FLORIDAYS

I became addicted to this forum instead of food... And I am a shopaholic now as well. But I found consignment and thrift stores so it's not a bad thing.LOL As for the skin... I did have a tummy tuck in december because my saggy boobs and tummy were just interfearing to much with my persoanl life....And I worked hard to afford to get them done. Do I wish my thighs and upper arms were not wrinkled? Yes. will I have surgery on them....doubtful. But the good thing.... You cannot see any wrinkles in my size 6 pants!!!

It really depends on the dr. I didn't have a fill for 2 months postop because I was losing well without one... But I think each situation is different.

I did nit attend any seminars... I just called 3 drs and made appointments for consults... I am self pay so didn't need to get a referral from my primary.

Ditto... In fact I cannot eat comfortable until I have been up several hours.

Pain was a 2 Gas was just darn uncomfortable for a week or so but Not painful. My gall badder removal 20 years ago was worse than childbirth and way worse than the band.....I recall vividly.

Soumds normal to me. I Got in barely a bottle of Water in the first few days.... Just keep sipping.

No recliner in my house so I just propped up 4 pillows and reclined on my bed. I am a side sleeper so sleeping on my back for a week or so was awkward but manageable.

I have had the same experiences.... Hubby and I walked into a fav restaurant where we frequent just last week and a woman looked right at him and said.... Where is your wife? I was standing right next to him!!! And one of the employees at resort we go to once a year in Jamaica asked him if he had a new wife...LOL

The band continues to amaze me. I am down 2 lbs since last week and I haven't even been trying. Granted I am not eating recklessly or anything but I have been eating normal (for bandsters) portions which I don't have to measure anymore thanks to 26 months of practice.... But I had a few bites of cheese cake for my birthday and ate out alot this week due to a busy social week....and I was sure I would have gained a lb or 2 ... And I actually lost 2 lbs. the band is doing exactly what I hoped it would do!!

I found if I dropped below 1000 I wouldn't lose that day... I have no idea why but it seemed to work out that way. Maybe do your best to try to get in at least 1000 and see if that helps. And don't forget the Water....it's very important

I love it but I ate very little fruit...it's very high in suger. My dr suggested the following portions for me at every meal...3 times a day. Maybe that would work for you. 1000 calories daily.... Tracked in my phone application. Portion size as follows... 3 oz protien in the form of meat, fish, Beans etc... 1/2 c salad or veggies and 1/4 c starch. I also was allowed 2 Snacks a day...one fruit no more than 100 calories and 2nd snack of 100 calories of whatever you want. I had something. Sweet like sugar free pudding or skinny cow ice cream bar. No drinking calories and at least 64 oz of Water daily. I stuck to this menu like glue and lost 221 lbs in 23 months. Best of luck to you

That's awesome, you are becoming one with the band....congrats!!!

Sometimes right after surgery the weight loss stalls while your body heals. Don't give up.... I ate 1000 calories for 23 months to lose my weight...even through the stalls. It will come off!!!

Hmmm I haven't seen them... I will have to be on the look out

If you are tracking calories and measuring portions and sticking to 1000 to 1200 calories each day the loss will come... Sometimes the body needs to take time to adjust. Also women will notice during their cycle that we sometimes show a gain so as long as you are doing everything right just hang in there...it will come off. Best of luck!!

It's common after surgery for the body to go through a healing period which tends to stall out the weight loss. If you are eating or drinking between 1000 to 1200 calories the loss will come.... Just keep doing what you are doing and don't forget to drink lost of water... That alone will help tremendously.

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