B-52

Want a tease????? 1 year banded and I hardly ever think about food anymore. That's what you have to look forward to if you hang in there!!!

My first goal was to get under 200 lbs. Now it is to get where I was when I graduated High School - 40 years ago!!

2 cc's for first fill, may be short lived, could even be inflamation which will clear shortly. But don't fret, that's how it goes untill you get it adjusted properly.

it took me 3 fills, about 5 months after surgery. Everything is between you and your Dr., but if I read your post correctly, 3 fills 2 weeks apart for each? be careful, sometime a fill does not "kick In" for 2 weeks. Also, every Dr. gives a different amount per fill. Multiple fills with little fluid, or a few fills with larger amount fluid.

Between 1st and 2nd fills....I GAINED weight. remneber, it's all about getting the band adjusted properly to where it can start working for you productivley. That can be a few fills from surgery.

Everyone needs to experiment and learn for themsevles.....You've mentioned 2 foods that are on my "Do Not Eat List" peanut butter, and bread. That means no more sandwiches, for me. other people can.

Varies from person to person...I have been banded over a year and you can see my port though my shirt like htere's a 1/2 golf ball there!

Thank you, Thank you and thank you also.

Thank You. I appreciate it.

Today, Jan 31, marks having the band for 1 year! It is the BEST decision I could have ever made for myself, and my family. I have tried every diet under the sun, and failed miserably at every one. It took surgery, having a band wrapped around my upper stomach, to prevent me from overeating ever again! IT IS NOT A DIET! I take exception to those that say it is "Only a Tool" A tool is something "I USE", something that I can control, whether it be a lot or not at all. But the Band is something I have No Control over! IT CONTROLS ME! If anything, I have become the tool the band uses! It controls how much I can eat! it controls my hunger! The only thing I need to do is make wise food choices, drink my Water, and excercise. HOW HARD IS THAT? I used to have to stop from overeating. Now I have to remind myself I HAVE to eat! After the first few moinths of Bandster Hell, that everyone here experiences, it became the easiest weight loss experience there can be! Living in the "Green Zone" has become an every day common experience where I do not even think about it all that much. I definitley do not think about Loosing weight. It happens now all by itself. And yes, I love my band tight! to me it is all about restriction. Below are my before and after photo's. The before shot was taken at Christmas 13 months ago, one month before surgery. The after shot was taken a few days ago.

I was banded Jan 31......of last year! Does that count? Good luck to all, anything I can do to help just ask!

I was told to get a pill crusher and start using it after surgery which I did. Then I found I could swallow my pills, one at a time, without crushing them. Ans some are very large liquid gell capsules filled with fish oill (Lovaza) I have not crushed a pill since, and that was a year ago. My band is very tight also. I prefer it that way. When I mentioned this to my Dr., he laughed and said it is one of many standard things they tell everybody because it is in the playbook...And people eventually figure it all out themselves with time. An d I have found this to be true with so many pther things also.

BROOKS!!!! Go to Zappo's and check them out.

It's not too late....you can still change your mind!!! Joking of course.....it was the best decision I ever made. Well, one of them. Do not regret it one minute. Banded 1 year ago, close to my goal,. Easiest weight loss I have ever done because it is not a diet. If it was, you wouldn't need surgery. Good luck, just enjoy the day.

Who says the band doesn't work???

My only regret is that I did not do it a lot sooner!

Good luck, relax and enjoy. Any chance for a last meal tonight? I did, then fasted all day Sunday before my surgery on a Monday. Went to a place. Knew I would NEVER eat at again...a Chinese Buffet!

Well lets be honest with ourselves. That is what everyone is aiming for. Why else would we endure surgery. For another diet?

I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery. I had my second fill 4 weeks after that. Between the first and second fill I gained weight! Two reasons. First, the first fill did absolutely nothing! Nada! Second, 4 weeks was the mark to come off mushies and onto regular food. So without any restriction what else would one expect? After my 2nd fill I began to loose weight again, and had some restriction, but it came and went. Third fill was the charm! That was last may, and have not had a fill since. I am honestly in the Green Zone, experiencing everything I hoped it would be. No appetite, automatic portion control, steady weight loss, and patient satisfaction. My Dr. agrees, and I only see him every 3 months now. I don't count calories, I don't measure or weigh foods, and I eat whenever I want, which isn't all that often.

2 cc's put in at surgery. Anything added since then? How long ago was your surgery and how long ago was your last fill?

Every Dr. will set time restraints, but all will tell you no heavy lifting after surgery. Can you get a home health aid? Does you son go to school and you only need to lift him certain times of the day?

CLEVER!!!!!

I'm right there with ya. It has been one year, and most times, especially if I am occupied with other things, I never think of food. A few weeks ago, my wife and I went into the city to see a play. Had my shake for Breakfast. Then we were at the rain station at 10:30. Got into the city around 1pm. Play started at 2 pm. Finished at 5 pm. It was dark, cold, windy. So we walked back to the train station, got on the train and made it back to our home destination around 8pm. In all this time I have not eaten one single thing. Had a few drinks, but that's it. Unfortunately, my wife has not been banded and I was suddenly aware she was the one sufering. So we stopped for something to eat. I could have gone on home at that point. Now head hunger, and social gatherings, that is entirely a different subject!

After my workout, in the men's locker room they have a real fancy scale, one with a digital display mounted on the wall with 8" tall digital number readout, a few feet above your head, for ALL to see. So, I get on the scale, Ok, not bad, not great, at least I'm moving in the right direction. Then, from a man waiting to get on after me, says..."Man, I'll take that!" WTH? I never would have expected that in my life. I turn and smile at him, and notice he's in pretty good shape! WTH is he talking about? I've had many people tell me that even though you are loosing weight, your mind is not programmed to think that way. And when people compliment you, they are seeing something your mind cannot comprehend. Oh, BTW, in the men's locker room we are all walk around with nothnig more than a towel!

Congratulations!!! Now the Fun REALLY STARTS!!!!