shellyj

hey firegirl- they actually figured out what was wrong with my band. BUT before i tell you what it was the amounts of food you listed really doesnt sound like alot to me. i was able to EAT with no restriction. never tight in the morning or ever really. here is a copy of what i posted: i have been dealing with a lack of restriction for a while now. i ended up contacting inamed to have them review my last swallow study (i dont have ins coverage on the band) well after they contacted my dr, my dr called me and wanted to do another swallow study at 4.1 cc (last on was at 3.8 cc) so this is what happened... go in drink barium look at band. NO RESTRICTION. check to see whats in the band 4.1 cc. everyone is very confused how can this be yada yada. fill me to 4.5 cc. drink barium. no restriction. fill me to 5.0 cc. no restriction. the fluid in my band came out a little murkey. they decide to change the t-shaped fill needle thing. when changing them out the dr wants to access the port himself (pa had done in past and today) he is poking jabbing stabbing etc. he even BENT the needle trying to get it in. switched again, got it in. removed all fill. still not happy with the connection so they switch access needles again. thank god they decide i need another numbing shot. so they fill me again to 3.0 cc and have me drink. i had a little restriction, bump me up to 3.2 cc now my opening resembles a bandster!!! remove fill, fill, swallow barium. remove fill, fill. swallow barium. they leave me at 3.2 cc. they concluded that when i was getting filled before, while they were accessing the port they were not getting the fill fluid into the part of the port that would send it to the band. when they would withdraw fluid it wasnt coming from the band but a pocket in the port. i dont know. i dont care. all i care about is if i have restriction!!!! i had a can of cream of chicken soup and was able to drink the entire can with relative ease but thats just soup so we'll see as i get more adventerous tommorrow and this weekend with foods of substance. they were also VERY impressed with my loss since the band hasnt been offering me any/very little restriction. my dr has banded 200+++ patients and i am the only one this has happened to so dont worry i am an oddball! i guess i am in the 4% complication rate...but not anymore!!!!! i hope!

with my new restriction i am hoping to see a big loss. to help that along the way i have challenged myself to drink 100 oz of Water a day! i have done all this week. want to join! youll probably lose three just in water weight! oh yeah and i am restricting carbs and of course no sugar!!!

i plan on having children! that was a main reason for having the band. http://www.geocities.com/karlak68/ another good one who is now pregnant! thas is a link to bandster who had a child after banding. good questions. fyi my surgery was a WHOPPING 45 minutes! michelle

I was teasing about the quote!!!! um they say I THINK 35%. who they are i dont know because most bandsters lose that in the first few months!!! here are some links to bandsters that have lost ALL their weight or are close to goal. i FULLY expect to get to my goal wich is anything under 200! which will mean a total loss of 150. i think it totally depends on you! you do have to stay on top of adjustments. if you can eat to much get a fill. the band only works when properly restricted. my surgery was outpatient. i went in at 6:00 am and left at 4:00 pm. i had surgery on a monday and went back to work on friday. i was sore but i made it! http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html this one is awsome! she has lost 145! www.kimswlsjourney.com this girl kim has lost 97 pounds in 5 months! DEFINITALLY CHECK OUT HER SITE!!!! LOTS OF GREAT INFO!! http://www.myagb.homestead.com/ another goodie...not sure how much she lost i think 100 http://www.fisherchristine.addr.com/band.html she has just lost 100 lbs as of this month!!!! in 10 months!!! http://www.geocities.com/karlak68/ another good one who is now pregnant! http://www.employees.org/~kirsten/ this girl has lost 85 but hasnt updated her page in a long time!!! i am sure she is down more now! http://www.geocities.com/laylaburd/AGB/laylaslapband.html This is a link to extraordinary bandsters http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ExtraordinaryBandsters/ these people have over 100 lbs to lose you will have to join the group to read post and look at photos (its free and fast) http://supergramemr.homestead.com/Index.html

you should heed your own quote!

hey amanda~ the epideral is a question for your dr. cause i dont know and i have never heard of it except with childbirth! i dont really know about blood clots either BUT they give you those hose for circulation. i wore mine for DAYS!!! just to be safe and i did my breathing exercisis RELIGOUSLY! i can understand the fear of death BUT if you dont have the surgery what realisticly do you think your life expectancy would be? at 325 and 26 i was having chest pains, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision etc. i also had a uncle who JUST had a heart attack at 30 so i KNEW i was in really bad shape. the way i looked at it i was signing the death certificate to not have surgery and taking a chance at life by having it! this is a pretty mild surgery. i had mine outpatient! if there were serious risk of death i dont think they would offer it outpatient. i would say a dr who has done 50 or more bands would be a safe bet.

thank you so much ladies!!! megan~ i dont have to worry about waiting to eat till i get hungry. my band has put a muzzle on my food demons!!! i think i will try to focus on night drinking for my Water. i always want to EAT at night so that will give me something to focus on. i am reallly enjoying my food now too! the fact that it takes a while to eat i actually savor the amount i do get to eat! alexandra~ i feel like i am newly banded! what i had before was definitally not restriction. it slowed me down yes but NOW its WONDERFUL!! donali~ sip sip sip i did manage to get in 64 oz yesterday. i had to switch to room temp water. i had a half scram egg this morning and it was tolerable. i think i will loosen up a tad as the swelling goes down. i'll give it two weeks before i think all possable swelling is gone. i havent pb'd and have eaten pork, chicken, eggs, and a piece of a biscuit. (those are just the dense foods i have tried)

WOW!!! to be under 200. that will be a MAJOR MILESTONE for me! CONGRATS!!!

thanks ladies... i have been a little adventerous in my eating since yesterday. i had 4 hot wings for dinner last night (cooked in slow cooker) for Breakfast i had i scram egg, lunch 1/2 cup of salad that was lettuce, taco meat and Beans, salsa and ranch. (i made about 1 cup but didnt eat but MAYBE half before i was FULL!!!) dinner tonight??? we are going to the mojo grill i imagine i'll pick off of steves plate or order an appatizer i wish this was 2 weeks from now so i would know if this is swelling. so far SO GREAT!!!!!!! i havent pb'd with any of that. i did have some mild sliming after the salad.

i have been dealing with a lack of restriction for a while now. i ended up contacting inamed to have them review my last swallow study (i dont have ins coverage on the band) well after they contacted my dr, my dr called me and wanted to do another swallow study at 4.1 cc (last on was at 3.8 cc) so this is what happened... go in drink barium look at band. NO RESTRICTION. check to see whats in the band 4.1 cc. everyone is very confused how can this be yada yada. fill me to 4.5 cc. drink barium. no restriction. fill me to 5.0 cc. no restriction. the Fluid in my band came out a little murkey. they decide to change the t-shaped fill needle thing. when changing them out the dr wants to access the port himself (pa had done in past and today) he is poking jabbing stabbing etc. he even BENT the needle trying to get it in. switched again, got it in. removed all fill. still not happy with the connection so they switch access needles again. thank god they decide i need another numbing shot. so they fill me again to 3.0 cc and have me drink. i had a little restriction, bump me up to 3.2 cc now my opening resembles a bandster!!! remove fill, fill, swallow barium. remove fill, fill. swallow barium. they leave me at 3.2 cc. they concluded that when i was getting filled before, while they were accessing the port they were not getting the fill fluid into the part of the port that would send it to the band. when they would withdraw fluid it wasnt coming from the band but a pocket in the port. i dont know. i dont care. all i care about is if i have restriction!!!! i had a can of cream of chicken Soup and was able to drink the entire can with relative ease but thats just soup so we'll see as i get more adventerous tommorrow and this weekend with foods of substance. they were also VERY impressed with my loss since the band hasnt been offering me any/very little restriction. my dr has banded 200+++ patients and i am the only one this has happened to so dont worry i am an oddball! i guess i am in the 4% complication rate...but not anymore!!!!! i hope!

no there are only 6 employees where i work so it is a VERY small plan the policy has the exclusion. the state of tn doesnt have any laws that would force them to cover a pre-existing condition since the condition is specifically excluded. the sucky part is that my employer is probably only saving a few hundred dollars for the YEAR and it potentially could cost me alot. since i am also having problems getting restriction (at 4.1) i cant even get it fixed till i get new insurance and then i'll have to wait 1 year to because the pre existing condition hasnt been covered in the last 12 months.

