jnbwilds

Yes, yes, yes. I am so glad I did this! If I never lost another pound it would be worth it already. I've turned into a nerdy band advocate. I feel like taking a stack of my surgeon's business cards and passing them out in the parking lot of the Walmart.

Whew! I was worried! You are doing so well!! Isn't the weight loss pattern weird? I think I had anticipated a nice steady loss of 2 lbs a week. But like you, I drop a big chunk of 5 or 6 lbs and then stall out for a week or two. (I'm in the stall right now - so I'm a little grumpy). I'm thinking that 50 lbs should be a good time for some initial before and after pics - at least here with our double V's - don't you think?

I'm shocked not to see my fav so far. The Office. It's the funniest show ever and has ruined me for anything else. It's the only thing I watch except a few reality TV guilty pleasures - American Idol and Top Chef.

I understand your fears! Here's my 2 cents - the surgery is a breeze. Remember that laproscopic surgery is much less invasive and that you won't be under for very long at all. I was surprised by how quick and easy it was. As for binging - I have been a binge eater for the last 6 or 7 years - and flirted with bulimia off and on also. So far, with the band I haven't had any problems. I attribute that to 2 things. First - I got help a few years ago through counseling and medication. Getting professional assistance with your addiction will help you a great deal! Second - having the band really takes all the fun out of a binge! You're not nearly as hungry anymore - and if you do overeat, you'll feel gross - gassy, bloated and sometimes even have food stuck. Stay motivated by reading success stories on this forum - and hang in there! Good luck....

Welcome fellow Hoosier! Where in Indiana, if we may ask? Congratulations on your insurance approval!

"Sliming" occurs when something gets stuck and you start to produce a thick over-abundance of saliva. It's your body's way to try and get the food down. Honestly - I haven't had either sliming or PB'ing and I fully intend to avoid both by eating according to the rules. Eating the right foods, chewing well, stopping when full, taking small bites, avoiding foods that tend to stick - all these are the "bandster rules" and it sounds like you know them well!

Nope - I was normal or even thin through early adulthood. I'm one of those who started having problems after my first pregnancy. That, combined with bad habits caused me to gain 100 lbs in the 10 years since my first pregnancy. EEK! So - it makes it very hard for me to see people who I haven't seen in a while - because I'm sure they are shocked at how I've let myself go. And of course - now I'm the fatty in a family full of normal sized people. But as many others are saying....not for long.

As an English major in college I have to say that poor grammar in any form drives me crazy. The one that makes me cringe the most is when people mean to say, "I saw her at the mall yesterday." and instead say, "I seen her at the mall yesterday." Makes me want to get out a ruler and slap their hands. My FAVORITE words begin with the letter "P" - not sure why. In fact some of my favorites have already been mentioned. The word "pickle" makes me laugh too! And I'm a big fan of the word "panties". Other awesome P-words are "plethora" and "platypus"...ooh - and "petunia".

A friend explained it to me this way....if you just want the band to do all the work, the most you can expect to lose is 30-50% of your excess weight. If you decide to use the band as a tool, and help it out by making great food choices consistently and getting good exercise - you can lose 100% of your excess weight. Look around at the tickers on this forum - I think you'll find the most people lose much more than the statistics claim. In fact - what do you say, my band friends....shall we all work together to be a new and updated statistic??

Welcome to the forum Tracy! Congratulations on your surgery! How are you feeling so far? You will certainly find a lot of support here - the "month of surgery" groups are especially awesome, because you can track along with others who are at your same stage.

Welcome, Kelly from SC! Aah, a mother of 2 boys - me too! I'm glad that you call them "wonderful" at 16 and 13. Mine are 3 and 8 and I would use the word "challenging" - but I have high hopes. Congratulations on your decision to pursue the band - I've been more than happy and only wish I had done it sooner. There is a TON of information on this forum - so grab a cup of coffee (while it's still allowed) and read away.

