debbieperez55

Okay, I set myself up. I was arrogant and self serving. Pridefull and maybe a little too forthcoming. My Mother wanted to see her Brother. Haven't seen them since my Father died three years ago. So, I told my Mom I would take her. After all, I have lost about 105 pounds and I wanted to "strut my stuff". That was my first mistake. So I dressed in my "thinnest" clothes, Lee Rider Jeans really do slim you! My Husband thought I looked so good, he took a picture. Okay - before I NEVER let anyone take my pictures. That is why I have so few before pics. So dressed to kill, okay maybe not, but I felt GOOD. I went armed with before pics and Grandchildren Pics. I was ready. I didn't start of saying "Look at me" or anything like that. Huggs and kisses all around, and comments at how good I looked. I never just start with the lap band, I have to be asked, and then I LOVE to talk. My Cousin and Uncle were more than happy to talk about what they had been doing and I listened intently. After all I felt good and I knew I was WAY thinner than they had last seen. Cousin, male, has lost 100 pounds, still needs to loose another 50 but still he is smaller than his teen and twenties. Uncle has lost MAJOR weight, but has had health problems. Aunt is heavy and poor health also. So finally the moment arrived. Sitting next to Steven and Uncle Chester I am asked that all important question. So how did you do it? I open my mouth and proudly declare I HAVE THE LAP BAND. My moment of triump.............. And in unision, they must have practiced for years to get this, out comes - THE CHEATER'S DIET! THE CHEATER'S DIET! THE CHEATER'S DIET!!! I was so hurt, pissed off, you name it. I took out my before pictures and said, THIS IS WHY I HAD TO GET THE BAND. I HAD A HEART ATTACK, DIDN'T KNOW IT AND I WAS GOING TO DIE. I told them, I have worked my ass off to get here. It isn't cheating, the band doesn't make you loose weight, you have to do the work. It is a tool, it helps keep me honest, but it didn't do this all by itself. Could I have done it without it - NO, could have lost and gained like always, but honestly NO. I needed this tool - period. So that's what you get for being arrogant and full of yourself. But still, family is suppose to support you, right?!? Then other male cousin comes in, and I think OH MY GOD. And all of a sudden I realize, I was worried about what they thought!!! Everyone is 50 to 100 pounds overweight in their family if not more. Diabetis and Heart Trouble and no teeth abound. Oh I made jokes, about still the same me, it has just moved around. We laughed at me while I made jokes about turkey arms and "old man butt". You know, still have my butt, it's just down at my knees. HA ha ha. But in the end, my fault. I went in there expecting "congradulations" and job well done. No one can do that for me, except me. I did this for me, for my health. And I have better health. I am not going to die from Diabetis or a Heart Attack. I am not going to suffer from sleep apnea and gastritis. I don't think they knew how upset I was. I may not go back. I let it affect me and I should know better. It doesn't matter what others think of me. Even if I had only lost 10 pounds at least I would have lost some weight. Remember, your health improves after just a 10% drop in weight. And what are you really in this for? Only you know. Personally I look at my saggy skin every day. Sometimes I am so angry that I allowed myself to get as heavy as I did. But then I rmember what Dr K said in the seminar. It wasn't my fault. It was a disease. And I am not cured, but I guess you could say I am in remission. Who knows how much I will loose. Honestly I wouldn't mind if I stayed where I am now. I am normal for the first time in 30 years. NORMAL = good health. I'm not ready to die, I still have some living to do. It may not be as exciting as others, but it is my life, my one life. The band gave me time, time to live, time to see my children become the adults they were ment to be and watch my grandchildren grow. I think I will start humming that song When I grow up I want to be an old woman........

