Angie38

Count me in as well! I would love to come and meet everyone and say bye to Dr. K, Tom and Marilyn.

Note to self~~~ We did it. As I read back throught my own posts I wish I would have talked to myself a little more. It would be nice to go over what worked well and what didnt. As I approach my 4 year bandiversary I am VERY proud to say that I have kept my weight off! The money that I so desperately worried sick over was the best investment I have ever made. I am glad that I didnt let DH discourage me. I no longer even have to hear about it - lol. Over the course of the last several years I have had two hiccups and am not sure why. I gained about 20lbs and started to freak out and went to see my doctor for a fill, 20lbs may not seem like much to a "normal" person, but Im sure anyone who reads this will agree 20lbs to us is HUGE. I got up to 136 at my highest. My great doctor assured me that everything was fine and went on to say that after time some of our fill does disappear. Not quite the technical terms that he used but you get the point. So I got a fill and still no luck, then went back a month later got another fill and nothing can you beleive it! So one last time/try in three months and the weight slowly started going down. I am not sure if this is my body settling or what but I am glad to be back on track. My goal weight started out as 115 but when I made it my DH did a bunch of moaning and groaning that I was too thin (can you be too thin coming from our journey? I think NOT!!) and so I gained to 120. Now I fluctuate between 120-126. When I go above that I watch and pay attention to what I’m doing. It is usually me because I still love my chips and cookies so I have to make sure I’m eating the right stuff. Today I have eaten: Breakfast: one thin bagel w/cream cheese Morning Snack: Some Chex mix Lunch:Pulled Pork w/Slaw Thanks Band! You have changed my life -- life is good.

Thank you all so much! Judy you could not be more right, it is a lifetime journey and I still have to remind myself of that. It is funny that our bodies change so much quicker then our heads!

I am interested in this as well. I started having these reflux bouts this past year. I did go to my doc and get some reflux meds that have helped. I was waking up at least once a week "yaking" on myself and choking (ouch & yuck just aren’t strong enough words to describe this event for me!). I had no idea it was reflux I thought something serious was really wrong until I went to the doctor. Then for whatever reason I decided that I didn’t need my pills anymore and quit taking them. Of course the yaking started again and like you depending on what kind of day I’ve had would determine my course of action, possibly no dinner and for sure no eating after 7pm. I have an appt with my doc to get back on my meds and this time I will stay on them! I think it is interesting that we are experiencing the same thing as a result of our bands and neither of us initially had this “side effect”. Lol. I wasn’t totally sure that it was my band that was causing this because several people at work had said they have had reflux problems.

Everyones post make me want to cry! I know exactly how you and everyone else feels. My daughter once said that she loved my tummy because it was as "big as the moon" *sigh* kids say the darnest things! The lapband does not cure the thoughts in our head. I am at goal weight and still have days where I think im still fat. I still double check a mirror when i walk by to make sure that really is me. I second guess some clothes I buy because I can't believe that I can actually wear those cloths now. You must do exactly what Shonette said, "be kind to yourself because change first starts within your mind and the thought process your develop creates your future actions". Much luck to you!

Don’t give up and don’t what if yourself to death! You are doing a great job informing yourself which means you are committed! When I was first considering getting the band I did the same thing and almost talked myself out of it. Insurance would not pay for my band so in addition to all the questions that we all have I was also questioning spending that much money on myself which was extremely hard. In the end I got the band and have not looked back. Best money I have ever spent! April will be my four year bandiversary and I am VERY proud to say that I have kept my weight off! Things do go wrong for all of us some serious - some not. It is a learning process and you will do fine because you are already learning so much. The worst thing that has happened to me is reflux and I am still not sure it is the band it could just be me. I don’t have to worry about my band slipping as my doc attaches the band to your stomach so there is not slipping. And like everyone else, I have had vomiting when I ate to fast or two much so it is a matter of slowing down and knowing what you can and can’t eat. I wish you luck on journey whatever you decide.

Congrats! Glad to hear that your doing so well. I have never heard of the "sleeve"? I guess I will have to Google it. =)

I wish you much luck on your journey!

Hi Old-Timers! I haven't posted in several years. I really have missed this site and am glad to have gotten the email to come back. Little by little my band-mates disappeared and so did I. It is funny at first I just couldn't get enough of this site all the support was so great for me from before getting my band through the first year. Even if I did not post I came on everyday to read about everyone's journey. It is so comforting to know you're not alone. April will be my four year bandiversary and I am VERY proud to say that I have kept my weight off! I have had two hiccups and am not sure why. I gained about 20lbs and started to freak out and went to see my doctor for a fill. He assured me that everything was fine and said that after time some of our fill does disappear. Not quite the technical terms that he used, but you get the point. So I got a fill and still no luck, then went back a month later got another fill and the weight has slowly started going down. I am not sure if this is my body settling or what, but I am glad to be back on track. My goal weight started out as 115 but when I made it my DH did a bunch of moaning and groaning that I was too thin (can you be too thin coming from our journey? I think NOT!!) and so I had a little unfill and gained to 120. Now I fluctuate between 120-126. When I go above that I watch and pay attention to what I'm doing. It is always me because I still love my chips and cookies so I have to make sure I'm eating the right stuff. I will be back to check on everyones progress and see how everyone else is doing. It is great to hear from everyone thanks for starting this thread.

ARLEN, You look great!! Congrats!

Ahhh Thank you! I am so FREAKING Happy!!

Eww how sad I am looking at the calendar and i guess I got overly excited. My one year is tomorrow!!

Lap Dancer this is your one year bandiversary as well!! Congrats!

Hi everyone!! I am just doing my periodical check-in! Lap-dancer thanks for those great pics!! Where is the Harley sculpture? That was way cool! Today is my one year bandiversary!! YIPPEE. I am at goal and in fact going to get some taken out of my band next week for maintenance!

That is funny! I think we all have a last supper.

Tied2Bfit, Good job on the weight loss!! You are going to do great with your band!

brandymom1234: I was reading your posts and wondering how you’re doing? That same thing happened to me, I went in and got another fill and it was perfect……. Tightened me up so much I was sliming for a week… then I was good!

Michelle, Wow I didnt realize Dr K does tummy tucks. Did he tell you how much it would cost? I want to get one when I hold a consistant weight... after goal. How much have you lost total now? I am glad to see you are still posting and keeping our spirits up!

Hopefully this works! I am nine months post-op. :rolleyes2: The before picture was taken Thanksgiving 2006, I think it is on the bottom, the after was taken this past Christmas. Why are my pictures so big? Can someone tell me how to fix them?

i thought I posted my before and after pics but now i dont see them. This is 9 months post surgery......:rolleyes2:

Fatwidow-- No self-doubt, STOP IT! I believe we all doubt ourselves and the closer it gets to our surgery date the harder we are on ourselves. In our over active minds we truly believe we are just going to fail again. We start questioning ourselves and wonder if we will make it – will we be successful?....BUT!!! <-- yep there is a BUT! We DO make it! I started off doubting everything, I was worrying over spending the money and all the ‘what if's’. Then after the surgery I was slow to lose. It seemed as if everyone else was losing but me...... then I was just confirming all my doubts that I was the one who wasn't going to lose and that the lapband would not work for me. Well here I am now 55 lbs down and only 17 lbs until goal! I was a slow loser and remained a slow loser even working out since about my 3rd month, three times a week, but all the sudden one day I looked in the mirror and realized that I was half my original size and all the -1 and -1.5 lbs did add up! :tt1:I am 9 months and 4 fills since surgery. I love my band and it keeps me in-line. I still want to eat (head-hunger) but my band just won’t let it happen. I am slowly working on my mental self which is how I got to be large to begin with. Dr K is great and will give you a fill whenever you think you need it. He worked with me each time to make sure I felt good. So no doubting yourself……. Once it is all over you will have no regrets! :frown:

Mal/DynamoMini/Lap-dancer!! How are you all doing. I have not been on in a long time and realize I miss you all and your support! I need to go back and read what has been happening in everyones lives! :wink2:

Thanks for the info!! <-- i forgot to say that.

Ok..... I will google tonight. I was reading about the trip planned in April or is it May =0? Can I sign up as a possibility to go to. I can fly out of Denver with the two that were going out of Denver?

we got the computer I'm using right now for $158.00.. there were 6 of them and DH managed to get one. YEAH FOR DH!!