bevanfranks

Ann, Thanks! I'm excited as I get closer to my goal! Also, thanks for the info on the ring adjusters. I haven't seen them before, but I'll definitely check them out this weekend. I'd like to have my band placement checked, but I'm self pay (my insurance doesn't cover any weight loss procedures). Do you have any idea on the cost of that? Is it something your doc recommended? My next appt is mid-Sept, so I may ask him a few ques about it then. I think my band is doing well, but of course I read all the stories online, so I'd like to verify since I'm over a year post-op I don't tolerate pasta or bread well, so I don't really try. I do ok with crackers or chips though, but I chew well and carefully/slowly to make sure :thumbup: Sometimes it's weird to think that I may not really eat bread for the rest of my life. However, it obviously works for keeping my weight down! What are your favorite go-to meals Ann? I like chicken and veggies (stir-fry style). I also tend to eat chili, or lentils w/veggies quite often. Eggs w/veggies or any type of bean dish are other favs. I can't eat broccoli at all, bell peppers must be cut really small, and I can't have carrots unless cooked. I also have to peel my apples. For some reason, i have to cut cantaloupe small too! Lisa

Gaye, Yes, that happens to me EACH time I have an adjustment. I barely notice a change in the first few days, but after a week or so, I really feel it. I asked my doctor, and he said that's normal. He said that some people feel it sooner, but in many people it takes the brain a bit longer to register what's happening with the stomach. Also, our muscles in our stomach shift and adjust. That's also why we must do soft foods or liquids for a short time after an adjustment. Also, thanks for the ring info- I'll have to look in to that. Any idea where to find one? Do they have those at department stores? Or just jewelry stores? I woke up 2 separate times w/my wedding ring missing-- it was in my sheets both times-- but I decided I'd better not wear it anymore until I have it sized I definitely don't want to lose it!!! Lisa

The lbs up and down can make a person crazy!!! I haven't been able to wear my rings for a while (for fear I'll lose them if they fall off). I want to get them sized, but I'm hoping to lose a bit more, and don't want to do it more than once. In the past, I had to have them sized UP, which costs more, be cause they add some gold, etc. I wonder if they just make the band thicker as they size down, or take out the gold!!! Lisa

does your weight go up and down a pound or two all the time? that' what mostly happens w/me. . . I think I need a fill to continue losing, but I don't want to feel like I can't eat chicken, etc. I'm afraid if I get a fill that might happen. . .

Do you have to travel far to get to your Dr? Mine is about a 3 1/2 or 4 hour drive, so it's hard for me to get there without taking a whole day off work. If you live close, just make an appt for the very end of the day, then you won't have to miss much work :smile2: If you think you need a fill, you'll be glad you got one I'm still on the fence as to whether I need an adjustment or not. UGH! Decisions. . . My weight loss is sooooooooo ssslllllllllllloooooooowwwwwwwwwww now, and if I even THINK of eating anything more than I should, I gain a pound back in a snap! I'm working out A LOT, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. It's driving me crazy at times. I MOSTLy measure my foods, so the times when I'm not may be my problem. How much do you eat when you measure? I'm usually doing 1 to 1 1/2 cups. . . Lisa

are you scheduled for an appt soon? my next one is in Sept. I think I may request a small fill at that time. I'd probably go sooner, but I live 4 hrs from my dr, plus they only do Saturdays once per month. I can't take off work right now to go another day. A few days ago I was down by 2 lbs, but now I've gone back up a tiny bit (.8 lbs). It's always like that for me. So, basically I'm down by 1.2, but I'll take it! I have been snacking a bit lately though, and I need to cut it out! Hang in there-- you'll lose:)

I'm down one pound today, but it keeps going up, down, up, down. . . so I'm not sure what to think. I"m still debating whether or not to get an adjustment. Some days it's easy to eat-- so I feel that I need one, other days it's difficult to eat many items, so that scares me about getting any tighter. I think I'll wait until my next appt in Sept and decide. If my weight doesn't change much, I'll see if I can get a teeny tiny adjustment Lisa

