Chickie

Can't see it, can feel it if I try, doesn't protrude at all, doesn't get in the way.

:smile: Oh dear.

Like I said, they were both bad, but they give you a good idea as to why she had it removed. It wasn't because she was at goal.

Sharon had it removed for various reasons, one being she wanted to work on her eating disorder (one that continued after she was banded) It had little to do with being at goal, and more to to do with emotional issues. (a quick google search later, neither are very good stories, but give a good indication as to why Sharon had her band removed.) Sharon Osbourne struggles with weight - Lap band coming out! | Plus Size Model Loses Weight Tabloid Whore: SHARON OSBOURNE TO FREE HERSELF FROM GASTRIC BAND.

My unfill was quite a long time ago... So perhaps my memory of it isn't as clear, but I don't recall having to do anything special afterwards.

If you make sure you eat 22 tootsie rolls (only 3 bites of each), and 94 cans of MtDew, I am sure you too will fart fruity rainbow's.

Personally I prefer to see real people succeed with the band. But then, I don't really get celebrity worship. So that might be part of it. Socalgal, you are right, they both had them removed. Ann quite some time ago, and Sharon last year.

Only if they smell like "Spring Day". Something I *do* hate is when people post things, then don't have the guts to stand by it. When they edit their OP to say they wish they could delete (blaming someone else for it naturally!) Good think I have the "Hall of Lame" and I quote all the crappy things people say before they have the chance to delete or edit it.

I was about 6 months post op when I gave up meat. No, I don't eat any fish, but I do eat eggs, cheese and drink milk (I would be a real sad panda if I had to give up cheese and milk! let me tell you!) You might be onto something there. I think the lifestyle is different out here. I like to think we are more focused on health, but I don't know how true that is anymore. We seem to be developing a real McCulture down here. While the obesity epidemic is becoming just that, and epidemic and not just a scare tactic, our nation as a whole isn't quite as overweight as some other western countries (we come in as the 21st fattest country in the world according to Forbes). Personally, when I use the word diet, I use it to describe the way I eat. "My diet consists of" type thing Vs "I am going on a diet to shift 5lbs" It doesn't mean the same thing to me as it does to the majority of people. I can eat 3 fairly large meals a day, and be totally satisfied with what I am eating. I elect to eat 2 or 3 Snacks during the day. Today, I was super busy with my MIL and what I ate today probably isn't the best example of how I eat normally, but here it is; Breakky was a yogurt, a lady finger banana and a granola bar (Crunchola, Blueberry for the Aussies, they really are very yummy) Snack was a short black, handful of nuts and a half an apple (When I packed DS lunch, I packed this for myself, knowing I would be out for morning tea). Lunch was a (brought) roasted pumpkin, baby spinach and chickpea salad, again a short black and a small bit of MIL's banana bread (she tries to feed me, although I eat more than she does LOL) Snack was a skinny latte, about 6 good sized carrot sticks dipped in some cream cheese and hummus. dinner was spinach and fetta cannelloni with home made Pasta sauce, and veggies. Like I said, less than stellar today, and likely a lot more than the average bandster eats.

I love you guys! (((Hugs, kisses, and pink ponies for everyone!!)) Well. Maybe not everyone...

I couldn't agree me Boo.

Eh, some people suck. Most people are good people given half a chance.

Give you a clue. She posted on the ugly thread, she is jammed up someone's ass, and she thinks I am ugly too...

I should add that I am totally happy with my band at this very moment. I wouldn't have it removed and replaced for no reason because it would be another surgery for me (I have had 3 in three years - the band, TT then an ovary removed) and I don't want to have surgery for no reason. But if something went wrong and I had to have surgery anyway... I would go the sleeve.

I think most people are designed to be volume eaters. The trouble is, when we eat massive amounts of totally processed junk, there are just way too many calories in there for our bodies to use. But when we eat good whole nutritious foods, our bodies are fed the volume they crave, along with the nutrition they need. It might sound like I am over simplifying it, but basically you can eat more broccoli than you can chocolate without gaining weight.

Knowing then, what I know now? Sleeve. I didn't know if this was going to work. If I could work. If I could live with it. The "what ifs" got me. I need to know that if I was having a hard time, I could have it removed. Now, three years and 190 odd lbs later, the ability to remove the band (and potentially regain the weight) isn't as attractive. The band is fantastic, and if it was the only option I had besides the DS or RNY, it would be my first choice. But throw the option of the sleeve in there...

I understand why you are going to talk to your doc about it. If I was to lose my band for whatever reason, I would be asking for a sleeve rather than a new band.

Yep. Things change. At my very first goal of 75kg, at my height, I was still pretty big (dare I say it - Fat?). At my second goal of 63kg I was ok, but I could have really dropped a few kilos still. At my third goal of "where ever my body ends up is fine with me" I feel and look fantastic.

That has to be the funniest visual I have ever had. In all honesty, maintenance is so much like losing, it's pretty much the same. I still exercise daily, and I still make the best food choices I can, the only difference is, that with my unfill, I can eat a little more now than I could before. I was very careful not to put my whole self into losing weight. Not to make it my identity. So when I got to goal (almost 2 years ago now) it was exciting, but I had other goals to move onto (personal goals and exercise goals) I wasn't let down that it was all over, if you get what I mean? So, my life is exactly the same now as it was the day I got to goal. I created a lifestyle I could live with for the rest of my life. Boring, huh? :tongue_smilie:

It depends on what you fill that half cup with. If it's a less than stellar choice, yep, you are only going to be able to eat a half a cup. But if it's veggies, fruit and lean Proteins, you are going to get more bang for your buck, and be able to eat more than the 1/2 cup. It comes down to choice. Some people like to be able to eat a half cup of pizza / burger / chocolate / chips /whatever. Some other people like to be able to eat the likes of fruit and veg freely. I picked the second option, and it worked well for me. Granted, I also exercise, so maybe that has something to do with it too, but all in all, I still don't buy that you HAVE TO eat only a half a cup. If good choices are made, more than half a cup can be consumed. I know that's not a popular opinion, but its mine (and since when was anything I said popular! LMAO)

It's scary that she is giving advice when her 50lb loss is due to starvation. Very scary indeed.

I am more than happy with the amount I eat, although I don't concentrate on quantity, I just make sure I eat right (protein, lots of veggies and a few complex carbs if I have room) Personally, I don't buy the 1/2 cup theory. I always ate way more than that, and lost just fine. Provided you are eating right, and exercising, losing weight on more than half a cup is totally possible.

Hi Clover! Most Aussie surgeons don't have too much of a problem banding popele with lower BMI's. Best of luck! Sam (who's also in Brisbane!)

I don't avoid cheese or nuts. I eat them on a daily basis (I have a zip lock bag with nuts in my handbag actually)

I didn't "Diet" didn't starve, but I did exercise daily, and rather than relying on super restriction, I ate healthy, whole foods as often as I could. I lost the 190lbs in about 16 months. I still do so, and have maintained without effort for close to two years now.