Welcome to the Band Board!

[JohannaAnderson]

Fairbanks, North Pole, Ft. Wainwright, Eielson, and any other Interior Alaska Patients.

Support Group Meeting TOMORROW, Wednesday Dec 9 @ 7:00PM

Fairbanks Cancer Treatment Center

Subject: ?

Hope to see you all there !!!!

[Andrew Harkness]

Fairbanks, North Pole, Ft. Wainwright, Eielson, and any other Interior Alaska Patients

Because our next Support Group Meeting is two days before Christmas we have changed the date to;

Wednesday December 16TH, 7:00 at the Fairbanks Cancer Treatment Center

also, we are having a pot luck. bring something you can share that is LOW/NO SUGAR or HIGH PROTIEN, and please bring the recipe so you can share with everyone else.


Support Group Meeting, Wednesday December 16 @ 7:00PM

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK

Fairbanks Cancer Treatment Center

Subject: Healthy eating habits.
 
See you all there !!!!

[Tonya Silk]

It has been a year come the 12 of December since I had my surgery & I am 63 lbs lighter but still have a way to go.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas & hope you are able to enjoy the fabulous eatings.

[Tonya Silk]

Hello all, does anyone know of any badistas on the Kenai Peninsula that need someone to workout with?  Please let me know so that I can get in touch with them.  I need a workout buddy.

[Emily]

Hello All,
I just wanted to post an update for anyone interested… I now officially a year out (banded on Dec.8 )  !
My Starting Diet weight was 317, Pre Surgery weight was 292 – in May of this year I was 245 - and as of today I am currently around 210.
So I am down around 82 lbs. since surgery and 107 since the beginning of this band journey. How that translates into dress sizes – I was a 26 and now I am somewhere between an 18-16 depending on brand name. I currently have 4cc’s in my realize band which holds I believe 10 cc’s. 

I am still working on continuing my weight loss, My New Year’s resolution is to FINALLY get below 200!!!
To follow through I am going to work on going to the gym more and eliminating sugar from my diet.

The best tips I can give to anyone who has been recently banded –
1)Eat your food in order! Start with your protein, then your vegetable and only if you have room eat a carb.
2)Stay away from high calorie fluids (including soups)… they may taste good but circumvent the purpose of the band.
3)Don’t drink while you eat – you are flushing the food through the band and not letting it work correctly.

Issues I have noticed since getting banded:
1)I caught colds more easily – immune system was compromised… by getting more sleep I have noticed an improvement!
2)The feeling of restriction changes daily. I noticed that my band would be  more restricted during the time of my monthly cycle. I feel increased restriction in the mornings than later in the day. Some days it feels loser, some days tighter, so I have learned to adapt.  This is one of the reasons why I have not gone over 4 cc … I tried it once and I couldn’t even digest water! So I am working my way up to it 
3)I recently have experienced some indigestion in the evening (it wakes me up when I’m asleep) - so I am going to stop eating 4 hours before going to bed and see if that helps, if it doesn’t I will go and get a prescription but hopefully that won’t be necessary. 

Good luck to all of you on your continued weight loss!
Emily

[Andrew Harkness]

Attention Fairbanks Area Patients!!!

our First support group meeting of 2010,

Wednesday January 13th, 2010

Fairbanks Cancer Treatment Center - 7:00 PM

Subject: Setting Goals and following through

also we will be having a clothes swap - if you have clothes you dont want bring them in for someone else.

[Tonya Silk]

WOW Emily, congratulations, you go girl! 

Well, I have now had my 1 year evaluation since my surgery on the 12th of December 2008.  I had a fill & at first it was too much (couldn't drink that bottle of H2O) so Dr. Todd removed some saline but I think I still have a little too much - BUT I am going to keep it (especially since I live in Kenai) & drink/eat liquids or soft foods for a little while until my bad relaxes a little bit.  FUN!!!!!

I have lost a total of 69 lbs with 59 to go to reach my target wt.  I'm not sure if the target wt I choose is going to be good for me but we will see, it might be too low, wouldn't that me nice.  LOL!!!!

Well, I turn 40 on the 1st of February & I have set a personal goal - come my b'day I would like to feel comfortable enough in my body to either wear a black dress or a very nice outfit with heels.  I'm not a dress wearer so this outht to be interesting.  NOW, if I can just get motivated & start excercising & working on my core areas (abs, glutes, thighs) my personal goal could be achieveable.  Wish me luck!

Keep up the good work everyone & good luck in achieving your goals for 2010.

[Tonya Silk]

Wow, it looks like we bandistas are staying busy & drifting away from this site.  I just wanted to come on & update my information.  My last fill was in January & I am still having some issues with being able to get food down & keeping it down, but I figured I'm suffering for a reason so I need to adjust. 

I have lost a over 70lbs since my initial band journey & have a lot more to go. 

Well, it is has been warm here on the peninsula, high 30's & low 40's & today it is pouring down rain.  Puddles everywhere you go, LOL!!!!! 

Take care all & have a great break up. 


3/15/10 - I am having problems with toning my mid-section does anyone have any suggestions?  I am trying hard to shrink any excess skin by excercise & without surgery.  Please if any of you have any suggestions, please share them with me.  Thanks!

[Andrew Harkness]

I want to personally thank anyyone who has ever come to any of the Fairbanks Support Group Meetings, we have been at it for a YEAR !!!!!! yes its our one year anniversary.

I appreciate all of the assistance I have gotten from Johanna Anderson, and everyone who as come and contributed to our meetings. Thank You ALL !!!!

[Andrew Harkness]

Attention Fairbanks Area Patients

SUPPORT GROUP MEETING !!!!!

Wednesday March 10th, 7:00 PM

Fairbanks Cancer Treatment Center

Topic: FALLING OFF THE WAGON AND GETTING BACK ON

See you there

[Tonya Silk]

Hello all, I have questions, I had my last fill in January and I still have major restrictions on ALL foods.  It has gotten to the point where I eat but only a little bit of food gets thru the band into my stomach the rest just sits there or comes back up.  It has been 4 months - has anyone else experienced anything like this?  This is the first time I have. 

Anyone have any comments or suggestions, please?

[Tonya Silk]

Just wanted to stop by and say I hope all of you are enjoying your summer so far and are having much success in the weight loss process.

I am back in step with losing weight.  It seems to taper off for a month or two and then gets back into gear at losing again. 

I have 39lbs more to go to reach my goal that I placed for myself.  I still have a lot of excess skin the mid section that I really need to get my butt in gear and start getting that toned so hopefully I do not have to have the surgery to have it removed.  I'm just not into sit ups and aerobics, I'm more of hiking and physical activity that are toning everything else & allowing weight to drop off.

Well, good luck to all & keep up the good work. 

[Tonya Silk]

Hello all, I hope your summer was a good one.  How is everyone doing with their weight loss?

Me, I have plateaued again.  I still have a lot of restrictions since my last band tightening in January - it's 8 1/2 months later & I still have a lot of problems eating any type of food.

Please let me know how you are doing.  I need to hear from others that have gone thru the same type of procedure I have.