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Karen, You will love it! I have had a slow weight loss but I have maintained the loss which is a big difference from other weight loss experiences. For that alone, the band is a success!!! where does your sister in-law live? If she ever wants a support local person give her my email: ja92uz@verizon.net. Have a great day...if you have any questions don't hesitate... oh and all my experiences at St. Mary's has been great too!!

Hello Karen, My friend went to Dr. Shroder( spelling?) and really had an overall good experience with the doctor and staff. I had my surgery with Dr. Batista, Commonwealth Surgeons, the other group at St. Mary's. I have been pleased with them too. I had my surgery two years ago, June 7, 07. I had to have surgery again this April due to a hienel hernia and had to have a new band put in but the same port. I have my first fill next Tuesday. I am disappointed that I have to go through all this again, but the hernia had to be approved. I lost about 60lbs. If your sister inlaw had the surgery, she can tell you that it is only a tool. you can still eat around the band and gain weight, so you have to listen to your doctor and band. I also live in the Fredericksburg area! Good Luck with your journey!

OregonDaisy, I understand the search for a final solution, for the band can be frustrating. however after looking at the sleeve, to me this is drastic, they are stapling or removing part of your stomach. unless, I don't understand??? I would think this would be a drastic step and it also states like any other wl surgery you can gain your weight back. I know my doctor would not do it if I failed with the band, unless in no way was it my fault. This is just my opinion. Good Luck.

RTEEST Wow, I can't believe that your doc is waiting and not suggesting surgery? you have been through so many steps that didn't work. As I said, when I had the Upper GI it was due to my initiative to see the doc for a regular visit just to make sure I was doing OK. it was then they decided to order the UGI. As soon as they saw it they scheduled me for surgery, not emergency, but as soon as possible for they wanted to prevent any further problems with the band. Did either doc suggest it? I know if you don't have the band, most docs will treat the hianal hernia with meds, but with the band it can cause other problems. Cleo's Mom, I am glad you are going to go to a surgeon that is with a group that has met the Excellence criteria. Mine has and they have been doing band and gastric for a long time. My doc even warned me that if when he went in and saw I may have caused a problem with the band due to not eating correctly or not following "band rules" he was taking it out and not rebanding me. He is for patient success. I was glad I was ok. OregonDaisy, what is the sleeve? Is there a web site on this? Something new every day! Wishin4, I agree with WasaBubblebutt, you need to go to the doctor. You will only hurt yourself. Well, 4 days afte surgery and feeling good. I hope this time it works.

Wow, I am glad I found this thread, I think LOL! I had a Hiatal Hernia and a band readjustment on Wednesday. I will be banded two years ago and had little problems with the band, however after my upper GI I was told I had the hernia and the doctor did not want to let it get to a point of slipping the band. Thinking back I do beleive I had an increase of food tough going down and more pbing. I just chucked it up to eating to fast or eating the wrong things. but I never had problems during the night. Actually the Upper GI was scheduled as a check up, must have been instinct. I hope after reading all your situations I am off to a good second start and everything goes well. I am seeing this as Chapter Two! I did get a new band, a new type, can't really say, I will ask on my week visit. My surgeon said my pouch was very big and that it was due to me over eating, however when his assistant showed me the pictures of the upper GI she never pointed that out. I am sure I ate more than the 1/2 cup as directed. I am hating the liquid diet and the after surgery gas pains, but due to not having to replace my port I am recovering better. Let me know how you are doing! Janine

rhc, thanks for the kudo's! Sometimes I don't feel like I am doing so well, so I need to stop and look at the big picture. I would have to look at my history to see how many fills I had, I wish I could remember this stuff. I have a lot of restriction now, and have for a while. I am not sure if it is due to me still, after almost 2 YEARS!!, not chewing properly, or what. I can eat one thing and then the next time I try to eat the same thing, can't. You will find the band is finicky and you have to work it out. I always know I have it, like any other part of your body. Not sure that makes sense. I have accepted the fact that I can't eat pasta( even though in a weak moment I will try and regret it) or a burger. It does not bother me. I can't drink beer for it girgles up. So, I drink wine, probably a factor in my slow weight loss weeks! I don't seem to get hungry. what is the challenge like any lifestyle change is giving up bad habits, like snacking or eating when stressed or upsetting times. this will not go away. So, they are right when they say the band is a "tool". You still have to get to the root of your eating. I think the first 80% of loss comes off okay, but by then you may slip back to some of these habits, and have to face them. This is my experience and perspective, but maybe not of everyone. Don't get discouraged with the time it takes to go through the process. I know once you make the decision, you want it NOW. I had to schedule appointments that felt so far away and that I would never have the surgery, but it all happens and works out. YOu have made a great decision to change your life. luvmy2dogs thanks. how are you doing? what kind of puppies do you have? I have a golden retriever and a mix bread we adopted.

