Koala

Here's another believer in Chantix! My mother stopped after 50 years of smoking thanks to this great product. The two other people I encouraged to try it have also quit. It works and it can be life-changing!

I've lost 100 pounds in 8 months, so it is definitely working for me. Ladies, just remember if you've had PCOS related infertility, that could change with weight loss. On one hand, that could be a blessing. On the other hand, that could bring on quite a surprise. PCOS, for the poster who asked, stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It's name is a bit of a misnomer since it has much more to do with insulin problems than with cysts in the ovaries. Some of the symptoms are: Irregular periods - Nine or fewer menstrual cycles per year may be a sign of PCOS. Bleeding may be heavier than normal. These conditions are caused by a hormone problem, because the ovaries are not working properly and producing hormones that keep the menstrual cycle regular. Infertility - Because women with PCOS don't have regular menstrual cycles, many are unable to get pregnant. With help, women with PCOS can get pregnant, however. A number of infertility treatments are available. (See section on Treatments.) Hirsutism - Hirsutism means excess hair, which can be a difficult symptom for many women. For most women with PCOS, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. Masculine hair on the arms and legs and more hair growing in the pubic region, abdomen, chest or back are also possible. This symptom is caused by high levels of male hormones (androgens), as are thinning hair and acne. Thinning hair - Just as heavier hair growth is possible, scalp hair thinning may be present. This is caused by higher levels of androgens. Acne - Acne (pimples and oily skin) can also bother women with PCOS. The acne is usually found around the face (especially along the jaw line), chest, and back. Weight gain - Many women with PCOS gain weight around their middles taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Such weight gain is linked with problems with the proper use of glucose and insulin in the body. Other skin problems - Skin tags, thick lumps of skin that can be as large as raisins, can form and usually are found in the armpits or neck. These can easily be removed. Darkening and thickening of the skin also can occur around the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, is a sign of an insulin abnormality. Depression and anxiety - Because of the nature of many of these symptoms, woman may find themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance, or by their inability to become pregnant.

Thanks for your replies! When I get scared or just need an answer, you guys are always here to help. I want to get on here more often to do the same for others. It really matters to have wonderful people like you who totally understand this process and are so kind and giving as to share your experience. Jack, I'm only Koala, and that's all I've been on here. This other person must have a similar situation to mine or something. The more I've studied it, the more I'm sure that cheese is kryptonite to my band. Ok, more like steel being drawn to a magnet. (If anyone here is old enough to remember it, try not to think of that 70's song "Magnet and Steel." :heh: I think it glumps up, plugs things up, and generally causes havoc for me. As of tonight, I've gotten some hot chocolate and Cup-O-Soup down, so I'm just gonna follow your advice and live with liquids for awhile. Lianna, I am gonna do NOTHING but chew whenever I try food again...no distractions. What I keep doing is waiting until I'm ravenous and reverting back to old habits when it comes to chewing. This last episode was unpleasant enough that I don't ever, ever wanna do it again. Bless you both for your help tonight. I needed you!

If anyone remembers my problem with my last fill....it was too much and it took three 6 hour(each way) trips to end up totally unfilled. I had to take a three week break. Well, Tuesday, I went back for a fill again. After three days of liquids, I tried eating fish and veggies as the doctor had suggested. Locked up, pb'd, slimed, and upchucked. It wasn't pretty. Now, I'm back to no liquids passing through. Has cheese been a culprit in causing problems for anyone after a fill? The veggies I made had a light cheese sauce with them. If it's cheese, I can live without it IF I never have to feel this crappy again!

I DO have something to mention in the problem department. The all-liquid diet can cause urgent diarrhea which is majorly inconvenient in the classroom...not to mention some pretty unpleasant noises in a bathroom shared with students. :painkiller: (sorry, had to use that smilie!) I had forgotten this little problem until I had a rough adjustment period with my recent fill that kept me on all liquids for 2 weeks. :eek:

Here's my update: After a full day and night without getting so much as a drop of Water through, I headed back to Mexico. My doctor did a complete unfill and told me to wait three weeks before going back. He also said to do four more days of liquids. I will follow his orders, but man, I've not had anything solid in my stomach for ten days as it is. It could start making me grumpy, you know? Anyway, even after the unfill, liquids weren't passing through quickly, so my insides were realllllly irritated. I'm actually thankful for the break after having every sip burn and ache...and after being that thirsty. This is a minor setback no where near a defeat. Thank you to everyone for your well-wishes and support. Please send some strength this way that I don't gain anything during this "off" period.

Thank you guys so much for answering. It is priceless to have others who totally understand this journey to share with and to look to for support. Here's my update, I am getting some hot cider through right now. My tummy is gurgling away, but it's going through. My plan is to stay on warm liquids until the achy feeling goes away, then try something mushy. Any suggestions as to a perfect first food to try: mashed potatoes, cream of potato Soup, fish, or what? If I don't have some real food down by Wednesday night, I'm going back to see the doctor and have a total unfill. Funny, last Wed., that was what I dreaded most. I was so thrilled when I left .2 up from when I went in for the fill in Saturday. Now, after a long week without eating, I'm kind of looking at things differently. I am so very tired of the chest pain and the diahrea that seems to go along with the all liquid diet, well, at least it does for me. Jack, you are so right about needing a backup plan. I'm in Las Vegas and the doctors here make it outrageously high to see someone whose band they didn't place. The fact that my doctor is in Mexico doesn't help. I'm limited on what I can do medically here since my insurance excludes anything related to the band. THIS part is a hassle, but one I contemplated about prior to being banded. I really had to take the shot for beating this weight thing once and for all. I'd just rather not go on a starvation diet, literally, to do it. :paranoid

I think I'm in big trouble with my band right now. I pray someone has a wonderful idea for fixing this because I need to be able to eat and drink something soon. I haven't had food since last Sunday. Here's how my week has been: Saturday- Got an additional .6 fill in my band for a total of 2.8 in a 4cc. band. Sunday- Waited 24 hours to eat as the fill dr. instructed. Did fine. That night, hamburger got stuck tight. Monday- Couldn't even hold down a drink of Water until the Dr. said to try a hot liquid. It went down. Tuesday- liquids all day...but rushed the two days on liquids orders of my doctor and had some chicken. Well, at least I swallowed it. It came back up. Wednesday- Not even a sip of water would stay down. Went back to fill doctor. He checked my band to see it was still in place. He emptied my band to let me drink, then replaced 2.4. He ordered a liquid diet until Sunday. Thurs.-Sat.- Did fine on an all liquid diet. Today- Tried to eat, got stuck, now, even water hurts tremendously and isn't going down. I really need help. What can I try? My doctor is a 5 hour drive away, and I've already made that trip twice in a week. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop that horrible running to the bathroom side effect during an all liquid diet?

I made it today! I've been on a month-long plateau until this week. As of this morning, I've lost 102 lbs. in 7 months. I am so happy with my band!

I wrote a long post yesterday about my six month anniversary, but my computer had some error and it was lost. So, I'm trying again this morning. Yesterday was the official day. In that time, I've lost 95 pounds and 5 pant sizes. I've regained my energy, happiness, and the feeling of being ME again. I've lost the cpap machine and antidepressants. Now, I can buy clothes a lot more places, and I don't buy the biggest size anymore, either. Turning over in bed isn't the big effort it used to be..neither is tying my shoes or zipping my jeans. I'm no longer having the panic moment of sizing up the booth to table ratio when we go out to eat. I had hoped to reach 100 pounds, but my losses have really, really slowed down, but I intend to try another fill soon to see if that will kick start the ball rolling again. For me, the band has been the blessing I prayed about my entire life. Thank you to everyone who has posted on this site. Your words convinced me to take that first step, and they have continued to answer my questions, encourage me, and keep me focused.

While I was in the emergency room with my mother last week, TIVO scheduling messed up on night two of the auditions, so I haven't seen it. Is anyone able and willing to send a copy to me? I'd so gladly pay for Mom and I to get to see it. Please pm me if you can help me out, I'm so sad about missing it!

Thank you! YOu answered a question that I've had for a month or so now. My weight loss looks good on paper, but I've been pretty much plateaued for two months now. Yet, I still pb at times. That made me think that a fill wasn't a good idea. If you pb, you must be tight enough and getting another fill would only cause more pbing (seems to me). I bet I'm not the only one who is confused over the pb/fill connection. Thanks again!

Thank you so much for your posts. I think I'm going to plan a trip for another fill as soon as possible.