Hello Deb and George, sorry for the delay in my response but I new ole Skinny Jenny had already got back with you. It was really nice to put a face and name together,I wish we could have had more time. we had agreat time tj.. what an experience !! I think Jen and I have both done well, we have just started on the soup thing now, and man does it taste good...never new tomato soup and cream of potato soup minus the potatoes could taste so yummy, chicken broth is a killer glad thats behind us. I have lost 10 lbs since weight in TJ Sept 21 plus a another 10 lbs prior to being banded so I feel like I am going in the right directions. It really does help to have a buddy going through this because you really have someone to bounce things off of and also share the ughsssssss.. .you know what I mean. Jen and I are planning our first fill for Nov 3rd if all goes well. The trip out was really nice not to crowded, but the trip back home well was another story, but we got back home on Sunday night around 9:30 - 10:00 and went right into work Monday morning at 8. We did not tell anyone in our office what we were doing because of "office chat" and no one was the wiser...everyone has noticed our eating or I should say the lack of, they keep saying how long are yall going to be doing this? It was great meeting others there at the clinic new lab banders as well as others that had it done a year ago and were looking GREAT!! it really does motivate. I am glad you are getting more restriction and starting to loose again, I also got the VG Band and I have to say I was a little concern of how many fills it would take to get some restrictions and living in Virginia its not just a skip away..but I do fill better now about it and feel totally confident I will do the trick. Jen and I have done exactly as we have been instructed to, we heard the story of the lady eating the chicken on day 3 how scarey., we sure dont want trouble so far away. Like Jen said it is amazing how quickly everythings seems to be healing. I am still a little tender at port site but nothing else, and I'm sure that perfectly normal considering how thats placed under the skin. hopefully we will get a chance to meet again take care and keep us posted on your successes. Dixie Darlin