Hey all,

It's been FOREVER since I've been on this site, and I wanted to check-in to see how the rest of you 4/06 bandsters are doing. I've been around the same weight for over 6 months, but am getting back into exercising, which I know is what my problem has been. I would love to hear from you guys, see how you're all going.

Best,

Boston Girl

Hey girl! I'm glad you posted here, I have been having a hectic time. I moved back to the states and found out for almost a year and a half i had no fill. My doc missed my port 3 times!!! I have gotten 1 fill since and I am going back for another in 2 weeks. I am back at my starting weight almost, and it's been hard, but I'm back, I'm here and I'm going to fight for it. Our 2 year mark is coming up and i don't want to feel like a complete failure. I am trying to eat better and exercise. Hopefully I can get motivated again, and hopefully i will finally get some restriction.

Hey Kat,

Sorry to hear you've had a rough time, it's certainly an ongoing battle isn't it? I know for me, when I was loosing weight I was following ALL the rules 99% of the time, and the more time that has past the more rules I've been breaking. It's hard to stay motivated, I can definitely relate to that. Hopefully you will get the right amount of restriction soon as that's half the battle. Once you're there, it's just making the right food choices and getting ourselves moving. That's been my biggest downfall over the last 6 months or so. But I joined a new gym that I really like, and hopefully I'll continue to be as motivated as I am now.

Best of luck to you and keep in touch! I

I am seeing my fill specialist on spring break..in 2 weeks i think and I want her to go over with me all the band rules again and im taking my multi Vitamin with me to ask if its a good one, and I'm going to try to keep a food log for at least a week or so, so she can see what I'm eating.

And I'm going to ask her to help me step by step to go through some stuff to see what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong. Also I believe my insurance pays for a nutritionist, so I'm going to see about maybe finding a band friendly one. That may help me keep on track as far as that goes.

Also, I'm going to try and take part in the next months exercise challenge to keep me on track in that aspect. Lets keep at it together. I am flying back to Portugal in June for vacation and I need to get off at least 10-15 lbs (what I gained since I moved back to the states) or my husbands family is going to have some nasty things to say!

Hi ladies! It is so good to hear from April 06 band buddies!

I have stalled out at 160 lbs. There are easily 20 more to go, but it is good to stabilize and NOT gain it all back for once!!

I took up running and have had a BLAST!! A prior back injury has kept me from upping the distance too much more. Ten miles was my highest achievement. Now I must drop back a bit to see if I can take some pressure off my back. I'll run 2-3 miles now, but am just ITCHING to take off!!

The exercise really helps. Maybe when I can step it up there will be movement on the scale again.

We are all nearing our two-year "bandiversaries." Just think where we would be now if we had not had the courage to make a change!

Great thread!!

well i'm right back where i started which is why its so depressing..i'm hoping to get going better....

Hi everyone! Maybe this'll be our anniversary thread. I can't believe it's almost been 2 years. Kat, don't worry about a thing. You're going to get to the right fill level (finally!) and things will click into place for you. Do all the things you mentioned -- join the exercise challenge, see the nutritionist -- and most importantly, stick with fills until you're SURE you're at the right fill level. I think you haven't had a real chance with the band yet.

As for me, I had the stomach flu a couple of months ago and I'm just now fully well and back to my old fill level (9.0) as of this morning. liquids and mushies for a couple of days and then I'm going to think about losing 5-10 more lbs. Might be easier to have Dad suck out my thighs again, haha.

Hey all, I know, I can't believe it will be 2 years next month since being banded. The first year was so wonderful, I was in bandster heaven.

Then, for the past year I was in bandster hell. Probably some of you have read my postings. Long story short, I got overfilled and let it stay that way for ages due to some financial issues. Stupid me, I know. I lived on ice cream because it was one of the few things that passed through. Everything else made me pb. I ended up gaining 23 pounds!!! :thumbup: When I finally had enough and went to my doctor, he was not happy with me. He said my health was more important than money and to not ever do that again. He refused to charge me for my visits either. He was so awesome. I had to have a complete unfill because I had a minor slip from all the pb'ing and had really irritated my esophagus. We determined I am one of these who has to go really slow with my fills as a little bit can effect me a lot. I have slowly worked my way back up and as of Monday's fill, I finally feel I am once again at my sweet spot and lost 4 pounds this week.

I am still loving my band and confident that I will reach my goal!

I see many of our fellow April 06 bandsters have reached goal, or are pretty close, way to go guys! For the rest of us, we can do this and we will succeed!!

Hey Ladies, Kat I think of you all the time. I have'nt been on this board much but so glad to hear from you, and you too Susan.I have been 5 and ten pounds from goal for over a year now. Have been very comfortable where I am. I have very little fill but maintain great and my band is still doing its job with my help.I still see my reflection sometimes and can't believe it's me. Have felt wonderful. Kat you hang in there sweetie and you will make it. Love to all and the best of luck.

Sallyjo:drool:

I wanted to pop in here and say HEY!!!! My mentors on this thread....

Now I've past my 1 year bandversary and I go pop in on the April 08'rs the same that all you did for us!

Susan I too went a while with too much fill......... I did it on purpose over the holidays....... but by January I HAD to get some taken out.. and that is when the scale started moving again..... it's slower in year two, but I'm HOPING to make it to the 160's in my year two of banding.

Have a great summer!

The laughing girls in my siggy pic are all gals you helped inspire.. and yes you'll even see your buddy KAT17 in there.. she ended up sticking around for our daily questions and we never let her leave!

THANKS SOOOO MUCH!

Hello April 06 Bandsters!

I didn't realize how long I had been away from the site until I got a reminder email today. It looks like everyone has been steadily losing.

I know that I haven't reached my goal yet, but I have maintained a steady weight for the past year and have been working on adjusting my eating habits and how I view myself. I'm going in for an adjustment tomorrow (today? since it's so early in the morning) so I'm ready to get back on the losing train again.

I'll try to stick around a bit more in order to get a good kick in the rear.

Pic

It is nice to read a post and get inspired!

Ugh! :biggrin: My allergies have been so out of control that the drainage was clogging up my band and irritating my stomach. A complete unfill has been the only option. How quickly has my gratitude and celebration crumbled as I have fought to keep the weight from piling back on (15 pounds!!) the last month or so.

The big hope now is that I can be filled again. 1.0 cc was all I could handle the past year. That level does not give great restriction, but was manageable. Now I am just hoping for anything to keep my stomach from grumbling. The band has been a great tool and reminder of when to stop. The maintenance benefits alone are worth it. I just have to find some medication that will work!

Thanks, y'all!

Wow! I had forgotten what that was like.

It took them a while to get the needle in the port and then they took out everything before putting it all back in. It seems I had 4.5 cc in the band already so they tweaked it and added .2 cc more.

Now I'm hungry because I've only had liquids today. Hmmmm, need to go and find the Jell-O.

Pic

I know you guys wrote this months ago but I am in the same situation. I was over filled for months. I did loose weight but it was not fun. I went to weddings and if I could put food down my throat it would come back up very quickly, the only foods that would stay down was cream soups, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Oh and candy bars not very nutrious but anyway my band is older I think I got it in 06 but not sure I guess I should remember better, lots has happened. Have not really known how to work it until recently, now I had 3 cc in my band and the doctor let out to 2.5 now I can eat lots in the evenings and I can even drink and eat in the mornings. Which before I could barely drink a cup of coffee in the mornings. So I am going to have to be really careful not to gain but I do not want to hurt me or my band either. So I will try and eat only the good stuff, I will probably go back for a very small fill soon, I do not think I should be able to eat 3 slices of buttered toast, 2 eggs, 5 pc of bacon, a whole tomato, lettuce, and then ice cream for dessert. That is what I had last night. That was most of my calories for the whole day, I did exercise for almost two hours also yesterday so yes I had more than enough calories but I have not really eaten in almost 5 months just soft smooth clear foods. I craved a blt and some eggs and toast. So thanks for the information and being there.

Hey Ladies, It.s almost April again. Hope everyone is doing great. Kat and Susan how are you? I get on here and read a lot just don't post much anymore. I still would not take for my band. I am maintaining very well.The best to all of you and lets get posting again.

Sallyjo:smile:

I can't believe we're coming up on our three year!! I started going to support groups recently...yes, it took me a while, but I think it's helping talking face to face with other people who have been banded, even if I'm always the one whose been banded the longest. Hope you're all doing well!