Chickie

Yes you can Scott, although from memory you only get a % of the total over $1500.

It's 3:30 Sunday arvo here... I am personally sitting out some wicked AF cramps and waiting for the liquid panadol to kick in.

Thank you. I was trying really hard to find the right words to say exactly this.

Don'tcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me......

It does suck :wub: :frown: :frown::frown: :frown::frown::frown:

I get that for her, in her mind that might be too small for her, but it was worded so poorly, that it could be taken to mean that anyone under a size 6 is unattractive. At anywhere between a 00 to 2 in US sizes, it's hard not to read that and wince.

Some surgeons use staples to close the incisions.

I hate it when I am teetering on a size 4 when anything under a size 6 is well, unattractive :thumbdown:

I was asked to wait till I left the hospital.

I lost pretty consistently over 16 or so months.

Gee that was annoying! I was trying to post, and getting error messages.

Not offended, just amused :shades_smile:

And there are people who have empty bands, no restriction and stay at goal :shades_smile: Not everyone who is at goal has a super tight band Shortgal.

They are often called 'The Rules" They are; Not to drink while eating Not to drink 30 minutes before, and 30 minutes after a meal Exercise Eat Protein first (although personally, I don't) Not to drink calories

I have the 9.75cm 4cc band.

I tried to calibrate mine on the treadmill and it failed miserably. It has to be calibrated over a known distance because treadmills can be out, and your stride isn't the same either. I would try again over a known distance.

At a bit over 3 years post op I am doing just fine! I have had NO problems at all.

At this stage I eat about a cup and a half (I I had to guess) I never maintained a tight fill because I didn't like being too tight. I liked being able to get everything I needed from food, and not having to rely on shakes to fuel my body. So, no not a lot has changed since I was actively losing. My portions have increased slightly, but I eat the same foods as when I was when I was losing. Over restriction can actually slow weight loss down. I don't know the science behind it, but if I have to guess it would be because it's harder to get lean meats and veggies down when a too tight fill is maintained. If you are not eating much in the way of solid food, perhaps a slight unfill is in order? I would definitely talk to your surgeon. Ultras? Holy cow! I can only dream!

No, I haven't added anything since then. It's not just the exercise that keeps my weight stable, it's my lifestyle. I do run anywhere up to 10km a day, but I am also a vegetarian, I eat whole, organic foods as often as I can, and I don't drink or smoke. I think it's the whole package that has allowed me to maintain this weight with very little effort for so long.

I can feel it, but I can't see it through the skin.

I always knew that I would have to have it done. I knew that the way I carried the majority of my weight would result in a trainwreck. I got to my goal weight before having my tuck. I looked more like your second picture before, with a bit more droopiness. From behind I looked tiny. From the front I looked normal, but without my girdle and clothes I looked like this; It was starting to cause real discomfort. I had fairly constant rashes and when the skin broke I would get infections. It was time from a medical standpoint. I was "ready" in my mind many, many pounds before I actually did it. I hung out as long as I humanly could, and got down to goal. I am glad I did, because now, almost 2 years later, I am still flatter than flat.

Uh yeah. I am with Jacqui. I would be very worried. The two week post op liquid phase is for healing not losing weight. You will not lose most of your weight in two weeks. It's just not possible. I am not saying you won't lose weight, but don't expect to lose most of your weight in two weeks. McMadame, I wasn't being snarky when I said that it's great. Honestly. The only person who has to be happy with your health and weight is you.

This thread is like a kid, go to bed, and you wake up it's grown 3 pages! A PM shot in my direction would be helpful :thumbup: It would translate well, but given my only child is a boy who is going through a "girls are iky-poo" phase, I don't get to watch HM. Transformers, Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and anything else geeky - Yes. I know allllllll about. Girl type stuff, not so much.

:biggrin: Thanks ladies.

You dirty girl!! Or maybe it is very innocent, and *I* am the dirty girl for thinking that way... Either way. I go to bed with the warm and fuzzies tonight after a very bad day. And for that I thank you ladies.