Okay, I set myself up. I was arrogant and self serving. Pridefull and maybe a little too forthcoming. My Mother wanted to see her Brother. Haven't seen them since my Father died three years ago. So, I told my Mom I would take her. After all, I have lost about 105 pounds and I wanted to "strut my stuff". That was my first mistake. So I dressed in my "thinnest" clothes, Lee Rider Jeans really do slim you! My Husband thought I looked so good, he took a picture. Okay - before I NEVER let anyone take my pictures. That is why I have so few before pics. So dressed to kill, okay maybe not, but I felt GOOD. I went armed with before pics and Grandchildren Pics. I was ready. I didn't start of saying "Look at me" or anything like that. Huggs and kisses all around, and comments at how good I looked. I never just start with the lap band, I have to be asked, and then I LOVE to talk. My Cousin and Uncle were more than happy to talk about what they had been doing and I listened intently. After all I felt good and I knew I was WAY thinner than they had last seen. Cousin, male, has lost 100 pounds, still needs to loose another 50 but still he is smaller than his teen and twenties. Uncle has lost MAJOR weight, but has had health problems. Aunt is heavy and poor health also. So finally the moment arrived. Sitting next to Steven and Uncle Chester I am asked that all important question. So how did you do it? I open my mouth and proudly declare I HAVE THE LAP BAND. My moment of triump.............. And in unision, they must have practiced for years to get this, out comes - THE CHEATER'S DIET! THE CHEATER'S DIET! THE CHEATER'S DIET!!! I was so hurt, pissed off, you name it. I took out my before pictures and said, THIS IS WHY I HAD TO GET THE BAND. I HAD A HEART ATTACK, DIDN'T KNOW IT AND I WAS GOING TO DIE. I told them, I have worked my ass off to get here. It isn't cheating, the band doesn't make you loose weight, you have to do the work. It is a tool, it helps keep me honest, but it didn't do this all by itself. Could I have done it without it - NO, could have lost and gained like always, but honestly NO. I needed this tool - period. So that's what you get for being arrogant and full of yourself. But still, family is suppose to support you, right?!? Then other male cousin comes in, and I think OH MY GOD. And all of a sudden I realize, I was worried about what they thought!!! Everyone is 50 to 100 pounds overweight in their family if not more. Diabetis and Heart Trouble and no teeth abound. Oh I made jokes, about still the same me, it has just moved around. We laughed at me while I made jokes about turkey arms and "old man butt". You know, still have my butt, it's just down at my knees. HA ha ha. But in the end, my fault. I went in there expecting "congradulations" and job well done. No one can do that for me, except me. I did this for me, for my health. And I have better health. I am not going to die from Diabetis or a Heart Attack. I am not going to suffer from sleep apnea and gastritis. I don't think they knew how upset I was. I may not go back. I let it affect me and I should know better. It doesn't matter what others think of me. Even if I had only lost 10 pounds at least I would have lost some weight. Remember, your health improves after just a 10% drop in weight. And what are you really in this for? Only you know. Personally I look at my saggy skin every day. Sometimes I am so angry that I allowed myself to get as heavy as I did. But then I rmember what Dr K said in the seminar. It wasn't my fault. It was a disease. And I am not cured, but I guess you could say I am in remission. Who knows how much I will loose. Honestly I wouldn't mind if I stayed where I am now. I am normal for the first time in 30 years. NORMAL = good health. I'm not ready to die, I still have some living to do. It may not be as exciting as others, but it is my life, my one life. The band gave me time, time to live, time to see my children become the adults they were ment to be and watch my grandchildren grow. I think I will start humming that song When I grow up I want to be an old woman........

