LollyMoe

Can't help you with this one but I do wish you the best.

It is swelling that occurs about 2 hrs after the fill. Some doctors recommend that you revert back to liquids for 24 hrs. I find that a cup of hot tea helps me. Some days I am too tight for more than liquids and other days, I can eat just fine. I have a fickle band.....

arthukd: The maker of the band state in their literature that carbonation can cause band erosion. Why would you want to risk it? Also, beer is full of sugar.

I don't know how you figure it's a slider? Please explain?

bandmeimready: Did you stay for the group meeting also? I was there and got up to speak. I was banded on Aug 11, 2009. The $205.00 that I paid up front was refunded to me about three weeks after surgery. I have VIVA insurance. The co-pay to my primary care doctor was $15.00 for each of the six visits. Since I had had some health problems in late 2008, I had already had a heart work-up and a sleep study. I only needed a clearance from Dr Dey and Dr Aurora for the heart & respiratory. Dr Miles & insurance accepted it all. I did have to pay the nutritionist $60.00 out of pocket and my hospital co-pay was $300.00. All my co-pays are higher now due to Viva going up in 2010. As for being put to sleep. Been there, done that, more than once. I told Dr Miles it was his job to see that I woke up and I would do my job of losing the weight. I have lost 70 pounds in 6 months. I would do it again in a NY min. Hang in there, the six months will be over before you know it.

I am so sorry for your friend. Please let us know how she is doing from time to time. I just hate it when I hear of a crooked doctor.

This band is a tool. How you use it is up to you. You can eat things you know are not right or you can tough it out to eat things that you are suppose too. You can't justify cheating. You just have to admit to yourself "okay, I blew it today" and then start over tomorrow. Your body needs time to heal and eating foods that make the stomach work/churn is NOT good for you. Are you keeping a food journal of everything you put in your mouth? Are you exercising at all...even a little bit. Drinking your Water. Getting in enough protein/carbs/fat. All of these factors will help determine your failure or success. Re-think the WHY of having surgery. It's not a weight loss program per se, it's a life changing lifestyle to better health. The weight loss is a side effect of getting healthier. I hope that you will get a new grip on things and stay away from the things that are harmful to you right now. You can have a burger later om...just not right now. Good luck.

bandmeimready: When I went to seminar, they gave me an appointment and within two weeks I met Dr Miles for the first time. They ask me which doctor I wanted and since I didn't really know either one, I told them that it didn't matter. Both doctors are highly qualified. Dr Schmitt is younger than Dr Miles. I haven't seen Dr Miles post-op but one time. I see Lisa for my fills/talks. Good luck. Make sure you attend group meetings each month. You learn so much from them.

Hello everyone. I haven't been here for awhile. Just too busy. I got another fill today but I completely forgot to ask how much. I have been stressing out over 5 pounds. Up & down like a yo-yo. Lisa said that it's water weight, stay off the scales and I'm doing fine. One day, I can say I lost 70 lbs and three days later I have to say that I only lost 65 lbs. Than it starts over again...up/down. It's so distressing to me. I am so paranoid about re-gaining even tho I am doing all the right things. I talked with Lisa about WW, Atkins, South Beach, etc diets since I noticed that a lot of the banders are also on one of these diets. She said that she wouldn't say NOT to go on one of them and she said she has even sent people to WW's before. However, she thinks I am doing good and just worrying too much. I am to see her in five weeks and to stay off the scales all the time. Ashley, the nutritionist said I didn't need one of these diets. The whole point of getting the band is to eat smaller amounts of the proper foods and I wouldn't need one of the other diets. Okay, what's your opinion on it????

VERY interesting article!

Did someone say RANCH CHICKEN????? Please, please post the recipe. I completely missed it.

Congrats! I don't "see" mine yet but everyone tells me it's there. Maybe I should stop looking in half mirrors and find a while one!!!!

