bbrecruiter2000

Hi Alex, Glad you brought this thread to the table. I am almost 13 months out and I have not had any problems at all. Had a little gastritis for about 3 weeks over six months ago, but it resolved itself as I lost more weight and passed through allergy season which gave me lots of post nasal congestion. I have had no other issues with my band and I still enjoy food immensely, just smaller and healthier portions. Babs in TX 334/208/170 -126 6/23/03

Hi Anne, I am sorry to hear about the leak, but hopefully you wont have to worry about any cost associated with a replacement. Please let us know what happens. Babs in TX 334/208/170 -126

Donali, Congratulations my fellow century club member and soon to be onederlander!! THere is no one I can think of who deserves this success more than you do.!!! Babs in TX 334/208/170 -126 6/23/03

Hi Everyone, Today, I noticed that i am down from a starting BMI of 53.9 and now I am at 33.6! Not only this, I am 8.5 pounds from the onesies and 38 pounds from goal. The band is truly amazing and if you work with it, it is possible to get to a more normal BMI. Having gone from Super Obese to Severely obese to just obese and shortly to Overweight, the band has saved my life. Babs in TX 334/208/170 -126 6/23/03

Leatha, I love the dancing bananas! I should use them more often when I post congratulatory messages!!! By the way, whats going on with your band.? Did you finally get someone to see you and fix it? Babs

Hi Cindy, Please dont give up. I find that if you kick the carbs for a while, it helps with the sugar cravings. All of us here are food addicts with different weaknesses. Before I was banded, I was a bread-aholic. Then after having my second child, I became a sugar holic. I am also insulin resistant and gain weight very easily. You can conquer the addictions. Seek a therapist who specializes in food disorders if you can. Babs in TX 334/211/170 -123 6/23/03

Donali, I am so glad that you made it through and are on your way to recovery. Sounds like it was really horrible though. (the pain). Gentle Hugs and feel better, Babs in TX

Hi C, As you know recently I posted about how sad and bored I was with my 10 year relationship with my husband. He is an extremely intelligent high IQ engineer, but has ADD issues. Sometimes, I feel like he is a another baby for me to take care of. He also has trouble communicating and he has trouble to tell me he loves me, although I know he does. My therapist suggested that I make a list of the pros and cons in our relationship and what improvements that I would like to see. luckily, my husband was willing to participate in my therapy sessions. Now, I havent seen instantaneous changes, but somethings are getting better. I am working on the sources of my boredom and trying to learn to cope better. He has been to see the doc about fatigue issues which plague him and hurt our relationship. We are making lifestyle changes and have put our very expensive house on the market in lieu of a smaller more manageable house, since I am the one that has to clean it. I presently have 5 bedrooms/5 bathrooms, 2 kids, a fulltime career as owner of a recruiting franchise and the pressure is overwhelming for me to be a high income earner and also be a good mother, wife etc... Way too much and I have become bitter and resentful. So my advice is to see if this relationship is salvageable before you throw in the towel. When there is a lot of anger and hurt, it is sometimes hard to see the good things in a relationship or what the relationship could evolve to if it is nurtured. Babs in TX 334/213/170 -121

Hi Chantal, If you look back under support, I came here for similar support. Please do not hesitate to email me privately. Send ot my aol account at babaez@aol.com. Babs in TX 334/213/170 -121 6/23/03

Leatha, Esther retired from UPS after 20 some odd years. She is presently living on a UPS pension in her mother in laws house in CA. Babs in TX P.S. I am sorry that your feelings were hurt.

