Kat817

Is there a reason he does not want to try a complete unfill and liquids for a couple of weeks, I remember hearing that is usually the first step in trying to right a slip....sure hope you get good news!!! Kat

Tracy---my DD, Manda works for BP--looooves it! Good Luck, the benfetis, and the perks are outstanding!!! She is always getting a bonus or a peer card or something. My best friend Becky works there as well---and is the same way, she gets great bonus money, and extra's all the time. Will keep my fingers crossed for you. Pamela---when you look into booking your flight, if you can connect in either Albq (ideal) or Denver (doable) it would work---and we could figure it out from there. I am willing to fly whenever, time is not an issue. Will be back in a little bit to finish----I am on a food hunt----surprise!!! Kat

KatMo817----have you not figured out by now, creativity is not my forte???!!! Kat

We went to a wedding 3 weeks ago, and they had the traditional tiered wedding cake, punch, nuts and handmade by the brides grandmother mints on the main table. They had 2 other tables with the chocolate fountains on them, with strawberries, cherries, cake squares, marshmallows, cheesecake bites, all kinds of things---several trays worth. Not a lot of expensive items, but they took up a lot of space, and looked like an expansive, nice, spread. They did not have other food. One of the men at the table with us was thrilled to not have another wedding with rubber chicken!!! They had printed napkins, but nothing else---I mean they had plates of course, but they were simple color coordinated, not personalized like the napkins. Buying now at clearance sales is definitely the way to go!!! I did my parents 50th Anniversary this past summer---but I bought tons of gold items at last years Christmas close out! I bought charger plates for a quarter apiece! And 6" wide ribbon I used as a runner down the white table clothes. I bought gold tablecloths by Marth Stewart for 90% off at K Mart! We used them on the cake table, and the guest book table---they looked rich, and really set the white with the runners off! I bought gold plates and napkins---everything at minimally 75% off!! We used lots of candles, white and gold, both were plentiful at the clearance sales! You have several holidays between now and then, so depending on your color scheme, you should be able to plan ahead some! Which might free up some cash if you want more of a reception. Congrats on the upcoming nuptials and your banding date as well!!! Kat

Me!!! And I don't care where we stay, heck I own a tent!!! Kat!

We too are home from the company party. It was ok---we both got new coats---with the company logo on them, and stainless steel coffee mugs---also with the logo on them. We did not win any of the big prizes, although one of Rick's good friends did win a 42" plasma TV!! We had a nice dinner--prime rib, roasted green beans with red peppers, & salad for me. They also had Chicken Cordon Bleu, twice baked potatoes, risotto, pasta salad, breads of all kinds, and several other veggie options. I filled up on my plate, and avoided desert, although the peanut butter cup cake they had, tempted me seriously---but I just had another glass of tea! I bet I drank 10 glasses of tea! We danced a few times, and I danced with a few of his co workers---including his boss, who is a sexy, sexy man!!! Of course he has a beautiful wife!!! And he is exactly our age--Rick and I are 2 weeks apart, and he falls between us! But he has a son the age of our granddaughter! He is on marriage #2 and family #2....better him than me! It was an ok time, they tried for fancy again. And my former son in law, did the video they always have of the previous year, and he is such a big head, he starred himself, and his buddies, so that did not set well with me! He fancies himself a movie maker I guess. The company had a yearly video, called Game Day, and it kind of went through some video during different types of jobs within the company. But since it is a huge company, and deals mostly with oil world wide----and our little area deals in natural gas drilled and piped to California, it did not really fit for us. So he made one all about this camp---and did it all like Armageddon----in choppy black & white. It was hard to see, and loud, and he was in every other picture! NOT someone I care to see much of! Oh well, we went, he gave some awards to some of his employees, and received one, from corporate, which is a joke, he is not company minded, like most of them!!! He is working to make retirement!!! If all goes well, with his other retirement plan in place, and our 401K and IRA's being dealt with now, hopefully in 5-7 years he can retire! YEA!!!!! But the corporate awards are usually given to the guys who are super company minded, and to be very honest, more often than not, he is ashamed of where he works, not bragging it up!!! But he cannot leave and walk into a job like he has now, and the benefits he has earned through the last 10 years are too good to just leave...so he stays! Laura, sorry you are still feeling crummy, and that DH is letting you down right now. Hope it all gets better soon! Jenn---hope you feel better soon too! Terry---necklace is super cute, I had no idea you could stamp names and all like that! WAY COOL!!! Do the charms have special meaning among the 4 of you? One of the office clerks, Lorinda (Rick's favorite by FAR!) was there tonight, and she has been making some jewelry the last few years, she does a lot of intricate Indian style (Zuni I believe) beading. Well she was there with her partner Cherise, and she had made this very cool earring for her, it connected each of the several hoops she wears in one ear it gradually changed as it went down the ear, very slowly in a full rainbow of colors---I am not doing it any justice describing it. Anyway I complimented her on it, and they cracked up, Lorinda added the beads to her existing hoops, and now it has to be fully dissassembled to get them out!!! Cracked me up! TracyKS---good job girlie!!! I had no doubt you could and would do it!! You will be to goal in no time---not gonna be a poke along like me! Proud of you! Pamela I got the pics, but for some reason #3 would not load! Now this is going to sound totally wierd because I had no idea what Susanne really looked like, but she looked just like I expected her too!!! You can send me any pics at all---I love them! Goes for everyone! Well, my iced tea there tonight was not caffeine free, so I am wide awake, guess I will go play some pogo games!! Night!! Kat

This site moves really fast, if you don't get a response the first time, ask again! Or bump the original question. I have had to do that before, especially in the most popular segments within the site. But hey you got it goin' now!!! Kat

I agree-------I am not one of the really young bandsters---and I adopted the attitude, that this is for the rest of my life, and I want to live today like I want to live the rest of that life. I am not one who is willing to do without for the next year in order to get it all done....I do not want to give up my todays for a possible tomorrow.....besides that, giving things up that I want makes me a major grouch!!! Kat

Well we went to breakfast with my parents and Becky & Gary. My folks all but adopted her many, many years ago---now when there is something family, they get called just the same. Their kids were in Junior High before they figured out there was not any true relationship, that "Darling Grandma" was not really a blood Grandma!!! Then Rick and I went to town, hit Hastings, bought some music, a couple of movies, and a couple of books, and some calendars. I realized that I did not have a 2008 calendar!! Now we are at home vegging out---our snow storm is just rain at this point, but the wind is blowing, it is not nice out at all! Of course tonight is our company party! I am wearing khaki colored pants, and a black slinky feeling top with this swirled piping on the front yoke in a khaki color. Not fancy, this is casual! Oilfield service workers, are not dress up kind of guys for the most part! Several years ago, some of the office girls planned a "Prom"--they blew the party budget out of the water, had all this stuff---and less than 20 couples showed up! We were in Texas during that party, but I doubt we would have gone!! They have something different each year now, for years we had the same type of thing going on, everybody was given something, then they had drawings for lots of gifts, from small things---company caps and Tshirts---to big things---big screen TV's etc. The boss would draw a ticket # and the person with that ticket would go up and pick an envelope out of a big basket, and win whatever was written on the paper inside the envelope, then they would draw the next #.....so you never knew what was being given away, until they opened the envelope. Then they began doing off the wall things, they ruined the decent set up. Last year they gave away 1 thing A Harley Davidson. Each employee was given a chance, and then you could buy extras. The guy who won it, turned around and give it to his wife to raffle off for the Childrens Home she works at. Was nice, but it was over in a flash, and no one else got anything. Not sure what to expect tonight. Oh well, gotta go anyway!! I did 10 minutes on my elliptical this morning before breakfast---I was mad, so I did it! We barely began watching how we eat again, and Rick is already down 10 pounds! I bet I have not lost 10 pounds in the last 6 months combined! NO FAIR!!!!!!!!!! Guess I will keep working on it. Thinking purple! Sorry to hear your ex is giving you more grief Jenn---maybe this is what it will take to allow you to release him from your life, he is now not messing with just you, but with your son. Sometimes we can do things for them that we cannot for ourselves. Hang in there. Think I will go and do my nails for tonight. They need it anyway! TTYL!! Kat

Sounds as though it is some sort of virus. Do you have body aches? Head ache? Congestion? Is there any blood involved? If it does not resolve within the next 24 hours, I would be in touch with the Dr. Not necessarily your band doc but your PCP. It is important that you continue to try to sip clear liquids, dehydration is only going to make matters worse. You might even try something like childrens Pedialite, or gatorade. When my kids would get the intestinal infections and have bad diarrhea they always were put on nothing but clear liquid for a full 24 hours, then if it was easing they would go back on a BRAT diet....Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast (dry). Hope you feel better! Kat

