ShelleyB

Hey Guy,

How are you doing? When do you get your first fill? How is the eating going? This week it's like my old appetite has reappeared and I want to eat everything! I am still eating probably half of my old portion sizes, but getting worried. I have really just maintained my weight loss from about 1 week after surgery. My doctor tells me this is normal and not to worry. My fill is 4/6/09 and I am ready!!

Hi Sommer! Good to hear from you! You are doing so good girl!! Keep up the good work! ; ) Things are going pretty good for me. I get my 3rd fill this Monday (22nd). I think I need it too, because I am still able to eat fairly well (like half a hamburger and a small side). Of course it varies and some days I eat more than others. I have not lost much this past month though, I seem to be in a pattern of losing and gaining the same 2 lbs.! So, hopefully the next fill will get the weight loss going again! I noticed on my last fill (2nd fill) that it was a little painful when they put the needle in, but not too bad. They do put a numbing spray on it and that helps. I can't wait to hit the sweet spot myself! That will indeed be "sweet"! ha ha! I'll check back with you after my fill!

*hugs*

Shelley

Hi Gretchen,

That's awesome you got your first fill!! Are you on liquids for 24/48 hours? I hear this is protocol for fills. I will be curious to see if you feel restriction and I hope you do! I am doing good and anxiously awaiting my first fill. I am holding steady with my weight loss, but am ready to see some smaller numbers on the scale. On the plus side, I have been fitting into smaller clothes myself and finding that I have a whole new wardrobe in my own closet - for free! Yippee! Let me how you do in the next few weeks! Take care!

Shelley

Hi Laura!

I know, it gets hard sometimes to keep up with the lapband site. I come and go myself. You have done so well! 40+ lbs.!! AWESOME!!! Way to go!!! I know sometimes it gets frustrating too, because it doesn't always come off as fast as we want it too! I am struggling right now with the 2 lbs. up and 2 lbs. down thing myself! Since my last fill, I really haven't lost much (maybe a 1lb. or so). I noticed some restriction immediately after my 2nd fill, but then it seems like it went back to what it had been. It was only .5 cc fill. So, hopefully this next one will help me more. I go 6/22 for the 3rd fill. I have to watch what I eat too and sometimes fall back into those old habits. Very easy to do. This is the part where we have to up our game, because the band can't do it all! It's wonderful to get into smaller sizes or even to outgrown them! I will check in with after my 3rd fill. Let me know how your fill goes too! Take care!

*hugs*

Shelley

Hi Laura, how are you doing? Haven't heard from you in a while! All is going well here, just waiting for that first fill on 4/6/09...tick tock...tick tock...ha ha!

How are you doing Gretchen? Are you feeling almost back to normal yet? I feel about 90%! I get tired easily. I have been eating foods really well and feel SO much better since eating. The liquid diet was making me feel awful. I have mostly been on mushy food, but have a few things like pizza. I ate it slowly and cut it into tiny pieces and it went well. The funny thing is that by the time I finished 1 small piece, I realized it didn't taste that good! When you eat pizza slowly, it just takes like bread! I figure I probably won't be able to eat that later on after a few fills. Anyway, hope all is going good for you. My port site is still sore, but otherwise good. The weight loss has also slowed down, but we knew that couldn't last forever! 5-6 lbs. a week was cool, but I will be happy with 1-2 lbs. a week! : )~

Hi Sommer,

Dr's appt went well. One of my incisions needed draining,but otherwise good. He said I could start mushies! I told him about the potatoes and he said, good that as long as I can tolerate it, try new stuff out and find what works. I have done well on real food and feel 100% better! I only drink about protein shake a day now. Yuk! I did get some good vitamins and that has helped too. The swelling has down alot, but sometimes I still prefer to keep my pants off of my belly area! I hope that gets better, the low rider is getting crazy! ha ha! How did your appointment go? Can't wait to hear. : )~

Hey girl! You look SO GOOD!!! You go girl!!! I passed on my 4th fill too. I feel like I am at a pretty good place right now. Losing about 1/2 to 1 lb each week, slow and steady, but not too restricted! I have lost 30 lbs. so far and feeling good! I even lost weight on vacation! Nice, huh?! Keep up the good work!!

Shelley ; )))

Hi, I saw you were in the DFW area. Looks like we are neighbors! You are an inspiration and I hope to have a story like yours soon. I am scheduling my surgery on Monday and hope to have it done later in February. I am 5'2" and 203, size 16/18 and can't wait to be in the single digit clothes! Stop by and say HI anytime.

Hi - How's it going?? Are you feeling better? I know I sure am. It's amazing after almost 2 weeks, I feel human again. Still sore around the port site, but overall great. I am eating some solid food now, mostly mushy though. I get my first fill on 4/6/09. So exciting! I saw your pictures! : )~

Congrats on 30 lbs!!!! : )))))))

We are keeping neck and neck on this journey, I am at 30 lbs. too!!! ha ha! Didn't go for my 4th fill because I was still losing weight. I even lost weight on vacation! How cool is that?! Looking forwrad to even more weight loss! This is fun! ; )

Thanks for the info on the doctor. I will let you know what I think after my initial visit with him. I have been reading about the fills and how different doctors fill at different rates and times. I guess its just like the doctors themselves, they all have their own style. I don't know enough about it right now to say whether being a "slow filler" is good or bad. But I have heard some stories of people having theirs too tight and having many problems because of that. I think in the beginning while you are new to the band, that the less troubles you have, the better, giving you time to adjust to your new lifestyle. Sometimes I get scared by it all and am not sure about my decision and then other days I can't wait to get it going! Is that normal? Did you have that?

I am much better! How about you? I go for my 1 week check up today. Most of the pain is gone, port site is sore and some gas still, but WAY better! I am ready to be off liquids though!!

Glad to hear you are doing well! 18 lbs.!! Woot woot! I am down 15 lbs. so far!

Hi,

Hope things are going better with your fill now that you are less restrictd. I thought I was too restricted after my 3rd fill too, but it got better and I feel like it's just right for now. Not sure when I will get my 4th fill at this point. You know, it's all just trial and error!!

Sooo good to hear from you! You are doing so well! I'm proud of you! I knew you could do it! It has it's ups and downs of course, but in the end I believe it's all worth it! 34 lbs.! Whoo-hoo! Hopefully your fill went well. I have had 5 fills now and definitely think I am good for a while. I have lost a total of 40 lbs now and am really happy with that. Of course, I wanted to have lost 50 lbs. by my bandiversary, but looks like 40 will have to do. Next week is 1 year for me. I love it and am so glad I did. Don't worry, the exercise gets easier as the weight comes off. You will do fine, just keep walking!

Keep up the good work!

Shelley ; )

Hey girl! How are you doing? Haven't talk to you in a while! Just wanted to stop in and say HI! Hope you are making progress. I am doing pretty good...30 lbs. down so far and still moving down! So very happy about the lapband! I passed on my 4th fill because I feel like I am at a good place right now. Time will tell! Hope to talk to you soon!

*Shelley*

Hi! I saw you had your surgery on 2/25/9 - same as me! How are you doing??? THe first few days were awful, but it is getting better everyday for me! Hope you are doing well and wish you all the best! : )

Hi Laura! Just wanted to stop in and say HI! All is going really well for me. Still on 3rd fill and still losing, a total of 30 lbs. now! Very happy with the lapband! I even lost weight on vacation! I will write you some more later...this has to be quick! I just thinking of you and wishing you the best!

Shelley

Hey Gretchen,

How are you doing? Haven't heard from you in a while. Just wanted to say HI and see how you were doing. Things are going well here. Still on my 3rd fill and doing good. 30 lbs. down now, even lost weight on vacation! That was awesome. I am going to start going to the gym soon, so maybe that will help things move along even faster. Hope you are doing well. Write me when you can!

Shelley

Glad to hear you are doing better! I am with you, I am ready to be off liquids. I am going to talk to my doctor about it today when I go in for my check up. I did have some mashed pototes yesterday (oops!) Just a little, but they were good and I tolerated them well, actually better than the protein drinks!

I see you got your ticker working! Yeah! I am looking forward to the bloating going down, I have been wearing my pants underneath by belly, b/c it is so tender. Good thing I don't leave the house much! ha ha!

Take care and talk to you later! : )))

Hi Dionne!

21 lbs.! Hooray for you! That is awesome! I go today for my second fill (hopefully). It's been 5 weeks and I have lost an average of 1 lb. a week, so I hope they give me a bit more. **Fingers crossed** I have had a few episodes with things getting stuck too and F. Fries on the the top of the list! Darn it! I use the chewable vitamins now, tried the liquid and couldn't stomach it! Blahhhh! 16's getting loosier on me too! So excited! You are right, the confidence boost is amazing! I am loving it! Can't wait to see what happens next! Here's to success girl!! : )~

Hi! Wow! You have done such an awesome job! Size 18! WHOO HOO!!! Loved your blog...thanks for sharing that with me!

I just got my 3rd fill and I think this one might do the trick. I have lost 24 lbs so far (which is good), but I am ready to really get this weight loss started! I can really feel the restriction now compared to before. I am at 4.6 cc total now. My doctor has been a slow filler, which is okay with me too. Slow and steady, wins the race, right?! Keep up the good work and I am so happy for you!

Shelley : ))

Hi Sommer,

Okay, I got my 3rd fill on Monday. Wow...do I have restriction now! The doctor gave me 1 cc fill this time. Now I am 4.6 cc. I was at a stand still myself and this fill may just do the trick to get me losing again! I cannot eat nearly as much as I did before. Even coffee in the morning is slow going! I hope I am getting close to the sweet spot too! Talk to you soon!

Shelley : ))

Hi Laura,

Surgery went well! I was home by 2:30 that afternoon. Turns out I did have a hiatal hernia and the doctor repaired it! yeah! Hopefully, no more reflux. The gas pains are pretty bad...my left shoulder has been the worst! I have a pain pump and liquid Lortab. I had alot of pain last night because I let too much time pass between pain meds. Won't make that mistake again. Haven't been hungry at all. Been on clear liquids until this evening, had a protein shake and felt icky for about an hour afterwards. I don't have alot of energy and I am really sore, but overall I think I am doing pretty good. I can't sleep in my bed yet, I have been in the recliner. I think I will be better tomorrow.