ddm241

Just finished the procedure by Dr. Kuri in Mexico. Can easily make it across the border, but when the year gets more hectic, I'll want a fill doctor in Southern California (near Los Angeles). Any advice? Deb

Flintstone! Never thought of this (though I should have). Thank you too for responding. The generosity and understanding of fellow bandsters is terrific. I see you 've lost over a 100 pounds. KUDOS! Deb

Thanks so much! I never thought of Tums but it is now on my grocery list. And believe it or not, I followed your instructions and I "think" I've got my signature squared away. Thanks for the time--and congrats on your weight loss. This has been a wonderful experience for me--I fell thin for 62 (my age) and I am! Deb

A little bit off topic--I just got fill 5 and it is good--much restriction but I can still eat without making a fool of myself in public. (not a LOT of eating). I'm a slow loser but never gain it back--so I'm thrilled--been out 2 years now. My question: FOR THE FIRST time vitamins are a real problem. . .calcium particularly. Any products I should know about? And if anyone can tell me how to update my sticker, I'd be VERY pleased. Deb

I was banded by Dr. Kuri in Tijuana...great experience. Very clean facilities, Dr. Kuri is a real professional (this was in June 2006).

you just need another fill. . . what a different a good fill level makes. I too need another one (it has been a year of a decent but not perfect fill). It took 3 fills to get me here--and I can see one more in my future. Yes it is definitely worth it!

I haven't posted in months! I was banded in June 2006 and have lost 20 pounds which I am thrilled with (I only want to lose 10 more. . .15 at most. . .and my accountant who is banded said the second year is slow but sure). I just wanted to touch base, find out if others can sometimes eat like a "normal" person (though it really is much less than pre-banding) and sometimes, "not on your life is one-spoonful of Kashi going in." I lose about a pound a month lately. Not bad, when in previous years I could gain 5 in a week-end. And one more question. . .how do you fix the signature to reflect accurate stats...the little bar like-thing that records loss . .. Deb

I too worry about slippage, because I can still eat quite a bit (I was banded in June). . . but I"ve had four fills and I can tell you true--each one helps a LOT. I think you just need a fill! And it is amazing, when I really think about it, how much I don't eat. Fills are amazing helps. Really.:bandit Deb PS I've been off this forum so long I've forgotten how to fix my signature to put my 4th fill on! When school is out. . .I'm back!

I was banded in June and have "only" lost 14 pounds. But I have to say, it has been wonderful. The weight loss is so slow (I blame it on my age and mylow BMI but it could also be chocolate) .. but it is steady and I don't gain it back in the "meantime." I need another fill--the third one was very helpful. But to anyone reading this--I say, hang in there. 2007 begins tomorrow and without the band, I'd be a heavier woman than I was in 2006. But I'm not! Deb

Antoinette, I live in Burbank (just next door), and while I haven't attended the meetings, I've heard that there is a Band-only support group at West Hills Hospital (somewhere in the Sepulveda basin--my daughter is an ER nurse there so you'd think I could be more specific!). Someone wrote that they had attended but didn't find it that helpful. I suspect that sometimes it IS, and sometimes too crowded. But I think support will help us. I also think this Lapbandtalk.com gives lots of good information about what to eat and not. And I have a couple of ideas which could be off base! I just had my second fill and what a difference it made. Before I wondered why I could eat anything and everything and a lot of it. That has changed. I can still sabatoge myself--but not as much (if that makes ANY sense). I mean. . . the restriction of a fill makes a HUGE difference to all of this--and I just didn't feel it before. And I'm still not as restricted as I should be, I think. I'd bet you need a fill. Next- 40 pounds is 40 pounds and I know it is frustrating (I was banded by Dr. Kuri in June and have lost 11 pounds only). But there is a miracle in not gaining it back. I've ALWAYS gained weight-loss back. And today wonder of wonders it looked like I might be losing a couple more. And yes, I think you are just going to have to bite the bullet and not drink milk-shakes unless you get the diet/no sugar/no fat ice cream and try it that way. But with a good fill--onion rings will not be an option (probably). This is indeed an adventure! Deb:cool:

Hi, I just figured out how to use the signature line! And I want to sign up for the June 2006 Band Crew Christmas goal. I am a slow loser and know it--but I am very goal driven. So count me in. Let me know if there is something I need to do. Deb