Don't take this the wrong way---I fully understand and support your right to tell or not to tell anyone you choose, especially dependent upon the way they would or would not support you. But all these not telling posts make me wonder, how many people I saw losing weight, and wondered how they could do that and I couldn't----are WLS patients. I always felt so inferior! Like such a failure---all these people could diet, and lose and me, I dieted, lost a few and gained several more! Make me go hmmmmmm???? Kat

I eventually found it took more work getting my baked potato just right--the right combination of butter, sour cream, cheese etc. than it was worth when I could only fit a couple of bites in! I make them with a meal, and try to get my biggest fill of the meal from the healthier meat, and less starchy veggies---but there are times, those 2-3 bites are well worth all the work!!! Deprivation has always been my down fall---that is one of the biggest things I love about my band----I do not make myself do without! Have a bite for me! Kat

Hi Violets! Well, it looks like we have another storm headed our way--not what I would have chosen for our weekend off, but since no one ask me, guess it does not matter!! TracyKS---love the new pic! I have been divorced from my DD's father for 24 years, and he lives with one of my former best friends, and he still drunk calls me, and sends me messages through the daughter! "Leaving me was the biggest mistake in his life" is his usual line.....um excuse me, I packed your shit and it was waiting for you on the porch, after you took your girlfriend and newborn son home from the hospital....you did not leave willingly you were tossed!! And it was NOT the worst mistake of MY life!!! Yep Laura---there are a few from my past that still make my heart flip flop----he is NOT one of them!!! Ironically neither of my former husbands is on that list!! One was a cheater----Two was an abuser----nope I don't miss them!! Today we worked on a rental, actually winterized it in preparation of doing some work on it, going to have it empty for a month or so, so it needed the water drained etc. so it does not freeze. The kid that was in it, is a friends son----he left some nice messes----not sure how to handle it, and preserve the friendship....any suggestions? I am talking broken window, greasy messes on brand new carpet (he is a mechanic)....knobs gone on the washing machine (?), and a broken closet door. Pretty bad considering he only lived there for 4-5 months! He is moving in with his girlfriend. Then we moved cows, so we can prepare to brand---start culling out the ones needing it---if the weather holds we may do it this weekend! Anyone wanna help?! We went to breakfast before getting started, it is such a waste for me, I just cannot eat much at all that early in the morning. Oh well I did ok! Ate a side of bacon! This afternoon we went to see P.S. I love you. Man I wish I had Hillary Swanks abs!!! Was a chick flick for sure!!! I was not wanting something I needed to seriously follow! We got a medium popcorn, and shared, and still did not eat it all. We raised the center arm, and just snuggled, and as long as he held my hand--I could not snack on the popcorn!!! Hit Walmart for some things we needed here at home, and here we are! Tomorrow night is Rick's company Winter Party. I usually have a good time, but his secretary and a couple of the guys and their wives we usually sit with, none of them will be there----not sure what it will be like! His secretary's husband drew out to go to White Sands, and have the once in a lifetime hunt for Oryx. My SIL 2B did that a couple of years ago, the oryx he shot, had horns like 38.25 inches long! It had to be hung way down the wall for the horns to clear!! Kinsey named the head---I cannot remember what though! When they first hung it, she walked around and looked on the other side of the wall for the rest of it! Rick and I were talking about the Violet trip at breakfast---I am going to go and see a friend who is a travel agent, and see if she can find out if I am going to have a problem,and if so, then will make the name change. NM just instituted all kinds of new requirements to get a license so it could be interesting!! Well I am going to go check my email, and surf for a bit---y'all take care and will check on ya in the morning! (((hugs))) Kat

I am in a rural area, and I have not ever had a nutritionist. I did rely a lot on this forum, and also my own common sense, and health related information. I learned what foods would be good for me, as well as what would not be....with or without the band. Then I added the band into the eqation. The amounts, the foods we were told to eat, or not to eat, when to begin eating them---everything is different based on each surgeon. You should be able to find a happy medium, that coincides somewhat with the pamphlet your surgeon gave you--by reading and researching health related articles. Prevention magazine has a good website with health related eating issues often. Would you have been given any more information if you had had the sleeve? Seems the issue is lack of post op care from your surgeon, not the type of surgery you had. As I said before, I have never, not one time seen a nutritionist, and I have found great success with my band, and maintained my health through it all---I am sure many of us have---and I bet you can too!!! Welcome to bandland! Kat

