barbara465

I have omnipacque in my band now. I went for a fill when I was at 2.3, only to find that there was 1.7 in band. They filled me to 2.0 with regular saline and made me an appointment with doctor 1 week later. He pulled only 1.4 out and refilled me to 2.0 with omnipack. I was told it was thicker and sometimes the band does better with it. I had to have .3 taken out a week later because I was too restricted. I go on Monday to get the .3 back. At that time they will check to make sure I still have 1.7. Hopefully I do, but I can eat anything right now. All of my fills and unfills have been using fluro. I was not told that the omnipacque detected leaks. Not sure that is true, but they can see on the fluro if the barium goes down OK. I've known several that have switched to the thicker saline because for whatever reason their band didn't hold the saline.

My Dh has put on about 15 lbs since I got banded. I told him that wasn't in the contract. First he was eating my leftovers and then his private stash of whatever in the office. He is normal weight, but now has a little stomach pertruding. He is a diabetic so he needs to get this weight off and no more sugar. The house is getting cleaned out over the weekend of all food from the holidays! Barbara 12 is probably in the know more than me about Vegas comps. I get them sent to me automatically and usually take advantage of free rooms and reduced rates. I've never contacted a casino host, but I guess there is a first time. I play the slots and not the tables. I've tried playing blackjack, but don't really find it enjoyable. I probably could play poker, but the slots don't require much from me. Has everyone noticed the sagging skin. I swear just in the last few weeks my body has taken on new shapes. My arms are flapping in the wind and my stomach has a pooch as my waist is starting to develop. I am looking really weird in my clothes. From the waist down is getting better, but I have this roll above my waist that is protruding. It needs to go next!!! I may have to break down and exercise. I picked up the curves brochure today. I just can't seem to get myself motivated.

I'm for it. I think we could get a small collection going and just send them to the person in need. I have lots of 24's, 3x's. I'm now going out of 20's and 2 x's and could use 18's. I don't really care to make any profit, maybe just postage reimbursed. We did this when our babies were small. there was a group who just sent on the baby clothes when one needed them and that person sent them on to the next. I think it could work real easy.

What you are feeling is natural. People that love us are concerned and to face their own fears try to talk us out of it. Don't worry your support will be there when you need it. Remember the reasons you chose lapband and don't look back. We all would like to have the surgery and be instantly thin. It won't happen. Lapband has a better long term success rate. You are learning a new way of life and the band is a tool. However, if you should need to, it can be removed. Your insides have not been rewired. It's OK to feel nervous and second guess yourself. We've all been there. Good luck to you.

Hang in there. You have gotten good information and advice. I woke up hungry the day of my surgery. I never had the swelling that others had that made them not want to eat. The healing process was the hardest time because I wanted to eat yet had to go through the stages. In week 4 I was allowed solids. I had to exercise some self control as there was no restriction. My fills have been fickled at best. I don't know how I'll react until about 6-10 days after a fill. For me its not the amount in the band, but the amount they put in at any one time. I am one who can't tolerate a large fill. So for me its baby steps to find restriction. Hang in there it will get better. For now, just smile at co-workers and do what you are supposed to be doing based on your doctor's order. You will see results.

Oh Reginia your problem is a touchy one. First, you know from experience that harping will not make anyone lose weight. So it is a difficult tightrope you must walk. What got me to stop smoking may be the thing that helps your DH. My son told me he hated my smoking and it was yucky and not good for me. I looked at his sweet little 6 year old face and realized that I was also harming him in second hand smoke and risking my life. I stopped cold turkey on my birthday in 1985. The way to your DH may be through the eyes of your child. I also remarried several years ago after being divorced 27 years. I wanted to spend more time with this man and decided I had to lose weight for that to happen. Plant the seeds, give him the information, and hopefully he will take the lead. That's all you can do. I would also tell him you are going to Vegas - with him or without him. Why? Because this is a celebration of what you have done for yourself for the benefit of your family. This is your celebration. Tell him you would love for him to come, but that if he chose not to, that is his decision. Stick to it. Sometimes it takes a little touch love. Ladypitboss - I agree with Barbara 12. Somehow I think there will be a way for you to join us in Vegas. It's still 6 months away so anything is possible. Barbara 12 - Good luck on the side trip. Stay away from aspargus. I think that's what got you. Its to tough to eat, even on good days. I now have asparagus in cream form in soups. I won't touch it any other way. I only eat brocolli flowers for the same reasons. I heard back from Bally's. Right now I'm not getting good rates. The rates are $89 for 6/7, $149 for 6/8, $189 for 6/9, and $129 for 6/10. That's pretty average for the strip, but I usually get some deals. Its probably too early to get them. I'm going to plan on flying in on Thursday evening and going home on Sunday afternoon. The spa reservations need to be made directly with the spa. Once I know a better count I'll make those reservations. I guess if you don't want to stay at Bally's make your hotel reservations. All activites can be coordinated from Bally's and I'm sure we can arrange to get those into the pool that aren't staying there. I might also see if I can get a suite so we will have a better place to meet and gab. I'm monitoring airfare now as it is $400 from Houston at this time. That is a little higher than I'm used to paying, but maybe that's the going rate right now. I'm really excited about our trip. It will be great to put faces with names and to be able to see and talk with those that have given so much support over the last 6 months!

