NimbleBean

Anybody out there? Been years since i posted here. Band has been working fine; in fact I never think about it. My relationship with food is significantly different now than it was in the past. I never reached my goal weight, but close! So, I've been very happy... until I found out that my band has slipped way down over my stomach! Have some acid reflux, but not too bad. And no pain or vomiting. But, surgeon says it has to come out due to its location. I am opting not to have it replaced with a band, sleeve or get a bypass. I know I've got this. All of this comes after a rough 7 months. Diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2015. Had a bilateral mastectomy in November, and have been going through the reconstruction process since them. Four surgeries so far and two more to come. But, we caught it early. Didn't need chemo or radiation. And I've got new boobs for the last half of my life (weight loss had done a number on the girls! LOL) So, all things considered, the removal of the lap band seems so inconsequential in comparison. Hope all are well. NimbleBean (Margaret)

Hello All! Wondering how everyone is doing. It's been nearly 6 1/2 years since we were banded. Can't believe it. Just saw my band doc today for a check-in. No problems, band seems to be working fine still. As some of you know, I had re-gained some of my weight, but thanks to joining Weight Watchers and working with the band instead of eating around it, I'm down again. About 23 lbs from my goal. These last few pounds seem to just want to fight to stay on my hips and thighs. But I'll get there. Would love to hear from some of my May 2007 Bandster pals! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello All! Wondering how everyone is doing. It's been nearly 6 1/2 years since we were banded. Can't believe it. Just saw my band doc today for a check-in. No problems, band seems to be working fine still. As some of you know, I had re-gained some of my weight, but thanks to joining Weight Watchers and working with the band instead of eating around it, I'm down again. About 23 lbs from my goal. These last few pounds seem to just want to fight to stay on my hips and thighs. But I'll get there. Would love to hear from some of my May 2007 Bandster pals! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello All. Hope all are enjoying this very hot summer (I admit, I'm not. I'm a winter girl.) Weight loss continues. Had a couple of off weeks, but my band, weight watchers and a real increase in activity has helped overall. At tonight's weigh-in, I was at 197.8! ONEderland! Finally! First time in 25 years (or more) that I'm under 200lbs. I'm much more mobile now, so I've begun using resistance bands to help with toning all this extra and loose skin. It may not all go away, but I want to try my best. When I reach goal, and maintain it for two years, I may consider some surgery to remove the extra skin, but that's a long, long way off. How is everyone else doing on their journey? Miss hearing from folks. NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

JSRICO, Glad to hear you made it through your revision surgery well. My thoughts will be with you as you start this leg of your journey. Please keep us all posted about your progress. No matter what method or methods we use, I think the support we can give each other is tremendously important. Only we who have lived the struggle and made these life-changing decisions can really understand what we go through. All best, Margaret (NimbleBean)

Well our anniversary month is just about over. Can't believe those 5 years went by so quickly. I'm still doing well with my Band/Weight Watchers combo. At weigh-in tonight, I was down 4.8 lbs. for the week, that's 42.8 with WW and adding in my Band and per-Band diet losses, that comes to 98.4 total since early 2007. But, I'm keeping my eye on my goal and have another 46.6 lbs to lose. I'm going to kick up the exercise (I really hate exercise, so this will need to be a big kick in the a** that I give myself!). Hope you are all doing well. Would love to read others' stories, challenges, setbacks, victories, etc.! Cheers, Margaret

Happy Bandiversary Month to us all! MacysGranny, Even with the setbacks you mentioned, you are doing AMAZINGLY well. That butterfly on your Ticker is so close to goal! With the positive attitude you have, you will be there in no time. After my 2.2 lb. gain at WW weigh-in last week, I got back on track. Tonight, my 16th week on the WW program, I was down 4.8 lbs. That's 33.8 lbs total in the 16 weeks. Certainly I have a long way to go (the scale on my TIcker seems to be moving so very slowly), but it took 40 years to put on the weight, I know that it will take a long time - even with the band/WW combo - to lose it. I can do it, I will not blink! Hope all my May 2007 friends are doing well. You inspire me to keep at it. Cheers, NimbleBean (Margaret)

Thanks Dev. I feel I'm getting such inspiration from all of you, too! On another topic, I think you mentioned in a post last week or earlier this week, that you had to sign up again. Well, I was reading some of our early posts as we were all dealing with insurance, scheduling, fears, etc. I came across posts from "Devera," and wondered if that was you. Here's the link to the member page - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/user/218511-devera/ If it is, you can try signing in with that UserName and what you think is your password (or click on "I forgot my password" for a reset or to have it mailed to you (I can't remember which way it works on this site). Hope this helps you find your former self! Margaret

Not a good weigh-in tonight at WW. Up 2.2 lbs. Bad week - too much stress that I just couldn't seem to overcome with the psychological tools I usually rely upon, not enough physical activity and I was careless about tracking my WW points/food. This is not a setback, it's a bump. My meal tonight was already a step in the right direction. And I realize now that I let stress control me instead of me controlling it! I will keep moving forward. This weight will not define or control me!!! I'm off to the gym. Cheers all! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

JSrico - sorry, I had a typing fart and left some words out of my response to you... So sorry to hear you are having issues. My band doc mentioned the gastric sleeve as a possibility should I ever need to have the band removed. Is that not possible in your situation? Get a second opinion just to be sure. Keep us posted!

