Had to postpone my band- had my galbladder removed May 31st. Banding will now be the end of July . I want to stay motivated, I read so much negative feed back from people who are failing theirselves, by not following the guidelines. If I keep reading these I may change my mind. I am self pay- it is a lot to pay to fail. I see lots of excuses.

I just got banded two weeks ago, i have read alot too on the setbacks some are experiencing

It really started to freak me out because i saved up for a year to pay for this and never expected to read about so many NOT having success

However, having thought about it, i choose to use their mistakes as reasons not to fail. Knowing now that the band is simply a tool to HELP us lose weight, so very much still depends on our own resolve to make healthy choices for ourselves at each and every meal.

Not easy, but doable, AND... There are WAY more success stories here than anything else.

Its expensive...i know, but you are making a geat deccision to do it...i hope you follow thru with the surgery.

And think about this...i read it once years ago during one of my many diets...and now i say it out loud to myself every day...

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels"!

I only had a minor setback, had a 1.6 gain one week, until I took a look at my food log....800 cals of exercise and only eating 1000 was not good for me. I was banded April 3rd, started at 303 officially, and last week at my weight watchers meeting I was 259.8. The only game I have been playing is "will it stay down" as I reintroduce foods. I opted not to get filled yet as I have had to rely on meal replacement bars and shakes to get my calories in some days. I try to average 2 hours of exercise a day between tae kwon do, water aerobics, eliptical machine, and other machines. I plan on adding weights when I plateau. I don't know if I have been a lucky one, didn't even need the percocets after surgery, only my 3 days of the on-cue pump. I have waited for this surgery for 10 years and even at 303 was physically active. I also have been a WW member for 10 years, maybe that has helped too.....

Hang in there I am thrilled about my band!!!! I am 15 month post op filled at 5.5cc. I have gone from a size 24 to almost 12 with no regrets. Sure there are ups and downs but I wouldn't trade this for what I was before. I an healthier... For instance I excercise and walk four miles at a time where I could barely walk a block at 44 years old. I can tie my shoes now!!!!! Without losing breath. Oh yes, laundry up and down stairs is easy now...it's the little things that used to be big ordeals. Positive: you must hold onto the dream of weight loss. I am truly happy and yes I miss things but not my 82 pounds:)

Forgot to add... I live shopping at regular clothing stores now.