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So I just wanted to share something real quick with fellow walkers. A majority of my exercise is "power walking" 4-6 times a week for a lil over an hour. I started off at 30-40 mins and a few weeks ago pushed myself to walk longer. After I walked an hour and 15 mins one night my legs were sooo sore(in a good way) but my sneakers were not in the best shape anymore either. So I could really feel the shock in my knees. So the next day I set out to get some good walking shoes. Naturally..I steered towards the big fad of shapeups by skechers. I was sooo excited for these. Well..that was short lived. I have a high arch so I wasn't walking in them right and I almost fell, and I stand normally leaning a smidge to the outsides of my soles. So apparently shape ups are NOT for everyone. What a disappointment. So I found a another pair instead to recommend..they're the reebok tone ups. They don't have the big platform. Just padding on the ball and heel..looks a lil more fashionable. Anyone looking for a good pair of sneakers..I SWEAR by these..they're like walking on air..I find myself walking faster and longer anywhere I go!! Wearing them right now at work and I've never moved this fast with ease lol..check em out

I bought Biggest Loser Power Sculpt and finally started it. It kicked my butt...I couldn't do all of the moves....Not that Jullian was going fast....she wasn't...It's a great workout. I'm hoping to master the moves by the time I'm done with the beginning phase and on to the second phase.(Three Weeks)... I really hope I can see a difference in 3 weeks. Has anyone else done this or Tae Bo Cardio? What results did you see in inches and pounds. Thank you Bren

this is a long article, so here is an excerpt: "If you offer your body something that tastes like a lot of calories, but it isn't there, your body is alerted to the possibility that there is something there and it will search for the calories promised but not delivered," Fowler says. _____________________________________________ Drink More Diet Soda, Gain More Weight? Overweight Risk Soars 41% With Each Daily Can of Diet Soft Drink By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Medical News Reviewed by Charlotte Grayson Mathis, MD June 13, 2005 -- People who drink diet soft drinks don't lose weight. In fact, they gain weight, a new study shows. The findings come from eight years of data collected by Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, and colleagues at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio. Fowler reported the data at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego. "What didn't surprise us was that total soft drink use was linked to overweight and obesity," Fowler tells WebMD. "What was surprising was when we looked at people only drinking diet soft drinks, their risk of obesity was even higher." In fact, when the researchers took a closer look at their data, they found that nearly all the obesity risk from soft drinks came from diet sodas. "There was a 41% increase in risk of being overweight for every can or bottle of diet soft drink a person consumes each day," Fowler says. More Diet Drinks, More Weight Gain Fowler's team looked at seven to eight years of data on 1,550 Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white Americans aged 25 to 64. Of the 622 study participants who were of normal weight at the beginning of the study, about a third became overweight or obese. For regular soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 26% for up to 1/2 can each day 30.4% for 1/2 to one can each day 32.8% for 1 to 2 cans each day 47.2% for more than 2 cans each day. For diet soft-drink drinkers, the risk of becoming overweight or obese was: 36.5% for up to 1/2 can each day 37.5% for 1/2 to one can each day 54.5% for 1 to 2 cans each day 57.1% for more than 2 cans each day. For each can of diet soft drink consumed each day, a person's risk of obesity went up 41%. Diet Soda No Smoking Gun Fowler is quick to note that a study of this kind does not prove that diet soda causes obesity. More likely, she says, it shows that something linked to diet soda drinking is also linked to obesity. "One possible part of the explanation is that people who see they are beginning to gain weight may be more likely to switch from regular to diet soda," Fowler suggests. "But despite their switching, their weight may continue to grow for other reasons. So diet soft-drink use is a marker for overweight and obesity." Why? Nutrition expert Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, puts it in a nutshell. "You have to look at what's on your plate, not just what's in your glass," Bonci tells WebMD. People often mistake diet drinks for diets, says Bonci, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and nutrition consultant to college and professional sports teams and to the Pittsburgh Ballet. "A lot of people say, 'I am drinking a diet soft drink because that is better for me. But soft drinks by themselves are not the root of America's obesity problem," she says. "You can't go into a fast-food restaurant and say, 'Oh, it's OK because I had diet soda.' If you don't do anything else but switch to a diet soft drink, you are not going to lose weight." The Mad Hatter Theory "Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, "so I can't take more." "You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter: "It's very easy to take more than nothing." Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland There is actually a way that diet drinks could contribute to weight gain, Fowler suggests. She remembers being struck by the scene in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in which Alice is offended because she is offered tea but is given none -- even though she hadn't asked for tea in the first place. So she helps herself to tea and bread and butter. That may be just what happens when we offer our bodies the sweet taste of diet drinks, but give them no calories. Fowler points to a recent study in which feeding artificial sweeteners to rat pups made them crave more calories than animals fed real sugar. "If you offer your body something that tastes like a lot of calories, but it isn't there, your body is alerted to the possibility that there is something there and it will search for the calories promised but not delivered," Fowler says. Perhaps, Bonci says, our bodies are smarter than we think. "People think they can just fool the body. But maybe the body isn't fooled," she says. "If you are not giving your body those calories you promised it, maybe your body will retaliate by wanting more calories. Some soft drink studies do suggest that diet drinks stimulate appetite." SOURCES: Fowler, S.P. 65th Annual Scientific Sessions, American Diabetes Association, San Diego, June 10-14, 2005; Abstract 1058-P. Sharon P. Fowler, MPH, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine, San Antonio. Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director, sports nutrition, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. WebMD News: "Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts.""Artificial Sweeteners May Damage Diet Efforts." Davidson, T.L. International Journal of Obesity, July 2004; vol 28: pp 933-955.

