Paula Bee

Don't think you will need good luck with such skilled doctors, so Happy Band Day! :lb21:

I don't think it will make a difference at all. The medications for the injections and the location of the shots have absolutely no effect on your band, and vice-versa. (My dad had these shots until he died... they didn't inhibit any of his surgeries at all.) Tell your doctor.. that way you are safe all the way around.

Cindi, It is SO good to hear from you! I am happy that your band and life are good to you!

HUGSSSSSSS back at you.. thank you, I need them

Thank you.. It is reciprocated

First of all, thank you to all of you for your encouragement and support. It was very uplifting and meant a lot to me, as today I had a major anxiety attack over this situation at Mom's and went to bed with a xanax. It was nice to wake up and read your responses. I certainly know that the band is just a tool to help us lose weight. I started following the eating instructions from the book about 3 weeks before I called to make an appointment for the surgery. I have been using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, no snacks, no water with meals. I have, on occasion, even weighted my food. I have been very careful about my food while at Mom's; cooking for both of us. I have tried to have some meals that are mindless to prepare, including protein bars and lean cuisine. Overall, I have done just fine. However, there have been about 3 days when exhaustion, stress, anger, grief.. all the emotions of loss.. have beaten me. Fortunately for me, there has been no binging behaviors. I have asked my brother NOT to bring that ice cream over here, but he does anyway, sticks them in the freezer, and in a weak moment, when I am emotionally stripped, I just toss judgement aside and do the seemingly soothing thing. Of course, it is soothing only until it is over with and then I feel guilty over eating it. Pizza, we never have it.. but this time, because all the nieces were over, it was there.... I will be glad to get home where it is peaceful and I have control over my life. I don't look at the banding as a waste of money.. I think it is the best thing I ever did for myself, but I do feel like the $600 I spent on plane ticket and first fill were a waste. I was unhappy and complained about it while it was happening, but it didn't do any good. I have found a fill place about 4 hours drive from my house, but with gas what it is, and the fact that we would have to stay overnight in a hotel, and because it will be the first fill at a fill center, i will have the huge deposit, so it would be more expensive than hopping on a plane and flying to TJ for the fill. <shrugs> Jena, one of your suggestions struck a chord with me. I see a therapist, too, (have for 3 years,) only I have been gone from home for a month now, and haven't seen him. I am going to go back to eating at the table while I am here. The table is covered with stuff we are trying to pack, etc. so it has been easier just to eat on the sofa, but I am going back to the table where I can easily put my fork down between bites. For the time being, I am also going to measure my food, to make sure I haven't gotten sloppy, even though I feel like I haven't been. I also haven't been walking because my knee hurts too much and it is 95 outside. I have to go back to taking my pain pill before I walk so I will have no excuse. I love the idea of putting my leftovers away before I sit down to eat. You have each encouraged me and given me the boost that I need to keep strong until I get home. I love my mom to death, or I wouldn't leave my husband for 6 weeks, but I cannot wait to get home. I leave here on Tuesday, June 10, get my fill that day, stay until Thursday the 12th, and fly home to my sweet man. I will remember: 1. I am a work in progress. (thanks, Renee) :paint2: 2. I will keep my eye on the prize. (thanks, Dontondan) 3. Maybe the 2nd time will be a charm. (thanks, Snowbird) :yes: 4. I am in it for the long haul, and will keep the faith. (thanks, Arlene) :good3: 5. "I deserve to enjoy my food. I deserve to eat enough to be comfortable, not to eat so much that I feel uncomfortable." (thanks, Jena) 6. NEVER feel like a failure, because I am not; give myself some credit and be proud of myself!! (thanks, tlag) =D> 7. Keep the faith, just remember this time next year I will look fabulous! (thanks, Brittania) 8. "We'll get there, though!!" (thanks, Darlene) 9. (I wish I could give you a hug, too, BeBe.) "You will only fail if you let yourself. Get back into a positive frame of mind. YOU CAN DO IT!!!" > 10. "I can do all things through Christ, Jesus, who strengthens me." (thanks, God) You are all dear to me. “Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.”

