betrthnever

My Dr set my goal weight, using my age & height, I suppose (or maybe not my age ?). So 135 is the top end of my goal weight. But MY personal goal weight is 118 for at least a day. That's the ultimate in dreams for me!

Yeah!!! That's great. Wow, May seems like yesterday but for you it was probably more like forever. Glad to hear everything went ok. Better a delay then a no way!

I talked to a couple of ladies who use this (or something like it) and they found it helpful. They were always the type who would cut coupons, tho. I'm not. And there's a fee I believe so that's to be considered. Does sound interesting, tho

Curious, why aren't you telling your Dr about this? I would think that would be the best way to find out whats going on with you...

Something similar has happened to me, too!! I've lost lots of weight since my last license pic, not all of it since being banded. I think I'm about 80 pounds lighter then my pic. I've had people do double-takes like when buying booze. They say I look older in the pic which is great. So I lost weight & age. Can't complain there!

Hi Jorge, we all have or have had a problem with food and that is why we have or want the band. You are at the begining of your journey. And that is what it is - its a journey. A marathon not a sprint. Have you thought about talking to someone? And where did you get banded at? If Scottsdale Bariatrics they have a very good support group and counselors on staff you could talk to.

Currently I have the most restriction I've had since I was banded. I was never a picky eater and I still love food. But once I got a good amount of restriction things changed. We have a big fig tree in the back with tons of figs. When I got home from work I use to love to eat them right off the tree. NOW I know that if I eat even 1 fig I will "spoil" my dinner! I have only so much room in my stomach and I want to make sure I get my protein in first. So in a way we become pickier out of necessity.

According to my Dr its not so easy to stretch the pouch. It would take eating to the point of throwing up and then eating on top of that. And it actually hurts to eat too much, too. You'll pretty much know when you're done! And after about 20 minutes the food begins to move through the pounch anyway creating more room. Which is why I always stop before I reach the 20 minute mark :thumbup:

Just be patient baby bandsters (suppose I'm more like an adolescent bandster LOL). I could eat a lot more than 1 cup of food at first. Now, after my 4th fill I have lots more restriction and am less hungry. Hope it stays around!!

Just had my 4th fill - 8 cc in a 9cc band last Friday and so far so great. I can still eat the things I was hoping not to be able to (like breads) but I eat so much less that its just great. And I'm not as hungry. I hope it continues for as long as possible 'cause I'm feeling great!

Also, its harder to lose weight when the BMI gets lower. I think I'm FINALLY at a good spot - had my 4th fill and am at 8cc in a 9cc band. Can't go too far up from here so I hope this will last!

:thumbup:Congrats, Sandy63! Great job! To lose weight AND graduate??!! Good for you

My Dr doesn't have us counting calories we just have to eat within the 20 minutes, no drinking during eating, 1/2 hour before or 1/2 hour after, and suggesting we make better food choices. I like that fact that we don't have to count calories. I'm losing, slowly, but am losing. Perhaps counting calories would get me there faster but I like the feeling of not being on a diet and still having what I want to eat.

MY saggy skin problems are my arms. My arms are so out of proportion with the rest of my body that I would look much thinner if my arms were thinner. I work out and lift weights and it helps - I've lost 4" in my arms since April - but it will take surgery only I believe to really take care of it. My girlfriend (who is the same height as me) was 80 pounds heavier then I, lost her weight very quickly, and now weighs as much as I do but yet is smaller. ?? People are so different! I just feel like I'm packing JELLO in my arms!!!

Hi Kerri, my eating style has temporarily gone down the tubes, too. I think it might be a pms thing. ANd I don't have much restriction, either. I feel like I can eat too much. My next fill is this Friday - I already have 7.5ccs in a 9cc band and they don't fill it up so I'm a bit worried. However, I do think my good spot is around the corner. If this fill doesn't work I'm going to insist that I be seen under floro to make sure its doing its job. I feel your pain!

I think we have to take restriction in consideration with this poll. And of course retriction is personal. Right now I have 7.5 cc in a 9 cc band and am still not at an ideal place. Maybe one more fill will do it. I'm not losing at a fast rate but I am happy never the less.

I think they're just looking for a history of your weight. All I did was have to supply a sheet from the Dr (and it can be any dr you have had) with a weight and a date on it. I think the want to make sure you're been overwieght or had a problem with weight for some time and that you didn't just gain 100 pounds (???) Yeah, right!

I had problems with low iron pre-banding several times in a row. Took a while but I came around. Never heard of a problem with low pulse rate. Hmm. I was also banded in Feb '08 lost about the same amount. I'm excited come August I'll be able to donate again! (my Dr wanted me to wait 6 months after surgery).

Hi all, I was told that exercise would be a must for the rest of my life. I get to the gym at least 3x a week but I do other things as well - get off the bus a mile from work, go up and down flights of stairs, walk, walk, walk & yoga. Working out isn't such a chore now, however, a part of me wants to be lazy so from time to time I have to push myself harder. I try to find opportunities - there's yoga 1x a week at work and the stairs. Always pushing myself. My weight hasn't moved all that much but I'm toned. Can't wait to see the scale move!!

C-section was harder except that the distraction of the baby made it easier to handle. Hard to pay attention to self as new mother when baby needs to be taken care of. Band was MUCH easier but no such distraction. Def babied myself more w/the band.

My friend had the same thing happen to her (the hives) after surgery. She tried everything and nothing worked. Her Dr didnt' know what was going on. She later discovered after going to see a dermatologist she had psoriasis that was brought out by the surgery. It hide itself under other rash issues, too, for a long time before surgery (like in yeast) but the surgery make it lots work.. I'd see a Dermatologist if it doesn't go away.

My Doc told me that it is swelling from the night before that gives people better restriction in the AM. And as we lose the excess water we lose some restriction, too. If you don't fee like you have enough restriction then you probably don't. I'm at 7.5cc in a 9 cc band and even tho I have restriction I don't feel like I have enough. Would be nice to have more

Gilliebean, I'm in the same boat. I was ALWAYS more into sex then my DH before being banded but now I couldn't care less most times and HE is the one who is into it more now. Part of me doesn't want to explore the desires because, to tell the truth, my dark fear is that in the future I might do something I might regret. Mostly, tho, I feel that my hormones are just down and that's ok. Most of my resources are going into myself making me a better person. I'm enjoying that for once in my life. Sexual desire I've felt many times but I've never enjoyed my changes as much as I do now so I think I'll just keep enjoying them. I'm sure sooner or later my desire will come back.

As of June 19, my band-day, I'm lost 38 pounds and I've lost many inches. I have had 3 fills and am at 7.5cc in a 9cc band. Started off with a BMI of about a 41 now I'm at a BMI of 34.6.

Not a big deal they give me a pad and I used it w/out underwear. That's what happened to me.