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Hi WE201, I had been above 200 for 30 years and been shopping in Plus sizes the whole time. I actually bought myself a saphire ring when I reached onderland. I think that was as exciting as reaching goal. My rational for a ring was I would wear it on my finger as a reminder of my accomplishments and a reminder to to put my hand in for seconds or Snacks. I has been a good reminder. I remember shopping the first time in regular sizes. I shopped in Kohl's where the clothes are by brand. In the past the plus sizes were in one small area and was easy to shop. They either had what I wanted or didn't. Now I had to look through all these departments, very confusing! I got use to it though. So many more bargains when your a smaller size. I did a lot of shopping at Thrift stores and consignment shops when I was loosing. Then I wear something for several months and didn't feel guilty when I passed it on. I also include my before surgery weight loss as I worked very hard for it. The band was the best thing I've done for myself.

I had an endoscopy last summer and was diagnosed with Barretts Esophagus. You need a ride home and you might feel a little groggy for the rest of the day. I actually had to be unfilled from 6cc to 2cc in a 10cc band and the gastroenterologist had to use a slim line scope. After several weeks I started to be filled again. Good luck with the test and I hope you feel better soon.

Hi WE201, I had my band put in 2/4/08 and it took me a while to get a fill where I was not hungry. I had my consult two months before surgery and lost 30lbs between by consult and surgery then I only lost an additional 30 lbs in the next 6 months just by following the diet and being hungry. But I knew the band would kick in eventually. Most of us heavy people are good at dieting for 6 months or more, it's keeping the motivation up and keeping the weight off. After the first 6 months my restriction was good and I lost 40lbs by my one year anniversary and had reached my goal of 150. I started out at consultation at 250. Now I'm a month away from two years and down to 138. It is totally worth it! I had a lot of health issues that are either resolved or much lessened. I also love shopping for 8s instead of 26s. I feel the real benefit of the band is the tool effect. You practice good eating but also are much less tempted because your not that hungry all the time. Do I cheat? Sometimes but not that often and when I do it might be 2 or three Cookies and then I don't want anymore. Before I could sit down and eat a whole box or batch of homemade in a sitting or a day. I also think the slow approach lets you get your head around the whole process and adjust to your changing body. My surgeon also said he prefers bypasses, but feels that bands are successful if they don't eat a lot of liquid or soft calories.

I'm almost 2 years out and have been below my goal for about 5 months, however I have a fickle band. I will be working fine with a fill and then I'll get a cold with cough and I become so tight I need an unfill. I had some bad acid problems(Barrett's Esophagus) this summer and my stomach had swelled so much I needed a complete unfill and then after medication I got filled back to my sweet spot. Then at the end of Nov I had my gallbladder out. In the month since then I have become very tight. I had to wait it out through Christmas but had only .2 ccs out today and I feel great. I have also noticed I have tight days when stressed or really busy. Maybe I don't drink enough water on those days. Good luck.

Hi, I was banded 2/4/08 and have only lost 42 lbs so far. 61 lbs is just awesome. Keep up the great work. I am so grateful for my band as well. This is my first post. Had to work up the courage as I have never done anything other than email before. Both of my kids are in college and laugh at me. I only managed to send them text messages a little while ago. I do a lot of work with computers but never any social networking. I have been reading peoples' posts since I began in February and have gotten a lot of answers to my questions. This seems to be a great group of people.