TulipStar

Good to hear! I hope that when I finally do get pregnant that I actually "look it". I think I will...I hope

I have more.... -Being able to cross my legs -having plenty of seat belt room on a plane and actually feeling semi-comfortable in coach seats. -I can jog/run and I do! -I love to exercise -My closet is empty and every single day I have to take something else out that is way too big. (even though this makes me so mad bc what am I going to wear!) -I have so much energy -I saw a guy checking me out the other day. OMG!

It has worked for me to get me 90 lbs down. I have never been thin. I weigh less now than I did when I graduated from High School. I hope it takes me where I have never been before. It is a combination of things. First it is motivation, the weight coming off is motivation. Then your new life becomes a habit. The band provides restriction which prevents you from being able to eat, plain and simple.

I don't wear shoes or socks either. Barefoot seems the best way to go. I tried socks, but it was too slippery.

I pay a copay with UHC.

I think for your first fill you will be ok to get it. However, just beware in the future. Once I got a fill a few days before I went to Europe and I was miserable the whole week and couldn't just go in for an unfill.

I have taken phentermine briefly before restriction or when I was having a problem with head hunger. I don't need it anymore now that I am at proper restriction.

I would do something that you wished you could do before, but couldn't because you were ashamed or limited by your size. For me this would be to go dancing, go on a rollercoaster, wear a bathing suit, etc. Congratulations on your success so far! Celebration is definitely deserved!

I fly a lot. Just flew to Europe and the longes segment was 11 hours. When I fly for short segments (4 hours or less) I usually don't have any issues. However, on long segments I will notice some swelling and am tighter than usual. I have never had any "collapsing" or even heard of that before.

it's normal. I actually started to gain weight before my first fill. You will continue to be hungry until you start to feel restriction which can be 3 fills or more.

Mine flipped once and I had it fixed 2 months after my 1st surgery. It has been 8 months since my revision and I have no other problems.

For me it was kind of the last straw. I was losing the diet battle and it gave me the boost of motivation that I needed. It is only a tool, you have to use it properly for it to work. It's not a miracle that will make you drop weight. Surgery was surgery -- I was sore, but it wasn't too bad. Following the diet can be tough but when you start to feel restriction, the band will force you to eat right. :thumbup: Good luck! I would start by going to a seminar about it so you can learn more information. This site is also a good resource.

There is another thread on here called "Keeping it a secret?", I believe that it's a poll. Anyway, there are hundreds of replies because many of us go through the same thing. At first I wanted to keep it a secret, but after I was banded I didn't really care anymore.

That's fantastic news!! Congratulations!

A similar thing happened to me. I would get my period every 2 weeks. 14 days on/ 14 days off. Miserable... I went to my ob/gyn and he just said "that's pcos" and I told him that not for me, bc I normally never got it. He was hoping that I would start to ovulate...but no dice. I just started taking birth control, which usually helps me lose weight bc it regulates my hormones. I am hoping to have our first round of IVF this coming fall.

Mischievous -- mine came back too, with extra just for all of those I missed! I have to say I am not happy about it either

Helen!! Congratulations!!! That is awesome news When are you due?

Jetti - I agree with you. My biggest regret is not getting it sooner!!!

You can't put your life on hold... I would go and enjoy it while you can. After the band you won't be able to enjoy food or drink as much. Have a good time and take lots of pictures so you can compare this year to next!

I am not one for following rules ..... but, here are couple that I do follow: - Never drink w/ meals - listen to your body. Eat slowly, chew well and when you think you are full - STOP (no, not just one more little bite). - The key to success is planning. If you know you will have to eat out, try to plan what you will eat (if a restaurant, look up their menu online). -Avoid snacking/grazing. Eat at your scheduled times for your 3 meals a day. Snacking adds the extra calories. - Exercise has been key for me to losing weight. Not everyone has to...but I do!

it's just a little kick start that you need to do it. Think about how good it will feel to finally reach goal... you can do it!

This is so inspirational.... thanks for sharing your stories!

Hey Brandy, Initially I liked their new sizing too. But for some reason they were still too big in the butt for me. It didn't last long. I went from size 26 to 16 pretty quickly and I am too small for most things in lane bryant now. There are so many options in the "regular" store, I don't know how to shop!

I have never tried it, but they also sell it in the grocery stores here...

Herniated disc - OUCH! I have been on prednisone multiple times prior to being banded. I have been able to maintain my weight but it was really really hard. I also gained 40 lbs in 1 month the first time I took prednisone. That is very unlikely to happen to you though. Good luck and I hope you feel better!