Trav

The IV is placed in the back of your hand. The nurse who does it has a really good technique. There may be some initial discomfort, but it's pretty cake. I've done a lot of sticks in my time, and I'd dare say she's better than me..(and I'm pretty good haha)

Look up Dolittle's guide to a successful fill. Follow it to the letter, and your next fill will go better.

Smoking also inhibits proper healing functions. Though admittedly I didn't omit nicotine completely. (ya might wanna switch to some nicotine gum or something.)

anything that you can do to keep the impact off your knees is preferred. Recumbent bikes are a godsend, as well as swimming.

I'll second that, and say that it doesn't HAVE to be running or anything like that at all...you can do biking, recumbent stationary bike, swimming, walking. The key is not to go crazy, but get your heart rate up in that target zone where you're not going into anaerobic energy burning, and staying in the aerobic range. (anaerobic exercise makes lactic acid, it's what makes you sore and "feel the burn")...

Joe Bob Kirk in Tulsa, I believe.

It's not mine, I swear lol. j/k Congrats

So I looked back, and regretted not having taken any "before" photos, prior to my surgery, but then I found some from a play I was in. (I was guilted into doing it by my psycho ex-g/f...don't ask...long story.)....but these illustrate me, probably at my heaviest. I'll get some "afters" here soon. *gag* Publicity photo 'round 345lbs down to 268 now.

you can find me there Travis Vance *update* I guess I should be more specific, yeah? I didn't realize how many there were. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=17119466

did someone say "boobs? *perk* hahaha...sorry, couldn't resist. haha

Without knowing your medical history in regards to your surgery, it would be difficult to give you any sort of medical advice, (not that I would do that...rather mentoring)....I would seek consult with another physician, there's probably something else going on there.

2 words DO IT

Whether or not you'll require plastic surgery to regain a svelte appearance, will depend on several factors. Your age, how much elasticity your skin has retained, and how distended your skin is from weight gain. The lapband thing...piece of cake. Body lift...I dunno about that one, Dolittle will be the one to talk to about that.

After months of not being able to make it back down to TJ, I broke down and went to a local doctor. (The doctor I wanted to go to here couldn't get me in till the middle of March) The doctor I went to in Cushing, OK was Peter Lafon, and while I had hesitations, (he does have a fatality as a result of surgery, always check on your Dr.'s history)....the fill went off fine. Good technique. Got the fill done, without fluoro which concerned me also...but 3cc's and it was done, and I've already lost 4lbs in 2days....perfect amount of restriction for me, and I'm g2g.

complete fallacy...in fact, you'll be able to live a much fuller and happier life. I've only got my first fill just 2 days ago, and I'm much better for it. In fact, I haven't had to cut my food smaller. (of course I chew the heck out of it, and only swallow part of the bite at a time...)...but that's how I deal with it. Cutting it up into smaller bites is just to make sure that you don't swallow too much at once. (it's not pleasant.) Most of those health problems often referred to as "Co-morbidities" will go away with this surgery. I highly recommend it.

It's normal to be cold, but also you may have a possible iron deficiency. Iron is what makes up your hemoglobin, hemoglobin carries oxygen to the cells so they can perform cellular respiration, the byproduct of cellular respiration is heat, water, and energy. If you're low on iron, your body isn't getting optimal oxygen to the cells, which causes you not to produce optimal body heat. The plus side is that this could allow you to expend more metabolic energy to maintain body heat and result in a higher rate of weight loss.

I've been needing a fill. I've just been too busy and couldn't get back down to Mexico, so I went and saw a local doctor here, and he did mine no fluoro, 3cc's, it felt a lil' weird when he did it, but it's done, and I feel pretty okay. We'll see tomorrow how much restriction I have, he had me drink some water just after, and I could feel it, but it doesn't seem like too much. (I have the VG band)

As per Shelby, you'll over pack: Confirmed. I'd opt for apple juice over gatoraide. (the stuff at the convenience store across the street from the hotel is carbonated in the 2L bottles, stay away from it, but it is REALLY good.,....so get some the day before to enjoy...)... Also, you may get lucky like me. I woke up and no longer craved caffeine. Never be afraid to call the front desk and ask 'em for ice and water. They've got a nice filtration system and I had no issues. (can't comment on the tap water in the rooms, but it's okay to brush your teeth with)

I lost more than was required, but I'm a special case, my liver was still pretty big. To the point that Dr. O sent Gabi out to talk to my mom to see what my weight loss habits were, and to verify that I in fact did lose the weight they required. (i even went so far as to buy a new scale. Started out 325, and was 301 the morning of my surgery, and I only needed to lose 19. Apparently when you have had a cycle of losing and gaining large amounts of weight, your liver has a harder time recovering. So my liver was still pretty big....but they still managed to "git 'er dun"

true, naturally occurring vitamins are the best source, however, remember we're eating less food. It's possible not to get everything we need. There's a lot of chemistry behind it, but most normal people don't see much benefit from over the counter vitamins (at least multivitamins), but whereas we need more of certain kinds, it's important for us to take ours, especially in the beginning. My hematocrit ended up being about a 30...(normally mine's a 49-52..I'm O- CMV-..so I do double red cell donations for those premee babies, and cancer patients)...(i.e. I'm WAY low on iron for me).... When you don't have enough nutrients going to your cells, your cells aren't able to function in adverse conditions and produce more body heat, (usually because you don't have your usual number of red cells, which is also a function of your iron levels in your body.) Not enough red cells = not enough nutrients. You might be able to function just fine in a normal room, but an extreme temperature change (or even a slight one), can throw your internal thermostat out of whack. So in conclusion, take those supplemental doses of vitamins, until you learn what your new body needs.

What worked for me, I suppressed all anxiety, and accepted two facts: 1. I was going to sleep for a bit 2. I was going to wake up slightly sore. Apparently I'm sensitive to the anesthetization, I slipped in and out of a nap for a while after surgery, and had to be reminded a couple times to breathe. Not to alarm you, all people are different after all.

*bump* because it's important.