It was a little over a year ago that I even heard the word "lap band". Oh I saw the commercials on TV where the woman said the band helped tame her Lion hunger into a kitty cat. Well I had the LION hunger and then some. I have said it many times, I could eat half a cow and still eat more. It is amazing the amount of food one can consume at one sitting. I would spend $5.00 on breakfast, $10.00 on lunch and then go pick up hambergers for dinner. And it was a super size fry, not that whimpy small size. Gallons of Diet Pepsi a day, I had the stomach to prove that it WILL eat your lining. And then that fateful day. Timid I went to my Dr and laid my cards on the table. I was SO SCARED. But I had an HMO and did I go through the ringer. The first consult was a bust. The Dr had me in tears and I never mentioned the lap band again for months. My next visit my reg Dr asked how it went and I cried. I was so disappointed. But he sent me for a second opinion and that led me to a seminar where I found other people just like me. And so the journey began. Oh there were hoops and fears and tears and more hoops. But in the end September 23 my life began again. And now here I am. My highest was 105 pounds ago. Funny I lost 18 pounds due to IBS from being nervous about seeing the second Surgeon. I have my ups and my downs. Right now I feel like I am going to burst. Another mistake to learn from. But my band keeps me honest. I have learned a few lessons. #1 it is VERY important to eat slow, small bites and CHEW CHEW CHEW. We are not makeing this part up. It is truely important. #2 Stupidity is part of our learning. Funny I didn't get it the first time my Surgeon told me that when (not if) I get stuck do A B C. And then go back to liquids. Later he told me that is how we learn our limitations, by experience. So, we make mistakes, hopefully we learn before we do the same mistake for the 3rd time. #3 You will have hanging skin. If you are over 100 pounds overwieght you will have hanging skin. But you will grow or should I say SHRINK to love it. #4 Better health is right around the corner. #5 Try on new clothes before you buy them. Okay that last one is important. We as heavy people don't realize our true size. We think of ourselves as not as large and then when we loose, we think we are not as small. Well I am now a size 14 pant but an XL shirt. Seems I lost my tush and my tummy is going to stay forever. But that is okay too. I never thought I would ever be a "normal" size. But I am. And now for the emotional part - I took a picture with my Daughter. When I showed it to her she begun crying. She told me she never knew who she looked like before and now she knows. She looks like me. And through my tears I can tell you that is the most beautiful touching thing she could have ever said, because my daughter is BEAUTIFUL to me. You know what? When I look at that picture I realize for the first time in 50 years, I am not ugly after all. I may not be beautiful and that is okay, but I am not ugly. Now that is a milestone.

It was a little over a year ago that I even heard the word "lap band". Oh I saw the commercials on TV where the woman said the band helped tame her Lion hunger into a kitty cat. Well I had the LION hunger and then some. I have said it many times, I could eat half a cow and still eat more. It is amazing the amount of food one can consume at one sitting. I would spend $5.00 on breakfast, $10.00 on lunch and then go pick up hambergers for dinner. And it was a super size fry, not that whimpy small size. Gallons of Diet Pepsi a day, I had the stomach to prove that it WILL eat your lining. And then that fateful day. Timid I went to my Dr and laid my cards on the table. I was SO SCARED. But I had an HMO and did I go through the ringer. The first consult was a bust. The Dr had me in tears and I never mentioned the lap band again for months. My next visit my reg Dr asked how it went and I cried. I was so disappointed. But he sent me for a second opinion and that led me to a seminar where I found other people just like me. And so the journey began. Oh there were hoops and fears and tears and more hoops. But in the end September 23 my life began again. And now here I am. My highest was 105 pounds ago. Funny I lost 18 pounds due to IBS from being nervous about seeing the second Surgeon. I have my ups and my downs. Right now I feel like I am going to burst. Another mistake to learn from. But my band keeps me honest. I have learned a few lessons. #1 it is VERY important to eat slow, small bites and CHEW CHEW CHEW. We are not makeing this part up. It is truely important. #2 Stupidity is part of our learning. Funny I didn't get it the first time my Surgeon told me that when (not if) I get stuck do A B C. And then go back to liquids. Later he told me that is how we learn our limitations, by experience. So, we make mistakes, hopefully we learn before we do the same mistake for the 3rd time. #3 You will have hanging skin. If you are over 100 pounds overwieght you will have hanging skin. But you will grow or should I say SHRINK to love it. #4 Better health is right around the corner. #5 Try on new clothes before you buy them. Okay that last one is important. We as heavy people don't realize our true size. We think of ourselves as not as large and then when we loose, we think we are not as small. Well I am now a size 14 pant but an XL shirt. Seems I lost my tush and my tummy is going to stay forever. But that is okay too. I never thought I would ever be a "normal" size. But I am. And now for the emotional part - I took a picture with my Daughter. When I showed it to her she begun crying. She told me she never knew who she looked like before and now she knows. She looks like me. And through my tears I can tell you that is the most beautiful touching thing she could have ever said, because my daughter is BEAUTIFUL to me. You know what? When I look at that picture I realize for the first time in 50 years, I am not ugly after all. I may not be beautiful and that is okay, but I am not ugly. Now that is a milestone.

