BandVirgin

I also agree that blessings should be sent your way. It's just too damn bad that you have to be a US citizen. Why do all the good contests and giveaways ALWAYS have to be exempt to canadians? So unfortunate ....

Estevan, Saskatchewan here. Down 70lbs with 30 more to go. Was banded in '07. No regrets whatsoever ... well maybe one; that I didn't have it done 20 years ago :rolleyes2: The name Joel Sopp is very familiar. I am wondering if you are from my neck of the woods?

I was banded on June 21/07, and am nearing my bandiversary. Unfortunately I might add ... I have lost only 44lbs, and a difficult 44 I might add. For some, that might be a great milestone, however for me, it is not. I came into this believing that 100lbs in a year was achievable. Um .... if I do the math, I'm a little off from 100. Anyway, looking over the last year, and all of the challenges that I faced, I guess all I can do it learn from those situations, and go forward. That is exactly what I plan to do. So, for all you bandsters who have any advice, have at er. I'm ready for whatever you got. I like to be tight. I tend to stay very restricted. My caloric intake would average at around 700-800 calories a day. That is good for me. Focusing on Proteins, and then filling up with a bit of everything. Even though I am quite restricted, I am able to eat numerous times throughout the day. As long as I eat VERY slowly, and just a little at a time. I believe I have this part down ... not to say I don't cheat and enjoy the odd milkshake or pudding, but I know what I need to eat to make this work. My problem is THIS ... I do NOT excercise at all. Not one little bit. I get up in the morning, head to work where I sit at my desk for 8 hours, and I come home. That's it. No suprises, no variety. The same thing day in and day out. Now I know that excersice is important, but tell me ... is it absolutely necessary ... Is that what I am missing in trying to figure this out? How many people actually excersice faithfully, and please ... tell me ... how many people were right where I am, and found sucess with excercising. I really want to know if any of you were sitting stagnant like I, started to excercise, and found that the weight started to come off. I have never excercised in my life, and obviously it contributed to why I was banded in the first place. Tell me please, where do I start. And what do I do. Do I do 100 sit-ups each night, and run on the spot for 20 minutes, and do 50 jumping jacks? I might mention that I have the most beautiful $1000.00 treadmill sitting in my basement collecting dust. What do I do ... walk for 20 minutes ... try to run, and last 30 seconds? PLEASE PEOPLE ... help me out here. PLEASE!:tongue2:

I have an RN do my fills, at her home. She does her own fills, and has no trouble. Now I don't know if it matters that she works in L&D and probably has many years of experience under her belt, as the band is different than anything else. I just know that she has never experienced any trouble. The doctor came to her home town to personally teach her how to do the fills. I believe that he brought her an instructional video, and probably did a fill or two and had her watch, but it wasn't more than that. I know if I could do it, I would. But that is me .... and usually, I end up doing exactly the opposite of what I SHOULD do. Now I am assuming, and ONLY assuming, that because she is an RN, that the needles she uses, she probably gets at the hospital where she works.:shades_smile:

My 20,000 did not include anything. Surgery, nothing else. No hospital stay, no hotel, no flight, no taxi, no aftercare, and certainly no fills. I am on my own here, and to be honest, I don't mind. 12,000, 15,000, 20,000 ... it's all too much, but I was that desperate, and am quite happy that I went ahead. Jack: Sorry for my ignorance here .... but I did not understand one thing that you said in your post. Im confused ..... can you break your post down for the average grade 12 graduate with no post secondary education.:rolleyes2:

HI Everyone: I love nothing more than taking an hour each night and going through this forum. The information is invaluable, and the support is phenominal. Kudos to every single one of us for taking an active role in bettering our health. I know that I have certaintly had some struggles on this journey, but WOW:lol: what a journey it has been. As I read through the forum, time and time again I come across individuals who are frustrated with their band, and the negative results they are experiencing. Some people, talk about falling off the Band Wagon, and are worried about jumping back in ... but fear what the doctor is going to say to them. Others, never did fall off, and have stayed on the wagon, but they too feel ashamed to visit the doctor for a much needed fill for fear of the negative criticism (sp) that they are going to be subjected to.:blushing: My heart goes out to all of these people. Which is what brought me to start this thread. My fills are NOT done by my doctor, and instead I go to a RN who does the fills out of her home. I am not weighed, I am not questioned, I do not visit .... I simply lay down, pay the cash and get out.:wub: Now I know that some people might jump in here and ask me about accountability if there is none, by not seeing a doctor. But I say this .... I paid the $20,000.00 and this is about ME. If I wanted to be held accountable, then I would join Weight Watchers to attend their weekly group. I have struggled with my weight my whole life, and just because I have a piece of plastic wrapped around my stomach .... does not mean that I have changed all of my old ways. I struggle constantly ... physically, emotionally .... I did not have the banding done to be shameful or guilty. Every month I learn new things about my band ... and every month, I start to see one more positive result that I had not seen the month before. Be it big or small. I am rambling here, and going way off topic, but It makes me furious that these people who are so down and frustrated are even made to feel this way. It's time to make this a FUN journey, instead of a depressing one. It's time to enjoy all of the neat things that come hand in hand with this tool. You are missing out .. plain and simple. And it is the Dr that is making you feel this way. My advice, check out another person that can do a fill for you. I know with mine that there are some risks associated without ever having fluoro, but $75.00 with no bullshit attached just seems to be an awesome deal to me. PS. To date, I am up to 11 fills. The nurse allows me to come whenever I want. If I wanted to come every second day, she would gladly give me 5 minutes of her time and take my cash. Now that is just ridiculous, as a person would not truly go that often. But you can bet your bahooti, that I am lining up on a weekly basis .....

