Parvathi

Not once have I ever wished I wasn't banded. It's been one of the best things I've ever done for me.

I've wondered the same thing. After the last few fills, I've started taking a reflux medication too. While I don't feel overfilled at the moment, I get reflux horribly if I don't take it. I was thinking that perhaps though, after I reach goal and have a bit of fill removed to maintain rather than lose, that might help?

What the heck .. thought I'd even take a picture hehe. Ignore the gym hair and big feet (my feet really aren't that big but I liked the shoes and they only had them in one size larger than I normally take, so I bought em anyway lol..) Surprisingly, even running on the treadmill, this top managed to hold in my massive mammories LOL. They didn't budge! Thanks fee and Kel

No need for me to say anything cause Kathy473 read my mind it appears...

Crystal, thank you very much for this post!! The past few days, I've been a bit bummed out after coming and reading the boards. Not that I think we should only post good experiences .. its just that there were so many bad experiences posted recently, as well as alot of "what ifs". I realize that this is a support forum and that's what people come here for. *shrugs* .. don't really know my point here - I just know that I feel better after reading this thread. I too, believe in the power of positive thoughts.

Its a hard question to answer. Until I'm in that situation, I can't say for sure. But I'm 26 pounds from goal, so I'd hope that I could atleast maintain without having another surgery. I chose the band because to me, it sounded like the safest risk, so to speak. I'm very grateful for what I've been able to accomplish with it physically, as well as how its helped to change my mental outlook on things. I can pretty surely say, that I wouldn't go the way of GBP, should something happen to my band. However, if I were unable to keep the weight down and ballooned up again (like I have so many times in the past), its possible that I would look for other alternatives.

Not to be argumentative, but considering the number of surgeries done and the amount of people we've all met on here and other sites since being banded, its not a surprise that several people you know have had to lose their bands due to erosion. While it is indeed very sad (I can't imagine what I'd do if mine eroded), I don't think it changes the actual statistics in any way. As always, I could be wrong lol, wouldn't be the first time ... but I feel that with all the sad news over the past few weeks regarding erosions/slippage/etc, that its best to look at facts and reports, rather than speculation, as it tends to lead to mass hysteria at times.

If I'm filled too tight, I have nighttime reflux and will often wake up short of breath or with a coughing fit. A small unfill fixes the issue for me. I'm also on a reflux medication daily, to help with this.

I generally drink a big glass of water about five minutes before a meal. Then I try not to drink anything for an hour after a meal. On occassion, in the evenings I will have a sip of water while eating if need be (I've always had a fear of choking lol, so its a hard habit to break).

Monday, November 28, 2005:- Weight - 181.8 Under Bust - 33 Waist - 30.5 Hips - 44 Guess that fill last Monday did help <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Been a while since we've revisited this, so thought I'd check in and see how the other March Bandsters are doing. I had a bit of a plateau for a while, going up and down up and down, but after the last fill, I think I just might be back on track (here's hoping anyway). As of this morning, I'm down 80.5 lbs ... 26.5 to go. Its a very odd feeling, having goal seem reachable now.

Good luck, ladies. You'll all be in my thoughts over the next few days.

For me, Mr Crosthwaite said that the pre op diet was his standard practice .. but he could have just said that because my bmi was 41. In any event, I did it, but did sneak in a meal or two in the two weeks I was on it .. bad Jess.

I was having wine in small quantities on full liquids/mushies stage .. but I'm not a doctor :/

It would probably be a combination of eating late at night/having your pouch too full when you went to bed. Anytime I eat late, without thoroughly 'rinsing the pouch' with a couple of glasses of Water, I have killer reflux at night. I'm able to eat popcorn fine, but some people have said they can't. Most of the foods we can and can't eat are on an individual basis. Hope you feel better real soon

I've tried lifting it at the gym .. couldn't do it lol. Dunno how I carried it around for as long as I did - guess it was just cause it was spread all over my body.

Best to ask the surgeon, but I was back in the pool two week after surgery and doing light cardio stuff. You'd probably wanna hold of on the abs and any heavy lifting stuff for a couple of weeks though.

Wow - congratulations Margo!! There's no stopping ya - its falling off

That's fantastic, Margo My hubby and I have started doing that as well. He may order an appetizer before the meal, if he needs it, but its definitely been better on our wallets!!

As is the case with most everything else you say vines, I agree The band has given me a new lease on life and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I feel the same way at times, but I think the best thing is to do what Michelle suggested in her earlier post - take advantage of the band while we have it. There are so many "what if's" in life .. can't dwell on them, have to live...

Congrats, Big Paul Glad everything went okay for you!

I'm very sorry to hear of this, Jonathon. Especially after reading your post last week about coming home and getting back on track. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers...

While I realize you don't want our pity, I am really sorry to hear about this. Everyone's right though .. you've been the model bandster and helped so many of us. I'm sure that you'll be able to accomplish anything you put your mind to. I realize you said you are unsure as to whether or not you'll be rebanded, but I was just wondering, at your current weight (which is awesome!!) would that be an option? My prayers will be with you on November 28th.

I wholeheartedly believe that quality aftercare is one of the most important parts of being banded. Having read this board for several months now, I realize how lucky I am to have my doctor within walking distance, who is patient, kind and experienced. I realize how lucky I am that medicare picks up the tab for all of those visits to his office and all of the fills. I would say that that accounts for atleast 70% of the success I've had to date .. the doctor's office (doctor, staff, etc) are all so encouraging and help hold me accountable. Crystal, I'm sorry to see you've had another problem tossed on top of it all. You're such a strong woman .. I really admire you for that. Here's hoping that it'll turn out to just be a minor issue (such as he's letting out more than is going in) and you can get a proper, lasting fill. *hugs*