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Lol, I had one like that once. Back in my youth when I used to get through litres of diet coke a week, I dreamed that diet coke had calories. It was a really scary dream. I'll eat ten cream cakes, but I dont drink calories. That's a fat person's warped logic. Order big mac, large fries AND a sundae but draw the line at regular coke!

I think you will be really happy with Dr. Kurian. She is such a sweetheart! If you have an apppointment in two weeks, it may be at least a 6 week wait for surgery. I don't want you to be disappointed if that is indeed the case.

Bandpal, you are doing great. Are you sure you're not too tight though? You should be able to eat more of a variety of foods. It did take me 2 weeks after my last fill to eat normal foods. I still have to make sure everything is moist and I can't handle solids in the morning. If you can hadle the tightness, then great! Have fun in the states. Sounds like a great trip!

Hey Bandpal, Great to hear your news. 61.5 pounds is a big accomplishiment. Congratulations! I know you say it's two weeks since your last fill. It sounds like you have a lot of restriction, I hope you will see your surgeon if you start to think it's too tight. I've heard that can lead to band slippage,so i worry for you. I'm amazed at how many of you have good restriction, seems Sades and I are still searching for that. I think I'm close, maybe next fill. I can still eat too much, don't have to chew, chew, chew, much. How nice you'll be visiting the states and weddings are a happy, fun, family event. Funny how we notice things differently when the focus is not just on the food at events now, like you're experiencing during Passover. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Hot, Halfway, Honest, Happy and Homeward Bound -Bandpal's Periodic Update- Hi Nymphs, Hot It's 40 degrees celsius with a hot desert wind howling down the valley and kicking up clouds of sand. My three year-old and I are riding out the weather inside while the big kids are out with DW bowling and ice skating down in the city by the sea. He just scored a thumping victory over the old man at Candyland, thanks to a little clever card manipulation on my part, and after celebrating with a round of drinks (pink grapefruit juice for him, chicken broth for me), he's settled down on the couch for the latest adventures of Sammy the Fireman on TV. Meanwhile, I'd like to share a little bit of what's going on with this old bandster dad. Halfway I've lost 61.5 pounds since being banded on 21.11.07, putting me at 224.5 pounds, or 102 kilo. I haven't been under 100 kilo since you could take in the view of Manhattan from the observation deck of the World Trade Center, so that'll be a pretty significant milestone (kilometerstone?) for me. I'm more or less at the halfway point of the weight I want to lose. Meanwhile, it's Passover now, prime eating season for us Jews, yet I've actually lost weight during the holiday. Now, that's definitely a first. Honest My second fill, two weeks ago, is keeping me honest. Unless I eat or drink very slowly and in exceedingly small quantities, I can expect to see whatever I've eaten or drunk again, often in vivid projectile displays that would not embarrass the special effects crew of The Exorcist. Only yesterday, in fact, I narrowly missed covering my 14 year-old son, sitting across from me in one of our premier local seafood establisments, in a mighty stream of masticated scallops in cream sauce (leaving him, for once, entirely speechless). Finding the point at which I am full, before the food starts to back up, has been very challenging for me. I'm usually hungry when I sit down to eat, and it's hard to remember how important it is to eat slowly. Any tips would be appreciated - how do you know when you've had enough? This evening I managed to keep down two slices of steamed zucchini, each about an inch thick and two inches in diameter, each slice cut into 16 sections, four across and four down (I know this sounds really anal retentive, but I need to describe where I'm at). I ate the sections one at a time with a toothpick over 45 minutes. Besides that, the only thing that stays down are liquids, mostly clear and some full, and only if I drink them slowly. Happy Don't get me wrong – for all of this I am grateful. My appetite is much, much smaller, my stomach is shrinking, I am literally being forced to learn new and healthier eating habits, I am learning how to navigate various social and emotional situations without overeating... "je ne regrette rien", as they say in French. I can't believe what's happening to me. I have broken a pattern that was totally out of control, that was making me miserable, ruining my life and which I was convinced was going to kill me.I'm so glad that I was willing to take the risk, and that I had people around to support me. In the space of five months – hey, I just realized, five month banding anniversary was the day before yesterday, congratulations on month number 5, everyone – my life has changed. That's what I tried to tell my surgeon in the space of the two minutes it took to give me my fill, and he just nodded his head and smiled. He probably hears the same thing twenty times a day. Homeward Bound Next up for me is a three week trip back to the States for a family wedding. I'll be with my parents and siblings in the greater New York area for most of the time, and then we'll all travel down to San Antonio, Texas to watch my cousin tie the knot. Accompanying me will be my six year-old daughter, and I am looking forward to visits to the ballet, the zoo, toy stores and the rowboat lake in Central Park. I am hoping for a binge-free visit, one in which the people I am with and the things I am doing won't be overshadowed by my relationship with food. Wishing you all sure steps forward on the road we are all walking together, Bandpal P.S. Next day's breakfast: 1/2 hard boiled egg, 1 cherry tomato and two depitted olives, eaten slowly with toothpick. Am now sipping fruit juice through a straw. I have to be aware enough to see what I need, and resourceful enough in order to get it.

