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Juliegeraci, funny I save my extra points for wine too, so far it's still working for me. It's good because I have some control. I stop eating/drinking when the points are gone. I would love to get within 10 pounds of my goal by the end of the summer and WW should help. I won't tell the leader let alone anyone else there. My mom, sister, husband and best friend are the only ones that know. I never even told my kids. They are 10 and 14 now and I thought they were too young 2 1/2 years ago and now it doesn't seem to matter. I think that the meetings will help me because no mater what, support for frustrating times, is support, banded or not. I happen to have a tool, that when working properly, will just help me a bit.

I am doing the flex plan. I need to limit my portions until I can get a fill. I love it because I really does push healthy eating. I went down 3.5 the first week and weigh in on Saturdays. Hoping for another 1.5 this week.

Debbydo I am 2 1/2 years out and have put a few pounds back on after having some problems, am presently unfilled. I joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and finally felt a little in control. The thing I love is the choices, I was getting to be really hard on myself, trying to eat only protein, sort of an Atkins deal, got too bored and would blow it all out. I can hope that when I can get a fill I will follow through with the healthy choices that I am trying to incorporate now.I haven't told anyone in the group that I have the band but then again I have only told 4 people up to now. I love the weight and points tracker that comes with the on-line tools- can always find what I am looking for.

pta2007 I was totally out for the procedure, general anesthesia. But my doctor did replace then entire tubing. I hope it goes as well for you. Good luck.

I had to have my tubing replaced last November, after 2 1/2 years. I had the same problem, when the doctor went to put in a fill there was nothing left from before. He injected a dye ( all fills are done under flouro) and he couldn't tell where the leak was, so when I went in for surgery I didn't know it I was getting a new band, new tubing or a new port.Lucky for me it was the tubing. The surgery was fairly easy and the recovery was a snap. Good luck, I hope everything goes well.

I had my gallbladder out after about a year of banding. Was glad to see it go, the recovery was a lot easier than banding. I didn't have to change my diet after it came out. Good luck.

Good luck, you are in good hands with Abkin and Bertha. They are wonderful. You will be riding the coasters in no time!!

Cristan, thanks for the words of encouragement. I agree that a fill will help a lot. What kind of supplements do you take? Are you following any special plan? How about exercise? Any guidance would be great!!

I have had this very thing. I went in for a fill told the Doctor that I had lost all restriction over the past several months. He put the saline in with the dye and confirmed the leak. I have the tubing replaced, the surgery wasn't as bad as the original. I am glad to have it fixed. The doctor explained to me that it is a mechanical device and that this can happen, although it is not super common, it does happen. I will be able to get a fill the end of the month (insurance makes me wait 90 days, I don't know why)

Hi I am about 2 1/2 years out. Am down about 70 pounds. Had a few problems but am getting back on track now. Lost restriction after several frustrating bouts of reflux. Had my tubing replaced and am scheduled for a fill at the end of the month. Ready to get it moving again.

I was really glad to see this, I have had the same thing but it happens when I am getting full or if something is going down really, really slow. I only get it when I have restriction so I kind of forgot about it because I am waiting on a fill after a tubing replacement.

Hi am glad to see someone here from 2005.I understand about the habits...I also had reflux, had the unfil for about 8 months (am still on nexium) I was able to get a fill but at that point it didn't seem to work that great.something wasn't right. Finally after about 6 months had another fill and found that I had a leak in the tube. Because of insurance I have to wait for 90 days before I can get a fill.All of my bad habits are back with a vengence along with a few others. I am tring to do atkins to get myself back on track until i can get the fill.

I just bought something similar at Lowe's. I moved a really big entertainment center. They worked like a charm.

YEAH!!! Congrats!!!

Alexandra I was there and yes we have spoken a bunch of times.

Wow you look fantastic! Makes me want to re-think the whole idea of a tummy tuck. Thanks for sharing these with me. (all of us) I can't believe how wonderful you look after just 2 weeks, imagine 2 months!

Alexandra, I am praying for you. I don't think that the office would have you stay on hold if they didn't believe that the approval was coming, so I think that you will have a crazy with worry weekend but it will all work out. Good luck, and keep the faith!

Alexandra I am so glad you told me, I would have driven there for nothing. See you next week.

Alexandra congrats on such a fast re-band date!!! I thought the group met this Wednesday, the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Shoot. Hope to see you there, I will have to call the office to double check. Congrats again!!!

Hi I was banded in July of 2005, down about 75 pounds. Was more... I have recently gained 10 pounds, not following the rules. I have a fill scheduled for Thursday so I should start losing again.

I would call your doctor. I let mine go too far and had to have an un-fill, I am still taking Nexium 2 times a day, 10 months later. Make sure you don't eat too close to bedtime, I stop 2-3 hours before bed. Coffee seemed to aggravate mine in the beginning but I can have a cup or two or three. ( probably why I'm still on the Nexium) But it could be as simple a being a bit too tight, Mine seems to be aggravated by allergies too.

Oh my gosh Alexandra, I didn't see this post. I hope that you are able to get the new band. You have been such an inspiration for so many of us. I hope that everything goes the way that you hope for and I am happy that you are feeling better.

Sorry didn't see this sooner. My class was about 2 hours, they went over all the forms and gave us a booklet that told us what we could eat and when. I found it helpful, I had done lots of research so i didn't have lots of questions. Others had a lot. It was interesting if nothing else. Good luck on your day!

Hello Pat, I am also a patient of Dr. Abkins. You are in good hands with both Abkin and Bertha. I know Bertha because he does the fills. You will be amazed how great you are going to feel. I am having so much fun with my kids now that I can keep up with them!! Good luck!

You look fantastic. How did you get rid of the scars? I can't See anything.