I'm about a month post-op and so far no regrets! I go for a fill on July 28th and I'm very excited about that. I haven't even found "banster hell" to be that hellish (Clear liquids after surgery wasn't that fun, but it was just for 3 days and it went by fast). I lost 20 pounds pre-op and around 13 pounds post op (although I am out of town so I haven't weighed myself in over a week - I usually weigh everyday). I have been working out everyday and sticking to my Proteins (and between 600-900 calories a day) so I'm hoping for a happy surprise when I go home next week! I'm excited to have my band and to start my new life!

With PB'ing you are simply belching and food comes up. It is not retching like when you vomit so the actual act of PB'ing is not as stressful to your stomach/band. But yes, if you make a habit of eating fast, not chewing well and eating too much etc. (all of which can lead to PB'ing), then you can damage your band as well.

I bowl on Thursday nights and usually have a salad from McDonalds (about 6 weeks post-op no fill yet) and that does just fine. Last night McDonalds was busy so I went to Jack In The Box and imagine my surprise when they said they dont do salads so I decided to have the chicken fita pita, it took me 45 min to eat because I took tiny bites and chewed real well. Needless to say that didnt work, about 1.5 hrs after I ate I started having upper tummy pain, I thought I was just over doing bowling so I continued on. Came home went to bed was fine this morning until I had my egg and 1 piece of bacon about 30 minutes later the pain was back and not going away. I called my Dr and found out that Fast food chicken is BAD cause it is dry and "Rubberie" all these years I thought I was doing good when I was on one of my many diets. Today Im on Clear liquids, tomorrow I can advance to soft foods again. Imagine my surprise when my Dr said if I have to do fast food do a hamburger just throw out the bun! Ok first lesson I get my first fill on Wednesday and I cant wait! I am needing my tool to help me with portion control, Ive been eating healthy stuff just to big a portions. Thanks for listening

You have received excellent advice so far. I concur! You bite is too big, or you didn't chew enough, or you ate too fast if you get that pain. That pain is a sign that one of the above has happened. You may also want to adjust your diet a bit before running back for an unfill. In your mind, go back to post-op and kind of start over, without the evil Clear liquids, anyway. Do Soup for a meal, or get your protien shakes back out for Breakfast. Take advantage of this extra restriction! Watch your calories...don't get into the empty liquid calories habit. Just ease back into "grown-up" bandster foods. You will lose some weight and that fill will lossen up a bit. Be careful, your band is biting back, and it will win if you don't eat properly! Good luck!

