JOANNE M HOLL

"Come on in the water's fine." I've never been sorry I got banded. Actually it has saved my life. I am no longer diabetic, my blood pressure is better and my feet & legs are no longer swollen. . . . . . . . Don't wait, call your insurance company & visit with them. Better health costs them less in claims. My PCP likes it too. In the very long run you get to buy regular clothes (Cheaper than extra sizes) and the grocery bill goes down somewhat. . (No junkfood & fewer sweets) And as far as the "water" goes (referred to above, first line. . )you will look much better in the bathing suit! Ha!

Way to go girl, keep up the good work!

There is nothing on there when I click start!

Why did you get the band originally? Did you think the band would do the work for you? I would suggest you read everything about lap bands and gain positive thoughts before just trying hit or miss compliance again. If your bariatric centre (or surgeon) does not jog you to the enthusiastic road to use your "tool" please find a local meeting group and get help. There are meetings (similar to AA) that have popped up most everywhere. . . and if you can't find one. . . . . . . start one. . . . . . . you help someone & they help you & so on. . . . . pass it on. . . . to gain healthy & happy lives!

Life can be tough at times. I backed through my garage door($900), slid on the ice as I turned into county courthouse parking lot & slid into pickup with trailer attached ($3500) and caught a thread on a new sweater on corner of rough counter at the Body Shop when getting vehicle damage estimates, which pulled the knit & ruined it ($60). (I wished I had stayed in bed!) all this was yesterday. . . . I'm being very careful today. . . . . "finelytime" it sounds like you are in a band zone that is leading you to success. Keep your head high and enjoy a most healthy happy life. . . I wish you smooth traveling. . . .

CG The movie contracts are in the mail! I loved "It" Thank you so much for your devotion to this site and all the inspiration sent our way. . . . . Jo

Hoffman, Minnesota (Land of the Viking Runestone, birthplace of America)

I think that was the best part of all is that I don't have that sickening aftertaste. I ordered a big order and have used it up. I liked it all the flavors and it is not just sitting unused in the cupboard, as a few things I've got talked into by super advertising. (Ha!) However, I've got my own personal mixture I've concocted at home with whey, powdered non-fat dried milk, French vanilla, powdered dark cacao, splenda, ice cubes and cold coffee or tea. Sometimes I add extracts I have in my baking supplies, such as maple, anise, strawberry, almond, coconut or etc. or I can add fruit such as banana, peach or berries. Use your imagination.

Good luck! Keep close contact with your doc & staff, and you will do well.

The first thought I had was, "Oh good," she'll have her sister to chat with!" Reinforcement will be a good thing, has your sister done well? Follow your doc's guidelines as he has the map to find the "zone" and you will be a healthy lap bander. Wish you well!

My very good friend died of a blood clot after knee surgery 5-6 yrs ago. She was home two days & was feeling awful (not doing her exercises) and they rushed her by ambulance to emergency and she died of a blood clot before her family got there. I think W.C. insurance paid the family quite a sum on wrongful death claim. . . . so I've noticed everyone, including myself, has had those little "in the stomach" shots ever since that time at our medical centre! Most likely many medical centres were having that happen after surgery & sending folks home too soon!

Boy, do I ever relate to this thread! It has inspired me to phone my PCP's nurse and asked her to speak with doc and then recommend a professional counsellor experienced in food disorder. I saw someone after my cancer surgeries but not female & I didn't feel secure to be open & relaxed. I need to find my inner strength to just let it all hang out. . . . just pray I'm on the right path. . . . Jo

I looked in my spice cupboard to my array of baking extracts. . . . . . . .I had maple,vanilla, orange, lemon, strawberry, mint, licorice, coconut, anise & etc. and I just added a few drops to my protein drinks made in the blender. ( I think I bought some of them when I was on a diet center weight loss program. Anyway. . . Schilling has a large variety of flavors, and there should be no calories in those tiny drops! The strawberries you added had seeds and were not the best choice but I'm just sending this thread to give you other ideas. . . I really liked the mint. . . . one drop & add ice cubes in your blender. . yummy!

