Kathi

The color will fade out, but they are part of your skin forever. I would say that they will forever look like a road map (with texture).

It sure does remid you to eat properly, doesn't it???? Even though I try to eat perfectly every time, I still make mistakes then get that terrible reminder that I have a band.

I did 2 weeks of heparin injections following my surgery. I think that all patients of my doctor do this... I know that the other two girls who were banded the same day did the injections also.. BTW... it is no big deal after you get over the first one. They really don't hurt.

I totally agree! It is great to support each other, but there are some pages with 6 comments between the pictures. It got outta hand in my opinion.

I feel your pain sister! I too have been EXTREMELY slow to lose, but unlike you I do have restriction. I have to journal every bite I take and make sure that I am eating below the 1,000 calorie mark. I have also been working out daily on the treadmill and doing aerobics (sometimes twice a day). It is truly alot more work than I thought it would be because I had been a sucessful loser in the past (just couldn't keep it off). My scale is moving oh so slowly, even with me REALLY working at it every day. Hang in there. We can do this!

To follow up on my initial response... I have been very slow to lose any weight. All of the weight loss that I have experienced has been due to my dieting and exercising. None of my weight just came off without trying and working at it daily. I do feel the band keeps me from eating too much at each sitting and from eating the wrong types of foods (breads), but I can see that it wouldn't be too difficult to eat around the band and actually gain weight because the foods that are easier to eat are the ones that are not healthy. I exercise daily. I alternate treadmill and aerobics. I have to diet daily to eat less than 1000 calories, and journal everything I eat to keep track. I sometimes find it hard to find anything to eat that I can eat comfortably. I knew going into this that I would have to give up all breads, pop, rice and some meats, but it is alot to wrap your head around and sometimes you wonder what is left? The issue of fills is one that cannot be taken lightly. Fills are essential. You may take a long time to be correctly filled, especially when alot of doctors wait at least 4 weeks in between fills to do adjustments. If you are overfilled you can have serious problems. If you are underfilled you will have an even slower loss and can develope a defeatist attitude. The one thing that I had not considered prior to banding was my port. I am not happy with the port. It causes pain periodically, and I find myself limited in motion and limited in lifting compacity. I agree with another persons post... that the people who have had a particular surgery generally tend to have really strong feeling for their surgery of choice and tend to be completely against the alternate surgery. I look at it this way.... So far I have spent over $11,000 to lose 7 pounds. I do have good / comfortable restriction. I have to work at my wieght loss faithfully every day, and I thought that it would come off so much easier than it has. As of right now I do wish that I had an alternate surgery ( even though I do realize that there is NO perfect surgery ). Best of luck to you and your decision, either way you go.

My advice is to do alot of research on all forms of WLS and then choose which you feel would work best on you. You will find that many are happy or displeased either way you go.

I had been doing so good with having a positive outlook over the past several weeks, but it went away. The reason it went away is: I had been weighing every morning. I got on the scale one morning and it said 247. WhooHooo! But the next day, 249 and the day after that 251. I was shocked and horrified. I have done NOT ONE THING WRONG. I have been VERY good about eating correctly, drinking correctly and I exercised every day for the last 3 weeks. AND I AM GAINING!.... There is no way that is humanly possible. I do not understand this one bit. I have never had a problem losing weight in the past... only problems keeping it off. I am starting to think that I have a medical condition that I am not aware of. Anyways... I am still VERY committed to myself. I have stayed on the straight and narrow with eating properly, journaling, exercising and drinking water. I am not going to weigh myself more than once a week if possible, because this upset me so much. I am also getting really frustrated seeing everyone's losses add up and I am still doing so poorly. And I know that I am not cheating with junk food or overeating. I am journaling every bite I take. EVERYTHING! It's enough to make a girl go mad!!!

I had been doing so good with having a positive outlook over the past several weeks, but it went away. The reason it went away is: I had been weighing every morning. I got on the scale one morning and it said 247. WhooHooo! But the next day, 249 and the day after that 251. I was shocked and horrified. I have done NOT ONE THING WRONG. I have been VERY good about eating correctly, drinking correctly and I exercised every day for the last 3 weeks. AND I AM GAINING!.... There is no way that is humanly possible. I do not understand this one bit. I have never had a problem losing weight in the past... only problems keeping it off. I am starting to think that I have a medical condition that I am not aware of. Anyways... I am still VERY committed to myself. I have stayed on the straight and narrow with eating properly, journaling, exercising and drinking water. I am not going to weigh myself more than once a week if possible, because this upset me so much. I am also getting really frustrated seeing everyone's losses add up and I am still doing so poorly. And I know that I am not cheating with junk food or overeating. I am journaling every bite I take. EVERYTHING! It's enough to make a girl go mad!!!

