Hi, I'm stratcat. I hail from PA, but live in GA. Love the South and am glad they did not return me.

Banded on 2/15 and see food a whole new way. My raging, never full, never satisfied appetite is gone. . And I am praying it stays gone. Blood Pressure med was cut in half already. And hoping that cholesteral and other meds follow.

I still want all the old stuff (especially sloppy hamburgers) , but once i have some mashed potatoes or some oatmeal or some Soup I am satisfied for 4-5 hours. AMAZING for a chow hound like me.

I hope this does not change. I am even wondering why I need a fill. I seem to have the control I need now to diet on my own. My problem was the raging appetite that i could never control. But, I am schedule for a fill in two weeks for my Allergan, 10 CC lap band AP system. (does anyone know what AP stands for?) So I will see what happens.

I have a long way to go as I am a big woman. Six foot tall, broad (OF course big-boned) and in the high twozies. I want to get to 175, and if the Good Lord is willing, 165. So that's just over 100 lbs to loose.

I am planning to use Nutrisystem for my long-term program once I get the go-ahead from the PA. (I only met the Dr. briefly before surgery). The hospital I went to uses a PA, a nutritionist and an exercize therapist for follow-ups of a routine nature. I am also self-pay and had my band in with-in three weeks of my first call to the center.

Hi Stratcat! Congrats on getting your Lap-Band. I loved what you commented to chocolettebelle. That was very honest and super positive. I am going the self pay route as well so am going through quicky also. I get banded on the 24th and am very much looking forward to it. Good luck with staying positive and staying full on a small amount!! :welldone2: