karenlynn79

Thanks guys! I can't see a major difference in pics from about 15 lbs ago, but my clothes are definitely fitting differently (looser) every week. I've also been working really hard at not PBing. I am still (after almost 2 years of banding) a fast eater/ big bite person. I have to tell myself every bite, not to take too big of one. Since I've been trying, I've hardly PB'd. And I take almost 40 min to eat a small meal. So I know it's on me!

Since having my daughter in March (4 months ago today!) I've had 1 fill. But that's misleading, because before I got pregnant I had 3 fills, and an unfill to find that level that worked for me. I have 2 ccs. It's perfect, it was before so Dr. Romero put 2 back in in April. It sounds to me that you might need another fill. You really can't compare fill levels with other people, because our internal organs are really different. More than 2cc's and I can't eat. You've already got more than that and you can. I know there are people who can handle 3cc's or more. Just depends. I know it's frustrating (been there) but once you find the fill level, it will start working!!! Hang in there!

Thanks Michelle, how the heck do you make it bigger like that!?

This is a pic of my husband and I last night going to a wedding. I have been losing steadily 1-3 lbs a week for 3 months (yea!) and only have 4 lbs to go before I hit the 180's..... So nice! I have been having fun jogging/running on my treadmill every other day, and can go for 8 straight minutes without even getting too winded. I like those kinds of changes as much as the weight loss. As for last night, first night out in SO long, I drank (which I never do) kind of a lot but surprisingly I was ok! Not going to do it anymore though, I kept thinking, "alcohol has so many calories!"

I know what you guys mean. The only fast food I can have is either 1) Wendy's Chili, which is good anyway or 2) fries but they take so much work to eat, I usually get tired after about 5 of them..... Not only am I not eating that crap anymore, but I am not spending the $ on it either! Nice!

Stormy, Have you tried FiberSure or Benefiber? It's in a small jug and mixes in water. That's what I use. I used to take the Metamucil capsules and for me, I absolutely cannot take those now!! I've only used FiberSure but I was going to try Benefiber when I run out.......

Doesn't really sound band-related. Maybe see your Doc or dentist??

They don't really tell you a number for calories after surgery. I think most people on here shoot for between 1000-1200 a day on average. Some days I have trouble getting there, though I usually hit 1100 with my "usual" food routine. If you are worried about once you get off the liquid stage and onto regular food, before your 1st fill, most people gain a few pounds back. Most of us were able to eat just as before banding, before you start having fills. This is totally normal. It's basically willpower before your fill. Either you can eat healthfully and just make good choices until the fills force you to, or you can do what I did (don't!) and go back to your old ways!!! I think a lot of people now book their fill, flight etc... ahead of time or right away so they aren't tempted to do that. Good luck! Karen

Hi! The SD zoo is SO amazing. Seaworld kind of dissapointed me though. Are you going to the Wild Life Park as well? It's run by the SD zoo too, but it's about a 30 min drive from the city. It's really great too, huge, more like a wild animal park in Africa than a zoo. Anyway, have fun both there and at the OCC. You are in excellent hands! Karen

welcome!!!

Wow!! You do look great! You don't even look like you need to lose more!

Lisa, you weren't kidding about graphic!!! Ok so why do people do this? Is it only for people with certain "issues". I was too grossed out to read on the site...... Does everyone have that stuff in them????

I have trouble getting protein so I have been expanding my options- I found these two things and LOVE them! Morningstar Spicy Black Bean Burger (veggie burger) at grocery stores 120 calories 4 g fat 4 fiber 11 protein and they are GOOD Dry Roasted Edamame (soy beans) I got a big jug at Costco for 6$ 130 calories 4 g fat 8 g fiber 14 grams of protein they are good by themselves or could be added into stuff like salads

I've never been able to eat solids first thing in the morning. By 11 I can eat lunch, thank goodness! I have a protein supplement for breakfast for that reason..... I would prefer to have a small breakfast but it's just not worth the trouble!

I'll let you know..... I'll have 3 lbs of the stuff so I guess I'll be using it no matter what! It's the powder so you have to mix it with something. The liquid drinks from GNC were so expensive I just couldn't order them... I should have it by the weekend I think. Right now I use Any Whey protein with my slim fasts. But I am looking to wean off SF's because they don't keep me full and it's just extra calories and fat.

Amazon has the 3 lb tubs of Isopure powder for about half of what GNC online sold it.... Just FYI for all... I ordered Alpine Punch and have the intention of trying it in water.... Hopefully it's going to be tolerable!

Hey Jessica, You have to figure that you are spending many thousands of dollars at once for the band. The fill cost is so little in comparison, but you do have to factor that in. I have been down many times to the OCC, I do live in Cali so it's only a 100$ flight roundtrip for me. Every person really is different. Depending on where you are and if you stay in TJ a night, it could add up. But, it's something that is necessary. When something is nonnegotiable, I just try not to worry about it. I've been down probably 6 or 7 times in almost 2 years. But, I had to have an unfill because I had them put in just a wee bit more when I really shouldn't have (2 trips), and I had a baby recently so that counts for 2, getting an unfill while pregnant and then in April getting refilled back to where I was before. As far as sweet spot, people just mean the fill level for each person where they are losing but not too tight. It's best not to compare with other people's fill levels because each person's stomach is radically different. If you are borrowing or saving $ for fills, you might want to plan for at least a few the first year or two at a minimum and go from there.... Karen

Yes they both do still as far as I know. I was down in April and Dr. Romero did my fill again. Dr. Acosta was training to do fills about a year ago and "practiced" on me, and he was great too..... They are both young and funny and cute, too!

They also have you drink water right after your fill, or this pink stuff, and watch it go through the band on the screen. They can tell if liquids are going through at a good pace, too fast or too slow. Then, they might give you more fill or take some out. Dr. Romero is great and Dr. Acosta too, they've done all my fills and unfills and can really tell on the screen where you're at.... I personally wouldn't get a fill without fluoro...

Drs. Romero and Miranda told me that I could drink up until the moment I start eating. Also, some doctors recommend not drinking 30-60 min before eating because some people's restriction is affected by hot or cold drinks. I think that cold drinks CAN sometimes give you "extra" restriction. Hot can open you up more. So, if you are a drink-sensitive person, perhaps drinking hot or cold right before a meal will affect how much you eat, which could be bad (or good). Personally hot drinks do open me a little in the morning, which is good for me. I haven't noticed cold drinks doing anything, I eat ice all day and drink ice water all day too, right up until I eat....

I either 1) eat crushed ice (I do this all day) 2) ignore it 3) have a small snack like crackers or cheese I have a baby so I am usually in bed by 9 or 9:30, that helps too!

Ramona, Sorry you are having such a hard time. My weight loss slowed (stopped) when I started birth control pills again. Got off them, have lost like 12 lbs in a month. Sadly, I had to start taking them again due to extreme PMDD... Are there meds that might interfer with your loss? Are you sure you're getting enough calories? Sounds like you are really active. Have you talked to Dr Miranda yet?? She told me not to eat cheese, but I do a couple times a week anyway, I love cheese! I also write down every single calorie, fat, protein, fiber and cholesterol I eat. I try to stay within certain limits everyday. It almost sounds to me that you aren't getting enough, though I don't know the nutrional data of what you are eating. I supplement with fiber and protein to make sure I get enough. Good luck and I hope that the third fill helps! Karen

I personally mix it with a slim fast in the morning. There are recipes on the side of the jug that give you suggestions on what else to use it in...

I buy the 100% Any Whey Protein Powder on bodybuilding.com It's good and has no cholesterol and is pretty much tasteless...

Congrats! I also have 2 ccs in my band and it's a great fill for me. But, everyone is different! I hope that you have good restriction with your fill. You will have to learn how to work with it, and it is worth it! Karen