juno610

I think I would try to get in the trial. The cost isn't too much over mexico, and 250 surgeries is not too shabby of a number, especially since he is very experienced overall.

Royal Oak, MI - just North of Detroit

Hi Robin! I'm a Michigander too :mad: I was lucky enough to feel restricted on my 2nd fill, but everyone is different. The best advice I got from my doc was to limit my portion to 1/2 cup, then see if I am still hungry. Don't test your band! Also, I have to agree that the first 30lbs was a piece of cake, but I really had to fight for the next 10. I gained a few back due to some ice cream splurges and not exercising, but I just got a new fill and I'm back on track. Best of luck to you! maria

Okay, newlou, you've twisted my arm, LOL! Here's some comparison pics of me. I didn't take the first set until March, when I was already down some 20lbs. The second set was in May, so the difference in the pics is about 20lbs. I can really see a difference around my waist -- not bad for 20lbs! Let me know what you guys think! I haven't taken any more yet because I've been holding steady since these were taken. I could really kick myself for not taking pics the day of surgery.

Hey there! I'm at 1.75ccs in a 4cc band, and I'm TIGHT! In the mornings, I am literally stuffed on 1/2 cup cottage cheese. Lunch and dinner I am doing my best to limit myself to less than 3/4 cup food. I find I'm filling up very quickly. So, I guess you could say I feel very restricted -- but in a good way!

Laura, you look amazing! I hope to look that good in a bikini myself some day! Great job :clap2:

I got my fill this morning! My doc put in .5cc, which seemed pretty good. She commented on how super tight it was after seeing my barium swallow. She said she was comfortable leaving it there, but asked if I was mentally prepared for that. Isn't she awesome!?! Well, as we were standing there talking, my throat made a huge gurgle. My doc promptly got me back on the table and took out .25cc just in case. I'm happy with my little fill -- no reflux on the barium swallow this time. I'm still pretty snug, so I'll have to be really careful with portions and such. One interesting tidbit... I asked her about hiccups. I've been getting them every once in a while after a meal, and I thought they were just a new stop sign. Doc says it shouldn't be happening and that I'm probably just eating too fast. Another reason to slow down! Off for a walk! Maria

4 inches off the thighs!! Whew! I'm jealous!!! Good job

I get that way every time I get food stuck. It usually passes quickly. If it doesn't, I can be fairly sure that I'll be barfing in about 20 minutes. One time it was so bad I almost passed out! Obviously, whenever this happens, I stop eating and make sure I wait a few hours before I even drink again.

Me! I went on vacation a few weeks ago and could barely eat for two days after we got there. It sucked because we were at an all-inclusive, so it was mostly buffet, which means all the meat is a bit over done. It was difficult to find appropriate choices that wouldn't cause me problems. A small price to pay for spending a week in the Bahamas though, right? :eek:

I second Julie's comment. Three or four big hiccups are a big stop sign for me. As soon as they hit, I am done eating. I would say I get them a few times a week.

Just wanted to pipe in here... I had my surgery just a few days before you and I have lost about 35lbs so far. I too wish it was more, but I am thrilled with my results so far. Down 2 pants sizes, no more huffing and puffing... what's to complain about? :eek: Get your fills, keep moving, and you'll be down more before you know it. Come check out the January Bandsters thread in the General Lapband Discussion board -- much more activity taking place there! maria

Can't help you either, but I second the idea for a preggo board! I am TTC right now, and it would be nice to not have to search out other preggo bandsters.

Wow -- nice to see some activity here! Welcome newlou! 40lbs is awesome! Today I had a lunch date with my bandster friend. We are quite the pair! We went to P.F. Chang's, which has always been one of our favorites. We ordered the lettuce wraps and one order of orange peel chicken. Between the two of us we barely ate 1/3 of what was on the table. We had the hardest time deciding what to order because we knew no matter what, it would be too much. The opposite of our old issues! Lots of leftovers! Plus, it took us over an hour to finish that much! It's so nice to sit at the table with someone who does not look at you wierd when you cut your chicken up into teeny weensy bites. The waitress was very nice -- but I know she was thinking "what the heck is up with these two?" LOL! My friend is looking so awesome too. She just recently got a fill after almost a year and quickly lost another 20lbs. She is my inspiration :eek: Speaking of inpiration...I had a patient at work the other day who just wow-ed me. A 69 year old woman did 9 minutes on the treadmill and was barely out of breath! 9 minutes is what we expect to get out of a 30 year old! She did more than double what was expected of a woman her age. What was her secret, you ask? She walks 3-6 miles a day and has been doing so for years. Lace up those shoes girls! Maria

