Ms.Teacher

Howdy Bandsters! My name is Helena, I will be 42 next week, the new 25 I've heard, hee-hee. I've been married 18 years and we have 2 incredible sons, 17 and 14. I've lived in Las Vegas for the past 12 years, but I was born and raised in Irvine, CA. I've been a K-2 elementary teacher and reading specialist for the last 15 years. It is my true passion, except for my kids. I'm very athletic, and I swam professionally for 9 years. Never skinny just muscular, through a 2 year stressful time I put on 80lbs. I got the band. Some days I love it (today) some days I curse the day I got it. I've lost almost 60lbs and over 25 inches. I'm an exercise freak, it let's me eat more while I continue to lose. I refuse to starve myself. Anyway, I'm incredibly blessed, and I feel lucky to have this support group!!!!! > Helena

What I meant by six meals includes snacks. I drink about 32oz, or about 5 pints of water a day. Usually before and after working out, and mostly before I go to bed, between 7pm and 11pm. I'm up at 4:30am and I usually don't make it to bed till around 11pm, which gives me plenty of time to eat and drink. Plus another thing that helps, during the week (m-f) I don't eat after 6pm. I hope this makes better sense! Thanx! Helena >

Hi Cathy! Idon't know about the freezing thing, but I've been banded over 3 years and I've never given up my addiction to Fresca. When I have a really tight fill I don't drink it. Other than that, I drink it. If you were just banded, you probably shouldn't, you are still healing. I know my doctor recommends no carbonation at all, but having my Fresca keeps me from making bad choices, plus I haven't damaged my band. Good luck!!!! :-h Helena

1. 50lbs.-25 inches lost. 2. About 8 fills/unfills @1.6cc in band now. 3. Exercise, eat 6 small meals daily, drink your water, get support, and most importantly make sure your mind matches your band, it's a tool not a miracle worker! Helena >

Hi Maggie! Keep your chin up! You are almost at your half way mark. That is an awesome acheivement, just remember you didn't put this weight on over night. I know with me if I depended on the scale I would have slit my wrists. I have 25lbs more to go and it's been a long journey, but I've lost over 25 inches. Plus I'm down 5 sizes. Don't depend on the scale you will get depressed. Have you been exercising? It really helps rev-up your metabolism, and tighten everything up as you lose. You are doing so great, don't let this bump in the road break all of your wonderful success so far. Take one day at a time and talk to friends, get support, it really helps! Good luck, and stay strong! > Helena

Misty- Stay strong! I am so sorry, having gone through this myself I can only say I understand and take the time to grieve. You have many friends on this board who will continue to support you. Slipped bands are extremely rare, I want say less than 5%. On that note constant pbing can cause your stoma to swell which is painfull and make it hard to swallow. Drink liquids if this happens again atleast for 24 hours. Your band is stitched in place, so feel safe. Please take of yourself during this time, you are special. Helena >

Hi Traci! Whatever you decide I'm sure you will make the best decision for your situation. That being said, being banded almost 4 years, having friends, 3 to be exact, having GBS, and talking to hundreds of bandsters over the years you're going to find they are 2 dramactically different surgeries, with different results, as well as complications. The biggest difference is the pace of weight loss. With GBS your weight loss is fast, incredibly so. Due to the surgery, not your mind over food, not emotional eating, not exercise. You have no choice. The band is only a tool. Dramatic weight loss comes from huge calorie restriction and excessive exercise. The band can be an incredible tool, with education, support, exercise and your mind being in the right place. Just remember your pace os wiehgt loss will be slower. Another thing to consider 50% of people who get band surgery would not qualify for GBS, due to their BMI not being high enough, no other medical problems, no family history of morbid obesity, etc. It is much easier, especially in Mexico to qualify for the band. My GBS friends are lucky, great results, little if no complications, I've heard happy and not so happy results from other bandsters. Find other websites or support groups with veterans of all weight loss surgeries. Good luck in your journey, and I wish you all of the luck in the world!!!! Helena >

Hi Dominique! Good luck on your weight loss journey and congrats on the choice you made!!!! =D> Helena

Hi Christine! I'm sure it definately depends on the person and their personal history. At the time of my surgery, not with your doctor, but one from Mexico. I weighed 30 pounds more then you and I'm a little over 5'8, I wasn't put on any diet what so ever, just liquids for 24hrs before surgery. That was what happened with me, but I know other patients of his were put on restrictive diets, I guess I got lucky. The great thing is, is that it is a wonderful jump start to your weight loss, and a new way of thinking. Good luck!!! =D> Helena

It's been 3 years since I was banded but I remember the tugging feeling. As well as when I first attempted crunches, I experienced a pinching. My doctor said what I was going through was normal. Good luck! =D> Helena

Hi Mona-Camille- I would recommend to continue with cold fluids so you don't dehydrate. Call your doctor all liquids should be able to go down at this point. Good luck! > Helena

Hi Redhead! It sounds like for me it was a little different then anyone else I've talked to. No genetic history of obesity, yet growing up in avery superficial community in Southern California I felt I never fit in, which unfortunately caused an eating disorder for over 20 years. That's how I kept my weight down. Well, when I turned 35 my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she lived 400 miles away, so while working about 55 hours a week, taking care of my family, I drove to take care of her 3 weekends a month. I gained 75lbs in those 2 years. After screwing up my metabolism for so many years I tried everything I was desperate. Make a long story short, my mom died, my best friend was killed, and my contract wasn't renewed at a school I had been teaching at for 5 years(that was for the better I found out). All within 3 months, that's when I deceided, after much research, and support of my husband I got my band. I hope that wasn't overwhelming, just my story. The lapband has been a wonderful too for me. Good luck on your journey!!!! > Helena

Hi Donna! It really depends on how much of a fill you received, and what size band you have. We really need that info to answer your questions. In the last 3 years I've had about a half dozen fills and unfills. My doctor, in Mexico is very aggressive with his fills, that's why the unfills. Let us know your info and hopefully we can help. Through my experience, with a good fill you know right away. > Helena

I am a veteran bandster and soooooo scale obsessed it's crazy. On the days I know I should have lost instead of throwing my scale at my husband, who loses weight by just wishing, I wait till the next day and weigh myself again, if no change, or worse it shows a gain, yes I'm ready to slit my wrists, thank god I'm a clean freak, I try on something that has been tight on me. Now listen during this time I have not cheated, I'm exercising, no bites of peanut butter, no finishing the last thing on my child's plate, and no just 1 cookie won't hurt. I'VE BEEN GOOD. My tight clothes show some give, beleive me it works. Only if you are being completely honest try it. If I depended on the scale for my motivation I'd be dead. Chin-up, don't give up, and think thin!!!! Helena

Congrats to you!!! You have made a wonderful decision that will change the rest of your life. =D>Helena