*susan*

Betty is right, at this time you should concentrate more on healing than losing. Additionally, many people do not get proper restriction after just one fill. Many take 2-3 fills before they begin feeling restriction. But, once you do, you will know it and things will start happening.

Wow, I remember all the excitement I was feeling the day before my surgery, I just couldn't wait! Everyone worries about whether this will work for them. To be honest, unless you just really, really eat around the band, it will work. You just have to try and make healthier choices and listen to your band when it tells you that you have had enough and stop eating. I am sure you will do wonderfully with it. Best of luck and be sure to check in after your surgery, once you are feeling up to it, and let us know how you are doing.

Hi there and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on your decision to get the band. I have had mine since April 28th and not regretted it once. Once you have it, you will be amazed at the changes that take place, not just physically, but mentally as well. Keep us posted on your progress, especially let us know when you get your date. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask, we are all here to help and support one another.

Hi Carlene, I hope you have a wonderful birthday. My daughter turned 14 today. I remember, years ago when we were going to my brother's house for Christmas. His wife called and told us his best friend Mike was in town and that his birthday is on Christmas. So, she got a cake and we all made sure to get him a birthday gift in addition to a Christmas present. I will never forget his reaction when we came out of the kitchen with his cake and gifts. Here he was, a 35 year old man and he just broke down and cried like a baby. He said he had never, in his entire life, had a birthday present, birthday cake or a birthday party. His parents always told him he was born on Christmas and that was enough. Believe me, when my daughter blessed us with her arrival on Christmas I remembered that day. We always make sure she gets a party with her friends the week before. Then, we do Christmas in the morning. In the evening. the Christmas decorations come down out of one room and the birthday decorations go up and we have her cakes and gift. I never want her to feel like she has missed out by being born on Christmas. Actually, she thinks it is very wonderful to be born on Christmas and that it makes her very unique and special. I have to agree with her.

I had popcorn at about 7 weeks out. Just be careful the first time you eat it and go slow until you make sure it agrees with your band.

It is really hard to say, because it seems like just about every surgeon has different pre-op recommendations, and I believe it all depends on each individual person. I was on a full liquid diet for 17 days prior to my surgery. It was to help shrink the liver so the surgeon has more room to work during the operation.

Hi Lydia, and welcome to LBT! Do you have specific questions? If so, don't be afraid to ask, we love helping people along in their journey.

Hi and welcome, we are glad you found us. Check out the stickies at the top of the forums, because they are loaded with great information. Have you checked out inameds site at www.lapband.com ? They have some great information there too. Let us know if you have any questions, we are all here to help and support each other.

Only 3 more days and you will be an official bandster, congrats!

Hey everyone, I am glad to see ya'll are still going strong. I haven't posted on our thread in about a week, but I am still doing what I should be doing. I didn't lose or gain this week though, but I am not surprised. Actually, I am happy there wasn't a gain, because I was expecting one. The cheetoe's and Peanut Butter ice cream demons were after me all week and I caved. But, I am forcing myself to get back on track today. 12/1: No exercise. 72 oz. Water 12/2: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz. water. 12/3: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz. water. 12/4: No exercise. 48 oz. water. 12/5: 1 hour walk. 72 oz. water. 12/6: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz water. 12/7: No exercise. 60 oz. water. 12/8: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz. water. 12/9: 40 minutes tredmill, 60 oz. water. 12/10: No exercise. 60 oz. water 12/11: 45 minute vigorous walk. 60 oz water. 12/12: No exercise. 60 oz water. 12/13: No exercise. 60 oz water. 12/14: 40 minutes treadmill. 60 oz water. 12/15: 40 minutes treadmill. 60 oz water. 12/16: No exercise. 60 oz. water.<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I've added you. They have some lapband groups on myspace too, if you are interested in checking them out as well.

I think we are all aware of the fact that sex is not just for baby making and no, we do not need to go back to sex ed. However, if you are going to have sex, you need to accept the responsibility that an std or baby can result from doing so and be prepared to handle that responsibility, not do away with it.

Ugh, he irritates the bejeebers out of me, lol.:tired

You know, I understand that everyone has concerns. It seems like there are tons of posts on these boards about how do you tell if your band has slipped, how do you tell if you have erosion, etc., etc. My suggestion is, stop worrying about it. That is like spending every day worrying you are going to have a heart attack or that you are going to get in a wreck on your way to work. You know what, if it is going to happen, it is going to happen. No sense in spending hours worrying about it and bringing up the old blood pressure. Like others have said, many of the people who are having longterm success with their bands are not on the boards posting, they are out living their lives. Now, I am still a fairly new bandster, however, I promise you that 10 years from now, I will still be here posting away because I am a computer geek and love being online. I hope I have not offended anyone with my post. I know we all love our band and have gone through a lot to get them, and paid a lot for them and we want to keep them. I just don't see how constantly worrying about losing them can benefit us though. I prefer to focus on the positive as opposed to the negative.

Happy Birthday! Hope it is a great one! :welldone2: :kiss2:

You know, I would have no interest in sucking a chicken nugget. But licking cool ranch doritos sounds good to me! :faint:

Like I said before, I would never have an abortion, but don't think I have the right to force my belief upon someone else. However, I do strongly believe that if the father is involved and wants that baby to live, he should have a choice in the matter. I also strongly believe that if you are having sex, you know that every time you do, protected or unprotected, there is the possibility that it could lead to pregnancy whether you want it to or not. Therefore, if you consider yourself responsible enough to have sex, then you need to also be responsible enough to accept the possible outcome of that encounter, whether it be an std or a child. If you don't want to have a child, then practice abstinence or have a sexual relationship without actually having intercourse. I know, that may sound absurd in this day and age, but again, people need to take responsibilities for their actions.

I voted. :biggrin1:

I don't measure anything either. I just eat until my band says I have had enough and then I quit.

I just choked on my spaghetti while reading this, too funny and yet so sad because it is true!

Um, I don't think it is cheating, I guess. But again, if I was going to suck on something, I don't think it would be a chicken nugget, lol.

Just my thoughts on a few issues that have been talked about in this thread: 1) I personally would never have an abortion. I could never live with myself. However, I do not feel it is my right to tell someone else what to do if they are faced with that situation. 2) I think this may be an unpopular stand based on the posts I have read, but I do believe 100% the father should have a say in the matter. If the father is absent or does not care, that is one thing. But if he is present and does not want the baby to be aborted, then his feelings and wishes need to be taken into consideration as well. He is not just a sperm-donor, he is the father of the child. It is not his fault that he does not have the ability to carry the child in his body for 9 months. Just because the female is the one who carries the child should not give her the right to make the decision to abort the child without the consent of the father. 3) I am sick and tired of hearing people blame their behavior on their upbringing. Ok, so you were abused as a child. That is a horrible thing to have to deal with. However, if you grow up to be an abuser yourself, don't use the fact that you were abused as a child as your excuse. That is a cop out. You knew it was wrong when your parents or whoever was abusing you and you know it is wrong for you to do so as an adult. The abuser needs to be held accountable for their actions, not their parents or their upbringing.

It shouldn't be that restrictive. When I got my band, I said I would never diet again, and I don't. You just need to learn to listen to your body and your band. They will let you know when you are no longer hungry and it is time to stop eating. I don't measure or count anything, who wants to live life that way? Not me!

I have the same instructions as Julie, one day liquids and one day mushies. And, like she said, the best policy is to follow the instructions of your current doctor as he/she knows you best.

Hi and welcome to LBT! Congratulations on getting your band and making the decision to be a healthier person. I was one of those that took a while to recover from the surgery too. It was a good two weeks before I really started getting up and around well again.