La_madam

In 19 months with my band I had esophagitis, complete bowel obstruction and erosion but I lost over 100 lbs, it was worth it in my book!

I had hoped to be banded for a lifetime. I was a good little bandster, followed all the rules, took care of my band, had great aftercare, but I eroded after 19 months. Thank God I had great succes with my band and was able to lose 104 lbs before it was removed.

Strange coincidence that Penni, Francesca, Lisa and Myself were all banded 1 month to the day apart in MX with 2 diferent doctors and we all have had erosion. Something to be said about that definately! Penni and I banded on the same day 4/6/04 with Lopez and Ortiz and Francesca 5/6/04 with Lopez and Ortiz . I agree that it hassomething to do with either the MX docs and their techniques or the MX bands. Lisa my friend, you know I'm feeling you right now, thanks for the call tonight and Iam so sorry. Damn we need to have a Vegas bash for just us eroders. I'm here for you, I love you girl! We can all do this together. With 4 of us now in such a short time we can have our own support group

Desi, deep breath..a little piece of advice that helped me..stop obsessing about the numbers on the scale. Do not weigh yourself everyday. I did it too.. we all did ,but after a few months of obsessing I told myself I was only going to weigh once a week. It works! The scale moves Think of all of the other great Non Scale victories you have achieved since your band, do not let the scale dictate your success or failures. STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO OFTEN! hang in there it will happen when you least expect it :eek:

I was never told to sip except for in the beginning right after surgery. I am a guzler.

Trish, sending you possitive vibes, hope al lgoes smoothly for you.

Shelly, you are beautiful..you look so dam good! Be proud, and Congrats to you and Calvin :eek:

Thanks guys. You all are the best! I have to confess. I have my period right now, it just started yesterday and last night I went to eat dinner and I got the golf ball feeling like my band was still there, it was the first time it has happened since my removal so it has to have something to do with being on my period. Paula I would love your email address to keep in touch

Not sure about the acid affecting your teeth but all the chewing you have to do will. I know this first hand

I'm here..Im doing very good. However Iam not so fortunate to still feel as if I have my band. No restriction whatso ever. I have NOT gained any weight back so for that Iam thrilled. I have lost 1 or 2 lbs since my removal. I'm still working as if i have a band following the bandster rules, just food goes down easier. Thanks for thinking of me Francesca. did you get my message this week? Thanks for thinking of me Francesca.. I love you friend

The only thing cereal does for me is make me hungrier. It is full of carbs and for me carbs just crave more carbs so I stay away from it all together otherwise I'm starving all day. I start my day woth strictly protein , it keeps my hunger at bay most of the day.

I had my band removed due to erosion. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I would go back to Mexico. I had a great experience in Mexico with wonderful aftercare.

Glad to hear no erosion. I'm happy for you all went well

It's normal to be envious of that kind of weight loss..but ask yourself are you envious of her having her insides re re- routed, are you envious of her having to take many vitamins and minerals for the rest of her life, are you envious of her having the dumping syndrome are you envious of her having major sagging loose skin because she lost her weight so fast? ? Are you enviuos of her having all of this just to lose weight at a faster pace then you? You are much healthier then she is right now I'm sure and I'm sure you look healthier too..many GBP patients look ill and withdrawn and sunken in in their faces due to rapid weight loss. In the end, shewill be envious when her pouch has stretched and she is gaining her weight back slowly. Just my thoughts

I never eat oatmeal for Breakfast for 2 reasons 1. It is mushy and it goes through the band quicker ( doesnt last long in the pouch) which will make me hungrier again sooner 2. It has zero Protein, it is all carbs and when I eat carbs in the morning..I'm hungry all day. Carbs for me just make me crave more carbs.

Penni, what can I say my friend..other then I'm sorry Ive been where you are. I know the emotions. You and I are going to be just as successful without our bands as we have been with our bands. You are a strong , kind hearted woman and this should not of happened to you..but I know you will prevail. I'm here for you.

The band was not designed to only drink your meals, you should still be able to eat solids before 5:00 pm..if you cant then I would say you are too tight and need a slight unfill, remember as little as having .2 cc's removed can make the biggest difference in you being able to eat solids but still have enough restriction to lose weight. Being too tight you are at a higher risk of slippage, reflux, gastritis, esophagitis etc... From the Inamed Handbook That may be helpful to you With the Lap Band system in place, you should be able to eat only small ammount so the food you eat should be as healthy as possible. Do not fill your stomach pouch with :junk: food that lacks Vitamins and other important nutrients. Your meals should be high in Protein and vitamins and low in carbs. solid food is more important then liquid food or soft food. The lap Band system will have little or no effect if you only eat liquid or soft food. It passes through the stomach outlet very quickly and does not make you feel full. Here is another excerpt form the book If the adjustment (fill) results in too tight of a stomach opening you could have a hard time eating most foods, sometimes this causes people to avoid solid foods. They may drink liquid meals or soft food meals and this may result in weight gain. A band that is too tight may cause reflux symptoms and can also cause frequent vomiting.

Do not make yourself vomit. Avoid vomiting at all costs. Vomiting can risk your band to slip..so chew chew chew, slow down and take smaller bites. Do whatever it takes to avoid vomiting. Use a smaller fork ( crab fork) , avoid foods that you know will get stuck..etc..

I've never been agressive with my fills. I only had 3 fills and lost 104 lbs in 19 months. If you are losing 1-3 lbs a week then in my opinion I see no need for a fill.

Crystal, what a great story. You both will benefit from it. How wonderful to have such awesome support from your husband.

Yeah Francesca!!! So happy to hear each day is better for you. I will be in touch withyou Love you girl!

Great Job, Congratulations!! I'm very happy for you

I had erosion, I did well with my band. In my mind I imagine a piece of fishing line tied tightly around my finger, if I keep tightening it, it is bound to erode into my finger or atleast cut it somewhat. That is the same theory "I" ( me personally) have on my band. I was one of those who was not so fortunate, my body rejected it after 19 months. but again I lost 104 lbs with my band and I'm still losing without it. I do not regret it for a minute. Without my band I would still be morbidly obese and have no life, my band gave me my life back and Iam now in the normal range for my weight. It feels good

Ditto to exactly what Donali said!

mashed potatoes and refiredbeans were my 2 favorite mushies