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Hi Braveheart, I'm also from the uk I'm sure you'll get lots of support from everyone. Helenxx.

Emmy don't panic too much I didn't really have any proper restriction until my third fill when I had 8mls in a 9ml band. At one point I stayed the same for 12 weeks and was very frustrated about it but then I had another fill and its started to come off again. The time inbetween fills I did my best to follow weight watchers and count points I know keeping a food diary is a pain but it really helps. Good luck Helenxx.

I think that if an opportunity like that had arose right before my surgery I would of jumped at the chance, the band is still hard work (well for me it is). You can always have the band after the show if it doesn't work out. Mind you I live in England and have no idea what it must be like waiting for insurance approval I had to pay to have my band put in, I imagine its probably like waiting on the NHS waiting list, aww honey only you can decide whats right for you but good luck with whatever you choose. Helenxx.

I have to say that I have never felt so good for a long, long time. Before I had my band I was depressed all the time I felt so ashamed of the way I looked I would just sit and cry at anything Dr Phil you name it if someone had lost weight I used to just bawl. The last time I seriously dieted it took me 18 months at weight watchers just to lose 38lbs since my band last August I've lost 39lbs in six months so I would say that yes its definitely worth it. I too live in the UK and had to pay for my op private but in my eyes being able to look people in the eye instead of looking at the floor has made it all worth while. Helenxx.

I'm also cheering Nolan on with all my heart. My son who is nearly 10 doesn't have down's but he has lots of similar problems, he's been in and out of hospital lots of times but there are no words to express how special he is and how much pleasure he brings to our family. It was quite a shock to us to as we had four other healthy children. I'm sure Nolan will be a little fighter and fingers crossed he will begin to feed again himself. ((hugs)) to Nolan and warm wishes to all your family. Helenxx.

Glad your home safe and sound, I was in a lot of pain after my op like you say moving is the worst but each day I felt a bit better and by day 11 I felt like my old self again I couldn't believe how quickly I felt better, Helenxx.

I had my op about 24 weeks ago and up to now have lost 39lbs which works out at 1.6lbs a week however I did stay the same for 12 weeks and some weeks I lose a lot and others a 1lb so its hard to say really, I guess everyone is different but I'll be quite happy with a 1lb a week weight loss 52lbs a year sounds good to me!! Helenxx.

Hoping everything went well for you and your now on the road to recovery, every day gets better and better. Loved the website!! Helenxx.

The first exercise I did was walking also, two weeks after my surgery I started to go swimming as well and just took it easy at first nothing too strenuous. Good luck hope you find some exercise which you will enjoy. Helenxx.

thats a good question how can the coke errode the band I would like to know the answer to this one as well please. I don't drink it personally but I know someone who does. Helenxx.

Fluffy sounds good to me much nicer than fat lol. I was 44.9 when I had my surgery and I just worked it out again and now its 37.6 what a great feeling. Helenxx.

Hope your soon feeling better Rachel, by about day 11 I was almost as good as new. The broth sounds fab any chance of your dad sharing his recipe I'm desperate for some good soup/broth recipes. Take care. Helenxx.

Good luck for tomorrow Samee will be thinking of you and hope your soon home and on the mend. Helenxx.

I'm off to my first yoga class tomorrow I never thought about whether we'd be restricted or not with having a band but I swim with no problems so think it should be fine. Helenxx.

Good luck with the lawyer its the least you deserve after such a traumatic experience. Also good luck with the surgery. Helenxx.

Aww Dwayne I'm so sorry you've been through this its terrible and I hope your feeling better. I can't imagine what you and your wife must have gone through. Take care Helenxx.

Joanie I hope you get this sorted out its terrible talking to you that way. I gained 5lbs the week before my surgery and it was fine the surgeon didn't even question it and I know lots of other people who had gained weight after their intial consults. Good luck and I hope everything goes great for you. Helenxx.

I have lived with the chocolate fairy/demon all my life and it just doesn't get any better lol!! Seriously I tend to go through phases where I don't touch it for a few weeks then I can't get enough of the stuff its so depressing. You have done amazing though so well done, its really spurred me on reading your post seeing that you love chocolate and have still managed to lose an amazing 72lbs its fantastic so be very, very proud of yourself. Helenxx.

Hi Jonathan I was two weeks post op, but I checked it out with my surgeon first to be safe so why don't u email him just to check. Helen.

Well done Brenda you look great, you must be so proud. Helen.

Auds and Fi WOOHOOOOO!! looking fab girls, keep up the good work your such an inspiration worldwide well done!! Helenxx.

Hiya Holly and Lori, I'm pretty new too but its a great place full of wonderful advice, I've got two boys and three girls so life's never boring in my house. Helenxx.

Hiya Sharon, you've done brilliantly well done, can you tell me if you had weeks when you stayed the same, did you ever think to yourself this isn't working I have such problems with self doubt at times and I just wondered if someone as sucessful as you felt the same. Helenxx.

I have had pretty good restriction for the last five weeks and haven't lost any weight at all its so frustrating, but in all honesty I had been eating way too much chocolate which I'm not now being really sensible (well trying lol!!). Hope your restriction stays for a good while, its such a good feeling not thinking about food the whole time. Helenxx.

Leo you look fantastic, you must feel so good. Well done I'm off to check out your webpage now, keep up the good work. Helenxx.