Pat-rice

It is amazing how everyone is different in regards to the fills. I've had four fills and I think I am finally at the sweet spot. For some reason when I get a cold my band seems to be tighter and I really feel the restriction. That's what I wanted to feel so that's what I aimed for with my fills. A feeling of restriction is hard to describe to a person. Once we feel it, it is like a light bulb came on and we understand! We also have to keep in mind that not everyone has the same size band so we can't compare our fill amounts to somebody else's. Drink plenty of fluids to help with the hunger until your next fill. Before you know it you will be at your green zone

My doc also prescribed norco after my surgery. If you don't find relief with the added Tylenol (and taking it easy) please call your doctor again. You should not have to suffer like that. Not advocating long term use of narcotics but you should have a little to get you through the worst part of it. Just enough to take the edge off. Good luck and congrats on taking the first step to a healthier you!

Congrats!! Way to take control of your life. I am 5 months out and have lost 53 pounds so far. Hoping I am in your position at my year bandaversary. Keep up the good work. Very motivating

Love it. Nice quote and oh so true!

I had a fit bit flex and I loved it. I had it for about six weeks with no problems. Then when I started wearing it again after my surgery in October I break out severely every time I try to use it. Luckily Fitbit is an AWESOME company and they are sending me my money back plus shipping costs. I truly tried to make it work for me but it just wasn't happening. I also have the aria scale that syncs up with my Fitbit account automatically and I have a record of my weigh ins. Nice that I don't have to write it down anymore. I will probably try a different Fitbit when I get my refund check. Maybe one that doesn't go on my wrist. Highly recommend a Fitbit

You just made me smile lol. I had never really thought about the towel thing as I've never had one fit so I never used one that way. Think I am going to go "try on" a towel haha. Congrats on this NSV

13 years?? Wow. You are an inspiration to all. On here we hear about people who don't have their band for very long and it's nice to hear that if we do what we have been taught, then our band should last a long time

Wow wow wow!!! You look fantastic. Some days I look in the mirror and can't believe that it's me in there! Congrats on your transformation!

@@amponder that's great!

ok, so I have one. This is kind of funny but I am sure all you girls will understand. A couple of years ago - seriously, years - my MIL called to say that she was at a department store and they were having a huge bra sale so she wanted to know what size I was so she could buy me a couple. I don't mind telling the world I am a DD but the thought of telling MIL my band size was humiliating. She has never said anything about my weight before, but she is probably no larger than a 12 so I fudged and told her 2 sizes smaller than what I knew I could wear. So these brand new bras have been sitting in my closet still with tags on for about 3 years. Guess what?! I can wear them now!! Have to admit. it made me grin ear to ear!

Keeper you will shrink out of them before you know it. Congrats

Welcome to "bander hell". I remember going through exactly what you are describing. Hang in there for a while longer and it will get better when you start getting your fills

I have only seen my surgeon once since my surgery in October. He did one of my fills. Other than that it has been the np and I am fine with that

I had my last fill 5 weeks ago and for the first couple of weeks I didn't think it was that much of a difference. Figured I would need another fill at my next appointment. But about 3 weeks ago I started to notice that my appetite was so much smaller and has been getting less and less everyday. As a matter of fact I haven't been hungry for the past three days at all. I haven't had any of the problems that you have described. So glad you have finally found the support you needed from the beginning. Good luck on your journey

With my first two fills I didn't feel much restriction. I had my third fill four weeks ago. At first I didn't really notice any difference. About 2 weeks into it I started listening to my band and realized I was feeling more restriction than I had thought. I had heard of people listening to their band but never really understood it. The band does not work by itself, it is your partner on this journey. I don't think I am quite to the green zone but feel that I am on the brink of it. Everyone is different. Be patient with your fills and listen to your band. You will get there eventually. Best of luck to you

Still looking for my green zone. Going to the surgeon in two weeks and maybe getting a small fill. I can eat anything I want. I am making good food choices and limiting my portion sizes but other than feeing fuller sooner, I don't think I am getting any other feedback from my band. I hope I realize it when I do get to the green zone lol

I sold some of my old clothes on a local swap site on Facebook so I had some money to buy a few new things. Before I could loose 20-30 pounds and not really go down in sizes. Now when I loose 10 lbs i can go down at least a full size. Was wearing a 3x shirt in summer and am now down to a large so I understand where you are coming from. It can get pretty expensive.

I think your weight loss is right on track. We will all loose at different rates due to a lot of different reasons. Remember healthy weight loss is not a race and don't judge yourself by anybody else's numbers. Instead focus on how you are feeling physically and enjoy the changes your body is going through. Congrats on this big step to take back your life

My doc said to avoid a lot of coffee as it can tear up your stomach. He said no more than one a day. I love coffee but only with lots of cream and sugar so I stay away from it. But I will admit that I do stop for a Starbucks after I have a full. Seems to really hit the spot on those days. I try to lighten it up any way I can though

My first fill was at 6 weeks and I was given 5 ccs. Then two weeks later I was given 2 more ccs. Then 4 weeks later another 1cc. Go back in 4 weeks to see how I'm doing

You look great! Congrats on your success and keep up the good work

I also didn't tell people about my surgery. Some people can be so judgmental and I didn't want to hear it from them. When people at work asked why I was on restriction I just told them I hurt my back. I healed very quickly and was back to work in 3 days. Congrats on taking control of your life and best of luck to you

I am at 8 ccs in a 9 cc band and I haven't had any episodes of what you all are describing. Is this normal? I don't go back to doctors for 3 more weeks. Am I not tight enough yet?

B-52 I am with you on this. I weigh myself every morning. Positive reinforcement and all. It helps to keep me in check.

I feel the same way as all of you. People do judge you and say you are taking the easy way out. I would like them to explain to me what is so easy about this. We still have to make good choices and that is very hard to do. I told only my closest family members. Now others are asking them how I am loosing so much weight and they want to know how to respond to them. I told them to respond with the fact that I'm making healthy choices, eating less and moving more. It is the truth. The band is only a tool to help us stay in check. We are still accountable for what we put in our mouths

Going for my third fill next week. Feeling very little restriction. Can't wait to get into the green zone

I recently had the same thing happen to me. Put on my husbands size large shirt and it fit. Was so exciting. My son bought me a shirt for Christmas and I said I didn't know if it would fit (thought it would be too small). My husband laughed at me and said if anything it would probably be too big. Actually it was a little loose on my. What a great feeling