Rhc, I had my surgery done at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. I don't remember how long it all took, I believe I started the process in late February and had my surgery in June. But some doctors can move you through the process quickly, they are all so different. Maybe if you tell them your insurance needs, they will move forward at a quicker pace for you? I thought the other day that I will be approaching my 2 year bandaversary and still have 20 lbs to go, but in those 2 years I never gained and if I did not have the band I would still be over 200lbs! So it is all worth it. It is work and acceptance, but it is worth it. good luck, keep us posted. How is everyone!

GREAT Luvmy2dogs!!! Welcome to Band land!

Hello Gang! It has been a while since I posted and I see the thread is quiet too. I know some of you are regulars on other threads so hope you are doing well. I am hanging in there. All is going well, vacations are all over for the summer, so time for me to concentrate! I feel lucky that I have maintained my weight and not gained and will get back to basics now. As soon as this miserable weather changes, walks will pick up as well! I looked back at my last few posts and said I had 7.75cc, well when I went for my annual check, not so! To be honest, I will have to look back at my notes, but I think it was only 5 and I am still at 5-6 cc. I think it is so true that the numbers really don't matter, it is how you feel and how you handle your eating. Talk to you all soon!!! Stay COOL!

Diane, thanks for the nice comments. I wish I was doing better too! I have been at the same place, 190 FOREVER!!!! I hit 189 for a glimse! what is strange is that I have not been eating that much and it is stuck on me. i know the key is exercise which has been a struggle with me. I need to do that. BUT having said all that, I am happy that I am where I am and how different I feel from a year ago. Do you have any problems with food going down now? dont get to tight. I am thinking of getting a slight unfill. I keep waiting to see. I guess I don't want to get to loose, but food is difficult to go down and there is no way I can drink carbonated drinks, they girgle up. I am not a soda drinker, but I tried tonic water and beer, and nope since my last fill. I also can't drink to fast and it gets stuck. but if I watch what I am doing it is ok. strange!

Lisa you look GREAT!! Good luck in Grad school. kiz good luck with your decision. I went to Commonwealth Surgeons and have friends I met through the band that went to Richmond, they both have their personality differences, however both are great groups to chose from. Is it HOT enough for all you Virginians!! Hopefully the steamy weather will change tonight!

iteach Hang in there!! It will get better. I was just telling someone how I disliked those shakes! Look for some good recipes. there is a thread on here. I usually will get a slimfast protein brand, I like them. Some taste like chalk! well TFIF...

welcome babs!! I was fortunate that I did not have to go through the 6 month nutrition requirment. But I know that Dr. Schroders' office staff are good and I am sure the person you are seeing is good. Maybe others would know more. I am coming up on my one year anniversary! I can't beleive it. I am about 2/3 to goal, which I heard this week is more than expected. the expectation is 50%. I want more and was hoping to be at my goal, but the band is like other diets in some ways, you can eat bad things that don't benefit your weihgt loss. you ahve to be careful. My goal will be to reach the goal weight by the end of the summer! I need to beef up my exercise!

Nana to Nana My added photo is me with my new grandson, now a month old!! he is growing to, now 10lbs! This is # 2 for me. How many grandchildren do you have? My son is young but him and his wife are doing really well. I can now run around the yard with my grandaughter with out heaving over! luv You are doing great and I feel the same about how I feel better, but you seem to be better at the exercisign than I. what do you do? I can't seem to get beyond that 50lb loss mark...ugh!

You all are inspiring. I was looking on the site for a "how to begin running group!" I had been a steady walker and for some reason my exercise regime has gone down the toilet! what is the program you all follow?? I could really need some help. Kim, where in VA? I have been reading all about the Marine Half Marathon this weekend and have this urge to get my butt moving, running.. maybe next year I can do it!! I know some folks running and I am jealous that I am so stuck! My weight loss has been very slow and I know it is age and lack of exercise. now with the weather finally changing it is the ideal time! I am excited to find this thread! I went back and read some pages, and you are all amazing.