I'm still here

Mindy - I totally agree . . . I am older than you, but do remember 'girl crap' from when I was the age my daughter is now, and it is so much worse now. My husband doesn't have the ability to get it, apparently . . . I asked him just the other night, "When was the last time you were a hormonal, PMS'ing, started your period right before the game started, dramatic, 14 year-old girl???? Oh that's right - NEVER !!!" He backed off . . . It is sort of the same - dad's, people who haven't lived it . . . I don't think they have any idea how it is to be a teenager right now. I feel for these kids, all of them - even the shitty acting ones. It sounds like you are smart and your husband is a man. Ha - I agree with you . . . I have a son too and I have no desire to rush the girlfriend thing.

Mindy - it sounds like your son is smart! :eek:

I agree unless their safety is being threatened. It sounds to me like the girl who went off on Becky's daughter was nuts.

Isn't that odd - I run from Brenda, not Leslie . . .

Oh sorry - that is bright red and big . . . :omg: I didn't mean to be so offensive. You're right that her daughter did the right thing in reporting the incident and that may be enough. Because we have had the same type of experience my reaction was probably a little strong. Blame it on my "mama bear" instincts . . . Teenage girls can be so mean to each other and it just infuriates me!!!

Hi enterprise01 ~ I have the EXACT same thoughts . . . day and night. :phanvan Here is something to think about . . . I have a friend who was banded by Dr. Spivak 3 years ago. She has lost about 85 pounds over the last 3 years and looks absolutely amazing! I had lunch with her last week and watched her like a hawk . . . She ate a lunch size portion of PASTA, a bread stick and some salad. I sat in disbelief and asked her 'how do you do that???' She told me that she would really like to lose 20 more pounds, but enjoys her level of restriction like it is. She said that some days she can eat more, some days less, and on the days when she CAN eat, then she does . . . She is at peace with her band, not fighting it like me and seems very happy. She lost her weight very slowly, and has kept it off. She has only had two fills total and her last one was over 2 years ago. I am really going to try to follow her example and live my life with my little tool. She could probably be the 'poster child' for the lap-band, but she is busy out living her life and having fun, not agonizing over every bite that goes into her mouth. That's IT !!! That is my New Year's Resolution for 2008 - to learn to live in peace with my little silicone buddy. :clap2: It's really not like I have a choice . . . Dr. Spivak said yesterday's fill (2.5) is it for me. I am happy to not have to think about being stuck again, but worried about what will happen if I don't lose any more weight. This is really not where I wanted to end up.

Hi Becky ~ I feel your pain!!! I have an awesome 14 year-old daughter who fits your daughters description to a T . . . Mine is also very popular and has also been 'targeted' by girls who are jealous of her. My advice would be to make the principal aware of the situation immediately and make sure he or she understands that you will not tolerate any sort of retaliation (sp?) against your daughter. Period. Girls can be so MEAN and our girls are at a brutal age. As a former Juvenile Probation Officer I can also say that some girls are dangerous. Your daughter might be scared and just not want to tell you that because they want to be able to handle everything on their own. Mine does. I never hear about things that have happened from my daughter, always from another Mom whose daughter told them . . . The alternative - doing nothing is not an option because if something else happens and your daughter is hurt, you will inevitably feel like you let her down and didn't protect her. I say pay a visit to the school - today. Keep us posted and good luck!

I have been wondering how you were feeling . . . Don't over-do it!!! I went in for a slight fill yesterday and was surprised to find out that Patricia is no longer working for Dr. Spivak. She was there last week when I went in - any idea what happened???

Hey ~ I went in for a fill yesterday and was surprised to find out that Patricia is no longer working for Dr. Spivak . . . I was there last week and she was there, everything seemed fine . . . Anybody know what happened ??? I am just curious because she was always so sweet to me.

Oh Tonya ~ I will keep you guys in my prayers.

Hi Maria, My doctor's nurse says we should be able to eat a portion about the size of a lean cuisine entree. It is all so confusing to me and I am really trying not to fight my band, but it is hard. There is so much different information out there and everyone is different . . . But, it is hard not to get caught up in thinking 'well if he or she can only eat 3 bites then I should only be able to eat 3 bites too' . . . I really struggle with that kind of thinking. I read one post on here that talked about some of us thinking we have to exist on so little food and that is ME! I think if I can eat a reasonable (very small) amount, then it still must be too much! Uhhhh . . . I have got to get my head right or this is never going to work long-term. I am going to try to stop obsessing about how much I eat and work toward a portion about the size of a lean cuisine entree. I had another fill yesterday, bringing me to 2.5ccs in my 4cc band. My doctor said that is the most I will ever be able to have, because at 2.7 I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. So, I am very hopeful that I will experience the kind of restriction I need to lose the rest of my weight and learn to live at this amount. Hang in there, but if you continue to throw up, you probably need a slight unfill. Good luck ~

You are most welcome - the best of luck to you!

Omnipaque (as I understand it . . . ) is a thicker solution that can be used for your fills instead of saline. My first fill was with saline and when I went back for my second fill, there was only half of what was originally put in, left in my band. No one seems to know where the other half went. So . . . my doctor decided to use the Omnipaque instead of saline for my second fill. Since then, I have not 'lost' any of my fills. I am having a hard time getting to my 'sweet spot', but at least all of the Omni stays in when it is put it. I have heard this stuff referred to as 'fix-a-flat' - but I am not suggesting that any of you have leaks in your band. I have no idea where the saline 'goes' when it disappears . . . I have heard that it can be absorbed, etc. but I have no idea. I am no medical professional, so please do not take this information for the gospel. This is just my understanding of the difference in the two fill solutions. If you are having trouble retaining your fills, it might be worth a shot to inquire about being filled with the Omnipaque instead of saline. Good Luck ~

Please forgive me in advance if this is the wrong place for this question - I searched around and wasn't sure where to post this . . . I live in the Houston area and have started seeing alot of commercials on TV for the 'fat dissolving' procedure called Advanced Lipodissolve. I am curious if anyone (who has been banded) has any experience with this procedure and if so, how well it works. I would love to think proceure could rid me of my problem areas instead of having to have lipo and a tummy tuck! Anyone out there know??? Thanks, Lynn

Are you filled with saline or omnipaque? When I had the saline it disappeared, but that doesn't happen with the omni.

That is exactly how I feel!!! Except that I don't want to be so tight that I can't get anything down - I have been there and don't ever want to be that tight again. I honestly thought I was dying . . . Right now I have 2.3 in my 4cc band. I was way too tight at 2.7, so I am guessing my 'sweet spot' is somewhere between 2.3 and 2.7. I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can get just .1 or .2 more - based on my experience I don't want to get too close to 2.7 again.

Why is that ??? I have heard that so many times and am trying to decide if I buy that . . . I had a fill last Tuesday and don't feel any more restriction than I did before. I am tempted to call and schedule another very small fill, but am afraid if this one 'kicks in' then I'll be too tight . . . . .

Okay honey - it's time for a little update . . . How are you feeling? What's up with the 'drains', etc. . . . ??? I hope you are feeling much better and are getting really excited that this is behind you. You skinny-minny you!

Maybe Tulip will share some more information if it becomes available to her. I just think this is so sad for everyone involved.

Yeah Enterprise01 ~ Look how TINY your arms look !!!!! :whoo: So glad to hear you're home and doing okay - I have been waiting to hear from you. OMG - the DRAINS !!!!! :omg: Please keep us posted, and maybe I'll see you soon at Dr. Spivak's office . . .

My best guess is that you are sore from the doctor poking around trying to access the port. I can't see how a numbing agent can fix that . . .