January Bandsters???

[Debbie 0]

Tonya,

Thanks for the info on Body for life, I'm going to check it out. About your last fill, sometimes I think they are just strange. I went Monday for my 6 mo appt and I told the doctor that I didn't feel like I had any restriction. He did a complete unfill and he could only draw out 3.8 cc's and there should have been 4.1cc's. He said that sometimes it diffuses, I never really understood what he meant, but he assured me everything is okay. He then filled me back to only 4.0 cc's and I couldn't believe it but now I fill more restriction than I have since just after surgery. It is actually hard to swallow my protien shake and I have never had trouble with that. Seem's strange to me though because 3 months ago I was suppose to have been at 4.1 and never had the restriction that I now do at 4.0. Hope everything is okay with your band! Just thought I'd share my experience with you.

Debbie

Banded 1/8/07

4cc band

235 h/170 c/140 g

[tonya66 13]

Debbie, GOOD TO KNOW. I'm so happy you told me how many cc's you have. I honestly think I just need more cc's. I think when the dr. fills me, my stomach autimatically reacts and swells a bit, then once the swelling goes down, (in a few days), i'm not that restricted? Thats my feelings.

This morning when they did my GI my band looked good, however, I AM WIDE OPEN. The dr. could see the Fluid just go right thru - absolutely no restriction. I feel like I don't even have the band right now.

So now I just wait, the dr. is sending my report over to my lab band dr. and I am waiting on him to call me to tell me how he wants to handle. I'm sure he'll have me come in for another fill. I'm going to ask him about omnipaque instead of saline. Maybe that would give me some restriction.

Anyhow, I don't think anything is wrong with the band, its me! lol.

[rms78645 0]

Hi Everyone! I know I've been missing in action. Partially because I wasn't doing to well. I reached a 50 lb loss, and then was stuck. Then I started yo-yoing back and forth. So, I decided enough was enough and that I needed a fill. If you remember, I knew that I needed one, but was trying to hold off until after my vacation which was last week. Unfortunately, my surgeon was booked up until yesterday. Which was my first day back from vacation.

I went ahead and went in...especially after I came home yesterday morning, got on the scale, and realized that my two lb yo-yoing had blossomed into a 7 lb gain.

Although I didn't get my fill until late last night (they have appointments up to 9pm), I still was down 2 lbs this morning.

Hopefully after being on liquids for a day or two, I can shake most of the gain I picked up on my cruise, family reunion, and added on trip to Orlando. Yes, I was traveling for a while. LOL So, I've spent the past several hours trying to catch up on everything. I've been absent for almost a month now, and hadn't realized it. Just really busy with family, friends, birthdays (mine included) and then the vacation.

So, I just want to thank all of you who are continuing to check in, through your good moments, as well as your bad. It is very encouraging, and it helps the rest of us to know that we are not alone.

Sue, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter. My prayers are with you and your family.

RMS, my band day buddy, I was waiting to see if you checked back in about what your situation. How are you doing? Did you have to get a slight unfil? Is everything okay? Let us know.

To everyone else, I'll try and do better about checking in myself...I actually fill some restriction now, hopefully my weight loss will get back on track.

HI Everyone,

I am good. I had to really make sure to eat slowly and chew. THE issue was totally my being in a hurry. Tomorrow is 6 months and I am at 59 lbs. I want to get to 60 but we'll see. Good to see everyone checking back in. Sunshine, let us know what they tell you.

[DebLPN 0]

I was banded 1/29/07, have had 2 fills, I'm at 1.6cc/4cc band and feel no restirction. I'll keep plugging along , get another fill at the end of the month, see if it finds my 'sweet spot'

[sherilynn 1]

It would be so much easier if my doctor would do the fills 2 weeks apart. But he makes you wait a month for a fill; then an office visit must be had. THEN I can schedule my next fill...which is up to a month away! So I'm looking at end of August for my next = 2 months apart!:faint:

[rms78645 0]

I have been very aggressive with my fills. I have to wait 2-3 weeks between fills and if I can eat more than 1/2 cup I go get a fill. My last fill was 05/09 and I have lost 26 lbs since then. I am at my sweet spot and if I feel it losening I will go in for another fill. I don't understand the point of having this thing and not using it the way it was meant to be used. I have a very close friend that has not been aggressive with her fills and she wishes in hindsight she had been more aggressive. I just find that when I am properly restricted I have no cravings for food. I eat until satified and then I stop eating, and that is usually a few bites. My only issue is that my energy levels arent great. I was working out alot, that has tapered off.

[BabyGotBack 0]

Tonya,

What is the BFL workout? I joined this site several months ago, but haven't been on in a while. I was banded on 1/8/07 and I've currently lost 65 pounds, but I seemed to have stalled were I am. I've been exercising alot, but am always looking for something good. Thanks!

Debbie

Banded 1/8/07

4cc band

235 highest

170 current

140 goal

Debbie, is that you??? This is Audree!!! We got our surgury on the same date!!!!

