Katja

Why would you want to remove the band? Statistics show that those who have it removed, gain back a lot of the weight they fought so hard to lose. I am planning on reaching goal, or wherever my body says it's happy and then slowly get unfills to see what i can eat without gaining. I plan on maintaining a healthy weight for the rest of my life!

Good luck to you. I hope you will be happy with your results.

I have lost about 80 pounds now and am getting thoughts of actually getting into (and back out of) the bathtub! It's been over 25 years since my last bath. (Don't worry, I used the shower. LOL)

I actually crossed my legs for the first time since I don't know when. It was only for a few minutes, but hey, it felt great!

It is a lot of fun rediscovering all the things I gave up due to the largeness of my body. I hope every bander enjoys all the changes that are coming!

I am also an American living in Germany - Stuttgart area. I was banded here in July and it was 7500 Euros. There are a couple of places near here that do the band. Write me if you're interested in more details. I'll be glad to help.

Diva,

You will probably get a drink called "Fortimel" in the hospital. I did. I bought it in the Apotheke when i was released. The chocolate and strawberry are really good. Good luck on your surgery.

Dear Bikini,

What makes you think the Spanish docs are not familiar with lap bands. Bands are being used all over Europe. I'm in Germany and was banded in July. They have different ideas about diets, fills and such, but I'm sure you can find an excellent doc where you go. Just call the hospitals in the big cities near where you are going. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Suz, please try not to be dicouraged and give up. This weight loss business is so very important for you now. I too am 52. I finally woke up and decided I HAD to get rid of my 165 extra pounds before I got real problems. I've been really lucky all these years.

Are you sure that you're sticking to a good diet most of the time? We all have a little treat now and again, but sometimes a lot goes in than we think.

I would suggest writing down EVERY single bit that goes in your mouth. Don't forget to count the drinks in too. They add up quick. Try a diet of about 1000 calories per day. When you eat too few, your body goes into starvation mode and holds on to every ounce of fat it can. You probably have tried 100's of diets through the years like me, and our bodies are now super efficient at hoarding the fat.

Try to increase your activity level too. It doesn't have to be much. Better slow and steady than too much and risk injury. I've been there too.

Look for small changes, slowly. Reward yourself for each accomplishment - just not with food. 15 minutes in the sun, read a chapter in a book, get a manicure, stuff like that. Remember, you've got to take care of yourself and you can't if you can't enjoy the small things in life.

I hope this helps.

I was banded 8 months ago and have now lost 49 pounds. It's been a real struggle, but oh so worth it. With each 5 pounds gone, you'll get more energy and want to do more. You'll like yourself more and more too. I love all the compliments I'm getting, but the lady in the mirror has the opinions I value much.

Good luck and let me know how you're doing.

Katja

I'am having the same experience and thought I was missing something too. I'd had 3 fills (5.7) and will have another in 2 weeks at my next appt. I can eat too much and am not losing much now, although I know I am beefing up the muscles with all the bike riding and exercise I can do now. I can't believe we have to barf to get the best results. I'm glad someone else is in the same boat as me.

I was ALL belly and boob. I did lose about 30 pounds before the band and I was a 34 then. I guess I was more a 30-32 at banding. Losing the weight so fast and flying through the sizes can confuse your numbers. Sorry.

Hallole! I'm 8 mths postop and live and was banded here in the Stuttgart area. Anyone else?

I had my banding done Aug 07. Started with 277 lbs., size 34. Eight months later I'm down to 229, size 22. Through the years I saved all my "thin" (everything that got too small) clothes, always thinking I'd be back in them shortly. Well, you all know this game. I never got smaller. Then the band. I flew through 5 sizes almost before I could blink. There were some weeks where I'd try something on, it'd be a little too small. I'd try it on 10 days later and wow! - too big. This was the best incentive to keep to my diet and try to workout a little more than the week before. I've slowed down quite a lot now due to all the muscle I'm building. I can't believe what I can do now. My closet doesn't have any more clothes from my pre-op days. My husband is terrific and says nothing about all the money I have to spend buying new clothes. I try to only buy clearance. In fact, he keeps showing me pics of high skirts, plunging necklines, etc. Now if I can only adjust to the new me, I might just buy some of them. Sexy has not been in my vocabulary for over 30 years!

Hi! I got my lapband August 2007. Have lost 45 pounds in the 8 months since then. I thought it would be much more. I did really well the first few months, but am really disappointed in how slow it's going now.