Hi, I have an opinion I would like to voice here. My disclaimer: I do not work for a bariatric clinic and I am not affiliated with a hospital and I am definitely not a medical professional. Leatha: I have been a member of DFW bandsters for a year. This group consists of the kindest most loving people you will ever have the chance to be associated with. The group was not started by anyone in the medical profession or anyone associated with a doc or hospital. The group was started by Esther who was banded in 1999. She lost her band due to erosion and was rebanded last year. She lost her second band at Christmas time and moved to CA. She is below her goal weight and has maintained it so far. Two people who post on DFW bandsters work in the capacity of post op care or for a doctor or hospital directly. One of them is Cynthia Jones who is a 5 year bandster veteran who lost 210 pounds and was one of the FDA trial patients. She owns a company and website called Bandlandia and contracts with the hospitals that do banding surgery to handle post op care for the docs the hospitals represent. There is also MJ who represents SCOR. From what I understand, the doc was willing to see you, but the facility was an out of network provider and that is a problem for many people, not just yourself. There are docs that will see you in the DFW area, but whether they take your insurance is another issue. And there are also docs that dont want to handle problems if they didnt band you. Yes, it is a problem, and yes it is extremely unfortunate for you and many others that will have this problem in the future. I noticed that there were several dozen posts of people offering to help you (and they did). Unfortunately, the thread was so long and tedious that it was becoming counterproductive, so the moderator (Charlie Collings) asked nicely to put an end to it. Charlie and his wife Virginia are both banded and are also not associated with any hospital, doc as well as the fact that neither is in the medical profession. Please be aware that when you post and read messages on the internet, you have not had the opportunity to see the person in question and you truly do not know them to assess them until you have had the chance to meet them in person. Leatha/Lisa Regarding Smart Bandsters, the same applys. It was not created by anyone in the bariatric field, although quite a few people n the medical/bariatric field who post there. THe moderators are not medical professionals. It is a tedious job to be a moderator and time consuming. Yes there are some people there that can be abrasive, but they do take their time to help others, even though sometimes personalities get involved and the groups can become "clickish". I think in Lisa's case (this is strictly my opinion) she had some great points, but perhaps some of the messages were overwhelming (Admit it lisa, you are a hoot!!) for some to handle and people got bristly! Lisa was not kicked off the board, but put on a moderated status from what I understand. Some of the people on smart bandsters can be extremely abrasive. I dont always agree with the methodology, but I look forward to Jessie Ahroni everyday, who by far is the most experienced banded person I know. Sandy RN is a tough cookie who means well, but has strong opinions. If you guys ask for advice and then challenge, expect a bite.! Dan L. is a nice guy. I met him recently here in Dallas. He also has strong opinions, but he is harmless. I dont always agree with these folks, but I respect that they are successful and I would like to think that if I did not have all the support from all the folks I mentioned, I would not have been as successful as I have been. Well, enough said. This has turned into a full fledged novel. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120 6/23/03

Jennye, This is not off topic. It is a debilatating disease for some and is associated with morbid obesity. It gets worse the more you weigh. Some people get it as they become obese. Some have it at a normal weight, but this is more rare. I had it for 5 years, but mine has resolved itself, now that I have lost weight. I had them in my arm pits and between my thighs. The problem is worse in skin folds or areas where you sweat more. I started getting them in the late 90;s and it is excruciating painful to have them lanced or packed. Much worse than lapband surgery, having babies etc, since you are very much awake when they cut them and remove the infection. Sometimes they resolve themselves with antibiotics, but if you wait too long, the infection needs to be removed. So if you get a boil or carbuncle, action should be taken early on with a dose of antibiotics at the first sign of redness or puffiness or any kind of pain. I had one lanced and packed n 1999 under my arm and it took weeks and weeks for that baby to close up and resolve itself. I dont think that I ever screamed that hard in my life and I was sure that the doc was a brute (female doc). As a matter of fact, my plastic surgeon was going to fix two noticeable scar areas under my armpit and sew them and use scar therapy to make the area less noticeable. They are embarrasing scars that are very red and prevent me from wearing sleeveless shirts. It looks like a bad acne scar. The problem is much much better and I no longer have them reappearing since I have lost weight. As a matter of fact, all my skin is better and much healthier. SO for this I am grateful. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120

Hi, I drink up until a meal and then wait an hour after. Just like DOnali, if I want a little more at dinner time, I will sip on a hot drink before and at the beginning of the meal so I can eat a little more when I didnt eat much during the day. But most of the time I am good. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120

