ericsmom

I didn't know doctors were still perscribing Phentermine still...back when they combined phentermine with fenflouramine and called it FenPhen, I was on it for almost a year and then they discovered it caused heart valve damage and they stopped perscribing it as a combination...I'm sure they are fine individually, but when they put them together to help with weightloss, it was a short-lived solution. I will say it totally worked when I was on it, but then they thought they detected a slight murmur, and we quit it immediately. The murmur went away, thankfully, but my girlfriend had some valve damage. I can't believe she spent so much time on the computer! Isn't that what the assistants are supposed to do? Collect the information before the doctor comes in? Unbelievable... Hang in there!

Hi Terry, Sounds like you are doing well...I was at the Duluth Clinic on the 20th...we ended up "tweaking" me and Tony put .4 more in, so I'm at 8.8 now. It's good restriction and I'm pleased. I used to go to the races every Friday, but I haven't been since my knees got bad a couple of years ago because it's too hard to go up the bleacher steps. My girlfriend's brother has a car - he used to drive it and now has someone else drive it for him...Rick Milinkovich is the owner of the car and Al Uotinen drives his car. Sounds like you have fun back in the pits! I'm sure you can't wait to get going to the Raceway! Keep up the good work and I'm sure we'll chat again soon!

Mary, you're too funny! She had many names...Aunt Flo, Aunt Ruby...but whatever we call her, she's not a very nice Auntie!! Day 2 of liquid after my fill on Tuesday...already down 4 lbs of what I gained in the last month. I was as low as 238 on April 8th, but Tuesday night I was 249...247 in the morning neked...so this morning I was 244.4 - that's a good thing... 241 is my 100 lb mark and I want to get under that again. Well, I have to run, but plan to visit tonight. Have a great day!

Hello everyone - just checking in...it's nice to see everyone trickling back... I had my appt. with my PA yesterday. We decided to "tweak" me and he put .4 more in, so I'm at 8.8 cc's and back on liquid for two days. I plan to take the clutter away from around my stationary bike tonight and get on it for at least 30 minutes. I really need to start exercising...I rely on walking around at work too much. Then I saw my nutritionist...she gave me a big hug and told me she thinks about me all the time as I'm the one who told her about FitDay and LBT and she passes it on to patients. We looked at before and current pictures. I felt disgusted by what I looked like a year ago, but we talked about how not to dwell on where I was and to relish where I've come from and where I'm at. I'm off to work...I just wanted to check in (my new goal to come here daily). Have a great one!

jlynn, Sorry to hear you're having issues...hopefully you'll get them solved. I'm surprised the Upper GI and the Gastroscopy haven't told you any more. Unfortunately the bands slip sometimes, but they should be able to put it back in place. Keep us posted on what you find out when you go back to Deer River. I see Tony today, but I don't think I'll need a fill - I'm at 8.4 in my 10cc band. Keep us posted!

Checking in from Superior! I had my surgery at SMDC like Terry did...as far as losing faster or slower than regular GB patients, I'm down 101+ in 9 mos. and that is pretty fast. I would probably be down even more if I exercised regularly, but I need two new knees (which I plan to have done this summer) and then I'll be able to walk, walk, walk!! This IS a tool...you still have to have the mindset to use the tool. It is 7 times safer than the regular GB and better for you. We digest food and absorb nutrients just like everyone else...GB patients don't. They have to take a lot of Vitamin supplements and they can lose their hair (or it thins out) and they cannot reverse what they have done. Now we don't have to EVER remove the band, but if we need to, the option is there. Any questions about my experience, just ask :girl_hug:

Way to go, Julie!!! Legs crossed and a plane seat belt with an extra tail hanging from it!! SO happy for you!

<p><p> </p> <p> </p> Hi Terry - my co-worker's surgery went well...I told him about this forum when he was preparing for his surgery, but I don't think he comes here. He is doing okay - he has had a couple of set backs with self-described times of being a "bad boy" and eating the wrong things, but he's recognized this and is back on track. I haven't asked where he's at lately...I'll have to do that. I see you are banded by now - how did your surgery go? I hope you are doing well. I have an appt. tomorrow with Tony Valentine (Dr. Lenz's PA) and then I see the dietitian, Lisa Spooner. I have known her since 1996 when I did a medically supervised liquid diet program at Miller Dwan. She is wonderful.</p> <p> </p> <p>I was in Hayward this past Friday with girlfriends for shopping and dinner at Famous Dave's. The lake it is on is beautiful. You live in a beautiful area. I live in Superior.</p> <p> </p> <p>I plan to keep a better eye on this thread, so I hope to hear back from you soon that you are doing well post-op.</p></p>

