Teri

Gosh, it's hard to believe it's been almost 8-9 months since surgery. I'm afraid to write anything because I don't want to jinx myself. It seem when I write, something out of the ordinary happens. I've been plugging along and am down 10 pounds since my last fill. YEAH!!!! Kyle needs to go back and soon, I think he weighs more then before the surgery. Bummer. Just gotta find the time to get back. Teri

Surgery is a big decision not to be taken lightly. You will still have to work on food choices with the band. As far as your fears go, just research every chance you get so you are prepared. I dont think being lazy has anything to do with the way you eat. I am so opposite of lazy, I have to much energy some days. When the time is right for you to bring it up to her you will have all the answers since you will have researched. If you are determined enough to have it done, I believe you'll make it happen. Teri

Hello Everyone, I havent been around the forum for about a month, so thought it was time to update again. I have lost about 7 pounds since my last fill in JUNE. I was really tight the first couple of days, then, each day the tightness seems to disappear and I end up eating more and more. I think I may have a very tiny slow leak. I just dont understand why at 3.7cc I can still eat a whole meal. I do feel restriction some days, but lately, hardly at all. 7 pounds in one month is great for me though. But I am eating way to much to keep up with this pace of losing. Another trip there and sooooooooo much to do lately. Would like to head back to occ before Kyle starts back to school. He's getting braces on next Tues, and needs a fill as well. So much to squeeze in. Teri

Kelly, I am so sorry for you. > I know the feeling of frustration with fills. May I ask why you choose to have it removed instead of finding out why it closes up. Was it something to do with swelling since the position of the band was right. While having it removed, did they see a problem when they removed it? Just curious. Teri

Just another update................ Well, in one week, I am down 3 pounds. I am tight, and very tight. It hasn't been tight though. Yesterday, I must have eaten something that felt stuck, PB"d, then got swollen, then, I could barely drink water, since my band tightened again. But this time, I went back to all liquids for the day, and this morning, I can drink coffee. I'm gonna let it ride because up until yesterday, I could eat pizza, steak, everything basically and it's been one week since my last fill. I'm thinking something swelled up. I will take it easy, since we fly out tomorrow for Michigan, for a little vacation and nephews graduation. As long as I can keep water down, I'll do the liquid protien. I could have gone to Wendy from fill centers for a slight unfill, since she was here yesterday, but decided against it. Teri

LORI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to Go!!!!!!!! Serious weight loss for ONE year! I am sooooo proud of you!!!!!! and so happy for you. What an awesome feeling. I cannot wait to get there. You must have so much more energy and feel like a light weight.!! Great "job", as it's still a job with the band. Thanks for your encouragement! Teri =D>

NoWorry! Thank you for your kindness. It feels right this time. Everyone, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED for some luck my way.................................PWWEASE, and TANK YOU!!! Teri

************ Well, not sure how I feel about setting a record at OCC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*************** Yeppers, I'm the first patient that Dr. Romero has filled to 3.7cc. (He has done close to 6,000 fills now, & I knew somehow it would happen to me, to be different. :-? LOL, but not really!! Maybe that's just what I needed to finally feel restriction on a regular basis. I AM HOPING AND PRAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!! As soon as I figure it out, KYLE is going back too! He only extracted 3.2 from my band. The last 6 months have been a nightmare when I decided to switch to a LOCAL fill Dr. here in AZ. 15 minutes sounded a lot better to me then one day. But as it has turned out, it has cost me so much more. My fills have been incorrect a number of times. I was told I had 3.85cc in a 4cc band. BE CAREFUL on getting fills WITHOUT FLURO. I have wasted so much time, energy and money, and I hope to help someone from not having to go thru what I've been through. Dr. Romero was great, not making me feel like a complete idiot. #-o Teri PS. HELLO gistmom, enjoy the rest of your vacation, it was great meeting you and all the others yesterday. >

Thank you for your admiration. I'm starting to get ticked off. You know the saying, "it's easier to spend someone else's money". Although I have contributed to the majority of our investments, through land deals, etc., this surgery for Kyle and I was spent from my hubbys hard work. So, I feel terrible for him. I was pissed this morning when I woke up and felt that awful feeling of fat, so weighed myself, and sure enough gained 3 pounds. My eating habits are the same. Still can eat lots. Bummer yet again. Oh well, still hoping to get back to TJ for some much needed advice and fill. Blah blah ba ba ba blah. I've read and read and read till I'm literally blue in the face, or red for that matter and I'm getting tired of the same old crap. I hate going through a fill and thinking, this one is going to give me the restriction I need to get started, then, it either doesnt last or it's to much. It's so annoying a few weeks later to get let down. Teri

Pammie, You just have to know you tried to help Sandy. You are a great friend to her. It is great news she will be ok. It is all very emotional. Something you want so bad for yourself, you share with someone. It's hard enough to deal with your own band, and worrying about another's band is double the worry, because you'd like them to feel great too. I just pray you are not to hard on yourself. It is not your fault. Please know I am thinking of and praying for you both. Teri

You'll have to post's some new pics!! Not sure if you already have. ??

