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Wow, that's AMAZING, congratulations! I know my food choices could be better (do still snack here and there, and hoping now that I feel some restriction that I'll be less tempted), but you are definitely doing many things right on!

I think bodies are different, and it depends on the initial BMI. I am in my 4th month and was on a big time stall the last 3 weeks, got a fill, didn't feel a difference so called to get another appointment for 2 weeks after - which was today. Already I feel some restriction, more than before, and I hope it doesn't dissipate (like the others had)...so now I'm hopeful. I lost 37 pounds since January, and was hoping to hit 50 in 6 months, but with the stall that is not that likely.

My doc said that his standard is a 14 cc band - I hadn't heard of that - do others have this one?

Avrietta, I try to be sure to get all my protein and liquids each day, if I get nothing besides that and my complete vitamin and 3 calciums/D a day I don't worry about it. Perhaps the weight loss is also based on BMI (I was over 53 to begin with, so figure I would lose perhaps faster than someone smaller since I was eating and not exercising before).

Thank you, that makes so much sense!! I hadn't thought of it, but of course, this week on the Biggest Loser they showed Ron his internal scans, and this was what had happened...can't believe I didn't relate it to the changing feeling of restriction and need for fills.

I've had the same loss of restriction after a little while. The last .5 cc didn't even give me a little change in restriction even after a week+ I didn't have anything in my band from surgery, so after everything healed there was no restrictive feeling. I didn't have any nausea or anything either.

I'm the same - banded 1/20, and been plateaued for 3 weeks. Had a fill, but it didn't feel any different (will get another next week)...I've been swimming and walking, but also can't eat anything besides scrambled eggs or protein shake in the morning, then have a good lunch (soup with lots of veggies and pureed meat), and am still hungry at night after supper. I've been struggling with cravings, and mostly been able to stay away, but not always. 37 pounds down, but hope to lose another 15 by early June (25th college reunion )

I had my 3rd fill last week, was disappointed it was only .5cc and made an appt. for this week - didn't think it'd take more than a week! Still no more restriction, or just a touch...hope another won't block me...

I was banded Jan 20, and my mushy stage I had the Gerber baby food containers (with the tops), about 1/2 cup I think...so I measured the pureed roasted chicken, mashed baked potato, pureed chili, or anything else that I had for a meal and ate it from that container to help me realize the portion size I wanted to shoot for. A plate seemed to be too obscure, even when using the small bread plate (no way to judge for height).

I'm still 7 pounds from my goal, 15 pounds maybe was too much, but I've been at a STALL the past 3 weeks, and when I went for a fill only got .5 cc (will go again next week, but it's after Cinco de mayo.

I have had trouble with the Calcium Citrate Petites after my 3rd fill - and they caused my first slime! So, back to Viactive, but my Nutritionist says they don't give enough long term (esp. Vitamin D) for those of us in northern, not-sunny climes. I'd like any chewable, tasty alternative but LOVE the Viactiv, perfect treat 3 times a day.

I should add that while I had done well, I did have a Waffle House breakfast one day, and ate more than I usually do at home for other meals, but while scared to step on the scale when getting home, I was psyched to learn that I didn't gain! I was so afraid I had, though knew all the walking and stair climbing (my seats were up steep stairs in the arena) I hoped the exercise off-set my weak points.

I was banded on January 20, and travelled to St. Louis on April 2 for 5 days (women's final four). The main advice that I would give you from my experience: bring turkey slices and cheese/crackers, and crystal light flavor packs or something to eat in the airport or on the plane - liquids can't be more than 3 oz, so Protein shakes got packed in my checked bag. I was delayed going and coming home - 8 hours in one place and 2.5 in another, and there was little if anything that I could have bought to eat at the airport that would have been "good." - Ask to be sure your hotel room has a refrigerator (and you have access to a microwave somewhere, mine was in the Breakfast area). So, you can make an eat-out meal last for a 2nd or 3rd meal (or less if you have kids/spouse to finish it). - Ask what the hotel offers if it is free breakfast - the Hampton Inn had eggs, but they were the flat rubbery looks like an egg kind, and most everything else was bread/danish/bagels...but they did have yogurt and Cereal (no skim milk though) available, but it was tempting so I took the cereal up to my room to eat. - if you are attending any special events/concerts or "in arena" be sure you pay attention to their security lists. I didn't think of this until the week before I travelled, and needed to get special permission from guest services at the Arena to bring in my own food - I brought atkins Protein drinks (they would not allow any glass or cans), and the gerber baby bowls that have covers for the deli, cottage cheese, and whatever else you want. They were GREAT once I got there, because it was hard to go past the kettle corn, fresh roasted nuts, pizza and other things that smelled YUMMY, and this meant I could stay in the arena itself, and just buy a bottle of Water as needed. - I went to the grocery store the first day to buy what I needed, so I had incentive not to be tempted to buy other meals/snacks (I'd already paid for the ones in the room, and had the tools to carry them with me). Good luck and ENJOY! Nancy

