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I got one emailed to me. I think Melissa sent it to me. Maybe try calling her directly or emailing again. I think she just gets a million emails and calls and can lose track of who she's contacted. But she's very nice when you catch her on the phone.

That stinks. I'm curious to know how much your first fill was, because 2cc doesn't seem like a lot for a 2nd - but they do say everyone is different. Since you're struggling to lose, I just hope they don't take out too much. I also wonder if it could be your time of the month. I got mine right after my first fill and felt really tight for a few days, but it passed. Now I can pretty much eat anything and am looking forward to my next fill. Also, that could explain why your weight hasn't gone down despite eating so little - maybe water weight? Incidentally - I'm getting my next fill with Dr. Ren as well! I just went to the nyu office Friday for a check-up with the nurse, I get my fill next Weds. I have to say I'm slightly glad to hear you got too much of a fill because I've been nervous that I won't get enough! Of course neither is good. Anyway, I hope you get to your sweet spot soon! Not too tight, but tight enough that you can make it past 180. Good luck! Susan

Thanks for the tip! I've been meaning to look for some of these supplements in a form I can take with the band.

Congrats Stormy! It's great to be on the other side isn't it? The next few weeks will be a challenge - but you can do it - it goes by faster than you think it will.

Congrats all on your great NSVs! Mine was yesterday - I went to Macy's to try to find some work clothes on sale and found that for tops I've gone from a 2x (sometimes a 3x) to a solid 1x - and for pants I found that the 16w fit best, although a little bit too tight, but the 18ws were definitely too big. Before I was wearing 20s. So I came home and dug out some older smaller clothes that it hadn't occurred to me would fit yet and found a bunch of clothes that fit again. Thank god I didn't end up buying anything at Macy's - always best to shop in your own closet.

Wow - back to work in 3 days. I'm impressed! I was so where you are, and it didn't pass until I was on creamy liquids. I called the OCC and spoke to Dr. Martinez (who was wonderful) and recommended kaopectate and copious amounts of gatorade to replace lost fluids. I had been taking Imodium at the max dosage and was still running to the bathroom about once an hour. Hang in there! It will get better.

This is a big deal and it's totally understandable for you to be freaked out. I'm sure the fact that you and your husband are doing it together just makes the stress higher. But everything will be just fine. Your son will be fine. You and your husband will be fine. You are taking a big step, but it is a step toward progress and a better you. By the way, before your surgery they give you a nice pill that REALLY relaxes you. I felt totally relaxed as I went in - and felt just fine when I got out. The OCC makes the whole process really smooth and easy. I hope you're already feeling better by now. If not, consider making yourself some tea and just relaxing for a bit. I wish you all the best - and look forward to your happy recount of your experience when you return!

Wow! Wow! Wow! You look beautiful! It's amazing what a difference that last 10 pounds or so have made. Your weight loss is slowing, but at this point each pound you lose makes a huge difference. Congratulations! You're an inspiration.

Interesting! I'd say that's good news. I've looked at your pics and wondered if you really need to lose another 25 pounds. That said, I'm pretty sure that as you lose excess fat your lean body mass goes down a bit as well. I think if nothing else you have less blood coursing through your body, less water weight, etc. So maybe you'll be able to lose a bit more than she suggested without sacrificing muscle and bone. Just see how it goes - you'll know if you still have excess fat to get rid of or not. Of course you may have some slightly loose skin too, which can make it look like you have excess fat when you don't. But you're young, hopefully you're fine in that dept - you look great in your pics anyway!

Have you tried a stool softener (without laxative)? I had constipation as a result of a medication I was taking and my doc told me I could take up to 3 stool softeners a night - they kept me regular the whole time I was on the drug. Just one a night should do the job for you. Good luck!

Thanks for posting this. I too have been thinking a lot today of all of those who lost loved ones on 9/11/01. I live in Manhattan and for me that was without a doubt the most traumatic day of my life - followed by quite a few very stressful months. But I just felt so lucky that none of my family or close friends were lost. So many people here were not so lucky. But I agree with Julie - now let's work on getting those troops home!

I'm thinking you probably felt a rib or muscle or something else that you probably haven't felt in a while. The top of the stomach where the band is lies behind the liver - and all that is behind the diaphragm and mostly behind the ribs. Here are a couple diagrams I found that illustrate this part of the anatomy nicely: http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media...04-32A59CEC.jpg http://www.upmccancercenters.com/pdq_xml/m...R0000428446.jpg

Glad you had a great vacation! If your period is due soon you may just be retaining water - I generally go up at least 3 pounds before mine. Either way you'll be back on track now that you're back.

I'm so sorry to hear you're having such a rough time Paula. It sounds like you're working hard to get the help you need though and taking care of yourself. Hang in there - I'm sure you'll make it through to the other side of this soon. -Susan

For the record Splenda is not aspartame - it's sucralose. Personally I'm wary of all artificial sweeteners - there are those who think splenda is bad for us as well. I'm not sure, but I try to stick with foods that are as natural as possible. There's also some evidence to suggest that all artificial sweeteners lead to more cravings for carbs rather than satisfying the urge.

If you click on a username in a post you can select "Find member posts" and see other posts they have made. I looked at other posts from Canada Julie and only found a few after this one. Many people stop hanging out here after they're banded. Sounds like she was doing well in Jan, 2007 Bold is mine: QUOTE(Linda in Enumclaw @ Jan 4 2007, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi, Everyone - I'm a new member to the forum and am considering surgery with Dr. Ortiz at OCC. Does anybody know how long the wait is for surgery? Thanks! Linda in Enumclaw (WA) From the first time I contacted the clinic to my surgery date was 34 days. I could have had a much earlier appointment, but I needed the time to get my things together. The clinic is really good about working with you for a date that works. I found once I decided I wanted the lap band, I just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. I am very glad I did it, though right afterwards I had some doubts. I think that everyone does when they get home, you still are not totally feeling normal, not eating any solid food, feeling some pains on and off and wonder if you are crazy. Now that I am two months out, I am thankful I have done this and look forward to getting closer to my goal. So far, I am 20% of the way to my goal. Julie C Nov 6/06

That's great news. I wish you both the best as you work towards changing your lives and your relationship for the better.

Hi Stormy - I don't really know you yet, but I'm so sorry to hear of your difficulties with your marriage! I am in a difficult relationship myself, but that's another long story that I won't go into now... What you're saying makes me think that your husband feels badly about what he's bringing (or not bringing) to the marriage - perhaps especially regarding your son. Have you tried giving him very specific suggestions/requests about how he could help with your son? I obviously know very little about the situation and all the things you've tried, but I just wonder if he feels helpless to do the right thing with your son and perhaps if there was some simple thing he could do with your son each day he would take that on and then slowly gain confidence to take on more. Regarding the sex issue, I think it's hard for men to have sex with their wives when the are feeling inadequate in the relationship or feel resentment from their wife. Of course that can also become a vicious cycle! I hope the two of you are able to work things out and that the band even helps with that. -Susan

Sorry you're having these episodes - it sounds pretty difficult and upsetting. I agree with the suggestion of talk therapy in addition, or possibly instead of, meds. I know for me that I have discovered that I have some unconscious psychological issues that make me feel more secure when I'm overweight. Being thinner makes me feel more vulnerable. That's my issue, but it's possible that for you losing weight is also triggering anxiety for some reason. It might be worth exploring to ensure that you have the greatest success possible with the band. Best of luck - I hope you feel better soon!

Julie - it sounds like you had a BAD day, but you are ready to get back on track. I just have recommend this book called "You can be thin" by Marisa Peer - I had to go to Amazon.com.uk to buy it - it's really good at helping counter emotional eating. One of the things she talks about is the notion "being enough". Many of us overeat in an effort to fill an emptiness or lack that we feel in ourselves. The fact that you were triggered by hearing that other people were criticizing you behind your back suggests that you were feeling badly about yourself and perhaps feeling that you were "not enough". I hope this makes sense - I certainly don't explain the idea as eloquently as the writer. But I'll just say that from what I have read from you it sounds like you're a very smart, hardworking, warm and kind person and no matter what others may be saying about you, you must remember that you are enough! And I know that you are also committed to the band and will overcome these hurdles and succeed. Best, Susan

Congratulations!! Glad to hear everything went smoothly and you're feeling well. :lb11:

Thanks!!

Hi Erin! Sorry to hear you're struggling. I can relate. I was feeling a bit hopeless about the band for a while. I eat different foods every day, so I'm not sure how much advice I can give, but I'll tell you what I can. Breakfast: - during the week I do eat the same every day (for the most part) greek yogurt with a little honey or jam - if you get the 2% it's only about 200 calories including the honey/jam and I find it yummy and satisfying - on the weekends I like eggs. I have been tighter in the am so a little mush works for me. I fry one egg and lay it on top of a serving of cream of wheat. Might sound weird to some, esp if you like sugar and milk in your cream of wheat, I just like it with some salt and with an over easy egg on top it's total yum - and again only 2-300 cals depending on how much butter I put in the pan - also I put a spoonful of fiberSure in my tea every morning. Keeps me regular Lunch: - before my fill I could do a half sandwich, although I haven't actually tried bread since my fill, so this may not work - I live in NYC and work in midtown so there are a million lunch options during the week - I usually go for a salad/food bar place where I can pick and choose a few ounces of a protein (usually fish or chicken) some veggies and a few small bites of carb - like sweet potato or rice or pasta dinner: - I'm all over the place for dinner. I order in at work a lot when I work late and my favorite is sushi. I've had problems with rolls - the seaweed is hard to chew and has caused me to PB even pre-fill so I stick with the individual pieces and edamame are good and healthy too - I kinda like to snack on tuna salad (made with half plain yogurt and half lite mayo along with onions and a little lemon juice) along with triscuits which go down well and have lots of fiber too I had been addicted to eating a little ice cream every night, but I finally seem to have kicked that habit. I'm trying to stick to fruit now - summer plums are yum! Hope there's something helpful in here - thanks for the post - it was fun for me to read through the ideas as well. I need to stock up on some lean cuisines - they're great to have around

Kim you are looking amazing - congrats!! You've transformed. I hope this is a good fill for you.

Oh yeah, I started getting hungry just a few days after surgery. Hang in there!! It will get easier.