Wow.. I got my first fill of 1.1cm on May 6th, and I have no restriction at all. I have lost ONE pound since then, and it goes up and down like normal weight. My appetite is also growing, and I am never feeling full anymore. It has been so stressful here at my mom's, as we pack up her house of 30 years, discarding or giving away most of the stuff in the house for her to move into a 360 sq foot appt. She is cantankerous and fights me at every turn.. I am just stressing totally out. Last night I ate 2 pieces of pizza and a cinnapie from Papa Johns, and later my brother brought us those damn 800 calorie ice creams from Jack in the Box. Gotta tell you.. NO RESTRICTION AT ALL! I have been pretty good other than that, drawing on my WW experience, but I didn't get banded to have to do WW forever. I am still angry that I spent all that money flying to TJ, only to get such a little fill that it was a waste of the flight money. I am disappointed in my lack of results and envious as I see each of you losing weight when I am just sitting on the same weight for weeks. Gotta tell you, my gung-ho, eager to be supportive husband is now looking at the whole thing like it is going to be a failer like all the other things I have tried, only many times more expensive. I am going back to TJ on the 10th, with an appointment with Dr. Romero before lunch. My husband has told me to spend one extra day in TJ so that if they are reluctant to give a bigger fill, I can reassure them that I will be in town if there is a problem. Also, if the fill is too small, I can go back in for a little more fill. In the meantime, I am away from my husband for 6 weeks, the longest parting in 30 years, to disassemble 30 years of my mom's life; getting her to shred all the documents she has been saving compulsively for that whole time. I get tireder and tireder as the crunch gets more and more mentally difficult. I am not sleeping well, and we have two weeks to get everything done and her moved. Gotta tell you, I leave for TJ 4 days before they actually move her out, and I feel both guilty about leaving and relieved about reading. I AM RAVENOUS... I wish I had a fill..

OOooh BeBe.. don't be terrified.. it is a big nothing. Your tetnus shot hurt 10 more than this will

Where is Michelle? Has she dropped off the radar? I am worried about her.

I am so glad that you got a good fill!

You can do eeT! Besides, think of how gross you would feel the next day.. you would be sick for a week! We have faith in you when you don't have any in yourself.

You wouldn't want to make that June 10-11th would you? I am flying out the afternoon of the 12th, so maybe I can meet you there.

Yes Indeedie!

That sounds great! LOL..

I am getting my second fill on the 10th and will also be there on the 11th. I will try to come see you before your surgery, and on the 10th, maybe we can go shopping.

Things work out so strangely. It works out better for our family for me to fly back to TJ to get my second fill, so I am going on June 10th for a fill with Dr. Romero. Is anyone going to be there that day? Is anyone else planning a fill for that week? I hope so!

HA HA HA.. <hands you the halo tarnish remover>

Thank you for sharing.. It will reassure many people waiting to get their band. Just a question.. the van took you to the airport on Sunday? I didn't realize that the vans ran on Saturday or Sunday. That would be great!

I FORGOT last night! Since neither my mom or I work, the days sort of run together.. I thought TODAY was Monday. I will do better next Monday! I missed everyone...

I saw the prices, but there was no listing for lumineers, just whitening.

I so greatly respect what you are doing...my dad was navy in the Korean war, my husband was army in the Viet Nam war, and my son-in-law is army in Iraq until December. I am glad that there are those of you who take care of the vets and the mia. You have my gratitude and deepest appreciation for your service to our country. God bless the USA.

Happy Birthday, Dave! You aren't growing older; you are growing better!

Yay for Lori for the reassurance she gives us. Thank you!

Okay, girl... you gave me some motivation. It is soooooo hot in Baton Rouge that it is after 6:00 pm before it drops into the low 80's or high 70's. I can at least go out and walk up and down the block even if it is too hot to walk for 30 minutes. Thank you for reminding me that something is better than nothing!

Jacqui, it is SO good to hear how you are doing!