That is LUDICROUS! I sure hope that doc isn't looking after patients with any conditions or life threatening ilnesses. Can you imagine a diabetic ..."Um, sorry maam, but I cannot tell you how many units of insulin I just gave you". "I prefer not to tell my patients." Tell you doc that you have decided to hold back the funds for the surgery, and that you have cancelled the cheque. Tell him you think it would be better if you paid him in installments. You will determine just how mcuh he gets each time you see him Can you honestly believe that "professional" people pull this kind of crap? Sorry for coming on strong here, but in my opinion, you need to be involved in every aspect here. In order to manage your band, you need your doctor to be honest and upfront with you. Just as he would expect from you. This cannot be a game of chance ..... UNREAL!

I so hear you sweetheart, because this is me exactly. I have the same issues as you, and have ever since I got the band. I slime or PB or whatever you want to call it every single time. And, if I don't, I have to make myself, because the food simply will not go down. I was at a standstill for 2 months, never lost a pound. Last week, I was able to drop 11 pounds. I have no doubt that my caloric intake is pathetic and next to nil, after my body digests what little is left over. I am not a sweets person, and am lactose intolerant, so never have a desire to reach for ice cream treats. It doesn't matter what I eat, mushy, liquid, solid, it comes up. There is no excessive force, and I am NOT vomitting. As quickly as I swallow, I immediately have to bring it right back up. I have wondered for months if this is right, but it doesn't matter if I get filled or unfilled. The situation does not change. The only reason that I get a fill is to see if my weight will change. I know that I am not eating many calories, but yet when the weight does not come off, you immediately wonder why not. This whole process is frustrating, and I can hear your frustration. I am right there with you. I don't know what the answer is, and wish that I did, because I could benefit from knowing myself. My doctor that did my surgery called me the next day to make sure I was fine, and I have never spoke to him again. (I had surgery in June/07). I see a lady 200km's away for my fills, and she could care less about how I am doing. Pay the money, lay down, get a fill, and get out. There is no aftercare, no fluoroscopy, nothing. I don't have to get a requisition for a fill, just call my lady and book in, usually the same day. No questions asked. I am at 8.6ml's in a VG Band (holds 10ml's if I am not mistaken.):confused2:

Hi Everyone. I have been searching through all of the posts looking for answers, but figured it might be best just to start a new thread. Please help me here if you can. I like alot of restriction, and I am satisfied where I am currently. The weight is continuing to come off, and I am feeling well, but I am hungry, and am needing help with some ideas of things to eat. I am currently at 9ml in my 10ml band, so am very restricted. I can drink fine, but cannot eat anything that is not liquified. I am hungry, and aside from soups, are there any suggestions of foods that I can eat to make sure that I am getting exactly what I need. I know what makes me happy, and being restricted (very) is where I need to be. I do know however, that it is very important that I am getting the proper nutrition. And I am failing in this department. My hydration is good, and my energy is okay, but I am going to run out of steam very quickly if this keeps up. So fellow bandsters, knowing that protein is essential, can you please give me some ideas as to what I can eat? I bought some Slim Fast shakes today, and I can tell you that I will not be drinking a second one. The smell made me want to vomit. After drinking a half cup of the stuff, I felt like I needed to vomit all night. Not because of the restriction, only because of the smell and taste. Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions.

Thanks annieM. Sorry for my ignorance, but what is NSAIDS? I missed the boat with that one. LOL. :biggrin:

I keep reading on here that ibuprofen is not allowed with the band. Am I reading this right? And if it is not okay, then what am I supposed to be taking for pain such as a headache that won't go away on it's own. If this is true .... I am shocked. :party: I have been taking ibuprofen and Aleve for 7 months now ???:thumbup:

I was in the same situation a few months ago, and if you don't mind, I will share with you what I did. I felt the exact same. I came to this board looking for advice, which I do regularly. I appreciate everyones comments, and everyones advice. Each comment is sincere, and I chose to agree with many, and have an unfill. I suffered for 1 week with sliming and PBng. Lost 15 pounds in that week. Although the weightloss was wonderful, I was miserable.. Now, in hindsight, when I look back. I was scared. I just needed to know that it would be okay. Like I mentioned, I had an unfill. Would I do the same all over again? Not a chance. Since I had the unfill, I have struggled to get any restriction. That fill was 7ml in a VG band. Now, I am currently at 7.6 with no restriction at all. Because of the unfill, the doctor is hesitant in doing fills, and I am only getting 0.1-0.2 each time I go. I am so frustrated and wish that I could turn back time. I would have suffered through it. Again, just sharing my situation with you. Ultimately, you will decide what is best for you. Good Luck, and HUGS to you ....:eek: