vix

WOO HOO...Lookie you HOT MOMMA!!!!! You look gorgeous Cathy! :lb21:

Thanks so much everyone! You have no idea how much I appreciate your comments! I think what is getting to me the most is the lack of being able to exercise and my weight is completely at a standstill. But, it hasn't gone up at all and I have my next fill next week, so I guess I should be happy about both of those things. I guess I'm just becoming aware how much less I will need to take in to lose when I am not doing much but sitting around. Some other good news is that I went to another doc today and he told me I was too young for a knee replacement and that he would do everything he could to help me not have to have one. He gave me an injection of Synvisc today and this is like a slippery gel stuff that they inject into the joints. I have to have one for the next 2 weeks and then it should help. But, I already feel a difference and it really has helped my spirit. I think that hurting all the time and not being able to get around just puts a person in a huge funk. It was literally like greasing a squeaky hinge...it immediately made a difference. So, for now I am just looking at each day at a time... There are so many new people here since I've been around...(new to me anyway) and so many of you look just wonderful. I'm so proud of everyone...it's so inspiring to see ya'all doing so well!

You look wonderful!!!!!

That is FANTABULOUSTASTIC Cathy!!! I'm SO happy for you!!! :lb10:

Haven't been around lately guys...been super depressed and down as I found out that I need to have a knee replacement and am super P-O'd that I had my last knee surgery when it was a complete failure. But, I think of you guys often and am so proud of all of you! I will try to drop in more often to check up on everyone...just kind of living in my own personal funk right now. ( Take care guys!!!

The OCC is absolutely the most wonderful place ever! I came to this board scared and unsure of the entire deal before I had even decided to have the surgery. I spent at least 2 hours a day reading every post on here and learned about everything that I could. I had my surgery almost 6 weeks ago and have never looked back. I have never regretted it once and feel like this surgery was a gift from God. You are making the right decision and you will realize it's the best thing you've ever done for yourself. Welcome to the group and feel free to ask questions and read the board as much as you can... :lb9:

WOW Denise! What a huge difference it makes! I'm so happy for you and you look so pretty. I can't believe how much younger losing weight makes people look...it's SO exciting!!!! :lb10:

Seriously Jann...you look 15-20 years younger. You look like a teenager now! Wow...how lovely you are!

DANG girl! We won't be able to see you if you keep up this way! On another note, I had Lasik 4 years ago and it's the best thing I'd ever done for myself next to the band!

I made a mistake yesterday when I had my first fill and told the doctor I had a 10 cc band. The second he looked at the band on the fluoro screen he said "No way that's a 10 cc band" and then he looked in my paperwork where the receptionist had copied the cards from the OCC and said it was a 4 cc. But, he was able to see it on the screen and recognize the difference. Hopefully someone wil be able to solve this mystery for your aunt...I bet she does have a 10 cc...

Yeah, just 1 cc. He said with they usually give 4 cc's the first time, but with the 4 cc band, obviously they have to start lower. I definitely do feel a difference. I wasn't hungry at all today and am still on liquids. I drank a protein drink about an hour and 1/2 ago and still feel full. I'm happy that you are getting your fill soon. It was much easier than I expected!

Unfortunately Julie, 3 days ago I was just getting dressed and felt a similar tear as I had before and now am really incapacitated. My doc took me off PT for 3 weeks and I'm on Celebrex (hope that's ok with the band). I have a second opinion on the 29th with a doctor that I love. He did surgery on my elbow a couple of years ago and we just got back on his insurance this week...yay. I'm pretty sure I will have to have a knee replacement...so exercise is probably out for me for another couple of months. ;( This is totally a downer! But, although I know I will be slower losing than if I exercise, at least Im not gaining!

That's probably the worst thing a person can say to a banded person...another reason why only 6 people in my life know about my surgery and they are all family! My best friend doesn't even know. I decided that I didn't want to take a chance at ruining our friendship...

Best of luck to you! We will be waiting to see your "after surgery post" where you will mispell words and say silly things...hehe...I loved looking back on mine! Take care and have a safe trip home...

