Chinquapin

<p>Allamess - Please don't get discouraged. Keep at the process. It make take a while, but every pound lost is a victory. Read around and you will see all types of stories of success and of frustration. You will get support from the lap-band community if you seek it. This is a journey, not gonna happen overnight!</p> <p> </p> <p>As for the fills, they aren't magic, don't depend on them as such. Be careful what you eat, how often you eat, and exercise. That's advice many of us have followed though we were overweight and lethargic before. Get your head into it! Want it so bad that you will make positive changes!</p>

Nice to see that it is possible to go without fills. I am trying to commit to no fills simply because I know this will be a long journey and I don't want to lose so fast that I look like the saggy baggy elephant. I was banded 10/17 at 206, and have lost 18 lbs to date after surgery. I exercise at least 5 times a week (burn 400 calories per day) and have incorporated the Atkins diet in to my life (all Protein, no carbs) I am so grateful to see the weight going down rather that up! Better health and better happiness!

Longhorn, I'm new to this, so didn't know how to correctly respond to you directly, but I did post a reply to your question above...

Longhorn, some great advice was posted by skinnyafatbody below your comments. The best path is the high one, show your good manners, yet be assertive by smiling and repeating that it is a personal matter. You have to decide how to handle this situation. If you are comfortable enough, tell people. Be aware though that there are those who may be negative. (You don't need any negative vibes!) Hopefully all your co-workers will be supportive to you if you tell them, but after reading some of the comments posted, you can never be sure. Look inside yourself, choose your path, and then be committed. Good Luck!

I haven't had my band done yet, will have it on 10/17/07, but have thought long and hard about announcing it. Decision goes with my comfort level, which is that I do not like to lie. So a simple way that I feel will work for me is to tell the truth, but not the whole truth. Answer will be that I am eating less and exercising more.... The band is a tool, and it is not the only change made to achieve weight loss. Perhaps that answer will change, but this will keep my conscience clear and yet explain the weight loss. Thanks and kudos to all of the contributors to this website. I have been so encouraged by your successes!