There was a thread here a few weeks ago that talked about baning fast food and advertising. I just found this article today and I think it's worth the read. Very interesting. http://www.slate.com/id/2139941/nav/tap1/?GT1=8019

ok so yesterday was my consultation with Dr, Geiss he is so sweet and nice i really liked him , i picked him cause he has done over 3000 surgery's for the lapband when i got there i first met with the nurse practiciner who went over what i could consume and cannot consume and how the lapband works , then she went over and got me weighed and i had a heavy sweater jacket on with sneakers so it read 253 pounds ! yikes ! so then dr geiss greeted me and i went into his office with my husband he asked me how long i been dieting and why do i want to have the lapband surgery , i told him how i am depressed and tired of being fat . He told me how great my insurance is and said he never has a problem with it , he also said they usually approve everyone he thinks is a good candidate and he said i am a great candidate and i will do great. also a huge plus is my insurance doesnt require a 6month diet with your doctor prior to surgery so i was happy about that , he says they are also so fast to approve they will approve within a week so i could get this surgery by the end of next month whooohoo. so then i asked dr geiss about the realize band and he told me he doesnt like that band that the lapband is more reliable and better so i took his word he then gave me all the tests i need to complete which is the following blood work to see a psycologist a nutritionist which will be out of pocket 250 dollars but my insurance covers everything eles =) cardiologist / ekg, echo, stress test pulmonary consult for pulmonary function test if he thinks i need sleep apnea test then i will go for it upper GI test my weight history documented and then 2 weeks prior to surgery i need to take a education class then i get a surgery date if im approved which he has no doubt so before i went i said to myself id this something i really want ? will this help me ? i asked my self a series of questions and came to the conclusion that i do need this surgery so i can be healthy and be me again! if i dont i will just continue to do my bad habits and gain weight and be depressed forever i want nothing more then to be healthy happy and skinny

My name is Jenn and I'm 30 years old. I'm 5'1" and I weigh 226lbs. I'm scheduled for the sleeve on Feb 9th at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ. I wasn't always overweight, but I have been for about the past 10 years. When I started college it was easier to stop at fast food places in between classes than it was to go home and eat. I didn't think it would be a problem as I never really had a problem being overweight. WRONG! I didn't know that I had an underlying thyroid condition until I really started gaining. Once I got my thyroid levels under control I thought that it would be easy to take the weight off...WRONG again! The past few years have been the worst with my weight. I've tried WW, low carb, low fat, counting calories, meds, and I even went to the Center for Medical Weight Loss. I was always able to lose the weight, but I'd be killing myself in the process. I'd wake up really early to exercise and follow the diets and by the time work was over I was ready to crash. I felt like I had to work 10x as ha d to lose half the weight a normal person would lose. I started thinking about WLS and was going to get the band, but then my sister who is a nurse came to a seminar with me. She said that if she was going to do surgery she would do the sleeve. I began doing more research and decided this was best for me. I had my first consult on Dec 11th. I've done all my required things for ins and was approved on Jan 6th. I have to do pre-admission testing within the next week or two. I'm scheduled for Feb 9th and I can't wait to get my life back! I have the best support system. My mom is excited for me, my boyfriend although very nervous couldn't be more supportive, and people who I thought would be negative surprisingly weren't. That definitely made this wait til surgery even easier.

I swear, when I was in TJ I felt like Dorothy in Oz and you guys were the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tinman, Toto. Shelly, I saw your face in a crystal ball! I just kept thinking about you guys and wondering how I got in this predicament. Yes, big restriction. Had 2 baby PBs from just liquid. I'm supposed to be sleeping but my antibiotics are stuck in my throat, even though I took them piece by piece with choco-milk. Someone told me milk, so maybe I should stuck with plain. Next antibiotic will be with Water because they're just not going down fast enough. Oh, and you guys don't know nothing about gas till you have a port removed! This is way worse than my original surgery. At least they're not foul! Husband is jealous (typical man.)

