WAgal

Oh... bless your heart Alyssa! The important thing is that it's over with! I just hope that now your restriction has kicked in or is going to kick in soon and you're on your way to your targeted goal. Diana, hats off to you and OCC for being patient with her and supporting her through it all! Praise the Lord, and now on to the next step!!! Blessings, Hanna

LOL! Ha ha ha ha ah???

Great post Dawnie! I'm gonna try the vinegar and sea breeze thing! I also got inspired by Michelle to get a haircut and I did something extra... I got highlights put in. I HATED it at first because I was promised dark brown highlights and I ended up with blonde or very light brown highlights. This is something VERY new to me and I had never done it before so I think I went into shock! LOL! Anyways my husband and I are getting used to it and my older daughter's keep saying they like it and I am exaggerrating about it being too light. I guess it just depends on how the light catches my hair. Anyways all is well and it did make me feel great with the new cut! Love the cut! Hanna

Thanks Pammie! I love this article. I have others I've read and have just tested but this is better! Hanna

Thanks Michelle!! I love this! Hanna:)

Thanks Judy! I'm just excited to get a tooth in! Hanna

I just did a post implant during my fill on the 18th of April. I'd like to compare notes as to how the process works. The cost with implant and crown is $1600. I was asked to pay $1200 upfront and the balance will be $400. I know that I had a quote here for twice that amount, so I decided to go for it. Can someone please share their experience that has had the post implant and the crown already placed? I'm to return in 4 mos. for my crown and then pay the balance of $400. I know Melody had a few implants done on our surgery date 2-27-08, but I don't really see her getting on the forum. Anyone out there have feedback? Do you really need 4 months before you get your crown? I'm pretty much healed and want a tooth there! I look like an 8 year old with the gap in my mouth! LOL! I was hoping to get the tooth put in and then zoom my teeth too. Actually I'm considering veneers too! Anyone have anything to say? Thanks in advance. Hanna

Michelle! You should call Zulma! You and her are having the same experience! She called me last night in a panic because she PB'd. I have read about this too, the delayed restriction. I had to remind her of all the things we are suppose to be doing. She'll be taking it very easy on food today, she had a pretty good scare. Her dsl service has been down and it's been hard for her to hop on the computer. Congrats on the restriction.... welcome to my world (and Linda's).. Have you heard from Lisa?

Blazn, Sincere condolence. I'm glad your stomach is a little better but do take it easy. Hanna

"off the record too" I will do what I did before during my first fill. just for the record "OFF" the record! have i confused anyone further??? LOL!!!

Below instructions are from Northwest Fill Management, Arlington, WA http://www.northwestfills.com/education.php I have read on obesity help forum about the 3 days liquid, some docs even say up to a week on liquids? There are other bariatric surgeon's web page where they just do the 24 hours liquid, 1 day mush.. then eat as permitted if comfortable. It varies so much that i really would like to know their reasoning. If this was the case of every fill then I definitely would not see going to OCC as cost effective any longer. The three days hotel and flight will cost more. Even if it was $500 for a fill with fluoro locally. hanna FILL INSTRUCTIONS The Lap Band fill (adjustment) is the effect the band has on decreasing your appetite. If you are less hungry then you eat less and will lose weight. The word restriction is a misnomer. When fluid is added to the lap band it causes the food one eats to stay in a pouch for a longer time. This releases a neurotransmitter to the brain that says you are full for 4 hours. This is a fill. To feel restriction is not good and can lead to other problems, like Gastric Reflux, heartburn, PB (projectile burping) and band slippage (rare). How much fill should I get? It is important to understand that the tissue in you gut is like the tissue in your mouth, it is very sensitive and swells very easily. Everyone is different; a good fill for one person is too tight for another person, or not enough for the next person. 1. The initial adjustment post operatively should occur at 6 weeks or later, and 1-2cc of Normal Saline (for the 9.75 or 10 cc band). The larger band (11CM and VG) adjustment os 3-4cc. 2. Regular reviews (4-6 weeks) are recommended with weight and clinical status measured. If weight loss is 1 pound per week over the period and patient is following bandster diet guidelines then another fill of normal saline is added at .2 to .5 increments. 3. If the weight loss average between visits is 2 plus pounds per week no fill is needed. 4. If the weight loss averaged between 1-2 pounds and the person feels hungry and found it difficult to comply with the dietary guideline/portions. 5. Fluid is removed from the system if there is symptoms of excessive restriction or obstruction, including excessive sense of fullness, heartburn, regurgitation and vomiting. 6. Fluoroscopy is needed for evaluation of band placement and/or port placement. 7. It is important know that the fluid in the band never adds up, it is always give or take 1 cc because fluid hides in the tubing or in the band. Post Fill/Adjustment Guidelines Eat lightly the day of your fill. After the fill is done drink liquids for 24 hours. Day 2 go to mushy foods, continue on this until you are comfortable to progress to solid food. If you have pain in your chest, heartburn or you are unable to progress to solid foods within a day or two then please call our office and we will discuss with you if you need to have some fill removed. If you start vomiting (PBing) at any time then stop eating for a few hours. After an episode of vomiting, the area of the band is swollen and you will not be successful in keeping anything down, give the band a few hours to rest and then eat later on. Don’t try to force food down! It is normal for the band to be tighter during the morning. Many people can only drink fluids, or eat yogurt or mushy foods. Work with your band and do not try to force food down. It is also normal of the band be looser in the evening, you might be able to eat more. Some women feel tighter during their period, or flying in a plane. WORK WITH YOUR BAND!

