barbara465

Socialgal we're all going to Vegas. It will June 8-10 at Bally's. I'm arriving the evening of June 7th. Friday I'll arrange a spa day for those interested and my DH can arrange golf for any of the guys that come along. We are also planning to spend some time around the pool. We're all brave now and we'll be together. :huggie: We'll also have plenty of free time, but we were thinking of dinner/show on Saturday night and breakfast Sunday morning. Of course, other times can be spent together or apart. PM me if you plan on attending. I'll get a block of rooms and let everyone reserve against that block direct with the hotel. There are a few posts a little back in thread with room rates, etc.

We eat out at Mexican restaurant at least once a week. I have chips and salsa, chili con quesa, cheese enchilliata and refried Beans. I order ala carte and get just one cheese enchillata. I don't eat rice and haven't tried flour tortillas with faijias since banding. I would stay away from chicken on your first outing. You will be trying to talk, etc. and may forget about chewing. Stick to refried beans, chili con queso, guamole, etc. You will be surprised how easy chips are to chew and disolve. :huggie:

Thanks PinkyLee for your kind comments. :embarassed: I was actually stopped by 2 people yesterday that told me I looked great. Then this morning a woman I have been working with for a year finally asked me if I lost weight. She takes very seriously the Hippa constraints so it was a biggie for her to ask. I told her I had and how I did it. She was surprised and congradulated me. It's days like that that keep us on target. Go to class PinkyLee. Explore it all. I think that would be wonderful for you. As we talked yesterday I'm going to get active in playing bridge again. Once a month shouldn't be too big a deal and I already know a few people I can invite. I'm going to start with a game in my own home!

Reginia if anyone can kick the habit you can! You are such an inspiration with your weight loss and new stats. This is just another hurdle to overcome. Take one day at a time and look for something else to help you cope with stress. I know its hard. If it is any inspiration at all I'll tell you from my perspective if I knew how I smelled as as a smoker I would have stopped. Not until I stopped did I realize how smokers stink. Now you don't want to be that offensive do you? :) I can totally relate to your daughter's ability to see and feel death pending. I too have that talent, if you call it that, to those that I'm connected. I had it as a child and prayed to God that I would only see these visions in my dreams. I couldn't stand the visions while awake as I got older. My request was honored and usually I only know through my dreams. I often wonder if I had honed that skill what abilities would I have today? I was more attuned in my younger years, but as I get older less connected. In fact, I can't pick up on my son and never have been able to. Weird stuff, but I'm a believer. OK on to Vegas. I thought I would block a set of 10 rooms in a couple of weeks. I was trying to get a good count. I don't think we will have a problem this early. My choice is Bally's, but if someone has another preference or sees a better rate let's discuss. Rooms can be secured with a credit card and the first night gets charged. The room is fully refundable up to 24 hours before arrival. I'll also explore spa packages for Friday and get those costs. Everyone let's make a real effort to attend. It will be lots and lots of fun!!! So far my fill is OK. I start mushies today so we will see how that goes. I never notice a difference this early so don't know if I have enough restriction or not. I'm trying to take it real slow so I won't have problems. However, I am convinced that the band works best when you eat solid foods and lots of hard protein.

Lady ouch! Sorry about the accident, but oh so happy on the prospect you might be able to join us in June. Start putting away the money and you will be there! I'm getting so excited. It's going to be so much fun.

Aimee that is too funny. I feel your pain though. I thought I was giving birth the first few weeks. The contractions were awful and would go on and on. Finally DH went to store and came home with enema. I said no way and he said enough is enough. I swallowed my pride and viola got some relief. I thought that was bad enough, but you have topped me.

Reginia good luck with the pain! Yikes it sounds horrible. How is the non smoking going? Hope you are doing OK. Barbara12 you might need to change up some of your foods as well to get some more natural Fiber. TFood like prunes might help. I never had this problem until banding. In fact, just the opposite. I know it has to do with the foods we eat. Now that I don't eat those foods anymore I don't have "triggers" that kept me regular.

Sorry you are feeling so neglected TexasCutie. Are you having problems as a result of your surgery? These surgeries are becoming so routine that the doctor's tend to forget that its the patients "first" time. Dr. Spiegel's office sends you home with pretty good instructions. I hope you got them. It states to call the surgicenter 4 weeks after surgery for your first fill. You were also to go into the doctor's office 1 week after surgery. I didn't see the doctor, but his nurse. She did check to make sure the incision is OK. I have found that the Surgicenter has me see Dr. Spiegel when they think its necessary. For instance, I started leaking my fill and he put me on the heavier solution. He did my fill that day and now I'm back to the PA doing it. I hope things get better for you. Lapbandtalk is a great place to get information.

What you are feeling is pretty common. Don't worry. There are many unknowns and different paths to walk down that some of the restrictions and fears may not be warranted. For each of us the journey is different, yet their are common roads we will travel. Look at it as a new adventure. You aren't "giving up" food, but trying new ones. It really isn't as bad as some imagine. I have enjoyed my journey so far and have absolutely no regrets. Good luck to those getting ready.

I thought it was good. It didn't make me emotional. It just was good to see some of the issues see the light of day. I thought it was interesting how they dealt with the anger from the daughter over her Mother's weight issues. I think that happens more than we realize. Since most of us are the offenders it was good to see how our weight and health issues can effect our families.

YES. SInce I started eating Activia I haven't had any issues. If I stop it for a few days, like the weekend, I notice a difference. I try to have one each day, just like medicine.

OK I survived the fill from Hell. I guess it wasn't all that bad, but definitely different than any others. First, the tech was new. At least new to me. I had to explain my case to her which gets very trying. Don't try to make sense out of what happens to me, just know that it happens! She decides to numb me first. OUCH, OUCH, OUCH. Can we say pain? I have a high tollerance for pain, but this was a bit much. Now she pushes on my port and pushes until she feels she has it in her grasp. She pokes the new extra long needles with no handle on it (?) into my port, sorta of. FInally gets it and extracts. I lost .1 from the last fill/unfill. Not enough to worry about so I tell her to add .3 ONLY. That now brings me to 1.9. For the first time I felt it going in. Now the barium swallow. For the very, very first time I see it going through slow. It does go through, but usually it just pours through. She says I have restriction and anyone else she would add just a touch more. No way I say. I'm a little concerned now with what I saw on the screen. I don't want anymore. I grabed my bottle of Water and left the room. So far so good. I didn't have many liquids last night, but did enjoy my cup of tea. Thanks PinkyLee for putting me onto tea again. It is quite soothing and made my tummy feel better. Today I've had my coffee, water, and activia. No problems. I am really busy at work so hopefully stress won't get to me. My DH also changed us to satellite from cable and I'm not real happy, but I'm trying. Why can't they leave well enough alone?

Sorry to hear about the erosion. Some have been able after some rest time from band removal to get another band. There are a few on here that are flying solo and keeping their weight off. Search through the threads and seek those people out. They can offer you support first hand. Good luck to you and let us know how you are doing.

Just remember that sometimes a fill doesn't kick in until a week or so later. Don't let up your guard. chew, chew, chew. Also, foods that you could eat you might not be able to eat after a fill. Everyone is different, but each fill is different as well. I could eat scrambled eggs for 3-4 months, but now don't chance them. Most of us are on liquids/mushies for several days after a fill. Each doctor is different, but I wouldn't rush back to solids. Give the stomach a chance to reduce swelling before introducing solid foods. After surgery and before your first fill, its like you have the tool, but its not working. Someone compared it to a tire without the air. Most surgeons want you to go through liquids/mushies and then solids to give your stomach a chance to heal after surgery. Although its surprising that Carebear can eat solids, its even more surprising that you can eat bread. I can't eat bread and I don't have much problem with most foods. Like I said everyone is different. Good luck to you all as you continue on your journey.

This certainly is something I've never heard before. You have had the band a year so I assume that you are without anything in the band? Could they have put a too little band on so you have restriction because of the small band? I can't tolerate fills over .3 at a time. If they try to put more in I get restriction 6-10 days later and start PBing. I can't recover from it. However, you can't even tolerate .1 so not sure how you could ever get a fill. I also get immediate relief when they do an unfill. They have taken fluro shots of me with the barium prior to the unfill when I couldn't even keep spit down. The barium went through fine. As soon as they took some fill out I could drink a bottle of Water. I don't understand it either. I would continue to work with your doctor to see if they can pinpoint the problem. Good luck to you.

