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Okay, I've finally dropped two more pounds. Thank goodness, I was feeling a little "plateaued" Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................48....................17.7%...............36.4 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........70.....................28%.................29.2 Bandpal.............103.18 ..............36% ...............30.0 (47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......80.2...................30%.................29.6 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............62.....................24.5%.................34.5 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 strangeratx........55......................24%.................31.0 Shortgal..............44.5...................20.5%.................32. 9 Robin_Bird............113.....................37%................29.2 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........80......................N/A!.................N/A! Cherlita...............60.......................20%...............65 to 55 BandChick64..........104.....................34.67%.............31.6 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................94......................31%.................35. 7 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................?%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 Aubrie.................65........................?%................31 TOTAL..............2499.78 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list) :cool2: ...Also, I ran our numbers through Excel and updated the total weight loss.

You really won't see the benefits of having a lap band until you have good restriction. In order to get good restriction, you need to have Fills. I see that you had your first fill last week. Based on your signature, I'm guessing you have a 10cc band. I've heard of people (and this is how it was for me too) needing two or three fills before they start getting restriction. The idea of the band is that it will physically limit you from eating, thereby reducing your intake, and causing weight loss. You are doing fine....don't panic. Oh, and one other thing I always like to remind people of: YOU ARE NOT ON A DIET!!! You have made a LIFE CHANGE. Don't worry about dropping a bunch of weight very quickly. The band WILL work, you WILL lose weight, and you SHOULD keep it off for the rest of your life. Think bigger, sister--beyond just what the scale says once a week....hope that helps.

Is changing the port a whole other surgery? Would that procedure be "cosmetic?"

Thanks for the responses. Definitely soothes me some to know I'm not the only one!

Am I the only Nymph who feels like she's stalled out a bit? I just realized that the last time I posted my weight change was on 8/11....and I still weigh the same amount! Actually, some days I weight a couple of pounds more!!!! I had to get an unfill on 7/31 because the slight fill I got on 7/3 was just a little too much. Now I'm at a point where I've only gotten stuck like once a month, but I'm eating a TON more. Like, I am almost shocked at the amount I've been able to eat. I've also been eating a little more ice cream lately. I know it's bad, and I need to stop. I REALLY need to stop. So, really I guess it's time for another fill, so I can resume weight loss. But for some reason I'm reluctant. What are the other Nymphs' experiences with this?????

Yes, Dr. Longoria is my doctor. I think Dr. Brady assisted in my surgery, as a matter of fact! Their office has been great to work with.....no complaints!

Hey Lonestar, Who's your doctor? Congrats on the approval...lap band has changed my life and I couldn't be happier!!!!

Don't worry about it!!!! I'm not going to slap your wrist. This is LIFE. You will eat cake and have ice cream every now andd then. If you didn't, then what you're doing would be considering dieting anyway! You've only been banded for 8 months and have lost 68 pounds. According to the doctors, you still have 10-16 months to lose the rest of your weight...and it's only 22 pounds! You're doing the right thing by talking to your doctor. He/she will reassure you that you're doing great, and help you make a plan to lose the last 22. Stop beating yourself up. You're doing AWESOME!

Hi Gabi! I did insurance. My BMI was 40.7 when I started out. Although my starting weight was 230, I am only 5'3", so that probably makes a big difference. For my insurance, BMI of 35-40 requires comorbities for approval, and over 40 is "morbid obesity" which is approved. HTH

I lost three more pounds this month! It's slowing down quite a bit...but it's still a thrill every time to get into a new "decade"!!!! The 170's are mighty fine! Can't wait for the 160's!!!! Yippee! Name............Lbs Lost........% of wgt lost.......BMI QatarPhil...........55......................19%................32.2 (39.6) Foofy................48....................17.7%...............36.4 Sades...............44.8..................19.5%..............33.7 Shalee04...........68.....................27.4.................30.0 Bandpal.............92.07..................32.1%...............31.8 (47 ) Skinny_Jill..........59.5...................26.8%..............30.8 Stephanie..........60.....................26%.................27.1 Hollyberries........113.....................31%.................36.2 linda.................52......................23%.................29.9 5 Abbisgood..........53.....................23%.................?? want2lose..........91.8...................32%................31 kandiceb............63.....................26%................27.6 Momto1plus1......75.8...................28.1%..............30.3 MollyBrown.........36.....................12.5%..............36.5 TxArcher............103...................25.75%.........52.8 to 39.2 Cindyg...............58.....................23%.................35 Close.................50.....................20%.................33.1 Tmusicmaker123..73.....................19%.................60.1 to 48.7 plump_princess....57.....................22%.................36 Mariegabrieleee....73.....................24%.................51.3 to 39.1 gabeekeeper.......101.....................30% ..................40.2 strangeratx........53......................23%.................31.4 Shortgal..............44.5...................20.5%.................32. 9 Robin_Bird............103.....................33.8%................30. 7 Staysee..............70.....................20%................48.4 Hajohnson1..........49.8....................18.2%..............39.8 lindseyann2u........70......................?%.................? Cherlita...............44.......................20%...............65 to 57.5 BandChick64..........104.....................34.67%.............31.6 tyman311..............61.....................31%...............41 to 28 (so far) BarbBee................80......................26%.................37. 5 Huskerette............54..(i gained)..........22%...............30.5 Firebolt.................45.....................19%..................3 3.5 Rachel.................63........................?%................28 .3 Teresajo..............93........................36%................27. 3 Aubrie.................65........................?%................31 TOTAL..............2425.97 (Lets Keep this TOTAL on the list)

