Kittycat

Hi there! Welcome and I hope you decide to go for the band! Fills are an injection of fluid into your band which tightens it up and makes you feel restriction. Restriction is feeling full after eating 3/4 cup of food. I am not sure what you mean by the tube on your hip? If you mean the port, it's sewn to your abdominal muscle just under your breast above the stomach, just under your largest incision. If you are ready to make a permanent lifestyle change to get healthy, this is the best way to get there!! If you have any other questions, just ask, we are here to support you!! Good Luck!!

Congrats on your fabulous weight loss...keep up the great work!!

You are so right LisaL and my plastic surgeon has done many lapband patients..bonus!!

Me too Anita!!! And the six pack too!!! Next year!!!

Thanks amazing Jann, good for you!!! You have done so well, a great inspiration to us all!! Keep shopping girl, you can't wear what you bought today everyday!!!!

That's fantastic Denise...I am right there with ya girl!!!! Doesn't it feel wonderful to have that darn 50lbs gone for good....cheers to the next 50!!!!

Hi Stormy, try not to let people like that get to you, you know you deserve better than that. I would simply tell her that it would best to have a professional relationship only. Friends do not treat each other that way. Chin up and be the bigger person (no pun intended)...good luck!

Welcome Sapphire!! Congrats on your decision!! We have lots of Alberta bandsters here, I am sure one of them can advise you on a local fill centre. Take care and good luck!

Hi Perez, I am so happy you took our words to heart, we were tough on you because we care and don't want anything to happen to you. What you did was extremely dangerous and like Phoenix said, get your first fill under fluoro to ensure everything is still okay. Be strong, you can do this...we're all the same rocky boat!! Take care!

That's amazing Trina...I hope this is what you need to really kickstart things!! Good luck baby!!

I've been banded less than 4 months and I still have trouble not snacking at night, even when I'm not hungry. I don't know if I will ever get rid of it!!

Thanks Jann...it's a must before my tummy tuck and anything else that may need lifting when the time comes!!!LOL!!

Good for you Jann...I am on the road to being smoke free by Jan 1/09, going to get some Champix.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!!!! Keep it up girl!!!

It's okay, your body went through hell when you had too much fill....and now that you are getting nutrition it's settling in...you are on the road honey...2 lbs is awesome in one week!!!

Thanks Jann, just what I need to know!!!

Amen to that Jann!!!! But I am doing better...trying to use distraction or avoidance.

Okay..consider yourself slapped!!! If you eat solids before the 21 days you are risking stretching your pouch and band slippage (which is extremely dangerous) and may result in having the band removed. I understand how difficult the pre-op and post-op diets are...my post op lasted 5 weeks (banded in Canada), not just 21 days like the OCC plan. But I did it!!! It's all about committment....you got banded for a reason to use this tool to help you lose weight. You are right, you've screwed up and it's time to get back on track. No more eating solids until you've reach 21 days post op!!!! My surgeon told me that there is a reason for the post op diet, it allows time for the band to mold into the stomach, if you eat solids during this period, this may not happen and may have band slippage in the future. You can do this if you are ready to commit to the lifestyle change...if you're not, then you might as well have the band removed now. Sorry to be so blunt, but it's all or nothing baby!!!

All the best to you Heidi...I can't even imagine how difficult a time this must be for you...but you have a great attitiude, which will see you through this. Sometimes husbands and wives become better parents and friends when they are not living together..I hope this is the case for you and yours. Big hugs...we are alway here for support..so do not hesitate to ask!!! Take care!!

Congratulations!!! You are an official bandster!! Hope you feel better soon!!

Thanks ladies and for the exercise tips, I will definitely try them!

Thanks Pammie and Lisa, I appreciate your support...I will work out the arms as much as I can and hopefully I won't need surgery. I guess if they end up really bad, I'll get them done, but may wait until after everything else gets done first...I can always where short sleeves until then!

Okay, tonight before my shower I got a glimpse of my ever sagging body...yes losing 53 lbs in less than 4 months is a huge accomplishment. However, my body is sagging big-time!!! Arms...my wings are worse than they were 53lbs ago...I need help...can anyone suggest how to get these puppies to firm up a bit...I really don't want to have to have an arm lift. I am prepared for a tummy tuck, maybe even a bodylift and thigh lift, but I don't want visible scars down my arms. My goal is to wear a tank top or short sleeved shirt with nice arms...so far it's not looking too good.I Sorry to be so negative, I guess I should be happy and I should have expected this...but I think reality is sinking in...my body is not going to look pretty after losing 140 lbs. Thanks for listening and any suggestions would be appreciated.

You are doing great Jude, keep up the great work, just a few days to go!!!

Good for you Cara baby!! I am not a big fan of beer, but I love diet coke...maybe I will swish and spit some diet coke for Oktoberfest!!!