season4change

That's great! Congratulations! I'm approaching 100 lbs too and I can't wait to get to that first goal of mine. You give me inspiration to keep on going! :cool:

I know of someone in my live support group who has never had a fill and I think he was banded about a year ago. If you can get your mind set to where you can have control and are losing weight, then there's no harm to not having a fill. I was banded on Nov 2, 2010 and have lost about 90 lbs so far. I know that sounds like a lot for such a short period of time, but when you are larger the weight comes off faster in the begining. My initial weight was 359 lbs. I too was worried about having a fill, yet I could see the pros and cons. After all, I didn't go to all this trouble to have the surgery without utilizing the tool. So, I discussed my concerns with my doctor and he said we could go with a very small fill and see how I feel. That was just enough to give me that extra restriction I needed as I felt I was starting to get a little too hungry inbetween meals. A couple months later when I went to the doctor I still had a concern about getting another fill but I was also concerned that I was starting to eat larger quantities. Some people say that when you lose the weight the band will get looser. So once again we went with a small fill. While I'm happy that I did it, I do have to be more careful about eating certain foods but that is my reminder... so it works out in the end. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you can do it on your own, there is nothing wrong with that but do keep in mind that your band is a tool so don't be afraid to use it to it's potential if needed. Best of luck to you!

Good for you! Keep up the good work! Isn't it great to drop those sizes? I had put on a pair of pajama's that I had at my highest weight without thinking because usually I wear nightgowns and they don't really matter if they are big. These were 2 piece pj's and the bottoms fell right off of me, lol! I just laughed. I couldn't believe how big they looked. Good luck at your new job! Wise choice not to be around that fast food!!

Woo-hoo, look at you!!! I'll bet that made you feel good when you were able to do all that hiking and not feel like you'd keel over! LOL! I have lots more weight to lose because my starting weight was so much higher but I too notice that I don't get out of breath like I did before. It's such a good feeling! I use to have to stop after a block to catch my breath. As for using the "mental" restriction rather than the "physical", if you can do it, that's great. Not everyone can. I think I was better at it in the beginning. Keep up the good work!

Good for you melloways! I know what you mean about stalking the site in the beginning too, I suppose that is normal. Are you still walking around NYC?

Had my doctor appointment today and wasn't sure if I wanted another fill. I do show restriction but I've also noticed that I'm eating more than I did after having the surgery. However I've also experienced a few times where I have thrown up because something has gotten stuck, so... doc and I agreed to just do a "little" fill.

Had my doctor appointment today and wasn't sure if I wanted another fill. I do show restriction but I've also noticed that I'm eating more than I did after having the surgery. However I've also experienced a few times where I have thrown up because something has gotten stuck, so... doc and I agreed to just do a "little" fill.

Sure, though I've been sloppy since I've gotten back from my cruise... so I'll post a sampling of my pre-cruise eatting habits. Breakfast - Either 1 whole egg with a sprinkling of lowfat cheddar cheese or 2 egg equiv. of eggbeaters. I like the southwestern style and sometimes I add lowfat cheese to it to make it like an omlet. Breakfast - another option is cold cereal (I don't like hot cereal). I buy high protien cereal individually wrapped in single servings from bariatric choice. I like the Kay's Better Balance Brand Breakfast - when I'm in a hurry I grab a protien bar Morning snack - yes, I'm the kind of person who must have 3 snacks a day. I can't make it on just 3 meals. I buy individually wrapped 100 calorie pack almonds from the grocery store. Or I might have a protien bar or a yogurt Lunch - might be soup or a salad which I add 1 or 2 oz of ham or chicken with low fat dressing, sometimes low fat cheese too Afternoon snack - I'm a cheese lover so once again I might have lowfat cheese. I buy cracker barrel singles 2% cheese or I have lowfat soft cheese like laughing cow. I also buy high protien chips from bariatric choice. Kays Better Balance makes some good ones. It really satisfies my need to crunch on something. Another snack I might have is fresh fruit or applesauce (unsweetened) Dinner - often it is 3 oz of fish with 1 oz dried pasta cooked and then sprinkled with parm cheese (no oil or butter). Sometimes I have chicken but I have to be careful with it as it can get stuck. I've also eatten veggie burgers, veggie barbecue style riblets. I will order steak in a restaurant and have a small portion. Those are just a few examples. I try to vary it to keep it interesting. Dessert: fat free jello or skinny cow ice cream sandwiches or ice pops Well gotta run to a dentist appointment but if you have more questions, let me know.

Good for you! I may need to rethink the 50 lb goals, or maybe I'll do the next one at 50 and then instead of the 3rd at 50, I'll do two at 25. That sounds good now that I wrote it! LOL! Keep up the good work! Judy

Hey everyone, I haven't posted in a long time. I'm now down 91 lbs since my highest weight at my consult last summer (that includes 11 lbs presurgical weightloss). Surgery date was Nov 2nd. I'm almost to my 1st goal of losing 100 lbs! Congrats to everyone who has lost weight, no matter how big or small the numbers are anything in the "less" direction is good news. I won't say it has always been easy. There have been times where I feel like my eating could get out of control very easily, yet other times I'm amazed that I've got the will power I've got since I've never had it before! I've had one fill so far and my next appointment is Thursday of this week. I'm not sure if I should have another fill or not. The good news is that I'm losing the bad news is that I sometimes feel that I'm eating more quanity than I should. I'm always afraid of stretching the pouch. Well I guess these are questions for the doctor! I have had a few occasions of getting stuck and then it comes right back up. It's a horrible feeling, so that's why I'm on the fence about another fill. Good luck to everyone on their continued journey!