gypj

I use Centrum Liquid Vitamins. They work very well for me.

My band's name is Kip. I am kips slave for the rest of my banded life!!

Same for me...I've been at my goal for 4 years as of the end of March. It took about a year and a half to reach my goal from 238 pounds to my persona l goal of 155. I actually went down to 147, and am back up to 165. I still battle with food, well more wine than actual food but I love myself in my siz eight jeans and I cringe at my before pics. Be encouraged - the band works if you work with it.

Here are mine. Not sure if they will show.

I think that makes sense to get it checked out. I have done some further research, and found that some others have had a similar experience and basically gone on a 10 day liquid diet with gently added mushies to give the esophagus a break. I am going to try that, especially since I have no associated pain to see if it helps. Thanks so much for your response and thoughts.

All, I rarely post (and should do a better job) but thought I would get thoughts and advice from others who may have experienced distended esophagus and how to handle this issue. Background. Banded in March 2005 in Mexico (Dr. Sanchez). Pre-band 238, post (current) 157 (up a few pounds) a solid size six (with a size eight rear - lol!!!). I run three times a week and am very active. I am not disciplined about what I eat always. My main weakness is wine. Yesterday I went to see my fill nurse for an adjustment. I had not had an adjustment since 10/07 and realized I was eating quite a bit more food and without the full sensation. An Esophogram showed that my esophagus was pretty distended, which is why I am not feeling full. Instead of food sitting in the stoma, it sits in my esophagus. My fill person also told me that the band has pretty much done all it can for me and showed me on the x-rays that still I'm very tight. She asked me if I wanted to remove all of my fill from the band for about 3 weeks to give the esophagus a break and then gradually add the fill again but could not guarantee that the unfill would really do the job to fix the esophagus. Some small part of me freaked out and had visions of gaining 30 pounds in 3 weeks. I ultimately told her no, especially since a review of a previous esophagram showed I had greater distension in 2007 than I do now. I am wondering what others have done when their doctor has mentioned this and what, if anything I can do to get my esophagus back to a point where I 'feel' the full sensation without removing all my fluid. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. MJ

I haven't posted in a while but here is my most recent pic, and one I took before surgery. I started at 238, and a size 18. I now (depending on boob and butt size) go between an 6 and an 8, have run my first marathon and continue to love protein shakes as much as I did when I started. Cheers - Gyps

Congratulations on your walk so far. It wasn't easy for me initially. I lost almost no weight, but the dropped clothes sizes like crazy. I didn't really start to lose actual weight for a while. I was CONVINCED it wasn't working. Inches count as much as D's on a grade report card. Take heart...It gets better.

Let's see...banded March 30. Started 238 and currently at 165. I have 15 more pounds to goal. I run a few days a week and am pretty active. I can't say that I am the healthiest eater but I try to generally live by the bandster rules. Has anyone noticed the more weight you lose the tipsier one glass of wine gets you? I'm at 2.3 fill. No golf balls, no reflux...the snoring never went away (the boyfriend is kind enough not to admit to the snoring). I'm enjoying fluctuating between an a size 8 and a 10 right now with no real interest in a size six. Also wondering if I want to ultimately do a tummy tuck since I have a big ole bag of kangaroo pounch called my tummy. Actually enjoyed tying my bra in the back for a while and complaining about it (perverse I know but hey!)...finally gave up the 14, and hesitantly gave up the 12's. Now I don't even entertain anything less than a size 10 (I actually hvae a size six skirt...can you say forgiving?) I actually went shopping at BeBe's the other day (which doesn ot have plus size) and bought a little sexy top. I find myself still having mental fat days, but I know I work out so much (for pleasure not just for weight loss) that I realize i'm really being silly and a bit over the top. I enjoy the whistles (sometimes I whistle back). I enjoy seeing my face without the double chin...love the way the boyfriend loves me in 'those pants'...and some other things! I still have a Protein shake in the mornings (its easier for morning tightness). I like knowing that Kip (my band's name) stops me when I feel the full symptoms and I've been trained well enough to stop. Played a full 1 hour game of dodgeball. Can't say that I could have done that when I was a size 18. The band has changed - and possibly saved my life - and I encourage anyone, no matter what race to consider it as a viable weight loss option. I'm up to a nice 2 mile run in the morning, with plans to run the corporate challenge in the near future. I still hate crunches but I love the motown spin class at NYSC. To say I'm loving my walk with the band is an understatement. How are you guys faring? Meshawn 238/196/165 (and counting 20/14/10 (size)

All, I'm hoping for a PCP recommendation in northern NJ area. I've spoken with a few drs (just to get a physical) and they were hesitant to take me because I have a band). I've explained that I"m not looking for a surgeon, just a regular doctor with some basic knowledge of the life of a bandster but i've been unsuccessful. Anyone love their PCP and can recommend?

I live in Hoboken...I'll have to see how far Madison is from that area since i'm pretty new to NJ. I got a suggestion from Alexandra but he would not take me because someone else did my band.

went from 228 to 189, that's a total of 41 and i'm in a size 14 squeezing into a 12...can't wait till I get to a size 8!!!

