Paulax

2 -3 pounds is awesome. Contratulations and keep up the hard work. That is so inspiring....

Congratulations and what a wonderful accomplishment you have made. Almost brings tears to MY eyes. I am only 7 months out, but 61 pounds down. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, that another 40some pounds is coming off. It does seem surreal, so I LOVE hearing form veterans like you. Thanks for your post.

5 said no. I'd like to hear why. Anybody? I wish I DIDN'T HAVE to have it done, but I did vote yes, I'd do it again. But I'd like to hear from the no people. Was it because of complications or because it wasn't effective for them? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Absolutely!

Sad but true, but for me to lose any weight whatsoever after the initial 50 pounds, I have to eat very little and exercise daily. So this past fill, left me with very little room in my pouch. (and I like it that way) It can be frustrating when I really want to eat a larger portion than 1/2 cup, but satisfying at the same time as I know that when I step on the scale every week, it will have moved. Report to date. Down 61 pounds, have 39 to go and can't tell you how stinking exciting it is.....39 pounds just sounds so trivial compared to my initial 100. So happy I could cry.

...lucky me... Got into a previously tight bathing suit and it felt loose, how often does that happen? And took my kids to a family dance at the school last night and was sitting in a chair, looked down at my thighs and thought, "Whose long thin thigh is that?" Honestly, didn't recognize my own thigh, or at least hadn't really looked at them in a while. Yes, the banded life is good. How about you? You had any NSV moments lately? Do share.

Hey, I could have written this very same post. :clap2: :clap2: ISN'T IT WONDERFUL?!:clap2: :clap2: YEA US!

I feel ya. I got something stuck today and thankfully, I had read about it here and had in my drawer some aloe vera dessert. I found it in the Oriental section of my grocery store and have had it in the drawer ever since. IT WORKED. I got a disgusting slow release Iron pill stuck in my newly filled pouch. What terrible tasting slime. shiver...but this stuff worked.

Yes, and I thought of a question for you. I'd like to know what now? Do you have the band loosened? Can you maintain your weight with this fill? Where is your fill if'n I may ask? Just curious to see the next steps after reaching goal. I agree, the next part of your journey will be challenging as well, but one worth working for and with the help of the band...attainable. AND unless I am looking in all the wrong places, I think there should be a whole forum devoted to Maintenance....any moderators out there? There is a section for support, fills, complications, how about a new one for Maintenance.....:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

These posts are so wise, I have nothing to add. Just letting you know that you are not the only one. One thing that I'd like to point out is that a general anesthesia can affect your moods, so that could be contributing to your feelings. Congratulations on your banding and as a lovely poster once said to me....be careful with that band there, it can be life changing. Positive things will come more clearly in the near future.

Happy Bandiversary Sunta! I hope they find your problem and that it is an easy fix... hugs

Congratulations Derick. I look at your age and can't help but think of all the years of torture and pain you are going to avoid by having this done at your age. Good for you! Paula, 6 months out and almost 60 pounds down.... oh ya and 20 years your senior....

YA! Yes, excellent responce Cascadian. This is why I keep it to myself and a select few. I am just too tired to argue with every naysayer. But, no one would bug me if I needed a new hip or knee, or needed insulin. I too believe that this is an excellent tool. But the 'answer' to morbid obesity has not yet been found. I believe that one day this may be a brain surgery. And I am not just saying that. I felt 'cured' with Phen Fen. It turned off the hunger-obsessive-compulsive center in my brain. I took it for only 3 months before it was taken off the market. But I believe that was the answer for me, and while I was on it, I remember saying to myself, 'so THIS is what it feels like to be 'normal''. So thank goodness there is surgery for us. I also would like to quote Jack here, from the biggest weight loss myth thread. He posted this and I have been thinking about it ever since.

Revisiting again. Had to cancel my fill in January, due to bad weather. I have to drive 4 1/2 hours to Vancouver to get my fill. Just got back a 4 days ago and can't explain how good a great fill feels. I feel restriction with a capital R. I like feeling tight, so that I can only fit a half cup fo food as my surgeon prescribes. So on a DOWN HILL SLOPE FROM HERE. WHO HOO! Down to 224, Still, don't believe it....nope

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Congratulations! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: So awesome! You are such an inspiration.

