Fauxnaif

Gosh, if it makes you feel better, my BMI is 31 and I really can't get into even XL jackets!!! A large is a small size!!!

Sounds good. I like the Zone Perfect bars. I got 14 for $10 at Target. They are often my lunch at work!

I had a couple of fills around the first year. Then I didn't have another fill until this April after having my son and needing to still lose about 60 more pounds (part of it baby weight). This was at almost 3 years out. This fill is working like a charm, by the way!

This is great advice. We need to be able to eat a decent amount of high quality protein to lose weight. And we can't do that if we are too tight. I was once so tight I could not even keep down water! Luckily, my smart surgeon had me hang around his office for a while afterward so I just got it removed. But a tight band is NOT a good thing and we will NOT lose more weight!!!

I'd like to vote yes BUT I have coped by not eating before bed, not eating foods that cause the reflux, etc. So it's not a big deal.

So true! Even if I never lost another pound, it will still be worth it!

I thank God for my band everyday. I cannot even begin to describe the thousands of ways my life has improved and how much better I feel. It has worked for me and I am a notoriously slow learner, stubborn and rebellious. But the band won and I have surrendered to it.

Self-loathing? Just kidding! I guess if I had to chose something it would be sandwiches from Subway and Blimpie!!! Not a big deal but I really did love my sandwiches.

I really recommend the book Overcoming Overeating. Used in conjuction with the band, it has really helped me deal with my compulsive eating issues. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=lU2SxITBuh&isbn=0449003825&itm=1

Just want to pledge my undying love and devotion for my doc Dr. Jose Rodriguez again. Not only is he an awesome doc, he's a really nice down-to-earth person with major ethics.

I've gotten over several plateaus by eating more. Just don't "Diet" for several days or a week. Then go to about 1200 calories a day and often you will find that you will lose. You have to shake things up with your body sometimes. And don't weigh yourself for a couple of weeks!!! And ITA with La Madam-you are not really supposed to be losing massive amounts of weight until you get one (or probably more) fills. I do wonder if the docs tell people that these days, too! Your body's job right now is not weight loss; it is healing from surgery.

Dang, I still love it! I think about pizza, cakes, pastries, etc. But, alas, I must live with my memories from before banding and realize that the taste of these foods lasts only a moment, while being smaller and feeling better is an all-day thing!

I wouldn't tell him. It's really none of his business. I told no one at my work. I just said "surgery." Let him think it's a female problem or something.

No, I've really kept this to myself. However, I did tell a relative about it and now she may have it although I think I just confirmed her belief in the band rather than totally inspire her to have it!

It's doable but you really may be disappointed. Here's why. 1. The band is fickle. Our weightloss (longterm) is neither automatic nor totally predictable. 2. Some people take a while to get proper restriction and don't start losing much for a while. 3. It all depends on how much you have to lose. I've seen "heavyweights" such as myself (starting BMI 47) lose much faster than those who start out lighter. 4. Many of us chose the band because of slower and steadier weight loss. And speaking from experience, it really is the healthiest-both physically and psychologically. 5. Also, if you plan on keeping your band a secret, the quicker your weightloss, the harder that is to do. This said, many people have lost 80-100 in a year. But I once heard someone say their doc said that we should allow 3 years to get used to our bands and really get the weight off and into maintenance. I like this. I know my 3 years is up, but I did have a baby during that time!!!

See replies below!

July 25, 2002

We did this. We didn't have to tell them why we were withdrawing the money and we got it within about a week. It was the greatest investment ever!

I use Zone Perfect chocolate peanut butter bars (eat one for lunch most days).

To get the most protein with the fewest calories I will eat grilled chicken, fish, chicken salad, protein shakes, Zone Perfect bars, and fatfree milk. Caution-milk doesn't work for some people. Too many liquid calories for some people. But it has helped me get my protein in.

Here's what I ate yesterday. Not the best day but I'll share. Breakfast-coffee Lunch-Outback Steakhouse french fries with Ranch dressing (1 c.) Dinner-Chicken with cheese (1/2 c.) Snack-1/4 c. M and Ms

During periods of time when I haven't lost it was because: -I was pregnant or recovering from pregnancy -I was doing too many high-calorie liquids such as Frappucinos -I wasn't eating enough -I wasn't getting enough Protein -I needed a fill -A great deal of my eating was for emotional reasons instead of hunger So I would say most of those times were my own doing. But the great thing about the band is you can get back on track. I have had my band over 3 years and still want to lose about 30 pounds but have lost about 110. And I'm back on track again after getting a fill when my son was about 6 months old. Plus, it takes many people a while to get proper restriction in the beginning. This may be why some people don't lose well at the beginning.

No way. I'd say at least 1/2 of your problems are due to your negative attitude. This is just a cop-out. Life does not automatically get better because you lose weight. Trust me. Many of us have lost weight and we still have to deal with bad relationships, depression, stressful jobs, feeling out of control, not making friends easily, etc.

Liquid calories. Milk is a good way for me to get extra protein and calories. I'm not having that problem lately but I have in the past and the milk really, really helped.

Yes it works! But it's not easy. It takes work and it takes thought and I know it is harder than the RNY but it is better! And at 3 years out, we keep off just as much weight as they do. It works but it doesn't do all the work.