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Yay! I'm looking forward to it. Nancy

Congratulations, Jennye! I knew it wouldn't be long! Nancy

Kelly, good to hear from you. You were only banded a week before me and I, too, have lost 50 pounds. From what I can see from what others have posted, that is about average. You're doing great! Nancy

My port is just under my sternum. I couldn't feel it at first, but now that I've lost weight, I have to make sure there's some padding under me when I lie on my stomach. Otherwise, no problem. Nancy

Way to go! I'm celebrating with you because I passed the same milestone last week! Nancy

That's a great question, actually, and I would like to hear what others have to say. In the past I have tried to go for therapy once or twice for my eating issues, but it did not help. I did not go to a specialist, however. Currently I'm in therapy to work on self-esteem and social issues. I feel I am getting a lot of help with these issues. I wonder myself if when we heal the rest of our lives - our relationships, our self-esteem issues - whether we will still be as inclined to eat for emotional issues, but I sort of think the tendency will always be there for me. Nancy

Congratulation, Kathy. It's great to hear you are feeling so well. Just remember that even though you feel great, you are still healing, so take it easy. Glad to hear you got such good information and support at the hospital. Nancy

I posted this on another board, so just skip it if you read it there, but I'm shouting it from the rooftops: I weigh less than 200 pounds! (199, but hey, it counts!). The changes in my appearance are really becomming noticeable and my health has really improved. I could go on and on about all the changes big and small in my life, but I don't want to bore you all. Thanks for all of your support. I couldn't have done it without you all. Nancy

Jeanette, Reading your eloquent description of your mother's obsession with your weight really makes me mad. And I agree with everything everyone else has said, although I recognize that no matter how much we want to and regardless of the amount of therapy we may have, we never really give up on wanting our parents' approval and acceptance. It think it is positive that when you spoke out, your mother's behavior improved if only for a little while. Maybe if you continue to be honest with her about how her remarks make you feel, she will continue to improve. One can hope. When money enters into any relationship between two people, the stakes are always increased and with your parents paying for a surgery to treat a condition that is already so emotionally charged between you, I would suggest considering making a written contract between you. It could specify the amount of money they are to pay alone with the repayment terms. But it could also specify that their loan is to pay for the surgery and does not entitle them (or more specifically her) any further influence over your weight loss journey. If it were me, I would specify what comments are acceptable and which ones are not. Otherwise, I'm afraid that by letting them loan you this money you are opening yourself up for even more grief. Weight loss happens with this surgery, but it doesn't always happen as quickly as others think it should. And I can only imagine that your mother's attitude may be worse after she has actually paid for you to be thinner. I hope that with work, both of you can heal this relationship. Nancy

For me it would be very difficult to eat only when I'm hungry. I work in a hospital and I move from patient to patien, floor to floor, and even building to building all day long. I have to eat when I have time. Otherwise when I do get hungry, I may not be able to get to any food for quite a while. When I'm not at work, I don't wait until I'm hungry either, because like you, I really never get hungry. Nancy

Jennye, believe me I feel your pain. I was at 203 for at least 3 weeks, maybe a month. Then I was bouncing between 201 and 202 for a while, but it only made the moment sweeter when it finally came. Donali - It won't be long now! Thanks, Leo and Alexandra! Nancy

Shelly! That is a striking change! You look great! Congratulations on all your hard work! Nancy

I had insulin resistance and was prescribed glucophage, but couldn't really take it because it made me feel nauseous. I've been banded for 6 months now and have lost 50 pounds and now my insulin levels are normal and so is my blood sugar. I don't really watch the carbs either. For me, weight loss and exercise did the trick. Nancy

If you seriously can't drink even a drop of Water, your doctor should definitely know about it ASAP. He or she may recommend that you go back to the hospital for an IV. It is probably swelling that is causing this problem and it should get better with time. Can you describe your nausea in more detail? Is it the same kind of nausea you had before surgery? If so, the anti-nausea meds may help. But it may be that you are actually just PBing because your pouch is temporarily so small it cannot tolearate anything at all in it. In which case, I doubt medicine will help. Anyway, hang in there and try not to worry. You will feel better soon. Nancy

As to your poll, I personally don't diet, though I may start soon. I exercise by walking a mile and a half on the treadmill daily, averaging 3.5 miles per hour. I've lost 46 pounds and I'm six months out. Nancy

I had to have a bunch of blood tests including folate, coagulation studies, and general lab profiles. An upper GI. An EKG. A chest X-ray. An abdominal ultrasound. And that was it as far as I can remember. Nancy

That's an impressive transformation. You really look great! Nancy

I went to the doctor for a check-up last week now that I'm six months out and have lost some weight. Insulin resistance: gone! High cholesterol: gone! Borderline high blood pressure: gone! I'm ecstatic! I hope to lose considerably more weight than I have so far for the sake of my appearance and overall well-being, but even if I don't, I will consider myself a successful bandster from here on out. What scared me into taking this major step to aid my weight loss was that I saw that I was beginning to develop signs that my health would truly suffer if I didn't lose weight. It's all about health. Nancy

I'm glad you asked this question. It is a question I asked myself many times pre-banding when I read the Bandster rules and other rules and regimens that some bandsters use. Bandsters are like everyone else: What works for one, does not work for all. Like Quakergirl, I decided that if I could avoid carbs, etc., I wouldn't need the band. I got banded and let the band be my only guide as to what and how much to eat. I didn't worry about Protein, carbs, or anything else. I did take a daily Vitamin. Because I can no longer eat a lot of food and because I can't eat some foods like bread that used to be a weakness, I have lost 45 pounds in 6 months. Now that I'm thinner and healthier, I am starting to focus more on nutrition. I am focusing on increasing my protein consumption and trying to work more veggies into my diet. But I still don't follow any hard and fast rules. The thing to know is that you don't have to follow Atkins or any other diet to be a successful bandster. All you have to do is have adequate restriction, avoid high calorie, high fat foods like ice cream that slide right through the band, and watch the pounds melt away. Nancy

You have done so very well! Congratulations!

I don't cook all that much, but when I do, I tend to make a one dish meal ( I like the recipe book "365 one-dish meals"). These are skillet or casserole dinners with Protein, veggies, and starch in them. I tend to choose the ones with the least starch. Anyway, I make one of these on the weekends and eat it all week. I should make 1/2 recipe because even that would last me all week (only for dinner). But if you want to go the frozen food route, I don't see a problem with it. Depending on your restriction though, you may end up wasting some of it and they're expensive. Nancy

That is super-fantastic progress! I know you must feel so much better now. Keep us posted! Nancy

Thanks for starting this thread! It does really help to see that my weight loss is pretty much in line with everyone else's. I have had 2 fills and currently have 1.6cc. Just got the second fill last week. I've lost 43 pounds. My mini-goal is to be under 200 by the time of the Texas Bandster Bash in late April. Possible, but challenging. My frustration has been that nobody seems to notice. And I've only gone from a size 26 to a size 24 (or 22 in some things). NSVs: I feel so much better. I move faster and easier. I have less joint and back pain. I'm exercising. On Tuesday I will find out if my insulin and cholesterol levels have improved but I'm betting (and hoping) they have. My self-esteem has improved and I'm more assertive now. Nancy

I am sorry about the pain you are in. It will go away with time. In the meantime, it sounds to me like you may be overdoing it with the exercise - especially the weight training. I know my doctor told me not to lift anything over 5 pounds. I can't remember for how long, but weight training so soon after surgery can't be a good idea. Take the pain medicine if you need to. Walk, use heat. But criminy! You just had major surgery and were hit by a car! Give yourself a break! Nancy

This is such a complex issue. I applaud these people for fighting discrimination and prejudice. And the hospital's ad was wrong to suggest that fat people have no dignity. The nerve! On the other hand, as we all know, being fat is just not fun. In addition to the health problems there are the myriad inconveiniences of not fitting in seats, or being able to walk down narrow aisles, etc. I guess I just can't understand why the activists have to try to interfere with adults who are trying to make the best decision they can for themselves. Not everyone can be happy being fat - and it is not all based on social prejudice. Thanks for posting the article. Very interesting! Nancy