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I've heard many say they didn't realize their emotional connection to food. Seems strange to me...but I guess I will find out what that means shortly. My brother says the same thing....it will be interesting to live life not being really hungry compared to how I am now (pre-band anyway).

You sound like my brother...haha. The only thing in your post that I don't think I will do is log every food that I eat everyday. Trust me...I know that is the ideal and smart thing to do but I don't know if I have the patient to be that detailed on my food (I know its a bad attitude but don't stone me ) Not that my brother is a doctor and all-knowing (because he is not), he says you don't need to and comes to the same conclusion that its too much work of documenting what you eat everyday. But I do know its the right thing to do. Perhaps, I can start out by doing this to try to get into a good habit.

Is this normal? Never head that fluid evaporation in the band was normal. New to me...but that is why I'm on here is to learn more about this tool. Thoughts?

Haha...I know I do....and why shouldn't I...its my health and safety at stake. We should be educated on what is going on inside our body. No different than a doctor giving us a pill....and we asked him what it is...but he won't tell us.

What are SF popcicles and no...I haven't bought broth but do have a lot of chicken Flavored Ramen Noodle packets that we have saved because we never use the flavoring for the Ramen Noodles. P.S. Can you just go to the store and buy Broth? Never done that before....I always thought broth came with a Soup and that you couldn't buy it separately.

In terms of transitioning to regular life post surgery, have you gotten to the point....where living life with the band is normal and predictable? My brother says no because the band does what it wants and you always have to think about eating....chewing properly, small portions and listening to what the band will let you do (ect..). I guess I'm hoping (that if what my brother says is true) that he is wrong...and a lot of this stuff will be second nature and living with this band won't be high maintenance and drama every time you have to eat. Thoughts/Opinions?

Congrats on your surgery Monday. Please keep us informed. Lord, we pray for Protection, Saftey and Wisdom to know how to effectively use this tool inside her. In Jesus Name We Pray ~ Amen. I have an aftercare doctor 4 hours away....but I recently met my brothers LB Doctor who is only an hour away. My brother is going to ask him if he wouldn't mind doing me a favor by helping me with my aftercare.

Where are you....I pray you are alright. I have my surgery in 4 days from now. Lord...I pray for my sister that everything is ok. We send legions of angels to cover and surround her right now. We pray for a quick healing and adjustment with this new band inside her. We pray for wisdom and strategies for her to make a living with the band feel normal. You said in Your Word.....you have not because you ask not....and we asking for these things right now for our Sister in Christ. In Jesus Name we pray ~Amen !

How are they different...please explain as I'm sure many of us can benefit from your knowledge.

Anything else that you have learned? I've learned alot from even your last post. Thanks Kelly !

Would you mind expounding on what you mean by your post? I'm sure all of us would greatly appreciate your insight as we want to know what we are thoroughly getting into. I know for me...I'm getting the band in 4 days (still can't believe I'm doing this....little scary...but do it afraid right?_ Thanks Sis, MD

Has it been difficult adjusting to the new life with the band? Would love to here specifics from you. Blessings KH!!

Congrats....I'm getting banded by him in 5 days (Oh...NO ) P.S. Yes...JoAnn is straightforward and doesn't "push people" to get the surgery. She was also banded by him I believe...

I will be going 2 days before you. In fact, if you are arriving on the 18th for blood-work around 1:30pm...I should be leaving the hospital around then after staying 1 day in the hospital after surgery. After leaving on the 18th, we are staying an extra day at the Marriott (just in case something goes wrong one more day) and then proceed to back to the airport on Friday. My wife and dad are coming with me which I'm so thankful for. Blessings Elizabeth !

How is it going for you? How much weight-loss so far? Has been the transition to band life been difficult for you? Is it difficult to transition to eating smaller amounts of food. I'm getting banded by Dr. Kuri in 5 days and getting a little nervous. I talked to Mark (from Seattle who banded by him 4 months ago) yesterday and he has already lost 60 lbs

All I know is that my brother says his band is VERY UNPREDICTABLE and "does what it wants". He went from 429lbs to 155lbs. He just had that skin surgery today and is recovering from the anestetia as we speak.

In YOUR opinion, why do you think you only lost 20lbs in 3 years? Surgeon related? Issues with the band? Bad food choices ? Lack of exercise? I'm curious as I can (as many others) can learn from you. Blessings, MD

I've done a lot of research on the surgery and have watched this surgery change my brothers life. He is literally HALF THE MAN he used to be. I'm so happy for him as he gets excited to try on cloths and girls looking at him.

I'm getting the surgery in 11 days and I wouldn't do it. However, given time, maturity with the band, comfortability, doctor's approval, and past results, I can see where one could feel at peace with doing it. Just buyer beware and know what you are getting into. Again, consult your doctor.

Although I wouldn't do it personally, my brother (who was 429lbs and is now 155) does it often. He has had the band for 7 years now and pretty much knows what he can get "away with" and what he can't get away with in terms of unfills. Fundamentally the answer to this question SHOULD BE NO. Its not good habit to do this. But becareful of being "too legalistic" with the topic. Just work it out with your doctor and see what is best for you.If it were me....I would play the safe card an not do it personally. Its just like when I was in graduate school studying for an exam. Fundamentally, I should have started a month before the test to study to get a good grade. But after going to school long enough, I knew what I could "get away with" to still leave enough time to get an "A" on the test. At a glance, this strategy or approach to studying the exam....may not work for many....but it sure worked for me. Bottom line...work this out between you and your doctor to see what IS BEST FOR YOU. We will all have opinions on this (as you have seen on this thread here) but you need to work this out with your doctor, yourself, your mate and your God. Just know that its not "text book" to get unfills for convenience and there could be unintended consequences for getting a convenient unfill.

I will be 6 days after you. Best of luck and may God's peace and protection cover you during your entire surgery and aftercare. P.S. How were you able to lose all that weight before surgery. Nice job girl...I'm proud of you.

Hey Liz: My brother got the band done and he went from 429lbs to 155lbs. And one thing that I've observed (and learned from) is he let the band BE THE BOSS. He doesn't force or fight the band....he lets it tell him what to do. Its like with people in life.....you can FORCE YOUR WAY on people...and chances are you won't bare the fruit of healthy relationships(if you do). Comparatively....FORCING YOUR WAY with the band and always getting what YOU WANT.... positions you to not be successful with the band. I'm not saying you are doing this (trust me...i'm not). But rather...sharing some wisdom that I've learned from my brother....and could encourage you if the situation fits with your unique situation. I FEEL YOUR PAIN....AS MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU. But if there is anything I can encourage you with is.....PLEASE DON'T QUIT SIS....we are here to encouage and help you...as well as your doctor and support staff. Respectfully submitted, MD

#1 - Pray to God for Guidance and (in the meantime) pray that God would give wisdom to the doctors so they could provide the right solution for you that will correct your problem. You have not because you ASK NOT (through prayer) is what the Word says. #2 Your health and saftey is #1 priority. It would be hard for me (who hasn't gotten the surgery yet) to guide you. But...if I lost all weight like you....(and despite the problems....you still really wanted to keep the band).....I would always error on the side of safety and get it removed. Please know that I share this ....wanting you to KEEP THE BAND....(as I can feel your pain ...if you had to give it up). But saftey should be always priority #1. Because (after all) you are special and lovely in God's sight Sis In closing...don't quit sis....my heart goes out for you. Know that you have us here to encourage and support you. Warmest regards, MD

They don't want you to lose more weight because the more you lose they more they feel insecure when they are around you. Your glowing from ear to ear (because of your weight loss) and they keep on getting more and more insecure.

In short, I love to work out and sweat (please don't feel grossed out by this). When I work out a lot I feel this euphoria and big time sense of well being. I've been like this when I was thin and running 15 miles a week back in 2001-2004. Many times when I play basketball, I wear multiple layers of clothing. This is intentional because of how good I feel and my desire to lose more weight because of the extra heat it puts on my body. My question is this Because I wear multiple layers of clothing when I work out (and love going to the steam room after I work out), I'm really wondering if I need to be BIG TIME concerned with my hydration? Common sense says YES....but again...I've never had lap band surgery before and don't know the full "fall out" effects that I may need to be aware of. I hear so many people talk about the importance of needing to be hydrated....and then thought to myself....wait....I love working out and sweating....maybe I need to be extra cautious here because....a lot of times I work out and don't even think about my hydration because working out is so second nature to me. I always have a bottle of Water with me (and refill it) when I work out....but again....it sounds like (given the amount that I sweat during working out and the steam room), I may need to SERIOUSLY watch out for this. P.S. Just concerned that I might unconsciously position myself where something could go wrong. Again...I've been working out since I was 16....so this is a big routine and habit that I have at my local YMCA. Seems I need to drink a lot more water...or stop wearing the extra layers of clothing and going to the steam room....now that I'm expressing all of this out Thoughts/Opinions?