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You are all doing great! I have lost way more than I thought I would have at this point, and I am thrilled about it! Headed to Key West for New Year's and am hoping to be at 170 by then (90 pounds down!!!) and it is actually a realistic goal at this point! I feel happier than I have in years...more than the weight I've lost, it's the "weight on my shoulders" of being self-conscious and uncomfortable all the time that I am most happy to have lost. Keep up the good work!

Men are certainly good at those types of "compliments," but so are women! At the point I had lost 40 pounds, I saw a coworker I hadn't seen in a while and she told me my "nose looked thinner." I wanted to punch her in HER nose.

I live near Harrisonburg, VA and am a marketing and public relations director for a hospital.

I just got my fifth fill yesterday and I think I'm very near my sweet spot, which is exciting. I am truly in awe of my band and how much it has changed my life for the better. Congrats to you all on your successes to this point!

Wine! Maybe not a food to some, but for me it is crucial!

What was the date of your surgery? April 21, 2010...3 months ago How healthy did you/do you eat? I eat healthy overall. I am a vegetarian and focus on protein from beans, soy, nuts, etc. I do eat healthy, complex carbs and don't believe in the "no carb" thing...couldn't really do that as a vegetarian anyway. I will treat myself sometimes...especially with wine! How much do you exercise? I recently joined Curves and really like it and have been doing that 4x a week. I also do a lot of yard work and gardening. How much have you lost? 47 pounds including a two-week pre-op diet. Are you happy with your results? Absolutely! Other than marrying my husband (today is our 4th anniversary!) it's the best decision I've ever made.

I can't believe today marks three months since my surgery! So much has changed in just three months--I'm in smaller clothes, I feel so much better and have so much more energy, I can cross my legs again with no problem, high heels don't hurt as much, and I even started exercising...the thing I hated most in the world (and I have to admit it isn't even that bad anymore!). I haven't lost much recently and it gets me discouraged, but I know 47 pounds in three months (plus the two week pre-op liquid diet) is something to be proud of, so I just have to remember that and keep on going. I don't post often, but I'm always checking in. You are all very inspiring and you "keep me honest," so thank you.

Congratulations NewMeComing! That is a great accomplishment! I hit the 40-pounds-lost mark this morning and am thrilled as well! We all have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for! Have a great weekend everyone!

I was banded April 21 and am down 39.4 pounds (can't round it to 40 yet, that would be cheating...but I can't wait!). I can eat anything I've tried, just in small amounts. Had a piece of pizza for dinner last night as a special treat and am down in weight today...turns out by body likes pizza...or I needed to up my calories some to shock my body and that did it. You are all doing fantastic! Keep up the good work!

I was banded on April 21 and had my first fill less than a weekago. I'm down 36 pounds as of this morning and so, so happy with that. I feel better about myself than I have in years, and there is still so much more to look forward to. Congrats to you all on your hard work and successes!

I was banded a little over a month ago and haven't yet had a fill, so my answers may change once I have. I do have a bit of restriction now, though. I have had some wine and a couple martinis since I was banded. My physician's office knows this and just said to do everything in moderation. I definitely drink less than I did prior to surgery, and I am thrilled with my loss so far, so I'm going to continue to enjoy life and have a drink once in a while or even some pizza. awhenry-- I had half a piece of thin crust pizza one evening and just ate it slowly and savored it...it went down fine, but, again, I don't have a fill. You can also consider making pizzas on whole wheat pita or a whole wheat tortilla after surgery. Again, this might not work for everyone, but if they are toasted and you chew and eat slowly, they should go down fine. I think it's thick, chewy crust that would give people problems. Some people completely avoid carbs, and I respect that and think they are amazing, but that's not me. I am a vegetarian and see the value in whole carbs, though I haven't had any "white" carbs since surgery. So far, I'm losing more than 2 pounds a week without a fill...if that stops, I'll cut out more carbs. I think the important thing is to always make sure you get all your Protein, whether you are eating carbs or not.

Hi TRK! Congrats on your great weight loss. I am actually about to head to my first support group meeting now...in Virginia, so no help to you, but I was banded the day before you and we are at very similar weights, so I'd be happy to be your "buddy" through this process if you want one. Let me know and I hope you find a support group near your home...I'm sure there are many.

Most importantly...having babies and being healthy to raise them and play with them. And then the vain, but fun, things... Wearing really, really expensive designer jeans (my dad made a deal with me that he'd buy one leg if I hit a size 8 or 10 (and he is not a big spender!)...I'll hit my husband up for the other leg!) Buying high black boots since they'll finally fit over my calves. Delving into the bins of clothes in my attic I sorted through last night. Each bin is now by size and it will be like Christmas each time I move on to another one. Can't believe I kept all those 16s, 14s, 12s, 10s...and even some 8s...but I'm glad I did! Going back to my hometown and not being ashamed when I see I people from high school.

My dr's office said Mederma is the best stuff out there for the scars...it won't make them totally disappear, but it will help. They also recommended cocoa butter for stretch marks and to help tighten the skin. I've been using both at least twice a day...it might not work, but it's worth a try!

Everyone is doing awesome! Today is my one-month anniversary and I am so thrilled with how things are going. I still have two weeks until my first fill, but I'm making due on smaller portions. I saw some folks I haven't seen in a while last week. They don't know about the surgery, or even that I am trying to lose weight, and the minute I walked in the door they all couldn't believe I'd "lost so much weight." I didn't think anyone would really notice at this point, but they did and it was great!!! Those things make half a cup of food at a meal more doable!