Hey guys.... hope you are all well, I just got to the fart discussion while reading abour Darcy and Lisa's ordeals so I need to ask, what has happened since? hope both of you are better and the complaints sent. I was hoping to come here and just share my horrible week with you. My baby was in hospital ( ok, she is almost 3 but still my baby). Was a horrible experience. Feeling so helpless! ( she was there for 2 nights, but we waited in the ER for 8 hrs before she was seen, from 11 pm so I count that as the 3rd night.) She is fine now, happy and eating well, and drinking, and really angry, and throwing horrible tantrums, and well, i guess expressing her frustration the only way she can.... But now I have to pick your brains once more..... The last night in the hospital I started having really bad acid reflux, similar to what i had when i became too tight and had some fill out. But I can still eat and drink no problem. The usual pain I used to get if i ate too fast or too big, on the left side of my chest ( just above the boob), has gone for good and was replaced by a bit of pain, and stretchy feeling right in the middle of the abdomen, behind the sternum, at the level where the ribs end. So, has my band moved? Its the only thing that makes sense to me. Unless someone wiser and more experienced tells me otherwise you can tell me that if it had moved i couldnt eat or drink for example.... maybe my acid is just stress? ( woke up choking in acid when i tried to sleep last night, backache from couch today) And I also have this weird hiccups that wake up the neighbourhood and hurt a bit, if i stand up suddenly or pick up something or take out the trash.... and constant burping the brings up the acid again, yuck..... thanks guys..... tellie

I have a 9cc Realize Band, and I had to have filled past the point of 9cc to get good restriction. I was a grazer, not an emotional eater, and I am able to distinguish between head hunger and actual hunger pretty well. Not saying that I don't have head hunger, but I recognize it for what it is. I'm not sure how often it happens with the Lap Band, but there are several Realize Band patients that need more than the 9cc to get good restriction, so I wouldn't necessarily chalk up your hunger to head hunger (or emotional eating) so fast. My doctor does a pressure fill measurement to Realize Band patients who are having trouble finding good restriction, rather than only relying on the saline measurement. Once I had good restriction, I was able to eliminate the grazing, because I was no longer hungry between meals. I eat 1/2 cup solid meals three times/day, one healthy snack, a Protein shake in the early a.m. on the morning I'm heading to the gym before the sun comes up, and lots of liquids in between meals. My weight is coming off at a snail's pace now that I'm getting close to goal, but my clothes are still getting loser and I'm able to move my belts down a notch ever so often, so I know I'm still losing fat. If you're still able to eat good healthy meals, and aren't pb'ing, having reflux, or other signs of being too filled, I'd go in for more adjustments before contemplating revision surgery.

Sorry, I can't be of any help. I was banded on July 21 and am still on my liquid diet. I would however warn you not to eat too soon, not to let situations tempt you. Your band needs time to heal, and that is the reason for the liquid fast. Please be careful. I am in my 4th week of liquid fasting. I am very hungry at times, but will not let food ruin this chance I have to heal. hugs

I really dislike the standard explanation for this - when you can only eat 1/2 cup of food and cant eat bread. If so, I've never had good restriction, yet I'm below goal weight. Good restriction is, I think, when you are able to eat little enough to lose fairly steadily at around 1 or 2lb a week (averaged out, it does come in spurts I think) without being hungry. For some people, that means tiny amounts of food, others like me eat much less than they did but more like a cup at a time. Its totally down to your own personal calories in, calories out equation, although that's within reason, if you were still able to eat 2 cups worth I'd say you need a fill, lol. And when you're at the end of your journey like I am, and just wanting to lose a bit more to fine tune, I dont think ever increasing fills to try to lose 1lb a week is a wise idea, you just dont lose weight that fast when you dont have a lot to lose, and just becuase it takes 4 weeks to lose 1lb does not mean you've insufficient restriction or are eating too much. Just as losing 4lb per week in the early days doesnt mean you're overrestricted or undereating.

Time to start this journey [03 Sep 2006|10:57am] [music | The first time ever I saw your face [03 Sep 2006|10:57am When did it hit me? When Chris said, "think of all the things you would have done in Alaska had you not had a mobility issue"(?) Probably. It all seem to come to synchronicity (great album BTW). Half day at school, I needed to renew my prescriptions and see the doctor about that darn rash. I went to my dentist after school let out and had that off bite drilled down since it hadn't really felt right since doing the new filling. It took but a brief five minutes and I found myself back out in my car and heading towards Main Street. Left. I think I'll get those prescriptions in person rather than waiting for the pharmacy to call them in. Five blocks away and I was parking right next to the front door. How often does that happen? I walked up to the window and signed in and sat down. "Mrs. Reeves did you have an appointment?", a new receptionist peered out from the glass partition, "No I just happened to be in New Port Richey for a dentist appointment and need to have a rash looked at" (TMI I though to myself, too much information) but it seemed to appease her and I waited. Less than ten minutes and I was walking down the hallway past the examination rooms, going, going, to the last room which I know to be my doctor's preferred examination room. Wednesday, he's not there on Wednesdays, it's his day off. "What are you here for today?". I like the older staff. I know them, they take their time and I can ask about the issue "downunda" without feeling like the PHCC grad staff is "sewgrossing" about it at lunch. I tell her all of the truth, that I have a rash down there and that I have another rash on my arm. My back is killing me ( couldn't be that extra 200 pounds could it..answer your own question Patty, YES!) The list is long. She smiles, she comforts me and takes my blood pressure. She leaves. I'm waiting for the nurse practioner to come in but I hear my doctor's familiar pitch and tone. It's Wednesday, he isn't here on Wednesdays. The door opens and my nurse has returned, "Is Dr. Sichelman here?" "yes" "he isn't here on Wednesdays it's his day off" I tell her, "Dr. Galadi is on vacation so he is covering" she tells me. (how often does that happen?) This is going to be a day for unexpected things. My doctor comes in, I show him my rash on my arm, it's not really anything what else? There is the lump on my stomach in the mass of large fat on my belly I feel a pea like object, he feels it, it's nothing. He notices the rash below my stomach. I've been treating it with ointment for how long? (should I tell him years? Should I tell him two baths a day?) "it's been there awhile" I managed. He pulls at my underpants and notices another flush of skin below that. I admitted sex hadn't been what it use to be and he tells me to go to my OBGYN, "we really don't deal with that". Before I know it the conversation has turned with the problem at the moment and he begins examining me. This is a man of medicine, a healer at heart and I never appreciate him more than this moment. I have a staph infection and then a yeast infection. Before I leave there I will end up have a stack of nine separate prescriptions. I cover myself back up and sit down on the bench. He sits down at the other end and the nurse is stationed with my chart and a pen at the desk. The greater question, the greater issue, my weight. "So when are we going to get this weight off?" It's a question, a subject that he and I have talked about for years. My doctor of 16 years. Through the phase of Phen-Fen, Meridian, Redux, 1200 calories, 1800 calories, over the counter products into last year and the diagnosis of Type I Diabetes, rehabilitation to begin some type of activity until now. It's serious. My back is giving under the pressure, I take Lasix for water retention, blood pressure medication and he switches me today to two types of medication. "I know Doctor. I don't know what to do. I've tried, I've tried for years." This is a moment of honesty, the reality that my life is on the line. He tells me I'm looking at ten years. (ten years until my body breaks a blood vessel in my brain, tens years until my heart faults, ten years of semi goodness left in my body) He goes on to tell me about another patient. "He had the same problem as you. He had the gastric surgery, came in a few months back and I hardly recognized him." *A year ago I couldn't have, wouldn't have entertained this procedure* I can do this on my own I said. But a year later and an increase in 25 pounds told me that there comes a time when one has to admit they are in over their head. I was in over my head and I knew it. "Where did he go?" I was ready. I'll take some fries with that bypass [05 Sep 2006|11:59am] I refused to go to Community Hospital. Some how my brain is in 1983 with my first pregnancy and the halting news of things that had happened in this antiquated facility. But that was then, this is now. Reconstruction, new specialists are the norm for hospitals. This one has taken on the issue of obesity with a center for Weight Loss Surgery. I called three gastric doctors before realizing that there was going to be more than just a surgery. I went online and found the center's information site and read. I read for perhaps an hour. There was gastric bypass surgery, there was another type of surgery that was invasive. There was also the type of incision. I was quickly opting for laproscopic surgery. Small incision, scope to aid the doctor to see what was inside. Less invasive, quicker recovery(...I'll take some fries with that). I phoned the center and the voice on the other end was a rich accent (Jamaica?) and gentle. She asked all the questions I anticipated. I'd been down this road with my children and their pediatric disorders. Who? What? What kind of insurance? The quicker route would be to have my doctor's office call this center because everything is a referral. Making a decision to have a procedure like this is the first step the second, step is the business of it. Is it covered by insurance? The following Monday was a holiday and as it just happened to be, she was having a seminar with a few other patients. I would attend. That weekend went fast and Monday morning I was on my way down to New Port Richey, to the hospital, to the empty parking lot (holiday) to the office of Ivy. The first thing I did was sit down OF COURSE that is what fat people do when they first enter a room! (note to self: send that joke to Louis). We made our way across the hall to the meeting room. There is something about conference rooms that put me at ease. I expect a lecture, a Power Point because the screen is down and soon we are joined by a couple. Later I would exchange email addresses with "Patti" who happened to have a favorite color too...PURPLE! She saw my "Pattypreferspurple" email address on the sign up sheet and we clicked from that moment on. She had come with her husband. Then there was Gerry. I looked at them and we all seemed to have this spiritual connection. I was past being shy about my obesity, I'm big and I know it. After a few hours I was hungry and my sugar was getting low. I asked Ivy for a banana or something to raise my sugar, FOOD? She called down to the cafeteria and ordered up a few breakfast items and coffee. What do fat people love to do when they come together? ORDER IN! What did I care that there were pastries on the tray, I was here for a procedure that wouldn't allow me to eat more than 1 oz. of food, " A shot glass" as I put it. We laughed, ate, drank and got down to the business of filling out paperwork, copying identification cards and preparing ourselves for the business of weight loss. and it occurred to me. These people were smart, well articulated and with the collective as a group, we were already breaking down the percentages of the data on the Power Point and realizing that a large % of the group did not return post the procedure in the study group. So I admit that I too have the misperception that fat people are stupid, food numbed individuals who wile the hours away in front of a television doing everything but being nutritiously sound in mind and spirit. I'm beginning to learn a lot of WRONG things that like the rest of the world, I believe to be true.

