m1aman

And what do you base your "carbonated beverages" response on?

What do you want to do with your stomach? You can't "spot lose" weight. You can do exercises for your abs when you have clearance from your doc that will tone the muscles in it.

On paper I set a goal of reaching 250 pounds knowing I could do it and also knowing I would want to go lower once I reached it. Does that make any sense? In my head my ultimate goal is 225 which may or may not be possible. I am only 6'1" but I have a lot of muscle so 225 is going to be pretty lean and at 52 I don't know if it will be possible.

I have lost 70 pounds and I can tell the difference in the pressure on my joints (knees and ankles) when going up and down stairs. FWIW..............

I don't count calories either. I just eat less and more healthy than I used to. The weight is slowly but steadily coming off. When it stops I may have to get a new strategy..... until then.

I understand completely. What I am doing is working for me at the pace I want it too.

Holy smoke that is amazing weight loss. We were banded at about the same time and you have blown my doors off. AWESOME!

That is what is great about the band. You can always start over.

I suggest you google Biotin overdose and read the many links. It is possible to overdose on Vitamins. Some more than others. I'm not saying it is likely..... just check it out for yourself. PS: diabetics should be aware of biotin overdose

Weight loss can help with type 2 diabetes.

Listerine is an antispetic. I keep big jugs of it rotated in my Zombie shelter.

Like you, my surgeon does the fills and he has been spot on every time.

Biotin will be in the vitamin section. It is a little pill. Lots of people take it including myself. Does it actually work? Don't know yet as I just started taking it.

Hopefully you will have restriction! That would be great to get it so early on. I needed 7 ccs in a 14 cc band to get restriction.

If you are getting your protien and your biotin you are doing about all you can I think. My doc said it "could" take 12-18 months for the hair to return to normal. But remember everyone is different and you may not take anywhere near that long.

I take a Flintstones chewable with Iron in the AM and a Centrum Silver chewable in the PM. Plus I have now started on some Biotin. Even taking all three of those is not as complete as taking an old fashioned Centrum multivitamin. Something about the chewables that makes them less complete than a regular Vitamin I guess. I tried the orange flavored Centrum chewables but I just couldn't stand them after a few weeks. They seemed to taste worse with time for me.

Sitting in a car will put your legs lower than the rest of your body and that is not good for potential blood clots. So if you are going to be riding for long periods of time I would say definately "no" on the vacation. But I am not a doctor of course.

My doc told me it could take 12 to 18 months for my hair to return to normal. Seems like a long time for hair to grow back.

I am a little different I guess. I do drink diet sodas and have not had any problems. I am in the green zone as well.

Is your friend taking 5000mg or 5000mcg? I saw Wal Mart had it in 1000mcg and 5000mcg.

I didn't tell anyone but my elderly parents. I only told them because I needed them to drive me to and from the hospital. My mother, on the other hand, has told everyone she knows. Not too happy with that.

How much Biotin do you take? Did your Dr. give you a specific amount? After searching on the net I see it is possible to overdose on Biotin so I was wondering what you guys did to determine how much you take. PS: yes my hair is falling out.

I love to target shoot. Have been collecting/buying/selling firearms for many decades.

It would be impossible, I figure, to remove all of the liquid in your band by simply doing an unfill. There will always be some left over in the band and tube.

I don't know what you are doing at the gym for a workout but you could be gaining muscle weight.