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Hi everyone, I went to have a swallow test and everything is perfect with the band. Now if I could just fix the emotional eating. I still have the fluttering so I went to the primary doc who put me on a stronger acid reflux med. Not helping yet. I leave in the morning for the OH conference in Chicago. I suspect there will be a lot of GBS patients but hopefully the seminars will apply to both types of patients. I am really hoping they address the emotional eating and I come home feeling stronger and ready to move on. To quote Rain. THIS IS NOT THE EASY WAY OUT!

Hi all, I just read around 10 pages of posts! I haven't been notified of any new posts but will try and visit more. I think Val said something about drinking water - I just got home from SF and I walked and walked and walked and did not loose but most days the most liquid I drank was 60 oz and most days not even that! Val, I am ready to walk again. Are you going to Delaware Park? Betsy, Congratulations. I hiccup, once, frequently. Michelle, you will see a lot about Dr. H/P because this site is dedicated to his patients. Do a search for Dr. Viglianco and maybe there is something similar to this thread and you will hear what patients have to say about him. Cynthia - are you going to the Chicago conference? Thanks for sharing. I do the same thing, eat after dinner. Whether banded or not that is never a good thing. Good to be back!

Hi All, It has been a while since I posted. I am just so unbelievably busy. I am hurt you didn't miss me (where's Judy, China etc) But I haven't been doing so well. Seems I have been at the same weight since December - up and down a few pounds. I had an appt on the 14th and gained weight so Barb immed wanted to fill me but I told her I was flying to San Francisco in two days so she didn't. I told her of some weird fluttering and she started me back on Prilosec which has helped but I think it upsets my stomach and then I mistake that for hunger and eat. Anyway we talked about my overeating and my head needing fixed, not my band, so I am going to have a swallow on June 4th. She thinks my seeing how small my pouch is might help me understand how much I should eat plus help her get a sense of how much fill I need. I am not sure I need any. Just because you gain weight does not mean you are not tight. We will see. I am looking forward to the conference on June 13th. I missed the last meeting for being in SF and next month my grandkids will be here and I am taking them to Great Wolf Lodge overnight on the day of the meeting. I might have to go to Asheville to babysit them in July, just hope it isn't the Wed of the meeting. I need the support and to see everyone. BUT for all my complaining, for the first time in a long time I let my husband take my photo in SF and liked what I saw!

Rain, I too gained 5 lbs but the good news is it comes off easier now with the band. Val, I'll be at the park at 8am on Saturday.

Armywife, I too get that pain. After surgery I had it for weeks. I am in a local support group and am one of the very few with that pain. It is normal. Sometimes when I eat a little to much I get it. If it is not bothersome ride it out and it will go away. If it is constant I would get it checked out. I am sure you have learned everyone experiences are different. I never had the shoulder pain after surgery but all my support group friends did. Looks like you are doing very well and losing. congratulations.

Hey everyone, thanks for the concern. I have not been doing well or eating properly so I am going to hold off on going to see Hoffman and having fluid taken out. I gained 5 pounds! When I think of how hard it was to lose and how easy and quick to gain I am just sick. I can't wait for Easter to be over and the damn choclolate bunnys taken away and also for the nice weather so I can get out and work in the yard and bike ride. Hopefully this is a small setback. One thing is for sure - I will not buy larger clothes!!!!

What number do you guys use to get an appointment? I have my next scheduled appointment in May but I want to go in now to get some fluid taken out. I can only get one or two bites of protein in before feeling it. I called 859-4024 and spoke to a live person but she transferred me to the center even though I told her what I wanted. Of course at 859-1168 I got a machine and no one returned my call. It makes me fear what I would do if I had an emergency. If anyone is considering the conference in Chicago I just got a one way non stop airfare of $58 on US Airways one way and $109 the other. The conference is only $59 registration (or close to that)

The NYC Lapband Conference was cancelled due to lack of partipants to sign up. Only 25 signed up. I feel the chicago one is a bigger forum and sponsor. I am still waiting to book my airfare.

Hi everyone, I don't know if you heard but my Lapband conference in NYC was cancelled and I lost my airfare. Most importantly I was upset over not going to the conference. I am trying again. Obesity Help.com is having a conference in Chicago and I just booked a room and bought my ticket. Anyone else interested. Check out the website and click on events. It should be interesting.

Hi everyone, great job Rain and Dee on the weight loss. I too have probably lost 50 lbs but keep gaining the same 3lbs back - lose 3 gain 3.:thumbup: Seriously, does anyone recommend a therapist/couselor/pscyhiatirst who specializes in food issues? I asked my husbands psychiatirst who coincidentally had GPS and he suggested someone but the nurse forgot to give it to me. I think it was Lelitto or something similar. Is that the one who BGH sends patients to for pre op? Does anyone know him or recommend him? HELP! My band is working, I have restriction but my head is not working.

