tonya66

Hello - I did keep track of my sizes in weight, I have it all on a spreadsheet, along with my daily weigh-in's,my measurments, etc. Can you tell I'm an accountant? LOL Here is mine - 5'5 1/2 248 - tight 18, comfortable 20 235 - comfortable 18, tight 16 210 - comfortable 16, tight 14 195 - comfortable 14 180 - comfortable 14, very tight 12 175 - 14's too big - 12's fit just right 167 - 12's a little baggy, 10's fit, but a little snug (some are) There you go, thats my records. I noticed the smaller I get, every pound makes a difference, I had to lose 50 lbs in the beginning for people to notice, now everyone can tell when I lose 2 lbs, I get complements. It seems like 5 lbs makes a big difference in my clothes now. Earlier, when I was heavier, it was 20 lbs.

Updating my journal - I seem to be in a total fog these days and just not caring. I do care on one hand, the other I don't, because I keep eating chocolate - sugar! Last night, I went home, I did good all day, I wasn't even hungry, and ended up eating 2 smores. grrrrrr. Then I set down and watched the Biggest Loser - I have got to get control of this sugar addiction of mine. Okay - tomorrow - I'm starting the Atkins induction plan - this will help me with my cravings. Yes, I am going to do it. I've got to get my zeal and determination back! I'm so close to goal, but yet so far!

Updating my journal - I seem to be in a total fog these days and just not caring. I do care on one hand, the other I don't, because I keep eating chocolate - sugar! Last night, I went home, I did good all day, I wasn't even hungry, and ended up eating 2 smores. grrrrrr. Then I set down and watched the Biggest Loser - I have got to get control of this sugar addiction of mine. Okay - tomorrow - I'm starting the Atkins induction plan - this will help me with my cravings. Yes, I am going to do it. I've got to get my zeal and determination back! I'm so close to goal, but yet so far!

I took off 3 weeks - mainly because I could - with pay. I wanted to be on mushies before I returned to work. I could have returned at about 10 days with absolutely no pain. Sooner, I think I would have had a little discomfort in the port area. Best wishes.

Oh, and who could forget Kae, she was a teeny bitty little thing wasn't she!

The four finalst were - Bill - of course, Hollie - the brunette, Isabeau - the youngest blonde, and Julie, the mother - man she was skinny! Nicole was one that was voted off, she was on the red team, I think she was a radio DJ. Can you tell I'm obsesses with the show? lol.

Rose, thanks for the insight! We all need these reminders for sure. I recently had an unfill myself, but not completely, but I feel like it is completely. I'm hungry, I'm miserable, I want a fill! I don't get it until January so I'm trying to eat my protein first for sure. Sliming and throwing up everyday is not normal so we all need to remember that.

Okay, after watching my favorite show last night, (The Biggest Loser) it was the finale and seeing the changes everyone has made, it has really motivated me to get back to the gym, ASAP! Did anyone catch the show. Its just amazing to see all these people lose 100 lbs of pounds and looks so good and fit.

MiniPearl - your not going to find a cheaper doctor overall than Mexico, and I would highly recommend Dr. Ortiz in Mexico, I know 2 people who used him and they cannot say enough about him. I bought his book and am very impressed. As far as fills go, I know my fill doctor does do fills for people who have had their surgery in Mexico, he does then under flouro and I think it is a flat fee of $200 per fill. I know he tries to get you the best restriction right up front, so you won't have to keep coming back for fills. Everyone loves him. I live in Tulsa, and the the my fill doc does the fills out of Baily Med Center in Owasso. His name is Dr. Kirk.

If watching the Biggest Loser doesn't motivate us to exercise, what will? I know I'm ready to head back to the gym. I thought they all looked so good! I really thought Holly was beautiful, she looked like Demi Moore almost. Anyhow, I love that show and have watched it every since it first aired. Each year I am so amazed at the transformations, it just proves that no matter how big you are, you can change, you can get healthy. It always inspires me to get back to the gym!

Sula - glad to hear that you like Lasik. My DH had it last year and has 20/20 now. I have been wearing contacts for so long and I am just so tired of them. I will love being able to wake up and see again! Not having to fumble for my glasses on my nightstand just so I can go to the restroom. grrrrrr. Man, I wish I could get stuck at this point. lol. NOt really, but you know what I mean, I want to feel something, I want to feel that restriction. I have 1 more month to go before I can get my fill. I hate the fact that I have to wait SOOOOO long to get in to see the doc. He only does fills on Friday, he is so nice that he does fills for EVERYONE, all these people use him that had their surgery in Mexico. He doesn't actually do the Lap Band surgery, he only helps my surgeon out, he lifts the liver while my surgeon does the Lap-Band or RNY so he is busy with surgery M-Th, and on Friday he does fills at the hospital under Flouro. He has gotten popular with all the surrounding areas because he charges a flat fee of $200 for fills, and some charge $500 and one guy charges $1000, crazy. So needless to say, he is very busy. It takes 2 months any more to see him. I hate that, but I really like him. I am ready to get the rest of my weight off, I'm ready to start focussing on health and exercise. My knee injury has really hampered my efforts, it is still sore and I still limp but I'm hoping by January it will be healed enough. So we'll see. I'm excited about 2008 because I feel this will be the year that I will reach my goal, whatever it may be. I feel that I will be in the best shape of my adult life and I'm excited about the future. I probably need to change my ticker, to show my weight at 170 and not 167 because I'm up 3 pounds. Audree is getting me excited about strength training again. I miss the gym, I really do.

Candle - I'm impressed.....well said. Bandster - please understand we all are here for support and sometimes the truth hurts, or isn't what we want to hear. But that is why we are here, we want to help each and everyone succeed. I do want to reiterate what Candle said about you have just started this journey, so don't write yourself off as a failure.

I'm going for fill #8 next month....but it took me about 6 fills before my restriction would stay. Previous fills would show restriction, but by 48 hours, I would lose it. I had pretty grood restriction at fill #6 (3.8cc's) But felt I needed more because I could take regular bites of food - so went in for a fill to 4.0 cc's - .2 cc's made me too tight, PB'd my own saliva, ended up in hospital for sever dehydration, and my doc had to take me back down to 3.0 cc's because of swelling. Now, I'm ready to get my restriction back - I think 3.8 1/2 or 3.9 cc's would be the perfect amount for me. So, I'm hoping fill #8 will be my last since I only have about 20 lbs to lose before goal!

I don't think you should ever take yourself off any meds without the docs okay. You know yourself better than anyone, and if you think you should be back on them, you should go back on them. I have taken Lexipro myself in the past during rough periods of my life. They are very mild and I never gained weight because of them. I am not on anything right now, so I can't answer your question on that.

First of all let me say, I certainly understand financial problems and understand that you are going thru some very rough times. I really admire those who are able to be self pay, I was not a self pay, and without my insurance I would not have been able to get the band. I know when stress comes my way, I just eat junk. Its a bad habit I still have not been able to overcome and I work on it on daily. I know things seem bad right now, It seems when it rains - it really does pour. Okay, a few questions for you - you sound like a level headed woman (perfect credit, and all - so I know you are a smart and think ahead). How about finding another job? You can continue to work where you are, but maybe looking for another job in the meantime, one that may pay more? 2. Have you talked to your brother? What are his intentions with the car? 3. Okay, lets get down to the band. 1 fill did not give me restriction, sorry to say, it took 7 fills to get me there. I wish docs would be more upfront with the patients that are self pay about this. How much does your doc charge for fills for self pay? Little Rock is not too far from where I live and my doc charges a flat fee of $200 under flouro, if your doc charges much more than that, I welcome you to come to my hometown and get a fill here - I'll take you to lunch - on me! I think you deserve it. Hang in there, and I'm serious about lunch, you let me know, and I will give you the number of my doc. He does do fills on other patients, and he is wonderful about trying to get you the best restriction on the first fill. My problem is I have spasms and its hard to get my fill right - I'm a rare case they say. PM if I can help in any way.

Today makes 11 months since my banding. Scales have not went down, and have went up this month. Normally I would be sad, but I'm really not. I've not done good with eating the past month, I need a fill badly, so I'm okay with gaining 3 lbs. 3 lbs in a month is acceptable to me. Here is my updates on weight: Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op - 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - havent even been trying

Today makes 11 months since my banding. Scales have not went down, and have went up this month. Normally I would be sad, but I'm really not. I've not done good with eating the past month, I need a fill badly, so I'm okay with gaining 3 lbs. 3 lbs in a month is acceptable to me. Here is my updates on weight: Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op - 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - havent even been trying

Yep, next year my goal is to make exercise a part of life again. Today is my 11 month band anniversary and I'm up 3 lbs from last month. Normally I would be upset, but I'm really not. I havent stuck to my eating plan, I've got little restiction, so up 3 lbs is great in my eyes. I get my next fill on my 1 year band anniversary, I wish I could get it sooner, but so far no one has cancelled. bummer.

GT - I did not start feeling restriction until I got closer to 3.0, so not sure how much you have in your band. Does he do it under flouro? Does he withdraw Fluid from you band each time to see how much you still have in there? Or does he just keep adding? Sometimes just a little bit can get you to the propper restriction, so don't get discouraged and think your getting too full and no restriciton. My example is I was at 3.8 and had pretty good restriction, but felt I needed more because I don't have to take small bites, I was moved to 4.0 cc's which totally shut me off and made me go to the hospital. My next fill I'm hoping he will fill me to about 3.9 cc's and this should be perfect - I think.

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that I'm having Lasik surgery on my eyes in January too. Not sure of the exact date yet, but I go for my consultation on 1/2/07 and I'm hoping to have it scheduled by the next week. I've got all my money set aside for it. After wearing contacts and glasses for 31 years, I will be rid of them. I am so excited! My next goal is I will start saving up for a lower body lift/thigh lift for 2009 - at least thats my goal - not sure if I will do it, but I'm leaning toward it right now.

Audree - I just sent you an email! I'm doing okay, just trying to wrap up my year end. I'm ready for some vacation days to do NOTHING. I get 6 weeks of vacation January 1st and I cannot wait! I have used all my days up this year since I was injured and I really need some "me time". I really love my band - even though I'm not losing right now, I'm not gaining. I love it! If I never lose another pound, I think I can be happy where I am now. I would like to get smaller, but I'm okay with my size. This year has been a wonderful year, dispite my injury, my house flooding and my grandmother dying, it still has been a remarkable year for me. Next year, well, it can only get better! I'm ready to kick 2007 to the curb and bring on 2008, because we know its going to be great!

goodtimes - all fills for everyone is so different. Whaty size of band do you have? What fill level are you at now? I am currently at 3.0 cc's but need more - long story, but on my 7th fill got too tight (my own darn fault - trying to be impatieint) and had to get unfill. I'm going for another fill and trying to get back to 3.8 or 3.9 cc's. I think this would be perfect restriction for me. My band is a 4.0 cc band, however, because some of the fill stays in the tubing part, the docs can usually fill the band up to 5.0 cc's (this is what I'm told anyhow). It took me to my 7th fill to really get restriction, and it wasn't until after 3 weeks that it really kicked in. It's been since 11/23 that I have been at 3.0 cc's and at first (because of my swelling) I had okay restriction, then it left, well, its been about 3 weeks now and I can tell I have more restriction now. Not enough, but more than I was feeling a week ago. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. I hope this helps answer your question.

You might post in the "complications" thread, maybe someone over there might have experienced this same problems. Best wishes!

I would talk to your doc about the BM problem, perhaps he can perscribe a softener to help you. Most of us worried about the "too little calories" too, but eventually the swelling goes down and you will be able to consume more. Right now, the important thing is healing and not the scales, a lot of people don't start losing until they get the propper restriction or after thier first fill. The docs are not concerned the first 6 weeks while you are healing with weightloss - at least mine were not. Best wishes.

It will go away, you are taking in fewer calories and that has an affect on our energy. Also, different people react to anthesia. I was the same way, I laid around on the couch (I took 3 weeks off work - my choice), energy came back when I started my mushies and eating more Protein. Best wishes.