I know you all have got to be tired of these fill questions, but I'm just not sure. I was banded 2/14, and I'm still losing at a fairly good rate. I still have PBs from time to time, but I've discovered they're mostly my fault - eating too fast is probably the #1 cause, followed by not chewing well enough. I had one last night trying to eat an egg roll (insides, not the wrapper) and orange chicken. After I thought about it, I took much smaller bites, and chewed chewed chewed and everything was fine. For the most part, I'm still on mushies, but occasionally, as noted above, I do throw some real food, just trying to find out what I can and cannot eat. In the morning, I'm eating a full package of Instant oatmeal. I'm drinking full cans of Soup at Hand. I can eat a full package of chicken salad and stonewheat crackers with no trouble at all. I guess I'm eating about 1/2 cup of food at a sitting...every two hours. At that 2nd hour point, I'm simply ravenous and my stomach is growling loudly. I'm currently scheduled for my first fill on 3/15. Should I keep it, or postpone it? Is this kind of hunger every two hours normal? Edit: I forgot to mention that the other night, I was able to eat tortilla chips and guacamole with no difficulty at all. :cry

To each his own for sure. I would say if you can lose weight by eating everything in moderation than good for you! You are one of the lucky ones. I know how my body works from decades of diets. I don't have to eat super low carb to lose weight. I can eat about 150 grams and still continue to lose...for now. I am still about 70 pounds from goal. When I get closer to goal I might have to do phase 1 of the south beach to get the last few pounds off. What has worked for me: I eat fairly low carb, but not everyday. Some days I have treats or eat more starchy foods and the next day I will cut those things out. I do rely a lot on my Protein shakes and bars because I practically live in my car. I am always on the go so it is either that or stopping at some fast food joint and trying to make a healthy food choice. I don't recommend a high carb diet unless you are intensely working out. As for exercise, I love to exercise so I would do it even if it didn't cause me to lose another pound. You can always test your body out. Try eating a different range of carb intakes and see how that affects you.

hello folks! my husband and i will be traveling to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia soon to meet the baby girl we are adopting. my doctor and i are considering unfilling my band for the trip for a couple of reasons...1.) the high possibility of getting sick and throwing up, which could cause a slip. 2.) medical professionals there have no idea what to do with the band, so if i were to having problems, i'd be out of luck with getting help. has anyone else done this while traveling? does the hunger come of fast? i have 6 cc in a 10 cc band and have lost just over 80 lbs. i'm scared of gaining weight, but near as scared as what could happen in Ethiopia with my band if i got sick. any advice is greatly appreciated!

