Sugarbear

Hi Lopez. I am banded and if you follow drs. orders and the band rules you will be just fine. Don't push, pull, or lift. But do walk and move around a lot. The air they put in your abdomen has to brake down and dissapate. Movement does that. So walk, walk, walk. When the air (gas) gets up in your shoulders, chest, neck, ect. it is very uncomforatable. So the more you move the quicker the big bubble of air breaks down to smaller bubbles ect. Your anethesiologist will probably tell you about all that. Good luck and welcome to bandland. Follow the rules, you will do fine.

Sometimes that sweet spot is hard to find. I would magine if you lose weight, a substantial amount, that spot might change a little. If your stomach shrinks the band should become a little looser. Seems that way anyway. I will ask the dr. about that next time I go. Just hang in there. If you are still hungry a lot, then let the dr. know and they may be a little more aggressive next fill. I have signed up to go to the Lap Band conference in Dallas, Oct. 3 I feel like New Julie, I think it will be a good pep-rally. Encouraging. Might get some new ideas or info too. Sure can't hurt, right? We all need a lift once and awhile. Take care.

I'm registered with the hotel. sent my form to Cher today and Thursday I am going to make reservations for transportation. I am checking out Amtrack, if that doesn't work out I'll check out airfare. If that doesn't work out I'll just drive. See ya'll there!

Coachcher. I am sorry to be such a bother but the page still won't open. I just sent an email and it returned back to me. Your site just doesn't like my computer.LOL I think I am bringing a guest. Will the guest be able to attend the conference with me or will they be limited. She is a prospective bander. my email address is sharonhenley00@yahoo.com. Please email me the form. I just can't seem to get it any other way. Unless there is a phone# to call to register? Thanks sharonhenley00@yahoo.com

Finally got to the "pink page" but wouldn't let me open to the registration form so I could print it. FRUSTRATING!!! Is there a phone # I can call to register? I have already made reservations for the Wyndam. When is the deadline to register for the conference itself?

I have my reservation at the hotel made but haven't been able to register for the conference itself. I clicked on Lap Band Conference but it says can't get that page. When is the deadline for the conderence registration?

Hi everyone. Went to see Dr. H today. Didn't get a fill. I decided to stay where I was and try to do better on MY part. Only lost a pound, BUT, didn't gain and it's one more lb I won't have to see again. Mentioned the 2008 Lapband conference to Dr, H, he said they couldn't go but agreed it might be fun and interesting. This is something new. Thinking about going, anybodyelse. I think reservations have to be made at the Wyndam tomorrow to get the discounted price. I go back in 8 weeks, I may be ready for a fill then. But I am eating better, and much better in the PBing department. Lisa you are so good at the box thing, I think you and that new box will be clicking in no time. :sad:

NewJewlie have you ever gone to this National Lapband Conference before? Has anyone? Sounds like a good thing. Is it located in Dallas or is it Irving? Oh and is the conference itself located at the hotel Wyndam, or do you have to travel to it? For anybody thinking about going, reservations have to be made by Fri. the 12th at the Wyndam, otherwise I guess you could stay somewhere else. The Wyndam rates are good til Fri.Have the drs. said anything bout this conference? Looks like they might have broadcast out an email to everyone. Lo2us missed you at the meeting.:cool2: Hope you are doing okay. Still working out? I know this is your busy time with all the extra activities at school. Lisa come on, don't be so hard on yourself. We all falter. Pull up those britches, build you a new box, yours was worn out anyway, and start over tomorrow. It's a brand new day. Come on cheer up. Whers that Lisa we all know and LOVE?! Now there's your hug. :sad:

I have clicked on the conference link (I think) but I don't see a registration form, ect. Just trying to find out more about it. $100 a night, $150 for the conference, I guess a couple of meals included? I guess the forn would be more detailed but can't find it. Looks like about a $500 weekend :biggrin:. Gas, food, lodging. conference fee. I would appreciate any other details. Sounds interesting but have to register by Fri. Thanks Sugarbear

Hi NewJulie. Guess I missed the thing about the conference? What's that all about? Fill me in. I wasn't online much this summer and missed quite a bit. Glad you are back online. Teresa, you just hang in there, you know some of us are slower. We are at about the same loss speed, I'm slower than you. I also have more to lose than you. I am going to make a consious effort to make beter food choices. I think the planning ahead will help tremdously. We just have to take the time for ourselves to do that. Planning ahead will probably save us time in the long run. Seems like we all live that run, run, run, life. If we took the time and courage to research this weight loss option and then did it, we owe ourselves the time to do it right. So....lets go everyone.....try harder! And as Lisa would say...."Stay in the box!"