I'm just very sad that I gained some weight. I work really hard, I jog two to three miles aday and walk one mile. For me to gain back eight pounds is hurtful. I don't understand what is going on, it's not like I eat much.

I'm so frustrated I could scream. It's been almost 4 weeks now and I'm down between 2 and 3 pounds depending on the day. I'm doing everything right and it's not working. I'm not overeating, I'm not making bad food choices. Yes I'm thrilled to be down as much as I am, but I hoped at this point I'd be down at least 10-15 more than I am. My one cheat has been yesterday we went to Rainforest Cafe to celebrate some birthdays. I had fish and chips and ate less than a third of it, maybe 4 tortilla chips with queso, plus a itty bitty portion of brownie and ice cream (maybe 5 tiny bites). My breakfast and my dinner were each about 150 calories of almost pure protein to allow for my overindulgence at lunch so I came out fine on my daily totals, yet today, that flucuating pound is back. Even after going through all I have to get help, I'm failing. It makes no sense at all. I've gotten used to the 20-something pounds being gone and lost that feeling of being smaller and I just feel like a cow again. I guess after getting adjusted thursday it will be better, but honestly I don't see how I could eat much less than I am right now.

You need to be kinder to yourself and appreciate how much you have lost. The first six weeks is for healing and I would not worry! You are doing great! We have all been through the bandster hell! Try to weigh yourself only once a week. This will ease your stress and you will see the results better. Good Luck with your fill! Talk to your Dr about how you feel. Maybe he will be a little aggressive with your fill.

So I had my lap band surgery on Monday 2/27 and I was on liquid diet the first week. This week I am supposed to be doing pureed, and the mushies for the following 2 weeks and then solids week 5 as my first fill is week 6. Problem is, I have no idea what to do for the puree diet and I am starving. Since I don't know what to do i have just stuck to liquids. The suggestions from the Dr say I can eat anything, just pureed to the consistency of a liquid. Anyone have any ideas for this so that I can feel a little more satisfied without eating totally gross nasty stuff? Or is it smarter just to stay on liquids and do lots of Protein shakes? Man I am so looking forward to mushies, there is al least hope with that phase!

i just got 4 cc in my 1o cc band. i dont feel restriction such as not being able to eat certain foods. everything goes down ok for me. I dont get full after 3-4 tiny bits, i tend to get full around 3 oz i had a taco salad for lunch and right now am just starting to get hungry again so i would say that is good. Is this the restriction others have? I dunno. i believe i have it because when i drink water it sits in the bottom of my throast for a bit and then it feels like a funnel effect. my doc also said i wont hit my sweet spot until around three fills. I feel good tho now. IM glad i dont have any sliming with certain foods. i do take small bites of everything.

When I had my band, it was in conjunction with about 8 of my co-workers. My weight loss was slow and steady, for others it was faster and they had greater loss in the first couple of weeks. When I would hit a plateau, then I would have a fill. I reached my goal weight 2-1/2 years later. You already have the band, let it work for you.

