Hello, three months ago I started on my journey toward the lapband surgery. I am having difficult losing weight. My weight loss total has been six pounds. I am required to complete another three months of weight loss. It is hard not having the support of family and friends. I need some words of encouragement and hopefully make some friends during my journey that will be supportive.

Good luck with approval process. It does take a while, but take that time to learn all you can about the band (this site is awesome).

I'm sure it's doubly hard when you don't have support at home, but just keep your head up. If you are committed this is a great tool.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Hello, three months ago I started on my journey toward the LAP-BAND® surgery. I am having difficult losing weight. My weight loss total has been six pounds. I am required to complete another three months of weight loss. It is hard not having the support of family and friends. I need some words of encouragement and hopefully make some friends during my journey that will be supportive.

Just know that we're here for you in and support you in your decision. I'm sorry to hear you don't have support at home, that makes everything hard but shoulders back, chin up, you can do it on your own. Three months is nothing when you consider how long you've had bad habits and how long it took you to get where you are. You lost 6 pounds over three months, three months that included Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years...In an average year I probably would have gained 15 pounds during that time so consider those 6 pounds to be pretty freaking amazing and keep on going!

First off, congratulations on the weight you has lost!

Changing your weight is all about calories.

If you burn more calories than you consume, you lose weight. Unfortunately the opposite is true as well.

Drink plenty of Water. No less than 64 ounces a day.

Don't drink anything with calories in it!

Do not skip breakfast!

Exercise for 30 minutes 3 or 4 days a week. A walk if refreshing.

Keep a log of every single thing that passes your gums. This will help you or your nutritionist see where you need help.

Is it what you are eating that is slowing your loss or how much you are eating?

If you are eating a lot of fatty and processed foods; you need to rethink and substitute them one at a time with something more healthy. I can't really help here. Not much of junk food eater.

If you are just over-eating; try cutting your portions down just a little.

For instance:

If you usually eat 2 sandwiches for lunch. Try only 1 sandwich with twice as much in it. That way you cut out 2 slices of bread.

If you have a steak and a baked potato for dinner. Cut off a quarter of the steak and toss it. And use nonfat sour cream on the potato instead of butter.

Keep cutting the portions until you find that they don't satisfy you.

Don't be afraid to have a low calorie snack once in a while like a 7/8 ounce bag of baked chips; a sugar free snack pack pudding or a weight watchers ice cream bar. Just don't over do it.

These are examples of what I have done for the past 3 months and it is working. I am not banded yet and the weight is melting away.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement and feedback. I hope we will all be successful in our journey.