determination

I also thank you for the post. I can relate with all of your questions. Jude, when you talk about protein snacks, would you give us an example of what you are eating? Lately I have been so hungry. I am scheduled to get my third fill this Friday. I am hoping this works. At night if I eat chicken, hamburger, etc., I have a hard time getting them down. But if I snack on dry cereal or have a protein bar they go down fine. That is why it is so hard for me to know if I need another fill. I guess that I am not even sure that I am hungry (or think that I am hungry). Is it boredom, old habits or what? Feeling very confused??? Then again maybe this is normal to have these little or big valleys on this journey.

Congrats!!!!! It sounds like you are doing great.

Did you have all of that done at one time?

I too had a message on my facebook from this bogus name. Unfortunately I opened it. It was an immediate delete for me.

Thank you for the encouragement. I am almost 4 months out and am facing my first battle with wanting to binge. I guess I need a fill. I don't think I have lost since my second fill, one month ago. I know I am eating too much by lapband standards and sometimes eating the wrong stuff. Thanks again.

Just curious, When did you have surgery?

What an exciting day it is going to be for you. Not only are you entering into a marriage and feeling total joy tomorrow, but you will be looking beautiful and feeling so good. I am very happy for you.

Thank you for posting this again. I think I will post this in my kitchen just as a reminder.

I am so very happy, happy, happy for you! You are such a beautiful person inside and out. I truly enjoyed meeting you when we were getting our fills. I finally had my second fill on the 12th of March. I only have 15lbs. till onederland. It is so exciting how this band is working. I find it amazing that I can say only (15lbs.). It is such a different mental attitude than I have had in the past. Have a great weekend. Anne

Just curious, Are you doing maintenance? How long have you had it? Sorry for being nosy.

Good Luck, The surgery is a breeze. I have also found out that everyone is here to help you and answer questions. You will find that there isn't a question that you should feel too petty to ask. Anne :-h

Lisa, I remember you once reminding us to to eat a certain amount of fat or protein to avoid hair loss. Do you remember what the amount of grams were for this? Again just like others have said, I really appreciate your info from your experience on the lapband.

Carrie, I too do not see how you can eat 1200 calories a day by eating 1/2c. protein, 1/4c. veggies, and a 1/4c of fruit and 1/4c of carbs if I still am hungry. I have been following the directions that Dr. Miranda gave me which was exactly those measurements. I was also told not to snack. And to drink plenty of water. I usually eat anywhere from 750 - 900 calories. I do not supplement with protein, but I often have a protein drink that has 37 grams of protein in it. I feel that you have to glean information from where you can get it and do what you think is best for you and works for you. I know that others here have been told different directions. It all comes out when we have discussions. Good luck with whatever you decide in this matter. Anne

I am brand new to face book - Anne Melville, like others have said, I have not told many about my lapband. So if the conversation could be such that the word lapband could be substituted for another?

I am looking for a fellow forum member that once spoke of a friend named Joan that does fills in Lewiston Idaho. I am trying to find where it is she works or any other information you can give me so that I can schedule a fill with her. My surgery was at the OCC. Anne

I had surgery Dec. 15th and was told I could have one at 6 to 8 weeks. Because of my work schedule I wasn't able to get one until 8 1/2 weeks. It hasn't even been two and half weeks and I am struggling big time. I have also read on here where others have had there second or third fills sooner that the 4 week waiting period. If I was you I would call down to the OCC and ask why you were told 10 weeks. I am wanting to eat more than I should and I have at times. I haven't lost but 1 pound since my fill. I have a 4cc band and received 1.4cc at my first fill. I sure hope I can get one soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like Dolittle said we are all different so you can't really judge by anyone else. I did have restriction after surgery up until 6 weeks. But haven't felt any since my first fill.

Thank you very much for your responses. I guess what you call twinges is a good example of what I feel. They don't last too long but hurt when they happen. I helped my hubby move in a new washing machine today and immediately after felt the twinge. It is now gone so I don't think it must be anymore than that. Thanks again. Anne

Dianna - I know this post was awhile ago, but I was hoping that you could tell me where Joan works. I have decided to go to her. I had my first fill Feb. 11, '09 at the OCC and feel that I need another one soon. I never fill full and I am really having a battle. I hope you read this. Anne - from Enterprise, OR

Hi, Glad that your fill went so well. I have been looking into a Fill Center USA, that is in Boise, Idaho. The problem is that when I go online, there is no way to find out the costs. It seems that they want me to fill out a form before they will tell me the costs. Would you be willing to share what the cost was for your fill at the center? I would really appreciate it. Anne In case the person that mentioned a fill nurse practioner in Lewiston, Idaho, is reading this could you tell me again where she is located and what her name is? Thanks.

All I can say is "WOW". I am curious, are the fill centers that you are going to the "Fill Centers USA"? I have been seriously considering going to one instead of flying down to OCC for my second fill. I am only 2 weeks out since my first fill but I am starving and struggling to stay with the program. Anne

Yesterday I was having a small sharp pain around the port area. Every once in awhile since surgery I have felt for the port. When I had my fill the injection site was about 2" below the scar. Last night the port seemed to be above and to the left of the scar. I was just wondering if the port does move at times and maybe that would explain the pain that I had. Today the pain is gone but I haven't been touching the area today either.

Hi Heidi, I have been watching the forum for you. I know you are feeling discouraged but you have a lot going on in your life. Don't give up. Don't beat yourself up. That is what got us here in the first place. We are our own worst enemies. When something doesn't go right. We eat. Thus we gain. Take one day at a time. Just get through today, then start over tomorrow. I have been writing down the portions of what I eat and how many calories, protein and fiber each serving has. Add it up, so that you are mentally aware of what your intake is. I do not have the long term wisdom that our encouragers on this sight have. I just know that it is very hard for me right now and I am trying to follow my own advice. Hang in there. I enjoyed meeting you. Anne

Lisa, I am like Carrie. I first started reading posts on this forum before I had surgery. I specifically looked for your posts. The reason was - 1. You had achieved step one of your goal. 2. You spoke with experience, encouragement, constructive tips, and also with the grace of a peace maker. I am glad that you share the past and new experiences that are working for you. Please keeping posting to help those of us that would like to succeed with our weight loss. Like Carrie said.....you make a great poster child. Anne

W Hi Michelle, Were you able to have a combination of the surgeries at the same time? Or did they all have to be at a separate time? I am definitely planning in the future for the LBL, BL, and the Arm Lift. Would you explain a little more in detail what they do and the healing time it would take before being able to go back to work. Thank you, Anne

I just had my first fill Feb. 11th at OCC. I had Dr. Acosta. When I went in for my first fill I asked if I could have an agressive fill. He pretty much told me that he goes by what the x-ray shows as the barium goes through. Anyway to make a long story short, I received 1.4cc in a 4cc band. I haven't really felt any restriction until this morning when I was trying to eat a boiled egg. Some of you on here have said that sometimes a fill doesn't kick in for a couple of weeks. Maybe that is what has happened? Earlier this week, even though it has been only 8 days since my fill, I was emotionally reacting to wanting food. It is definitely hard to kick all of those bad habits of why we ate.