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Karen, You will love it! I have had a slow weight loss but I have maintained the loss which is a big difference from other weight loss experiences. For that alone, the band is a success!!! where does your sister in-law live? If she ever wants a support local person give her my email: ja92uz@verizon.net. Have a great day...if you have any questions don't hesitate... oh and all my experiences at St. Mary's has been great too!!

BCraz WOW, you are doing great.... I wish I could say the same, I still have my struggling days, but overall I am losing. I go back for my first fill after my hernia surgery next week. It has taken a long time! Our thread has little activity... I hope all those June 07 banders are hanging in there and have a wonderful summer!

Hello Karen, My friend went to Dr. Shroder( spelling?) and really had an overall good experience with the doctor and staff. I had my surgery with Dr. Batista, Commonwealth Surgeons, the other group at St. Mary's. I have been pleased with them too. I had my surgery two years ago, June 7, 07. I had to have surgery again this April due to a hienel hernia and had to have a new band put in but the same port. I have my first fill next Tuesday. I am disappointed that I have to go through all this again, but the hernia had to be approved. I lost about 60lbs. If your sister inlaw had the surgery, she can tell you that it is only a tool. you can still eat around the band and gain weight, so you have to listen to your doctor and band. I also live in the Fredericksburg area! Good Luck with your journey!

One more thing I forgot to share... My daughter in-law has pictures on her facebook page that I just saw. My son and her wedding was July 7, 2007, one exact month after my banding. She has a picture of me and OMG, I could not beleive how fat I was, that was a true wake up call. Even if your weight loss is slow or you gained back some, remember where you started for additional hope!!!

Rhonda, I am not sure my doctor called it a Mushroom effect when I had the hernia, but my stomach was above my asophogas(?) and he said if I did not get it fixed it would mushroom over and cause a slip. He said I stretched out my pouch for eating to much. He yelled, or lectured( how ever you want to take it) that I was not measuring my food, which I was not. So I guess we need to do that for you never know what your eye is telling you, plus I remember weight watchers saying you could be eating less than a cup, so don't cheat yourself. You can eat more salad than a half a cup too for it is a lot of Water. I am trying now, but you would think after surgery #2 I would not snack...it is my hardest challenge! I am fine with meals, but then i want to eat Snacks, chips, even if they are diet/wheat. I need my head screwed off and back on...LOL! What do they do for an errosion? Are they worried about that? And spitting up blood? That would scare me. I was having pains under my breasts where I beleive the band is, but my doctor said that was still healing. It has gone now. I have a fill in two weeks so we will see what the band and pouch look like. How is your weight loss? I was at a stand still before my surgery and now after the loss from surgery I am again stuck, but that is my doing for my snacking above! I hope the fill process will help like when we started two weeks ago. Keep me posted and I will look you up on face book. Hang in there everyone.... every day is a new one!

Happy 2nd Bandaversary!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't beleive it has beent his long. Hope everyone is hanging in there, it is still a journey.

Insub, Glad to hear from you, wow Spain...that must be a life adventrue within itself! Why do you think you have a hernia? I actually felt nothing, well once they told me and I thought back of signs, I guess the signals were there. You should get it checked out for I was told it would cause a band slip. I think maintaining is what is so important, and with out the band at all where would your weight be? that is what we need to also consider in evaluating our success! I am doing fine now. Went back yesterday for my 4 week after surgery check up. I lost 10lbs after my surgery, 1 week visit. Since then I lost another 3, so it is coming off again. But I am at a stand still. I went back to the gym but felt pains and internal pulls, I just needed to heal. I have my first fill on June 23, wow, not looking forward to that process all over again!!! Suzzzzzzzzzzzie, glad to hear from you.. Hang in there. maybe you could go back to your doctor and get an adjustment. Do they have a nutritionist on staff that would work with you one on one? I know how hard it is, every day is a struggle. If we can get a band on our stomach we should be able to get it around our brain too! bigbaby, You are doing great!!! how are you doing it? Can you beleive it has been 2 years!!!!!!!!! Wow, I am glad to hear from all of you even if we are not posting every day.

