tnm75

Kimmie, I will be there for a fill on the 14th as well. Perhaps we will meet! Kristy

I will be at the OCC on Thursday, May 14 in the AM for my fourth fill. Let me know if anyone else will be there! Kristy

Jenelle, Totally off topic... but, what kind of puppy do you have? And, does he/she shed? What a cutie! I have a Yorkie and I'm looking for another puppy. Thanks, Kristy

This is the best thing that I've heard all day! I'm so happy for you! So happy! You deserve it! Hugs, Kristy

I have gone to the OCC in December, January, February and March... and, I have experienced NO problems at all.

I love the OCC. And, I'm sure you will too. I was just there on Saturday for my third fill! Kristy

Was just offering my opinion... telling someone that they should not have been banded is rude and uncalled for. A little tack and kindness isn't too much to ask for. But, perhaps it is to much to ask for here... time has shown that. Lindsey, I didn't say you were mean. And, I'm not asking you to hold people's hands. I was just stating that sometimes we can say things in a little kinder "tone" so that people feel they are supported and not shamed. At least she had the courage to post... but, there is no need to demean another human being because she made some wrong choices. Meh... so done with this topic.

Geez... can we support one another with a little bit of tack and kindness? I think telling someone that they were not ready to be banded is a bit extreme and out-of-line. Please be considerate of others feelings. Answer honestly, but answering honestly can be done without rudeness. Angela, How do you start again? You go back to the guidelines that your surgeon gave to you. It's really that simple. What's done is done. At your first fill (have it done under fluro) ask questions like... have I stretched my pouch, have I caused my band to slip, does my port look okay and overall how do I look inside. Pick yourself up and eat right from here on out. I know it's hard to make the right choices when you are surrounded by people that don't know or don't care. It's such a personal decision to get the band and those around us truly don't know the life style change that it is. Be honest with them. Educate them on the life of a bandster. Help them understand how important this is for you. I remember thinking several times during my 21 day post-op liquid phase... "What have I done? I want this thing out of me! I think I just made the biggest mistake of my life! I want a cheeseburger!" Now... just a couple of months later, I can tell you that I know that it's the best thing that I could have done for myself. Be patient with the process as it is not an overnight fix to our obesity. Right now, you have no restriction because you have nothing in your band. As you get your fills you will feel a difference and you will begin to learn what restriction is. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. I'm still a newbie of sorts... I was banded on December 3 and just got my third fill yesterday. Including pre-op, I have 4.5 months under my belt and will do all I can to help you get back on track. You can do this! Kristy

How scary! I'm so glad that you're okay. I hope they figure everything out and that you're back on the table for your surgery. Kristy

For me... water, cardio and PATIENCE (for the record, I complain a lot while working on my patience) have been the answers to a lot of my frustrations. I also make sure I ask questions of those that I trust and try my best to listen to my band and body. I take a lot of information from other and "tweek" it to work for me. Coming off of liquids and heading into solids is going to be a bit of a shock to your system. I lost 15 pounds during my post-op liquid phase and gained 5 pounds back before getting my first fill. After my first fill, I had to use willpower and literally work my butt off in order to lose 10 pounds before my next fill. Be kind to yourself. Commit to exercise. And, track your food intake --- you will be amazed once you put this down in writing. It gives you a better idea of what is really going on and you are not relying on remembering. I promise you... if you follow your post-op guidelines you will be successful. Kristy

Thanks Fabi! You are so sweet!

Jenelle, I'm just listening to my body. I had my surgery on December 3... all went well, no complications. I lost 15 pounds post-op, but gained 5 pounds back after starting solids and my first fill. I had my first fill mid January... all went well, no complications. However, I didn't have restriction --- but, this is pretty normal. I had my second fill mid February... but, I struggled terribly with this fill. I did not go on liquids after my second fill because Dr. Acosta told me that I should start solids immediately. He told me to eat at 6 o'clock the night of my second fill and he gave me his cell phone number in case I needed an unfill later that night. I was completely fine for two days and then I could not eat anything. Everything got stuck! I was sick and taking medication was a horrible experience. I have had TOM issues since two weeks post-op. Issues meaning it started and has not stopped, plus I got super sick on top of it all. I emailed Dr. Acosta and he suggested an unfill thinking my fill tightened up after a couple of days. However, because of advice I got here and on the other board that I frequent, I decided to wait it out for awhile. Now that I'm feeling better, I realize that I have restriction... but, I can easily eat more than 1/3 of what I used to eat. Basically, a lot of it is still willpower rather than bandpower --- I am definitely not suggesting that I should never have to use willpower on my journey. I also talk to two girls that I originally met in Mexico on my surgery trip and first fill trip. One was banded approximately six weeks before me and one was banded approximately six week after me --- both of them have gone back to the OCC every two weeks to "tweek" their fills and both have already gotten to their "sweet spot" in doing this. This isn't an inexpensive process and it is my hopes to get to my "sweet spot" as quickly as possible to continue seeing results. I would like to get there before passports are required in order to leave Mexico... as it would just be another expense that I would like to avoid if at all possible. I hope this all makes sense. I know that each and every one of us are different. Also, if next Friday comes around and I'm tight again... I can always call and reschedule my third fill for a later date. Kristy

I am flying in late on Friday, March 13 for my third fill. And, flying out in the afternon after my fill on Saturday, March 14. Extremely quick trip. I am thinking of just staying in San Diego on that Friday night. If anyone else is going to be in the area... let me know, maybe we could have a late dinner in San Diego or just get together to visit. Kristy

Okay... so you all listened to me whine in regards to my second fill and being sick. Thanks for all of the advice! I'm still a little sick, but I am feeling better. And, as for my fill... it has definitely loosened up. I haven't eaten much the past couple of weeks... either I couldn't or I just didn't have an appetite. I have been dead-on with my healthy eating during the times that I could eat. Today I decided to get some calories in me... unhealthy I might add. And, to see what I possibly could or could not tolerate. I got a small order of french fries and a Whopper with cheese from Burger King. I probably ate 8-10 french fries, took three small bites of the hamburger (including the bun) and then took the hamburger patty off with the cheese and tomato and ate it. It went down fine. I feel satisfied and definitely not stuffed. I've tried not to push or test my band in regards to eating until I PB. Now I'm wondering about possibly scheduling my third fill for a couple of weeks down the road. What do all of you think? I'm not worried about overeating right now. Thanks, Kristy

Carrie, I feel your pain! But, you are doing wonderfully. I went 2-3 weeks going between 270 and 275... and, I thought I was going to lose my mind. However, I stayed on the healthy road and eventually I started losing again. Keep up the good work! Hugs, Kristy

I'm from New Mexico. We live on spicy foods. I will have to test the waters. Kristy

I still have a long way to go, but I wanted to share my excitement for a huge milestone on my journey. I have officially lost 50 pounds! I am so happy. It has been quite the journey, but I am so thankful that it is a journey I finally committed myself to. Sometimes I feel like I have not seen a change in my body, but other people do. I'm not a picture taker. I took one the day I started my journey at 306 about four months ago. I'm thinking of being brave and snapping a picture of me today. Thanks for listening. Thanks for caring. Thanks for supporting. I would be lost without such wonderful support. Kristy

I waited for weeks between my first and second fill. Two girls that I know have been going back to the OCC every two weeks and they are still allowed to get a fill; however, they live close to Mexico. I don't. Kristy

Thanks everyone! Lean Cuisines are not my daily meals... but, last night when I ate a whole one the only thing that kept running through my mind were comments like, "I could never eat a whole Lean Cuisine." I started freaking out. I've been making my own "pre-packaged" meals, but with being sick I haven't been able to stand for more than five minutes without thinking I was going to pass out. Thanks, Kristy

I'm finally able to eat a bit --- I've been super sick for about a week. I got my second fill on 02/12. I have heard people say that when they are at their "sweet spot" that it is IMPOSSIBLE to eat a whole Lean Cuisine. Do you experienced bandsters agree with this? I truly believe that I have restriction, but I was able to eat a whole Lean Cuisine tonight. I did not feel hungry afterwards nor was I completely stuffed. Just me being curious. Thanks, Kristy

Congrats! I remember my first fill well... full of nerves. Mostly about the needle! Kristy

I have been there on three separate occasions in less than three months and have NEVER had any issues. Like anywhere, travel with caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Granted I spent most of my time at the OCC, the hotel and Revolution Avenue. If I ventured anywhere else, there was always someone with me. Kristy

Yeppers... she is doing amazingly well. She is such an inspiration to me. And, she looks freakin' HOT! Kristy

Unfortunately, because of the economy and your not-good-credit it sounds as though a loan will be impossible on your own. Do you have someone that would be willing to loan you the money independently? Do you have someone that would be willing to co-sign on a loan? Don't give up. The other option would be to make a "loan payment" into a savings account until you have the funds to pay out-right for your surgery. I'm sure it's not what you want to hear, but the economy is a nasty little booger right now. But, I cannot stress enough to not give up your dream of having a lapband. Move it from a dream to a goal and even if you have to take a couple of years to save for it... know that it will be worth it. Kristy

I'm weird... I love to sneeze. While the port heals, it hurts. It shouldn't do any damage at all. Kristy