ajoneen

Yep. they recently stopped that and added a nutritionest to the group. That kind of line up would definitely have helped me 5 yrs ago. Now saddly I am out of the magic first year window.

It has been over 5 years since my surgery. Ive had some ups and downs but in my head not real success. I think I didnt have in place at the time as strong a support network as I thought or needed. From the Dr charging to go to support meetings to me just not enjoying structured exercise (I have done 4 triathlons 3 since banding). I have learned that my weight issues are so much more then what the band can handle. Sigh

Im not sure who is following this anymore. I know the support I received here in the early days was a life saver! All of us going through pretty much the same thing. Now quite a few have had the band removed. After having no band related problems (that I know of- all my problems were my dedication to working the tool) I am having weird food stuckage issues. I guess it coudl be refulx but there is no real acid coming back up. Just kinda like air trapped and alot of discomfort! I've gone on liquid only and sometimes that helps, but sometimes I get stuck on liquid. Im at the point of actually hoping my band has slipped so I can have it removed and replaced with the sleeve. I dont think the band itself has been a benefit. Well I guess Im asking if anyone is out there and if they are having or have delt with this issue. Thanks

Im very curious to know how the thread starter has been. I was banded march 08 and am just now having some problems with food getting stuck. More like air bubbles not letting food go down, and then esophagus feels constricted. Ive tried going on liquid but sometime get stuck on that. Hmm

Interesting group here on Long Island: http://www.liponation.org/ https://www.facebook.com/LIPO.Nation/info

Thanks for the kind words! Yep eye on the prize, right?

Im coming to a place I've seen before- I am within view of 200(currently 212). This seems to be one of my biggest hurdles. I've been working really hard at the gym since last Feb, when I started a 3 day a week "Team WeightlossTraining" which includes a half hour of nutrition a week. Last week I completed another Triathlon. Right now activity isn't a problem. I sucked it up, made an appoingment and dragged a very supportive friend to the band Dr. in Feburary and it wasn't nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. I've been back twice since(2 fills) and have had a barium swallow to make sure the band/pouch was in good shape. The band is holding up its end of the bargin. Im scared shitless that something will come along and derail me again. Im glad I had the courage to write this blog in the first place, rereading some of the old entries was hard but I've also learned alot about myself. Peace A

I went to the Feb & March meetings this year for "over 1 year banded", maybe a dozen folks were there. I went to a few meetings when first banded (08)- but back then you had to pay $20 a meeting- wasn't worth it. Still 12 out of over 6000???? It's a shame because the more I live with the band and work to lose weight the more I understand that the learning curve is broad.

considering that Geiss's office has more then 6000 patients this is a very quiet board. Does anyone go to the support meetings?

The Fat GIrl might be screaming but the Future You is whispering WELL DONE. Soon that whisper will be SO much louder and you will shout for all the world to hear: WOO HOO! and you will leave that fat girl in the changing room at Lane Bryant to whisper to someone else!

Well HELLO Shrinking Shamrocks! Ups & downs that about sums it up. Highest 280 before band 11/07, 255 on day of surgery 3/08, lowest 207 on 3/09, 264 on 2/11, 224 on 11/11, 225 2/12, 212 today. I saw Dr regularly the first year then didn't see him until Feb 2012. I was terrified to go back, I thought he would see me as a failure. (Didn't happen!) I've had 3 fills since then and a berium swallow to make sure band was still placed correctly. Dr says from here on if I dont continue to loose and keep it off then its up to me to see a nutritionist to work on that front. Guess what- his office now has a full time nutritionist on staff that my insurance covers! When I have the money I get support with a gym membership. But I've learned activity only helps me maintain. Activity plus attention to nutrition equals slow weight loss. This journey has been a challenging one. I've had to put alot more energy into learning what works for me. When I started the band journey I had tons of optimism. With the regain 2 years in and the struggle to reloose I am more realistic about what it is going to take to keep the weight off. Im glad Im not the only one to struggle. I still have never had problems with food getting stuck, reflux or other band related problems. TYBJ! I am very sad to hear of all the problems other Shamrocks are having. Especially the ones that have had them removed.

I just got a fill. First one in 2.5 years. It was SO HARD to call to make the appoitment and show up. I felt like a failure. We'll see if this helps.

Take it easy. Don't beat yourself up. Cut yourself some slack but don't slack off. No one ever said it would be easy, just that it would be worth it. (Im full of them) To embarrassed to see the Dr? I bet you were embarrassed at 278 but you got your butt in there, yes? Hey life gets in the way of life. I've had my ups(284) downs(200) and am now working at it again. Don't go looking for excuses. Just make a plan to move forward. Good luck!!!