This is a very helpful site. (I recognize you from SparkPeople) Look to the "Next Unread Topic" at the very bottom of each page and "click" to browse through some very helpful threads and you will get help from the folks with their questions & responses. This is the best of the internet! Wishing you a healthy future. . . . Jo

T-bear: You have come to our very helpful site and I feel you have taken the first step in the right direction. . . . . . everyone will tell you to check with your doctor. . . . . . they're all a little different. . . . and we all think we know the ropes but we can only re-tell our experience. . . . . We welcome you and wish you a successful, healthy & happy future! Jo

Cheryl: You are certainly an inspiration to the Lap Band World! Jo

I guess I'd book some time with the alteration lady the week before the weddings and not jump the gun with altering too soon. Good luck and wishing you to be lovely in the photographs! Jo

I've started over so many times. Had the saline removed several years ago prior to major surgeries, and after going through that period of trauma was again well & active. Each morning I started to listen for my band (I named it Cybil) and prayed to find my old "Zone". I revisited my old surgeon and he smiled and said I'd stretched my stoma and said he'd see me in a year. I visited several hours with the bariatric centre's nutritionist and she repeated the same old same old, which I know by rote. I've only gained some of prior loss back . . . . I want my old Lap Band back helping me!

I am so sorry to hear this! If you have pouch dilation it does not take that long for it to heal, usually the treatment is to empty the band and let it rest for about 6 weeks and then slowly restart filling, some people can get back to the green zone with no issues, but after a pouch dilation you have to be more careful with portion sizes and measure and careful with Pbing and sliming. You may want to seek another opinion with another surgeon and see if they can replace your band, if you have the older 4cc bands they were more prone to issues than with the newer bands, but all bands can have the same issues but the older bands were higher pressure which caused more issues. Hope you can find answers. Thanks. What is pouch dilation? I have a 10 CC Vanguard Band placed in 9/8/06. I have never ever wanted it removed. And I really don't know about replacing it. . . . it was working fine before my breast cancer surgery.

The little new stomach above my band I know of called a stoma. He had a barium procedure done and they filmed it.. . . . in his head I think he says this,"I'll see you in a year," because BCBS insurance will pay for yearly visits! Some doctors don't care that much for us but they like the steady flow of green $. He fills in the office for my surgeon from University Hospital. I'm planning to visit with my PCD soon and maybe he can recommend someone different & closer to my home. I drive 210 miles to my original bariatric centre and I guess that is why I felt such a downer. Each morning I have my Protein latte and try for my lost "Zone".

Yea it was Cybil, the S did not look right. My "Cybil" is not doing it's job like it did several years ago. I had the fill removed when I had Cancer surgery and I can't find my "zone" again but I'm searching.

I had my band placed in 2006 and there were no Protein shakes & eat this & eat that. I was told to cut my meals in 1/2 & chew, chew, chew. I did not eat bread for a year (my own choice.) and no pealings (apple, baked potato, tomato, hot dog skin, etc.) Small sips of Water & up, up, up the quantity. Eat protein 1st, vegetables 2nd and fruit 3rd. I was told to "listen" to my band, not to drink a beverage with my meal & forget soda pop & alcohol. I never had Bander Hell, but then I was off sugar products because of my borderline diabetes, so I didn't have to come down from a sugar high. I love my lap band. It has saved my life!

I'm using Splenda in my Earl Grey Tea right at the moment. I've baked with it, Cookies, pies & etc., no one even knows I used it. pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, Cranberries at Christmas & etc. Especially good in Rhubarb pie in the spring. I started this 8 years ago when I was borderline diabetic and got my blood sugar count so I wouldn't have to have insulin. I have bought C & H light sugar & steva blend for cold drinks such as ice tea. Half the calories as sugar.

I think mine will be Sible or is it Sibel. . . ? You remember the best seller by that name, the person who had all those personalities. . . . . . they made a movie if it. . . . you younger folks won't know what I'm talking about. . . . I think they said she had ten different personalities. My Sible hasn't that many, but it's gettin' there!