Janine

Hello, Jeni 20 lbs of tissue that is wonderful and amazing. I wish you a very quick recovery friend, please keep us updated! Juli your just around the corner, I would love to sit and have ice tea with you and pick your brain. I want to get in there and just lose all this already. I am looking forward to following your plastic surgery journey! Here's to a speedy recovery!:lunch: Tami I have the new band, I can't tell the difference, I have a 14cc it took a very long time to fill but it feels the same. Congrats on breaking through to the 190's, that is my biggest goal right now. White pants don't you just love doing an exercise you enjoy? Good for you! To everyone else out there lurking Happy Anniversary, we would love to hear from everyone. How are you guys doing? For me I an down 13 ponds since rebanded on Sept 16. I Zumba dance 1-2 times a week, I want to increase that and start walking on off days. Zumba has been the best thing I have ever done in my life other then being banded, married, and having kids! It really makes you in tune to your feminine side, it is great cardio and strengthing(I have calves of steel) and it is wonderful for your self esteem. My biggest problem is I feel like I am doing it with a kids rubber swimming tube around my stomach. I am glad I have not gained but it is so hard the second time around. Do you guys think it helped having it done in March? Other then the band what was essential in your positive outcomes? I will tell you I am still so glad I had the lap band done over the RNY, I am just amazed at the RNY people that are gaining back their weight that I run into. I still love this group!

I think we definitely need one thread to keep this going. My vote is to call ourselves the September Samurai's. We could do this: September Samurai's January 2009, September Samurai's February 2009, September Samurai's March 2009. Instead of looking all over we just go to one area. Then if someone is struggling, or has a question if we are only checking one area we can help in a quick fashion. My original group are the Marchies 2007. They have mostly met their goals and are going into the next several months needing each others support at they venture into plastic surgery. So they are getting active again.

Hey you guys should all update how much you have lost. You guys should all be so proud, everyone seems pretty close to goal. I love hearing about the fact that journeys have been achieved and your now to the point of plastic surgery. I would love to follow that journey too. I know that will be down the road for me. For me, I am back on the right road. It took a very long time to get restriction in this new band. I am not sure exactly why. Although it is a 14cc so I suppose that is a big reason. I have great restriction, I have been very busy Zumba dancing and I still count calories. The scale is finally moving again. Yeah!

twirl it is an ongoing process. You get a fill can only eat about 1/2 a cup of food, you lose weight around your stomach, you need another fill, back to being able to eat 1/2 a cup of food you lose more weight need another fill. Even when you hit your "sweet spot" it will only last awhile you constantly adjust your band over time.

Hi all, I was wondering now that we are well on our way to losing weight can me make one main thread like past months/groups have done. Then we can better communicate. I was banded march 2007 and rebanded sept 2008. The first group while still active has dwindled down to about 6-7 pages a month. But we have remained very close. I am not sure how to do it what do you think?

Well gal;s you know how I wrote awhile ago that I will be on CNN as the woman that is naked with no clothes because nothing fits. Well, I can say I am back in my clothes again Yeah! Thank heavens. It is so weird I have only dropped a few lb's but definitely dropped inches. I barley remember but I think that you rotate back and forth between burning lbs, and dropping inches. Does this ring a bell you guys? I am building muscles. Julie, My husband and I just looked at your pictures in awe! Your amazing. Tabithan, I buy premade frozen steel cut oatmeal from Trader Joe's and put raisins, cinnamon, and sliced bananas in it, it is sooo filling and gets me through . I love it. Carol, Mazel Tov on baby Sophia! Mammma Lambert, sounds like you have Christma under control. Size 14 that is awesome that is my goal, I will be thrilled when I get to that size. it is truly a dream come true. I told my story at a informational bariatric group, I must have been effective because they asked a lot of questions. The nurse, the dietitian, and even hubby had tears in his eyes. My doctor is amazing he suggested I telll my story so others will know what could possibley happen to them. I would think most doc's would want to cover it up. But no. regards for know

Well. last time I had a 4cc band and after 2 fills I was golden. My weight was so high the lbs melted off for the first 6 mts, not a lot of activity. This time around with the 14cc band it has taken along time to fill so I have been a tad frustrated. But I have good restriction now and am enjoying the dancing, so I am in a good frame of mind. So tell me about the wii fitness???? I love biggest loser, what about that game with Jillian???

You know I never was one for used clothes but it is definetly the way to go. You drop sizes so fast you will go broke trying to keep up. There was a time when I had every piece of clothing in a pile to go to goodwill even my shoes(I was a wide). It has been interesting gaining since losing the band, but now rebanded I have some restriction so I have a whole closet of clothes that will fit about 20 lbs down again.

Hi teri I am Zumba dancing and I love it. You can burn up nears 1000 calories in an hour. how about you?

