DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

My ankle tattoo really didn't hurt, either. Far less than the one on my forearm did.

I have lost 116 pounds and STILL have a higher BMI than you do currently. If you go into this realizing the band is a tool, not a magic bullet, and that you must make eating habit changes for a lifetime then I think it's totally realistic to think the band will help you. Really, it all falls on the person being banded. The more committed you are to change and a healthy lifestyle, the better you will do. As for me, I still have a long ways to go, but I couldn't be happier with my decision. Getting banded is the best thing I've ever done for myself.

It really depends on location. My tattoos on my forearm and back have just shrunk with me, the one just above my right breast is now kinda stretchy and icky.

I am definitely tighter right before my period. If I have bread a couple days before my period, I am sure to get stuck. Any other time, I do just fine with it.

I can't wait until I can sit cross legged. I also can't wait until I can fit into clothes in "normal" stores, as opposed to big girl stores.

I wouldn't worry about it. I've lost 116 pounds in 6 months and I'm doing just fine despite how quickly I've lost the weight so far.

Only if you are lactose intolerant or your doctor specifically told you not to. I was drinking skim milk and having sugar free pudding within days of surgery.

I'm not sure how much you weigh, but I would be willing to bet the ladies above are correct. I would drop to 1000 calories a day and see if that doesn't help your metabolism kick in.

I'm sorry but I can't understand this at all. Is English not your native language? If not, maybe type in your native language and we can translate it with Google?

Congratulations!!!

You said you are eating like you did before surgery. That is the problem. You must change your eating habits for a lifetime, including smaller portions (no more than 1/2-1 cup total per meal) and make healthy food choices. It's also possible (likely) you don't have good restriction yet. Have you had fills? Btw, 37 pounds is a great loss. That's over 3 pounds a week. I'm not sure what you expected but that is a lot.

It's not easy now, but it does get easier. I have measured my portions and counted calories since the day I got home from hospital. Because of this, I have always lost consistently since then too. It wasn't easy and I remember being hungry often, but it was worth it in the end. Unfortunately you have to rely on willpower in the beginning.

I have had some restriction since surgery. Not a lot, and it was a struggle at times because I was hungry often, but I did feel some restriction from the very beginning. It's also important to note I have also counted calories and measured portions since the day I came home from surgery, too. So, I ate like a banded person even when I didn't have good restriction. In my case, I really think it helped me get into the mindset.

I told them the facts, and if they still had bad things to say about it, I told them to wait and see for themselves. I've now lost 115 pounds in less than 6 months, needless to say, no one has a bad thing to say anymore

Good- I've lost 115 pounds in less than 6 months! Bad- extra skin, I look like a dang Shar Pei. It's not pretty! lol

congratulations!!

I don't have the gag reflex issue, but PBing means to Productive Burp. It's when you literally burp the food back up. It's different than vomiting, it's not forceful and doesn't involve a retching stomach. You literally burp and the food gently pops back up. (it is still highly unpleasant, though)

Most surgeons require you to wait 4-6 weeks after surgery so you're fully healed first. But like most things, all surgeons are different, so you'll have to ask yours to be sure.

Yeah I'm a trolling chic (but your room is so interesting!) and I'm no doctor, but 1000 calories day doesn't seem like nearly enough for an adult man. Not by a long shot.

Thank you, congrats on yours as well

You can't belch or expel it because the gas isn't in your digestive system, it was pumped into your abdominal cavity during the surgery. It has to be reabsorbed by your body. The best thing you can do is walk around to help your body reabsorb it faster. If you're having any pain, sometimes a heating pad helps too.