Jess, I am just heartbroken to read this. I feel so horrible for you.... If you feel like chatting, PM me your phone number and I will call you tomorrow and we can try to figure something out. I have a little experience in finding resources for people and perhaps we can come up with something to do. You have lived a nightmare as a child and I think that forgiving them is more than enough for you to have to do. If you are able to find a safe place for them to go and be cared for, that is more than they probably deserve. You need to be healthy and stay healthy for your own children. Let me know and I will help you work on this or, if nothing else, we can chat and that might help us both in our lapband journey at least. Bless your heart... :lb18:

Hey Shelby...it was fantastic! See the post I made on it below: http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=8657

Thanks to everyone! I never thought this entire process would be so easy...WAY easier than my STUPID KNEE problem!!! (

Hi Dawns, Yes I'm in KC and the center is in Overland Park, about 30 minutes south of downtown KC. I went to Weight Loss Surgical Center. They also have offices in Independence, Wichita and Springfield. The cost was $250 and that included the fluoro. I'm not positive, but I believe after the first fill they are only $100. Here is their info: Weight Loss Surgical Center (co-located with Citizen's Bank) 8101 West 135th Street Overland Park, KS 66223 913-814-SLIM (7546) Toll Free: 800.777.6812

Wow how easy my fill was today and as with the surgery, I worried for nothing. I went in at my appointment time and after less than 10 minutes of waiting, the nurse came and got me. She took me into the room, weighed me and took my vitals. Their scale said I'd lost 2 more pounds from my scale, but I'm not going to go by that and wait til tomorrow morning to weigh myself. She took me into another room and I waited there less than 3 minutes when a young doctor came in and got me. As we were walking back I asked him if he'd done a lot of fills and he said "Nope...this is my first day." I automatically told him to SHUT UP and we both laughed. We went into the fill room and there were nice screens all over the room where I could view the procedure. I layed on the table and he rubbed my tummy with alcohol and then sprayed this COLD stuff on my tummy. He put the machine over the top of my tummy and popped in the needle. I didn't even feel it at all going in. He got it straight in and showed me the needle in the port. Then he gave me water to drink and then we waited. He had put 2 cc's in but then took 1 cc out after we discovered that the water wasn't going anywhere..He then gave me some barium to drink and I watched it go down...it was totally cool to watch! He popped the needle out and that was it! He put a bandaid on me and said he'd see me next fill! Is it silly to say that I LOVED IT!!!??? OK that might be a bit strong of an emotion, but it was so awesome and I know that I'm now on my way to losing more!!!

I was just thinking about those 2 this morning before I logged on. They are probably just busy. And...with the way they are losing...they will probably be at goal when they come back in a couple of days...lol

Hi Sandra, Nice to meet you! I had my surgery August 29th and am having my first fill today. Hopefully we will get to learn much more about you...

Thanks so much! I feel dumb for forgetting to do a search...duh... :wacko2:

I am just a little worried since I'm not able to go back down to the OCC because of my stupid knee...but was wondering if there was any special instructions or anything that helped anyone specifically here. Do I go in with a completely empty stomach? What about water? I guess this part came on me so fast that I didn't research it as much as the surgery itself... Thanks guys!

I'm happy that you feel good about your decision Heidi! An emotional time like this can be so hard on a person. May you continue to do well and keep doing what is right for you and for your kids. I admire women like you who can make tough decisions and then "own them." I'll be thinking of you... :lb11:

I know the answer to this is going to be different for everyone, but I was just wondering what seems to be the most difficult for each person. Personally, I find my most difficult thing to be portions. I seem to not stop until it's just a bit uncomfortable, and I'm always pushing the envelope. I don't MEAN to be, but I just for some reason can't stop until I am feeling sick. I haven't PB'd once yet, but several times I have had the nauseated feeling, the feeling of having food in my throat and not really sliming, but a feeling that I was going to start sliming...if that makes sense. Last night for the first time I had to go into the bathroom and sit over the toilet because I thought it was going to come up. I'm really disappointed in myself but I am hoping I will not be able to do this once I get my first fill in 2 days. I have no clue why I'm doing it...;( What about you guys?