UNFORTUNATLY i know all about this. i had ins that covered the lapband last year this year my ins changed to bcbs blue cross of bull shit they do not cover any wls procedure because they have a specific exclusion for wls. any wls related dr visit is not covered at all. i have contacted attorneys, the state of tn, bcbs and i am NOT COVERED at all when it comes to my band. if you are switching policies make sure you FIND OUT dont just take one persons word either because they usually dont know. i actually spoke to a manager at bcbs to make 100% sure. i can appeal anything they dont pay but since there is a specific exclusion the chances are slim to none that they would cover it. michelle

i have the keliod scars. it runs in my family i guess my mother has always had them when she has had surgery. i dont do anything. no one is gonna being seeing my stomache anyway!!! i do normal excessive lotioning but as far as special creams i dont use any. my mom used Vitamin e and hers are still lumpy and raised. they do body lifts linda. i think its called a panni

This article appeared in this morning's Los Angeles Times. Interesting perspectives.... Fat, and Happy About It Despite the health risks of obesity, activists demonstrate against weight-loss surgery, which they say is dangerous, demeaning. By Lisa Richardson, Times Staff Writer The newspaper ad inviting fat people to learn about El Camino Hospital's new weight-loss surgery program held out the opportunity to be not just a thinner person, but a better one. "It's not what you have to lose," the Mountain View, Calif., hospital ad said. "It's what you have to gain. Pride. Dignity. And Better Health." Marilyn Wann, 5-feet-5, 270 pounds and darn proud of it, scanned the ad and fumed: How dare they imply that fat people are not proud, or that dignity is reserved for the thin? Wann threw down the newspaper. Then she smiled and began to e-mail her friends. At the hospital's weight-loss surgery workshop in October, Wann and a handful of others blended into the crowd, most of them at least 100 pounds heavier than doctors say they should be. They listened to the surgeons — then Wann blew a whistle. The infiltrators jumped up, whipped off their clothes and, clad only in bathing suits (Wann in a pink two-piece), danced through the stunned audience with the words "Fat+Pride" and "Fat+Dignity" marked on their stomachs. The pro-fat parade may not have swayed many at the workshop. But it was an ample demonstration that activists in the fat acceptance movement, as it is sometimes known, were galvanizing against a medical procedure they consider dangerous and demeaning. Doctors agree that weight-loss — or bariatric — surgeries involve risks, but also argue that for now they are the most effective way for extremely obese people to shed pounds over the long term. The most common type of bariatric surgery is the gastric bypass, in which the stomach is sectioned off, leaving a small pouch at the top that severely limits food intake. The American Society of Bariatric Surgeons estimates that 103,200 weight-loss surgeries were performed in 2003 and that the number will swell to 144,000 this year. The surgery is recommended only for people who are at least 100 pounds overweight. Afterward, patients are warned to limit their food intake and to exercise regularly for the rest of their lives. Many patients are lured to the surgical solution by celebrity success stories, dramatic before-and-after pictures, and promises of small scars — instead of the Frankenstein weals of the 1970s and '80s. Demand is so great that the wait at some hospitals is a year or more. General surgeons are diving into the business of weight loss: The bariatric surgeons association grew 39% from 2001 to 2002 and 43% from 2002 to 2003. The society, which provides guidelines but not credentials to surgeons, now has about 1,200 members. Against this trend stand a handful of organizations such as the National Assn. to Advance Fat Acceptance, the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, and the International Society for Size Acceptance. More obscure fat pride groups include SeaFattle in Seattle; Pretty, Porky and Pissed Off in Toronto, and the Bod Squad in San Francisco — a radical cheerleading group. The stalwarts — those who dive into discrimination lawsuits, attend obscure medical conferences on obesity or make talk show appearances — know one another. Thousands of others have found each other through Internet chat rooms, e-mail lists and conventions. Many take solace in solidarity after years of dieting debacles, humiliation and loneliness. "It [stinks] to be fat," said Wann, 37. "Nobody would do it if they didn't have to — except for maybe me." Demonstrations locally and nationally often have their genesis in an e-mail from Wann. "I'm accustomed [to] getting e-mail from Marilyn that requires me to get in costume," said Sondra Solvay, an attorney specializing in fat discrimination cases. The activists point to some successes. Three cities — San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Washington, D.C. — and one state — Michigan — have outlawed discrimination based on size. But their central belief — that the only problem with being fat is existing in a "fat-hating society" — puts them at odds with virtually the entire medical establishment. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. surgeon general, the American Diabetes Assn. — and, of course, the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons — all maintain that obesity is dangerous. Numerous studies show that obese people are at high risk for diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, some cancers and a range of other life-threatening conditions. "Someone who is 40 years old and 100 pounds overweight will get diabetes," said Roland Sturm, a health economist at the Rand Corp. in Santa Monica. "I know there are people who don't like it when I say that. I've had threats from some of those activists. But it's the truth." Health officials estimate that more than 60% of Americans are overweight, and half of those are obese. Body Mass Index Obesity is defined by body mass index — a number reflecting weight in relationship to height. A 5-foot-5 woman weighing 180 pounds, for instance, would have a body mass index of 30, which is considered obese. Most doctors would require that she