Sugarbear

Lo2us, you have less to lose than you have lost. Keep it going, I have always known you could do this. You have been so busy this summer I bet your summer has flown by. Have some fun too.

The office told me to request one of the doctors when I checked in for my appointment. I like both doctors, really started with Dr.K, but ended up with Dr. H. I just have more confidence in the doctors when it comes to a fill. Just explain how you feel, be upfront and assertive about how you feel. I don't think they will have a problem with it. This isn't an easy journey for some of us. The band is only a tool for us to use. Many times we don't use it wisely. I know mine doesn't tell me "what" to eat. Sometimes my food choices are not good. Let me change that...make that many times. Old habits are hard to break. I am still plugging along. This is not a fast process for most of us either. Be patient with yourself, hard as that is. I am two years out. Hopefully I can double this loss in the next two years. Losing and keeping it off has been a feat for me. It is slow but sure. Take care and hang in there everyone.

There is a Lapband conference outside of Houston Aug.7-8. I have met the doctor that is putting it on. If anyone wants to check out the conference you can go to texascitysurgical.com and check it out. i went to one last year, but I think this one is going to be even better. It will be held at South Shore Harbour, League City, TX. You can look that up online. I have and it looks wonderful. The doc that is heading this up is Dr. Duc Vuong. Anyway just thought I would let all you guys know if you are interested. How about it Julie?

JM you are doing great girl! does that include your pre-op diet weight or not. What ever, it is good. keep up the good work. This is the start of a whole new healthier you. I hope you got a good look at those scales...because you will never see those numbers again. Woohoo!!

hello all! Haven't been on for a while. All newbies, don't get discouraged. Like lo2us says, it takes a while to figure all this out. Everyone is different. What works for one doesn't always work for the other. Some of this is trial and error. That is why so mayn suggestions have been posted in the earlier part of this thread. Just ask away if you have questions. Someone with a little experience will pop in and answer. I didn't lose a 100 pounds in the first year nor the second, but I know many that have. I am one of those slow but sure losers. Just stick to the rules, which isn't always easy, and the weight will come off. I am hearing a lot of talk about the sleeve, but I haven't learned much about it. I have the band and still do not regret the decision I made to get it. I think there are difficulties with any weight loss surgeries. I just believe this one was the safest for me, as well as many others. Some are more effective and quicker results but come with so many health hazards. I just couldn't go there. Like I said I am not educated on the sleeve. There is going to be a lapband convention I guess you could call it in Houston (outside of Houston) at a resort, given by dr. Duc Vuong in August. He was at one I went to in Dallas. He is Great! Many of you might enjoy it, I am seriously thinking about going. You can go to his site and read all about it. Take care everyone. keep those pounds comming off. As Lisa would say "Stay in the Box."

By all means up your protein, but at the same time you have to watch your calories. Not enough good fat in your diet will cause that problem too. Most of us don't have any trouble getting enough of that. You also have to be consistant with the protein levels your body recieves. Try to keep it even on a daily basis. Same goes with the Biotin, ect. Yes, that diet is for post-banders. It is similar to the pre-op. I am sure she would email or mail it to you. She might even post it on the blog for everyone if you mention it to her.

A lot less, forgot to mention, the pre-op is a LIQUID diet. How is everyone else doing? Went back to the doc but didn't lose much but didn't gain either. Mrs. Betty game me a restart diet. Going to try to start that next week or just the plain old pre-op. Really helped when I did it before. What is everyone doing with their summer? Hope you have a great one.

When I did the pre-op diet you could have 3 0r 4 Slimfast Optima. First three days, then the fourth you could substitute a small garden salad (only veggies) that come from the earth, for one SF.(FF dressing). You can have low calorie sugarfree drinks, of course now that you are banded you can't have any carbonated drinks. I believe you can have sugarfree popcicles and jello. Make sure your protein drink is close to the calorie count of the SF. The milk chocolate is 190 a can. Also take a multiple vitamin. Of course you are supposed to drink a lot to stay hydrated and to help to stave off hunger. It gets a little easier about the fourth day. I did this once to get back on track and it really helped. I am going to do it again soon. Mrs. Betty has a restart diet for banders that have gotten off track. I am not sure if it has been posted on the blog site or not. If they have your email you will get updates on things concerning the band. If you call Mrs. Betty I am sure she will send you a copy of that diet. It is similar to the pre-op. Hope this helps.

I was reading a few pages back and there was a post from "sexylips" I didn't see an email or anything like that. I would like to direct her to a wonderful doctor in her area. So sexylips if you read this, post again or email me.

Blondy, I have lost about 67 to 70 lbs. I am a slow loser. I know many that lost that and more their first year. I would still do it again. I was to chicken for gastric bypass. I have seen good results and not so good results with that. What is the difference in having the sleeve done? I am not familiar with that. I have heard of some doing it. At the time I felt like the band was the safer thing for me to do. Still do. I have heard of some removing the band and going to something else. I think I'll stay with it. My sister-in-law got the band in Sept. and has done marvelous with it. No problems whatsoever.

lo2us, Yea!!! your amount to lose is less than what you have already lost!! You are certainly past the half-way mark!! And hippmom, look at you! 15 pounds BELOW yoiur target weight!! OMG!!! How wonderful!!!! Now see....We need to be proud of our accomplishments, even if they aren't as far and as fast as others. Don't dwell on what hasn't happened...Dwell on what has. Negatives hold you back. Just use those for for examples of what not to do....then push the positives to the front of your mind and use those examples instead. Try not to backslide...but if you do....quickly, start over. I think lo2us is right about the time it takes to lose the weight. Especially doing it safe and without starving yourself. Other than one time, (when I had to have a great amount taken out of my band) I never have gained a significant amount of pounds back. Never in the past when I dieted and lost big pounds did I ever keep them off. They always crept back...and then some. Keeping it off is a feat for me in a big way. Hippmom, go ahead and BRAG. This is one place that you can do that and it is appreciated. Ya'lls accomplishments just makes me feel better about getting banded. Just shows how successful I can be and others if we "follow the rules." Aligma..Congrats! Twins! Is this your first children? I have a friend who got preg after being banded. She had just hit the 100 lb mark. About a month after she had the baby she was 12 pounds less than when she got preg! They took out some at one point and then took out some more later on. She was healthy, the baby was healthy, and she gained about 10 to 12 pounds durring pregnancy. The last 3 0r 4 pounds was in the last 2 weeks. Keep us posted along the way.

Excuse the double post. I have been reading back, catching up. Yes, it is easy to get down about our weight. The success of the band does depend totally on us. I believe most of us were grasping for anything that seem like a magic bullet to help us lose the weight. There isn't one... if that was the case we would all look like beanpoles in no time. There would not be obesity problems..anywhere... We have a tool in our possession to use or ..not. We are only human and we all fall short of expectations...our own, and or others. So don't beat yourself up....too much. Tomorrow is a new day, cinch up those britches, and start over. Recomit to yourself. If that means doing the pre-op diet over again then...so be it. I said I would NEVER drink another slimefast! But..I did it for two weeks a couple of months ago. I was not quite as strict. I did it for breakfast and lunch and then ate a small light supper. (not the small salad only). I lost about 10 pounds. I am going to do that again soon. It felt pretty good when it was over, and I knew the regiment of recommitting would hep my mindset. We have had weight problems and bad habits for years, more than a couple for the most of us. So even though I am two years out, I still feel like I am going to lose the weight. Not quickly like some but I still think with the help of this tool I can do it. So hang in there. We just have to use it wisely.

Hello All. Hi Blondylocks! Forever we wondered about you and how things went with the birth of your baby. Lisa and I discussed it several times. You would have to read back a million posts to see. I haven't been on here in quite a while. I got a friend request from you and was glad to hear from you. How's mother-hood? Plan on anymore? Don't know much about the sleeve? You will have to let us know about it. I am still toodleing along slowly with my band but still glad I made that choice. I just need to be more didigent and faithful to my band. I don't always use my tool as I should, sorry to say. But for the most part I try to stay with it. I am a little over 2 yrs out now. Where and who would do your sleeve? I am curious if you don't mind me asking. Hello Julie. How are you and how is your husband? I need to go back a few pages to get caught up on everyone. Things have been crazy around here for the last 8 or 9 months. I think they are getting more back to normal, whatever that is. Hi Teresa, too.

Arkie, when you go back, just ask them to test your vitamin D level. The D3 is the name of the supplement. Hope all that goes well. I would never thought of it if I hadn't attended that lapband conference. So glad I did. I see they are going to organize another one about April. I would love to go but it is going to be in NY. I would love to go but could never afford it. Plus I don't like to fly. Can't imagine driving into NY. Are you taking B12 shots?

Vitamin D3 is essential in maintaining healthy bones and also aids in maintaining a healthy immune system. When you are tested they test your viamin D level. If you need a supplement it is called D3. My doctor said about 800 iu a day but all I could find was 1,000 iu. Don't exceed that per day., Of course when you are checked, ask your drs advice. Some may need it but then again some may not. I ask for him to check mine, since I was getting a physical and they were checking colestrol, ect. anyway. Glad I did. Don't take any if you don't need it. Hope this helps.

:thumbup:Malteselover..SILLY!!!? NOT SO!! CONGRATS!!:teeth_smile: There are plenty of us that would love to be in onederland, including me. I'm working on it, so slow...but sure. Just keep up the good work and you will be where you want to be all in good time. When we hear about those milestones it encourages the rest of us to try harder. As always everybody...STAY IN THE BOX!

Hello all. Glad to see everyone is doing well for the most part. Lisa said her computer is so slow since she moved to the new house, she hardly gets on. I miss her too. I will be going to PS next week. Does anyone know if the NP has gotten any better with fills? I have lost a pound or two but just seem to be at a plateau. Just need to make better food choices. I still struggle with that. Will be going on vacation the 8th. Hope I don't blow everything then. So far I haven't put a pound back on but I am sure a member of the slow losers club. Oh, I wanted to mention something about your vitamin D level. At the Lap Band Conference it was mentioned to have that checked. I believe they were mostly referring to patients who had been banded a while. Well I went for a physical a couple of weeks ago and told my doc to check that with my other blood test. Got the results and he told me I was extremely low. So now I am taking vitamin D3. So the next time ya'll get blood drawn, might be a good idea to get that checked. Gotta go. As Lisa would say, "STAY IN THE BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vipertireswife, just call the office and tell them you feel as though you need more. They like for you to weight at least 2 weeks I think. I believe they mentioned that at a support group meeting. I can always tell right up front about my fill but I have heard many say it may take a couple of weeks to "kick in" I never understand that. Whatever is in there is in there, I don't understand how it changes. But of course as we all know, everyone is different. Take care.

aligmamma, when are they going to fix your port? Will you have to be put to sleep or will it just be a local? I am trying to figure out how they are going to get in there. If they do it laproscopic like they do when you get your band, I guess you have to be put to sleep? I know it isn't as big a procedure but just trying to figure it out. Maybe they will go ahead and give you a fill while you are in the repair process. Let us know when you find out when you go. Take care. Tpagern, glad you got everything straightened out. I go see Dr. H on the 6th. I am thinking about getting my band and port checked too. I am not sure but I am hoping they can look at it under flouro or xray or whatever is simple. I don't want to be put to sleep. Seems like someone on here had that done. I think lo2us had it done but I believe she had to be put to sleep. What do you know about that when they take a look.? Or anybody?

aligmamma, what procedure? Are they going to fix your flipped port or do the fill under fouro or what? I am being nosy. How many fills have you had? I guess it flipped since the last fill?? Sorry you hit this snag in the road. When are they going to do the "procedure?"

Malteselover. Never worry about boring....We are all in support of each other on here. If one don't catch you the other will. You have just the attitude to succeed. Hang in there and try to stick as close to the band rules as you can.You will do just fine. Julie, had trouble with the work email. Used the other, we'll see what happens. When I click and it doesn't work I am at a loss for the most part. I should be more computer savy like Malteselover.

Malteselover thanks. I knew there was some way to do that stuff but been too long and I just couldn't remember. I have a friend that has a Maltese and they just love him. I have a MinPin.

If you want to look at someones profile and find their email, how do you do that on here. I have forgotten.

Welcome Likebefore. I haven't had any problem talking to Dr. H. I used to see Dr. K but the last several times I only see Dr. H. If you have questions or concerns be direct and ask them. He has always answered mine. So has Dr. K when I saw her. Write your concerns down so you don't forget them. Sometimes in the change of conversation that happens. Stay with the pre-op diet. It is for your saftey durring surgery. Shrinks the liver and gives them more room to work. You can have sugar free popcicles to "chew" on if that helps you. Just stay with lots of drinking, sf drinks. It helps to have something in that tummy as much as posible. Maybe you can fool it about being empty. LOL No seriously, it is very hard, but it will be worth it. I was the biggest weenie on here about the pre-op diet. Guess what? I made it without cheating! Hang in there, this is your first step in becomming a healthier you. Just think.....you will never see that # on the scales again. It should start getting easier now. Hang in there.