Melissa Lea

Hey there! Since PB's appear to be the topic of discussion recenetly. I came across this thread that some of you may not have seen. I have only had one small PB prior to my first fill and it lasted a whole 2 minutes. Although I can somewhat relate, I can't imagine hours of pain. Reading never hurt anyone -- http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17659 Melissa Lea

Randi L -- I am sorry to hear that you are Pb'ing often. You may want to try sipping on 100% pure pineapple juice with your meals. Pineapple contains a natural digestive enzyme, Bromelain, that is specific to breaking down proteins. This may assist you with the digestion of your foods. Remember, digestion starts in the mouth, so chew, chew, chew to get the salivary digestive enzymes cranking. Oh I forgot to mention, I have to take pills for my migraines that I get. I have sipped (2 to 3 sips) of real coke each time to dissolve my pill faster. Coke will dissolve anything. I've always had real coke with my pills, only difference is 2 to 3 sips vs. whole can. The 2 to 3 sips (emphasize small) of carbonation have not affected me. Best wishes to you. You are not alone. Melissa Lea

Hi Benedetta -- Sorry for the late response. I was on vacation last week. Yes, our next meeting is October 5, 2006 as posted above. I hope to see you there. We usually sit in the corner where the tables are half benches/half chairs. I'm usually there right around 6:30 p.m. Stop in and say hello!! Melissa Lea

The next North Houston Bandster meeting is: October 5, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are welcome! Melissa Lea

Barbara -- It's called omnipaque (?? spelling). They use it for people who seem to absorb the normal saline. This omni stuff from what I hear is less forgiving (so PB's here I come --I hope not). We shall see how it goes. But with my 2 fills I lost at least half my normal saline so she changed me to this stuff. Have a great trip. Happy B-day!! Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone!! I'm sad to report I am back from Hawaii. It is so beautiful there. I am already planning my next trip back. I had an awesome time. Everyone who has posted pics looks great!!! Keep up that great work. I will post some pics soon. I have over 200 to process and upload etc. Wow. I am very happy to report that I did not gain any weight on my 8 day vacation!!!! I didn't lose either. I went for my third fill yesterday. I had lost some of my second fill therefore had little restriction. They changed me to the thick saline so that there should be no loss with this fill. We will see how it goes. Glad to be back with you all -- Melissa Lea

Aloha! I'm off to Hawaii. Have a great week. Melissa Lea

Monica and Mary --I hope to see you both at the next meeting. We are a very casual group and you will usually find us in one of the corners of the resturaunt. Bring your Bandster Friends too! Hope to meet you soon. Melissa Lea

I was able to sleep on my stomach the very first day. I never experienced any pain like many others have. I never had a problem with my port so I say, go for it! Melissa Lea

The next North Houston Banster meeting will be: October 5, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are Welcome! Melissa Lea

Pinkylee --I can so totally relate. I ballon up like a blow fish when I travel. Although I drink plenty of water, all the salt from the food you eat when dining out, the changes in climate, and the sitting around in airports/planes ....I bloat! You will lose the 3 pounds and then some. No worries. Melissa Lea

Hey Barb12 -- I did make an appoinment for when I come back (2 weeks from today). Like you said, I can always cancel it. Yes, I am going somewhere I think is very exciting. I am going to Hawaii . I can hardly wait. I fly out Saturday morning for 7 full days of paradise. I've never been so it makes it that much more exciting. I have so much to do this week. Melissa Lea

Barbara12 -- I feel a few tingles and twinges from time to time. I figure things are just getting permanently set into place. I go on vacation next week (yipppee!!) but I think I am going to schedule anohter fill ( my 3rd) for when I return. I think I have very little restriction. Last night I had a bite of my friends chopped steak. That you have to chew and chew but after a good minute I got tired and just swallowed the bolus (hunk) of food. I thought, Oh my goodness, this is gonna get stuck. It was HUGE!! Well, nothing!! I didn't even feel it go down. So I'm thinking I have very little restriction. My appetite has been fine. I didn't lose any weight last week. But my trend has been lose a few pounds then nothing for 1 to 2 weeks. No biggie right. But, do you all think it's time for another fill??? Melissa Lea

I hope the acidophilus works for you. Keep us posted. Melissa Lea

Lelia -- Sorry to hear about your uterine fibroid. I knew a lady I worked with at the hospital that had a 25 pound fibroid that they had to remove, via a hysterectomy. Let us know how things progress. Your in my prayers. Melissa Lea