Hi everyone, I just went to see Debbie at BGH. She looks good and feels good and is happy to be banded.

Akirastar, Congratulations on your weight loss so far and on your good reports. I just want to caution you - an appointment does not always equal a fill. I didn't get a fill until 3 months after surgery, some not for 6 months, some never, some right away. I had an appointment this week and did not need or want a fill. Just take one day at a time, take care of yourself and your pouch and you will, or the staff will, know when it is time for a fill. Continued success.

I just went through another week of being retitrated on my sleep apnea machine. It was an unpleasant week because of the changes in the machine but the bottom line is they increased my pressure! Doesn't look like I'll be getting rid of my machine any time soon. As the doctor said ...even skinny people have sleep apnea. My machine is large and bulky for traveling but I did find out I will be eligible for a new one in December so I have until then to save the $550 co pay. I can't complain because I really feel sooooo much better since I got the machine almost 5 years ago. I even wore it in the hospital.

I had my appointment this morning and only saw Barb. It was real quick. I did not want or need a fill. She said the gurgling is from being in a good spot and the food and liquid slowly seeping through. I did lose weight, 2 lbs. I said I probably gained and lost, and gained and lost, and gained and lost, at least 3 more over the last 6 weeks but then we both agreed I am very hard on myself. I will proudly announce that since I started the program last April 1st to this March 1st I lost 22 1/2" overall. Looking forward to seeing you all at the support meeting on the 18th at 6pm.

Wow Rain way to go. I go tomorrow at 10am and will be happy and surprised if I am down anything! Shar (North Buffalo Gal) and I are going today to visit Sandra who just had her surgery.

Dee, I had restriction right away and I swear it is even tighter now 8 weeks later. I feel restriction with meats but not with snacks. Darn! My band or body does not tell me to stop eating popcorn or nuts. Of course my head says ohhh these are good keep going. LOL The fill did not hurt at all. Barb did it. I definitely do not need more. I am a little concerned I have a tiny problem as I had a tightness in the center of my chest, almost like a wheeze with ashma. I also gurgle a lot and slime with water. We'll see if they listen and what they say.

I see Dr. Hoffman on Thursday morning. Anyone else going to be there?

Bugs when is your surgery?

Bugs, don't do anything without being told by the doctor. Don't worry you will have time to have things done before surgery. All the cortisol test involves is picking up a container one day, using it for 24 hours, and taking it back the next day. You will receive a script for any test needed.

The support group is this Wednesday, the 18th at 6pm

Congratulations Rain, you are an inspiration!

I went to the Sleep Center and he did turn down my pressure and I am going to take another machine home for a week to be retitrated. I took my machine to the hospital and used it to sleep cause I am so used to it plus I figured the humming would drown out some of the hospital noise. They asked if I had it but I could have shown them an empty case for all they knew!

Bugs, I had to have a 24 hour urine also so it must be pretty routine. Kisha, I have sleep apnea and have been sleeping with the machine for years. I take it everywhere as I know it makes me feel better BUT lately things haven't felt right, hard to breathe some nights, very dry, using a ton of water, etc so I am going to see the doctor Thursday. I think it is to early but many times losing weight means you no longer need it. I will probably have to have another sleep study and I hate them! Sleep study-what a joke, who can sleep with all those wires and monitors!LOL I have lost 40 pounds so we will see. This is a hard time for you to be diagnosed as you are losing weight and your mask will fit differently and your pressure will need to be changed. Good luck.

Hi everyone, Yesterday I thought I was going to see someone who had surgery the same day as me. Knowing she would ask how I was doing I decided to look up my statistics and was shocked and dismayed at what I saw. I lost 19 lbs from my first weigh in to my last pre op weigh in (5 months) and 21 lbs since (4 months). I said to my husband it makes me think I should have stayed on SB but he pointed out and I KNOW I wouldn't have lost the additional 21 and most definitely wouldn't have kept it off. This banding is wonderful, confusing, frustrating, helpful and a million other confliciting adjectives! I am so glad I have you all to share the journey with!

I think eating certain things is up to you. I eat salad all the time and I have for a while. I just try things at home and see how they sit. They discourage salads only because they do not have protein and contain a lot of water. I try and have feta or another cheese and chicken in my salads for the protein. Just try it. Someone said they got really sick on celery, but did say they ate a lot. I finally gave in and tried it cause I knew it would help me during snacking and it goes down fine also. BUT I have been very fortunate in my experiences I am able to eat most anything I have tried. Just be sure to try it at home first in case it doesn't go down well. If you can't eat the things you love (and are healthy) your banding experience may have a negative effect. Good luck.