Great news lose2regainme!!!!

Hello everyone, it has been a long time since I posted, and bad news, I am no longer in the Fabulous 40's, but the Fantastic 50's! I had a hianal hernia operation, it will be two weeks ago tomorrow. I had an UGI and it showed up on there at which time my surgeon said they had to fix it before it caused a slip or an emergency operation situation. When they went in my pouch was large, according to my doc due to me maybe eating to much, he fixed the hernia and put in a new band. I think it may have been that but also due to the hernia, and increase of pbing. Prior to the UGI, I was feeling fine, did not recognize that the food getting stuck may have been a red flag, I just thought it was my fault for eating wrong. The UGI was only to check on my band, rather than a flouro. I was not happy about surgery, but it did kick my weight loss back in action. I will have my two year bandaversary on June 7. I hope to be closer to my goal. I have a fresh start! Fanny Adams, you are doing great. good advice about the fills to Michelle, you don't want to get to much fill in your band. I am not eager to get a fill this time around. Michelle, I realize the eagerness to get to the "spot" just listen to your body... good luck.

OregonDaisy, I understand the search for a final solution, for the band can be frustrating. however after looking at the sleeve, to me this is drastic, they are stapling or removing part of your stomach. unless, I don't understand??? I would think this would be a drastic step and it also states like any other wl surgery you can gain your weight back. I know my doctor would not do it if I failed with the band, unless in no way was it my fault. This is just my opinion. Good Luck.

RTEEST Wow, I can't believe that your doc is waiting and not suggesting surgery? you have been through so many steps that didn't work. As I said, when I had the Upper GI it was due to my initiative to see the doc for a regular visit just to make sure I was doing OK. it was then they decided to order the UGI. As soon as they saw it they scheduled me for surgery, not emergency, but as soon as possible for they wanted to prevent any further problems with the band. Did either doc suggest it? I know if you don't have the band, most docs will treat the hianal hernia with meds, but with the band it can cause other problems. Cleo's Mom, I am glad you are going to go to a surgeon that is with a group that has met the Excellence criteria. Mine has and they have been doing band and gastric for a long time. My doc even warned me that if when he went in and saw I may have caused a problem with the band due to not eating correctly or not following "band rules" he was taking it out and not rebanding me. He is for patient success. I was glad I was ok. OregonDaisy, what is the sleeve? Is there a web site on this? Something new every day! Wishin4, I agree with WasaBubblebutt, you need to go to the doctor. You will only hurt yourself. Well, 4 days afte surgery and feeling good. I hope this time it works.

Wow, I am glad I found this thread, I think LOL! I had a Hiatal Hernia and a band readjustment on Wednesday. I will be banded two years ago and had little problems with the band, however after my upper GI I was told I had the hernia and the doctor did not want to let it get to a point of slipping the band. Thinking back I do beleive I had an increase of food tough going down and more pbing. I just chucked it up to eating to fast or eating the wrong things. but I never had problems during the night. Actually the Upper GI was scheduled as a check up, must have been instinct. I hope after reading all your situations I am off to a good second start and everything goes well. I am seeing this as Chapter Two! I did get a new band, a new type, can't really say, I will ask on my week visit. My surgeon said my pouch was very big and that it was due to me over eating, however when his assistant showed me the pictures of the upper GI she never pointed that out. I am sure I ate more than the 1/2 cup as directed. I am hating the liquid diet and the after surgery gas pains, but due to not having to replace my port I am recovering better. Let me know how you are doing! Janine

