coachramz

Thanks for getting this going lellow. I forgot how beneficial this site could be. I already feel a motivation I had not felt in quite some time. We all got the band for our own reasons and I feel this thread is just the right medicine to get us all back on track! We can all do this together.

It's been a while since I have been in here. I am starting to have some problems with my band and am seeking answers. Within the last six months or so, I started experiencing reflux at bed time. I can't sleep on my stomach because I find myself waking up coughing and choking on what I think is stomach acid. Now I am starting to experience reflux during the day as well as burps or gurgles. I don't think that my band slipped cause I am able to eat and and drink. Some days are better than others. Other days my stomach feels iritated and i'll spit up thick saliva. I started using TUMS and they seem to work, but now I find myself using TUMS everyday more than once a day. I had my Surgery on March of 2009, had a fill 2 weeks post op and a second fill 1 week after that. I hear stories of people experiencing my problems after fills but i havent had one in nearly 34 months. The band has still gives me restriction but I must confess that I sometimes eat more than someone with a band should. Anyone have any advice? Thinking of going a week of liquids to see if it helps before seeing the doctor.

Kepp me posted if you find a thread on that too! Or someone can start one. I need to re-commit.

Hey group, It's been a while since i've been in here. Activity seems to have slowed down quite a bit. I hope everyone is doing well and will post their successes. This site serves as a great tool for everyone who gets banded or considering getting banded. As for me, things are going well. I'm 14 lbs away from my goal weight. Things have slowed down quite a bit for me. I'm losing about 1 pound a week, which is still really good considering how close I am to my goal. Football season is right around the corner which means the running and jumping around will help. Not to mention the 105 degree temps we've been seeig around here. On another note, my wife was recently banded herself. She had her surgey on the 2nd of July and she is already seeing major success. We have been each others support throughout. We are already planning another cruise for the summer of 2010. This time I won't be shy about taking the shirt off around the pool.LOL Keep your eye on the prize!

Hey Group...Looks like everyone is doing pretty good. I am feeling great. The weight is slowly and steadily coming off and I feel the healthiest I have felt in years . I have been pretty busy as I'm sure you guys have too. My wife is now on her pre-op diet and she is scheduled for the 2nd of July. She said that watching me do it first has really helped her. We are pretty much each others personal support group. I can't believe the amount of money we are saving on groceries. I might just have to start remodeling the house (the kids really want a pool). We'll just have to see. Keep your eye on the prize!

NO MORE 2'S IN FRONT OF MY SHOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey Guys, I just wanted to check in to let you know that I am now officially in ONE-derland! I weighed in this morning at 199.5 lbs. I can even remember the last time that happened. I finally went to buy a new belt and it felt great. My wife convinced me to try on some LARGE (NOT XX-L OR EVEN XL) shirts and they look and feel great. The only place I have some loose skin is under my chin where my double chin was. I look at some picture from the beginning of the school year and can't belive I actually looked like that. But, I refuse to look at the past and am only looking towards what is to come. For those of you in Bandster Hell, Make sure you get your protein! I found that when I don't have my Protein shakes, my body goes into starvation mode and the weight loss slows down. I don't know why but it does. Keep your eye on the prize! Mine seems to be looking closer and closer. All the best to all.

Hey The BigBossMan is back! Good to hear from you. as well as the others. I have been doing really good and feel like I want to just walk up to people and start telling them about the band. I think Gregnlr was feeling the same way a few posts ago. I felt the exact same way as spiritdriven71. It all slowed down but now seems to be picking back up. I am now a full 64 lbs down and in desperate need of a smaller (yes, i'm saying it again SMALLER) belt. I joined the nail to the belt club and I think another hole just makes me a cheap guy. My doc is really impressed and my support group coordinator wants me to be at the next meeting so she can brag about my success. All is good and a lot better is to come. Keep your eye on the prize

Hey Group...Just to keep you guys posted on my progress. Now down to 60.5 lbs. Its all been good! Steady and a bit slow these last few weeks, but good. Been adding foods slowly but I have to really chew! I'm glad everyone is doing good. Keep it goin!

Hey Guys....I thought I was gonna be able to be here more often this past week but the wife had a "honey-do" list that would not end. Things are going well. Went to the doc on Tuesday and he gave me another fill. I really didn't think I needed it but he recommended I get it anyway. Let me tell you, it has been something else. I know exactly what restriction means now. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of chewing food but now I really have to puree everything with my own teeth and saliva. On the upside, I am feeling less hungry throughout the day and only eat the three square meals and my protein, protein, protein. All the best!

Hey guys....great news from gregnlr. It feels good to step on that scale and actually look foward to what it is gonna say. I hope everyone is doing good. I should be on quite a bit since my school district cancelled classes for the next two weeks due to the swine flu. I am still weighing the same I was the past few days. I started lifting weights and some light jogging. I'm hoping I have built some muscle these past 6 days. I had forgotten what soreness felt like. My waist is at a 38. This is pretty amazing for me considering I was at a very uncomfortable 44 a few months ago. I'm with waylayer73....we need an update from the BigBossMan. My doc wants me to get another fill on Monday. I don't feel like I need it but then again he is the one with the big diploma on the wall. Keep your eye on the prize!

deed87... I'm no expert but I think you are kinda going into this with the wrong mindset. You have to understand that this is a tough deal. Too many people call this "the easy way out" but its all but that. This is tough. The job you seek will serve as great motivation but the are many posts in here about people who don't have sucess with it. However, when you do reach your goal weight, you can stop getting fills, have some Fluid removed from the band, etc. I think once you get close it will motivate you to go further. I also get the feeling that you are like many of us that LOVE food and you are thinking that you will never be able to enjoy the good stuff again. Many people on this forum talk about how hard it is to maintain when you reach your goal. To take fluid out will only give more hunger and you will want more food which will give you more calories which will eventually lead to weight gain. Hope this helps.

Hey guys... I actually have a bit of free time to post. It has been going good for me. The treadmill is like a walk in the park and the amount of sweat draining out of my pores has minimized drastically. I think i'm actually getting into shape. I woke up this morning and hit the scale at 214.5. I can't even remember the last time I was at this weight. I keep surprising myself daily. My clothes feel great (actually a little too loose) and my friends are giving me compliments on a daily basis. I heard a funny (well maybe not so funny) thing the other day. An old friend I hadn't seen in about three years ran into me and asked how I was recovering. I asked her what she meant because there was no way of her knowing of my surgery. She said that she heard some people talking and that they said I had lost a lot of weight because I had had a hard attack. Rumors.....gotta love em.

Hey Deed87... I understand your concerns but did you ever think that all the drinking may have contributed to that weight gain? Lol I know it did for me. After a late night of partying and hitting the breakfast buffet at the kettle or the taco bell tacos, it took its toll. The thing you have to ask yourself is am I ready for this commitment? It is ok to drink occasionally. I've hit the vodka with V8. its pretty good but I weigh myself often and notice a slight weight gain. Ocean spray has a 5 cal diet cranberry that you can drink with vodka that is pretty god too(but a little to girlie for me in public). I would personally stay away from all beer. #1, you are making a huge investment, both monetarily and emotianally. #2 if you are here, you already decided to make a life changing decision. don't blow it for yourself ! Hope this helps. Keep you eye on the prize!

Hey Guys....I'm at 50 lbs. This is too awesome. I am off the blood pressure meds and next (hopefully soon) I can get rid of my CPAP machine. Things are good and I am able to move a lot better on the football field with my kids. I don't sweat like I used to either. The compliments keep coming and that is all the motivation I need. Lucky for me that I kept a lot of my old clothes that didn't fit. I always knew that one day I would wear then again. And that time is now! My best to all!

Hey guys... back to report on my first fill. First of all, the doctor and office staff were really impressed. One of them said I didn't look like my old self at all. There was a lady considering the surgery and she asked to speak to me after my fill. It was prettty cool! I was in the waiting room for about 45 mins and the fill took all of 4 minutes. That includes the sipping of water in front of the doctor. It was really no big deal but that needle looks a little intimidating. My doc used a small needle to numb the area and another for the fill. Waylayer73.... I too am aproud Texas about 150 miles south of your area (Laredo). It gets really hot down here. we've already had a few days in the 90's and a couple in the 100's. Gregnlr...I hope you are right. I'm shooting for 200 by the end of August. Keeping my fingers crossed. To everyone else, keep your eye on the prize! Beat your mind! Eat to live, don't live to eat! All the best to all!

Hey guys....I am officially a teen again! I am now weighing 219 lbs. It was really exciting to get there. I am currently looking to my next goal of "onederland". I can't even imagine what my reaction will be when I look down and there is no longer a 2 in front of my weight total. Things are going well. Weightloss has slowed down a bit, but then again i was expecting it to. I was told that I should be losing about 1-2 lbs per week. All we need is patience. Hey gregnlr...I too am on my last belt hole. I really wouldn't mind joining the nail to the belt to make another hole population. lol I was scheduled for a fill last Monday but my doc was going out of town the next day and asked me to reschedule in case of a complication. I was a little miffed but I understand that if there was to be an emergency, who would help me? I'm supposed to get it this Monday. I'll report back with how it went. We start spring football training on Monday, which means long days and later nights. I'll try to communicate through my iphone. Till then, keep your eye on the prize and away from that juicy burger!

Hey guys....first, I want to welcome the new guys to the group. We got a good thing going and the more info we collect from each other, the better! Its been going very well for me. Pulling out those old shirts and old too tight fitting pants and they are pretty loose on me. My new belt hole is 4 away from the old one so inches are comming off! Tried lifting light weights but felt a slight discomfort in my port area. I'm gonna give it about two more weeks before I give it another try. The compliments don't suck guys. Everyone is telling me how good I look and have had a few people tell me they are considering it. They said they just didn't want "to take the easy way out". I make sure to let them know how "EASY" it really is. I also like to show them my post op meal containers from the hospital. They have no idea how much work this really is. There is no magic bullet and it is a lifetime commitment. Im looking to get a fill some time next week. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. Enjoy the weekend!