I usually get chills and run a little fever. I also get real tired. It starts about an hour after a fill and goes for a couple of hours. After that I seem to be fine. Did you eat before a fill? You are supposed to be on just liquids the day of a fill, at least by most doctor's guidelines.

See ya on the 15th. Looking forward to meeting some local bandsters.

Glad to hear from you PinkyLee. I used two of your tips on the cruise - hot tea and alcohol! I was really getting into cosmopolitians. I could drink them like water and feeling little effect. No effect, except I could eat after drinking. Glad the recital went well. I have to tell you I have so much skin hanging down from my arms that I have to be real careful I don't get them flapping and take off in the air. Really I never noticed this before. I must have lost 5 lbs in each arm and now all this flapping skin is left. Guess I will have to have my arms done when this is all over. Can you imagine, for most of us, June will bring us to goal. Or at least close to it. I know some of you are only a few lbs away. I hope to be down 100 lbs by the time we meet in Vegas. If not, I'll be pretty close to it. WOW I can't wait.

PinkyLee your PM inbox is full. OK gal let us know you are OK. We miss you around here.

Reginia you can do it. Get a big pen or magic marker and suck on it. It really helps. Or one of those fat pretzel sticks, but don't swallow.

In case you forgot what I looked like before surgery:

Here are a few shots taken on our cruise.

I agree with the other comments. I would get an unfill and give yourself a rest. Gradually get fills, smaller at each time, until you feel the right restriction. You are irritated and need to rest. If after you have given it another try it doesn't work, then go to plan b. Look at my history of fills and you will see that I can't tolerate large fills. I only PB after 6-10 after a fill. It is usually because I have gotten over .5 at any one time. The rest of the time I live quite normally with no PBing. I know now that I can only get a .3 fill at any given time. Good luck to you with whatever choice you make.

You are right Barbara 12 it is a time for celebration. You do need to take some time to heal. You have been through a lot the last few months. I'm going on Monday at 3:30 for a fill. We have lunch scheduled for Wednesday with PinkyLee and you downtown. Guess you and I will be on liquids!!!! We found the Longhorn on the 3rd fl has chili so you and I can have that. I am really looking forward to Vegas in June. I've heard from some of you, but sure want to hear from more. It looks like the weekend of June 8th is getting most of the votes. I plan on coming in the evening of the 7th. I would like to arrange the spa day on Friday the 8th and dinner and show on the 9th. We could end it with Breakfast the morning of the 10th. How does that sound to everyone? I'm thinking Bally's as it is centrally located on the strip and has the best rates. I'll call for a block of rooms once I get a better count. They have a great pool. I'll get my DH to arrange golf for those that want to play on Friday. That should give us our together time as well as much free times. Let me know if this is sounding OK to all of you. I'm trying to control my appetite, but not doing as well as I would like. I've got to clean the house of holiday goodies and get back to the basics. Hope today is smoke free Reginia.

I went straight to the lapband doctor. Most have you attend a seminar. I never had to see my GP or get their permission. My insurance took my records from the lapband doctor. Good luck

Putting warning labels on the clothes is like closing the barn door after the cows have left. We need to better educate our young on nutrition. We need to help low income mothers to feed their families with limited funds. We need to help working mothers to find ways to put meals on the table when they come home after working all day and the children are hungry. We need not to raise another generation on fast food. Its sad that a 3 year old knows of The Golden Arches. Education is the key, not labels.

Reginia congrats on a day of not smoking. I smoked 2 packs a day until 1983. I gave it up cold turkey. I sucked on pens lots. It satisfied my fixation of having something hanging out of my mouth! If I had known how bad a smoker smells I probably would have given it up before then. You will see what I mean in a few weeks. The reason people gain weight is because food tastes so much better. You can do this. What a great gift to give yourself. In Texas they added another dollar to the tax. Think of all the money you are saving. You should put the money away that you are saving. You will have the costs for Vegas in no time. :mad:

I plan on downsizing in 2007. That is everything - my body, my stuff, my junk ur treasures, etc. I plan on putting together more jigsaw puzzles. It should help keep me engaged and my hands with something to do. I reluctantly will take some golf lessons to see if I can enjoy the game my DH wants me to.

My advice - stop being the victim. You've gotten excellent advice here. Do what you need to do. Your kids are teenagers. They are acting typical. Don't act so needy. This is a natural passage - even without a divorce. They have their lives. You have yours. Be a parent. They don't need more friends. Above all else stop putting these kids on a guilt trip. They didn't ask to come to your pity party. One day they will be grown and gone away. You will still need to live your life. You won't be able to spend every holiday with them. So enjoy the ones you have and find other times to be a family. Get the divorce over with and start living your life. Contact that lawyer and get things in fast forward. You can do this. You can be happy. You just need to take one step at a time (bare footed) and don't look back. Happy new year!

I vote for the strip as well. I just though that valley ranch had a great spa and would be different. However their prices are way too much. I can get discounts at Bally's, Caesars, Paris, and Flamingo. I think Bally's will be the best. They have a spa and we should be able to book a show. As soon as I can get a count I'll see what the hotel can do for us getting a block of rooms. I think a weekend is still our best choice as some of us work. I plan on coming in on Thursday night and leaving on Sunday or Monday depending on airfare. I suggest we do the spa on Friday and a show on Saturday night. That will leave plenty of time for togetherness and time for alone stuff. Either weekend of the 8th or 22nd works for me. PM with your desired date, time of arrival, number of people, whether you want to share a room, etc. and I'll see what I can do. I couldn't get a fill date until Monday the 8th. I'll need to watch what I eat as I'm a little too open. Self control Barbara, self control. :girl_hug:

I do think that our weight loss is a little slower, but it is pretty steady. I have lost 45 lbs in 6 months and it isn't coming back. I'm losing it in different places than before so it is new to me. I'm sagging in my arms big time, but that's OK. DH and I took a cruise 1 week before surgery. We just got back from our Christmas cruise 6 months after. What a difference. I could walk and walk and not get tired. I ate, but didn't gorge. I felt pretty good. I can't wait for the next 6 months to see even more changes.

Stella I hear your pain. Look at my history of fills. It might be that the "amount" of the fill at a time is causing you the problem. If I have them in .3 increments I do better. I don't recover once I start PBing. Go for an unfill and give your tummy a rest. When ready, try going real slow. You might also try only getting .3 taken out. It seems to work for me. The barium never shows me stopped up, but as soon as they take some out I'm fine. No more pain. Go figure. There are some guys in our June group so I don't want them left out. We need to plan some activities for both guys and gals. I think a spa day is definitely something we need to do. A little pampering is great. PM me your intent on going and how many. I'll look into getting a block of rooms at one of the hotels. If there is enough we may be able to get a price break on spas and/or shows. Isn't Darrell, one of our members, a travel agent? If he is still monitoring progress let us know. There is a casino out of town called something like Spring Valley ranch that has a spa, casino, nice restaurants, etc. Maybe it would be fun staying there. Give me your input and I'll see what I can put together. It will be so great seeing everyone and the progress we've made. I hope to drop another 50 lbs by the time we meet. :party:

Poodles so happy for you. Sounds like the unfill has done you a world of good. The cruise was great. DH and I have colds, but we had a great time. It took 5 hours to get off the ship after a 2 hour weather delay getting into port. They didn't have any custom agents to get everyone through. At least we didn't have planes to catch. The new year is going to bring me to goal. Not sure how I'm going to do that, but I am. First I need to go get a fill. For me, the most difficulty in all of this has been fills. I can't get to the right restriction and I can't get over too big a fill. I hope the new year brings the right formula so I can get on with the program. For Valentine goal I want to be down 12 lbs. It will be short of onederland, but it is achievable. We need to turn our attentions to our June celebration. It will be in Las Vegas. We need to decide on a weekend so we can start looking for hotel and airfare. We did have a travel agent in our group. Let's make it a celebration to remember. How about a spa day for the women and golf for the guys? I know my DH wants to attend. I want to come in on Friday or Thursday night and return on Sunday or maybe Monday. What are your thoughts? May the New Year bring all of us good health, happiness, and satisfaction of all that we are achieving.

I've spent a few minutes catching up on the posts. Barbara 12 I'm so glad your DH is back home where he belongs. It's good that you are progressing, but being too tight is miserable. The gang at surgicenter treated me the same way, but I felt so much better with a little unfill. Welcome newbies to the June thread. It's a great group here. Lots of good support. Poodles I'm glad to hear you are doing better now with an unfill. You don't want the pouch to be descended so good that they took some out. It should correct itself and you should feel better. I, on the other hand, have had little restriction. I enjoyed the cruise and all the good food. Although I didn't eat as much as preband, I certainly didn't suffer or feel deprived. I had something from every course and Idon't think I missed many meals. When we got home this afternoon I weighed 1.3 lbs more than I did the morning we left. I'll weigh again in the morning to compare morning weight with morning weight. I am able to eat more than I should so I will be making an appointment for a fill. Glad to hear everyone had a great holiday and making Valentine's goals. I want to join in that, but I need to think on it a day or two. I want to be realistic, but I do want a target. Really tired so will call it a night. Glad I could come here to visit with my friends before retiring.