Katja

I was taking Biotin for months before the band surgery so my hair loss would hopefully be minimal due to going thru menopause. I never noticed a difference - if it helped, I never saw it. After my lap surgery, my fingernails took a beating. I guess my hair was able to stand it. It took about 6 months for my nails to get strong and long again - without taking the biotin. I'd say try taking the biotin. It couldn't hurt. Just be careful after the surgery - pill size is important! Good luck on your surgery. Looking forward to greeting a new bandster soon! Katja

I don't know what may have happened to the group, but please let me know when you get it going. Sounds like a great group to belong to! I am in a chorus, do solo with them and sing at weddings. I also play French horn and teach the new trumpeters, horn and tuba players that join our brass choir group. Katja

Congrats on your decision to be banded. Once you really get started losing the weight you will love your band and will begin to love yourself more! You shouldn't let being embarrassed prevent you from going to the doc. It just shows you need more help. Nothing wrong with that. Get your fill. It may take a few fills for you to get enough restriction to help you keep to the diet. Don't ever give up. It is a learning process and you can do it! Visit the chat room and listen to us exchange ideas and help. Read the forums. There is plenty of help and encouragement here! Good luck to you in your journey to a healthier you! I hope to hear from you soon saying this little bump in the road was just that. Katja

First of all, congratulations on your wonderful progress! You have worked hard and are now reaping the benefits of a healthy life. Getting all those compliments can be difficult to accept at first, but with each one, you'll start to see the "new" you. Many of us have trouble adjusting to our new images. We see the "old fatty" long after there has been a dramatic weight loss. As to your co-worker... there are probably many reasons she isn't being supportive. Jealously and ignorance topping the list. I have experienced many people, who are also overweight, as being very insecure about their ability to lose. It's like a cover-up - making light of the work it does take to be a successful bandster loser - because they have enormous doubts if they could be that dedicated to making it work for themselves. In the end, it boils down to what you think. What you do. How you feel about you. I wish you much happiness on your journey to a new you. For every naysayer, there are 3 people who will support you and admire your commitment to achieve your goal. Please don't forget that! Katja

i've flown between Germany and America twice now and had no problems. I did not have a lot of restriction then. Maybe if you have a lot of restriction it might make a difference? It will be interesting to see the other answers on this.

Hallole! I'm 8 mths postop and live and was banded here in the Stuttgart area. Anyone else?

Congratulations Daniml! I am an American living near Stuttgart. I was banded here. Let's keep in touch to share our thoughts on our adopted countries and of course, our progress with our bands! Good luck on your surgery and come back and let us all know how you're doing. Katja

Why would you want to remove the band? Statistics show that those who have it removed, gain back a lot of the weight they fought so hard to lose. I am planning on reaching goal, or wherever my body says it's happy and then slowly get unfills to see what i can eat without gaining. I plan on maintaining a healthy weight for the rest of my life! Good luck to you. I hope you will be happy with your results.

I have lost about 80 pounds now and am getting thoughts of actually getting into (and back out of) the bathtub! It's been over 25 years since my last bath. (Don't worry, I used the shower. LOL) I actually crossed my legs for the first time since I don't know when. It was only for a few minutes, but hey, it felt great! It is a lot of fun rediscovering all the things I gave up due to the largeness of my body. I hope every bander enjoys all the changes that are coming!

I too have felt the same way most of my life. Morbidly obese since I was 10. My Dad used to pick dinnertime to let me know I was fat and should do something about it. I did. I just shoveled more into my mouth! My identity has always been tied to the weight. There's Katja, you know the big girl. Not the witty one or smart one. And I always loved "You have such a pretty face, it's a shame you aren't thinner". Sound familiar to many of you? I stopped getting on the scale when I hit 306. I don't think I got much heavier than that, thank goodness. I was banded at 277 pounds. I am now down to 228. It's been an amazing journey, learning who I really am. And you know what? I like me. I really like who I am becoming. Being acknowledged for what I do and not what I look like. Being more confident. I am so very glad I got banded.

I am also an American living in Germany - Stuttgart area. I was banded here in July and it was 7500 Euros. There are a couple of places near here that do the band. Write me if you're interested in more details. I'll be glad to help.

Diva, You will probably get a drink called "Fortimel" in the hospital. I did. I bought it in the Apotheke when i was released. The chocolate and strawberry are really good. Good luck on your surgery.