Dev, Keiko, Almanorgirl and Jsrico, So glad to hear from each of you. Keiko, I can't believe it's going to be 5 years either (May 22 is my bandiversary)! I'm still pleased with my decision, just wished I had been more committed to the band in the past few years. I believe I would have been further along in my weight loss. But, I'm not going to spend time beating myself up. Now I'm moving forward, using whatever tools will help (Weight Watchers really seems to be a good band partner for me) and trying to embrace the positive rather than dwell on the negative. I'm down 31.2 lbs in 14 weeks with WW, and this small success has really given me a mental and emotional lift. I have a long way to go, but I'm going to be 50 later this year and know that it will only get harder to lose the weight the longer I carry it, and I don't want to deal with the diseases and consequences of obesity as I age. JSRico, So sorry to hear you are having issues. My band doc mentioned that as a possibility should I ever need to have the band removed. Is that not possible in your situation? Get a second opinion just to be sure. Keep us posted! Dev, You can lose that 15 again. We're here to support you. You've come this far and this is just another challenge that you have the will and the know-how to overcome! Almanorgir, I had been having fairly severe acid reflux, too. Doc put me on a low dose (40mg daily) of Nexium and I am a new person. No pain, no terrible bilious, acid taste in my mouth. Happiness! If I have a rare day when I eat something that really doesn't sit well, then a couple of Tums help. See your doc. The reflux should be treated because it can cause long term health issues (for everyone, not just band patients). Sorry, I've rattled on so long. Thanks to all of you for your openness, support and friendship. It really helps to keep me going. Hugs to all, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

I'm doing pretty well at WW. Down 31.2 lbs in 13 weeks. But, tonight, after a tough work week, my will power is waning and I'm just dying to have some real ice cream. I know that is eating around the band, and way too many WW points to waste, so I need to find something to occupy me until the feeling passes. So that's why I'm here, Keeping myself busy so that I won't go out for ice cream. Sad really. LOL. NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hello May '07 Banders! Where have you all gone? NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

_________________________________________________________________________________ Soexcited, Don't get down on yourself. The great thing about WW is that the next day is a clean slate. Your daily points don't carry over, nor do you get less points if you have overused the previous day. So, for you each day re-sets to 29 Daily Points Plus values, and you have the 49 Weekly Points Plus vValues to use as you choose (a few each day, all at once on a big blow-out or bad day, or none at all). And, don't forget to track your activity points. These will also help if you go over your 49 Weekly Points. Are you going to a weekly meeting? I've found it to be so helpful. It can depend on your group leader. If you don't click with one or the group members, try a meeting on another night or a different location with another leader. And, if you need help asking how to use your points, speak up. I have found group leaders and other members so willing to help. I also swear by WW eTools for tracking, advice, tips, etc. Keep working! It's hard, but so worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT! All best, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

At last night's weigh in, I was down another 5.2 lbs. Woo Hoo! The band and WW are certainly working for me now. Well, that's not really true. I am working for me now! Cheers, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Great night at Weight Watchers - down 5.2 lbs! I realize now how much I was eating around the band. I don't have to anymore. I am never hungry; in fact, there are days that I have trouble eating the number of points I'm supposed to, even though I know that when we don't eat enough of the right combination of foods, metabolism slows down. Cheers, NimbleBean

My band and Weight Watchers together keep working for me. I still have a long way to go, but the past 3 months have shown me that I can do it. I even gained a bit last week but it didn't phase me at all, just got right back on track and expect a loss at weigh-in tomorrow evening. Had a small non-scale victory this weekend. Went through the closet and came up with enough clothing that no longer fits to fill 4 30 gallon trash bags. Donated everything this morning and it felt so good! How's everyone else doing? Cheers, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hi All. Been a busy couple of weeks and I just haven't had a chance to log on here. Glad to hear so many are doing well. I'm making steady progress myself, down 14.4 lbs. since I started at WW 8 weeks ago. It took me years to put on all this weight and I know it will take me a long time to lose it and it will be a lifetime of mindful eating to maintain it once I get there. So, here's to us and each day! I do have a question for all of you though. How do you track when you have an episode of PBing? I just had split pea Soup with ham. I didn't chew the ham properly, it got stuck and all the soup behind it came back up. I think that I should only track what I believe I digested, but really don't know how to calculate that. What do others do? NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hi all! Had my 6th weigh in tonight. Down 8.6 lbs total! So pleased to see the scale moving in the right direction again. Some days I have trouble consuming my total Daily Points Value, and when that happens my weight loss is not as good. Here's to another good week for us all! NimbleBean

Hey all, Six weeks in at Weight Watchers. Down 8.6 lbs! I am so conscious of what I'm eating now, in a way I haven't been in years. We had a visitor at the meeting last week, a gentleman who has lost 193 lbs! No surgery! Took him 17 months and he's kept if all off for two years now. He's going to be my inspiration for a long time. We can all do this. It doesn't matter how we get there - band, bypass, sleeve, weight watchers, exercise - or some combination of any of it. I know it's our health that's most important. If we look better and fit into the clothes we dream of, that's just a plus! I continue to be inspired by all of my May 07 friends, too. It's hard to share our setbacks and disappointments, and we all have them, but we can also share small victories and give each other encouragement! Thanks to you all for what you have given me over these 5 difficult years. Best, NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Hey All, I've been to three Weight Watchers meetings. First week - starting weight - was so hard. But, after my first full week I lost 2 lbs, and at the end of the 2nd week - 2.2 more pounds gone! I think that the band problems I had in April last year were really the jump start that I needed. I was completely unfilled then, started building up fills and have had a powerful re-commitment to my own health. Now, the band and I are working together and Weight Watchers has been a real plus in getting the numbers moving again. Hope all of my May '07 friends are doing well and that 2012 is filled with good health and happiness for us all! NimbleBean (aka Margaret)

Manatee, So nice to see some familiar names here. Sorry that you went through such trouble, but really glad to hear that the sleeve is working for you. Unfortunately, my insurance will not pay for revision to the sleeve. They consider it experimental. Am going to have a long, frank discussion with my doc on Thursday. Maybe this slippage was just the kick in the ass I needed. NimbleBean

Lana and Grandma, Thanks for the wonderfully supportive words. They mean so much to me. Apparently, band slippages feel different for everyone. Mine was a couple of days of pain under my left rib cage. I thought I had pulled a muscle or something because I could still eat with no PBing. That started Tuesday, and each subsequent day the pain was less. Friday evening, I went to the store and while walking around, I had this intense, crampy pain all across my abdomen and I was feeling very bloated. Again, I passed it off as 'maybe I'm just stuck from lunch.' When I got in the car, the pain completely went away. Went home, had supper with no problem. At 11:30 pm, just when I was getting ready for bed, the same discomfort came over me. I couldn't really lay on my back, side or stomach for very long. Standing provided a bit of relief, kneeling on the floor with my head also on the floor helped a bit. I was starting to think kidney stones, but the pain wasn't sharp and acute as I remember my Dad having during his bout with kidney stones. Anyway, after 5 hours of this (yea, I'm a glutton for it!), I called a friend to take me to the ER. The CT scan showed a distended stomach above the band. Someone from my surgeon's office came in and completely unfilled me (after 6 pokes and some wiggling - don't get me started!). The unfill and some Dilaudid really made me feel better. I don't have pain now and am going for an Upper GI on Thursday morning, seeing surgeon in pm. I do exercise. But I am always hungry. And it's not boredom, depression, etc. I never feel satiated. I can eat some fish, almost no chicken, no pork, no beef unless it's ground (but not burgers). eggs are hit or miss. Beans work, but good God, how many can a person eat?! I can only eat 1/2 container of yogurt in the morning, lunch is usually a salad and by dinner, I'm famished and I can eat well more than 1 cup's worth of food. I work a job where I cannot stop to eat 6 small meals. And, as I mentioned, the foods that would satisfy me just won't stay down - no matter how much chewing I do. So, I end up eating around the band. I've only had 1.5ccs in the band, so I certainly am not too tight. None of this is to excuse myself or my shortcomings. I certainly feel much, much, much better than I did when I was 305 lbs (I'm now 245), but I hoped for so much more. I'll never be skinny and frankly, I don't want to be, but I would like to be under 200 lbs. I'm 48 years old and am beginning to feel I will never achieve this goal. My anger and frustration at myself has really been the major hindrance to my success. For the first time in my life, I feel like a loser, and not the kind of loser I want to be!

Hello to all my May 2007 Friends, Been a long and difficult road for me. My weight loss has been abysmal; I am about the same weight as when I had the surgery. I had lost a lot of weight in the months preceding the lap band, so at least I haven't gained anything back, and I believe the band is to be credited for that. My disappointment in myself is so great that I haven't wanted to face any of you - although I knew there was support here. I have also completely avoided seeing the doc for over two years. I know! I know! Then, this weekend, my band slipped and I am now forced to deal with my issues. I will be having a discussion with my surgeon on Thursday. Not sure if I want to try the band again, have it removed or go with bypass (my insurance won't pay for the sleeve). I will be in touch later in the week - really I will - to let you know where I'm going. Please send me your positive energy. I need it now. Hugs to all, NimbleBean

Thanks to MetalBand for getting us going in July! Now here we are, a few days into August and I thought I would start a new thread for our monthly Exercise & Water Challenge. I figure we can just keep adding to this thread for each month. For each month set your own goal, with a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least 20 days of the month. Also, don't forget to get in at least 64 oz. of water each and every day! I've already got three days of exercise and water under my belt. For me, it's been easier to get in the exercise than it has been to get in the water! Never thought that would be the case! I know there won't be tons of posts here, but it's great to see folks exercise tickers changing on the other threads! Good luck to all of us! Margaret