I rarely eat out anymore but when I do, it's our local Chinese place. I usually eat Hot & Sour soup and grilled Salmon with steamed veggies. It's not what I want to eat but it's what I do eat.

I don't do any outside exercises as yet. I joined the YMCA but haven't had the chance to go but one time so far. This winter has been so cold this year, even in the South, and my old joints hurt so much that I don't get out much. I feel so lucky that I have lost enough weight to start climbing my stairs at home & church. This time last year, I was unable to climb any stairs and had to take the church elevator. I didn't go upstairs in my house for over a year. Now, I am breathing better and my legs are better & stronger. I can do armchair exercises also. I am looking forward to doing something more soon. I had almost given up completely when my health started failing me but I now have a new lease on life and I'm looking forward to a healthier year.

Shortly before my PCP suggested I get the band, I cleaned out my closet because I had convinced myself that I would just die a fat old lady. I gave them all away to a needier person than I. THEN I GOT THE BAND! I am changing sizes faster than I thought I would but lucky for me my SIL is on WW and she is losing also. She keeps bringing me her clothes as she comes out of them. The only things I have had to buy is underwear and shoes. I didn't realize that I had changed a whole size of shoes. I thought I had just stretched them out. So, I got two new pairs on Monday and they will have to do for awhile. Thank goodness I'm retired and don't require a lot of shoes or clothing.

Thanks for the recipe. I sure will try it soon.

In my butt, across my back, and some in the upper abdomen. I'll probably have to have a tummy tuck someday. At least I have begun to lose weight again. I went up 5 lbs and held it for over three weeks. Now the scale is going down again and I'm a happy camper for a change. I get really upset when I don't lose. I still don't have enough restriction (only some in the a.m.) but I will get there soon. I'm not giving up.

ErinR: I was busy reading the posts and scrolled down your post when the skull jump up in my face and scared the dickens out of me. I'm sure it helped me lost at least a ounce or two!

Ask your doctor or nutritionist to help you figure out your point system. DON'T tell WW people that you have the band. They aren't very friendly about it.

Well, I have to confess. During the last part of December and all of January, my weight would go up/down by four pounds. I am doing pretty much everything I usually do but I'm sure there are some things that I could be doing to help myself.:sifone: I had refused to change my ticker b/c I didn't want to see that gain but I did change it tonight. Gosh 4 lbs up is a real bummer for me. It makes me so mad at myself and it's depressing too.:huh2: So, starting tomorrow, I am going on a liquid diet for a few days and then soft for a day or two before getting back to solids. I am also going to chart my intake and up my calories from 900 cal per day to 2,000 per my BMR results. Maybe I haven't been eating enough and my body thinks it's starving. Who knows?:frown: Please wish me luck and I'll consider any advice given.

I must be weird b/c Chinese food doesn't bother me at all. Now, I don't eat any rice or noodles but that is b/c I choose not too. Most chicken is fine for me and I love hot/sour soup. I don't eat anything breaded either. Four generations of women in my family eat out at least once a month together. I let the other women eat all the things I choose not to eat. So far, so good.

Veronica had a PS "body sculpturer" as a guest speaker back before the holidays. He showed a lot of slides and was very informative. Can't remember his name but his office is at Brookwood but he does surgery at St. Vincent's East all the time. You could ask Veronica who he was. Fordgal, please keep us informed. Especially about Viva. I have it too.

I feel it during/after a fill sometimes. I also feel my port at night sometimes.

I eat deli chicken almost everyday. Mostly b/c it's high in protein and easier than cooking. White chicken doesn't always like me but deli meat is okay.

I've been obese all of my adult life but I have never "felt" fat or thought I was fat until I would see a picture of myself. Then I would go into complete denial by telling myself that I don't feel that fat. It wasn't until my health started to break that I felt fat. My self image has always been strong. I don't judge myself or others by their weight. Instead I judge myself & others by behaviors of love and kindness towards self & others. I am working on improving my health and the weight loss is a side effect of having surgery.