Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

You'll know when the time comes. My instincts last fill shouted "no more", but I went along with the extra "hit". This time I followed my instincts. Good thing. A little chilly around here. I have a back warming patch on today for my aching back and it is comforting. You might try one if the chills get to you.

I still can't believe I'm at 3.0. I complained that it's really close to the max of 4.0 this early in the game. Patrice said that they can actually put in 5.0 in my band. Doc has to do anything beyond 4.0.

The newest fill nurse did the fill and she did a nice job. She had some guidance from nurse #2, but I was very satisfied and relieved. The quickest fill yet.

She asked lots of questions while I was there yesterday. I didn't think she would be ready to fill someone yet. The regular one was explaining my history, etc. and how to fill someone like me. It was interesting watching them discuss it back and forth.

I have had the chills today and can't wait to leave here. I think I'm just having a little delayed reaction. I also very tired. Good news is that I haven't been very hungry.

PinkyLee --

At my 4th fill they put me at 3.4 cc and decided that the Barium went through way too fast. She bumped me up to 3.6 to be agressive. I too feared I would max out my band. But there is no way I could put more in at this time. She said that some people have less fat around their stomachs and need more fill (hince adjustable). I did not know that we could actually go up to 5cc in our band. WOW. I can't imagine. Like I said earlier --I think this fill will last me a long time.

Melissa Lea

pinkylee-i had 3.o ccs placed in my band at the time the band was placed in my stomach! it really freaked me out because per my research, i had never heard of such. but, the doctors in mexico declared it was safe and that is the amount that was needed so the band would have a tight fit on my stomach. so far, no issues. sometimes i wonder if all the 3.0 is still there. but, then when i follow the band rules as i should i start losing weight again, so i guess i am all good.

Thanks for info. I'll quit worrying. Have to admit, I'm a bit hungry. My Liquid Protein shake really filled me up, so I guess I'll have another for dinner.

Melissa - Dr. Spivak allows soft mushies by day 2 right? What did you do? If I have too many liquids I feel as if I'm sloshing.

Dr. Spivak allows soft/mushies the first 48 hours after a fill then regular diet. One of the main resons I picked Spivak is that I didn't have to do all this liquid diet stuff. He lets you progress as your ready. No problems thus far!

Melissa Lea

Last day of liquids and on to mushies! I'm not very hungry during the day so I might have some restriction. Of course, it could be swelling. DH fixed me some bean/bacon Soup last night and added a tablespoon of chili con queso he had made me. It was very, very filling. He puree the soup and watered it down a little so it wasn't real thick, but just a little. Try it. It lasted me all evening.

I lost a lb since the fill so for me going on liquids seems to work. I'll see what happens on my one day of food before the next fill.

I'm sore and swollen too. Had a bit of a meltdown last night. I get cranky on liquids and plan to try your soup/cheese concoction.

I've been courting 195 this week and when 194.5 popped up this a.m. I claimed it. It will be interesting to see what happens when I go to mushies, but that brings me to -50 from pre-op date. I'll just have to be extra good.

Speaking of which, I definitely feel some restriction that I'm sure is partly swelling, but it has me hoping I won't have to return on the 12th for the remaining .4 they wanted to put in.

Sounds like everyone is courting their magic spots with fills. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Pinkylee........your numbers are awesome! You are fading away to nothing. Don't you love it! Barbara465..........if you keep it up you'll need MORE new clothes before your cruise.

I am lovin life right now. I claimed 207 this morning. As I get closer to the 200 mark I get more excited and motivated. I am going out of town for a couple days. That helps me lose weight. Being at home I tend to graze in kitchen all too often. When I'm in a hotel I can't do that and I'm very limited on what's available to eat.

I will have limited availability to the internet so I look forward to seeing everyones progress when I get back.

Good luck to everyone!

Great job Pinky and Barbara! I do think we're all getting to a better spot. I think my first fill is going to be plenty for awhile. My only problem is I'm spending all night instant messaging with my old/new honey (and yes I do work full time). I get powerfully hungry at about 1 a.m., but I don't want to add any more calories. I just keep imagining the hunger pangs are the outward sign of incinerating fat cells!

Hi Junbees, can someone tell me how many fills they had until they reached their sweet spot. I've had 3 but I am contemplating a 4th.

I love that theory Cathy! I think we should all claim that hunger pains are fat cells burning up. It may give us a whole new meaning to those pains. Have a great trip Barbara 12. I know you are getting excited about those numbers and soon, very soon, you will be in onederland!!!!!!!!!

PinkyLee you are doing great. As soon as we see a new number on the scale we should claim it. I like that idea.

I forgot about the Christmas challenge and Christmas exchange we talked about and signed up for a couple of months ago. The christmas challenge is just not going to happen for me, but I keep it around to keep me in check. Unless someone wants to do the Christmas exchange I'm going to forget about it as well. Let me know if enough want to do it, but I only had 7 or 8 sign up originally.

Weather taking a nosedive in Houston and we're actually going to get cold weather. Cold for us in the 50, 40, and maybe the 30's at night on Saturday. Feels like Christmas now.

Julie -- I just had my fourth fill. Don't fret over the number of fills it takes you or anyone else to get to the "sweet spot". Rather, get the number of fills YOU need to achieve your "sweet spot". I think that this 4th fill will last me for awhile. I too am hoping I have reach the sweet spot.

Good luck with the fills everyone!

Melissa Lea

OK I've got a NSV. Today it is cold in Houston, 39. My little jacket that I borrowed from my DH wasn't warm enough. I have a 3/4 length coat that I bought when I was consulting in Detroit. It was spacious as I wore suits then and needed room for my suit jackets. Today I put it on and the coat could fit 2 people. There was no way I could wear it. DH had to lend me yet another of his jackets to wear. I'm lovin it!!!!

So far so good on the fill. Move to mushies today. I hope the thicker solution at 2.0 will give me restriction. Can't wait to try it.

Congrats Barbara465 on the NSV!

I guess I've had a NSV myself this week. This week is the first week that I have actually noticed the weight loss in myself. I mean it's obvious with my clothes but it has taken time for me to see it in me. I can actually start to see my cheek bones again (and I have pretty nice cheek bones). I can feel the outline of my ribs when I lay down flat (still have to press through some of the fat, but I do have ribs). I can see climpses of my collar bone at certain angels. And most of all, I've noticed that I stand up straigter.

Melissa Lea