B-52

Most people will say they are pleased with their results after one year, 12 months, whether they are at their goal or not. Realistically, your Dr. will tell you 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 lbs per week is good, and expected if you're on a good program all around. So lets say 2lbs per week. Times 4 would be 8 lbs per month, times 12 would be 96 lbs /year. Would you be happy with that? I know a lot of people who would be. Of course, you could loose more, or you could, like me, plateau for 2-1/2 months and loose/gain the same 5 lbs over and over again. Also they say, the more you have to loose, the faster you'll loose, initially. You'll hear about people dropping 40-60 lbs without much of a fill. But what did they start at? 60 lbs to one person can be another person's 20 lbs. It took me 12 months to loose 80 lbs. Some people do that in 1/2 that time. Also, the closer you get to your goal, the harder it is to loose. I have been loosing app. 2 lbs per month now, but I'm already at my goal, so this is a little bonus. But I'm considering a unfil to slow even that down.

Small as in at least 1cc....

I remember when I was 19 and trying to figure it out! And I'm not talking about weight loss either!

Yes, that has everything to do with it. Was that 1-1/2cc your first fill? Just a week or 2 ago? You have a ways to go before you start to experience some of things you have read about. You are in the very early stages. Hang in there, listen and follow your Dr's orders. Remember, it is a journey, meaning it takes time for things to develop and progress. For some people 1-1/2cc is as though there is nothing at all in your band. For some they fell it does something. I had 4cc's on my first fill and it did nothing. I even started to gain weight after that until my 2nd fill.

Pssssstt! I still vote for a fill!

Oh well, too late to turn around now. CONGRATULATIONS! You won't regret it! Just understand that you did not get over weight in a few weeks, and you're surely not going to be skinny again as fast. But whatever you go through, a year from now you'll look back and won't believe some of the things you may or may not have said or experienced. It will all be just a memory.

Be sure to check with your Dr first. I was so out of shape I could not walk up the stairs without loosing my breath. Turned out it was my heart. I was a walking time bomb and didn't even know it! Now I feel 20 years younger.

5.5cc can be quite an initial kick for a 1st fill. Unless you have a large band. Either way, follow your Dr.'s instructions following a fill, and be careful.

You're actually not paying for anything, but they have to charge you for something. Even if all you did was walk in and step on a scale. You are taking up somebody's time, not to mention the clerical work such as filing, postage, phone time with your PCP, etc. When you start meeting with people who have alphabets following their last names, they will charge you more per visit for their time. Ever walk into an attorneys office just to drop off or pick up some papers with the clerk? Look out! here comes the maintenance fee! (slight exaggeration, but not much)

I agree, I really don't like comparing that kind of stuff. To me it would as if we both have cancer, and we are going to compare who takes more chemo? It doesn't matter. We both need it and we both get what we need! Don't mean to rant, but I am a healthcare professional and it's just wrong to compare individual treatments, even though the procedures and outcomes will be the same. If I have less in my band than the next person, and can get the same results as that person, does that mean I'm better? Ok, off my soapbox.

In my case, yes I white-knuckled it until the band started to work. I actually gained weight 2 months after surgery, where you only lost 2 lbs. My Dr. said not to worry. He knew I was not good at dieting, self control, etc., and explained to me just how the whole process works. That's why it's referred to "Bandster Hell" Also, the more you have to loose, the more you will drop in those early months.

Sounds to me like you've got a good understanding of what is going on. You'll figure out what you're most comfortable and happy with. I read many posts where people don't have a clue. It is a learning experience.

I have a good commercial brand blender. I start with 2 scoops 100% whey, and add 30ml Liquid Protein. After that, ANYTHING goes. Strawberries, blueberries, banana, Peanut Butter, oranges, pineapple...whatever your imagination leads you. I've even thrown in y chewable vitamins in there to get pulverized. I wonder how a little rum would taste???? Hmmmm..

Depends on the Dr.'s practice. I met with the NP, she ran my insurance info, came back with a print-out showing all that I needed to do. My insurance required a 6 month supervised weight loss program. So I dropped everything else and concentrated on that. Four-5 months into that I went back to the Dr's office, and started all the other pre-requisites so everything came together at the end of the 6 months, give or take. And yes, THEN I met with the Surgeon, and he required my Spouse be there also. We then set a surgery date, scheduled a endoscopy with him. After that was done and Ok, did the Hospital pre-admission tests, and that was it. Come to think of it, I never attended one of their seminars, although I know they have them regularly. They keep asking me to speak at them. I don't think they get that many men. (like here)

if you work out - DEFINITELY! Can even gain while loosing inches.

And everything else was normal? Usually when one thing is out of whack, it throws other thing out also. At least that's been my experience. Could be a false-positive. What did your Dr think? Did he put you on meds? or did he think to give it some time.

Sooner or later you'll realize all these people giving you compliments really mean it.

As soon as the pain killers ran out!!

It's tough, and it's something we all go through. I still feel fat sometimes, my clothes don't alway feel they fit right. They feel tight and hard to button my pants sometimes. But then I have to tell myself I'm not wearing XXL's anymore, but I'm struggling with MEDIUMS!!! Every now and then I will put on a old shirt, one that I forgot to throw out, and it looks like a TENT! You will get over it with time. KEEP LOOKING IN THE MIRROR! Eventually you will realize that different person you see is you!

I agree with what you said about looking back at what you have eaten during the day. I do that too and did not realize it. It is not uncommon to look at what I have eaten so far during the day, and then come to the conclusion I have had enough that day and say screw it to dinner, I've eaten enough today, I'm finished, and go without eating anything more. I could never have done that before being banded. I have experienced pain, but it is not good. It usually is a warning that I just swallowed something too hard, too big, too much, or all of the above. It does not happen very much, because my eating habits have changed and I should know better.

I counted calories on my I-phone app, and it drove me crazy. I just eat a lot less that I used to, and the right foods when I do.

That's pretty much how it is for me also. I don't count calories, I just eat when I'm hungry (which isn't often) and I eat till I'm satisfied (which isn't much) All I need to do is make wise food choices, get my Water in, and take my Vitamins, etc. And exercise.

Interesting...who told you that? I need to check into it.

I go to the dentists every 3 months, I have a cardiac condition and under a cardiologist care, and I have never heard about having to take a anti-biotic before my dental visits. I must be missing something. But then, you should listen to your Dr.