sherilynn

Hey all, I just posted my 'progress pictures' on before and after. I'm still a work in progress. I don't like the double posting...so I figured I'd do a 'heads up' post instead!

Hey all, I'm nearly three months out, and I've been rather lucky - I think - with my port. I had pain the first few weeks, but now I can comfortably sleep on my left side, etc. However, every now and again, I feel sort of a 'click' in my port location. Not quite a click, but a 'feeing', sort of a pressure, or even a tug of my muscle. It's so hard to explain. In a way, it's my port reminding me 'Hey…I'm in here!'. By no means is it painful. Somedays I seem to feel it much more often, a few times a day. Sometimes I go days without feeling it. Can anyone else relate?

I'll often ask my boyfriend, 'Did you hear that'? Seems that since I was banded I hear my gurling, and others dont - MOST of the time. But the times they do; the looks I get are funny!

I'm such a shoppe, its crazy. But I knew that the weightloss would be 'rapid', and I know better than to spend alot of $ on clothing right now. I started myself with a 'Ten dollar and two sizes' rule. Anything I buy must be under $10, and I (try to) buy it two sizes smaller than what I'm in right now. You'd be surprised how many transitional pieces I've been able to pick up! At first I thought I'd just get items tailored as they got too big. Then I learned a lesson when I paid $20 for alterations on my slacks for work; but was able to buy brand new at the Avenue for $3!!! Yes...I said THREE dollars! Sure, they may not fit me forever...but they're cheaper than altering! I also dropped my pride when someone at work offered me a bag of clothes that a friend could no longer wear since she gained weight. Heck, I said yes, and got 12 pair of pants! They don't all fit me now, but I'm being patient, they will soon enough! I've also learned that skirts can carry you through a few sizes and look good. Good luck.

Congratulations! Isn't it the greatest feeling? Don't worry about the size differences, they'll all come together. I went into Walmart to get my Special K Protein Water, and walked past the 'clearance' of shirts on the shelves (heck! Walmart has some CUTE clothes!!!) Anyway, I bought myself 2 (XL) sweaters for $4, and 4 (XL) long sleeve t's for $3...as my 1x's are just big now. I'm at a standstill until I get a fill, but knowing I can buy and wear smaller sizes makes me feel so great. And to have a woman at work say 'So just HOW MUCH HAVE you lost anyway?? Wow...felt like it came out of now where. I was banded in January and have no fill; so I'm eating 'regular'...no restriction. **well...in my mind I have none, but no way am I eating the way I did before. Again, congratulations..you look so happy - and you should be!

Yes...exactly what I was looking for! Anyone getting fills - does all of this advice hold true?

Hey All... On this forum, weeks and weeks back, someone listed something like 'the best way to get a fill'...I've been searching and can't find the information. I'm still WAITING on my first fill, May 8...but I'm getting excited (more mad at insurance these days) to finally have it done. My doc BETTER be aggressive with my fill after me waiting 90 days!!! Anyway, I've searched this whole site, and can't find this person's advice. Thanks, Sheri

Tonya is my Bandster twin...I would like to know where she is too!

Hey all… Just wanted to check in and say Hi to all my fellow January Bandsters. Well, just one month from Sunday - and I will have my first fill. Yes, 90 days later. Hard to believe that I'm actually keeping the original weight loss off - and then some! Since day of surgery, I'm now down 28 pounds. I have absolutely NO restriction - can eat anything I want whenever I want in QUANTITIES that I want. However, I'm being smart and really not going crazy. Though, I have pushed the envelope a time or two. I'm so looking forward to restriction; especially in the summer months when 'picking' at foods can be so much easier. I'm doing my rebounder and ellyptical machine at home - getting in more exercise that I've ever done. I am just very down and depressed that I have this 90 Global period. I struggled and suffered so long and hard after surgery - and then NOT to have my fill covered until May…sickens me. But…it’s the cards that I was dealt; so be it, I'm now moving on. Having a lot of fun wearing clothes I've not worn in ages…actually going through sizes faster than I had anticipated. Found some very generous friends who have given me bags of clothes to help me work through all this bagginess that is going on. I'll be sure to get myself back in gear, and back on the board. I guess I am feeling sort of left out; you're all getting fills and doing so well. I'm very envious - and wish I could chime right in and offer some good input - but I can't. I'm stuck behind you guys. Sheri