Hi Everyone, My two cents: There is already a Texas Bandsters Bash every year, a Vegas Bandsters Bash and a Florida Bandsters Bash and a Mexican Bandsters Bash. All are quite large and organized with speakers, clothing swaps and sponsors. I agree with Alexandra. If we do something small and inexpensive, that would be the best thing. We can all meet in a large city somewhere in the US and have a great weekend enjoying each others company. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120

Donali, I knew exactly what you were pointing out on the "other board". And you give such wonderful well thought advice. I go there mostly because I love Jessie A. advice and her wit. Other than that, I have been lying low from most of the boards and only stick in my two cents once in while if a topic tickles my fancy. And of course, like you, I just want to give people sound advice based on my experience. I think you are the most positive person I know and I admire you enormously. I think we all realize that 4oz of solid Protein is not the same mass as 4 oz of cotton candy, thus it would be possible for someone to eat 10 cup a day if cotton candy were in the cup. I too, would be understandably peeved and convinced I needed to make a point if someone insisted that everyday a good bandster only needs to eat a total of 1 1/2 cups a day of food, cause it really depends on the food!!! And NO ONE here, I can assure you would ever think that you had anything to do with your erosion. %#$@ SH... Happens!!! Unfortunately it happened to a kind and wonderful person. And that sucks. And it could just as well happen to anyone of us here. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120 6/23/03

Hi Alexandra, I missed this whole thread!! Glad you went to the doc and got some meds. Bug bites can be extremely nasty if infected. Babs in TX

Hi Alexandra, I think we would all agree though, if someone were able to eat two cups of solid Protein in less than 20 minutes, they would probably need a fill? The band is a restrictive device and although I agree with you that restriction is a subjective topic, there has to guidelines? Who makes those guidelines? I know, I am getting philisopical.... However, during the most successful part of my weight loss journey so far is when I was eating more 8-10 oz of solid protein and veggies. was losing rapidly. I think what we are eating is far more important than the exact quantity, although I would like to think that the portion control would be restricted with the band. I know that a very qualified bandster and medical professional once told me that a bandster portion for eggs at a meal was one. I eat two eggs and some turkey and a piece of cheese at lunch, so this would be a pig out according to others who feel that this would be too much. Also, I am able to eat about 6-8 oz of food in the evening and 4-5 oz for lunch. But ya know, this is a fraction of what I ate before and I would have eaten a three egg omelette, 3 or 4 pieces of bread with cheese etc.., dessert and a drink. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120 6/23/03

hey Tigk, I am a smoker and I was not required to stop. however, ny plastic surgeon told me I needed to quit or she would not consider doing surgery on me. Needless tosay, I still smoke. I promised myself I would try to quit when I ge closer to goal. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120

Lisa, (OT) I was just looking at your photo and noticed the portless text. That made me think of a good movie: "Portless in Nevada". Do you think I could get those folks at Project Greenlight to give me a milliion dollars to make a movie with this title? I hope you have a sense of humour...... Dont kill me... Babs in TX

De Larla, Sorry to pop your bubble, but how many skinny people are reading your apology here? LOL!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I admit it, I have judged books by their covers and more than once in my life I have predetermined without ever speaking to a thin good looking woman in public that she was a bimbolina human trampolina just because she had a great body. I will apologize for this indiscretion. I have to admit thatI didnt have any obese friends before being banded. (still trying to figure out the significance of this....) Years ago, when I was in my 20's, my sister and I got into a major argument. Please don't laugh, but I pointed out to her that her bra strap was hanging out of her tank top. Thought she might want to know. She accused me of being jealous my whole life of the fact that she was thin and thats why I was nitpicking. We didnt speak after this argument for several months. I thought about what she said and honestly I have never been jealous of my skinny sisters. My oldest sister has never had to work hard at being thin. She eats boxes of Teddy Grahams at 11;00 pm at night, doesnt exercise and maintains a weight in the 140's. Actually, since I have been banded, I think more of the insensitivity of all my thin family members. My sister had a whole discussion with me on the phone about how delicious those Teddy Grahams are and how I should buy some. I have to admit at this point in the conversation with her, I started to feel a little angry and hostile (and maybe a little jealous) that she could eat these foods and maintain her svelte figure. I know, I know, am getting off topic. I do that sometimes. Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120

