Blazn

Do not worry. The liquids are supposed to slip right through. You may have felt some restriction at first from the swelling around the band but that is probably gone by now therefore you are hungrier. But yes, let the liquids pass right through. If they did not your band would be too tight (which would be scary being you don't have a fill). I had my first fill on May 3rd and we watch barium slip right through after the fill. You do not want liquids to hold up, if they do just think what food will do. It will never pass. Just hang tight, you will be able to eat in a week.

Donna, Does the OCC have you sign a disclaimer saying that there is always a risk fo puncturing the tubing or damaging the port? I had my fill at Fill Centers USA and I had to sign a disclaimer stating the risks and that if something like that happened the port would have to be replaced by a surgeon at my own costs. Hopefully, you did not have to sign one of these for the OCC. I agree with everyone else, it looks like if you had all of your fills at the OCC they would replace for free. Please keep us posted.

Way to go! You are doing great! Love the new name too!

Thank you all for your nice comments. This week it has really sunk in that ....hey - one day I am going to be skinny. For those of you that called me an inspiration, all I can say is Wow - I never though someone would call me that in the weight loss arena. I have been really discouraged the past month because my weight loss slowed down a lot. But I did lose 7lbs this month and that is so much more than I could ever do dieting on my own. I lost 15lbs per month the first two months so when the scales were not moving as fast I got discouraged. I even contacted Fill Centers USA to schedule another fill. But I don't think that is the answer. I still have a lot of restriction, but there are some foods that I seem to be able to what I would say "engorge" myself on. My next fill is scheduled for July 20 in Roswell, GA. I am going to leave that appointment for now and just cancel if I can maintain losing 2lbs. per week. And Evette, oh honey, I do still have a tummy. But I'm working on it. Skysyd, yes I have had a fill. I had my first (and only) fill on May 3rd - 3cc in 4cc band. Yes, I do still have an appetite, but it does not compare to the one I had before the band. WillT, you are too funny, as always. Sorry I can't make the Roswell get together this weekend. Maybe next time!! 2mara, when I started losing weight, I started treating myself to things other than food - like pedicures every 2 weeks! I love 'em!!! Again, thank you for all of your nice comments!!!

Ok, so yesterday was my 3-month bandiversary. I had my hair done today so decided to take 3-months pics afterwards. 3-months post-op 6/18/08 - 186lbs. 2-months post-op 5/17/08 - 194lbs (I think!) Pre-op 2/10/08 - 224lbs

Paula, something just occured to me...when I went to my ortho's office I saw a new kind of braces....the ones that go on the back side of the teeth. I know you said you have an overbite and that your top teeth hit the brackets on the bottom...but what if your bottom braces were on the back? Did your ortho mention that?

Oh, paula - how awful!!! My heart is saddened for you. You will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

I'm shooting for an 8!

WOOOOOOHOOOOOO! Lisa that is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What an inspiration you are!!!!!

I, too, was able to use my phone with no extra charges. I have Alltel and my phone would be on Mexico tower one minute and US tower the next. I would use it when it was on US tower and it would show no service when on Mexican tower.

Cathy, try accessing the site with this address and making one. http://www.phenforum.com/glitters/

That's great! Maybe this will do it for ya! Keep us posted.

LOL!!!

Mom, I am also almost 3 months post op and I too still get the shoulder pain occasionally. I think if you have right shoulder pain it is gas related (as the phrenic nerve is associated with the right side) but if it is left shoulder pain I think it is due to damage of the crus of the diaphragm (whatever that is). My pain was so severe, I acutally researched nursing and medical journals and found this..... http://www.core.monash.org/assets/document...ers/2005-52.pdf This is a research study conducted on lap band patients and their shoulder pains. Anyway, my pain did subside after about 2-3 weeks post-op but would hurt again after eating too much or too fast. Then when I got my first fill the pain came back (now I know there was not gas inserted there, which leads me to believe the article) for about a week. Now, it still hurts occasionally but it is so bearable. Anyway, hopefully it will go away soon but keep us posted.

Yes, Kim, I keep a food journal. Well at least during the week I do. The weekend I get kind of slack. I actually did this to make sure I was taking in enough calories. And actually I wasn't. I like it because it also helps me keep track of my carb and protein intake too. My journal is through my-calorie-counter.com

Yes, I think you should definately get another fill. I think that would just do the trick. Don't get discouraged. Sometimes it takes several fills to get to your sweet spot. I had my first fill on May 3rd and my weight loss has slowed down a good bit and although I am still losing I am thinking about having another small fill. Good luck and keep us posted.

WOW, Kim, you can really tell with that pic - the difference. You look amazing. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for posting your pic. -Love-

To: WillT & Doolittle!!!

Ok, Michelle, you have been inpiring me...heck, you have inspired all of us. We all love your goal pics/dresses and dang it, I am going to get me one now!!!! Mine and my husband's 5th anniversary is August 9th...we are going to Daytona Beach from the 3rd-7th, so I am going out to buy a dress...to wear there...a goal dress. I'll keep you informed!!

Wow, I am so sorry for the troubles you have been having...with your mom and the band. How long will you have to have the un-fill?

Yeah, Lynn! My weight loss was so fast a first, but it has slowed down a bit which can be very discouraging. Sometimes we have to just step away from the scales a week or so and then go back. Congrats on your weight loss.

Awww, I love Paula Deen!! Her homemade blueberry cobbler recipe is the best...but now we must eat 2-3 spoonfuls instead of 2-3 bowlfuls! We can still have the things we want but in moderation!

Michelle, you should tell the truth, and the truth is that you have 2cc's. If you tell the provider that you had 2.3cc and that your band was too tight, he/she may be reluctant to give you the fill you would normally get on the predisposition that you may get too tight. However, if you do tell him/her, be sure to tell them what you just told us - that you think you ate too fast and acted out prematurely by requesting a refill. Then I guess its their call. Good luck and keep us posted.

Well, well, well the claws are coming out!!! Julie, just jump back on the bandwagon! Don't worry about yesterday!! You'll do fine! I had a chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard 2 weeks post-op and although I have not lost 30 lbs in 34 days my weight loss is not chump change nor do I consider my self a "sucker"! With that being said, as you know, if this becomes a habit, your band won't work! Just make positive food choices and everything will be fine.