I was banded on January 8th. I weighed in at 260lbs. I chose this route even though I had lost in the past because I was tired of the gaining/losing vicious cycle, the diabetes, high cholesterol and PCOS (which has caused difficulty in conceiving). I am happily married and want the opportunity to have children and be healthy for them.

I don't regret my decision though this has been hard. I have healed quick and have had no problems. I have a great surgeon that you wait forever for for less than five minutes.

I went yesterday for the first fill and was nervous as heck. People had scared me of really big needles and such. It was so easy and barely felt a thing. He pushed it in and took out so quickly, I really was shocked it was so quick and painless, maybe like a shot.

I have a Realize band that he said holds 11cc. He only gives 1 cc the first fill and then every four weeks he gives more than that until you are restricted which he predicts three or four. I have lost 25 lbs. I was disappointed because I was hungry as a cow and I am forcing myself to eat smaller, healthier and busting a serious sweat at the YMCA on the elliptical and such. I knew that 25 was on my own doing.

I asked him if it was enough...then he said, when have you been able to lose that much in 6 weeks, you should be proud of yourself, and you won't regret the lifestyle changes in your diet and exercise because once we get you to the proper restriction, all your hard work will pay off.

Let's hope he' right and I will be able to see the difference by Spring and Summer.

Side note: At least my underwear fit better:biggrin:

I have realize band as well. 5.5 first fill and another 2.7 over the course of the next 3. I am close but not quite there yet. Though I don't have total restriction I eat much less. I get them done under flouro so he can be much more agressive. Good luck.

Greg