Why NOT take the meds?? If you're in Pain, that's what they're for. It's not like taking them for 5 or 6 days instead of 3 is going to get you addicted and Make you end up on INTERVENTION (show on A&E) or anything. Don't tolerate the pain, there's no point. Take the drugs, take the DRUGS!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA ....Happy Friday!

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People....this is NOT GOOD. You SHOULD NOT even be getting stuck once a week, much less every day. You have the potential to really screw up yourself AND your band. In case you haven't figured it out yet, THE BAND DOES WORK!!! Some people lose very slowly, others quiet fast. It doesn't matter...this is the REST OF YOUR LIFE we're talking about. If it takes 3 years, it really doesn't matter. Do NOT end up with a slip or a tear or erosion as a result of too much PB'ing! It's just not worth it. I mean....if anyone can even imagine what Hollie was going through during the 36 hours her stomach was so swollen, you will understand. Or check out many of the bandsters here on this forum who said "I knew I was a little tight, but wanted to keep losing." See how they enjoyed their revision surgery--more money, more time off work, more anesthesia, more pain, more "shoulda, coulda, wouldas." Get some Fluid taken out of your band, and take it easy.

Wow....kinda sounds like....magic!

Hey Laura, Congrats on your decision and commitment! Just a little bit of advice regarding your "pig out" question. Many doctors have a Pre-Op diet that lasts for a period before your surgery. My personal experience was a 2 week lo-carb diet to help shrink my liver. Some people have a more rigorous pre-op diet, some do not have a pre-op diet at all. My best advice is this: 1) Talk to your surgeon/surgeon's office and get an idea of what you will be "prescribed" for your pre-op period. 2) Do NOT binge. There is no point. I had a "last supper" myself, but it was just ONE meal. You MUST remember....you should be able to and WILL be able to eat....For The Rest Of Your Life. You'll be able to have a (small) steak for dinner, a piece of cake on your birthdayk, etc. It's all just LESS, and with better decisions made before-hand. Hope that helps some!

LOL...I'm happy that you wrote this post. I went to Six Flags about a month ago (about 8 MONTHS post op) and remember thinking, as I was enduring free-falls and Loop-D-Loops "I hope my band is okay." I meant to read up on it, but then totally forgot. I've been doing just fine since, so I guess it's all good! Have fun!

e60....You get Protein from meat. And, even when banded, you can and should be able to eat lean meats like chicken, pork, and fish. Tolerance to beef varies person to person. If you are banded and restriction is so much that you can't tolerate lean meats, you are TOO TIGHT, and that will, more than likely, hurt you MORE in the long run. HTH.

Restless...yep, i'm in Austin. I would say....even after all this great advice--definitely talk to you doctor and just be open and honest with him about your habits now and what you anticipate being your lifestyle (or the drinking aspect anyway) and make sure he gives YOU, personally, his direct blessing and consent. That way you know that you have advice that's suited to YOU, not everyone else here. Because as you can tell just from this little bit, everyone is different!

Hollie....NO DRINKING!!! You're only 18!!!!!!!!!

I have occasionally had a beer or some soda. I have heard that the air bubbles can actually lead to the stretching of the pouch. Also, for some reason, the burps are Hellacious! If I take ONE SIP of soda or beer, I burp out this *amazing* symphonic melody. I mean, it really can be described as nothing short of spectacular. The kind of burp which any man would be envious of. Mildly reminiscent of "Booger" in the first "Revenge of the Nerds." I'm not even kidding. So, unless I'm in VERY select company, no carbonation for me!

I have not found, personally, that my tolerance for alcohol has been effected. I have found, however, that I am MUCH more susceptible to hangovers....and I only had to make the mistake ONE TIME of drinking too much. Hangovers/Nausea/Vomitting....DOES NOT work well with the band. Hell on Earth would be a better option.

Trust me...I dont' think you're not serious for asking this question. Everything you point out is true. It's a waste of calories and blah blah blah. HOWEVER...this IS the rest of your life and it's important to know whether you're ever going to be able to take a drink again. MY doctor advised me to wait a year before drinking. But, then when I happened to see him out one evening and I tried to hide the Cape Cod I was sippin' on (yikes!), he said it was okay....you just can't get carried away. No more college binge drinking...plus you know what's said about carbonated beverages, so no beer, no vodka/tonic or rum/coke....makes it kinda hard. My BEST advice (probably should be taken with a grain of salt) is to stick to MODERATE portions of wine or non-carbonated mixed drinks (liquor w/ juice, margaritas, etc). Hope that helps.

Just for the record...when I said $1200 a paycheck......most people get paid twice a month. So that equals $2400 a month...