Well shall I start with the good news or the bad news? Good news---I got lots of liquids in today. Water, Tea, crystal light, more water, lots more tea....I was good with my fluids. Bad news---food was not nearly as good!!! We were going to dinner with Becky & Gary. We usually go to our favorite little mexican restaurant. Rick orders a deluxe meal, and I eat his taco, and order a side of beans---perfect amount for me, and not too bad for going out to eat. But they were closed! They apparantly had pipes freeze and break, and were in the process of cleaning and repairing water damage. So we went to another local place, and Rick and I agreed to share---because he wanted some fried mushrooms --- well I ended up eating mushrooms, and part of a patty melt, and a few fries----all in all my amounts were ok. Maybe a quarter of a sandwich, if that. A couple of fries, and 3-4 mushrooms. Not good choices, but I did not overdo. Then what does Gary suggest??? Ice cream! I shouldn't have....I ate half of a kids size blizzard. A huge difference in what I had and what all of them had---but still not the new begining I had in mind. Back to the drawing board tomorrow I suppose! Glad to see you feeling stronger again Judy. Heck I was afraid we were all going to have to quit posting since that was WJWD!!! J/K!!! Suzanne--I am game for whatever is decided with tips or things that will keep us in a good frame of mind for completing this journey. I think even the piece Denise shared works for me, it is something that gives me something to think about---and strive to do---to improve my own life, and those around me. Jenn sorry your ear is hurting. At least you got the meds without having a delay to see the Dr, that will get you on the road to healing much faster. (((hug))) Sorry I have not got around to welcoming you new ladies! You will find this to be a chatty, helpful, loving, diverse, and extremely supportive group! We come from many places, have totally different lives, yet we mesh wonderfully!!! I find I have little things, in common with each and every one of my Violet sisters, and relate to them all due to that! Like you Shannon, I did home based day care for many years---then bumped it up a step into a full fledged self sustained business. Sold out several years ago---but through the time my kids needed raised---we were here--! So see I am finding connections already! You will grow attatched to these women! Welcome! Michelle---I was accosted by the same dinner bandit! TracyKS--hope your little unfill helps you! Pamela--heya girl---Susanne coming for the weekend? With her Mom isn't it? Food....mmmmmm!!! TracyK---please don't hide your success because some of us are stalled---we need the assurance it will happen again! And we love you and want to share in your happiness. Jane---been using all my goodies!!! Love 'em!!! Where is Gina??? And Haydee??? Ms. Jen???? Laura---got any fun weekend plans??? Supposed to start snowing here tonight again....yech! Terry---how's your Mom? Kids settling down now that the holidays are past? Cindy---did I miss the cruise pics?? Well I kow I missed someone, it is getting late and my mind is mush!! Will see all of you tomorrow. We have to go do some work on a rental and get it ready for renting again....will check in at some point though! Nighty Night! Kat