Debi and Borntolose, First, I am so with borntolose about not having another diet in her . . .I've been watching my weight so long, really, and it was getting harder and harder--I looked at the future and thought--NOW. I'm 60 (wish I could figure out how to put those permanent signatures with information on the bottom) and I plan to live 30 plus more years and I want them healthy and I want to look pizzazzy. SO here I am banded and believe me--I feel good! Debi, the tests must be scarey. I recently went to my primary care physician who I had not TOLD I was gettinga lapband. I thought she'd be irritated, but she was great. Said she completely approved, it would be the best thing for my health, and even took down the name of my physician in Mexico for other patients. I live in Calif. so it is easy to get to . . . I thought this WAS another thread. See? I may be savvy about having the lapband but am certainly clueless about this list-serv thing. I really enjoyed hearing from you both--seeing what your battles and excitements are. We're in this for the long haul. So here's a toast to us! Deb:cool:

It's Deb again. I have lost --still--9 - 10 pounds, banded June 5. I know I need a second fill and am going Thursday. Still, it is a miracle I haven't gained a single pound in two months! I'm not sure if it is my age or my low BMI that slows me down--I think it is hunger and wanting to feel full! I'll let you know what fill number 2 does. And thanks for writing showboatgirl--I bet you are! Deb I was banded Aug. 29, 2005. I have lost about 78 pounds. Everyone tells me that i don't need to lose any more weight. I am happy if I don't lose another pound--but I don't want to gain any. My weight loss has slowed down. But, it sure is great to be wearing a size 12 or medium! I will be 58 in September.

Thanks for your support June Band Crew. I can eat a lot--(after my first fill) but not a WHOLE lot. I am so suggestible! I just wish I knew if I needed more fill. The biggest thing is I get hungry and don't fill up all that fast. Still--I definitely am not eating what I once could. I think I'll get a fill in another couple weeks--why not? Well..... Deb:cool:

I'm a June bandster--banded by Dr. Kuri 6/5/06 . . .I live in So Cal (Burbank), have lost 10 pounds. . .have a low BMI and 60 (those are my reasons for losing slowly. . . hope they are reasons and not excuses). First fill 7/20--don't feel "much" restriction--but I'm being very careful. I think another fill is in order soon. Deb

Hi! This thread is very interesting to me. I just turned 60 and 3 weeks later got my band. I was a 33.5 BMI and it scared me to think they wouldn't put the band on. I have "watched" my weight for decades and it has worked to maintain, but to lose weight? Forget it! I decided I had had it--60 or no. I want to keep my knees in good working order, keep ME in good working order and yes, I want to look good. I have lost 8 pounds and get my first fill tomorrow! When I get discouraged I remind myself I don't have that much to lose --30 pounds would be terrific and I'd take 40--but not much over that. .. I'm pretty muscular and happy (over all) not being a string-bean. I also tell myself I am 60 and therefore. . .my metabolism isn't that brisk. It is great to hear from other older bandsters. I think we should all pat ourselves on the back for keeping on it. Incidentally, I too have done weight watchers and found it too slow (mostly because my portions were too large! couldn't help it). But weight watchers WITH a band .. .that's good eating. Sorry to go on so. Just so glad to talk to those with similar goals, issues and chutzpah! Deb:D

Hi, Thursday is my fill day with Dr. Kuri. After reading all the posts, I'm wondering what HIS fills are like. Any information? I know there are lots of variables among us: age, weight, goals--but we are all working on solutions. Dr. Kuri said this banding is a "tool" we can use to assist our weight management. I like that! Deb:cool:

Thanks! I feel so much better reading all your posts. I was banded June 5--and lost 9 pounds--then this morning it looks like I've gained 2. I've been eating good foods--but a lot! I get my fill from Dr. Kuri on Thursday. I sure hope it works! Deb :faint:

Hi, I'm in Burbank. . .banded June 5. Will go next week to get first fill. I have NO idea how to put the "ticker" on--but I'll figure it out someday! I will be a slow loser (I've lost 9 lbs thus far) probably because I am ALWAYS a slow loser, and b/c I have a low BMI. But I am thrilled thus far. Feel terrific. Deb

Kelly, I too was terrified of going to Tijuana, Mexico for surgery. But my niece had gone and swore by Dr. Kuri and his professionalism and the cleanliness of the hospital (de los Angeles I think). She is an ER RN and went with me so I felt comfortable. Dr. Kuri is such a professional and so clearly confident he even asked her to witness the surgery. I am 60 years old, low BMI --but have healed admirably! I was banded June 5 (and would love to hear from any of my band-buddies.) I've lost 9 pounds slowly. Bottom line: I am thrilled with the process, my progress, and the result. I'm going back down for my first fill next week. I actually had become satisfied with the way I looked and felt, but saw that it was NOT going to get easier with age. This way, I can more easily monitor my weight, my health. Deb:)

sarah, thanks for the reply. San Pedro is the closest address I've yet received so I would like the information. Do you have any idea how much it will cost for a fill? Dr. Billy in Ventura is thus far the most reasonable, but convenience DOES matter! Deb