TulipStar

I voted somewhat easy. The main reason is that it has been difficult for me and I have to exercise an 1-2 hours everyday. The main benefit for me is that the lap-band doesn't allow me to "fall off the wagon" for long, bc I am restricted.

I have lost 94 lbs and am so close to 100 lbs. Only 10 more lbs and I will be in ONEderland!!! I can't wait!!

Diva, I think that there are a number of different reasons why ppl lose slower/faster. I consider myself to be in the "middle" category or "average" weight loss. The reason I say this is bc it is really hard for me to lose weight, even with the band I was not seeing the progress like I wanted so I had to up the exercise. I started doing 5-6 days at the gym for 1-2 hours each day. This is what I feel has been the key to my success. I have had plateaus and have had to fight through it. I also keep tight restriction on my band. My theory is that I have a slower metabolism and that I have been a life long chronic dieter -- because of all the years of starving/dieting/binge eating I messed up my metabolism. I used to be able to diet and lose 20 lbs in 2 weeks, but as I got older (into my late 20's) it became impossible for me to lose weight. That's why I went with the lap band. Now, that is ME but I know quite a few ppl who have been banded and they have different experiences. Male coworker: He lost 140 lbs in 6 months. He did not exercise once and he only had 1 fill. He was around 400lbs to start. Female coworker: she has lost only 15 lbs since surgery 1 year ago. She drinks fluid with meals and admits that she eats a lot of liquid calories like chocolate/milkshakes that enable her to have high calories. So, it seems there is no hard and fast rule regarding weight loss. It is so individual to each person. I learned that the hard way bc I was always comparing myself to the male coworker and was so pissed I always seemed to be working hard and going so slow!

This is going to work for you and you will start to lose weight. As you do, you will need to deal with the emotional issues to why you eat. Just like others said, you will still be able to eat out with your husband. It's more about the experience and the people you are with than the food. In fact, it is even more of an intimate experience bc now I will just share something w my DH when we go out to dinner. Eventually you will find that there are other things that you love. I used to think about food all the time..when my next meal was (while I was eating) what I would eat, when, etc. It consumed me. It no longer does and it is such a better life now!!

Hi Kacee, I am so sorry about your mom and all the other things life has handed you. It will get better - hang in there Thanks for posting this. I can't believe you are in the 130's!!! That is a number that is so foreign to me (any number in the 100's is) and it's good to hear that you can wear sleevless, have collarbones and are feeling good about yourself. Thanks for sharing.

Good to hear! I hope that when I finally do get pregnant that I actually "look it". I think I will...I hope

I have more.... -Being able to cross my legs -having plenty of seat belt room on a plane and actually feeling semi-comfortable in coach seats. -I can jog/run and I do! -I love to exercise -My closet is empty and every single day I have to take something else out that is way too big. (even though this makes me so mad bc what am I going to wear!) -I have so much energy -I saw a guy checking me out the other day. OMG!

It has worked for me to get me 90 lbs down. I have never been thin. I weigh less now than I did when I graduated from High School. I hope it takes me where I have never been before. It is a combination of things. First it is motivation, the weight coming off is motivation. Then your new life becomes a habit. The band provides restriction which prevents you from being able to eat, plain and simple.

I don't wear shoes or socks either. Barefoot seems the best way to go. I tried socks, but it was too slippery.

I pay a copay with UHC.

I think for your first fill you will be ok to get it. However, just beware in the future. Once I got a fill a few days before I went to Europe and I was miserable the whole week and couldn't just go in for an unfill.

I have taken phentermine briefly before restriction or when I was having a problem with head hunger. I don't need it anymore now that I am at proper restriction.

I would do something that you wished you could do before, but couldn't because you were ashamed or limited by your size. For me this would be to go dancing, go on a rollercoaster, wear a bathing suit, etc. Congratulations on your success so far! Celebration is definitely deserved!

I fly a lot. Just flew to Europe and the longes segment was 11 hours. When I fly for short segments (4 hours or less) I usually don't have any issues. However, on long segments I will notice some swelling and am tighter than usual. I have never had any "collapsing" or even heard of that before.

it's normal. I actually started to gain weight before my first fill. You will continue to be hungry until you start to feel restriction which can be 3 fills or more.

Mine flipped once and I had it fixed 2 months after my 1st surgery. It has been 8 months since my revision and I have no other problems.

For me it was kind of the last straw. I was losing the diet battle and it gave me the boost of motivation that I needed. It is only a tool, you have to use it properly for it to work. It's not a miracle that will make you drop weight. Surgery was surgery -- I was sore, but it wasn't too bad. Following the diet can be tough but when you start to feel restriction, the band will force you to eat right. :thumbup: Good luck! I would start by going to a seminar about it so you can learn more information. This site is also a good resource.

There is another thread on here called "Keeping it a secret?", I believe that it's a poll. Anyway, there are hundreds of replies because many of us go through the same thing. At first I wanted to keep it a secret, but after I was banded I didn't really care anymore.

That's fantastic news!! Congratulations!

A similar thing happened to me. I would get my period every 2 weeks. 14 days on/ 14 days off. Miserable... I went to my ob/gyn and he just said "that's pcos" and I told him that not for me, bc I normally never got it. He was hoping that I would start to ovulate...but no dice. I just started taking birth control, which usually helps me lose weight bc it regulates my hormones. I am hoping to have our first round of IVF this coming fall.

Mischievous -- mine came back too, with extra just for all of those I missed! I have to say I am not happy about it either

Helen!! Congratulations!!! That is awesome news When are you due?

Jetti - I agree with you. My biggest regret is not getting it sooner!!!

You can't put your life on hold... I would go and enjoy it while you can. After the band you won't be able to enjoy food or drink as much. Have a good time and take lots of pictures so you can compare this year to next!