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Great job ladybabie. Good for you. I was banded on January 14th and I weigh in every Sunday. I hit a pretty big number today. Down a total of 40 lbs. I have very bad arthritis in my knee so I can't move around too well but I joined the Y last week and am exercising in the pool. I'm looking to get in the water 2-3 times a week...not so much for burning calories but to strengthen my knee. I haven't had any fills yet...so far I'm not looking to eat between meals and I am doing OK sticking to around 1,000 calories daily so my dr. says to leave everything as is for now.

I also had Dr. Ren. Didn't know you were local Alex. Thanks so much for this site. It was, and still is, the place to go for info and support.

Do you live in NYC? If yes, you can call NYU Bariatric Group and they will tell you the next time they are holding a seminar. You will get alot of your questions answered there..

Sounds like you guys are doing well. I'm doing so-so. The weight is coming off fine...39 lbs since the first of the year, but my knee is still giving me alot of trouble. I know of other bandsters with knee issues that are walking with almost no pain, or have given up the cane and I'm just not there yet. It's better, but I still need the cane and I'm still taking shots for pain. I am trying to be patient and I tell myself it didn't get this way overnight and it won't get better overnight either but I must admit I was hoping for more improvement at this point. I'll just have to focus on the little improvements and hope that it gets better down the road.

hey Karen...I burp after a few minutes of eating. I don't have any issues with it..in fact, it reminds me that I'm almost done. I think some people call it a soft stop. All I know is that when I burp, I know I'm not hungry anymore and a few more bites and I'll be quite satisfied.

I have such sympathy for you bandsters with families. I live alone so there's no one to cook tempting foods for and no one to buy things for that I shouldn't eat. I can't imagine how difficult it is for those of you who have to feed a family while you can only have liquids. All I can tell you is to stay strong and know that it will get better. Once you are on mushies, you are much more satisfied.

That's terrific news. Good for you!

I just posted in success stories and it surely applies to this thread. I wrote the following: Something really significant happened at lunch today at work. I was eating my half of a tuna sandwich and chatting with my colleagues when another colleague came into the kitchen with leftovers from a late St. Patrick’s Day celebration happening somewhere else on the floor. I’m not a big corned beef and cabbage fan so that was not a temptation,but the big crockpot full of mac and cheese….well that’s a horse of a different color. Except that this time,when asked if I wanted any, I was able almost automatically, to say thanks but no thanks. And it wasn’t to look good in front of my friends…it was understanding that the satisfaction of losing weight was more important than the momentary satisfaction of eating that mac and cheese….and then likely paying for it long after the enjoyment of the food had passed. This is a real big shift in my thinking and even now, I am not unhappy that I walked away from that temptation. In fact, I am proud of myself for making a good decision without agonizing over it. Boy do I hope I can still do this when I’m at a plateau or stressed over something, or feeling entitled to eat whatever I want

Something really significant happened at lunch today at work. I was eating my half of a tuna sandwich and chatting with my colleagues when another colleague came into the kitchen with leftovers from a late St. Patrick’s Day celebration happening somewhere else on the floor. I’m not a big corned beef and cabbage fan so that was not a temptation,but the big crockpot full of mac and cheese….well that’s a horse of a different color. Except that this time,when asked if I wanted any, I was able almost automatically, to say thanks but no thanks. And it wasn’t to look good in front of my friends…it was understanding that the satisfaction of losing weight was more important than the momentary satisfaction of eating that mac and cheese….and then likely paying for it long after the enjoyment of the food had passed. This is a real big shift in my thinking and even now, I am not unhappy that I walked away from that temptation. In fact, I am proud of myself for making a good decision without agonizing over it. Boy do I hope I can still do this when I’m at a plateau or stressed over something, or feeling entitled to eat whatever I want

Hang in there Karen. I lost nearly 17 lbs. during the two week pre-op diet and since the surgery, about two months ago, 19 more lbs. So...what took two weeks to lose before the surgery, took eight weeks to lose after. Try not to focus on the scale... I know it's hard to do, but try to ignore it. FYI, I joined the 'Y' today. They're saying bad weather tomorrow starting in the afternoon so I'll look to start on Tuesday after work.

This is so normal. I cried at the drop of a hat before having the surgery. I was frightened of it working, of it failing, of me failing, of making a bad decision..... I'm now 2 1/2 months post op and I've found that I can manage fine and have been losing steadily. No stuck episodes so far, I follow the rules....1,000 calories or so a day, small bites, chew well....I've gone out to dinner with friends and family several times and was so nervous at first until I realized I could eat out and not bring attention to myself and not overeat. I also noticed that my normal weight friends almost always do not finish what they eat either so no one pays attention to what I eat or don't eat. You are doing great so far. Take a deep breath and know that so many other have felt as you do. Congrats on beginning your journey to a better quality of life.

let me know if you get any other responses Karen. I bet we can get enough of us together to have our own support group in case they cancel April too. I know that Fielding occasionally has an evening out for the patients to get used to eating out. I asked the front desk to let me know when the next one was planned for. So far, I'm not having any issues eating out but I thought it would be a nice way to meet other NYU bandsters. Again...we can probably do the same thing via this site. .

that's the same formula I use as well Floridays. then I plug it all into the myfitness pal ap just to make sure I'm in the 1.000 calorie neighborhood. so far, it's working for me.

I just added you and Karen to that other thread I mentioned and sent you a message. Let me know if you are connected now.. I'm not terribly savvy with this stuff so I'm not sure if you can see the post. It's titled 'Hi'.

I was banded on January 14th so I'm pretty new to the process. Gosh, I was so nervous to do this. I worried about being sick, not being able to eat, not being able to socialize...blah blah blah. So far, things are going better than I could have hoped and I'm eating out same as before....I just eat considerably less. I went out with some friends last night as a matter of fact. I had a wonderful evening and have at least one or maybe two more meals sitting in my fridge thanks to the doggie bag. Are you here in the city or the 'burbs? I'm in the city and have a separate thread with some other city gals. I agree that we should have our own support group....I think we already do on this site...we just need to do it face to face.

Hi Karen: I used Dr. Ren. A friend of mine used her and was happy with her so I figured I'd see her as well. She's not real warm and fuzzy but she is good with any questions I have and I actually like her directness and no nonsense demeanor. I've never met Schwack or Kurrian. I met Fielding at the seminar. Sorry to hear about the friends...so far I've not had those issues, but firstly, I'm in my 50's and that makes a difference. Most of my friends are very understanding as we all are a bit beat up by life at this point...plus I have arthritis and had the surgery to help me to lose weight so my knees would be better. It has nothing to do with looking better...though that will be a nice side effect.

Hi Dani: FYI, I was in the office today for a regular follow up visit and saw a notice than said no 0-12 month post op support group this month. So...no group next Wednesday I'm presuming. I'm not sure why..and didn't think to ask, I'm guessing there will be a meeting in April, but not sure. I go for another office visit on the 12th so if I remember, I'll check to see if the support group is on for April.

I'm presuming you mean two weeks post op. If yes, I doubt if noodles are OK. Every post op diet seems to be a little different depending on the surgeon, but most of us were still on basically liquids at this stage. Some were eating thicker or pureed Soups, but not actually chewing anything yet. I'd check with the nutritionist or go back to the directions you were given for introducing foods after banding..

you have a beautiful smile in both pictures. congrats on your success.

FYI, everyone has a different story to tell. I was banded on January 14th of this year and have not experienced bandster hell. I've not yet had a fill but I still find that I can eat my 1,000 calories daily and not be hungry between meals for the most part. Sometimes I have cravings...but I find something to take my mind off of them. I've dropped 34 lbs. since the pre-op diet started....it's not a huge weight loss as others have had, but it's been steady and I'm happy with that. Much of this journey is about changing the head along with the stomach. Feeling full is gone...don't expect it, don't look for it. Learn to feel satisfied, or 'not hungry'. Make the choices each and every day to avoid those foods that are not going to help you. I've still got some Cookies and ice cream in the house but have not touched either...I'm working too hard to slide back into bad habits. No chips or other junk food either. Again...it's choices you make every day....the same choices thin people make too. We have to start thinking like people who do not have weight issues. Stop eating once you are satisfied, make food part of your life, not the focus of your life, and remember that we are like any other people with addictions. Know your triggers and look for other ways to cope with the bumps and bruises life has in store for all of us. I know it's silly but I've stopped watching food related TV shows. What's the point? Would you watch a story about how cocktails are made if you are an alcoholic? I think not. I avoid the food related articles in the magazine's I read as well. For me, the band gives me the restriction to not overeat. That helps me to control myself. It reminds me of when I stopped smoking. I used Welbutrin to stop the cravings. I was a smoker for more than 35 years and I loved to smoke. Once the cravings were gone though, I was able to walk away from the cigarettes. I'm hoping the band sort of works the same way. If I'm not craving food, I can walk away from the table. So far, it's working for me and I'm grateful for it. OK, done with my speech...sorry about that but I did want to say congrats to you for starting the journey towards better health and better quality of life.

I just started taking them a week ago. I don't care about the few extra calories....they are so much better to get down than those huge pieces of chalk I've been struggling with these few weeks. I was being non-compliant because I hated them so much. FYI, I bought the vanilla and chocolate and so far, have just had the vanilla..

actually no...I am so thankful that a small portion of whatever I eat is enough to satisfy. My knee feels better 32 lbs. down, I look better, and I'm walking a little better. That's worth everything to me. Even when I pass a restaurant that looks interesting, it reminds me of when I stopped smoking and saw others puffing away....just a thing of the past for me now..and no regrets. Don't get me wrong, I eat out...but it's not a priority...just a part of my life. I've just started my weight loss journey so I'm hoping this feeling never goes away.

I was banded on January 14th by Dr. Ren. So far I am very happy with the practice, and with the surgery itself. I had some pain obviously, but nothing like some of the experiences I read on this site. I stayed overnight and that was the right decision for me. The NYU staff were very good and I was taken care of right after surgery by a nurse who never left my side. I email with Despina (the nutritionist) when I have a question or concern and she always gets back to me.

went to the seminar in July, saw the surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist in August, had to do three months documentation from PCP on weight loss....was approved shortly thereafter....went for pre-op testing including cardiac stress test...was set for surgery in November, and then mother nature intervened. The hospital was badly damaged by superstorm Sandy. Had to wait for January before being banded. Was a long journey...lots of paperwork, phone calls, etc. but more than worth it. Am down 32 1/2 lbs. and am on my way to a healthier life.

I feel very fortunate. I was banded on January 14th and since I started the pre-op diet on Dec. 31st, I'm down 32 1/2 lbs....17 prior to the surgery. I did not have a fill on my last appointment and I have another appointment on the 15th of this month. So far, I'm staying around 1.000 calories daily without much of a struggle. I'm hungry before meals, but satisfied after. The doctor says as long as I'm not hungry otherwise, and not snacking/overeating, I should not bother with fills. I find that if I eat slow.....really slow....I'm good till the next meal or the next day if I've just had dinner. I can take an hour or more sometimes to eat. I'm hoping to lose around 100 lbs. so I know this is not a race and it will take a couple of years at least to reach my goal.