It seems we're all playing "follow the leader" with our journey. We were all excited with anticipation, then somewhat disappointed roughly 1 month out... and here we are over 3 months later.

Just wondering how everyone else is doing? How many fills? How much have you lost? How many cc's in your band? Are you happy, or still in the "Bandster Hell" phase?

Personally, I'm finally liking the band. I was NOT a big fan at first (felt as though it wasn't working at all!). After 3 fills (5.5 CC's in a AP Small band), I finally feel content. I'm slowly losing, and I'm confident I'll pick up the pace after my next fill (2 weeks). It was long and agonizing waiting for restriction - but, I can honestly say the "sweet spot" is within view.

I hope you're all starting to make nice with your bands too!

:smile:

wow keep up the good work.

hey missourimom, i was banded just 10 days before you. what are you doing to lose weight so fast? i bet you look great. i have only lost 27 pounds and i pretty much follow the rules. if you have any secrets, please let me know. by the way i am also from missouri, kansas city.

I don't seem to be losing wt. much but down another pant size. That is still a victory!

NUME130,

YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! YOU HAVE LOST ON AVG. OF 10lb A MONTH, THAT IS NOTHING TO BE DISAPPOINTED AT!!! YOU NEED TO PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK AND TELL YOURSELF HOW PROUD YOU ARE OF YOURSELF!:tt2: YOU DIDN'T GAIN, YOU ARE STILL LOSING AND THAT IS WHAT COUNTS!!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT BEFORE BEING BANDED, I SURE COULDN'T HAVE LOST ANYWHERE CLOSE TO 10LBS IN A MONTH. KEEP THINKING POSITIVE AND BE PROUD OF LITTLE ACHEIVEMENTS!!!

Hi, haven't been here for a while but finally have some good news...I had my 5th fill on Tuesday, have a total of 7.5 ccs in my 10cc band and finally, FINALLY, have restriction!! Since Tuesday I have lost 3.5 pounds and I am absolutely so thrilled after losing so slowly up until now! Keep getting those fills, October people!!!

I had my band done October 29th, I have the VGA band and have lost 38 pounds. I have been having problems with people at work not just offering me things that are fattening-like pizza and soda, but actually putting said food in front of my face. It wasn't just a onetime thing, they would do this repeatedly. I was wondering if anything like this had happened to anyone else.

I would be tempted to eat what they gave me and then PB on their desks.:smile2:

I was banded in early October. First fill came in early November with minimal success. Second fill was in early December and I found out that this thing really works! It's been tough to miss out on holiday foods and special meals while traveling, but I wouldn't trade the 57 lbs I've lost for any of them. I have been playing racquetball three times per week and doing some weight lifting. I think this really helped during the times where the band was not tight, but most of my success has come after finding my sweet spot with the second fill. The bottom line is that I just don't eat much (probably average 1500 calories/day). It is so wonderful not to always be thinking about food. I am prayerful that all of you can achieve your goals. Guys definitely have it easier when it comes to weight loss, but I am convinced that finding the right fill level can work for anyone.

Banded 10/03/2007

Male 32

Desk Job

Starting Weight: 294, Current Weight: 237, Goal: 195

:lol:Wow, Iherstine,

You have done amazing with your weight loss!!

congrats! I am not yet banded, I have an appointment with the Dr. on Tuesday, I hope he can get me in asap!! I can only hope to have the results you have. Any Tips??

I hit a major milestone for myself in the last couple of weeks - I now have less to loose, than I have lost! I am just over half way!

Yes, yes, I know that the second half is going to be harder to loose than the first, so I have joined a local gym and bought a pedometer (measures how many steps you take) and I make sure I walk at least 10,000 steps per day.

Julia, I hope you are doing better since your post and that your 14 Feb fill has helped. Hang in there. No spring chicken or not, yhou deserve to lose the wt and have a great rest of your life.

OMG so frustrated! i need a swift kick in the arse!!! im so happy that ive lost 37lbs but i feel like it should be happening faster... although i will say that i don't have the majorly sagging skin like i expected! what are other people's experiences??? does anyone else feel like they are shrinking in size but not pounds???

All i have to say KimBerLey is you are not alone I am experiencing the same problem I have been so fustrated. thinking ive been soo good but the scale dont move.(i havent updated my ticker in a while)I just cant figure it out. so as of yesterday I am counting calories, Ithink that is where my problem is. Well good luck.

Hey all, I must say I got so upset w/the scale & had to walk away from it for a while (other than fills). 4+ months out, it is starting to move consistently and I've dropped mega amts of inches. When I started I was a size 16, and though I've just dropped 40lbs - I can now wear size 10's and 1 pair of 8's that I have....guess being at the gym 5+ days a wk is paying off.

I read somewhere here early on that it takes 4/5 fills or 4/5 months before the scale moves - seems to be the case for me. I'm not at perfect restriction *think one more fill will get me there* but I diet and exercise like a mad woman.

My husband was banded with me - and we're pretty competitive (healthy way of course..lol). I work out 10times more than him, but his weight drops off MUCH faster **guys have it lucky that way**...

I'm halfway there, and hope to at least drop another 25 before bathing suit season, All the best~

Julia, I hope you are doing better since your post and that your 14 Feb fill has helped. Hang in there. No spring chicken or not, yhou deserve to lose the wt and have a great rest of your life.

THANKS, MARY. YES, THE FILL IS WORKING. I GOT 3 CCs AND WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MADE. BUT STILL ANOTHER PROBLEM HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD. NOW I'M LOSING hair REALLY FAST. I'VE BEEN TO THE HAIR LOSS THREADS BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE THAT HELPFUL. I USED TO HAVE SHORT, THICK HAIR, BUT NOW IT'S SHORT AND THIN. OH WELL, THIS TOO SHALL PASS. (I HOPE)

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THE TICKER, BUT SO FAR SINCE I STARTED liquids PRIOR TO SURGERY, I'VE LOST 49 LBS. STILL A LOT TO GO, BUT IT'S A GOOD START.

JULIA

IHERSTINE,

wHAT DID YOU THINK OF DR. MEGUID? I SAW HIS PARTNER (?) DR. HAWASLI. MORE ESPECIALLY, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HIS NUTRITIONIST? I'VE REALLY HAD A PERSONALITY CLASH WITH HER, AND THAT'S NOT REALLY LIKE ME. SO I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER NUTRITIONIST ON THE EAST SIDE, BUT PREFER NOT TO GO TO DETROIT.

JULIA