julieburns

:lb10: looks like not only the ticker is working but also the band for you. Keep up the great work. Welcome to the forum also!!

Congratulations on making this wonderful decision. Wow Indonesia...that sounds amazing. Missions work? I only know from what I experienced but you should be fine. the only thing you may notice with alot of air time is that your band tightens up, meaning you will full and not be able to take as much in, not a bad side effect however just be careful. Will you be off the liquid diet when you go? I hope so as towards the end of liquids I found I was low on energy and when I started "real" food had to eat really healthy options with lost of protein. Make sure you have great liquid vitamins and take them.. Also even double up on the recommended dose to up you immunity. I have some great liquid vitamins. I am not sure if you can buy them online or not. They are called Max Ultra 100, Advanced Mega-multi liquid nutrition. They come in a 32 oz. bottle. The cherry berry flavor is not bad at all. I got them at a sports nutrition store called "Max Muscle". Google them and see what you come up with if you don't have this store in your area. They really are hands down the ONLY liquid vitamin I have found that is easy to take with the taste not being nasty. Best of luck in the upcoming weeks to you. Keep us posted.

:lb13: :lb13: :lb13: :lb24: :lb24: :lb24: :lb10: :lb10: :lb10: Denise you have certainly transformed yourself. Thanks you for posting such inspirational pics. You are now another of my inspirations. We were banded about the same time and you have surely outdone me, not that it's a race, but I am so happy for you. I wouldn't even recognize you in the 2 pics as the same person if you didn't tell me. Again you are AMAZING. Thank you for being part of this forum too!!

I have been secretly hunting for a new addition to our family. It had to be a smaller dog that was submissive since my Abby dog had been attacked over a year ago and since then barks non stop at all large dogs. Well I found the right new addition Thursday. I am up early today as it is a very special day for me. I am going to pick up my new little one at 10:00. He weighs 15.8 pounds and is all black with a white chest and a Dachshund mix dog from the humane society. I have always loved these Doxie dogs and even had one for a short while but had to give him to a friend due to my work schedule changing. He was surrendered by his family as they had to move and couldn't take him with them. He is 2.6 years old and a bundle of love. Whatever the "mix" part is that is his personality of a very submissive, shy, easy going, gentle little guy. Not the typical dachshund personality that can be dominent. He does have the long body but his face almost looks like a little cocker spaniel puppy, with smaller ears. I spent over 2 hours with him and my Abby dog on Thursday out walking and just hanging out in an outdoor space at the humane society to make sure it was a good fit. He was getting "fixed" yesterday so I had to wait to bring him home until today. I even had to call in sick to work to be able to get him today...sshhhhhh don't tell anyone!! His name is "Gumby". Not so keen on the name but I can't change it now as he is too old but I am sure I'll learn to love it too. Now all that has to be done is the transition time necessary for him to adjust to my 20# ragdoll cat. He did live with cats and dogs before so that's good for him. I know after awhile they will all be great "pac" members". I'll try to figure out how to post a pic but don't hold your breath. Have a great weekend all.

Darlene please dust yourself off, pick yourself up by the boot straps and get a fresh perspective. I can't say anything anyone else hassn't said already. I care and am here for you. You CAN do this. :lb4: Each day is a new one. I agree you should go on liquids for as long as you can to help with any pouch issues you think you may have. Perhaps the pre-op diet using 2 shakes a day an then a frozen dinner? Please come here for support and inspiration.

Why don't you take some cough syrup? I didn't think it was off limits

So glad hubby is doing well. I bet he's ready to get going after seeing your great success.

I strongly recommend "EmergenC" powder packets, and yes I use Airborne as well. I don't care what the media says I use these 2 and it seems to help. I take one every 3 or 4 hours while awake. Also zinc is good for the sore throat. they sell lozenges. And of course the most important thing is to drink lots of WATER!! Like 100 oz if ou can. It will help flush out your system and the bugs. Don't run to the Dr's office too quickly, antibiotics are way overprescribed and usually it seems like they work only because the lifetime of the virus has come and gone by the time you get them. Virus's don't need antibiotics. And I would not say a thing to anyone at the OCC beforehand. Wait until your day of surgery and then be honest with your symptoms if you have them. As long as you don't have a high fever, if you get one go to the Dr. asap, it should be fine. :lb11:

This one I had to reply to. Teyann, serioulsly what are you afraid of? The longer you try and "diet" the longer you will lose and then gain more weight. FACT. the percentage of folks that lose weight and keep it off is tiny compared to those with the band. The band is for life. Do some soul searching as to why the change of heart. Is it the money? Is it fear of surgery? Is it fear of failure? Please don't sell yourself short if you have the ability to do this for yourself.

Thank you Arlene for the well wishes. Just to clarify I did have the doctors cell phone numbers that they gave me as well as the main numbers. I used the "Emergency" numbers provided and still got no response. I am glad you were cared for in a timely manner.

November 8th, 2008 Thinking of coming? Please do if you can.

No worries my dear Kim, I am still in!! I would never not be able to check in at least once a day here, it's my daily dose of "medicine" to help the band. As far as the get together everything is still planned and will happen as discussed before. I am just waiting until about 1 week before to actually give folks time to do the poll. People may be waiting until it gets closer to make sure they can attend. No problems. All we really have to decide on is the time to start which so far 1:00 is the winner. We can make that the "unofficial" start time until 1 week before and then make the official time. I bet it will be 1:00 though as that is by far the winner so far. Anyway you and I can talk on the phone if you'd like about it anytime. Just give me a buzz or I'll try you as it's get to be a week or two before. Or just call me anyway!!! Thanks to all who responded to this. I feel more "balanced" today.

Too cool. :lb10:

Stormy, sorry you had the painful experience. yes thats what happens when we do any of the "wrong" things. I have done it all too many times. I have finally realized I must stop and think before I take anything into my mouth. I must take a tiny, tiny bite, slowly chew it, swallow, and then wait, even a few minutes seems long but is worth it before the next bite. Sometimes it can be that 1 bite after you've had 3 or 4 that puts you over the edge. If you stop between bites and give the food time to go down into the pouch and then assess how you feel it will help to avoid any future painful experiences. I keep telling myself as I eat, slow down, put the fork down and wait. It should take a minimum of 20 minutes to eat the recommended 1/2 cup or so and the longer the better. I have gotten to the point now if I don't have time to stop and eat I just don't eat.

all I can say is OMG!!!!! :lb13: What a transformation. You too are such an inspiration. Can't wait to meet on the 8th!!

I am getting more and more excited to meet everyone. I know we'll have a great time. thanks to all who have RSVP'd so far. as if gets closer I hope others will commit too. :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

Just an update on my terrible overfill experience with no calls returned from the OCC. It has been 2 weeks from this day today that I was in such a terrible way. As some may remember I put in several calls and messages to the OCC and got NO return calls. this was a semi urgent situation as I could not even keep water down and explained that clearly in my phone calls. Anyway finally today, 2 weeks later I got a phone message from Dr. Acosta ( who did my fill) to "follow up" on my band. That was it, no apology no number to call back just his name and he wanted to follow up on my band. I can't believe they even bothered to call at this point. Anyway just wanted you all to know. I feel like it's too little too late and will not be calling them back, nor will I be going back there for care. Again I repeat I would go back to them in a second for my actual band surgery, the care I received then was great. I believe firmly Dr. Ortiz is the best of the best and recommend him highly to anyone needing a band. Just have your after care figured out ahead of time. Think about what if an emergency comes up. Do you have the money for an immediate trip back to TJ? Perhaps you should set that aside if you will be using them for fills just in case. Or have a local fill center you can drive to in case of emergency.

So I left and ran an errand and now am back just to "peek" in. WII FIT is a separate "add on" to a nintendo. You need to have the nintendo game thing though to use it. Then you buy the "WII FIT" which is a separate thing that attaches to the nintendo. It is a whole fitness system you do while watching it guide you on the TV. You stand on this platform, about 1 1/2 foot by 2 1/2 feet. It can weigh you and then tell you all about your balance and see how well you do the activities. You hold a hand control thing and away you go. It has all sorts of fun exercise, game things. 1 to 4 people can do it at once. Some of the things are step aeorbics, hula hoop, soccer, yoga golf, and many other things that kick your butt. You have a personal trainer and it tracks how many minutes you spend on it. It so fun because on the screen you create this little character called "MII" by building body parts that you want to represent yourself, like eyes, nose, mouth, glasses, eyebrows and other fun stuff. You see this little character that represents you on the TV screen as you do the exercises. It's fitness with fun. Keeps me interested and really works me out. It has all different ability levels from beginners to advanced. As you do more of the activities it "unlocks" new ones for you to try. It costs anywhere from $80.00 to maybe $120.00. You must have the nintendo thing first though. I can't remember how much that is, but it's worth it if you think you'll do it. Hope this helps explain it. they can be hard to find as they are so popular. Your grandson will know what it is also. This could be something you could do with him too!!

This forum. It's true. I have been doing alot of thinking lately about my use of time. The time I have in the mornings before I go to work is usually spent on this computer and on this forum. I easily spend more than an hour or even 2 a day if I were to add it up (perhaps even more I am just in denial). I love it here. It gives me purpose and I have grown to know and love so many of you, never having even met. I feel compelled to try and reply to as many folks as I can. I want to be an encouragement and help wherever I can. I also gain so much from all the posts. It's what keeps me focused on the goal of weight loss and healthy life again. Sadly though I have realized that this too is another addiction. I am spending far too much time sitting here while I could/should be doing other things. Like exercise especially. I have my WII FIT and it sits for days while I am here on the computer with you all. I don't have a desk job where I am able to just check in through out the day. When I am on here I am taking time away from other things that I have come to realize I NEED to be doing. I have a huge project of cleaning out my basement and I have gotten a good start on it but I need to devote more time to it if it is ever going to get done. I also have been neglecting my "quiet" time as I call it. This is my time to spend with God. This one is truly the most important one, really. I need to be in the word daily to keep my focus. I have substituted this forum for that time as well. This is going to be tough but I need to implement some time limits for myself to be on the computer, here on the forum. So my plan is to time myself when I am on here. I need to give myself a reasonable small amount of time each day, perhaps 30-45 minutes. I need to look at the clock and keep track of how long I have been on here. I need to spend my time doing other productive things in order for some of my goals to be achieved. I am very saddened about this realization but I must implement some sort of plan. this has gotten out of control for me. It's my replacement for food in some way. I realize that. Better than booze though!!LOL!! I love you all and will still be on here but just not as much. I really want to see how much I can get done using the time I would normally be on here. I just wanted you all to know this so if you think something may be wrong it's not. I just need to refocus for now. Thanks for understanding and being my wonderful support and friends.

First of all Kim I think youhave a good idea. Changing things up will hopefully be the ticket you need to lose those remaining pounds. I wish you best of luck on this. Now Jude I am sure you may have done this but check out the recipe section. Also there are a couple of highly recommended cookbooks people have used on here but I can't remember the names...they are for people who have had WLS and I have heard good things. So ok friends what are their names?

Donna I've missed you. I am sorry life has been rough for you. I am sure with all you do it can certainly throw a wrench in your ability to take care of YOU!! Remember though you can't do it if you don't. those foster kids are so lucky to have you Donna and in order to keep up with them please put yourself first sometimes. Get that hour or 2 relief you can from someone and go do something just for you. Even a nice walk around the mall or perhaps even a pedicure. Special people like you are rare these days and I personally thank you for taking on such challenges with these needy children. think about it, several years down he road many of these kids will be looking back and have you and your family pictured in their minds as someone who gave a damn. You are a pivotal person in their lives whether it seems like it now or not. Please make the time and arrangements necessary to join us here in Portland for the get together. I wish their was some way I could help you, too bad you are not closer to me. Today is a new day and I am so glad you came to the forum and reached out. Many times we suffer in silence and think this is how we should be but remember we are here for each other, through thick and thin, literally!! :lb4: because your are so important to so many Donna.

