Cindy C

See, that wasn't so difficult, was it? It gets easier!

People are always quick to criticize what they don't understand. Do your best to explain it to her (or him) but don't feel like you have to defend your decision. You are doing what you feel is best for YOUR health. Opinions usually change as the weight starts falling off. In the meantime, tell her you respect her opinion but you are doing what you feel is necessary for yourself and really don't want to hear any negativity...then change the subject!

Seems pretty on target to me. WTG!!

Good job!

Definitely too tight!

My surgeon, who has done over 2700 lap-bands, said there are 3 reason why they slip. Excessive overeating, excessive vomiting and carbonation. So as long as you follow the rules, it shouldn't happen.

Add me to the list! What a great club to belong to! Congrats, everyone!

You can buy 60 pkts of just strawberry here for under $40.00: http://www.nestlenutritionstore.com/general-itemdetail.asp?T1=CIBPWD+CHOC+60PK I buy the chocolate at costco. 30 pk for $8.50.

That left side pain is caused from where they sewed the port in. Give it a couple weeks. It will get better!

You learned a valuable lesson. I'm sure you didn't do any damage. I don't even try to eat breakfast anymore. I just drink coffee and let the band loosen up then eat lunch.

I usually order from the appetizer menu and I've become a big fan of soup. The good thing about restaurants is the portions are usually so big that I take the leftovers home and get another 2 or 3 meals out of it. My BFF (also a bandster) and I go out and share a meal.

Thank you both and NO there is no way in youknowwhere that I could have done this bandless. I've lost and regained so many times I can't remember. The most I ever lost on my own was about 60 lbs. Of course within a year I gained 80! Cat lady, don't let your age stand in your way. You're never too old. My doctor banded a 72 year old woman and she has had incredible success. Read through the profiles. There are many of us here that are over 50. I was banded at 48.

Absolutely. I had surgery on a Tuesday and went back the next Monday. Just be careful about doing anything too strenuous.

Skip the beer. Have a glass of wine or a vodka and cranberry or orange juice. Go ahead and eat but be careful. Your body is still healing from surgery.

In honor of the occasion, I went to the Lap Band Center to use their scale. I know that their's and mine are a little different and I wanted the "real" number. At home this morning I was 181.8. Up there I was 185.0. That's OK. I can live with that. It's pretty much what I expected. So officially I have lost 139 pounds since being banded 3 years ago. The frustrating part is that I lost 115 the first year. 12 the second year and now 12 more the third year. Seriously? An average of 1 pound a month for 2 years?! I REALLY want get to the point that their scale says 162. That would bring my BMI to just under 24. Is that too much to ask? At this rate it will take another 2 years. OY!! I'm really not complaining, I'm thrilled with the success I've had but is there anybody else banded about this long and get so close to goal and have ANY suggestions how to jump start the weight loss again? I do all the things I know I should be doing. I exercise...I watch what I eat...My restriction is good...I don't drink very often...It's so frustrating! Thanks for letting me vent!

Yes. I wore 11W before. Now I don't need the wide anymore and can wear some 10's.

If your doctor said to come for a fill then by all means go! It's not too soon. I'm going to assume that you have either a 10 or 14cc band. 3 most likely isn't going to make a difference. If its a 10 I would have him put in 2 more.

They say that the camera adds 10 pounds. I've always thought that I looked horrible in pictures. Even after losing 140 lbs I still don't like to have my picture taken. I posted my before and after pics here last week and, honestly, I don't remember looking like the first one. I never thought I looked like that. I know I did. Even with the second one, my poor son had to take about a dozen before I got one I could live with. He kept saying, "Mom, it looks fine." But I kept finding fault with em.

My doctor never said no coffee. In fact there's always a pot in his waiting room. I drink it everyday. It helps loosen my band in the morning.

Bread, white pasta, rice, bananas, pizza, beef, pork, lamb. Thank G_d I can still eat chocolate!

actually, 1 teaspoon = 5cc's. 1/4 cc is about 5 drops.

Order something that's stir fried with lots of vegetables. Eat the soup and the inside of the egg roll and by all means....skip the rice. Rice is not a bandster's friend!

My 3 year bandiversary is tomorrow and I have no serious complications (knock on wood), I've had great success and couldn't be happier about my decision. It's alot of work and you have to stay dedicated to it. Don't dwell on the "what ifs". Just follow your doctor's instructions and you'll do fine!

Everyone is different, but it really is unrealistic that your band will ever be full to capacity.

OMG That's unbelievable!!!!!!!!! YOUR DH CLEANED THE FLOOR??????? No wonder it took you so long to figure it out!!