marivan

Congratulations on your banding. How are you feeling? That must be something new, I was banded a year ago yesterday and I didn't get any "free" stuff, if I want Vitamins or Protein drinks I have to pay for it. So you did pretty good! Let's face it, we are a bit of a number, but if you have a problem they are great about it. And I hear they are excellent in an emergency. And that's what important. And you can go to lots of boot camps and seminars if you are close enough to be able to take advantage of it. Welcome to band land! Mary

I wondered that too, but I don't think the majority of people abuse it. I've been banded a year and have had six fills and the gap between the last two was April to October. Plus like you, I can't take advantage of all the boot camps etc. so it isn't like they have hundreds of people doing those. I'm sure that they discourage people filling and defilling, and their thinking at the moment is that if you haven't lost the weight in three years, you aren't going to. However, if we were promised that, I still want to know that I won't have to pay if I need a defill for some medical reason five years down the road. But I'll let you know when I go in again. I spoke to Jill today and totally forgot to ask. Take care, Mary

Let us know how you get on! Mary

Bandiva, I'm so jealous, you are at your goal weight! (well, close enough that I'm sure you are happy with it) I dream of the day that my counter shows me so close to my goal. How long did it take you? It will likely take me until this time next year for the next 50 pounds to come off, but as long as it continues to decrease, I'll be happy. You are right about the water. I really try to get in that water, but it's hard. I wake up thirsty too, when I start drinking more. It's like my body says "great, bring it on!" Mary

I think that the tracking works too. Two weeks ago I found a site called Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test and I went on it as I was stalled in a plateau for too long and felt that I could eat too much. It was hard (the second day especially) but it got me back to eating more protein and I lost 5 pounds! I was worried that the following week I may gain weight, but I lost another 1/2 pound the following week. It also shrunk my pouch a bit, so I am eating less than I was. It is really for bypass patients, but Jill at TLBC said she thought it was a good idea. I'm thinking that I may do this every two months or so to help me keep on track. Also, even when I'm eating salad, I add a spoonful of plain beans to the salad to increase the protein. It's healthy and they aren't hard to get down! Take care, mary p.s. I wish that I lived closer too, as I would like to go to the boot camps and things offered.

When I went for a fill, I asked the fill nurse if she'd heard of that and she looked at me like I was crazy! She said "no, it shouldn't hurt so long after surgery". But like you said Yasmina, it hurt for a day or two and then it went away again. I do tend to balance things (heavy things) on my stomach when I'm carrying them, and that's where my port is. So I either shifted it during exercise of was doing something silly like that. Either way, the pain went away after a couple of days. Thanks for the replies. Mary

I think you get something like 20%, I'm the same, I gave it to my tax lady. However what I didn't know, which was helpful, was that my husband as the bigger earner, was allowed to claim it on his taxes. I'm self-employed so it wouldn't have made much difference to my tax return. Also, make sure you have a proper receipt from your clinic as the tax department will flag you and ask for a copy of the receipt. (I originally got a statement, and not a bill) It is the amount we are claiming that brings it up for a query. But I was asked for it, and faxed them the invoice and I got a letter saying all was well. My accountant warned me that would happen, so I didn't freak out or worry about it. At least we get something back! Mary

I had a great surgery with Dr Yau too. I have to admit that I only met him just before my surgery for about five minutes and have never seen him again, but I had small scars, no gas and I'm thrilled with the band so far. I've not had my question answered about whether previous patients who were promised life time fills will still be covered or not, but when I go to see Jill again, I'm going to clear that up with her. But I'm a happy camper! Mary

What a great idea! I would never have thought of it.:thumbup: I think I'd have that framed! Congratulations. I'm dreaming of that day. Mary

I figured I needed a fill because I can eat more at one time now than I could initially. I don't tend to eat any bread or carbs (maybe a cracker with lunch, but not bread) but a little whileago I noticed that I was able to have an entire toasted tomato sandwich and no PBing. I went for a fill today and they said that I have likely lost weight in my stomach, which means that the stomach opening is looser. I had .5cc put in today and I had Soup for lunch and it wasn't a problem (which is good) so I likely needed that. I have to say though, lately my problem has been that no matter what I eat or don't eat, the weight loss has been stalled. I'm exercising five times a week, eating well and still no losses, so I have started eating things that I have been happy not to bother with previously. And that is all about the head. It's the attitude that "if not eating any junk and eating healthy isn't getting me anywhere, why am I bothering?" So I went today and they recommended that I do that 5 day pouch test this week and see if that nudges anything. She also said that if not, she'd refer me for a metabolic rate test to see what my metabolism was as well. So I'm kind of enthusiastic again! And it was nice to feel that they believed me and wanted to help. Mary

Thank you so much for this link! This may be exactly what I've been looking for. I'm going for a small fill on Friday and it is a perfect time for me to do this, as I will likely be tight anyway. Now I almost wish I wasn't going for a fill, but it may be a good thing. I'd love to hear how others did with this. Did it help? Mary

I'm someone who got this information a while ago. And it helped me for a bit but then I think I started to eat less again. I've found that my resolve is weakening because I'm just not losing. If you saw my weight loss chart, you'd see that I lose nothing for a couple of weeks, then one pound then four then gain 3 and then nothing and so on. On November 8th it will be my bandiversary and so far I've lost 45 pounds. I'm exercising five days a week and feel much better and people say I'm looking great, but I'm getting so discouraged. And I am noticing that my eating is now suffering. It is like if I am training for a marathon for months and months and never see my fitness or times improve. After a while you feel that you are doing all this effort for nothing. My clinic is no help at all. I'm going for another fill this Friday, because I can definitely eat more than I could, but if I lament on my slow weight loss you can see in their eyes that I must be pigging out and they say either "you are eating too much" or "you aren't eating enough!". I can't be doing both! I'm going to try to remember the Protein thing. But honestly, I can't and haven't been eating as much as you slow mo. Soup and then a meal? I can only manage the soup. And like someone else on this forum, it is the fish that causes me to be sick the worst. I had two bites of salmon (which I love)the other day and I was in the toilet for a half an hour. Didn't get to keep that protein. But I will give it another concerted try! Thanks for tip and it would be great to hear from everyone if it worked for them. Mary

It doesn't seem to be red at all. I've bumped it bofore and given myself a bruise, but this is different. I'm thinking of going for a small fill after Thanksgiving (Canadian) so I will ask them about it if it is still hurting then. May also ask them anyway even if it isn't! Thanks, Mary

It's my pleasure. I heard that taking your B Vitamins was good for stopping hair loss as well, so you should ask the clinic or look into that. I'm self pay too (in Canada we are all self pay pretty much) but I'm luckyin that my fills are covered for life! I guess for as long as this clinic runs. But he's pretty popular so I think I may be okay for a while. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Mary

I only said the comparison thing as it applies to me. I see someone complaining that they've only lost 60 pounds in three months and I think "what's wrong with me? I haven't managed to lose 50 in almost a year. I think that fills are tight at first because they irritate your stomach and it swells a bit. After a few days it calms down again and you can eat more than you could when you first got the fill. How many have you had? It took me 5 before I got to the level I am now, and it is possible I could go for another one soon. That's a good idea to ask your nutritionists. I find I can eat a huge bowl of salad (two cups at least) because you know what salad looks like if you forget it in the fridge, it turns to mush. But I can only have an ounce of tuna to have problems. As long as you aren't eating too much of anything that is not the best choice. For example, I've pretty much given up on bread as it isn't a great choice, but also it often sticks and I end up being sick. You may not have been sick yet because you are chewing well! And good for you as it isn't pleasant or good for you. That was my main problem too, portion sizes, and that's what the band has helped me with the most. I do eat when I'm upset but I can't overeat now in my every day meals which has been what's helped. I ate pretty healthy anyway, but way too much. I'm now satisfied with a lot less. I use little plates now to have my dinner, it helps me not take a portion I won't be able to eat, and I feel mentally more satisfied. Sorry that your not getting support at home, that's a drag. But in the end we are doing this for ourselves, so everyone else will have to live with us putting ourselves first for a change! Good luck, Mary

You are doing great! Are you comparing yourself with someone else? I was banded last November (07) and I've only lost 45 pounds. How do you think I feel? That is an amazing loss you've had since June. First, you've lost an average of 20 pounds a month. Also, your body may be shifting the weight around and you are losing fat but gaining muscle, which as you know, weighs more than fat. Are you measuring yourself? As to the knowing when you are at a good fill level. If you can over eat, then you aren't. If you are BPing a lot, then you likely are. You don't want to have too tight a fill, as that isn't great for your stomach or your band either. Calm down and stop worrying so much. You are doing really well, and I'm envious! Mary

Well, I'm all for being happy with how it goes, but I would like to have reached goal (or pretty close) by the end of next year. I turn 50 next year and I'd like to feel happy in my skin for the first time in a long time (maybe my life!). Plus, I promised my husband that we would go to Scotland next September for holidays for the first time since we moved back to Canada in 2002. And I've put it off for so long to avoid the pain, discomfort and humiliation that being fat on airplanes brings. So I do still have my goals, but I am not beating myself up quite so much for not losing quickly. You've done well,and if I can get to the 200 pound mark by my holidays, I will feel and look a heck of a lot better. That will be shy of 100 but in two years I would be happy. You have five more months before your two year anniversary and I'm sure you'll be well over the 90 pound mark by then. 100 lost is still commendable regardless of the time taken to get there. As you say, Turtles Unite! Mary

Thanks Doddie, I've saved it now too. Mary

how do you guys get your ticker and information on this site? I can't see where in my profile that I would put it? Mary

Bella, I have thought of weighing myself only once a month, but if I were to weigh-in only once a month, and as Doddie said, it was a gain of a pound, it would plunge me into a couple of miserable days. Sad but true. And as I am tracking only once a week, I am seeing a pattern and getting used to it and not getting myself quite so upset when I gain after what I consider to have been a really good week. I'm really seeing a difference in my upper body definition now due to the weight training and my legs are getting thinner. My weight is really concentrated in my belly. However, last week I was trying on some clothes in my closet and I was shocked at how my leather coat was hanging off of me. I just did not feel that much smaller. So, it made me feel a whole lot better that something is going on inside that I can't necessarily see on the scale. Michee, that sounds just like me. I don't know how accurate my BMI indicator on my scale is, but sometimes when the weight stays the same, but BMI does go down. So I cheer myself up with all the great muscles I'm building! Girls, you know what they say, slow and steady wins the race! So we will get there eventually and perhaps will be rewarded with less skin hang, and it staying off easier! And Doddie, I see your numbers go down slowly but surely too. I for one think there has to be some benefit to this!:wink_smile: Mary p.s. One good thing that I thought of last night was, no one will be gossiping that I had WLS! :thumbup: It would have come off a heck of a lot quicker!

Hi Doddie, Thanks for asking. I have lost more weight, I don't know how long ago that was, but I am almost to the 50 pound mark. I decided to prove her wrong. However, I seem to have a schedule with my body and it is lose nothing for two or three weeks, then lose 3 pounds, then gain 1.5, then stay the same then lose that same 1.5 then maybe one, and then nothing again and then 3 and so on. Very frustrating, as I feel like I'm in a dance called One step forward and two steps back. However, like you, I am getting there slowly. I had hoped that I would reach the 50 pound mark by my birthday, but as that is the week after next, (and I now, after a gain for no reason went from 48 to 46.5) I'm not expecting miracles. But I am aiming for 60 by Christmas. I don't have any goal for my bandiversary in November as I don't want to get depressed. I just looked it up. I saw my doctor the end of July, or beginning of August and I've lost four more pounds. So I say to her "In your face!":tt2: I've added pilates to my busy exercise schedule this week and I ache all over. That should have been rewarded by a loss! But I'm used to it now. Take care, Mary

I am working out like crazy too, hoping to avoid any further surgery, but I know that is highly unlikely. Would you recommend your surgeon then? Was he nice? I was thinking, as I read another thread about this, that you may well be closer to your goal than you think by the time you've healed. They must have taken some pounds off when they took away extra skin. So with all that exercising, you still had a "fold over"? Or just wrinkly skin? Sorry to be so graphic, but I am very interested for what may be ahead. I can't imagine life without this belly I've had forever. Where will I rest my hands? Is the girdle to help with the muscles? Or do they cut them at all? I finally feel like I am getting closer to the point where you are at. I put on a coat today (a winter coat) to show my DH that I could likely get away with this coat for this winter, and it was as if I was a child, putting on a grown up's coat! I haven't really felt that I've taken that weight off. Thanks for telling us all about it. Mary

Wow, that sounds like a dream. What is the binder? Like a girdle? Can you have a shower while you have this? I'm a year at least away from this, but it is encouraging to know that it isn't very painful. I was really lucky not to have the gas with my lap band surgery, but I've heard how sore that is. Thanks for your info about this. Take care, mary

Michee, I'm so jealous! Your blurb says you were ten pounds over your goal, does that mean that when you got there, you were thin enough? I suppose when you are 100 pounds overweight, it is hard to know what weight you should be. Was the pain bad? That price sounds really reasonable. Mary

Thanks Michee for your thoughts and comments. However, No thanks to any cleanses. The thing that I thought about when I decided to have the lap band was that I would not ever again spend hundreds or thousands of dollars going to alternative doctors promising that they knew the key to my weight problem. All I lost was dollars. I have gone on these cleanses in the past and lost one or two pounds while on them for a couple of weeks. No fun. Way to go on your great loss. Congratulations. M