bjkgriffith

Hi everyone, I live in Sodus, NY (which is between Rochester and Syracuse). Just wondering if anyone here is near me. I really would like to start a personal support group but can't find a single person in my area. Thanks, Barb __________________ Barb Griffith

I need to know if anyone else here has been unable to vomit food or stomach contents since having their band put on. I have Meniere's Disease, which causes me to be very dizzy and sick. I cannot throw up anymore when this is happening. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT PBING. I am talking about being sick and nauseous, but not being able to throw up. Nothing comes back up through my band - no food what so ever. I could've eaten within the hour and then feel sick, but will only be able to go through the wretching and the only phlegm comes back up. No food can come back up through my band. Is this anyone else's experience? Barb

Anyone from upstate NY? I live between Rochester and Syracuse, NY and would love to join a support group in my area. Barb

I love to drink. I drink Margarettas and wine. The BIGGEST problem for me is that not only can I eat more when I drink, but the whole next day or 2 my esophagus is so irritated that I can barely eat anything without spasms. Anyone else experience that? Barb

Vera, I need to talk to you about the Sanchez bash. Email me at bjkgriffith@aol.com and we can talk. Thanks Barb

Donali, Isn't there another option for you? A mid-band or can't you have the band put back on after the healing process occurrs? Barb

Hi all, I was banded one week ago (Aug.1, 2003), and to date have found no one in my area to correspond with or set up a group with or meetings with.... Is anyone in my area. Barb Dr. Sanchez 8-1-03 249/238/140

I live in Upstate NY, between Buffalo & Syracuse, NY, but I travel to NYC to get my fills - My doctor's name is Brian L. Katz, his address is 1010 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028 and his telephone number is (212) 879-6677. I personally love him. I had my surgery done in Mexico in Aug. 2003 and have been the NYC three times since for fills. Good Luck. Barb

Are any of you experiencing esophageal spasms? I usually get them after 2-3 bites of anything. It is terribly painful and am going to have an esophogram (sp?) tomorrow. But in the mean time I just wonder how many others are experiencing this and thinking that they are done eating? I have read that there is a medicine called Nifedipine (which is a muscle relaxant), but Sadie (from Mexico) told me to get some Motilium/Domperidone, and I am also wondering if anyone knows if there is a difference in what the 2 medications do. Thank you all, Barb

Is any one out there so filled that they can only eat 2-5 bites of something before it gets so painful in your esophagus that you can't stand it? Then I end up throwing it back up. This has been happening almost daily for about a month now. I have lost about 15-19 lbs., but have great difficulty in not trying to go back after vomitting to try to get some food down. I am going to try to go back to Protein shakes, bars, and some softer foods to try to heal my esophagus. Any one else having that trouble? The only way that I can get any food down is to drink hot tea with my meals and even then sometimes it won't work. Hi Vera. Barb

Thanks girls, I spoke to Sadie (in Monterrey) yesterday and she recommended that I start with fluids, then soft, then try some regular food. She also says if this continues after this week that I should have .3 cc removed. Thanks again. Barb

Hi all, banded 8/1, officially 7 mos. out and only 23 lbs. lost. I have been a very slow loser. I have the AMI band and just had my 4th fill on Feb. 23rd and FINALLY FEELING RESTRICTED. So hopefully I am on my way to "loserville". Vera, I can't wait until I get under 200 again. I haven't been under 200 since 1992. Barb 8/1/03 Dr. Sanchez 252/229/140

I am having such a time with this AMI band. Any suggestions? I have 7.5 ccs in it right now and have only lost a total of 24 lbs. in 6 months. My siblings are now saying that I should have the gastric bypass. Is it common that whben you have the AMI band, you can go this long without losing much weight? I am very, very discouraged. I called Mexico and Sady said that I may just need a "tweaK", so I have another fill appt. scheduled for Feb. 23rd. Hope this works or I don't know what else to do. Barb

Donali, Leo, Vera, Thank you all for the input. Vera I will call you. Donali, I try for the most part to follow the bandster rules, but not always to the letter. I truly believe that because I had to go to Mexico and have no support here from a nutritionist or even a doctor that weighs me when I go for fills, might contribute to my problems......I have no accountability - except to myself. I am also going to Curves, reading Dr. Phil and listening to my hypnosis weight loss tapes every night....What else can I do? I was told to have the doctor draw all of the saline out when I go next Monday and make sure that it's still in there and then add another 1 cc, and if too tight (which I doubt), draw back out .5 cc. Again, thanks for the help, maybe my head in not in the right place yet...that's the reason for reading Dr. Phil - so I can GET REAL! Barb

Christie, It really depends on what type of band you have. I have the AMI band and have to travel to NYC for my fills, but there is a doctor in Ithaca, NY (Dr. Mecenas) who does fills for the lap band that is approved here and there is also a doctor in Port Jervis, NY (Dr. Kwon). He does fills for all kinds as well. Good Luck, Barb

Vera, You are such a sweet lady.

Yes, this is all very true, but what happens 3 months out - 2 fills later when you are still gaining weight. I go for my 3rd fill on December 1, 2003, and unlike alot of bandster - I have told my colleagues and EVERY EYE IS ON ME! I am getting very frustrated. I was restricted for about a week or two after my 2nd fill, but now am able to eat preband. What is a girl to do?

Hi Jeanette, I found 2 doctors to do my fills, the 1st one wanted to try to control the weight loss with diet and I felt that if I could control it with diet ..... I wouldn't need the band. So I found another doctor that is 5 hours away from my house, but he is really nice. I have had 2 fills, but am not restricted yet. I have the AMI band , which is bigger than the lap band, so I have 5.5 cc right now and am scheduled for another fill on December 1st. Hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks for asking. I have not had any significant weight loss as of yet......still waiting. Barb

I will post after he calls. Thank you all for trying to help. Barb

Hey you guys, my problem doesn't stem from being restricted, I don't have a good fill. I have had 2 fills, but have not yet hit the sweet spot. So my not being able to vomit stomach contents isn't because I am too tight. I do have a call into my surgeon, but they told me that he won't be back until Monday. Thanks anyways, Barb

Hi Laurel, I went to New York City yesterday for another fill (2.0cc) that makes 5.5cc total. I am hanging in there. I feel kind of restricted today, but as I am sure that you know this band is fickle. It will get easier for Wayne with the right amount of fill. Wish him luck for me. Barb

Donali, I have saved this post along with other posts of yours because I want to refer back to it. It is so important for those of us who have dieted for so long to end the destructive behavior that keeps us on this roller coaster. I don't think that anyone minds that you go to counselling and share what you have learned with us --- for free. I know that for me.....you have been one of my biggest advocates. I really search for all of your posts. They are so full of tips and useful information. Thank you very much & Keep it up.

Laurel, How is Wayne doing? I have read some of your posts and see that he is struggling a little. Well me too. I am starting to gain weight back. I had my first fill on October 6th, but the doctor didn't fill it as much as Eric (AnnMarie's husband) said that he should, so I have no restriction. I am going to New York City next Monday for my 2nd fill. Hope that I start to see some results soon. It gets discouraging, but tell Wayne to hang in there....he's not alone. Take Care Barb

Jeanette, I am really, really discouraged now. I just called my fill doctor's office and his assistant informs me that my next visit to his office (which is 4 hours away) will not be for another fill, it is just a followup to see what I'm eating and if I am exercising. I am very disturbed about that. If I could manage my weight with diet and exercise alone, why would I have paid all of that money to get the band put on. So n ow I need to locate another fill doctor. This is like starting back at the beginning. I read posts from people that say that they can go back to their doctors within days if they have no restriction for another fill and this guy won't even do it after 4 weeks, at $150 without flouro. Do you know of any good fill doctors in NY, Pennsylvania or in that area? I am thinking that my only option is to fly back to Dr. Sanchez. Thanks and good luck to you too.

I am a little jealous of you guys. I was banded on August 1st. (senior of the August bandsters) and am at like a standstill. I have already had my first fill 3.5 cc on Oct. 6th in the AMI band and still feel little to no restriction. I can eat whatever I want still. I don't even know for sure how much weight I have lost or gained because I had my weight taken by 4 different facilities and they all read something entirely different. Oh well, I will hold out hope for my next fill. How are the rest of you August Bandsters doing?