Julie_Dizz

Being tight can bring about major frustration. I am ALWAYS tight during the week before my period. It is acutally my first sign that I'm about to start. I don't loosen up until the 4th or 5th day after I start. Yes, a warm liquid makes things better. I often order a cup of hot tea before my meal when I eat out. If I get stuck in the first two or three bites of my meal, I will sip on warm Water until it moves, then I take SUPER tiny bites during the rest of my meal. I always have something warm to drink in the morning. And, I'm usually up for at least an hour before I eat my Breakfast. So, the warm drink helps. Hugs,

Wooooooo hooooooooooo!! That is really great news. August 1st will be here before you know it. Keep us posted on your progress! Hugs,

Yep...you're in band pergatory... that awkward time between surgery and adjustments. There are SOME lucky people who have profound satiety and just simply do not feel hungry. I wasn't one of them! I got HUNGRY! And the professionals at my bariatric program thought that was over stating my case. I was very early in the banding program. They only had experience with RNY folks who really don't get hungry for at least the first 6 mos. Now, I try really hard to talk about hunger during support group. It's real, and the only thing that will fix it is the appropriate amount of adjustment! Hugs,

Kristi, you are "above average" for bandster weight loss. The typical bandster loses between 4 and 8 lbs per month. If you are 5 months out and have lost 50lbs, then you're at 10lbs a month. Soooo... cut yourself a break. You moving at top speed. That's about the rate at which I lost weight, and I got to goal within my first year. So, it will come... it will come! Hugs,

Nykee... I'm sorry... my statement was meant to rhetorical, rather than implying that you weren't telling the truth. Please forgive me. I was musing out loud that a fill doctor would even THINK to give those instructions to a newly filled person. That is not standard practice. In fact, it is way outside the norm and most likely the reason that for your current difficulties. To make sure that I'm not just speaking from my own limited experience, I did a google search on fill procedures. I could not find one instance that said anything but that newly filled patients should be on liquids for the first few days after an adjustment. Of course, I am very willing to admit that my experience could be too limited to include other successful adjustment practices.

I'm definitely a gum chewer... especially in that hour after a meal when I'm not drinking Fluid. My mouth gets so dry. So, I either pop a piece of bubble gum in my mouth, or a mint. I guess this is one area where I'm not following doctor's orders. We're not supposed to chew gum (because of the potential of accidentally swallowing it), but I do it anyway. I just can't STAND the taste left in my mouth after some meals. Hugs,

Frankly, I can't believe that the doctor told you to eat something immediately after your fill. Common practice is to have people do 2 days of fulls and then 2 days of mushies after a fill. If the inflamation doesn't settle down, you may have to be completely unfilled and allow your stoma to heal. It is unfortunate... but it is one of those potential risks associated with being banded. I had to have an unfill due to an irritated stoma. I'm down to .75cc's... but still doing well with maintaining my 126lbs weight loss. Hugs,

Hello Group, I just wanted to let you know that there are several of us in the Capitol Region that get together every couple of months. Our next informal get-together is this Friday, June 3rd in Albany. If you're interested, let me know and I will post more details. Hugs

That would be great, Honey! It's a really nice group. Let me know if you're coming for sure, and I'll keep an eye out for you! Hugs,

Hello New Yorkers! I was thinking that it might be a good idea if we all let each other know when/where open support groups meet around the state. There may be one nearby that we don't even know about. Support groups at Basset Hospital in Cooperstown are open to all WLS patients. You don't have be a Bassett patient to attend. *General Support (pre and post ops): 1st Tuesdays at 6:30PM in Bassett Hall *Lap Band Lifestyle Reinforcement Group (post op): 2nd Fridays- Odd months 9AM, Even months 6PM in the 2nd floor classroom of the Hospital *Post op support group (RNY & band) Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct - 3rd Thursday at 6PM in Bassett Hall

Hi Honey! Our next get-together is going to be on Tuesday, July 26th. We will be meeting at Crossgates Mall (On Western Ave in Albany) at 5:00PM. This is an informal gathering. All bandsters are welcome. We just pull tables together in the food court, people get whatever dinner they want, and chat, chat, chat! It's a blast! Take care,

I am very fortunate to have a support group where the facilitators are very intentional about having both band and bypass patients talk. During orientation, the two options are presented very fairly and as equally viable options. Currently, our program (in Cooperstown, NY) is running at about 50/50 bypass to band surgeries. It is very encouraging to hear how "enlightened" our team is. Just to prove a point... the clinical coordinator of our program is a bypass patient, herself. I have **never** seen her try to disuade anyone from a particular surgery unless there is a medical reason to do so. And, on top of that, she went to the Canadian Bandster Bash with me last year and we had a marvelous time! So... y'all c'mon down to Cooperstown! The program is great AND balanced. A rare gem, indeed! Hugs,

Hi Flower, Early in my post op life, I was VERY, VERY compulsive. I was soooo afraid that I was going to harm my band or my pouch. So, I think I was very hard on myself for the first half of the year. I was hungry a lot. As I relaxed into living with my band, my weight loss slowed down. But, that was okay with me. The rapid weight loss was not a goal of mine. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons I selected the band over the RNY was the moderate rate of weight loss. My continued success has to do with following the rules of good bandster eating: 1) Eat slowly, chew well, and take small bites 2) Eat Protein first 3) Eat veggies second 4) Limit pastas, rices, sugars and breads 5) Limit snacking to one or two PLANNED, low-cal Snacks a day 6) Drink 64oz of Fluid a day 7) Stay away from soft/mushy food 8) Stay away from liquid calories 9) No drinking with meals or for at least 30 minutes after. 10) Stop eating when your tummy says you're satisfied. I hope that helps. I'm sure you've heard these things before... but they're the rules that helped me get to where I'm at. Hugs,

Greetings, New Yorkers! My name is Julie and I just celebrated my one-year bandiversary! Yipeee! I had my surgery in Cooperstown, New York at Bassett Health Care. They have a 3 year-old bariatric program and do both the bypass and the band. I am SOOOO glad I chose the band. I am incredibly happy with my results. I have lost 125lbs since starting the program, and am down 160lbs from my highest ever weight. My BMI (which started at 43) is now 26, and I'm down from a size 26/28 to a size 12/14. I have attached (I hope) a before/after picture to this message. I am 43 years old and am 5'8". I love my band. I can't even begin to talk about all the major, positive changes that have happened in my life as a result of this life-saving procedure! Beyond my weight loss... here's a little more about me: I am happily married to a wonderful, supportive man. I work in the field of substance abuse prevention and provide workshops all over New York State (including Port Jerivs!) I sing professionally in a contemporary Christian band, and play keyboards and woodwinds as well. I don't have kids, but I do have poodle . I'm originally from Georgia... so, I am COLD ALL THE TIME! And now that I've lost my insulation, I'm even colder! I am currently working on my PhD in Psychology and hope to have my dissertation completed by Christmas. I look forward to chatting with other New Yorkers who have the band! Hugs,

HI there Eileen! Wow... I didn't realize anyone was so close! I do some work down in Orange County every now and then. Actually, in two weeks, I'm going to be doing some work in the neighboring county, Sullivan. I tootle down through Delaware County to Roscoe and then take 17W over your way. Thanks for your kinds words about my before/after. I'm pretty amazed, myself. The band, by the grace of God, had been miracle! Hugs,

The standard answer is 1 hour. However, Band Guru, Jessie Ahroni, simply says that you can drink once you feel that your pouch has been expanded long enough to turn your appetite switch off. For me, that's somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes. Hugs,

Hamu, You can do it! I just takes getting used to. First, make sure that you are adequately hydrated. It is difficult to make saliva if you've not had enough to drink before a meal. I try to really get a good drink of a non-caffeinated liquid about 30 minutes prior to my meal. Second, take TINY bites and swallow before you put the next one in your mouth. Tiny bites cannot clump, unless you eat lots of tiny bites at the same time I hope this helps,

Will you be at the meeting in Albany?

Sigh... the pooooor girls. I was a 44 DD when I started this process. I had NO idea that the girls would dissapear. They never did on any of my previous weight loss episodes (highest loss was 95lbs). But, they've gone south... for more than just the winter. They ain't comin' back. Here's my advice.... go to a place where you can get a professional bra fitting. It is a really fun experience. I loved mine. There was this little, short Italian lady who was the most non-threatening, sweet human being I have ever met. I told her why I needed the bra fitting (due to the weight loss), and she got all excited with me as we found just the right thing. I can't tell you what a difference it made for me to put on the RIGHT bra for my shape (or lack thereof). I never thought I would wear a padded underwire... but here I am! I will have a breast augmentation this fall. My precious hubby has only ever said ONE negative thing about my weight loss... poor thing... he said, "you look great, but I do miss the girls." Bless his little pea-pickin' heart! If I can do all this other stuff for me, I can get the girls put back in place for him!

