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Good job!! All of my pants are falling off too, even the new ones that are a size smaller. Keep those shorts so you can compare at your goal weight

I'm currently going through the insurance approval for my surgery. I have to have 6 months documentation of weight management.My question is to you that have been banded, would you do it all over again or would you pass?

I firmly believe the weight is a hinderance for many prospective employers. I feel they view overweight candidates as a liability, expense and some feel they are going to be lazy. I will be in the market for a new job next year (have to move) and will be happy to be down many pounds before I have to embark on that journey. There are some employers that don't care and I know they aren't supposed to discriminate but if given two equal candidates, I feel the healthier looking one is more apt to in most cases. Not only that but I can do well on interviews but am very self-concious w/ my weight. I know I will present much better when I feel more confident about myself.

The sad truth is that yes it does matter. Many will deny it, but it mostly occurs in the subconcious and they won't admit it. Like healthydreams, I too lost about 45 pounds a couple years ago. During that time I was promoted and given a hefty raise. A couple years later and in a new job I put on the weight again. Guess who was laid off? I was. I'm sure that my weight didn't cause the lay off, but during that time I had a couple sexist male clients and they obviously preferred the younger thinner account reps that were on my team even though I was the more experienced rep. So with that, I wasn't a client favorite and when they had to let 20% of the staff go, they kept the more attractive reps. It's how it goes. Fast forward to now and I'm almost back to my 40 pound smaller figure and in a new job. Go figure - literally. Also - obesity is not protected by any of the equal opportunity or ADA laws. They can discriminate for being too fat. Sad, very sad.

Hi Everyone, I quit smoking last January, and gained 25 pounds. OUt of frustration, I started smoking again, without my families knowledge. Now that I am facing the surgery, my doctor said that he wouldn't even consider doing the surgery on me w/o me being a nonsmoker. So I have to requit:cry . I was wondering if anyone else is struggling w/ this? Also, I have read so much at this site, and some of it (the bad news) sends me outside for a "ciggy". I am scared and nervous about the procedure, which just makes me want to smoke more!:nervous

I find this topic extremely interesting as I am a recruiter! I have been a recruiter for 24yrs both in US and Australia! I use to weigh 129kg (283 pounds) and I have never not been able to get a job due to my size nor did I not get people a job due to their size! It's always been about skills and personality! I will say I use to think there were times I could not progress due to my size but it was all in my head! I was my own worse enemy! Also living in America taught me how to dress as a professional woman and to be confident with who I am no matter what size you are! The only real discrimination I felt was on the train no one would sit next to me mainly due to there not being enough room in the seat! I now enjoy being this size and I'm still in the same career my weight has not held me back either way!!

Hi! I really do think losing the weight opens up more career opportunities. Atleast makes things easier. About 2 years ago,(i wasnt banded or anything) i managed to loose 40 pounds and go from 220 to almost 170 and i had a much much easier finding a job! I worked part time as a home health caregiver and part time waitressing and after losing the weight i had no problem finding a job! An after i gained it back people looked at me like A your appearance is Not appetizing! Or B how are you going to care for others when your not healthy yourself! So i do think it makes a difference!

OK... a few questions.... (note it's been years since I've been a new pre-op, so things may have changed)... Did your doctor do the fill under fluoroscopy or just in his office??? If he did it under fluoroscopy, with a barium swallow, then my guess is that the fill amount is O.K. If not, he may just proceed very slowly because he doesn't use fluoroscopy and doesn't want you to be too restricted. Personally, 0.5 as a first fill seems extremely small to me. In my day, the typical first fill was 1.5-2.0 ccs... and even with that, most people would find that they'd be back at the doctors in a month or two for their next fill. You're right... this is a tool. It will work.... but you need to be patient. It can take two-four fills before you find your sweet spot. How's your exercise going?? Do you wear a pedometer, do walk away the pounds, anything?? For me, even when I needed a fill, I found that upping (or restarting) my exercise program often had great results... both in how I felt emotionally/physically and in weight loss.

my first fill didnt work either so I know what your feeling. the fact my son was getting married in 3 months made me stick to the diet and lose otherwise I wouldnt have lost an ounce. the others are right though about having to wait a few days sometimes for the fill to kick in,thats happened to me a couple of times. I know what you mean about having to diet without restriction, if I could do that I wouldnt have needed the band ! your probably the same, sometimes I wonder where the docs heads are at. for instance, the 1st doctor I saw wanted me to lose 80lbs before I got the band and eat what I would be eating when banded to "prove my commitment" huh ????? the surgeon who banded me has a wife who has been also banded and he knows all the thrills and spills, asks you not to eat meat and bread and candy, fills you then will add a bit or take some out until your comfortable and leaves it up to the patient to judge whether the fill is working or not. to my mind that makes more sense. as for exercise I was far to big to be exercising and Im still not, thats cos Im lazy no other reason, but the weight still comes off at my size even if I dont. no doubt that will change as I get lighter *sigh I read somwhere that you have to run up the stairs of the Eiffel tower and back down again 165 times to lose 3lbs of fat --so thats my excuse, I live too far away from Paris !! after a year (today) of the band, my need to lose it and lose it fast has diminished a lot, this will no doubt happen to you and you will realise that once you get the right amount in your band and you folllow the rules you HAVE to lose weight. Its hard to get the yo yo dieting mentality out of your head which was for me, omg I havnt lost weight this week, omg Im going to stop losing and gain it all back, panic panic panic then I realised that there will be highs and lows and that with the band the general direction is down, with a few bumps along the slope good luck and hopefully he will realise that you need more restriction. fingers crossed for you

Anybody having issues losing weight who has the implanon? Bout ready to call it quits!!!

I was banded on 2.11.2011. The first week while on liquids only, I lost 18 lbs. Week 2 (mushy phase), I have only lost 1 lb. Overall, I am very pleased so I do not want to come off as unhappy. I am just curious if anyone experienced a large weight loss at first and then hardly anything. I just dont understand why I have not lost more this week considering the small amount of food I am intaking and the fact that I am following the program exactly. Any insight would be appreciated.

I think that is true about when you are really heavy that people do not comment on your weight loss. I had my first compliment today from a friend who hasn't seen me in a month. I think people get used to our roller coaster weight loss...I know I have lost 40 lb. before and gained it all back! They do not know that the band is different. That this time it is going to work. Maybe they are just scared to say anything and get our hopes up.

Lift weights.

So I'm just over 4 weeks into my banding and my weight lose has stalled at about 18lbs. But after reading through the rest of the posts about this, I realized that this is pretty normal and I should pay attention to my food intake rather than the scale for a while. I have to let my body adjust and get use to everything for a little bit. So, while I'm letting my body adjust to everything, I want to start changing up my workout routine, because it quite honestly is becoming a little routine and it's getting boring. Currently I'm switching between the Elliptical and my Stepper for about an hour. When I'm not doing that, I work out with my Wii (just bought a Wii Fit, can't wait to get it!). So I wanted to find out what everyone else is doing just to see what I can incorporate. Where I live, going outside for a walk isn't much of a workout, so while I still do that, I would like to do a little more than that. Any ideas would be appreciated! You all have been so helpful with this whole journey!

the scale number actually depend on the floor. we always assume that floor is flat but it is not true. try to move the scale and weight again. I found 3 places in my bathroom where scale shows different numbers. I just choose one which sound more true and always put it there to get weight.

During this time period it is imperative that you "diet" and I hate to use that word. I was hungry for a long time while waiting for fill after fill. I finally have restriction and it's great. But I didn't really lose much weight for about 3 months. I maintained and maybe lost a few pounds but don't look for big weight loss right now. Just count your calories and measure what you eat and drink, drink, drink your water! Keep protein high and carbs low. That did the trick for me. Hope this helps! Best wishes!

That is outstanding !!!! Don't sweat the "gain". Stay the course and you are going to reach your goal. Excellent progress thus far !!

Okay, I know we aren't all JOCKS..after all, we would not have needed a lapband if we were the type to hang out in a gym everyday. That being said..I joined a gym a month ago. I was set ! I went everyday, worked out for an hour or more..hired a personal trainer to make sure I was doing things right and working on the right equipment. Well, all had been going well until Monday. I went and did my 45 min on the treadmill (rack of pain) and then did my weight training and stretching etc. I moved on to the Vertical Pullups. Now this is a very hard thing to wrap your head around. You have a strap, with two handles, you lean back and pull yourself upright, then let yourself back down and repeat - making sure to keep you back and body straight.all the time verticle the floor...Well, the strap broke. YEP, busted right in half. Kerplunk to the ground I went..flat of my back and head. The physical therapist came a running and everyone crowded around. No blood, but lots of "stars". I have a bone bruise on my tail bone, muscle spasms in my shoulders, whiplash in my neck and a concussion. Right now, my eyes still don't focus and head is still foggy and swimming a bit. Rescue came, got me up and hauled me off the to ER for CAT scans, Xrays etc. To make matters worse - on Tuesday - I threw up 21 times..well, all your bandsters know what that meant - I threw up because of the concussion, but with all the throwing up, the stomach became swollen and the band shut off my stomach. SOOOO, fluid removed from band..gee thanks..here I thought I was in this "green zone" only to knock my head on a floor. I'd try to think about it, but I can't do that real good right now. This just sucks. I was registered to do my favorite 5K tomorrow night - can't now...Have missed a week of work (our busiest time of the year) and I have to sit in the dark "resting my brain". I'm not even supposed to be reading - I miss you guys but I had to post... Monday I get to visit a Neurologist and an opthomologist then Tues by Bariactric doc..So, what I am getting at. BE CAREFUL in the GYM. I don't care what your trainer says, if you don't really like an exercise - poo on it and don't do it. If you feel something might be dangerous, pass on it. I really thought this was OK - hard, but OK. It was supposed to work on my "core" and hopefully on this fat tummy thing..instead it worked on my head! Never again... Guys, take care of yourselves and have a good weekend. If I get my marbles back, I'll keep you posted but until then - Short and Chunky OUT... Melinda in Florida

Do any ladies have PCOS & are losing weight just fine? Or do you have PCOS & the weight is coming off slowly? TIA

i just recently quit smoking too. i was banded 1/3/11.... its hard. another person on here told me that before we get our first fill its usually hell. i was at the doctors the other day and a guy in there said he gained weight before his 1st fill. i wouldnt be alarmed. good luck!

My Lymphedema Doc told me to stop massages to avoid doing more harm in case the therapist didn't have experience. So far, I know of no massage therapist in my area w experience in this area. Staying positive and hoping w exercise/weight loss, it will get better. I have a mild condition--caught very early.

Yes, my weight does this as well! My weight is up and down ... up and down the same 3 lbs and then BAM, I'll drop 3-4 lbs over night and keep it off permanently. I had to get an unfill yesterday because I hadn't been able to eat correctly for the last 2 weeks. My body was stuck and going into starvation mode. I was able to eat a chicken salad last night and then I weighed this morning and I lost a few lbs... I think because my body finally got nourishment.

TOM made a huge difference for me as well. I have always lost in fits and starts throughout the banding journey. The only time time I lost regularly was the first several weeks. My weight loss graph shows plateau, dip, plateau, dip and repeats repeatedly throughout banding. The only difference now that I am pretty much at goal is that the changes are a lot slower and the losses smaller. I always had a steady decline a week or sometimes more right after a new fill. Right now I have been holding steady for about of month . . . but I am half unfilled for being preggers and I went on a three week vacation in the middle east where I ate whatever I wanted. Even with all that, I don't seem to be gaining for which I am very grateful.

I never loose any weight 2 weeks before my TOM. I always loose my weight the 2 weeks after.

Selfish and psycho are not words that come to mind. I can totally understand the impatience! Maybe someday someone will invent the medical technology that will allow us to lose all the excess weight overnight. But for now, you lost 32.5 lbs in 1 month exactly. Say those words aloud! 32.5 lbs in 1 month! That's absolutely incredible! 32.5 lbs. Gone! Forever! Congratulations! Just keep after it, and enjoy the ride. People who see you every day might not notice as much because you're losing consistently and they see you all the time. People who you haven't seen in a while will have their minds blown