julieburns

I've missed you Vix. Thank you for checking back in. Although I havn't had to have a knee replacement myself I have had some other major surgeries that have really set me back. I know how you feel. My dad has had both knees replaced, 1 at a time and I have stayed with him for a few weeks to care for him during his healing time and PT. It is a tough road as you know but it will make it so much better. You are a strong woman with what you have already been through and you will make it through this too. I have posted this little saying before but in case you missed it I want to send it to you especially, here goes.... "Surely as cometh the winter I know there are spring violets under the snow." Focus on those violets Vix and soon it will be spring!!! Please check in more often if you can and give us some progress notes. Have you scheduled your surgery yet?

Good to know.

Stormy, it sound like you are feeling better by now. When you say swollen do you mean your band feels tight and you can't eat much. Or are you having period cramps and the rest of the wonderful symptoms that go with that? Just wondering. Glad this is happening this weekend for you( if it has to happen at all) so you'll be feeling great in 2 weeks. Take care and let's talk soon, ok?

This was our dinner tonight and it was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!!!! My husband was saying how good it was the whole time he was eating it. His words..."That's a keeper" and "You can make that anytime"

Hi Anita I am pretty much the same as Cathy says she is with food. Some days I have no problems with 1/2 cup at lunch and dinner others not as much. I always have a protein shake for breakfast although I am just lazy and probably could handle oatmeal on some days. Give it a chance. Hope you night party goes OK. Please post tomorrow and let us know.

Yeah!!! So glad you are both coming. What a great ride on the train!!

I have been cleaning out my basement filled with boxes packed for over 2 years now. I am excited to report I found 3 things sized XL that I can now fit in to. Anyway I am proud to announce that I have gone from sizes 3X and 2X to 1X and now even some XL's.... :lb21: I believe the scales are certainly not what they are cracked up to be. Don't be a slave to yours!!

Thanks Cara for your vote of confidence. Now I am no expert but as Mona said some people do break tiny blood vessels when vomiting, whether it is a huge session or just a small amount. Normal. As long as you don't continue to spit up blood after wards in quantities more than 1/2 tsp or so. Remember too that unless you are used to seeing and measuring blood amounts a very small amount can look like alot to someone who isn't used to seeing blood. As recommended stick with liquids for a few days. Certainly if it seems like more than just a little and continues for more than a few days call your doctor. Sometimes just a call to the advice nurse can relieve your worries also. Try and be very careful if it happens again to be able to quantify the amount of blood you see, e.g. streaks of blood in mucous, straight blood the size of a dime, quarter etc. Hope this helps and you feel better soon.

My dear Mona: When I went to the fill center USA here locally the suggested eating plan is 3 small meals and 3 snack, eating every 2-3 hours like iamworthit said was suggested to her. This makes so much more sense to me. It is the way diabetics eat to keep their blood sugars stable and I think many people would benefit from this type of eating plan. I have heard over and over again (pre-banding) that this is the best way to eat. It does keep the metabolism working and won't stretch your pouch. I think as the days go by you will se that you can eat a tad bit more so don't run in for an unfill as long as you are eating and keeping fluids down, that's just my opinion. After my unfill I could only eat 2-3 bites at a time and now I eat about 1/2 cup. I am so happy you have restriction, this is what you have been wanting and needing to kick start you back into weight loss.

:lb10: I hope your post op time goes easier than your first night. Welcome to "bandland"!!

I think it sounds great. I was thinking of suggesting something like this to make it easy for everyone. I'm in on the buffet for sure.

Stormy, I think this week we will see people committing to coming. By my count we have 10 or so already. Anyone reading this if you have not responded to the RSVP post and voted for a time please do. It gives us a head count for the restaurant. Thanks 2 weeks and counting down.......

I paid $379 (or maybe $359, can't remember) for my fill/unfill appointment. The following fills are cheaper, I can't remember exactly maybe $150 or $170? I wouldn't waste my time/money on the consultation appointment unless they require it at wherever you are considering. You can get it all done in one visit. I love my fill nurse!! Edit: You know I am not so sure of the fill price after the first one. Better call to find out.

I think as it gets closer in the next week or so hopefully folks will firm up their schedules and be able to know if they can come or not. No matter what we'll have a great time with whomever shows. Stormy will you please post directions sometime soon so we know where we're going? Thanks

So glad you can come Sufina, I wondered where you have been. Can't wait to meet you on the 8th!!

