wish412

mysherrijo, it seems we were banded around the same time, I on 7-5-06, you on the 10th, and we have lost exactly the same amount. I enjoy seeing others in my range, it makes me feel really good to see I am not slow, fast or at a standstill. I am just like someone else and that is a good thing. I will watch your progress as a challenge to keep up ,as I feel we have done really well with this silicon belly hoola hoop.

Let me recommend my doctors to you,Drs Rachel Keilin and Ron Hekier from Precision Surgery In Texarkana Texas. They did my surgery at Wadley Hospital in July, and things have gone absolutely perfect so far. The care I recieved was second to none, and am now waiting for my husband to have his surgery, and I could not be at peace about him unless I had every confidence in my team from Texarkana. They handled all of my insurance, medical ,and physical needs going through this process. They offer support groups, personal support, and lots of encouragement to their patients. I am WELL PLEASED!

I too have spent my time on the restriction roller coaster. I had great restriction right after surgery, but I also had a hiatel hernia fixed at the same time, so I had more swelling in my abdomin than some do. I could hardly sip the liquid pain meds, but after about 2-3 weeks, I could eat good protein heavy foods, and couldn't wait for my first fill. I got 1.5cc in a 4cc band, went to Maine, had all SORTS of foods, but still managed to lose a couple of pounds. Next fill I really felt for a few weeks, then hardly felt a thing til next fill. Third one kicked my butt for about 3-4 weeks, then slacked off. I reslly feel that that is perfectly normal. Now I am up to 2.8cc , and still losing weight. I think as you shrink, so does the fatty layer around your stomach, so the band loosens up a bit, therefore requiring more fill. Just my theory, of course. Hope this helps.

By the time you read this note, hopefully you are home recovering, taking your meds, and feeling all sorts of wierd things right now. Know that you are on my mind, and that this forum is here for you. Keep us posted as to your recovery, and we will be sure to help you if we can. Take care, and welcome to the land of the banded. My husband went to his seminar last night as has a visit with the surgeon on Monday!! We will see how it goes for him.

Hi, I am new to this area of the forum, although I have been reading the posts daily since Dr. Hekier/Keilin did my surgery on 7-5-06. To date I have lost 53 lbs. Part of that is due to the bands help, part of it due to hard work and encouragement from friends and family. My sister was banded in August also, and she has lost about 30 lbs or so. It has been great to have this site recommended to me by my doctor, and it has really been a blessing when I felt I was the only one with some of the same issues I have read about here. Anyway, I am 48, married, and I thank the Lord continually for sending this tool my way. I went to my seminar in late June, and 9 days later I had insurance approval, and the surgery. All went well, went home on Thursday afternoon, which was the day of surgery, and was at my suport group meeting the next Monday. I guess it could not have gone any smoother. I started out at 249, and am down to 196 as of today. I will continue to read the boards daily. God bless

Josy, I have been thinking about you situation, and I have a mental picture of someone trying to fix a flat tire with their bare hands, while a lug wrench is laying there right beside them. You got the band for an aid to help control your food, now you have assumed it cannot help you, even though it helped you reach your goal weight. If you let it help you control your portions as designed, you should be able to maintain a perfectly HEALTHY, NORMAL weight for your height. I have always been a big fan of plastic surgery as it is needed, but I also know it takes a lot out of you physically, so you had better be up for the challenge ahead when you have it. It takes a strong healthy body to get the best results from plastic surgery. Get healthy, and get gorgeous!!!!Noone will be able to see how good you look if you have to stay in the house in the bed all the time........Living after all is an ACTION VERB!!!!

Kathy, I am sure you will be just great!!!! I am sending you a hug now, and remember to give yourself a mental hug for taking hold of your life by the horns and steering it the way you WANT it to go. This journey is a VERY impowering process, you won't believe how in control you feel after that scale starts drifting downward, and the comments start coming. There is nothing like the feeling that YOU CAN DO IT. Keep us posted on your progress, and know we are all here for you.

Thanks to all, you have made me feel VERY welcome already.

Thank you, and I hope all goes as you want it to in January.

I completely understand your fears. I really thought I could never live without soft drinks, but now almost half a year later, I don't even think about them. I am more concerned with which stores carry something I CAN drink. I am also a worrier, but I truly have found the answer to my eating disability. Nothing feels as good going down my throat, as the joy of knowing when I step foot out of my bed that my feet will not scream out my name in pain from the load they are expected to carry.