MamaMichelle

I totally agree that Dr. Ortiz should not insist that 2-3 fills in a lifetime is the norm, basic medical research says that after losing a considerable amount of weight another fill will be needed one study I read said that every 30lbs you lose another fill is suggested! I do know of one girl who has been banded for almost 2 years and only had 1 fill, she got 2.0cc's on her first fill at OCC and she freely admits it was (and still is) a little too tight as she PB's a few times a week but doesn't want to got for an unfill.

Our group that was banded on 2/28/08 is having a 1 year bandiversary get together in Feb of 2009 in Las Vegas, everyone is welcome to come!!

The only time I have heard of a fill loosening up is after a long period of time- like if you're losing a good amount of weight (your organs most shrink) or if some of the saline leaks/evaporates.

Welcome to Bandland Jacqui!!

Hooray for Restriction!!! So happy you're feeling it, sorry that there's pain along for the ride maybe one of our lovely nurses can offer an explanation!!

Glad you guys were able to figure it out!!

Pammie congrats on you surgery anniversary.... Your progress is amazing, I just had to post some of your before and after shots from your Kodak Gallery for those who haven't seen them!!

I believe they are just shrinking, I think my husband is just trying to make me feel better!! LOL He's a sweet guy!

I am thinking the 23rd sounds good to me, I would most likely fly in that morning spend the night at the Lucerna (or the new hotel, doesn't really matter to me and then fly out early the next morning! What time do you guys get into SD on the 23rd?

I lost it in my belly first and totally saw changes in my boobs too!! My husband actually said something about my boobs looking smaller and perkier last night!! So far in 2 1/2 months since surgery I went from a 42DD to a 38D... You can see the changes from this side shot: I totally encourage everyone to take similar pictures so they can really see the loss of inches as well as take your measurements each month!!

Saw you got it working Anita, way to go babe!

Welcome Jim, it's great to hear from new/future bandsters especially male ones, I think this board is 95% female but we do have a handful of males here I'm sure they will be along to welcome you soon! Maybe Chad needs to create a subforum just for you guys called "The Mens Room"

I am totally with you on this one, yesterday for lunch I had a Cesar salad and could only eat half of it and had no problems... this afternoon I tried to eat the other half and PB'd up all that I ate. Again the only thing different was that I should be starting my period tonight/tomorrow so I think that's why I am tighter and had the issue on the same meal during different days!

Hey Carrie, Don't fret too much, your date will be here sooner than you think... I was so excited for my surgery I started my pre-op diet waaaaaay before the suggested 2 week start date... It really helped me to start focusing on my new life to come and the days really did fly by!!

Ok so everyone is updated through the 7th, I totally forgot to add my own workouts... on May 6th I did 35 min of water aerobics on May 7th I did 25 min of Turbo Jam Video followed by 10 min of a Hip Hop Abs Video

Murphy2- Sorry I missed the post Amy, not sure what happened... I see you are splitting your workouts into 2 session, is each one at least 30 min? I am assuming so which would mean that in the last 7 days you have done: 6 days of walking 1.7 miles during lunch (good for 6 stars/smileys) 6 days of walking 1 mile after work (good for another 6 stars, as long as it is taking you more than 30 min to walk a mile) So that would be 12 stars total if the evening walk is lasting at least 30 min or 6 stars total if the evening walk is taking less than that... Does that make sense?? Let me know how many stars to give you and I will update your smiley count as soon as you respond!!

Fatcat- WELCOME TO THE CHALLENGE HELEN!! You aren't too late and if you will be more specific about what workouts you have done since May 1st I will add some smiley faces to your name!! Here's an example of the info you can give me: (using some of Jacklyn's workout examples to show you what I mean) Workout #1- 30 minutes walking the dog Workout #2- 30 minutes on the stationary bike Workout #3- 30 minutes on the treadmill Of course if you don't recall your workouts over the last 7 days, just post something like: I worked out 4 times between May 1st - May 7th As for what level- If you plan to do 3-4 workouts over the course of 4 weeks that is between 12-16 workouts total for the month which will put you at either the Bronze or Silver level so I am going to put you at Silver because I know you can do it!!