Well I have a 4 pound fluctuation happening this week... I have been an extremely good bandster, but my weight is being stubborn. Weigh in stats: C 250 (-0 this week)

Do a search on this forum for "first bite syndrome"... Try drinking a warm liquid before you begin to eat each meal to loosen you up.

I am feeling so much more positive about myself now. I was worried that the weekends would make it difficult to stick to the healthy eating and exercise. In the past when I am home, I tended to fall off the wagon. I have been a good girl. I have exercised, ate properly and was generally more active around the house and with playing with the boys. I hopped on the scale this morning and have lost 3 pounds since last Wednesday (today is Sunday). Yeah for me! Food Journaling has been key for me... I either go under or over if I don't log everything. It is alot more convenient to do it online with Weight Watchers than it was when I was keeping track on paper. I think that I will stick with WW after my initial 3 months expires. So far, worth the $$. BTW.... clothes a tiny bit looser, I think I can switch to the higher level aerobics this week.

I am feeling so much more positive about myself now. I was worried that the weekends would make it difficult to stick to the healthy eating and exercise. In the past when I am home, I tended to fall off the wagon. I have been a good girl. I have exercised, ate properly and was generally more active around the house and with playing with the boys. I hopped on the scale this morning and have lost 3 pounds since last Wednesday (today is Sunday). Yeah for me! Food Journaling has been key for me... I either go under or over if I don't log everything. It is alot more convenient to do it online with Weight Watchers than it was when I was keeping track on paper. I think that I will stick with WW after my initial 3 months expires. So far, worth the $$. BTW.... clothes a tiny bit looser, I think I can switch to the higher level aerobics this week.

I had no weight loss at all by just cutting out breads, Pasta, pop or by staying below 1200 - 1500 calories per day, and doing aerobics 3 days per week. None. I only started losing when I joined Weight Watchers online and started exercising 7 days per week. Having a band placed does not mean automatic weight loss, and I believe that without diet / exercise / serious lifestyle change that bandsters will not reach goal. You may lose, but not the total amount. Just my humble opinion, and observation.

Congrats on the loss, but most importantly you sound so much better now!!!:clap2: Way to go!

Here is a suggestion that worked for me: I eat at set times each day, and only a certain amount (measure!). I have found that after a week that I am not having so much head hunger.

I would be SO totally jealous if I wasn't so happy for you!!!!! Way to go!!!!:clap2:

Congrats Penni to you and your baby boy!!!:clap2: My oldest (son) just graduated too. I have three others and my youngest is 3 so when he finally graduates I will have been living with my children for 33 years!!!!!!! ouch. Lucky me... and I am single too! That's what I get for starting young and having 4 of 'em each 5 years apart.

Way to go Funny!!! JQ- Love the tat! You are awesome inspiration!

Christy: You are doing great! I can TOTALLY see the difference! Telly: Have fun at the beach... Now your legs get a chance to catch up with the major tan you have happening on your arms! P'Nut: Have a great time, and drink one for me! I just realized that I haven't even had a Margarita since my B Day almost a year ago!!! How lame is that?????

I am very happy for you... I know you were worried about it.:clap2: I am really working hard now, so I know my losses will pick up quick. I am even doing aerobics twice a day to get me going good.

I guess that "carb-addicts" are where I would fit in too. I got in the VERY bad habit of eating a fast food Breakfast meal every day during the work week. I would also go in spurts where I was addicted to one item (cookies or junk) and eat it constantly almost every day for a few weeks or so. That was scary stuff to feel so out of control.

My port pain sucked for a whole 5 weeks. I had to put pressure up against it to do most activities. I have a really high bed and had to use my son's step stool to get in and out of bed. Just take it easy and be prepared to hurt for awhile.:sick

Kicken A$$ & taken names!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

:clap2: Good Job!!!!