Well, today was my first full day without my fill. I am surprised, in that I am stopping and feeling full at the same place I have been for the last 8 months. I hope this lasts. Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement. That's why I am glad I am a blogger. Bloggers are great people!

I also started to quilt a table topper I made for Autumn. I had to get out the book to learn how to use the Bernina Stitch Regulator and a couple of other things on my machine. I had a class the week after I bought it but then I went on vacation and had family come to visit. The only thing I have been doing is piecing the tops which just involves straight stitching. I think I need a refresher course. Maybe I'll just sit and read the manual. I also got a DVD with it, maybe I'll watch that again too.

It was cold and damp out today. No rain and no sun all day. Ugh!! I hope this doesn't mean winter is almost here.

Not what I was hoping for.........

Well, today was the day I was to go for the test at the hospital. My doctor met me there and when I went in there were four people in the room. I stood on a tall machine and they slid an xray device to the front of me. Over to my right there was a television screen with a view of my esophagus. One of the technicians handed me a cup with a clear liquid in it. He said to take a big swallow of it. I took two. I looked to the side and could see the liquid roll down my throat and when it reached the bottom it pushed out to the side instead of going through my band. The doctor said, "oh no, that's what I was afraid of. You have a dilated esophagus. I need to remove all of the fill for 3 months" So there you have it. They put a pillow behind my head and laid the table back and before I knew it I was on my back. The doctor removed my fill and they stood me up again. Then they handed me the liquid again and had me drink it. This time it went right down. The doctor mentioned that he was surprised I was able to even eat. Now I know why it seemed like my food took forever to leave the pouch. It's because I had another larger pouch that it was being stored in. So the way I understand it is I had too much in the band and that is why this happened. Funny thing is a year and a half ago I had a similar problem and my band was even more filled then. So I have to be very careful over the holidays not to over do things and to keep on going to the gym so I don't undo all that I have accomplished so far. I am trying to keep a positive attitude over this whole thing. Maybe now I can sleep laying down again instead of having to prop pillows up behind me. I already feel better. I was getting little hiccups that would have liquid and food in them all the time. Since I went to the hospital that hasn't happened. I guess my doctor being a lapband patient himself knows what he's talking about. Thanks to all of you who made such nice comments on my last couple of posts. I love my blog buddies.