Teri

Hi Everyone! It's been almost 2 years. Was going to wait till Nov 1 to reply but thought I would reply now. I was at OCC Sept 4, 2008. Was in the fluro room for about one hour. I had 3.8cc's in my band and could still eat 2 pieces of the texas garlic bread, about 6 oz's of steak, potato, salad, and veg. Way to much food for me to losse weight. I was gradually gaining. I went for a blind fill every month since January (not at OCC) to creep up to the correct fill amount with no luck, hence the trip to TJ. While at OCC, I wanted answers. The Dr. asked what I was drinking in calories. I was drinking a lot of wine. But, I was also eating to much food with little restriction. The fill was such a fine line. The Dr. basically said if I have any more fill, I won't be able to keep water down. I said, Why am I able to eat so much then. Everyone is different. My brain is not telling my stomach I feel full. So he basically gave me a smidge more, basically, he said, it was'nt even a fill. I didnt even pay for a fill, just the needle usage for $30. At the clinic on Sept 4, I weighed 169. Today I am back down to 155. I have lost 14 more pounds since about a month ago. I am only eating 1/4 cup of food and doing that very slowly, and drinking very slowly. I am tight. Enough for me to loose weight. Still can eat steak, just about 3 normal size bites though. (I cut them though the size of a peice of corn, or peanut). Then I am finished. Feeling full, and if I dare take another bite, forget it. I will Upchuck. I was drinking wine every nite. I decided to cut that out completely during the week, and only have a couple of glasses on Saturdays. I realized I was replacing food for wine, and almost got caught up as an alcoholic. It scared me to know, I was at my limit in the band, and I couldnt recieve any more fills without becoming overfilled. I needed to get serious about cutting the wine, and I am so glad I did. I met some nice ladies at OCC who were banded getting there first fills. I remember being there, being so excited to have restriction. Boy, it's been a long drawn out battle. I pray all of you find that sweet spot. Keeping my fingers crossed as I write, (well, thats kinda impossible, but in my mind I am.) Kyle has neither lost or gained. He has a wonderful girlfriend whom he told about the band after hiding it for months. I wish he would grow taller soon to help with his body. LOL. All in all, we are happy to have the band. I LOVE THE BAND still, with all the troubles and money is cost me. Because without it, I would be 50 pounds heavier then I am. I feel very fortunate to have the blessing of being able to be banded. Sincere wishes and prayers to you all in your weight loss. Teri >

Hi All, I am feeling like I am truley on the road to loosing weight after about 1 and 1/2 years. I have gotten very small doses of fill the last 3 months. Just creeping up on it. I have no idea what is in my band, and frankly it doesnt matter to me, as long as it restricts me. Unfills, fills, unfill, fills, it has been crazy. I am eating a lot less with this last fill of only .125. I was afraid to get 0.2. It's that close. And with me, the band tightens within weeks, so, there ya have it. Hopin this will work, cuz if this fickle band tighens again so I cannot drink water, I will just have to settle for eating regular meals, and that means weight gain. The journeys going to happen, so I feel like I have to enjoy the weight I have lost and kept off. I dont necessarily always like working WITH the band, but you dont have the choice when you want restriction. Have a great day. Teri

Hi Michelle, The Dr. is Arturo Chayet. He INVENTED Lasik. He's about 5-10 min from OCC. The web site is www.codetvision.com. He has an advanced machine the U.S. doesnt have yet. This Dr. has so many awards lining his walls we actually stopped counting, there were so many. It was 800 an eye + drops ($100) + something else they charge for, cant quite remember but it was around $200, free inhancements for life. Same kinda deal, they pick you up from San Diego airport. The hotel room is extra but very nice. The phone number is on the website. My daughter (24) was basically blind with a stigmatism & wore glasses since 4th grade. She absolutley loves it. If you'd like any more info, just PM me and I'll write you back. Good Luck Michelle, Teri

Hey! You are in really good hands at OCC. As a matter of fact, I love the health care so much in MX, I took my daughter to TJ to have LASIK eye surgery. She can see 20/15 instead of the usual 20/20. The care is just fabulous. Still to this day, people just freak out when you mention MX, especially TJ. And then throw the surgery word in there and OH MY GOSH, you would think they swallowed a golf ball from thier reaction. The media here has told horror stories from other countrys hance the apprehension. I would bet the horrors happen many many more times here in the U.S. Anyway, have a wonderful journey, enjoy it, treasure it, and work with it. It is only a tool. It's a wonderful treat though. Every time you take a bite you are always reminded to slow down, enjoy the conversation, and hope your food goes down, especially around people who dont know your banded. Good Luck again, and thanks for your nice comments. Teri