Hi - it's been a while since I've posted here - I see there are more going to SMDC in Duluth. I live in Superior, WI and I had Dr. Jay Lenz at St. Mary's Duluth Clinic and Tony Valentine does his fills. Tony is wonderful! And Dr. Lenz has the best disposition. I just celebrated my 9 mo. bandiversary and I'm down 103 lbs I have 8.4cc's in my 10cc band - which is good restriction for me. Interesting fact - when they test the bands it takes 110 cc's before it will burst... I'm originally from the Twin Cities, so as you all mention where you're from I know where you are. My parents are still there and I have a sister in Stanchfield, just outside of Cambridge. There are three other people where I work that have had the band...they all had Medlin and I had Lenz. My port is on the left side, and theirs is in the middle in front. I guess it depends on where they think it would do best in each person's situation. It may be something to ask your surgeon, no matter where you go, where he typically puts the port. I have had an absolute text book experience and it's the best thing I ever did for myself. When I look back at my before pictures, it makes me cry...the band - this tool - has saved my life. If there are any questions I can answer, feel free to ask!

Natesmom...sorry to hear you had some problems, but glad you got it fixed. Take it easy... I finally went over 100 lbs this past weekend - I'm down 103!!! I go to the lap band dude tomorrow, but probably won't get a fill. I'm at 8.4 in my 10cc band and that seems to be pretty good. Then I see my nutritionist for the first time in 4 months. She put me out that far after the first couple of months. I was only down 50 or 60 then, so she'll be excited to see the change. I have known her since 1996 when I did a medically supervised liquid diet at the local hospital. She's great...we get talking and forget why we're there LOL!! I see the knee surgeon for my consultation on May 1st. I really hope they can get me in right after I'm done for the summer. I work for a middle school as a secretary and I get 10 weeks off in the summer and I'm hoping to use the time to recouperate. I want to have minimally invasive total knee replacement. I'll have one done for sure, but if I could do both, that would be great. We'll see. Well, I'd better get to bed. Morning comes awfully quick! I vow to check in at least once a week :girl_hug:

Checking in to say hello - 1.4 lbs away from 100 lbs lost this morning...I won't be celebrating totally until I stay at 100 or more for a week...then I'll do the happy dance. I am changing physically, though...even though the scale hasn't been moving the past month or so. Now that Easter is over and the Cadbury eggs (the ones with the candy shell) are gone from the shelves, I will be back on the wagon...I LOVE those things! Hope you all are doing well!

Checking in again - the scale finally moved another 5 lbs on Friday AM and then I went and had a family birthday celebration and cake on Saturday! I haven't weighed myself since...I'll give it a few days. Thought I'd attach a picture from the weekend (my sister and me) I'm the one on the right...I'm down 95lbs. Better head off to work - it's nice to know that no matter how much time passes in between my visits you're all still here checking in!

Checking in - scale still not moving - I get cortisone in my knees on Friday and then I should be able to start moving more...so frustrating! I go up 2, down 2, and I'm stuck at 250...urrgghh! My body, however, is still shifting and changing. I'm getting both knees replaced, a month apart, this summer, so then I can really get out and get moving... It's nice to come here and know that I'm not the only one with a slowed weight loss...

Congrats to you Edie and va va va voom, DonnaMarie!! I need to get riding my bike again - the scale is not moving!!

DonnaMarie - glad you're figuring out why you've been low on energy and slow to recover...weigh to go on the WL!!! I have been at the same weight for a month now. I got a fill last Thursday. Today, I had a major incident - my LQ got stuck at school on my lunch break! I had to stay in the bathroom and PB until it subsided...not something I want to do again. I think that when I am having lunch with the teachers, and talking and not paying attention to what I'm doing, I don't chew well enough and just swallow and then BAM! It's too late. So I'm going to stick to softer foods for lunch instead of chicken and vegetables and save those for dinner when I'm at home and can pace myself. This is the second time it has happened in two weeks. So I have to change something! Anyway - I wanted to be down 100 by yesterday (my 40th bday) but I was down 93 on Friday...so I got pretty darn close! My knees are extremely bad right now - I see the knee surgeon April 3rd for a consultation. However, I just found out they are doing minimally invasive knee replacement surgery in the Twin Cities that would be a quicker recovery time and might enable me to have both done at once. So I'm going to make some calls. Cross your fingers and say prayers that this way would work out better for me Talk to you all soon!

I was told I would have to reschedule if I had my period...it was fine and I didn't, but they made a point to tell me I couldn't have it...hope it all worked out for you.

Hello everyone - Sorry to hear about your issues, Sherri...but I'm glad you decided to stay here and just do the name change thing...congrats on the new grandbaby that's on the way How exciting for you! DonnaMarie - glad to hear you're feeling better...brochitis is hard to get rid of! I'm at 8.4 now, as of yesterday, and have always had good restriction around 8, so you should be doing good now I'm trying to drink my water better, too... Mary - sounds like you're having a blast on your vacation! I'm not going anywhere near as exciting as you are, but I'm leaving Friday morning for a long weekend of scrapbooking with four other friends. We travel about 2.5 hours south of me to a house and scrap practically 24-7 for three days. I can't wait! I'm on spring break right now, but have a quiet begining of the week. Beth - how did the bloodwork report come out? I hope you're feeling better! Keep us posted! Sunday I turn 40 and Monday is my 19th wedding anniversary...we married the day after I turned 21. I'm going on a trip with girlfriends and my DH is going to Reno for the Men's National Bowling Tournament that he goes to every year at this time, so we won't even be together on the special days. My family is getting together April 7th, though, so we'll celebrate then...it happens to be my sister's birthday that day. My son turns 15 on April 2nd, too...so we've got a busy month of birthdays! Well, I have to go pick him up from church band practice...everyone have a good night!

Wow Chris! Way to go! I wish I could exercise like that, but my knees are so bad, that until I get them replaced (one this summer and one next) then I can start moving more. You're doing awesome!! Hello to everyone else - Beth and DonnaMarie, glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. I'm off to work!

Congrats on your decision to work toward a better life for yourself...the tests are a breeze...and your surgery will come sooner than you think! LBT is a great place for support, advice and answers to those unending questions... I'm looking forward to your updates

ROTFLMAO!!!! Too funny!

Congratulations on your decision to have the lap band...and wow! what a great weight loss on top of being cancer-free! Good luck to you!

I have not had a drink while eating since my surgery - it defeats the whole purpose of the fact that the food stays in the pouch longer so you feel satisfied longer. I usually have a lifesaver or other breathmint after I eat to get the saliva going.

As you lose weight your band will become looser because your insides are shrinking, too...I didn't feel good restriction until I hit 6cc's...I keep myself at 8 now and that is pretty strict, but I like it that way... My port is still sewn in where they put it, but it lays sideways because of how I'm changing, too. There is also a bit of air in the saline and some can evaporate in the tube. That has happened to me, too. I'm sure your band is fine...it's still pretty new.

Hi DonnaMarie! You are doing great, too! Sorry to hear you've been so sick! Don't rush back - if you go back too soon, you could relapse... I've tried really hard to manage my eating today - shake for Breakfast...a wheat tortilla with ham and shredded cheese melted and rolled up for lunch...a shake again, and then two salmon fillets...all in all a good day, but I didn't drink enough Water...I'm going to go grab a bottle now! Have a good night!

Hello everyone! I am feeling SO GUILTY for not coming on here in the last couple of weeks...I've been self absorbed with life, I think... I am still at 97 lbs lost (give or take 5 lbs)...My 40th birthday is March 25th, so I hope to hit 100 by then. I get another fill on March 20th. I have been eating too much chocolate and bigger portions, so I go up and down. I have started shakes twice a day again to help myself get under control again. I've come a long way since July 21st...I had my surgery July 5th and this picture was taken on a trip two weeks later...the bottom picture was taken two weeks ago... So as you can see, things are progressing...not as fast as they used to, but nonetheless, progressing...I need to drink more Water and exercise more and then it would come off faster, but it's easier said than done, as you all know. I have one more week of work/school, and then we are on spring break...I'm going away with girlfriends for a weekend of scrapbooking at a B&B the 23rd - 25th and I turn 40 on the 25th. People ask me if I'm having issues with turning 40 and I tell them no, because I'm in a better place now than I have been the past 15 years! I see the knee surgeon April 3rd and then I'll know more about the first of two knee replacement surgeries (one this summer and the other next summer). I hope to be on his table the week of June 18th. I'll keep you posted. I hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected. I miss chatting with you all...I need to make a point to come here more often. I'm going to my first lap band support group at the hospital where I had my surgery on Monday night. I'm going with another co-worker who had it done, too. I think it will help me stay on track. Well, I'll "talk" to you all soon!