*susan*

I have one on my leg that I have had for about 13 years. It looks exactly the same thus far. I just got a new one on my left breast, so we will see how it looks as I continue to lose.

I have been drooling over the macs for a while. I really, really want one. Unfortunately, it is not in the budget right now. I think I am going to get Windows 7 this weekend and get it on all of our laptops. Chancie, I will put in a good word to Santa for you!

The only place we have like that near me is "Super Suppers", but I don't think they are overly healthy dishes. I have thought about ordering a couple of their meals for nights when I just don't feel like cooking though.

If that is the case, then I am as normal as they come!

Tiffy, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Have a safe trip. We look forward to chatting with you when you return!!

Good luck to both of you, you are well on your way to new, healthier lives. I am so excited for you. As soon as you feel up to it, please let us know how you are doing. *hugs*

Well, keep us posted on how things are going and when you get a date.

Megan, I can't comment on the protein shakes, unfortunately. I never found one I liked. As for how long do I stay full after I eat, I can honestly say I don't get hungry. I get head hunger sometimes, but not the real, physical hunger. I eat because I know it is lunch time and I am supposed to, or dinner, etc. It is wonderful to not be hungry 24/7.

I have not had any interest in sweets since having my surgery in April. I can honestly say, they completely turn me off. I know many others have said the same thing as well.

First off, welcome to VST, we are happy to have you here with us. I am sure you will hear from many of our members regarding their thoughts on the various types of weight loss surgery available. I originally had the lap band in 2006. The first year was wonderful and I lost a great deal of weight with it. Then, I had a major overfill, which resulted in a slip. After that, things were never the same again. Whether I had fill, was completely unfilled, etc., I had a horrible time getting anything down. I basically lived on ice cream for two years because that was all my band would tolerate. Now, don't get me wrong, I am definitely not anti-band, I am pro band. For many people, it works wonderfully and I am thrilled for them. Unfortunately, it seems like we see more and more people who get past the two year mark that start having problems. I followed all the bandster rules, but it just didn't work for me. In April of this year, I was blessed with the opportunity to get the sleeve. It has literally changed my life. I have lost 81 pounds and my quality of life has improved drastically. I am once again able to eat out with coworkers and friends without worrying about having to make a mad dash to the ladies room before my food comes back up. I can eat healthy food again. The sleeve is wonderful in that once you have the surgery, you are pretty much done. You don't have to constantly return to the doctor for fills and un-fills. You come out of surgery with the perfect restriction and it stays that way. I don't really put much effort or thought into weight loss. I am probably not the ideal example, but I don't count calories, Protein or anything else. I have always hated doing that and said that I don't want to be on a diet the rest of my life. I don't think about losing weight. I just eat healthy and stop when I am full and the weight has been coming off. I do try and get out and exercise, obviously, but I am frequently bad about that as well. But, exercise is a key part of any weight loss program and I need to get better about it.

If she did, it might not show up for a few days. I know every time I have ever been on IV fluids for a few days I always show a gain for the first couple of days I come off of them, and then I suddenly have a drastic loss.

MNB, 18 pounds in one month is absolutely amazing. Why on earth would you be disappointed? If I have said this once, I have said it one-hundred times, do not judge your weight loss success based on what others have done. Everyone loses at different rates. Everyone's body reacts differently to the surgery. Just because one person may have lost twenty pounds in the first month, does not mean the next person should or they have failed. Additionally, it is not unusual have a stall around three weeks. This usually takes place during the transition to the next stage of foods. Your body is confused right now. It has undergone some pretty major things in the past three weeks. You are going to see some fluctuations in your weight loss. Give your body time to adjust. Lastly, I know other than walking, my doctor said no strenuous exercise until I was six weeks out. At three weeks out, I was so weak physically due to the post-op diet, there was no way I could have withstood any type of workout regimen at that time. I got tired walking from the couch to the bedroom. I didn't have enough energy to really start exercising until I had been on full foods for about a week. So please, do not be hard on yourself. You are doing fabulous and as expected!

Thanks for checking in with us. I am glad to hear everything went well for you.

That is great, and an NSV as well! Congratulations.

Megan, I just wanted to pop in and welcome you to the forums! We are happy to have you join us.

I hardly experienced any pain either. I just had a lot of nausea.

My Christmas goal is definitely to be in onederland! It was also my birthday goal, which came and went a couple of weeks ago. I didn't make it due to an untimely stall. I only have two pounds to get there and am bound and determined to get off this plateau!

Teshanelson1, welcome to VST! When will you be having your surgery?

You are welcome, and I will!

Hello and welcome to VST, we are so happy to have you join us. Congrats on your decision to a healthier you!

Hi and welcome. It sounds like everything went very smoothly for you. If you have any questions, let us know. We look forward to taking this journey with you.

Dalietdesigns, how are you doing now?