Lilium

The ad is deplorable as it so inacurate. Talk about false advertising. I've only had 2 fills and I have to take incredibly small bites, and sometimes I can't eat at all and will have to wait until I can.

I started with telling my parents, sisters and brother, and all of their spouses, children etc. My mom pushed me to tell her brothers and sister etc. as it was a surgery and she felt everyone should know. Some of my uncles have not understood and so have said some pretty strange things about how the next time they see me I will be skinny. I have seen them twice since then and have only lost 5 pounds in this time. Mom wanted me to tell everyone we know, but I'm glad I finally put the brake on as not everyone needs to know now. Losing weight with the band can be a slow process and so explanations are not always needed. I did tell several co-workers as they were concerned by all my doctor's appointments leading up to the surgery. It does put extra pressure on me with the people who do know, but I'm choosing to see that as positive motivation. I have found that I need to reset expectations with information as people think it is a magic process and don't understand the hard work it takes and how slow the weight loss can be. As for having people watch what I eat, I don't feel that it is any different really as people are alwalys closely watching what obese people eat anyway. When the weight loss becomes noticeable and people ask me how I have lost the weight I plan on telling them about the band along with explanations of how I eat and exercise.

Congrats on your decision. I was banded at the end of April and didn't have too much trouble with the surgery. The first day after I did sleep quite a bit and had pain from the gas, but I recovered quickly after that. I was able to visit with family who came to see me, but I didn't have to cook or anything for them. I hope you won't have to do too much for your visitors. Plan ahead and make it as easy on yourself as possible. Take care and good luck.

Congrats Diane! I just started my band journey this April and hope to be where you are by this time next year. Your story is very encouraging. Thanks for letting us know about your path to success.

My doctor said no water 30 minutes before eating, none when eating and to wait 60 minutes to drink after eating. It was difficult for me at first as I was used to taking a bite, taking a drink, taking a bite etc. I now have adapted to this process and it is working for me.Good Luck.

I use Muscle Milk Light in the powdered form and I really like it;however, I couldn't stand the taste of the premixed Muscle Milk. I also add Benefiber everyday to my homemade protein shake without any problems. I hope this helps.

I'm in the same position as you are,so I totally understand your frustration. After reading so many stories I think I need to continue to work with my doctor to find the sweet spot with the right fill level. I need to get a fill level that will help me not be so physically hungry so that I can deal with my head hunger. We can't give up as we have just begun this journey. Many others have said that it takes time to get adjusted both physically and mentally to this new reality. Hang in there and know that you are not alone.

Thanks so much for this information, hopefully it won't take me so long to figure out what being full with the band feels like. I have only had one fill and so haven't felt this yet. Todaly I ate too much at the Father's Day luncheon, and I definitely wanted to eat more than I needed.

I have only had one fill and am not where I need to be as I still get hungry every few hours. My question is, do you ever stop obsessing over food? When I first wake up I think about food and continue to think about food most of the day. It is often the last thing I think about before falling asleep. Mostly I'm being very good about my calorie intake, but after having been on diets most of my life I have become food obsessed. Does it get better?

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to having a proper fill that will make me feel full. You did great for 3 months and one slip up won't kill all your hard work.

I told my family (including some aunts, uncles and cousins) and good friends and close collegues at work. I have deicided that when I lose major weight I will be honest with people and tell them I have been banded. I have lost 60-80 pounds before and always gained it back, but am going to fight to use the band to help me get to a normal BMI. In the past with other weight losses the majority of people who asked me about it were people I am close to, and I think the same will be true this time. I agree that having everyone watch what you eat is annoying, but i believe that those of us who are morbidly obese already have everyone watching what we eat. My mother seemed to think that everyone must be told as it is a surgery and so I told my aunts and uncles on her side of the family. I wish I hadn't told all of them yet as some of these elderly uncles have been well meaning, but quite annoying. I don't feel the need to hide my choice, but wish I had waited until I was comfortable with how the band works before telling certain family members. It is what it is and so I will ignore the ignorant comments, educate when I can and use the eyes on me as further motivation.

Great job. You give me hope that I can get to the point where I can eat as normal people do and not have to be obssessed about keeping a tight and limited food regimine as I now live under, That occasionally on vacation or for specail events I can eat differently and still maintain my weight. Thanks for keeping my hope alive.

I just had my first fill and am confused. I will be on liquids and then mushy foods for a few days. After that the doctor said I can go to dry foods. I was wondering when I could eat raw vegetables and if some cause problems more than others.

I bought unflavored whey Protein and have added it to Soups, puddings and even my morning coffee. It changes the texture a bit, but doesn't change the flavor of your food. <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wmbE8mR/"> <img border="0" src="<a href='http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wmbE8mR/weight.png">http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wmbE8mR/weight.png"></a>

I have been having difficulty with drinking enough water each day. I will have my first fill in 2 days and am afraid it will get even harder. I was told to sip water not guzzle, to not drink when eating, or thirty minutes before eating and one hour after eating. How do people get enough water?

I hadn't even thought about getting rid of my clothes as I have been a yo-yo dieter for decades. Thanks for the inspirtation! I will donate my clothes and I will make sure I never need the big sizes again.

I'll be at 6 weeks since my surgery on Thursday and can really relate to your post. It took me a few weeks to realize that all the rumbling and other noises didn't always have anything to do with hunger. I'm not sure why there is so much rumbling, but am hoping it will go away soon.

I'm scheduled for April 28th. It looks like I'm joining a large group of April bandsters.