faithmd

Suzzzie. You are NOT alone! I am heavier than I was at banding! I currently back to my highest weight ever (had actually weighed more than that for a while). I eat WAY less and way better than I did prior to banding. I know I still eat too much, but I eat at least half of what I used to. I am beyond frustrated. I haven't gone for more fills because I have reflux (I never did before the band). I have no interest in RNY nor sleeve, nor any other kind of surgery. I guess I just have to learn to accept that this band wasn't the tool I hoped it would be and be as healthy as possible as the fat person I am. We are who we are!

Thank you for the email, Alex! I haven't been here in a long time, either. Probably because I am now HIGHER than my band weight. I was banded in June, 2007 and I am currently only ten or so pounds down from my all-time high (currently at 360). I have had only three fills because I started having significant reflux with only something like 3cc in a 10cc band. I have had an upper GI and it showed good placement and barely any delayed emptying of my pouch. I clearly need more of a fill. However, I can't take the reflux. So I'm pretty well stuck (and actually get things stuck regardless of the fairly open band...). I do still eat loads *less* than I did before banding, but I am not losing. Endocrine has suggested I have extensive testing to see how my body utilizes and burns (or does not burn) calories. Unfortunately it isn't covered by insurance. I'm slowly working on getting funds together for it. My lowest was 296, I was banded at someplace in the 320's (I truly do not remember, maybe it's still in my sig line if those still exist). Even though I regained weight, I still eat healthier and less than I did before. Despite the lack of weight loss, I know I am in some ways living a healthier lifestyle than I was and that makes it worth it to me!

Hello everyone! I'm glad to see some are still losing! I had made it to 296 (from 327 on OR day, 367 at a high), and am now back up at 336. I know I'm not at all perfect with my eating, but even my husband says I easily east half of what I ate before the band was placed (I eat occasional sweet stuff, but generally stick to the healthier foods, I simply feel better when I eat better), and yet I continue to gain. So I saw an Endocrinologist in June of this year. I've only had a couple of fills and am at 6 in an 11cc band. I do have reflux from time to time and a lot of days it feels like when I swallow the food doesn't want to move down my esophagus, so I hesitate to go higher. She did lab after lab and an upper GI. The UGI showed that my band is in good placement and that it is pretty open, the contrast flowed through readily. No enlargening of the pouch above the band, either (that was my fear). So I don't know. I know I need to step up my exercise, but it is kinda frustrating to think that I have gained weight back, though I should be glad I'm not more than ten pounds higher than my banding weight, so I guess it is doing something! If I hadn't had it I'd likely have simply continued to gain and gain. In that sense it has been a lifesaver. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Would I choose bypass over this, considering my lack of loss? No way. I have had friend after friend who have had bypass and have had nothing but problems. Yep, they're thinner, but... Nice to check in with you all and hope everyone keep with it! I'm going to go back to basics and see what happens. Perhaps I'll try starting from the beginning and doing the diet from banding day one.

Wheetsin, Avery is BEAUTIFUL!!! For your milk supply, I was just wondering if the LC you saw gave you any information about "power pumping" or suggested any herbals to try (Fenugreek for example) or possibly getting a prescription for Reglan? I've included a couple of links to some pages with good info. The third one has quite a few herbal suggestions to try. Hope it helps, and CONGRATS!!! Nice page that includes info about power pumping: kellymom.com :: I'm not pumping enough milk. What can I do? The page below has some really good suggestions about which foods are lactogenic (those that support lactation) as well as some other good suggestions for increasing supply: Living with Chronic Low Milk Supply: A Basic Guide Herbal suggestions: Lactogenic Herbs: Mother Nature's Milk Boosters, Part 2

I haven't been around much since late spring, and I am so sorry for missing a lot of what has been going on with you. I do check in on occasion, and just wanted to say, it is times like the one you describe above that I am embarrassed to say that I work for UM. I didn't realize how bad their customer service could be at times until I experienced it myself with my mother's hospitalization this spring. Once upon a time I would have said (from having been in that system for over 19 years) to call patient relations and then risk management (if you haven't already). But I've been there and done that. I got the requisite form letter from risk management that they would be looking into my complaint, but then nothing... As much as it pains you to do it, and as hesitant as you are (which I TOTALLY understand) to ruffle feathers there, I'd ruffle some with an attorney's help. One more suggestion, can you have someone else do the reconstruction if you are concerned about treatment by Dr. K? I'd suggest looking into Cederna if that's an option. Alderman does great breasts, so she's an option, too. Again I'm soooo sorry about this roller coaster you've been on. Luv to you and yours!

Bran, Dunno if you have already gone for that fill under fluoro yet or not, but Hurley does NOT use fluoro like Denise's (and most people's) doc does. Nancy only uses fluoro to see the port itself, they do not have you drink while under fluoro and watch the band/flow of fluid. I wish they did. But sadly, they don't...

I haven't been on and haven't been posting as my weight loss has been total crap. I tried so long to do it on my own and just couldn't. I finally got on the losing track after a fill in late April and then my mom got sick(er) in May. I've been taking care of her at home since May 31st and eating total sh*t. She passed away Tuesday night (peacefully) at home with my father and I at her side. So once the funeral is over and the crap (but verrrrry yummy) funeral food is gone, I will endeavor to get back on the horse, go get another fill and get going on this weight loss. I only wish she could have seen me successful in losing weight while she was still alive. She'll see me from heaven, but then I won't get her reaction until I get there myself someday. I'll try to post more frequently, I do read regularly, though.

I don't blame you for being leery, hun. I think that right now it isn't the best time for you to open yourself up like that. BTW, you look beautiful, love the Warhol-esque montage

I think you are an amazing advocate for the band, and I do wish there were more before and after photos for those of us who have had WLS, specifically the band. But you do have to be comfortable with it. I don't get it about the Doc. How could he go from being so great and such a good surgeon (like we both said, you gotta be in order to successfully change someone from make to female and make it convincing) to being such a huge a$$hole and uncaring? I'm flummoxed! I know you are more flummoxed than I, but I'm shocked! Have you considered making an appointment with someone else in plastics at the U? Amy Alderman is really good with breasts. I remember her as a resident, then as a fellow when I was in burn. She's gifted. I wish this had gone much better for you!

I've been awful about posting, myself. I am home taking care of my mom full-time right now. She had a stroke 5/21 and her rehab is a challenge. Last night was the first night I have slept in my bed since 5/31. I normally sleep in a recliner next to her, but I need to get back to work this week for at least a few hours, as this will be a long process, so dad took a shift to make sure he can care for her without me here. Glad things seem to be going okay for everyone. Congrats to all the grads, the new mommies, those with new jobs, Boo for getting this far out of surgery without pulling your hair out in frustration, Claud for being happy in Chi-town, and Bman for being happy dating a nice guy.

Hello Tess! I had mentioned in my response that I go after work. But my work day workouts are usually only about 45 mins to an hour. I tend to do the bike or the "gazelle" type thingy. I have been on my feet for almost the entire previous twelve hours so I don't spend much time on the treadmill. Besides, I HATE HATE HATE HATE the treadmill. I feel like a mouse on a wheel trying to get a dangling piece of cheese. If I am really tired by about 0400, and I don't feel like going after work, then I'll go walk for about twenty minutes, or take the elevator to the basement and walk up the stairs to my floor (fourth, but every floor is a FULL double set of stairs). a couple of times. When I was in better shape (read: younger) I would go try to run UP the DOWN escalator in the middle of the night. That was a GREAT workout.

I am crossing eveything I can for that HCG to continue to climb up and up and up!!! (But what's your PS gonna say

Welcome to LBT. Autumn! Congrats on your two sons! To answer you, yes! Absolutely! There are loads of bandsters here who have had successful pregnancies and nursed and then gotten back on the "bandwagon." You might want to check out this forum: Pregnancy with the Lap-band (NEW!) - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum It is all about pregnancy and the lapband. There are threads about breastfeeding as well. Hope this helps!

Grammylew, so sorry about your dad's passing. I copied and pasted in all the single line updates into the entire list: NAME ... Start Weight ... Goal ... Current Weight ... To Go 4jin............225.......199...........219.5.........20.5 Abby1...........172.......140...........172...........32 Allaboutme .....211 ......165 ......... 205 ..........40 Allison925 .....175 ......145 ......... 175 ..........30 Ann.............287 ......180 ..........197...........17 Anyalee.........231.......199...........231...........32 Angie4b1g ......237.8 ....205...........222.4.........17.4 Ariel ..........199 ......169 ..........199 ..........30 babs0101 .......216 ......190 ..........200 ..........10 Bbgray .........260 ......220 ..........260 ..........40 Bigbaby ........207.......167...........193.5.........26.5 bobby_hamrick...233.......199...........233...........34 Chocolate_Snaps.292.......242 ..........274 ..........32 chickatee.......184.......145...........167...........22 Cookielover ....198 ......175 ..........198 ..........23 cQQlgirl .......220.......195...........206...........11 Debihaines .....254.......200...........227.9.........27.9 eugeniam........200...... 185...........200...........15 Faithmd.........308 ......300. .........297...........-3 FairyFacade.....333.......180...........246...........66 Foofy ..........244 ......210 ..........235 ..........25 Gayle...........246.......190...........214...........24 Georgia Girl ...275 ......237 ..........244 ...........7 grammylew.......216 ......190 ..........196...........6 Hazeleyegrl1 ...233 ..... 200 ..........208...........8 HeatherA .......255.6 ....225 ..........250.9 ........25.9 HoppingToIt.....309.......240...........309 ..........69 Hungryforchange 225 ..... 190 ..........225...........35 Ivyrose325 .....261 ..... 215 ..........220...........5 Jeni 85 ........214.4.....184.........200.5...........16.5 Jennie1976......235.......205...........226...........21 Jfran ..........181 ......145 ..........181...........36 Jsprague .......240.......220...........233 ..........13 KarenG..........195.......165...........174...........9 Katrose.........268.......215...........234...........19 kristin1031.....256.......226...........199...........27 Legster ........216 ......187 ..........189 ..........2 Linda Lu:.......228.......195...........15.2.........20.2 liz_hager.......196.......170...........172...........2 Loftonall.......210 ......150...........210...........60 Lori_NC.........281.......250...........281...........31 Luluc ..........166 ......135 ..........137 ..........2 MamaJava .......283 ......233 ..........283 ..........50 Mamato3.........242.......199...........205.5.........6.5 Mandyjo.........188.......150...........175...........25 Mary-2b150 .....225 ......150 ..........193...........43 MissTrini.......218.......170...........218...........48 msdaneen........305.......145...........236...........91 Nadean .........204.6 ....160 ..........190.4.........30.4 Nhanson ........226 ......196 ..........220 ..........30 NOlanebryant....238.4.....198 ..........238.4.........40 Nykee...........325.......299...........325...........26 PigsRFlying.....230 ..... 150...........192...........42 Rainer .........256 ..... 216 ..........233...........17 Redtulips3 .....245 ......199 ..........203 ..........4 Sfeiner.........285.......271...........245...........40 Shadst83 .......233 ......199...........233...........34 Smithem1 .......240.6 ....190 ..........240.6 ........50.6 Soaf9...........265.......145...........220...........75 Squale..........314.......285...........314...........29 Sta6160.........205.......140...........170...........30 Stacy73 ........226.4 ....194 ..........222 ..........28 Starryeyed .....237 ..... 199 ..........193...........-6 Sunny112........215.......130...........143...........13 Suzzzie ........297 ......243 ..........273 ..........30 Syndy...........252.2.....212.2.........252.2.........40 TheCapn.........520.......399 ..........469...........70 Trish5713.......255.......230...........255...........25 TxArcher .......360 ......285 ..........346 ..........61 Wombat712 ......152.8 ....120 ..........132.2.........12.2 Wrestlersmom....266.......150...........260...........116 Tmusicmaker123..384.......299...........311...........12

Okay, so it wasn't a very lofty goal, but I made it already. Name..............Current.....Goal.....Lost...Still to Lose by July 4th atallen06...........231........215.......0......16 Bea1129.............231........200......5.5.....25.5 BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Cgailee ............219........200.......0......19 darr5380............170........165.......0.......5 Epm316..............218........200.......12.....18 erikadawn...........217........190.......0......27 faithmd.............297........300.......12.4...-3(by6/21) Hastings............248........228.......5......20 Jennypoo............174.5......170.......4.5....4.5 jrob281.............212........190.......0......22 KarenG..............170........160.......4......10 kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 kellygirl0520.......236........220.......0......16 legster.............188........180.......9......8 Lenore1890..........263.4......247.......4.3....15.7 Leslie2Lose.........225........208.......8......17 LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Lilmissband-aid.....236.5......225.......11.....11.5 losingjusme.........244........238.......6.......6(started 5/30) Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 MollyMolly..........189........188.......15......1 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........168.8......160.......8.2.... 8.8 njudono............ 298........277...... 5......21 NukeChik............229........222.......13......7 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 renewedhope.........185........180.......11......5 Sades...............194........185.......3.......9 Stacy73.............212........204.......0.......8 Sunshine2...........179........160.......4......15 (by6/29) Suzzzie. ...........273........260.......0......13 Tess415.............327........299.......7......21 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........130.6......120.......3.6....10.6

Oh yes, cheese is a LIFESAVER! Kraft makes snackable size 1 oz individually wrapped 2% fat Cheddar bars, they are wonderful! I love string cheese, but until I found the Kraft cheddar bars, string cheese was all I could find in lowfat or "lite" cheese. I also really find that snacking on almonds is very satisfying (if you are at that stage yet in your diets).

Thank you, Christine! Even though I haven't been around much lately, I have been following your blogs and rooting for you. You are sooooo inspiring!

I work nights, straight 12 hr shifts and I go work out on my way home from work in the morning. It is HARD, but it had become a routine (until my mother got ill). For food, I usually have a yogurt in the morning after I work out, before bed. I know, I am eating too close to bed, but I fell like I need a little something. I figure a yogurt isn't bad considering a "little something" used to be a full breakfast meal at BK or McD's. I eat light before work, maybe a Carb Control (better Protein than any of the other SF's) Slimfast in a can, or a yogurt with granola or a stop at McD's for a grilled chicken snack wrap. I eat a snack around 2300, maybe cheese and some deli meat, a Protein Drink, something like that. I eat "dinner" between 0200 and 0400, depends on how my night is going. I have a piece of fruit or a SF pudding on my way from work to the gym. Hope that helps!

I have barely been here lately, one of the biggest reasons I haven't been coming is just the reasons the OP posted about. I know I could choose to ignore those threads, but I just can't seem to help myself. I have really tried, though. I used to always navigate the board by the new posts button, but I've learned to navigate by forum so that I can avoid the majority of those posts that make me crazy. Yes, the OP certainly should have the right to post what she did, as do the detractors have the right to rebut. However, I would question the need to announce a break. Perhaps the title of the thread should have been something a little different. I am almost a year out and have not been without my challenges, and for some reason keep coming back here. But I also step away on occasion. Quietly. But that's my choice.

Woohoo!! Thanks Alex!

I did it again, I got back into the 200's today. I looked down and was shocked to see 298. I got on and off the scale something like five times. It was the same every time! Now, I've hit the 200's before, only to go back up to 314. Doggone it, this time I'm staying in Twoterville!!!! Once I hit the 280's, I think I'll finally believe I'm a resident of Twoterville to stay (or at least until I am fortunate enough to finally cruise to Onderland). I have to send off for some charms and make another charm bracelet (I have one filled with important milestones of my life on it) specifically for my weight loss. That might give me the impetus to keep going.

My thought? He should eat the costs, all of them. And really, if there was a way to transfer the pain to him as well, that would be helpful. I am intersted in what Farhan had to say about the port. If he wants to move it, I'd ask for a low-profile. I think JulieNYC said it was about $600 for the low profile port itself. If the placement is causing severe pain or "difficulty breathing" (hint-hint), then one would think insurance should pay for the port revision, you'd likely just have to pay for the port itself. Take care!

So what did Farhan have to say, BBK? Hope all is still well. Take care.

Whoa!!! You look FAB!!! Woohoo!!!