momlambert

Yes, Elayne. You could potentially have a problem! But not if you remember to chew, chew, chew and only start with bites the size of m & m's (according to my Dr.). A few pb's and you'll remember (most of the time) that you need to think about your bites: starting small and pulverizing them before you swallow. Sometimes I still forget--especially when I'm with friends or in a social situation or really hungry--but, believe me, the band WILL remind you once you have some restriction. Good luck in your process! Hi to everyone else. I read the posts every day but haven't taken the time to write. I'm doing okay--such a slow loser. But I do have better restriction now and am thinking I'm close to or at my sweet spot. How do you ever know? I'm still hungry a lot and much of the time it's REAL stomach hunger. I definitely am glad I got the band, even with my slow loss. This year since banding has been such a difficult one. I thought the stress would slow down after my father passed away in September of cancer and we were settled into our new home, etc. but then January came and I started a full time job, my dear mother-in-law died in February, and my mother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Anyway, I know I would have gained, gained, gained if it weren't for the band. So although I haven't been nearly as successful as others, I'm thrilled for this tool that has helped me stay in control. Good job everyone--I'm so impressed by your success and so proud of all of you. Keep it up--you are my inspiration!

Haven't checked in for awhile but I do read the posts every day! Thanks everyone for keeping me going! I had my gall bladder removed 20 years ago after a quick weight loss with Nutrisystem--lots of people were having that problem and I think there was a class action suit but Nutrisystem won because they said it happens with women who lose weight quickly. I had an open surgery since they weren't doing laparoscopic then for gallbladder and while they were doing it they found large tumors on my ovaries so I went back 4 weeks later for another open surgery to have a complete hysterectomy. I'll tell you this: the lap band surgery was a piece of cake after that experience! I'm sure the gall bladder surgery now is more like the lap band surgery since they are laparoscopic. You'll do great! Anything is better than those horrible attacks. Glad to see everyone is doing so well. I have really good restriction (finally) and am starting to lose again. Woohoo! My husband will be gone for a month and I'm hoping to really do well while he is gone. I want to be in the 170's before we go on vacation August 15th. Wish me luck! It will be my fastest weight loss since the band if I'm able to do it. But I'm hoping I can do it with this restriction. Happy July everyone! Karen

Hey all. I haven't posted in awhile because I really struggle with losing weight and have not done as well as probably any one else on this thread. But I had another fill (I had put it off too long because I thought I might be at the right fill level and was afraid of being too tight) and guess what? NOW I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT WITH THE "SWEET SPOT" FEELING! WooOHOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'm hardly ever hungry (except that annoying head hunger we all deal with) and find it impossible to eat more than a cup at a sitting and am generally totally satisfied. The scales are moving (I had only lost 1 lb. since January) and I've lost 3 lbs. this week. I'm a happy camper, indeed! I'm hoping to be in the 170's by our family vacation in August (HAVE FUN IN HAWAII WITH THE CREW, JANINE!). I wanted to be there by my birthday but it didn't happen--June 9. But on we go with increased fervor. I'll make it this time! Glad everyone is doing so well. xoxox K.

I can't tell you how often I think of you, Janine. I'm SO happy to hear your good news. :biggrin: How wonderful for you! I know you loved your band and were so successful. Every time I lift something heavy I remember you and try to be extra careful. Keep us updated--how are the kids? You have a wonderful summer ahead (after the scope down your throat, that is). I'm cheering you on. Karen:thumbs_up:

I'm so sorry, lhallab. That really stinks. I can only empathize--I didn't go through insurance because my company didn't cover it so I was self-pay. It was a hard decision since we had to use our retirement but we figured if I didn't do something about my weight, I wouldn't live to enjoy the retirement anyway. Good luck--if you appeal (I have heard of some people winning appeals) and still don't get approval, you might consider doing what you have to to self-pay. I'm so sorry for your disappointment after all this time. Remember it's not all in vain--I'm sure you've learned a lot along the way and will appreciate your band that much more when you can get it. Best of luck!

