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Okay I went to a support group meeting last night and I was the only one left with a Band out of about 40 women? Are less people getting the Band? Everyone was pretty well spilt among the ByPass and the Sleeve. Getting lonely out there! cheri

Good posts everyone, too bad we are not all closer LOL cheri

Might even try 1/4 cc it too can make a difference, cheri

Oh to most Bypass or Sleeve people we (the Banded) are the lowest of people. I have been snubbed by quite a few in large groups. Not sure why they are so uptight lol cheri

Agree with that. I went with 2 people who had Bands and revised one to Bypass one to Sleeve in the last month. But the Band has worked good for me, them not so much. cheri

We are getting lost in the crowd. We need to keep communicating with each other. It has slowed way down for me. Lost 68 lbs in my first year . . . wanted more but not giving up. Lets hear from some more July 2009 bandsters!!! Cheri

If you really want to have a change in your life and most likely weight too . . . sounds like you need toughen up and head for that counseling chair. You will be surprised how much we hold inside and let bother us for years. You said you could not afford it I understand that but have you checked? Some therapist work on a sliding scale and some even offer free service. You stated "you don't want to go there" that makes me think that you know inside something needs to be fixed. Why would you spend all the time and money to have this surgery but not want to fix yourself on the inside? Counseling lets you let out all the stored up problems, pain, dissappointment, and shame that some feel. I did 3 years of counseling and loved it. Sometimes I left there swearing I would never go back, or saying to myself "How dare her say that" only to get home and a few hours later it hit me wow thats what she meant. You also said you didn't want your family to know, who is going to tell them? Probably you after you unload whats bothering you. You might be handing out business cards to those you love. It is scary facing life's problems and even harder to carry them around inside your mind and heart. I hope you will just check into it and see if it is something you can do. I would rather be fat than to load back up all those thoughts and feeling I carried around for years. I too will be praying for you. cheri

It's just me but I would not go in and have Fluid taken out if I was stuck until I tried everything. I think messing with your fill level leads to problems. I understand why people do but I would not, but thats just me. cheri

½ cup diet coke, (diet sprite, etc.) 3 teaspoons meat tenderizer, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, it is gross but works and very fast. cheri

The best thing for being stuck is what they call “drano”. I was stuck about 4 days last Thanksgiving. I was not too tight just stuck. But I could still drink some liquid slowly. Another Bandster told me take some hot coke and mix some meat tenderizer and lemon juice. Go to bathroom and take one big drink and it will go down and right back up with whatever is stuck. It works trust me, in 3+ years I have only used this twice but works fast. You must be ready cause it will shoot back up lol cheri

We all have to have our Mexican food. My last name is not Rodriguez by accident lol. cheri

I crushed my pills for 3 months and then started taking them. If they are really big I break them ½ and take them. As time goes by you might try drinking some coffee in the morning or whenever you take your pills it seems to open or relax the band some. Do not break apart time-released pills though. cheri

I have a Total Gym that I love. If you buy a scratch and dent one from website you get newest version ½ price. It took me 6 months to figure out the small imperfection in mine - a scratch, not rip on padding. Love it. I also have an incline treadmill. I am not always as disiplined on treadmill but love the Total Gym. cheri

yes they do, and also fruit flavored like lemonade etc. if you do not want milky taste cheri

I have been banded for 3 years and now need to take Hormone Replacement. I have a prescription for a while but been unsure if I want to fill or not. My husband wants me to lol, I am fixing to be 52. It is for estradiol - norethindrone anyone taking it of something like it? Help me I do not know what to do. Did you take it? Like it, hate it? Gain weight? lose weight? cheri

Get a second opinion. Do you drink carbonation drinks? The can do it too. But go get checked before something little turns into something big. cheri

Depression is a serious thing. You may need some counseling to help you through this. You are changing your body, mind and spirit. Sometimes we all need a little help to accept changes. I did 3 years and it helped me so much. cheri

Next month 3rd Saturday of the month. Should be October 20, 1:00 at Casa Ole. You should come. Cheri

Just hang in there you will get use to it. It will all be worth it! cheri

You close in this area we have a support group meeting the 3rd Saturday of the month at Chili's in Alvin at 1:00 pm for all types of WLS pre-op or post op. Sometimes it changes to a different Saturday if a lot of people can't attend, but you can contact me if you are interested. (About 10 women average). cheri

If you are so happy with the sleeve why are you not on that website sharing your joy with them? Why come here and talk bad about the Band. Many people are happy with their Band. cheri

Why are they not doing revision at same time as removal? Cheri

Where are you from in Texas? I am out by Galveston. Cheri

Love that show! They really work hard! First 3 months they pay them their salary so they can devote time to work outs. Wish they would do a follow up show 6 months later. Cheri

You look great! Congratulations! cheri