mommy3boys

I've had people ask me this also. Few people actually know I have the band and I have had it for 4.5 years. I have no intention to ever have it removed, it is the only thing that controls my portions or else I would eat myself to oblivion. I've had a lot of people tell me how skinny I'm getting and I'm good where I'm at. The thing is I no longer look at the scale as an obsession, more of a maintenance tool. I'm currently at 168 and my goal weight it 150 then onto PS which won't be till next year. I love my muzzle, need my muzzle. Ana

I am so excited reading through these responses. I will be taking some prerequisites to go into the credential program hopefully by next summer. I have been out of school for a while. I have a BS in Business/Accounting and have decided I am not interested anymore. My true passion is education and children (I have 3 small ones). I'm going for a Mutliple Subject Credential BCLAD, I want to teach at the elementary level, bilingual education. I have been banded for a while, Jan 2003, and I am very used to my restriction now, I seldom PB. I do need to have PS but I have decided to wait until next summer. This thread is great. Ana

I would suggest not to get another fill, if you are already a little tight and could cause slippage and reflux. You do not have to be at your goal weight to have ps just close enough and maintained for the past six months. I had a consult and I'm 165 and 5'3" and my ps said as long as you are realistic with your results that it would be a good idea since what you are doing is removing the excess skin not trying to look perfect. Just my recommedation. Ana

I have been banded for 4.5 years and life has been eventfull. I had a third child, got separated, then divorced, started dated and am currently pursuing a second career in teaching. Has the band changed my life? Yes and No. I think all of these things would have happened irregardless but how I have dealt with them. I have not been able to eat myself to death. I have a tons more confidence and energy. I have the stamina to raise 3 little boys by myself. I am greatful for the band and the fact that it is always there to keep me in check but has it changed my life? yes and no. Ana

Thank you for sharing your story Cher. I'm in year 4, on January 25 it will be 5 years that I've had my band. Let me tell you from experience that you will go through both extremes in this journey. Year 1-2 I lost some weight. Years 2-3 actually gained weight. Year 4 to current I am at my lowest ever. The eating right and exercising has been so and so. I've had 4 fills and an unfill this year. Fill #4 was very tight and I was miserable for almost a year. Currently I'm at 168 and my goal was 160 before I would have plastic surgery. I've decided to change it to 150-145 then have ps I'm only 5'3". The one thing that has kept me sane and somewhat consistent is the physical limitations due to the band, I would eat around it and I have in the past but have decided to work the system instead. Congratulations on your year 2 journey and I hope that it will just get better from here on. Ana

At my consult my ps told me it would be a good idea since my pannus was quite large. I 'm at 168 and my goal was 150 and said that as long as your expectations are realistic to go for it. That way you only heal once. It might also kick start you into toning up. One surgery one healing time. Ana

I know how you feel. I am 4.5 years out and feel great. I always thought I wanted to be 140 but at 160 I feel good. I still need a tt and bl but those will come later this year. I wear petite size 14 and if I didn't have my gut I know I would be petite size 10. I think if you feel good about yourself and don't feel like going crazy with exercise and counting calories coast it for a while and so how you feel in a few months. The wonderful thing about the band is that it's there when you need it. I didn't lose weight for 1.5 years and then lost an additional 20 in the last 6 months. Congratulations. Ana

Julie you look absolutely great. I can relate about the thighs though. I know once I get my tummy tuck and breast lift I'm going to be complaining about my inner thighs and bat wings. Can't wait to have mine done and I hope to have as great results as yours. You look great. Ana

I was quoted 4500 for ftt, 4500 for bl, 5000 for surgical suite/anesthisilogist, includes lipo of abs, side boobies and flanks and 10 treatments with massage due to the lipo. That would make it 14,000 all done together in July. And like Revlon says "I'm worth it". I won't have money to eat and my kids will have to wear clothes from goodwill for ever but I'll look good (just kidding about the food/clothes:) Good luck. Ana

Gayle you are too funny...I needed that skinny minny comment today. Ana

I too had a too tight fill, was at 1.8 went to 2.1, dr had wanted to stay at 2.0 but nooooo I was being greedy. I stayed at 2.1 for one year and boy did I suffer. Night reflux, had to sleep propped up, constant pb's and I didn't lose any weight because I was drinking all my calories. I decided to start walking in sept and lost 25 lbs in 4 months but I also realized I needed to sleep better. Went in and got an unfil of .1, boy did it make a huge difference. I'm so glad I did hurt myself or my band because of my stupidity. Get a slight unfil. Ana

Glenda I think it's wonderful that you can make sure great decisions even after 4 years, whatever works for you. I can eat salads better now that I had a slight unfill, I too suffered thru 1 year being too tight. I didn't lose a pound until I started exercising every day. Even after my slight unfil 4 months ago I continue to lose weight. I'm also over 4 years out. Good luck. Ana 242/170/150

I'm 4 years out and exercised haphazardly...was 242 at surgery, had a baby, got divorced then decided that I need to get a tight fill to really "focus" on losing weight. I had gotten to 168 during my divorce but after everything was said and done got back up to 197 then got my tight fill. Anyway did not lose anything for 7 months except I had bad night time reflux, pb'd alot. Then I said enough and started walking every morning 7 days a week and BAM!!! went from 197 to 170 in 4 months and I'm 4 yours out. Moral of the story....exercise, exercise, exercise. Now I'm trying to lose my last 15 lbs so I can have my plastic surgery in July. I will be having full tummy tuck, breast lift and some lipo to my midsection. My plastic surgeon said that I have great skin tone and will be very pleased with the results. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. Ana

