Hello everyone...my name is Sandy I'm 50 yrs old and I was banded on Nov 11th 2010. One of the best days of my life! I dont regret for a moment the decision I made to be banded. Its been quite a learning lesson along the way so far, with Im sure.. more to come. Currently I am at 11.5 cc's of saline in my band and I am feeling pretty restricted..more than ever. I missed 2 months of adjustments due to an uproar in my personal life..so currently I am at 42 lbs lost. I could be more had I not missed that 2 months..but now I am back on track anyways.

Congratulations to all of you that are banded and successfully losing ...and to those of you who are pending your surgeries...you are about to embark upon some major positive changes I hope you stay excited and ready to start on a whole new you! Now... I am not going to ever suggest that there isnt some hard times and challenges to face..but what I am gonna say is that every single one of them are worth it in achieving an overall healthier lifestyle and healthier you ( me ). I have so many many things I am still looking forward to. I hope you have a supportive group of friends and family. For me it is my co workers as I have no family near me, and my friends near and far that are keeping tabs on me whether it be in emails or facebook ..I love them all they keep me encouraged and excited.

I tried to make sure that I had done my research well so I knew what I was facing , I can say that reading it and experiencing it is 2 very different things...words cannot express how some of these things " feel " ..lol ! I am not a fan of food getting caught..that is no fun whatsoever..but it has been teaching me bite portions...and chewing lessons thats for dern sure ! I dont like the phlegm associated with all that either...but I find if I drink something hot before I attempt to eat..it makes a great differance!

In some ways...( and dont let this discourage anyone please! ) I am finding that some of my joy of eating is gone and it seems to be more of a chore to do so..but again i say ..perhaps this is a GOOD thing..and perhaps its just because I havent " mastered " the way to eat 100 pct yet either...so I am remaining positive that the joy will return. One thing I can deffinately support is how very important it is to not just submit to eating softer things because its easier..thats a terrible trap to fall in to..I speak from experience! Its so very important to eat regular meals in order for the restrictions added to your band can do their work properly..and both must work together! your eating habits AND your band restrictions ! I am guilty as charged..no angel here..but I quickly have learned that I need to not give in to whats easier...as it doesnt promote weight loss but does however make you fluctuate in weight or maintain weight...I WANT TO LOSE!..lol So if I feel myself gravitating towards something easy to eat...I catch myself and go for the more real deal..! there is mental training in this...as well as the physical. Another thing I am still working on is my drinking of water...bleh I am NOT a happy water drinker..but again..I see the benefits of it...so I am working at it diligently ! I also have been losing good amounts of hair...that kinda freaked me out some...as I have long hair and dont want it to thin out horribly...sooo I have been taking vitamins a womans pack of all the vitamins needed for healthy skin hair and nails..hopefully that will help ! Im still in early stages of taking those.

Anyways..I will continue to watch posts and if anyone has suggestions to help me or if I can help anyone else..please feel free to chat it up with me ! Would welcome it!

Much good luck to everyone !!

Sandy