I get my band filled by Dr. Maese in Texas who also is excellent with determing band slippage and take insurance. There is also a doctor I met in Rhode Island and one in Virginia who will deal with Mexico banded patients. I think I have a list if anyone wants to pm me with that information. I wish the best of health to everyone, having a band isn't always easy but passing on information and netowrking is priceless. Goodness knows Kip (my band's name) gives me heartache and pain rather often but I'm thankful that I was able to go to Mexico and get a great surgeon and the band has helped me out so much!!!

Hey guys, I was banded in MX (Dr. Sanchez, who I love dearly)...I have an inamed 4cc band, still receive occaisonal calls from the PA (and one from Dr S not too long ago). He has been responsive to ever issue I've had (which honestly haven't been that many) and I've suggested to quite a few of my associates considering banding that they consider MX. I note that many of the people who have erosion issues have in them in conjunction with other issues as well. I have lost a pretty substantial amount of weight and am always cognizant of what goes into my stomach, be it medicine or food. I know there are other bands that they use in MX (i.e., the swedish band, which I believe precedes Inamed's 4cc) but I very specifically wanted the inamed band and Dr. S knew that). My heart goes out to those who have suffered from erosion issues but I can honeslty say I am one (of quite a few I know) who did not suffer badly at all. A brand new hospital, immediate resonses to any call day or night in the hospital, and the area is fabulous. Just my .02.

I still have that problem occasionally. I use glycerine suppositories. They work in like 20 minutes.

I hooted when I saw this because it's so true of many of us. Hope you enjoy - It's from Obesityhelp.com A thought on Fills Original Post by Caro Marks at 6:31 PM PST on 06/15/2005 Sacramento, CA I've named it "fill-psychosis" - this mad drive to....get a fill! Pre-surgery, all I thought about was getting/paying for the surgery. Surgery successfully completed, I now obsess on fills, and why not? Do I want one? Do I need one? Does my doctor think I need one? If not, can I con her into giving me one anyway? Will she give me one at gunpoint? How long ago was my last one? How many pounds have I lost since my last one... is it time for a fill or do I need its evil cousin, the ...(sinister whisper) UNfill...?? Lets check it out! Am I hungry? Am I hungry more often? When I wake up? After I exercise? When I go to bed? When I go to the dry cleaner? Has my weight loss slowed down? Have I hit a plateau? Can I swallow a chicken-and-peanut butter sandwich? I've had two successful (a third was not) fills since my surgery on February 3. My first was for 1 cc and after 6 weeks I WAS getting hungry, slowing down, etc. So I had my second last Friday, for 1.5 cc and only today, 6 days later, can I swallow tender salmon - its been liquids almost exclusively since then and it was a rough few days. Two days ago the dreaded word "unfill" passed through my thoughts as I clutched my sternum in agony, trying to swallow a spoonfull of chowder. Today, the swelling is down and the little man on the floor of my esophaugus (he's "with the band", *wink*) flings open the door to my pouch, welcoming in the well-chewed food with a small bow. Today I welcome my new fill. The fill experience is not so bad. My doctor gives great fill - he discusses the to-fill-or-not-to-fill question, then he does his thing absolutely painlessly. Then, if you can drink 2 glasses of Water without exploding, you can go, and boom you're back in the car cautiously sipping a V-8. I've lost 39 pounds since Feb 3 and I am mighty happy. If I had the option of suddenly waking up tomorrow at my goal weight I am not sure I would choose it. Losing the weight at a steady, consistent and reasonable rate is in many ways a triumph in itself, and gives me the months of practice I'll need for the whole killer-chewing, no-clean-plate-club-here new lifestyle I'll be practicing after I am at goal.

I still laugh everytime I read this post. I am much smarter now about fills that I have been in the past.

Here are my pics as of 9/24.

long hair, especially on a man...tres sexy... Lobster or Crab?

Frosted Mini-wheats spinach black beans

I've never done this before but here's mine. If they don't go through I'll try to reach out to Penni.

Happy Snaps For Heather Joy!!!!

I have a small bowl of soupy oatmeal every morning and then my coffee about a half hour later. Helps with my equillibrium. I generally don't try eating until 9 or 10 in the morning as i'm pretty tight up to that point. A nice cup of warm Water with lemon juice tends to help this first thing, so by the time I actually have my oatmeal it goes down easier. Right now i'm pretty tight (bless Dr. Maese in Dallas!!!). I have a great fill and am as close to my 'sweet spot' as i've ever been so its good that i've been able to have breakfast in the morning.

Okay so ixna on the ohrsay...i'll think of another one...you mentioned glow so perhaps you can say i'm "In the Glow of Love"...hey that sounds romantic enough!!!

Great idea but is there a discrete way to announce to the world that you had sex? Hey guys I just got some physical therapy!!! Guess who's NOT coming to dinner I got RIGHT BACK UP ON THAT HORSE TODAY I dunno...help me here...