Fantasy

I would say both. However, I would get the smallest fill possible, that way you will work up to the right restriction and be perfect. You would be surprised to find out how a little fill can make a big difference. When you are at your sweet spot you get full sooner and hunger goes away. We still must factor in head hunger, unfortunately. (banded 8/12/05)

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better. Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be posted 3 times. however, now that I think about it you deserve to be congratulated multiple times.

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better.

Congrats, that really is a big milestone. It only gets better.

Thank goodness, I never had to do a pre op diet. I never would have made it to surgery. I didn't cheat on the post op diet. I was too afraid I would mess up the placement of the band. However when I could eat solids. I ate a side of ribs. Of course I only did it once, a last hurrah before I started to get fills. :wub:

I guess it is not how fast or slow you lose the weight. It is whether or not you can maintain it. You know we have all these rules we have to follow. I found out first of all I can't follow all of the rules. I don't want to. So I had to learn to adjust this band journey to rules I can live with and that work for me. My two major ones are chocolate everyday and to exercise as little as possible. My other main rule is to be accountable to the calories I consume whether it be a lot or a little everyday. Also not to consume junk or fast food. This works for me.

I have maintained my weight loss within 10 lbs.up or down, for about 6 years now (size 6). I keep asking myself why have I been so successful? I was never in a hurry to lose the weight. I only averaged 5 or 6 lbs per month. I never had a goal and got smaller then I ever thought I would, (nice surprise). I got very small fills. I took allmost a year to get to good restriction. I wasn't too hard on myself if I cheated. I cheated a lot, I still do and have learned this is part of who I am. Ha!, tomorrow is another day. I followed my doctors rules the first several months. It was hard, but I did it. I never compared myself to anyone elses success or failure. I exercised ( as little as possible) but I did it and still do (as little as possible). I learned what my food triggers are, this was a hard one to overcome. I learned to replace my craviings for sweet and chocolate and fat with low calorie, low fat recipes. (I can't live without chocolate). I learned to eat slowly and chew well, this took over a year to master. I learned when I go out to eat, about 2 or 3 times a month to totally enjoy my food, to eat whatever I want including dessert, and not count calories or worry about portions. To enjoy the atmosphere and the company I am with. I learned if I had a bad day, eating or otherwise, it will pass and tomorrow is a new beginning. Sometimes it was a bad week. I didn't need anyone to validate my success. No one knows I had this done. Not even my family. So no one to judge me good or bad. I learned I now have a great track record and most likely this will continue. For me losing the weight was not a body image issue, it was a health issue. However being thin has been a nice side effect. Hope this post will encourage some.

Are you at the right fill? Your band will not stretch. Your stomach might stretch above it. Good luck.

I think one should really research this. I have read not so wonderful things on the internet about this surgery. Mainly about the folded tissue turning necrotic.

I was banded almost 7 years ago and I haven't had any problems.

It is just amazing how cavalier people are about having 85% of a major organ removed (VSG). This major organ contains hormones and nerves, including ghrelin which is necessary for our bodies to function. Removal of ghrelin can cause depression. Has it dawned on anyone that this surgery was used in the past only for cancer and ulcers that wouldn't heal. No,even if my band was to be removed I would not have this surgical alteration done to my body unless I had cancer or non healing ulcers.

A wise person told me once, "We make plans and God laughs". You have a good attitude. If it was me and I just woke up from surgery and was told that, they would have had to put me in a "padded cell."

My heart breaks for anyone who is unsuccessful with any weight loss surgery. Some of the suggestions given to you seem pretty good. Good luck to you.

Sorry to hear there was a glitch in your band removal surgery. Get well soon.

Sorry to hear you had a little glitch in your band removal surgery. Get well soon.

In August I will be banded SEVEN YEARS. I lost all of my weight and then some. I have not had any problems at all except finding clothes small enough. Size 4-6. Everyone is different. Don't judge yourself against anyone else.

Jean, was sorry to hear that you are having your band removed, but am glad to hear that you will be getting a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy next month. Hope you are successful with that.

I will have had my band 7 years in August. It took me a year to lose all of my weight. I have kept it off. I have had no problems. There is a learning curve as how to eat. Slowly and chew food well. This was the hardest part for me to learn. I had an excellent doctor who was very strict about following the criteria. I had very small fills and it took about 9 months before I got perfect restriction. I was in no hurry and just took it one day at a time. I only lost about 6 lbs. per month, but I got to goal, actually lower and have stayed within 10 lbs. I never compared myself with anyone. I did mild exercise. I never pushed myself as I knew if I did this I would be sabotaging my self and get back into the habits that got me fat in the first place. You MUST make a committment especially til you get to goal. Best of luck in your journey.

I never had hair loss. I think it has a lot to do with making sure you are eating (drinking) enough protein.

Hi, I just found this sight. I have been banded almost 7 years. It was the easiest and best thing (and completely painless, really)I have ever done for myself. I have had no complications at all and I have kept off all of the weight I lost. Best of luck to you.