Hi Everyone, Thought I would post, it's about time. Hmmmmmnnn the band. I think for me, it has taken a good year + to get use to how it really works. It wasnt easy for me, and very frustrating to say the least. The band is something I am aware of every every every day and every every every meal. It's just the way it is. For me, it's been all yo-yo. And to think I thought that would be over when I was banded. Life with the band is a constant reminder of how much money I spent between Kyle and myself. Right now, NOT WORTH IT. I am still learning though. Very hard to deal with the instant tightening. I start by taking tiny bites the size of a pea, if it goes down, I continue with that size, then I open up and am able to take bites normal sizes, say the size of a large marble. It has been tough. I was down 42 pounds, but it was a false loss due to not being able to eat or keep liquids down. Time will tell since it has taken me soooooooooooo long to adjust to it. I still like having the band because I would be 200 + by now. I am just not where I would have liked to be. Let me put it this way, if I would have spend half the money, say, 4,000, It would be more in tune with the way it has reacted to my body. The 8,500 is steep for the results we have and have not gotton. This is just my story, and Kyles. I dont want to sway anyone, either way, because our bands are very different reacting from each other and so many other people experience differently. I am happy for all who have lost thier weight thru being banded, and feel for all those who are still struggling. Teri

YA HOO Down 42 pounds and I feel so much lighter. I feel like I'm in heaven.

Peanut, I sincerly feel your frustration. You stick up for yourself. It seems when things are not going right, your an easy target for Dr.s to blame. You are way to tight right now. I am there to, but have to wait until tomorrow around 9. It is so misirable for sure. Cannot keep water down, cannot eat. I try to drink and lots because my mouth is so bone dry, everything comes back up. Not sure why I tighten after a month or two, but it is the pattern for me. I hate it to. Luckily for me, this time, Wendy the person who does fills in my area will be here Monday, and she is only about 20 minutes away. You hang in there. I feel for you. Teri

Gosh Michelle I feel for you. You give yourself lots of credit!!!!!!!! You have been through some nasty times to, and you are still hanging in there. I am with ya. I have had so many fills and unfills to reach that sweet spot. What a friggin game it has been. I tighten to after a month or two, then play the whole unfill game, gain weight, go back for more fill, and on and on. My girlfriend thinks its a nightmare for me. I guess if you were looking at through someone else's eyes you may think that too. But for me, I would do it all over again, not that I would want to. But, the real deal on lossing weight is truley all about the follow up care and that can get very pricy. I think I have spent approx. 4,000 alone for fills, fuel, air, rides from airport, etc. So everyone just be prepared. Not saying this will be you, but it very well could be. Teri

Kym, YOu look terrific!!!! You have to feel so much better, I know I do. The 40 pound bag of salt is gone. Well, 37 pound bag anyway. LOL I will post a pic too soon, as soon as Kyle finds the time. Teri

Thanks Cyndi, Hard to believe we havent gotton together yet. I am down in the 7-8's to 9-10's and some little 12's. It varies. Just went out with a couple from Gold Canyon last night. Brian and Jenny (I think you know them). They kept saying the whole night, Teri you are hot, on and on. You lost so much weight, oh my gosh, Ward, you better watch out for her. It was so uplifting to know people notice. HAHA I will have to get over to your shop. Teri >

Well it's over a year now. By about 2 weeks. I have had my struggles. With success though, I might add. I do love the band still, because I lose weight. It's been tough, I will admit. 37 pounds down and I am really S H R I N K I N G lol I will update a new pic when I can get Kyle to help me. He has a new girlfriend and now is taking an active part in doing his part with the band. Salads, running, etc. I am happy for him. It feels so wonderful everyone. I havent been on in a while, almost a month now, and I miss you guys. Will write and read again soon. Teri >

I just dropped back into the 149's. I am so excited about it. It's been a long time. 36 pounds down now and I wouldn't have had this success without the band. So blessed the timing was right to be banded. If I had known about it earlier, I would have gone sooner. With the band, they say expect to be at your goal weight, or close to it in 2 years. So, with 1 year almost here (Nov 1) I am very happy. Had some more tightening issues over the weekend. My last 2 fills of 3.7cc worked great for a while, then I tighten. So, I'll stay at around 3.5 or 3.6. I hope it's enough to keep me from eating to much. It's getting harder to lose weight as the weight comes off. Plus, my metabolism is slow, and I need to work on walking or cardio (love jazzersize) - just wish they had classes right around the corner from me at the Fitness center. I think I'll go for a walk now. Teri

thisisntobvious, hello again. just to clarify. Kyle has been filled a number of times with no problems. He's not afraid or nervous about the needle. The problem is that he loves food so much more right now than wanting to get enough fill to slow down his eating. Thats the problem. You'll do just fine, as long as you have fills. Again, good luck and happy losing. Teri

Gosh, I have to say, losing 33 pounds feels great, wonderful and fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ********************ONE MORE HUGE THING******************* I have been on Advair medicine for 18 years thinking I had Asthma. For the last say 5 months or so I have only needed to use it a handful of times. I was using it twice daily. I think now looking back, I might have had major allergies to corn. I have laid off the corn products and viola, the need for the medicine has been eliminated. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not sure if I ever did have Asthma??????????????? I am thrilled!! Teri