I use the under lined principles of low carb/ high Protein and have had what I consider a good result. I try to keep carbs at around 35-40. I eat mostly lean Proteins ( at least 70g), followed by low cab veggies with the ocassional fruit. I keep calories to about 900. And while I do try to keep moving, I realy don't push it. about a 30 min walk or eliptical daily at a leisurely pace. (If I exercise too much more, I have found my appeite increases substanially and I want to eat more....probably more than I burn.---I do allow myself a few days each month to increase my carbs and calories. One, this lets my eat those carbs that I might be missing like fruit, english muffin, oatmeal..., but I also think it confuses my body and keeps it from getting to comfortable. I have lost 42 pounds in 17 weeks,,,thats about an average of2.5 pounds a week. But the biggest difference is the way I feel!! Wow what a difference!! My energy level is 3 times what it used to be. Now that I am under 195 pounds....I have noticed a slight decline in the weight loss department. Maybe more like a 1-1.5 pound loss weekly, so its my plan (starting next week) to shake things up. Start adding a few more calories and bumoing up the exercise a little....I might also lower my carbs to nothing for a couple of days in hopes of entering ketosis. Hopefully this will get the scale back up there to the 2 pound a week mark again. If this is something you decide to try, I love exchanging low carb food ideas and recipes.---just let me know.

I had lapband surgery in 2009 in Phoenix with Dr Terry Simpson. Fast forward to now, where I am happily married, pregnant and suffering miserably from the lap-band! I did not feel comfortable going back to Dr Simpson with my issues...his office turned into a 'cattle call' with too many patients and little to no time for questions. You virtually lined up to be seen. I was also offended on two occasions, once by a fellow patient who snickered at me and said 'why the hell are you here?' and a staff member that told me that my minimal weight loss (from 200 to 185) was probably because my body was comfortable there...huh? The last straw was my attempt to go in two weeks ago for the pain, reflux, rapid weight loss....and they said sorry, he's on a family vacation...you were self pay years ago so you should find someone else to help with your 'issues'. After a week and a half of an inability to swallow food or Water, I was desperate and was referred to Dr Jason Reynoso at Scottsdale Health Care. Wow! Talk about a caring, compassionate guy that knew I was in trouble and wanted to help me ASAP. Losing 25lbs when you are 5 months pregnant is not normal and he started the process immediately. An Upper GI indicated a slipped band and little to no liquid or food able to pass through. I was scheduled for surgery and had it done yesterday. There was a lot of scar tissue that had to be removed and it appears the band wasn't originally installed correctly as the buckle essentially disintegrated. Obviously being pregnant and having surgery is the last thing you would ever think about but I knew it was becoming a matter of life and death for myself and my unborn child. I am sore but home and can eat like a human again! I decided to write this to encourage anyone pregnant with a band and suffering to reach out to your Dr as soon as possible. I have cried many tears...mad at myself for ever putting myself and my child in this position and 'waiting it out' over the past couple of years when I was obviously having issues. Sorry for the rambling rant but I needed to get it out! Best of luck to you all!

Watch the fine print on all loans for your surgery!!!! I had the option of a refinance, home equity loan or capitalonehealthcare. My doc. gave me info on capitalone......you go online and select "cosmetic" to apply. They offer (through some doctors) a temporary 0% = 18 months are 0% if paid off...you have 48 months to pay BUT...if you are not paid off in the first 18 months...you owe 19.99% for ALL/EVERY BIT of the original loan amount!!!!!!! A home equity (if you have a home and equity) is a higher intest rate than a refinance--but usually is shorter term. I hope to pay off the 0% interst loan in the first 18 months...and if I think I can't.......before the 18 months, I'll then do home equityloan to pay the rest of it off!!! That means...I get ZERO INTEREST for probably 17 months, and then pay off anything left from that first loan, with home equity at less than 10% for however much longer I need (don't cut the 18 month deadline too close or it may cost you a bundle). I would rather pay another 18 -19 months at 10%, than all a full 36 months at 19.99% if it takes three years to pay!! YOU may be able to pay it sooner or later than my example?????? If it will take a long time for you to pay, and you don't want the hassel-capitalone also offers a plain " low" interest plan.........they can let you know in minutes if you are accepted. These are only a few ideas...the possibilities are endless...depending on your circumstances.

megsy, a body lift is also called a belt lipectomy - it's when they excise a 'belt' of skin right round your lower body so you end up with a scar that goes right the way round. They then pull the skin down and suture it all up, so that all the 'slack' of excess skin from your stomache, back and hips end up getting tightened. In my case, I'm also having a upside down conical vertical incision (from pubic area to belly button) to remove excess skin from my upper tummy area, and my belly button will be repositioned. I will be having some body contouring and the fascia underneath my upper tummy will be 'knitted' together, to get that 'flat stomache' look. My PS will also do some lipo on my mons area to ensure that everything's 'flat' all the way down. All in all, after Medicare rebates and health insurance rebates, and inclusive of my PS's fee, anaethetists fees, autology and hospital fees, it will cost me around $16 000. I will be in hospital 4-7 days, and will be expected to recover at home for at least 4 weeks before returning to a desk job. If I were doing something more active, like working as nurse, I would be expected to take at least 6 weeks off for recovery.

