txsonicguy

Really great points. Thanks!

I was banded at TR Richardson in June of 2013. I have LOVED my Aftercare - with one exception. There is one PA that is a small Asian gal. She is super sweet, but the two fills she gave me hurt like hell! I simply asked and they put a note in my file and I don't get her anymore. The other PA fills have been almost pain free. In one year I've lost 178 pounds. They are always easy to get an appointment that fits my schedule. I would highly recommend their office. If you have any other questions - let me know.

My one year anniversary is coming up on 12 June. I'm down 178 pounds. I want to post pictures on Facebook (something I NEVER do of myself) but am torn about telling people about the surgery. There are literally only about a dozen people that know I've had surgery. My own mother and siblings don't know. I don't lie about it, I tell the truth if asked directly (which I have been ). What are y'all's thoughts? Do you "fly the flag" or are you discreet about it? I'm not ashamed - it's one of the smartest things I've ever done. It's just that I have worked VERY hard and I see how people act about weight loss surgery as it's some form of cheating or taking the "easy way out". I don't want that diminished. I just want to really Celebrate on the 12th and wondering if it's time to "come out of the closet". Thoughts?

It's really made a huge difference for me. My 5 year old likes to run the timer for me at restaurants.

I chose 2:00 because it's safest for me. Sometimes I wait even longer depending on how it's feeling. Softer foods (like eggs) are usually good at 1:00.

I just use the timer function on my phone. As soon as I swallow I start a 2:00 timer. That forces me to take time between bites. My meal isn't always hot by the time I'm done, but if I stick to the timer I really can eat whatever I want.

I loved your comment about the band not being wrapped around your brain or mouth! I was banded in June of this year and learning to eat small bites and eat slowly has been a challenge. I've had two really bad stuck incidents that led to vomiting (one embarrassingly public) and both times were from allowing myself to get too hungry and then snarfing down food. I literally now use my iphone timer at every meal (even at restaurants) and I can pretty much eat anything I want in very small quantities (except bread or tortillas). I'm now in the green zone and down 105 pounds since May. It does get better!

I such I could get excited as my wife does. I still have days when I tell myself "so what you've lost 100 pounds. You're still 160 pounds overweight!" But then I realize that I just need to do it again (lose 100#). I've done it once - I can do it again, right?

I just hit the green zone this week after another 1 cc fill. Took me to 10.3 cc on a 14cc band. It's amazing how just that one additional cc made cc difference.

Traveling has always been such a nightmare. It's got to be a great feeling to not worry about it.

Congrats!

As I've been losing the wright since my June surgery, I haven't been purchasing smaller clothes. I've just been tightening my belt and tucking my shirts in a little further. This morning when I weighed in I was down a total of 100.1 pounds! Took the day off and HAD to buy new pants as my old ones were more like clown pants. On my June 11 surgery day my pants were size 60 waist ( can't believe I just posted that in public!). Today I bought all new pants size 50 waist! They feel so much better than my clown pants. Even better I realized I'm finally in the green zone! It's a happy day!

Isn't it funny how used to asking for a table you get. We went out to dinner for DD's birthday tonight and forgot to ask. It was busy and they seated us at a booth. I panicked and then remembered I've lost almost 100 pounds. I fit right in. What a great feeling.

Went for another fill this week and they changed the protocol back to 2 days liquids 2 days mushies. I asked why the two changes and they said that the protocol was developed by their director in Australia, and it worked fine there. However, it apparently was not working for the American patients. Not sure what that says about us as Americans.

It's just a card for registering your band.