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When i first started to consider getting the band i first thought i don' t want to live the rest of my life with that thing in me. (I'm 34) I knew i could do the work and get the weight off if i tried hard but keeping it off was the bigger problem. so that's were i decided i needed the help. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life losing and then gaining it all back plus some and feeling like a failure. So i decided to go for it. I was willing to give up being able to eat whatever i wanted and how much i wanted to live a healthier life.

I didn't keep it a secret from anyone. Everyone that knew was very supportive at least to my face. I am sure there were some people talking about it behind my back but who cares let them talk. I was doing what was best for me.

To help answer this question i will share one of my nsv(non-sclae victories). Before banding my attitude was i would rather work out than have to give up my food but the other day as i was trying to motivate myself to go work out i thought "I'd rather just not eat and do liquids today." I did end up going to work out but to me that was a pretty big victory in changing my way of thinking.

I do not drink with my meals at all, but what i have found to be harder is not drinking after a meal. I'm so thirsty after eating. I try to wait at least 30 min but sometimes i can't stand it.

We have a local convenience store that sells Diet Dr. Pepper icees. Ya know like the coke and cherry ones that have been around for a while. Does anyone know if those are carbonated. I am having major DP withdrawals and thought they might be a good solution. From my understanding they only use the syrup and "freeze" it.

Gost - i would love to know about the pt you are doing for your arms. That's one of the main things that keeps me going to the gym. I don't want bat wings!

I am doing the same thing. But i think my pbing is from eating too fast. My dr said it should take me 45 min to eat a 4oz chicken breast. I think i am chewing enough but i am taking bites too close together. I judge wether or not i need a fill by how much i am able to eat. If i feel like i am eating more than should be able to then i will get a fill.

YEs you can. I saw a picture that DrC posted on here of one that he had done. Try using the search and i bet you can find it.

My dr insructed me to not eat ice. I am a huge ice chomper. I probably get alot of my liquid intake from eating ice. THe dr said it can cause painful gas and burping. I have been eating it and it hasn't bothered me. Has anyone else dealt with this and their dr.

i am one of those people who can't eat alot in the morning so i always have a protein drink. Mine has 35g of protein. it will usually keep me full for about 4 hours. And they are pre made in a can so they are real easy to to grab and go.

I know exactly how you feel. After my approval my surgery was 2 weeks away. I had never had any kind of surgery before and i was pretty anxious. But the reason i decided to get the band in the first place was because i didn't want to spend the rest of my life gaining and losing weight. i wanted a permanent solution. After the surgery i even had a few moments of thinking "why have i done this to myself? I am never going to be able to eat like a normal person again!" but that passed and i am so glad i have my band. i am 3 mos post op and i have lost 39 lbs and 24 in off my whole body. One thing i did before surgery was make a list of all the things i hated about being fat. I am now able to go back over that list and mark some of those things off because they don't apply to me anymore. Yea!

There isn't anything i don't allow myself to eat or drink. I can't tolerate carbonated beverages very well but i do have a few sips every once in a while. My theory is its all about moderation. And for me one day pasta might get stuck and on anotrher day i don't have any problems. My dr did say to stay off of the carbs but i do eat them in moderation. So i don't think there is really anything that you won't be able to ever have again for the rest of your life.

Amarillo, Tx Anyone else?

i was banded March 30. I am down 39 lbs. I have not had one episode of acid reflux since surgery. I can lift myself out of the swimming pool w/o having to use the steps. I can breathe when i tie my shoes. My knees don't hurt. my 7 yr old son can wrap his arms around me. food is not always falling on my shirt. I don't move the table when i lean over to take a bite. I made a list before surgery of all the things i hat about being fat and i am slowly being able to mark some of them off. Yea!

On the obesityhelp.com website there is a ps forum with alot of people who have had their inner thighs done and there are alot of pics too.

This happened to me and my surgeon filled in the paper work that i was an inch shorter making my bmi higher they also let me hold my purse when they weighed me in.

Hi Lost fans! What about the strange invisible man that Ben took Loc to see I think his name was Jake. Where could that be going?

In doing my research for a doc i looked into dr barker and what i found out was that he was a good surgeon but that was the only time you got to see him. Other people said his follow up care was not that great and that he is extremely busy and hard to see. I went to see one of his partners Dr. Davidson with Nova Body Solutions and i really liked him. If you are self pay his surgery and follow up is 12500 and he doesn't require any pretesting if you are in good health. He is who i would have used if my insurance had not come through. I went with a local dr since my ins was paying. Check out novabodysolutions.com or you might be able to find more info on Dr. Barker at obesityhelp.com

Ive heard that taking biotin supplements help. Also at GNC they have a supplement that is for hair and nails. It may be too late to stop the hair loss but the supplements could help it grow back in faster.

I experienced this pain. Mine would come and go and sometimes would be so bad that it hurt to stand and walk. Mine started at about 4 weeks post -op and lasted about three weeks. My dr said it was the inside stitches around my port continuing to heal. Hope this helps!

Marjon9 - unfortunately, if they did not accept Jesus at some point in their life they are in hell.

BJEan - No I am not a southern baptist but i know several people who are and they do not beleive that they are the only ones going to heaven. And my statement was not judgemental. I was simply saying that one day we ALL will be held accountable for our unforgiven sins. Is abortion a worse sin than any I have committed? no it isn't. God sees all sin the same and He forgives all sin the same. I beleive that the only way to heaven is faith and belief in Jesus Christ and that He is the Son of God. Heaven is open to anyone willing to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I don't think anyone here is saying that spanking is the only useful form of discipline. And it is not my only form of discipline. There are some bad behaviors that require it so that the child knows there are serious consequences for it. There are other behaviors were grounding or "time-outs" are what is needed. I too was spanked as a child by my mother and father and I do not resent them for it. I am very close to both of them.

Amen Ghettofarm!