WAgal

great question Caroline! I also thought about this but felt this was the least of my problems right now. it's great to know this though in case I ever get at a point where all the fat and skin are gone and can romp around being conscientious about a quarter size bump! Wow was I being sarcastic or wishing that this could be the case someday! I think both! Hanna

OMgosh Kimberly what a harrowing experience. Glad all did turn out well. I do just love our OCC docs! They are the best and will do what's best for you. The support here too is just fantastic, do you feel the love and caring of fellow bandsters? I'm so glad you are well again! Keep us posted! Blessings, Hanna

Congrats Amber! You have the right attitude and therefore projected the results of what you wanted which sounds fantastic! The best to you and yeah, isn't it nice to be home after you go away for a little while isn't it? There's no place like home to create all that wonderful sounds of flatulence. LOL!! I'm always trying to be funny but know I mean well!!! Blessings, Hanna:)

Charlotte, You're right. You are suppose to stop the protein shakes after being banded, but for some like myself, my band do not cooperate with food in the mornings. I've tried and tried and I've got it down to the exact time which happens to be at about 11am in the morning when I can actually start eating something. This is of course a temporary fix until my band allows me. I don't understand it but what I'm trying to do is eat/drink something healthy enough to get my metabolism going. I can totally go without breakfast, I'm not a breakfast person. But Dr. Miranda said that to get my metabolism going, I must eat something in the mornings. I love the protein shakes anyway and it sure beats trying to cram down food that won't stay down in the mornings for me. That's me and I've read in other forums that some do have problems eating in the morning and drinking something warm helps. I've tried but am trying to cut out coffee/tea or caffein in my system. Hanna:)

Yay Kimmie!!!

MacKenzie! You should be proud of yourself! That's fantastic!!!! Keep up the great work you are doing! You'll be at your targeted goal before you know it! Hanna:)

Val, I'm in Everett, WA area. The local fill center I would be going to is the Arlington Pharmacy, only about 30 mins. or so drive for me. Thanks to the other experienced bandsters here from the state of WA, I feel very at ease going to the two ladies here that do the fill. In fact they now have the x-ray machine and can do the fluoro too! Cost... I can't quote but I think it's in the range of $150 - $200 with fluoro. I have the website and have to check again. When I had my first fill at TJ we had the fluoro done which was as easy as can be. I went to TJ because I wanted to make sure all was well with my band. I wanted to make sure everything was where it should be and that if something were wrong Dr. O would be right there to rectify it. Yes, Dr. Romero was fantastic and talked you through the whole fill process. What was even nicer was that we gals that were banded together (about 5 of us) got filled together which was great in itself as a support system. I also had some dental work done and my daughter had her teeth whitened so it worked out well for me to go to TJ that time around. If you go to a fill center or fill doctor locally, just make sure that they know what they are doing and have done the fill enough times and their reputation is good with bandsters. After all your band is an investment and I've read that if they hit the port wrong then it could do damage to your implanted band. Which means time and money again for you as a bandster. Questions, I don't mind them at all... I just want to be helpful to others as others here have been to me! Hanna

Val/Mom12, I was just looking at your stats and you are similar to mine! Congrats... your current weight is 172.5, that's fantabulous! Keep it up... I'm gonna have to stalk you to find out how you are doing and to keep me motivated and accountable! LOL! I'm at a stand still of 174... gotta go for a second fill, but will be doing it locally... hopefully next week. Blessings to you! Hanna

Myr, Everything possible has been said here so I just HUG you! You keep up the positive thoughts! We're with you on your struggles... 'cause we are going through (someone here on the forum) the same during our journey! Your honesty is appreciated and for the sharing! Hanna

You guys rock! I'm glad you're all having fun! Love the pic w/Dr. O! And umm... how's the 2.0 cc coming along? I gotta go get another fill myself! Hanna

Hellloooo bandsters! That was so much fun! I have to thank all of you for that... I did laugh so hard that even my mom came to investigate what I was doing! Hugs to all you wonderful ladies for making my week! Love and hugs! Hanna

Wow! Definitely love that pink dresss on you! You look just fantabulous!

Out and about today! Yay, it was suppose to be 75 today but it registered 100 in my van after we went walking for 1 hour at the beach. It was hot hot hot!!! Leisure walking for a about 2 hours total. In the outdoor mall and the beach. Thanks Paula that website... I'm glad that I did get a work out! My mom is here with me visiting for a week. She is due to return back home on Tuesday. Love and blessings. Hanna:) now that the sun came out with a vengeance today and yesterday the lawn is dying! Gotta go water right now. Something is always up! Life, LOL!

May 15, no elliptical but mowed the lawn for 40 minutes and I did sweat.

Love the cut!

Wow. I skip a day not checking in the forum and all this is happening. How cool an idea! Thanks Bandgroupie or whoever it is that came up with this! I LOVE IT! Count me in! I'll go wherever the poll takes us but I have a preference for San Diego myself since I love it there and the possibility of the OCC staff being there for us to be part of the seminar speakers etc. I also have kids so we haven't done all of the California touristy stuff and would love to be able to do those before or after the bandster thing as part of our vacation. I can also do the Grand Canyon if we do it in Vegas, my family would love that. So I guess, either way is good. Oh.. I'll vote the polls. I'll volunteer also for the committee, if 'ya all still need me. (that's my southern talk) As part of the seminar, organized speakers, can we have about 3-4 or however many, to speak about their journey in banding. You know those success stories. #1, a bandster that's been out post-op 5 years, #2, post-op 3 years, #3, post-op 1 year, #4 post-op ???? I would think this would generate bandster wannabes to come and investigate if this is truly what they are looking for and if it is what they want as results. The bandster speakers would discuss points of challenges in their journey and of course the "healthy, happy, feel good stuff" This would be a great opener and ice breaker... Doesn't have to be long and drawn out, just about a 3-5 mins. each speech and a slideshow behind them playing their beginning journey size and to current then a 5 mins. Q&A for audience to ask their questions. I'm excited to hear all the good stuff planned! Such talented bandster we have here =D> , yippee! Hanna

Michelle, Add my stuff please. On the 12, did 20 the 15mins. so.. 35mins for elliptical. 13th, 30 mins. elliptical. My legs are so tired, I set the darn thing for some resistance but haven't read the manual and really need to figure out what tha heck all the buttons mean. I'm just glad I'm exercising again. Thanks, Hanna

lynzz, just stop the exercise for a day and take it easy. just like calicat said, it hurt when i overdid anything a few weeks after surgery. it was after about 20 days that all the aches and pain stopped... I guess that's when my body finally felt healed. let your aches and pains be your guide. anything excruciating should not be ignored if it last continuously for a 24 hour period. hanna:)

Okay, finally I've got my elliptical machine assembled and working! Yay, but only did 20 mins. May 12th. I will try to get on again later today, just had to let you guys know that I'm aboard! You guys have been making me feel sooooo behind with all this exercising you're doing. It's very motivational and bringing out the competitiveness in me which is just what I need! Hope you all had a nice mother's day celebration! Hanna

Yay! Isn't it so exciting to loose weight after you've felt so hopeless for a long while! I'm excited for you too!!! Keep it up! Hanna:)

Awww my sisters!!!! hugs, Hanna:)

Maytee, First of all I'd like you to describe her to me. What details did she tell you? Remember when we returned from our group fill (4-18-08) and I posted that there were 8 surgeries plus one... and I didn't elaborate on the plus one, I said long story? She supposedly had her band put on 2005 only started having trouble in Feb 2008 with not being able to get rid of acid reflux for everything she ate, claims she only lost 30 lbs. through it all. I will email the proper people at OCC and find out about this particular woman... it almost sounded like she wanted to discourage everyone purposely. If it is the same woman then there is something wrong as to why she didn't have her surgery done yet or maybe something else is up. If it is a different woman and the claim is genuine then we ought to look into this further. If these claims are genuine then from all the forums I've read, the only ones that usually remove them are the ones that have a slip or those that regretted it because they realize that they can't gorge on food and would like to still. Let this at least be a reminder that the band is not magic and that we do have to change our eating habits and food choices as the band (for us banded) is finicky. I'm happy with my band so far and I love that it doesn't allow me to continue my bad habits. Like trying to eat fast when I'm hungry. I came home yesterday after a long day looking for a wheel barrow. Yeah..it was ridiculous. Did other errands and didn't get home till late. I was so hungry that I started chewing a piece of meat without sitting down and actually having my regular sit down meal. Wrong decision. That first swallow went bad and I had to walk around for about 10 mins. till it went down. My band is training me, reminding me, whatever.. I don't like the feeling but it sure makes me think hard now each time I make the wrong decisions with my old eating habits. I'm researching stress and how it affect our restriction. Somehow I'm curious as it doesn't make sense to me. After all, there's a limited amount of saline in our band that restricts us, that's why we get filled right? How is it that this device can affect it's restriction when it's not a living tissue? I understand that when we lay down then get up in the morning that it affects the band or even the pressure from an airplane when we travel. But stress?? More on this later. In the meantime all is well so long as you are prepared and aware that the band is a tool not a quick fix. Have a wonderful day ladies. I'm still shoveling dirt in the backyard so I'm getting a great sweaty workout. Hanna:)

Hi Jacqui1, Best wishes for your surgery. You'll be just fine. I'll be looking for your post-op posting. Congrats!! Hanna

Awww Happy Birthday!!! Have a wonderful day and celebration whatever it may be! hugs, Hanna:)

I love this post Michelle. It's so informative and basically reinforces what I have already researched and read in the last year! You are a genius at this and I'm so glad you are a wiz at just grabbing info and posting here so we don't have to go around searching for it. Hanna