coyotegirl

ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS!!!!! I love my band. I have had No problems and have lost 43lbs since Nov. 04. I was back to work 3 days after surgery (preschool teacher) with little to no discomfort. Good luck!

I know of a young woman that was only 17 when she had her band. She is now down quite a lot. So if it is ok with the surgeon you choose then I say go for it!

Same pains here. Called my Dr. in a panic over the Thanksgiving Holiday. He called back and told me it was probably the stiches holding the port in place. I still get them on occaision. He said some people can get a hernia there but not to worry.

I always tell everyone I can't wait to have a new DL picture taken of me (smaller me), My license doesn't expire intil 2023 I can't wait that long!!!!!!!!! I wonder how much I will weigh in 2023?? YES I also lied on my license, aren't we suppose to? Im about 50 off. Isn't it funny how even 50 lbs makes you feel better when you write it out? I'll get a new one when I'm down 100lbs. My goal!!!!!!!! Love to all,

WOW, what a journey you have been on! I'm glad to see you back on the better journey this time. Good luck!

Hi and Welcome Misty I was banded on the 19th. Isn't the band great! I call it my new best friend!!!!! Good luck Misty!

I wasn't overweight as a child but I walked "funny" because of my disability. (tho didn't know what it was back then. Didn't get diagnosed until my 30's) I remember some kids asking me if I wanted some fries to go with that shake of mine. Sounds silly but it has stayed in that memory of mine. Now I walk with crutches in public and I always think people are looking at me and thinking I can't walk because I'm fat. I'm trying to have tunnel vision but I still see all the looks.

No pressure here either! I think it's fun to see the progress we have all done.

I am fat because I LOVE FOOD!!! I had a wonderful childhood. I was a very small kid they called me toothpick. Then I discovered food and how wonderful it was. I was a very active child, horseback riding (barrel racing), softball team, swimming everyday. but the weight started packing on in Jr. high. I lost a lot of weight in high school but then I started this thing called dating, I love mexican food and we went a lot. Up, up and away I went. lose some gain more. married then divorced I would eat when happy and then when sad. I am still having problems with portins. I want to eat eat eat, but the band wont let me get carried away ( Thank God!) Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

Barbarab, Welcome aboard!! It's a great place to be! Good luck your doing great!!!!!

I'm coyotegirl because I live in Arizona and collect coyotes. (Not real ones) not very creative but I like it!

I too did get hungry soon after surgery. I went in for my first fill 1 month after surgery and it helped a little but not much. I just had my second fill Feb 15 and feel a great restriction now! It sometimes takes a few fills to find your "sweet spot" Look back and search the threads I know they talked about this not to long ago and it helped me a great deal. I don't remember who it was or where but there is a site that you can read all about it. congratulations on your surgery and it will get better i'm sure.

I heard of a site where you can get sugar free chocolate gum. olalafoods.com/products.htm has anyone tried it??? sugar free and atkins' friendly it says.

OMG I too have been on every diet out there. All the miracle diet pills all the fad diets all the liquid diets, weight watchers, Jenny craig, on and on and on. I remember being on a liquid diet when I was in High School and being sick every morning at practice. (rifle corps) I was accused of being PG. I don't remember if I lost weight on it. (Cambridge was the diet). Oh well, all that has changed now. I love my BAND!!!!!

Good Luck Jane on your wonderful journey. It will change your life for the better. It has mine already.

OMG If you are the Kristie I think you are I have sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much to thank you for!!!!!! My name is Terri Mully and you started me on this Journey of mine. I went to TWIGS and talked to you about all this back in May 04 You helped me find Dr Robert Berger. You are my ANGEL. I was Banded 11/19/04 and have lost 43lbs. I have had 2 fills and am now at 6.5cc's. If It wasn't for you and TWIGS I would not be where I am and on this WONDERFUL JOURNEY to a new me. Thank you. Sorry to butt in to this thread but I was soo excited to see Kristie here. Terri Mully Banded 11/19/04 Dr. Robert Berger Flagstaff, AZ -43lbs.

Betty 54 Paula 43 Kelly 65 Becky 77 Carol 102 Alex 110 Nana 49 Rich 20 Larae 22 Maureen 73 Marie 56 Wyld Blu 73 Penni 54 Vera 60 Darcy 59 Kelly 39 michelle 135 mary 65.4 greg 77 Sharon 35 Tricia 60 Darcey 23 cindy 88 Melissa 39 Michelle 80 Jonathan 27 Lisa 70 Lauren 23 Babs in TX 150 Bright 82 Jamie 5 Megan 60 Katie 29 Bobby H. 46 Estela 23 Angela 37.5 Terri 43 Total 2153.90 WOW

I had my second fill today. I am now up to 6.5cc's. Everything was fine but Dr. couldn't find the port in his office so I have many pin pricks in me right now. We went down to amblitory surgery and put me under a flo scope (don't know how to spell it) and there it was. This time I was laying down so it was much easier. It was fun watching the pictures, He first put me at 7cc's then had me drink some chalky stuff there was too much restriction so he took out some and it all went down just fine. I say it!!!!!!!!! But for the reason I am posting tonight is>>>>Did anyone have shoulder pain after. I was fine then when driving home (3 hrs) It started. My left shoulder is hurting pertty bad. I have a Icey hot patch on now and have taken liquid tylenol. Anyone else have this??:paranoid Terri ps. I am down another 13lbs:banana :banana banded 11/19/04 Dr. Robert Berger Flagstaff, AZ 6.5cc's -39lbs

My shoulder is better today. Just a little twing every now and then. I am on a liquid diet for 2 days. It has been fine and I am not at all hungrey so I guess the fill worked. I am going to go easy when I can eat again. Maybe eat mushy stuff for a day or so. Thank you so much for your support. Terri banded 11/19/04 Dr. Robert Berger Flagstaff, AZ 6.5 cc's -39

Marie, I don't know what kind of band I have Dr. said it world hold 12cc's. Terri

I had NO restristion before the new fill. I was dieting like I have done soooo many times before. I know I can diet and lose weight but I can't seem to keep it up for long. The band it my new tool for this. Terri

I just wanted to share my big victory of today. I am a Pre School teacher and today was our big Valentine's Day party. There were cookies, candy, cupcakes and chips:lick . But there were also orange slices and veggies. ALL I ATE were the oranges and veggies:) . DANG I'm good!! Ok, Ok so I knew that I was going to weigh in tomorrow when I go in for my fill. I STILL think of it as a victory!! Boy do I need a fill. Terri Banded 11/19/04 Dr. Robert Berger Flagstaff, AZ 3.0cc so far -35ish

I have told EVERYBODY that will listen to me!!!!!! I have had nothing but support and good wishes. I do get everyone asking me almost daily [How much weight have you lost?] I do get sick of it. I am still new at this band thing and am still scared of the scale, so I don't weigh myself very often. When I do I am happy but can't get over the fear of gaining I agree that it is a personal decision and we all are different. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL! Terri

I started working with a group called TWIGS ( the weight is gone support) in June of 04 and had my surgery in nov. of 04. I has no problem with insurance (MEDICARE) because they did all my paper work and knew what needed to be done. There is a lot of paper work with this. Well TWIGS is no longer in business but at least I got the help before they went under Good luck Terri

I was on a liquid diet for 9 days before my surgery. I thought I was going to die but knew it was for a good cause. I don't think I could do it for 4 weeks. Maybe you have more will power than me:) I did lose 11lbs in that 9 days!!!! I think you should just follow your Dr's. orders just to be safe. Good luck, Terri