Anndallei

Hi September bandsters!!! I had my fourth fill last Thursday and I finally feel like I'm getting to where I need to be. I'm way less hungry and cannot eat near as much as I used to. I'm being very careful and eating my protein and veggies very slowly. It hurts way too dang much not to!!! I've dropped a couple of sizes which is nice and my huge tummy is going down...but I still don't see much change when I look in the mirror. But, it's early yet...by summer I should see some dramatic changes...I would think! We'll just keep plugging along...I'm doing better then I've ever done in my life losing weight so I'm not complaining that's for sure! Keep up the good work all!! We'll get there!!!!

I've was diagnosed with sleep apnea nine years ago and have been using a C-pap since. I'm on continous flow at 13. I've used about every type of mask imaginable (full face, partial, nose pillows, etc.) but my current favorite is the Comfort Curve Nasal Interface...way less cumbersome and obstrusive...I can actually read with it on...not that I do, but I could! Having the C-pap has indeed made me way less tired. I am very religious about using it...even for a short nap. When we travel, it goes along. I'm so used to it, I just would not be able to sleep right without it! I don't feel my sleep apnea has ever affected my eating. It may be true for others, not me. I'm hoping by losing weight, I'll be able to quit using a C-pap at some point. You should see a real change in your ability to sleep well....you will notice a difference in how you feel. Good luck with your new system! pam

Is being able to drink (gulp) 6-8 onces of Water in a few seconds a gauge for determining if another fill is needed? After three fills, I have some restriction, but can eat most anything slowly except bread which has never worked for me since banding. My last fill was on 12-14-05 for a total of 2.25 in a 4cc band. I have not lost any weight since then. A week ago I pb'd quite a bit. This week no problems. I'm craving no, no's like ice cream, candy, chips...and unfortunately, I can eat all those goodies way too easy! 1.) I'm many years post menopause so that's not a craving issue, and 2.) I'm not giving in to eating the aforementioned no, no's on a regular basis...just a couple of times since banding 4 months ago. OK, so long story short: I've lost 45 pounds and I'm not complaining about that. I also know that not losing weight in over two weeks, eating too much and being hungry are all signs that one may need a fill. What I'd like to know though - would it be correct for me to conclude that on its own, my ability to gulp down that much water easily, means it's time for a fill? What duhya think? :think

Close to $18,000 for everything (outpatient - didn't require hospital stay). Includes care for first 13 months then fills $150 each after that.

I believe that would be Ann Wilson from Heart, a well known Seattle band.

Hi September bandsters! Just a quick update before I run to work! My current status is, status quo! I'm still at 298 (40 pounds lost since Sept. 6th) and haven't moved off that for close to two weeks...even after having my second fill. I go tomorrow for my third fill and hopefully it'll give me just the right amount of restriction. I have to admit, there are less foods that I can tolerate now...any kind of bread, cake, muffin, etc. for one, which I'm actually happy about because I really don't need any of those!

Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Medium...any Christmas show!

Yup! Me too! Way too cool!!!

At 338 pounds, 5' 1" tall my BMI was 64 before my lap band surgery. I had no problems what-so-ever with the surgery or recovery. I had surgery in my doctor's surgery center and was able to go home a couple of hours afterward. I've lost 40 pounds since Sept. 6th. I'm 57 years old and have never felt better! I love my band!

Started Optifast diet Sept 6th, had surgery Sept. 13th, as of yesterday, am down 40 pounds (from 338 to 298) and feel great! My second fill is Dec. 1st. Did I say I love my band? I love my band!!

I am so excited! I finally made it under 300! First time in over 20 years!! What a milestone!!! I love my band!!!!

I'm almost two and a half months post-op and I've lost 35 pounds! Thankfully, no problems what-so-ever!! I love my band! Even though I made a huge, yummy turkey dinner for my family today, I had no interest in eating much at all. I tried a bite or two of everything, but didn't really want all that much. I find that truly amazing!! For the first time in my life, I wasn't stuffed to the point of puking! As I said...I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my band!

