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Cindy:thumbup: Let's see...my long term effects...(bing lmost 3 years out...I guess that is long term...) I still love my band ...and have never had any complications...(Thank God..I'm self-pay...) I have had a total of 9 fills...but have never been too tight (at least from fills) My fills were all given VERY small...1.5 cc for first one...only .2 cc each time since then...(I prefer to "sneak-up" on restiction...) that allowed my body to get used to each fill before progessing...my last fill was last july..and I sometimes feel I need one again... the only time I was TOO TIGHT...was when I had a very bad cold....I am careful to follow the surgeons orders (most of the time:wink_smile:) I try and get from 80-100 oz of liquid a day...I have had a hard time recently staying away from sugar...(been around those Grandkids way to much...and all the junk food...) as soon as I go thru detox again...I will be back on track...to me that is the beauty of the band...It is there to "start anew" (my life has been kinda hectic for the last year or so...and my focus was NOT on making the best choices...) but even saying that...it has helped me not to GAIN weight... So I can't really tell you what it 's like at a "Normal" weight...(I started off at a MUCH higher weight) But I fully expect to work my band till I am at goal...what ever that might be... I have learned how to "baby" my band during those times when it is more fickle... Maybe not ALL the time...but enough that I don't feel like it is not there to help ME....there really aren't any foods that I CAN'T eat...there are some I chose not to eat...and some that I "fix" differently to allow it to like me...case in point...I make home-made tortillas for my family and we LOVE mexican food...but I can't eat the shells...**unless** I actually treat it more like a quesodilla ("fry" the shell)...as a regular shell it will stick every time...but I can eat the quesodilla style...So it has become very important to "find " a ways to work my band.. I am not sure if that answers your question...but I hope that helps...I love talking about my band and helping others to be successful with theirs...so anything that you can think to ask...I will try and help with... I wish you contined success with your band...:wink2:

Hey all... thought I would check in with everyone...I have recently moved to Jackson, MS... but I was Banded In Brunswick GA on May 31, 2005...so nearly 3 years...I love my band...though right now I feel I need a kick in the pants...I haven't gained any weight (other than the up 2-3 down 2-3) I have lost just over 100 lbs...but I still want to lose some more...I'm not really concerned about the "number" ...i amn more focused on the size...(no one see's my scale but me anyway....lol) I am so grateful for my band...It has given me the oportunity to live again...not just exist...I have bee rewarded with 2 new granddaughters (17 days apart)...and I love it...they are Grammies Heartbeat... I would love to build some relationships with others in the MS area...(and maybe actually get to meet some of you someday).. Blessings, Debbi

Debby, It is good to hear from others and how they are doing...Can you believe that it has been nearly 2 years??? I am doing well...but wish that I could lose some more weight...I still have about 50 more to go...but I have lost right at 100 lbs so far... Life has held many changes...We moved from Savannah GA to Knoxville TN...I am in the process of looking for a new doctor & support group...I so miss my support groups...in GA I was involved in 2...One that was a joint group and the other a band only group that met once a month (this one I actually "ran") My surgeon paid for me to receive training..I LOVED IT...so I KNOW that I need to get involved... I hope that everyone is doing well...Bless you all Blessings, Debbi

Hello to all Georgians... bdaleblonde...I am here in Savannah Area...My surgeon was (is) Dr. Peter Henderson...and I feel he is the BEST...(IMHO) They have done lots of Lapbands now and are perfecting their after care... I am 14 1/2 month post op and have now lost 90.4 lbs...I am really excited about that....I now wear 14/16 blouses...(started in 26/28 or 3X's) and 22 slacks...(started in tight size 30's slacks) not bad with being on Steroids for 3-4 months in the middle....This was the Best thing to do...(for me) De. Henderson is having an informational meeting in Pooler on Weds. Night...(Aug 16th.) at the Holiday Inn express at exit 102 (off Hyway 95) Good Luck with your reasearch... Blessings, Debbi 311.6/221.2/160 5'10"

Hello Joyce:welcome: I also live in the Savannah Area...(Up near Port Wentworth and Garden City...but with a Savannah Zip Code ) I had my surgery done in Brunswick on May 31, 2005...so I am a little over 13 months post-op....I have lost 84.5 lbs and 97.25 inches...and I love my band...:clap2: ) When are you getting your band??? I had heard that they were starting them in Savannah finally...I am glad to see that...there are plenty of folks here in town that would love to look into this... Congratulations for all the weight you have lost so far...You are doing a wonderful job...] Blessings, Debbi 311.6/227.2/160 53 yrs old...5'10"inches surgeon...Dr Peter Henderson... Brunswick GA

Chabutter Steroids & the Band...I have had Cordizone shots & also have taken several doses of Prednisone...I had already been banded...Had no problems, but it DID slow the weight loss. I also take 2 aleave each and every day...probably not the BEST solution,,,but certainly better than the pain... I have been banded for almosgt one year, and not able to much in the line of exersize...I have now lost 76.6 lbs and 85.5 inches... I hope this will help Blessings, Debbi (and I am a whole lot older than you...53 years old...)

:clap2: :clap2: Just about time for my 1 year anniversary!! :clap2: :clap2: Just thought I would check in and see how others that were banded about that time are doing… Date Banded..?? How is the weight loss..?? Are you at Goal..?? Close..?? How has your life change in this past year..?? What are your plans for the coming year..?? ************************************************************************ I’ve not been very active on here…mostly just lurking… I've been wanting to meet those that were banded about the same time as me… I was banded May 31, 2005, In Brunswick GA… (I actually live near Savannah…) Age 52 starting weight 311.6 / 5’10” I have lost 76.5lbs and 85.5” I have a 4cc band and have 2.5cc in it… (6 fills) I am about half way to goal… I am able to do so much more than I could 1 year ago…I am so grateful for this opportunity…It has completely changed my life… I have had the chance to “mentor” some of the pre-op and newly post-ops…and it has become something that I feel totally blessed to do…To be able to encourage others in their attempt at a new life… I started out barely able to move and get around…Extreme Osteoarthritis…especially in back, hips, knees and ankles…so limited on how much exercise that I could do… The weight loss started VERY well, but has slowed down some…but I am VERY happy with the results…and would do this again in a heartbeat…the ONLY regret I have is that I didn’t know about the band when I was younger… My Plans…to continue to lose the weight…To be an inspiration for those around me… The surgeon and Dietician have asked me to work with some of the “newbie’s” being able to be someone who has actually gone thru what they are looking into…there are lots of local Gastric Bypass people for them to talk to but not many Lapbanders…I have always had a hard time talking with a group of people…but when it comes to my band…now that is another story… Post your story…I would love to make some New Friends… Blessings, Debbi

I hope that some of the other gals will be able to meet with you...I would love to meet (in person) some of the wonderful folks I have met here on the board...But I live In Savannah Area (probably 4-5 hrs away) If your travels bring you over closer to the coast...let me know....I would love to meet You... Blessings, Debbi

I am so glad that all is well, and that you are getting back to a "normal" life...(whatever that is ) I personally have decided that "normal" is highly over-rated... Take things slow, get plenty of rest, and make sure you get in all your water.... You are an your way with your new journey... Blessings, Debbi

Hey everyone :wave: I want to get in on this one.... I have wanted to lose weight for such a long time...so I have had a lot of dreams along the way.... Now at 53 years, being 5'10" and having a large bone structure.... I started at 311.6 lbs....wearing size 30 slacks...(and they were TIGHT) and 26-28 tops....as you can see I carry most of my weight in my hips and fanny... only needed the larger size tops to cover the hips....I would always have to adjust the seams of garments....so I made most of my clothing.... My dream is not to be some skinny-minnie... Right now, at 239... I am in 18-20 W tops...and 22/24 Tall Womens slacks I want to be able to go into a department store and get a size 16 pair of slacks...I think that I would love being a little smaller, but to be able to go into a store and take something off the rack and it fit....now that will be the day for celabration....:clap2: Blessings, Debbi

Just thinking of you and wondering if you were back and how your surgery went....Check in when you can..... I am praying that your surgery went well, and your recoveryis quick and pain-free... Blessings, Debbi

Hey there Kingskid66, (By-the-way....love the name :biggrin1: ) I am fairly new to the area...You are from up (or over?) by Atlanta??? I live in Savannah GA...we have lived in this area for about 16 months....Good Luck and God Bless you with your upcoming surgery....You don't have long to wait now...Your day will be here before you know it...It sounds like you are going to be in very good hands.... Hubby & I pastored at a church in McAllen TX (6 miles from the Mexican Border)...when we were there, a little over 2 years ago...I didn't even know about the Lapband....Boy I wish I had...It would have been so easy to get to Mexico from there....I had looked into the RnY but that was tooooooooo scary to me.... I will be thinking of you....Keep us posted... Patsy, I feel silly offering advice to you....you have been thru this much longer than I have.... I have heard of others getting there fill "removed" and then slowly refilled??? It settles differently....It sounds like you are almost to tight now....but I know that it can be so discouraging to be going thru the slow loss time....I am just glad that my scale has started moving again....and in the right direction.... I am getting close to half way with the weight loss.... (yes you can see, I REALLY needed this) Can't wait till I get to that Goal....(only about 5-6 more to go :clap2: ) Patsy, You had your surgey done in Costa Rica??? I have always thought of that as a beautiful area to visit.... I hope that you can find something that will help you continue with the success of your band....Keep in touch Blessings, Debbi 311.6/239.4/160 Banded May 31, 2005 2.3 cc in 10 cm band (holds 4cc) 5 fills 5'10"

Hey there Kingskid66, (By-the-way....love the name :biggrin1: ) I am fairly new to the area...You are from up (or over?) by Atlanta??? I live in Savannah GA...we have lived in this area for about 16 months....Good Luck and God Bless you with your upcoming surgery....You don't have long to wait now...Your day will be here before you know it...It sounds like you are going to be in very good hands.... Hubby & I pastored at a church in McAllen TX (6 miles from the Mexican Border)...when we were there, a little over 2 years ago...I didn't even know about the Lapband....Boy I wish I had...It would have been so easy to get to Mexico from there....I had looked into the RnY but that was tooooooooo scary to me.... I will be thinking of you....Keep us posted... Patsy, I feel silly offering advice to you....you have been thru this much longer than I have.... I have heard of others getting there fill "removed" and then slowly refill??? It settles differently....It sounds like you are almost to tight now....but I know that it can be so discouraging to be going thru the slow loss time....I am just glad that my scale has started moving again....and in the right direction....