Anndallei

I am almost too embarrased to post this! I'm still kicking myself for being so stupid!!! The positive is, this is a good wake up call for me and I'm sure as heck going to learn from it. I had a doctor appt. with Jesse at NWWLS last week. I've had MANY fills and was looking to get another because I was eating too much. When I told her that, she suggested we do a fluro to see what's going on. She was NOT happy (nor was I) with what she saw...the fluro showed stretching of the pouch and my esophagus because my band was way too tight. The liquid was going through as slow as mollasses! She said I may have to have surgery to correct it or, with a little luck, both will go back to normal shape with a restricted diet. She took all the Fluid out of my band. I go back in three weeks to see Dr. Montgomery and have another fluro to see if I'm "normal" once again. I'm staying very positive about this...I'm very hopeful. I'm drinking 4 Medifast and eating one small meal (1/2 to 1 cup) for the next three weeks. Today is day 6. I've lost six pounds already. I go back to the doctor on Feb. 6th. The restricted eating is going great...not too hard to do. Glad to be losing weight again after a year of not losing! I was overfeeding myself thinking my band would tell me when to stop. I thought I was eating more then I should but ignoreed it for a long time. It's all about portion control. I realize now that I have to measure my food portions for each meal and stick to that. I learned the hard way, you can eat way more then you should even with the band. It seems so basic, not all that complicated to understand...that's why I feel embarrased. I should have known better...actually I do know better...I think it says more about my food addiction. Guess it will always be there, I just have to learn to keep it at bay through portion control. I can do it and I will. I've come too far to go backwards. Good luck all, I hope my experience helps others so they don't have the same problems I'm having. pam

My experience mirrors yours! As of this week (after having my first fluro), I'm on 4 Medifast and one tiny meal per day for the next three weeks to try to get my pouch and esophagus back to "normal" size. If that doesn't work, I'll have to have the surgery again. Not excited about that prospect at all...I think I only have to pay for the anesthesia which is about $1,000 but still would rather not have to do it period! I'm hopeful that I can improve my situation over the three weeks. I'm going to stay strict to the diet they set for me as I want this to work; I've come too far for it not to. I'll be meeting with my doctor on Feb. 6th after another fluro to get the verdict. I'm staying positive about this. I got myself in this mess and of course can't help but kick my own bu** a little however, I not going to dwell on it...I'll just make the necessary changes and learn from the experience. This was a good wake up call for me. How's it going for you now Jessiebear? pam

I had my surgery on September 13, 2005 with Dr. Wakins. He was co-owner of the practice but left in 2007 when he moved back to Ohio where he plans to help open other clinics like NWLS. Dr. Watkins was a great doctor and I hate that he is gone...but I have full faith in all the other doctors a NWLS. I've lost about 95 pounds thus far. I have another 90 to go and am slowly working my way there. I love my band and would not change a thing about it. Having the surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made! Jesse is the person that usually does my fills (I've had many as you can see by the stats in my signature.) If you'd like to learn more about my experience with the lap band, just type in my screen name and you can read some of my posts. Good luck to you all...it's a wonderful journey! pam

Sorry all, I fell off the boards for awhile again! Just busy as heck...so how is everyone doing? Karen, how did it go? Are you "plugged" again? No more leaks? I'm still about the same...two up, two down...two up, two down! Must be my craving for crunchy chocolate candy which I have to admit, I have a problem ignoring! I bought a Precor EFX Elliptical machine and plan to use that as my major mode of exercise. Now, I just have to get my big be-ott on it! I had carpal tunnal surgery done on both of my hands over the last two months so have used that as a pretty good excuse not to use it. However, my right hand is two weeks post op now, so I should be able to start using it soon. I promise (talking to myself!) :faint: So what's up????:ranger: pam

We had our 2007 band-aversary and nobody mentioned it? This is my second anniversary and the good news is, I'm down about 93 pounds, the bad news, I was down 93 pounds a year ago! Guess I'm getting too comfortable at this weight. Time to make a change. Although I'm pretty restricted, I've made a fill appointment for next week to shake things up a bit. Ice cream was my downfall all summer long. I even gained about 8 pounds but was able to take that off in the last few weeks. Getting off the ice cream certainly helped! I've lost enough that I've felt pretty complacement. I feel so much better and love that I can wear smaller sizes. I've had to clean out my wardrobe several times because I had (have) so many big sizes. It's amazing how much my body shape has changed. However, at 5' 1", 247 pounds is still way too heavy. I need to drop another 100 pounds. I'm ready to get back on track to do just that. So how are you other Sept 05' bandsters doing? :ranger: Pam

I had my surgery done by Dr. Brad Watkins at Northwest Weight Loss Surgical Center in Everett two years ago. I was browsing their web site yesterday and noticed all reference to Dr. Watkins has been taken off the site and he is no longer listed as one of the doctors there. Does anyone know if he left and if so, why or where he went? I really like him and am very dissapointed that he may not be there anymore. :hurt I have an appointment for a fill with Jesse on the 25th so will find out then I suppose but in the meantime, if anyone has information can you let me know? Thanks much, pam

This is a copy of my cards so you can see what they actually say. 4 x 6 in.pdf

Before and after. Still have 100 pounds to go!

Hi all...and happy holidays! My BMI was over 60 and NWWLS did my lap band in their clinic. I had the surgery in the early morning and was back home before noon. I think the decision for doing the surgery in the clinic or the hospital is pretty individual based on each person's health and their potential risks. I'm doing pretty well...have lost over 90 pounds. Only problem is, I've suddenly developed a sweet tooth! I don't overeat food...my meals are small and mostly meat and veggies but at night I'm snacking on candy. I think part of it is the holidays...that's the time I tend to buy candy because "tis' the season"...right??? it's causing my weight loss to stall. Anyone else encountering this problem? pam

I agree...it's so hard not to pass up on some of the goodies..I almost wish we were through the holidays! But, like you said, we don't eat near as much of them as we used to, so it's just a matter of getting back on track as soon as we can (after the holidays :grouphug:. I'm also trying to keep my eating in check...cutting back where I can so I can have some of the sweet stuff and not feel as guilty! I expect not to lose anything this month...but come January 1...things will be different. Happy holidays!

I'm a little over a year out and have not had any problems with the band. If I should, I hope my insurance will cover anything that might crop up...but I doubt it will. I'm hopeful all will go well and I won't need to find out!

Boy! Time just flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?! I'm down 90 pounds and couldn't be more pleased! I hope to get to my goal weight by 9-13-07 but if I don't, I'll sttill keep truckin' along! It's a learning journey all the way...with all sorts of ups and downs...but thankfully, mostly ups now! Although a challenge at times, I still love my band. I don't "love" food as much as I used to which takes some getting used to. Sometimes I'm a little bummed about that...but then I realize that this is what I've wanted all along. I just have to make the mental adjustments. I love being able to get around so much better more than eating junk food. The quality of my life has so improved!!! I hope everyone else is feeling as happy with their results. It's just a matter of time...and we'll all get there. pam

I had my surgery a little over a year ago at NWWLS and had a great experience...no problems what-so-ever. I've gone from a start weight of 340 to my current weight which is 253. I've had nine fills and I feel I'm finally just where I need to be. I'm losing slowly which is exactly what I wanted. I couldn't be more pleased with my experioence with NWWLS as they are the best (in my estimation)...I have absolutely no complaints. Follow the rules and you do fine. There's certain things I can't eat so I just stay away from them. For the most part, I can eat most anything with the exception of bread or doughy stuff. I don't eat most white foods (rice, flour, potatoes, noodles, etc.) and really don't miss them that much. I'm glad I actually now have a stomach gauge that tells me I'm full and I'd better stop eating (or eating too fast) or I'll be sorry. There are consequences (pain/PB'ing) which are real deterrants for me. I love my band! Did I tell you, I just love my band?! pam

I'm down 80 pounds now! Woo hoo!!!!! I love my band!!!!

I am 57 years old and had my surgery on 9-13-06. I was 340 pounds and 5' 1" tall. I am currently down 73 pounds. I lose about 1-2 pounds a week on average. I like losing slow so I'll have a chance to maybe get rid of some of the excess skin through exercise. I love my band and would do it all over in a minute if I needed to! I never feel deprived...I can eat most anything except any kind of bread product. I stick with my proteins first(meat, veggies, cheese) and then eat as I feel appropriate. I use the Spark People web site to count calories, exercise, etc. It's pretty cool and keeps me accountable! pam

I'm ten months out, 70 pounds gone, and nothing has been problematic for me. Have pb'd off and on but have no one to blame but myself for that...eating too fast or taking too big a bite. My band is my friend...it is doing what it is supposed to do. I couldn't be happier!

Sedrto Woolley, WA here...I'm still hangin' in there...the weight just seems to fall off now! I think I finally have my fill where it needs to be. I'm lovin' this!!!!!