LisaLaw

It is actually the fill place up in Marysville who is beginning to do them. Both are registered nurses, so I hardly think they would be doing anything to harm people. I primarily wanted to know if anyone has used these

So apparently this is a new thing for those of us who hit major plateaus It is a 23 day injection program for weight loss along with a 500 calorie diet - The HCG works on the hypothalamus, burning 2000+ calories per day and takes away your appetite - perfect for those just banded waiting to hit their 'sweet' spot or those who consistently hit a plateau OR those needing to get the last 10-15 lbs off Has anyone done this? I hit my plateau in March (180 lbs) ...broke it last month (178 lbs) and am now playing in the same up/down 5 lbs again...cannot get under 175 lbs. would love to hear comments or suggestions

congrats...I know that feeling

1. Do not be afraid of TJ! It is a city just like any other. Take a deep breath and embrace the experience. I absolutely loved the Lucerna and will stay there when I get my TT. They are very attentive, great pool, free internet AND one of their waiters also has the band and he will keep an eagle eye over you about how quickly you eat your broth. They also had the best bowl of chicken broth I have ever had. I was surprised at how different TJ looks than any other city I have been to. 2. They have taxis waiting for you outside the Lucerna. Be sure to bring a couple of business cards with you so that if you do not speak any spanish, you can show the driver the card after your shopping I did this when I went to China and it was a lifesaver 3. Plaza Rio is just like any mall...you will not get any great deals. You must go to Revolucion Avenue and bring lots of U.S. dollars - 1's, 5's and 10's I ran out of money (I brought $150 US cash and my CC card - which only one vendor would take) and still wish I had bought a necklace I missed out on. Revolucion Ave is awesome and it is very tourist friendly. 4. My aunt and I walked three blocks west of the hotel to a great mexican restaurant - big yellow building. The food was amazing! It is very inexpensive to eat and the portions are enormous 5. I did my pre-op the morning of my surgery...maybe took an hour. Just and FYI - most people who do their pre-op the DAY before surgery end up having their surgery that same day. I preferred to wait so I could eat some of the best mexican food my tummy could fathom. Kind of like the last supper...LOL 6. Shuttle - YES! they provide all that 7. I did not need many pain killers, BUT everyone is different. I was very sore around my port which was uncomfortable. Some people are in alot of pain afterwards, but they are usually the same people Dr. O has to fix their hernias...which many overweight people do not realize they had. 8. I had such a fantastic experience and only wish I had done the surgery years ago. You are going to the best Dr. in the world for this surgery. deep breath and enjoy the ride.

GENIOUS music Icon..I was just behind Chaka Khan at LAX in Security...now THERE is an Icon... He was a genious He was also nearly (or was a pedophile) lest we forget

***chuckle well, I think alot of us have been in your position...and by now, you have had the band? I TRIED so hard..but ended up eating like too much pasta and pizza before surgery...and then the night before ate some excellant mexican food the night before about two blocks away (oh...and my last two beers **ahhh) I refused to feel guilty and I also refused to be turned away =) Last supper? maybe! here I am now 50 lbs down...do I regret that? no! would Dr. O lecture me? I doubt it! we hope to hear of how you are doing!

I was more amused by Lindsays comment about never hearing about Canadians getting diabetes - just us Americans

That is definately something to ponder and interesting. So that just means Canadians get fat, miserable and obese like us and don't get diabetes? I wonder if it is all the fast food and high carbs we get addicted to down here...something to think about.

I take a shooter of Mylanta...it seems to help...I do not know why either. Just had it happen on Saturday, it is hard to breath when it happens.

Thanks everyone...Lisa it is a date. I will PM you after these next few weeks of classes...nearly done. Robby, thanks for the kudos, it is a great feeling to get there. I am currently celebrating by eating some homemade guacamole with a few tostitos. Does not take much to get me full. =) Denise - you have all of our thoughts and encouragement. The band is just reminding you to calm your butt down (or is that getting Lipo'd as well? LOL) xoxo

Thanks Lisa You and I should get together again to have lunch so I can apologize for being such a jerk last November *muah

Leyla, thanks for the information! I love my place in Olympia, but it is nice to know there is other options! I do not do blind fills anymore (AT ALL), so what does Dr. Lauter charge for a fill and fluoro?

