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I haven't been around the site much lately but I just felt like posting today.. It's my 1 year bandeversary, although I am not where I wanted to be at this point (I had much higher expectations but was unable to live up to them)... Who was I kidding thinking that being banded was going to turn me into Jane Fonda or Denise Austin?? yeah ok, I don't think so, I know me better than that.. But anyway so far so good, I really can't complain. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of my band, and of course some determination on my part and the support of my super amazing boyfriend, his family and my bestgirlfriends. I had so hoped to be 100lbs down in my first year, but knowing now what I didn't know before is that it just isn't realistic for all of us. We lose what we lose, Every Body is different. I can't beat myself up or cry about it, it's partially me (partially my PCOS). I know I didn't workout enough, I wasn't as strict with my food as I should have been. But I chose that route because working out like a maniac and eating like a rabbit was never, and will never, be a lasting thing for me. It's what got me to the weight of 309lbs. For me it was always that old song and dance of losing and gaining more than I lost in the first place, time and time again. Being too strict inevitibly caused me to fail over and over because it never lasted, and I was so afraid it would happen again and I'd truely be a failure with a $25,000 band in my belly, and a lump of embarrassment and devastation in my throat. I still worry that I may fail, I have good days and bad days, who am I kidding I have good weeks and bad weeks, but I can't give up on this... I won't give up on this. So anyway, I've done everything in moderation, my eating, workingout, and my indulging with the penalty of losing slowly, but so what, I'm still losing and I'll take that. When I really sit and reflect and I notice the little changes, I'm so amazed with myself, smaller clothes, I can feel bones, wait I have bones? lol, yeah I do, and it's so awesome to finally meet them.. I can cross my legs, I don't huff and puff walking up stairs.. my sex life (hehehe).. the list goes on and on.. and to think this is only the begining, I still have a ways to go.. I'm still so excited for what my future holds. A future, before surgery I didn't see one, I didn't want to. Now I see the possiblities and I finally see how wonderful life is/can/and will be.. For the first time in my life my weight isn't weighing me down, I'm not a prisioner to it anymore. I actually allow myself to live, whereas before I avoided most social situations by staying home and burying my face in bag of McDonalds or a pizza or whatever else I could shovel in til' it hurt and I fell asleep.. I don't know who I'm writing this for, maybe just for me because who can I really say these things to? Who would really truely get it, or want to listen? Only other banders, maybe.. Or maybe I'm writing this because there's someone out there like me that just needs to hear this and know that they aren't alone.. I don't know.. If anything I say helps or touches one person I'd be happy. Thanks for listening and good luck to every single one of you.. Remember to Never give up on yourself, no matter how helpless things get.. We can do this..

I am four weeks out ofnsurgery and this Thursday it will be five so I am where you are not. I haven't been counting any calories. My hunger is a stomach growl and not in the head trust me so when I am I eat or drink a shake. A day for me is oatmeal, yougart, soup, fruit and for dinner lately a small salad or chicken salad and if I'm still hungry sugar free jello. I know the difference between head hunger and my stomach taking to me so I just say eat when you are hungry and make it protein as it will keep you full longer. Good luck and wishing you much success!

I was banded on July 13th and I'm down 32 lbs since surgery (40 lbs including pre-op). Seems we are right on track with one another. I currently weigh 198 lbs. I got to 199.5 and was so happy to be in onederland, I let loose for 2 weeks and went back up to 203lb. ... Opps!! So right now I'm 'dieting' to get away from 200llbs for good! LOL ... I'm making sure to not eat any bread/pasta/rice and no sugar. Plus I started working out for 30 minutes a day (as of yesterday!) I'll let you know how long I last. My 30th birthday is this Friday the 16th and I'd love to be at 195lb. Best of luck to you!

But if your kids are causing you so much stress in the morning shouldnt you do something to help them stop acting like that?

Congrats! I was just banded last week so am also a December bandster! We can all go through it together. I have already had some of the bandsters here talk me down from the food ledge on day 3 - it was tough! It gets easier as you can add back in the "mushy" foods or "mushies" as they call them here. So far I am experiencing a lot of restriction so that makes me feel good. I have lost right at 17 lbs since the pre-op diet and surgery. I had NONE of the scary pain, soreness, etc. Very little pain at all - I took 2 pain pills the 1st day post-op, 1 the 2nd day and none since. I'm looking forward to being on this site to get great advice, give my own and support each other through this journey. My family and friends are extrememly supportive and want to help but I also need help from those that have actually gone through it. I'm the 1st in my circle to get banded Hope to "see" you on here often and let's lose this weight!

I'm on Day 3 of my pre-op diet. The first day was rough, (really tired & had a migraine!) but the past two days seem better. My first week of the diet, allows 2oz of lean protein & 1/2 cup veggies for two meals. I'm really bored with chicken & fish. Anyone have any other meal ideas?? Are beans or cheese okay?? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

I haven't had the band yet and I have severe edema in my ankles. Its so bad...my ankles get absolutely huge so they prescribed me compression stockings and diagnosed me with "Lymphedema" Now I'm not sure if its what you have but...it has something to do with the lyph nodes in my legs. The compression stockings work well...You put them on in the morning and it keeps the swelling down all day...gradually after about 2 months time it went down to almost nothing. I also have been loosing weight, so that is probably helping too...but I was told this may or may not go away after I loose the weight...as they usually say with everything else wrong with me. (Asthma, Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure) So this is starting to make me think the same thing will happen to me too...did you have this before you lost the weight? If not, then you should def. show them to your doctor and see what they can do for you!

Thanks all for the comments. I'm actually going to a different surgeon. I don't need a bully, I need a Dr. I'm so happy with my new surgeon. Doing the 2 week liquid diet right now and it's not been bad because I've got a cold so don't feel like eating anyways. lucky me! Surgery scheduled Dec. 21st. So ready for the next chapter of life!!!

They say that the carbonation in soda can make your pouch expand and cause your band to slip. Also, I don't know about you, but before surgery I know that if I drank soda, I could always eat more. If I was eating junk food and drinking soda, I could eat and eat and eat, but if I tried it without soda, not only did I not really want as much, but I got full faster. Soda is SO bad for you...they've done studies, and the stuff can melt metal if it's left sitting in it for a long time..especially coke. anyway, I loved diet soda but I've given it up..it's not worth it to me. I drink LOTS of water, sometimes I drink apple juice, but mostly water. I stay away from sugar free stuff. Just another chemical your body can't recognize...I've read that it actually makes you GAIN weight because your body doesn't know what to do with it. Water, juice once in a while, lots of coffee, tea, and iced tea. I love hot drinks.

Why should having a band stop you eating food from different cultures around the world? It doesn't choose what you eat - it is designed to help you feel satisfied with less. I eat italian, chinese, thai, mexican whatever , the band doesn't stop me doing that. I used to be the world's fastest eater. I was always finished long before everyone else. I also didn't think I would be able to slow down but guess what once you have your band you do and it doesn't bother you because this becomes your new normal. I probably still eat a lot faster than many bandsters I know but It's a lot slower than previously. I finish after the rest of my family, not first. It is normal to be scared before surgery. But you shouldn't go into it unless you are fully ready. The thing to be aware of is that the things that you are worried about now will not even bother you in a couple of months time.E.G You won't regret not being able to eat a huge meal because you will be satisfied with a small one etc