Thanks for the responses. Some days I also have trouble with chicken, other times it's no problem. My band can be finicky, but it seems that this is quite common. I will also consider an adjustment. I decided at my last appointment that I'd wait until my next appt (mid Sept) and determine based on my weight loss over that time, whether or not I should ask for a slight adjustment. It's so iffy though, because some days I feel that I lean toward soft foods too much, so maybe i don't need one-- other days I'm too hungry! It's enough to make me nuts! :thumbup: Spidey-- My weight is always teetering up and down, up and down! I totally know what you're going through. I think your body will adjust though, it might just take a little time. I think you'll be able to settle at that weight if that's where you want to be. All of this time you've been losing, so I"m certain that you'll be able to maintain. Lisa

I'm still online from time to time. I have lost a few more lbs, but it's SO SO SLOW and I'm putting huge efforts lately. it scares me, because sometimes I wonder how long I can keep this up. i'm exercising a lot! I want to make it a way of life, but some days I feel so tired that I wonder -- can I really keep this up, THIS much? I go 5 nights a week to the gym, plus 4 lunchtimes at work. . . My weight is still moving, but barely. . . Also, some days I think I may need a fill, other days I feel like a fill would make me too tight-- so it's basically a matter of me just measuring foods, choosing the right foods now, etc. I'm still glad I got the band, but at times I'm frustrated. . . wondering if this is as far as it will take me. It's still better than before, but it's not really what I'd hoped for. Spidey- do you think you need a small fill? you said you can eat more? or is that just once in a while? my dr told me it's normal for me to be able to eat more one day, less the next. . . but I don't like that feeling! ha ha I have acid reflux about 2 times per month now -- barely any-- just a bit, but it makes me think I might need a small unfill. I'm scared to get any unfill, because as it is I'm only losing about 4 lbs per month, and I don't wanna gain any back. ok- had to get this off my chest. . . tomorrow hopefully I'll be more enthused Lisa

you can also try juicing, or smoothies with veggies added-- lots of times, I chop veggies pretty small in a chopper before cooking, that helps me a lot I take Centrum Chewable, and I also take Viactive. My hair thinned noticably about 4 or 5 months after surgery. I think it's finally stopped-- I'm a little over a year out! I guess it's normal. The anethesia, plus the shock to your body of much less calories, etc. suddenly. Protein seemed to help-- sometimes if I wasn't getting enough, I'd add in a Protein shake for that day. Also, I have a whole bunch of new hair growth now. Most of my hair seems to be coming back. So don't worry too much-- it'll come back!

Congrats Ann! I'm so happy for you! It's inspiring too-- we're right behind ya-- making our way towards our goals! Lisa

Thanks for the reply. I think I read so many things, sometimes I get paranoid about slips or being stuck, etc. I"m not PBing or anything right now, but have some pressure feeling under my left ribcage area once in a while. I worry if something is irritating my band. It could be totally unrelated. . . not sure. I had popcorn the other day, and my doc recommends not having it-- so I'm feeling guilty and letting my anxiety take over.

Hummingbird- What were your symptoms-- how did you know you had something stuck that needed some unfill? Just wondering. . . I think sometimes I get paranoid thinking I may need a small unfill. Thanks!

purplkat- I wish you all the best. I hadn't heard about the allergies either. Keep us updated on your progress. The good thing is you caught it now, and may not need surgery. . . I hope it corrects on it's own. Take care, Lisa <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

LaDawn, How often/bad was your reflux? I have had reflux a total of 3 times in 3 weeks now, but never had it before-- or very, very rarely prior to banding. My doctor said to monitor it and if it persists he may remove some fluid. I don't feel like I'm too tight. But then again, I don't know!? I thought I was at the great spot as far as my band goes, because food keeps me satisfied usually about 4 hours. I would like to know more about your experience. I'm not sure if I should have fluid removed or not. . . Lisa

I'm not sure about the program fee-- I can't remember. I am self-pay, so I just had one big amount to pay :tt1: My insurance doesn't cover any type of weight loss surgery. I think it's totally crazy though, because by losing weight I've been much, much healthier, and I'm sure it's saving my insurance plenty of $! At a year out, I'm 90+ lbs down. I think Dr. Simpson is totally knowledgeable, and if I were to do this again, I wouldn't dream of using anyone other than him! It's true that he's quick w/his conversations. He likes to get to the point quickly. He doesn't have time to "shoot the breeze," but I've come to appreciate that he's a busy man, and when it counts, he provides all the answers I need. He's always responded to my personal e-mails, etc. He's worked me in for quick appts, and he knows his profession well! For some, it may be frustrating that he's so curt, (if you wanna call it that), but I think many doctors are like that. It's a personal choice. I"m more concerned w/his knowledge of surgery, etc. I'd recommend him to anyone. In fact, my father just had surgery with him last month. He's already down 30 lbs! I think he's going to surpass me in no time!

