Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

You can try Fill Centers, USA. They don't have a location in TN, but there are some in Georgia, North Carolina and Missouri. What is your insurance(if any)? The best bet is to call them first. Also, go back over why you had the surgery in the first place. Start TODAY-don't procrastinate. Count your calories, measure your food, EXERCISE, take your measurements, start a journal, see a counselor, whatever it takes! We are here if you need support and guidance.

Try contacting some of the doctors in the area that do lapband. they may be willing to help you with your aftercare. just start over and take it one day at a time. Just think of it as a new beginning. THe tool is there if you are ready.

I continue to have problems. I'm going to wait a week to see if the phelgm from this cold is causing the problem. If it continues I'll go in to see if I've slipped. I just shouldn't have constant heartburn and PBing. I've been on soups and that is working.

Suefwd - forget the past two years and start fresh and clean. Like you just had the band placed...you were driven to make the choice of having the band placed for a reason - what was that reason? Make that your focal point and move forward - don't look back. Everyone gave you a few options for care and for fills - why don't you call today and post how that went for you?

Kathy - I'm sorry - it sounds like you've had your hands full the last few weeks. I have a 6 year old and purposely don't think about what will happen when she's 17 yo or older! I hope things slow down for you and you're able to regain peace of mind.

SOcal - thanks for posting your diet, I did check into a few daily diets - turns out my routine is an issue - I routinely make choices that add more calories that I was counting - so back to basics!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and can enjoy it!

Suefwd - If you have any restriction from your current fill - that's something to celebrate.

I agree with Aimee - - START OVER. If you lost 25 pounds before, you can do it again!

My new unfill is lots of (too much) fun!

I've joned a gym and am considering selling a frequent flyer ticket to pay for some personal trainer hours. I love my new energy and I hope to get back to losing soon. I'm in tooterville at 201.5 this a.m. Can't believe I allowed this!!!!!

Socalgal - I was impressed with your new bod - Hope you find a suit that gives you the confidence you deserve.

Cathgr8 - you must be pretty "hot" to hang on to a guy in crisis mode. Kids are like Chinese water torcher sometimes. You finally get numb!

Hello to all! First, let me say to SoCal Mary: You rock girl! You look great in that swimsuit. You motivated me to see if I can do something to get back ontrack.

I have been overfilled for over a year. I've known it and those around me have known it. I've been living on ice cream and junk food. Today I went to see Dr. Spivak. First time I've laid eyes on him since the morning before my surgery.

He had me drink the white crap while he watched and guess what........he said I was overfilled. Imagine that. He took out a full cc and advised me to be careful as I would definitely be able to eat things I've not been able to eat all year.

I came home and ate some good roasted chicken without event. It was great. Then I had to do a little test and I ate a bagel with cream cheese. It was awesome. First real bread product I have eaten in well over a year.

I promised myself that I would start eating healthy and I hope and pray I have the willpower to do so. I am going out of town for the weekend and I think I will just enjoy myself and start a serious program on Monday.

Pinkylee, let us know how the personal trainer goes. I tried that several months ago and thought I was going to die. She really just didn't understand how out of shape I was and pushed me way beyond where I should have gone...........now I am afraid to try it again. I saw her twice and never went back to the gym. I wish I lived closer to some of you gals so we could work out together.

I can hardly believe we are coming up on our second bandaversary but how great it is that we are all still together encouraging each other and still working toward our goals. Good continued success to all.

Hello Junbies,

It's been a while since I posted and since it's coming up on our 2 yr anniversary I thought I'd ask this question.

How many of the original members have reached our goals?

How many of the original members had problems and had to have the band removed?

I'm having problems and may need to remove mine (nothing wrong with it no slippage etc, body is just rejecting it). Tough decision to make.

Stella good to hear from you. Sorry to see you are having troubles. I'm not sure what I would do, but facing similar situation. My band is giving me trouble as well. I'm filled at 2 right now, but having severe heartburn. FOod is a hit or miss and if I can eat its easy foods. Not losing weight so I'm getting in more calories than needed. I have come to the conclusion that some of us just can't tolerate the band. Nothing wrong with it, but it just does something to our ability to eat small portions. I've had all the tests and had some polyphs removed from my stomach. They said there are lots more in there, but small. Esphogus looked good. I can eat if I drink first, like wine, cosmopolitan, etc. The more I drink, the more I can eat. I can't do that forever as I would be trading one addiction for another. :leaving:

I also notice stress, flying, etc. have effects on the band. I've heard others have the same problems. I would find this OK if I was losing. Sounds crazy, but I would keep on until the weight was off. That being said, I've kept off 50 of the 65 lbs I lost for almost 2 years. I haven't been able to do that in forever. So I want to keep my band. I might have to go get an a slight unfill to keep the acid reflux under control.

I think you are faced with a big decision. Maybe being unfilled will allow you to return to a somewhat normal eating life, but still keep you in check. If that works for you I would go that route. However, if your body still won't allow the band to coexist then you might have to have it removed. Good luck on your decision.

Stella,

Just wanted to let you know that while I won't make it to goal by my second bandiversary, I am only 11 pounds away. It can be done. I've been noticing since many stressful events converged on me starting a couple of months ago, I have had several PB's, which had never previously happened. Other than that, I have exercised little to not at all, and I thinnk my secret is never being overfilled, so being able to stick to the dietary rules.

Wish me luck gang. I started my first jury trial in many years yesterday. Talk about a stressful event!

You rock Cathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good to hear from you Barb123! I'm glad you had a slight unfill and are dedicated to eating healthier.

Stella- I am sorry for your struggles. I reached my goal in December, but you may know I already had a 2nd operation to repair a slip. I was 159 this morning, which is up from my lowest of 150, but I determined to get it off this summer.

Cathy-congrats on the trial and being 11 pounds to goal!

I was without a computer for over a week and I was having withdrawls. I tried to upload pix of my new bathing suit, but the "upload image" button isn't working for me. I'll keep trying. Have a great Memorial Day weekend! (It's raining in "sunny" San Diego!)

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa57/marymbs/IMG_2064.jpg

You are beautiful socal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The suit's not bad either. :biggrin: I'm so proud of you and your great sucess.

Socalgal, you look awesome. I would love to give you a big hug! Congratulations!!!!

I am enjoying my unfill. I have been eating things that I haven't been able to eat in amost two years............and no, they aren't all healthy things but I'm allowing myself to enjoy food again. My weight went up a couple pounds but today it is back to where it was when I went to the doctor. I am still six pounds up from my lowest.

Hope everyone has a fun holiday weekend.

Thank you ladies for the compliments! I had a BAD PB today. I was eating Chinese food with family and had a few things on the plate, but I am pretty sure it was some chicken that caused the problems. It went on for like an hour it seemed. I kept getting up from the table to go to the bathroom and was hoping nobody noticed. No one said anything, so that was a relief. I have protein drinks in the fridge, so I may stick with those tomorrow. Hang in there all.

OK here is the latest from me. I have been suffering since I got home from my travels. First with some type of chest congestion, then not being able to eat. I was in constant heartburn, taking prescription antiacids and more than one a day. About every 2 to 3 days I could get something soft to stay in. It was getting so bad that over the weekend I couldn't even keep a tablespoon of ice cream down. Just taking sips of water hurt. I was sliming big time and really throwing up. I went to surgicenter on Wednesday. They did the barium swallow and said I was wide open - thought I was there for a fill. I've heard that before so it didn't surprise me. I was just glad that the band was where it was supposed to be and had not slipped.

After discussion I had them take out .3. I'm now at 1.7cc. That seems to work the best for me. I have been at 2.0 since Dec 31st so I lasted longer than ever. Of course if I really wanted to eat I had to have some alcoholic drinks. That's how I got through our river cruise and my work assignment in Amsterdam. Then that stopped working.

So I'm going to go this awhile and see what happens. I only lost 4 lbs through all of that, and that was the last 4 days. I am able to eat now and will have to exercise lots of self control so that I don't gain.

THat's my update for now. Only a few more days and it will be 2 years. Still glad I did it. Just wish I could lose 50 more pounds. Oh well I'm thankful for what I have lost. I just can't live my life through the inside of a paper cup!!!

Hope everyone is doing well.