rdbiles@sbcglob

I have been holding at 210-215 for a year. I need a fill, but problem with esophageus has prevented a fill for a year. The cost is 250 and may or may not be able to keep it, so just trying the hard way through diet. I'm not crazy about my band.

Everyone is doing great and that's good to see. My progress has stalled, I have been at same weight for over a year, 210 is my weight today. I haven't had a fill in 1.5 years, due to problems with the esophagous and afraid to go back and pay $250 for a fill that I can't keep. I'm not in love with my band.

Talapia fillet is simple to cook in a pan or in oven, and it's not fishy tasting. I use Creole or Cajun Seasoning and Lemon Pepper. I also enjoy Apricot preserve sauce for my fish.

I cook my pintos with Kosher salt, a little goes a long way. I also use chili powder, seasoned salt, garlic, minced onion, or whatever else you want to season with. Sometimes I use creole or cajun seasoning. I cook down till tender. To make refried Beans, I use a cast Iron skillet add some olive oil to cover bottom, about 2 T or less, or you can spray with your favorite oil. Turn on fire to medium Use non slotted large spoon, dip beans w/juice into skillet to cover bottom of skillet mashing with the large large spoon. That's it, I hope you enjoy! Rebecca

I'm a little over two years out and the hair loss has stopped for me. My loss has slowed down to 1 lb every 2-3 mo.

there's a group near you, their newsgroup is on yahoo. dfwbandsters.

Congratulations! The band for me has been a problem, but I'm working with it. I'm down 50 lbs, need to lose 50 more. My band is half full and my stomach doesn't tolerate fills right now. I'm happy for what I've lost, I feel much better! Currently what I'm going through is I have no appetite for any particular food. I know I have to eat, so I eat, but I never know what I'm hungry for. This is frustrating. I also miss eating Chinese, Italian, Mexican and white chicken. I can nibble these foods, but not enjoy a meal. One day I hope to enjoy my favorite foods again, that's what I look forward to and my good health.

My hair loss stopped within 18 mo.; In most cases it does grow back, unless you are genetically prone to thinning scalp.

thanks for sharing the pancake receipe, how many pancakes can you get in one batch?

Andrea thanks for sharing your new pic, you look wonderful and the haircut looks great too! The summers are always to short for me, it's my favorite time of tne year.

Thanks for sharing your recipe, the trick for me is finding ground chicken, if not chicken I could try turkey, that's always readily available at my local grocer.

Eileen you've got the right attitude! I agree about the clothing, that would be enough for me to get myself into check. Personally I've had some issues with my band, I can't seem to get more than 2.4 cc in my band without having reflux. I am at 2.2 right now. I may never get more than that, but okay as long as I have some restriction in place. My weight loss is slow, but I'm hoping to get to goal one day.

I'm sorry you had to have the band removed, at the same time I know you're relieved to not have reflux day and night. It sounds as if you'll need to continue the ww diet, and up the exercise if you start gaining weight. What a sense of humor your dr has...gain wt to have surgery! Yeah right. Hope you're feeling better today.

WElcome! I lived in Abilene as a young child and as an adult I've visited a few times. Do your research, go for consultations and focus on surgical experience and aftercare program. Go to news groups on yahoo and this board to read posts from other bandsters to learn more information about the surgery and life after the band.

How much does dr. watson charge for fills and does he perform them under flouro? By the way I graduated from the medical center.

I'm not sure I know enough about slippage other than what I've read on the news boards from other bandsters. I've heard major vomiting will cause this and I'm not talking about PB.

I'm doing well. Have less fill than I had when I went in for a fill after one year. Couldn't tolerate it, so all's good, losing weight slowly with restriction at 2.2cc Hope your band is approved soon.

hi, who is your new dr? I was banded in feb 07 by dr. barker in east dallas. I don't live far from you, I'm near I20. I'm glad you have someone to monitor you and give fills. My sister had RNY by dr. rodriguez and did fine. The band is a slow but healthier way to lose weight. Some people lose more than others but don't let that discourage you. You can get great support by going out to our local bandster group at yahoo news group DFW Bandsters and Smartbandsters. I like them both.

Jack is right on the money. Take heed to some good advice. Try a couple of days on liquids. If you continue to have burning in the chest area, or burning in the back of your throat, that's heartburn/acid reflux and you will need to contact surgeon for band adjustment.

I have a band and my sister the bypass. I have problems with my esphogaus which effects my band. The most frustrating is eating, it's been over a year and every day is different. One day I can eat and the next I struggle. Now my sister, she has a problem with malabsorption, so she struggles to not lose more weight. A lot of health issues for both of us have been eliminated since having the surgery. You have to weigh the risks of everything and make a decision.

My band is frustrating me. After one year I had a good EGD and went in for my fill. I began with 2.6 cc and they brought me up to 2.8 cc. Over the weekend I began throwing up liquids and have acid reflux. I went back in and they removed saline bringing me down to 2.2 cc. where liquid would begin flowing again. The good news is no acid reflux, I can eat again and I still feel restriction. Over those 5 days I lost 7 lbs! Fickle, Fickle, Fickle! But it's all good.

You've hit onerderland and that's great! I wouldn't consider your weight loss slow for a band. My dr has the band and lost 100, but he thinks that's all he's ever going to lose, but I don't believe that do you? He says he's plateaued. thank goodness I don't go to him for band support. My loss has been slow and I haven't had a fill in a year due to esophagus issues, but I'm hoping to get a fill in June. Have a great day!

soulmate, what a wonderful nsv for your wife and an exciting event for you as well. Good luck to you both!

I've been reading this site again the last month or so. Somedays I feel sad because others have met their goal in a year, but I'm proud of their accomplishments. I notice the commonality between those who continue to lose or who have met their goal is Exercise. I don't exercise, I'd rather play softball, volleyball or shoot baskets. I developed Barrett's syndrome, so I haven't had any fills since last year in May. I am scheduled for another UGD May 2. I'm hoping for some good news. I would like to keep my band and start my fills once again. I have been on a plateau for what seems like 2 months, fluctuating between 215 and 220 lbs. When I started out I was wearing size 24, now I can wear size 18 pants and my tops are 18-22. My bra cup was DD now a D, but I haven't bought any new bras or for that matter panties. I've rather enjoyed seeing my panties droop! The ultimate compliment so far was when my daughter said "Mom you have curves!" I looked again and I do!

Maybe and this is just a thought, since the band may not be an option and personally I would get a second opinion, you might want to consider getting the gastric sleeve.