Yes, even if your tempted- just baby the band a bit more and follow doc instructions. I've come across other posts where people said their band was emptied, and they did liquid for a week or so (times vary probably depending on slip). If you want to find others just keep surfing the site-- I've seen them. Do searches for "slip." I think that some slips require surgery, but sometimes the band will correct itself. There was a guy at my support group who had this happen. The doc emptied his band and put him on liquids and it moved back into place within 2 weeks. He had also had a stretched esophogus, which corrected w/the unfill and liquids too. Lisa <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

CLCORT- yes, i've read on many posts where people had an unfill and then went on liquids for a week or so and the band repositioned itself. good luck, don't give up hope <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

I also burp a lot more than before being banded. However, those who mentioned hiccups-- my dr said hiccups are a sign that you're eating too quickly. Makes me wonder if burping might also have to do w/that?

I have to watch my emotional eating too. ANY emotion triggers me to eat as well. I've tried to switch from eating to exercising. Sometimes it works, but other times I instinctually want to eat and have to catch myself I hope I can make it to goal, but it gets frustrating at times. I am still losing, but the rate has slowed soooooooo much. For the past few months my weight has been more or less the same. Well, I'm down some, but just barely. Before my loss was pretty consistent. I don't need a fill-- I would be too tight. So, all I can do now is watch my food (which I feel like I MOSTLY am). And I have to exercise more-- and I"m really exercising a lot. I think my body is just being stubborn! I had bloodwork done last week, going to find out results too. Was wondering if my thyroid or something is causing me to stall. Probably not though. . .

I wasn't required to do a sleep apnea test, etc. I had to meet w/the nutritionist, have a basic physical, and do the psychiactric eval, but it was no big deal. These things were covered in my surgery cost of $18K. That also includes a 1 1/2 year warranty if I have to have another surgery.

Rebecca, I definitely think you should talk to your doctor. My doc told me it's normal for the band to be tighter sometimes, looser sometimes. He also told me to watch my dehydration, as that can affect the band's effectiveness because it's permeable. If you are PB ing more than in the past, I would put off having another fill for a bit. See how things go. If you get too tight you could risk a slip. I'm at the point recently where it's getting a lot harder to lose. I've increased my exercise a lot, so I am still losing, but I really honestly do NOT see myself being able to increase it any more, so I worry about the possibility of reaching my goal at times. I feel like if I have a fill, I won't be able to eat normally. I'm already having trouble with more foods than in the past. I made an appt w/my doctor, so I'll have to talk to him and see what he suggests. Sometimes I worry that I've reached a point where the band is doing all it can for me and the rest is up to me. That's why I think my body is just stubborn! My calories are between 1200-1400 daily, and I exercise 4 to 5 times per week. Yet, over the last 3 months, I've only lost about 16 lbs! Prior to that I was losing about 7-10 monthly. . .

Yes, my weight definitely reacts to my cycle. It's strange! For the past 2 weeks I've been working out 5 x week and the scale is starting to move again. However, I'm not sure how it's going to go-- trying to keep up all the exercise. I'm hoping this will just help me through my plateau, and then I can continue w/3 or 4 times per week. My body is stubborn! Lisa

Every so often, I do a 24 hour liquid (Protein shake) diet to get myself back on track. I am always sure to measure my foods. When I don't measure, I stop losing. . . try eating out of smaller dishes and measuring 1 1/2 cups of food each meal. Also, you may want to get your blood checked. You could have a thyroid or other issue making it more difficult to lose. Sounds like you're exercising a good amount. The other thing you can try is tracking your calories for a couple days. Sometimes there are hidden calories we miss. One month I only lost 1 pound, and my doc told me to leave the last bite or two of each meal on my plate. That equals around 300/400 calories per day and can make the difference. Instead I just went back to measuring foods, and the next month I had lost 12 lbs! So you can try that too. . . best of luck :thumbup:

That's interesting. I thought it was in my head about the weight loss delay at first, but then I started tracking my weight/exercise better. . . I also notice I definitely lose when I have my monthly cycle! Lisa