Hey everybody,

I just wanted to check in because it's been over 2 months since I've been on the site. I want to be very honest and forthcoming about my experience thus far. Perhaps I could help someone either to have the surgery or not. My highest weight was 325 and I was 309 right before surgery so that's a total of 34lbs lost since surgery. Well I am now at 275lbs and I know I could have done more but I would say this is pretty decent progress. I feel sooooo much better physically. This small weight loss has made a big difference in my life. I am more interested in doing things and going places and being around people (energetic). I have healed pretty well so far. I did receive one fill back in late August and I definitely have more restriction. I decided not to have another one too soon because I wanted to give my body a chance to heal because I was still feeling soreness here and there in my stomach area. I only rarely feel any pain now. On occasion I feel a dull pain around the port area or I may have a little indigestion but nothing serious that keeps me up at night. I haven't really been trying as hard as I know I can. See old habits are hard to break. I was never one to exercise consistently. I would go to the gym for a few months then stop or have an excersice regimen for a few weeks then stop. I wasn't really going to the gym so I cancelled my membership in favor of going out dancing which I have done a few times. As far as my diet is concerned, I have really fallen back into a lot of my old habits. Eating out, not preparing meals ahead of time or planning what I will eat. The only thing I have held onto is not drinking sugary juices and sodas because I know that's where a lot of my excess calories come from. I try my best to stay away from sugar (I dont always win) but salt is my true weakness. Now, to talk about hunger and the feeling of fullness. I'm sure I need another fill at this point, but part of the reason I haven't had it is the healing process and the other part is because I don't like the feeling of food being caught up in my esophogus and I don't want to feel hungry and full at the same time. This is how I believe this surgery works: You get the band tightened, you cannot eat very much because the food gets stuck, but you may not feel satisfied with the amount of food you have eaten. But I think that eventually your body gets used to eating the smaller amount of food. I can definitely say I eat less now and I try not to graze. When I had my first fill, I didn't eat or drink for hours before getting the fill. I was sooooo hungry beforehand, in fact I had a plan for what I was going to eat afterwards. As soon as I got the fill my hunger went away and I didn't need to eat right away. So it does affect how hungry you get but I think after a few weeks the restriction may be lost to certain extent. One thing I can say is that although my diet and excercise has been off course, I have not gained the weight back and that was one of the big reasons I wanted surgery, because I didn't want to gain it back again. Only time will tell if I actually do gain it back. So far I don't regret my decision, I haven't had any serious complications. I do vomit if I eat too fast or eat something dry but that's about it. The only other odd things are that I crave fish like crazy and I have started to have acne on my nose (embarrasing). I've read here on the site that it's the toxins trying to leave my body. I hope that's all it is but it's a little odd for me because I've lost weight before without those side effects. Anyway, it's good for me to talk about this because it helps me to face what I have been doing wrong and perhaps that will be enough motivation for me to make a few changes. I keep rememembering that this is a process and I've been told it could take up to 3 years to reach your goal but ofcourse it doesn't happen without personal effort. I would like to get to 170, so I have about 100lbs to go. Much success too all on their journey!:cursing:

would you do it again?

COngratulations! 50 lbs is something to be proud of!

Thank you so much for sharing your story!! I was banded last Monday and have been filled with the "did I do the right thing" question. I am just so hungry and I have been thinking about all these foods I won't ever be able to eat again, according to my doctor. Are there any foods you find you can't eat? Yes- I know there are foods we shouldn't eat, but if I want a chicken finger or a piece of a steak and cheese sub for dinner, is that something i can have?? Again, thank you so much for sharing your story- it is truly wonderful to know I am not alone!

I think that as long as it doesn't get stuck you should eat whatever you want - just a tiny bit which you will be satisfied with anyway. In my opinion we have all tried denying ourselves the food we want, replacing it with no fat food that tastes like plastic or worse and it did not work for us. Now is the time we can eat like we are supposed to, normal, real food like normal, real people. Just my opinion.

Thanks guys for the comments. Electrawoman to answer your question. I'm not sure if I would do it again. I don't exactly regret it but it was a very drastic decision and it's permanent. I may not regret it now but what about 20 years from now? I feel good now, that's all I know. If I don't lose at least half of my excess weight and keep it off then I think it wasn't worth the risk but if I keep it off with no health problems then it's worth it. CassieH, I'm guessing everybody's body is a little different but I can eat ANYTHING. Just in moderate amounts. I find myself avoiding dry poultry, some breads, but I can eat those too if I chew well. I have eaten a half sub a couple of times but it's not guilt free food. You can't lost weight and eat high fat foods but you know that. I think it's important to actually diet with the band at least until you get to goal. I'm not an expert but I lost weight with the band when I was very careful about what I ate and exercised. I have plateud the last couple of months. I need to get back on a healthy regimen and eliminate those foods that will not get me to where I desire to be. I realize that this process still requires willpower and focus. The band doesn't do it all.