Sunday will be the 6-month (semi) anniversary of my surgery. As of this morning, I am 70 lbs down from my consultation weight. And, amazingly enough, I've even started a Personal Fitness Program and am now looking forward to getting to the YMCA every other day instead of dreading it. I am still dreading the elliptical which has nearly killed me several times!

I got another fill on April 20th and I think that was the one that really did the trick. I'm finally at the sweet spot with 7ccs in my 12cc band. I am not hungry (most of the time), I can eat about 3-4 ounces at the most and if I do have one bite too many, I can feel it immediately. This last fill also gave me limitations I hadn't had previously:

Bread, cake, greasy food - nope! And, if I have a soda or chew gum, I get terrible chest gas that requires Gas-X strips immediately. Can't do them anymore without severe discomfort. So, I've learned in the last two weeks what to avoid and how the band actually works.

Yesterday I felt practically slim - I was wearing jeans a size too big, platform sandals and a nicely cut (cleavage revealing) shirt. Two friends said I looked "skinny." I know they meant skinny for me and not actually skinny but boy did I feel good. The only problem -- my underpants kept falling down! Guess it's time for new drawers.

I have a few questions for fellow banders today:

1) How do you feel about your body? After years of being obese and of a certain age, my skin is not retracting at all. I've gotten super jiggly and wiggly and I really don't like how it looks or feels. I know I have a lot farther to go (another 60 lbs) but I'm already appalled by what I see. I suppose I should start saving for cosmetic surgery now.

2) Who do you tell about your band? I have told my very good friends, family and a few work colleagues but there is one guy I can't stand at work who keeps asking me what my secret is. He's not asking because he needs to lose weight, he's just being nosy. This same guy and his partner had a baby last November and the mother has got to be at least 48 years old. Last time he started trying to get info about my weight loss I nearly blurted out, "Hey, I don't ask how you got a baby out of 50-year old woman, do I?"

3) How long do I have to wait to get my neck/chin sucked out and tightened? I didn't have that big of a double chin to start but in the last 15 lbs or so, it's gotten sort of jiggly without the fat to fill it out. I will definitely need a neck lift and was thinking about going for a consultation now to find out what the surgeon thinks. Has anyone else had this surgery before they got to goal weight?

Please open your books and begin your essays now. Put your books face down on the desk when you have completed answering the questions. Thank you and good luck.

Barbara

First of all, congratulations!! You have done great and should be so proud!

I've only been banded for about 3 months, so I can't help you much with questions #1 & #3. But for #2, I'm am quite open about my surgery. When people ask I tell them. I find if I am positive about it (and they are seeing the postive changes in me), then usually they are positive too.

But I know that a lot of people don't feel comfortable talking about private things about themselves. So, everyone is different and I think you just have to do what is right for YOU!

what you wrote gives me hope. So far i have very slow weight loss and ZERo restriction. hopeing to be at the sweet spot soon.

1) I have lost about 40lbs and still dont like what i see. I have twins so my belly is really my "trouble" area. it looks to me like i am 7 months prego. And the skin is getting jiggly...i already told all family members that any donations for my full body lift will be accepted

2) I have been open about my Band...so far the response has mostly been positive. I have had people be totally FAKE and i know that when i leave the room they are comenting...but should i really care? Nope.

3) I dont have this issue (yet) but i would take it slow ,,,it has only been 6 months. They way i see it is that once i reach my goal (loose 100lb) i will wait 6-12 months to see what my body does...if the skin does not shrink at all then i will seriously look into surgery.