Awwwww, I am doing great, thanks for asking Jane.... I am tight, but I like it that way. No where to go but down. I am drinking lots of water, my food is slooooooooooooow to go down, but that is OK with me. I DO miss a big bite and regular size meal, but such is life. I can't lose eating like that. Anyhoo, there is a tiny pic of me minus 50 pounds. I am mad at myself for not taking a before pic. I think my friend took one the day before my surgery, so will bug her for a copy. Hope you are all doing well, it is really nice to check in with my fellow Julysters. Sherryjo, I hadn't lost any weight since the beginning of December til now. I got a fill to 2.5 and the scale is finally moving again. I can't seem to stay off it but I should only weigh once a week also. Get a fill and get out of your slump. BTW prednisone makes your average person gain weight, so good for you for maintaining.

I just think this is funny. I haven't noticed my food bills any less, because I have a dh and 3 beautiful and growing kids, but I sure notice a meal last longer without me eating my full share. I am sure if I lived alone, my food bills would be very little. How about you? Have you noticed a difference?

10 pounds at birth, chubby toddler, chubbier child, teen, I was thin for about 5 minutes when I starved myself and abused laxitives in my late teens/early 20's. Got heavier and heavier, I feel AWESOME minus 55 pounds and am gonna feel awesomer with 45 more gone....

I am right there with you waterlily. Just received my fill to 2.5 in a 4.0 and yes restriction feels WONDERFUL. I am in control again. we can do this.

Hello, I am a patient of Dr Leung. Search his name and you can find a few posts about him. He is almost like either you love him or you don't. Personally, I love him. Here are some strengths and weaknesses as I see them Strengths........... He is a highly skilled surgeon He is skilled at fills. I can hardly feel a thing. His patients show good results He does all his own fills His secretary is awesome, informative He cares and yes he is one of the strictest, this can be both good and bad He HAS made me feel as though I can't go for another fill, but if I needded a fill, I made an appointment. He has never questioned or challenged me. I was less than 20 pounds inbetween my last two fills... The only weaknesses I have noticed is that he is hard to communicate wtih, as Chinese is his first language. So he is not exactly the sympathetic 'ear'. But I heard YEARS ago that, many skilled surgeons have poor bedside manners. I have heard of other weaknesses but really shouldn't list them as I have not experienced them myself. I too hear that the surgeons in Mexico are excellent, but personally I like having someone 'here' to do my fills and 'here' if I ever have any problems, such as an overfill or blockage. I have to drive 4 1/2 hours and stay overnight to get a fill, can't imagine going to Mexico and don't know if any professionals closer would do fills on a patients from elsewhere. I head that Dr Leung will not. FRUSTRATING how few choices we have in Western Canada. Do check out the guy in Ladner. Search Ladner for his name and address. There is a thread listing Canadian band surgeons here somewhere. And good luck my dear. I have found this an emotional journey but I know I know I could never have achieved what I have without my band. And now, with a recent nice tight fill, I can see the end of the tunnel and I feel truly wonderful and thankful for my band....

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Jack for president! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

What a sweet thing to say, thank you... ...and ps, what a tiny, eeny weeny weight you are..... I will join you on that April 1st goal day. Let's see...approximately 6 weeks away. I plan on losing 6 - 10 pounds. Second goal, to join a gym next week and go 3 times a week. I have been thinking about this for a long time. I need to step it up to take off the next 50 pounds. I walk, I ski, but need more... There I have said it, now to make it so.

.......just reporting my fill, to 2.5. Previously, I had 2.2, but he could only find 2.0, so I KNEW I felt looser. So anyway, at 2.5, I am TIGHT! And I like it. My surgeon does not require a day of liquids after a fill, but that seems to be all I can do, that and a few cashews for protein. So for now, i am happy to report that I have 1/2 way there and ready to do the last 1/2 of my journey.

Just got back from my fill. Have now 2.5. Feel EXCELLENT restriction, just what I wanted and now ready to tackle the last 50 pounds. Am giving in and joining a gym next week. Each pound is harder to take off than the last, so must work harder. Question: My surgeon does not require me to go liquid for a day or 2 after a fill. What is the purpose? I feel as though liquids is all I can take right now.

Am I mistaking, but hasn't this been around before? inability to absorb oil. oily discharge? Ringing any bells? Just googled it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlistat Yes, it has been around by prescription only, now available over-the-counter. I am still waiting for someone to copy the Phen Fen drug, which turned OFF my hunger in the brain center. Now THAT drug worked.