have an index of about 40 to consider performing weight-loss surgery. Her weight in that case would be at least 240 pounds. Fighting the obesity epidemic, health officials argue, is not just a matter of health, but economics. A joint study by the CDC and the North Carolina research group RTI published last month in Obesity Research found that Medicaid and Medicare spent $75 billion last year on obesity-related illnesses. In a report issued last year, U.S. Surgeon Gen. Richard Carmona announced that the nation spent $177 billion on obesity-related health costs in 2000. "Obesity," he said, "is the terror within." "Great," Wann deadpanned. "Now we're worse than Saddam Hussein or Al Qaeda." She said fat people are put in an impossible position. "It's what I call a gun to the head," she said. "They tell you that only surgery works, and oh yes, you'll die if you don't do something now. But are they crazy? I wouldn't risk my life to mutilate a perfectly healthy organ for the odds that they give." The death rate for weight-loss surgery, quoted by the bariatric surgeons society and some fat activists, is one in 200. Serious complications include blood clots, hemorrhages and infections from leaks; follow-up surgeries are common. Even measuring mortality, however, is a point of contention between the medical establishment and activists. Many surgeons only count deaths that occur within 30 days of surgery. But activists say that adverse consequences are progressive and that degenerative conditions can occur as long as 15 years after surgery. Many cite long lists of friends they believe died from surgery or its complications. One of the most recent studies of patient mortality, reported in a paper presented to the American College of Surgeons in October, found that the surgery or its complications led to death in 2% of patients who had undergone the operation in the past 15 years. But the study also found that the likelihood of survival depended on the experience of the surgeon, said Dr. David Flum of the University of Washington. Patients of surgeons who had performed fewer than 20 operations were 4.7 times more likely to die than others — a finding that underscores activists' concerns about the number of doctors entering the field. The National Institutes of Health only began to look at the long-term risks of the surgery last year. Clinical trials should have been done 30 years ago, said Flum. He said more needed to be known about "the price we pay for getting that significant weight loss." Nevertheless, the benefits of bariatric surgeries are clear, he said. "We've found a couple of amazing things," he said. "The hunger drive is almost completely lost. Also, hypertension and problems related to joints improve dramatically, and 85% of people who had diabetes before surgery" see their blood sugar levels return to normal. Many of those who have undergone the procedure credit it with saving their lives. Walter Lindstrom, a San Diego attorney specializing in obesity issues, insisted that it saved his, and that of many of his clients. He called the activists' opposition to the surgery "antiquated." "I'm in lock-step with them on some things, like discrimination, but now you really do have to accept this is no longer voodoo medicine and treat it with the respect of any other medically necessary procedure." Raising Awareness Many advocates for weight-loss surgery seem only vaguely aware that fat activists exist. Some activists' low-budget stunts, however, are meant to change that. "One of the problems with activism is it becomes so morose and so serious," Solvay said. People lose their jobs, are refused housing and even have their children taken away because they are fat, she said. For her, the antidote is to do something absurd — in public. So Solvay, a member of the Bod Squad of San Francisco, jumps, kicks and does splits in a silver-sequined black miniskirt with pink ruffled panties underneath. Wann, Solvay and others make tactical strikes, displaying their fat with pride. The goal is to warn "fat brothers and sisters" about the dangers of "stomach amputation" and "self-mutilation," as Wann calls the surgery. Almost as bad as the health risks involved, she adds, is the psychological kowtowing that comes with a stapled stomach. Some medical centers and doctors are nonplused. El Camino Hospital officials said they were surprised to learn that some people were offended by its newspaper ad linking pride and dignity to losing weight. It pulled the ad, however, after Wann and others called the hospital to complain. "The last thing we wanted to do was to offend anybody," said Ann Fyfe, vice president of business development for the hospital. Fyfe saw Wann's group, called the Bypass the Bypass Brigade, disrobe. "It was shocking" and upsetting for the 62 people who came to confront their weight problem. She likened their attendance to a first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. "For people to decide they want to do something about it, to actually show up somewhere … to say, 'I am obese, and I want to explore options for me' — well, I think it takes courage," she said. Likewise, when Bryan Woodward organized a national fundraiser for the bariatric surgeons society, "Walk From Obesity," he was stunned to learn anyone could be opposed to such an idea. "It really hurt at first, because I wanted to do something good. We have walks for heart disease and we have walks for cancer, and the biggest killer for all of us — besides smoking — is obesity," he said. "So why not have a walk to educate people about that disease?" Woodward is as earnest as Wann is angry. People do not have gastric bypass surgery because of advertising campaigns, he said. They have it because they can no longer play with their children, walk up the stairs or bathe without help. The walks, in 39 cities around the country, he said, were a success, raising almost $300,000 to increase awareness about obesity. Activists thought they were a success too. In New York, San Diego and San Francisco, they faced off against the bariatric walkers. At Chrissy Field in San Francisco, as the walkers paraded by, Bod Squad cheerleaders in pink, silver and black pleated skirts jumped and cheered. Waving pompoms, they chanted: "Two! Four! Six! Eight! We do not regurgitate! Three! Five! Seven! Nine! Love your body, it's just fine!"

i think they are nutso for protesting in bathing suits with fat pride on their stomachs!!! but the accepting body image is something everyone should do (easier said than done) sooo hippies reak have you gotten anywhere with your daughters surgery? http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=H1044928530 that is a link to a 14 year old who had gastric bypass this month. you might email her mom to see if she was able to get insurance to cover her procedure. Mexico is a great option but if insurance will cover that would be great!

I GOT THIS FROM ANOTHER BOARD! Just wanted to share.Not like alot of us will be drinking coke again,I wont!! This! Is really an eye opener.... Water or Coke? > We all know > that water is > important but I've never seen it written down like > this before. > > > WATER > > 1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. > > 2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is > so weak that it > is often > mistaken for hunger. > > 3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's > metabolism as > much as 3%. > > 4. One glass of water will shut down midnight > hunger pangs for > almost > 100% of the dieters studied in a University of > Washington > study. > > 5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime > fatigue. > > 6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 > glasses of water a > day could > significantly ease back and joint pain for up to > 80% of > sufferers. > > 7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger > fuzzy, short-term > memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty > focusing on the computer > screen or > on a printed page. > > 8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases > the risk of > colon cancer > by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast > cancer by 79%, and > one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. > > And now for the properties of COKE: > > 1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol > carries two > gallons of > coke in the truck to remove blood from the > highway after a car > accident. > > 2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke > and it will be > gone in two > days. > > 3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola > into the toilet > bowl and let > the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush > clean. The citric > acid in > Coke removes stains from vitreous China. > > 4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: > Rub the bumper > with a > rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil > dipped in > Coca-Cola. > > 5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: > Pour a can > of Coca-Cola > over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion. > > 6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth > soaked in > Coca-Cola to the > rusted bolt for several minutes. > > 7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola > into the > baking pan, wrap > the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty > minutes before the > ham is > finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings > to mix with > the Coke for > a sumptuous brown gravy. > > 8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of > coke into a > load of > greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a > regular cycle. > The > Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. > > 9. It will also clean road haze from your > windshield. > > > For Your Info: > > 1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric > acid. Its pH is > 2.8. It > will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric > acid also > leaches Calcium > from bones and is a major contributor to the > rising increase in > osteoporosis. > > 2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the > commercial > truck must > use the Hazardous material place cards reserved > for Highly > corrosive > materials. > > 3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to > clean the > engines of > their trucks for about 20 years! Now the question > is, would you > like a > coke or a glass of water? > > > Have A Great Day and Share It With Others

i dont know what is wrong with me!!!! i have 4.1 cc and STILL the band doesnt stop me from eating EVER!!! the most i get is golf ball pressure from feeling the food pass through the band. my dr says it is working correctly but i just dont think so. happy birthday as well!