Hello Everyone, Well it sure has been interesting the second time around. For one thing I have the new APL 14cc belt. It took forever to fill, but I am at just under 7cc's and feeling some restriction thank god!!!! Remember you guys, how those first few months the weight kinda melts off, then you have to exercise, well I am not melting. I have not gained anything but I am only down 4 lbs since surgery and I am 3 months out almost. But all is well, I just joined Zumba dancing to say I love it would be a understatement. It is awesome, it is a huge fad right now. It is a cross between salsa and belly dancing it is a massive workout. Seriously you can burn upwards of 1000 calories in an hour. I am going to do a one month stint at Curves too. I Pb'd just a tiny wee bit tonight and I was sooooo happy. I know, I know I certainly don't want to lose my band again, I am not really tight life is good. Julie congrats on finding a doc, sounds great about the thighs too! Tabithan welcome, better late then never! Carol hope that knee gets better real fast. Jeni you set a great goal, I am sure you will do it. Mamma Lampert do you buy christmas gifts for all those kids & grandkids? Kythera it is so nice to hear from you, I enjoy reading your posts. it is snowing like crazy here in Michigan it's pretty though!

Juli I just went to a bariatric seminar tonight featuring a plastic surgery. It was extremely interesting. I live in Michigan so this may not be the same all over but this is what was said. Most Insurance will only pay for Tummy Tucks and breast Lifts not augmentations. The two surgeries are usually done together. They will not pay for arms, butts, neck chins, face lifts,.. . This doctor also does a little lipo during the procedure, He also takes a hunk of that fat over the pubic area if he can. The insurance company's like it if you have lost at least 100 lbs. Good documentation of boils, rashes, blisters, and chafing are great for your case. Couldn't help stop thinking about that Dawn liquid Hee Hee!:grouphug: A letter from doctors. such as GYn, dermotoligist, bariatric surgeon and PCP all also helps. Being at least 15 months out and at a stable weight. Meaning you are no longer losing 1-2 lbs a week is the goal. He said he normaly removes between 8-15 lbs of tummy fat and skin, not to shabby. I was elated about insurance probably covering, I have a large pannius that will need to be removed. I can't wait until OCTOBER 30 when I get that darn first fill. I can't wait to acctivate this band, I thought of that phrase, isn't it cute, acctivate LOL? Well keep us posted.

I'll say one thing, once you lose enough weight that the sleep apnea goes away or subsides it is the best feeling ever. I only had a small window between feeling great from the sleep apnea gone and losing my band and gaining and starting over. I am fighting the ultimate fight in getting back down again to feel so good.

Hi Pandagirl We are in the same boat. I lost my band on February 28, 2008 and am starting over again. I initially lost 68 but put back on about 35. I have the larger 14cc band and am having my first fill on October 30. I have no restriction whatsoever, but I know if I am patient it will come. But I have learned my lesson and will take this journey slow, I will respect my band, because I never want to lose it again. I got in a bad p?bing episode and broke my stitches and my lower stomach got caught up in my band. But the doctors were able to cut it off and the blood circulated back through, so no permanent damage. What about you?

yes Carolinela, That's why I am so surprised about Niecey. Usually you really don't see much of a change with the first fill. Her symptoms correlate with what most people feel at about the 2-3rd fill. She is lucky to have that much restriction already. All our bodies react differently, also we all probably have different bands in. My first band was a 4cc at 2.3 cc I was at my sweet spot. I have a 14cc this time it should be very interesting to see what happens. I have read that most people need a good 6cc-7cc to get to their sweet spots.

Niecey, Sounds like your already pretty close to your sweet spot, that's awesome. Yeah, if your filled good you really can't eat bread, rice, high fibrous foods like sweet potatoes, pasta's, steak. Maybe a bite but not much more. Good foods for good restriction: Tomatoes and cucumbers, with fresh mozzarella, sprinkled with basil and olive oil drizzled over the top. UUMM so good. Cottage cheese warmed up with spaghetti/meat sauce over it is very good too! Taco bell pinto;s and cheese with a dollop of sour cream really stays with you for a long time. Rice cakes are very low in calories, even the flavored(apple, carmel, cinnamon, etc.) no Protein but 1 rice cake is extremely filling and can help that sweet tooth. Stouffer's has the spinach souffle that is really good right after a fill when back to mushies. Trader Joe's has steel cut oatmeal in the freezer section. It comes 2 per box frozen you zap it for about 3 minutes, its very hearty. it's about $1.59 a box, very yummy with cinnamon on top. Bennigan's has a Flaherty's fish with a light cream sauce that goes down well. I can't wait to have a fill I am wide open and eating like a little piggy. Have a good week everyone!

To make a long story short: After having the band on for almost a year I was too aggressive with my fills. I got into a PBing/vomiting episode over a piece of chicken and tore my stitches. My band slipped which allowed my lower stomach to strangulate into the band. I had emergency surgery to cut off the band and the blood flow returned back to my stomach without any permanent damage. This is an extremely rare occurrence, so don't be worried. I was very successful with the band, but once removed the lbs started to pile on again, I thought I learned, I thought I would not have gained I did. I am so very thankful to have my band back, and will humbly respect this journey. I am taking it slow and sure.

Hi All, It usually takes until the 3rd fill to get a considerable restriction. I think a lot of the first fill sits in the tube line, that is what has been said in the past. Sometimes it takes a week or 2 to feel the fill and it can get too tight feeling. You will be real tight in the AM and it will loosen during the day. When at your sweet spot most banders can not eat anything until about 12 noon, so it is important to have a Protein drink in the am. You are going to be just amazed on how little food you will want. After eating huge quantities all my life I was amazed how the other half of the earth's population eat.lol It is good to keep track of calories to make sure your getting enough so your body does not go into starvation, hence stoppage of weight loss. Sparks people is a wonderful site that you count calories, it is free to join. They have every brand restaurant and virtually any food you can think of, it is a wonderful tool. You can also track Water, and exercise. I was most successful when using this site.

Damn Julie That's a ton of surgery. I want to know about the chin, I think that bothers me most. Yeah I am in a 42 C it is hard to find bra's. Ok your going to laugh, or be like is she crazy but here goes. I read on a board that you put dawn dish liquid in the pannis area, guaranteed rash infection, have a few of these documented and insurance will cover the removal. This was actually told to someone to do by their plastic surgeon. Everything is so hard , you hate to take a measure like that but I have read that some people can barley walk as that lies on their knees, so exercising is out of the question.

Oh Juli, How exciting for you. Ok, details girl what are you thinking. Tummy, boobs, inner thighs, arms????? You have definetly given your all especially where exercising is involved. My lower tummy is a night mare, arms not to good, very wrinkly under the chin, boobs were small to begin with , so ok, butts fine, calves are really good, who would have thought, inner thighs yuck!. Ok I will be truthful not exactly now, but when I was at my lowest weight 209. I just love Dr. 90210 do you watch? I love Dr. Rey and Dr. Kirby(Will from big brother), I just love feminine guys and they fit the bill.

oh, I am having a terrible time with the hunger. I am pretty much eating a regular diet. I have to bump up my exercise. Just a very important side note, you usually do not get much restriction until your 2nd-3rd fill. Of course, maybe its different with the new lapband. Has anyone heard?

I justed wanted to add a few things. Almost everyone on the board last time lost some hair about 6-9 mts out. But it grows back again. Those of us that had bangs were laughing that we had mini bangs under our bangs, just hair growing back. Also I found that 1 week I would lose lbs, the next week inches, the next lbs again. It was very weird. it seems one has to happen before the other, or just catch up in some way. About every 10 lbs lost is almost a size. You will be amazed how you will literally jump down sizes. I had to get rid of every piece of clothing accept for my socks. I love to buy clothes, but I decided to go to the goodwill/salvation Army I am so glad I did. I bought a Columbia Coat for 5.00 and dresses for the same. For those of you that wear wide shoes don't be surprised if they don't fit. I had my surgery done in March when putting on my fall shoes I ran out the door late curling my toes to keep my shoes on.!!! For your wedding bands that are going to be especially loose from the cold weather and the weight loss, a jeweler for mere cents can put in an adjustable bracket inside your ring, it works wonders. __________________

pre surgery with a large tummy, it hard to get your head around the idea of not eating large quantities like what your use to. Remember how you feel after going to a buffet and stuffing yourself. That is how your going to feel I am not kidding. Especially if you follow through with the rules of lapband and keep the band at a nice fill. You will do fine!

I justed wanted to add a few things. Almost everyone on the board last time lost some hair about 6-9 mts out. But it grows back again. Those of us that had bangs were laughing that we had mini bangs under our bangs, just hair growing back. Also I found that 1 week I would lose lbs, the next week inches, the next lbs again. It was very weird. it seems one has to happen before the other, or just catch up in some way. About every 10 lbs lost is almost a size. You will be amazed how you will literally jump down sizes. I had to get rid of every piece of clothing accept for my socks. I love to buy clothes, but I decided to go to the goodwill/salvation Army I am so glad I did. I bought a Columbia Coat for 5.00 and dresses for the same. For those of you that wear wide shoes don't be surprised if they don't fit. I had my surgery done in March when putting on my fall shoes I ran out the door late curling my toes to keep my shoes on.!!! For your wedding bands that are going to be especially loose from the cold weather and the weight loss, a jeweler for mere cents can put in an adjustable bracket inside your ring, it works wonders.

teri are you having a hard time getting the fluids in because your sick or because you feel too restricted? What ever you do don't get into Pbing, sliming, or vomiting. It is truly amazing how swollen we are in the beginning and its a shock we don't have that hunger after years of never being full. You guys ride on its coat strings now because with each weak your going to get more hungry as the swelling goes down until your first fill. Also this will be the fastest you will lose right now. I have the MAN'S 14 cc lapband, doc took extra precautions so I won't slip again. I have hardly any restriction compared to last time.

Teri, I hope you feel better soon. Keep an eye on that fever. I am terrible at picking at the glue. LOL Port pain is common a long ways out. You kinda are always aware that it is there.