weightshaker

Has anyone gone to the Fill Center, USA in Salem, Or.? I am thinking of giving them a try. I have been going to a Dr. in Hood River, but it is 3 hrs. away and Salem is only 20 miles away. Do they have support groups or anything like that? I have been banded for 3 yrs., and a yr. after my banding found out I had breast cancer. Went through Chemo. and radiation. Now I really want to get back to trying again, as I have only lost about 47lbs. I still want to loose about 85 more. Any help would be appriciated! Thanks, Weight shaker

So are you going to see Dr. Kelly Fitz.? I have heard she was good, but I have never gone to her. Dr. Maccabee is really nice and he has no trouble finding my port. I am going to need to get a fill this spring when the weather gets better. I am now just starting to get back into the swing of the band again. I found out a year and a half ago that I had breast cancer. I had surgery then radiation and then chemo. I have been done for about a year now and am just getting around to feeling like I want to get back into the weight loss and using my band right again. My main problem is getting in my exercise. I can say that I have been just plain lazy, but now I need to get going, or else I can say goodby to the $9,000 I spent on my band and I know I don't want to do that. Best wishes to you and your band. Shelley:smile:

I go to Dr. David Maccabee in Hood River. He is really good and only charges $125.00. He makes you sign a waver since he didn't put your band in and had it done in Mexico. I really like him. His number is 541-387-6125. Good luck, Shelley Dallas, OR

I was banded with the 11 cc VG band 2 years ago, and I am now at about 6.5 cc. I am at a good space now, still have trouble when I forget to chew. I am very tight in the am and less in the evenings. I don't do bread well at all, so have pretty much stopped eating it. I took a year off as I found out I had breast cancer, went through all the surgery, radiation and chemo. I gained about 20 lbs during that process, but have now since lost the 20 lbs I gained with a fill. I am doing well now with both of my problems. So I only feel as if I have truly had my band for a year not two. I now it is hard when we don't loose as fast as we want but we are all differen't and we must have patience. Believe me I know how hard it is, but I am not giving up!! Shelley

Hi everyone, I just wanted to update every one on my cancer treatment. I just finished my 2 weeks of radiation, only 5 more weeks to go, oh boy. I started back to work full time last Mon. and it was an ok week, but pretty tired by the time I get off work, drive into Salem for radiation and back home again. Everyone says I look great, so guess I'm doing ok. I think I have lost about 1.5 lbs in the last 2 weeks, don't have much of an appetite. I am trying to eat right so I can keep up my strength though. Well I hope you are all doing well, and working to get off the weight we all want to get off, even though we are having touble. WE will get it done, just may take us longer. Shelley:)

Thanks everyone for the best wishes and prayers. I talked to my Dr. and he said that I need to have an unfill during chemo, just to be carefull. So in Oct. when I start I guess I will get an unfill, after all I don't want to loose this band due to slippage or anything. I had my first radiation treatment today, and I am really tired, probably since I haven't eaten much, not hungry. I know I will be good and eat properly from now on. Thanks again everyone, and I will keep you all posted on my progress. Shelley:)

TeresaL, I too feel my port all the time. It drives me crazy sometimes, but hope with more weight loss it will get better with time. Mine is below the rib cage on the left side, and it is fairly close to the surface, my Dr. loves it, as he says it is really easy to fill since it is close. Best wishes too you and your weight loss, Shelley

See we are not alone, we all have problems of some kind, and we are all here willing to help each other out. I am so glad to have this great support group here on line. Thank to all of you!! I have decided to get my radiation started, talked with my Oncologist yesterday, and she still says I need to do chemo, but since I still don't know if I want to she said then I need to get started on radiation, then I could do the chemo after I am done with it. I was so glad she told me that, I now have some time to make up my mind on the chemo. I also just had a friend e-mail me an artical on radiation, and that people with breast cancer have a 60% greater chance of reaccurance if they start there radiation after 8 weeks from the date of the lumpectomy. This has made my decission to start the radiation now even stronger. Just an update for you all. I have been eating better also, seem to be getting full a little faster, probably the stress. Take care everyone, and thanks for being here for me. Shelley:clap2:

Thank you everyone for your prayers. I go find out tomorrow the results of my test. I will then make my decission as to my having chemo or not. I will keep you posted with my decission. Still having trouble with my weight loss. I am so going to start counting my calories and watching:eek: what I eat. You all take care, and keep going with the weight loss. Shelley:clap2:

OK, so I am going to join you all, I too am a slow user. I lost most of my weight right after surgery, and have had 3 fills, don't seem to do any good, and I know I can't go any tighter, as I often PB. I found out June 8th that I had breat cancer, and had a lumpectomy on June 28th. We caught it early. I am waiting to get test results as to the need for me to have chemo or not. I do know I will have to have radiation and take hormone blockers for 5 years. If I do have to do chemo, I will have to have an unfil, so my Dr. says. I am also starting a new job the end of this month, looking forward to a change, but not if I have to do chemo. I have really stepped up my exersise the last few weeks so I am hoping this will help. I am tired of loosing and gaining the same 4 lbs over and over again, since Jan. I am not going to give up and I don't want any of you too either. Lets get-R-done!!:faint: Shelley Oregon

Hi everyone, I am doing great this week, don't weigh until tomorrow but had to share my great news. I went to Curves on Fri. and weighed and measured and I have lost 51 lbs and 35 inches YAHOO!! :clap2: , is all I can say!!! I am so happy, and it makes me even want to work harder. Exercise and drinking my Water, and cutting down on my popcorn has really helped kickstart my weight loss again. I'll check in again tomorrow and let you know how much weight I lost this week. Keep up the good work everyone, Shelley (Weightshaker)

I have been exercising again and have been drinking all my water. This must be helping I have lost 1 lb this week. Now if I can just quit eating so much popcorn, been craving it for a couple of weeks now. Thanks for all the help Sarge and everyone else.

I lost 1.5 lbs this week and I have started to walk again. It has been soooooo rainy here in Oregon, but am getting my walks in between downpours. Still need to make myself stop craving popcorn, and eating it at night. Keep up all the good work everyone, and those struggling get it together and no more excuses. Lets GO!!! Shelley

I'm also so in on this, it is just what I needed, what an AWSOME idea. We can all do this, I am just starting a few days late but I WILL commit and my signature in signed. I, Shelley Parker, pledge to the said above things, and commit to myself to do them beginning January 4th, 2006. Shelley Starting weight 221

Well I'm back and it went well. I now have 3.5 cc in my Swedish 11 cc band. I laid back and he asked me to do a sit up kind of and then he inserted the needle, then I laid back down, filled me up and had me sit up and drink a little Water, he came back in and I told him I could fill it going down slowly. He then said to sip slowly and stay on liquids till Monday. So far so good with my first fill, I just hope and pray it will be a good one and I will have a lot of great success with it. It was a piece of cake. Good luck with yours on Friday! Shelley

I too am scared about getting my 1st fill and it is today. I will be leaving here soon. I hope it is just right, don't want to be too tight or not restricted enough. I have not lost any weight and have gained about 5 lbs in the last several weeks, eat too much. Please wish me luck, I do love my band!! Shelley

Thanks Eileen, I will be waiting with great anticipation. Shelley

Hi Carrie and all you other Aug. bandsters. I am doing great, 7 weeks post op today and I have lost 22 lbs, still have not gotten a fill don't think I need it yet, as I have lost everyweek but 1, so will see how long I can go. I am feeling so great, lots of energy, and I seem to be in a much better mood most of the time. I really am loving my band. I am not hungry very often and that is a major change for me. Hope you are all doing good also!! Shelley, Dallas, OR.

I would love to have you post your pumpkin chili. Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the great recipies. Shelley

Hey Margo sounds good to me, see you in the support area everyone. We are all loosers now!! Yahoo for all of us August Bandsters. Shelley

Congratulations on your new band, and here is to wishing you much happiness and success with your new way of life. Shelley

Tricia, That is so awsome, keep up the good work!:rambo Shelley

Hi Kim, I just had surgery with Dr. Rodriguez on 8-17-05 last wed. I do agree with you that he is the greatest, and so is his staff. My stomach is still a little sore, as I too had an enlarged liver. As of yesterday I had lost 10 lbs and it is the most awesome feeling. Who took you to the mall? Gabriela took my hubby and I and she was the best!!:knockedou We will have to keep intouch w/each other. Take care and welcome to band land, Shelley Dallas, Ore.

Hope everyone that have been banded this month are doing well, and to all of those that are getting ready I hope all goes well for you as well. I'm 1 week post op and doing well, lost 10 lbs as of this am, still have a little pain in the tummy area but other than that I am doing great, walking everyday. Today I start my mushies, although I am still not hungry, that time is in the evening for me. Well anyway take care all you Aug. bandsters. Shelley

Hey, I got back late last night, my surgery also went very well. I can't believe I don't have pain, but lots of gas, but no gas pains. I love my band too!!:cheeky Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey was great, I would go there again in a heart beat. He did remind me that I have to work w/the band. HE said "Don't think you have to be so tight, it causes too many problems, eat healthy, and get a fill when needed, and unfilled if it is too tight, it is not worth losing the band by being too tight." Sounds good to me. Hey Margo, glad you are doing well also. Shelley