I posted an intro before my surgery, but being that it has been so long since I posted, I thought I have better do this again!

My name is Sam, I am a 24 year old wife and mother from Queensland, Austraila.

My pre surgery highest weight was 131kg (288 pounds), I was 125kg (275 pounds) after my pre op diet, on the day of surgery.

I was Banded on the 22nd of Feb this year, and have lost 27kg (59.5 pounds) to date. I do have another 20kg (44 pounds) to go, but I hope that I can shed that before my Band Day next year.

I have 3.4ml in a 5ml band (I *think* I have found my sweet spot).

I look forward to getting to know you all!

Welcome! Wow, you have done an amazing job with your band!

Thank you very much Betty! I am very proud of myself.

Hi Sam! I'm from Australia too (Hobart) and only found this board a few weeks ago. It is fantastic and contains a lot of very useful and wise information. I was banded in February last year and it has taken me that long to lose 30kg. I am half way there and have about another 30kg to go.

You have done so well on your weight loss - well done! I have a band with a 4ml capacity and have 3.1ml (from memory) in at the moment, so I am pretty tight and am hoping that I have found my sweet spot too.

Mornings are the worst - my stomach isn't open for business until around lunchtime, and even then, it can be difficult. Despite having this thing in for over a year now, I am still learning how to manage it.

Anyway, nice *meeting* you!

Hi Aussiegirl, and thank you!

I am the same in the morning (after that last fill I am really tight in the AM), but find that I *need* to have something in the morning so I can take my metformin and Vitamins. So I usually whip up a banana smoothie (my DS ends up with 3/4 of it)

Well done on your 30kg too! That is awesome! Congratulations.

Geez you're lucky you can get tablets down in the morning. I can't. They just get stuck. I am taking my BP tablet at night now.

I used to take a Centrum Multivitamin each day prior to banding, but they are as big as horse tablets and I just can't do them anymore. What are you taking? I have tried a few liquid Multivitamins (doesn't seem to be much around) but am a bit dubious on the quality.

So at the moment, I am trying to get what I need from my food intake. I also use a juicer which helps and am feeling OK. I do wonder about my Iron intake though. I have had no blood tests at all, post banding, to check my blood chemistry - have you?

Kirstie.

I am taking Pluravit Womens Multi, but I do have to break them in half. Another thing that helps is if I take my meds with my morning coffee. For some reason they go down a whole lot better.

I have had blood tests every month, both my surgeon and GP want to keep an eye on my Insulin, and glucose. I am not typical. As I understand it, you have a 6 month supply of Iron in your body, but you are a year out, so maybe you should go to your GP and ask for some tests to be done.

Do you still see your surgeon? Has heshe said anything about blood tests?

Hi again Sam,

Yep, I still see my surgeon every couple of months to weigh in, see how I am doing and if I haven't lost enough weight (in his estimation), he does a fill.

He has never mentioned blood tests to me which I think is kinda weird. I have an appointment with him in July, so will ask him then. He is a nice bloke, but not very forthcoming with information, which is probably why I have found this site so helpful.

I did try breaking my tablets in half too, but even that was no good. I am having bad day today - even my chai latte this morning has been difficult to consume. Think I'll have to give lunch a miss!

I would see your GP for the tests, if you are concerned about your Iron. Your GP can order 99.9% of the blood tests you require.

Good luck with lunch, I think I will go out and get a latte now **yum**

Hi Sam! Welcome to LBT. I know that no one should compare weight-loss stats, but yours are damn impressive! I'm sure you'll get to your goal by your band anniversary date next February.

Thanks Zoe.

Welcome Sam!!! You have done really well and you should be proud of yourself. So glad you found us on LBT. Best of luck to you.

You have lost so much so quick!! Girl what are you secrets do tell!! Welcome aboard

Thank you!

There is no secret, really. I take my Vitamins daily, drink plenty of Water, get plenty of exercise (I walk to drop my son off at school, and walk to pick him up, around 2 hours of walking a day) I limit myself to 1 decaf coffee a day, and drink green tea. I am also on Metformin for insulin resistance and PCOS, so maybe that has something to do with it??

I was actually very concerned that I wasnt losing fast enough at first, but after I got my 2nd fill the weight just started melting off.