For the first 2 weeks I was only allowed Clear liquids, so I used Zero Carb Isopure. It is a juice---like kool aid. I bought it at GNC---it comes in several flavors. It is high in Protein, and adding protein at this point will help with the fatigue and aid in your healing. It is sold in glass bottles, similar to the Sobe drinks. They also sell test tube shots of protein, which packs a lot of protein grams in a small amount of liquid....can't give you much info on them, I didn't use them, they have come out since my surgery! I have to be very honest---- and in no way am I suggesting you go against your Dr. and dietician---but I was never that exact with amounts. I sipped all the time, and eventually was able to simply drink normally, and I really pushed the liquid---it seriously helps with my weight loss if I stay fully hydrated. When I slack off on drinking, I feel bad. But I did not measure how much food I was eating or schedule exact times to eat. I pretty much ate at the same times I always had, I know in the begining I did eat much, much less. As you heal, it is especially important not to eat until your Dr. says it is ok, and then it is equally important for you not to overstuff the pouch. I found it easiest all along, to try to stick to the idea of eating until I wasn't hungry anymore, not eating until I was full. By the time my brain got the full signal, I had eaten another 2-3 bites, and was then too full! I always try to stop before feeling full. 64 oz. of Water (or in my personal case, I drink water, tea, crystal light....) is pretty easy to get in. I used to keep water bottles full, and know I had 4 to get in during the day, and it was not a big deal to drink them all. The pouch may have a 8 oz. capacity in general, but with liquid, it is passing through --it is not sitting for an hour then automatically flushing through. As you add to it, it moves through. You will feel it, if you drink too much too fast....and be able to set your own personal speed. I have no idea on protein powders to be honest, I used unjury, and never shopped around much. There are entire threads devoted to comparing protein powders though---you should be able to scroll back and find some under the food section. I have never tried any of the gluten free things either---I have found as you begin eating, if you want to eat the breads and pastas, if you eat them with other food, so they have other things to digest with, it is much easier. Say a few bites of a sandwich are easier than just a slice of bread. Welcome to bandland, and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Sorry no can do the kicking---my lazy bod might interpret it as exercise and expect it to be repeated!!! Yeah-----hate it but we all go through the stages---and I wish it helped to know that is all it is, but when you are there, it is overwhelming. We will be here when it passes though!! I need to read back through some posts---got ahead of myself responding to Judy, and then lost where I was!! Kat

Awwww Judy----don't get discouraged, don't forget I am a full year ahead of all of you! I imagine you have read the amazing things JulieNYC has done, and we were banded at the same time, she is down over 200 pounds in that time, and I cannot for the life of me get past where I am. I know I can, that is the thing, I just need to do it! I am complacent and lazy, and so relieved at feeling almost normal, the sense of urgency is gone! My DD Manda, used Clomid, a fertility drug to conceive miss Kinsey. She went through several rounds of trying things. One day out of the clear blue while I was in the backyard painting the fence, she called, she could not drive she was shaking and crying so hard---but she had to talk to me---she was finally pregnant! I could not understand her, I thought something was wrong, she was crying so hard! Finally I heard the words----I'm gonna have a baby! Then we were both shaking and crying! I worried myself sick all through her pregnancy! I probably wore out Gods ear with my thanks every night for making it another day, and begging for her and the baby's safety! Then at 7.5 months she showed signs of preeclampsia---they monitored her for a week, and it worsened...so they hospitalized her, for another week, then decided that even though they had some control on it, the baby was not growing...had not grown since the last ultrasound. I was beside myself. They induced her labor 3.5 weeks early---and kept thinking all day they would have to do a C section. My DD looked horrid (terrible thing to say --worse to see!) She was so swollen, her face and hands---her toes looked like little sausages. But at 8:30 that night, Kinsey was born vaginally, healthy! A little thing, just a bit over 4 pounds! She never required any oxygen, she maintained her own body temp from minute one. She went home weighing 4 pounds 3 oz. at 3 days old. She is smart as a whip now, still somewhat small--but with a huge attitude! Do not give up on your DD's dream--they have so many options these days. I will add her to my prayer list--and ask my DD to do the same. I know the heartache you carry for your DD. And I bet someday you get interupted---with wonderful news too!!! I still have a section of the fence with no paint, I missed it I was so shook up when I went back out there!!! Take the time you need------know we love you and you are doing great! It is not a question of "if" we hit plateaus with the band----the question is "when"----just take some comfort in the fact you are not on yours alone!!! I am betting your friend will be shocked an amazed at your change! You have shrunk much more than I think you realize!! Take a gander back at your Before & After shots! ((((hugs)))) Kat

Wow! I thought for a second I wrote this!!! You are not alone....sadly.....for both of us!! Kat

I am so happy for you Amanda---enjoy every second of your pregnancy---it is an amazing time of your life! Congratulations!! Seems my problems were MSN issues, not LBT issues....is all better now! Just sitting around relaxing----I saw Rick hesitate each time he passed the game on the TV---so if I am on here, he is ok watching it!! He actually put it on while I was in the shower, so now I am catching up with all of you and he is getting his football fix!! Well I have lots to catch up----so will go do that....and check in with y'all later. Will be hit & miss for a few days with Rick being on days off, we always seem to be doing something!!! Kat

Well it is something best addressed with his Dr. but mine told me to avoid the heaving of vomiting and PB's if at all possioble, it is hard on the esophagus, and strains the area the band is set in. There were some stitches used to place the band, and then scar tissue forms to hold it in position, so I was led to believe that it might cause that to tear loose, allowing a slip. Some eating lessons are hard to learn....I know!!! Kat

Will measure and give you stats later--but it is my major problem area now---I have no hips or legs left, but this damned belly is STILL here!!! Cardio daily---carb restriction, nothing seems to be doing the trick. Granted it is smaller by far, and it is not filled out and solid like it used to be, but it is still much slower than anywhere else, and it remains regardless of the rest of me being normal sized. I hate it! Kat

I'm not receiving any email notifications from LBT----anyone else having that problem? I have checked my User CP and it all looks ok.....hmmmmm House is almost normal--dinner is done, Kinsey is headed home....water intake is up....all is well in my little corner of the world. Glad you got Walgreens taken care of Laura---those things can be such a pain!! Feel better! Jane enjoy your snuggly night at home, I intend to! Well as much as I can, my drill sgt. will be home soon----we begin working out again tonight! I removed all the clothes from the weight bench!!! LOL it is all ready to go! TTYL! Kat

Your food is intended to sit in the pouch, for an extended period of time, slowly working it's way into the actual stomach. It is not intended to sit without digestion taking place though! When food is in the pouch and/or stomach your stomach begins churning, and moving, releasing acids into the food to break it down (in the lower section of unbanded stomach.) When we get stuck, it is when something is blocking the stoma area --where the band was placed, and it is at its narrowest. This can be as mentioned from not chewing well, or it can be caused by the type of food we ate---breads, and pastas for instance as they break down the glutens tend to create a big dough ball, and it is harder to pass, as it grows as opposed to breaking down. These kind of stuck episodes are often helped by the pineapple juice---in small sips the acidity helps to break up these kind of food dams! Another issue that leads to a stuck situation---or at least what feels like one is over eating. When the pouch is full, and food begins to back up into the esophagus, it leaves no room for the stomach to do its natural digestion movement. Which is why they suggest amounts of food, to avoid these type of problems. When you get stuck you do produce tons of slime! This is not a Bandster special either!! My DH who is not banded, choked on a piece of chicken---it went down past the trachea and he could breath, but it was stuck, he could not swallow saliva---anything, and he slimed big time! It is natures way to try to help us slide whatever the offending item is, on through. If you are stuck due to an over large bite, or even a dammed up backlog of food, sometimes the slime will help slick things up enough to get the offender through. If however the problem is not resolved quickly, or if it began due to overeating, there is simply no where for all that slime to go! Spitting is your best option! Gross yes, but.....sometimes it will save you from a full blown PB. Slime is oderless, tasteless extremely thick saliva. PB's can vary--not just among people but how they hit us from one time to the next. Sometimes a simple hiccup can move things to where they need to be, and I have heard of some serious PB's where they made standard vomiting sound easy! They really should be avoided if at all possible, it is thought to be hard on the band placement to vomit or heave. It is never silly to ask questions, and yours made perfect sense....now of course I would think that since it is one I ask myself back when I was first banded!!!! I am closing in on 2 years, and am still learning, and asking questions!!! Kat

When I was banded, I was 286 pounds----I was taking 2 meds for high blood pressure (Lotensin, and HCTZ), one for high blood sugar (Metformin),and one for high cholesterol (drawing a blank on the name!) I continued with the HCTZ which is a diuretic for about a month, and have not taken anything prescription for any of the above since! I would still like to get my cholesterol a bit lower, it is still in the 150 range---way down from mid to high 200's though! My blood sugar has remained steady and in the normal range, my highest reading since losing the first 50 pounds has been 117! My blood pressure has remained steady and normal now for well over a year. I had been on meds for it for close to 10 years! Now I average 120/65---my Dr. is totally thrilled with the changes! I do exercise now---nothing terribly extreme, and winter has made it more difficult, but I go to Curves, and I have an elliptical trainer----it has made a huge difference in my health. I felt old before, now I feel like life has returned and the possibilities and the things I can do are so numerous it is mind boggling!! There are issues, with banding---if you are a fast eater, it sometimes takes a few painful PB's to learn to slow down. The hair loss really hit me hard! But it is growing back fast and furious, and healthier by far than it was before....and not everyone has that happen. I love my band, and hope all goes well for you bud, to get yours soon---it will make getting the weight off and keeping it off a whole new ballgame! Welcome to LBT!! Kat