Welcome, Beckyo! Good luck on your surgery--sounds like you are all set. My dr. repaired my hiatal hernia when he did the band (I didn't know I had one), which turned out to be great because I didn't tell anyone but my husband and kids about my surgery but ended up leaving the hospital a few hours after my surgery and going straight to be with my mother and sisters and dad who was just diagnosed with cancer. So, anyway, I was able to tell them I had an outpatient surgery and had a hiatal hernia repaired. Worked for me! (They still don't know--I just didn't want to hear it). Good luck! You'll do great! Karen

Thanks, Karey. Looks like you are doing GREAT--congratulations on your success and your surgery, too. You look great. You were the very first person who responded to me when I first joined LapBandTalk over a year ago! I think I asked "what does pb stand for?" I'd looked everywhere I could think of and couldn't find the answer--I appreciated your support then as well as now. You're awesome! Karen

Hey, all! My life got crazy again and so I haven't posted for awhile--I'm getting the same messages as mistymoon. Looks like they work! 70poundsoff and gerio--I can relate! I've had LOTS of fills--see my ticker and am now at 4.0 in a 4.0 band. My dr. isn't concerned about filling and says sometimes a 4.0 band holds 4.7 or more so not to worry about it. I think a dr. who worries about filling you more than other patients is not willing to see that everyone is different and that he needs to help you for gosh sakes! Crazy. I'd press him further, for sure. I'm a really slow loser but I'm still really happy that I have my band. With all the stress in my life since I got my band--definitely the worst year of my life for other reasons: caring for and losing 2 parents (my dad and my mother-in-law); selling 2 houses, building and furnishing another house, two new grandbabies (both high risk), starting a new job after 10 years of not really working, having my mother move in last month while remodeling her house and dealing with her mid-stage Alzheimers, etc., etc.--I know I would have gained 50 lbs. without the band. So I exercise when I possibly can, try to make good food choices, and feel grateful for restriction when I have it. I need another fill but just a little one and it's really hard to drive the hour to the dr.'s with a new job and my mom's needs so I haven't gotten one. Sounds like I'm whining--sorry! Everything is good. I'm just explaining, I guess, that we all have our challenges and that ANY loss is a GOOD loss! Hang in there--exercise, eat well, be assertive with your dr., and you'll keep losing--even if the loss is slow. Good luck!

Want2behot: That's discouraging. I'm a slow loser, too, but it took me 12 fills to get restriction, plus I'm twice your age. Are you tracking your calories? I use sparkpeople.com and that really helps. Also, eating 5 times a day seems to help with the metabolism. And, of course, LOTS of exercise. You just have to lose if you are doing those things and staying under 1,000 calories or whatever your dr. recommends. Good luck!

Good luck on your surgery, Matt. You'll be a bandster before you know it. Congrats on such a big decision--good for you!

Welcome to Utah, aculberg! I can't answer any of your questions about a primary physician of Tricare but I can recommend South Valley Surgical (Drs. Alldredge and Hansen) as a great place to go for surgery. They are wonderful--almost all of their staff has the lapband, they have monthly support groups, do the surgery at an outpatient facility (I went in at 7:00 am and left for home by noon), and are great to answer questions, etc. Good luck!

We are at DD's so she can go grocery shopping without the kids. Almost 5 yr old was whining that he was hungry. Mom told him, no way you can be hungry... you had 9 fishsticks and some tater tots for lunch. So she continued to dialogue with him about his "hunger" and his answer.... "I'm bored"! So she had an opportunity to teach him... and she did.... we don't eat just because we're bored. That's not hunger... you're bored, so you need to find something to do. My 4-year-old grandson was talking with his mother yesterday about the same subject. She told him it's important to listen to your body and to not eat more than your body says. He said, "Well, if your body wants you to have a robot arm you shouldn't just cut off your arm and put on a robot arm because your body says so." Oh my. Here's to robot arms! K.