hey donali! i know they are from being on a diet. but i really dont know what else to do. since banding when i dont diet i dont seem to lose. i think my metabolism is totally screwed up. since they have come out with new low carb products it is easier for me to 'diet' . about once or twice a week i'll eat a the lowcarb bread ( 6 carbs ) or i'll make croutons out of it to have some crunch in my salad i even got creative enough to make bread crumbs out of it and make me 2 fried chicken tenders. i also bought some carbsmart ice cream and i have it for a week and a half now and i have only eatin 2 servings. the candybars are a different story. if i buy a 5 pack i eat them all within 2-3 days. i could DRINK chocolate. if i tell myself i am not dieting i think its hard for me to hold myself accountable for what i am eating. i just eat what i want and wonder why i am not losing. before wls i didnt really acknowledge how fat i was and since having surgery i have become hyper aware of size so while i can tell i am losing i still feel like i am FAT which at 280 i AM!!

YOWZA!!!! YOU ARE GETTING SKINNY LEO!!!! you look great!!!! you can tell a big difference everywhere! you are getting close to your goal!!!! congrats!

WOOOOHOOO!!!! keep it up!!!

WOW!!!! i cant wait to post some pics with a 100 lb loss!!! you are doing great!!!! keep it up! michelle

i found this on obesityhelp.com's message board http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?RedirectEnter&partner=777701&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi%2Eebay%2Ecom%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI%2Edll%3FViewItem%26item%3D2985214172%26category%3D3149%26ssPageName%3DADME%3AB%3AEF%3AUS%3A1 this is a link to a banded person selling info on the lapband and selling links to other peoples websites. i wrote this person an email: what are you selling here? i have the lapband and i am offended that you are selling info that can be recieved for free on the internet and at $7.99??? do the people that you have links for KNOW that you are SELLING links to THEIR website? if you were truly trying to help people you would start your own lapband website for free. What makes you think you are the BAND GOD and you are all knowing? at 2 months out you have a lot to learn. at 2 years out there will still be stuff to learn. dont sell your opinion because it isnt viable medical advice. maybe someone will follow your 'info' and what happens if they get sick from following your 'paid for' advice. well i hope they can sue you. AND how do YOU know that they will be able to have the procedure for FREE? insurance coverage is not usually for 100%- the FDA trials already have participants. SO MAYBE JUST MAYBE THIS IS A GIMMICK FOR YOU TO MAKE MONEY!!! one word for you~ KARMA what goes around comes around! michelle maybe if they get enough emails they will stop selling FREE information!

the difference between being to tight, to loose is a very fine line so i think the reason so many of ask these questions is that figuring out what your individual "sweet spot" is has been new to all of us!

Exactly! I love the ADJUSTABLE part of the band. with RNY you have an 18 month window with the band your window never closes!

Hi August Bandsters!!!! i will have my 6 month BANDIVERSARY on 2-18-04! i have had 10+ fills and have had problems getting restriction. i am now at 4.1 cc in a 4.0 cc band with pretty good restriction although i can still eat any meat pretty much anything. i have lost 40 pounds to date and i cant complain about that!!!! i tried the not dieting thing and letting the band 'work for me' and it did to some extent~ i never gained any weight but i didnt lose either. the only weight i have lost has been through diet and exercise. now that i have restriction we'll see how it works combined with diet and exercise. NSV so far: *not fearing ANY seat- movie, booth, chair with arms *starting size 30/32 current size 22 have even fit into a few 20's *rings that were to tight before surgery are now to loose!!!! *love life~ i leave that one alone but it is improved! *not being the biggest person at winter banquet this year! *increased energy and productivity (losing seems to motivate me??) *exercising- i actually enjoy it now! and i am building some stamina! *being able to pull of a few SEXY clothes!