Mia31

Again, not sure I'm much of a mentor - but happy to have a chat! got banded in September 07 and have spent a lot of time this year getting my head straight ie I have been losing and gaining the same 11 pounds over and over again... Think my head is back on track now, so to get my body in shape too.:thumbup:

Jennie & Stacy - what kinds of things do you eat and are you both exercising? My doctor goes ON and ON about exercise (which I hate doing!) but I have had some of the best results when I have just controlled what I eat.....would love to know your secrets! M :thumbup:

Well the doctor said I didn't need a fill, but needed to do some exercise, which I guess is right I am also starting a low carb diet next week (or as soon as possible!) as I don't think the low faat, hi carb diet is working at all. You are probably eating some of the wrong things, so it will be good to see the dietician too. We can do it! We just need to be focussed! Mx

I was banded the same day as you! I have only lost 25lbs, and have an appointment tomorrow to see if I need a fill, which I'm pretty sure I do! What kinds of things are you eating and how many fills have you had? I am in the UK, so not sure if we do things a little differently.

I agree with Ellen and it will get better. I think you should get a fill or at least an apointment to talk about it with someone soon. Is your doctor any help? Some are really supportive. Not that mine was! When i went to talk through all my options and surgery came up, she said " Oh for God's sake, why don't you just stop eating rubbish and do some exercise!" If only it were that simple!! Good Luck Paulina.g - will keep my fingers crossed for you

I had about 5 months before I made the final decision and when I had surgery....OMG what a time! I started having my "last meal" the very day I left the surgeons office - I stopped at a supermarket and bought EVERYTHING I shouldn't have and just began to eat... I up 16lbs before I went on my pre-op diet, and not only that, I was so fed up with junk food and sweets, that when my husband suggested on the last couple of days before I had to start the diet that maybe we go and have a few "Last Meals" I just didn't feel like doing it! He couldn't believe it - of course I didn't tell him just how much I had been binging when he wasn't there! I remember thinking the pre-op diet was almost a relief - I must have been really ready to lose weight.

Hello Everyone My name is Mia and I am in London, England. I haven't had a good look around yet, but the majority of people seem to be American - so I look to my American cousins for support! This is a really good site, as I have had answers to so many questions already! I am 31 years old, and got banded in September 07 and the first fill (don't know how much!) was in November. I was 233lbs to start, 209lbs now and hope to be 130 as soon as possible. I took the decision to get banded for my health (possible PCOS and diabetes) and in order to try for a family. How did I get fat? I was always a chubby child, but I lost a lot of weight in my 20s and was almost slim for about 4 years. Then I met my now husband and started really chowing down to match him. He remains skinny and I became a cow! I am only 5'1" - so my BMI at its worst was 43! My loss seems slow compared to others, and I'd really appreciate any tips you can give me! Although I was filled, I don't feel particularly restricted and can eat bread - which I am told is a sure sign that I am not restricted enough. I am seeing my Surgeon in February and will probably ask for another fill at that time. Look forward to talking to you all soon! Mx

Wow - only 3 days ago! How do you feel - I'll be honest I felt like **** for 2 weeks - I certainly wasn't on the internet after 3 days! I'm not sure how tall you are, but I was roughly the same weight as you when I had the op, and am roughly the same age- I look forward to seeing your results with interest! I must get one of those ticker things too... Mx

Thanks Ellen - thats good to know. I think my Surgeon is making me lose the weight myself to encourage good habits. I do need a fill though, so will ask for one the next time I see him which is in a few weeks. Are you ok getting through the day on just Protein Shakes? I thought that you had to eat real food or your hair fell out - thats what they told me anyway! What a pain having to travel over here everytime too! At least its working, thats the main thing.

I can't believe how great it feels to see the opinions of people in exactly the same situation as me and to hear such positive things like PCOS reducing and diabetes being reversed! I got banded to get healthy, reverse my diabetes and try for a family. I felt so alone though once I'd had it done, as there isn't the same amount of support here - or rather if there is, I didn't know about it! God bless Google for sending me here! Mx

I know exactly how you feel about the lack of restriction - I can eat (and want to eat) anything! I was banded a month before you. Have you lost any weight at all?