WAgal

IamWI, Wow from 267 to 235 is great! You are on the right track and mindset already. Welcome, and glad to have you finallly come out and introduce yourself. The ladies and gentlemen here are funny. We have a ball and are very supportive! Hanna:)

Blazn, Congrats! You look hot!!! Keep up the great job!!! Hanna

Britannia, You aren't trying to drink right after eating are you? You have to wait an hour to drink after your meal. If you feel too tight before a meal then try drinking something warm 1/2 hour before eating. This seems to do the trick for me, in the mornings anyway. Not being able to drink liquids one hour after your meal or before a meal is not a good sign. You may want to consider getting a little unfill if this keeps up. Hanna

Sparetire, I can be there on the 19th to meet with you and your sis! I'm only 1/2 hour away so I can give you a hug and say hello and sip soup?? Snowbird, Sorry... I responded to the gals that weren't able to make it but I'd love to see you too on maybe the August/Sept one once we decide after getting together on July 5th. I'm an admirer of yours too, like Sparetire! Everyone else, We are on for the 5th of July! Please let me know if you have a preference for a restaurant as I wish to please the majority not just my whims! I chose Ivar's since it's really got a nice view of the water by the ferry in Mukilteo, decently priced and great seafood. I have great news.. I fit in a size 12... can you believe it???? I was trying on a size 12 skirt last week and I thought it was just a fluke because it was the style of the skirt but I really do fit in size 12 anything, yay!!! I'm so elated! I bought an elegant but simple summer dress at the outlet store from Liz Claiborne and I love it. I'll take a picture and show you guys soon. Trying to motivate you with this news... Again it's been over 13 years since I remember even fitting in a size 12! My weight is still 173 but the exercise must be reshaping my body 'cause things are fitting better! So ladies exercise even if you start out with just 15 mins. per session (which is what I did). Hugs, Hanna

Congrats Redhead on the restriction! To everybody else, I guess we are sticking to the original July 5th date for our first meeting since a lot of you can't make the drive on a weekday! Now where to meet... I'm thinking at Ivar's in Mukilteo! Okay, I'm making a decision here. First Meet will be @ Ivar's Mukilteo at 12-12:30ish for lunch July 5th, Saturday I will post more info.. directions. I'll call to reserve us so please respond with a: ex: Hanna, yes I'm excited! Hanna

Thanks Chad. I tried posting 5 times to an already existing topic but it really wouldn't let me. Maybe it was because I had a link to website in the reply... I finally just took out and started another topic. I just hope everyone will find it. Thanks for all that you do. We definitely don't want junk and spammers so yes we are patient with whatever you need to do. A big THANKS! Hanna

Okay... anyone up for meeting with Sparetire and Diane on the 19th????? We'll do Broosters since these young ladies are going to be there for a fill appointment. Others that are wanting a fill can try to schedule one on the same day and try to kill two birds w/one stone. Also we can shoot for an August date instead of July 5th, if this gathering works out for the majority. My schedule is open for the 19th of June and it is actually a Thursday and in about 10 days. Broosters is a nice local cafe that serves breakfast/lunch/dinner. If I didn't get your name on the list then add yourself and invite those that are interested (which is quite possible, sorry in advance). If you would prefer to stick with the original date of July 5th then please note on your reply. I just need to know what will work for the majoriy. PLEASE REPLY. Thanks all! DATE June 19h, Thursday @2pm Broosters, Arlington, WA 1 Yoyodieter-linda 2 Allcndgirl -anita 3 Dontondan -donna 4 mlgpdx -mindy 5 Bobbi 6 WAgal- hanna (good for June 19th or July 5th) 7 calicat-cathy 8 AmerLam - amber 9 Sparetire 10 Diane 11 Caro 12 Redhead, denise 13 Wagirl I extend this invitation to: a Snowbird b Pammie c LisaL d Stephanie e Suffina add'l Arlington Fill info: Robin got back to me about how they do fluoro's. Appointment only on Fridays between 11-12noon (without fluoro is more flexible in scheduling). No barium drink as they are not licensed to do this. They are hoping to get their own machine in the future and could get licensed for the barium drink if supply demands it. She reiterated that it's not necessary to do fluoro unless you suspect something is wrong and they use only if port is difficult to find to do your fill. Soooo with that said, please email Arlington Pharmacy and ask away questions before you come to do your fill that way there are no surprises. Hanna

testing.... testing tried to post a 2 paragraph and it won't let me. i'm gonna post as a new post called "NW bandster/Canadian Meet" hanna

THIS IS WHAT IT'S SAYING! Forbidden You do not have permission to access this document. Web Server at lapbandforum.com

Hey... are you guys having the same problem as me? I can't seem to post on topics that I started or even send messages to individuals. HELP

redhead, sorry about the inconvenience and bad luck lately. when things hit their low points though then things will start to look up again, right? so here's to things looking up soon! hugs, hanna

Hi wagirl! I'm WAgal... I like your screen name... do you like mine? Ha ha ha...

