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Congrats on the new job Skye! And it's great to hear that Duke is doing well enough to return to work. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." I'm sure you're family is being strengthened a great deal! Much love and continued prayers, Susan

Well, Pillow hasn't been back to LBT since posting this, so I guess they found another site to get answers from or they can't remember this addy. Anyway, there were a lot of other questions and concerns asked in this thread that never got any responses. I'll try to address each, although I'm sure there are other folks out there that also provide some good advice. Marie485 - It sounds like you are over filled. You should get right in to get a slight unfill. PB'ing everyday is NOT a good thing. It could cause your band to slip. I can't believe they told you to "hang on". Let us know how you're doing? Y5clm2000 - You must still be too tight. Is your Dr doing your fills under fluro? That GERD stuff is usually a sign of being banded too tightly or perhaps even slippage. I'd have that checked asap. Analoren - You said things get stuck in the morning and at night. I've read many posts by people who have to stick to liquids until the band loosens up a bit during the day. Others have said they feel more restriction at night. Are you able to eat solid foods during the rest of the day? I've also heard people say that drinking some warm tea or broth prior to eating helps the band relax a bit so you don't get that first bite syndrome where the first attempt at eating sticks. urbrdfs - That is exactly what people need to do. Find that sweet spot. Not too tight, not too loose. It takes time for some people. No one should be willing to work with being overfilled. They'll end up eating foods that can go through the band, which are usually high calorie and high in sugars and the weight loss will slow. It should be everyone's aim to be able to eat hard Proteins such as fish and chicken, and vegetables and fruits (not all of course.. there are some that just aren't band friendly). I'm glad to hear you found that sweet spot! DianeChef - "After reading some posts on fills - this is my opinion: Whenever we retain Water, whether it be the time of the month, flying in a plane, having surgery, whatever it may be........it does something to the band. For me it makes my stomach really swell & it has a hard time going back to normal after the fact. It really messes me up big time!" I think I have the opposite situation. During my TOM I felt like I had very little restriction and I was starving! I ate 6oz of roast beef at one time and then went back for more 30 mins later! But now that the TOM has passed, I'm back to feeling restricted. I have to eat slowly or I feel the threat of things sticking, and I can now only eat about a cup of food again. These bodies of ours are certainly odd, aren't they? Oh, and about your assistant. I have the same Help Wanted ad running in our local paper. Do you think we will find someone who will do all of this for room and board? I'd be happy to kick out my son and let them have his room. *evil grin* PlunderBunny - "he took me down to 1.0 and it sounded like a clog had been cleared" *laughs* I can just hear that! I only have 1cc in my 4cc band too. Seems to be just right so far. Chelleanne - That same thing happened to me after my first fill. It took a few weeks for things to calm down. Even then, as you can read above I still go through period of time when I feel like I can eat too much. I think I'd rather deal with those times than to be overfilled. I would suggest that you journal your food intake and track your calories and Protein intake. I thought I was overeating too, but my averages for the month showed I'm eating about 950 calories and 85 grams of protein per day. That includes the days I was ravenous. I think that our perception of "normal" food amounts changes so radically after banding, that it's hard to judge how we are doing without writing down every bite for a realistic account. Pinkpanther06 - Your friends should ask their doctors to refer them to someone for fills and follow up care. If they can't then they have a couple of other options. They can begin to call around to find local surgeons that do the band and ask for a referral to someone who will do fills, or they can check out Fill Centers USA and see if there is one in their area. Having access to good follow up care is as important as access to fills. I hope they find both prior to going to Mx to get their bands.

Hey MJK, are you getting enough protein in your diet? You might just need more "food". Can you give us an example of a day's food intake?

Carol? You have something smeared on your ass. *laughs* Too funny! :grouphug:

My surgeon here in Idaho has his patients on liquids for three weeks too. Then three weeks of mushies. I sure hope that infection clears up quickly. *shudders* Keep on top of that, it can lead to serious issues if it worsens.

Susan said it best, it matters not what others had to do or were allowed to do. Your surgeon will have his or her own guidelines based on what they have found works best for their patients. Of course, if you find you really need to change that you are always welcome to go in and talk to them about the possibility of progressing on sooner. I was banded by Dr Cahn too, and after week two I was ready to eat the legs off the diningroom table. I asked if I could progress to mushies and the Dr agreed based upon my progress.

Excuse me??!! Donna... you weigh 252 pounds and you look like THAT? *whistles* Damn girl, you've got it going on! :grouphug: I havent used anything on my scars except lotion after a shower and they are getting fairly light. I saw Hippo'sHope's scars up close last week and after less than a month, they almost weren't visible! She swears by cocoa butter.

Misfortune, you should change your name to Fortunate because you are certainly fortunate to have survived that horrible ordeal. I hope you're finally over it all now and back to good health. You said they had to remove part of your stomach... did you end up with a smaller stomach which reduces the amount you can eat? I guess I'm wondering if you're planning to continue with your weight loss attempts, but I'm also thinking you probably lost a lot during those months of suffering. How are you doing? And what are your plans now?

I've been in similar shoes, only I was at work. This punk kid I was having problems with was making Shamu comments under his breath at me while we were working. I was so hurt and embarassed. I went and talked to our manager and he was told to back off. Still the damage was already done. So I know how degrading and hurtful that is. I guess I would have asked them if they felt they had any chance of growing up to become semi-decent human beings. Or said something like, I may be fat but I'm working hard at doing something about it.. what are you doing about your immaturity and hateful spirit?

:note:Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear BrandNewMe! Happy Birthday to you!:note: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday:

:note: Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Pianoman! Happy Birthday to you! :note: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday:

:note:Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, dear Puddinpie! Happy Birthday to you!:note: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday: :happybday:

To everyone competing in the Spring Challenge - The first week of the challenge was 8 days long, so totals for perfect weeks would have been 8, 16, and 24. All following perfect weeks would be 7, 14, and 21. Please make any corrections you need to make before we get to the end of the challenge. Wednesday will be the final day of competition. Everyone will need to add up their points and fill in all blanks on the scorecards. I will go through each score card on Thursday and verify the totals. The winner will be announced on Thursday or Friday on the Gone for Good Club June 2006 thread. Unless we decide to have another challenge for June, there will be no score cards on the June thread and this one will be locked after I get the updates made for Wednesday May 30th. Everyone has done a fantastic job with this challenge! I hope more are able to participate next time. I really wish more of you would give me your weight loss updates each week. I know we can be losing over 100 pounds a week as a group. Come on Gone for Good'ers, let's get active!

Welcome to Bandland, Ron! So glad to hear that you're doing well. Take it easy for a few days, sip sip sip your Water, walk as much as you can, and before you know it you'll be good as new. I look forward to hearing about your progress. Here's to a happy and successful band journey!

*laughs* When I first saw myself in the mirror after surgery, I swear I looked 9 months preggers. It's the swelling and gas. Don't worry, it will go down soon. Grats on getting banded! Are you home already? Quick trip and sounds like a fairly easy recovery! I'm happy for ya. :grouphug: Keep sipping on your Water. It's important to keep yourself hydrated. Keep us posted on your progress and take good care of yourself.

Iyay ancay eakspay igpay atinlay. Oesday athyay oundcay? Impressive language skills we have here!

Well yeah, they have been wearing them low... but down so far they are almost not even on the butt? *grins at Donna* I love living behind the times. Gives me longer to appreciate the "good old days". And I think it would be GREAT if you moved here! *huge smile*

You're welcome and you're not alone. *big hugs*

Has anyone heard from 3Loves yet? She's been on my mind, just wondering how she's doing.

Hi Patti! Grats on getting your band, I hope your recovery is going well. Each day gets better, so hang in there. What kinds of information are you looking for regarding the band? There are some great threads in the food Forum that share lists of foods recommended for the various stages of the pre-op diet you might check out. Let us know what you are experiencing right now and share your specific questions so we can help you find the answers. :grouphug:

Hi Julie, welcome to LBT. We probably wont fill the shoes of your friend but we can sure provide you with a lot of support and information about you can expect along the way. A good place to start is by being prepared for your band day. Here are a couple of threads that have helped a lot of people get ready. Just click on them to open them. Questions to ask your Dr: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15595 Things to have on had before surgery: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14814 Best wishes on your upcoming surgery and for a speedy recovery. :grouphug:

I couldnt stand the Protein shakes, so I grew desperate and doctored mine as follows: 1 Cup skim milk 1 scoop strawberry proteint powder 1 can Slim Fast Vanilla 1/2 banana 2 teaspoons Splenda or 1 Cup skim milk 1 scoop vanilla proteint powder 1 can Slim Fast Cappuccino 2 teaspoons Splenda Blend together in a blender.

Ahhh... horseback riding, rather than breaking the horses back. Nice :grouphug: I'm adding that to my goals. The first time I was on a horse, I was 12 and barefoot and it ran across the southern Wyoming desert with my arms flailing about until it dumped me in a well.. a dump - broken glass and rusty cans. I was fine but what an introduction to riding that was!

DITTO what Alexandra said. And Dody, I'm proud of you for posting this. *winks*

*GASP* Hopefull, I am so stinking excited for you!! Enjoy your weekend, it sounds like you're going to have a blast! And your spirits must be sky-high! :clap2: