barbara465

OK I'm checking in. Colonoscopy went great. Results from Mamogram not so good. They saw some dimpling so I go Wednesday for some more pictures. Not upset yet. Too early. My fill allows me to eat, then not. I think I'm still too open most of the time. It depends on time of day and what I'm eating. Ice cream, cookies, candy can usually go down. Meat and veggies not so easy. Clothes still fit, but nothing is being lost. I'm not exercising and I'm not being a good bandster. So here I am. Not doing much of anything right. I've got to get myself in gear, but just haven't found the right motivation. On positive note my DH and I are going on a 4 night cruise end of March followed by a Rhine river cruise on April 11th. Looking forward to both trips. However, now business might require me to go to Rotterdam for a week. Now I have to find a time to fit it into my schedule and everyone elses. :smile2: OK so I've checked in. Let's hear from some others.

Pinkylee should be invited. I'll send her a message. OK on the 18th, 6:00, table held in the name of Betsy. Let's hope to see a good crowd.

Hasta La Pasta sounds good. Can we find each other there? On the 18th?

OK Monday the 18th is our dinner date. Any ideas where to go? I've heard that not eating enough puts you on a plateau. Also letting go of the exercise keeps one from losing. I know for me I've got to recommit to this program. I've been a very very bad lapbander. Spread the word about dinner. Let's see if we can get some old and new blood. Let's pick a place that its easy to find each other, especially if they are new.

After 19 months I need support more than ever. This to me is not a diet, but a way of life. It has challenges that I'm not always prepared for. I know I can't be trusted so I need support to keep me motivated and on the straight and narrow. I haven't lost my weight and I will soon be at my 2 year anniversary. I'm having my colonoscopy tomorrow so today is prep. . Once this is over I hope I can settle back down and get serious about this. My fill is fickled. One day I can eat everything, the next I get stuck. The new acid medicine is definitely helping. However, I just don't think I tolerate the fills very well or better the restriction. I was able to get the whole 2.0 at one time with no effects. Living with 2.0 has been fairly easy with a few challenges along the way. I would like to get another .3, but it scares me. I don't like the episodes that come with that much restriction. So for me, support is critical. My June 06 group is still going strong and I find that most of us still require support on there. The challenges change as we live longer with the band. I'm up for dinner for those that still want to meet. Next week is impossible for me and with Valentine's day in the middle, most of the restaurants will be crowded. How about we try the week after Valentine's? I'm open to Mondays as usual, but can change that to any other day. Six works best for me, but again open to what the group wants.

Hey guys I'm hangin in. Stomach doctor gave me some new medicine. Said we had to keep the acid down in me. Having band issues, sometimes heartburn and other times I think I'm sorta stuck. More like 1st or 2nd bite syndrome. I wait a while and then can eat a horse. I'm eating too much junk because its easy. When things settle I still think I need a fill. I never get that "full" feeling anymore. Going next week for the colonoscopy and tomorrow for my regular physical and mammogram. Trying to get this body all checked out. :frown:

Still having issues with band. Some of the time I get blocked, but other times I think its acid reflux. Doctor is trying a new med on me so I'll see how that does. Next week is the colonoscopy. After that I'll reassess the fill and the issues to see if I want just a little more. However, I have to learn to live with what I've got first. I definitely can eat soft foods and get around the band. I haven't lost any weight, but I haven't gained. That is something since I was gaining after the unfill. Now is the time to get everything in working order and start losing again. Hope all is well. Let's hear from some of you we haven't heard from in a while.

Not sure I can walk that far. Having major issues with my legs and one in particular. I am getting really bad cramps in my feet and calves, but on the front side. Not sure if something is going on with my fibromalgia. I'll come out next weekend and walk with you Betsy. That way I can see if I can even walk a mile! Having issues with my fill - mainly heartburn. I'm taking it slow. Go back to stomach doctor end of month. Hope everyone is doing well.

Still having some issues. I think its heartburn. I can't wait to go back to that doctor and see if he can do something for me. I'm going to cancel the fill as that is the last thing I need now. Not sure why its so much worse now. We are trying little meals and see if that does better. I haven't gotten on the scales. I don't think I will for a while. I haven't started back exercising. I still pay Curves so its my loss. I keep thinking I will start again. I just need to get my head screwed on straight. Hang in there everyone. There are some bumps in the road, but we'll get through.

Reginia I'm so sorry to hear your news. You and your family are in my prayers. You will find the strength to get through this I know. Cathy it sounds like you are in need of a few prayers as well. Isn't it funny how we were all strangers and yet we find more than our lapbands to have in common. It sounds like you and Reginia may be able to help each other. PinkyLee hope the deal goes through. It would be nice to have that burden removed. As for me, the fill kicked in. I'm having some issues and I also think heartburn. I'm only eating bland things when I can eat. I go to stomach doctor at end of month. I'll probably cancel the fill for next week. I'll give it a few more days, but I don't think a fill is the answer for me. Healing thoughts go out to all.

Leaving for work so I'll assume we are not meeting tonight. I don't get this board at work so can't check.

I'm not sure I can walk that far, but willing to give it a try. i have the form to fill out if you want to do the bridge fest. Need to know if we are doing dinner on Monday. Let's see if there is enough of us to meet I suggest Hector's at 6:00. Who can make it?

Like Barbara said if I stay in my subscribed threads I seem to find us. Not sure why we got moved, but we will find each other. Fill is scheduled for one week from Tuesday. They must have lost their fill nurse so waiting for the next one. I can eat too much. However, I am noticing some heartburn now. Going back to stomach doctor end of month to get results of biopsies and to schedule the colonscopy. Scheduling all my other yearly mainenance :smile:

Solid food today and all is well. I'll call for a fill next week as I know now I need it. Quitting smoking is huge. Its right up there with all the weight loss goals. It is an important step for your ongoing and long range health. I'm so proud of you. Now that you have that under control you can turn your attentions back to weight loss. However, I have to tell you that food keeps tasting better the longer out you are from quitting smoking. Good to hear from some of you that we haven't heard from for a while. What about the others? Where are you?

Vegas is always a good place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do want to do my arms this year. I'm hoping to get some serious weight off first. I found a surgeon here that would do it for a reasonable price. Of course, I'm up for Costa Rica and those healing resorts!!!! The Rio hotel are suites. I've never stayed there, but that might be something to consider when sharing rooms. Day 7 and all is well. I don't think I have much restriction, but today will be solids. I'm going to a brunch so we'll see how I do. I will wait a few more weeks and then go in for .5. That should give me restriction!!!

Day 5 has past and so far so good. Soft foods for one more day and then on to solids. I am hungry, but noticed I don't drink my protein drink until around 10. I have 2 cups of coffee throughout the morning. Maybe I have some resriction in the morning without realizing it. If all continues well I will try for another fill in 4 weeks. I don't think 2cc will give me the restriction I need. Lost 3 lbs of the 10 I gained. We should start planning to get together for dinner. Maybe we can do it week after next.

Day 5 has past and so far so good. Soft foods for one more day and then on to solids. I am hungry, but noticed I don't drink my protein drink until around 10. I have 2 cups of coffee throughout the morning. Maybe I have some resriction in the morning without realizing it. If all continues well I will try for another fill in 4 weeks. I don't think 2cc will give me the restriction I need. Lost 3 lbs of the 10 I gained.

Good to hear from so many of you. Day two of the fill and so far so good. I'm still on liquids. I don't usually have problems until about day 5. I am hungry, but not overly. I just had a cup of hot chocolat and that filled me up. Almost too sweet. The hardest thing is getting food out of my brain. I think of it all the time. I wonder why that is. I love to read cooking magazines, but I don't make what I see. My goal is to lose 25 lbs over the next months. I would like to see onederland. I haven't gotten there yet. I was within 7 lbs once when I was having fill problems. Now I'm further away from it, but I'll get there. Exercise has got to enter back into my routine. I still belong to Curves, but they haven't seen me in months. I'd better make an appearance and get back to basics. I'm so proud of all of you and what you have done. I'm proud of myself. However, I know I can do more so I need to rededicate myself to the program. Off to work tomorrow. It should be slow for the next couple of days since many are still off. I have end of year reports due so I'll be busy. Hope all are doing well.

I bet your house was active Betsy! I don't know what happened today. My phone just called you while I was talking on it. My bluetooth was going out so maybe that caused it. I had my fill today so we'll see how it goes. I had the full 2.0 put back in. Yikes I hope this works. The cruise was great. We really had a good time, but I learned a few things. Mainly that I haven't learned or dealt with my food issues the whole 18 months of banding. I fell back into bad old habits. I ate bread, drank while eating, and even had a drink through a straw. It was great being unfilled, but it taught me I have no control. So its back to the basics for me. My new year's wish is that this fill will work for me. Many happy wishes to all for the new year!

sogal congrats. A job well done. The realization that you are at goal will come in small ways. Don't worry about not feeling the big "wow". We are so proud of you!!!! and a little green!!!!! Melissa I think you should be so proud as well. I can't imagine how you have dealt with all the changes in your life and still managed to keep on track. Wear those tight jeans (or fitted jeans) with pride. Weight loss doesn't make us happy. That comes from how we decide to live our life. Happiness comes from our attitudes. I've learned a few things on this journey that have surprised me, but lessons I needed to learn. I now know since the unfill that I can't be trusted with food. I have not dealt with my issues with food. The lapband is just a tool that prevents us from being the gluttens we are. I would gain every ounce back if it were not for the lapband. My wanting to be thinner, my pride in my appearance, the smaller clothes, are not enough to keep me from the appeal of food. It is an addiction. And to be honest with all of you, it scares the heck out of me. I didn't realize what a pull food has on me. I have eaten all the foods I haven't in 18 months. Even when I didn't want it, I was eating. I don't know why that is, but I need to figure that out to move forward. I'm off to get my fill. Not sure what I will end up with,, but this is a start over for me. I'll update my ticker to reflect the new fill later today and the weight gain. As we enter the new year may we all find peace and contentment in our life. May we adjust to the new bodies and find happiness within ourselves. Love you my fellow junebies. I couldn't have made this journey without you.

I had the esphagus test today. No problem with my esphagus, but I had pollups removed. I think he said 3, but lots of them around my stomach. There was also the number 7 so I'm not sure he removed 7, but biopsy 3. You know that wonderful stuff they give you. Anyway, in 1996 I had knee surgery. They gave me meds that caused pollyps to form in my stomach. The symptoms were I would just start throwing up and feeling really, really bad. Once they took out the pollups I was OK. I'm hoping that this is the problem with my fills and now they are gone. I am back on Acifex so what they say about never having to be on that is not true. I've made an appointment for a fill on the 31st at 10:30 am. I don't want another day to go by without a fill once this vacation is over. I didn't let them put anything back in just in case this didn't clear up my issues. However, I am very optimistic that it did. Sorry for the spelling errors. Trying to do this quickly and too lazy to look up spellings. If I can now get myself packed I would be ready for vacation. We leave Saturday and spend the night in Ft. Lauderdale. The cruise ship leaves on Sunday. Looking forward to a few days in the sun. May all of you have a very happy holiday. Enjoy and be thankful for all that we have accomplished!

I had the esphagus test today. No problem with my esphagus, but I had pollups removed. I think he said 3, but lots of them around my stomach. There was also the number 7 so I'm not sure he removed 7, but biopsy 3. You know that wonderful stuff they give you. Anyway, in 1996 I had knee surgery. They gave me meds that caused pollyps to form in my stomach. The symptoms were I would just start throwing up and feeling really, really bad. Once they took out the pollups I was OK. I'm hoping that this is the problem with my fills and now they are gone. I am back on Acifex so what they say about never having to be on that is not true. I've made an appointment for a fill on the 31st at 10:30 am. I don't want another day to go by without a fill once this vacation is over. I didn't let them put anything back in just in case this didn't clear up my issues. However, I am very optimistic that it did. Sorry for the spelling errors. Trying to do this quickly and too lazy to look up spellings. If I can now get myself packed I would be ready for vacation. We leave Saturday and spend the night in Ft. Lauderdale. The cruise ship leaves on Sunday. Looking forward to a few days in the sun. May all of you have a very happy holiday. Enjoy and be thankful for all that we have accomplished!

It's tomorrow at 8 am. I'll let you know when we get home from the surgicenter.

Glad to hear your Mom is doing well. I'm sure she will be glad to be home, and share her home with some of the dogs. I bet she has to have a few of them at her place! :huggie: You are really going to be busy. Hope everyone is doing well.

So far its you, Sandra, and I. Where is Suzanne and the others? Send me an email if you decide against it tomorrow. We could meet at La Villa. Its the easiest for all to find each other.