AmberLam

Hey MM- This happend to me as well. Mine was after my second fill (2.0cc's in my band) I came home and had a normal dinner just to be a rebel and "test" my new fill. Bad, bad banster... I know but I everything just fine! It took about 5 days for mine to "kick" in When ppl ask me about my band... the best word for me to describe it is FICKLE! Congrats on your restriction!!!

Hey everybody!!! I've been wondering... What does everyone think of taking Phentermine post-op? Think its cheating? Why or why not? My Dr. Fill (hahaha) really pushes the stuff because it curbs cravings for carbs/sugar/salt and its a stimulant to keep ya moving. Any thoughts and/or comments are appreciated!

Thank you Amber! I don't know if I could tolerate Dr. Fox I feel like I've dealt with enough of attitudes from the medical profession. I feel ya... he's a quack!!! I havent heard of anyone else on this forum that see's him, unless they just arent saying http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?show...amp;#entry23609 Check out the link above (if you havent already) Blazen started a great topic that has to do with fills. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask... There are so many here with GREAT info to share >

FYI.... The Fill Center Doc in Washington is Dr. Fox Located in Auburn. I see him monthly for follow up care (my choice to go monthly) and was just in today... He does not have Fluro as he told me that he's been doing fills too long and doesnt need the x-ray to show him what he already knows. Pretty cocky I thought, but I go to him cause it's closest. There is a place in Olympia that see's Ortiz patients. Dr. Neal and he does have fluro. Hope this helps Amber

Mackenzie, You said that you were putting too much on your plate and felt like you had to eat it all..... I was having the same issue so I went to the store and got small (like cake) sized plates... I also got tiny tupperware. This has helped so much!! Now there isnt so much white space on my plate and I feel like Im eating a normal sized meal. Amber

My mom and I arrived on a Sunday afternoon, had pre-op testing and surgery Monday morning. Good luck to you!!!

Highest weight: 318 Banded 8/20/07 weighed 295lbs the day of surgery 1st Fill 10/4/07 1.0 cc's ( I had better restriction post-op, pre-fill... ugh! ) Dr. Neal in Olympia, WA under fluro 2nd Fill 10/31/07 1.0 cc's added, total of 2.0cc's in my band. ( Was down 44lbs ) Dr. Neal Olympia, Wa under fluro 3rd Fill 1/30/08 .25cc's added, total of 2.25cc's in ( losing weight.. but eating WAYY to much ) Dr. Fox Auburn, WA .... Blind fill 4th Fill 2/21/08 .25cc's added, total of 2.50cc's in Dr. Fox Auburn, WA ... Blind fill I dont think I will need another fill for a long while... I jumped on the scale this morning (ok.. not literally!!!) and am at 220lbs!

I agree!!!! I got these at Costco a long time ago... Loved them, went back for more and they were no longer being sold at MY Costco. GRRRRRRR Thanks for adding the maker, I looked at their web site and can now order them online (or go to the only Costco that sells them in WA state)!!!!!!!!! Amber

For me it was a little bit of everything... I got to the point where most of the Lane Giant/Fashion Bug/Avenue clothing stores didnt have anything I could fit in. It is still very hard to admit that a size 30/32 was often to small. I was over 300 pounds and still in my early 20's. I used to hate going to doctors because every diagnosis involued losing weight... When I got strep throat every other month.. I was told that I wouldnt get it as much if I lost some weight... Ingrown toenail.. same thing GRRRRRRRRR!!!!! I researched for 3 years on and off, but couldnt figure out where I was going to get the $$ to do it. I got married in March of last year (my husband is from England/Scotland) and we found it would be easier for me to move there... I decided to sell my house in prep for my move and even before the house closed I had figured how much I would make... and knew that I would be having my surgery. That's my story in a nutshell!!! Amber

You were right!! That was an amazing article!! Thanks for posting it.... Must go get some tissue now

Alana, I was in a similar situation prior to my surgery. At my highest I was 318lbs and since I'm only 5'2" that is a BMI of OMG i can even admit how high Dr Miranda wanted me to loose 30+ before she would confirm me. I was penciled in, already paid in full but could not book air fair till I lost the weight... I first contacted the OCC on 7/24/07 and was penciled in for 8/20/07. Less than a month to loose 30 POUNDS?!?!!?!? Are you KIDDING me?? I was on a very strict diet... Slim Fast for breakfast and lunch, and up to 4lbs of green veg. If I was making a salad, only the spritzer dressing. I drank TONS of water as it helps greatly with weight loss. I took vitamin supplements and made sure to take fiber to keep the tummy growls to a minimum. I ended up booking air fair 3 days before my surgery (which my pocketbook hated me for) but I had lost... in less than a month, 21 pounds! It wasn't exactly the 30 she asked for, but she was VERY impressed with my numbers. After doing the pre-op diet the post-op was a piece of cake so to speak!! It was prep for post-op!! I know it is hard... but you CAN do this! We are all here to support you and keep you on track! If you made a little goof today, make tomorrow better! Please keep us posted on your progress Amber

Thanks for the replies ladies!!! I go to see my doctor tomorrow, we'll see what he says! I know that I WONT be getting a fill heheheee Snowbird, Yes... my mom is the same as yours. If we cleaned our plate.. Then we could have a snack b4 bed Amber

Thanks for the replies!!! Snowbird... What you said really made me stop and look differently at the way I was thinking. Since reading your post, I've been trying different foods and have found that chili concarne (no beans for me though...) works great when I feel that I haven't had enough. Ironically the reason I had the last fill was because I was eating as much food as I did pre-op... I am loosening up a bit and not freaking out like before!! Again, Thanks for your advice!!!!

Hello All, I am in need of some help and/or suggestions.... I was banded 8-20-07 and have been very happy with everything up until about a month ago. I have either 2.5cc's or 2.75cc's (cant remember exactly) in my 4cc band. My last fill was done here in Washington and I got .25cc's on 2-21-08. Before this last fill I could eat about anything (bread, pasta, potatoes... yummmm) even though my band was over half full. Bad, I know.. but I still lost 10 pounds the month prior to the last fill!!!!! I am becoming increasingly concerned because now I restrict on everything... Even room temperature tap water in the morning. I have NEVER pb'd but I do occasionally slim. I am taking vitamins but still don't feel that I am eating enough food to get all the nutrients that my body needs..... Today I was able to eat (or drink) for breakfast half of a 12oz lite liquid yogurt (watered down a bit to help it go through). For lunch (was in job training, box lunch provided.. only sandwich selections available..grrrr!!) it was 1 strawberry, 2 grapes, 4 cut pieces of honeydew melon and 2 small deli style slices of roast beef. For dinner (if you can call it that) I've had 1/4 of a cucumber and a slice of turkey bacon. I am loosing weight as I always have since surgery, but would you consider this a normal day's worth of eating? I know that I am mourning food.. I'll admit that! So maybe I'm just trying to think of ways to rationalize a slight un-fill???? At what point does the body go into starvation mode? (I know we are all different =) Is this how the sweet spot feels??? Can someone be overfilled but not PB?? :-? I should end this by saying that I have a appointment with my fill doc on the 27th...and plan to talk to him about it but maybe you have some insight for me?? THANKS!!!! Amber

Name: Amber Location: Spanaway, Washington Gender: Female Age: 28 Height: 5'2 Band date: 8-20-07 Highest weight: 318 Current weight: 232

Hello my precious!!! I hope that your experience is as great as mine was My advise is to change out of the paper under crackers as soon as you are able to get yourself out of bed. I hated wearing them!! Also, I brought a variety of bouillon cubes with me to have once back at the hotel. Each room has a coffee pot and just used it for yummy broth meals Good luck to you!! Amber

Thanks Clynn, I was hoping you would answer! That makes more sense #-o

I had my first fill on 10/4/07. They gave me 1.0cc's of saline. When I went back yesterday for the second fill there was only .5cc's left in my band. I asked questions and got answers, but still dont get it. The fill tech assured me that there was no holes and everything looked normal.. so where could it go? Maybe someone could explain it in another way that I might understand? Thanks!

So today I was cleaning out my closet in preparation to move. Normally this is a dismal time where I reflect on all the money wasted for clothes that never fit, tags still attached that just took up space in my closet. Also a very depressing since I never lost "enough" weight to actually wear them. Ever notice how the smaller the size, the cuter things get?? ughhh Today was different.... Knowing I had lost pre-op, I actually put on those cute jeans in a size I haven't worn in years. I DIDN'T have to lay on the bed to button. I didn't have to suck it all in to get them to zip. All the tags were still attached and to my amazement they WEREN'T stretch jeans.. they were the normal kind!! AND.. it's my tom... AND I'm still a bit swollen from surgery on Monday (8-20) ... WOW!!! I'm still in shock ... Ive gotta go do some more "shopping" in my closet Here's to us my fellow bandsters.. I hope everyone gets to experience this awesome feeling!!! Amber

Hi Nimits, I feel ya.. In that packet of paperwork you get from your coordinator it says you must quit smoking 2 weeks prior to surgery. I initialed this and faxed it in, wrote in my calendar my quit day, then kinda forgot about it. Ive been a smoker for 10 years and when it finally dawned on me that my quit day was fast approaching I started to smoke more! In some twisted sick way I think this helped me. For my last 3 days I was smoking a pack a day.. This made me sick. It's hard enough carrying nearly 300 pounds around.. add to that not being able to breath from smoking! I quit, cold turkey, exactly 2 weeks prior to my surgery date. At first I didn't know what to do with myself, so I started walking to pass the time ( this worked out great cause I had lots to loose pre-op). I got my band Monday 8-20 and am still not smoking.. I have no secret, I wont lie.. I want to smoke and it is hard as a mother.. I've also avoided all of my smoker friends as I'm sure they will pity my and give me one if i beg enough. I just keep trying to tell myself that I spent all that $$ on myself to get (and stay) healthy. It's also amazing the amount of money I still have in my bank account when I don't have to go to the store every other day to pick up my smokes! Maybe I'll buy myself some diamonds!?!?! Or pay off my LB financing :-? hmmm ahhaha YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! Amber

HI LAUREN!! It was so great to meet you and your husband on the 20th! Though I wish we could have gotten to actually talk ( ( I too was very impressed with everything at OCC. Just one regret; I wish that I would have met Lori, gave her a big squeeze and thanked her for all I put her through pre-op. She was a miracle worker. You are NOT joking about the good looks of Dr. Ortiz.. and some of his staff... WOWZAA I must agree that the flights we pretty sucky. On both trips mom and I were in the very back of the plane, which was by the restrooms. Every time someone would walk by (which was often) I was piled in my moms seat. Oiy!! We were both very lucky and didn't get any of the gas pains that many talk about.. thank goodness!! Although, I have had the hiccups a total of 3 times and REALLY didn't like that. Burping now is also a painful experience After we got home Wednesday I was relaxing on the couch, having a bit of a nap, when my precious kitty cat decided that it was petting time... She jumped right on my stomach... right on the incisions. I screamed, the cat went flying!! Poor kitty, I freaked her out and she stayed hidden for a few hours. I've since learned to sleep with a pillow on my stomach so it's not as noticeable when she's climbing on me!!! hehehe I'm very glad to hear that you are doing better! I wish you the best of luck and keep me posted!!! Amber

Paul, Thank you for posting such a great topic. I am 28 and will be banded on 8/20 by Dr. Ortiz. I think that everyone does LB for their own reasons. For me personally, I'm 70/30. 70% cosmetic and 30% for my health. Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so.. I know how society deems the obese and would prefer to not be stared at and ridiculed like a freak. As of now, I don't have any co-morbidity's.... YET! But I'm sure they will creep up on me just as all this weight did. I would like to have kids someday and it is a fear of mine that I wont be able to play with them. That is if I can even get pregnant as weight effects that too. I think that many on this forum have done the yo-yo thing, me included. I am hoping the LB will prevent this from happening by becoming my long term solution for a longer life as a "normal" person. Which ever you choose, good luck to you! Amber

Hi Lauren!! Less than a week now!! I'm so excited :-) Found out yesterday that I am cleared and will be coming the 19th for surgery the 20th!!! YEAHHHHH It's so great to not be "tentative" anymore. Hope that you are well and the diet is getting easier. HANG IN THERE!!!!! Amber

ehhe I had my cable shut off about 2 months ago, so I dont have that temptation. NO, I'm not confirmed yet.. still sitting in limbo. Airfare is going to hurt the pocket book unless I/we (mom too) get postponed. I dont know when we will know. I still have 14 pounds to go and today we are 10 days away.. ugh Cucumbers are GREAT!! I've had (at least) one a day since 7/24... and luckily my mom has a garden full of them yummmmmm

Hi Lauren!! How are you doing today?? How are you doing on the diet? YOU CAN DO IT!!! Pesonally I think it gets easier. The first week I was very hungry... or at least my head was telling me I was Ive been on it since July 24th and now it's not so bad, just lots of chopping hehe Have a great weekend!