krtork - Also, look at the Splenda and other artificial sweetners. I have learned to use them sparingly because they will make me retain Fluid. I sure to miss my Lipton Citrus Teas. I didn't make it out here last week because we were out of town. I have been sick and not really wanting to eat much so I am down. 210 was my bandiversay goal for this week and I made it. If I make the rest of them, I will get to onederland just in time. I had been running every day training for a marathon in December but I started having extremely bad heel pain and have found that I have heel spurs. My doctor says do anything I want as long as it doesn't hurt. Anything more than a brisk walk is still hurting. I would love to hear if anyone has any suggestions.

Hi guys, I was just banded three days ago and have about 65 pounds to lose. Just wanted to pop in and say hi! I look forward to getting to know all of you and sharing tips and frustrations. :smile:

Thank you so much for posting this. Your story is inspiring for me and the timing couldn't have been better. I have been told today by my band doctor that I may have mechanical failure and I have to decide whether to remove my band. My story: I was banded 4/4/05. Initially I did very well, lost weight, felt good, no complications. About 6 months into it I starting having what the doctor told me was esophageal spasms and after several months of recurrent "spasms" that made me want to commit suicide, we discovered that they were gall bladder attacks. Since the gall bladder removal my weight loss has essentially stalled, maybe 20 lbs over 3 years then in the last 6 months or so I have gained 30! YIKES! From the time I was banded I have not been able to lay on my back for extended periods of time or sleep on my back. I wake with chest pain and pressure and I nearly always wake with a sore throat. All doctors tell me it's reflux. After 5 years of this "reflux", I started getting worried about the health of my esophagus so I contacted my band doctor. He says that some rare cases of "mechanical failure" occur where the esophagus just doesn't have the motility to deal with the device that's been implanted. We could try Nexium and if the symptoms do not improve, the only way to solve the problem is band removal. *I've done the Nexium thing before and haven't noticed any change. I'm willing to try again, but I think I'm headed for a tough decision here. It's like I'm losing a friend and I really fear gaining all of my weight back. He offered the VGS as an option, but I chose the band because I didn't want my anatomy altered. I want to cry.

I posted this today on my blog and wanted to post it here as well! So if there are names or backstories that I mentioned...that is why...hahah! I didnt realize how long it was! In the name of reflecting on a year gone by, I have been working on this Bandiversary post. It is a mumble jumble of some of my thoughts, tips, rules (non-rules), and lessons learned since Tina the Wonderband took up residence in my body. This year has flown by and brought me so many wonderful presents, people, and experiences. I don't have all the answers...and our journeys, while on parallel paths in the same direction, can look very different. So here you go! Happy Reading! All doctors, clinics, bandsters, and rules, are different. They just are. And I am not a slave to any of the rules. I see them more as guidelines and helpful tips. For example, I eat Soup...a lot. Soup is a liquid and therefore, slides right down the old shoot. But I honestly feel rather satisfied with 2 cups of wonderful soup. I also now almost always choose soup if we go out to eat. I noticed this when we went to Lambert's for my mom's birthday. Lamberts did not have one soup option. I think I started ordering soup out as a rule after my October fill. It just became too risky to try solid food and a waste of money. And even though I can bring leftovers home, leftovers usually go to waste in our house. I just couldn't see spending $10 on something that I could only nibble at. It does not bother me, this soup fetish of mine. I can have a couple of bites of whatever Tracey gets and I am a cheap date. Drinking with meals. This was not that hard for me to give up. At home, I just make sure that I don't have my Water near me when I eat dinner. When we go out to eat, I drink about 4 cups of water before the meal comes. I drink right up to that point. I do not personally believe that water primes the band. Water goes right down people. It doesn't just sit there. For me, when I do try and be naughty (Cookies and milk anyone?) drinking with my food either hurts OR gets me stuck. Some bandsters measure, weigh, or journal their food. All the time. I do not. I do measure Snacks though. For example, if I am going to have some nuts, I measure whatever one serving size is and put it in a little baggy. This way I know what my calorie intake is for that snack. I do not do food journals, count carbs, or watch my fat intake. Those things, for me, are all part of DIETING. They give me horrible flashbacks and I find myself rocking in the corner with sounds of helicopters and gunfire in my head. They send me to a bad place. However, from time to time I have recommended online food journals to struggling bandsters who feel lost or out of control. Sometimes when we estimate our calories we forget things, round DOWN, or just lie! So it can be a useful tool. And whatever works for you is the way to go. The scale. Another rule I do not care for is the "scale rule". Even my wonderful Dr. Friedman told me not to weigh daily. I weigh myself every day, but only record the weight on Mondays. Mondays keep me motivated through the weekends. I do not freak out if my weight fluctuates during the week...I try to reserve such freakouts for Mondays alone. Your weight will go up and down. But weighing myself every day does keep me accountable for my actions. I eat better when I bring my lunch to work. While for dinner I can usually eat grilled chicken breast, some pork chop etc., leftover meat is a no-go for me anymore. It just gets too dry when I heat it in the microwave. This is one of the reasons I make soup and freeze it. But whatever you choose, make it something you can just grab...so you don't use the excuse "I didn't have anything". It is a rare, rare day when I eat fast food for lunch. And the only fast food I do eat is either chili from Wendy's or nuggets from Chick-fil-a. I am thankful for an amazing doctor, who surrounds himself with amazing staff. I think that having the right doctor is so crucial to success. Dr. Friedman let me decide when I needed a fill. I could come in week after week until I got restriction. I see him every time I go for an appointment and he is right beside me when I get my fill. I am honest with him. I tell him when I have been drinking Sunkist or snacking. I tell him what I can and cannot eat. He listens. I was a trooper through bandster hell. I stayed the course and did not go hog wild (pun intended) when I realized I could eat anything and everything. I was on my high from my preop diet weight loss. I knew what I had to do. Dr. Friedman told me upfront that the band does not work for everyone...that his biggest fear is that his patients won't lose weight. By God I was going to lose weight. I listen for the real hunger. One of the most important lessons I have learned is when I really need to eat. How many times do we say "OH I am starving"? A lot. And are we really? No. So I took this phrase out of my vocabulary. I might say "I am hungry"....but that is different than starving. When you are fighting headhunger, try and stop and say "Am I really hungry?" If the answer is no, try to resist munching! Drink water instead! Do something. Of course I still snack sometimes whenI am not hungry, but at least when I DO, I am tsk tsking myself! LOL I tell everyone about my surgery, if they ask. This will be a debate until the end of time...on Lapband Talk and on these blogs. There are just so many factors that go into making this decision, and I know that for everyone...their choice is their own. I don't think it ever occurred to me to hide it. For me, I tell because it can help others, because their is no shame in having weight loss surgery, because it can educate the ignorant, and because the truth shall set your free. I think about some of the ladies who have been banded because they have seen my progress. What if I had just told them I did it through watching what I eat and exercising (which is not a lie, but not the complete truth either). Would they feel like failures because "Amy did it the old fashioned way...why can't I?" Would they still be putting off the idea of surgery? I am proud of my choice and where I am today. You know ironically, I get the most negative comments about choosing WLS from fat people. Maybe bc the skinny people don't want to be politically incorrect? But as I think about it...yep...mostly my heavy "friends" are the ones who turn up their noses when I tell them about the band. But that's