Friends I need your help. I've been reading posts from all, and I feel like either 1) there is no band in my belly and the weight I have lost has been through self-fulfilled prophecy, or 2) the band works differently for me. I read about "restriction, sliming, PBing, getting stuck", and none of that has happened to me. I've had 2 fills so far, but still have never felt the sensation of "restriction" that others describe. But, the way I DO feel different is that I feel full faster, and if I eat after I feel full, about half an hour later I get gassy and bloated and overall yucky feeling. I also just don't feel as hungry anymore. Sometimes I'll look up at the clock and realize it is 2 hours past lunchtime (believe me THAT never happened before). So I definately know that the band is helping me lose weight, but it feels really different for me than the vast majority of posts on this forum. Someone out there please tell me that the band is impacting you the same way it is me!! It's not that I'm eager to slime up saliva and then barf my meal (eek!) but I'm wondering why I feel so different?

:tongue: Oh my! I'm sure Dr. McEwen would be pleased with the increase in business - but I'm a bit scared of the scandal that would be caused at the CHURCH where I work as soon as one of our 6000 members stumbled upon my blog.:smile2: hee hee! And um Angie....I about peed my pants when I caught the tie between our bicycle discussion and this particular thread.

It's the first part of our family e-mail address. Wilds is our last name - the JNB stands for Jason 'n Becca (my hubby and I). I use it as my user name for everything - that way I only have to remember different passwords and not 2 different things for everything I use.

Stupid brownie at a party tonight. Darn that chocolatey goodness. I now declare tomorrow to be "No Fatty Carbohydrate Monday".

The weight limit is pretty generous, but keep your bike pump handy! I've always enjoyed bike riding with my hubby and boys, even at my heaviest (although we could only make it a mile at most before I would run out of breath, and my tires would need to be re-inflated due to the stress of carrying my 280-something self) I actually enjoy bike riding as exercise because it's something the family can do together and it is fairly easy on the joints. But take it easy on the first few rides as it can be tough on the girly parts while you're getting used to the seat!

Now that was damn funny! But ain't it the truth! I feel quite young again really.

Now see Gibson!!! This is why we need you to stick with us - even if you get stuck in a plateau. You come up with the most creative and funny threads. My highest was the horrifying 287 on my surgeon's scale on January 7, 2008. My lowest was 145 in my young adulthood. I was actually fairly normal sized until my first pregnancy. Goodness, those kids made me chubby! Luckily they're so cute I've forgiven them for what they did to my body!! (who am I kidding.... the blame should fall more on macaroni and cheese, and Cherry Garcia ice cream than on my kids)

You know what I want? Calf length boots. I want a sassy pair of low heel, matte black leather boots that go halfway up my calf. And I could wear them with a skirt, or wool leggings or tight jeans. And I would be able to actually zip them up and not get stuck a few inches up my fat calves. And I would like to not buy them at Lane Bryant or Dress Barn where they have boots that are extra wide for chubby calves.

Here's a fun reward I didn't even plan for myself! When I went for my last fill, my surgeon presented me with a nice pin that says I've lost 50 lbs! It was so sweet! I feel like wearing it around work. People will say, "What's that pin there on your shirt?", and I'll be like, "Oh that? That's just my '50 lbs gone forever' pin, because in case you didn't know, I lost 50 lbs. Did I mention that it was 50 lbs I lost?" (hee hee - this is my fantasy anyway!)

Wow! I've drawn out the veterans!! Thanks so much guys - I've watched your journeys and looked at your before and after pictures with longing in my heart. I appreciate the wise words from those who know! Maybe this actually IS my sweet spot! Joy!

Oh my gosh, Gibson!! You are so sweet! I think you are one of the funniest posters ever - so that is such a compliment! The blog has been a lot of fun. We only planned on doing one - for my surgeon's website. But my husband and I started having such a good time creating content and finding fun pictures - that we've actually decided to make it an actual blog - and document my journey. We taped my adjustment last week, so we'll have episode 3 up early this upcoming week. Thanks for watching it and extra special thanks for your kind words!! (Have you seen Sweeny Todd yet? I'm addicted - have even bought the soundtrack. It's a little gross - but I'm a sucker for cheesy musicals!!)

Oh my goodness - I am so relieved! I was starting to worry that I had stretched my pouch, or wasn't doing something right! I guess I won't worry as long as I am losing and as long as I feel full earlier. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. I knew I could count on you guys to give me good advise!

We're glad you found it too! It's so nice to have a community of people who have been through the same journey as you.

Welcome to the forum, Lisa! Hopefully you will continue to find friends and support and advise and accountability and motivation here! Good luck on your journey.