courtney9

Jennifur- thanks so much for the advice. This whole process is scary at times. I'm scared that I am sacrificing for nothing... in other words, this better work for me! Its scary to think "what if I dont get to goal and now everyone knows I have taken this drastic step to get there", embarrassing! I think I put pressure on myself that way.

sgreene--- I was discouraged too. I had surgery one month before you, actually the end of March 2009 so just about the same time. I didnt lose much until August when I finally got the fill I needed. I had 4 fills. I know how you feel. But I have lost a total of 24 pounds now. I think this is somewhat normal for some. Hang in there. Get the fill you need and stick to the general rules. I am learning just like you and you are definitely not alone!

Hi. I am very new here. My name is Courtney and I live in NC. I am married and have one daughter. I am 34 years old. I was banded in March but it didnt really work for me until I got the right fill amount in August. I have 8cc's in my 12 cc band. I would LOVE to hear advice from those who have been banded for a while. I have lots of questions and am eager to learn more about others' experiences with it. How do some people gain weight with the band? Can I be relatively certain once it comes off that it wont come back? Losing 100 pounds is literally like a dream to me, I just can not visualize it happening to me. I have not always been heavy but I have been heavy for so long now that it is hard to imagine I could ever get thin again. PLEASE give me some advice as far as what works and maybe what I am not hearing from the doctors office! TIA!!!!

Your transformation is SOMETHING ELSE!!!! You go girl!! You look awesome. :mad2:

I had the surgery in March. The band took a long time before it worked for me. It took 4 fills and has been working now for the last month. I started out at 253 and I have a goal of 140. So far I have lost 24 pounds, not all within the last month but about half of that in the last month. I have a hard time getting in all of my water because I am trying to restrict myself to not drink at all with meals. That is the hardest part to me!:laugh:

Yes, it doesnt come off fast enough but at least it is likely to stay off! Now that I am finally in the green zone I have been losing 3 pounds a week. I hope it stays that way. I would like to be under 200 by the new year. I know walking helps and I am doing that about 4 times a week but I really dont enjoy it!:laugh:

Don't be discouraged! You need a fill. My doc only fills once per month. It took me 4 fills before I was in the "green zone" and I am so glad this has finally happened. I have 8 cc's in my 12 cc band. But I am still not used to the "new eating habits". I am still figuring out what I can eat and how much I can eat. I am just now getting to where I will put the appropriate amount of food on my plate and believe me it is not much!!:laugh:

Stacie- how have you liked your band so far? I am still getting used to this and I am trying to figure out how in the world to get the water/drink in I need without drinking near my meals.... advice?

We have some things in common... I had the lap band in March 2009. But in Jan 2007 I also had a miscarriage. I think it was because of my weight. I have one daughter and when I became pregnant with her I weighed 160 pounds and had a great pregnancy. I gained so much weight from that pregancy and continued to gain after. I got up to 253 at my highest. I think we are done having children now but I always wonder what may have been if I had been at a healthy weight.... I am very new on this site and I am hoping to find some support from people who have been through it! Its nice to meet you!:laugh: