strikeuptheband

Hi Junies! i have not been here FOREVER! Who's still around? How is everyone doing? I have recently decided to start over because I sort of lost motivation for a while and the weight came creeping back. I gained back about 30 of the 45 I originally lost. Been back to see the bariatric nurse and we are working on it again. Like someone said, the good thing is that we can keep on adjusting till we get it right.I had a major upset last Aug where I had to quit my job and move back closer to my kids. (That wasn't stressful, just the job.) Have a lot less stress now and a lot less money! but I am happier. Its hard to find support in this part of Iowa where I am. Not many banders around here and no support groups. I need cheerleaders so if you read this, help me with motivation! Allie, you are looking awesome!

I recently had to have a back xray. I really got to educate the techs about lapband. They all kept looking at the screen and seemed so serious, I was getting nervous. The tech came back and asked if I had any jewelry on. I said no and it dawned on me that they were looking at my band and port! Evidently xray's have gotten better at picking up things and my lapband showed very clearly. I was amazed to see it. Wish I had asked for a copy to stick on the fridge as a reminder to stay on track.

Jackie, I noticed my comments are showing up on your FB page. They are also showing up on my other FB page. Wonder why that is. I would probably make more comments if they weren't on my other page. That's mostly family and some who wouldn't know lapband from moses. Do you know how to make my comments only appear on "Lap Band - Support Research"?

Jackie085, I just requested to join your FB page. I, too, am having to start over. I was banded in June 2008 and lost about 45 lbs. Then sort of lost sight of the goal and started gaining. I have gained almost all I lost so now I am starting over. I sure need the support of others who are in the same boat. No support locally and I live alone so no one sees how much I can put away!! Looking forward to hearing from the others on FB.

ChloeHouston, One thing that helped me was to find something I liked to do that would keep my hands busy. If I read, I would be munching on something at the same time. But when I got out my craft/sewing projects, I focused on doing that and it took my mind off of what I wanted/needed to eat next. I also got my bike out and went riding on a bike path close to where I lived. The exercise and fresh air helped a lot. If you can't ride or don't have a bike, even walking is beneficial. Good luck to you. You can do this!

Just over 5 years ago, June 2nd actually, I was banded by Dr Pitt in Columbia, MO. Many ups and downs but I was doing well for the first couple of years. Lost about 45 lbs and then plateaued for a long time. I gradually gained some of that back and went back to my old eating habits. I had no support group to turn to. I went for over a year without seeing the nurse for fills. I guess I sort of figured that this was all I was going to get for my money. Then I moved and that made it harder to get to the support group in Columbia or to see the nurse. Then something happened! I recently had to get a back xray because I was having some serious back pain. The techs and nurses got all excited about the xray and came and asked me if I was wearing Jewelry...No, I wasn't. The nurse told me where they were seeing something strange. I asked to see the xray and they showed it to me. Guess what! There was my lapband plain as day! They evidently don't see many people around here with a band inside 'em. So that got me back to focusing on my eating habits and went to see the nurse to see if I needed a fill. I am back on track now and would like to find anyone around southeast Iowa or anywhere that would be willing to be my buddy. I am in Fairfield, Ia now. I need someone to keep me honest about my weight and eating. (I can lie to myself, but not to others, lol) Good luck to all of you on your journey. Mary

In a few more days, 6/2, I will have had my band for 5 years. Am I a happy veteran??? Not right now. I have gained back most of what I lost. Totally my fault, I just let it slide and those old habits came back. BUT....I have decided to start over. I will be in here a lot for support and will start using daily plate to keep track of what I eat. Part of my problem is that I had no real support. I live alone, and tend to be a loner. My kids are supportive and get on me if they see me eating something I shouldn't be. I don't have a support group in my area. In fact, I haven't been able to find any other bandsters anywhere near me (southeast Iowa). Today is a new day. I am going to make this work.

2B, I am in the same boat! I am looking at my 5 year anniversary and I am so disappointed in myself. I have gained back almost all I have lost. I too just lost motivation and all those bad habits came back. What finally lit a fire under me was a recent back x-ray I had taken because I hurt my back. The x-ray techs were all staring at the screen and I was getting a little nervous and wondering what they were seeing. The nurse came back, asked me if I had on any jewelry and I said no. She described what she was seeing and I knew immediately that my band showed up on the x-ray! They let me see it. It was amazing. I had never seen it before but there it is, plain as can be. Evidently not too many medical people in my area see a banded person. They didn't know what it was. Wish I had a copy of that x-ray; that would be real motivation. But it got me thinking again and I made an appt to go see my bariatric nurse to check out my band and fill level. I am ready to start again. I have had no support of others, I live alone and no one sees how much I eat. I am going to make frequent visits to this web site to find support here. I also advertised on Craigslist for anyone interested in a support group in my area but so far no takers. It's hard to do this alone. Hope you find support here and are able to get back on track. You deserve this!

