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You are all doing great! I have lost way more than I thought I would have at this point, and I am thrilled about it! Headed to Key West for New Year's and am hoping to be at 170 by then (90 pounds down!!!) and it is actually a realistic goal at this point! I feel happier than I have in years...more than the weight I've lost, it's the "weight on my shoulders" of being self-conscious and uncomfortable all the time that I am most happy to have lost. Keep up the good work!

Men are certainly good at those types of "compliments," but so are women! At the point I had lost 40 pounds, I saw a coworker I hadn't seen in a while and she told me my "nose looked thinner." I wanted to punch her in HER nose.

I live near Harrisonburg, VA and am a marketing and public relations director for a hospital.

I just got my fifth fill yesterday and I think I'm very near my sweet spot, which is exciting. I am truly in awe of my band and how much it has changed my life for the better. Congrats to you all on your successes to this point!

Wine! Maybe not a food to some, but for me it is crucial!

What was the date of your surgery? April 21, 2010...3 months ago How healthy did you/do you eat? I eat healthy overall. I am a vegetarian and focus on protein from beans, soy, nuts, etc. I do eat healthy, complex carbs and don't believe in the "no carb" thing...couldn't really do that as a vegetarian anyway. I will treat myself sometimes...especially with wine! How much do you exercise? I recently joined Curves and really like it and have been doing that 4x a week. I also do a lot of yard work and gardening. How much have you lost? 47 pounds including a two-week pre-op diet. Are you happy with your results? Absolutely! Other than marrying my husband (today is our 4th anniversary!) it's the best decision I've ever made.

I can't believe today marks three months since my surgery! So much has changed in just three months--I'm in smaller clothes, I feel so much better and have so much more energy, I can cross my legs again with no problem, high heels don't hurt as much, and I even started exercising...the thing I hated most in the world (and I have to admit it isn't even that bad anymore!). I haven't lost much recently and it gets me discouraged, but I know 47 pounds in three months (plus the two week pre-op liquid diet) is something to be proud of, so I just have to remember that and keep on going. I don't post often, but I'm always checking in. You are all very inspiring and you "keep me honest," so thank you.

Congratulations NewMeComing! That is a great accomplishment! I hit the 40-pounds-lost mark this morning and am thrilled as well! We all have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for! Have a great weekend everyone!

I was banded April 21 and am down 39.4 pounds (can't round it to 40 yet, that would be cheating...but I can't wait!). I can eat anything I've tried, just in small amounts. Had a piece of pizza for dinner last night as a special treat and am down in weight today...turns out by body likes pizza...or I needed to up my calories some to shock my body and that did it. You are all doing fantastic! Keep up the good work!

I was banded on April 21 and had my first fill less than a weekago. I'm down 36 pounds as of this morning and so, so happy with that. I feel better about myself than I have in years, and there is still so much more to look forward to. Congrats to you all on your hard work and successes!

I was banded a little over a month ago and haven't yet had a fill, so my answers may change once I have. I do have a bit of restriction now, though. I have had some wine and a couple martinis since I was banded. My physician's office knows this and just said to do everything in moderation. I definitely drink less than I did prior to surgery, and I am thrilled with my loss so far, so I'm going to continue to enjoy life and have a drink once in a while or even some pizza. awhenry-- I had half a piece of thin crust pizza one evening and just ate it slowly and savored it...it went down fine, but, again, I don't have a fill. You can also consider making pizzas on whole wheat pita or a whole wheat tortilla after surgery. Again, this might not work for everyone, but if they are toasted and you chew and eat slowly, they should go down fine. I think it's thick, chewy crust that would give people problems. Some people completely avoid carbs, and I respect that and think they are amazing, but that's not me. I am a vegetarian and see the value in whole carbs, though I haven't had any "white" carbs since surgery. So far, I'm losing more than 2 pounds a week without a fill...if that stops, I'll cut out more carbs. I think the important thing is to always make sure you get all your Protein, whether you are eating carbs or not.

Hi TRK! Congrats on your great weight loss. I am actually about to head to my first support group meeting now...in Virginia, so no help to you, but I was banded the day before you and we are at very similar weights, so I'd be happy to be your "buddy" through this process if you want one. Let me know and I hope you find a support group near your home...I'm sure there are many.

Most importantly...having babies and being healthy to raise them and play with them. And then the vain, but fun, things... Wearing really, really expensive designer jeans (my dad made a deal with me that he'd buy one leg if I hit a size 8 or 10 (and he is not a big spender!)...I'll hit my husband up for the other leg!) Buying high black boots since they'll finally fit over my calves. Delving into the bins of clothes in my attic I sorted through last night. Each bin is now by size and it will be like Christmas each time I move on to another one. Can't believe I kept all those 16s, 14s, 12s, 10s...and even some 8s...but I'm glad I did! Going back to my hometown and not being ashamed when I see I people from high school.

My dr's office said Mederma is the best stuff out there for the scars...it won't make them totally disappear, but it will help. They also recommended cocoa butter for stretch marks and to help tighten the skin. I've been using both at least twice a day...it might not work, but it's worth a try!

Everyone is doing awesome! Today is my one-month anniversary and I am so thrilled with how things are going. I still have two weeks until my first fill, but I'm making due on smaller portions. I saw some folks I haven't seen in a while last week. They don't know about the surgery, or even that I am trying to lose weight, and the minute I walked in the door they all couldn't believe I'd "lost so much weight." I didn't think anyone would really notice at this point, but they did and it was great!!! Those things make half a cup of food at a meal more doable!

