Patriciann

Atlantic City would be a terrific location. March is off-season and the hotels will be less expensive. I live in NJ and would love to attend a bandster convention!!!!!

I had Dr. Strom from Montclair out of Mountainside Hospital. LOVE HIM!

Hi, I had my third fill about 5 months ago and it is very very tight. I wanted it that way, but now I need to see the doctor about loosening it. Mine has not loosened up at all over the months. I have to take a Zantac every night at bedtime just so I don't have heartburn in the a.m. I had hip replacement surgery about six weeks ago and I am now able to walk and exercise again so I will go back to my doctor and ask him to release some of the fill. I have thrown up many times. The other night I had some chicken stirfry, just chicken and broccoli actually. Two bites and wham! But boy oh boy, the ice cream goes down without a problem. Good news is I am 15 pounds from goal. Had the surgery Oct 2007 and have lost 80 pounds. Is it worth it? YES! No more high cholesterol and no more Type II diabetes, and hey, I'm lookin' pretty good, lol. All I can recommend for you is to do what I am planning to do; speak with your surgeon and ask him to take out some of the fill if it's too tight. Good luck to you! Pat

Hi Jelinekh..........I know what you're talking about. When I take my medicine (not for lapband) my stomach burns like crazy........also, there are mornings I wake up with terrible heartburn, but I think I may have found a solution. I take the meds only after I have eaten........and before going to sleep I take an over the counter Zantec 150...........I haven't had heartburn since. I have found tums do not help.......but Zantec does......The good news is I haven't thrown up in nearly 2 months AND I have only 20 pounds to goal. Went to a wedding shower today and saw people I haven't seen since last year. Everyone commented on the weight loss and I felt great....so, would I do it again? YOU BET I WOULD...........

Libra and other Southern Jersey folk, my doctor is Dr. Strom in northern jersey. Last time I saw him he said he is opening an office down this way in August. I'll see what I can find out. Hey Libra, I too have 31 more pounds to goal. I've lost 60 since October and am sooooo happy I had the lap band.

Hi Molly, I'm from the Toms River area (Manchester). I had my surgery in Montclair and have not been to a support meeting. It's like 3 hours round trip. Maybe we should call Community Hospital in Toms River to see if there is a group we can sneak into.

Right now I am in pain and burping away because I had to take 5 pills (regular meds/vitamins). I often forget to eat slowly and suffer for it. But yes, I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN IN A MINUTE!

I KNOW that when your health is back on track you will be very happy you did it. I pray for both of you and for all of us. What a struggle! The only complication I had since being banded (surgery 10/3/07 - 55 pounds lost) was last week. The doctor "overfilled me" and I'm having a hard time eating even small amounts. But I'll be darned if I'm telling him. I've lost 6 pounds already this week so I'll live with it for awhile, lol. Making the decision to have the surgery has been the best decision of my life. Cholesterol down 55 points with no meds and I am no longer Type II diabetic. Lookin' good too, woooohoooo. Good luck and let us know how you are progressing.

Thanks Vic, your advice is good advice. I ate nearly 3/4 of a lean cuisine meal today, chewed it forever, took about 30 min to finish and NOT ONE PAIN....best of all it's still down there, lol. I should know better. I'm not a novice. Been banded since October, but old habits die hard............

Today it took me from noon until 4 pm to finish my Boston Market "kid's meatloaf." It was one piece of meatloaf, some spinach and of course the piece of corn bread. Tonight my dinner came up after a couple of bites, but it was because I eat too darned fast. I know this last fill was probably more than I needed, but I have lost six more pounds and really don't want an unfill. Can someone tell me if it loosens up on it's own after awhile?

Hi Deb, Don't fret. There are lots of things you can do to accelerate the weight loss. I would begin by writing down every thing I put into my mouth for a couple of week. If your doctor has a nutritionist, show it to her/him or even to the doctor. Also, increase the protein and decrease the carbs. Make sure your portions are what they should be. I hate to say this, but try cutting out desserts (even though they go down easy) for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference. I have arthritis in my hip so I too can't do much in the way of exercising. I'm having surgery in September for a hip replacement (now I'll two matching). I know how it is to have pain and think you can't exercise, but remember you still have a body above the knees. You can do resistance exercise while sitting, you can do a whole bunch of things without walking around, dancing around, etc. You can get on the floor and do some leg raises, etc etc. Get all that creativity you have in your head and put that energy into seeing how you can speed up the process. If all fails, ask your doc to check your thyroid. Good Luck...........

I had mine in October and I've lost 60% and still going. And I'm OLD. I didn't lose for about 3 weeks and then this week I lost 5 pounds. Not everyone is the same, you might lose 120%, lol so don't put too much stock into those articles.

As soon as I order in a restaurant I ask the waitress to please bring me a "to go" dish when she brings my food. I find that what used to be one meal in a restaurant is now three meals. You just don't want anymore.

Hi Rhonda: I gained 12 pounds between the time I was approved and the time I had the surgery.......I was determined to eat everything there was to eat. That's why we needed the band, lol. Don't worry, all will be well soon.

Jaime: Don't stress anymore. You got approved and a whole new life is ahead of you. It's the best gift you can give to yourself. I'm sure 90% plus of us felt about ourselves the way you do. BUT WE DON'T ANYMORE...............so good luck Jaime. My prayers go with you.