Julie norton

Great answers Seems we can forgive lots of typos and grammar problems etc. Me..the only issue I have is I just can't read a page long monologue with no stops. It probably has some valid points. But I find it confusing when posters think they are writing a short novel and pour out many concepts seemingly unrelated. Just me... I skip the diatribes .... Adore all the different approaches and ideas though!!

Good point and I don't want my head in the sand...that being said, any WLS has it's pros and cons. And golly. I'm starting to feel like our circle of banders gets a bit smaller every year⭐️

They sure look happier after .... And sometimes younger⭐️

welcome, I think this is a great site for questions and info and others experience with the band. There appear to be some naysayers around on some of the sites. but please be assured there are happy and healthy banders around. Hoping for a great fresh start for you .

Just playing the devil's advocate here.... This is an equalizing tool/board⭐️ Although we may know your weight or size.... Lots of us do not know how young or old ....skin color, choice of religion, gender identified( that one is mostly easy) educated or self taught, etc. I do recognize profiles have some info, but I use a smartphone and don't see that description. My point is everyone gets a place at the table (ha) and we hear a wonderful array of responses... From utter compliance to blatent disregard of this opportunity and it's rules. Even grammar deficient folks get their say. (A big red pen to cross out typos ?) food for thought

Great job Jamie. And congrats on a new house! How exciting and what a difference a year makes! Keep on posting and inspiring us.. It helps to read about others and their journeys.

Happy to see some bandsters posting. There is a lot of negative posting about band issues that I read . I had my band surgery in late 2006. It has not always been an easy road, but I am so grateful to not regain 90% of what I lost. It took many years of adjustments. ....both in my head and in my band to come to a healthy way of living. The key things I read from other long termers are WATER, protein, and exercise. I seem to have the best "fit" when my band is a bit loose. I can eat salads and other fiberous foods that did not work when my band was tight. I adjust my band about twice a year. Add some fluid... Then after months it seems to get too tight. Remove a bit of fluid and live with it for awhile.. Til I get too hungry between meals. And regain about 5-7 lbs. then back to a fill. And so on Some days are better than others. Sigh But they are all better than lugging around 90 extra pounds⭐️

great detailed story James. Thanks for sharing. The car looks like fun too. But will it fit in your shelter?????

Hoping we can have one thread of positive bander stories... With a discussion of fills and solutions. I'm growing weary of frightening scary stories of failed bands. Sigh

No problems here. Happy to say! Banded in 2006. Lost 90lbs. Happy. Healthy. Up / down 5 lb bounce range. Completely satisfied ... ThereARE a few of us happy bandsters around⭐️????

Rarely is the issue of incontinence brought up. I believe it affects a lot of overweight women. Personally, when I was at my heaviest, I dreaded a cough, sneeze or especially a cold. Relied on poise pads for those awful days. I vote for that NSV to be near the top of my list.⭐️

Hoping things calm down with your band. I am going for a fill in October to try to get things just right. I have left it very "loose" for 2 months... I have been healthy and eating right and exercising, but those dang 5 pounds came back and I notice my hunger a bit more... I'll be trying just like you to get my band more dialed in.

I agree about being prepared with snacks. Often the afternoon sneaks up on me and I need to have handy a decent snack. I try to keep protein bars in my purse. Unmeltable. Or beef jerky or a small amount of nuts .... It is water that gets too hot in my car. And I need to be vigilant about enough water.... Daily...still!!

my personal insight was that hospitals are very good at negotiating down the bill to settle it. They want to clear accounts and want money in hand rather than drawn out paymentsGood luck$!

it seems easier to camouflage excess skin than to try and hide....oh...90 pounds. I lived with the skin for years and saved my pennies to deal with it. That was a luxury. Weight loss was for health and a great normal life!

This is the perfect place to share victories and problems. Lots of nice friendly people who have walked that road ahead. Even though every ones journey is individual , there are lots of hints and advice when we reach a fork (ha) in the road. I feel like I'm not alone on my banded trip through life with my cyber friends!

Tailoring can be reasonable. I found one who , for $10 each , tailored 5 pair of my favorite pants. Kinda like I went shopping in my own closet. I got rid of the huge clothes. Ok I kept one pair of stretchy 22's. Just to look at once a year and always remind me! Hard to believe I wore that size now that I am many years banded, Yet there they are .... I feel very grateful I was able to have a healthier smaller sized life for years...

Yes... I get small fills. And wait.. Often for some reason , they enlarge over time. When I have problems toooo often... Not keeping decent food down or like trouble with liquids, I have to adjust it I have no idea why? I just go with my band.. Usually, I get a bit taken out...And wait. Then, the next 3-6 months I start again.. Keeping it a bit under inflated. I do read about a lot of issues. And I want to keep my band a long time. So I try to be very careful. It is a fine balance between fill and overfill for me. I want to have compliance and I want self discipline. That is my banded life !

Welcome to a new and healthier life.???? There is a lot of info on these boards should you want or need to know what others have gone through. I learn something here almost daily and people seem very friendly!

You look great.... And you also look much younger than your pre op pic Amazing. Healthier and younger! Congrats!

To me, that is the old voice in our head. The loop about being too big. Not good enough. Need to lose weight... Etc Trust in the process. You got this. Ignore the naysayers and work your program. You are successful already. One voice cannot change that Best of luck

What a great story ! Unbelievable that many of us got a healthy life after taking a chance on our band. Sharpie. There is food all over the ship at all times of day... And there are stairs all over , and a gym , and places to walk around at each port So it is all about choices. And you made the right ones. Congratulations????

Ok. Just a small pet peeve. And apologies to the newbies. Sometimes I'm reading a thread with advice on diet and exercise and all good WLS guidelines.... Only to look up the poster and find that they are pre- op....I'm glad they have solid advice, but.... My hope is that people have some experience and a bit of WLS life under their belt before telling other post ops how to correct an issue they are having. We are all here to help each other... But not by READING the info a Doc has given you.... This is a long term solution and I'm not closed minded to new ideas, but perhaps pre op could identify that they have a source of info.... NOT real life experience. Just me⭐️

Welcome! There seems to be a lot of questions and answers here... Lots of info at your fingertips. I'm glad to have this site. It helps me on those days I really need it! Best of luck on your new healthier life!

I guess all docs are different. Mine said only walking for week 2-5. Then cardio and abs after week 6 That was in march of this year. Glad I had my TT ... But glad it is in the past!