The Redhead

I was banded in April. I have not lost much at all since then. ...only a total of 10 lbs. I had my first fill in June and only got 1cc in a 4cc band. I finally went back for my 2nd fill a week ago. They gave me 1.6cc total. WOW... talk about restriction! On Tuesday (just after our Thanksgiving) I put some cold turkey on a plate and started picking at it, absentmindely, while working on the computer. All of a sudden my chest started to hurt. Then it hurt more and MORE AND MORE. Pretty soon the pain was so intense I was sweating and gasping for breath. My mouth started to foam and I had to keep spitting it out. Then pain wouldn't stop until finally I brought up some of the turkey. Turkey coming up DOES NOT taste nearly as good coming up as it did going down. THe pain gradually eased but didn't go away completely. About 6 hours later I thought I would have a cup of tea. The tea seemed to go down fine and although I was cautious about eating, because my chest still hurt, I thought I would have a bite of my daughter's apple pie. I chewed the pie well and swallowed. The pain started again. Intense pain that felt like someone was shoving a rock down my chest and stabbing me in the back at the same time. My mouth kep foaming up and I had to keep spitting it out. I kept coughing and finally brought up the apple pie. Still my mouth kept foaming and I had to keep running to the toilet to spit it up. I was exhausted and went to bed but I couldn't lie down because I felt like I was drowning and my back was killing me. I fell asleep sitting up and kept waking up coughing. The next day I only did liquids. I couldn't have eaten solids if I was to try because I felt raw inside. Since then I have learned to eat TINY bites and chew, chew, chew. I'm amazed at how little I'm eating. I'm estimating 5 regular fork fulls MAX! Today we went out for lunch. I had greek salad, one skewer of chicken souvlaki and pita bread. I started with the chicken... nibble, nibble, nibble. Tried a few chunks of tomato and cucumber (my favorites) nibble, nibble, nibble, pita bread, FORGET IT!!! You know what... less than a quarter of the way into my meal I was STUFFED. I was feeling very full, no pain in the chest, just full. The good news... I stepped on the scale this morning and I was down 4 lbs!!!!!! WOO HOO!!! Finally the scaled moved. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my next weigh-in next Saturday, but I'm feeling good. ...different feeling about the band. It's boss. I will obey it's rules. I will cut up my food into little bites and chew it WELL!!! I'm thinking this wasn't a bad idea after all.

Hi Vangirl, I've been going to the NorthWest Fill Center in Arlington, Wa. It's about 45 minutes over the border (and another 2+ hrs plus to sit in border traffic). Robin and Kitty do the fills and they are really sweet. They are moving to Marysville (I think that's what they said), which they say is just 2 more exits further on the Hwy. Denise

Hi Cathy, Good luck with your fill! I just had my 2nd one (it was really overdue). It seems to be working though. ...except I PB'ed for the first time today. ...and I learned cold Thanksgiving turkey snuck from the plate in the frig doesn't go down so well. I'm up to 1.6 cc in a 4 cc band. Isn't it funny how each one of us needs such varying amounts to 'work' the band? Let us know how you feel after the fill. You're doing FANTABULOUS girl! Denise =D>

Hi Anita, We REALLY need to talk to each other more. We could have car-pooled. I went to Arlington yesterday for my 2nd fill. My appointment was at 10:15 but I was 15 minutes late because of the 2+ hours I waited to get through the border. My boyfriend and I stopped at Applebee's after. I had soup and it really filled me up. I had soup again for dinner and I felt very full after. I'm hoping this works because I have lost NOTHING since being banded. I'm feeling like this was a major waste of money for me. Denise (

You're going fantastic Anita!!! You look GREAT!!!

I'm shooting for a nice single digit like size 8 but I'm be really thrilled to be a size 6. If I made it to a 4 I'd be crazy happy because then I'd be as slim as 2 of my sisters. I'm currently a 14 so I've got a ways to go before a 4.

I'm shooting for a nice single digit like size 8 but I'm be really thrilled to be a size 6. If I made it to a 4 I'd be crazy happy because then I'd be as slim as 2 of my sisters. I'm currently a 14 so I've got a ways to go before a 4.

My plan is out of Canada and I had a HUGE bill on my cell phone too. I 'apparently' called my boyfriend on his cell phone (from my cell) the night of my surgery. I honestly cannot remember doing it but my call to him (on his bill) was $20. I also called and texted my kids back in Canada a few times. My bill was an extra $100 when I got it. OUCH!!!!

Me three. Thursday isn't any good for me either. By the way... the fill I got last Saturday is AWESOME! Only 1 cc but I have restriction and so far it's working good for me. I can eat toast but only one slice, not two. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this great feeling lasts a while. I want to buy a smaller bathing suit for my summer holidays.

You look fantastic! Love the new hair!

WOW! You're doing great! What a difference. Keep up the great work! Denise

CONGRATULATIONS CATHY!!!! I'm SO VERY happy for you!!! We'll talk soon girlfriend, Denise :lb24: :lb21: :cheerleader: :lb21: :cheerleader: :lb21: :cheerleader:

Cathy, By the time you read this you'll be done and on your way to 'The New and Improved You'. Although the old Cathy was pretty wonderful, this will be the thinner, stream-lined version. I'm here for you kiddo, just as you were for me when I was going through Post-Op Hell. I'm thinking of you today sweetie. Email me soon, Denise :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:

Hi Anita, It was great running in to you too? Did you win anything? No, no fluro. But these ladies were wonderful. I was a bit worried because a lot of food was getting stuck with me with the band empty. They gave me only 1 cc, which I'm happy with for now. I had a fear of being too tight. They decided on 1 cc as soon as they heard I was already having some problems. I was surprised though that the port is so low (lower than what I had showed you). It was actually just above my jeans waistband. The whole appointment took maybe 10 minutes and that included the 9 1/2 minutes that they took to measure me, weigh me and explain the band. The only pain was when their trainee was pushing on tummy to feel the port. It's actually kind of tender still when I push there. We went for lunch at Applebee's (Appleby's ???). WOW, enormous portions there. Anyway, I had a bowl of tomato and basil soup. It was DELICIOUS and quite thick. I was actually full when I finished it. Surprised me. The test will be when I eat regular food. I'll let you know tomorrow. You are supposed to be on liquids the first day, mushies the 2nd day and back to regular food if you feel you're ready on the 3rd. Denise

Oh Hanna, I hope you're right because I have had my share of bad luck lately. Let's see, it started with my dryer quitting just as I was doing all the laundry before we took off for Vegas (had to go buy a new washer and dryer and then go to the laundromat that night shortly before they were closing). Then while in Vegas my son called me to say the garage door had broken and wouldn't go up or down (had to call a repairman as soon as we got home), then I didn't win ANYTHING in Vegas (makes it pretty boring), and while in Vegas (actually waiting on the plane to fly over to San Diego for my fill at the OCC) our flight was cancelled due to plane problems.... and finally heading down to Arlington for my fill and hanging out with the border guards while they checked us out. Actually it could have been worse there... at least we weren't strip searched. But it's all good now! I got my fill. Thanks for putting this post up Hanna. I am so glad to have gone to the Arlington fill center. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Hugs back to you, Denise

I just had my first fill and I had it done at the Arlington Fill Center. It was SO EASY. The ladies there were SO VERY nice and explained everything to me so clearly. They mentioned that they are thinking of doing fills once a month up in the Blaine area. WOO HOO!! Hey all you Canadian bandsters we can carpool there. The worst part about the whole trip.... they did a spot check at the border where they pulled out 5 or 6 cars and lined them up to X-ray them. My luck... we were picked. We had nothing with us so we had no problems, it was just a inconvenience having to sit in the BP office while they did it. It took about 20 minutes and that was after waiting in the line-up for an hour. That's just my luck lately.

Hi Colleen, A few of us from B.C. are going to Arlington, WA for fills. Where in B.C. are you? Denise

Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Dr. Ortiz, Happy Birthday to you Have a great day Dr. O, Denise

Hi Hanna, Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! I contacted the Arlington Fill Center and booked an appointment for this Saturday!! YA HOOO!!! I'm so excited! Denise

Hanna, I COULD KISS YOU!!!! This is perfect for me!!!! I was really counting on going back to the OCC for my fill but after U.S. Airways screwed up our San Diego flight I thought all hope was lost. I have been so depressed because I REALLY need my fill. You're my angel girl!!! Sorry... I didn't notice the website in your post title until after. Duhhhhh

Hi everyone, Does anyone have an address, phone number or email for these ladies? I am desperate for a fill. I was all scheduled to go to Tijuana on May 29th. I was in Las Vegas last week and had my flight all booked from Las Vegas to San Diego (then to TJ). I got on the plane and then while on the tarmac awaiting take-off, the plane had problems and the flight was cancelled. I can't afford a short notice flight back to San Diego so I have to look for other alternatives now. I am so depressed about this whole thing. I'm not losing weight and I need to get my fill ASAP!!!!! Kittycat told me about a Fill Center USA in Tacoma and I've emailed them but they haven't replied. Where exactly is Arlington? I'm in Surrey, British Columbia. Thanks, Denise

Love it Michelle. THANKS!!! ...now... hate to ask you this but is there a way we can adjust the weight so the other Canadian girls can use it too? Thank you SO much, Denise

Thanks Dawnie, I've printed out this reminder and hanging on my fridge! Denise

Oh Maytee I feel for you! I've had this happen quite a few times too. The pain from it is HORRIFIC. I've NEVER PB'ed though (even though I wish I could sometimes). Even when I thought I had chewed enough it still will get stuck. Now I'm trying to eat only pea size bites. Denise

Me too!