JamiefromJersey

It is certainly possible to not get a fill. I have been to the doctors twice since my surgery at the beginning of August and I haven't gotten a fill as of yet. At the moment, since August 6th, I am down 78lbs, and 148 lbs in total since I started to lose weight. I've had restriction since the day of my surgery and so far, so good for me.

Congrats! Keep up the great work.

Yeah, I must say that a lot of the time I don't recognize myself in the mirror or a passing window. It really is an odd feeling, especially since I've always been big. Like, 6'0" tall, 200lbs in the 4th grade big. lol. Its taking some getting used to and it will be even more odd once I reach my goal.

I was banded 8-6-10 and my scars are red. I'm hoping in time they will fade but at the moment they stand out a bit. lol.

Thanks everyone, for the kind words. I've been a big man my entire life and after playing football in high school and college the weight really tore into my back and knees. I'm starting to feel a lot better now and all the hard work is finally starting to pay off. The relief from the pain caused by 4 herniated discs alone is a ton of motivation but I must say, your lovely words certainly help. lol Thanks again!

Ok, these are the best I could do on short notice...lol. Me, on my wedding day at 430lbs. Me at roughly 350lbs. And me this past weekend at a friends bday party...a bit under 300 lbs. Be gentle! lol.

I do have a before pic when I weighed my heaviest, one I took the day after the surgery and I have to get my wife to take a present pic although technically it would be a middle pic because 240lbs is my true goal. I'll see about posting them up...lol.

I weigh myself once a week, every Thursday morning after I'm done with the gym for the week.

Ok, so at the beginning of all this I weighed in at 430lbs. I did the weight watchers thing for a bit and got down to 360lbs over a period of a year or so. After struggling back and forth for another year, I made the decision to get banded. I was banded on August 6th of this year, at 357lbs. I al proud to say that I have met one of my first goals...I weighed in at 297lbs this week. I have FINALLY broken the 300 pound barrier. I have 57 more pounds to go and I am very excited at the idea of reaching my goal. Just wanted to share...with a bit of hard work and determination we can all get there, that I've learned.

Grilled chicken, green beans, tiny scoop of yellow rice.

I'm still here as well...banded on 8-6-10, when in for my first fill and the doc said it wasn't necessary. So far, I am down 42 lbs.

At this point I am doing the nautilus machines exclusively, no free weights, and very low weights...high reps.

I take 2 chewable multi vitamins, a calcium plus vitamin D and a B12 vitamin everyday. That reminds me...lol.

Well, so far I've lost 42 lbs after surgery and I am working on my 5th week. I went in yesterday expecting my first fill and the doctor decided not to do one. He said the same thing, as long as I'm losing weight consistantly, he wants to leave it alone. I honestly say that part of it is that I am exercising 4 times a week, with 45 mins of cardio, 30 mins of weights each day and I'm really mindful of my carbs. I don't know if I will consistantly lose as well as I have been but I'm happy so far and things are going smoothly. Its good to hear there are others out there who've not had a fill. I was kinda upset when I didn't get one on Wednesday.

I'm down 37 lbs since my surgery on August 6th, 105lbs in total over the last three years.

Hey everyone, just thought I'd check in. I was banded on August 6th and I've been doing better and better each week. I started back to the gym three weeks ago, started going very early in the morning before work. My workout plan has been 4 days a week, 25 mins elliptical, alternate lifting for 30 mins, then another 25 mins brisk walking on the treadmill. I'm doing pretty well counting my calories, managing my intake, and making sure I get enough Protein. I'm averaging about 85g of protein a day, 1500 calories, and between 40 & 60g of carbs. So, when I was banded I was at 357lbs and I weighed in this week at 324. My first goal is 299lbs and I'm more than half way there and I personally feel its the exercise. I get up at 4:15am, Mon - Thurs, workout from 4:30am till 6:00am, and then get ready for work. To me, it seems my metabolism is jump started since I'm working out in the mornings. I work late so its hard to get to the gym at night but so far, its working out great for me going early. The tough part has been the fact that my band only makes me feel full for about an hour or two after I eat. So I've been drowning my hunger with Protein drinks between meals. lol. My first fill is supposed to be this Wednesday...what exactly do I have to look forward to?

I gotta say, I feel much better hearing everyone else's comments. I'm in "hell" myself at the moment, lol. I was banded on the 6th of August, had my first post opp visit and I'm due for my first fill on Sept 8th. I'm trying so hard to continue the weight loss but right now, it doesn't wanna come off. I know I'm being a bit anxious here and I need to be patient but I don't want a gain before my first fill either. I'm just trying to figure out how my first fill is gonna help the weight come off when I'm not really eating all that much right now as it is.

Hey everyone...been reading a lot on the boards here and doing my best to take in everyone elses experiences. I was banded on August 6th and I've been doing pretty well. I made it through the first week of liquids pretty well and managed to lose about 25 lbs in the process. I moved onto full liquids last Thursday and never knew how much I'd miss creamy Soups...tomato has been my savior. I've been drinking as much Water as possible along with about 40g of Protein in the form of the Isopure drinks. Things had been going pretty smoothly up till today. Yesterday was my first day back to work and I walk about 1.5 miles to my office in the city, and another 1.5 back to the train. So, I woke up very very sore this morning and stayed that way all day. Plus, sitting up right at my desk all day didn't help matters, and I've been getting some lovely hunger pains as well. I also noticed that the weight loss has pretty much stopped for the last 5 days or so and I gotta say I'm a little disappointed and sad, lol. So, between the hunger pains, soreness, and slowed weight loss I, for the first time since the surgery, had a pretty crappy day. Just wanted to share and find out if this is par for the course for everyone. I'm looking forward to my first fill on Sept 8th. Think this will help with the hunger pains and the push forward with more weight loss?

From what I've been told this is normal due to the our diet changes. I had my surgery done on August 6th and I've lost 29 lbs so far. My doctor explained that as you move away from the liquids this will slow down a bit.

I"m gurgling as well, but only when I drink liquids for an extended period of time. Like right now, I'm drinking isopure and I get a little gurgle noise here and there. Hopefully it goes away, lol.

My doctor was Dr. Prokurat out of Centerstate Hospital in Freehold, NJ. He's a great doctor. I'm at home now, sipping on isopure and water and my stomach isn't feeling any better. Normally, I would eat some toast or crackers but obviously, I can't. This is the worst I've felt so far...

So I had planned on returning to work today, almost a week after being banded. I had my first post op visit with the doctor yesterday and all went well. I've been feeling pretty good, soreness went down and I felt ready for full liquids. Well, I woke up this morning, showered up and jumped in the car to head in and on the way, got just about the most upset stomach I've ever had. I had to turn around and go home which I'm pretty upset about. Looks like I'm gonna take the rest of the week and rest, and head back to work on Monday. So, is this normal to have happen, the "upset" stomach part? I'm hoping with some creamy Soups and pudding, something more than just liquids things might start feeling a bit better on the other end. Anyone else feel this way?

I'm glad to hear its painless...I get my first fill in about 4 weeks.

I'm 5 days into my band and I've been the same way. It was suggested to me that if I could, to lay on my left side. Supposedly it helps the gas find its way out and relieves the pressure. I have to say, I've been laying on my left side on the sofa and when I do, it definitely helps me.

Thanks for all the welcomes! I'm going to look into the Gas x strips tomorrow. My chest still feels like its full of air, lol. Tomorrow is my first visit post op and I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait for the mushies!