Ladybandito

I had 5 post op, now there is 1 that is very, very tiny. The more you lose, the tinier it becomes. I used a little vitamin E from a capsule.

Thanks for the post Jodi. Great job on your goal!

Congrats! Great post to show newbies that you have to work WITH the band. Good for you!

Missy, I just saw these too. So very happy and in awe of you! What an inspiration you are to others (since day 1) and you have got to be so very proud of your personal power! Beautiful!!!

Woot! Woot!

Pls call your surgeon's office. Sounds like you are too tight.

Awesome, Alex!

You can be TOTALLY happy... That's awesome and you are on your way!

I am cold in cooler temps, but man it's great on sweltering days! I'm more comfy than ever!

Interesting thread. I think everyone is right in their own way, just saying it differently. At the right fill level, I am definitely signaled by my band that I am "full" after eating my measured amount. Not in a big huge way, but I look for it and pay attention to it. That said, if I CHOSE to wait a few minutes and then keep eating, I most certainly could... Particularly on non-protein foods. AND, if I CHOSE to eat something more in about 2 hours (which I've done, BTW) that is no problem at all. The difference is that the band, at the right fill, can help you from feeling the need to go root in' for food like so many of us used to do. That, with the desire to work with the band, equals success. You can do this. You'll find your way with your doctor's help. Don't expect too much too soon, remember this is a life change. It does get so much easier.

Yay! Happy for you!

Woot, woot, welcome to band-land!

That is too cute. Nice ex.

Chrissy, I take sublingual b12 regularly, you can find it about anywhere. I can only imagine how a 4am workout would really get your day off to an energetic start. Props to you. SueBee, glad you got through the scope-prep! I've finally gotten beyond thinking about what I'm going to do ... And doing it. I joined Sparkpeople.com... A free online group that lets you set goals, tracks, and provides food choices. I also, and I would like a drumroll here please.... Joined an exercise class!!!! Yay, yay, yay, for me. After a lot of research (haha, "thinking about it"), I joined a Pilates class. It is not as easy as it looks by far, and you can really feel it. I was inspired by a blog balled Phat Pilates, where the gal transformed herself. Wishing you all a wonderful and motivated weekend. NJ, JDI, Nicole, Horsegirl, everyone.... Love and hugs to you.

Nothing at time of surgery. Then 2 cc for first fill about a month out.

Awesome! You're doing great.

Oh honey I feel for you. I also quit. It will not be as hard as you think. Get an e-cig if it gets tough, no nicotine is the goal and they make some with zero. Fruit juice and lots and lots and lots of water helped me. I will tell you, it feels great to be slimmer and smell great all day too!

You too, SueBee! Went to Vegas over the weekend with some friends, and rode the zip line over Fremont Street. Something I always wanted to do ... Cross one off the bucket list. Have a good, losing week everyone!

Beautiful, Missy... And you look 10 years younger, too. Cheers to you!

Hi All! Yay for all of us climbing our way out of different predicaments! I'm really liking my latest fill, eating much less and not thinking about food as much. I'm not going to weigh until next week, just because. Found some digestive enzymes at the health food store which are helping me greatly with the bloat I was experiencing. Time to be thinking about swimsuits... That's my motivation for now. I've read a lot of posts on this forum about people losing more weight in their second year than in their first... I like that with the band the losses continue on!

Voted for you... Good luck Jessica!!

Hi Cajun, you've probably had your surgery already as you were scheduled for February. I hope you are doing well and did, indeed, quit smoking. I was a smoker before surgery, quit for about six weeks after my Jan 2012 surgery, and started again until I quit for good around the holidays. I really wish I would have just stayed quit at the beginning; it kind of put me in a plateau weight-loss wise at a time when I "was getting used to the band," instead of when you're really going-ho at the beginning. Feeling and smelling clean in smaller size clothing is really a thrill for me, not to mention all the positives you already know about quitting smoking. BTW, smoking produces a great deal of acid in your stomach, which can aggravate your band or create reflux symptoms or irritations that could lead to ulcers or erosion. That's what my doc told me, anyway. I so totally know how hard it is to give up the smokes, but this is your year to own your power! Hugs to you.

Well, I got my fill on Wednesday. Was actually up about 3 pounds since last weigh in and he put in .5 cc, so now I have 3.3 cc in my band. Today is only 2 days in, but it feels really good and I hope it holds. I have a confession to make. I was a smoker before the surgery and quit a little before, and for a little bit after (about 6 weeks). I quit again a while back and it's a double demon trying not to snack, and being constipated from not smoking (sorry if that's TMI, but that's what happens to me). I was honest with my surgeon and told him, and we both agreed that relatively I'm doing extremely well and making great headway in becoming more healthy. How is everyone else doing? NJ? Meredith? Chrissy? Nicole? Nicki? Check in, ladies! I miss you!

Seeds can sometimes get kind of clogged in the band. Could be what happened to you, and now it's passed through.

I use a straw.