I'm not sure Pammie about others experiencing the same issues with the thicker saline. Geeze, hopefully you won't have that swelling for to long. Was it or is it painful? Have you notice a big difference?? Teri

From what I've learned, it has more "salt" in the saline, which makes food stay in the pouch longer because its thicker than the saline OCC uses. For me, I experienced the wild restriction swings. It would tighten up weeks later, so much so that I couldnt even take a sip of water. It even felt funny. I could literally feel the band working when eating. It worked. I lost 31 pounds and was down to 154, but with troubles. I PB'd so many times just on water, I could taste the plastic of the band. I was never hungry and didn't even want to eat. I loved that I was loosing weight and would have kept using the thicker saline if I could have only kept water down. I first read about it on lapbandtalk.com. and the local person I use for fills suggested it. She's only local once a month, and then I would have to take a 7 hour day to drive to see her if I was to tight. That was the bummer. I tried to peg the right amount for me, but it just kept getting tighter with time. Thats when I switched back. Just couldn't adjust it properly. How was your tuck??? Teri

The crazy thing is............I assumed all the dieting crap would be gone with getting the band. In my own mind, I thought I would be able to eat less food. I do eat less with this amount of restriction, but my choices are not diet foods. It stands to reason if you follow weight watchers you will lose weight or any diet for that matter, with or without the band. Just havent figured things out yet. For me to lose weight with the band, restriction has got to be very tight because IF I have to rely on my willpower, forget it, it just isnt going to happen. Not for life anyway. My next fill, if I dont tighten in between getting the next fill, will be 4cc's. That will be a true test for me with the band. I havent experienced the "restriction swings" with the reg. saline like I did with the thicker saline. What is most frustrating is the huge swings. Finding the sweet spot has been my problem. I can relate with you. A happy medium would be nice. I still have room in the 4cc band, not much, but some room. I have heard/read some people needing the full 4cc to hit that sweet spot. Watch it be me.????????????? hhheheheheh Hang in there stockprincess.!!!! Great Work Cyndi!!!! Teri

Hahaa, Not laughing at you, it's just funny the way we think about things. Teri

Hi Donna, Thanks for your words of encouargement. Believe it or not, it really does help. I am 5'2'' and at 185 I was chubby and felt everybit of it. Having extra weight on you is pretty much all relative to an individuals way of thinking. I felt fat, big, yucky, harder to breathe, all the time. I hated being heavy and that feeling. I also had back surgery 7 years ago, and the extra weight is awful to deal with, with back problems. Up and down and up and down with weight. I felt having the surgery was my only solution to a growing problem, no pun intended. heheh. Anyway, I am so happy for you and it sounds like you are well on your way to a lighter and happier you!!! Teri

Your right, I agree with part of the statement. It is an effective tool, WHEN IT IS WORKING PROPERLY!!!!!!!!!!! You have to GET TO THAT POINT FIRST!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, had a long day, and I'm just not in the right frame of mind. TEri

********update********* Well, its been a week (yesterday) since my fill. I defintley have restriction at 3.85cc in the 4cc band. Not a whole lot, but enough for now. I think I could use a lttle more, but, I am eating a lot less with this fill, for sure.!!! I can still eat a lot, if I eat slow and chew well, but, I am learning to work with what I do have. I've lost 4 pounds since, and I will take it!! It's great to start loosing again. Just being able to eat less is a huge benefit for me. It's a slow road, but one that's worth the traveling. Stops along the road here and there that hold ya up, but, I don't mind being a turtle, as long as I finish. heheheh, Teri

Excellent! Teri

I believe, if I remember right, Kyle and I had to do 21 days of liquids, then, solids. I questioned Lori about going to mushies, seems it would be the best plan, but, nope, went right to solids. Teri

Update Had another fill yesterday. I'm at 3.85 in a 4cc band. I feel a little restriction this morning while drinking coffee. A little gurgleing while going down. This could be good. I hope this is it. I talked with a lady yesterday that mentioned someone on another forum didnt feel any restriction until she was filled to 4cc, the max amount, then she lost 70 pounds in 6 months. I just hope I'm there! Kyle hasnt had a fill for a few months, he thinks he's to tight, so will wait on a fill for him. He's not losing, but not gaining either. Teri

BSN!!!!! So glad you posted, and thanks to Michele for her encourgement. I had written a little, then lost it, so, I'll try again. Basically, so glad you are doing much better. The last time I had read your posts you were barfing constantly. I am so happy for you that the medicine you are taking is working even some of the time. Best of everything to you on your new adventures. It sounds like you are on another new and exciting journey. Congratulations on all your weight loss!! Wow, how awesome!!!!!!!! Does your husband love it?????? Does he say?? We need to thank you. For coming here and sharing. Good Luck to you on your marriage, I know it's not luck, but with whatever you decide, I hope you have a happy and peaceful life. Teri

Keep us updated Pammie, I hope you get great results. I'm surprised you needed a tuck since starting around 190's in weight. Anyway, how was it, and best of wishes on healing well. Teri

I had a wine 4 days before hand. It was my anniversary, what can I say. I wouldn't suggest it the night before surgery, since nausea could come into play after surgery. Teri

dietingqueen, I too feel so bad for you. The money, time, effort, agony, obsessions, journals, stress, up and downs is very physcological. All of those things alone take major energy to deal with. I wish you all the best with your decision, especially the peace you deserve. Teri