck me a good 6 inches lower and did my fill!! Well, the higher "port" is actually scar tissue...and that's why it gets sore when I push it....Doh!! I must have been delirious when I posted this last night. I should add that the PA told me that I was likely feeling my port up high, too...it moves when you lie down (as the muscles move). it's not 6 inches lower...it's about 3.5 inches lower. Sorry for the tired post....LOL

Hi, I had surgery with Dr Benavides on 9/11 at The Surgery Center of Richardson. He installed my band with a fill....though I'm not sure of how much? I have my first fill appointment tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out then. I've had only positive experiences with his office, the surgery center, and true results (AIGB). My post-op nurse was amazing....she took such good care of me while I was having nausea issues (from anestesia) and even called me at home the next day to check on me and offer some suggestions to help the nausea. Please feel free to ask me any questions that you have...I'll try to answer everything that I have experience with.

My 4yo loves doing workout DVDs with me. I like Walk Away The Pounds....you can do a mile in under 15 minutes!! You can add some small weights (around 2lbs) and work your upper body too. Ask your surgeons office if there is a local service to order food from. My surgeon has worked with a former patient to start a band meals service. If you could find something like that it would be so much easier on you...

I didn't lose anything at all last week...it was really frustrating. My hunger also returned last week. On the bright side, I'm scheduled for a fill on Wednesday and I'm down 2 pants sizes (since August). I've noticed that the head hunger appeared when my weight loss stalled....I think that it's all related to needing a fill. It's nice to be learning those signs so quickly, as I was worried that I wouldn't be able to "hear" the cues and know when it was fill time.

Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight___Goal_______To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:frown:</v:shapetype>***********:thumbup:*************:frown:**********:tt2:********** agreatknead........204............198...........180...........18 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............230...........200...........30 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............215...........191...........24 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............180...........170...........10 CubsGirl17.........172............170...........150...........20 Cutiew/booty.......251............243...........220...........23 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............196.5.........160...........36.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............225...........190...........35 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............146...........130...........16 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............209...........185...........24 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............240...........200...........40 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............235...........215...........20 lotzasunshine......292............286...........250...........36 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............194...........165...........29 srknepler..........285............262.6...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............230...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............193...........165...........28

My doc said to expect about 15lbs the first month....that's right where you're at. I don't think that it's unusual to lose more quickly at first and then have your body "stall out". I'm in the same place as you right now....waiting for my first fill. I just started feeling hungry this week and it's miserable. My band was installed with a little fill, so I had some restriction right from the start and now I miss it!! I've been tracking my calories this week for another group that I'm in and I'm averaging 500-600 per day. Only a week until my first fill.....can't come soon enough for me!

After my steristrips were long gone I started unsing Aquaphor on mine...it keeps them moist enough to stop the itchies, but it's water soluble so it doesn't make them greasy or keep them from "breathing".