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I posted this as my status today: "This journey, regardless of how much or how little support we have, is an individual one. No one else can lose the weight for you. Take the encouragement, the support, the good w/the bad and separate the meat from the bones... and ultimately do what works and what's best for you! That is always a key in success!" How does this tie in to honesty? Well, I'll tell you. I've noticed, not only in the few short days I've been banded, but in the entire time I've been researching lap band, that everyone has advice to give. We all want the keys to success; what it took for others to lose the weight; the exercises and the food they ate. But the truth is, what works for one won't always work for everyone else. Not everyone gained the weight because they've over eaten or because they're lazy. Just like everyone has their own reasons for gaining the weight, everyone will have their own means of losing it, even if we are all using the same tool. Encouragement and advice are great and I know we all have a lot to learn on this journey, but it starts with being honest with ourselves. We were honest (or vain) enough to realize we needed the lap band and now it's about being honest enough to admit our limitations and strongholds. Food is an addiction that we're trying to kick (we know that), but my food addiction isn't yours. My habits are not yours, and I have to be real enough with myself to understand that if I'm going to succeed, I have to do what is going to work for me.. and you need to do what will work for you. This starts with listening to your surgical team, dietician, nutritionist, etc. If there's one thing that remains consistent in all of the advice I've received from successful lap banders, it would be, "If you follow the rules, you'll lose the weight." Not just the universal lap band rules, but those set forth for your individual program, for your individual needs. One of the dangers of trying to follow the regimen of someone else is that you may not be able to live up to it, because it's not tailor made for you. And on this journey, that is one thing I think is definitely a plus; the capability to contour the band to work for YOU! Remember that there are people that have health issues and co-morbidities that may affect their regimen. Don't waste time trying to compare yourself to everyone else, do what works for you! We all want to be successful.. get this weight off and strut our stuff! Be healthier...be happier! For me, it's starts with doing what works for me and building from there! =) O well, that's enough ranting for now. Just had a few things on my mind I wanted to share. All the best!! -Mary-

Today I had an appointment with my Dr. It would have been time for my 4th fill. I lost 8 pounds in the last month. He asked how I felt and then he thought it would be best to not have a fill this time. While I agreed and I do not want to get too tight. It still feels weird not to have had one today, I'm nervous I won't be as successful this month since I didn't have it. I am sure I sound crazy right now. I just want to keep going in the right direction. I am aware My surgery was August 16th. I've lost a total of 39.5 so far.

I just got banded yesterday (12/14/11) Found out I had TWO hernia's. I knew about one but not the other. I'm so glad they fixed both of them! My doctor (Dr. Watkins) was wonderful! He is so funny and I heard he sings country music during his surgeries. He told me that he really loves his job and you can just tell. I'm so happy w/ him and the staff at West Chesters "University Point hospital" - I'm feeling a lot of pain in my left shoulder and just a little where the cuts where made. Not sure what my weight is since I don't have a working scale but when I was weighed in last, I was down another 3 pounds so that from 17 pounds lost total! God is good!!

Everyone has a food vice, some chocolate or pizza. Mine is Taco Bell. I closet ate the stuff like it was going out of business. I travel a lot and made sure to stop there whenever possible. During my pre op self choice of a diet, I was coming home tonight and I decided I had a craving. I've been pretty good and lost about 15 lbs in two+ weeks thus far. When I got in there I had a huge feeling of guilt. I decided to do something I've never done... Order a salad (Fiesta chicken salad to be specific). I didn't know what was on it so I just said no shell. Amazingly it was the best thing I ever ate there! (I typically have much better taste in food, but I don't know why but I love it there). I couldn't even finish it! I ate about 3/4 of it and decided to see how crappy it was on myfitnesspal.com, and the whole thing was only 400 calories (cheese and sour cream included, which I'll ditch next time)! My old taco bell outings when I calculated them were about 2000 calories, now I left feeling awesome with a better tasting product for about 300. I know it may sound stupid, but it was a big light for me. When I get banded next month, it can easily be converted to band friendly by ditching the little bit of rice they add. Sorry if this is the wrong place to post. But I was quite happy.

I would keep your protein drink as one of your meals. I drank SF Carnation Instant Breakfast for breakfast. For lunch (in the soft phase) I would have some chicken in a can or tuna in a can mixed with low fat mayo. I wouldn't be able to finish it all, so I would have the rest for dinner. Sometimes, I mixed it with Low Fat cheese. I've been losing pretty consistently throughout the whole process. You will still lose as long as you maintain your portions and don't snack between meals. Good luck!

I just wanted to say that this is the last Thursday that I will not have my banded! One more Friday, one more Saturday and one more Sunday!! Woo-hoo! Can you tell I'm excited! Can't wait to get to the other side!

You should be happy! You are doing the RIGHT thing by changing your habits pre band. Congratulations!!

I don't think there's much to be nervious about, you just lie down and wake up in recovery. If you're lucky and stay overnight, you'll go home and that's where the real work begins. Don't forget your slippers andPJs, you know about those hospital gowns. You should have a list of stuff to have at home before you go, sugar free stuff and chewable vitamins. If you're not now, you'll become a walker, miles and miles of walking for the first 6 weeks. I hope you have an easy time of it and best of luck.

Hello everyone, I bring to you tidings of joy for the Holiday Season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!! :smile1: I'm writing you today because I have recently had a revealing moment... or two. A few days ago I was walking around our house and I walked into an area where the kitchen light shines against our dining room wall. As I walked by I noticed a shadow appear on the wall, and one I could not for the life of me recognize. I was SO surprised that I had to walk by again, because in all reality I couldn't believe that was me I was looking at. This figure on the wall was tall, slender and super curvy. I was impressed to say the least. I felt satisfied by what I saw. Let me define for you the word satisfied because this is one I've NEVER used in my entire life when it came to how I viewed myself physically. Not once. Synonyms: content - contented - pleased - happy - glad Yes, this was me at that very moment. I'm going to admit something here and now. I've not one time in my life felt this way regarding ME. My reflection would always throw me back an image I couldn't accept. There was always something more I could do, to improve upon. There was even a time in my life where I was even underweight for my frame and I STILL could not accept ME. I always wanted to lose more, a pound here or an inch there. It was a little insane truthfully. Here I am right now, feeling high from adrenaline and satisfaction - that I am really and truly done with this journey. I put on my first pair of jeans since my final liposuction and they were easy to put on. They slid right up over my thighs without effort. I didn't have to fight them, and I didn't have to wear pants today that were too small in the thigh and too big in the waist. My thighs... oh so lovely thighs... are normal. Normal synonyms: regular - standard - ordinary - common - usual Another word I've never used to define myself. I am me, and I am content, pleased, happy, glad, regular, standard, ordinary, common and I am usual. I am also a finished product. Now only need to keep up with remaining healthy and staying right here where I am. So, EFF YOU SIZE ZERO!! You do not define me, just as much as my scale does not. My health, both physical and mental - and my happiness does. Source: The End Of My Weight Loss Journey. New Goal: To Stay Here And Stay Fit.

Right on, congrats that you have made it this far! I wish the best to you with your band and in fighting alcoholism.