I have just celebrated my first year on the site and have been banded since Aug. 2, 2012. Everything was going well in the beginning until the first fill in Oct. 2012. When I went they couldn't locate the port correctly and it was determined my port had flipped. I contacted my clinic and they said they would have to do a port relocation surgery and it would be at their expense, but I would have to pay my own way there. I had to have the surgery in Toronto, ON and I live in Yellowknife, NT - not a quick commute.

I had to wait until the end of May 2013 to have the surgery and in that time I felt no restriction and was not losing any more than what I had leading up to the first fill. Now that everything is back on track and the surgery was a success, I can feel the restriction, but the weight is coming off slowly. I know they say 1-2 lbs a week is safe and the way to go, but a friend of mine had the surgery and she lost over 100 lbs in the first year and it just fell off her. She didn't make hardly any changes to her lifestyle.

I have come to accept I am going to be one of those people who is going to have to work harder than others to get the weight off, so with that in mind I took matters into my own hands. I joined a local TOPS meeting for extra support and encouragement, started exercising almost everyday (5 times/week) and am diligent about keeping a food log. I'm hoping I will see success.

To date I have lost 28 lbs including the pre-op diet. Here's hoping for many more to come!

My only suggestion would be for you to not compare your journey with anyone else. We are each so individual with our own set of health issues, amount of weight to lose and environment that comparing is impossible. Here's a quote I saw some time ago:

"Don't be jealous of others. Jealousy is the art of counting someone elses blessings instead of your own. Stop comparing your journey with everyone else's. Your journey is YOUR journey, NOT a competition. You are in competition with one person and one person only, yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. If you want to measure your progress, compare yourself to who you were yesterday"

My only suggestion would be for you to not compare your journey with anyone else. We are each so individual with our own set of health issues, amount of weight to lose and environment that comparing is impossible. Here's a quote I saw some time ago:

"Don't be jealous of others. Jealousy is the art of counting someone elses blessings instead of your own. Stop comparing your journey with everyone else's. Your journey is YOUR journey, NOT a competition. You are in competition with one person and one person only, yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. If you want to measure your progress, compare yourself to who you were yesterday"

Amen!!

Don't be too tough on yourself. Your body might just be a little bit stubborn, maybe there are other things you should try with your meals. Bumping up your protein intake should be at the top of your list - if you want to see significant changes, I would have not less than 80g a day.

Thanks for all of the wonderful insight. I love the quote! I do try not to compare my journey to my friends and I do know how my body reacts to certain things. I just have to keep a positive outlook on it and I'm sure I can be successful. My definition of successful!