JulieNYC

Marc, I'm so glad you've lined up Dr. Ren for your follow up care. I was banded by Dr. Fielding, her partner, and they have a wonderful after care program. I'm kind of surprised they are handling your aftercare because someone in my information seminar asked if they would take transfer patients banded in Mexico and she said she couldn't because it violated their malpractice insurance, but there must be an exception for your doc (perhaps he's certified in the US as well -- I know several of the prominent Mexican docs are). Anyway, aftercare is SO important in the banding journey and I'm glad you've gotten that lined up. You're going to do GREAT and you're going to feel so much better in no time. I'm only 3 months post-op and 6 weeks post-fill and I've lost 60 lbs and a whole world has opened up to me (flying without worrying about encroaching on someone else's space, no seatbelt extender, not worrying about finding an aisle seat for whatever theater production in the City I want to see, etc.) Come to the support group Dr. Ren's practice holds on the 3rd Wed of every month, if you can. You'll meet a ton of people at different stages in the process and it'll make you feel like you're not the only heavy person in Manhattan. FYI, there's a patient river cruise coming up the second week of August. Check out their website and go if you can! Take care and PM me if you have questions about the Ren/Fielding practice.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 - 29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/298/150 - 60 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308 - 84 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/234/150 - 39 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69 - 13.3 kgs/36 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/240/170 - 30 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 - 30.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/208/145 - 56 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/260.2/145 - 22.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/285/145 - 48 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/182/135 - 42 total

I've read about the sleeve with the band. The theory is that there are emzymes that the stomach produces and that cutting out a portion of the stomach (and these enzymes) facilitates weightloss. Then, a couple of years after the sleeve, you start getting fills. The band is like a back-up for the sleeve. I considered the mini gastric bypass (the reversible one that's done primarily by one doc in NC) but then I learned about the band and wanted to stay local. The band was the right choice for me, but new techniques are certainly interesting and I'll follow them in case something ever goes awry with my band.

I know exactly what you mean, LadyTonya. And in this last gain, when I thought I was getting close to the number I said I'd never let myself pass, I just quit weighing. Obviously not an effective strategy, but now I have the band, and you will too! I'm so excited about your appointment and can't wait to hear how it goes. Can you call ahead to make sure they don't have a weight limit -- just so you know you're with the right group for you?

Ahhh, despite a not so perfect food weekend (I was traveling), I had a soft landing into Twoterville this morning, when my scale gave me the friendly number of 298. I feel really good and not at all depressed that I've got a long time to get to know Twoterville. I was prepared for a little depression (I'd heard that it's common), but I feel good. Come on, Elisabeth, LapBandit, BPM and the rest! The line on the left at the border moves faster, but the attendant isn't as cute. Wink,

What top 3 songs actually make you go faster during your workout because you're so excited that they're playing/the beat is "goldilocks" (just right)? I'm looking for more of them to put into a playlist! My top 3 are: Wild Boys - Duran Duran Pretty Vegas - INXS Come As You Are - Nirvana

I have the 10 cc band (which my doc regularly fills to 14+). I had 4 ccs from surgery. First fill took me to 6.2 and I felt NOTHING. My second fill took me to 7.6 and I, again, felt NOTHING. Third fill, they had me drink Water while filling me and they took me to 10.0, which is just right. I'm freakin' Goldilocks right now. I worried at first that I needed to much to feel restriction and that I might have to change to the 4cc band at some point, but my doc assured me that wasn't the case -- that he could get equal restriction with both bands. Pshew.

Go Marcy, Go Marcy!! Woohoo! I'm so happy for you! I'm coming around the bend though. I was at 300 even this morning. I'm going away for the weekend and I hope to be 299 (or less) when I weigh again on Monday morning. Talk to yall soon. Hey Marcy, do you get a present for reaching Twoterville? I need a new wallet and I'm going to spend more than I normally would, I think, and get something fancy.

Mine read 301 this morning and actually flashed 299 for a minute before settling on 301! Let me know which line the cute border guard is in because I'm right behind you! Wink,

Margo, that is just FABULOUS! Way to go! Share some more NSV's if you feel like it. It's all downhill from here. Woohoo!

Losing Girl, It was really discouraging to me at first too to see people starting at 220 or so (just an example) when I was starting at 358. But I can tell you, it definitely gets better. We're all on the same road, our road is just a little longer. I can also tell you that the first 3 months for me flew by. Pre-op, I thought 3 months sounded like forever, but now, I bet I'll be 6 mo in before I turn around and will be down to where many people start (260 or so). You'll get there before you know it too. Can't wait to hear about your seminar!

Molly, you're doing great just to be staying afloat right now. Take care of yourself and we're thinking about you. Get that fill and you'll shed a few lbs, which will give you an energy surge that you definitely need with all those changes. Take care,

Absolutely, Kim. My first fill with my VG was 6.2! My doc had put in 4.0 at surgery (the VG needs a little more to make it neutral. He usually puts in 3.0, but my stomach was a little smaller than some). I didn't feel a thing at 6.2. Went back a week later and they took me to 7.6. Felt a tiny something, but really wasn't what I knew "restriction" should be. Went back a week later -- 10.0! Now I'm loving life. I can eat anything, just not too, too much of it and my head hunger has really been dimmed.

BabyJessica, Don't worry about the restaurants! You will still be able to eat out. I live in NYC and I ate at the Rainbow Room this past Sunday. I go out to eat several times a week. I'm just careful to order something that is reasonably healthy, then I let the band do the rest (portion control). I've never even had anyone notice that I was eating slowly or with smaller bites. For me, the band is the perfect tool! Remember, you get to choose the level of restriction you want. For me, I choose to be filled enough to dim the head hunger and reasonably control portion size, but to be able to eat literally any food (even the cripsy part of the bread, though I don't usually want it -- takes up too much room). That said, to all pre-bandsters, there's nothing wrong with enjoying your last few days without guilt. Just REALLY commit to your pre-op diet if you have one. You'll feel much better going into surgery knowing you did your part in seeing that it goes smoothly.

Hi all! I'm stuck at 303 and it's frustrating as hell because I so want to be in the 200's! But I'm feeling great, getting to the gym, eating well and not PBing, so all in all I have it good. I'm seeing my surgeon on Tuesday for the first time since my surgery date. I've seen others in his practice since then, of course, but he wanted me to check in with him in person, so in I go.

It only took about 4-5 days for my hunger to come back. If that winds up being you, it's a LONG road until you get your fill, but hang in there. This is the time for healing, not losing, and you'll lose great once you get your fill. Good luck!

Are you sure she was being mean, or might she have been subtily telling you that you could now clearly fit in any chair? If she was being mean WHAT A WITCH and congrats for defeating the witchiness. Either way, Woohoo on your NSV! I keep waiting for my boss to realize that I don't switch out the chairs in his office any more. I used to always pull up a wider chair when I was sitting across from his desk, but now the ones that have the skinny arms are just fine. Feels so good. I'm flying this weekend and hope I have as good of an experience.

Well Kim, it's kind of a continuum for me. If I eat 1 cup, I'm full as soon as I eat it, then 10 minutes later I'm uncomfortably full. You grow to hate that uncomfortably full feeling as a bandster, so you learn to stop atround 3/4 cup (or whatever your threshold is) when you feel full, but not really full, then you feel really full in about 10 minutes, but you avoid being uncomfortably full. Make sense? Wink.

I count most calories. I count anything that's not a condiment, unless the condiment has more than 20 cals per serving. That way I'm just counting the big stuff, but I know I eat about another 100-150 cals per day in sauces, etc. My way makes me feel like I'm accountable but not obsessive with calorie counting. It works for me now, at least. It's subject to modification!

Five, I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad and out of control. Do you take meds to manage your anxiety? I take some just when I need them and when I get in that panicky mode, it REALLY helps. Maybe you could schedule a dr's appt? Also, get the fill. Maybe if your weight loss picked up again you'd feel like at least THAT was in control and that would give you a feeling of stability. Lastly, do anything you have to to take 2 hours to yourself twice a week. Your husband can watch the kids for that long. Go to a park and go for a walk, or a drive, or whatever is relaxing to you. It doesn't have to cost anything but might give you that little piece of alone time that lets you enjoy the rest of your life instead of feeling overwhelmed. Good luck and we're thinking about you.

Woohoo!!!!!!!!! That's amazing! Sit back and let yourself be in awe of your accomplishment. That's just WONDERFUL. Way to go,

Using this chat room would be GREAT, but if if doesn't work out, there are almost always people chatting at this address at or about 9-9:30 p.m. (EST), every day. Some days there are more people there than others, but there is almost always someone there. FYI, you don't have to register to join a chat -- it just saves you from having to enter your preferred UserID every time if you do register. Chatting is a such a great form of support for me. I hope you can all find a way to chat too, whether here or elsewhere. http://www.bandsterchat.com

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/248/150 - 15 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/278/165 - 22 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/239/150 - 72 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/188/130 - 20 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/205/134 -29 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/303/150 - 55 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 -55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/212/140 - 36 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217/201/145 - 16 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/222/140 - 20 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324 -68 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/202/130 - 18 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/235/150 - 38 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/270/150 - 40 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/108.7/69kg - total 13.3kgs/36 pounds 4-24: Ceparano -255/270.5/240/170 - 30 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/258.5/165 -30.5 lbs total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/241/160 - 21 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/212/145 - 52 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 Total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/264.2/145 - 18.8 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/290/145 - 43 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/189/135

You're going to do GREAT on your trip, LapBandit! Hang in there (and out of the restaurants!). Take care and safe travels,

I was banded by Dr. Fielding after doing 3 years of research (a little much, I admit!) and I couldn't be happier with my choice. He and Dr. Ren run a wonderful practice and I would be delighted to talk more about it with you off board if you like. Good luck on your journey.