Have your dotor prescribe you some Diflucan. If your doc feels you and your significant other are passing it back and forth, you both can take it. An over the counter remedy that helps prevent yeast infections is acidophilus. You may want to try that first. Melissa Lea

Christa --congrats on your wedded bliss. You will have to post some pics for us to see. The band can be trying at times. Knock, Knock, Knock on wood --I've not had any difficulty with mine. However today --I find myself with the "munchies". I've not had this since surgery and not sure what it all about. I'm certainly not "stuffing" myself with stuff because that is now pretty much impossible. Been grazing a bit today which has never been a big habit. So I'm not worried about it --it will pass. The scales haven't moved this week but last week it went down about 3 pounds. I seem to go one week with no weight loss the next with some weight loss (all at once). Heck --I'll take it however it goes. However --I've taken several weekend trips since being banded and have dined out the whole time. Each time I come back with no weight gain and once with weight loss. That's a huge NSV for me. I could never say that pre-banded. Melissa Lea

Leila --you look great!! And I love the 2006 Junbie ribon. I already added it to my sig. I think we are a pretty special group. I've been catching up on reading post after the long weekend. Wow, there sure have been alot of ups and downs over the weekend with overfills/underfills. It will all work itself out. Hang in there and remember you are not alone. I'm so happy this thread remains active in it's 2nd month of post-op procedure. I'm proud to be a part of the Junbie 2006 crew. I hope everyone adds Leila's blue ribon to their signature. Melissa Lea

Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day! :( :( Melissa Lea

I completely understand about the exercise thing. It's SSSOOOOO hard to get started and keep a routine. But I do feel so much better everytime I go for my walk. I am up to a 4 mile walk. Last night it took me 1 hour and 10 minutes. On my commute home from work, I do everything in my power to talk myself out of the walk. I moan and groan the whole time I am changing clothes, driving to the park, and even starting the walk. But once I get going I feel so much better. Hang in there and keep trucking along. We can do it!!!! Melissa Lea

The next North Houston Banster meeting will be: September 7, 2006 6:30 p.m. to ? Cafe Express 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are Welcome! Melissa Lea

I've only had one PB experience and that was before my first fill on some pasta. I've had 2 fills (total 2.1cc) and I am able to eat anything I want. However, I do continue to watch the types of foods I eat but I let my stomach tell me when it's enough. Some days I can eat more than others. Like this morning, I was wide open but last night, 1 ounce of chicken and 5 bites of green beans were more than enough. If I eat too fast I can feel a small lump in my chest but after a few minutes it passes and I SLOW way down on my eating. I've been losing steady so I'm not worried about the amounts I can or can not eat. I eat until I feel comfortable and not over stuffed. I have a fear of stretching my pouch. But Barbara is right --we are all different and will be able to eat different amounts. I don't want to spend my days PBing etc. For now, I think I've hit my sweet spot. Melissa Lea

Janelle, I am sure that your fill will go just fine. Give us the update when you return. Barbara --I completely understand about shopping in your own closet. I too have been able to get into some clothes that I haven't been able to wear in awhile. I did go out shopping this weekend but didn't buy much. I bought a couple of clearance items that can take me through early fall. The top half of me is still in woman's sizes and the bottom half of me is in regular sizes --go figure!! So shopping wans't very fun. I too am going to wait some time before buying clothes. Melissa Lea

Hey Barbara12 -- Good to hear from you. Yes, it is exciting when your clothes get baggy. I'm spending time shopping in my own closet right now with my accordian of sizes. Like many others, I wished my weight loss would come faster. We have been emersed in a society that wants the quick fix. But I am positive with my exercise that I am building muscle. That makes the pounds go down slower but the inches faster. I'm so glad to have you guys and gals here for support. We are not alone on this journey............ Melissa Lea

Hi Genn -- Welcome to the Junebie group. I am a bit biased but I think we are an awesome group of bandsters. I know exactly what you feel with the drinking with food bit. I personally have not stopped drinking with my meals. I only sip fluids. But I did not notice any difference with the amount of food I ate and the length of satisifaction after eating. If I stop losing then I will reconsider my sipping. I think my weight loss will continue as the current plan, 2 to 3 pounds down one week and 0 pounds the next week. That's cool though. I have noticed a HUGE difference in my clothes. I've lost inches. I also did my first 4 mile walk on Monday in 60 minutes (15 minute mile). I never thought I would get back to that pace. Keep up the great work everyone!! Melissa Lea