Bree99

Yes, you should be able to live a normal existance, just not eat as much. I am able to eat anything if I chew well and I have never vomited. I am losing weight regularly and enjoying life. The band must be adjusted properly and that is different for each person.

Everyone has nerves but the band really works. I've lost 74 pounds in 6 months and feel and look much better. I have confidence and peace of mind that I will succeed now and in the future. Life is so much easier now. Do your homework and congrats. You are on your way to a new life.

I often get hiccups when I have the first bite of meat. Other things don't cause them much. They can be embarassing and annoying. They usually don't last over 3 minutes, then pass.

I have been surprised at what looks worse. I expected loose skin on my stomach and so far there is none but my upper arms look like hell and I didn't expect that. My upper thighs look bad too. So, thus far I'd go with having my upper arms and thighs done.

I am a little over 5 months out and have lost 72 pounds. I only eat things I like. I agree with the others, in the course of adapting to your new way of eating your tastes change. It is so much easier now to eat healthily and much less. You are going to love your band.

It was three days for me.

I am nearly 6 months out and can't say I have had any hair loss. I have lost 71 pounds so far. I use Dr. Andrew Lessman's Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins since day one after the surgery. You can buy them on QVC. You are going to love this band.

I weighed in at 215 this morning and have begun to think about how it will feel to be under 200. It's been 10 years since I was. It is almost unimaginable. I find myself dropping sizes faster now. I am more than half way to goal and very pleased with the results of this surgery. We will get under the O, and soon. Onederland is nearer everyday.

Your hopes and fears for the surgery are very much the same as mine were. I have been banded almost 5 months and it was one of the best decisions I have made. I can still eat all the things I like, except only a little satisfies me now. All the worries about the changes I had to make were exaggerated. At least from my present perspective. I don't think about my weight all the time, except in a positive way! I am so much more relaxed and happy. Life is much easier than it was! The adjustments I've made were nothing compared to what I have gained. I still enjoy eating but it's not uppermost in my thoughts now. I feel the way I always imagined "normal" people did. It all seems perfectly normal and natural now. I'm thrilled. Oh, and I've lost 66 pounds in less than 5 months.

Savvycat, Yes, the "rules" vary somewhat doctor to doctor. Do you also question the rules about what and how often to eat? It is clear that we can flout the rules at will. A lot of people do. Five months in I can attest to the fact that I lose more weight and faster when I follow the rules. Here is another perspective: doing what you felt like doing left you obese and unhealthy. My doc allows diet soda after 6 weeks, but I gave it up as a sign of my commitment to the process. Why not look at following the rules as a measure of your self discipline? BTW, I'm with Leigh! Baaaa!

Lots of people on this site have thyroid disease, either Grave's or hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer, like myself. It should not interfere in any way with being banded.

Hi and congratulations on your decision to be banded. I have the Realize band. My surgeon believes it has lower rates of complications. My band is an 11cc band and my doctor has been as aggressive as I've wished with fills. I am in my fifth month of being banded and have lost 64 pounds. I am very happy with the band. I think in the long run either band is effective, but the port of the Realize band is "lower profile", meaning not as thick.

I am 5' 8.5'' and my goal is 145, which is the middle of the healthy range. I haven't been lower than 190 in 10 years.

I am starting my fifth month and have never been stuck. I sometimes feel food "scrape" through the stoma but no problems. There is no food I have not been able to eat. I do chew well and try to remember to go slowly.

Hi, I agree with Emjay above. It is a process. Not to be feared but enjoyed. Think of all the time and energy we have spent doing just what you describe: dieting, failing, hating ourselves, thinking of food, etc... Now you have the opportunity to leave that behind and take all that time and energy that are being freed up and make your dreams come true! Write a book, paint a masterpiece, do whatever is on your "if I were thin I would..." list and add some new things. Life is opening up, don't waste a moment!

Yes, how you feel is normal. I used (and still use) Special K protein water mix. It tasted better than the sweet protein powders. It's easier to drink water than the shakes. They have 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Four a day really helps get in the protein and your water. Also the Jillian Michaels protein powder (available at Wal Mart) was much more palatable post surgery than others. Maybe it will work for you too.

Hi, I have a pretty high pain tolerance too and I got tired very easily for the first week. I would not have felt like all this activity. You could attend the graduation if someone else was making it easier for you. Be prepared to give yourself plenty of time to heal. It was 2 weeks before I felt myself again.

Hi, I was banded on 1-13-10 and have not been hungry since. The doctor said, at first, that it would come back, but it has not. I don't think it will. Sometimes I feel a bit "hollow" but not hungry. The doctor has since said that this "side effect" is rare but does happen.

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You could have some soup but crackers are mush once chewed. I love Ak Mak crackers. They are low fat, whole wheat sesame crackers that taste great and a large serving is only 115 calories!

Anne, the possibilities are endless. You are on your way! Christiemr- I have also been told lately that I have no ass! lol I'd rather have no stomach! But it's a start. Leigha- If the needle was pushed back, it is more likely that she accidentally struck some part of the port that is hard plastic so a puncture is unlikely. If you are worried call the surgeon.

Good Will will give you a statement for your donations so you can deduct the gift on your taxes.

I am thrilled to report that the first 50 pounds are gone. I could not have imagined I could get here so quickly! Three months and six days from surgery is twice as fast as I expected. Sure, I have walked my feet off, but I have never lost weight with so little effort! :sad: I have this amazing sense of peace that I will get to my goal and maintain a stable weight for the first time in my adult life. I love this band.:thumbup:

Happy Monday Everyone, A couple weeks ago I was debating whether to have my third fill or wait. I had the fill 6 days ago and it has helped me reach my first goal of 50 pounds gone. I am so happy and pleased with the band. My fears continue to abate. Now I can imagine being under 200 in a few months! Christie, Congratulations on your milestone! Lee Anne, Hello and welcome.

The other posts are spot on. Very soon this worry will fade away. You will be too busy fielding compliments on how you look to fret! You will find that eating out and group events are not such a big deal and that life in general is so much easier!