Kryssa

Accountability? Yuck, dirty word, but I need it so bad, here we go: Today I will: 1. Drink 64 oz. of Water in addition to any other liquids. 2. Go to the gym. 3. Not eat after 8 PM (hard one, I'll be at H&R Block until 10 PM) 4. Get the duty phone calls I've been putting off made today before 5.

LilAngel, I answered your question on the Turtle thread. I can't qualify you, but I can feel your pain! I hope this fill does wonders for you. I also hope that mine (also next week) does wonders for me.

Well, if it helps, you are normal in my book. I was banded two weeks after you, and haven't even made -10 lbs yet. I admit that occasionally I feel petty and mean about how great others are doing. We just have to keep our heads up and keep going until we get the right fill.

I lost 10 lbs the first week on the liquid diet and spent the next 5 gaining it all back. My total loss so far? 9 lbs in 16 weeks. Why? I do not have "good restriction" yet, after 4 fills. I was on a 1400 calorie diet with exercise 4 times a week for 6 months before banding and only lost 2 lbs. I am trying hard not to get depressed about slow weight loss too. Fifth fill in a week, maybe I'll get there this time.

I work for corporate H&R Block; have for over 3 years, but my degree is in Financial Planning so I have more knowledge than I've gotten working there. You can not claim your friend's airfare, not even if you paid it (and most certainly not if she paid it). With lapband, you are discharged within 24 hrs, the IRS is not going to believe a support person was medically necessary. Unless of course that friend is a RN, then you could try it, again provided you paid for the ticket. If you have a question you would like answered by the IRS (before you do something that will trigger an audit) call them at 1-800-829-1040. But please note: just because you did something that results in your return being flagged does not mean you will be audited. The IRS chooses those who look most like fraudulent cases and from whom they are likely to get paid. A surgery can cause enough medical expenses to itemize, and you aren't the first one to have surgery. Think about those poor people who have to go through in vitro several times before they conceive. The IRS also looks for the types of returns that have a high incidence of fraud in the past, for example: they are checking 50%+ of Head of Household returns this year due to EIC fraud, but believe me not everyone will be getting an audit letter. Make sense?

It's okay to nag, I need it!

Well... my favorite is Frederick's of Hollywood. Sexy and plus-size. Lane Bryant (online store not online catalouge) is the next best. I've seen strapless body shapers at both recently.

Congrats Dee! I felt like that for about 3 days after Wednesday's fill so I think I'm getting close. I'm at 2.2 and going back to Henderson on the 7th for the fifth fill. How many have you had? Same office, maybe they have same protocol?

I'm here too! Sixteen weeks out and 9 lbs. lost. My doc promises he will fill me every 2 weeks until I get some real restriction so I hope to lose something soon. The holidays are over and depression has set in. Did I really spend $20K for 10 lbs?

Hmm. I'm living that this morning. Wanted fritos (yes at 8:30 AM, gross huh?). Had Slimfast high Protein shake, not satisfied, had an apple, not satisfied, had 1 1/2 oz of fritos, ahhhh satisfied. $@#&*#@! head hunger!

WLS is a part of spiritual healing for me. I became overweight as a result of childhood and teenage issues. I ate to ease the pain and I ate as a defense (men don't look at fat girls, right?). But the Bible tells us repeatedly that God abhors the bad that happens to us; he wants to comfort and care for us. So I have put down food as my comfort crutch and begun to lean on Him again. There is no way I could do it w/o God, and I don't think He minds me utilizing a tool to help heal myself. That is what my band is: simply a tool I am using to repair the damage I did to myself. We wouldn't deny medicine to the sick, why would we deny ourselves what we need to heal? God does not want me to be sick or fat or unhealthy; and my weight is not divine punishment for overeating. I am not circumventing his punishment or his blessings. I did it myself, I gained the weight, God allowed me to do it because he allows free will, he did not enjoy my misery, and through his love and grace I can be healed. In my case healing includes getting the device I need to help me. Believe me, my WL surgery was prayed up. I asked God to only let me get approved if it was his will. And I was approved. Geez, the emotional baggage that comes with being fat is amazing and twisted.

That was the best thing I ever did! I had all the fill withdrawn last week and then reinjected with a bit more. I had been having problems with pain on the first bite of food, now it's gone. :dance: :dance: :dance: Still need more fill, I am afraid I'm heading for max. Dr says no way will I not be restricted at max, but I'm skeptical.

