FWWAB

Another year has flown by.

My weight is substantially the same as it was last year at this time. Still about 20lbs to go to get to my goal. I'm o.k. if it don't, but that number is still sitting out there for me.

I walked my first half-marathon this year, and I'm training for another two (March and May). I think at that point I'll hang up my shoes.

I haven't had any huge issues with the band. I still occasionally forget to eat slowly, especially when I'm hungry, and experience some discomfort. I've figured out what foods - very short list - will not work for me and avoid them. I pretty much eat what I want, though what I want has changed a bit from pre-surgery.

It's all good. One of the best decisions I made about my health was to have the lapband.

Hope y'all are doing well.

Onward.

This year has flown by. I'm just a couple of pounds away from where I hoped I'd be, and I'm very pleased with how my year went.

I feel better. I move better. I look better.

I had help - not just the band itself, of course - but my friends, my family, my trainer. All are supportive.

The last few pounds have come off very slowly, and I think the next 25 will be just as slow. I'm o.k. with that, and I'm determined to meet my original goal.

I hope my fellow Dec 11 bandsters are feeling well and that this year was successful for them in their own individual ways.

Onward!

I started aquafit about four weeks after band surgery without any problems.

I've continued with it for the last year, going about three times a week. I too also did a lot - A LOT - of walking before I started a regular exercise routine, first with a trainer at home and for the last month at the gym.

I now do each of these activities, and much more, and have never experienced any problems related to the band. Lots of muscle soreness and tiredness, but that's all good.

How's this for a NSV?

I had to adjust the car's rearview mirror. It was pointing too high. As my tushie is not as substantial anymore, it seems I'm not sitting as high in the seat.

And I too am working my way towards the right side in my closet. Put on a pair of jeans I haven't worn in months and months.

Just like Doddie63, I'm joining this thread so that I can read about other Slimband-sters.

I was banded on Dec 11, 2008. I'm satisfied with my progress. I wish I could lose more, but I'm losing the healthy, recommended amount - and that's o.k.

I'm attending two of the Supercharged seminars at the centre, and I find I get something out of each. I didn't know there was a "Slimband" website 'til yesterday. I don't know how I missed it - I had been checking the calendar on the TLBC site.

I've had two fills, and have an appointment for another next week. I believe I'll ask for a little bit more, as I don't think I've reached my "sweet spot" yet. Close, but not quite there.

Someone here recommended a central place for Slimband/TLBC people to gather. Is there a way to get a forum specific to us, I wonder?

About 10 years ago I went through rapid weight loss using another method. Just as I was nearing my goal - lost a 100lbs - I had three very painful gall bladder attacks. I had it removed via laparoscopic surgery. It was day surgery, and I recovered quickly with no side effects. There are some people who can not tolerate certain foods after the surgery, e.g., fatty foods. I had a period of time where there was true, but it gradually faded.

Now that I had the band inserted, I have a bit more scar tissue all in the same area, but no big deal.

So, I had gall bladder surgery first, and then the band. Not the order you may be heading for, but if your surgeon performs both, it sounds like you'll be in a good place.

I have a 10cc band. I received my first fill on the 12th - it was 4cc. I definitely noticed a difference, especially when I ate too quickly. OW!

I went for my second fill today. I talked to the fill nurse about whether I needed it or not. She asked me two questions: can I eat more than one cup worth of food at a meal, and how quickly do I feel hungry.

I know that I can eat more than one cup worth of food, and I feel hungry usually three hours after eating.

So, I got another 1cc today. As I'm on full fluids today only, I can't tell yet whether this little bit of fill will change things.

I have my next fill scheduled for Feb 11th.

Two other notes: the nutritionist suggested that after the third fill (all patients get three fills scheduled after surgery) that we "sit" with it for a while. That is, don't schedule another fill for a while to figure out if it's working for us.

The other item is that in our binder of information it says that most people have five to seven fills to find their optimum level.

The "sweet spot" can be elusive, it seems. But definitely worth hunting down.

Pete: Now is the time to remember the NSV. Like how come you're coming off the meds anyway?

It's only Water, it'll gradually disappear again.

I had my first fill this afternoon.

I have a 10cc band, and the nurse put in 4cc of saline.

She didn't numb the area. Actually, the first time she pricked me she missed - hit some scar tissue. The next time she hit the mark, and I felt a sensation internally immediately. The needle pricks were not painful or uncomfortable as all.

I have two more fill sessions booked - the first in two weeks, and the next two weeks after that. They suggested that after the third fill to "sit" with it for a little while to determine if I've reached the "sweet" spot. That is not to rush back in and ask for more (or maybe less) fill.

Also, I'm on full fluids just for today - Protein shakes - and back to food tomorrow. The first few sips of Water gave me a rollicking case of hiccups. And the first few sips of Protein shake were a little weird.

It's been about 4 1/2 hours since the fill, and I still feel a pressure but not as assertive as it was.

Teresa: Thanks for the update. And congratulations.

I go for my first fill on Monday, and I liked reading about your experience so I'll know what to expect.

I share the same "yippee" because I'm fitting into clothes I haven't been able to wear for a bit of time.

But I've also noticed that I go more "boldly." There would be physical obstacles I wouldn't try even as little as six weeks ago, that I'm much more comfortable tackling now. Not big things - a few sets of stairs, or a large snowbank, or just chores at home I would delay until someone was around to help me.

Being fully engaged in my life is definitely the best side-effect of losing weight. And I've just started. That's a big YIPPEE!

All of Me: Stories of Love, Loss and Last Resorts

There's a trailer to view at the site. Hope the group gets funding as it'll be interesting to see the movie.

Well done! You're "this close" to onderland too!

You're both describing my feelings ... I'm bored and "want" to eat. But, I don't want to eat 'cuz it's such a slippery slope for me. It feels that if I take that first bite, I won't be able to stop.

I'm hoping that I won't have to futz around too much with getting the correct amount of fill. And, if I do I'll just have to keep employing my ever-weakening willpower.

I just went at looked at it. It seems pretty interesting. What do you use it for? The recipes or advice or health news?

Sarah: That's great you want to give away your clothes. I'm going to do the same thing, except I'm going to keep one pair of pants as a reminder.

I'm going to donate mine to a women's shelter, when I've got enough stuff together.

Definitely. I'm down two sizes. Yippee!!

And I've had a quick look through my closet and think I can go down another two sizes before I have to start buying clothes.

My first fill is Jan 12th, too. I'm a bit nervous, also. But, also looking forward to it ... don't want to feel hungry all the time.

I feel a tightness or a hard knot after I eat. I know I'm eating more than a cup worth of food before I feel it, though.

I get my first fill on Jan 12th, and I'm looking forward to it so that'll help me with not feeling so hungry.

In the last few days almost all the discomfort I had around the port has disappeared. I can sleep on my stomach and don't notice it anymore.

Mine seem to be o.k. A couple of them are relatively faint. The one nearest the port though is a little, well, bumpy. But I think that has to do with it being a little bit too near the bottom of my bra and it seems to catch or rub sometimes.

Other that that little problem, I haven't had any itchiness or redness. And my bruising, near the port, is just about gone, too.

Thanks, Pete!

Happy New Year, my fellow Dec 11th bandsters!

I hope that we each have great success using our bands to achieve good health, and a healthy weight this year.

I know I'm looking forward to what this year brings. Wonder where we'll be in one year?

I've noticed the most curious thing.

I've been hiccuping. Not a lot, but definitely more than usual.

Doesn't hurt. Just unusual.

And, come to think of it, maybe a bit more burping than usual.

I know that I will require a fill.

One of the reasons to have a laproscopic band is to help us feel full. I do not feel full - quite the opposite, actually. I know that I can sustain feeling hungry (most of the day) for a short period of time, but I can't sustain that feeling for the length of time I need in order to get an average BMI.

I'm hoping that I'll be able to find the "sweet spot" within the first fill or two.

And if I can feel full with a small amount of food, that'll help me lose the weight I want & need to lose.