Here's a list of January Bandsters. Let us know if we've missed anybody!

Txpeaches - 1/02/07

1721Summ - 1/02/07

Jenslapband - 1/02/07

Irishamerican - 1/02/07

Angyl2314 (Jen) - 1/03/07

Kellie Reachell (Kellie) - 1/03/07

Skmsu (Susan) - 1/03/07

Cricket - 1/04/07

Babygotback (Audree) 1/05/07

Fiyagirl (Sherry) - 1/05/07

Tinabartlett - 1/05/07

Maillady2 - 1/05/07

Susantunanoodle (Susan) - 1/08/07

Eldonh - 1/08/07

Honeylin - 1/08/07

Tulip - 1/8/07

Girlinnyc - 1/08/07

SeattleEbeth - 1/09/07

Moog24 (Michelle - 1/09/07

PinkyBandito - 1/09/07

Bhamguy31 - 1/09/07

Cdgmom (Amy) - 1/09/07

Travelbug - 1/09/07

Zevesther - 1/09/07

Klo (Kathy) - 1/10/07

Wph74 (Whitney) - 1/10/07

Angelburch - 1/10/07

Mindful (Paige) - 1/10/07

Mikeomando -1/10/07

Roses733 (Rose) - 1/11/07

Loridee (Lori) - 1/11/07

Sheilamj1fan (Sheila) - 1/11/07

Justine717 - 1/11/07

Patp98465 - 1/11/07

Mommi-hammi - 1/12/07

Rms78645 - 1/12/07

Inner_me (Chris) - 1/12/07

Cjkerr (Carole) - 1/12/07

InTheBreeze13 - 1/12/07

Saraincincy (Sara) - 1/13/07

Lala - 1/15/07

Happylady - 1/15/07

Patsygrn - 1/15/07

Andrea1973 - 1/15/07

Sula - 1/15/07

Smilliegal - 1/15/07

Peacej - 1/15/07

Slate2633 1/15/07

Pinky12202 (Linda) - 1/16/07

Marjon9 - 1/16/07

Sula (Shawn) - 1/16/07

Reesh - 1/16/07

Soon2bthin.com - 1/16/07

Bandqueen - 1/16/07

Chunky Monkey - 1/16/07

Muttman - 1/16/07

Enterprise01 - 1/17/07

Revolution - 1/17/07

Prissever - 1/17/07

Sunshine2 (Tonya) - 1/18/07

5jacks - 1/18/07

Imsusie0929 - 1/18/07

Stephanee - 1/18/07

Shellyfromohio (shelly) - 1/18/07

Ddcokk85 (Lisa) - 1/18/07

Phlyinphebee (Rene') - 1/19/07

Nicknack34461 - 1/19/07

Shayne9927 (Shayne) - 1/19/07

Lap - 1/19/07

Deb-Texas - 1/19/07

Mammaw - 1/19/07

Cinward2001 (Cindy) - 1/19/06***

Jun0610 (Maria) - 1/22/07

Rsbell - 1/22/07

Purposedriven4 - 1/22/07

Ds5001ds - 1/22/07

Nursiepooh - 1/22/07

Kilopitre - 1/23/07

RidinmyHDdream (Carol) - 1/23/07

Zuzu - 1/23/07

Nella337 - 1/23/07

Redstart - 1/24/07

Nomophat - 1/24/07

Lauriann - 1/24/07

Shesha - 1/25/07

Edieday (Edie) - 1/25/07

Huberslave - 1/25/07

Rockergirl - 1/25/07

A.Isabella - 1/25/07

Donnalynncrain - 1/25/06***

Shues138 (Andrea) - 1/26/07

Jeanettej505 - 1/26/07

Bandida - 1/26/07

Susanjuneau - 1/26/07

Stacyrh - 1/29/07

Charlottesweb91 - 1/29/07

Trishd - 1/29/07

Mom of 3 - 1/29/07

Monsoleil98 - 1/29/07

Nurseratchett (Joanne) - 1/29/07

Sherilynn - 1/30/07

Texasbighair - 1/30/07

Gig8 (gigi) - 1/30/07

Cchristys - 1/30/07

Ladyleo868 (Christine) - 1/30/07

Kima - 1/30/07

Rsbg1 (Ted) - 1/31/07

TracyV - 1/31/07

Callieanna - 1/31/07

Sportsscribe - 1/31/07

Your247realtor - 1/31/07

1bunni4me - 1/31/07

Thatgirl - 1/31/07

Mfw1941 - 1/31/07

Brew2000 - 1/31/07

Lapbandhopeful - 2/02/07

Good Morning all - Just stopping by quickly to say hello. 5jacks - you have done amazing! Great job!

The hospital called me yesterday to make another appointment for another fill (I'll be calling them back shortly). HOWEVER, if this dr. does not fill it right and listen to me, I'm going back to my surgeon and requesting a new fill doc.

The dr is so nice that is doing my fills, however he keeps doing the same thing and I keep getting the same results (this is the definition of insane) He completely closes me up, fills it to 4.cc then slowly withdraws the fluid until I start having some go thru the band. The problem is doing it this way makes my stomach have spasms and swell so it looks like I have restriction. Once I leave the hospital and by the evening time, the swelling is down and I'm back to square one. He has done this twice now and I've gotten the same results.

When I go back, if he withdraws the fluid and I show a huge loss then I'm going to demand the other solution. I emailed him about it but he didn't respond to my last email. I'm going to gather a bunch of information about it and take with me to my next appt. (my next appt will probably be Aug 17th). I'm holding off on going until I get back from my cruise. I'm going to demand he fill me up to at least 3.2 cc's and then I will come back that evening and see how it is doing. He told me that he filled my on fill #3 to 3.5ccs but I really don't think he did, I think it was more like 2.5cc's. Fills #4 was filled to 3.0 ccs (that where I was on fill #2). So I'm going to have him not look at what the fluro shows and fill me up to 3.2 cc's, I'll come back that evening and if I have lost restriction, add another .2 cc's. If these dr.s will just listen to me, I think I can finally get to some real restriction!

I do have a little restriction at 3.0cc's, but not enough. I can't eat as much as I used to. I can go hours without eating, but sometimes I just lose it and binge which has been a problem of mine for YEARS, so I really need that restriction to help me with that. I have really never PB'd, I have slimed but not PB'd. I can eat regular bites of food and eat just as fast as I did pre band and I know if I had the right restriction, I would not be able to do that.

Anyhow, life is hectic right now. My dad is in the hospital, not sure what is going on, his liver enzymes are really high. They are sending in a liver specialist today, so hopefully we will find out what is going on. So I've been living at the hospital since Saturday night with my parents.

I'm also trying to get my laundry done and caught up (still trying to catch up from my Branson trip). Trying to get things ready for my cruise in 10 MOE DAYS, 8 hours and 32 minutes (but who is counting?).

Mommi-hammi is on the cruise right now, the same one I am going on, so when she gets back I will have to ask her all about it! I will need details!

Well, thats my life right now. Exercise has slipped big time over the last week. I did manage to squeeze in a quick 20 min of HITT yesterday on the Elliptical machine, and will try and do it again today. I haven't lifted weights in a week now and my body is craving it big time. Maybe I can go tonight, so we will see.

I will be checking in later..........

Hi Sunshine,

Sounds like you're going to go in being assertive and well you should. Sometimes I think the fill folks just do their own things. As much as I've read on here, I see that few do the process the same way and there must be some reason for such disparity. My fill doc just stick solution in. Never does floroscope...(it costs more) and so far, that is okay, cuz insurance isn't helping out at all. Last time I was in, he asked if he could put 2 cc's in (I have the big VG band) so I said lets go for it. It seems that many don't get restriction until 8 cc's or so. I'm at 6.

I'm envious of your cruise. It will be so fun!!

Hey everyone,

Lets get going on our exercise!! WE CAN DO IT!

My fill doctor does what Sunshine's doctor does. He puts me under fleuro, takes out all my liquid (but he has a syringe full of saline ready to inject in), has me drink the barium and watches to see where to fill me too. He doesn't fill me to closed, but he withdrawls and shows me that what he put in is still there, then he slowly adds too the point he sees that my pouch gets full and there is a 3-4 second retention of liquid in my pouch before it passes through.

Is this how your doctors are doing it?

Today was a good day. I had protein shakes for breakfast and lunch. Dinner I had to choke down tuna. It was so hard to keep it down. I could feel it coming up, but after about 6 bites, it was okay. I felt weak and needed the nutrition.

My throat feels irritated, so I will have a small protein shake later.

I just wonder how my restriction will change after my period?

Can you all please tell me your opinions/experiences on this? I have heard it can take 2 weeks for a fill to kick in, but it just so happens at the 2 week mark I did get a lot tighter, but am also a few days to my period.

How did it go for you all??

Thanks!!!

Has anyone experienced "first bite syndrome"?

I have been having trouble with the first 6 or so bites and feel myself literally choking them down. Then it gets better. My esophogas feels irritated. The last few nites I was able to eat in the late evening with no problems,but I am not going to chance it now since my throat feels irritated.

Thanks!!!

I was wondering if I had it. I was getting myself all worked up before I sat down to eat and was getting stuck. Then I started making myself PB to get the stuck stuff out, horribly bad, I know. Like multiple times a day. I stopped losing also. So I am working really hard to not have mealtime be stressful and chew and eat slowly. Havent make myself pb for 2 days now. I have to not wait til I am super hungry to eat and I also need to let go of the things that wont work, like rice and pasta.

My fill doctor does what Sunshine's doctor does. He puts me under fleuro, takes out all my liquid (but he has a syringe full of saline ready to inject in), has me drink the barium and watches to see where to fill me too. He doesn't fill me to closed, but he withdrawls and shows me that what he put in is still there, then he slowly adds too the point he sees that my pouch gets full and there is a 3-4 second retention of liquid in my pouch before it passes through.

Is this how your doctors are doing it?

