Sassy

Dolittle, I'm curious why you think a 1 1/2 to 2 year out bandster have a "check-up"? If all is going well and we don't feel like anything is wrong, do you still think it should be done? - Just wonderin' after reading your last post.

CindyLou, You were right, I've gained 5 pounds. :lb20: I'm in a panic and told my hubby yesterday I was scheduling another "fill". I'm hoping I can get half of what was taken out, put back in, and that should be my sweet spot, I'm hoping for that anyway. I agree with your theroy that it's probably just a matter of becoming more hydrated, but anything over 5 pounds will be unacceptable to me. In fact, I think even the 5 pounds is pushing it. Thanks for your encouragement tho, every little bit helps. Sounds like you are a planner. Good luck with all the changes you have facing you, and enjoy life. :bye:

AngieB, Cheyenne, all my life. Where are you now?

Valley Girl, I see that you had a complete unfill in August of this year. Do you mind sharing why you completely unfilled your band?

Hi CindyLou, My "unfill" went perfectly well. They took .2 cc's out, and initially I felt I had lost all of my restriction with just that small amount taken out. However, since then I'm back to feeling the restriction I should be feeling without PB'ng, acid reflux, total exhaustion etc. Right now I'm feeling I made the right decision, I listened to what my body was telling me, and believe me it wasn't good. I may need to be a bit more aware what I'm putting into my mouth now, to avoid any weight gain, but we should be doing that anyway, right? As I've stated previously, I don't post much, but I noticed you are going to be working on having a baby. How exciting - I wish you much luck.

BrandNewDawn, Thanks for the link. It was very informative, and a little scary. I go for my unfill today, in a couple of hours to be exact. Wish me luck. Sassy >

I'm new to posting, but not new to the band. I was banded in November 2007, and have read many of your posts since then. Usually, if I search hard enough I can find answers to my questions. I have a 10cc band, have had 4 fills since my surgery in November of 2007. For the most part, didn't see much progress until my last fill which was in mid-August, 2009. I've lost a total of 50 pounds since surgery, 30 of those since my last fill. I take full responsibility for how slow my weight loss has been because I wasn't getting fills like I should have. I continued putting off getting a fill in an attempt to save money, and finally woke up to the fact that without the proper fill, my initial investment was a waste. Ultimately, I would like to loose another 15-20 pounds, but if I don't, that's OK too, as long as I don't gain any. Now, for the real reason for my post. As I said, my last fill was just one month ago, and I've lost about 30 pounds since then. I know I am over-filled because I literally can not keep anything down. I even have trouble with fluids, thus I'm pretty dehydrated. I know it's dangerous so I broke down and made an appointment for an "unfill" next week. My fill doctor will not be happy with me, I know. - It's only if you've waited as long as I have (nearly 2 years), to see real progress, that I would expect you to understand. I've known I've needed the unfill, but am so afraid that I'll gain some of the weight back. Anyway, can anybody tell me what the dangers are to the band if you remain over-filled? I'm quite sure I know what the dangers are physically if I continue down the path I'm on, but right now, I'd like to know if I'm putting my band in danger. Thanks to anybody who responds, and congratulations to all of you who have succeded.

Thanks to Carrie for bringing up something that I have been dealing with, and it sounds like many of you have as well. I am approaching my one year anniversary for placement of my band. November, 2007 was when I got my band. I haven't been on the forum for months and months. To date, I've lost 22 pounds and have had three fills. - It looks to me like I'm "eating around the band" which is a phrase I've heard. - I've known a few people personally who have the band and ALL of them have been more successful than I. Twenty-two pounds in 10 months, what's wrong with me? Talk about ashamed and embarrased. I just keep plugging along and trying to convince myself that losing the weight slowly, is better for me in the long run, but I certainly had myself mentally prepared for better than this. I'm pretty bummed about it, but at the same time, I blame only myself. I'm the one that continues to eat what I want instead of what I should. I'm happy for all of you who have been more successful than I and will continue to watch the forum for all of your support. It does help! Sassy

Kris, Thanks again for all your great words of encouragement. You should certainly consider yourself a success story. Enjoy Cancun you devil. :-h

( Kim, Thanks for your words of encouragement, I most definitely need them. I admit, I thought the same way, that if I'm eating 2/3 less food, who cares what it is. I can't believe it doesn't matter. Who'd a thunk? After reading you and Kris' messages, I guess I have no choice but to totally change the way I've been thinking. Like you and Kris have said, refocus - recommit. I do worry that I may have "stretched" my band, but I say that only because of the amount of food I can still put away. ( I will keep in touch, tho I don't post often, to let you know If I've been able to grab myself up by the bootstraps and start over. Thanks again for your comments,

Kris, You are such an inspiration. You are a beautiful young lady and without even knowing you, I'm very proud of you. I wish so much that I could make a similar post. I was banded the first week of November, 2007 and to date have lost only 16 pounds. I have had one fill, which ocurred the first week of January 2008 and I haven't lost but about 2 or 3 pounds since then. I'm pretty convinced that I must be eating around the band, and definitely know that I'm not getting proper amounts of exercise. I read posts such as yours and feel so happy for you, yet so defeated for myself. You'd think I'd get with it after investing so much money, which by the way was out of pocket. You keep up the good work and enjoy your life, you deserve it.

Hey Snowbird, Thanks for the advice, but I refuse to pay Starbucks price for a latte. I guess I'll just have to stop the "gas station" cappucinno at least until I've dropped more weight.

Ron, Where did you have your surgery?

I'm hugely disappointed to hear how bad the "gas station" cappuccino is for us. I haven't doubted that they probably have alot of sugar in them, but it has to be made with fat free dry milk. Have you ever seen them change the drink mix in one of those machines? It's all powder product mixed with hot water. I'm a little confused why they can be so bad for us. -- Other than the sugar. I guess the reason I'm posting this is because not only was I a diet coke junkie, but I'm a cappuccino junkie too. Now learn that I must give up my favorite coffee drink too? Hmmm! No wonder I'm not losing any weight.

Suzie, You go girl, I'm proud of you. I'm scheduled for my band next Thursday the 7th. Your story helps with all the apprehension I'm experiencing. I'd like to chat off site if you are willing. If so, please e-mail me to let me know. Thanks, and keep up the good work. =D>