Daily News!

[allielee 263]

@great, we were planning on moving to hawaii until they had two tsunamis. They were small but realized the southern states were a better option. We are waiting until our daughters graduate from college. I love my new body and would do it again in a heartbeat! I am a huge advocate for plastic surgery.. the money was the best money i have ever spent! Congrats on becoming a grandma! That is awesome! @lucky sorry to hear of your many trials. I hope things get better from here on out. @vz and apples so great to hear from you all! Xoxo

[Hunzi 0]

I'm still here!

I'm running about a year behind y'all - just my 2nd year anni with Band V.2.

I've lost about half what I'd like to, and I've been in a holding pattern lately - I noticed I posted about 6 months ago and I haven't done anything but bounce up and down a pound or two since then. Bummer.

However, I know I'm making progresss! I've lost 80+lbs since my highest weight, and I've gone from a size 26/24 to an 18/16! I'm wearing size L exercise pants. Oh and I've been going to the gym 3-4 times a week for the past month!!! And I like it!!!

So the fact that I'm not losing yet isn't going to bother overly much, I know it has to change soon. I just took 3 skirts into the tailor and she's taking nearly 4 inches off the waist, so I know something has changed in the past 2yrs!

Next up, I need to refocus on the food thing - I know my fill is about perfect - I eat 1/2c to 1c at a time, and I'm FULL! I need to work on daily Vitamins again - fell out of the habit when I got too tight to take big pills first thing in the morning (best time for me not to forget!) I've switched what I'm taking - mostly chewable and a couple of small pills, so now I just need to get into a routine at a time of day that I can take them. I'm tight enough most mornings that I can only have a Protein Shake - never was a big Breakfast person. So I know I'm good for about 20+g of Protein early on in the day, and the trick is getting in the other 40. If I have a glass of milk sometime, I can cut it in half, then I can probably make up the rest with the odds and ends I eat - I'm not a "eat a hunk of meat" type - not a veggie/vegan but just not a huge meat lover - so non-liquid Proteins are more challenging and of course, that's what they want us to eat! Good news is I was never a super hungry person, so I don't HAVE to have a hunk of meat filling me up to not feel hungry.

Lately I'm pretty sure my problem has been sweets/sugars - I had gotten a bad habit of ordering a sweet tea at McDonald's if I was on the run and thristy - because it's not carbonated (I'm having trouble with that now) and yummy and cheap - but I'm going to work on an alternative - unsweetened tea isn't an option - most restaurants teas are bad! At home I'll make a big pitcher of herbal tea and add splenda. As summer kicks in, I'm sure I'll do more crystal light stuff. I've also been munching on mini bags of choco-graham bunnies and baking the occasional batch of Cookies - I need to work on finding something that satifies my sweet tooth without sabatoging my diet!

But the big positive is the new exercise habit - and I'll take it for now!

Always

Hunzi

[cathychatts 1]

Hello all you wonderful People!

I am still alive and kicking! I haven't been on this site in a very long time, but your messages began to pop up in my IN-box! I am so glad. It is very good to hear from all of you and see your progress. I am about the same as I was after the 2nd year.

I have had some complications, seems the band made my reflux bad and it backed up into my sphenoid sinuses. I had surgery twice last year and they are sending me to Vanderbilt next month to see a specialist there. It is a rare case and not certain that the band had anything to do with it, but I did have to have the fill taken out of my band. I still have a little restriction, but not much. I have worked hard and watch what I eat and go to the gym 3 days a week. I am happy where I am... not to bad for an old lady! I am still single and dating and having fun.

I hope they don't tell me to have my band removed, but it is a strong possibility! If they do I am going to ask if I can have the gastric sleeve, but I don't think I will qualify at my lower BMI. Oh well! Life is Good!

Take care and I want to tell all of you how important you were in my journey to Band-Land! Love you all!

cathychatts!

[Great2BThin 5]

Cathy, you were such an important part of my journey as well. You were one of the first to greet me when I timidly came here and our band dates were a day apart. I hope you can keep your band.

Debbie, what a run of bad luck you have had. I had knee replacement in 2009, I had both done but not at the same time, 2 mos apart. They feel great now!

