ready2bthin

You need to be seen by your doctor ASAP! If you can get in sooner, please do so. If your band is slipped, they can sometimes fix it by taking the liquid out of it. But, it definitely sounds like something is wrong with your band if you are being completely honest about trying liquids for 2 weeks, mushies for 2 weeks. If you just had some "irritation" and swelling that would have been relieved with liquids, etc. I recommend calling your doctor back and getting in to see him sooner if he has an opening. Your symptoms are NOT normal! Please seek help! You have had success with your band and do not want to lose it and end up gaining all that weight back. Take care of the problem now.

Olive: I must agree with you on support. My support group off of the lbt chat that I'm a part of has been wonderful! I'm encouraged and uplifted by them. So, I will pass that on to you on here, too! Having a goal is great. I think it's reasonable, too, but you may have to change things up a bit with your exercise. When I started at the gym (24 hour fitness) and started working with the personal trainer you saw that I had great results and will continue to see those. I feel great and am thoroughly enjoying working out. Now, it does help that I have a hot, young guy helping me...LOL!! No, really, he is goodlooking but mainly he is a great trainer! He has been so great with me that I actually enjoy the workout! I've been consistent since October and although on vacation for 2 weeks up in Michigan, I got in 4x of exercise which wasn't bad. We were in the car for 4 days..driving there and back and then holidays, etc. Today was my first day back and it felt so great to be back at the gym. Oh, I also wear a bodybug which measures my calories that I burn and steps I take. I download into a program from the gym and log my food too. That has helped TREMENDOUSLY!! I was always resistant to log my food. It has helped me to see where I overeat in certain categories, etc. and with the bodybug, I know how much I can have to achieve weightloss!! Anyway, hope this helps you and others to get back on the wagon!!! I'm on and I'm not getting off this time....my phrase for the new year is..."Looking and feeling fine in 09"

I'm still here too. Mainly I am on chat and have found a little group of gals who were banded about a year after us that I hang with.

I am still around 70 down and over 72.25 inches. Over the summer, I had a small gain (10-15) from eating a lot of junk and ice cream. In October, I joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. Well, that has been going wonderfully. I lost 17 lbs. of body fat in 6-7 weeks and gained 10 of lean muscle. So the scale said a loss of 7. But, I lost 7% body fat and over 10 more inches from the beginning of my time with trainer. I need to remeasure all the places I measure and recalculate my inch loss. I have definitely gotten smaller, but the scale doesn't show that. I'm being patient and have not weighed as much either. I know that if I eat properly according to bandster rules, etc. and workout, I will reach my goal!

I plan to do this in the next 12 months. I am continuing with at least 1x a week training and then go to the gym 4-5 more times for the program he sets me up on and for cardio days, too.

We have all found that the band is not some "magical" pill but that it can help us and has. Don't lose site of that. Also, in your pregnancy, don't let that give you a license to just eat all you want and the wrong stuff. Keep it out of your house if possible.

You have both lost weight with the band and done awesome. This is a journey, not just a trip. We can't lose sight of that!

Take care!!!

Paula: So proud of you! You have worked this band well! I'm still struggling along but I will get there! I'm determined even if it takes me 5 years...LOL. It would be a nice Christmas present but I'm not sure that will be realistic. I am in a group off of chat that encourages one another and we are in a challenge now. So, hoping I can get some more off. I had a bit of a gain (boohoo) but it was my own fault. Had a slight unfill and took advantage of it. But, I will go forward!! Keep in touch. I look on here once in awhile! Wonder if many of the others are at goal or struggling like I have. But, I won't give up and they shouldn't either!!

You have inspired me by reading your success story!!

There is a large bandster group in the metroplex in yahoo groups called dfwbandsters. They are very helpful and offer support dinners/lunches throughout the month where you can meet other bandsters. I have attended some of these and find them encouraging and helpful. Since I was banded in Mexico, I needed to find fill doctors, too. The ones that I know of in the dallas/fort worth area include:

Dr. Walter Dobson: 972- 660-3188 (I think he may be in Grand Prairie, but call and find out)

Dr. Jayaseelan: 972-566-2263 (Dallas, and this is who I go to for fills now)

I know that Dr. Carter is in Fort Worth and may see you, too. He just isn't listed for taking patients banded in Mexico.

I would go to yahoo and join up dfwbandsters though and get some support set up and they may have other doctors to add to this list.

Take care!!!

CONGRATULATIONS VIP!! WELCOME TO ONEDERLAND!!

Paula: Congratulations on hitting goal!! You look terrific and that helps me to see that I am nearing the end of my journey and it will be possible to hit goal!!! I've struggled 1 lb. at a time lately but it's coming off, just not quickly now...lol!!

Take care and keep us informed how life at goal is!!

Wow, Karen, that is rough! If your band looks okay, then I wouldn't think it's the band. I am wondering if it's because of the change of diet though. Sounds like you were having some severe problems with vomitting. Were you able to eat at all around the time of the episode that landed you in the hospital? Were you taking any supplements or Fiber or anything? I would go over exactly what you were doing then. Maybe for some reason, your body is not tolerating food anymore because you weren't eating it for a time or something. This is just a thought. By no means do I know or understand what could be happening. I just know my body has changed a lot and I often wonder if I'm getting enough fruits and vegetables in. I do not have vomitting episodes but have had the occasional sliming episode when something is stuck, etc.

Keep us updated on what is happening. I guess you could slowly try and integrate different foods in...one at a time like one does with a baby who is first starting to eat. Hope all goes well!!

Bonniebleu: I just saw your post and would encourage you to come onto the chatroom sometime and look for me or private message me. I would like to encourage you.

Edie: I do see you in chat, but I will formally say CONGRATULATIONS!! You are an inspiration for all of us to keep on keeping on!!

Chris: WAY TO GO!! AND I LOVE THAT SMILE!!! So glad you are enjoying life with the band...in more ways than just getting healthy I see....so happy for you.

Hippmom: I'm right there with you...slow but sure and I will make it!! Just don't give up and utilize this tool. If you read my threads you will see my struggle.

lala (Nate's mom) 100 lbs.!!! I can't wait to get there!! Be encouraged!! You have done so well!!

Guess what everyone??? I AM IN ONEDERLAND...FINALLY...I made it on Saturday, January 19, 2008!! OH YEAH. I've lost 5 more lbs. since the New Year and if I didn't report this yet on here...another 4 inches...for a total of approx. 67 lbs. and 72.25 inches!!!

Good for you Born2Lose!! I am back on the bandwagon, too. I am down and am only ounces from onederland...FINALLY. I have gotten serious about exercise and correct eating since I joined a challenge with others off of this chat room site. We even have our own website with our pics and info and a new chat.

Paula,

Well, you inspired me and thanks for the encouragement about being stuck and then getting another fill and finally breaking the plateau. I got a fill yesterday and I'm not totally sure what my total is but I do have restriction. Actually, while waiting in the office sipping on Water I felt like I had too much restriction. So, I drank some more and the gal looked at my pouch on xray and we could see the water just sitting in there....not going down...and then I threw up the water...so she took some of the fill out. I probably ended up with like .25, so according to my records I have approximately 3.05 ccs in my band which holds 4 ccs.

They said I had 2.1 and then with the fill taken out it would be like 1.76 cc. Well, that is impossible as I've had other fills totalling like 2.8. So, I'm thinking there is at least 3.0 in there. Anyway, hope this gets me "started" again. I really want to reach goal by my 2nd bandiversary in July.

Well, have a Merry Christmas ya'll!!

Paula: Just wanted to say that you deserve some applause and support to continue to get that last 6 lbs. off!! You've done fantastic.

I am still "stuck" somewhat at the same weight. I may have lost another lb. or 2 since Sept., but overall not really going anywhere.

I have been exercising though on a consistent basis. I may be getting a fill in a week or so. Not even sure if I need one at this point.

Anyways, let us know when you reach your goal!!

Tomecia25: There are several dinners and a lunch held around the dfw area. The one in Arlington is on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 6:30-9:00 at Mecado Juarez on Miller. You can see the full list of all support dinners and groups if you go to yahoo and look for DFWbandsters under the groups. You can become a member and then access the calender on the yahoo homepage of the group.

Hope that helps!! Happy Banding!!

Congrats Karen!! That's great!! But, I don't think it's normal to continue getting stuff stuck. If I were you, I would immediately go on liquids for awhile...protein shakes, etc. and give your and a rest. Then ease into mushies and then food over a week's time. Sounds like you have irritation going on. If you are still experiencing problems, then you should see your doc or whoever has been filling you. You are too tight!! Remember, stress and if you have PB'd and thrown up, it can cause irritation which will continue if not taken care of. Let me know how it goes.

hey everyone!! Well, I've been consistently exercising and am now into my 4th week exercising. I'm still struggling with the sweet tooth, but it seems to have calmed down yesterday. I may see the doc as when i do eat sweets, i totally crash and have to sleep. wonder if my insulin level/sugar level is messed up.

I will look later for any posts. Miss my 06 friends!! I have made a lot of new ones on the chat though and that's helped me get back going again. Seeing them start out and losing so well, motivates me!! Come join us!!

Hey Jane: Glad to see you back! If you read my recent posts, I am also back on the "bandwagon" here. Seem to be struggling with getting my metabolism up to speed, and shedding weight again. I will say that I did exercise 5/7 days this past week!! My goal will be 3-5 days a week, so I did the upper end of my goal.

Edie, aren't you proud of me?....LOL!!

