Hi! I haven't followed a forum in almost 4 years now so I'm pretty excited about meeting new people, exchanging receipts, advice and motivation I'm not quite sure where to even start, any suggestions for a newbie? Looking forward to hearing from you!

Ali

Welcome....

I would only suggest....to be advised there are opinions here that range from the most negative to the most positive, and you have to learn to "Chew the meat and spit out the bones" so to speak.

It may take a while to discern those who just don't get it, and those who do.

Be careful of "Know It Alls" giving expert opinions when they are still newbies themselves and don't have a clue what they're talking about, only that is what they were told.

I only say this because there are people I know who have come here, and then, within time, have left!

Good Luck!

I've only been here almost 3 years and it is actually amazing how many people have left. Some that were great and really helpful, others that thought they knew everything and others that you just wonder what happened and how they are doing.

Are you new to being banded or only new to the forum?

Hi im new also to banding and the forum, would like all the support there is. thank you guys. ohh i was banded on sat. Feb 4 2012.

HI Beach333 and welcome to the forums! I was banded on 2-4-11, so we will share our anniversary date! Good luck to you. I wish you the best of luck, I can not believe that has year has gone by so quickly!

Thanks everyone for your site suggestions! Great to meet people so soon I definitely understand the wide range of opinions on forums (tried when I was first banded but left soon afterwards). I was banded on 3/5/08 and have fluctuated between a weight loss of 160-170 lbs (depends on how close we are to the holidays lol). I went from barely being able to put on a pair of pants to running 10k's It's such a great feeling to do "normal" things and be an active person.

Don't get me wrong, of course we all have those "ugh!" days but I would say I'm a pretty positive person who has definitely learned over time to love myself, inside and out, and to be happy with my results. I normally don't have my own opinion concerning what others should do b/c, I don't know about you guys, my stomach changes from day to day sometimes so who am I to say what others should or shouldn't do lol. Experiences? Sure! But not "don't do this, don't do that".

Thanks again for commenting on my first post and being so kind Looking forward to meeting others that have gone through a similar life change. None of my friends have had this surgery so I'm feeling like a lonely island in Raleigh, NC

Ali

Ali, First let me say ... you are absolutely stunning. You have do obviously fa-nominal job with your band over the years and looks like you could defiantly give out of pointers.

B-52 is correct with everything he said.... by the way... B52 Looking great!!

Again... WOW I had to go to your profile because when i saw your picture i said..... no way this woman was ever Fat.... You must live in the gym. And running 10K. I'm still have issues with running. Can you give me some pointer on how you started and how you got to were you are now. My issue is my breast, i still have large 36FF and can't find anything to keep from hurting after i attempt to jog. It will be a while before i can start because i'm have a TT Wednesday..... excited and nervous at the same time.

Keep up that great work....

Thanks everyone for your site suggestions! Great to meet people so soon I definitely understand the wide range of opinions on forums (tried when I was first banded but left soon afterwards). I was banded on 3/5/08 and have fluctuated between a weight loss of 160-170 lbs (depends on how close we are to the holidays lol). I went from barely being able to put on a pair of pants to running 10k's It's such a great feeling to do "normal" things and be an active person.

Don't get me wrong, of course we all have those "ugh!" days but I would say I'm a pretty positive person who has definitely learned over time to love myself, inside and out, and to be happy with my results. I normally don't have my own opinion concerning what others should do b/c, I don't know about you guys, my stomach changes from day to day sometimes so who am I to say what others should or shouldn't do lol. Experiences? Sure! But not "don't do this, don't do that".

Thanks again for commenting on my first post and being so kind Looking forward to meeting others that have gone through a similar life change. None of my friends have had this surgery so I'm feeling like a lonely island in Raleigh, NC

Ali

Ali,

What an inspiration you are! Enjoyed reading about your journey...and you've done so well!

I am still very new here, and really don't even know how to navigate too well though the forum. I agree that there are so many success stories here, and good advice to overcome the "bumps in the road" that your doctor may not have told you about.

Hope I can follow your progress...geed luck!

Hi,

I am new, well not really new but I have only been on here once. I have had my lab band for almost five years. My first year was great I lost about 70 pounds.But things have happend and I am trying to get back on track.

Thanks