I'm now 8 week post surgery (1/30). My wonderful insurance company has what is called a "90 Day Global Period" whereas I have to wait 90 after surgery for a fill. Let me tell you - the 25 pounds I've taken off…is going to be back by then. I'm really doing my best to make wise choices, eating healthy, etc. But - there is NO WAY that I have any restriction what so ever. The Surgeons office can't help me. Unless I want to pay the one thousand out of my own pocket - no fill for me until at least May 1. This is worse than Bandster Hell. This feels like failure. No way that 1 cup of food is even coming close to giving me that saiety I bragged about a few weeks ago. I've not been posting; its almost too painful to see all of the success that I should be having/getting. This sucks.

I actually got mine from QVC on EZ pay!!! Cool!

HPB... I am sorry for you pain. I have been there; it's all too familiar. I was your age when that 'wonderful' guy broke up with me. "God Bless the Broken Road". Everything happens for a reason - you may not know the reason now, in a week or even in a month. But trust and KNOW it gets easier. Right now, you contacting him is not the best thing for you - but you'll do it. Its just a girls way of doing things. From you other posts, he really was a drag - to you, and me *just hearing how he treats you!! Didn't you just post that you said you think he's gay? You may have to face that he's trying to figure himself out too. This is a process, a very physical process of healing. It's a bad time; b/c you really DO need to put all of your energies into YOU...not an 'ok' relationship at very best. You are NOT alone.

Wow- all you January Bandsters are so far ahead of me - all getting fills, feeling restriction. Let me tell ya...when my 90 Day Global is over, and I get a fill, I'm going to declare that day a NATIONAL HOLIDAY! ...and yes, you all get the day off of work.

Stupid question ahead::::::::: Doesn't one cup in metal, measure the same as one cup in glass? Ok - let the world know - Martha Stewart I am not!

I have 'no email notification' checked...yet get a ton anyway'.

Can someone please clarify my measures? I try to stick to around 1 cup of food (now it's been a little more, cause I can with no fill). When they say to eat no more than 1 cup, is that 8 oz, or one measured cup of food?

As it turns out - that damn 90 day global period won't allow me to be covered with fills until then. Somehow in the way the surgery was 'coded' and the fills are 'coded'. Too much insurance mumbo jumbo for me to understand. The Surg. Office and insurance went back and forth. Insurance swears they'll pay, docs office doubts it. So here it is: I can sign a release to pay and get on the schedule for two weeks from now. By that time, I'll only have 3 weeks more - and payment by insurance will be 100%. Worst part, I'm not feeling 'much' restriction at all. Even testing myself. Definitely eating more. Not sure if I've gained or not in the last few days - will check it out tomorrow. Feels like its mostly will power right now. ****HOWEVER…lunchtime today was two slices of roast beef, and 1/2 cup of adamame. And I'm definitely full. So who knows.

In Hot Pink's defense…she's nearly 1/2 of my age, and not 'wise to the world'…not to mention men - as I am. I've lived and learned. I can think back to when I was only 20 years old; thought that the boyfriend of the time was the BEST THING EVER! Let him use and abuse…I didn't know any better. 17 years later, ohhhhh, I'm onto the male species. hehehe Hot Pink, I can only hope that you are able to experience a lot more men, gentlemen. I hope you can experience being treated like a lady at the very least, hopefully a princess. NOTHING is perfect, especially a man. But to tease you on purpose? To actually NOT support you - and come onto a public forum and post so - that's just disgusting to me. If you're anything like countless others - your weight has your self esteem in the gutter. You may not realize how little you are thinking of yourself right now. When you start to loose the excess weight, and have attention by other people…you are going to like it. Not 'if' you get attention - when. If your boyfriend is SO insecure now, having to write in about his antics he's going to pull on you, unfortunately, I'd be willing to bet that your relationship is in for a rocky road. He does the things he does to make himself feel better. And right now, its ok with you. Believe me, someday soon - you will realize that this isn't healthy for you, or any relationship. I'm not saying this to be hurtful. I'm only speaking from experience.

I think he sounds like a creep. While life does go on for everyone else, to eat what they want when they want...for him to stick it in your face? Not too sure that I'd want much of a future if that's the way he treats you now. Not much of a gentleman, is he? I'd be willing to bet that he's a bit nervous too, you're going to be getting thinner, more attractive to him - not to mention that your self esteem will sky rocket. He's scared - and with good reason. He should worry.