Hi April Bandsters! Everyone is doing so great! It seems you all have less time to wait for that first fill than I do...I don't get one until June 7th and was banded on April 21st...oh, well. At this point, I'm able to eat everything I've tried. I was really on track and losing weight, but we are in the middle of spending two weeks with my in-laws and between being away from my normal routine, the parties, and meeting old friends for dinners out, I haven't lost any more in the week and a half we've been here. The amazing thing is that I haven't gained, either. In a prior life I'd be up another 5 pounds so I guess we have to count our blessings. If I can lose just another 3 pounds to get to 30 down by the end of this month I would be thrilled. Keep it up everyone!

Neat thread! I'm Abbie. I'm 31 and was banded the day after my birthday, on April 21. I live in Virginia and do marketing and public relations for a hospital. I've been married to my wonderful husband Ryan for almost 4 years. No kids yet, but that is the plan after I lose the weight I want/need to...I want to be healthy before we start a family. So, for now, our only child is a very hairy, rambunctious five-month-old goldendoodle. So far, I am very happy with banded life and am liking watching the scale move in the right direction for once! I wish you all the best and look forward to going through this journey with all of you!

I'm a vegetarian and would be absolutely LOST without beans! I eat them for almost every meal at this point, and I've been losing just fine without restriction, including 4 pounds in the past 5 days (my first 5 days on mushies). Beans are so good for you, and I talked at length with my dietitian about them. She is absolutely fine with beans as a source of Protein for me. Yes, they have more carbs in them than meat, but as long as I keep track of where I am with my carbs each day, it is fine. Soon, I'll be off mushies and can add in soy, tofu, and "veggie" meats in addition to beans and cheese, but beans are working just fine for me at this point. I think by so severely limiting your options, your doctor could cause you to "cheat" more than if you were allowed a bit of variety. If I could only eat chicken day in and day out, you can bet I'd be considering some ice cream and chips out of boredom!

My physician says one year, and I thought that was the norm, so you may be able to find another physician that would allow 1 year instead of 2. They do this so you can give your band time to work, and that makes sense to me. I, too, want to have children and that was my main reason for getting the band. I don't believe I have fertility problems at this point, but I know it will be healthier for me and a baby if I am at a healthier weight when we decide to start trying. Even if you have to wait 2 years, you will only be 30 and your health will be in a good place for you and your child...and you'll be better able to run around after him/her once the baby arrives! Good luck with everything!

If you can stick with it for 2-3 days, you will wake up the next morning and not feel as hungry...at least that happened to me, and for a lot of others who I've seen post about it. It's like you go through withdrawal and then it gets easier. I swear it won't be as hard as it was the first day for the entire two weeks. Just get back on the wagon and look forward to surgery...it'll be here before you know it.

My surgery was 2 weeks ago. I started on mushies two days ago. I actually think mushies is harder than the liquids, as I can only have 1/2 cup at a time instead of a full cup of the liquids. I have hunger and my stomach growls, too. I think drinking a ton of Water has helped, and making sure you get your Protein. I like Muscle Milk Light and the unjury Proteins (they have an unflavored one). So, even though I'm on mushies I've been using protein in them and it has helped a lot. We'll all get there and just have to rely on one another. I'm a month out from my first fill as well. But, just think...if we can get through this what we what we can do with some restriction!

I had my two-week post-surgery appointment yesterday and was approved to move on to soft foods. Being a vegetarian, protein is really important for me. They had a great idea--put a scoop or two of unflavored protein (I like Unjury a lot) in a shaker jar (like the kind they use for powdered sugar or parm cheese at a pizza place) and just sprinkle the protein on everything you eat throughout the day. Make a point to finish the shaker by the end of the day, and you've added 20 or 40 g of protein without doing anything else. When you shake it on like that, you really can't taste it or notice it at all...that, or I'm just so happy to have soft food again that I don't care!

I'm getting banded tomorrow, and I think it's normal to have second thoughts and to be nervous...it is surgery, after all. I think we would be crazy if we weren't somewhat nervous. For me, though, the excitement for what life has in store AFTER surgery is what we should all focus on. We have years of better health, having and playing with children, wearing amazing designer jeans (forgive me, I can't wait for that), improved confidence, and so much more. Technology has given us a tool to help us get to where we want to be, and we are blessed to have this opportunity. The decision to do it is different for everyone, but I am ready to go in there tomorrow and start the rest of my life. If you are having second thoughts or are nervous, I would recommend picking some blogs written by bandsters and reading them from the beginning. There are some good ones at Blogger. To see others' successes and failures is good and reassuring, and has made my two weeks of liquids go by much easier...as has the weight loss from it! Good luck to you all!

Weyers Cave?!! We are 5 minutes from Weyers Cave, in Fort Defiance...a tiny little place with one stop light! I bet your family knows where it is! It's a small world!

Hi! I'm Abbie and am from northwestern Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville. I'm getting banded on April 21st and am just so excited! I'm on my fifth day of full liquids (have to do that for 14 days prior to surgery!) and it hasn't really been that bad. I'm staying busy in the garden and that has helped. Do you all have names for your bands? My husband and I brainstormed last night and came up with several: -Lappy Gilmore -Tracy Chapband (which would be good, as then we can make up new words to "Fast Car" as if the band is singing to me...like "Abbie's gonna throw up, ate too fast and I can't control it" to the tune of "You got a fast car, I want a ticket to anywhere..." -Neil Diamband -Barbra Streiband -Jennifer Bandiston I think I've settled on Lappy Gilmore! Though I will still probably think of my band singing Tracy Chapman songs to me while I PB and that will make me laugh. I look forward to this journey with all of you and am happy we can lend each other support!