Hi there...I had my surgery on April 16th! Boy it was a tough road...I had a hard time finding a Protein shake that would agree with me. Luckily, thanks to this forum I found GNC Lean shakes which I can tolerate and even enjoy. They are easy to keep cold and are ready made which is nice. I am down 17 pounds which I am thrilled about! I have my first fill set for May 30th...

I am a teacher so going back to work was tough at times. I used my spring break to get my surgery done but had to take a few days the following week to get myself back on track.

Yesterday we went to a big party for the Kentucky Derby! I was a bit anxious about what I was going to do about eating and drinking etc. since I am still on a liquid/mushy food diet until May 16th. I did really good!! Luckily, they were staying with the Southern Food theme and they had grits so I had some of them. I have to admit it was hard to be around all the chips and dips etc....those foods were always my downfall but I did it!

This journey has honestly been the hardest thing I have ever done! I never imagined how difficult it would be at times. I am fortunate to have a great, supportive and loving husband who has been terrific thru this whole process.

I am not sure how others are but I am not telling many people that I had this done...I am not sure others will really understand....

Lastly, this forum has been AMAZING!! I would not have survived the last few weeks without it!!!!

Congrats! I'm going on a trip 16 days after surgery and I'm already worried. I don't want to tell anyone about the band. I know its going to be tough, but im inspired by you!

So glad to see you make it though but even more than that you did awesome! I am in the pre-op stage right now but hearing others stories helps me think about this new life that is in process!

Sounds like you are focused and right on track! You keep up the great work and you will be set!

I too am a teacher, I am supposed to get mine the week after school lets out, so that gives me the summer to get back to feeling good and get into a routine before I go back. I am not telling others of the surgery, just my husband, so I am planning things out now... I told my mother this weekend that as soon as school lets out I am going hard core with healthy eating and getting focused on me! Hopefully she won't ask too many questions. She is just too tough on me and either she would judge me poorly for my decision or she will be watching me like a hawk when I am around her and ask me things like "you sure you should eat that" so I've decided at this point not to share my plan.

Please keep me posted on how you do and I look forward to hearing more of your successes! Good luck also as your school year ends!

Great job!!!!!!!!!!

Great job! I also work in the public education field and haven't told many people. It has been 8 months tomorrow and I have lost about 40 pounds and I feel so great. My life has been transformed in so many ways. Just be prepared for sitting at a number for weeks at a time. I sat at 200 for a few weeks then I sat at 190 for about a month and now I am slowly moving down in the 180's so don't get discouraged. It is a process filled with many ups and downs but it does work. Keep drinking water and move your booty. Good luck