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I posted this as my status today: "This journey, regardless of how much or how little support we have, is an individual one. No one else can lose the weight for you. Take the encouragement, the support, the good w/the bad and separate the meat from the bones... and ultimately do what works and what's best for you! That is always a key in success!" How does this tie in to honesty? Well, I'll tell you. I've noticed, not only in the few short days I've been banded, but in the entire time I've been researching lap band, that everyone has advice to give. We all want the keys to success; what it took for others to lose the weight; the exercises and the food they ate. But the truth is, what works for one won't always work for everyone else. Not everyone gained the weight because they've over eaten or because they're lazy. Just like everyone has their own reasons for gaining the weight, everyone will have their own means of losing it, even if we are all using the same tool. Encouragement and advice are great and I know we all have a lot to learn on this journey, but it starts with being honest with ourselves. We were honest (or vain) enough to realize we needed the lap band and now it's about being honest enough to admit our limitations and strongholds. Food is an addiction that we're trying to kick (we know that), but my food addiction isn't yours. My habits are not yours, and I have to be real enough with myself to understand that if I'm going to succeed, I have to do what is going to work for me.. and you need to do what will work for you. This starts with listening to your surgical team, dietician, nutritionist, etc. If there's one thing that remains consistent in all of the advice I've received from successful lap banders, it would be, "If you follow the rules, you'll lose the weight." Not just the universal lap band rules, but those set forth for your individual program, for your individual needs. One of the dangers of trying to follow the regimen of someone else is that you may not be able to live up to it, because it's not tailor made for you. And on this journey, that is one thing I think is definitely a plus; the capability to contour the band to work for YOU! Remember that there are people that have health issues and co-morbidities that may affect their regimen. Don't waste time trying to compare yourself to everyone else, do what works for you! We all want to be successful.. get this weight off and strut our stuff! Be healthier...be happier! For me, it's starts with doing what works for me and building from there! =) O well, that's enough ranting for now. Just had a few things on my mind I wanted to share. All the best!! -Mary-

Today I had an appointment with my Dr. It would have been time for my 4th fill. I lost 8 pounds in the last month. He asked how I felt and then he thought it would be best to not have a fill this time. While I agreed and I do not want to get too tight. It still feels weird not to have had one today, I'm nervous I won't be as successful this month since I didn't have it. I am sure I sound crazy right now. I just want to keep going in the right direction. I am aware My surgery was August 16th. I've lost a total of 39.5 so far.

I just got banded yesterday (12/14/11) Found out I had TWO hernia's. I knew about one but not the other. I'm so glad they fixed both of them! My doctor (Dr. Watkins) was wonderful! He is so funny and I heard he sings country music during his surgeries. He told me that he really loves his job and you can just tell. I'm so happy w/ him and the staff at West Chesters "University Point hospital" - I'm feeling a lot of pain in my left shoulder and just a little where the cuts where made. Not sure what my weight is since I don't have a working scale but when I was weighed in last, I was down another 3 pounds so that from 17 pounds lost total! God is good!!

I would keep your protein drink as one of your meals. I drank SF Carnation Instant Breakfast for breakfast. For lunch (in the soft phase) I would have some chicken in a can or tuna in a can mixed with low fat mayo. I wouldn't be able to finish it all, so I would have the rest for dinner. Sometimes, I mixed it with Low Fat cheese. I've been losing pretty consistently throughout the whole process. You will still lose as long as you maintain your portions and don't snack between meals. Good luck!

I just wanted to say that this is the last Thursday that I will not have my banded! One more Friday, one more Saturday and one more Sunday!! Woo-hoo! Can you tell I'm excited! Can't wait to get to the other side!

I would definately call you doctor. I am over a year out and fell on ice this week. Some !#$#@%#$%#$ either dumped or droped a full cup of coffee in the parking lot at the conveinance store but did'nt go in to tell anyone. I jumped out of my suv (did'nt look down; but there is no ice/snow on the ground yet here) and down I went on this huge ice patch. Someone could have really been hurt. Anyway my port area was sore for 2 days so I am not suprised yours is painful so close to surgery.

You should be happy! You are doing the RIGHT thing by changing your habits pre band. Congratulations!!

Hello everyone, I bring to you tidings of joy for the Holiday Season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!! :smile1: I'm writing you today because I have recently had a revealing moment... or two. A few days ago I was walking around our house and I walked into an area where the kitchen light shines against our dining room wall. As I walked by I noticed a shadow appear on the wall, and one I could not for the life of me recognize. I was SO surprised that I had to walk by again, because in all reality I couldn't believe that was me I was looking at. This figure on the wall was tall, slender and super curvy. I was impressed to say the least. I felt satisfied by what I saw. Let me define for you the word satisfied because this is one I've NEVER used in my entire life when it came to how I viewed myself physically. Not once. Synonyms: content - contented - pleased - happy - glad Yes, this was me at that very moment. I'm going to admit something here and now. I've not one time in my life felt this way regarding ME. My reflection would always throw me back an image I couldn't accept. There was always something more I could do, to improve upon. There was even a time in my life where I was even underweight for my frame and I STILL could not accept ME. I always wanted to lose more, a pound here or an inch there. It was a little insane truthfully. Here I am right now, feeling high from adrenaline and satisfaction - that I am really and truly done with this journey. I put on my first pair of jeans since my final liposuction and they were easy to put on. They slid right up over my thighs without effort. I didn't have to fight them, and I didn't have to wear pants today that were too small in the thigh and too big in the waist. My thighs... oh so lovely thighs... are normal. Normal synonyms: regular - standard - ordinary - common - usual Another word I've never used to define myself. I am me, and I am content, pleased, happy, glad, regular, standard, ordinary, common and I am usual. I am also a finished product. Now only need to keep up with remaining healthy and staying right here where I am. So, EFF YOU SIZE ZERO!! You do not define me, just as much as my scale does not. My health, both physical and mental - and my happiness does. Source: The End Of My Weight Loss Journey. New Goal: To Stay Here And Stay Fit.

I was a beer maker and bread maker for over 20 years. I still have 200 lbs of malted barley in my brewery. It was really hard to quit, but I had diabetes and other stuff wrong, so my doctor and I decided a life style change was in order. I hated to give up all the things that were so important to me, but considering the alternative, I had the band installed. I was about the same weight you are, so I had to lose 20 lbs pre op and another 30 post op, but I did and I can honestly say that after 3 months I don't miss all that stuff nearly as much as I thought I would. I don't know if it's a different mind set or if there was some biological change. Whatever, I'll take it. I can say that my life has changed for the better even after giving up so many of the things I enjoyed. I found new stuff to enjoy. I think if you give this an honest try, you'll be able to feel the same way. The surgery is a snap, you go in lie down and wake up in recovery. I was able to take a long walk the next day, no pain, you should be able to go back to work, depending how much you have to lift, in a week or two. Just follow your surgeon's instructions and you'll be fine. The whole thing is like a diet with a little help from the band.

Right on, congrats that you have made it this far! I wish the best to you with your band and in fighting alcoholism.