Dontondan

Great pictures, had a discussion last week at a support group about the regular lapband and the VG lapband, it helps to visualize them.

That is quite a compliment with a view of the behind! :girl_haha: You look fabulous!

Yeah it sounds familiar.....My stomach was distended and off kilter (from the port site) for about a month or more....it will all even out eventually, just looks odd!

Hey Hanna, Glad you're back to the great Northwet! I had my fill on Wednesday too, only with Nortwest Fill Centers....it was a blind fill, but everything went well and it was a piece of cake also. Wish I could have gone back to TJ for it, but was in a time and money crunch. Welcome Back. Donna

Keep trying with the insurance companies!!! The squeaky wheel gets the oil and if you complain of back pain, sores or infections under that skin then it is medically necessary. You have summer months coming up and with the warm weather you will be prone to painful yeast infections there. I wish you all the luck in the world with this. Still fighting with my insurance company to get my lapband reimbursed.....I am not expecting it, but if it happens I will be so ecstatic. I had several co-morbidities that have been helped by the weight loss already. :lb4:

:lb10:

I confess, I am a chip licker :lb4: ! I wish I could tell you there was a magic cure, but there isn't. Just got to push your way through it. I still have the urge to lick the salt off of chips, sometimes I do. My family thinks this is hilarious

Mine only do that with string cheese!!!

I just called them and asked them to fax a copy to me and I got it within a day.

Amen and Hallelujah! How about not having people give you the "stare" when you order at a restaurant. You know the stare that I am talking about, the one that they give you of disaproval that you are even eating anything at all!!!

Hang in there! The scale doesn't always show the results. If you are following the rules....eating slowly, no drink with meals or 1 hour after, eating the right stuff it will happen. It took me until the second fill, just last week that I have felt that the band is really working. Practicing the rules is very important and don't forget that ever. It is important to have sucess with your band. I was fortunate to lose a good amount on my pre-op and about 2 weeks post op, but then I was in a holding pattern for over 2 months. This was really perplexing for me, as I was doing aerobics 5 times a week and really trying, but was not eating correctly...eating too fast, too much, etc. Basically falling back into bad habits. I got a new fill and I feel that things are finally changing. My body is telling me to stop. I can control my intake easier. Even though the scale was the same, my body was tightening and firming and I was losing sizes. Don't get discouraged, this is not a miracle cure for overweight. You still have to work at it!

I went to get a fill on Wednesday with Northwest Fill Management and they gave me an exercise to help bring the port up so it is easier to access. It is just laying flat on the bed or floor and lift my Left leg and my head up at the same time and I can feel the port rise up to the surface. I do the left because that is the side my port is on. I don't know if this will help, but I thought it was good info. to share. Donna

Breads, rice, pastas all seem to be a problem with a lot of people. They told me that when we swallow it sits and collects as a ball in front of the band and this causes us to PB (regurgitate). I am 4 month post op- and bread is still a no-no as well as a few other things. Even chicken if it is too dry will get stuck. When this happens you need to stop! You will definitely feel it happening. Just use this experience to learn the things you need to avoid or take more time with. I still occasionally have these things, but in very small amounts and I need to be extra careful to eat with sauces or take extra time chewing and time between bites.

Sometimes I get a little down about not losing as quickly as some others in the forum, but we are all different and will lose at different rates. I have not lost much weight in the past 2-3 months, but my clothing is falling off my body! I wore my tight jeans the other day and my son made a comment that they are now sagging in the butt! Never had that problem before and didn't quite know how to react. I got a fill last week and I feel like I am losing again finally....I won't weigh yet though, don't want to jinx the feeling. Sometimes I just want to throw the scale away and just go by how I feel. I am not an obsessive counter, or go by the book as far as rules, I want to enjoy life and can't do that if I am obsessed with counting calories and proteins and carbs. It is hard at first to find your niche and it will take time to get to the point where you are comfortable with your progress, but you have a fine new tool to use that will help you on your journey. It is not fast or easy in any way, but it is there and will work how you want it to work regardless. Just hang in there regardless of what the scale says....You will lose in time, be patient. This is hard, but wouldn't be worth it if it was too easy. It will take time to learn new habits and give up the old ones. Remember we didn't get fat over night...it took time and effort! Donna

