TheCHERF

Pickup the $$ but effective NIOXIN products from your beauty salon or products store. It has helped me tremendously. My hair is growing back and less is coming out during brushing and washing. The product is close to $40 for Shampoo and an additional $40 for the conditioner - it tingles and doesn't have the best smell (its kinda medicinal) but it has certainly helped. My hairstylist says you have to use it and ONLY it - no other shampoos at all.

You can use gels,sprays and whatnot but no other shampoo/conditioner. I've been using it for 4mos now and my bottles are still just over 1/2 full. ( usually wash my hair 2-3 times per week too).

Hope this helps:smile:

FYI: I did want to mention that some pple are suggesting papaya enzymes to help relieve gassy/stuck feelings.

I had a 1.2cc unfill yesterday and since then I've been getting cramps in my side (like a side stitch after running) but Im not running or exercising to cause it.

I also have the cramping goin up my shoulder to my neck on the same left side....anyone think this is odd? Doesn't seem to be gas bc I cannot expel it and it does keep me from taking deep breaths:frown:

Diane,

Was this a month goal? BC 16lbs in a month is awesome!

Im abit late but its worth posting....186lbs.

Start: 255lbs

Goal: 145lbs

My goal is in sight and lots of good stuff has been happening in my life so I am grateful this Easter!

Where can I get that neato "August All Stars" banner?

Ive had that pain even when I drink Water or a Protein Shake and I now know that I needed abit of an unfill .5cc and it is no longer an issue. The only way I could get that feeling to go away was to wait for a productive burp/regurgitation...not exciting (I know).

So I have also been hearing alot about Papaya enzymes...check 'em out!~

I went in for a unfill bc I haven't been able to drink/keep down liquids and the doctor ordered a malabsorption?

Im asking if anyone knows why and has had to do this too.

Now where can I find papaya enzyme and how will I know its working?

Sorry for the bizzarre question but I used to know someone who swore by these too and do not remember where they got them.

I just had my second unfill today because I haven't been able to keep fluids down for weeks and was afraid of becoming dehydrated...lost too much weight (17.lbs)last month and am needing to get some fluids in me.

Also has anyone ever had a malabsorption lab done?

Just want to have a healthy weight loss journey!

:thumbup: A few days late in posting but Friday the 13th I was at 217lbs., and today I am 215lbs.

This is the biggest weightloss I have had since surgery in Aug 08 and I think I have finally found my sweet spot - waaay sweet!

Banded: 250

Current: 215

Goal: 145

I did the same thing - not telling many pple to avoid all the comments and questions regarding how fast the weight would come off and what I can/cannot eat.

I knew it would be slow and bc it was surgery everyone else thinks it should be DRASTIC/FAST. I am going to a Continuing Education lecture next weekend and I just know the ladies that know I am banded will think its too slow and insignificant (Like I care) - But I am abit self conscience and hope they don't ask too many questions.

Do you know if they charge Tricare patients for fill appt's? I just received a bill (my surgery was 8/27/08) for a fill appt in December and its totally $863.

The Tricare office won't get back to me on this issue...any suggestions?

Do you pay for fill appt's?

Congratulations and Good luck with baby #2!

I do agree that being this tight is a good thing for emotional eaters like myself! I am considering missing my next weeks appt and just going back for a possible fill in March so that I can at least get/keep foods down.

I like all the suggestions regarding not getting an unfill.

I called today knowing the office was closed and that Monday is MLK day so they won't be open and I am hoping that by Tuesday I will feel better and not want to go in afterall...we'll see.

I have not eaten much since Wednesdays fill and I never ask how much he fills and I do need to find out, but I just don't want to get dehydrated....although I have lost weight so maybe this is exactly what I am supposed to be feeling?!

Finally!

CHER

I'm still stuck at 233, but I got a fill tuesday and I'm feeling much better restriction now so hopefully I'll start moving down again soon!

HI there,

I am at the same progress as you and finally got some restriction from my 4th fill last Wednesday.

I cannot eat bfast but slowly eating all foods is totally working. Protein shakes is my best way to get Protein in bc I am struggling to get 800 calories a day since Wednesday.

I should totally see some shrinkage now.

I dropped to 226lbs after being at 233lbs for about 2.5 mos.