I just created a ticker today, and it asked for a goal, which I put in as the amount that I remembered feeling good at from about 20 years ago, but maybe there is a way to determine "the" goal? or some health or formula for a weight goal?

When I worked out at a gym in 2004 I used to listen to audiobooks while on the bike and treadmill, got me thinking of the book and not what I was doing - definitely made me go further than I intended w/o feeling it. I found that swimming worked for me - 30 min of swimming was about 7 laps of breast stroke and 7 of back stroke - it's an amazing feeling to be where there's no gravity, so no pounding on the joints but a great workout. And a great hot shower to reward you afterwards. I need to find something to do in the days inbetween though softball practice started (I coach though so not a lot of exercise there). The other day I surprised myself by being able to walk around the campus (I work for a University) unexpectedly without huffing and puffing like I expected, so something's happening right. Go for it!

Thanks so much for all your feedback, that's really helpful!

I was banded 1/20 and had my first PB/slime today...it's the darn Calcium citrate that my NUT wants me to take! They are so big and I've had trouble with them before, but not to this extent. Anyone have suggestions for getting the same nutrients in a small pill or chewable? I loved Viactiv, but she says it doesn't have enough of the main things...

I LOVED my pureed meats...to have flavor was amazing, and a small chewing too. My favs were pureed chili, beef masaman (thai food) with rice, roasted chicken (the kind from the store) with chicken broth and spices like cumin, coriander, and other similar things to change the flavor - 1 pureed chicken leg lasted 3-4 meals and I could feed the rest to my family!)

I got 2.5 first fill, 1.5 2nd and .5 this week for 3rd. I was surprised but he did say if I felt I needed more to schedule an appt. earlier than the 4 weeks that I normally go. So far no difference in restriction, and I do feel like I can eat more than I expected. I have a 14 cc band.

I'm in the "wish I did it sooner" canoe, and once I got over my negative opinion about surgery (why can't I just do it on my own) I was gung ho and still going. Banded Jan 20 and down almost 40 pounds (got fill #3 today).

I also like the Atkins Advantage shakes best, and still (3 mo. out) have at least 1 a day either for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack to keep the head hungries away - the dark chocolate royale and strawberry are my favs.

Hi - me too - 3rd fill today, .5 cc (1st 2, 2nd 1.5, 3rd .5). I'm not convinced that .5 will make that much of a difference. I'm feeling better, and lost 3 pounds since last month, but felt like it was more (maybe swimming is bringing muscle back on?). 37 down and counting, hope to reach 50 by my 25th college reunion June 5.

I can't remember what date I posted my goal, and don't see it when I click through...I think I'm only down about 4 since April 6, and maybe another 5 since mid march, so maybe 9 total toward the 15 pound goal. I get another fill Thursday, so hope it gets me moving again.

Wow, this was the reason I came to the board today...and will go to a support group tonight. I hope to get my third fill Thursday (banded 1/20, and so far have about 3.5ccs in the 14 cc band). Ever since Easter I have had more cravings than ever - I was pretty good at Easter, though I did have tastes of everything, including apple crisp, I didn't go overboard. I have successfully staved off the drive to McDonalds, ordering a Subway meatball sand., I have given in to having some Ritz baked flavored crackers and a few mini chocolates. I wish I would just feel full (except in the early morning - that is not a problem, and I'm hoping with a fill it doesn't get worse?)

Congratulations - and WELCOME! I'll be travelling in San Antonio next April...so maybe we can meet! This board is wonderful for questions, support, understanding, ideas, brainstorming...I was banded 1/20/09, and have lost 35 pounds so far. No big issues to date, but I go for my 3rd fill next week.