Road Queen

Lisa, good luck in your process and decision. I hope they find out everything is okay and get you a port (covered by insurance). If not and you have your band taken out, I hope you have phantom band like some others are experiencing. I have read all the difficulties you have gone through and your patience, endurance, and humor have provided many of us with hope, laughter, and patience of our own. Here's wishing you the best and asking you to keep us updated. I know these decisions must have been difficult for you to make. Good luck. Celeste

That's great news. I think some of us are alot more sensitive to fills than others. It took about 10 days for my last fill to settle down. And that was only .2ccs. Thank goodness my fills are free the first year so I can get little adjustments. Good luck and keep up the good work. Celeste

Yes, yes, yes!! You will get through this and other episodes as you change your life and food habits. Try to take your mind off of it. Take a walk, bubble baths, get lost in a good book, watch movies, etc. Even at 6 months out, I struggle through the times when I used to turn to food. And get a little emotional. How can we not be emotional? We are replacing our best friend - food - with a healthy lifestyle. Losing friends is always tough but food was a friend that never gave opinions, always was there, provided needed comfort, etc. Post alot and read threads. Everyone has challenging times in this process. Good luck.

I usually burp once when I'm full but if I overeat, I burp multiple times. I also get the burps easy when I'm really tight - TOM, weather change, etc.

I am a little over 6 months banded and eat out 2-6 times a week. Since I have given up alot of socializing, visiting and eating is my new social life. I have not gotten ill when eating out (although it has happened at home). Some tricks I use - the warm tea, a glass of wine, or any hot drink does tend to relax the band. Just be careful not to overeat. I don't bother to eat salads since I usually need the Protein and want to make sure I get it in. If they have a broth soup, I sip a little of the broth but leave most of it. I tend to eat fish alot. It goes down easy, is easier to chew, more forgiving if you disobey the rules, etc. I always use a sauce with it - tartar, cocktail, etc. I know that adds calories but it does help it go down easier. I am also learning which of my friends I can eat with easier. The people who know I have the band tend to practice my habits - chewing, eating slower, smaller bites, etc. I don't know if its because they are being nice (which I assume) or they just are trying to imitate me (without their having a band). Some of the friends that practice my habits make it really easy for me to eat out. I have a few that I am comfortable eating a hamburger (skip the bun) or steak with. And those things take concentration. If you are uncomfortable eating out (because of past experiences), I would go to the places that you eat at with your friends alone. Order something and find a meal that works for you. Then you will have a meal that works when you are with them. It may take a few trys but it will be worth it. Hope this helps some. Celeste

Emily, My dr had me on two Protein shakes per day and one meal with 4-6 oz meat and vegetables. I was on it for 10 days (and cheated) and still managed to lose about 9 pounds. I don't think you need to start now, just be careful not to gain over the holidays. Think of how cool it will be next Christmas when you have lost weight. Good luck. Celeste

I think mine was 36. I considered having the surgery done 2 years ago when it was 33 and waited for many reasons. I also am losing slower than I would like but I'm not gaining and I am healthier than I have been in years. This was the best thing I ever did for me!! Good luck making your decision. Celeste

Kari Jo, You may need to get some fill removed or go on liquids for a few days. It sounds like your innards are irritated and need some rest. You may even have something stuck. I would call my dr and talk to him today. You don't want this to fester over the weekend. Good luck. Celeste

I put it on my WorldPerks visa (to get frequent flyer miles and time). The day I put it on was the day after cutoff for a monthly bill (21st of May). So the amount was due by July 12. On July 10, I refinanced my house and used the money to pay off the credit card. That did get me 50 days interest free money. Us accountants will be a little anal making sure we get good deals. Celeste

JoLynn, Are you going to meet with the dr soon? I think you said you were going to Minot instead of coming to Bismarck. If that's true, you won't have a meeting with the nutritionist. I would call and ask if you can email her so she can help you decide if you need more fill. It sounds to me like you do need more fill. I wish you were coming to Bismarck. Andy (the PA) is getting really good at finding the 'sweet spot'. Its too complicated to explain here but he seems to have a knack at hitting it. The tough thing is making sure you are not overfilled. A week ago I was ready to get an 'unfill'. I was so tight during the winter storm that I ended up on liquids and eating poor choices (gaining weight). But that has passed and now I feel my fill is right. I will try and call you later today. Celeste

This is your healing time. Let the body heal and use this time to start using your new life skills. You said that you know the band is there ....the burps, hot potato feeling, etc. Use these indicators to help you follow bandster rules. Someone said to consider your band on vacation until you get the proper fill. The first one usually doesn't do alot. But it can help you follow the rules better. Good luck. Celeste

Enjoy your vacation!! It sounds like last night was great. Although you think its cold, I'm jealous. We are at -7 with a wind chill of -24 this morning. Burr. Too bad Chris didn't get a picture of you with your bow. Please have him take one to post. We will be waiting. Celeste

Congratulations and happy bandiversary. Celeste

Nana, Thanks for starting this and motivating everyone with the prizes. Its been fun. Celeste

You have done awesome losing weight, finding yourself, and writing to tell us about it. Congratulations and good luck on those final pounds. Celeste

I am so sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories. Celeste

weight 176.2 underbust 35.5 waist 36 hips 43.5

Welcome to Bandland. Celeste

My fills are free for the first year. I am very sensitive to them. After 4 fills, I am up to 1.65cc. Last time they put in .15 and that was a struggle for me to handle for a few days. I don't think conservative is a sham just a philosophy that being overfilled has problems and its better to be conservative. Just my $.02 ...Celeste

I am a happy bandster. I have my six month bandiversary last week and went to a weekend get together with several of my 'old' friends. Two of them wanted to meet with me about the band. I believe seeing my results was positive for them. They have alot more to lose and a toughter struggle with other health issues but telling them about the support at this site was also important for them since they live in rural SD and won't have easy access to drs, etc. My life is much better than 6 months ago and I am so ready to move on with things I haven't done or didn't consider before. Yesterday, I ran 5 of my 60 minutes on the treadmill. Every day I find new things that work for me. I wanted a better life and the opportunity to keep improving it as I age. I am single without children and didn't want to be a fat old lady who just sat home and ate. Now I have more energy and hope to volunteer and help others more. Good luck on your decision. Celeste

Alatina, You are doing great. I have similar dates/stats and haven't done nearly as well as you are but I'm excited about my loss. Sorry that you are feeling it isn't going fast enough. Maybe working out on a more regular basis will help. I have exercised at least 5 days a week for 40-90 minutes for the last 2.5 months. It isn't making me lose pounds any faster but I have dropped sizes. Good luck. Celeste

Daniela, Hang in there. It will work. I was also a 'light' one - gosh, I love that and am losing more slowly and having to work a little more but that's okay. It took me 2 fills to get restriction and 4 to get to a good place. I'm very sensitive to fills (severe swelling, etc) so I don't want them putting in too much at any one time. I also swell when the weather changes - bad pb last night due to wind and snow that started about 2 hours later. I am a walking weather vane. The longer I have this tool, the more I learn about it. Have patience. Good luck. Celeste

no change from last week in measurements. weight 175.2

I started at a tight 18, am now wearing 12s and could fit into some 10s. And I have only lost 37 pounds. I don't know what is going on here but I like it. I also have been tracking my body fat and have gone from 44% down to 37%. You may be in those jeans quicker than you think. I have saved jeans through the years and all but 2 pair fit me now. The problem is I don't like the styles anymore!! When I fit into the smallest pair, I will know its time to stop. Celeste

I have told several people and I don't want to be a closet bandster. I want to share the information and help others who may be considering getting a band. My problem is my co-workers. I have only told a few of them. Alot of them are now asking me what I'm doing to lose weight and I don't want to spend my whole day(s) explaining to each of them what the band is, what it does, etc. I just tell them the bandster rules - protein first, then veggies, then carbs and small bites. None of them are obese so it isn't anything that would help them although the education may help them tell friends and others. Any suggestions on how to approach this would be appreciated.