Alexandra

I'm another tall one who wouldn't know how to wear something in single digits. Well, my underwear is finally in the single digits, does that count? I started in the multi-XXXs and 28/30/32 range. My "goal" is to be able to buy clothes in most clothing stores rather than having to seek out specialty stores. That probably won't ever happen unless I lose several inches in height, though.

I just got home from my annual physical, clutching a month's worth of anti-hypertension meds my doctor wants me to try. Yup, I still have the borderline high blood pressure I have had all my life. Even the lost weight and increased activity hasn't changed that. So where's the NSV, you ask? The NSV is in my mind. All my life I've dreaded the blood-pressure discussion, because it was ALWAYS about my weight. So now, I know, it's NOT actually about my weight. The discussion today with my doctor was about my HEALTH, not about my WEIGHT. I left her office feeling supported and cared for, not attacked and accused. (Not that this doctor had ever done that--she's a wonderful doctor--but I've only been seeing her since a year before banding.) It's a whole new world...medical care the way "normal" people see it. Wow.

Oy vey. I'm going to a function on the 29th of this month where I will see people I used to work with, but most of whom I haven't seen since before my banding. No one there knows anything about it, and the last time they saw me I had just had my first child (and weighed my highest).There will be LOTS of questions, and while I'm happy to share my story with friends, I don't really want to go into details with lots of former work acquaintances. HELP! I'm looking for that perfect one-liner that says a) thanks for noticing; it was lots of hard work; c) I did have medical help (in case anyone sincerely wants to know more for themselves or a friend); but d) don't feel like spilling my guts to you who hasn't bothered to keep in touch since I left this job 6 years ago); and e) that can be tossed off with a gracious smile. Any ideas?

Many people here have links to personal sites in their signatures. We determined some time ago that it's permissible, even if the sites are commercial in nature, as long as it's kept to a single line, a reasonable size and so forth. What's NOT permissible is people starting threads solely for the purpose of promoting their products or sites. To me there's a clear line between mentioning a product or service one likes--reviewing it, as it were--and promoting one's own or someone else's product or service. It's almost impossible to have an outright ban on all advertising, much as we might like that idea (I'm with you, Jack!), but we can certainly call a halt to obvious shilling or paid promotion.

That's your port, all right! It seems like most people have it somewhere left of center, but I guess there's no reason not to place it on the right. Mine is about two inches below my ribs on the left.

Flower, there is no one answer to this question. That's the whole POINT of the band's adjustability--it's unique to each individual. There is no one "right" amount of fill, and there are only three levels that matter: too little, too much, or just right FOR YOU. There are no conclusions to be drawn from the amounts of fluid other people have in their bands. It's like wanting to know what their shoe size is, and about as relevant.

Nerdpunk, the answer is that it happens when it happens. We are supposed to eat slowly from the gate, because that's generally good diet advice. But many people feel no real restriction with the band until after it's been adjusted a couple of time, so whether you will actually HAVE to eat very slowly this early in the game is an open question. Of course you SHOULD, because you don't want to find out the hard way that something you didn't chew carefully enough won't go down. But you may also be surprised at how little difference the surgery makes in your eating ability--at least, until after you have a couple of adjustments. So the answer is a resounding maybe. Helpful, huh?

What a wonderful feeling that is, to realize that you FIT in the world like one of the "normal" people. Congratulations, Margo! That is a really great NSV.

You look fabulous, Diane!! Really, what a difference. Congratulations and more of the same to come! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Trish, what a great attitude you have! I know you'll be a huge success with your new band, or with whatever the road throws your way. You're an inspiration, really! Best of luck to you on the next leg of this journey. :hug:

This already exists, Vegas. Look along the top of the screen and you'll see a link that says Search. Click that, put a word or two into the box, and clilck Go. The threads that come up will have the words you searched for in them.

Congratulations! Gotta start somewhere... I think you're probably right about that. So, put Anne in charge next time.

Amazing, Jess, and you're beautiful!! How many new bathing suits are you going to buy?? Thank you for sharing, you've really made a difference today.

Teresa, you're going through a stage that is not unfamiliar to bandsters. You are not alone, you know that. You've only been banded for 4 months, though, and have lost 19 lbs!! As everyone says, that's right in there for the average expected loss for bandsters. And you're losing it in the safest, sanest way--slowly. PLEASE don't make any big decisions just now. Why not set a date--like your one-year bandiversary--to take another look at it? Just put that decision in a box for the moment and stick it under your bed. Commit to working with what you've for for the next 8 months, and don't delay getting another fill if you need one. If you're not feeling restriction you don't have proper adjustment, whatever the reason. You say: "But in my world, I honestly believe that I need to be forced to eat less..." and that's exactly what a properly adjusted band will do. And come back here!! We all understand and have been there. We're behind you!!!