I was banded on 27 Aug 2008

I am trying to get a ticker tracker but nothing is working for me to get it posted on my posts..

255/226/145

CHER

Boos - I know it's hard and sometimes downright discouraging, especially when you're on a long plateau.

You are right though, you do have to make the right food choices. High cal, low nutrition slider foods will defeat the band. I know this may be difficult, but if you would go on a less than 5 gram carb diet for a few days, it might help you kick the craving for the high carb foods with the added bonus that most low carb foods are not slider foods so it will also help with satiety. You may also want to try the 5 Day Pouch Test (avoid the high carb options) to help you break the weight loss plateau:

Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

Click on the link above and it will take you to the website with the menus, recipes, etc. I've done it a couple of times and have lost approx. 3 lbs each time but the real bonus was that it helped me get back on track.

I would also suggest exercise. I myself have not gotten back into the exercise habit since my knee injury late last Fall, but I've been promising myself that I will do it and you know what, starting next Monday, I will. How about you join me and report on here how many minutes you exercised and what you did? I'll do the same.

Thank you so much Donna for all of your wisdom...you have helped me today to really understand the pouch test and great examples for foods (*proteins).

I am one month behind you (August 27, 08) in the bandit-lifestyle so I hope to be able to stay focused and move ahead as you have.

CHER

ps...I need a ticker tracker - how do I get it to post with my posts?

Hi Penny,

I have also not told everyone that I had this procedure bc of negativity and expectations....don't want to fail again!

I was banded on 27 Aug 08 and just had my fourth fill last week - feeling so much restriction that I now KNOW what restriction is. I have definately had to stop eating solids because of all the gas and then today I actually started PBing - first time in 4months....I am feeling that I prob need a reduction?!

I was eating salads and most foods a week ago and now its labor intensive to drink Water - ugh!~

I am down 30lbs since band surg though.

just looking for some people to be supportive with.

I want one of those cute trackers...how do they work?

CHER

OKay so you have reached your goal in 7mos.?

Great tip Goosie...hows it goin?

I was banded 5 days after you and after my fourth fill I am finally feeling true restriction good thing too bc I have hit a plateau and haven't moved in 2mos.

Good Luck August Bandit!

CHER

Hi There,

I am an August(27th of Aug 2008) Bander too but I guess because my fills weren't done to satisfaction I didnt lose the weight.

I am finally four fills in and feeling good restriction...I have lost 30lbs in 4mos. and most of it was lost in the first 2mos., hoping that this new fill and higher energy will help with burning calories.

You look great btw.

ps...how much can you eat in a sitting? I have alot of indigestion and wondered if that was a sign of too tightly filled?

CHER

What does too tight or too restricted feel like?

I got filled yesterday for the 4th time and I am not gagging or vomitting but I am very gassy and can feel everything including liquids (kinda indegestion-like). Is that normal?

I am understanding what eating/drinking slowly means now...just hope its right.

Thanks,

CHER

Hi it looks like you are on your way and I saw a post where you were only at 21lbs loss since being banded - look at you now eh?

So I have a question about being too tight...I just got filled yesterday and I have never had this much restriction before. I can eat/drink very slowly which is something new since I was banded in late August 2008.

I think I finally have a good fill but I am afraid it might be too tight...is that possible? What is it supposed to feel like when you have good restriction?

I started at 255lbs

Current: 227lbs

Goal: 145lbs

Any suggestions on any part of your journey will be helpful.

Thank you,

Cher

:thumbup:Great advice and I agree completely!

Today was my fourth fill and it was a tough one (had a hard time finding the porthole) but man do I feel the restriction and have even realized how little I am supposed to be consuming in a sitting. I am only down 30lbs since my banding in Aug 2008.

I also have been discouraged and I think I have just finally hit the right fill amount - hopefully - to get me off this plateau.

It has taken me 6 months & 6 fills to get where I want to be. I am at 6.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Right now I have to eat very very slowly. About 30-60 minutes to eat one cup of food. Just be patient. I have lost 68 lbs so far. In the past two months I haven't dropped one pound which was discuraging, but I am losing inches & my clothes are getting bigger. I am working out every day, changing things up with walking, yoga, weights, leg strenthening & biking. Don't get into a routine for months because what might be working in the beginning will eventually be what your body is expecting. Hang in there, we are all better off now then when we started.