Hi Everyone, Today I woke up and thought to myself, its my bandiversary!! Yeah! Its hard to believe that it has been one year since I have been banded. For the newbies, the time goes very fast even though the liquid phase feels like it will never end!!! Gosh, where do I start? So many good things have happened to me with -120 pounds lost forever. THese are the highlights: I can run up a flight of stairs without even being slightly out of breath. Last year this time, I could not walk up a flight of steps without stopping 3 or 4 times to catch my breath. It would take me 5-10 minutes for my heart to stop pounding in my chest. I flew two times on an airplane without extenders and even crossed my legs the second trip! I had not flown for several years and would have anxiety attacks and cry before getting on a plane. I am no longer embarrassed when I go to restaurants or food establishments. I can fit in the booths and I no longer measure distances between the seat and the table. When I think of all the time and energy I exerted thinking whether or not I would fit in chairs or booths, it was exhausting. I exercise regularly 3x a week with a personal trainer and do 1 hour of weight lifting, eliptical and circuit training. Who ever thought I would like exercising? I no longer have skin problems, edema from my knees to my ankles, borderline diabetes and hyperinsulinemia and borderline high blood pressure. I rode a horse and he survived! Went from a tight 28 pants and 26 shirts to size 16-18 pants and size 14-16 on top.!! I am now smaller than my husband and at my lightest weight in 18 years! I made dozens of new friends like Donali, Alexandra, Kellymoos, Michelle, Kimberly, Jill S. and so many others here in my local DFW support group, obesity help, smart bandsters, lapband talk and graduate bandsters that it would not be possible to list everyones names. I have never had such a strong support network of people who understand what its like to live as a banded person and the struggles of obesity. FOr all of you and the ones I did not mention, I am eternally grateful for the support, the transition clothing and for the daily pep talks when I had problems or questions. I have decided to modify my goal weight and aim for 168-170. That leaves me 44 pounds to get to a weight I can live with pre- plastic surgery. I know that we dont have this surgery for vanity reason and health is the primary goal, but why not aim for the stars? Thank you everyone for your support. Hugs, Babs in TX 334/214/170 -120 6/23/03

Hi Friends and Thank you. I have been notoriously bad with the whole photo thing. I dont know how to scan and post them and I am reluctant to have my hubby help me. This is my private place to vent and share. So can someone out there tell me what I need to do to post pics? I know I have to scan them, but whats the next step? Bright: MMM, helpful tips..... DONT EAT! LOL I met a guy today at my lapband surgeons office who lost 125 pounds in 6 months and went from 310 to 185. The guy really scared me. Apparently he does not eat sometimes for days. I asked him why. He said he wasnt hungry at all, but it sounded like he had bigger issues. I told him that I derived great joy from eating, especially social eating with friends and family and I was not prepared to give that up. He said that he did not go out socially and eat with friends. I felt sorry for him thinking what he was missing. He also mentioned that he slimed daily even on Water. To me, this sounded like he needed an unfill. Actually my advice is to eat the Protein first. I find that I have very little room for anything else after that. But I do not deprive myself of anything. If I want it, I eat it. Tonight, I had a bowl of Special K low carb Cereal with 2% milk. Yummmm! But I worked out at the gym for 1 hour, so I felt justified. Besides it was only 200 calories and 25 grams of protein so my body was telling me to eat. At least it wasnt chocolate cake!!! Anyway, thanks to everyone who responded. Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Hey Keith, I am here in TX as well. Nice to have a newbie here on the board and of the male persuasion as well. Texas Howdy to you too!!! Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03

Jennye, The guy sounds like a wienie head. I am curious what he looked like though. Was he physically fit or athletic? I find that the guys who want the most are usually making up for their own inadequacies. Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120

Hi Donali, I saw this too on smart bandsters and replied to you there. I concur with you completely. enough said. Babs in TX 334/214/180 -120 6/23/03