Travis, welcome to this forum and Bandland. Thanks for a very insightful post. I look forward to your future posts and being on this journey with you.

:lb10: :lb10: :lb10: You are now an official "Bandster". A mexican one at that!! Hope you are feeling well today.

:lb10: :lb10: :lb10: To Cathy, Denise and Ute. You all deserve the joy you have from working so hard with your band. What a great feeling to wear clothes that you never though possible whether it be the size or style or whatever. Posts like this keep me motivated as well so thank you for posting your victories!! TGIF to all!!

After your 21 days on liquids you can have anything your band will tolerate( of course within moderation and following the "rules"). I have no problems with pizza, just take very small bites and chew the heck out of it. It's a rare treat I let myself have. I only eat about 1/2 to 1 small slice though since I have great restriction right now. Before you get to the right restriction level you may be able to eat more than you should so be careful.

Good work Kimmy, but treat yourself to a new pair of jeans!!

Susanna..... :lb9: Welcome. I was banded 6/4/08 and don not for one second regret what I did. It may not be instant weight loss, perhaps even not untill your 2nd or 3rd fill when you get good restriction will it really work, but getting banded is the first step.

this one sounds delicious too. Crock pots ROCK!!

First of all Mona....WELCOME BACK, I sure missed you and hoped you were just busy. I wholeheartedly agree with your post, especially about not being so intent on needing the fluoro, it is way overrated. I have had 2 with fluoro, the 2nd one with fluoro was the terrible overfill situation so that shows how good the fluoro helps with that, and then the unfill/refill was not with fluoro. I think as suggested as long as you get an upper GI once a year to check for any problems all will be fine. Truly by the time someone has the first fill it's been such little time nothing could really be wrong. think about it folks. It's after you've had the band for awhile possible complications will rear their ugly head and those are RARE!!! I will say it again unless you are independently wealthy and have all the time in the world to go to the OCC for fills if it is not close, find someone as close to home as you can. Last of all my new baby "Gumby" is so precious I just want to cuddle with him and kiss his little cute puppy face all the time. He has settled in very well here and the other dog and cat are back to normal also. Gumby follows my older dog Abby around like she's his mama and it's too cute. Imagine a lab and a doxie walking side by side, too cute!! Both dogs are happy on the bed together at night. Gumby cuddles up to me and Abby cuddles to Rob. Abby gets up with Rob which is always before I get up. Little Gumby just wait by my side until I get up. I wish I knew how to post a new pic of him. I am so lame when it comes to any advanced computer stuff. I have to get my husband to do it and he's so busy with our business. I'll try and beg him to get it done soon. I just can't tell you how cute this little guy is with the doxie body and the cocker spaniel puppy type face. His big brown eyes just make me melt. I could go on and on obviously about him, you know how it is for an animal lover like us. Glad to hear you have some restriction Mona. It's been a long haul for you. It sounds like you have found THE Dr. for you and I hope this is the one who gets you to where you need to be. I can't tell you how great it is to have restriction , it really works and is the best gift ever. I really can only eat about 1/2 cup at a time, sometimes a little more sometimes a little less but that's the average. I am slowly going down finally also. I am now only weighing minimum once a week or I've even waited 2 weeks before I weighed last time. I decided that I know the band will help me lose weight as long as I follow the rules so why give the scales any power over me to perhaps cause any discouragement. Slow and steady for me. If I only lose a pound a week well then in a year I will have lost 52 pounds!!! Again Mona your post was very informative and I hope the newbies will give our opinions some careful thought when planning aftercare. Sometimes the voice of experience is one that knows. Take care and I can't wait to see your website. PS: Next time don't stay away so long, I miss you too much!!

Hey Stormy, don't worry about your first fill or even others for that matter. As Jann said what happened to me is not the norm, so you'll be just fine for sure. Glad you are staying sort of local, I think you'll be happy with your decision, less time and probably less money. Can't wait to see you soon!!

Hey Cara: Sorry you had to deal with an unprofessional office person, I hate people like that. they obviously have issues and feel some sort of control when they harass patients. I am glad you chose to stay local, truly. And now the big question again....will you come to Portland? I sure hope so I can't wait to meet you!!