Hey all. 6 weeks post op; no fill yet. On my 90 global period, so I'm looking at another 6 weeks with no fill unless I want to pay the one thousand myself. Anyway, it's my PRE PMS week where in the past my appetite has always been insatiable. Well...nothing has changed. Friday night I ate three fish sticks - should have had no more than two. Saturday I woke up and had salmon for breakfast, lunch I had some ham, picked on cheese in between...and dinner was no better, 1/2 of crabcake and two frozen burritos, 3 oz each. I was grazing all day. Today; breakfast was 1 cup of cheerios with 1 cup of skim, lunch I HAD to try and see if I could 'swallow' without sticking - the Taco Bell taquitos. Now...I am no fan of fast food. So two taquitos and a mexi melt for lunch. Still haven't fell 'full' or restriction. Dinner was some roast beef; 5 oz. Honestly, I feel like I am 'testing the waters'. Almost like a sabotage of sorts. I'm still pissed at what the surgeon said about me being on the 'slow side of weight loss'. I'm determined NOT to have to wait another 6 weeks. I'm reconizing a 'past' habit...loose a few - only to blow it and gain, get depressed and eat. So - there you have it. I'm feeling a bit of a failure. I know that tomorow is a new day. The last few weeks have been glorious - even without fill, I"ve had a bit of restriction. Now, I recognize I'm satisfied. Still not STUFFED - no horrible feeling I'd have to unbutton my jeans. I know I'm not going to regain the 23lbs in just one weekend. But I know I can CERTAINLY see 5lbs up - if I were to check. I'm scared, but I will on Thursday, my weigh day. Whew....just had to vent. Looking for positive reinforcement. Can I seriously make it all the way until a fill? I have to remember all the suffering I've done - read my diary and posts here. I think that might be a good idea. hehehe - scare me straight. :omg:

I believe it was Ivana Trump who said "Looking good is the best revenge". Good for you!!! :welldoneclap:

The office is wonderful at my surgeons place. They're definately willing to work things out for me. I was ready to schedule a fill - feeling OH so ready, but his comment just shot me down. So, in two weeks I will definately schedule it.

My Doc said I was on the slow scale of loosing...but he left the decision up to me as to whether or not I needed a fill. I said I'd wait two weeks to see if I loose. If its just 2 pounds - I'll get the fill. I suppose I'm just not SURE if I need a fill. I can certainly NOT eat what I did pre band, but I certainly do NOT have the restriction I did 2 weeks after surgery. I have a suspicion that post operative restriction will be different from saline restriction. For one, I'll be feeling MUCH better than post op. I'll have my taste for food back. And since the doc said that to me, I am really paying mind to quantity. I'm not pigging out. And I'm making all very healthful choices - so that's not my issue. Trust me, for those who have read my posts since surgery - I suffered. So much suffered, that I would risk NOTHING at this point - to ruin my chances of loosing. lolol The ONLY thing that I would consider a 'cheat'...is when I have some chocolate. And that's almost as necessary as air. hehehe But seriously; not like I'm having a whole candy bar. I am having one or two Lindor truffles. Figured I'd better control portions with that.

Hey all, Went for my 6 week check up today with my surgeon. I am down 23 pounds. I was actually really happy with that. Until we started to discuss a first fill. I told him about my 'stuck' episode last week - and he advised that I should maybe wait two more weeks - and see how the weight loss goes. What upset me was when he said, "Well, you know - you ARE on the slow side of weight loss". I could have cried! He was 'concerned' that I'd only lost 5 pounds since my last visit with him 4 weeks ago. He wants me to wait these two weeks - to see if I plateau, or gain. Then we'll decide on a fill time. I have a 'global period' of 90 days with my insurance, otherwise the cost is One Thousand dollars to me. I can certainly submit to my insurance, but no guarantee they'll pay. Wow - him saying that was like a kick in the gut. :think

My suggestion; start taking care of things NOW, that you may not be able to right after surgery. Get some spring cleaning done. ESPECIALLY go through your closets. Get some piles together; garbage, donation, Ebay, someday, etc. It will keep you occupied, and give you incentive!