GaryB

Hi August All Stars 2008,

Today is my Three Year Anniversary. Down 60 LBs, I exercise every day and feel great.

I still want to lose 40 more will new dedication and can do it....

I would do it again without hesitation and recommend the band to anyone serious.

All the best to you and happy bandiversary to all the August All Stars 2008 !

　Gary B

100% yes !!! I was 48 when banded and have the band for 3 years now. I lost 60 lbs so far. I was out of control, lose 10 gain 15. Years of strugle. I am greatful for the band and would do it again with no reservations.

Was it worth it? absoFREAKINGlutely!!!!!

I was 48 when I had my surgery a week after my youngest graduated from high school. I was as active in their lives as I could be but missed out on so much with them. I plan on making up for it by being one active granny!! They just need to start giving me some grandbabies!

Aside from having my kids, having my lapband was the best thing I ever did for myself. I went from 324 - size 4X to my current 180 - size 12. I was on the verge of so many health problems and am convinced that I wouldn't lived any longer than my father did (he died at 63). Now I'm healthy, active and happy in my own skin. My kids are thrilled with the changes in me. There is no better sound than when your child says "Mom, I'm so proud of you!"

Hello August All Stars 08,

We are approaching our third band-aversary in three months. I'm getting reflective and wanted to reach out to the support group that helped us get through the most difficult period, our first year. I am guilty of not keeping our site active and supporting each other. My band journey is still very positive.

I had complications with my port cord about 6 months ago and needed to have the cord repaired in a 30 minute procedure. I noticed a lot less restriction. The nurse couldn't get any Fluid out of my band. The doctor did a fluoroscope and saw the cord was damaged with no explanation how it happened. I gained about 12 pounds before the port was repaired. I am back on track with decent restriction. 30 minutes every day on the treadmill. I am down about 60 lbs total and working to ad to that number. I still love my band and would do it again without question.

On a personal note, I turned 51, my dear wife survived a cancer scare last year, my oldest son graduated college last week. I wish everyone good health and continued success with your band journey.

Sincerely,

Gary B

Hi - just had my one week follow with the Doc since my port tube was repared. He didn't have to replace it but the tube did have a significant hole causing the leak. He put 2cc's in my 10 cc band last week. I need to go back in a month to get my next fill. I'm back feeling restriction which is great. Keep us posted on how your progress is going .

Shell - you should ask your doc to do a fluoroscope to see if you have a leak. Easy procedure and my insurance covered it. 5cc's is a lot not to have any restriction.

Hi - My story, I was banded August 08 and lost 61 lbs pretty fast and was feeling great. Over the past 7 months about 15 lbs came back slowly. My Doc found a leak in my port/tube since he couldn't get saline out during a fill. My port was replaced just last Friday.

I really need to start the liquid -mushy diet to quick start the losing trend again, even though I have some restriction again...

Let's all be strong, we know how to do it !!!!

Hi Lucky Girl,

I had my port and tube replaced last Friday. It was done at a out-patient surgical office, not a hospital. It went smoothly. No eating or coffee all day and my doc was an hour late.

I was actually semi awake for the 20 minute procedure and left the office about a half hour after the procedure. There was a piece broken off the tube that created the leak with no explanation why or how it happened !!!!

I feel like someone punched my in the stomach, but no real pain. I got on the treadmill this morning and feel pretty good today. He put 2cc's in the band and it is nice to have some restriction. Thursday I get the stiches removed and will request 1cc more. 4cc's was my sweet spot.

I hope you are well and good luck with you next fill.

Gary

Lucky Girl,

How did your procedure go? How long did it take?

I have my tube replaced this afternoon. No coffee or food this morning. I really miss my coffee. I'll keep you posted on how my procedure goes.

Hi Shelly and LuckyGirl,

Shelly, I have the LapBand. I went for my fluoroscope last week and they found a leek in my tube. Fortunately my insurance will cover the procedure. Doc said it takes about 15 minutes under local anastasia. I really need it fixed because I can eat a lot more. LuckyGirl, good way to look at it, like a good set of new tires but better because it will improve our health. Ill keep you posted on how the procedure goes. Thanks for your support and good luck with your procedure...

Gary

Hi - LuckyGirl,

I'll post about my appointment next Tuesday. I agree with you that the band could be like auto maintenance. I also think that you should not be uncomfortable with the band when you sleep. What did your Doc say?

I go next week for a fluoroscope. 15 minute procedure at the hospital. They inject blue saline into my port to find where the leak is. It could be the port or cord which is minor surgery.

Worst case is the band leaking where the Doc has to replace it. Even worst case he said it will only take 45 minutes top and rehab is much simpler that the first time. I'm hoping for the best.

Either way, the band was the best thing that happened to me. I'm still down 51 lbs and feel great. My insurance covers band complications.

I just found out yesterday that my band could be leaking. Over the past 6 months I haven't felt much restriction. I actuall gained back about 10 lbs. Four months ago I had .5cc added.. Yesterday, the nurse couldn't get any Fluid out which means I have a possible leak. I'm bumbed because I really don't was surgery again. I'll find out for sure in two weeks.... :thumbup:

Hi - I'm jumping in because I haven't posted to this sight regularly in almost a year. Similar to Laurabrown who started this thread, I was doing well my first year and had a stressful event occur last October when my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer at 49 years old. This came out of nowhere. After three months of aggressive chemo and radiation she is now disease free thank god. I somehow fell off the wagon and am eating more carbs and a few more beers than I should.