I have a totally different view on things I guess. I have told everyone who will listen! I have gotten nothing but support and well wishes from everyone. I use this as my chance to educate people on options that are out there. Most people are very curious and I use this as an opportunity to be an ambassador for Lapband! I have so many people that expect me to lose it very fast and they are learning that it takes time and effort even though I have a new "tool". It is a great conversation starter and I love to educate those that are ignorant of this sort of stuff. I want to be healthy and happy and people sense that and I have not had any problems with people judging me or looking at me strange. You should see the reaction of people when I tell them they can "feel" my port if they like!!! Most people notice my weight loss, but don't say anything because they want to be sensitive to my feelings, but I am proud of every single pound down and will shout it to the world. I have found that luncheon dates will consult me first to see if the menu is okay as they want me to suceed and want me to be able to stick to my diet program. I must have really good friends and family....they are all very supportive.

You sound very motivated to do this, so GO FOR IT! We are all here to support you. Just remember as long as you keep trying you are not a failure and we will always be here for support and kind words during the tough times as well as cheering you on for your successes.

Whoo-Hooo! With me it isn't the stairs, I want to be able to hike UPHILL and look sexy doing it!!

I also am Diabetic and had my Lapband since December. I take Metformin currently and am due to go back for my check up next month with my MD. My readings have gone down and average between 90-100 fasting. I will be getting my A1C next month and am hoping it will reflect how well I am doing, if this is the case my Dr. says he will take me off the Metformin. I have high hopes that this will happen! I have also been able to stop all my medications for GERD since surgery....This has been wonderful! I expect my cholestrol will be way lower also. Health benefits----Definitely :i-m_so_happy:

I have short term goals, and long term goals, but will not hold myself to them. They are mainly just points to stop and consider what I want to do next. My short term goal is to get under 200 lbs. My last one was to get under 250! I set my goal weight at 150 and will re-evaluate how I look and feel at that point and adjust it accordingly. I was 118 pounds in high school, but doubt that it is realistic to set that kind of goal.....I actually thought I was fat back then! I was wearing a size 9! I think either the clothing has gotten bigger over the years or sizes have changed. Don't forget that time and age has a lot to do with the shape of your body, so don't set impossible goals at the beginning. Donna

I could swear that I saw a sign for a spa next door to the Lucerna. I am sure there is one nearby.

I really love reading about what others are doing and to know that we are all experiencing different things and knowing I am not alone when I am not doing well and that others are going through the same things is quite a comfort when I am down on myself. I am going for my second fill this afternoon as I haven't lost any more weight since February....hope this will kickstart things again. Will keep everyone posted. Donna

Needing a fill too, wish I could get down there and meet you girls, oh well, have fun! I will get down there in the next few weeks or have it done in Seattle at some point. Donna

I had the zoom whitening when I went for my first fill. I have sensitive teeth to whiteners like Crest White Strips. I was sensitive for about a week after the procedure and was using ibuprofen for the pain....it wasn't horrible, but was pretty uncomfortable for most of the time. My teeth are nice and white now. Also they ask you not to drink anything that could stain your teeth for a while. Sugar free KoolAid was out, as well as red crystal light drinks. Also they were more sensitive to the cold.

Another option that you might consider is going to Garage Sales and Thrift Stores. I have found tons of really nice clothing this way and spend hardly anything (I rarely pay more than 25 or 50 cents for a pair of jeans) It is like searching for treasure and once you start, it becomes addictive!!! I gave most of my old, large clothes to a local charity....they call me every few weeks and I weed out my closet. I want to get rid of anything that doesn't fit so I don't gain it back and have a wardrobe! I have also run across some ads from others that have had surgery and have super sales of all their large clothes, these sales are pretty successful in getting something for your old wardrobe. Just some ideas......

Way to go, Kimmie!!! I had to get rid of a lot of my 2 and 3 x tops as now they are too big, but some of the XL's are too tight yet.....at least around the tummy. I guess my boobs are shrinking first! LOL! I bought a bunch of jeans in a size 12.....I know it will be a while before I can squeeze into them, but it was a garage sale and they were so cute and only 25 cents a pair. Well worth the wait! I am needing another fill soon, hopefully sometime this week as I am starting to eat again! =D>