Good to see you hear!!!

[BabyGotBack 0]

Just wanted to check in!

I had fill #3 with Dr. Ortiz yesterday.

I went from 2.4 cc's to 3 cc's

I feel fine so far. I don't feel hungry and that is cool.

I have had one cream of pea Soup today and Water, thats it!!!!

I will keep you posted!

Audree

[gigi8 0]

Hi to all my January Bandsters! I apoligize for not checking in for so long. I have been so busy with the kids summer schedules. I've been waking up early to go to the gym so I am back before my husband leaves for work. Then I am busy with the kids all day long. It has just been crazy. Anyway, I hope to check in more frequently. I am at my first plateau. I haven't lost in about 2 weeks, but I did start lifting weights about 4 weeks ago. I have to go see my surgeon tomorrow, so we'll see what he says. I hope that everyone is doing well. I miss checking in with everyone. I have to catch up on how everyone is doing- I have alot of reading to do. Have a good night- Gigi

[Sula 0]

Renee,

Awesome on the loss. I had planned on being a bit more aggressive on my fills but I find myself second guessing. I woke up last night with a feeling of restriction...in the middle of the nite!! Not much of an appetite but I ate a big taco salad for lunch. I'm behind on my Water today but I'll catch that up tonight. Usually I'm better at doing it all day long but sometimes.... Anyway, I feel restriction, then I still eat too much. So it isn't really slowing me down enough...but I am eating less that I was before the last fill. I hear what you say about really having to slow down and eat carefully...maybe that is where the sweet spot is.

My insurance isn't paying yet for the fills...they "requested more information" from the Dr. and since it took my Dr. till my third fill to actually bill my insurance (they require cash up front so why do they care if they take months to do their billing) I can imagine how long it will take for them to send the requested additional info. Money is a little tight cuz I just had to replace all the tires on the car, etc....so I'll have to wait.

It is sooooo good to hear from some of you that have been AWOL... Thanks for coming back and sharing!

Shawn

[Sula 0]

Audree,

Your full length picture is beautiful. You can really tell you've done well. Way to go!!

Shawn

[Debbie 0]

Hey Audree, it's Debbie you look great! It's nice to see how everyone is doing. Hope you do well with your fill, I'm hoping my restriction stays a while this time. I think when I am doing well with my exercise it also helps me not be as hungery. Sometimes I think the hunger is in my mind, I guess that just takes a while to overcome. Nice to talk to you. Good luck!

Debbie

Banded 1/8/07

235h/168c/140g

[Bandida 0]

Hello all! It's been a while, I know.... I've been super busy with work, kids, and my band. It's so god to hear all your positives and I'm sorry for all your negatives. It's a learning expereince...I've come to embrace my band and I don't know why didn't do this sooner. I've had my ups and downs. I have a masters in PB's and a Doctorate in Slimming...Chewing is my middle name!!! I'm in ONEDERLAND though, and that has made me one happy girl! NSV's - I wear my wedding band from 12 years ago, I wear a size 10-12 now, and I LOVE to take pictures of myself!!!! So, yes I'm happy, I love my band, and I'm back for support! I've missed you guys!!!! So, keep me psoted and I'll try to do the same!!!!

Love and Blessings,

Olga

[I'm still here 0]

I've had my ups and downs. I have a masters in PB's and a Doctorate in Slimming...Chewing is my middle name!!!

Olga

Me too Olga, we must be related!!! Ha . . . When I read that some have never slimmed or PB'd I think we should tell them they don't know what they are missing! Just kidding . . . My episodes of both have decreased significantly since I started making a conscience effort to S-L-O-W down and C-H-E-W until I don't think I can possibly chew anymore. That really does seem to work . . . Well, that and totally avoiding bread and Pasta.< /span>

Sunshine2 ~ I wanted to tell you that my family and I are going on the same cruise as your family, only a couple of weeks before. It would have been so awesome if we were on at the same time! We leave out of Galveston on 7/22 and return 7/29. I'll let you know how totally awesome it is when we get home. This will be our first cruise and we are really looking forward to it!

[Bandida 0]

Me too Olga, we must be related!!! Ha . . . When I read that some have never slimmed or PB'd I think we should tell them they don't know what they are missing! Just kidding . . . My episodes of both have decreased significantly since I started making a conscience effort to S-L-O-W down and C-H-E-W until I don't think I can possibly chew anymore. That really does seem to work . . . Well, that and totally avoiding bread and Pasta.< /span>

that is soo funny...You sound like me..I tell my bandster pals at the Md's office those exact words!!! Isn't it funny how a few extra chews make such a HUGE difference? I notice that too, my episodes are ussually if I'm eating too fast or in a stressful environment..:omg:.ei. (lunch with my kids at Six Flags!!...yuck!!!) So, I either wait to be able to eat "peacefully" or I drink an Ensure...I also try to avoid the bread and the pasta...and sometimes the rice...but, being latina, the rice is hard to stay away from...sigh...