1. What does your handle mean? DVSABoss - I'm the administrator (aka boss) of a non-profit domestic violence and sexual assault agency. 2. What book are you currently reading, or did you last read? Hell With the Fire Out - A History of the Modoc War. My husband is Native American, full-blood Klamath/Modoc/Yahooskin - my kids are half! 3. What do you do for a living? For over 15 years, I've been the executive director of a non-profit organization that assists victims of domestic Violence and sexual assault. We have a 3,000 sq. ft office and an additional confidential shelter. I work with 17 awesome women! My job requires that I wear a lot of different hats from cleaning the toilets (yes, like everyone else I pitch in too!) to managing a $700,000 budget. I am passionate about my work; I'm a surviror of abuse so I know first hand how important and effective this work can be. 4. For what in your life are you most grateful? My family - husband, three kids, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, my beloved mother, my sisters and my brother, my friends, my health, my sanity and the love of all..to name a few! 5. What's one thing about you that you think would surprise other people? I love to go to rock/blues concerts and have seen The Rolling Stones, Santana, ZZ Top, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Buddy Guy, BB King, Heart, Susan Tesedchi, Melissa Ethridge, Joe Cocker, Indigenous, Robert Miribal, Los Lonely Boys, Chubby Checker, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Winter, J. Geils Band, Smokey Robinson... 6. One word to describe yourself? Fair 7. One word others use to describe you? Fair 8. Would you rather play a game with someone better or worse at it than you? Doesn't matter...that's what makes life interesting, we all have different abilities! 9. Favorite movie? Favorite show? 500 Nations. Boston Legal, hands down! 10. Something unusual about yourself? Other than my small rose tattoo, I guess the fact that I have a band around my stomach!

The good news: I've lost about 33 pounds since Sept 6th. The bad news: I had my first fill on Oct. 25th but I have not lost any weight since...actually gained 3 pounds! Do you think it's too early to ask for another fill? My restriction does not feel any different than after my surgery and I've actually started getting the I'm hungry now! sensation which scares me to death! I don't want to go back to that! Any advice welcome, pam

Jessie works at my doctor's clinic and she's the one who did my fill! I have her book, guess I should read it again!!! Glad you mentioned it. I am so close to being below 300...that would be awesome! I just have to keep positive, I'm doing very well for the most part (I haven't eaten any fast food since banding) but I do tend to eat softer foods more often then I probably should. Looks like it's time for me to do a critical evaluation of what I'm eating. Thanks, pam

1. Always be within 15 ft. of a bathroom. (Having your meals served with on the latrine is always a good option) 2. Think seriously about adult diapers (and don't think people won't notice you are wearing the bulky things) if you leave home for any length of time. 3. Don't eat while you are out unless you are prepared to spend about 15 minutes in someone else's bathroom (and if you are throughtful you will always carry room deordorizer with you) 4. Buy loads of Preparation-H. You will need it. 5. Buy truckloads of toilet paper on sale. You will go through it. I can confirm the above...happened to me too!!! Not a fun experience!

At my age and weight, I felt like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off...I figured it was do or die...I chose to do!

So far bread is my only problem. I got the slimes really bad the one time I tried it. Lesson learned! I can eat chicken easily but I haven't tried pork or beef yet just because I do so well with chicken and luckily, I love it! About a month ago I had my first PB after eating (too dry) scrambled eggs too fast. Took me 15 minutes to work through it. I slimed for several minutes then finally PB'd twice both times up-chucking a small amount (about a teaspoonful each time) of the eggs I had eaten. Finally got the relief I needed...wasn't fun! I mostly run into trouble (pain in the chest area between my boobs...ok where the stoma is) when I eat too fast. You think I'd learn...well I haven't PB'd again so maybe.....

Same goes here...I can eat way too much of it! I ate a whole bag of Redenbockers (no-trans-fat) mico-wave popcorn at work yesterday. When I came in this morning, I grabbed the box and gave it to a co-worker and said "here, my gift, enjoy these"! I decided no more popcorn for me. Like Jack said...a non-food...empty calories...I'd rather have something I can sink my teeth into like chicken, which I can eat easily. I haven't tried pork or beef yet because I do so well with chicken and luckily, I love it!

Whoo hoo! An "oldies but goodies" thread!! I'm in!! I'm still doing great...lost 34 pounds so far. I started going to the health club last week to swim so I could get a little exercise in. I basically tread Water for an hour but get a darn good workout! Other then some nerve pain in my leg, I'm feeling wonderful! It gets better every single day!!!! So where are the rest of you "oldster" bandsters??? pam

I think it's a great idea (55 and older thread)! Someone, please start one...and I'll be there!!! I know what you mean Sandy. I had every excuse for not doing something about getting surgery and the major reason was my insurance would not pay for it. I finally came to the conclusion that without it I would end up dying way too soon. I was 57 years old, 5'1 and 338 pounds. We took out a 2nd mortgage on our house to pay for the surgery and by far, it's been the best investment I ever made!!! I invested in myself and it's paying off! I'm losing weight and feeling great!!! I have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, arthritis, anxiety attacks and depression, all controlled my meds. I hope in the near future not to have to take meds or use the C-pap. My doc says losing the weight will most certainly up my chances of dropping these. My whole attitude about eating has changed...I just don't have the cravings that I used to and I'm actually able to tell when I am full. I love my band and how well it works for me (as if you couldn't tell! pam

I am 57 years old and 5' 1" tall. When I had my first appointment to schedule the surgery I weighed 338 pounds and had a BMI of 64. I had my band surgery September 13, 2005 and am now down to 307 pounds. I had no problems at all recovering from the surgery...I was back to work 4 days afterward. I also have sleep Apnea and have used a c-pap (continous air flow at 13) for over eight years. I had no problems with the anesthesia or recovery. I also have high blood pressure, high cholestrol and osteoarthritis. My incisions were completely healed in less then two weeks. I feel better then I ever have! My eating is under control and I don't crave any of the foods I just felt I HAD to eat before banding, nor do I feel deprived. I feel full most of the time and am never starved! It is so weird, but true. A whole new world for me. The best decision I ever made! I have a friend who is 63 and I'm trying to encourage her to have it done. She's worried about cost...I am a self-pay and worried about cost too but decided if I didn't do it I'd be dead, I figure it's a darn good investment! Best wishes on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.

My first fill was this week..1.5 cc's. I had pretty good restriction before the fill but now it's even better...I'm eating a little less which I feel is good. My band is fickle...sometimes I could eat quite a lot (1-2 cups) other times only a few bites. After the fill, I've only been able to eat 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup per meal which I think is great! Hope it stays that way awhile.

Hey! Vines...I always enjoy reading your messages cause' I learn something every time!! I think you're going in the right direction. I was fixated on eating only three meals a day but now I'm re-thinking that...I'll go with what my body needs, if it's a snack once or twice a day, I'll go for it! Best of wishes! pam

I had my first fill this afternoon by Jessie at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery and was in and out the door in 10 minutes...that included taking my shoes off, weighing-in and getting the fill! (My doctor does not have his patients do the barium/fluoroscope unless absolutely necessary. I don't know if that is trpical of most doctors or not). Amazingly, I did NOT feel a thing! She was done before I even knew she had done the procedure! (I was staring at the ceiling as she instructed me to do, reading the chart overhead.) The person who did my fill is one of the best in the US and wrote the book: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0595311148/qid=1130296666/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8191535-1545448?v=glance&s=books]Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Achieving Permanent Weight Loss with Minimally Invasive Surgery[/ame] by Jessie H. Ahroni Ph.D. A. R. N. P. After filling me up with 1.5 cc she had me move to her office and drink about 5 ounces of Water before I could leave. I tolerated it well but could definitely tell there was a difference. My restriction has been pretty good so should be even better now! I pb'd this morning for the first time. I was running late so woofed down a few bites of scrambled Egg Beaters...wrong move! Took me 15 minutes to recover (burp..pb...burp...pb...burp) then off to the dentist I went...and of course I was now running late for my appointment...to have even more fun for the day...pb-ing and the dentist!!!! I could only eat a half cup of food for dinner tonight (I've been able to eat quite a bit more then that previously) and I felt satisfied so hopefully will start dropping pounds again. After a 27 pound loss, I went up a couple of pounds...eating too much soft food like cream Soup, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes (I know not the best idea!) and yogurt. I was eating meat and veges too but usually had one or two of the mushies with my meal. I can eat a cup of popcorn...no problem but bread is a no, no. I'm sure learning as I go. What a journey it is!!! I love it!