Cortaylu, Congrats, you'll be in good hands. By the way, June 5th, is Dr. O's birthday!!! Please give him a big hug for me! Hanna:)

Hey Denise! I'm so glad you are getting your fill! Yay... let me know how it goes? Hanna:)

Hi Caro, They do fluoro but you have to schedule it. They don't do fluoro in Port Orchard, I think Donna answered that already. Just wanted to know are you in with our get together? Please let me know... Hanna:)

Wow, why, when and where is he now. Has he moved on to bigger and better things? Awww... he was so fantastic during our first fill w/fluoro! Oh man!!! Have you any news as to why details?

Hello Ladies! I have not forgotten you! I have some planning that I'm doing here for another function so I have just been a little preoccupied. I am thinking that it would be best to just have a get together for brunch/lunch first so that it's easier to get together for the first time. It will be a meeting, sharing/support , q&a kinda get together. The date I'm thinking of is July 5, a Saturday. What do you guys think of the date. If you don't throw a date at me then I'm not sure if this will work for the majority. I picked a Saturday so that there will be not work restriction and July 5th so that it's far off enough to get on your schedule. Feedback... I need feedback. 1. Date.. July 5th 2. Restaurant - "Broosters" in Arlington, WA -so for those wanting to do a fill can still get one. http://www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/edb_vd.cfm?...n=615&s=nws OR we could go for atmosphere and do Ivar's in Mukilteo, WA. http://www.ivars.net/Mukilteo_Home/mukilteo.html I would like to finalize soon as we get everyone to say that the date is good and then decide where to eat (like good bandsters of course). Hanna

Hi Denise, You're not too far at all. According to maps.google.com, from Vancouver, BC you are about 164 km/102 miles from Arlington, WA with an estimated 2 hours drive. It takes me 30 mins. to drive to Arlington and 1.5 hours to drive to the Canadian border and another 30 mins. to get to Vancouver, BC. The website for the Arlington Pharmacy is on my topic headline.. www.NorthWestFills.com They have a virtual receptionist now named Lisa. Email them (all info. is on the website) and make an appointment or ask questions. I hope this helps! Hanna

Ramona, I'm so sorry for your loss! Hanna

Oh Paula! (I hug you tight) I totally know about stressing. I have been feeling some similar frustration here about my mom when she came for a visit and also extended family (long story). Please know that the band will work for you once you reach that sweet spot everyone is talking about. The whole fill thing works a little different for everyone. Just be assertive and abreast on information that concerns your band. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ There's a lot of information here on the forum regarding the fill process. Jann (that is the spelling of her name) posted something about the "5 day pouch test" read about that, it really helped me and I did a modified version of it. It really does work. I was trying to determine if I had stretched my pouch but it talks about how if you've been feeling tight and get that uncomfortable feeling that you will choose to pick up and eat the "slider foods". That's code word for food that just passes right through your band. The band was made to restrict food from going down too fast so you would get the satisfied feeling. It will only work though with the foods that the band restricts well like protein (chicken, beef etc.) Followed by your veges and fruit then carbs. And of course the order we bandsters are suppose to eat it, first protein, 2nd veges/fruit, 3rd carbs. No snacking in between meals. It has been a real eye opener for me to read the informaton there so please check it out. If you have read some of my posts I was having a hard time eating breakfast. I started doing the protein shakes 'cause I was trying not to skip meals. It helped keep me feel full so I didn't have to give it another thought. I know we're not suppose to do that but for now it's working. We did go out to eat for breakfast a few times and I was able to eat then there were times that I couldn't. Go figure? I'm still learning my band. The cool thing is I do fluctuate plus or minus 2 lbs. but that's it. I'm not gaining at all which is fantastic to me. Keep your chin up (I'm hugging you again). I think that when we are faced with stressfull circumstance we are no longer thinking like bandsters and revert to old comforting habits. Tomorrow is another day. Make a plan to allow yourself some room for mistakes so you don't beat yourself up over it. But also make a plan to see progress and record stuff that will enable you to see that there's been positive changes. You can do this! We can do this together! You totally sound like you have no restriction so try to get a 2nd fill nearby, sorry about the TJ trip fill not working out. Mine worked for only 2 weeks and I felt like I could totally eat a lot again so I waited a few weeks and decided I would get a 2nd fill. Some people get a big amount of fill and have to return right away to get an unfill because they are not able to keep water down! That sounds awful too... so I don't know if when you did your fill in TJ they were thinking about that and therefore decided to keep the saline amount low, I really don't know? So long as there is not damage to your band this will work! Do find another fill location near you so you don't have to fly to get to one. I hope you are having a better day today! love and blessings, Hanna (I'm hugging you again!)

Congrats Carrie! I'll wait for your post when you return home. I'm so happy for you and am so glad all went according to your expectations! Hanna:)

The site is for Weight Loss Surgery patients may it be gastric or lapband or another type. The great thing about this site first hand is this "5 day pouch test" Nutrition and typical weight loss problem issues are discussed. Check it out.

Omgosh Michelle! You look so fantabulous! I love your photo journals! You are doing so WELL! Woo whooo!!!! You can definitely see the changes from photo to photo. I am so inspired! Later beautiful!

Congrats Jayme... best wishes for a quick recovery! Hanna

Hurrah Caroline! Please tell the OCC staff that I said hello! Hope you are feeling well by the time you read this email! Hanna