Ms.Teacher

Congrats LuLu! How exciting! I'm sure everything will be awesome, and you're going to be so happy. Have a safe trip home, and try to relax during your recovery!!!!! =D> Helena

Kimmie you are going to do AWESOME!!!! You are so lucky to have great friends to support you. This is just the beginning of a wonderful, skinny new chapter in your life! Have a sfe trip! > Helena

Hi Alana! It sounds like your off to a great start. It might help eating healthy snacks in between, drinking lots of water, and incorporating exercise. Don't let youself get too hungry, then you might binge. It might help to find a local support group in your area, really awesome if they were bandsters. But that will keep you motivated. You're on the right track, never beat yourself up, and just keep youself focused on how important this is to you. I'm sure it's really hard right know, but it so worth it, you're going to do great. Stay strong! =D> Helena

Hi Amber! I've been banded over 3 years, and basically I've been through it all. I think it awesome you've been so successful, but it sounds like you need an unfill. You should be able to get all food down with your band if you are following the band guidelines. If your calorie are highly restricted, under 1200 a day, then you go back to eating normally (healthy of course) it will be harder to lose. The only time extreme calorie restriction works is if it is done for an extremely long period of time, I'm talking a year or so. Your body adjusts to the low calories, but just remember you can't restrict your calories for the rest of your life. The band is to teach us to slow down , make better choices, and limit what we can eat at each sitting. I think if you are consistently weight good for you, you were doing something right before your last fill, but remember a band that is over filled can stretch, you don't want that. I think you should be very proud of yourself and consider getting an unfill so you eat normally (like a bandster) I really hope this helps, good luck always!!!! =D> Helena

Congrats Paul!!!! If you look up stats on your band slipping, it is extremely rare. I was banded over 3 years ago, and with everyone I've talked to I've only heard of 1 person having her band slip. She wasn't exactly folowing bandster guidelines either. Your band is stitched into place. My first year I had severe restriction so I was hardly keeping anything down, they say constant throwing up can cause your band to slip, so I freaked out. It turned out I was fine and got an unfill. I'm sure you'll do awesome, remember to chew, never drink with your meals, and most importantly think with your head and not your stomach. You are on an incredible journey, and it sounds like you'll do fantastic. Good luck!!! =D> Helena

I too had this problem. My doctor said it was due to the liquid diet, and stress. But everyone is different. Just make sure you stay fully hydrated, drink, drink, drink!!! I ended up taking Imodium. Ask your doctor. That took care of it right away. Good luck! > Helena in Las Vegas

Hi Cindy! I've been banded over 3 years so I guess you can say I know how my band works. I'm sure you did your research, 99% of the time you have no restriction post-op, the weight you lose is from the retrictive diet, not the band. The band is only a tool, nothing else, if your head is not in the right place you won't lose a pound. The band can be amazing, you still have to make good choices when eating. My first fill worked for me, but others, many, have told me it took 2 or 3. Don't get discouraged, remember you didn't put this weight on over night. Continue to exercise, and make good choices, watch your portions as well. Talk and get support where ever, and whenever possible it truly helps. I know this sucks to hear, but the band is not a miracle, it will help you along your journey, it is not gastric bypass, not even close. After you have restriction, very soon I'm sure, the pounds will start falling off. Good luck, and continued success!!!!!! =D> Helena in Las Vegas

Hi Misty- I was banded over 3 years ago and only did liquids the first week, then soft foods llike yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, fruit in baby food form, that kind of stuff. Almost everyone I've talked to, including doctors, have told me you don't have any restriction after the surgery until your first fill, only swelling. Your initial weight loss is due to a restrictive diet, not the band. Follow the doctors orders and you won't have any problems, but most veteran bandsters ate sooner then the doctor recomemded. Good luck!!! > Helena

I'm sure everything will be open, remember Mexico deals with tourists. Anyway, don't make your last meal heavy, or spicy you will definately regret it. My doctor had me on liquids for 12 hours before my I got my band, actually, I wasn't allowed to eat after midnight the night before. Good luck, don't stress you're starting a wonderful new chapter in your life!!! Helena =D>

I try and get my pills in capsules whenever possible, so I can open them or cut them. I was banded over three years ago, and sometimes after a tight fill pills are hard to follow. I really need to adddress the person who says there won't be heartburn after the band. Completely wrong. Before I was banded the only time I had heartburn is when I was pregnant. Now I get hearrtburn a couple of times a month. My trigger is fried, greasy foods. You have to still be careful with foods that are your trigger for acid reflux. Just remember to be very careful when chewing, and choosing foods that haven't caused problems in the past. I really hope this helps. I'm sure everything will work out. The band is an incredible tool. Good luck! Helena in Las Vegas

Hi Kimmie! I just got a fill in TJ 3 weeks ago, no problems. No passport is needed. Just a photo id, and your original birth certificate, or certified copy. It did take us 3 hours to get back over the border. and we were in a Mexicoach which is suppose to be faster. We did go on a Saturday, which I'm sure is much busier. Good luck!!!!-Helena in Las Vegas

When do you think the next , or first meeting will be? I was banded by Dr. Kuri 9/04. I think it would be awesome to have a support group in Vegas. Thanx-Helena