La_madam

I was told I may have the phnatom band symptoms but I have not had them at all. I wish I had them I did have one epsiode last week while on my period but other then that Iam wide open It's all behind me..I am going to start exercising with a personal trainer starting Jan 3rd.

Leatha I had great restriction and had erosion. I lost 11 lbs in October, found out my band was eroded in November. My restriction was better then it ever was in September and OCtober. Have an endo for your own peace of mind, it is worth the money I'm glad you are being the responsible bandster, having your band unfilled is wise. Glad you went to your Dr. and aretaking care of things.

We do our family vacation in Vegas every year my kids love it. There is so much to do for the kids there. We stay on the strip usually at Harrahs, they take good care of us there and it is centrally located toso many different attractions. There is the M&M factory, COcaCola Factory, Wax museum, Circus Circus amusement park. Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, the white tigers at the Mirage along with the dolphins. Excalibur has a great medival times dinner and show along with a midway area where there are tons of games..lots to do in Vegas even if you do not gamble

Merry Christmas to you too John..thanks for being so upbeat and possitive here at LBT. I love your posts. Have a wonderful holiday season

Merry Christams to al lof you who are like my extended family. I hope each and everyone of you have a blessed Holiday season.

Ive never heard of heartburn being a symptom of erosion..slippage maybe. Try not to worry yourself sick until you see the doctor. Over the counter prilosec works great for me then any other otc meds for heartburn.

I had way more gas with my band. I was told once you are banded the band works as a one way valve which is why more gas. Plus since we have to eat so much slower and have to chew our food to mush we take in more air. Atleast I did.

Actually they had gone there seperate ways a few months earlier..

I was told by my doctor erosion occurs 18 months to 2 years out..I know I eroded between the 14 th month and the 19 month post op.

In 19 months with my band I had esophagitis, complete bowel obstruction and erosion but I lost over 100 lbs, it was worth it in my book!

I had hoped to be banded for a lifetime. I was a good little bandster, followed all the rules, took care of my band, had great aftercare, but I eroded after 19 months. Thank God I had great succes with my band and was able to lose 104 lbs before it was removed.

Strange coincidence that Penni, Francesca, Lisa and Myself were all banded 1 month to the day apart in MX with 2 diferent doctors and we all have had erosion. Something to be said about that definately! Penni and I banded on the same day 4/6/04 with Lopez and Ortiz and Francesca 5/6/04 with Lopez and Ortiz . I agree that it hassomething to do with either the MX docs and their techniques or the MX bands. Lisa my friend, you know I'm feeling you right now, thanks for the call tonight and Iam so sorry. Damn we need to have a Vegas bash for just us eroders. I'm here for you, I love you girl! We can all do this together. With 4 of us now in such a short time we can have our own support group

Desi, deep breath..a little piece of advice that helped me..stop obsessing about the numbers on the scale. Do not weigh yourself everyday. I did it too.. we all did ,but after a few months of obsessing I told myself I was only going to weigh once a week. It works! The scale moves Think of all of the other great Non Scale victories you have achieved since your band, do not let the scale dictate your success or failures. STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO OFTEN! hang in there it will happen when you least expect it :eek:

I was never told to sip except for in the beginning right after surgery. I am a guzler.

Trish, sending you possitive vibes, hope al lgoes smoothly for you.

Shelly, you are beautiful..you look so dam good! Be proud, and Congrats to you and Calvin :eek:

Thanks guys. You all are the best! I have to confess. I have my period right now, it just started yesterday and last night I went to eat dinner and I got the golf ball feeling like my band was still there, it was the first time it has happened since my removal so it has to have something to do with being on my period. Paula I would love your email address to keep in touch

Not sure about the acid affecting your teeth but all the chewing you have to do will. I know this first hand

I'm here..Im doing very good. However Iam not so fortunate to still feel as if I have my band. No restriction whatso ever. I have NOT gained any weight back so for that Iam thrilled. I have lost 1 or 2 lbs since my removal. I'm still working as if i have a band following the bandster rules, just food goes down easier. Thanks for thinking of me Francesca. did you get my message this week? Thanks for thinking of me Francesca.. I love you friend

The only thing cereal does for me is make me hungrier. It is full of carbs and for me carbs just crave more carbs so I stay away from it all together otherwise I'm starving all day. I start my day woth strictly protein , it keeps my hunger at bay most of the day.

I had my band removed due to erosion. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I would go back to Mexico. I had a great experience in Mexico with wonderful aftercare.

Glad to hear no erosion. I'm happy for you all went well

It's normal to be envious of that kind of weight loss..but ask yourself are you envious of her having her insides re re- routed, are you envious of her having to take many vitamins and minerals for the rest of her life, are you envious of her having the dumping syndrome are you envious of her having major sagging loose skin because she lost her weight so fast? ? Are you enviuos of her having all of this just to lose weight at a faster pace then you? You are much healthier then she is right now I'm sure and I'm sure you look healthier too..many GBP patients look ill and withdrawn and sunken in in their faces due to rapid weight loss. In the end, shewill be envious when her pouch has stretched and she is gaining her weight back slowly. Just my thoughts

I never eat oatmeal for Breakfast for 2 reasons 1. It is mushy and it goes through the band quicker ( doesnt last long in the pouch) which will make me hungrier again sooner 2. It has zero Protein, it is all carbs and when I eat carbs in the morning..I'm hungry all day. Carbs for me just make me crave more carbs.

Penni, what can I say my friend..other then I'm sorry Ive been where you are. I know the emotions. You and I are going to be just as successful without our bands as we have been with our bands. You are a strong , kind hearted woman and this should not of happened to you..but I know you will prevail. I'm here for you.