Cindy C

I discovered this site a few months after my surgery 3 years ago and came for a while and then kinda forgot about it. I rediscovered it last Spring and have been back daily since. While I'm near the end of my journey, being able to read what those of you who are at the beginning and middle are experiencing has given new life to my own. When I read the issues you are having it forces me to sit and think about the right way to respond which causes me to remember everything I've been through. After losing 115 pounds the first year, I spent the next 2 losing an average of 1 pound a month. It was really very frustrating. Now, in the last 3 or 4 months, I've lost 12 which leaves me with 14 to go. I doubt that would have happened without the comradery of my fellow LBTers. Some of the comments I've received from all of you are really very touching and mean more to me than you know. I honestly want every single one of you to have AT LEAST as much success as I have but while it may seem that I'm here to support you, I really get more than I give. So thank you all for just being here and sharing your journeys. None of actually knows each other but there is a bond here that nobody in the "outside world" could ever understand! Love you all <3 Cindy

No, it doesn't sound like a slip. It sounds like classic signs of being too tight. That is probably caused from swelling because of the vomiting. You should probably go get a little unfill until the swelling goes down. That acid in the throat is horrible. Try sleeping with a couple extra pillows until you can get to the doctor.

You are welcome. No, I haven't had any problems. Nothing major anyway. There have been times when I have been overfilled and had to go back for a little unfill and I have done my fair share of PB'ing but I think that's normal. I feel great. I've never had so much energy or self confidence in my life!

Congrats. I can't wait to join you in the single digit department. I found a pair of size 10 Levis on a clearance rack yesterday and bought them thinking they should fit by fall. I brought them home and tried them on. They were tight as heck but I got them buttoned and zipped so it won't be long!

That's pretty crazy but, on the other hand, one of the biggest things you need to learn is how to avoid temptation. I don't even read them anymore! Most of them seem to be for WLS. NEW FLASH, ADVERTISERS: WE'VE ALREADY HAD THAT!!!!

Between the IV fluids and the gas I also weighed 8 pounds more after surgery then I did before. Don't worry. It doesn't last long. One week later that 8 pounds was gone and so was 5 more.

Welcome to Bandland!

My 22 year old daughter!

I've done some pretty crazy stuff in my day and even I wouldn't attempt to do my own fill!

With the stress you're under, maintaining is awesome. I'm sending you good thoughts!

I'm sure you didn't do any damage but don't eat anymore solid food. You need to heel from surgery. If you need a change, go to Taco Bell and get Pintos and Cheese. Add a couple pks of taco sauce to them so they are pretty runny. High protein, low calories and band friendly!

The closer you get to goal the harder it is to get the pounds off. I've been stuck between 178-182 for longer than I care to remember. Friday I went on liquids for 3 days. I moved onto soups today. I think I may have broken through that barrier. I was 176 this morning. I have high hopes for tomorrow!

Are you sure it was the chicken or could it have been the rice. Rice is NOT a bandster's friend!

Mine got screwed up after I lost weight.

I hate Wendy's Chili. I would get the baked potato.

I agree, Dave. I'm going to eat what I'm going to eat whether I drink with it or not. But I think that you and I may be exceptions.

If you drink while you eat the beverage pushes the food through the band faster which delays restriction causing you to eat more.

It should. It did for BCBS of MI.

It is absolutely worth it. The pain is minimal and the hair loss, if you experience it, is temporary and grows back. The band helps adapting to the new habits pretty easy. I wish this had been available when I was 18. My life would have been so much different without carrying all the weight around as long as I did. Good luck to you. You are making the right decision!

Was on a road trip last week and away from my scale. Checking in this week @ 176.0. Down 2.4# since the beginning of the challenge. Looks like my little experiment may be working! :fingerscrossed!

I found that I dropped a size about every 20 pounds or so. However, I completely skipped a couple sizes along the way. Sometimes the scale doesn't move but the inches do and sometimes it works the other way around. Don't be too concerned about it. You may find in a couple weeks that 18's fit and then look at the money you saved by not having to buy any 20's. Don't worry, the scale and the sizes will catch up to each other.

Good luck on your journey. We all have to do what we feel is right for ourselves. I hope you have all the success you desire.

According to the list here there aren't any in Toledo. There are a couple in Maumee and one in Bowling Green, tho. You might want to think about going to the Detroit area. There seem to be alot if them around here. Maybe its because we were voted the fattest city in America! LOL!

My doctor did not require a pre-op diet at all. Some do, some don't. You will have to check with the doctor doing your surgery. Just call his office and ask.

If you are self pay, you don't need a pre-op diet at all. That's an insurance requirement. If you want to have surgery "back home" then you need to contact a local doctor and see if he will take you on as a patient for follow up.