gatormark91

Here's the secret - CHEW. CHEW. CHEW SOME MORE. WAIT. You have to eat real food. NO SQUISHY FOOD!!! Eat real food (protein heavy, no carbs). Take small bites, chew the hell out of them. And wait for it to go down, take a second before you put another bite in your mouth - see how you feel between bites. If you start to feel over-full DO NOT drink anything to 'help it along'. You will feel worse! If you screw up, like take a big bite of of something, and feel REALLY bad, go to the john and chuck it up - you'll feel better way faster. Also, do not get your band screwed down all the way on the first fill. You can get to the right point gradually - its adjustable, remember? You didn't put the weight on overnight, so be patient about it coming off. And don't sweat the plateaus - we all get them. Exercise helps. Want to know how I know this? See my signature, below. Mark

The band is the best thing that has happened to me in my adult life. Follow what Poodles said above about changing what you eat, and you'll be happy. I think the number in my signature below says enough for me. Good luck!

Started at 420, now under 320, banded on 7/19/05. No problems, couldn't be happier!

I felt mine for a good two or three months after surgery. It takes some time, I think, for the scar tissue to form around it. Before, if I slept wrong, the pressure on it would make it hurt for a day or two. Now (5 months out) it seems to have settled in place, I can hardly feel it on the surface, and it never hurts anymore.

Not once in the last 4 months have I regretted what I've done. I'm down 77 pounds, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. As I go along with this new part of my life, I'm starting to get of the opinion that if you eat slowly enough, and eat carefully (chew!), and pay attention after each bite to see if you are full or not, you won't have problems with the band. I've not "PB'd" so far, but if I eat too fast or don't chew enough, my stomach warns me ASAP! My opinion is that a lot of people are in a rush to lose the weight it took them years to put on, and they get their bands filled too tight. They get sick, and people get scared about getting banded. Take your time, this is a multi-year journey. Also, I think a lot of people are not modifying their behavior, either, with the band. That's something you'll have to learn on your own. If you dedicate yourself to using this tool fully, you will still enjoy food, eat healthily, and enjoy life much more. PS - Thanksgiving for me was a piece of turkey and small servings of stuffing, mashed potatos, and some corn caserole (I'm a 6'1" guy, so my capacities may be more than others on this board). Things go down easy when you cover them with gravy, too! I ate less than the two 20 year old girls at the table, and I was stuffed! I don't think I missed a thing

Had my done on July 19, 2005. I went last Thursday for an appojntment for a fill, but my surgeon (E. Rehnke, Saint Petersburg, FL) said that since I am down 57 pounds in 2 months, and my attitude is going in the right direction, he wanted to hold back a month and maybe give me a fill next month. I really wanted a fill, but I know that I have to be a partner with my band in re-training my mind about eating habits. It would be much easier with that adjustment, but now its a challenge, and a good one. I have to work with this tool I've got and I've got to re-learn a lot of things.... I think its great, though, that my surgeon is concetrating on helping me re-train my head as well as taking care of my physical aspects.

You'd be wrong, then - That is entirely in the category of 'Urban Legend'.... http://www.snopes.com/business/secret/drpepper.asp Know what they actual flavor of Dr. Pepper is? Dr. Pepper calls it a 'spicy cherry cola'....

Funny, I find it to be about the most hideous thing I ever drank. It tastes like what I image it must be like to spray Lemon Pledge directly into your mouth....