jfran

I am losing around 2lbs a week after fills. I wish it were more but hey I am thrilled that it is something.

I haven't eaten mexican in a restaurant since I was banded 3 months ago, but I have cooked tacos and fajitas plenty of times. I have no problem with any of them I just limit the nachos and I leave out the tortillas. I can eat all of these even with 2 fills (4 cc in 10cc band).

I have had 2 fills and I can still eat anything and quite a bit. I am eating around 1 1/2 cups at any one time and I don't have any problems getting stuck (Knock on Wood).

dreamtheaterfan: There is a support group at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville on the first thursday of every month at 7pm.

I never once had second thoughts. I knew that God was showing me that the band was the answer to my many prayers. I am so thrilled with my band and my progress. I suppose that this may have been different if I was self pay, but ultimately you have to do what is best for you and for your family. Being healthy is important to your families happiness, so I say go for it and never look back. Good luck!

I am trying the 6 week body makeover. I am not super adherent to the rules though. I am limiting but not cutting out my salt and diary, but I lost 4lbs my first week. That is great for me. It makes sense that if you eat every few hours your body's metabolism would speed up and you would burn more fat and calories. Anyone else try it?

Like most of the others, I didn't like the idea of my insides being cut and rerouted. The band has been great to me so far. I do have chew my food very well or a get a "stuck" feeling in the back of my throat. It normally passes after a while, and so far (knock on wood) it hasn't been bad enough to pb. Good luck and I hope you choose which ever procedure is best for you.

I am 3mo post op and have had 2 fills. I have very little restriction so I can eat quite a bit. At a meal I can eat 3-4 oz meat, 1/2 c potato, 1 to 1 1/2 c salad. Sometimes I overdo it. I am still learning to hear the "stop your full" signs.

My port is located around my breast bone, so when I wear an underwire bra too long it hurts. Also I have noticed that when I sleep or lay on my stomach for too long it hurts too. I have lost quite a bit of inches/weight in my port area and can feel it very easily. Makes me wonder if when it is all said and done, I may have to have it relocated. Who knows just taking it as it comes.

I eat any and all kinds of eggs without problems. Really if I slow down and eat small amounts I have no problems with any foods. 3months post op, 2 fills- down 46lbs.

I am 23 and my PCP was very supportive. He felt that I was a good candidate and that I had given everything else a good try. He wrote a couple of different letters along with my charts and I was finally approved after the second go around. On the other hand, my mom is 51 and he has been less than supportive with her. Don't really know why???????

Curtis: Wow congrats on your loss! I was banded May 31st and I am down around 42lbs. My local support group is also full of mostly 40 and 50 year olds, but I go anyway. I figure that they have some insight and experience about weightloss in general that can surely help me. Hey, I'll take all the help I can get. Good Luck All!

BlueEyedBaby- I had my surgery at Blount Memorial -Dr. Ray with Premier Surgical Weightloss Specialist. LOVED THEM and the surgery center was great. Princess_Sophie- you ought to attend a support meeting at BM first thursday of every month. People can attest to how great the band is and how great BMWLS has been for them.

I don't really have a daily menu, but some staples in my diet are: Breakfast- Wheat Crackers, Cheddar cheese, Fruit or Scrambled eggs and fruit Lunch- More crackers, lunch meat and cheese with fruit or salad with meat and cheese low cal dressing and fruit Dinner- Lean meat, potato, Pasta or brown rice, veggie and fruit At night I have gotten into a habit of drinking a cup of hot cocoa- sugar free fat free with fatfree reddi whip- puts me right to sleep. Hope this helps

I'm 5'3.5" with short legs and long (relatively) torso. I have been overweight forever and don't have a clue what I will look like at goal, but I am anxious to see. My doc was telling me about a patient of his that lost over a 100lbs and gained a couple of inches in height. His weight was pulling him down, damn that gravity! Maybe I will be fortunate to gain some height rather than weight.

my doc says no food or drink 4 hours before a fill. My fills (2) have been virtually painless. Still don't have good restriction, but I am losing weight so it will come in time. I am enjoying the ride on my band journey. Good luck!

anybody tried the alli diet pills?? Just curious... All I take is my multivitamin and calcium.

For me, the key to pasta is to cook it really well or even slightly overcooked and mushy and small quantities. If my family is eating mac and cheese as a side, I'll eat some too but a small portion maybe a few tbspoons. Generally I eat what I want in small quantities focusing more on the healthy stuff like meat, fruits and veggies, but I don't deprive myself that is what is so great about the band.

I haven't had this experience because I didn't really tell anyone I was having the surgery, but I think if you have research the procedure and your doctors reputation and you feel confident and comfortable with your doctor, then it is your decision and you should do what is best for you. Lapband is the single best decision of my life and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope things work out for you and keep us informed.

It took Feb to May for me. Not too long especially since I was going to school and had to wait till summer anyways. I was denied the first try and approved on the appeal. Good Luck

I met a lady on my vacation that had had gastric bypass. She lost 165lbs and then had the arm surgery. Her scars went from elbow to armpit and were not straight at all. They were healing well and blending into her skin. She is thrilled and can wear any kind of shirt she wants. Tummy tuck is next for her. She was such an inspiration.

Congrats! You will be so happy that you are doing this. I also have not told many people. Now that I have lost 37lbs people are starting to notice the weightloss and want to know what I am doing. I tell them the truth "I am exercising like crazy, eating healthy with more Protein than carb and I drink a ton of Water." I just leave out the part about the band. Those people that were around when I had the surgery just think I have stomach surgery for my GERD and gallbladder which is also true to an extent. Good luck on your journey and keep us informed of your progress.

Loser28: I am so psyched with my progress and it is really starting to show. I feel so much better about myself and I find myself making the effort to do my hair, put on makeup, wearing contacts, and buying new cute clothes. I am down 2 sizes in shirts and 4 sizes in pants!!! This is so awesome and I am almost out of the plus section!! Thanks for your words of encouragement. Jfran

how is everybody?? I am feeling great! Ten weeks post op and down 37lbs and 50 inches!! Very pleased... I go back to school in a couple of weeks. It is my challenge to keep up with these healthy habits of eating right and exercising during the school year. Wish me luck!!

I feel the exact same way. I have been using small weights (1-3 lbs) and doing tricep and bicep exercises as well as using a stretchy band. I am also doing cardio dvds that include arm exercises. I have lost approximately 3 inches in each arm and I can visibly see a difference, but they will have to shrink a lot more before I wear a tank top. Good luck and let me know if you find an exercise that works well.