onemoment

What a wonderful idea. Maybe you could set up a email and people can send theirs stories. I really think this could take off and really make a difference in someones life who could not afford their band. Wonderful, wonderful idea !

I too do not post often but come every day to read. Your words have kept me going when I didn't think I could. It took me several days to come back and read after your post on your removal. I was so saddened by the news. My heart just went out to you. When I came back your words inspired me again. You are a strong women. My thoughts and prayers are with you. This too you can do. You are a inspiration to us all.

Heaven spelled backwards Beautiful name for a beautiful little one My sister was going to name her little girl this BUT she had a boy

sleep.net.com this site was very helpful to me when I was first told about my sleep apnea. As like you I knew nothing of this. I have had a auto pap for the last 4 years and have tried every mask out there. It is hard to get used to the mask and the air blowing but I wouldn't trade my machine in for anything. I felt near dead before it. stats : 50 events per hour 81 oxygen level I have heard that alot of people who have sleep apnea after losing weight have been able to get off the machine. This is what I am hoping for but until that time my machine and I are best friends.

Goodmorning Just wanted to update. I am 16mths postop. I had my surgery done at Northwestern Hopital with Doctors Murayama and Nagel. Sad to say but Dr. Murayama is no longer with them but Dr. Nagel who took over for him is wonderful. This surgery is the best thing I have done for MYSELF in my life. The surgery itself was one of the easiest surgeries I have gone through. I had a rough day the day of surgery but that wasn't even that bad. And every day after was easier. It was only a few days before I was feeling pretty good a little stiff but I still took it easy for a couple of weeks. My weight loss to begin was very good and lost 60 or 70lbs. the first 7 mths. And then it really slowed down due to personal and emotional reasons. I just had to regroup. I am now down 93 lbs. and steadly loosing again. Can't wait for the century mark. My first major goal. And this is just one of the good reasons for this band (my thinking). I needed some personal time for my head and the band just sat there waiting for me to get it all together. If you have any question please email me I would be happy to hear from you. 340/247/living life to it's fullest Dr. Murayama, Dr. Alex Nagel Northwestern University Hospital Chicago, Illinois

Hi, I am not sure if this is common with everyone but I experienced the same type of pinching, pulling pain near and between port site and another entry site. I still experience some pulling or pinching at port area on occassion (but now ONLY at the port area). I am 13 months out and the feeling has lessened over this time. Every month it became less and less. I think you still are in the healing process. Take your time and move a little slower. If the pain continues or becomes worse please contact your doctor immediately on this matter (just to be on the safe side).

I have to start by saying this has been the hardest, easiest, fastest , wonderful, exciting most emotional year I think I have ever spent. I think this year I have learned more about myself then I ever have (44 years and counting) . I researched surgery years before I had my date. I quit smoking (30+years) so I would prove to myself this surgery was that important to me. Talked with doctors and counselors before I even went and saw the surgeon and started the process. Spoke hours and hours with my family and friends, some who were not happy with my decision and even won them over with all the knowledge I had and my determination. I thought I had all the answers.... NOT. You can not have the answers until you have lived it. I have spent the last year on this crazy rollercoaster. Up when I was losing and down when I was not. I think I became more obsessed with food then I was prior to the surgery. Before I never thought about foods I just ate. Then after surgery it was , what can I eat, when can I eat, what if I am traveling somewhere where can I stop, you name it I was thinking about the food. I learned that I have alot of my past to deal with. It can no longer be hidden away. The fear of failure has taken me high on this ride. That and the fear of losing the band (something going wrong and the doctors having to remove it). Sometime the fear of just not knowing what was going on with me. You would not believe the number of times this board has saved my sanity, made me smile a time or two. I don't know if some people understand how much of a life line they are for some of us. On my anniversary date I came to the understanding of why I had this surgery. I put away my scale and made a promise to myself I would not think about how much I lost or something happens to my band then what or what can I eat. I got off the rollercoaster I had put myself on for the last year. I had a wonderful holiday and have truly discovered what my band is for. MY BAND IS A TOOL... not a miracle and I need to work with this tool. My life has changed this past year. Family and friends have asked me would you do this again. YES ! I sure would. I can only explain it this way. I was in total darkness and in this darkness you do not know where to turn because every where you look is just blackness. Now I have a light, somewhere I can turn to. I have HOPE. It might take me alittle longer for my light to get brighter but at least I know which way to go to reach it. I wish for you all a very HAPPY and HEALTHY Year. Smile and live your life for you. And for all I wish that your light burns bright.

Hi, My experiences have been very similar to yours. My first fill actually was a breeze but... the second and third was just as you experienced. And then the fourth was not so bad. My doctor has done all my fills under floscope. But scar tissue build up and a slight tilted port makes it a little harder. I swear I have come out of there a couple of times looking like a pin cushion (I also have bled alot). My husband will not go in there with me cause he has seen all the needle marks , he said he does not think he could handle it. The second time we almost didn't end with a fill because he just could not access the port. The doctor said this is due to scar tissue and the needle just has to be moved around some to get in. Anyways since it is a teaching hospital and I am the first band ever done there, there are always alot of doctors around to observe. So we got it taken care of. So I don't think all your fills will be the same. I pray that your next is a breeze.

Donali During this time of tight restriction what do you eat ? I know we have to be careful with empty calories and soft food syndrome. There are time I am tight and anything besides liquid gets stuck but then the very next day I can eat whatever. How do you avoid pb's if you do not know when you actually are able to eat certain foods. I had a fill done in August and was very tight and made the mistake of not having some removed (thought it would loosen up after some time ) I had a very hard time and even thought I would loose more weight because I was unable to eat. Well....surprise surprise I did NOT loose a pound from August 22 until November when I went in and had a unfill and then a refill. Right after the fill in November I am again on my weight loss. Since November I have found to have some restriction and having a much easier and better food choices. But... The last 2 days I feel much tighter and have pb'd several times. I think this is what has happened to me also and I have gotten tighter several weeks out of the fill. Since I do much better having a looser fill I will not wait much longer if this fill is to restricted. Right after the New Year I will be back in to get a little taken out

How wonderful !!! You are doing soooooo GREAT. I believe you will make your goal and then some... My one year is coming up soon. I would also like to make the goal of -100 pds. The problem is I have one month left to go and have 20pds. to lose and have hit a very long plateau. I will be seeing my doctor in a day to see what we can do to get me started again. Let us know what you are doing that is working so well for you. Maybe you have some great tips to share.

Can this be dangerous...like say... if you have the flu or food poisoning? If the body is trying to reject what is in the stomach and can not pass through the band , then does this get stuck going back up ? Since hearing how bad vomiting is to the band and possible slippage.... I have been scared to death to get the flu and since the flu season is coming. I have thought of getting the flu shot but have also heard many bad things about the shot also. Soooo I really don't know which way to go with this.

Hello, I am from Illinois also. Was banded 12/11/02 Northwestern Hospital Chicago, Illinois.

Lots and Lots and lots of Water !!! Water is a very good source to flush your system.