Diva, don't be afraid to tell the doctor about your fears. Anaesthesia HAS come a long way since your childhood, and they absolutely can give you something that will calm you down. Believe me, they don't want you afraid any more than you do, so be honest with them. I personally HATE anaesthesia, but I've never had a bad experience with it. I just don't like the foggy feeling that lingers, in me, for days afterward. The actual operation and immediate aftermath were fine as far as they went, no horror stories to report. My body just is...slow or something and it takes days to get rid of chemicals or drugs where other people process that in hours. On the flip side, I was worried that it would take a while for me to go under in the first place, but everyone else is correct--they tell you to start counting backwards from 100 (or whatever) and five counts later you're waking up! I won't tell you not to be scared--I agree that general anaesthesia is scary. But be honest with your doctors and they will help you get through it easily. Good luck!!

Now that you mention it, I was too! I remember saying once to a girl I was babysitting that she was 2/3 of my age: she was 6, and I was 9. And I'd been sitting for her since before that--the occasion for the comment was my 9th birthday.

I'm not one of those people, but it has happened of course. But since the band is not designed to be effective without proper adjustment, MOST bandsters will have their band adjusted several times in the first couple of years. It is pretty unusual for the band to provide any significant restriction without any fill, at least once all the post-op swelling has disappeared.

Lovechunks, many people find that popcorn is perfectly fine to eat. Everyone's experience is different. And I was going to say pretty much exactly what Jack said, so I'll just say HEAR, HEAR!! Stina, if you're not hungry for 5-6 hours after a meal, that IS the band doing its job!! Almost all bandsters are able to eat more than the 1/2 cup benchmark amount for a good long while after surgery, and OFTEN through the first couple of fills. But that doesn't matter a whit, if you're eating well (i.e., healthfully), slowly, carefully, and stopping when you're satisfied. If you're eating too much you would know it, believe me. You're doing GREAT! To not be hungry between decent meals is something many MO people have searched for their whole lives. You are extremely lucky to have this feeling so early on in the banding game. Congratulations!!

Jodie, I'm not an expert on those fast-food places, but my strategy in restaurants is always to look for an appetizer or entree with a filling--Mexican is obviously best for this, but sandwiches or wraps work too. Then I eat ONLY the filling, which doesn't raise any eyebrows because just about everyone understands an attempt to lower one's carbohydrate intake. Chili is always a good bet, too, as is soup although soup doesn't keep me full as long. White-meat chicken might be hard but what about deli-sliced meat? If you can try to get sandwiches with thin-sliced meat in them, I'll bet that will be much easier to eat. Good luck, and nice to see you back here, BTW!

I didn't gain any weight either, but I do remember my loss slowing down dramatically. I lost about 20 lbs before my first fill, which was about two months after surgery. Most of that loss came in the 2 weeks right after surgery, and the rest in the following 6 weeks. By the time of my fill my weight had been steady for a couple of weeks.

Hi Carol! Glad to see you found your way to the intro section. Congratulations on your banding and welcome to LBT!! Sounds like you're doing great! It's amazing to not be hungry, isn't it? But be prepared for the morning when you realize you ARE hungry again--it amy or may not happen but if it does don't panic. It's normal and just means everything inside is healing up perfectly. Then the trick will be holding on until you get your first fill. Everyone goes through this stage, and while of course everyone is concerned about sabotaging their weight loss and not wanting to "diet," I think the important thing is not to let yourself get TOO hungry. Don't be afraid to eat, because if you get overhungry you might end up gorging a little which can be bad for a newly banded stomach. Anyway, welcome again and we look forward to getting to know you!

This is great advice, indeed. And K@t, I hope you don't really think you're eating your LAST bowl of ice cream! Being banded doesn't mean completely giving up everything delicious or unhealthy. In my experience, trying to rule out anything just makes me miserable for the wanting of it. Small portions and moderations, that's the bandster way!

Congratulations on a great first year, Kathy! You look marvelous and are doing great. You go, girl!! :clap2:

Jamie, holy cow, a whole year!! Man, time flies... Congratulations on your bandiversary and on getting off your BP meds! Couldn't you have chosen a more graceful way to do it, though? Welcome back and happy bandiversary!!

I think the key is here in this statement. You already know that cutting calories results in weight loss, and the good news is this is not going to CHANGE once you are banded. The band helps you cut calories, ergo, you WILL lose weight. I think that's the way it works for most banded people.