I am there with you too. My insurance changed so I got a fill on the last day of the old insurance. I talked the Dr into going for broke. I have to be SO CAREFUL. I had never slimmed before and I thought, OH YEAH, right, that happens to only fools. Welcome to the fools club Debbie! Slimming is just what it is called. YUCK Anyway, I can get stuck at the drop of a hat, but it always clears. I am TIGHT in the am and have to have loose hot Cereal. I am okay with tuna and steak, but no chicken. Has to be moist. I still drink a lot of protien drink because I was not getting enough protien. Then I quit carbs and had to add them back in. It messes with your body. You need everything, Protien, Veggies, and Carbs (but good carbs) So I hear your pain and I understand. Perhaps 7 was too much, maybe halfway in between. I got approved to go to three follow up visits with my old Dr and then I have to go to someone completely new. That is going to suck. And fills, mine have all been floura, now I don't know. So hang in there. You are doing TERREFIC. Slim, you are the best! You have always been there for me and I think of you often. Gus-Gus, let us know how it goes. Good luck Deb

I tried it years ago, it did not work, obviously. I am the most satisfied when I eat solid food. I still use a protien drink as a snack. But, eating turkey and tuna works best for me. Of course I love that steak. With the band they say it is best to eat solid food. It stays in the pouch longer, thus the reason for not drinking liquid for 60 min after you eat. Let the band work with you. Perhaps you need a fill? Take care Debbie

Slim CONGRADULATIONS :woot: :Banane33::Banane01::purplebananna::success1: ok, these slightly express how happy I am for you. To hit that "magic" number. You are doing fantastic Keep up the FANTASTIC job, it is slow, but before you know it you will be there............. Huggs Debbie

Tuesday had a different Dr do my fill. He hit the port the first time, and talked to me about my experiences with my previous fills. He decided to take a more agressive approach, THANK GOODNESS. He said that I adjust way too quickly, maybe the nerves makes my tummy swell. So he make me a little tighter. I had explained that my insurance is changing and they are not too thrilled with my band and adjustments and that I may be self pay. Oh and I asked him if I had a hole in my band. I told him that I lost restriction so fast last time that I just have to have a hole. He laughed, told me that is a common fear but very very infreaquent. He said I just needed a adjustment. This Dr was fantastic. He was so great with me. Also, I just learned what it felt like to be too tight. I am glad he did it. I never knew. I feel stupid, even getting stuck, there were signs that I ignored, that feeling in my throat. I THOUGHT IT WOULD JUST BE IN MY TUMMY!! But it's not, DUH (light goes on) Okay, he uses the floura thing and I had to drink the barium, but I was starving. He filled me and I felt a tightness in my throat. Wasn't sure what it was. He had me take a drink and I took a big swig like usual. He stepped back with a little smile on his face and asked how I was feeling. I told him funny. He told me, with that same smile that he could see what was going on, it was not going down. OH THAT IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. Okay, so he loosens it up and lot and I feel this relief as the barium goes down and he has me wash it with a swig of Water. Then he goes in for the real fill. I took a small swallow a barium, it went down slow, but it went down. He made me drink water and see how I felt. I felt RESTRICTION, like after surgery. It was nice. My last fill, I didn't feel anything after a couple weeks, NOTHING. I was very disappointed. But guys, he listened to what I said about my previous fills and how my body reacted. I left with STRICT instructions - Clear liquids only then protien drink. I have been very careful and am taking it slow. But for the first time in months, I have restriction and I know I am going to loose the last 25 pounds, I think I want to be in the 160's, but I'm not sure. I had gained a couple pounds, to 193 but I am back down and then a little more. I really feel like this is it, this is what I had dreamed of. THIS IS THE RESTRICTION I SO DESPERATELY WANTED. I guess I am writing this because maybe the dr who is doing your fills may not be the one for you. Who knows, maybe you don't have a choice, and I do so understand that. But talk to them, tell them how you feel during, days after and weeks after. My first fill 5.5 cc, my second 5 cc and I could not make the Dr understand WHY LESS. This time 5.8cc and I am snug. Seems a point something cc is enough for a good fill. Not ready for more than mushies, but so very happy. Applesause and cottage cheese and pudding never felt so good. I was told that I am in the norm, 4 to 6 is normal. But at least I felt too tight so I know what not to have and I know what the funny feeling in my throat is. So now, I slow down, stop, and change. I love my band so much!

