julieburns

Thanks for the update. This forum looks totally different from when I was on here last. I am trying to read your message to me Kim. It sounds like you are doing the right thing by getting a 2 year check. Truthfully the $$$ thing has stopped me from getting anything done for well over a year. I also need to get a check up as I have had alot of trouble the last 6 months with it. Glad to reconnect and I'll try to figure out how to get your message.

Lisa you have been an inspiration to me and a wonderful , kind board member to all. Thank you for your continued participation. I love your new pics...is that really you? ( I know it is) All my best to you in all you do Julie PS: I am 4 weeks out on my breast reduction and feel like a new person. I feel like I lost 50# in 1 week, actually 12 but that's great. I don't recognize the person in the mirror in clothes but I sure like what I see. The surgery has inspired me to get going hard again and get the rest of my middle weight off now that I can see it!

Thanks Jen for your honesty and encouragement. Currently I am about a size G or H. I hope to be made as small as possible according to my body frame and the Dr's opinion. I think a B would be fabulous!! I imagine it will be quite a surprise when waking up.

Yes I need a reduction after losing 70 pounds. It's something I've needed for years but never met the criteria for my insurance to pay...now it will because my back is finally so messed up and I have lost weight. I am starting to get a little nervous about the pain after surgery, I sometimes don't tolerate "procedures" very well, I think it has to do with my fibromyalgia. My health has been up and down over the last 6 months but luckily my weight has only gone down!!! I've lost about half my once full head of hair. Had my long hair cut short, my neck shows for the first time in 20 years. It's very cute though and I am happy with the cut. I've been taking large doses of Biotin for months now and the loss seems to have slowed down alot. Never imagined this would happen to me. I am reluctant to tell anyone prior to my surgery about it as the answers I've gotten so far are ones people just don't think about...."I wish we could do a transplant from yours to mine", or "I'd give anything to have larger breasts". These comments just make my skin crawl. So for any of you in that situation stop and think if you ever are in the situation to make a comment like that. The person having a reduction obviously has not had a good time with large breasts in numerous ways. I can't wait to go into Victoria's and buy my first bra there EVER!!!! They don't make cute and matchy matchy sets for the big girls, and believe me I have looked. If anyone has had this procedure I would appreciate any tips or things I could do pre-op to make the surgery go easier. Thank you all for being here, I do still peek in and enjoy this forum so much after 15 months of being banded!!

My husband and I have taken JP over 3 years now and it has made a profound difference in our health!!! My husband hasn't been sick in all this time and he's in construction so that says alot. He gets mad if I havn't ordered it on time and we run out!!! I(we) take the capsules and always have. When I first got banded I worried the capsules wouldn't work. I did fine with them 1 at a time very slowly. When I was so tight and had to have my complete unfill I could not take the capsules obviously and didn't for about 2 months. I just opened up the capsules and poured it to mix into my smoothie or whatever, not much flavor to them. I have a great distributor who has been selling this for several years and is a national speaker for the product. She would be glad to help anyone , anywhere in the US or even Canada to get what they need as far as product. They also have a third blend that is called the "orchard" blend which is all berries and full of antioxidants. We take all 3 blends. She is delightful to talk to and by no means is a "hard sell" . Her goal is to promote healthy living and wellness. Give her a call even if you are just curiouse burns) NOTE: You know I just realized I could get in trouble from this board or deleted for posting her number here as it could be misconstrued as an advertisement or some crazy thing. Just PM me if you want her info and I am happy to send it to you. Good health to all.

Thanks Pammie. Hope you're having a great summer!!

Thanks for the tip about getting an endoscopy through my insurance. I am making an appointment with my Dr. this AM. When you describe Meredith's symptoms mine are not nearly that bad so I hope I am wrong with my speculation. I can eat ok and I don't get terrible heartburn. I just have periods where I have pain in that area, more than just mild discomfort. It can last a few hours to a few days and then it eases up to just mild discomfort as a baseline. I've missed you to Mona.

Erosion means where the tissue has been gradually destroyed. The band somehow can cause this to happen in the tissue area that the band surrounds. In my case my band just started getting tighter and tighter and so I had some removed and then finally had to have it completely unfilled. Now I have alot of pain in that area. I do still need to get a photo. Do you have the name or number of the Dr. in Washington or does anyone else have it. I think he's in olympia? I am concerned the longer I wait the more damage could be done. Now I want you to not be freaked out because the erosion part is still just my speculation, not a diagnosis. I hope I am wrong. If I could afford it I would get on a plane and go straight to Dr. Ortiz.

Yes it has been completely unfilled for about 3 months now. I can eat fine. The problem is I have terrible pain in the area of my band, left side, much of the time. They are concerned it's still eroding my stomach because of the pain. I am trying to get the funds together to get down to Dr. Ortiz. In the meantime I am eating a "gentle"diet and keeping my fingers crossed.

I sure would get the xray to see where your band is. It's somewhat odd your pain is on the right side but pain can refer to another area. I've had to have my band completely unfilled as well. I am at the point now of going to see if it needs to be removed as I have constant pain on my left side over the band area. I have fibromyalgia which in part can be considered an inflammatory condition. I wonder if with these types of conditions if our bodies some how response with inflammation and sort of "reject" the band? Just a thought. Sorry to hear your situation. Know that you are not alone in struggling to keep what we so wanted and needed. Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am walking on the fine line of needing to have mine removed as well. I had about 3 months where I couldn't eat anything and they unfilled it. I too have lost so much hair it makes me cry. My left side now hurts constantly and I need to get back down to Dr. Ortiz and get checked out. My fear is the inevitable...taking it out. I don't understand how this has happened. I followed the rules very well. I just wanted you to know I understand where you are coming from and hope you get well. The depression you are experiencing is real and I am sorry for that too. Try to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make a fresh start doing what you can do without the band. That's what I am trying. Good luck and God bless you!!

Happy day for you Bill!! Your words are honest and always such an inspiration to me. I am at 10 months now and also have stopped posting as much. Just not enough time it seems. I do peek in and was glad to see this post on your special day. Take care. I do miss your great sense of humor and the fun we had months ago with you as a regular contributing member, you made me laugh more than just a few times!!!

Thanks for the great website.

I've had my band since June of last year. I started getting sick late december and to date have had shingles, pneumonia, kidney stones with a hospitalization, and then strep throat. My band was extremely tight so I had a complete unfil in hopes of getting back to being able to eat healthy foods to help my immunity system. I am sure there is a connection between my illnesses and my band.

My instructions were very clear....day 4 (if necessary) drinkable yogurt was allowed. On post op day 7 was when you could start with the creamy liquids, no chunks, no blenders to get rid of chunks. Protein shakes were to start on day 7. Post op day 7 is actually the 8th day when you count your day of surgery as day 1 though in case of any confusion. Hang in there this liquid time will be over in a blink.

:lb21: :lb24: :lb24: :lb21: :lb24: I'm so happy for you. It's funny you posted this. Yesterday I went shopping and spent literally 2 hours in the dressing room trying on every pair of pants Macy's had practically and I came home with 1 for sure pair and 2 that I need to try here at home. My body has changed so much with all the weight gain and age. I used to have a nice pear shape and now my hips are smaller and my lower stomach is the problem. It makes the pants sort of saggy in the crotch if they fit the stomach and too big in the legs. You did much better than I. I know your are steadfast Mona and this weight will come off. Like you said the saggy skin(less of) thing is a huge benefit of slow loss. And loss is loss is loss. I think we set ourselves up to a standard of thinking we're going to lose so much in so much time and how can we predict how our bodies will respond. Just stay on track buddy!!! Happy Valentines day Julie

Kim, if it were me I would recommend a fill. I may be on the tighter side but I am almost never hungry. Once in a while my stomach will growl and I think to myself maybe I am needing to eat. I really have no appetite at all and am losing well. Go for it in my opinion. The down side is you may have to give up some foods you are now able to eat. I cannot eat anything solid in the AM, rarely for lunch and dinner is usually about 1/3 cup of total food. At times I really miss some of the foods I can't eat but I know that's what got me where I was. Good luck and trust your gut!!!

Way to go Nicole. You are a wonderful testimony to what the band can and cannot do. Keep up the good work. You know yourself and just be faithful to your ultimate goal. The recent weight gain from having the unfill isn't too bad. You recognize you made bad choices. I think you are on the right track to goal in no time! How's Cujo doing?

