John337

Anyone banded at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY with Dr. Artuso?? What are your opinions on this facility and doctor??

Hi Guys - hope this finds you all well. We have been very busy with work and our Boys. Thank god my youngest is out of the marines after 4 yrs and is now looking for work. My oldest just got married last week and they are now in Spain. I have been maintaining @214-216. Feeling good. Once in a while I still have a hard time with red meat. Still eating very slow. Meals take 30 min to consume. Will check in more often. John

Hi Ann - Sorry to hear about your health issues but am glad you are on the mend now. Keeping your sense of humor remains your trademark.......Amazing..... Keep the faith !! John

Hi Rebecca - Glad your doing well. YES - You are "zero-ing" in on the sweet spot..............You might need some fine tuning - ( becomes too tight or loose) Once at the sweet spot, your adjustments will be very,very minor in order to keep you there. With me, as I lost the weight, my adjustments were enough to keep me in the zone so I can continue to loose at the same rate.

It's hard to believe what we accomplished over the past year. I still can't believe it. I can eat just about anything but must really chew, chew, chew. The only thing that seems to be a pain in the butt to eat is scrambled eggs ( if you can believe that). If the eggs are runny then I'm good. Bread needs to be toasted and well-done. SMALL PRICE TO PAY........ I can exercise, work on the house or boat and feel no pain afterwards. I use to pay for 3-5 days after strenuous activities. Shopping for clothes is a treat. I can buy off the rack at any men's store. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels have never been better. I still find myself slipping up and eating too fast. The L/B gives me the signal to stop eating for a few minutes and think about how fast I'm eating. Eating slow and chewing remain a challenge. All in all, one of the best decision I've ever made in my life.

MAMADOT - I've been off-line for a while. CONGRATS.........100lbs.....AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup::rolleyes2::thumbup::thumbup::lol2:

Hi Lisa - I've away on vacation and just checking the boards without posting but wanted to let you know for a while I was losing very slowly. I would suggest an adjustment. An adjustment when you are "in the zone" only needs to be .25cc which is a very very small adjustment. My last three adjustments have never been greater than .25cc but it really made a difference in weight loss. I was able to eat....( slower) but felt satisfied longer as well. Something to think about......Don't get fustrated...you are doing very well.:thumbup:

Ann - I just got back from vacation and was hoping to see your post. CONGRATS.........MANY CONGRATS.......:thumbup:.......113 lbs is such an achievement.......keep it up.

Hi Ann & Rebecca, Seeing my son after one year was quite a home-coming. We met him at the airport in N.C. and he asked " Where's my other half". He couldn't believe what he was seeing which was nice but a little wierd. I still don't ( mentally) see myself as thin as everyone else does. I guess it will take a while. But my wife, other son and I had a great visit with our Marine and his wife. For my other issue, I will try the miralax. It's funny, this is the only issue that has been an issue for me since day one.......

Hi All, Great stories. Keep up the good work. Went to the Doc recently and had an esophagram and all is good. Now seeing the Doc every three months. Weight has remained unchanged. Enjoying the summer. Still eating proteins first therefore the vegetable intake has been limited which still causes problems on the other end ( if you know what I mean). BMs are not as frequent as what I would expect. Stool softners are still needed. Anyone else still having the same issue after a year ???

I wanted to be the first to wish all my Bandaversary friends a Happy Bandaversary....... It is hard to believe it has been a year this month for us. We have all been thru alot. I doubt any of us has regrets. Everyone is doing so well. We have shared alot of difficult and happy times on this website and for this I say Thank You to all my Mayo Banditos.......................... The only regret I have - I should of done this 5 years ago. In any event , it is done and I feel great. I think I put 10 years back on my life. This has been of one the best decisions in my life........:thumbdown: So far, maintaining has been easier than I thought. I am loose enough to eat more but tight enough not to get out of hand. I met someone for lunch a few weeks ago in NYC for lunch and he walked right past me in the restaurant looking for me. lol..lol. The end of the month should be interesting.....My son is a Marine and he has been in Okinawa for the last 2 years. I saw him one year ago. I think he will be in shock :blushing: when I see me at the airport...........

Today is my Bandaversary..........WHAT A YEAR !! I look back and just remain in awe as to what I was able to accomplish. The lapband was a blessing. I'm able to maintain my weight over the last 3-4 months without too much difficulty. I just want to thank all of you again for your kind words of encouragement along the way.

Sarah - WOW - I hope you are feeling better.

Hi All, Just got back from a Mexican vacation.......AND GAINED NO WEIGHT !!!!!!!! Feel good. Still holding my weight which tells me I am at the correct adjustment for maintenance. It is hard to believe next month we celebrate our BANDaversary !!!!! Everyone continues to do well. It is great to read these posts and accomplishments........KEEP IT UP.....:thumbup:

Great Job !!!!!:cursing::thumbup: Keep it up ..........

I tell you, it is so easy to fall into old habits. Now chewing or eating fast.....I thought quitting cigarettes was tough....OMG this is tough. I am 4-5 lbs below goal @ 216 and holding. I still find it hard to eat slow and chew. Once in a while the band reminds me to slow down and chew. The hardest to digest remains lamb. Otherwise, I can eat just about anything. Usually 1.5 cups of food. It is nice to shop off the racks and every store has my size. No need to try on clothes either.

Is portion control your problem?? It was mine. I lost over 120 lbs and feel great. You should challenge them when they say bypass vs LapBand. Ny Doc at NYU in NYC would argue the reverse. Good luck......

I tell you, it is so easy to fall into old habits. Now chewing or eating fast.....I thought quitting cigarettes was tough....OMG this is tough. I am 4-5 lbs below goal @ 216 and holding. I still find it hard to eat slow and chew. Once in a while the band reminds me to slow down and chew. The hardest to digest remains lamb. Otherwise, I can eat just about anything. Usually 1.5 cups of food. It is nice to shop off the racks and every store has my size. No need to try on clothes either.

My port is located one inch to the right of my belly button. I already had a port revision as it was sticking out too far.

Dani - I am very happy for you..........CONGRATS.........:thumbup::thumbup:

Just checking in........Everyone is doing great. Keep it up....... Sarah - Slow but steady is good.... You can do it......:thumbup: Ann - Your goal weight is just around the corner....I am excited for you.......................:smile2: I have been holding which is good and am able to eat a little more here and there. I leave for vacation next Tuesday so that will be the test for me. This Northeast winter is for the birds. Sunny Mexico here we come..........:thumbup::cool2:

Congrats........That is fantastic...........:sad::thumbup:

Ann .......... CONGRATS........... CONGRATS........... CONGRATS........... YOU DID IT...................................:thumbup::scared2: You look great.....Keep it up. You will be at goal soon.....