Hey BigBossMan It would be nice. I wish I was close to Kileen. I am about 4 hrs south of Austin in the bottom half of the state. I live in Laredo, which is right on the Rio Grande River. But I do get around the state for football clinics. Keep me posted, I might just be at one close to you. Just got back from Dallas (SMU). Went to talk to June Jones and staff about what they do. It was great. Get well soon!

Hey guys....Been out of town and didn't have much of a chance to look or post. It sucks for BigBossMan about his ordeals. I hope you keep your eye on the prize. There is a quote that I like to use with my team and it goes something like "the harder you work at something, the more you appreciate it and the harder it is to quit". Keep it going! The light at the end of the tunnel will be so bright it will hurt our eyes. BTW I did experience the hic ups quite a bit the first few days. Haven't had them since. As for me, I'm good. Staying on the plan and dropping steadily. I must say that I feel a little more hungry than I wish to be but my Pre-op discipline has allowed me to resist. I think I may be in need of a fill. I'm gonna stick it out and try to go the whole month. Other than that, life is good and getting better. My wife has been quite impressed with my recent performances (if you kow what I mean). Wishing you all the best!

Hey Guys Still doing great. Been feeling a little hungry but managing it pretty well. Went to a support group meeting and witnessed a fill. It wasn't really a big deal but it was a big needle. I am currently sipping those Campbels Soup at hand, Protein, Jello, cream of wheat and the s/f pops. What I really miss is the crunch. I just want to be able to bite into something just for the feel. The highlight of my day are the chewable Multivitamins. Last night, my wife picked up some Wendy's and i asked her to bring me a baked potato. I took half, mushed it up and added some I cant believe its not butter liquid spray (zero cals) seasoned it with salt and pepper. It went down really good. Thinking of eating the other half for dinner tonight. One thing I did learn at the support group meeting was that everyone is soooo different. There was a lady that ate 2 slices of pizza 2 weeks after her surgery. The doctor had to give her a major fill at 2 weeks. Some people eat everything in very small portions while others have a rough time with Pasta, bread, rice and chicken breast. I can't wait to have eggs. Not that I miss them but I feel that I need more of a variety of foods. The guy that had the adjustment in front of the group said he volunteered because he was a truck driver and that his band wasn't giving him any restriction. The guy had Burrittos and ribs without a problem. I guess that is a sign you need an adjustment. Good luck to the future bandsters!

Sorry I haven't been on much. Work keeps me busy. Still doing good lost 3 more pounds in the last 2 days. I think with all the moving around is helps burn the small amount of calories I am taking in. Other than that it's been good. Another thing work is doing is keeping me on a set schedule. I eat at the same times everyday. All the best!

Hey Group... Staples are out the doc says everything looks fine. I was glued too but they use the staples just in case. He did give me a benadryl cream for my itch rash. I guess it was the shave they give you before with a crappy blade. I was probably irritated and then come the iodine. I recommend you do it yourself that morning. Back to work for me Today. Spring Break is over and back to work it is. As far as being cold, I noticed that I am colder now. Maybe its the loss of insulation. I have been doing the cream soups now. Not too bad but not too many choices. I do get hungry a couple of hours after I eat. I settle it down with a sugar free popsicle or a protein shake and a lot of water. I did have a dream that I was eating a cheese burger last night. I woke up thinking I was gonna puke until I realized it was just a dream. I am flying to Dallas to visit with The SMU coaching staff to talk some football on April 3rd. I wonder If they will allow me to carry protein powder along in my carry-on bag. Anybody know? My best to all.

Hey Group, Banded on the 16th of March and already feeling great! I have no gas pain, been sleeping like a baby with no pain meds, and I am still dropping pounds. The only problem i've encountered is a rash that developed after my surgery on my chest and unber my man boobs. I think I had a reaction to the iodine or something. I have been following the diet as prescribed by my doc but I told him that the broth and Jello were really not satisfying me that much. He said I could move up to sugar free pudding and cream of wheat. I'm back on the iso-pure and have had cream Soups and apple sauce. It is a lot better now. My staples are being removed on Monday afternoon. The only downside is that all my clothes looks and feel huge. I understand BigBossMan about the smells around the house. My wife is scheduled to have the surgery in July so that is gonna be a big help. I hope you get some sleep, Gregnlr. I am literally waking up a new man everyday!

Looks like I got some good blended chili to look foward to. Thanks Kamala! It sounds like you recovered well. I'm hoping the same goes for the rest of us. It did kill me when my 2 year old asked me to carry him and I told him I couldn't for a while. I suppose I will be throwing him up in the air in a couple of week. Get it done BigBossMan!

I feel a lot better today. Already started drinking Water and my liquid meal is on it's way. I hope you feel better gregnlr. We are gonna be lean machines before we know it. I hope BigBossMan is doing good on his pre-op diet. Remember, it's the three day hump that you have to look toward to. Good luck to all.