Hello all. I went to the mtg last night. It was a good meeting. A bandster talked about his weightloss journey. I believe his weight loss was 107 (I think) since last March. Sounds like too much in that short a period of time but I believe that is what they said. He made the decision to be a healthy eater and has certainly done his homework about nutrition. He was very informative. Makes a meal plan and sticks to it. Seemed like a lot of trouble but he said once you do it for a while you get very quick at it and it is just second nature. He also keeps a strict journal. He just made up his mind to follow the band rules and as done fantastic. The planning ahead for what you are going to eat seems to be very successful. Some that do the same that were a the meeting said that is what they attributed their success to also. He gave lots of protein food tips, ect. Like I said, he was very knowledgeable. Deb drew for prizes, I won some wrist/ankle weights! Woohoo!! Hippmom, look at you go! You are right about PATIENTS!! Which few of us have. Which is understandable. We make a big decision to do this and we want mega results....and soon. Some get mega results soon...BUT most do not. Some good, some aversge and some slow. But if we stick to the rules, the results can and will happen. Admit it, some of us are more dilligent than others. Just keep working with the band. Good luck. Oh, thought I'd throw this in for Lisa....Stay in the BOX!:biggrin:

Hello all. Lisa, glad to see you posted. Everybody was worried. I was just going to tell everyone you were fine, then saw your post. The meeting in Texarkana has always been the 2nd Monday of the month since I have been going. 1 1/2 years. All you new people can always go to noscales.com to check the date for sure. There is always info on there posted by the doctor or nutricionist also. The support group meetings and seminar dates are usually. I am planning on going to the meeting tomorrow night. It is the second Monday of the month. So everyone come. Tomorrow night (Monday 7:00 p.m.) Wadley Hosp. Many people take several fills before they fill "restriction." Everyone is different, some one or two....some three or more. Like me. The drs. try to be careful, a little at a time. Take care everyone. Hope to see a full house tomorrow night.

Has anybody in MP seen Lisa???????????????????

Hello all. Haven't been on here in quite a while. Looks like everyone is doing well. To answer the poll. So far I haven't put on any substancial weight. One or two pounds, but I can do that from morning to night. On the other hand, I am a member of the slow losers club, as you can tell. Slow but sure is a better road to be on than the one I was on before being banded. I have a couple of friends that lost 100lbs or more the first year but I just couldn't do it. I have to work on my relationship that I have with food all the time. It is getting a little better, but still have issues. That is why I am such a slow loser. Just have to keep plugging along. Everyone take care!

Michelle, hope this finds you doing better. Take those first steps to get better. Go see your doctor, get back on your meds, then give yourself some time and see what results you come up with. You are right in every way about feeling bad when you don't succeed. All of us are different. What works for one may not work as well for another. You have to give yourself another chance to possibly a different approach. So erase that slate and start over. We all mess up from time to time. Start with your meds if they help your state of mind. I am sure your doctor's office will work with you on payments, just ask. You can do this....you just have to get this ball rolling. Keep us informed. Good luck. & MAKE THAT CALL!!!!!!!

Hi Michele. You have already made a huge step in realizing your problem. That is the first step. I too am a slow loser. Also didn't realize how serious my relationship with food was. I am over a year out and I am having to really work on it. Don't be so hard on yourself. Just set a mini goal for yourself, conquer it and move to the next one. If you have a bad week, pull yourself up and start over. We can't go back, but we CAN go forward. You are not a failure, you just slipped back a little. Talk with your support staff at your doctors office. Surely they have someone to talk to. Go to support group meeting and sit on the front row. Everyone here has had bad times. It is harder for some of us than others. If you have depression problems get some help, I think you know deep down it will ease the burden of your weight loss journey. Get your band straigh and I think things will be easier. So Monday a.m. call and get an appt. to ease that thing where you can use it as the tool it was meant to be. Let me know how things go next week. We are all rootin for you.