I don't notice the scale moving any better after a fill but it did take me 13 fills the first year to get to restriction so that would make a difference. I do think our age has a lot to do with it but I think, too, it's previous continual dieting and other factors like an adequate fill level and stress in our lives and other emotional factors. And it may not be because we eat more in those times but just that our body holds on to the fat for protection. That's my theory, anyway. There may be lots of opinions on the "slow losers" thread but I'm determined to NOT become a member of that group. Although I've only lost a little over 40 lbs. in the year since I've been banded, I am happy to remember that I will never gain it back and I'm now halfway to goal--so I'm thrilled with the results I have had. Sure, I wish I was at goal or close like so many people who were banded with me or even banded after I was, but we each plug along and take what we can get. Good luck!

I didn't go to Mexico and I had a fairly low BMI. I found that after I added airfare and the fills afterwards (my dr. covered them free for a year and then charges $200 for a year of fills after the first year), I was at about the same price. My husband is like yours--he REALLY didn't want me going to Mexico. I probably paid about $300-500 more by not going to Mexico but the peace of mind was worth it. If you go to Mexico, be sure you have made arrangements for fills after--many drs here won't do fills on Mexico patients and the ones that do charge A LOT from what others have told me. Good luck on your decision!

Thanks, Juli! You are so awesome--always on top of things and SO supportive of everyone. We love you! Karen

That's WONDERFUL news thickchick! We've all been so concerned and I'm just so happy that all is well with you. Good job finding a better doctor and being proactive. You had every great reason to celebrate! Now, back on the band-wagon, right? I had a bad weekend lately, starting with my mother's birthday party and the leftover at my house. I was telling my daughter that once I blow it it's hard to get back. She said, "If you break one egg in a dozen, does that mean you have to break them all?" Good point. It's just one egg. Or one day. Or one cookie. It doesn't have to change my whole life and my goals! Right? Good luck!:tongue:

Janine! So good to hear from you! You are doing great--keep up with sparkpeople.com. Isn't it great? I've used it since I was banded a year ago. Good luck preparing for rebanding--it's going to happen. You deserve it. Thanks for checking in--you are such a great part of this thread. Good luck and keep us posted. How are the kids? Karen

How are YOU doing, Marcia? Are you feeling better? Is this band working better for you? Are you starting to eat mushies yet? or solids? I hope everything is goig well for you! Karen

Wow, hlayne! 93 lbs. is awesome! You've done great. Glad you reported in. Good luck on your new goals and commitment. You'll have those last pounds off in no time!

Amazing, Tammyj! Just amazing. Good job--what a great year for you and so many others. Keep up the great work, beautiful people!

So sorry to hear that! I thought I was the slowest loser; you must be terribly discouraged. There is a thread called "Lap Band Complications" and there are many sub-threads on there about removal. You might find some support on there from people who have been through it. Good luck!

Welcome, brttnylyn! I live in Midway and have had my band for almost a year. I haven't broken any weight-loss records but I'm happy I had it done and have to wonder how much I would weigh if I DIDN'T have it! It was a horribly stressful year for me due to other circumstances, and I think that hindered my weight loss. Also, it took me 12-13 fills to get good restriction and I'm 58 and started with a fairly low BMI, both of which I think also slows weight loss. So it's been slow--don't judge the band's success by my experience! Good luck to you! Where were you banded? Utahband, I'm so sorry you had problems but am glad you are on your way again. I don't know the answer to how long you will feel bad--it's different for everyone. I went back to work after 4 days (desk job) but many people say it takes a week or so. Hopefully you are feeling better today! Walk a lot and follow the dr.'s orders exactly and you'll be feeling great soon. Good luck!

Congrats, purplegirl and all other members of onederland! It's a GREAT feeling!