Well said Lisa! I agree with all of that. I have never used margarine and will not use the flavored creamers due to the high fructose corn syrups in them. great stuff, thanks for sharing

So I have been stuck between 180-185 since March. Had a fill up north (blind) and they got me too tight so went back and they took too much out without being honest with me. So I went back to Olympia (my favorite place) and got two small tweaks in May. Now up to 3.9cc and I got back on track, but I was still dealing with the aggravation of not getting under 180. Now I knew this would happen as even before the band back in 2002 I was 180 lbs and could not get under it, so somehow I knew this would happen again. Well this morning I felt different, as Denise classically says "I felt skinny" LOL Got on the scale and I am at 178 lbs... I am thrilled to death! This week I will have to stay on top of things and keep that momentum going, I know for sure, but at least I am starting to lose again. I just wanted to share so that all of you who are STUCK at a plateau for a few months (as I have been since March), do not give up and do not stop doing what you are doing. I have kept up the running and am starting to lift light weights again. My hips are down to 39 inches (woohoo!) from a high of 47 inches last July AND I have lost 10 inches around my waistline. So even if the proverbial pounds are not dropping, it does not mean that you are not losing inches and the weight will catch up. oodles!!

I am in complete agreement on the whole fluoro thing. I have done blind fills as well and it screwed up my momentum because they (up north) got me too tight and then did an unfill without being honest with me how much they took out. I went back to my favorite place in Olympia and things have been great! I will never do blind fills again

Check the plastic surgery link on this blog site Then go onto google and find Cosmed

at first I did not know how to respond to this. This sounds a bit crazy to me unless you are a nurse or doctor and know what you are doing.

Okay...you made this tough girl cry *sniff* Seriously cry. where is my tissue? LOL I love you as well and am so thankful you are my friend for so long. It is funny how we bond with some and we don't with others right? I owe you a 'Rita (or whatever) and we will do that soon - even if I have to fly my skinny ass there to Texas with you and Dana...LOL. We will all be here anxiously waiting to hear of your recovery. *muah* my sister girl . xoxo C

Keep us posted on the 5k =) I bet you that you will push yourself further than that (hehehehe) Check this out! This is actually very cool - Your core--the roughly 30 muscles that connect your legs to your hips, spine, and rib cage--have a tough job. Namely, to work synergistically to stabilize your torso. This is particularly demanding when you run, since 60 percent of your body shifts in about .02 seconds, says Dennis Kline, the strength coach who designed Team Running USA's core program. Here are the primary stabilizers and how they function when you run. Obliques: These muscles rotate your torso and work with the transversus abdominis to support your center during movement. Rectus Abdominis: This muscle is the fitness aesthetic: The contours of the contracted rectus abdominis form the almighty "six-pack." While it helps stabilize your core, its main function is to flex or curl the trunk. Transversus Abdominis: This deepest of the abdominal muscles wraps laterally around your center, acting like an internal weight belt. Psoas Major/Iliacus: Better known as the hip flexors, these muscles lift the thigh toward the abdomen and limit excess motion of the hip joint. Erector Spinae: This collection of three muscles (not shown) straightens the back and, along with the multifidus, a short muscle, supports the spine.

mauh! I love you Denise and although I am so anxious to hear how things go, I know this is what you want. Your FB and OCC fanclub is sending you loving thoughts, great wishes and we cannot wait to hear how the whole thing goes.

you are the first person I have heard of (pregnant) who has had to have a complete unfill. Be Safe. if the morning sickness is that bad, you do NOT want to slip your band. You have not lost your 'bandster" habits, now is the time to kick them into high gear and eat healthy. Since you have been so sick, think of eggs in the morning (high protein) and make yourself a light chicken salad in the afternoons (more protein). *debone a roasted chicken from costco - chop well *chop a tomato *couple tablespoons of Pesto (optional) *couple tablespoons of either nonfat plain yogurt (or for flavor - light mayonnaise) *chopped walnuts *alfalfa sprouts (or broccoli sprouts) This is all bland enough that I was able to keep it down when I was sick with my 1st child - the key is high protein but bland, bland, bland EAT saltines if you cannot eat the above, but first and foremost, you will be okay and think positive!

You had an aggressive fill, which for a newbie can be a bit out of your normal 'zone', I think many of us have been down this road. The last aggressive fill I had it took me two weeks to work through and learning to STOP forcing myself to eat (panic mode) in my brain. Listen to yourself first and foremost; if it freaks you out to be this tight, BUT you are not choking on your spit and still able to get solids down later in the day, then only you can decide what to do. Here is some advice from two wonderful Fill Nurses that I love to share (and is worth repeating): =) EMERGENT/URGENT BAND PROBLEMS What is the difference between Emergent, Urgent and Normal band problems? EMERGENT: Harsh vomiting (different than pb’ing), unable to swallow saliva or any fluid. You need to go to the Emergency Room and have them give you an IV to hydrate you. You need to tell them you have a lap band and need to have a fluoroscopy to see if it has slipped or you are closed off due to swelling. You need to take your surgeons phone number with you so they can call and talk to him. Dehydration: symptoms include dizziness, low blood pressure, disorientation, not able to make decisions appropriately. If someone else thinks you are in need help, you probably are because you are too ill to make that decision. It takes more than 24 hours to become dehydrated. URGENT: When you have frequent throwing up 3-4 or more times per week, you need to be seen by your fill clinic to get a bit of saline removed. If you have heartburn or reflux, you need to be on over the counter Prilosec twice a day, possibly remove a bit of saline from your band. If you let it go on, you risk slippage of the band. After you have a bit taken out, stay on liquids for 1 week, mushy for 1 week, introduce solids slowly. If your band slams shut after you have had a fill, you should return to your clinic for a bit of unfill. Don’t let it go on too long, you risk slipping your band and dehydration. This prevents and ER visit. Normal Problems: You can’t eat solids in the morning. Try drinking something hot. This may open your band up and allow you to eat. If you can’t eat in the mornings, try going on liquids for 3 days, then start eating breakfast, larger lunch, smaller dinner. Sometimes this will reset your eating habits. If you just can’t eat in the morning, but can eat later in the day, go ahead and drink a protein drink in the morning to get your protein in. We normally say no liquid proteins, but once in awhile is ok. The whole process behind the band is to eat our protein in solid form, not liquids. Pb’ing, yakking, tossing your cookies: Are you eating too fast? Not chewing enough? Taking too big a bite? Swallowing hot things too soon? Maybe you need to coat your meat with BBQ sauce or something to help it go down. Try eating with a baby spoon to make sure you are taking smaller bites. IF you have the flu: You should be fine, but if you are throwing up too much, some fluid out of you band would help. You can drink flat 7-up, gatoraid, apple juice, whatever, forget the calories, just stay hydrated. WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR: Get an unfill if you can’t swallow your spit. Get an unfill if you can’t eat regular food. Gen an unfill if you are having heartburn or reflux. Call your doctor emergently if you are throwing up blood. You might have a tear or rupture in your esophagus. Be sure to tell them you have a band. They may think you have an abdominal problem. Not all problems are related to the band. Just make sure they have the information anyway. Go to the ER if you haven’t been able to drink any liquids for 24 hours. Call your surgeon with any concerns. DO NOT LIVE WITH THROWING UP FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS. THE WEIGHT YOU ARE LOSING IS WATER, NOT FAT! This is not the way to lose weight. You are depleting yourself of needed vitamins and nutrients your body needs to survive.