Slim, what would I do without you. I feel so much better. I have been eating too fast! And now I understand why watered down hot ceral felt so good in the am. Maybe to start the day with some hot milk to loosen up the "pipe". I had started to freak. And, when I am upset I am tighter. So I have been killing myself. I feel so much better. I will follow your Drs rules. I don't get to see mine anymore! What a piss off. But at least I have you and the group. Okay, slow and steady. I can do this. Thanks so much, I really mean it from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. Even 6 months out there are questions. But I guess it never ends. Thanks for caring Debbie:wub:

:eek: Good Grief, wouldn't think I would know better. It hurts so bad. Carna Asada, bad choice, too fast, too big. Now I am hiccuping, insult to injury Oh my god it hurts so bad. And I think I now know what a PB is. I will be on liquid after this for sure. :frown: I am so STUPID - man it hurts so bad, but I think it is passing. Comes in waves, never had this before, OH MY, this sucks. :thumbup: I am so stupid. I think it is passing now, I feel a little better, not as much pain. I cannot believe I did that. How many times do we say, chew chew chew and small bites. I guess I just got complacient. :eek: I think I have learned my lesson. Debbie

Ok, what was your PB like. I am so confused and I am not sure. Detail would be nice, I guess I need to know if I have a problem. food goes down real slow and sometimes a little bubble happens in my throat, but nothing comes up. And only with thick things like cottace cheese. Sorry to be gross. Not sure if I have a problem with this fill or not. Debbie

Slim, Not sure if I am having problems. Sometimes, not all the time, it feels like the food is in my throat and I feel and hear a little glub. I do not burp food back into my mouth, but it is like a little air bubble. As I said, he made me real tight and I am still on mushies. At first even Water went down slow. That has let up and whoosh now. So not a problem. Mornings, REAL TIGHT so I work with it. I can eat watery oatmeal, and cream of wheat. Baby fruit and veggies go down wonderfully. pudding, no problem. Protien Drink, I use ice to make a shake, mmmmm, no problem. But cottage cheese, goes down real slow. Please make me feel better, I am okay - right????? I should mention that my new insurance SUCKS :crying: They still cannot find my Dr with the group I want. They say he isn't in that group. I sent a copy of my old insurance card showing he is. Stupid fricking asses :drool: Okay I need to watch myself here, emotions make me tight too! Anyway I need this fill to work, I just need your inspiration. Like I said, I do not burp up food into my mouth, but sometimes, like with cottage cheese, I feel like it isn't going down and I feel a little glub, or bubble. And in the mornings, I can hear weird sounds when I drink water. I think I am just weird. But PB is puking into your mouth, right????? Maybe I am grasping at straws. But, it is slow, but I do have progress. Little by little I am getting looser. HELP Debbie :laugh:

:smile: No problem. I guess I am just old......... and worn out. Actually it was 2 years of therapy after an abusive 22 year marriage. Now - I try not to sweat the small things, except at work - must be the money My brother put it into perspective too, during the messy divorce - it's just stuff, it can be replaced. (we were fighting over who got the knives). That took a lot of stress away and has stayed with me. So now I choose not to fight, or to pick my battles. Thank God I met Henry. He helped me a lot to accept me as I was, he loves me just the way I am. Fat thin - he doesn't care. I learned it was okay to eat and I stopped sneak eating. If I wanted a bag of chips, I just ate it. After a while I found I quit binging at night. But Henry is glad I am "Healthier". He was unsure of the surgery, he even threatened to "shoot" the surgeon if anything went wrong. But now he is glad I did it. His jaw even dropped when he saw the new pants. He is so proud! Just remember I care. I may not write as often as I should, but you and all the others are with me all the time. Debbie

Thanks Slim, it is part of my body awareness. I force myself to look in mirrors, pictures and hold my pants up in front of me to see the real size. Not the size I think of in my brain. It is so hard. I saw pictures of myself from 1986, my son's bar mitzvah. I had lost so much weight for it and thought I was so hot. I was down to a 16 and very proud. I noticed my arms, they are about the same size they are now. And I have been laughing about my turkey arms!!! Funny how 20 years will make your memory fade. It was the last time I fit into a 16 until now. And I am now in a "snug" 14 in pants. Funny, the butt and thighs fit loose, just the waist is a little tight, but I wore them today and felt GOOD. I will never feel beautiful, or thin, but I will feel good about myself and my accomplishments. It won't be easy, but I WILL get there. Take Care, don't let the ghosts of the past ruin your progress. This time is different. And, if you have only lost a little weight, YOU HAVE LOST! WE ALL HAVE LOST! We all know that if we had not had this surgery we would have been larger than when we started. I myself, I would have been dead. So just keep thinking, I HAVE LOST and KEPT IT OFF for 6 MONTHS! That is something to be very proud of!

Congradulations on your progress. Yes it is hard to transition from the "Lane Giant" stores to the "Normal" stores. Also, way to go with the exercising. THAT is the best thing you can do! WAY TO GO.

I am so glad you brought this up. I thought it was just me. My blood pressure got too low and that made me tired and cold, but even after getting off all my meds, I am still cold. I use to sweat in the winter and die in the summer. Now I have three blankets on my bead and I wear a very warm nightie and socks. I have a jacket for work even. Hubby says it is due to the loss of the "fat" insulation. I remember sitting watching TV and having a towel to wipe off the sweat. And sleep, I had a fan blowing on me. I always said it was "the change" and I was having a hot flash. But I'm not alone, and they have pretty sweaters. Layers work well also. Thanks again for making me feel "normal". Hope you are all well. Cannot wait to go through a summer to feel the change. Maybe I will save electricty on the window air condition I had to have on high. :welldoneclap:

Not that I plan on doing that stupid moe again, but it is good to know.