Shawn - Hope you are feeling better today! That sounds horrible! Lisa - Isn't that a great feeling! I will admit it is hard to get used to. I swear someone new comes up to me every day at work and tells me how good I look. This has been especially hard lately because I gained back 5lbs. I have learned to just say "Thanks!" Sunshine - you hit the nail on the head -- the band teaches MODERATION! It is so true! Sometimes I can't believe what I leave on my plate and it really makes me think about how much I used to be able to eat. Scary! Well girls, I'm off to have lunch with a friend who is also banded. Cheap date! :confused: Maria

Late check in for me today. How's everyone doing? I am so sore from my marathon walk yesterday. My back and calves were killing me, so I just rested today. Tomorrow I'll be hitting the streets once again. I kinda bought me a little present today too -- a new ipod. I'm so gonna be in trouble when DH gets back from Vegas! Maria

For me it's been changing my eating methods: chewing more, eating slower, smaller bites. I'm still not at a place where I don't have to think about this constantly while I'm eating, but that's ok. I knew this was still going to require some effort on my part.

I had terrible reflux BEFORE my banding. It has completely gone away. Having said that, my doc does all fills under flouro and has said she's seen some reflux of the barium. She told me just to make sure I don't eat too much. There's times when I've taken one too many bites and I have a strange kind of "refluxing" sensation, but it doesn't burn like regular GERD. After all that rambling, I guess what I'm trying to say is that, if you don't have it now, you should be fine as long as you follow the rules of bandster eating, and no pouch packing!

Hi Gilly, I also had my band done by Dr. Deol in Sterling Heights. I have nothing but great things to say about her entire practice. She is a wonderful person and I truly believe she has her patients' best interests in mind. My hospital stay at Troy Beaumont was great as well. Great nursing care! Maria

Hello! Today was GREAT! A friend of mine called and wanted to go walking. We walked for almost 90 minutes! It's so nice to have someone to gab with -- it makes the time go by so much faster. I now have two walking buddies. I plan to see them both at least once a week (schedules don't really permit more than that). It felt really good to get out there and sweat. Not to mention it was a gorgeous day. The only thing is that the balls of my feet are killing me! I think it was the socks. Isn't that funny? I hope it passes quickly!

It's me again. Where on earth is everyone?!?! Today DH and I are planning an hour long walk for this evening. It's a perfect day here in Michigan -- I'm looking forward to it. I'm off work today and trying to finish crocheting a baby hat for a friend of mine. I finished a matching blanket two weeks ago, but it really burned me out. I need to finish because I wanted to make my sister something for her baby shower coming up 7/29. So far, so good today. My BP is holding steady 3 days off the meds. I will have to check what the half life is... it may not be completely out of my system yet. Maria

Here I am for my post of the day. I've decided to start counting calories again. I thought I could get away without it, but time and the scale are telling me a different story. I've been really trying to pay attention to my stopping signs. They include a deep sigh, hiccups, and crazy gurgling. The deep sigh is so wierd, but it does happen a lot. I just find I uncontrollably have to take a deep breath and it sort of hitches as I exhale. Anyone else? Something else wierd happened the other day -- I can't remember exactly what it was, but I knew it was a "hey dummy, quit eating!" sign. Hope you all are doing well. I am trying to motivate myself to hit the gym tomorrow, but it's SO HARD to get started! Maria

Hey Renee! Take care of that band, girl. And yourself! It's better to be unfilled for awhile, if need be, than to lose it altogether. If all you can keep down is liquids, then something is not right. The stress could be irritating things a little bit. Hang in there! maria

As promised, I'm here to check in! Gigi - congrats on making your halfway mark!! Awesome job You guys will probably think I'm nuts, but DH and I decided we would start trying for a baby. Yikes!! I've never really felt the urge before, but all of a sudden my clock starting ticking BIG TIME. So, what the hey, I got my doc's blessings, and off we go! I'm off my BP meds, off the antidepressants, exercising, and feeling pretty good. It should be interesting Maria

Hey gang! It's been so long since I've checked in -- I had a lot of catching up to do! So, a big hello to everyone. I've been bouncing around the same 5lbs and learned some hard lessons. This past week I've been practicing the smaller bites, slowing down, and chew chew chewing in preparation for my next fill on the 28th. I had a few puking episodes, and my doc actually suggested I needed more fill (opposit of what I had assumed). She said it's possible that I'm still hungry and shoveling the food in. I think she's right. So, I'm really trying hard to follow the bandster rules. Plus, I'm getting into the exercise again. I really want to make a good showing for the rest of the year. Getting pregnant is a new motivation for me. I'm not preggers yet, but my sister is, and I just found out that my cousin is with her second. I don't know why, but it gave me this huge pang of wanting! I've never felt that before about having kids. I've been saying all along that I wanted to get down to 200 first, but I am just so anxious all of a sudden! Anyway, that's me. I hope ya'll are still doing well. I'm going to try to start checking in every day again. I need to feel connected to you guys! Maria (who is trying very hard to be patient)