Thanks!!!

Well he actually fills my completely full, then has me drink that nasty stuff, and he watches it on flouro, he slowly starts withdrawing the fluid until the barium stuff starts going thru, when it goes thru he stops. Last time it was at 3.0 cc's.

I don't think I need much more, but I do need a little more, just .2 cc's might do the trick!

Has anyone experienced "first bite syndrome"?

I have been having trouble with the first 6 or so bites and feel myself literally choking them down. Then it gets better. My esophogas feels irritated. The last few nites I was able to eat in the late evening with no problems,but I am not going to chance it now since my throat feels irritated.

Thanks!!!

I've heard about it, but actually I haven't experience hardly anything that most say they have with the band. I do remember my band getting a little tighter about 2 menstrual cycles ago, but then afterwards, it seemed to totally go away.

I just don't feel anything? I worry that I should at least have to take small bites, but I don't. I eat just like I did before the band, except not that much, and I don't drink while eating.

I didn't know there was a name for it, but since my last fill a month or so ago...I can feel that tightness almost right away. Never had that before. And I assumed it was because I'm usually not paying attention and eating too fast so it grabs it and squeezes in my throat. Hurts, too. Then I just set back for a minute or two and it relaxes and I proceed on at a more aware pace.

This stuff is sooo wierd, huh?

Gotta get to work....full day. TTYL

Hello January Bandsters!

Today I had a protein shake for breakfast and lunch.

A little bowl of garbanzos and cheese for a snack at 4 pm.

About 30 ounces of crystal light.

2 Tbls. of my liquid vitamin

I also weighed in at 164!!!!!! 5 pounds lost since my last fill 2 weeks ago!!!

Sula: It sounds like you and I are experiencing the same type of thing. I was told it was called "first bite syndrome". But for me, it is about 5-6 bites. Chewing more careful and waiting a little between bites helped me today.

Sunshine: You definitely need another fill! I was just like that for the last 3 months. I could eat anything I wanted as much as I wanted with no restriction. I couldn't even tell my band was there.

rms78645: I felt like that too, but didn't pb, I just held it and waited for it to go down. Felt awful though!!!

Audree,

Great news on the five pound loss...makes me think I need to get another fill. I have such a hard time deciding if it is just me not doing the proper eating or if I'm just not filled enough. I should probably count calories but it wasn't very much fun last time. :car:))

Audree - YAY! I know you are soooo excited! I'm so happy for you that the scale is moving again!

My scale is stuck at 174, but I'm really okay with it for now. I'm going to give my skin a chance to catch up with my weight loss and once I get my next fill (August 17th), I think they will start moving again.

I get back from my cruise on the 12th, so I will go the first Friday after my cruise and I made my appointment yesterday.

I had a great workout last night, I started circuit training for the next few weeks until after my cruise and then I will start another BFL challenge. Even though the scales have not moved, I am skinnier, my clothes are getting bigger and bigger on me. I can wear a 12, however, I don't have many 12's so I've been wearing mainly size 14. Yesterday I had on a pair of 14's capris I wore 10 days ago, and now they were practically falling off of me. My daughter even said "Mom, you've got to get you some more clothes - smaller clothes!", lol. Feels good to know you have to buy smaller.

I'm trying to hold off on buying more clothes until I get down into the 160's. I'll reward myself with an 80 lb loss once I get to 168 with a few new outfits. I've been rewarding myself after every 10 lbs.

Well, I will check in later..............

Hey all, did my 1 month post fill with my doctor day, and I'm SO happy to report I'm down another 5 pounds. But what is even better, my blood work is fabulous. And my blood sugars have been in GREAT check - so I'm getting HEALTHY!!! :whoo:

The way my Doc works is Fill, wait a month, visit, another month for a fill. So that's where I am; next fill August 30. But I think it's perfectly fine, b/c I think by then, I'll feel no restriction. Right now (last night infact) I am still getting 'stuck' on some things.

But after my fabulous cardiologist check up last week - all good news, and now this all good news visit - I'm just thrilled to tears. Oh…and I 'gave away' a HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE bag of clothes to someone in need. Seems that every week now, I'm ridding myself of something too big. Now, to hit the lottery to prepare my closets for the spree I'm going to do when I get into a size 10!!!! ***I can dream, can't I???????????????

Have a great day all!!!

xoxo

Go Sheri - its your birthday,:whoo:Can I get a Woot Hoa, oh yes! Sing it girl!:clap2::thumb::banana:cheer2::yo::confused::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Sula: You sound like I was. I definitely needed another fill. I wasn't losing until now.

Sunshine2: Congrats!!!! You are doing so good! I just need to figure out what I need to do to motivate myself now to start exercising.

Sherilynn: Congrats on the 5 pound loss!!!

I just need to figure out what I need to do to motivate myself now to start exercising.

My advice is "Fake it until you Make it!". Just force yourself to do 10, 15 or 20 min of exercise everyday, hating every minute of it. Eventually you will find yourself doing more and more and then realizing you don't hate it. This is what I did and it really did work.