Jacklynrae- I am new to this whole challenge thing so there is a learning curve but the way I understand it to work is that for each workout you do it is 1 smiley face as long as the workout is at least 30 min, so if you do a 1hr yoga class followed by 45 min on the treadmill it all counts as 1 workout... Now if you were to take the 1hr yoga class in the morning and then after work you did the 45 min on the treadmill it would count as 2 separate workouts!! As of the evening May 7th you have 3 stars because I counted: Workout #1- 30 minutes walking the dog 1.6 miles (this was on May 1st) Workout #2- 30 minutes on the stationary bike on random level 4, 30 minutes of arc trainer on incline 3 resistance 10, and 30 minutes of full body weights (I understood this was all on May 2nd during 1 workout session) Workout #3- 30 minutes on the stationary bike Random Level 5, 30 minutes on the treadmill doing intervals from 3.4 to 4.4, and 45 minutes of total body weight lifting (this was all on May 6th, during 1 workout session) So that's why you have 3 stars, you are just such an overachiever I guess I didn't even think about people going far beyond a 30 min workout, I mainly just wanted to get myself (and others off the couch, even if it is only 5-10min at time in the lower levels). Does that make sense? I am open to changing it if that's what the group wants, so fellow challengers please speak up!!

Lol bandgroupie, I have actually heard that some spouses of WLS patients who end up being really successful do become resentful since their once heavy/unattractive mate is now confident and attractive... My husband also offered to pay for my surgery (out of his poker winnings for the year so far) I only had to promise not to give him a hard time about staying out late to play poker after work. DEAL!!

Well actually the 2hr fast is for those who are going for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and beyond fills... When you are going for your first fill you are told to fast for 6 hours, and no liquids for 2hrs before. The post op directions for 1st fills are also different so I would ask for the 1st fill instructions since it looks like they just sent you the wrong set!

I LOOOOVE The Quaker Oatmeal "Weight Control" Brand- Especially the Maple and Brown Sugar Flavor (the other 2 flavors are Cinnamon and Banana Bread) all flavors have only 160 calories per serving. From their Website: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day— especially if you're trying to watch your weight. Now you can take weight off your mind and start your day with a delicious bowl of Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal. Quaker Weight Control is an instant oatmeal designed to help you meet your weight loss goals! 6 Grams of Fiber- Research shows that people who eat a diet higher in fiber tend to weigh less. 7 Grams of Protein -Protein helps you feel full and promotes lean muscle mass. 2 Servings of Whole Grains - Research shows that people who eat a diet rich in whole grains tend to weigh less.

I have heard good things about this line of products... The mix can be either made into a shake or a pudding!! Here's a link to all the flavors: http://www.newlifestylediet.com/category.aspx?id=2 Here are the specifics on one particular flavor: Chocolate Shake/Pudding Servings per box: 7 The New Lifestyle Chocolate shake/pudding combination can either be made into a rich creamy chocolate shake or a creamy pudding. Price: $12.50 (List Price $15.00 - Save 17%) Product Information: 100 Calories per serving 14g of high quality protein per serving with only 7g of carbohydrates Can be used as a rich shake or a creamy pudding One Box contains 7 servings Gluten Free

I also LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the powdered PB (thanks BeBe for finding it for us) I add it to my protein shakes and it is great... Lora I didn't think about trying with apples, since you can add water to the powdered mix you can make it any consistency you want so it's less likely to get stuck!!!

I usually stick to chicken (not a huge fish or turkey person) though I have had steak and a hamburger since my fill with no problems... Dry chicken is an issue I ordered a chicken Caesar salad at hole-in-the wall diner and I tried 2 small bites (well chewed) and felt the tightness, so take that into consideration! I think that I read somewhere that flaky fish is the best protein source for bandsters as even if it is "dry" it's not fibrous so it shouldn't get stuck as easily.

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?act=UserCP&CODE=24 is the link to add an avatar Scroll to the bottom of the page and you can upload the picture from your computer or enter in the photobucket link!