Your mileage may vary - newbie alert!

[HelenC 0]

I see a lot of polls and posts around here, wanting to know how much fill you got the first time, how much weight you lost the first month, when did you start eating solid food, how much this, how much that....and I really want to take the opportunity to remind everyone that your body may vary from "everyone else".

I am in what appears to be a minority, but I know I'm not the only one. I can't get 1cc (or, heaven forbid, MORE) fills...they would kill me, but some people can. Don't go out and get a big fill just because of the cost, or your anxiousness to lose weight - you may get more than you expected and have to have an unfill. :cry (Keeping in mind that while you may be able to sit in the doctor's office and drink Water, but 2 days later the swelling sets in and incapacitates you - and if you have to fly or drive for hours to see your doctor, you may end up in serious trouble...it happens!!)

I'm losing weight at a very good rate (42 lbs since 2/1), but others who have had more fills, and operated on the same day, are either ahead of or behind me.

Your doctor may have a different schedule for moving from liquids to mushies to real food, than someone else's doctor. Do what your doctor says! If you feel ready to move to the next stage, ask your doctor. He'll consider your individual needs and make the decision whether to move you up or not. Don't do it just because my doctor may have said "2 days of liquids, 4 hours of mushies, and then eat anything you want" (exaggeration added).

You just might end up being one of those in the minority...everyone is different!

All of these things have been mentioned before, and undoubtedly will be again, but it's just something I had to get off my chest.

[lianna 3]

Excellent reminder.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Excellent Post! Everyone is different! Some people never need a fill! I find that 3-4 weeks my fill tightens somewhat now.

Thanks for the post!

[libra 13]

Great post! It's hard to not want to compare but we all handle this band differently!

[Alexandra 55]

Excellent post, Helen! Very well said and really, can't be said often enough. Thank you.

[Betsyjane 2]

Words to live by.

[beachgirl 2]

You hit the nail on the head. I'm learning the hard way. I'm driving 10 hours round trip tomorrow for a slight unfill and I'm not happy about it, lol. Thanks I think everyone needs to seriously realize that results are not typical thing.