Okay, to all you others....where oh, where are my July 06 bandsters...oh where oh where could they be? Check in everyone and let's start a weekly check in to get us back on track (at least those of us who may need to be back on track).

Okay, ya'll...where are you?? I've been hanging out in the chat room and do run into Edie every know and then. I am happy to report that I have exercised 4/5 days so far this week, riding my recumbent bike and also have been eating better and not as many sweets as I was eating. I'm hoping to break this plateau I've been in and start losing again and get to GOAL. Anyone out there with me on this? Discouraged? Let's help each other out.

WE CAN DO THIS JULY 06 BANDSTERS!!

<p>VLP: Congratulations on your success. I'm glad you put up that chart cuz I see where it leveled off some and slowly started declining. That's where I'm at and I need to start having it decline again.</p> <p> </p> <p>So, everyone, today began my NEW START!! Yes, I started documenting what I've been eating. I am going to exercise tonight. This has been a real issue with me, but I have to get my metabolism going again. I feel like my body in some ways has been starved of good stuff and fed too much soft stuff, like ice cream and sweets. I'm confessing here...again. My fill is pretty tight, so i have a difficulty eating the right stuff and sometimes don't even try. Then, I'm hungry so I eat something easy. BAD!! So, I will calculate my calories and Protein, carbs, tonight and see where I'm at. If I have to do this to get things kicked in again for losing, so be it. I don't think I need anymore fill taken out, I just need to obey my band!! My band needs to take charge again and not my sweet tooth and head. </p> <p> </p> <p>I don't know if I posted this and am not going to look back, but I did remeasure again and I have lost 67.5 inches with basically only about 2 more lbs. gone since June/July. So, I lost around 5-7 more inches (estimate..not looking at my chart), but hardly any lbs. Inches are important, but until I get under 200 and a bit closer to my weight, I need to kick it in. If I can see 2 lbs a week, I'll be happy. Heck, if I can see 1 lb a week I'll be happy at this point. Time to WORK.</p> <p> </p> <p>How's everyone else? Seems quite on here so i'm guessing others may be struggling. Let's encourage one another and you who have gotten to goal or close, please be our cheerleaders!! </p> <p> </p> <p>Miss everyone!! Kari, been looking for you on messenger. Oh, where oh where are you??</p> <p></p>

Okay, I'm gonna jump in here. My doc gave me a protocol for when one throws up food. This is for after the healing period (4 weeks out or more) and for when someone is experiencing discomfort (I get left shoulder pain when my pouch/opening is irritated...which happens from overeating sometimes or when I've thrown up)

1. Don't drink/eat anything for 12 hours. If your mouth is dry, swish Water around or gurgle. Following that, try some Water and see how it goes. If all goes well, go on liquids for 24 hours, making sure to get in Protein.

2. Then have water for morning and a Protein shake, followed by lunch of mushies (tuna salad, chicken salad, etc.....that type of texture, making sure to get in your protein). dinner same texture. Be sure and stay away from spicey stuff, Tomato stuff, orange, lemon, pineapple, carbonated, wine, beer, etc. (anything that will irritate your pouch area).

3. water, Protein Shake for Breakfast, then mushy lunch and then try regular food for dinner...small bites (bandster eating). If all goes well, then you are back on track

If you don't follow the first step and are experiencing problems, START fresh again!!

Now, there are times when I've slimed something or had an immediate pb, that I haven't followed this and been fine. But, there are other times when it's been a more severe episode and I've been forced to do this, as I've had difficulty with shoulder pain, etc. It's BEST to take care of any irritation as soon as you can, as if you continue in bad habits and causing irritation to your pouch area, you can get chronic problems that could result in more serious problems. If you are ever in doubt, PHONE YOUR DOCTOR!!

I had a lot of irritation after a too tight fill and me having problems and not taking care of it right away. I ended up getting a slight unfill, but still had to "work with it" and was on LIQUIDS more than I would've liked to be just to get everything feeling well again. So, again, take care of your band.

Hope this is helpful!!

Hi everyone!! It's been awhile since I've checked in. I've lost a very tiny bit more of weight, but I remeasured today and have lost 5.5 more inches, making a total of 67.5 inches lost from neck to feet. I kept having people tell me how I was "shrinking", etc. Well, 2.5 inches came off of my hips, and an inch off of both thighs. I'm happy!! I'm also making better choices with eating and trying to swim in my pool more. I'm hoping that I will get under 200 soon, and it's sssllllooowwwllllyyyy leaving me.

One of my kids started school Friday, my son will move into a college dorm (he's 16 and going to college to finish high school and get college credit...he was accepted into this special program for those who excel in math and science.) on Thursday, and my daughter will start her senior year next week. So, we've been school shopping, dorm stuff shopping and busy.

Everyone is doing great and Chris and Leona, you both look AMAZING!! So proud of you both!!