Hello Everyone, I am glad to see BigBaby, Suzzzie and Rhonda still posting, holding on to our thread! And some new names as well. After my last post during the holiday's I posted my struggles with being stuck with my weight loss. Well, I rejoined my gym the end of December and started to go on a regular basis and lost 10lbs to then come to a hault! I was starting to have an increase in food getting stuck, and felt I hadn't been to my doctor in a long time so I made an appointment. They scheduled an upper GI rather than a flouro since I did not want a fill, which resutled in me having a Hietal( can't spell it) hernia. The stomach above my chest/diaghram was large and they did not want to wait for it to mushroom over my band and cause more damage or an emergency surgery sitution. So on Wednesday I had the hernia repaired and they had to replace my band. They did not replace the port, which is making my stomach area less painful. I still have about 4 little puncture areas where the doctor went in. He said my pouch above my band was very large too from eating to much, that may be somewhat true, however the upper GI did not show it that big, his physicain assistant did not point it out to me. I have no Fluid in the band at this time and I have to START ALL OVER!! I am taking this as a fresh start to regroup. He told me if it was eroded or slipped he was not going to reband me for i was not following the band" rules". I am glad that was not the case. I am thinking of keeping the band empty for a bit to be sure all is healed before I begin to put any pressure on it. I went back to our day one of posts trying to refresh my memory. and I did see how we all gained some weight in the hospital. it was disappointing when I got on the scale yesterday and was up 6lbs when I haven't eaten a thing in 5 days! I am back on the liquid diet until next Wednesday. do you all remember that? I have the awful gas pains and the stomach roars! I feel pregnant! well, hope all you are doing great. Are any of you on Facebook? let me know and if you want a new "friend". talk to you soon. How is Stef?

rhc, thanks for the kudo's! Sometimes I don't feel like I am doing so well, so I need to stop and look at the big picture. I would have to look at my history to see how many fills I had, I wish I could remember this stuff. I have a lot of restriction now, and have for a while. I am not sure if it is due to me still, after almost 2 YEARS!!, not chewing properly, or what. I can eat one thing and then the next time I try to eat the same thing, can't. You will find the band is finicky and you have to work it out. I always know I have it, like any other part of your body. Not sure that makes sense. I have accepted the fact that I can't eat pasta( even though in a weak moment I will try and regret it) or a burger. It does not bother me. I can't drink beer for it girgles up. So, I drink wine, probably a factor in my slow weight loss weeks! I don't seem to get hungry. what is the challenge like any lifestyle change is giving up bad habits, like snacking or eating when stressed or upsetting times. this will not go away. So, they are right when they say the band is a "tool". You still have to get to the root of your eating. I think the first 80% of loss comes off okay, but by then you may slip back to some of these habits, and have to face them. This is my experience and perspective, but maybe not of everyone. Don't get discouraged with the time it takes to go through the process. I know once you make the decision, you want it NOW. I had to schedule appointments that felt so far away and that I would never have the surgery, but it all happens and works out. YOu have made a great decision to change your life. luvmy2dogs thanks. how are you doing? what kind of puppies do you have? I have a golden retriever and a mix bread we adopted.

good Morning, Meri, I live in virginia. How close do you live to the beltway or DC? I am about 30 miles south on I95. The weather has been crappy and I know when it is cold my motivation goes down, so I must push to keep up with the work outs! Globaly yours hang in there with the snow! How is your restriction? I know that it is difficult, if it does not get better I would get an unfill. But I can relate to how hard that is too for you want some restriction. Bandana I don't know why it does that either. I can eat one thing one day be so excited that I enjoyed a "meal" and then the next day I try to have leftovers and it is a NO GO! I don't have a clue only that after almost two years feel it is finicky! Meliss thanks for the nice words, I told my son that I am young "Nana' and of course he laughed. 50 is old to a young person! I bought a pant suit, well jacket and pants from Kohls a few months ago, jacket size 12 and pants 14. Well, the 14 became to big and I went and bought a size 12 for I like the jacket and when I need to suite it up for work it comes in handy. Now I am looking for a size 10 but due to all the winter sales, I can't find them. I bought the alfit at Kohls and have looked at 3 kohls so far and they are not on line, or I can't really tell on line if they are the same. It is amazing how the color black differs from one item to the next. I am excited about the size, but I am not a size 10 for all pants, I still wear a 12, and any straight or fitted skirt will be a 14 if that. But it is still nice to see the sizes go down! I think it is the workout for the scale still wont move!!!! Why!!!!!!!!. I know I need to keep working out and it will happen. well off to work, have a fabulous day! Snow again here just enough to make it messy!