:thumbup:Hi! Just want to start by saying "thanks" to so many of you for the helpful post! I was banded on August 18th and things after surgery were NOT what I had expected. I had always bounced back from surgery really fast BUT this time was different~~~then I got to thinking about how much older I am now than I was with past surgeries. So, the first week was a little rough but the weight loss was AWESOME!:thumbup:I had lost 12 pounds pre-op on the liquid diet and during my first week post-op I lost 11 pounds! I haven't lost any more, in fact I have gained a few pounds back! I was totally discouraged and found myself on this website looking for anwers~~~~~THANKS! I found so many people had been right where I am and everyone was so encouraging with their messages! I knew I would not continue to lose weight at the rate I was that first week BUT I did hope to see the scale move a little!!! I have my first fill on September 15 ( just next Monday) and I am just waiting to see how things go from there. I have not really been hungry! I have to eat every two and a half to three hours in order to be able to get all my protein in for the day. I will admit that I am a little nervous about the fill but I have a GREAT doctor and his staff is the BEST! Y'all keep up the good work and maybe I will be able to encourage others at some point!:biggrin:THANKS AGAIN!

Hey there. It sounds like you are doing great. If you have lost 37lbs since surgery that averages to more than 5 lbs a week! That is great. I know that my Dr. wll not give me a fill if I am losing at a fast pace as he feels the band is doing its job. I do however remember being stalled around the 2 month mark...no matter what the scale would not move for about 2-3 weeks and then all of a sudden it started coming off again. Keep up the great work!

I seen your thread and I understand how you feel. I was you 2 years ago. We actually have almost the same starting weight and goal as each other. I was one of the slow losers. I even stopped coming to this website cuz i was so frustrated at how everyone was speeding past me. Well, here is the benifit that you may not have considered. I have NO extra skin anywhere. I don't need a tummy tuck, arms done, hip or thighs, butt, or lipo. EVERYTHING is exactly were it should be. Well, I can't lie, my chest will never be the same, nothing a good bra can't fix though. Some of the fast losers are still trying to get rid of the last few pounds just as I am. It all seems to even out by the time you are 2 years out. I know that it sounds like a long time and truthfully sometimes it feels like it, but it is well worth it to me. Stick with what you know you need to do (exercise & eating right) and your body will respond. YOU CAN DO IT! It sounds like you can tell by the amount of exercise you can now do that your body is responding. BE PROUD. We like to have everyone notice our work and be able to see it on our body, it will come. Remember even if it takes 2 yrs. you have a lifetime after that to be told how FABULOUS you look. And I am confident you will look FABULOUS! GOOD LUCK!

:help:I was banded 4 months ago. Have lost 41 lbs. There have been a handful of times when I was out w/friends not paying attention and ate too fast and got too full but otherwise have tried to be as compliant as possible. Had a "got stuck" episode w/a piece of chicken about 2 weeks ago. Went on liquids for 2 days and was doing fine. Four days later I started to have a burning pain right between my breasts. My doctor said he would give it a week and if not better would have to do tests and unfill. Two days later the burning pain was worse and I was in his office. Esophogram was normal and he did a complete unfill. The pain subsided considerably but he told me he wanted to scope me on Tuesday of this week (tomorrow) to make sure there was no ulcer. On Sunday I began to hurt again just below my right breast--in a different place. I am so scared of what is going on. Don't want to lose my band. Have done so good. Maybe I am jumping ahead of myself but has anyone had an experience like this and can you tell me what happened? Maybe it is simply irritation and I just need to calm down but I am just so anxious. Tomorrow seems an eternity away.

Best of luck to you!! Yes it was easy. I was asked a lot of questions and had to take a multiple choice test that was over 160 questions. It went pretty fast though.

Sunwyse, you need a op, therefore you need the time off. It's as simple as that. Your boss can't say you cannot have sick leave, and you will have a medical certificate to cover you for the time, so either way you're in the clear. She cannot sack you for taking time off sick, if you have a certificate which will prove you are sick. I hope the time passes very quickly for you too. But I have to admit, the waiting never seems to end. First you wait to start the pre-op diet, then you wait for the op, then you wait for the fills, then you wait for restriction. I suppose you eventually stop waiting once you reach the sweet spot and lose all your excess weight. :thumbdown: But I know what it's like to feel like you just want to START your new life. So I do honestly hope it goes super fast and you're at your op before you know it.