My first year post band was terrific. I lost 60lbs and feel great. NOW, I have put on 10lbs since January and feel like I am spiraling down - even thought I am exercising everyday on the treadmill 35 minutes, sit ups and light lifting. Anyway, looking for some support now.

Don't sweat it, my doc didn't require a pre-op diet at all. I just had to fast after midnight of my surgery. You will be fine...

Hi Lellow,

Good to hear from you and great job in reaching your goal.

I'm still connected to the August All Stars, although not as often as in our first 6 months. It was a great first year for me, losing over 60 pounds. I feel great and exercise every day. Treadmill, sit ups and some lite weight lifting.

I love getting compliments from people at work and from family or friends who haven't seen me in a while.

My wife and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary next month. We are going to Rome, Italy then the taking a Mediterranean cruise to florence, Nice, France and Barcelona, Spain... we are celebrating !!!!!

I am so grateful for my decision to have the band and for my wife's support. My goal is 25 more pounds in year two.

All the best to you and all the August All Stars !!!!!!

GaryB

For a quick, easy and not too expensive dinner, we stop at the supermarket and buy a cooked roasted chicken for only $7 and microwave veggie bag. It feeds 3 of us.

I also cook boneless chicken on the grill, have it with a salad....

hope this helps....

Hi everyone - congrts on all of your/our sucess stories so far. One year in to our bands and we have more active and productive lives. It feels great to feel great...

I feel that execise is key to maintaining and losing more weight. Happy One Year !!!!

:thumbup:Happy One Year Anniversary to all The August All Stars. I am also reflective since tomorrow , Aug 15th, is my one year aniv.

I am down 61lbs and feel great. Although my weight loss has plateaued, I exercise vigorously every day. I put in 35-40 minutes on the treadmill, 60 sit ups and do some light lifting.

I know I could have lost more weight with a more strict diet. My goal for year two is 25 more pounds. 2 pounds a month. I have been at 4cc in a 10cc band since February. I don't think I need another fill.

My doctor's surgical skills were great but his post band attention to patents is less desirable.. I only see the NP.

On another note, I still can't figure out how to post before and after pictures, hopefully soon.

Anyway, wife and I Celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this October and I turn 50 in February. Big events and I feel great.

All the best to everyone and thank you for your continued support..

Gary B.:thumbup:

Gilta,

70 lbs is great !!! We all go through plateau's. I'm surprised about you losing liquid from your fill.

My doctor said that bands can feel tight or looser at any given time with Water retention, even with men. I had my 4th fill in Feb. I'm at 4ccs in a 10cc band.

I feel I'm at a good point, maybe another .5 but I don't want to mess with a good thing right now. I hope to lose another 15 more by my one year bandaversary in 3 months.....

Exercising every day has been my biggest accomplishment besides my 58lbs..

Keep up the good work.

I think your doctor is the problem !!!!! You are doing great. My doctor said the average weight loss the first year is about 55lbs.

My doctor is very proud of my 58 lbs. in 9 months. Remember, We are only 9 months into this.

I'm in this for the long run and I know that I'm real happy with my weight loss and exercise program and most important, I feel great.

I have another 40 lbs to get to my goal and I realize more hard work is needed. The band really forces me to not over eat...

You should be very proud of your success and your life changes. Keep up the good work and keep exercising to reduce stress.

I'm in the"Mile High Lap Band Club".... I ate bread on a flight, had to PB at 36,000ft. Yuck....I have flown a few times with no otther problems.

I was worried that the band might set off the alarm going through security - no problem there either.

Still struggling with getting to the 60lb plateau. I am exercising a lot....

Hope everyone is well...

Gary

Ro - The news of the fires are at the top of the news here in NY/NJ. Be safe. My prayers are with all those families that have been affected by this tragedy.

Gary

Gilta - I am also experiencing the same issues. Starting right before the holidays I started to eat and drink a little more. I am still exercising on the treadmill 6 days a week and sit ups. I feel great but the weight loss stopped..

I'm stuck at 48lbs. I treat myself to a little ice cream and a few glasses of wine on the weekends which stops the weight loss. A week of hard work and exercise wasted. I know that I need to stop the weekend treats to start losing again. I get a fill Feb 20th. I'm at 3ccs. I will get another 1cc to tighten up more.

Hang in there. let's re-dedicate ourselves...

It is really simple.... discipline, hard work and exercise.... ha....

Gary

Lellow,

Great Job. I can't believe we are all approaching our 6 month band-a-versery. It has been an amazing journey so far. I truly appreciate the August All Star network. I have learned so much from our group.

Gilta - great job too.

I hit a plateau and am stuck at the 48 lb mark. I'm not complaining.... I am still dedicated to the treadmill and sit ups but started with the wine/beer on the weekends during the holidays that counter my hard work. I get my 4th fill Feb 20th. I'm at 3ccs.

I am dedicated to start my second 6 months with more will power and dedication.

Let's all keep fighting for success......

Gary B.