I found this forum a little over a month ago, but haven't had a chance to post much until now. Fortunately, the forum getting nudging me with "we miss you notes", so I decided to shut them up

I was banded on August 22 of this year and with the 20 pounds I lost pre-op, I'm down 63 pounds to date. I was banded by Dr. Ramon Rivera in Rockland County, NY, who is connected with Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. I highly recommend both doctor and hospital. They have a complete bariatric program that was started about two years ago. The lap band was same day surgery and Good Sam's same day unit is wonderful!

I had my first fill today, since over the past month, I only lost 4 pounds and could feel the hunger coming back and had no restrictions with anything I ate, so I knew it was time.

P.S. my spell checker does not seem to know the word bariatric and offered up pediatric and geriatric as alternatives. I think I lean toward the latter

Glad you got a fill. It sounds like it was exactly the right time. Good luck.

You certainly are lucky not to have had many fills and are doing so well! I had my first fill November 16 and go for my second on December 21st. (I want to be restricted before Christmas!!!)

Welcome!

Thanks. My doctor was of the attitude that he will not fill until the patient hits a plateau, so I was lucky to make it through the first two months before the weight loss slowed down and I started to feel a need for a fill. I think I'll be hanging out on the food and exercise forums a lot. My biggest problem is finding foods I can eat and keep me interested. I'm restricted due to dietary restrictions (I keep kosher) and the kosher restaurants near work have limited choices in healthy choices. Plus, I find that eating the same thing bores me quickly, so I need variety. My other issue is exercise. I was walking every day at lunch time, but now that the colder weather is here, that is becoming a problem.