melonie

At first i would get a little blue because i couldnt eat things i love or what everyone else was eating BUT when the weight started coming off i started feeling power from making wise choices . Going out with friends was kinda a reward to myself i loved people saying wow you look awsome and then when it was time to order and i was eating my food they were like wow i wish i could do that . So turn it around yall make it a positive thing take it to a good place inside of yourself and use it as motivation Look around at what the others are scarfing down and think to yourself not " i cant eat like that or i cant eat that ") but thank god i cant eat that anymore and for that im becoming the healthy person i set out to be .

The heat alone doesnt affect my band but if its hot and i dont stay on top of drinking: hydration plays a huge factor . When you dehydrate it causes the stomach to swell causing the band to be tighter . In the summer heat yall you have got to make drinking your Water a must !!!!! A well hydrated banster is a happy banster .

The first cleaning was at about 3 months then it seems like i had to do it every month after that lol at one point i think i was down to 1 pair of jeans and about 5 tops i could wear because i refused to spend money on cloths the way i was going thru them . Lucky for me i had friends and family to hand down cloths and as they were giving me smaller stuff i was giving friends my larger stuff . Now i have 3 closets full LOL i always hated to shop now i LOVE it . But im still a budget shopper love me some Yardsales and resale shops was able to build a awsome wardrobe on a very tight budget .

Banded 8-3-10 sounds like you are right on track and doing great with your lose. My lose after surgery was a bit slower do to the fact my port flipped before i even got my first fill but had that redone in january 2010 and its been all good since then . Everyone will lose at a different rate i started out at 242 i just last month hit goal so some of us it takes a little longer . On the upside of slower weight loss gives your skin and body time to adjust to the loss as your losing . Hang in there and keep up the good work

Ive had brain surgery , gallbladder , 2 csections, knee surgery , hand surgery , the band , a port redo , and a hysto and donated a kidney , never not one time have i woke up in surgery . I think it is depending on what type of surgery sometimes they dont put people under as far depending on the time they alot for the surgery . Sooooooo relax and get excited , if you ponder all the what ifs its just gonna cause stress your gonna do great and have a life time of success ahead of you If you catch your self thinking about it simply try to focus on your after surgery recovery making sure the house is tidy , you have everything youll need at home during recovery and tieing up lose ends . Sending prayers your way

Relax and remember Rome wasnt built in a day nor did we gain all our wait in a day . you are in a transition stage right now with fills comes restriction and with restriction and activity comes weightloss. Your going thru the same thing we each did in the beginning the first few months are very frustraiting and the only thing you can do is hold your head up stay positive and follow the guidlines youll do great . I suggest reading up on and understanding head hunger . Head hunger was my big hurtle took me forever to figure out how to tell the difference and when i did BAM its a revolation i promise cause thats the day you concure your own mind. Hang in there you can do this .

Went for first fill yesterday 10/6 didnt go so well.. Dr couldnt get in port . Going back monday to have it done under floro so hoping that goes well . All in all its been a interesting month ive succeded ive failed and ive laffed and ive cried :tt2:

But whats important is im still doing it , im facing it im not backing down . With a empty band one month 5 days later im down 21lbs and im darn happy with that lol i worked hard for it .

:thumbup: Good job september bandsters :thumbup:

September 1st and ive been using Vitamin E oil on mine just before bed each night there fading awsome all but the port scare are pretty much unnoticable.. hope that helps

September 1st yea babbbbbby...

I am starting to really enjoy my band .. though ive not lost the lbs id like to see i am down 4 pant size's so im like yea luv'n it ..

4 all yall just starting and wondering if it gets better yes it does. Youll find your groove . If i have a question i dig in the forums till i find it.

I suggest to every starting find the forum "Your Best Tip" that helpped me tones ..

Hugs all and best wishes cant wait to see were we are this time next year

Youll do fine the surgery is quick , i woke up a lil groggy but soon as i did they ask if i had pain the gave me meds for it and all was great . Ive had several surgerys in my past and this wasnt bad at all. Talk to your dr about your anxiety and they will probably give you something to relax soon as you get there or to take before you get there that will help . Here's hugs and wishing you luck !

September 1st :alien: was my date , ive lost 16 lbs and ive gained a pound :wub: kinda frustrated at this point hoping first fill will make the difference that will be october 6th . I wish you all luck the surgery wasnt bad just remember to walk as soon as you can and as much as you can . Looking forward to making new friends on this new journey .:eek6: