Bright

Hi Everyone, just wondering if anyone else has noticed new intolerances to any foods since banding? I have an 11cc Inamed band which is filled to 6cc - I don't have a huge amount of restriction - and have spent the last year losing/gaining the same ten pounds - this is ok as I have had a few other issues going on and am actually pretty happy that I haven't gained a lot of weight during the past year...ANYWAY, even tho I don't have very much restriction I always seem to be having issues with food - I have had to cut way back on dairy foods as I was experiencing symptoms of lactose intorerance - eyes/nose streaming, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating... I never had a problem before getting my band in - I had a coffee with whipped cream at the weekend and had to run to the bathroom (not pleasant!) :embarassed: - Even if I avoid dairy, I get a lot of stomach cramps and pain - constipation/diarrhoea - actually most of the symptoms of irritible bowel syndrome - again, something I did not experience before banding, which is weird because I ate all sorts of crap then - McDonalds, candy bars, chinese take-away, coffee, coke etc ALL DAY! I seem to spend most days trying to avoid coffee and dairy - we had a family party at the weekend and I drank wine, coffee (with the whipped cream!) ate Tiramisu etc and woke up Monday morning with a painful tender stomach - it felt like it was burning almost.... the pain is always in my lower stomach and I'm wondering if there is too much acid produced in our stomachs when we eat, and it has a delay before there is any food for it to break down? I haven't gone to a doc about any of this and have booked a second fill (ever!) for later this month to get me going again....I'd like to hear anyone else's comments on this before I get a tighter fill.... thanks a mil

thanks Donali xx em....what are they doing to the donkey??? I'm a little worried for him....!

thanks so much to everyone who replied here AND remembered me! I'm so touched - I was so emotional I typed several long sentimental replies to your messages but decided to delete them and wait a few days.... so great to see all the old people here again - warmed my heart - love to you all! Band-wise - still healthy, have actually lost 7lbs since Jan 1st so am pleased with that - back on track with a focused low GI eating plan....still no exercise tho. Career-wise - I finished my Certificate in Psychology from the University of Ireland, and even got first class honours....got a place in uni but deferred it to september 2006 as I wasn't really up for it right now... Depression wise - I am struggling - still finding it really hard - am not taking any anti-depressants and trying (stupidly) to "solve" it on my own - now taking my Doc's advice and going to see a psychologist (irony, anyone!?). It's serious I think so better get it looked at - wish me luck? well done to you all - I'm so proud of everyone with or without bands! I'm really sorry in advance if any of this is wrong - I seem to offend everyone these days talk soon xx

Hi all, wow - there are a LOT of new people here - wonder if anyone remembers me? I haven't posted in a while and wanted to check in and say hi. I haven't caught up with all the new posts yet, but am really sorry to hear about all the eroding/band removal ordeals that some of you have gone through - Donali emailed me to tell me about Lisa, Michelle and Penni - I hope you have all recovered from your revision surgerys - and I know it's belated but I'm sorry you've all been through so much. I am now over two years banded - celebrated my two year "bandiversary" at halloween (!) and am happy enough with my progress I guess... At this stage, I actually realise what is meant by "the band is a tool", I can use it to help me to feel fuller, eating healthy food or I can eat rubbish and drink it all down with a large latte if I want and not lose weight. I have had a pretty rough time lately as I am suffering from depression. The last six months have been difficult and the fact that I am posting here shows me that I'm getting better! I haven't lost much weight in the last six months but I haven't put any on either, which I am choosing to regard as a triumph . I have established some really good healthy eating habits which I have managed to maintain during my 26 month band-age (!). I eat low fat probiotic yogurt with seeds for breakfast most days, healthy lunches and dinners - my downfalls are snacking in the evenings, which can be cookies/popcorn at certain times of month - chocolate other times - also I am hopeless at exercise - every day I promise to get my ass moving and every night I feel guilty that I haven't. As I have had a lot of dark days recently, when I can just about get my kids to school, I have been kind of scared to go out - I'm a lot better now and hoping to join the gym again or something. Basically my good ol' band is there for me, reducing my food intake to 1/3 of what I used to eat (according to my husband) - if we indulge in a chinese or indian take-out, we usually share a meal - it used to be two seperate meals with me having tonnes of "accessories" with mine!. I haven't had any type of soda since the surgery - and drink water, green tea, coffee and wine pretty much. I'm pleased with the weight loss, planning to go get another fill (I am 6cc in a 9cc band) soon - I take size 18/20 jeans, 16/18 tops (american sizes) and have even lost two shoe sizes. I am healthy - have only pb'd once, never have had reflux or other issues with my band - highly recommend it to anyone. Ok sorry this is so long - hi to all my old friends - and hoping to partake of the community spirit and meet some new ones here. thanks for reading xx

Thinking of you Alex, hope you get good results, REALLY hoping for non-slippage for you....and well done on losing all that weight on such a little fill! Hope it all works out for you

I'll be banded two years in a few weeks....the oldest band I know of online, is Robin's (coffeewench) at http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html - she was banded in 2000 - wonderful inspiring website, for any newbies who haven't "been" there....