okay...I'll give them time. A year later, I still think of food all.the.time. This by no way means that I am hungry. In fact, the only time I feel real hunger anymore is in the morning before Breakfast. I have read about those people who after being banded, food just became something they "had to do". I used to really hope for that day to come. Eh, it just might never happen for me. I did learn this year that there are actually people who do not think of food all the time. This was mind boggling to me...and still kinda is! Funny, but it seems that those people who do NOT think of food all the time are thin. Who would have thunk? There are foods I do miss...and they all involve bread. I miss peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hamburgers with buns, hot dogs with buns, cinnamon rolls, oh cinnamon rolls, Stuffing my face with cookies and chugging milk , pizza, Big Macs...It's a good thing I have the band huh? lol I set goals. Mini goals, about every 3 months along. I made these goals preband (for the first 6 months out at least). I have met every goal. Don't be afraid to set these mini-goals. Right them on your calendar, a post it note, on the fridge, or on the wall above the scale. Exercise. I have yet to become an exercise fanatic. Right after surgery I started walking to get ready for my first 5k. Then we did bootcamp/interval training for awhile. Now we just do what sounds good. I play WiiFit once in awhile, we go walking, we are going back to bootcamp, Bandita and I did Zumba. Exercise is an area that I could improve on. Another rule that does not work for me: Not eating in front of the t.v., computer, while reading...etc. They say that when you eat you should be focused solely on your food. No distractions. They say this well help you eat slower and take smaller bites. This is not true for me. For example, when Tracey and I eat at the table, or with family...I tend to eat MUCH quicker. For several reasons. First, I feel a need to keep up. Second, have you ever adopted a dog or puppy that comes from living with lots of other dogs? They eat so quick bc they are afraid that someone else is going to get their kibble. Somewhere deep down I am still afraid of not enough kibble to go around. So, when Tracey and I sit on the couch with our tv trays...I eat much slower. When I am reading a magazine or surfing the net...I eat much slower. It gives me something to do, something to put my fork down and entertain myself with. Things that have changed: Where I shop. What I eat. How much I eat. I cook more. I try new and different foods (but that doesn't mean I like them all). My love for Tracey. I love him even more. He is so proud and supportive. I can cross my legs. My lower back pain, my pee sneezes, and shin splints...they are all gone. The amount of people who read my blog. The amount of blogs I read. The amount of friends this blog has blessed me with. My pant size. My shoe size. Things that haven't changed: My self confidence. My facial hair (still the same amount...I was hoping for less). My attitude. My complexion. I thought it would clear up a lot. The way I see life. My obsession with food. My thirst for Sunkist. The way I act with, towards, and around other people. How many pictures I take. How I wear my clothes. My finances. My job. My dislike of a the majority of vegetables. Things I have learned: Peanut Butter cups and sunkist do not mix. Well, they do...but then they erupt out of your nose. Eating a muffin in shame in a bathroom stall is not a high point of anyone's journey...but your blogger friends will love you even when you share the shameful moments. You can walk a 5k at any weight. And most likely you will not be the last person to finish. It is better to set a goal and not reach it then not set a goal at all. Tweezers may come and go, but apparently whiskers are forever. Life's journey is long. You better take snacks. (okay, I stole this one from a calendar). I really do have bones in my body. I cry happy tears in dressing rooms, and am also known to cry tears of frustration. I always want more. Poopies will never be the same. Good bye big girl poop. Hello chicken nugget poop. I have no boundaries. Just when you think it can't get any better....it does. And finally, the biggie. Why was I able to lose 120 pounds in 12 months? Why Amy and not everybody? I have given a lot of thought to this question and I am not sure I have the answer. If you think about it...I could have lost more. There are certainly bandsters out there who have done it (Mary for example) and others who are well on there way. I could have lost more by making the right choices, working out harder, etc. I did not have the perfect year. But that's okay! I personally think that for those of us who start at a higher weight, we can lose a little faster at the beginning....so you could say I had that going for me. There are the things I think are out of our control: Genetics, history, body shape. Even though I was 327, I was solid as an ox under all that fat. Perhaps my muscle mass helped in the beginning as well? There are two things that I think really made a difference in my weight loss. The first is this blog. This blog and all of you who have become part of my life helped to keep me accountable. When someone tells you that you are an "inspiration", it makes you want to keep inspiring! I didn't want to let anyone down. I knew that I would be honest with you guys. I shared the ups and downs. And seeing others make it into a new pant size, or run a 5k...inspires me. The second reason I have lost this weight is...Because I knew I could and I would. When Dr. Friedman told me that the band does not work for everyone, I made a choice that I would not be one of those people. I was not going to have a surgery just to "eat around the band". I wanted to be his star patient. I wanted to be the person on the commercials. I wanted to be a success story. And I wanted to be more than a statistic. Of course, all you have to do is read through my blog to know at times I had a few doubts and questions, but overall...I knew big things (and a smaller body) were possible. And you have to believe. I was at a great place in my life. I had support from Tracey and my family. I was at a good place mentally. It was just the right time. So that's it! That's all that I could think of! I hope you made it through and I can't wait to see what this next year brings! Thank you for everything. Yours- Amy