Julie you look great. Absolutely great. Could we see a side view? Did I say you look great? I'm going to have a ftt, bl and lipo in July and am getting even more excited just looking at your results. Ana

I live in CA and I had my surgery in TJ with Dr. Kuri, I went 3 times for fills with him, it was free but it was an all day process. Get on the plane from Sac to San Diego, get on the bus to downtown, take the trolley to the border, get a taxi to his office. Finally get a fill, pay 50 if I ended up needing flouro. Get back in taxi, get on trolley, get bus, get back on plane, get home. Whole process would take from 3 am to 7 pm. Found a Dr. McKeen in San Jose, charges 325 fill adjustments, requested a copy of surgery notes directly from Dr. Kuri office for his files. Has worked with lots of Dr. Kuri patients. My new process make appoint, drive 1.5 hours have fill, drive 1.5 back. Whole process takes 4 hours. I've gone to him twice. I'm 4 years out and have had a fill and slight unfil in the past year. After ps I will probably have another slight fill. Ana 242/170/150

I'm jealous...I would love to have a job I love. Right now I have a job I dislike intensely and work with a person I can barely tolerate (she's a witch with a . I wanna feel like you do...congratulations. Ana

Chickie you look great...I'm planning on having a ftt and breast lift in July and my "flap" hangs like yours. It's exciting to see your results. You go Girl!!! Ana (jealous but very happy for you:)

Self pay here too...best thing I ever did for myself. 8500 surgery in Mexico 600 airfare 150 hotel 250 2 fills in Mexico 600 2 fills in San Jose total paid so far 10,000 having my band 4 years and weighing 165 after 3rd pregnancy and a divorce and looking better than I have in 15 years.... PRICELESS!!!! Ana

My heart was beating so fast as I read your story because I can almost imagine that happening to one of my boys. They are so full of energy and get into everything. I pray every day for the Lord to watch over them and protect them from others and from themselves. My heart aches just thinking something could happen to one of them....I'm sure your baby had a guardian angel watching over her. I will send out positive thoughts for your whole family and hope her recovery is fast and complete. Ana

I've had my band since Jan 2003, I've had 4 fills and just had an unfill in Jan, too tight and suffered for 1 year because I was being stubborn. My highest was 270 pregnant, 242 at time of surgery now I'm between 165-170. I'm planning plastic surgery for this summer. I would not lost and kept off this much weight without my band, it has kept in check through my last pregnancy and my divorce. If it hadn't been for my band I'm sure I would have eaten myself to death. Love my life with my band. Ana

I got pregnant with my 3rd son shortly after having my first fill and 4 months after having band surgery. My ob/gyn and midwife both said that as long as a could eat to keep my fill since it was the only thing keeping from gaining an excessive amount of weight. I weight 270, developed hypertension, had a c-section and had a 10 lb with son #2. Son #3 has very fast, delivered by midwife 1 hour after I arrived at hospital, no c-section, he weighed 7 lbs and I weighed 210 when he was born. At my 6 six check up, he weighed 10 lbs and I weighed 180. Ana

I agree with bitteroldhag, do something that motivates you to get up in the morning, something that excites you and you feel you make a difference, that you matter. I'm 35, divorced with 3 small boys and have a BS in Business Admin and am doing absolutely nothing with it. I've decided to have my PS this summer then I'm outta there, even if I make less money for a while so what. Sometimes we have to take a chance and make that leap. I've decided to become partners with a college friend of mine whom is taking over her MIL bookkeeping business. I will be my own boss, my own hours and meet a ton of interesting people but more importantly I really enjoy accounting and will get a chance to utilize my skills everyday. I recommend to go through temp agency and network, network, network because at this point in your life it's not what you know but who you know. Your are educated now use that very intellegent mind you have and go for it girl...YOU CAN AND WILL DO IT. Ana

Julie I'm so excited for you. You will look great but feel phenominal, I just know it. I'm a shorty too and have lost 80 lbs. I'm also considering having ps soon, possibly in July. I got a consult and it would be 14,000 for a FTT with lipo on sides and abs, BL with lipo for side boobies. I feel very comfortable with this doctor and he did a BL on his nurse, she looked awesome. Good luck and keep us posted. Ana 242/160/150

You look great already...that side view makes you look so flat in the tummy. He did a great job. I'm also hoping to get a BL and TT this year. Ana

Congratulations... I too was banded by dr kuri 1/25/03 found out I was pregnant 5/03. I had just gotten my first fill in April so I decided and my obgyn agreed it was ok to leave as is. This was my 3rd pregnancy and my 2nd son was a c-section and 10 lbs so my doctor and I did not want me to get as huge. I actually weighed 20 lbs less when i gave birth then when i found out i was pregnant and had a fast natural delivery. The unfill just depends on how tight and comfortable you are and my dr ran tons of tests throughout my pregnancy and was very happy with my progress. Ana