Melissa Lea

I recommend that in addition to your virus scan, do a housecall scan http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ It is a FREE Web-based solution designed to scan your PC for a wide range of Internet security threats including viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware. It gets stuff that your Norton, McCafee, etc. do not find. Melissa Lea

Hi Alex -- Friday's are not good days for meetings now that school is back in session. Some have their children's sports games, etc. to attend. We may have a Saturday meeting in the fall. But it's not a regurlar meeting time. If you are interested in Saturday meetings, check out the houston area bandsters on yahoo. They meet one saturday a month in Houston. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/ Melissa

Cindi and Dancing Queen --you look great!! Yea, we should all try and post some pictures. I just got my online photo albums in order for my family. So it will be easier for me to post for you all. I'll work on that this week. Keep up the great work everyone!! Melissa Lea

Hey Debbie -- I hope to see you there in September as well. Stay posted for the next meeting. I try to post about 2 weeks prior to the actual meeting so people can plan. Melissa Lea

Hey Barbara -- I'm sure you will have better luck with your fill this go around. Last time I went I had a Nurse practioner that was training to do fills. She practiced on me. She kept hitting the side of my port and trying and trying. Thank goodness I have a very high threshold for pain so it didn't even hurt. Finally the other girl had to get the needle in my port. Melissa Lea

Barbara ---glad to hear that you did well with travel. That seems to have been the "ultimate" test for me. I am down another pound (whopieee!!!). This past week, I have really noticed a difference in my clothes. I'm losing inches. My family who sees me all the time is starting to notice. I've had several people that haven't seen me in quite some time notice as well. Tomorrow a new day and a new week!! I'm doing much better on my water too. I just haven't put the smiley faces. Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone! There will be no meeting on August 24, 2006. Our next meeting will be on September 7, 2006. Stay posted for time/location. Thanks! Melissa

Your right Barbara --we have to keep our weight loss in perspective. But of course, that is easier said than done. I lost 2 to 2.5 pounds right before my second fill last week. I haven't lost since. I have noticed a HUGE difference in my clothes this week. Especially my pants. They are becoming baggier. I want to wait at least another 5 to 10 pounds down before I buy some new pants. To my "LOSER" Friends -- keep your chin up and keep looking straight ahead!!! The journey has just begun....... Melissa Lea

Instead of an unfill, you may want to add a protein type drink/shake to make up the 200 calorie difference that you are not able to eat. Liquid calroies go down easy. The extra protein will also help you post op for wound healing. Just my 2 cents. Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone! Just catching up from all the weekend post. Although some of us have had bumps in the road this past week, today is a new day!! We are on the right path. It was emazing to come home from out of town after eating out all weekend (2 scoops of ice cream included) and not gain an ounce!!! I DON'T ever rember that happening. To me that is my victory for the week. I had my second fill last week on Thursday (now at 2.1 cc). I have noticed a difference in my appetite. I'm eating less but still able to eat just about anything I want but much smaller portions. I'm going to sit on this fill for awhile and see how it goes. I hope I have reached my "sweet" spot for now. Melissa Lea

Your Welcome -- I will continue to post. Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone -- I had my second fill today. I'm now at 2.1 cc. So far so good. I'm certainly not going to push it!! For those in the Houston, Texas area, I hope you have had better luck with your fill appointments at the surgicenter. The first time I went for my fill it took me 2 hours because they were running behind an hour. Today when I went, it took me 2 hours becuase they had my appointment listed at 2:30 p.m. and not noon. They changed the time of my appointment but I still had to wait. I hope I don't need a 3rd fill for some time. I'm not sure I have the patience for the 2 hour appointments. I don't think I will be making my appointments at noon anymore. I was down a few more pounds. There scale is exactly 4 pounds higher than mine. Of course, I weigh in the morning first thing in my birthday suite:o . Hey, it makes a difference. For those at their first plateu hang in there. I was stuck at the exact same weight for over 2 weeks. It's just this week the scale started to move again. Melissa Lea

Hello Everyone -- The North Houston Bandsters will have their meeting: August 10, 2006 starting at 6:30 p.m. Jason's Deli 1340 Lake Woodlands The Woodlands, Texas 77380. All are welcome! Melissa Lea

Hey PAB --I completely understand about the ice cream. I LOVE ice cream. I can't keep it in my house. But I refuse to not enjoy the "sweeter" things in life. I bought some of the Weight Watchers Fudge Bars (I think 110 calories). I will allow myself one every now and then. I have had one box in my freezer for 2 weeks. That is a huge accomplishment for me. Going for my second fill tomorrow, yippeee!!!!! I hope I feel that way after the fill. Melissa Lea

Hey Deb --Welcome to the June crew!! I too did not get much restriction from my first fill. I'm going in Thursday for my second fill. I hope it gives me more restriction. Melissa Lea

Hi Koala -- I have noticed since my banding that I am reading a lot more books. I've been reading at least one book a week and have majorly cut down on my television wathcing. For me a good book is an escape. I can really visualize and act it all out in my brain. That keeps my mind off food. Also, know what you mean about walking with music. I love that. I've been walking 3 to 4 times a week. I have people from my support group that want to walk with me. But for me that is my time to jam with the beat and think of nothing else but the music. Melissa Lea

I'll be in Vegas this weekend :clap2: :clap2: . Sedona, AZ is beautiful and there are also a lot of Beautiful places in New Mexico. I love the tropics. I wouldn't be opposed to a weekend trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico or somewhere. Just my food for thought :hungry: . Melissa Lea

I too hope that it goes down. Keep us up to date on your progress. Melissa Lea

Well CutieRN and Barbara --I hope that my fill this time goes as smootly as yours. Last time I got there at 11:45 a.m. and out of there at 1:15 p.m. I was very late getting back to work. Well, I didn't weigh this morning because the scale hasn't moved. However, I did eat more this weekend and staid pretty satisfied most of it. I have been taking a closer look to see if I am getting enough calories. I've been so scared that I'm going to stretch my pouch or do something bad. I've only had one small PB at that was prior to my fill while eating some pasta. Don't get discouraged Barbara with your weight. I'm sure it's just fluid. You have to remember that you have been drinking more fluid and staying hydrated now. Also clothes. When I weigh at home I'm always in my birthday suite. That helps a lot!! Melissa Lea

Congrats K-cee. You will be on the banded side tomorrow!! Melissa Lea

Wanttobethin --did you feel tightness in your chest alot with eating? I've never heard of a stretched esophagus. Does it go back to normal? Melissa Lea

CutieRN I hope that I notice a difference. I am almost as hungry as I was pre-op right now. I can't complain, this is the first time that I have felt this way. I'm not allowing myself to eat but I sure could. When you went for your second fill was it smooth sailing?? The first and only time I went to the surgicenter for a fill it took almost 2 hours because they were that far behind. I was told that it normally takes about 30 mintues? Maybe it's the time of day I'm going (noon), because I have to get back to work. Melissa Lea

Welcome Regina!! CutieRN --I go for my second fill this Thursday. I think that my fill is completely gone!! I only had 1.1 cc to begin with. I can eat anything. I was worried about my pouch stretching, but nothing gets stuck or tight. So I think my food is just dropping right through to the rest of my stomach. I'm hoping for a really good fill and less hunger! Melissa Lea

Let me know where the party is and I'll be there!! I can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner. Ok Junebies ...Melissa needs to vent a little. I have given myself a lot of pep talks but now need more support. I haven't lost an ounce in 10 days!!!!!!! I'm hoping that I'm gaining muscle since I'm walking more. But still, come on now. Give me an ounce. Although my appetite is fine and very well controlled I don't even fill like I have a band right now. I'm going for a second fill next week on Thrusday. I hope that will promote more weight loss. But on the briter note, I am noticing a difference in my clothes. I did better with my water today, but not up to 64 ounces yet. I'll get there. Don't give up on me yet!!! I just love all of you. Your such great friends. Thanks for listening!! Melissa Lea

Thanks Pinkylee. I'm happy to have all of your support as well. Melissa Lea