Other than illness, all of them apply. Yuck.

My doc hasn't missed my port on the first try yet. But even if he had, I'm willing to be a pincushion so I can lose weight.

When you call, make sure its a 11 cc band and not a 11 cm band. I had this problem. I have a 4cc/10 cm band; but I didn't originally know that, I thought I had the VanGuard when they first told me the size. Your doc seems to be following the fill schedule for a 4cc band, I'd check into it.

I agree with what Crystal said. I have only really felt anything once and it was like an intramuscular shot, annoying sting but no real pain. I've had 4 fills and never had to sit up with the needle in me. True, my Doc is only adding 0.1 to 0.2ccs at a time now, but he takes the needle out before I sit up and drink Water. No big deal: now if only it wasn't 1 1/2 hours to get there and another 1 1/2 hours to get back, I might not mind going so much. LOL

Oh, have you came to the right place to ask. I LOVE to shop, and I had to have a couple of formal outfits for a cruise recently so I have found ALL the plus-size cocktail dress websites. I've listed them below. Good luck! SizeAppeal.com As long as you don't mind sleeveless, this one is awesome. Kiyonna.com This is actually where I bought one of my dresses. Beautiful! Torrid.com Sometimes they have dresses, and if they do, they're cute. Igigi.com Oh oh so pretty! This is where I got the other dress. catherines.charmingshoppes.com In case you don't have the store... jessicalondon.com It's either great or granny, but you can look. elisabeth.com For the label concious.

The thing to remember is hair has a life cycle. You may lose hair for a few months but provided you get adequate protein (minimum 70g daily to prevent hair loss) and take your vitamins, the hair will grow back within the year. I lost 50 lbs during my divorce and I also lost 1/3 to 1/2 my hair. The good news is it was thick to start with. It's been 3 years since that weight loss and my hair is as thick and long as ever. Best of luck!

Everyone has given you really good advice. Weight training is great because only muscle is metabolically active, fat just sits there and does nothing. If the weights aren't working, the next best thing is eating 6 times a day: within an hour of waking, and every 2.5 hrs after that, and not within 2 hours of bedtime. Ex: wake-up at 6, eat by 7, then at 9:30, 12, 2:30, 5, and 7:30PM. It makes your metabolism higher because you are constantly stoking the fire, so to speak. Also, if you are eating 1200 calories a day, at least once a week you need to shake it up a little. Your body becomes really efficient about running on the same caloric level at all times. Eat 1600 calories one day a week, and maybe only eat 1000 calories on another day. The combo will keep your body guessing and prevent it from getting in a rut. Last but not least: fiber! The whole point is to keep everything moving. Every day you should get 20-30g. On that 1600 day, increase your fiber to 30-40g. If you can't do it with veggies, Benefiber is great if you need to supplement. Just do not take it all at one time...a little bit over the course of the day will keep your metabolism going.

Yikes. I was bulimic as a teenager, but I'm so scared of slippage that it never occurs to me anymore. If you have to have your band out, don't replace it until you get your mind on track with the program. It's not worth it. BTW, my cousin had RNY bypass and she CAN'T vomit, it's physically impossible. That would be one way to lose weight and fight the bulimia. Extreme, I know, but only an option to consider. Do what's best for you.

Yep, exactly what Dee said. I gain 4-8 lbs approximately 5 days before. When the water weight goes away, it usually takes another 1 or 2 with it!

I have 2.2cc in a 10CM/4CC band. It's the first time I've felt anything at all restriction wise. I think I'll go for another .2cc in a couple of weeks. But of course I still have to be backwards from everyone else: I'm tighter at night than during the day. I am SO not complaining though, night eating isn't going to be much of an issue anymore.

For some people the band causes restriction on its own. Personally, I thought I was the placebo in some horrible experiment. I could eat normally from day 2.

Is cauliflower absorbant like bread and oatmeal? I'm confused...

QuilterMom, how do you lose 67.5 lbs. with no restriction? Wow, that's like 10 lbs a month! mrycrltn, I thought I did purchase willpower when I got my band. Lord knows I don't have any in my head! ...head hunger is evil, wish I had a magic pill to take to get rid of it.