Hello all fabulous 40's! It has been to long since I posted. Bandana you are doing great. Don't get discouraged. I will be faced with my 2 year bandaversay in June and I still have about 20lbs to go, if I keep my original goal. I have been at the same spot for a year, not doing as well as I could and not exercising, which was my biggest problem. In mid fall my husband and I started to walk in the am and then I picked up the pace to some running. then I joined my gym again, and I am getting my self back on track. I am down 10lbs and feeling better. I also think that if I did not have the band 2 years ago i would be over 200 lbs and still going up. So, if you can maintain until you get your head in gear, it will work out! Meri, you are doing fantastic!! Keep up the great inspiration to us! Miss Meliss, isn't it great to buy clothes that actually look good and feel good too! Blakq, how are you doing? are you up and moving? well, I may not be in the fab 40's much longer, hitting the BIG 50 in March. Not sure how I will handle that, on day at at time! my son told me I did not look 50, which was nice, but what does 50 look like? Have a great weekend everyone!

Rhc, I had my surgery done at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. I don't remember how long it all took, I believe I started the process in late February and had my surgery in June. But some doctors can move you through the process quickly, they are all so different. Maybe if you tell them your insurance needs, they will move forward at a quicker pace for you? I thought the other day that I will be approaching my 2 year bandaversary and still have 20 lbs to go, but in those 2 years I never gained and if I did not have the band I would still be over 200lbs! So it is all worth it. It is work and acceptance, but it is worth it. good luck, keep us posted. How is everyone!

Suzzie, I know how hard it is to rely on junk. But I can't even eat chips sometimes, it is crazy. Of course never a problem with icecream. But you are right, about vegies. I really need to focus and concentrate on that one. I use to love salads, still do, but the band does not. did you ever try the broccoli and cheese singes by green giant? they are low in calories and good. i went to a spin class last night at the gym and boy did that kick my butt, literally. I thought with all my cushion it killed my a--, how do bony butts do it!! LOL! well, off to work. Everyone have a great day and week.

Hello Everyone!!! I went back to october, which is not enough to catch up on all your ups and downs, but from what I read, you are all still taking one day at a time and not giving up! that is a start. Suzzie, you are brave to go in and have your band adjusted, how are you doing now? Beckie T, did you get sick or have pain that brought you to the other tests? My doctors always tells me I will know if there is a problem, but I worry. Dan,that is great to be highlighted on your surgeons website, how exciting. Where is home when you return to the states? are you back now? Stef, I am so glad you are back and doing well. do you not have any Fluid in your band for good? did you have it removed? I recall a problem, but just thought they had to remove all the fluid on a temporary basis? you are doing GREAT regardless. well, an update on me. like some of you have been shairing, I too have been stuck for over 6 months, at 190-194. I was so frustrated, but also eating around my band not eating healthy and not exercising. but then in December( I wanted to get a jump on the New Years Resolution gym joiners) joined back at my gym. For what ever reason, I dropped out of the gym site. I use to be an avid gym goer, even when i was not losing weight. but for what ever mental block, I stopped going. then in the fall my DH and I started to walk and I was running too. I realized how much I missed working out. I have now reached under 190 to the mid 180's. I have seen a difference in my clothes and am setting my goal for 165! I will be the big 50 the end of March. I would be glad to be down another 20. I have had much restriction in my band. I don't go back to the doctor until February. I keep worrying if I have some taken out I will lose control, but then hate when I get food stuck and I am in pain. I don't know if I am tight or not chewing right. that is my biggest challenge now. Any ideas? glad to be back and will try and keep logging in!! Janine

Hello fab40's!! I have been MIA for a while, I miss posting. I use to make this a daily routine, summer, life, not sure what is going on has been in the way. Glad to hear you are all still here. How has your summer been? I have been busy with my two grandchildren too, age 2 and 4mths. My 2 yr. old grandaughter, soon to be 3, just started preschool, she is growing up so fast. She is busy, and I am glad I am lighter to keep up with her. I am with you Ebonyrose!! Rosi, how is the gym? I can relate to your situation when you posted last. I have been banded now for 15mths and I have been stuck too. Nothing lost but thank goodness nothing gained. but I need to get moving. Today my dh and I walked the dogs and I ran some, it felt so good. I just need to keep moving, I know that! Hope everyone who was banded in July is doing FANTASTIC!!

Hello all June friends!!!! I am sorry for being MIA. I have been the same, hanging around 189/192. Not happy with that but I feel lucky for not gaining. I hardly eat meal food, for I still have a hard time getting it down. so I give up and eat crap instead, still not alot of it! I told my dh that even with this I feel I should lose more. but it is AGE, turning 50 soon does not help. I am not making excuses, but age does challenge us. My dh and I took our two dogs for a long walk today, and I even ran some of it. I really had a good time, if I would only keep up with it. suzzie I love your puppy. he is so cute!! I can relate to the story, nothing ends up being free! We adopted our one dog, Ace. He is a mix and very cute. But the first week we had him my son was not watching him and he ate a jar I had filled with these little glass crystals. we had to feed him cotton so when he pooped it out it would not cut him. this is after xrays, etc costing us $$$ But we love him. I wish you luck with him. suzzzie, rhonda, and others!! we can do this!! I know it. I am going to a lapband support group with some friends that I met on the site. we have been in touch since the June thread when we all started. It is an hour away, but worth it. I need to go to more. I think this is like other "diets" that we lose our focus after a while. the good thing about the band is you can get an adjustment and it won't really let you eat alot. Sorry for not being around. I will try not to be gone so long. Anyone hear from Stef??

I am testing to see if my profile updated, I always gets stumped

GREAT Luvmy2dogs!!! Welcome to Band land!

mns I think it happens often. it is not a big deal, only when they are moving that needle around. On my very first flouro fill, the nurse was movign the needle around and I became faint. After that I told her, " don't tell me what your doing, just do it" and I lay down. Since she has been great with flouro and not. It is to bad he did not let someone else try. I haven't seen my doctor since surgery! I heard he hasn't done fills forever, so that is fine that the PA does it. How is everyone else doing? I have had a fair week, eating is up and down. I went to this great mexican rest. yesterday for lunch and had no problems. Probably ate to much, but when I tried to eat the left overs for dinner, I had to stop and wait then try again and slow down. You would think I was use to that by now, but I am not, it is still frustrating. I hope everyone is doing well. I love the summer but it is HOT. I will look forward to the fall so I can pick up on the walking.

bigbaby Sounds great! I really need to get cracking on the savings too. My birthday is in March however I think we will go late spring or in the summer/fall. I want to go when the weather is nice there too. I too may want a party, but I told my dh, we can plan together. he is not good at that. I wish I was 40! Although turning 40 was hard for me, I dread my emotions on 50! On Monday night we had chinese food for my son's Birthday. I was surprised I could eat some. I loved it so much that I took some for lunch yesterday. Guess what...yep, a NO GO! I was frustrated. Then last night I made a thin spinach mushroom pizza, and tried hard to get a small peice down, but that was hard too! It is so picky!! suzzie sorry to hear about your air! when it is this hot. going to work when it is this hot sometimes is good for it is cool there! Unless you work outside. Hope everyone is doing well. How are you doing insub?