ValleyGirl

Hey Sharon! If you'd feel better doing it under fluoro, the ladies at North West Fill Managemant are supposed to be good and only charge $250...it's less than a 3-hour drive and right by the Seattle Premium Outlets!!! I'm going Thursday and I'll be sure to report back. As for your morning pain, I don't have pain but, suddenly, I can't eat solids in the morning without it hurting going down so I'm back to shakes in the morning. I figure I have tightened up again because I have gained a few pounds since going back on solids:( Sabrina:)

My New Life, I just noticed our tickers info is almost identical! I'll be chearing you on from the sidelines!!! I started at 256, was 247 on surgery day, and I'm also 230 now with another 75 to go before 155! I was 150 in grade eight and pretty small (size 8) so I don't think I'll get below that. I get my first fill Thursday and can't wait. Good luck! Sabrina:)

Do you mean six months to reach goal or six fills??? Sabrina:)

You may also find your teeth get very gritty while not eating solids for 21 days. I would brush and brush and brush but it wouldn't help very much. You should have your teeth cleaned right after the liquid diet ends. Sabrina:)

Totally normal! They say the first six weeks is all about healing and you should worry about losing weight after your first fill. Easier said than done, I know. I haven't lost in almost two weeks and can't wait for my first fill on January 15th! As of this morning, I decided to start to track everything I am eating with the nutrition tracker on sparkpeople.com. I've just been eating too much since I went back on solids and I've actually GAINED a few pounds:( Hang in there! There are lots of us in the same position right now. We're here if you need us. Sabrina:)

Maybe I have a sick sense of humour, but this was the good laugh I needed today- I'm just howling, thank you for that!!! Reading these posts is cracking me up,lol!!!

You're the Dynamic Duo, way to go!!!

Hmm....photo doesn't seem to be loading. I'll try to figure it out later.

These are my sister's clip-ins I tried on at Xmas. I like them and think I might get some of the permanent ones as a "Pick me up" during this bandster-hell phase. Has anybody had them? Do they ruin your hair? Sabrina:)

I can eat brocolli so far but I have no fill yet. Sabrina:)

One more thing...I wanted to make sure I didn't have to bend over to tie up shoes so I wore flip-flops the whole time. My husband couldn't beliebe that I only packed one pair of shoes. He hates that I bringa differenet pair for every outfit on every holiday- we usually need a suitcase just for my shoes, haha . If you don't have a pair of Crocs flip-flops they are the best!!! I can walk for hours in them...and did! I still say no to the Crocs clogs though - they are SO ugly,lol! Sabrina:)

I'm trying to stay positive and I suppose I'm in the "bandster-hell" phase but I keep seeing all these neagative posts on other boards about Lap band "not working" for them and there doesn't seem to be anybody on here with long term success...I want to hear about the success stories...if you are out there, speak up! The newly-banded need your advice and encouragement! Don't be shy!

Here is the reply that Dr. Miranda just sent me.....I've never found her to be particularly helpful or knowledgeable so I may get a second opinion from my GP `cause I'm tired and a bit dizzy and want to make sure I'm getting enough. "50g the most. Remember there is protein in beans, meats, egg, dairy , and even cakes. Usually people over eat it. Extra protein will store as body fat.Who need extra protein?patients that suffer from severe burnspregnant womenchildren they are growingathletes. Dr. Miranda"

It's $275 with fluoro and it's North West Fill Management, not to be confused with other fill centres in the area. They used to be in the Arlington pharmacy but have moved to Marysville. They are not doctors, they are two female nurses, one of which has a band herself.

I'm confused about how much protein we should be getting. I'll email Dr. Miranda but you guys are usually faster at replying! Thanks. Sabrina:)

If anybody does want to stay in Marysville in the future, I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express across from the outlets and it's very clean and nice. There's also great specials for the new Tulalip Resort Hotel which is just beautiful!!! Lisa is right too, the shopping there is fantastic...we do a girls shopping weekend about twice a year. The Ross and Kohls across the street are great too! Sabrina:) ps- yes, you'd probably have more fun with us than your husband, ha ha ha

Thanks Lisa! Have fun in Hawaii.... and you've worked for that bikini so you better wear it!!! We're going to Florida in February and I'm not looking forward to putting on a bathing suit. We'll probably go back to Hawaii next year so maybe by then. You'll have to let me know what you think of Kona `cause that's where my husband wants to go next time. We've been to Oahu, Maui and Molaki so far. Have fun!!! Sabrina:)

I know this won't be popular, but I've decided not to go back to OCC for my first fill. I'm going to Northwest Fill Management on Thursday January 14th and, yes, they will be doing it under fluoro. I know people who go to them and would trust their lives (and the lives of their bands) with them. They just moved from Arlington to Marysville. I will be spending the night so if anybody is in the area and wants to meet up, there is lots to do there....a beautiful resort with good restaurants (although I guess I'll be on liquids)a nice new casino, a great spa, The Seattle Premium Outlets are there! Let me know. ps- flights from Bellingham to San Diego (and many other hot spots like Vegas) are DIRT CHEAP with Allegiant Air right now. $130 return including tax! The catch is, you need to go Sunday-Thursday and I just don't want to be away that long.

I want to book my first fill today and I'm wondering how important it is to have it at OCC. I can have it done at the hospital (blind) with a local surgeon for about $100 or can drive to a number of places in Washington State for fills with or without floro for anywhere from $150-$300 and be home the same day. Going to TJ will be around $700 after flights, hotel, paying for car service and the fill. Is it really worth the extra money and hassle? Has anybody had their first fill anywhere else? If you're in Washington, even better. Who do you see there? Sabrina:)

If I get my first fill around the same time as you (I'm holiding out for a seat sale) I'll bring you some! Sabrina:)

I see what you're saying but my brain is actually registering a full feeling with this soup, and I stay full as long (if not longer) than I do when I eat solids, maybe because it's high in protein? Man, my head is spinning. I better talk to OCC about this, who knows how many other things I'm doing wrong?!

Really? No soups ever??? That's like saying no water either cause it goes straight through your band. That's the first I've heard of that. I don't plan to eat only soup all the time, but for lunch sometimes? I eat solids most of the time but I like soup:(

I don't know if they sell it in The States because it's a French-Canadian soup, but I have re-discovered a childhood favorite! I LOVE Habitant pea soup- the one in the yellow can that's been around forever. It's high in protein too, 8g protein, 7 g fibre, 4 g fat and 170 cals per serving.

We'd love to hear from you, good and bad.

The hotels suggestions I was given were for hotels in San Diego. I don't wnat to stay in TJ a second longer than I need to. I have family that works with law enforcement in the gang unit and what is going on there is really serious. Going out partying in TJ isn't a risk I'm willing to take- and, believe me, I've always been a risk-taker...the "you gotta try everything once" girl, lol. San Diego is gorgeous too, so I'm happy to hang out there for a couple days of sunshine and shopping, making a quick trip over the border for my appointment only.