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Hello ladies! In one week, I will have a fill! I find myself counting down to it, just like I was counting down to surgery! Did I mention I can eat like I did before too?! AAAAGH! I did have a fabulous NSV today, though...was finally able to buy some Alex and Ani bracelets, as they no longer look ridiculous on my fat (no longer as fat) wrists! I got one for each 5 lbs I lost...which came out to 4 bracelets...and I'll be due for a new one soon!!

Well I'll start by introducing myself. My name is Becky Noe and I live in Colorado. I just had my surgery on February 15, 2012, and just moved into my soft food stage. I've not had a fill yet and my Dr said if i keep losing 1-2 lbs a week and am not hungry that we can push out my fill. That being said, I think my scale is on CRACK LOL according to it I lost 19 lbs so far...but wait..one day i get on and it says 275, i get on the next day 275 i get on the next day 275 i get on the next 277!! What the heck!! Anyway daily weigh-in's are not healthy for you..causes too much stress...that's what i keep telling myself. My reasons for getting lap-band are twofold. One to be a healthier me. I need it to live, love and laugh with my family far into the future. I tried all the other things...weight watchers, Atkins, South Beach and Slimgenics. The latter was a decision after the devastation I encountered in 2009. I went thru Kaisers hoops..on the waiting list for a year, all my classes and tests done, surgery scheduled for Sept 2009....lost job and insurance in July 2009. Slimgenics worked very well for me...lost 44 lbs...then plateaued ....they couldn't get me out of it for NINE Months...talk about frustrating. Then of course they say..well you have used up all your weeks..you have to pay for more and I was like WHY would i do that..you haven't helped in the last 9 months. So instead of paying them, I just started dropping money into the savings account. Even after a second job loss. My husband and I decided to Self Pay so there were no excuses. The other reason I wanted to do the surgery, is my daughter and I breed, raise and show Australian Shepherds. Well for the last 8 years SHE shows them, I sit on the outside of the rings watching, taking pictures and dreaming of the day I can do it again myself. Besides that I do Web and Ad design, Photography, Jewelry making and make Braided Kangaroo Dog Show leashes. All while working full time. I am really looking forward to the new me and the next stage of my life and also looking forward to delving into the archives of this board for information and hopefully making friends. Becky Noe

You need to take care of your food issues before you consider getting banded. I ended up banded because I was researching it for my daughter, but her head wasn't in the right place foodwise, so I got banded instead and it's working beautifully!! You absolutely have to be willing to give up certain things or it won't work.

I know everyone looses differently, but I'm just curious...My 6mo is coming up on March 2nd and as of today I am down 53 pounds from day of surgery. I know I could have lost a lot more if I ate better and exercised! I am still proud of myself and feel great

I get banded April 2 and I would like a buddy to take this journey with me

Ann Marie. Mine was the same as urs.

I know in Australia, generally speaking, the one rule we have is 'don't drink your calories'. We don't do Protein shakes. I don't do Protein Shakes. You should be able to get enough protein with the solids you eat. When I was losing, there were days where I was tight, but I didn't supplement my protein with shakes. I didn't put in any more than my band allowed me to in solids. If I was hungry, I ate more solid foods and did not drink my food.

This may come across as sounding harsh because you don't have the benefit of seeing my expressions or hearing my tone of voice. Such is the nature of the internet. Please be aware that I am not trying to be harsh. Doctors don't make rules just for the sake of it. They are trained, experienced professionals, and while it may seem that every dr/surgeon has different rules, they are providing you with the best advice they know. So follow your dr's rules. They are his/her best guidelines for you and your circumstances. I read your post as "getting away with breaking the rules". This won't last. The band is a total lifestyle change and that is what your dr is trying to guide you through. Good luck.

Ask the nurse if you can have pain relief through your iv ?? Dont dispair darling, its gonna be fine. We've all been there and it sucked for all of us ...but we are all so happy now !!! My first night in the hospital post op was a friggin nightmare. The best way to feel better is by getting up and slowly walking around, put your shoulders back & take slow deep breaths. It will be hard for you to walk around if your in pain so please reconsider the pain killers, youll find when you go home you will need them so that you can sleep at night comfortably & bare taking showers etc. Have a warm bean bag handy for any pain you may experience in your left shoulder, this is where the gas sits when it dispurses from your body, keeping moving your arns up & down to help dispurse the gas. Suck on ice cubes for your dry mouth & keep a chapstick handy, just be patient hunny. When your feeling down, phone a friend or someone who is supportive & just talk it out. Cry if you need to & remember why you did thid!!! Hold on... You have made the right choice. Believe me. Xxx

Sometimes I think they should have banded my brain, not my stomach!