All I can say is :lb24: and WOW!! Thanks for sharing Lance's pics, like I said he is sure a cutie!! But Kimmy, you're not too bad yourself!!

First of all to Anita, I hope this is the fill that hits your "sweet spot". I too notice my stomach SEEMS bigger. I think though with me anyway I have just lost more inches in my but and leg area and so it appears that my stomach and top are out of proportion with the rest of me. I don't know if this is how it is for you though. I can't imagine when losing weight that one area would actually get bigger, except temporarily with bloating like migpdx mentioned. Take some measurements if you havn't already and then re measure in 1 month and compare. I bet you'll be surprised. Now dear Denise I hear you're feelings of being more than just disappointed. This has been a topic that has had several posters saying the same thing this week. In one way or another people have not lost the weight they thought they would have lost in the first 3-4 months after banding. Again i will say that we are undereducated about how long it willl actually take to have the band work for many of us. I am now a firm believere that there is a group of folks who must get 2-4 fills to get good restriction and then they start to lose the weight. yes this may take 3-6 months after banding to start really losing weight. I thought I'd get the band and then boom the weight would start coming off at 8-10 pounds a month as long as I followed the rules. Sadly that is so not true for some portion of us. I was banded 6/4 and just now after 2 fills have good restriction. By this I mean that I rarely if ever feel hungry. I can only eat maybe 1/4 cup of hard food at a time and when I do i am full for hours. I must have liquid protein shakes in the AM and early afternoon as I am too tight for hard food. I know this isn't really what you want to hear but I want to encourage you to realize that you are already well on the way to success. Just having the band and already getting 2 fills means maybe this fill is the one. Book another fill appointment as soon as allowable if you don't feel restriction after a week. Sometimes they take a few days to kick in also which is weird but true. This is a journey with many legs to it. This is a much longer process for some of us than ever was really explained to any of us. Yes I know there are many also who lose weight from the time they are banded and just keep that pace up for the most part. I think these people do such a great job and are so excited about the weight loss we see them posting more than those of us who arn't losing so fast. I think we sort of get a skewed idea of how this really works for some folks because of that. I know I am not going to post week after week "OK i didn't lose another pound this week, or maybe 1/2 pound" because we don't feel like that is enough so we just keep quiet. You both are well on your way to success. :lb4:

I know how frustrating this can be for you. I have struggled off and on with the same issues. I don't really have any "magic" words of wisdom, I wish I did. Now is the time to look deep into your soul and examine why you did this in the first place. To try and regain some of that commitment and excitement you had in the beginning and the positive mindset that went along with it. No matter what, the band is there and you are well on your way to success. I have said this many times and I'll say it again...We are not taught and prepared for how long it will actually take AFTER we get the band to get enough fill in us to have the band really work for us. I had no idea that "restriction" would be 4 months down the line. I thought I would be losing alot faster than I have and that's discouraging. I was sure in the first 3-4 months I would have lost so much more. Somehow this is how it works for a number of us. It takes several fills to get to the "sweet spot" where we finally have good restriction. :lb4: :lb4: My point is we are already on the road to success just because we have the band and because you have as much fill as you have. Yes you need more fill. I would book it as soon as you can. I have one recipe that's so easy and can make several meals so here it is... chicken breasts, carrots, onion, green beans, few potatoes. Put all in a roasting pan or baking dish that has at least 3 or 4 inch sides on it. Pour 1 bottle of cooking sherry over it. You want it to be covered with this so try to have the cooking pan just big enough to hold the stuff. I sort of layer the ingredients...chicken on bottom, then potatoes and onions. I then put the carrots on one side and the green beans on the other and it's ready to go in the oven. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 to 30 minutes. Hope you like it!!

:lb16: What a difference!!! You look like a totally different person Kim. And Lance is quite the cutey as well!! Thanks for sharing great pics. :lb10: