Carrin Parkes

Hi, How is the book going? I read the book before and quit, had a crises and started up again. Then I went on the actual course. I've not touched a ciggie since 3 June 2009. And I'm a happy non-smoker. So all the best. I hope it works for you. To my mind it's the only book or course that works and I've tried every method.

Hi, yes good idea. My band Dr lives an hours drive from Durban. I will PM you his office number and mine in case you need it. I know he'll be working up until 22 December '09.

Hi, Which area in South Africa are you looking at going to?

Hi, How did your esphagus dilate? I'm so worried I've done this to mine.

Hi, There is Dr Brombacher in Pietermaritzburg - KZN, he's done many bands. Would you be interested in coming to KZN?

Thanks! I made some chicken soup last night. I've had my band for near 3 years now. It just seems that in order for me to lose weight I have to be on liquids. Solids seem to slow my weight loss down to nothing. My problem is when I have a fill my stomach swells so much I'm basically on liquids only. I'd love to just have it loosened and do Weight Watchers or here in South Africa we have Weigh-Less. Has this method worked for anyone else out there?

Hi, yes I get that tight feeling, even from liquids. My band is very tight at the moment - I've been on liquids for 7 weeks. It's hard but you cope when the scale says you have lost weight, that's the only way I get through this. Every Friday the scale is down. But it it wasn't I would cope. Sausage, hmm, tried some the other day and got that same stuck feeling and then threw up.

Hi, I am so pleased for you that they found your heart problem. At least now with the band you can lose weight and become even healthier. I hope you are feeling well and on the road to recovery. All the best and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

You are lucky you can eat solids. I'm on liquids as I'm so restricted. Like you I need tiny fills and I get very restricted. Are you losing any weight?

Hi, I know how you all feel, losing slowly like that. I have found that in order for me to lose weight - I have to be so restricted that I spend most of my life on liquids, as soon as I'm on solids, my weight loss stops. This process can be quite exhausting. Is anyone else out there simply exhausted from this process?

Hi, I'm down 104 pounds/47Kgs as of this morning. Have 50 pounds/22Kgs to go. It's been a long haul, as I had lost 110 pounds/50Kgs and had to have revision surgery a year ago and picked up 55 pounds/25Kgs. So it's taken me a year to lose the weight again. Do any of you bandsters feel exhausted from this process? For me it's been mentally very trying - mostly because for me, to lose weight I have to be very restricted, and have spent a lot of time on liquids. But alas, it is a means to an end and I've never been able to lose this amount of weight on my own before, 2X over!

Hi, With regards to your reflux, I think you should see your Doc about that. You may have a hernia or some such thing as that. You may need that fixed 1st before you get good restriction. You need good restriction to lose weight. I for instance, have no control and need really good restriction to lose, else I just eat and gain weight. I just can't help it, I love food.

Hi, yes I have had this problem. I had a hernia and had to be operated on & have my band re-positioned at the same time. The best thing is to consult your Dr. Could be something simple like for the Dr to prescribe some anti-reflux meds.

Hi there! Where in South AFrica are you? I'm in KwaZulu-Natal. My surgeon is excellent. Dr Brombacher. He's done the most bands in the country. Email me on CParkes@dla.gov.za if you'd like any more info.

Hi, This was happening to me. You need to see a surgeon nearby that has done lap band surgeries. Not a general doctor. I had to have my band re-done/positioned as my stomach had pushed up through the band and my pouch was grossly enlarged. Please do this immediately. Demand a scope. Sounds like you need to be re-done. Don't leave it. Forget Mexico, it's too far away. Get some help close by. Please send me a private message as I get so confused on this site about how to find these messages again. I know all about the heartburn story too. It is terrible. I was sick like you , ALL THE TIME! Only when the surgeon scoped me did he see what was going on. Let me know Carrin

Hi, How does not drinking water make the band feel tighter? Interesting as I can't get any water down during the day and only a little at night and my band feels so very tight.

Call your doctor and describe the pain to him. It's important not to leave it, it could be dangerous to do so.

:thumbup: Hi, this is an excellant bit of advice. I feel so motivated now. I have forwarded this to my surgeon. This is some of the best advice I've received since my surgery in Feb 2006! and it's now 2008...

Sometimes the band can feel tighter because food (especially meat/chicken/bread) can get stuck and will not digest. What helped me was to have my band "released" slightly and all was well again. If this does not work and you are still tight, consult your Dr again as you may need a Gastroscope or Barium Drink to see what's going on. Eg. Band erosion or slippage. But it's usually because a bit of food is stuck. Stress and time of day also effects what can go down. Well for me anyway.

Hi, I've gained back 57.2 pounds. How did you do it? Am leaving in 15 mins for a tightening. Am very despondent. Have not been able to lose a thing in 7 months. Would love to chat. Please let me know...