Christina40

I know Kohl's sells some jeans made by Lee's that are "right fit" - I have a few pairs I enjoy.

Thanks Faith! That's exactly it - I can't believe it but I am very happy about it. As I go down in sizes it feels like a gift - I want forever!

Yes - me too - when I look at my size 10 jeans I can hardly believe it! My goal is size 6 - I hope to be there by May 2009. You look great! Christina

Hey! Over the weekend - I cleaned out my closet of all my old sizes and getting my clothes ready for a local plus size consignment shop. As I was cleaning I got weird waves of "o’ my God" - I can't believe I can get rid of these clothes and kept measuring them up to my body to ensure I wasn't delusional. It’s been so many years that my sizes were going up and up and I had to buy clothes for occasions and work as I needed them. Don’t get me wrong its great feeling to say goodbye to the larger sizes but I just had this overwhelming feeling of disbelief that I am finally losing weight. I guess I can say I am afraid – but at the same time loving the change and good health! Thanks I need to unload that! Christina

I think I am at my sweet spot in my 4cc band - I filled to 2.4cc - I was able to get there with 2 fills. I do have days that the band tightens up and I have to measure my serving and cut up my food more carefully. Thanks, CFF

I agree - but I am loving 40 so far - getting the lapband was a good choice for me - it has changed me and my life! Thanks for the response! I will be thinking of you come the 16th - good luck on your surgery! Christina

Definitely - my 40th Birthday pictures sealed the deal for me - pictures don't lie and I was shocked. I started thinking of my health and energy - I was afraid of the future if I didn't lose weight! Thanks for responding! Christina

Good Morning All! I have two quick questions - has anyone experienced changes to their cycle since they have been banded? I am 4 months post-op and my cycle time is getting shorter - I used to be a perfect 28 days - now I am 21 to 24 days in between cycle. I am not sure if it's because I turned 40 this year but it's definitely a change and it's unpredictable. My second question - has the water-weight during your period changed? (do you gain weight during your period? - meaning is it different than before the band?) I used to gain like 7 lbs - now I really don't gain but I don't lose anything for about 10 days... Thanks I appreciate any input! Christina

Thanks! It's so nice to know that you aren't on an island! Take Care! Christina:thumbup:

Thanks Gina! Looks like you are doing great - Congrats!

Hey! I just wanted to share this with everyone briefly - my last fill was on 8/22 - my fill doctor increased my band from 2.0cc to 2.4cc. I did wonderful in the office and for the first 2.5 weeks - but approaching the 3rd week anniversary - the band became very tight. I had to return to liquids after failing at solids & mushies - it lasted for about 5 days. I kept my hydration going and stuck with it - after reading some similar issues on the forum - I felt it would pass. As of yesterday evening - amazingly enough the band loosen a bit and I am back to solids! Whew! I almost threw in the towel and had some of the saline removed (or unfilled). This being the first year of life with the lapband - I can only imagine - patience and perseverance is factor! I am continually growing with each day and retraining my brain on healthy choices and what really is enough to consume. It seems the tongue always wants more! Thanks for listening! :embaressed_smile: Christina

It's all very strange - since I have written this original post - more & more of my girlfriends have gotten strange! You gotta hear this - I took my car in to the Toyota shop for repair - a friend of mine husband works there - she asked my other girlfriend why was I visiting her husband at work!??? What the heck!? So weird ....I agree with you all - life is too short to be involved with other people's insecurities ..... I am feeling great - I deserve this change in my life and I am working hard to keep it going! Thanks!

Thank you - I really appreciate the support! It means a great deal - I learn something new everyday on this forum - we are all blessed that we have a place to go for help & support!

Thank you all! I think people in general have the wrong impression about making the choice to have gastric surgery - it's deeply personal and it connected to who we are and what we want for ourselves (good health, confidence, energy - the list is long!) - when your "friends" stomp all over it - it hurts your feelings! I really appreciate the support and motivation! Hugs, Christina

Hello! PB: "productive burp" -- a term applied to a wide variety of often painful experiences ranging from mild discomfort or pressure behind the breastplate (golf ball) to more extreme experiences which involved the production of large quantities of saliva (sliming) and sometimes vomiting. Thanks!

I have the Allergan band - it's the 4cc band - I currently have 2cc of saline solution on my first fill 7/14 - next fill scheduled for 8/15.

Hey All! I got to get this off my chest - I was banded on 5/27/08 and lost 36lbs so far - doing well after my recent fill! But.....I have a long time girlfriend that I decided to share this journey with who is behaving very badly! She has asked how much I have lost and I told her and I advised I have 54 more pounds to go. Her reaction was terrible - she told me I was crazy (nuts - was her term) that I would look awful - etc etc. I am 5'2" - before banding I weighed 215 lbs - my goal is 125 lbs - which puts me at a normal BMI and it was my previous weight 8 years ago and I looked good with an average build. I am not quite understanding why she is reacting so badly......I thought of all my friends she would be happy for me. She too has been challenged with weight issues and lost a ton of weight 2 years ago and looks beautiful - why doesn't she want the same for me? This makes me sad - not sure if our friendship will survive.... Thanks for letting me vent! Christina

My surgeon and my Fillcenter doctor both state the same thing - to remain effective your band needs to be adjusted for you. (Fillcenter USA has a "Lifestyle Guide" that provided a plethora of info about entire journey of life with the Lapband - especially about fills - and when adjustments are in order.) Considering it is tool for you to assist with control - therefore, I am not understanding your doctor's resistance to using the tool. You have come too far for such an attitude - you are an adult and this is a lifestyle change - why wait to begin using the band? Honestly, I would seek a new fill doctor - visiting your doctor should be an open session to discuss any of concerns or questions. I wish you luck - my apologies you are going through this type of aftercare. Good Luck, Christina

Welcome to Bandland - it's a great journey and even greater tool! Best wishes to you both! Christina

Thank you both Music Mom & Fort Bend Band! I will check them both out and see which works best for me! I definitely need an accurate scale - mine is about 4 to 5 pounds lighter than the doctors! Thanks again!:thumbup:

Thanks Music Mom - I will check out the website! :thumbup:

Hey! I received my first fill yesterday - it went well - regretfully I needed to do under flouroscopy because my port appears to be slightly tilted. But it was no problem other than the additional cost :tongue_smilie:! My doctor performed the fill without numbing the area - it was a quick poke and I didn't feel anything. (I would suggest skipping the Lidocaine and just going for it!) Quick question for the community - does anyone have a suggestion for a scale? My scale seems to change weights as I am standing on it - 3 to 5 pounds! Thanks! Christina