SValentino

I've been out of the loop for a while and am sure I missed all sorts of posts regarding left-side pain. Man, my left side just kills me sometimes. Every day. Ibuprophen is not helping and I refuse to take anything stronger. For the last six or seven months, I could not figure out what was the deal, what was causing this awful aching. It only oiccurred to me a couple of weeks ago that maybe it's the port. Hello! Any ideas? Thanks!

Oh, girl! I want so much to tell you there is absolutely nothing to be about. I can promise you that. It is such a piece of cake - no pun intended. I've never been treated so wellas i was in MX. I had no pain - I'm not kidding. It sounds like the anticipation of this unknown thing is getting you very worked up. Please follow through with this. It really and truly will make you laugh at how simple it is. Wow! For being so young, you sure are astute. The band is a fantastic tool, no qustion about it. And as you say, the real issue is in your head. I learned to get out of my own way and let the band do its thing. It's has been relatively simple for me to trick the band and I came to see that the real problem is the disease of compulsive overeating. A real disease. I'm involved now with a program that is helping me in ways I never imaged to overcome my compulsion to overeat. Just my band and me was not enough. So now I'm using the band to do what it's designed to do while I get out of the way. I am thinking of you and sending you all good vibes and love!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone's comments and encouragement! I'm really not alone and I am so greatful to all of you for helping me realize that.

Hi Everybody. I've been incommunicado for a while. Into my isolation thing. But I logged on today to see what's been going on. I was banded 6 months ago. I"ve lost 30 pounds (only) and have not had any loss in two months. I started to lose hope and believed for a while that I was right, I will never lose the weight. Then I realized that even though I really did believe I would not be successful in losing the weight and I don't know what it feels like to be thin, I thought why not try thinking I could be successful and lose, even if I don't believe it. Pretend. Does that make sense? Even though I've never been thin and really don'tknow what it looks like for me (or feel like), maybe I could pretend. One thing I know for sure: Thoughts become things. No wonder I'm still fat and not losing despite this great tool of the band. I've deep down believed that I won't lose the weight even with the help of the band. So maybe if I begin to visualize , change ... I have been unemployed for over two years, and in spite of that, I cashed out my measly 401K to have the surgery done. The hope of losing this weight was worth sinking my last penny into it. I've been feeling so disappointed and angry with myself for not helping the band more to get me to where I think I want to be. I'm not afraid to be thin. If anything, I'm terrified of letting myself down once again. I defininately eat less and drink much more water. I exercise, tho not very much. I have MS and have been guilty in the past of using it as an excuse to not move more. I can do more. I eat junk more often than healthy food. I'm a food addict, band or no band. I don't overeat. Just eat the wrong food. So duh, no weight loss; right? I've avoided the forum so I wouldn't read about others who have been successful. How low is that? Anyway, thank you for letting me vent.

Thank you for your comments. I am relieved to know that I'm not alone out there with this. There are a few factors for me that can be contributing to this weirdness. I'll follow your advice and go liquids for a few. Like I have a choice! I drank my coffee this mornng and so far so good. Thanks again!

I had my second fill Jan. 5 and everything was going along well. This week, tho, I'm having a helluva time swallowing. Three weeks after the fill! The fill gave me restriction and I loved it. All of a sudden, I cannot swallow any solid food and just enough liquid. I chew everything like crazy. What's the deal? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I have used a product called "Bowtrol" and have had wonderful success with it. You can find it online. It's expensive which precludes me from using it now. Hope this helps.

The fill without staying (just the fill) is $100. They don't accept crredit cards. It's best to take cash or a cashier's check with you.

I had my second fill last Monday. Each fill was done at OCC and each time I drove myself there and drove myself home right after. I live 2 hours north. The fill takes about 20 minutes. I never felt any discomfort after the procedure. For the 2nd fill, they didn't suggest I hang out and eat and/or drink to determine how the fill was working (too much, not enough). I just got in the car and headed back. Good luck to you.

Thank you, BandDiva. I just went to the website you added and ordered some. Thank you so much again!

Hi all, I'm 2 months post-op. I'm doing all right. had my second fill this past Monday and wow! I know what restriction feels like finally. Anyway, can anyone recommend some liquid protein ideas? I really dislike slim fast. I heard a while back about something called a protein bullet that you add to bottled water or something like that. Does that ring any bells?

I saw them for sale at 24-Hour Fitness today. I'd never seen them before.

For the record, I did not call the border lady a "b*tch" to her face. Hello! She asked me a couple of questions that were clearly not within her realm of authoirity to ask ("How much is your car payment?" Excuse me?!!)

I went to OCC in TJ today for my second fill. I was told by my advisor initially that a "blind" fill was free for life and that a fill under flouro was $100. Due to my dire financial circumstances, I wanted to opt for a blind fill. So I get there and was told that they do not do blind fills. What? I didn't go prepared with $100 and told the gal what I was led to believe. She went and talked to someone and came back and relented "this one time" to accept a credit card. What? When I went into the room to see the doctor, I specifically told him I couldn't do the fill with flouro. He said okay and did one with flouro anywy. What? Okay, in a perfect world, we would all love to do it under flouro. I am in dire straits financially and really couldn't afford $100. Anyone else been told that OCC does blind fills for free? I'm really curious if anyone else has had a similar experience. Also when crossing the border, my friend only had a driver's license. I was 100% positive that crossing back into the US was fine with driver's license until June of '09 when passports will be required. The border lady gave us a VERY hard time. She let him through on his DL "this time." What a b*tch. I was furious and was one step away from coming undone with her. I'll double check the id requirements. She was just not wanting to let us get through without making it very difficult. Excuse me, b*tch. If my friend has a CA DL, doesn't that tell you he got his DL with his birth certificate and that's enough proof of citizenship? God, I'm getting worked up just reliving it. Anyway., I'd appreciate any about blind fills that anyone may have. Thanks for letting me vent.