Hey there,

I'm Krystal and I was banded in Tijuana Mexico on May 19th 2006 by Dr. Sanchez Vidrio and staff. They were a wonderful group and was very pleased with mostly everything.

My start weight was 315 lbs and I am currently at 269. That is 46 lbs. I wore a size 26 and now I can wear most 20W's, I was in a 3XL shirt and now I can wear most XL shirts. I had my first fill on August 7th 2006 in Texarkana. When I had my fill my weight at the Doctors office was 275. My low weight was 269 but my weight is fluctuating. I am getting discouraged. I dont feel like I have any restriction. I can eat just like I did before I had the fill. I even have less things get stuck. I called the Doctor and they want me to wait 6 weeks before my next fill. I have 3 friends that have been banded and they all think that I didn't get enough. I got 1.7 cc and I feel like I need more.

I just have to remember that the weight did not come on over night and it will not come off over night. I sometimes get drawn back into my old eating habits, but I dont feel like I should deprive myself of all bad things. I just need to stay focused and motivated on what is left. A friend of mine and myself walk 4 days a week and we have been doing that for about a month. She hasn't had a fill yet and she is still dropping weight like crazy. I am so proud of her. I just get confused on why I am not dropping like she is. She is 2 months behind me on surgery dates and she has almost lost as much as me. Which is wonderful for her!! Since we have been walking, I can tell that the dimples in my legs are going away. I know muscle weighs more than fat and I am hoping that I am toning the muscle that I already have, but I have alot of fat on top of that muscle so I will just have to push myself harder to get the definition that I need.

Before the lap band I could not exercise. It was a catch 22. It hurt to work out. I couldn't breath and my back hurt, my ancles and my thighs. It was terrible. Now, I can walk a good long distance and still not be short of breath when I walk. Exercise is truely the key to all of this. The band is nothing but a tool. It has been a life motivation for me and I wouldn't change it for the world. I use the dread working out. Now I call my friend everyday that we work out just to see if she wants to go. If she doesn't...I go anyways. It is theraputic and relaxing and in the same since...healthy. I am ready to see the transformation faster of course, but it will only take time. Time is all I have!

We're gonna hang in there together girl!!!!!! See ya this afternoon. Are you up for Walden Way???

Hang in there - You need to remember how much weight you HAVE lost - when was the last time pre-band you could lose that much that quickly? Sounds like you are doing wonderful. I'm excited for you that you have a walking partner.

Geez, you are doing great!! Don't get discouraged, everybody is different. It took me 4 fills before I really started losing. It has been one year now and I have lost 85 pounds. I am actually a few pounds below the original goal I set for myself. I felt the same way you do at the same point into my band. Just trust me, you are doing great and have great motivation. As far as the fills go, I have a friend that never got a fill and she has lost almost 100 pounds and she had surgery 2 months after me. So, the band acts different on everybody. I am exhilerated about my weight loss and I promise you I would have never done it without the band. It is a great tool. Keep up the good work!!!