:banana :banana I LOVE CURVES!! :banana :banana Is that message clear enought? hehe. One of the reasons I love curves is that it does not attract the spandex and testosterone crowd. The other ladies working out with me are ordinary folks, just like me. There's almost always someone there to chat with through the circuit. And, often times, a staff member engages me in conversation as I'm working out. The half-hour is gone before I know it. I had a curves victory this month... I moved into the number one slot of most weight lost at my particular curves. (and I even outpaced two ladies with an RNY!! yipeeeee bandsters!) You'll love it! Hugs,

Okay... so I have to know... am I the **only** one that feels this way --> I am smaller than I have ever been in my adult life. Actually, I'm smaller than I was in 6th grade by a good 10 pounds. As excited as I am about being a "normal" size, I have this underlying, low-level, chronic anxiety. Sometimes I feel like a size 26/28 woman who's hiding in a size 12/14 body. Is that the weirdest? There are times when I'm shopping in the misses section, and I get this feeling like some arrogant sales associate is going to come over to me, tap me impatiently on the shoulder and say, "ahem.... don't you think you're in the WRONG department?" I sometimes have this fear that a person is going to call me out for the fat person I am. I mean, I'm 43 year old, and I have NEVER been a normal size. My lowest weight as an adult was 220lbs (in college, after a liquid diet). It's like my body lost weight, but my brain has not. If I see my reflection in the mirror, I stop and look... not because I'm stuck on myself, but because I just can't believe that is ME! I can forget that I'm actually "thin" until my reflection reminds me. It is still a shock, at times, to look at myself in a mirror and see that new face. I even saw a picture recently, knew I was at the event, and couldn't find myself.... because I was looking for the FAT girl. That's imposter's syndrome. Does it ring a bell with anyone? I'd love to hear how you cope with it. Hugs, Julie Cooperstown, NY banded 5-19-04 highest ever - 330lbs day of surgery - 273lbs Today - 172lbs Highest BMI - 53 Today - 26

Wow.... I am so grateful that, at least in this instance, I am not terminally unique! I would love to know from those who have had long-term weight loss if this resolves its self. I mean, I was obese for 43 years. Is it going to take "years" to get used to my new body... or will this just become my new normal in a short time? I also gravitate toward the plus sized department. I have to make a conscious effort to walk over to the misses side of the store. And, then, like I said, I feel like an imposter that is going to get "caught." I never knew that I would have to "learn" how to be thinner. It was always such a goal that I thought it would be a piece of cake (Oh... wait... not cake... uh... a piece of celery... ROFL). Hugs,

I am the Executive Director of a non-profit agency. Our mission is to prevent substance abuse and problem gambling. Part of my job is to train communities around New York State in the "Communities that Care" planning process. This helps communities develop a long-term strategic plan for address teen issues such as substance abuse, teen pregnancy, school drop out and violence. I work to support my music habit... lol. I am a professional musician, singer/keyboardist with a contemporary gospel band. We are the worship team for our church and travel to minister wherever we're called! Oh... I'm also a doctoral student Hugs,

How did the doctor measure your Protein? Was it a urine test? If you're eating around 60g's of protein a day, you should be absolutely fine. Only people with kidney problems have trouble with higher levels of protein. If you have protein in your urine or are having trouble tolerating 60g's of protein a day, I would ASK MORE QUESTIONS of your doctor. When I had elevated protein (on the Adkins diet... way before the band), the doctor did a 24-hour urine catch on me. (can I tell ya how fun it was to carry around the pee-jug for 24 hours?? lol). Anyway... I'd want to know more from the doc. Hugs,

Hello group! I was banded on May 19, 2004 and have lost 125lbs. I am currently at goal and am now thinking about plastics. I will have to self-pay for my plastics because I don't meet the criteria for medical necessity. That means I have lots of options in selecting a surgeon. Here's my question. Is is unwise to have my TT done in a hospital that doesn't have a Bariatric program? I'm concerned about having to have my port moved by a plastic surgeon. (and mine will HAVE to be moved... I can already see it poking out when I look at my profile in the mirror). When a band patient has a TT in the hospital where I had my band placed, the bariatric surgeon comes down and does the port revision. However, the plastic surgeon in that hospital is the MOST expensive in the area... sheeesh. Do plastic surgeons have the expertise to move a port? Is it wise to even consider going to another hospital to save a few thousand dollars? I would love your input! Thanks, Julie banded 5/19/05 296/170/170