FLORIDAYS

In the beginning I didn't tell anyone at work. But as the time when on if it came up I disclosed it... Even dealing with one person who said... Oh well no wonder you lost so much weight as if the surgery was some magical cure. In my social circle of people who love and care for me...everyone knew. Thanks to my husband. I told a few close friends and he told the world. LOL. It worked to my favor because the outcry of support was very touching. Once you reach your goal trust me....no one cares how you lost the weight....they will be too busy celebrating how good you look and how healthy you are. So dont worry about telling or not telling.... It's a personal choice and it really doesn't matter to anyone but you. Best of luck on your journey

I pretty much could care less what I eat... And I am in my 3rd year and maintaining. I was very stict with myself in the losing stage so really learned that food is just fuel. And another activity gives me as much pleasure as eating used to. I do crave certain things every once in a while and I will have a bite or two sometimes and that will be that. However there are still some foods I think I want but avoid for the health of my band.... I find when I go through the thought process I really don't want them at all.

I felt restriction before i had any fills. However as I lost weight the band loosened and I would need a fill. The first year i had 5 or 6 fills. The second year i had 2. I currently have 5.5 ccs in my band and I am maintaining.

You look great! Congrats

To answer your questions... you have to sip sip sip in the begininning but as you get into the green zone its easier to drink water fast but nothing like it was pre band in my experience. Regarding eating slow... it should take you 20 minutes to eat about a cup of food. For my meal i allow my self 3 oz protien, 1/2 c veggies/salad and 1/4 of starch. I usually cannot eat all of it but what I can eat I do in about 20 minutes. Its hasnt caused me any issues with eating with others. The only thing you cannot so is eat on the run... you cannot wolf down a whole meal in 10 minutes like you can do without the band. This is a drastic decision...one that requires daily dedication and commitment... and not for just the losing part of it. Its a forever lifestyle change. I understand Its scary because its the unknown but as others have said if you are commited to it it will work. If you arent 100% ready then wait until you are.

I know its frustrating in the beginnining...my question to you would be... are you tracking your calories and measuring your portions? Even without restriction I believe its possible to lose if you pay attention to what you eat. I ate 1000 calories for the entire duration of my losing stage and lost an average of 10 lbs a month. The first 6 months was the hardest until I was in the green zone. Maybe try that to see if you can get the scale to move. Good luck.

I just found out recently that when the word troll is used in an online forum type setting its meaning is this: In Internet slang, a troll (pron.: /ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is someone who posts inflammatory,[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[3] The noun troll may also refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted." While the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, media attention in recent years has made such labels subjective, with trolling describing intentionally provocative actions and harassment outside of an online context. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[4][5]

Just in case is not an option. I have one pair of drawstring shorts....in size 4x in a bag in the back of my closet... they are just there as a reminder. Heck I even got rid of some 10s and 12s which were too big just last week..... no backsliding alowed on my watch CG!!!

I have lost 221 lbs

I lost the first 100 lbs without one ounce of exercise. I started walking 30 minutes each day as I was losing the 2nd hundred... And I am very active. I do not watch much TV and after working all day I am usually doing laundry or something so I am up and down off the couch in the evenings. On the weekends I shop, do lawn work, chase my toddler granddaughter... I know I should do some formal exercise but honestly I think the key is to keep moving.

absolutely! In my case length got hiked up by my fat a$$, hips and belly.... Shoot I could have eaten lunch on the butt shelf I had.... and now I have no butt. LOL Go figure. And I am tall but the so called maxi skirts never were very maxi. Now I trip on them! Congrats CG.... just wait until you are done.... there is a tiny thing inside of you screaming to come out!

I know I am in the minority sometimes but I am a firm believer that the band is as successful as you want it to be. I see people saying their doctors tell them they may only lose ______ lbs with the band and I get so frustrated. That logic doesnt even make sense to me. Yes... I know I am at the end of my losing journey and yes... it took 23 months to reach my goal but I did it and now the band is helping me control my eating so it stays off... and I didnt have to realign my bodily systems to get the results.

yes.. but just temporarily per my dr..... Thus the liquids for 24 hrs per my dr.

Congrats...I wish you well on your journey!

Each dr has their own ideas so I wouldn't be concerned as I am sure he will do what is best. You arent his first patient hopefully. My dr was the polar opposite.. I didn't get my first fill for 2 months because I was losing on my own. Then it was 3 more over about. 3 mths until I hit the green zone. My dr also advocates liquids for 24 hrs but again it's his preference. If it makes you less anxious doing that wouldn't hurt you.

My scars are not visible at all.... I had 4 or 5.... I can't believe I don't recall!!!!!

Looks great... I think I need to try some of that dermatix ultra but the Dr said I need to wait until my drain hole is healed

I dont think it makes a difference. My go to lunch while losing was tuna and 6 wheat thins.

We started out with the same BMIs so I know how good you are feeling! Congats!

I was on liquids for 2 weeks post op and then a week of runny mushies... so I am guessing the oatmeal and or potatoes may have just been too much to fast... Also If I eat right after sleeping I have all sorts of problems. You are healing now... I cannot imagine the band slipped but hopefully your dr will give you an answer soon.

Make sure you are drinking lots of water....especially .during this time that will help you lose!!