Hi Junies, Its been forever since I posted. Weight loss has slowed down a lot, pretty much plateaued. I gained a few then lost them so I am back to where I was a couple of months ago. Today I joined the YMCA and am going swimming tomorrow. I have been out on the trail riding my bike but obviously not enough. On a happy note, even tho the scales arent moving, I got my butt into size 12 jeans today, comfortably! Now if I could just lose the muffin top! Hunzi hang in there. I know you can do it!

ChristaO, I was self pay with Dr Pitt. Its been just over a year ago and I paid $12,500 plus a few other little things...I think a copay on the psych eval or something. Not sure what he is charging now, you will find out at the seminar. Good luck! I also got free fills for life because I got the Realize band and it was brand new then. What a deal!!

OK long, I will do a 5 day pouch test with you. When do you want to start? Ugh, the thought of 5 days of chicken broth....but I can do it if we talk and encourage each other every day. Lets get to the 170's. I had a NSV moment today. BF invited me over to where he was staying...at his brothers who has a pool. I haven't even looked at swimsuits at all this year. Didnt even think of it So I rushed home and pulled out the 3 that I had, size 20, 18 and 16. I knew I wore the 16 last year so I tried it on and it was soooo saggy! Had to wear it anyway but i did get complements from BF who hasnt seen me in a swimsuit for a year lol..and from his brother! So guess what... i am gonna go shopping for a new swimsuit this weekend! Glad to hear about everyones successes. Teach you are lookin awesome, girl! Oh, and who wants to meet in Missouri? I live in Jeff City, thats right in the middle of the state. I just have a small apartment but if anyone wants to travel anywhere in MO and meet up, I will be there too I would love to meet you all!

Apples, Tell your hubby he can ride behind you and watch your booty on the bike ride. Maybe that will change his attitude!!!!

You are right where I am, Long. I am stuck at 180 but at my lowest was at 173. Its just inched back and I am just about killing myself at the gym and now riding my bike too. 8's??? are you kidding me? you must be taller than I am. my 180 fits snugly in 12's and I am happy about that. I am 5'4" We gotta come up with a plan to get into the 170's. Maybe a competition? Whatcha think? I seriously need a kick in the rear and some motivation. You are soooo much closer to your goal than I am. YAYYYYY LONG!!!!

Hi Apples, yep I love my bike. Its cheaper than a tanning bed! lol My tan is coming from tanning lotion since I cant seem to tan with the sun. I just burn and peel and get miserable and then turn white again...and I am getting all kinds of moles popping out so I will stay out of the sun as much as I can. I think your hubs should get you a bike. and a tanning bed if thats what you want. After all, thats what hubs are for, right? to cater to our skinny butts?? lol Your lake house sounds wonderful. Hope there arent too many steep hills that would make biking hard. I do ok on the katy trail, its pretty flat. Hope this extra form of exercise gets me out of this stuck place I have been in for a long time. I aint done losing yet!

Hi Junies, I have been lurking and reading all along but havent had much to report as I have been at a full stop on the weight loss for a long time. Last time I had a fill I had gained a bit back and was really discouraged. Especially when the nurse suggested I start keeping a food diary. Geez, why dont I go join weight watchers while I am at it? Cuz it doesnt work for me! grrrrrrrrrr On the other hand, I have lost 45 lbs and only wanted to lose 100 when I started this journey. So I am about half way there. And I have re-evaluated my goal and now think I only need to lose about 30 to be at a healthy weight. So I don't have far to go...hence why its taking longer! I had been thinking and researching bikes for the last year, but as I have mentioned earlier, lost my job, lost my house because of that, had to move and take a lower paying job...and now just started another new one that pays well and I actually like it!! so today I finally went out and bought my bike!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! Its a Trek, a trail bike and its wonderful! I already did a 45 min ride today (then my skinny tush said enough!) and I haven't been on a bike in probly 25 years! So now I feel pretty good about myself! Maybe now adding some bike time along with my gym workouts will be the kick it takes to help me start losing again. Sure hope so. Well now I am off to walmart to find a car carrier for the bike. I learned how to take off the front tire to make it fit in the car but dont want to do that every time i go out for a ride. gotta get a lock too. Wish me luck junies and hope I don't blister my buns out on the trail tomorrow! And I am so proud of all you losers!!! you are doing great! Someone adopt me and take me with you on your vacation spots, they all sound like so much fun!