Allie, Where in the south are you thinking? It seems every place has it's natural disaster risk. Hawaii -tsunamis, FL & southeast hurricanes, midwest - tornadoes, Calif - earthquakes, etc. I badly want to get back to Denver, but, alas, it won't happen for a while.

[luckyfive101 6]

On the 20th of this month, will be 3 years post band.. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat! Where are all the Junies? Hope you guys are still pleased with your progress. I have to head back and get a fill again ASAP, had surgery last month and left my band with a little less than normal, but am holding my own and even losing SLOWLY with very little restriction. Hope to hear from all of you this month! Hope to see "less of you" soon! God Bless!

[Love2Lose 0]

Hi everyone! So I guess I should give an update as well seeing as how my 3rd bandiversary was last week. It's so great to hear that everyone is doing so well. I too am well for the most part. A month after my surgery, I slipped and fell on Water at work and ended up fracturing a vertebrae. Unfortunately, I've been out of work for a little over 2 years now due to my back pain and it's been an ongoing struggle. I now have chronic pain and am pretty much at my wit's end. The reason I had the surgery to begin with was because I wanted to lose weight for a healthy pregnancy, but as you can imagine that's been put on hold as well. It just stinks all around.

On a happier note, I lost all of my extra weight within 9 months after surgery. My surgeon always tells me that I'm in the 95th percentile for success. I even lost about 20-30 pounds more than my surgeon first suggested. I've lost a total of 110 pounds (10 pounds before surgery and 100 after). Funny thing is, due to my back injury, I didn't exercise much. Just a couple of walks a couple times a week, other than the physical therapy ofcoarse. I look and feel like a different person and I have never regretted my decision. I always say it's been the best decision I've ever made. About 6 months after I had my surgery, my husband went and got banded too and he's lost around 80 pounds. As you can imagine, people who haven't seen us for a long time get really shocked when they do! Also, one of our close friends had it done as well and we're hoping my Dad will be approved for the surgery soon!

Just a couple of months ago, I had a similar situation to one of you. I was going through a very stressful time and all of a sudden, I couldn't eat anymore. Nothing would stay down and if it did, it felt like it was just "stuck" there, sitting on my chest. I went to see my nurse at the WL clinic and she had me get a swallow study done. Long story short, I was told that I had a band slip by 4 different doctors and was to be ready the next morning for a new band. I got there the next morning and my surgeon was pissed off at all the doctors and insisted that my band hadn't slipped. He had me get a endoscopy before he would agree to put me under the knife and it turned out that I had a really bad case of gastritis. (Thank God he did.) SO, the Fluid from my band was taken out and I was fine a couple of days later!

Just last week, on my bandiversary, I went under the knife once more to get my port removed and got a lower profile port put down lower on my belly. It was really protruding out after all the weight loss and was hitting my rib cage which was causing me pain so it had to be done. I have to say though, it was much more painful than the first time around. They gave me 2 longer incisions but they also did a great job with the stitches so I think they'll fade alot quicker than the original ones. (THAT always drove me crazy! I hated those darn scars!)

SO, that's my story. I've gained about 10 pounds since this whole ordeal and I'm just waiting for my belly to heal so I can go back and get another fill. Not a big deal at all, I know I can lose it back within 2-3 weeks! That's the beauty of the band!

WIshing you all the best of luck and especially to those who have been struggling. I just say to keep at it because you're in control now with your band and you'll get to your goal sooner or later! I would post a picture but no one really knows I got the surgery done to begin with other than my closest friends and family and I'd like to keep it that way. If you're interested in seeing one of me, send me a message and I'll send one your way!

Take care all!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

[cathychatts 1]

Hi June Bugs!

It has been a long time and I hope you are all doing well, I have had some complications with my band. It has slipped! I am scheduled to have it removed the 22nd. I am going to have a RNY Bypass done at the same time. I will always be a Junie though!

[Apples2 19]

Hi June Bugs!

It has been a long time and I hope you are all doing well, I have had some complications with my band. It has slipped! I am scheduled to have it removed the 22nd. I am going to have a RNY Bypass done at the same time. I will always be a Junie though!