You had an aggressive fill, which for a newbie can be a bit out of your normal 'zone', I think many of us have been down this road. The last aggressive fill I had it took me two weeks to work through and learning to STOP forcing myself to eat (panic mode) in my brain. Listen to yourself first and foremost; if it freaks you out to be this tight, BUT you are not choking on your spit and still able to get solids down later in the day, then only you can decide what to do. Here is some advice from two wonderful Fill Nurses that I love to share (and is worth repeating): =) EMERGENT/URGENT BAND PROBLEMS What is the difference between Emergent, Urgent and Normal band problems? EMERGENT: Harsh vomiting (different than pb’ing), unable to swallow saliva or any fluid. You need to go to the Emergency Room and have them give you an IV to hydrate you. You need to tell them you have a lap band and need to have a fluoroscopy to see if it has slipped or you are closed off due to swelling. You need to take your surgeons phone number with you so they can call and talk to him. Dehydration: symptoms include dizziness, low blood pressure, disorientation, not able to make decisions appropriately. If someone else thinks you are in need help, you probably are because you are too ill to make that decision. It takes more than 24 hours to become dehydrated. URGENT: When you have frequent throwing up 3-4 or more times per week, you need to be seen by your fill clinic to get a bit of saline removed. If you have heartburn or reflux, you need to be on over the counter Prilosec twice a day, possibly remove a bit of saline from your band. If you let it go on, you risk slippage of the band. After you have a bit taken out, stay on liquids for 1 week, mushy for 1 week, introduce solids slowly. If your band slams shut after you have had a fill, you should return to your clinic for a bit of unfill. Don’t let it go on too long, you risk slipping your band and dehydration. This prevents and ER visit. Normal Problems: You can’t eat solids in the morning. Try drinking something hot. This may open your band up and allow you to eat. If you can’t eat in the mornings, try going on liquids for 3 days, then start eating breakfast, larger lunch, smaller dinner. Sometimes this will reset your eating habits. If you just can’t eat in the morning, but can eat later in the day, go ahead and drink a protein drink in the morning to get your protein in. We normally say no liquid proteins, but once in awhile is ok. The whole process behind the band is to eat our protein in solid form, not liquids. Pb’ing, yakking, tossing your cookies: Are you eating too fast? Not chewing enough? Taking too big a bite? Swallowing hot things too soon? Maybe you need to coat your meat with BBQ sauce or something to help it go down. Try eating with a baby spoon to make sure you are taking smaller bites. IF you have the flu: You should be fine, but if you are throwing up too much, some fluid out of you band would help. You can drink flat 7-up, gatoraid, apple juice, whatever, forget the calories, just stay hydrated. WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR: Get an unfill if you can’t swallow your spit. Get an unfill if you can’t eat regular food. Gen an unfill if you are having heartburn or reflux. Call your doctor emergently if you are throwing up blood. You might have a tear or rupture in your esophagus. Be sure to tell them you have a band. They may think you have an abdominal problem. Not all problems are related to the band. Just make sure they have the information anyway. Go to the ER if you haven’t been able to drink any liquids for 24 hours. Call your surgeon with any concerns. DO NOT LIVE WITH THROWING UP FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS. THE WEIGHT YOU ARE LOSING IS WATER, NOT FAT! This is not the way to lose weight. You are depleting yourself of needed vitamins and nutrients your body needs to survive.

so glad to hear everything went fine! I agree, if you are able to munch on tator tots for Bfast, it is time for a fill...LOL You will begin to notice after about 4-5 weeks of consistent running that you are developing your CORE (abs, lats, etc) and the strength of your core will begin to take away the pain of that port area. I used to get this really weird sloshy, gurgly sound when I was running the first few weeks, so glad that is gone =) I am not ready for this 12k, I have not been able to run more than 6 miles without getting tired, but dang it, I am going to give it one hell of a try. I still have 45 lbs to lose and just relying on fills is not doing it. best of luck!

I am by no means an expert, but I have also been runnning and training for a 12k this month. The first 3 weeks of running I had the same tenderness around the port, I am now on week 6 of my runs and currently up 5-6 miles per run and that tenderness is completely gone. I had a fluoro last week with my latest fill and everything was okey-dokey. I just figured it was the lack of stomach muscles in the beginning to help keep things firm when I ran, now I do have some side obliques going on and I do not hear myself gurgling anymore either. Keep up the great work and good luck on the 5k. Getting healthy (not just losing the weight) is the whole point of our fickle friend.