Calicat, Read post "February Fills" by Doolittle I had posted something on April 1st to our group before going to our fill date. Follow the post and see what the experienced bandsters will have to say. Hanna

OMgosh that was a hoot!!! Can you see the shock on my face! They cut out the part where they zoomed in on my girls, 'cause Kajsa started picking her nose!!! LOL! Thanks for watching! Hanna:)

Hi Dusty! Welcome, wow we have a firefighter! You'll have to excuse that I sometimes make reference to bandsters here as ladies but those are the ones that seem most talkative!!! LOL! I mean I'll be aware to say gents too. I've actually ran into Dr. Brody as part of my research... he's suppose to be good. Best of luck and I hope we can be helpful to you here! Hanna

Hi MacKenzie! I noticed I hiccup on certain foods. Try keeping a log of what you ate when you start the hiccuping. Mine seem to be bread and a bite of chocolate cake. I don't have much of it but try to see if I can. Sandwiches I don't do well with so I've given them up. Hope this helps. Hanna

Thank you! I'm going to be so embarrassed, I just know it. I haven't even fixed my hair kafuffle! Just hold my hand in thought! This isn't how I wanted to be seen on TV! I just hope I behaved and said things that weren't too ridiculous! Remember to laugh with me!! Not at me!!! LOL!!!

Congrats to you too Alana! We're just super lucky blessed bandsters! Woo whoo!!

Michelle, This is your fluoro x-ray! and you underwire bra, LOL!!! I took the picture. Hanna

Criss!!! Congrats!!! Thanks for coming out and finally saying hello to all!!! Yay.. you'll find great support here! Blessings and congrats to life changing journey! Hanna

Scared, You crack me up!!! I'm rolling on the ground by my computer!!!

Mybad... I thought it was tonight but it's actually tomorrow night!!! They'll be sending me a copy of the taping. Cool... Thank all... it's just too weird still! Hanna:)

Hi Calicat, Yes, there is some confusion in my part about the 3 day liquid diet after the first fill. That is what we were advised. Now you are telling me that Claudia will order food to "test" your fill? Could you have misunderstood her? Hanna

thank you ladies! I am so thrilled!

Dear Bandsters, This has nothing to do with banding but I just wanted to tell you that I won a trip to Disneyland for 4, literally just 2 hours ago! We were just browsing the Disney Store in our local mall and the King5 evening news, John Curley came barrelling towards us with his mic and camera man announcing we have just won a free trip for four to Disneyland. Part of a Disney promotion for new rides they are having. Get a load of this the total prize is about $2,700 but we pay the taxes incurred. I've never won anything in my life. This is so cool... I'm going to time this during my crown placement from the tooth implant I have just had, yes we can go anytime within a year per the paperwork I was asked to sign. So those of you who live in the Northwest... watch out for me and my two little girls, Kajsa and Anneliese w/John Curley on King5 Evening News tonight at 7pm!!! (oops it's 4-23, tomorrow night) What a surreal experience. To top it off, I looked terrible. I was wearing old sweats that had a tore on the leg, no make up and my girls were clean but not dolled up like I would normally dress them. Oh well this has taught me a lesson to always be prepared. That's all folks.. was excited and had to just share my good news! Hanna

Hi Deb, How are you doing? How's that port area and bruising? Are you still there at OCC or you back home? Let me know. concerned, Hanna