It is so nice to hear that everyone is doing so good. Teri, hang in there, things will get better and we are all there for you! Mommie of 4 - I hear you! I went shopping in a "normal" store and I wear a 16, a long way from that 28. Thank goodness for those skinny clothes in the back of closets, not sure about you, but I almost got rid of all the smaller stuff. I had given up and thought I would never get into them again, and now THEY ARE TOO BIG. Got my third fill today. Different Dr and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! He listened to me, my insurance is changing and I am so afraid they will not pay for my fill. Today was the last day of the old insurance, they double booked for me, thank goodness. This Dr hit the port the first time and was more agressive than the other Dr. When I explained how the restriction lasted such a short time, he listened. He told me my tummy adjusts to the band very quickly and that is why I get so loose feeling. He was more agressive, but made me promise, SWEAR actually Clear liquids only for 24 hrs and then a few days of protien drink. He actually over filled me and now I know what that feels like, but I am glad he did. Now I know. I asked if my band was leaking and he laughed. Seems EVERYONE has that fear. But he said usually twice or three times is the charm. 5.8 CC. I knew something was weird when the first was 5.5 and the second 5. I never did feel restriction on the second fill and I have been in hell. I have made it this far by will power - didnt know I still had it. Hope this one is the "charm". My insurance is going to SUCK and already I am having problems. They keep telling me my GP is not part of a group, AND HE IS -- WAS WITH THE OLD INSURANCE!!! 6 months - now comes the tearing up - I saw my surgeon. I told him I would have died if not for this surgery, I was a heart attack waiting to happen and since I didn't feel the first one, you know I would have been in trouble. I thanked him and we took a picture together. He was speachless. I owe not only him, but all of you a lot. I would not have gotten to where I am if now for you all. THANK YOU!!! Deb

I was starving. I should have ate sooner. Also I BBQ some Carne Asada. The smell was heaven. I had some before, no problem. But this time I felt weird after quite a few bites. Then I felt like the food had backed up my throat. Then the spasm and pain hit. It was so bad I got up and had to walk. It took some time and the bad pain left but my tummy hurt for quite a while. I was on liquids for a week after that. It took me weeks to begin to eat "real" food again. I was AFRAID! So, too big a bite, too fast, too much, SO VERY SORRY! I think sometimes your tummy gets pissed off, maybe not stuck, but pissed. Maybe go soft for a few days, maybe you will feel better. Let me know how you are doing. And yes, after 6 months you would think we would know better!!!! The first thing we learned was, tiny bites and chew chew chew. Take care Debbie

Thanks Slim, I know I don't post as much as I use to, but I think of you a lot. I still need everyone's support, but I guess I am finding my own way too, AND MAKING MY OWN STUPID MISTAKES. But, it is as everyone told us, a long journey. I am loosing now at a snails pace but at least the health benefits came through 100%. So how are you doing, I try to catch all your posts, but I might have missed some. Also, have you heard from Teri? I am worried about her. Take Care Sweetie, Debbie :rolleyes2:

Teri - Hope you are feeling better. My "Mentor" had this problem, was unfilled and then she has been filled slowly again. Let me know how you are doing -- I can't believe it, you have been through so much Hi everyone - I got good news Saturday. I am no longer a Diabetic! Also, I was taken off of my blood pressure meds. When I started my Dr had told me he was afraid I would have a stroke. Now he was worried because even after lowering the dosage my bp was still VERY low, 98/63. It is a very long way from over 200. Dr told me that the extreme low blood pressure was responsible for my "coldness" and my lithargicness. I was litterly a couch potato, frozen and dead tired. Not enough O2 getting to my brain - My insurance is changing and I started stressing out. Saw my Surgeon for my 6 month check and they assured me that because I have a "PRE EXISTING CONDITION" / ie the band -- the insurance has to cover me now. I am working very hard, it is very slow going now. Looking for another fill, #3 and hope that is the charm. Discovered I was eating too much soft food. Doesn't stay with you and I am much more satisfied now. I can't believe I was so overly cautious that it turned out to be my downfall. I was afraid of getting stuck! So back to small bites, eat slowly and chew chew chew. Just got into a size 16. I shopped in a normal store in the regular size section. I don't know how much further, but I am happy with my health and new smaller size. Very Happy

Teri, just do the best you can. If you can't exercise, then do what the Dr Says. Also, Spring is almost here. A lot of the winter illneses will ease. Also, you will feel better once it warms up. We are all here for you. You are doing a terrific job! Don't worry about writing a book either, it gives us a glimpse of you, and personally, I like what I read! Take care Debbie