Howdy!

It seems I signed up for this site after finally reading enough to see that this is where I belong.

I was banded 5 weeks ago and haven't had any major issues except for hunger.

I weighed 315 when I decided to make a go of this. I had recently been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea (AHA of 161.5 for those of you playing along at home). I weighed 318.6 at my highest and next to last pre-op appt with my surgeon. I lost 10 lbs as required by him before surgery; however, the day I went in for surgery I was back up to 317 -- Water weight for sure. After surgery I dropped the weight and the water weight and went down to 306 really fast. Like lightning fast. At the moment I'm at 294.

I just had my first fill 7 days ago and still feel zero restriction. I have the APL, and assuming it started with the factory/surgery 4cc, with 2 added cc, I'm at 6cc. (My surgeon confirmed there was some saline in there prior to my first fill, but wasn't exactly sure how much as a certain amt can be lost during tubing attachment/length sizing.)

I know bandster hell all too well and am trying to keep it sensible.

If I can do it, you can do it.

• Two weeks before surgery I quit smoking, carbonation, and carbohydrates.
• One week before surgery my elderly mother was put in the hospital with a prelim diagnosis of lung cancer. (She quit smoking 8 months prior.)
• Three days after surgery I was diagnosed with bronchitis.
• Three weeks after surgery I was diagnosed with ringworm (WTH???).

I'm still mostly carb free, and totally smoke and carbonation free. I do drink about 128 oz of Crystal Light a day!

Welcome! Sorry to hear of all your challenges but truth be told, we cn come up with a million reasons for not doing what needs to be done when it comes to our weight management. There are lots of folks on this site dealing with all kinds of crap but they are staying the course and losing or maintaining. You will get lots of support here so feel free to post. Good luck with your WL journey.

Thank you, thank you! It's great to be here!

Congrats to you and your success!

Congrats on your successes - you gave up at lot at one time! You are doing great!

Welcome this is has been once of my better choices in life both getting the band and finding this site.

Hello and welcome! This is an AMAZING site with some truly great people.

Glad to hear you are feeling good and doing well. Sorry to hear of the additional issues you are dealing with....one day at a time I say.

Having my band was one of the best things I've done for myself and i take each day as it comes and try to learn from it! There is a big learning curve with a band, in my opinion, and i get better as each day passes.

I always remember that this is a long term journey and will be won in that fashion as well. Failure is not an option this time around!

Good luck and keep us posted on your journey!

Hello and welcome!!!!

Thanks again everyone! I'm having a great time and learning so much!

I'm hunkering down for the storm -- I'm in the 12"+ range so this should be interesting.

Thankfully there is a ton of cottage cheese, yogurt, and the like stocked in my fridge.

Bring it!

Hi Wanda! We are ready for a foot or so, too -- wood stove cranking, school called off in advance. Sounds like you're doing well. I didn't have any fluid in my band at placement but have had five fills since surgery in November. Definitely getting there! Glad you found this forum -- it's a great way to stay on track, compare notes, encourage one another. I don't know any one who has had weight loss surgery and I have been pretty secretive with regard to friends and family, so for me this community is very important. I know the people here "get it" and that means a great deal.

Hello fellow snow bander!

Five fills? You're a pro by now!

My surgery was Dec 30 and my second fill isn't until March. I'm looking forward to it already!

I've pretty much told anyone semi-close to me. No, I haven't put it on Facebook, but I don't plan on it, either.

The only person I know "in real life" who had the band, had it removed. We have a monthly support group and I plan on continuing to go to those - weather permitting this week!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Congrats to you and your super progress!

Wow! Sounds like you're well on your way. Welcome and congratulations on being banded.