I really think it depends on the individual. I have been banded for about 5 weeks now, and of that time, I have had about 3 weeks of period, yet I still lost weight. I imagine that a lot does have to do with bloating as the previous poster mentioned. So, if you are one who tends to bloat, expect that during your period things could be slower. Good luck!

I must be your twin, well your taller twin (5'5") I started at 195 BMI 32.4 and my goal is 130 BMI 21.6. That is 65 pounds. I was banded 10/20/09 and I want to be at goal 7/4/10. So I have 9 weeks to lose 16 pounds so I better get busy!

i was banded on the 19th of october. so i wish you all the luck.. its great to see a few guys now getting the band welldone for taking the first step to a new you... for every one i think christmas is going to be the hardest.. i have been ok aint lost much in the last few weeks so im looking forward to a fill in feb...

I had been considering the Lap Band for a long time. I did alot of research and finally attended a Weight Loss Seminar. After going to the Seminar, I completely changed my mind. I am now going to have the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Several reasons have actually contributed to this decision. The VSG is MUCH more appealing to me. I do not want to have to worry about slippage, erosion, fills, etc. Nor do I want to have the foreign objects in my body. But what also affected my decision was my insurance company's lack of willingness to pay AND the Surgery Center's lack of compassion. My first choice for WLS (for the Lap Band) was Southwest Medical Center in Lafayette, LA. When I went up to the desk to register, I was asked for my ID and insurance card. When I showed them a Louisiana Medicaid card, they asked if I also had Medicare, and I said no. So she handed my card back to me and very rudely announced that Medicaid will not cover any weight loss procedures alone, and that I would have to be on medicare as well. Problem is, I am not old enough to have medicare, nor am I disabled. So I told her that I would consider cash pay if the price was right, and I walked over to the scales to begin my sign in. After attending the Seminar, I got a feel that these people do not have very much compassion. There was a lady in there that must have weighed about 500 Ibs and had a trachea tube in her throat. She was VERY sick and had a hard time even speaking. She struggled to ask questions, and the answers to her were just so blunt, no compassion behind it. I felt so sorry for this lady. She was informed that the waiting list for Medicare / Medicaid patients to even have their first initial consultation is about 10 months. I was flabbergasted! So she asked if there were any way that she would be able to be put on the top of the list due to her condition. She was told no, Medicaid has a list and you are put on the list in the same order that you apply. Nobody is given priority. So this poor lady could die between now and then, and Medicare / Medicaid couldn't care less. The next day, I received a phone call from a patient specialist asking if I'd made a decision about the type of surgery I was interested in. When I said that I had gone in to find out about Lap Band, she cut me off and said that I could not get that surgery because I only had Medicaid. So I stated that I would be willing to be a cash pay patient, so long as I just have the surgery. She said that I could not be a cash pay patient! My mind was blown! I asked her again... please repeat that? Are you saying that I CANNOT pay you cash for surgery? Like you will not take cash? Since when? She told me that Louisiana law prohibits Medicaid patients from having procedures that are medicaid approved, and paying out of pocket. In other words, Medicaid INSISTS on paying for the surgery if it is a covered procedure. Needless to say, I do not give up THAT easily. I made more phone calls, spoke to someone at the hospital itself and she explained the VSG to me in more detail. She also explained to me that the procedure is not covered by ANY insurance, so I will not have to fight with Medicaid to pay for my surgery. Needless to say, with all of the positives taken into consideration, I am 100% sold. I went yesterday and had my initial consultation with my surgeon and he has already scheduled my surgery! I don't have to worry about a 2 week liquid diet because I carry the majority of my weight in my legs and not my abdomen. I will only have to be on liquids for 24 hours, including Magnesium Citrate, and I'm IN! I'm SO excited. My surgery is scheduled for February 25, 2009. I would definitely recommend the VSG over the Lap Band any day!

Oops Im tommorow one week out sorry...meds...

Hi guys! This forum has been wonderful and provided me with so many answers, but I have a new question that I can't find any info on... I was banded a week ago tomorrow, and have been drinking lots of fluids. At normal meal times I tend to have a bigish glass of diluted apple juice and a small cup of broth (yumm:tired). I feel nice and full afterward, but it just occured to me that I may be stretching out my pouch with so much Fluid at once. I just went and measured, and I'm drinking about 2c of juice, and 1c of broth. That's 3 cups and my pouch is only supposed to hold 1.5 cups! Anyone have any thoughts? Think I've done any permanent damage?