boos02

Janet - welcome back. Great pics. Isn't it great to meet other "banders". Actually, I'm heading to Colorado Springs in March. Anyone in that area? I'd love to get together. Let me know... Gino - you will have the most success if you log your food, exercise regularly and stick to the plan, Protein first, then veggies, then starch. I know it's easier said then done, but look at those who are successful and you'll see that's what they do. Beckyo - I know what you mean about eating out at restaurants. I still want to "pig out" even though I know I can't and I know it's not a good thing in general. Old habits die hard! Hope all is well. Kathy

Hi Kel - Good luck with this journey. Dr. Forgione and his team are great - very respectful. I need to say that this is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I was banded in July 08 and have only lost 25 lbs. The band is only a small part of it - you will be doing all the work - trust me! Having said that I still wouldn't change it - I need to change me. If you are in the Burlington area there is a weekly support group that meets. Feel free to join us. You can get more info from pats_laps on yahoo. - Kathy

Janet - I guess the esophagus "loosens up" as the day goes on. Heck I don't know. I'm so confused by it all. I didn't think I had any restriction either because I could eat so much at night. It's so screwy! I wish we could just figure it all out and move on with it! Have a safe and fun trip! Kathy

Thanks. Good to be back.

Hi Maggie - I'm not sure what's going on with you, but let me share my recent experience since it sounds the same. I too was PB'ing and thought I was getting stuck. I hadn't had a fill in awhile and so I didn't think my band was too tight. I went to my doc and he did an esophogram. The diagnosis was a dialated esophagus which results from either the band being too tight, excessive pb's or binging. He took a little Fluid out and I have been ok since. You may want to talk to him about it.

Hi Janet and everyone - First, Becky - I love cruising. Princess is my favorite line, mostly to the Caribbean. I also did the Panama Canal, which was my absolute best cruise. Loved it. Well, I'm three days out from the doc taking some Fluid out, and I feel so much better! I guess I was too tight after all. The symptons related to the diagnosis of a paralyzed (dialated) esophagus were right on. The band was restricting food and keeping it in the esophagus. The food was never even getting to the pouch which is why I pb'd alot. Anyway, I'm hungry at times, but working on keeping within calorie limits. Not sure what happens next. I've been doing some reading about it on the internet and will talk with the doc on my next visit next week. Just thought I'd check in. Kathy

I had never heard of it either. He had a longer more medical term for it. I'm going to be strict with foods and portions for two weeks, recording it all, so that we can look at it together. We'll figure it out.

Hi everyone - Back from St. Kitts and it's great to be home. I had a doc appt this am. It was a follow-up from before vacation. We did an esophogram to see if things are "working right" with the band since I can't eat at all most of the day, but can eat like a horse at night!! Well as it turns out I have a paralyzed esophogus which is why food does not go down easy. Apparently it takes it a while to "loosen up" during the day. I had some fill taken out and we're going to give it a couple of weeks rest. Doc isn't sure why this happened. It may or may not be band related but since I could eat normally pre-band he thinks it might be related. We'll see. Anyway, the saga continues. Glad to see some new names on the thread. Welcome. Long, I continue to be so impressed with your results! Kathy

Kathy - Sorry for your news. Your perserverence is incredible and admirable. I'll be thinking of you.

Hi everyone - Just checking in. Still in St. Kitts. The time is flying by, but I am enxious to get hoome. Two weeks eating in restaurants is sooo hard. I even had an unfortunate PB episode where I wasn't expecting it and it came right up. Thank goodness for a strong linen napkin! Anyway, Janet I missed your b-day! Hope it was a good one. Long, great pics! Hope everyone is doing well. Kathy

Hi everyone - just checking in from St. Kitts. Gosh it's hard to travel. Too much food and drink! Anyway, it beats being in Vermont where they had 15 inches of snow yesterday. Welcome to all the newbies. This is a great threat. Janet leads a great group. Best to all. - Kathy PS Janet and Phly, just found out that the conference is in Palm Springs again next Dec. I guess everyone raved about it. It's a long way off, but I hope we can spend more time together.

Long - Congrats!! You are an inspiration - just like Janet, Apples and Phyl. Do you have any before and after pics you would be willing to share? Congrats again, what a big accomplishment. - Kathy

Tweety - Hang in there. If we stay to the plan it will work. My weight loss is slow, but I'm still trying to stay focused.

Livn - Congrats. What a great compliments. It's as nice as seeing the scale move!

Janet - have fun in Vegas. I love it there. I left the cold Vermont weather behind for St. Kitts. I'll be here 2 weeks. Before I left I met with doc. When I get back we're going to do a n Esophogram to check things out. If all looks good I'll get a fill. He continues to think I don't need a fill, just need to change my eating habits. Could be, but I want more restriction. Long - Way to go. You are doing fantastic. Your commitment is impressive. Hope everyone is doing well. - Kathy

Hi everyone - Just checkin in. Love to hear how you are all doing. I'm still struggling, but I'm not letting it get me down. I see the doc on Thursday and will have a real head-to-head about my disappointing weight loss. We'll see. Kathy

Hi Janet - I see the doc next week. I'm going to force myself on him to give me a fill! Thanks for the support. Kathy

Hi July Bandsters - I have posted on this site from time to time, but really need to check in now as I am feeling pretty blue these days. I'm not sure the band was the right decision for me. I heard my doc say "it's 90% you and 10% band", but I guess I didn't think it would be so much of a struggle. I lose and gain the same 2 -3 lbs every week. I don't think I'm down at all since October. Anyway, I know I need to make better food choices, but I just wish it was easier.

Hi Janet and everyone - It's been a week or so since I have been able to get to this site. Can I take a minute to say that I am really in the dumps about this lap band thing, weight loss, etc. I have been losing the same 2-3 lbs since October. My doc won't give me a fill because he says I have enough restriction and I need to be better at choosing the right foods and eating within my limits. I know he's right about making the right decisions, but I'm just struggling so much. I know it's got to be 90% me and 10% band but OMG I am having a hard time. Thanks for letting me say what I needed. Kathy

Hi Babbs - thanks for checking back in. There seems to be more activity happening with the yahoo site. There is also a group of us meeting regularly on Tuesdays. It is a struggle isn't it! I've been looking for a site to record calories. I'll check out fitday.

Yahoo - holidays are over. I've been MIA for a few days myself. But, I'm back. Boy, you all have been yak'ing away on this thread. Kathy

Happy New Year everyone! Speaking of goals (isn't it that time of year)!?! Last night I got together with a small group of banders from our monthly hospital support meeting. We made a group goal to meet once a week. Each week will have a different venue - in addition to the monthly support meeting we're going to exercise together one week, eat out together one week, and bring a specific topic of common interest one week. We all seem energized for it so I'm hopeful it will keep me on track. As the year ends I just want to express my gratitude to Janet and all of you for your wonderful on-line friendship and support. Kathy

Happy New Year everyone - Speaking of goals (isn't it that time of year)!?! Last night I got together with a small group of banders from our monthly hospital support meeting. We made a group goal to meet once a week. Each week will have a different venue - in addition to the monthly support meeting we're going to exercise together one week, eat out together one week, and bring a specific topic of common interest one week. We all seem energized for it so I'm hopeful it will keep me on track.

I think the band is so fickled! Yes, for me stress will "tighten" it. I also have a tough time in the morning. But, in the evening I can eat just about anything as long as I eat slow and chew well.

OK July Bandsters - we need a good kick in the butt. I've been reading the last 4 or so pages of threads and we all seem to be disappointed in ourselves. There's a solid crew of us who have remained on this thread. We're doing a great job supporting each other. Let's ramp it up a bit and stick together to make this work for us. We've invested a lot in the band, and we need to invest even more in ourselves. We can do it! 2009 Goal for me: Eat right, log my food daily and exercise 5 days a week.