Fauxnaif

6 meals or Snacks works best for me. I get full fast but then hungry a couple of hours later. Eating something small every 2-3 hours has really helped me. Constant grazing isn't good for us. And maybe that's what your doc is trying to make sure you avoid. But I think more minimeals will keep your blood sugar stable and you less hungry and happier!

I'm almost to goal. I've had my band a little over four years. Almost two years ago, after losing about 100 pounds, I had a baby. I was slow getting restarted (getting another fill) on my banding journey after that and I've hit many plateaus and have lost quickly sometimes and slowly other times. I have lots of emotional and mental issues that I have had to deal with in this journey (child abuse, sexual abuse, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, etc.). Some people may be shocked at how long this has taken me. But it has allowed me to be more able (though not totally) to let my self-image catch up with my actual weight. I still struggle with it but I feel more comfortable than I would have if I had lost really fast. I think I would have wigged out if I had gotten a bypass or something so fast. Follow the rules as best you can. Remember, there is always tomorrow when you mess up. Get a fill when you need it but don't be too agressive. Pray lots (if that's your thing). Get therapy if you have issues. Get the support of your immediate family and don't tell too many other people. Keep a journal and reflect on this whole thing. Don't make the band your life. If you do, it will seem like it takes forever to lose weight. Get involved in helping other people in some way. You will feel good. Remember that you can do this.

This is the best advice!!!! Those clothes that are too big make us look much fatter!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought several fitted shirts and they got too big (not complaining, I'm just cheap) and now they look horrible!!!! Get rid of clothes that don't make you feel good!

To me, this guy sounds like a GOOD surgeon and follow-up doc. One who is looking out for your health, not trying to control you. Your suggestion was a bad idea and I would really like doctor who would not do something that could potentially damage my health or send me backwards on my journey just because I asked him or her too. And Tired Old Man posted that maybe you are not ready for the band if this is such a huge deal for you. I have to say this, although with kindness. I agree. The band is a lifetime committment. The truth is, if your band is working right, you simply cannot eat the same amounts of any food anymore once you get the band. You must deal with this. Many of us (myself included) have fought the band. Once we surrendered to it, we were much happier and continued along toward goal. It will be psychological torture for you if you go in with this kind of mindset.

Wow. This makes sense. Any more info?

Congratulations! And wouldn't you rather have less hair than more acne??? Good job! Def Leppard!

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great NSV.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: By the way, we're neighbors. I'm in Houston. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Last week I jogged lots and lots and now I have this pain beneath (toward my internal organs) my belly button. It has hurt for about 5 days and I will defininitely get to the doc if it still hurts after a few more days. It doesn't hurt when I lay down but it hurts most when I pick up my son or just walking around. Anybody know what this might be?

I have had mine since Jan of 2005-right after my son was born. Really no complications (some slight cramping after sex which I am not sure is related to the Mirena or not). I love it. Very little PMS/cramping. No or a slight period of a day or two. I plan to continue it!

Heck, I've got loose skin and would love to have it removed some day! BUT, I sure as heck prefer loose skin to being 319. I can wear a foundation garment and I look pretty damn good! The only one who is going to see my naked is my husband and he married me at 319. He agrees that I look better now. I find it hard to believe that some of you would rather be morbidly obese than be normal with loose skin.

185 by Christmas. That will give me a BMI of 27 and that's my goal.

My insurance didn't cover the band. I didn't have $15,000-$20,000 to be self-pay. I did have $6500 that I could borrow from my 401K to pay for surgery in Mexico, however. I've never regretted it for a second.

Perhaps it is time to get serious. I lost my first 70 pounds or so with very little effort but since then it has been up to me to a much greater extent. Look at little habits and change those first. Drink skim milk instead of whole. Add more veggies and fruit. Eat every couple of hours so you don't get too hungry. Keep a journal to help with any emotional eating. Be sure you are getting enough protein. Use fitday.com to really know how much you are eating.

You're going to have to be extra vigilent about what you eat when you are at work. PBing any time isn't good but at work it can be really a problem. Better safe than sorry. Eat foods you know will go down and stay down (protein shake, etc.) when you are very tight.

My therapist whom I have seen on and off since about 1996 is not crazy about weight loss surgery either. But she has never tried to dissuade me or question me about it in a negative way. A therapist DOES NOT and should not attempt to control or run the client's life. Your making a decision that he doesn't agree with is actually a good thing, evidence you are thinking for yourself and not trying to over-please others. This might be a deal-breaker for me as a client because I know food issues and body issues will come up in therapy.

Mine's a BMI of 27. I don't want to be super-thin. I want to meet goal then hopefully lose down to a 25 BMI over the next year or so but no big deal if I don't. It's more important to me that I be able to consistently wear in Large/14/16 in the regular misses department of clothing stores.

Hunger-stomach growls, hurts or feels nauseous Full-no longer hungry, not thinking about food Any fuller than that and I have overeaten.

Closet bandster. Two friends and my family including my in-laws know. I'm glad because there aren't a bunch of nosy people all over my business. I suggest people keep it mum. You can never take it back after you let it out of the bag.

Surgery date: July 22, 2001 No complications Got pregnant and had a healthy baby boy Still losing four years later:dance: EXTREMELY happy with my band!

Find yourself a therapist who specializes in addictions AND find an NA meeting. My husband is a recovering drug addict and so I kind-of understand. You will only feel worse and worse about yourself the longer you let this go on. Then you will do more drugs because you feel so bad. Stop the cycle. http://www.na.org/

Not that this is you. This was my experience. I have had my band over 4 years. There are times when I have done the same thing-endless PBing and overeating. This was emotional/stress eating. I had to slow down, really think, and find other ways to destress. My experience in therapy helped a lot. I was eating too much and thought I needed to in order to feel secure. I had to start actually waiting for hunger again. I am back losing again and totally listening to my band.

I had my band in July 2001. Got pregnant in March of 2004. Looking back I had been closer to goal (I was still about 60 pounds overweight) when I got pregnant. It was hard to lose again after having my son but now I have lost 40 more pounds (he's almost 2) and am almost to goal.

My commitment: I will eat absolutely no fried food. I will drink no Starbuck's mochas (regular coffee only). I will only eat dessert instead of a meal not after a meal.

Frankly, I stay away from our local support group meetings for a couple of reasons. 1. I am so in the groove with the band that I don't want to think about it all the time. 2. There was a really, really annoying person who ran our group who thought she knew everything and I couldn't stand her. Idea-have a social event where families are invited! Some people feel weird without their spouses or can't find sitters, etc.

I take Wellbutrin XL and they are tiny! I can't imagine not being able to take them. I have had no problem at all and I am fairly tight. Wellbutrin has been a godsend for me. I used Celexa in the past and it didn't help. I just don't get why your doc wants to switch you.