It was the third week before we could go to even a mushie. Try applesauce, puddings, thin cream potatoes, thin your cream soups, yogurts. Give yourself a little more healing time. Small amounts. Cottage, like yogurt id great for your protein intake. But cottage cheese is still a little heavy while you are healing. Just back off a little for 4-6 days and I think you will see a big difference. If not, call your doctor for saftey. Overall meal portion should be really small. Hang in there. Another month all this will be much much better. Good luck.

Michelle, sounds like you are definitely too tight. The weight gain may make you even tighter. Have you not checked with your doctor in two years? I have heard of several instances like yours. Tight is good. Too tight is NOT. You can't eat properly when you are too tight, as you know. Small portions, SMALL bites with an annoying amount of chewing, should allow you to eat fairly well. I didn't lose weight for about 3 months...got two unfils, just a smidgeon at a time, and immediately dropped 5 pounds. Like you, I got hungary but ate band friendly foods, or did the Pbing. Don't risk a possible erosion from being too tight. See your doctor as soon as possible. Good Luck

Hi everyone! I have been very slack about posting this summer. As always welcome to all new commers. I know I seem like a new commer but I have been around for well over a year. I have Arkansas BCBS, it did not require me to be on a supervised diet for any period of time. You might talk to the head of the insurance department at PS. If there is an alternate route I am sure they will know it. As for the slow weight loss.....I am a member of that club also. But I too am glad it isn't a 50 lb. gain. Which is the road I was on before being banded. It was slow but sure, just like the road I am on now, only it is going the other way. I missed the last meeting in Texarkana, can anyone update me on that? Lo2us did you go? I am not sure how to find an email address on here, but if you find mind send me your email address. Lisa, where are you??

Hello everyone. Haven't been on for awhile, just been busy this summer. Lo2us, glad everything went good with the test. I did not realize they put you to sleep for that? Exactly what do they call that test? I figured it would be simular to an upper GI. You have been stressed since the end of last school year so don't be so hard on yourself. Like you said, just recommit, start over, and you will be on your way again. For those of you that are kinda new...Welcome! Many do not realize any change with the first 2 or 3 fills. Sometimes more. The opening of everones stomach is different. Therefore the band fits differently around everyones opening. If you have a large opening the band will fit tighter than someone with a smaller opening. Also, it depends on the size band. A medium band may fit your stomach closer, or looser, than the same size band would fit mine. So when the band is being filled, even with the same amount of saline, it will fit differently on different people. We have seen some in the support group meeting that lost all their weight on 2 or 3 fills. Some, many fills. So don't become discouraged on the after effects of two or three fills. Stick to your band rules and it will all fall into place. Not that that isn't easier said than done. LOL Many of you are just getting started on your journey. Hang in there!!! I have had two unfills and went back Monday and had lost 4 pounds. Not much but, better than what I have been doing for a while. I must post more often, I sure got long winded!!:biggrin:

Hi everyone! Sounds like everyone is doing well. Lo2us, I guess you decided to have the test done, huh? I'll see about that when I go back the 28th. A Lot Less, I am a Gran too. So don't feel alone. lol. Actually I thought I was the only Grand on here. I haven't been online much the last couple of months. Welcome! I'm also the slowest loser on here. Sure, but slow....... Our meeting should be next Mon. It is the 2nd Mon. of the month. I haven't been to noscales to confirm that but will do that tonight. Take care everyone.

Hi everyone. Lo2us, glad to see you home safe and sound. I went for my apt. saw Dr. H this time. He decided I needed a little out. The PB thing is better,not gone but much better. I am going to try to make the meeting next time too. It should be on the 14th of this month. Everybody come!! Tpagern, doubt I'll be much threat on our race to the 75 lb mark. lol I am slower than a snail at this! I am still having to work on breaking off my relationship with food. Take care everyone. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lo2us, I too need hernia surgery. I was actually supposed to get that set up after we returnrd from vacation, in May. I don't seem to be up for it either. I am having troule with the PB thing, a lot lately. I don't know that it is related to my hernia, it isn't a hiatal hernia, had that repaired when I had lap band. I am not putting on weight so I don't think my band should be getting tighter for that reason. Odd huh? I feel fine, not sick or anything like that. I guess I am not chewing well enough or eating too fast, ect. Just think it's odd after a year out. Guess I will talk about it when I see them the end of this month. Do you always go back to work that early? Hi TP and Susan, and Lisa.