showboatgirl

I have been banded for 3 years. I have no regrets about being banded. I started out at 241 pounds and now weigh 183 pounds. I was about 15 pounds lighter last year, but I gained some weight back. Even with the weight gain, I have lost over 50 percent of my excess weight. Last Friday, my doctor thought I should get a fill, and I think it is helping. I don't have any complaints about my band. I hate to think about how big I would be if I hadn't been banded 3 years ago. My sister was banded the same day as me. She has done about the same as I have done. We both have lost weight before--but have never kept it off for 3 years. I was terrified of the surgery and the life change, but I am glad that I went through with it.

I use chewable caramel or chocolate calcium. I think it is Viactive. You can get it at Walmart. Another great calcium product is Adora Calcium. You can get it in milk chocolate or dark chocolate. I ordered it online and it is expensive--but really good.

I have only had 1 fill and the doctor had a problem getting the needle in the right spot. After a lot of wiggling of the needle, he got the liquid in. I wanted him to be conservative with the fill--and it wasn't enough.I need another fill, but dread it.

My dietian said that bariatric patients should never eat eggplant. I think it can cause a blockage. It is not a problem for me because I have never eaten it anyway. Just thought that I would tell you so you can check with your dietian.

I was banded August, 2005. I have lost about 60 pounds. I actually lost more, but gained some back. I haven't been exercising and have been snacking more than I should. I do need a fill, but my next appointment is in November. I have only had one fill and the doc had a difficult time doing it. ( he had to wiggle the needle around a lot to find the right spot) We know what we need to do. We just need to get ourselves back on track.

I was banded in 2005. I can remember how miserable I felt. It hurt so bad to get in and out of bed. I was also depressed for a few days. I was missing food. My sister and I were banded on the same day. On the third day after our surgery, I sent my husband for a McDonald's milk shake. My sister and I shared that shake. I don't know if it was the sugar or what, but we both started feeling better. After a week, we were both sore, but were getting back to normal. It gets better and it is worth it. We are happy with our bands and weight loss.

I had a bad experience with my first fill too. I didn't pass out, but I whimpered and whined a lot. My doctor had to stick me several times and it seemed like he was rolling the needle around. I think there must have been some scar tissue over the port because he really had a difficult time. Anyway, he wanted to put in 1 1/2 in, but I told him to put in 1--I should have listened to him. I don't have much restriction. After being banded over 2 years, that was my first fill. I have lost about 70 pounds--so I will probably not get another fill for a while.

I don't know the reason, but eggplant was the only food that I was told to avoid. I never ate eggplant before, so it was not a problem for me. I started eating soft mushy food on the second week--but I chewed, chewed, chewed!

Point Pleasant, WV (Home of MOTHMAN)

Welcome to BandLand. Good for you! Today is a new beginning for you. You have started your trip toward your goal weight.

I have bought a ton of clothes since my weight loss. I don't spend a lot of money on clothes, but my closet is completely full. Before my surgery, my goal was to just look neat. But now, I look in the mirror and think, "I look good!" I love wearing new clothes now. As long as I can afford to shop, why worry about the bulging closet?

I have had my band for 2 1/2 years and have never had a fill. I am happy with my weight loss--which I am now trying to maintain. I am satisfied with the amount of food that I eat. I would get a fill if I started to gain a lot of weight. But right now, I am doing fine. If you are losing weight, keep on doing what you are doing. Get a fill when you think you should.

Hi, I will be 59 in September. I will celebrate my2nd bandiversary Aug. 29th. I have lost 75 pounds. I feel much better now. I am glad that I joined the band.

I haven been to Vegas 4 times and am planning another trip in July. I love to go there because there is so much to do--shows, gambling, shopping. It is easy to get a cheap vacation package to Vegas. I took my 15 year old granddaughter last year and she loved it. Go to Vegas--you will enjoy it!

I don't drink a lot of liquid before and after meals, but I do drink some. I am supposed to drink 64 ounces a day and I couldn't possibly get that much in without drinking some at meals. Fortunately, I still get a full feeling.

My sister and I had our band surgery done the same day. We returned to our homes which are a few blocks apart. On the third day, we both were very depressed. I called her and told her that my husband would bring her to our house for the evening. She arrived in her gown and robe. We sent him for a McDonald's chocolate milk shake which we shared. We watched a movie and drank our milk shake. After that night, we got over the depression. I think we were missing our best friend--food. We soon found out that we didn't have to give up food. We just learned to be satisfied with a lot less. We have both lost about 75 pounds. We are happy bandsters. Just hand in there, the bad feelings will pass.

I had a basal cell removed a few years ago. Because it was so close to my nose, I opted for the MOHS surgery. I was so glad that I went to a MOHS surgeon because my scar is almost invisible. Before the surgeon sewed it closed, she showed me the hole. I was shocked because it looked big to me. I had a lot of neat little stitches. She did a great job. That procedure is the way to go. I hope things go well for you.

I normally have thick hair--but not anymore. I have had my band exactly 1 year today. My hair is much thinner now. I had gall bladder surgery 3 weeks ago, so I will probably lose even more hair. AT our aupport meetings, they say it will grow back. My hair still looks ok, but I don't want my scalp to start showing. I will buy some Nioxin and try that. I have also ordered some Revival Soy protein bars. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

My band is now 1 year old. My sister and I were both banded Aug. 29, 2005--the day Hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc. I can remember lying in the hospital bed listening to the sad news about Katrina. The good news is that my sister has lost about 75 pounds and I have lost about 80 pounds. We are both thrilled with our weight loss. It has been some year! By the way, my 40th class reunion is in September. Thanks to my band, I am looking forward to attending the reunion because I can wear a size 12 now! Yeah! My band is my friend!

Golden Corral has a special discount for people with a bariatric card. I think it is $3.98. I probably wouldn't eat at a buffet if I had to pay full price. I think it would be a waste of money for me. At Golden Corral, they have always been nice about the discount. I can't say the same for Bennigan's. When my sister and i both ordered from the children's menu, we got nasty comments. "Do you want some crayons too?" "You two are cheap dates." At Bob Evans, they let you order from the children's menu. They usually charge you the child's price--but at some BE restaurants, they charge you for an adult child's meal. (which is higher than a child's meal) Does that make sense?

You are a success story! Congratulations!

I asked my dietian about eating salad. I told her that a cup of salad just wasn't enough. She told me that i could eat a saucer size serving of salad because it has a high water content. She also suggested adding some meat to the salad for the protein. I went to a buffet tonight and ate a medium size bowl of salad. I also ate a chicken tender and an onion ring. I ate a tiny serving of ice cream. I felt very full and satisfied. Salads are the only food that I eat over a cupful of. So far, it hasn't hurt my weight loss. How much salad do you other bandsters eat?

My sister has always been sensitive about her weight. There was an older man at church who always made negative comments about her weight. One day, she looked him in the eye and said, "Things could be worse, I could be ugly too!" He got the point. Another comment that might drive it home--"I can diet and lose weight, but what are you going to do about that face?" Gee, I'm glad I have a sister!

Thanks for all of the good wishes. I am doing fine. I have to admit that this surgery didn't leave me nearly as sore as the lapband surgery. I am glad that both surgeries are behind me. I miss lifting my beautiful twin grandbabies.

I was banded Aug. 29, 2005. I have lost about 78 pounds. Everyone tells me that i don't need to lose any more weight. I am happy if I don't lose another pound--but I don't want to gain any. My weight loss has slowed down. But, it sure is great to be wearing a size 12 or medium! I will be 58 in September.