9/18/05

Would really like to hear some feedback from those who were banded in July 2005. Need to here how your progress is going. Here are my stats - Banded 7/27/05 in Everett, Wa. @ NWWLS by Dr. Montgomery. Pre surgery 296, day of 292, 1st preop visit 286, 1st fill 9/8 268. Lately getting alittle despondant now that newness is wearing off. Maybe there are other who would be willing to share their experience with me.

This sight has been so supportive of me and those who have been banded for some time have given me such wisdom and insight, it has been invaluable. But I would like to know how others like myself are doing. (ie have you had pb's, have you got an eating plan down yet, have had a fill yet etc)

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Micki

Hi,

Things are going well for me.

No PB

Eating mostly chicken type products, Crystal Lite, Water.

Gym 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week, mostly cardio, some weights.

First Fill 4 days ago, 1cc, feel great restriction, not hungry at all, don't want to eat.

Rest of the stats below.

If you click on the weights you can see the fat/fat free mass changes.

I was banded July 28th 2005. I have lost 37 pounds and I am doing really well. My mom says I am a walking advertisement for the band. This has been an unbelievable journey already. I had my first fill on friday the 16th and it was a breeze. I am down from a size 24 to an 18 in just 8 weeks. I eat right, and walk also drink loads of water and propel. I have more energy and feel alive, I think this journey is what you make it. I am making it fun. ~Mandy

Hi, Mickey...you must have read my mind, because I was thinking about starting this same thread, out of curiosity and nosiness, mostly!

I was banded on 7/22/05 by Dr. John Marsden. I had my 1st fill on 9/25, and am planning on getting a 2nd on Oct. 10 (which is a school holiday for me). I started my ticker at my surgery consultation weight of 282...but if I start from my all-time high weight of 286, I have lost about 36 pounds, give or take 2 lbs. I wore a 26 and now wear a 22. Thank goodness I have never had a PB, but I have had the rock in your chest feeling. MOST of the time, I follow the eating plan that is healthy and right for bandsters. I am not perfect. I have not been doing regular exercise, and that's something I need to work on...my reason right now is that it is still 100 degrees in Texas, and too hot to walk. I also have other issues with joint pain, but that has improved so much, I am about ready to put some exercise in my life! I am excited to read all the follow-up reports from our other July bandsters! Cindy

Hi all,

July 20th here. So far I am at 21 #'s gone. Doesn't seem like a lot, but I can really tell in my clothes. I haven't changed what I eat, too much, but the amount is surely changed. I get full and don't find the need to snack..hooray!

I had my first fill Sept. 1, and will go for the next one sometime in Oct.

Yes, on the PB's... Chicken is the hardest thing and bread. But, my acid reflux is completely gone! That is amazing.

Good luck to all of you, and keep up the good work.

im -38 lbr!

i had only 1 pb, and one fainting episode cause i had not eat that day at all :S

i eat everything in small amounts except of bread, rice, pasta, sweets and alchol.

i do not exercise much though

Good Luck to all July Bandsters :)

I was banded july 29th with the larger VG band. I have lost 16lbs since the day of surgery, plus what I lost pre op for a total of 38lbs. I had my first fill September 14th, (3ccs) and still not feeling much restriction. I will get another fill (October 27th). I try to eat right and walk atleast once a day. I am definitely more active and have more energy. I no longer take any BP meds or diabetes meds. I still use my CPAP machine, but hopefully that will be gone soon!

Banded 7-27-05 and doing good. I had first fill 9-12-05 and don't have any restriction.

I do try to eat right, good choices and sometimes eat too fast but so far never had the PB yet. Down 30 lbs. and do walk about 6 times a week for 30 minutes. I do snack on Protein crisps but they are better than chips. I can still eat bread but so far have chosen it only twice and have had toast a few times.

I am pleased with my band so far and as long as scales go down, even slowly, I am happy.

I feel like I am still "living normally".

Start wgt. 297.5, now 268.0 unofficial

5' 4''

I was banded on July 22, 2005 and I am now down to 259. I am mostly in 18-20W size down from a high of 24, some 26-28W. Today I squeezed on a pair of size Liz Claiborne size 18 stretch capris.....I can zip and button and breathe standing up...sitting is a bit of a squeeze. I am going to wear these even though they are tight (I work at home or else I wouln't do this in public, although some women wear clothes this tight, just not me), because I need to remind myself to not pick...That is my issue. It is lots better but not as good as I would like it. I want to loose 10 lbs in the next 2 and a half weeks..I know that is a bit of a stretch but I do get a fill next week...am thinking of going on liquids for a bit longer. I need these capris for trip to California on the 7th of October.

One or two PBs...one with french fries from MCD's and one from chx. Exercise program needs to be improved.

ps...my band start weight was 292, I think

I had surgery July 12, and am down about 29 pounds! I'm thrilled to death. I had to have my gallbladder out September 2, so I've had 2 surgeries this summer! UGH!

I have a .7 cc fill in my huge VanGuard Band - so not much of a fill at all. I am losing about 3 pounds a week, although a week will go by when I lose nothing; other weeks where I lose lots. Doctor says I am doing ok without a fill so far, so I will continue this way!

I haven't been exercising due to all the surgeries - just recovered from one, and BOOM - another...tonight is my first spin class since July 2, and I can't wait! Weird to say that, but true.

I have changed my eating habits only a little - I eat what everyone else is eating, just less....I get wicked pains in my left side/ribcage area....they are incentive enough for me not to eat too much as I hate that feeling.

I was banded July 26, 2005. I havn't lost as much as I thought I would by now - but at least the scale has gone down and not up. I've lost 19 lbs.

Good job, everybody! I am really enjoying reading about everyone's success! Cindy

9/22/05

Thank you everyone for your sharing you journey with me. It all helps to "band" together. I appreciate your honesty. All of you have been doing so very well and you sure a staying focused and patient.

All take care and lets keeping updating one another.

Micki

I was banded 7/27/05 by Dr. Javier de la Garza in Mexico and have lost 42 pounds so far. I haven't felt the need for a fill yet, no PBs, no problems at all ~ thankfully. But I am very, very, v-e-r-y careful about when, where, what and how I eat. I am determined not to have gone through the surgery and all the expense just to screw it up because I have a craving or don't take time to chew my food well.

This is my one chance to prove that I CAN do it.. and I will!

EEEHello July Buddies!!!! I was banded 7/13/05 and have lost a total of 33lbs...that pre and post banding...12 before and the rest post...I'm very happy because it's going down but I have to admit i wish it were faster....I up to my 3rd fill and feel a little restriction but I do eat almost everything....I'm basically very happy with my band...I don't know if I've gone down any dress size cause I'm uasually in uniform ( which is getting Very large) and my med for blood pressure is down by half..so that 's also a plus...anyway looking forward to seeing all july"s achievement's!!!!! and WAY TO GO JULY BANDERS..I THINK WERE ALL DOING GREAT!!!!!!

Had my done on July 19, 2005. I went last Thursday for an appojntment for a fill, but my surgeon (E. Rehnke, Saint Petersburg, FL) said that since I am down 57 pounds in 2 months, and my attitude is going in the right direction, he wanted to hold back a month and maybe give me a fill next month.

I really wanted a fill, but I know that I have to be a partner with my band in re-training my mind about eating habits. It would be much easier with that adjustment, but now its a challenge, and a good one. I have to work with this tool I've got and I've got to re-learn a lot of things....

I think its great, though, that my surgeon is concetrating on helping me re-train my head as well as taking care of my physical aspects.