Melissa S

1. I've lost 27lbs 2. I don't sweat as much (not a big fan of the summertime heat) 3. BP has gone down... WAY down! 4. Feel more confident 5. Satisfied ordering a "small" serving size 6. Happy to only have 1 chin 7. Very happy to be able to fit into old clothes 8. Even more happy that some of those old clothes are getting big on me 9. Looking forward to flying in 10 days..and fitting comfortably in the seat! 10. Painted my OWN toenails last night... without having to hold my breath while bending over to reach! ....I'm sure there are many many more.... but these are on the top of my list!!

Thanks legster... I'm really hoping this next fill does the trick... I'm SO hungry...and I'm able to eat WAY too much...I'm really starting to question if there is really a band in there!!!

Good morning all... Well, the DD (Damn Dog ) had me up at 5:30am so I figured...while I'm up so early...why don't I go to the gym.... SO... I DID! FINALLY for the first time since surgery I made it to the gym :whoo: I've been walking and riding my stationary bike at home... but there is just something about going to the gym that makes me feel SO much more productive!!! I'm also going for my 2nd fill this afternoon... hoping for some real restriction!!!

Hi all... I'm a May bandster just checking in to see how you guys are doing!!! TracyinKS.... you're a trip!! Best of luck on getting into the 230's... I'm knocking on that door right along with you!! I met my fiance on myspace...romance was the LAST thing I was looking for at that time... I set up my account to locate old classmates and keep in touch with friends....well, this cute little face in an US Army uniform pops up when I first signed on..and I HAD to read his profile.. cute... without messaging him I moved onto my mail... then about 3 days later his profile came up again... so I decided to message him... we chatted everyday for 4 months before deciding to meet in Chicago (I live in Delaware, he lived in St. Louis)... we had a long distance relationship for a year before he moved out here with me...We got engaged in December and our wedding is 11/10/07!!

Legster... WOW... great job!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I have only told a few close friends, my mother and sister...

You and I are in the same situation... I am able to eat ALOT and often (not that I always do though...). For example...two days ago I had about a 1/2 cup of potato salad, 1/4 cup of macaroni salad, about 5 small meatballs and bread... no problem with anything... and I cant really say that I took small bites or chewed the heck out of everything.... I've never had the "golf ball", no PB or slime.... I was starting to think that I was the only one that is going thru this!!! I'm going for my 2nd fill on friday... hopefully this will all change.

Eat every meal... everyday... if you are not hungry..try making your meals smaller... skipping meals will send your body into starvation mode and stall weight loss.

I'm right there with ya on that!! I'd LOVE for weight loss to be overnight... and I'm scared to say that I dont think I'll be happy with 1-2 lbs a week. 2-3 is more like what I'm looking for.. I know it didnt get put on overnight.. so I should be a little more patient..

Julie... I wish I had an answer to your question... I very rarely feel full off a small amount of food...even after my first fill.. my doctor says at first eat 1/2 cup of food.. if you are hungry.. fix another 1/2 cup but eat slowly. Most times I can down a full cup without problem.. which scares me.. because I'm still hungry. I weighed myself this morning.. still no movement :-(

OK... still able to eat WAY too much....so this afternoon I put a call into my surgeon's office- explained to them that I'm still able to eat way too much, and it does not look as if the scale is moving (which my Dr said the way he looks at it... it really doesnt matter how much the scale moves... if I'm still starving after eating 1/2-3/4 cup of food...then to come in). So.. the earliest I can get in is next Friday afternoon.. which is better than having to wait until 8/1. I started my new job today... I'm working in the hospital as a newborn photographer...very cute job.. but ALOT of walking.. MY FEET ARE KILLING ME!!! I'll most certainly be getting my exercise in now!

I'm planning on putting a call into the doctor's office tomorrow. Its pretty clear that my first fill didn't do really anything for me. I'm scheduled for 8/1 but he said give it about a week..and if I'm still getting hungry fast...or I'm able to eat too much to call right away. I'm not really testing the waters... but there hasn't been anything I haven't been able to eat, and still able to eat way too much without getting full.

Eat before leaving for the cookout...that way you can have what is best for you... Take bottled Water Scope out something healthy to eat for when you do get hungry... ...good luck!

Panda... I agree with Wen.. .the hell is MUCH worse on the pre op diet.. for me it was Hell X2... TOM and Clear liquids... not a fun moment...

GRRR... TOM...... its knocking on my door too!!!

I was craving a cannoli today.... so I made my own version.... 2 tbs of fat free ricotta cheese 1 packet of splenda pure vanilla unsweetened coco powder blend the ricotta cheese and splenda.... add vanilla and coco powder to taste... very yummy.

Way To Go Margaret!!!

I went for my fill this afternoon... I was SO nervous... I got myself all worked up for NOTHING! Just one small pinch then everything was numb... I did find out I have a 10cm band (4cc's)... Dr filled it with 1cc.... now I'm back to liquids for 2 days.. purred for 1 then back to solids. Time for this band to get to work!!! .... and time for me to get back to the gym.... that scale isn't gonna move on its own!!!

OMG...that looks like a torture device!!!!!

A good friend of mine sent me this link....its a pretty good idea for those who do not want to display all of their personal info for everyone to read and/or have WAY too much to write on the back of one of those tiny bracelets... My Bands :: Home

Sandra, The nutritionist suggested rather than 3 meals (as my surgeon says) have 6 smaller meals (more like big snacks) per day. For example I told her that last night I had about a 1/4 cup of berries (strawberries and blueberries) for a snack.. she wants me to add in a scoop (about 1/4 cup) of cottage cheese to that. Really they're just small changes ..and like many others I cant stand to even think about another protein shake...which by the way the nutritionist is fine with...as long as I'm getting my protein elsewhere. Come on Friday!! HAHA....

Sandra... I cant WAIT to be where you are!! Friday is my fill day. I only hiccup once... and its at random times... sometimes not related to eating or drinking.. I'm not sure where thats coming from ... I went to the nutritionist today.. she said she didnt think I was eating enough.. but like I told her.. I'm getting full faster... but just not staying full... I'm starving again after an hour of eating ... and its not head hunger either.. my stomach is GROWLING.. she made some simple suggestions..that will hopefully work. Still didnt lose anymore.. actually according to their scale I've gained 2 lbs... :angry

I'm allowed alcohol...just nothing with carbonation.... no more beer or gin and tonics for me. At 3 weeks out I had my first mixed/frozen drink and I sipped very slowly... My Dr does not want to promote alcohol use...only because it tends to be very high in calories.... but a drink or two every so often isn't bad in his eyes.

I had a dream last night that I was drinking a Miller Lite (not even my choice of beer...) and the pain from the fizzies was awful!! It was so strange... has anyone else had food/drink dreams related to the band?

Hi all... I was away for a week on vacation. For the first time in about 5 years I was able to lay on the beach... without feeling like someone should be pushing the whale (myself) back into the ocean!! HA! Sad part is I slipped up quite a bit.. BUT I stayed active all week.... alot of walking and swimming. I feel much better knowing that like everyone else... I'm not "perfect" with my eating habits....after all, we are normal....we just need to learn portion control.... 1 slice of pizza rather than 5. I'm counting down the days for my first fill..... Friday the 29th!