Shoulder pain in banded-kind is usually caused by overeating - it is referred pain from the diaphragm - can also be caused by chewing gum a lot.... just info from my experience and research - according to two of the surgeons I have consulted....

so sorry but now I won't be able to make it to the east coast this time - I hope you all have a wonderful time

Hi folks so sorry about this but I am now not going to be able to make it to the East Coast this year - would dearly loved to have met all attending but circumstances beyond my control have forced me to change my plans. hope you all have a wonderful time

hi guys - sorry, life pretty stressful here right now - cannot even THINK about this trip - but will try to check out flights and book one asap - sorry for inattention to this

So sorry I haven't "been" here in ages - been up to my eyes in end of year essays etc, and can barely remember my own name! I haven't booked my flight for NYC yet, but am on the verge of doing so - I am waiting for my hubby to get back to me with revised corporate rate prices he can get for me in a lovely hotel in NJ - he had a contact quote him $139 per night per room back in March when I started inquiring about this, so I am just waiting to hear if this price still stands - I understand from hubby, and Alex here, that this is a lovely hotel with a gorgeous restaurant (The Madison - is that right Alex? Jeez, I'm woolly headed today!) With two people sharing, this isn't too expensive - I can get four or five rooms at this rate, hopefully, so anyone interested please pm me and I'll organise it - It'd be so great if a bunch of us were together in one hotel, for breakfast in the morning, and for cocktails at night too!!!! I'm bringing my bandless, but band-aware friend Debbie, and last I time I talked to her, Donali was coming here too! Anyway - I'm definitely on board - and again sincere apologies for not being here lately!

Oh Wow Michelle! What a fantastic NSV! I'd be happier for you if I wasn't sick with jealously!!!! Well Done!!!

Wow Donovine - you look fantastic - you have done so well!!! congratulations! Alex - AMAZING! you look completely different! What a gorgeous after photo - love your angel top, and your little girls are so cute - well done!

what crap news Babs, hope you fight it AND WIN! By the way, I hear great things from people in the UK and here in Ireland, that South Africa is pretty good value for plastic surgery....there are resorts where you come back to after the surgery and rest for two weeks....just a thought - really hope it works out for you xx

uh huh....I'm pretty sure that's accurate....

brilliant news Estela - so happy for you xx

hey penni!!!! It's my adorable little tiny baby sister's wedding! Mind you, how they're letting her get married at 6 is beyond me! Ok, actually, she's 25 but it FEELS like she's only six to me! I'm 9 years older than her, and she's my baby! So the blow off would have been for a good cause!! Sort of! Anyway - I am coming to USA so don't kick my ass just yet.................!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo hoo Kathy! Welcome to Bandland - hope the next week is comfortable for you - rest, take it easy and stay in touch!

hmmmm and coco beans grow don't they? so technically, chocolate is a vegetable??

DYING to meet you Alex! And everyone/anyone else! foaming at the mouth with excitement!

OMG thanks so much Karen! You're a pet! I'm 35! With two boys, 15 and 10! But thanks tho!

...........can I just add, I was only 2!

bring it on sister! Ok actually, don't - I like my food dead....and chicken! Not rolypoly - the other other white meat! (ps what is a roly poly bug anyway?) the only insect I ate was what we call here a "hairy molly" - a sort of woolly hairy caterpiller - my mother said she was too grossed out to pull it out of my mouth, and just let me finish it! Charming story....

sorry I haven't posted here - Penni, I will email/pm you with the hotel that I can get good rates in - apparently it's a nice place! Can't even remember the name now - Alex, can you remember???!!! Sorry, brain melting here.... have had about 5 other major events popping up for september - my sister has announced she's getting married in August, and for a while there it looked like I may have to cancel going - but good ol' hubby came to the rescue and insisted I go! Yay!!! So, looking at booking tickets next week! Excited!!!

Dear God, Donali YOU ARE SICK! What was that I was saying about you being orally fixated????!!!! My claim to shame is Cambells Meatballs - you know those tins of meatballs that look/taste like dogfood? Love em. And chocolate pretzels. Other than loving salt on everything, I'm quite civilised. Not like Donali. **gag**