Well, Kari, today is our Bandiversary!! Happy Bandiversary to us!! One year ago today, you were in Houston and I was in Mexico being banded. YAYYYYY!!!! I was hoping to have another 10 lbs. off by this day and it didn't happen, but that was all up to choices and I didn't choose wisely. So, now it's the beginning of our second year and I have a ways to go and I want to reach goal (even if I'm not sure what the exact goal is). You are doing great with the exercise and I'm sorry that I missed you last night!! I'm bringing my mom home today from rehab (still in MI) and will try and check in later if she's not on the computer. I have some high school friends in town, so I may go out with them, too. We will catch up eventually...lol!!

Everyone else: Ya'll are doing FABULOUS!!!

I went back to my Mexican doc for my first fill. I then have tried out 3 different places for fills/unfills. There is a list of docs on the yahoo group, Mexicanbandsters. Dr. Jayseleen (sp?) is one doctor in Dallas. I also called Dr. Benavides' office a year ago and for a fee, he would have taken me on (don't know if he still does). There is a Dr. Dobson (I think) in Grand Prairie. I had a doc in Bryan, TX, (Dr. Stephanie Eijsink), who was banded in Mexico, and does fills on Saturdays. She is not a lapband doc (she is a family doc, I think) but is trained in fills and uses the fluoroscopy machine. She also uses the same technique as my Mexican doctor. Another doc that many go to for adjustments is a cariologist who is the nephew of a Mexican doc (Sanchez...who is now deceased). He will do adjustments in Dallas and Ferris, TX. His name is Maese. If you go to the yahoo group, mexican bandsters and look under the "files" section or one of those links, there is a list for every state (most anyway). If you have difficulty with that, private email me and I will give you the phone numbers, etc.

Hey everyone!! I'm up here in the great state of Michigan enjoying the cool nights and beautiful days, although been at the hospital all day with my mom. She had her knee surgery and she does not do pain well. Steph, sure wish she would've come down to Texas to have the procedure you had done. She is in the "sticks" and they don't do it here yet. Anyway, she woke up moaning and groaning from pain. They gave her a pump with demerol (it was supposed to be morphine, so I don't know what happened) and she was pushing that button every 5 minutes, although the pain meds are only released every 10. They also gave her a vicodin tonight. I know knee surgery is very painful after having 2 ACL reconstructions, but her pain tolerance is kind of low. Anyway, she did sit up at bedside and tomorrow will be PT day and CPM day (they didn't start that yet). I'm doing okay with my food intake and hope to walk some while I'm up here. I've lost a bit more lately and would love to lose another 9 by July 28, just don'tknow if I can do it. But, I'll try. Okay, I'm babbling. Donna, great to see you back on and you are doing great. I will tell you though that I have always been able to eat more than 1/4 cup at a time. I probably eat 3/4 to 1 cup at a time, but I eat my Protein and then green veggie. I do try and only eat 3 times a day but at times do snack some. I don't think 1/4 cup is much to eat at all. You have lost well. I would think long and hard about another surgery. This is just my humble opinion though.

Well, good night all!!

Stephanie: You know that I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant, right? So, keep up those exercises!! How is your range of motion in both knees? I'm sure that you are working on that with PT. That's one of the challenges, getting your knees to full extension and being able to bend at least 90. You sound like you are doing terrific!! I will probably need a new knee in the next 10-20 years (hoping I last that long) on my right. Aren't you so glad that you had lost that 100 lbs. before the surgery? Congrats on that!!

Kari: I did get in my pool yesterday, but mainly just swam around. So, I didn't really get a cardiac workout, but more of a muscle workout. I didn't do weights either. I bet you are looking fine with your muscles getting more definition and with the fat being burned off. I prefer exercising with someone and doing a sport, like you will be doing with your hubby. But, with my pool and a bike and the weights, I just need to DO IT!! Like I said, I think I need a kick in the butt or have Edie or you come live with me for awhile!! You both have been so disciplined with the exercise part!!

I will be heading up to Michigan next Sat. as my mom is getting a new knee. Unfortunately, she is not getting the minimally invasive procedure, as they don't do it yet where she's at (small northern Michigan town). I'll check in though this week and when I'm up there!!!

Leona:

Great to see you back!! My family and I are loyal Idol fans, so we will be watching for you!! You go girl!! Simon better treat you right!! Paula will love you and Randy...well...who knows about him...except for the "Dog" phrase!! LOL!!!

I will confess July bandsters, as I've already told Edie...I haven't been exercising much these past couple weeks. I was working out with trainer, but now, I have the plan and should be doing it. It's been almost a week. So, today, I will go for it. I just need to daily get on my bike...what's up with my lazy butt? I need it kicked or I need Edie to come live with me for 6 months...LOL!!! I'd be at goal then. What do you think Edie?? LOL!!!

Have a great weekend gang!!