Kathi

My medical clearance took two weeks to run all of the tests and to get all of the test results in.

Kristin that dress is stunning! That is a very flattering cut too!

My jaw dropped when I read what a FUPA is.... Well, it is at least nice to know that there is a name for it!!! BTW I agree the colors in the AVON kit are great.

I'm sure that alot of folks around here would love to be 10 pounds from our goal weight, but that fact doesn't dimininsh that those 10 pounds seem to be causing you unhappiness. Weight issues are weight issues. It can be 100 pounds or 10 pounds. If it causes you grief or hurt then you are in the same boat as we are, and YES you are one of us. Check out Weight Watchers online and take the free tour. If you like it, then it is reasonably priced to use. I just started it last week and lost 2 pounds so far. It has been a great motivator to me. Best of luck to you... ((hugs))

Thank you so much for sharing your year-long adventure with us. It was an awesome post and really helps those of us who are just in the beginning. You did good girl!!!

P'Nut, here are my stats.... H-265, S-255, J-250, G-180 Thanks!

My mini goals are: 1) to be able to do my aerobic dvd without passing out 2) to lose my first 25 pounds 3) to start putting more thought and care into my appearance (dressing nicer, wearing jewelery daily) I will add to my list as I accomplish this first set of goals. good luck!

Hi to all GFG peeps, It took me 6 weeks to get the weight to start coming off, and to start really working on my weight loss, but now that it is going I was hoping that you would let me join your group. I promise to be a loyal & faithfull servent to the GFG gods & godesses.

Probably gas pain... Step away from your computer, go for a walk often over the next two weeks and get some rest.

My insurance has an exclusion for any WLS, so my fills come out of my pocket. I pay $205 for a fill under fleuro. Your port is under your skin.

Linda, You can take the tour for free, but to start using the program you have to sign up. I paid for 3 months and it cost $65 (includes enrollment fee). After the 3 months are up it will cost $16.50 per month and you can quit at any time. It is truly worth the $$, and trust me I was hesitant to join because when I paid cash for my band sugery I thought that I would never have to spend any more $$ on a diet program, but I am glad that I joined.

I drink so much that I float.

I have just started doing a great video that has worked wonders in the past for me... I dropped 60 pounds in the past in less than 4 months. It is called Slim in 6. Really good aerobics / resistence training / core training. I am sure it will do it's trick again this time.

Heck yes! Muscle burns fat, and unless you are doing a zillion reps of a large amount of weight you will not bulk up. In fact, certain types of weight training/resistance training make your muscles longer and leaner.

I was using fitday, but changed to Weight Watchers online. It is awesome and I highly recommend it. It keeps track of what you consume with very little effort, tracks exercise and keeps track of your "points" per day. There is no figuring on your part at all.

I think that Bow Flex advertises one like it on TV. I was considering buying it because it was advertising the quicker way to burn off the calories. I am also interested in hearing if it is hard to do?

Being honest with yourself is the first step to fixing the problem. Keep the junk food out of your line of vision. Don't bring it into the house, skip the sections in the grocery store that have your favorites, try sugar free / fat free treats (but eat sparingly), journal your food intake ( good and bad), walk past the vending machines at work. Remember that by eating sugar that you are making yourself crave even more sugar. Keep your goal in mind, and remember that every day you start over again with a fresh start.

That answer is partially up to you. The part that you have an impact on is your caloric input and output. The other part of that answer is that there is not a set time until you begin to lose again. My first 6 weeks after banding I did not make the best food choices every minute of every day, but I also didn't ever exceed my caloric intake goals (<1,000 calories / day) and I did not lose any weight. We are all different and time will tell.

Julie, I was starving before my first fill. I caved in in the beginning and let myself start to revert to my old bad habits. It finally ocurred to me to snap out of it and start to fix it. I had to realize that just because I had this band that didn't mean that I would automatically lose any weight. I had to put in the effort and work. I stopped eating ALL sugar. It really stopped the sweet cravings almost immediately. I started consuming more Protein. I faithfully drink tons and tons of Water. I joined weight watchers to track my intake and to make sure that I was consuming enough to lose weight. I got off my butt and exercised. It is slowly making the scale finally move, but mostly I am not starving anymore. I would like to eat less than I do now, but at least I feel better about what is happening with my body.

MelAnne, I think that you are doing great, but my opinion doesn't matter. Nor does ANYONE elses except YOURS. I say that because I don't think that you are hearing the people who are congratulating you, you seem to really be dwelling on the negative. I must say though, hearing you complain about your loss is really depressing for those of us whom have also worked hard and truly lost VERY little. Alot of people have offered you some really good advice, but you still seem to be at a really high stress level over this. I mean a REALLY high stress level. My advice to you is that I think that you are underestimating the effects of stress on your body. If you continue to keep yourself at this high of a stress level, not only will you continue to hinder your weight loss, but you will end up sickly.

Jeanette, Quote from your original post: Hello everyone. I was banded about 4 weeks ago and im a bit disappointed that i do not feel very restricted.. at ALL. That is why people are saying that you should not be restricted yet.

This may not be a popular post, but it is not intended to hurt anyone's feelings: Per Inamed: In the US clinical trial, 2% of patients gained some weight; 5% neither gained nor lost; 61% of patients lost at least 25% of their excess weight; 52% of the patients lost at least 33% of their excess weight; 22% lost at least 50% of their excess weight; and 10% lost at least 75% of their excess weight. I am obviously no where near my personal goal, but I think that it is necessary to remind ourselves of exactly what this band was intended for ( I have had to as well ). I know that there are many people who have worked hard enough to lose all of their excess weight, but the fact is that we all knew going into this that the odds against us losing all the weight are not on our side.

My best advice is to drink lots and lots of Protein to stave off the hunger. Protein shakes (with skim milk ) or unjury. Remember: The liquid diet is to prepare you for surgery. If the doctor opens you up and cannot get to your stomache because your liver is still too large then you will not get your band and you are placing yourself at risk of having your liver torn and damaged.

A Protein Shake or a Slim Fast bar

A Lean Quisine, or a Fish Fillet plus a 100 calorie snack