Paulax

Tight. I love it tight, I love it when I am tight enough that I have to drink my Slim Fast shake slowly, I like it when I have to eat my tuna salad, one small bite at at time and give it some time to go down before i take another bite. I like it tight enough that bread just will not do. I do NOT like to pb. But yep, I do like it tight. And for me I loosen up pretty quickly after a fill, within a few weeks I am much looser, but I think my surgeon likes to take it slow. Interesting thread. I have noticed in other threads that we are all so different and like out bands at different levels of tightness.

My surgeon also asked me to come in for a fill 6 weeks after my surgery, but then he really didn't encourage me to come in until I really felt as though I needed it. Heck, I'd LIKE to go every 2 weeks. I like a tight fill. Funny, how different surgeons are. I make an appointment when and if I am stalled or can see that I am able to consume too much at one sitting. good luck with your fills.

My weight loss has stopped again, but I lose fast, 10 pounds in 2 weeks and then I think my body takes another few weeks to lose inches. So I joined the gym to step things up a bit. My fill has definately loosened up, but still keeps my intake below 1 cup, so must just stick with healthy foods. So that is my update for March 8th. How are my buddies doing? I can't believe we are in our 8th month of being banded. I am so glad I did it......life just gets better and lighter every day.

Oh me, me, me... totally gymaphobic, a little depressive and a bit agorophobic. Read my thread. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ok-am-here-t30577.html I was SO you. I have been putting this off for YEARS. Thinking, thinking, dreading, dragging my feet, procrastinating, finding excuses. Not only am I the weight I am, I am also 6 feet tall so pretty hard to ignore, so I feel like a giant, when I really want to be invisible. It was an Oprah show with Bob Green, that convinced me that if I am not willing to do the work, then I am not ready to lose the weight. I didn't want to believe this because all I have ever wanted my whole life was to lose the weight. So taking that on, I thought and thought and finally chose a gym that I felt comfortable with. A brand new women's only gym and I think I love it there. I thought of joining Curves and really that is an excellent and comfortable place, I just wanted more options than Curves offered. So I go the extra drive to work out and I am so glad I did. I HAVE the time, I have the band helping me with my food choices and now I have a place to go with a personal trainer. I really want to encourage you to go and say to hell with your insecurities. There will always be someone thinner than you, there will always be someone else heavier than you. I take my iPod and just get into my own little world. Good luck making your decision. Do it, you won't regret it. and hugs because I KNOW how hard this is....

I happy to report that I am not dragging my feet and hanging my head like I did the first day I joined. I finally felt the promised endorphins this morning. I am working with a personal trainer and so far so good. As much as I wanted to hate her, she is encouraging and very sweet. So next week, I have 3 appointments with her, in between I will walk my neighbourhood which is what I used to do for exercise, and continue. I joined a brand new women's only gym. I love the atmosphere, it is comfortable, private, bright and clean. I hesitate to say, I think I love it there. I am a 43 year old mom, who gave up my everything for my beautiful family. I made the right decision, but now it is a little time for me. I forgot about me for a few too many years there. So I am back and I am exercising. My goal is to break the 200 mark by this summer, so I have about 18 pounds to lose.....should be easily acheivable. Now back to my tuna salad...:clap2: Would love to hear about your exercise regime, we can laugh and cry together.

OK, here comes a negative Nelly. I am a big believer in drinking water, but come on...never in the history of the WORLD has anyone ever maintained a water consumption of those proportions.:huytsao Not hunter gatherers, not farmers, not factory workers, not teachers, I am a teacher and just could not leave my classroom that often, not pirates. :guess That said, I believe do keep ourselves dehydrated and we the people who are trying to get more exercise and lose weight need to keep our consumption up to 8 or more if we can.... So cheers with my water bottle....

Thanks Fleur, I am going to ask my surgeon about that. I have never heard of that previously and for people who have maxed out their fill, I feel it is a brilliant answer.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be watching.

As a mother of 3, I agree with this post. I did just that, when I had my surgery. My wonderful husband took our 3 kids on a camping trip to the lake with his family. I stayed home for rest. If you can get out of this at all, do it for your health. They WILL survive and have fun without you.

HA that is a good one. It will be awhile before I weight what my DL says....:phanvan

I lost 50 pounds in 6 months. Much of that weight loss was following my surgeons orders for a 30 day liquid fast. I made 24 days and than started mushies. That was when I lost the most significant amount of weight. About 30 pounds. I see you go today, good luck, and gentle hugs. Tell us how you feel later. I am also self pay. Best money I have ever spent.

Just keeping track. It has been 2 weeks and a few days since my last fill...I have lost 10 pounds from this awesome fill. Now, I seem to be loosening up again and the weight loss has stopped. I have joined a gym and have worked out EVERY day since, so now I am being impatient aren't I? I just think that every 10-15 pounds I must lose enough fat around my stomach that my band loosens up. According to MY goal, I am only 38 pounds from goal, but according to my BMI AND the new dumb gym, I am 58 pounds from goal.....s'cuse me while my eyes bug out.:omg: 58 pounds would take this near 6 ft girl to 160, nice thought but.....too skinnay for this 43 year old mother of 3.... Just jawing here, ignore...I am sure my initial 10 pound loss since my fill was too fast and my body is just catching up...I just get impatient....:guess

Yes, it sounds too tight. Can't be helpful to you in how much to have removed. I tend to like a tight band, as long as I can stick to healthful foods, like really well chewed moist chicken or fish, or any Protein and really soft and well chewed broccoli or some sort of veggie. If I am tight, and I eat well, the weight drops off. But from one chocolate and crisp lover to another, get them out of your house. I just can not have them near me or I will imbibe. I DO however have Slim Fast meal bars in the house, so when I get a craving, at least it has nutrients in it. And for some reason it doesn't go down as quickly as a real chocolate bar. Good luck and continued success.

Awwwww congratulations! It IS easier to liquid fast after the surgery. I was on clear liquids for 24 days..... I felt tired after surgery but not in pain. I read books, relaxed, walked slowly for a week or so. You will be fine and I remember being so nervous. Now 7 months out, and 62 pounds down, I am so grateful for this surgery I can't even tell ya.... Good luck my dear. Keep us up on how you are doing.

OK, joined the bloody gym. Hope to increase my strength and agility and cardio and see this loose body firm up a bit. Had to post this as proof of the day I joined the gym.....hold me To make matters worst, I hired a personal trainer, she will be calling in the next day or so to set up our first appointment. ....HOLD ME.....

Just curious for those of you from Canada and going to Mexico for surgery. Who will do your fills? Just curious as it seems much easier in the US to find a doctor who will do fills. I don't know of any in BC. I have heard really good things about the surgeons in Mexico, so good luck to you and let us know how it goes.

Hmm, tough one. Personally, I'd go get one, just because I know that I would probably take advantage of the 'extra' room sooner or later. BUT if I was losing and happy, then I'd leave it until I slowed down or hit a plateau. I too have a 4 1/2 hour drive, so have to plan my fills carefully. Good luck with your decision and let us know how you are doing.

And wow, I have never heard of that before. Can you tell us what the other Fluid was? I am glad you and your doc found a solution.

I don't know why, but I like this idea. Foodstampchamp, do you have an update for us? I hope this can be resolved for you.

See now there is a good point. Height. I am almost 6 ft tall so a 10 pound loss on me might look like a 20 pound weight loss on someone 6 inches shorter than me....hmmmmm, good point.

Ha, good for you annieM. I have gotten rid of a lot of fat clothes and don't miss even one item. I once HEARD that one size = 10 pounds. But for me, I am down 60 pounds and have only gone down from a 20 to an 18. I guess my 20's were tight and now my 18's are loose, but not quite ready for my 16s. I also agree with you that as we get smaller that a size will equal less poundage. Good luck and yes, get rid of those too big clothes, because you WILL NEVER need them again.

Yes, excellent! Very well organized and I LOVE all the support systems you have in place.

Now isn't that a beautiful thought....Yes, lifelong friends. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

So what you are saying is that the single digit friends are kind of clingy and dependent? I am prepared for that. I can always join my newest friends at the gym, who will help me get over them? I just can't continue to be an enabler. But OHHHHHHHHH, I see you are about to embark on a new healthy lifelong friendship with the 100's......oooooooooooooooooooo, I wanna meet them.................

Well, I continue to feel pretty tight at 2.5ccs. I am LOVING IT. It makes me feel so alive again to feel lighter by 61 pounds. And I CAN feel it, especially when I am walking up our brutal hill noticing how much easier it is. Anyway, also want to keep checking in and keep the thread alive. Forever greatful for this life saving surgery.