What about all the people that have other health issues? They could have cancer or something else that prohibits them from eating much. I find restaurants can and will be accommodating. The first thing should be to get what you want in the portions you want and the second consideration should be price. I don't much care about the price, but getting the right kind of food in a portion that I can eat is my goal. I don't share my medical information with anyone, let alone a restaurant. It isn't their business WHY I can't eat as much. If I can't find what I really want or need on the menu then I know I need to make a different choice of restaurants next time. Just my opinion. When I go out to eat its for social reasons so I'm willing to pay that cost.

I hope I wasn't supposed to make it with Spiegel. I just made a regular appointment. I think I was only to go to him the first time to get "permission" for omnipacque. I think now I can get it done with regular tech. I guess I'll find out. If not, he does them on Tuesday mornings at 7. Ugh, I hope I don't have to wait for him.

I just listed all the programs I had tried, the times, the weight loss, and the amount I gained after that. It wasn't hard to reconstruct and the insurance never questioned it. I wasn't doing anything with my PCP so their records wouldn't have been usefull. Just be creative and hopefully it will be enough documentation for them.

Keep on posting WonderkidsMom. I for one want to be here for you as you go through this. Some of us have been there already and know from where you are coming. Remember that you have to go through all the stages of grief before you are through. We are here for you. Others can just skip over this thread and get on with their own life. We don't need negative support.

Definitely an unfill causes increased hunger. That's the way it works for me so that's why I'm anxious for a fill. I'm going ahead with it today. If its a mistake you can tell me I told you so. I just don't want another week of eating too much. I think I'm OK on my weight, but haven't really lost now for several weeks. I'm finding hanging skin and odd shapes to be a part of my daily life. I'm finding all kinds of weird stuff with this old body. The latest is this new roll of fat above my waist. I guess before it was a solid roll. Now that my waist is coming back this roll is more pronounced. A panty girdle just makes it stick out more. The waist cingers just roll up. What's a girl to do? I haven't started my exercise routine yet either. I just can't get motivated. I've got to get myself back into a good frame of mind. Work is stressing right now and I'm looking for any excuse. Maybe this fill will remind me of all I have left to do. Have a great day everyone.

Thanks for the concern. I'll see how I am tomorrow before making final decision. I think I have a bladder infection now. They go right into kidney infections so no fun for me. I felt better today except for this.

Not sure what I've had, but it was no fun. I got something like a cold on the ship, but each day home I wasn't feeling any better. Friday night I just couldn't get warm. Yesterday I had the heated mattress pad, my heating pad, and several blankets on me. Finally I got warm enough after I slept most of the day away. I feel better today so hopefully I'll get my fill tomorrow. I'll make sure today I'm feeling good enough for that. I am very busy at work so don't want to miss any time. I watched a show yesterday about a woman who weighed 600 lbs and had bypass. It was very sad to see what she went through. I think it was on the discovery health channel. I guess they do lots of those type of shows. They are going to show Gil Gerrard next. Glad I didn't have to endure all that those people did. My flapping skin continues. I notice it more and more. Oh well, I'll just live with it for a year and see where we are then. Have a great day everyone.

Welcome. I had my surgery by Dr. Spiegel. He is a great surgeon, but not much on follow-up. We get all our fills at the surgicenter so it isn't really an issue. Good luck on your journey.

Stay around the French Quarter and you should be fine. I believe the casino is now open so there's that. There's a river cruise that is nice and lots and lots of quaint shops. The trolley is running again so you can go up Charles street and see all the big houses. Have Breakfast at Brehnans, but make reservations. Emeril has a few places there that are good. Pat O' Brien's is a tourist place that everyone goes to to have a drink. Jazz is played everywhere. Just walking the french quarter should bring you plenty of entertainment. At the riverside is the famous place that serves Benigets (sp) and strong coffee. A fun place to sit and watch people. Enjoy

Why don't you make sure you are covered then attend one of Dr. Spiegel's or Dr. Spivak's seminars. It doesn't take that long to get processed. Make sure in your history you list all the diets you have been on and the results. I didn't have any problems and it was quite fast.