seebs

Has anyone had a problem with their lapband after an asthma attack involving serious coughing? Coughing so bad that you thow up? I just had this and ended up having 4cc out of 7 cc in my band removed after I couldn't eat and barely could drink for 1.5 weeks after the asthma attack. Could this be the infamous "slippage"? Susan

For Gregw, I have an incisional hernia but Dr. Miller said that I didn't need to have it done right now since it has been around for awhile - buried too deep in fat to even tell it was there until 120 lbs shed and now I can feel it. So I get to postpone my surgery until I finish the rest of the 50 pounds to go and then have the excess skin removed. Good luck. You do have a good Dr. there. Seebs, Susan

I'm still waiting to see if I really had a slippage. I know that I had something. I had an asthma attack and coughed hard for about 2 hours and then off and on for another 2 days. I usually say that I "coughed my lungs out" but this time it was "coughed my band out" meaning that I think it displaced the thing so that I couldn't eat and barely drink for 1.5 weeks until I went to the Dr. and had 4cc out of 7cc removed. Ahhh the relief. Susan

Hi, I had the same thing, the acid at night and throwing up. I was miserable after 1.5 years of being fine with the band. Sure, my stress level was up, but there was no reason. I finally went to the Dr. because I couldn't even swallow more than a sip of water per hour. She took out 4 of the 7 in my band and I could eat and drink again. What a relief. No more acid even though I haven't even filled the drug rx she gave me. But that was 2 days ago and now I think I am gaining weight because I don't have the restriction. No refill appt until July. Suggestion: Get some taken out of the band as soon as you feel this way, but don't get too much taken out.

I'm planning on coming again. It's been months because of this and that, but I'm trying to get my act together again. And as for "a group of large people"/ "a large group of people", I'm the one that went up to a lost looking large person and said, "Were you looking for a group of lap banders?" Fortunately he was, but if not, he should have. Susan Seebs

FloridainOhio, Hi, I was banded Oct 2007 and had to do all the paperwork dances that you did. I had it all mapped out in my mind that I would get the surgeon call right after I did the paperwork and then schedule the surgery and be started with the new me. Well, it doesn't always go that way. I missed a phone call too and had to wait. It was June that I had all the paperwork done and Aug until I got the surgeon's appt. The next available surgery date was Oct. Your milage may vary, of course, but don't let the stress get you done. Susan Seebs (who has been out of contact for awhile as home laptop went kablueey).

Hi, I'm joining in this discussion too. I like to hear the different opinions - It sure is true - your milage may vary. I tell everyone - even the strangers at my table at the Japanese Steak House today. But I haven't had a date in years. I thought it was the weight (340 down to 252 now so I'm getting into the "normal" range again.) But now maybe it is me. I'm giving it another 50 pounds or so and then I'll put a full court press on dating again. I do

I'm in. I got the membership for 29.99 per month because I waited. Oh, well, still a value as it is going to go up to 49.99 by the end of the year. I also bought a 19.99 youth membership for my daughter. See you there! Susan Seebs

Hi, Thanks for all the welcoming on this group. Due to Ike, I lost power for about 6 hours, but I was without cable and internet for most of the week. I've been riding my bike with my autistic daugher on her new three wheeler. She can now go about 3 miles at a time which is great but when I'm with her I average 5.7 MPH. That's about walking speed! When I'm on my own I do about 12-14 mph. So how am I making it a workout at a slow speed? Riding in the grass along the bike path. It is a much harder workout. Any other suggestions? Thanks Susan Seebs

Hi, I just found this forum so forgive if I go over something that has already been discussed. Do most of you wear a medic alert bracelet while biking? I was concerned about medics knowing that I have a lap band when I bike it so I got a purple medic alert band. My wording says "Adj. Gastric Band - Abdominal Port - No blind NG" I stole that wording from the Lapband forum on the subject. http://stores.ebay.com/medical-alert-bands if anyone is interested. And I do about 10-15 miles on the weekends when I can get someone to watch my daughter. 3-4 miles per evening when I have her. She has a three-wheeler that goes pretty slowly (she is 13 with autism) and she does about 1/2 mile and I do about 3-4 around her while she is doing her 1/2 mile. Susan Seebs

FYI - I bought a purple bracelet like those that stretches like the Lance Armstrong Livestrong bracelet. Very cheap and practical. I wear it when I'm bike riding just for a little safety in case something happens to me. My wording says "Adj. Gastric Band - Abdominal Port - No blind NG" I stole that wording from this forum - thanks. This band was cheap and very obvious if I was ever in an accident. http://stores.ebay.com/medical-alert-bands Susan Seebs

Has anyone gone off of meds and gained? And I mean GAINED? I took 1/2 the meds of that I used to in April at 6 months out. My Dr. took me off me off my blood pressure meds (yeah!) at 10 months past surgery but now I gained 12 pounds. YIKES. I'm down two from there but still I'm up 10 and now I won't make my 100 loss by my bandiversary Oct 9. Anyone have similar experience? And yes, I could go back on a Water pill but I don't really want another med in my system. And no, I'm not changing my ticker back up. Susan Seebs

Has anyone gone off of meds and gained? And I mean GAINED? My Dr. took me off me off my blood pressure meds (yeah!) but now I gained 12 pounds. YIKES. I'm down two from there but still I'm up 10 and now I won't make my 100 loss by my bandiversary Oct 9. Anyone have similar experience? And yes, I could go back on a Water pill but I don't really want another med in my system. And no, I'm not changing my ticker back up. Susan Seebs

Lynlynkr, I also went red headed last summer before the surgery. It was good for a change. But I changed back to be brown with blonde highlights. I'm thinking that 86 pounds down is my change for now. I was so happy after the first fill. Just eat enough to get full and then stop. Just perfect. Susan

Juli, Congrats. That is fantastic. You are really changing. Thin, healthy, degreed. Isn't being 40 a great thing? You look so happy in cap and gown. Susan

I also take the chewable calcuim, Meijers brand. I like the caramel version. It is a treat that I have in the middle of the afternoons when I want candy. It isn't as good as Rolo candy or a Butterfinger bar, but I take two and it is my treat. Has anyone tried the Chocolate Mint version? I think it tastes like just a smell of chocolate and mint on top of a square of plastic. Susan

And about feeling tired. It's always if I don't eat protein that I feel more tired. I've got to eat protein at every meal and most of the meal at that. I'm not one that records what I eat or take my vitamins regularly, but I sure feel tired if I don't eat the protein at every meal. Also if I don't get to exercise for more than 3 days in a row. That makes me tired too. I'm getting an adjustment next week. The first one since April. I've been waiting since June but still losing slowly. I'm just eating more now and want to stop. Susan SEEBS

Hi All, It's been awhile but I've been busy with work, vacation, kids and biking. Welcome to all of you new people. I barely remember a few of the names. I'm down 86 pounds (YAHOO!!) So now I'm down over 1/4 of my total weight when I started this effort. I'm not in 5x or 6x clothes anymore, just 1x or 2x tops and 3x bottoms. I'm hoping to get to be down 100 pounds by my one year anniversary of banding in October. And the best part is that I feel so much better. Not exhausted every day just from walking in from a parking lot. For those that are just starting on this effort, I've got to say it is worth it. Hope to make see you all at the Sept get together. I was out of town on the Aug one. If it wasn't for the traffic, I'd bike over to Polaris for the meeting. Susan SEEBS

Heather, I CALLED!!! I've haven't had a fill since January and no Dr. Appts either. When I left there in january, I asked if I needed another appointment, they said call when i needed another fill. Well now it is mid July and I'm eating more in each meal so I need another fill. How soon can I get one? Would you belive Sept 4? 7 1/2 weeks after I called. There was one appointment available at 5 1/2 weeks but I am on vacation out of town that week so I can't do that one. But 7 1/2 weeks! Come on! Even 5 1/2 weeks is too long when you need a fill. Susan Seebs

Hi, I'm now down 82 pounds, the weight of my 13 year old daughter. So now "I've lost a Tori" is my new slogan. I've haven't had a fill since January and no Dr. Appts either. When I left there in january, I asked if I needed another appointment, they said call when i needed another fill. Well now it is mid July and I'm eating more in each meal so I need another fill. How soon can I get one? Would you belive Sept 4? 7 1/2 weeks after I called. There was one appointment available at 5 1/2 weeks but I am on vacation out of town that week so I can't do that one. But 7 1/2 weeks! Come on! Even 5 1/2 weeks is too long when you need a fill. Anyway, I am making steady progress going down and 82 pounds is certainly nothing to sneeze at. I am biking several times a week and that helps. I enjoy the support groups at the Polaris Mall. Susan Seebs

Hi, I can't make it on Saturday. Sorry. My daughter's two events in the State Special Olympics are at 1030 and 130. With traffic and time to get organized, we will be there all day. Hope you will do this every year so next year I can donate a boat load of food. Susan

Juli, I finally got my youngest daughter a bike and now all three of us have been riding around. Of course the kids have more energy but I'm keeping up. Thanks for being my inspiration. Of course I have questions. How do you know how far you are riding so that you can measure that you are going farther each day? And also does bike-butt feel better after you have lost weight? Susan

Special K, Glad to hear you lost on vacation. I just got back from 2 weeks off and a visit with the kids to San Antonio, South Padre Island and my mom's home in Texas. I actually lost 2 lbs!!! and I could buckle the seat belts on all the planes despite the Double Stuff Oreos and eating out all the time. I'm eating too much at a time so I probably need a fill but I'm still losing so I'm not in a hurry. I'm still waiting to hear about my daughter's Special Olympic Track Meet schedule so I can know if I can come to the food donation this Saturday. Susan

Hi All, Nice to see you after the style show. I've got 6x/32 size clothes if anyone needs them. Please post here or email me (seebs22@hotmail.com) and I'll provide. I'm finally in 26/28 so I can now shop in the normal plus size stores instead of only those that have extended sizes. Great feeling. I'm still battling the same 3 pounds around the 63-66 pound loss range. Gain/lose/gain/lose those same 3 pounds. Boy am I tired of those same 3 pounds. But my waist is smaller so I wonder where those 3 pounds are moving to? Maybe I'll get my hair cut to lose them! Guess I need a fill.

Hi Special K, One thing that helped me that might help you is the idea that once you have spent money on food, it is spent and you have received the value. You get the value for your money on the first bite, not all the bites. It is ok to throw food away. I was one that had to eat everything from my plate or it would be a waste. Now I think I got what I wanted on the first good tasting bite. The rest is just fuel and if I don't want to eat it, I won't. As for the omelet, I enjoy those too. Usually with hashbrowns but your mashed spuds sound healthier. I also enjoy Bob's salad with chicken breast, pecans and cranberries and the colonial dressing. The problem with that is that it is 35 weight watchers points so it isn't low fat/calorie. It does have proteins and it takes me three meals to finish it so it isn't all bad. Low fat/calorie dressing would be better. Hang in there. This week in Washington D.C., I'm giving a presentation in a red suit that I haven't been able to wear for about 6 years. YEAH! Susan Seebs (not losing the last two weeks due to spring break/Easter candy with the kids - but I will get back on it now)