Wishing you luck, Cathy...so many ppl I know have lost their bands or are having troubles. I wish the best for you and hoping that this surgery is the "ticket" for you. And, yes, you will always be a "Junie". Take care...speedy healing. Check in with us when you are up to it and let us know how you are doing. Karen

[luckyfive101 6]

Hi June Bugs!

It has been a long time and I hope you are all doing well, I have had some complications with my band. It has slipped! I am scheduled to have it removed the 22nd. I am going to have a RNY Bypass done at the same time. I will always be a Junie though!

So sorry you are having probs! Best of luck with your new journey! keep in touch! I still have about 50 pounds to go, but I need another fill (and if you haven't heard) Fill Centers closed down. Have to go directly through the doc's office. Holding my own now, but I am looking forward to the time I can afford another fill. Good luck and God Bless!

[luckyfive101 6]

Well, good news.... I finally found a doc closer to home that will accept me as a patient. It was a long drawn-out process to get approved because I had the band in Mexico, but I am soooo excited and looking forward to getting another fill and getting back on track. I am hoping my new insurance will pick up on the fills. Hope you all have a wonderful CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless!

[Lynn42 8]

I don't post a lot but sure appreciate hearing everyone's updates.

Lucky, Glad you found a doctor to do your fills.

Cathy, sorry to hear that your band has slipped. Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted.

I have been having my ups and downs over the last year. Life is stable but it is my weight that goes up and down. i had lost 85 pounds but my weight is fluctuating and I have now gained 16 pounds back. I had to have an unfill about 6 weeks and have gained 6 pounds since then. I have been working out with a trainer now twice a week and am trying to track my food but I am having a hard time staying on track. I am going to make a fill appointment and see if I can get a bit more Fluid in. At my lowest, I had trained for a 240 km bike ride, which I did in June but since I stopped training, the weight has crept back. I am still so glad that I have my band to help.

I am curious for the people that are feeling successful, how many calories a day are you eating and what are you eating?

Take good care and happy holidays to everyone!!

Lynn

[allielee 263]

Hello junies! Wow it has been forever! I am doing great! I have put on 10 pounds but still feel awesome! I will try to post some updated pics. I do find myself wishing I had gone the bypass route.. Anyone else feel that way?

[cathychatts 1]

Hi Junies!

Good to see you Allie! Your pics look great!

I did have my band removed and converted to bypass on Nov 22nd of 2011! I have been GREAT since then! My band had started to slip and I wasn't loosing any weight, plus the port hurt all the time! I am smaller now, after 3 months with the bypass than the entire 3 years with the band!

From what I understand, many people with the band are having problems like mine... and are converting. My insurance paid the entire conversion. That was really a lucky thing

[Angelyco 0]

Hey all. I've been avoiding the WLS world for some time now because I just feel like a failure. I haven't had a fill since last January (2011), I keep telling myself I want to lose just a little bit (10 pounds since my last weigh-in at the doc) before getting a fill so that I don't feel so awful...and all I did was gain some. I'm still under my starting weight, but this sucks. I do really well when I have a fill, but without the insurance paying for it, even $150 seems like a lot out of pocket.

In other news though, my husband and I just bought our first home a month ago! So at least life is moving forward even if my weight loss isn't.

At this point I would honestly consider converting to the sleeve, but my insurance doesn't cover ANYTHING weight-loss related.

[Hunzi 0]

Hi Junies! Just a quick update! Wow can you believe it's been nearly 4 years? (well it's 3yrs for my band v2.0)

I've been in a holding mode for about a year or more now - down 79-80lbs. Same few pounds up and down. Realized I had been spending a whole year just a tad too tight. Went back in January and had .2cc removed - wow - no more horrible burping/gassy back pressure! I'm not eating much more - but I know over the last year since I was a little too tight, I have slipped into less than optimal food choices.

So I'm working on getting back on track - back to the doctor every 6 weeks or so for a check in, I'm back on the treadmill 3 times a week so far and up to 2.5miles (my goal is get to walking 5K and then to start training for a 5K with C25K - so far I'm not coordinated enough to run on a treadmill.)

Now if I can kick the sweets habit again, things will be awesome!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Always

Joann - aka Hunzi