o2bthin

Hey guys!!! Glad to see some activity on our ol' board!! I too struggled with the band, especially year #2. Constant emergency unfills and an evasive perfect fill, and threats of having to reposition my band due to mushrooming. In my Quest for a tight band, I am sure I overtightened and damaged it. I lost 60 pounds total before I decided to get an unfill to allow for healing of the band tissue, and gained back almost all I had lost in a short amount of time. Cause: "normal" eating. I remember Nutrisystem from the 80's when my mom worked in a clinic, so I picked up the card for 35 days worth at costco. It's been 16 months (started day after Mother's Day 2010) and I am just now getting the "mindset" of a healthy eater. The band does not teach us to eat. I like Nutrisystem's low glycemic, high Protein, high Fiber approach to eating. I participate on the Nutrisystem chat room and discussion boards and even one of the latest challenges, Biggest Loser!! I LOVE it. If anyone would like to come over to Nutrisystem, look me up (DancingWaters) for encouragement, support, gentle kicks in the butt, whatever. I currently have about 2 cc in my band....I call it "my little friend" (Scarface voice) and it reminds me it's there when I eat carrots!! Even though I could feel I failed the band, blah blah, I refuse to think like that. I just think it was one step on the journey to a new me. I am currently 220 pounds, halfway to my goal of a total loss of 130. Since I bounced back on the lapband, all this loss is 16 months of hard work on Nutrisystem plan. I now use my own food and eat according to their guidelines. I often order some items ala carte for convenience and I love their fudge graham bars after a chef salad lunch, but for the most part I don't spend any money. I have a ways to go but I have ROCK hard determination!! You can use any healthy weight loss plan (I like to say eating plan that results in weight loss because I LOVE TO EAT), but you gotta challenge yourself! This is key. No matter what the goal, to walk twice a week or rid your kitchen of fatty foods, just get 'r done!! Hugs to all. Don't give up on yourselves. You deserve to be healthy.

Java, yes I'm on facebook. Please add me. Rhonda Coler

Hi all. Bigbaby you look so great! Suzz I'm sorry you're having a bad time. Java, I'm listening to your story of your troubles and you going back under the "knife". I read this when you wrote it but hadn't replied. This last week, I had a close call. I had closed off completely not able to swallow liquids. Finally after 10 pounds of Fluid loss, and feeling like I could pass out, I went in for a "slight unfill" of 1.0 cc. Wellllllll they had a new fluoro machine and said they wanted to see my band. I had seriously muffin-topped it. I am sure when I've closed off before and had unfills (one complete one last summer) that this has been the same thing. I have had 3 or 4 episodes this past year of a bleeding that I spit up as well. It is not pure blood, but more like the coffee ground type of vomiting. Now I have been lectured, handed new guide books, am completely unfilled and supposed to be eating like a bandster with small portions, 4 hours apart. I read that OCC (Dr. Ortiz) recommended liquids for 6 weeks following mushrooming the band. Mine wasn't mushroomed, that I know of, on the fluoro, but I don't know that it never did lax enough to flop over the band. After unfilling, the muffin top went down, and fluid (barium) funnelled right through the band as it was supposed to. I was told to give it a month, and it should stay down if I treat it right, and then with slow fills I can get the small pouch up top that I'm supposed to have. My concern now is I have an erosion. I have had 2 episodes of excruciating rib/heart pain that feels like it comes from my stomach area...very painful. I'll drink Water and as soon as it hits the band, the pain subsides. Then it comes back and I drink..it goes away. Then I eat and it's gone. I am worried. I don't know that I haven't eaten like a bandster, because I do small portions, stop when I'm full, don't PB, etc., however, I don't measure my food, and I do snack a lot, and drink fluids when I eat, etc., which I know I'm not supposed to do. No MORE! I have had this band for 2 years, and never really connected with the idea that I must measure my food to 1/2 cup, eat that only, no fluid, and wait 4 hours. This is what my fill doc is calling "eating like a bansters". I think myself pretty smart and well informed, but I never got it I guess. Anyway, hoping I don't need a revision. I am very worried though. I will be calling OCC and seeing what they say and keeping my flier miles just in case. We are not anywhere at the end of our journey. I am glad for those of you that are still posting and your support means so much to me. Thanks if you read this! :thumbup:) Hugs, Rhonda

hEY sUZZ! I'm sorry you're still not doing well. How is your restriction? What are you eating? How is the exercise? Same old same old problems with me. And, I'm thinking it's MY problem. I get closed off, but then again I'm trying to eat too early, and then when I pb, instead of quitting...no, I try eating again and again. So instead of an unfill I'm going to try to get more disciplined and do more liquids when I'm tight. I actually blended up bean and bacon soup the other day, which I haven't done since after my surgery. I guess if we really think about it, you're down 56 pounds and I'm down 45 from our highest, and that makes us a LOT healthier! Email me or myspace me if you want. We can encourage each other.

Hi everyone. I just got a fill last night. Funny how I think of this group when I get fills. How is everyone doing? Before we know it, it will be our 2 year bandiversary. I need to get back on the band wagon. Anyone else?

It sad to see so many of you struggling. Maybe the new year will bring new resolve. I am having another tight episode. I think it's stress-related. Happy Holidays everyone!

Hi everyone. Just checking in. I miss this forum as a source of support and information. I suppose we're all on our own now and should know how the band works and how to use it to accomplish our goals. Still it is good to know how everyone is doing and if the band is still a good decision, your ups and downs, highs and lows. I found a local support group, and attended my first meeting in April. Last night I forced myself to go for the second time, and it was awesome! It really felt like a support group. Lots of good information and revelations. Not once have I regretted getting my band. For me, it's been one of the best decisions of my life. I wish my mom was alive to do this with me. She would have been hesitant and a "hard sell" but she would have loved it! Even when I got my unfill in July, my band was still there reminding me of my decision to take control of my life and my health. I love my band! Lately, I'm wishing more health care professionals would promote the band, educate themselves, promote correct fills, lower their fill prices (YESSSSSS!) and get on the same page. So much misinformation out there and conflicting opinions. Those out there getting behind the band technology, and giving efforts in helping others, I applaud them. As for me and the band and my weight, I think I'm still learning. I have gotten filled back up to a good restriction level, and trying not to abuse my band and have to get unfilled again. I am still realizing the band can only do so much, and the rest is up to me. Most days the discipline is the hardest hurdle. Hope everyone is doing well and keep checking in!

Danbo you look awesome! I hope everyone is doing well. I'm slowly getting fills again after a complete unfill and 1 month rest. I gained about 5 pounds back. I'm really ready to get some weight off...the next 40. It's just simple math really, eat less than you burn. Like Jacut says, shut my gob and move my ass.

Hi all, just checking in on you guys. I've been having way too much fun this summer camping, surfing (yes, even in WA!!) and quilting. Suzz, congrats on your new baby. I'm sorry about his eye. My baby (97 pound yellow lab) is in an e-collar too....that's why we're getting such good tv reception right now! lol He's got hot spots and still chews on his leg....he was a kennel rescue dog, and this is common. As far as the weight gain, I think what works best for me is to get in a mental frame of mind. For me it's all in my head. Try to focus on what motivated you in the first place. Are you wearing your BB? Maybe I can commit to you to wear my BB and log my food...and we can check in with each other? I haven't been doing that or exercising. I got 4.0 put back in my band on Wednesday, after a month with a complete unfill. I'll go back in 2 weeks and get more. Still no restriction, and I did gain a bit back. But, I'm going to get back on the band wagon! lol Insub, congrats on embarking on your new trip. I'll look forward to updates on your location and activities. I'm jealous too! Mj, ahhhhhh bread! Nirvana! I've enjoyed my month of bread! Why can the french eat bread, butter, cheese, beef, wine and still be skinny? I have a friend who is filled pretty tight and she can eat bread. I know when I get my restriction back, there's no way I can eat it, or rice or pasta. Bigbaby, thanks for all your motivation. I know I can log in here and you'll have something positive to post. I printed out your plateau breaker. It reminds me of Adkins. I think I will try it...but will miss my fruit! Of course, fruit for a diabetic......I might as well eat a candy bar! Everyone else, do like Bigbaby says!! Keep on keeping on!

Hey all. I am just catching up here on our support group. I've been thinking of all of you. Suzz and Java, I can't get a fill for a month. I did gain a few pounds back after getting dehydrated, but I seem to be maintaining. It is nice to eat bread and lots of meats. I'm going to gut it out!!! I need to start exercising. Take care everyone!!

Thanks BigBaby. I've heard that people who log their food lose twice as much weight. I also know I just gotta keep my butt moving! Hike, walk, swim, bike, garden! I know I can do it....also just eating good stuff and no white!!

Well, I got really sick yesterday, retching, couldn't swallow anything...throwing up every hour or so (saliva) and in PAIN. I got scared. I drove myself...couldn't get ahold of dh....with my 15 yo daughter, who would drive the car to the side of the road and call for help if needed, the 1 1/2 hours to my fill doc, and had EVERYTHING removed from my band. While she was removing it, she told me she was pretty sure my band had slipped and I was getting on a plane to Mexico in the morning to have surgery, no fooling around...I was going. I got some water after she removed everything....and couldn't tell if it was going down or not, just there was no pain, so that was good. I sat and drank a few more sips.....then waited...the sipped some more. It was gooooooood! They had some split pea soup....I carefully had some of that...avoiding the chunks....seemed good. Whew! She still thought I might need to go if anything else occurred, but all seems fine now except I can eat anything and everything and my appetite came ROARING back......my tummy rumbling like a freight train. OMG I forgot how hungry I get. I hate that. I'm half relieved, half disgusted that I lost my restriction. It had to be done though. I just knew it was at that point. I thought about getting 2.0 more cc out, but as sick as I was, when I finally got there, I said get it all out of me. She took out another 6.0. I am still deyhdrated and having leg cramps that get me up at night and I have to run scalding water over my lower legs to get them loose enough to stop screaming! Feeling awesome though today! LOL I'm still debating heading down to Mexico and have my band looked at, in case I need anything, but I think it might be overkill, so I'll try to wait this out. I will be on willpower! I'll have to eradicate everything bad from my house and fill my fridge with lean meats and veggies. No white stuff!!! Nice to see more of our Junies posting! Yay!