If you really want to take some just buy those little empty 3 oz. bottles they sell just for carry on liquids to travel with. Split 1 of the equally in two bottles or however and you're under 3 oz.!!! I've seen them everywhere like Fred Meyer, walgreens, payless, target etc. I would check with Dr., Miranda though if you should have this even though it's liquid. I didn't find these gems until after my liquid phase. I wonder what she'll say. In my mind I wish I would have had them during liquid stage because it would have made me feel much better. Let us know.

You are too funny Cujo. Hope your doing well !!

I am sorry you are feeling so tense about your upcoming journey. I went alone and looked at it as a special time just for me and looked at it as a new adventure. We too own a business and hubby couldn't get away. This is easier said than done but start thinking about all the positive things this "journey" will bring you. Through the years I have learned I can talk myself into "feeling" any way I set my mind to it. If I am worried, stressed, and anxious and allow myself to just go with those "feelings" I can wollow in them. When I choose to take control over my thoughts and be positive and really work on it than I can and do turn my feelings around. It is normal to have some sort of anxiety before any procedure like this but going to the extent of leaving a letter if something happens will only set you up to be more worried and consumed with the negative thoughts. Let go of those, smile and be the strong courageous woman that you are for making this life changing decision!! You are only alone if you think you are. Make this your special gift to yourself and enjoy just being with you. Take time to reflect and do what you feel like doing with no one interfering with your time. You will be waited on and taken care of at the OCC and the Hotel and will find numerous folks to befriend as soon as you arrive. A few of the guys in the hotel restaurant have had the surgery and will be happy to talk to you and give many suggestons. Open up to a new adventure with just you!!

The closest 2 options and ones I know something about are these....Dr. Kelly Fitzpatrick, a naturopath who lives and has a practice in Eugene but comes to Portland like twice a month. She's on the referral list from the OCC with her number I think. My friend has gone to her twice and really liked her. The other option is in Salem and it part of Fill Centers USA. This is where I went for an emergency unfill. I loved the Nurse Practitioner who works there. She was so informative and kind and did a great job. Now both of these options don't offer fluoro but for me I have decided it's not necessary . I had 2 fills under fluoro and the 2nd one was then the one I had to get the emergency unfill as I was unable to keep liquids down after several days. I am not saying fluoro is not something that isn't important to some people and that it has it's place, I just feel comfortable if I need another fill to go back to Salem and get it done without. I will have my band checked at the year point with one as recommended. Hope this helps. PS: There is also somewhere in Olympia WA that has fluoro. I don't have the details about it however. Just ask here if that sound like what you'd rather have and I know a few have used it.

Sorry to hear your painful experience. One thing I have learned is I cannot eat MANY things I used to be able to eat, sadly. Once I have a bad experience with something it's off the list whether I think I chewed it enough or not. I have been brave with a few foods and some work at another time but some no matter what get stuck. I also stop eating as soon as I feel that "stuck" feeling. Period, I am done. I have learned the hard way not to push it and add more food even after a short period and the feeling goes away. I chock it up to a learning experience and know next time to choose my food more wisely and/or chew very well and go SLOW! Hard to do but so essential. Take care Stormy.

I do love my salmon, it was my first meal as solids, well 2 bites anyway until I was full. My favorite way is to grill it on a cedar plank, top it with brown sugar and let it go. For as little as we eat the brown sugar really adds few calories. Something easier is to poach it with fresh herbs, especially dill and lemon. You can wrap it in foil in the oven and bake it or do it on the stovetop just keep adding some liquid like water or een white wine to keep it moist. Hope you can get a good recipe that's easy and you'll enjoy it!1

Dear Karynlynn: Thanks you for the concern. Just like magic last night I made this delicious crockpot chicken, carrots, green beans and potatoes with some white wine and herbs. I cooked the chicken so it was falling off the bone. I was able to eat about 2/3 to 3/4 cup total and probably could have eaten more but didn't want to overdo it. This is so crazy. I hadn't eaten that much in weeks. It was SOOOOOOO good. I guess I still need some time to figure this out. Thanks again and I wish you well on your upcoming fill.