xavier

Not sure how I ended up seeing your post in the October thread but I wanted to message you since our stats, goals are similar. I was banded in May and I lost weight really well with my band empty for a couple of months. Then it loosened up and I needed a fill but I was working out of town for another couple of months and I was lucky to just maintain. Now this month I got two fills only about a week apart and I feel I am perfect now in restriction and can start losing again.

Sorry, note too long, second message...Diane

continued: increase exercise ( I knew I would never keep it up) so I would ge tthe fill I need to force me to reduce intake!

Ok heres the rest...

To your question about not getting too skinny, thats the great thing about the band. Right now mine is preventing me from eating more than about 1/2 cup of food at one time so I eat about 4 to 5 tiny meals and I feel great. Full and really never hungry. But if I was at goal, I would have a little taken out because long term I want to eat more of a normal meal but only at lunch and dinner. The band really works great when its filled right and you can have it how you want it!I hope that makes sense, good luck and let me know if theres any thing I could answer!

I started the whole thing at 215lbs (I'm 5'4") and in the first three months got to 190...then travel plateau!!!Diane

I am also 5'4" so were basically twins. And that girl Lellow is our future!! I am out of my 16 Levis and into the 14s so I'm happy about that. I did love the baggy feeling of the 16s which I could take off and put on without unbuttoning or in zipping but they looked kind of gnarly!The 14s did give me a bit of a dunlop (or muffin top) but then they stretched out a little! When do you start your preop diet? Cali

So how's that first fill going? Seems like it was kind of a long time coming...I am in a hotel (traveling for work) and this is the first time I have eaten right when I'm here!

My body is not perfect but I am perfectly happy with it!

Dear Shaun, I am traveling for work and have been here in Sac for five days...really sticking to the plan although the travel was a former excuse for eating whatever. About two weeks for you...wishing you the best!

C'mon, Baby...let us hear from you...

My BMI is now 33.6 down from 36.9...youre ahead of me there!!

Heres my surgical advice if you want it: If you have a tummy that is big enough to schlump over when you lay on your side, get an abdominal binder for after surgery...it was on me when I woke up but you can get it at a drugstore. it made a HUGE difference in getting comfortable the first week after surgery! It just kept that sore area from being able to move around and cause pain!

You sound like me and now that I am in maintenance I am so glad I got the band even though I had to self pay! You will get lots of support here and very honest answers!

I thought I'd chime in on the soda...thought I would DIE without diet coke but strangely I have no taste for it...I asked my doc specifically id carbonation would damage the band even right aftersurgery and he saidabsolutely not. He had a smile on his face and said go ahead and have your soda, but you wont like it! He said the carbonation goes through to the former big stomach and then it can be hard and painful to burp it up!I havent ried it yet but just aregular water burp is fairly unpleasant! Cali

Fingers crossed it goes fast...mine was because I had to self pay but the weight loss was slow...its all a waiting game...hang in there!!!

You know sometimes I must stalk...your computer says you're online so give us an update or a PB (post blog, not the other!)

Great to hear from you...rest a little!

Life is soooo good.

Hey, I miss you dude! I had a job in Sacramento for the last three months...really needing a fill but couldnt get away...long story short...I am just happy not to have gained LOL! Getting a fill in two weeks, my first.

I am guessing you re buried in work and work stress....write or blog when you can. D

Hey, hows it going? I am trying to get back on this site more because I need a reality check. I have really been slacking and the fact that I have never gained (havent lost either) seems to have 'helped' me delude myself that things were ok...

Why not just stitch the BMI in place of the size!!! Or, the lazy girl's way...just write over the tag with a sharpie!!Maybe I'll write my weight and my BMI in the 16s somewhere to preserve the memory!!

Let us know how you're doing and ask us ANYTHING!!! Thanks for the friend req!

Hope life is going well...I have been slacking quite a bit and 'gotten away with it' because I dont gain...but guess what I dont lose either! Probably going to get a tiny fill...

Ok I truly hate this site...I cant figure out how to read the rest of your post after the words "2 pieces" Help! Hang in there,,,you just need more fill I think and maybe even a different fill doc! I went to one closer to home and ended up loving her...shes the one who just kept filling until choked on the water...I have been good ever since.

Cant wait for those (bikini?) pix! Thanks for the port info. Mine is really sticking out so maybe he would do the low profile...I'll let you know.I havent lost weight in a while but I dont know if I want a fill tuneup....hmmmmm.

Glad to hear it...I still feel so lucky to have restriction from the start! I wish I had done this a long time ago!!

You're probably not on this site too much these days...but let me know how youre doing if you drop by!