Here's the list: (there sure are a lot of people we haven't heard from for a year!). HERE WE GO........... Current as of 03/31 CarolynB - 03/01 dec0578 - 03/01 Pam~bander 2/22 - 03/01 bikergirl360 - 03/01 lala3000 - 03/01 Tea Time - 03/02 hlayne - 03/02 wilma - 03/02 analee - 03/02 laralynn86 - 03/03 Sophie248 - 03/05 GloGirl - 03/05 Fur Ellie - 03/05 ThickChickTexas - 03/05 Band STAR - 03/05 Nikki - 03/05 emilymor - 03/05 Char - 03/06 anniegs- 03/06 Sugarbear - 03/07 gailannr - 03/07 Sue in Russia - 03/07 planoltxgirl - 03/08 HeatherPA - 03/08 Denise - 03/08 bronnie70 - 03/09 lokiluvr - 03/09 GC53 - 03/11 Mommy202 - 03/12 Sharon67 - 03/12 Hazelbunny - 03/12 nurseamy - 03/12 magnolia - 03/12 pianoplayer - 03/12 babylovestoys - 03/12 Hotpink Bubbles - 03/13 Tabithan - 03/13 aprilmarie - 03/13 Kyethra - 03/14 Charlif761 - 03/14 x-ray chic - 03/14 demsvmejm - 03/14 CuddleNymph - 03/14 gret1964 - 03/14 sharrism - 03/14 jag65 - 03/14 TammyJ - 03/15 Scarlett - 03/15 ohiobluegal - 03/15 Rosi - 03/15 sushiqwn's DH - 03/15 Machele - 03/16 RowdyReptile - 03/16 countrygirl1404 - 03/16 mnkbrly - 03/16 stacy16 - 03/16 tm1019 - 03/16 WendyJ - 03/19 vcarozzolo - 03/19 ebony868 - 03/19 SueA - 03/19 demmemoon - 03/19 momlambert - 03/19 ladybug390 - 03/19 Theresa Ann - 03/19 berry - 03/19 deshar - 03/19 purplemonkey - 03/19 lindsay - 03/19 charsweb - 03/19 kuebel j - 03/20 TRANAM1955 - 03/20 GOOD&READY - 03/20 amrdmr - 03/20 Reesh - 03/20 Janine - 03/20 Mrs Husker - 03/20 CrazyCran - 03/21 lilnena - 03/21 blondylocks - 03/21 Famos - 03/21 eclipse - 03/21 dawnie1856 - 03/21 anon - 03/21 jaysd74 - 03/21 Seahawkfreak - 03/21 chatgirl6 & DH - 03/22 LoriPA - 03/22 Desiree1970 - 03/23 Maggief - 03/26 tiredofbeingfat - 03/26 snowangel - 03/26 sushiqwn - 03/27 Rockn4u - 03/27 lisa - 03/27 jono201 - 03/27 Deb - 03/28 kssunflower - 03/28 neveragain - 03/28 my5grlz - 03/29 alaverde - 03/29 Syrah - 03/29 JackSpratsWife - 03/29 SGDodge06 - 03/30 slikchik10 - 03/30 Medge - 03/30 late - 03/30 TallgirlTX - 03/30 Bubbles - Bumped to April 11th Sara Mos - Bumped to April 2nd TracyinKS - Bumped to April 26, 2007

Thanks for your support and words of advice, friends. Yeah, I wasn't really saying I need a fill because I can eat a whole piece of pizza but I do think it's an indication since I wasn't able to eat that much last week--especially the crust or other bread. But I'll watch it and see how things go. I had the worst weekend (eating wise) that I've had since I was banded. Just horrible. I could list the reasons but it's not really important. Reasons tend to be excuses for me. Anyway, I'm trying to get back on track. The scales were up 5 lbs this morning since Saturday morning. Argh. But I exercised after work and have stayed off the sweets today so I'm doing better. Ate too much for dinner but I did better than the last 2 days for sure. Sometimes it's just baby steps for me. Have a great week everyone!