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I was and still am a 5' 4 and a proud 3/4". Be nice, my mom is only 5' tall so I am lucky for have that 3/4". Anyway, about 8 years ago I was around 225 and wearing 22/24's and 2x's - this was my largest size, but not my highest weight. Then I lost some weight and started working out. When I regained the weight I was wearing 20's and 22's and either 1x or 2x. About 3 years ago I was down around 200 thanks to WW and working out. When I gained 42 lbs. after my shoulder surgery I ended up wearing 18/20's and 1x's. This is where I was when I had the surgery on 2/29/08 at 242.5 lbs. which was my heaviest weight, but not my largest size. The issue for me wasn't the amount of weight so much as the foundation of or lack of muscle the weight was sitting on.

There is no way you can eat in a healthy manner when you only eat 3/4 a cup a day. I think a cup of food per meal is about what most doctors recommend. For me, I know I am full when I am simply satisfied. Don't shoot for that stuffed feeling, just shoot for being comfortable and satisfied.

I think you need to get a little bit of an unfill. I had one on Wednesday of this week and he only took out .3cc's, but it is amazing the difference it has made. On Monday I could only eat 1/2 a cup of tuna salad and even though it was pretty slick with ff miracle whip on it, it was 4 hours later before I knew it was completely thru the band. Besides being skinny, our goal for having this surgery is to be healthy and I am afraid you are contradiction that goal by only being able to eat a couple of tablespoons. Does your fill doctor do a barium swallow, if so, please request that this be done to check the health of your band and to also see if the fluid truely is sitting in your pouch for longer than normal which would confirm you are indeed to tight.

My first thought is scar tissue because that is what it was for me, but you definitely need to call your doctor first thing Monday morning. Your gallbladder could also be the issue as my doctor put me thru all of the gallbladder tests before ruling that out. The gallbladder does have a tendancy to quit working when you lose large amounts of weight. If it is your gallbladder and you have gallstones you do need to have it out as they can move and cause worse problems.

Chloe - Take a deep breath and calm yourself down. You need to seriously consider if you are ready to do this for yourself or if you are doing it for you mom. You really need to be doing it for yourself in order to stay committed to the process. If you decide you are truly doing it for yourself, you will absolutely have the tool in place to take off your extra weight, but that is not the end of it. You will then need to find the tool that will help you address your issues with binge eating, which will probably be some form of counseling, be it group or individual. Insurance and some doctors in the US do require a psychiatric evaluation. I was self pay therefore my doctor did not require the evaluation. I'll be honest, after having gone thru this process the band is the easiest thing I have ever done in regards to weight loss. I know not everyone will agree with me and that is perfectly fine, but for me I kid you not it is almost as if a part of my brain was operated on as well. My only regret with this whole process is that I didn't do it earlier in my life, but I didn't even know the lap band existed until about a year and a half before I had my surgery. If I could of had this surgery at 22 I believe my life at 36 would be a lot different than it is now. One reason for this is that I would of had a much better concept of myself and been more outgoing in many areas. Think about the surgery, pray about the surgery and talk to your mom letting her know your fears and feelings. Let us know what you decide and feel free to ask us as many questions as you have between now and when you make your decision. Andrea

WOW!!! What wonderful news to start the weekend with - Congratulations!

I never really had much of a goal weight, I was thinking more in terms of a size goal. I was hoping to be a size 12 by the time I had my TT and I was a slightly snug 12 at that time. I also weighed 172.5 at that time and decided that I could probably get down to 160 and be good. Well, I have hit 160 and was still a 12, so I decided to go for 150 in hopes of being a 10. I hit 159 this week and this has also been the week in which I have realized that 12's are now too big for me. I am not sure if it was just my body adjusting its size or if I had more of my swelling go down. I go for a check up on Thursday and will ask if I am still swollent. So I am debating whether or not to stay where I am at 159/160 and the size 10 or shoot for 150 and still hope to be a size 10. I'll probably ask my plastic surgeon what he thinks as well as my primary doctor when I see him in a couple of weeks. I don't have the bone structure to be a size 8 and am happy where I am at unless I can guarantee that the rest of my weight will only fall off of my butt, back and inner thighs. There is nothing really left on my tummy and my port is literally right under the skin. I doesn't stick out or cause a bump in my clothes, but is right there which is why my slight unfill on Wed. hurt a tiny bit, but nothing bad. The BMI charts are helpful, but they shouldn't be your sole guide. See how you feel when you get to 170 as well as what size you are. If you are happy there, stay there. Remember, this tool is for life so if you ever do decide you want to go down further you will have the capability to do so.

I have never heard that statement before, but I like it. I think I will post the following sign outside of my cubicle. WARNING! You are now entering the 5th ring of hell. Be prepared for a major temperature change.

That made me laugh and I really do like the idea of people being marked with their clothes size. There are a lot of people that I look at and wonder what size they are just so I can compare myself, not in a condescending way, but in an educational way. Of course we would have to come up with some kind of exemption for people, although right now I would be happy to post a size 10 on my back.

Does anybody else ever wonder how our ancestors survived? I mean they didn't even have the opportunity to eat 3 times a day or get a balanced diet - heck sometimes they didn't even eat at all some days. I know some one will point out that we have a much longer life expectancy than they did but still, at times I think that it is a wonder that they lived even a few years.

Interesting - I had no idea. For the most part I only have 16 ounces every morning - some people need coffee, I need milk. Now yesterday and um today I had another glass in the evening only because I splurged and bought the chocolate milk - bad, bad Andrea. This is good information to keep in mind as having 2/3 of the recommended requirement in the morning also means I should watch my dairy intake for the rest of the day with things like yogurt and cheese. Thanks for the information!

Now I remember what it was, when he first did the barium swallow to see if I was too tight, he got a horrible look on his face as based on the way the barium went down he was afraid my band had eroded my stomach. He changed the angle of the picture taking machine and by doing that he could tell that there was no erosion - Whew!

I met my fill doctor at 7 am this morning for a slight unfill. I e-mailed him on Monday b/c my food was hanging around in my pouch for hours and I knew something was up. He took out .3 cc's and it has made all the difference in the world. I had a new outfit all picked out to wear today but when I put the pants on they almost fell off of me, so I had to quickly change outfits and discovered that those pants were too big as well, but I wore them anyway. I had never worn the first pair I put on so they will be exchanged, but I had worn the second pair, so I will be doing a little remake of those. My boss caught me trying to roll up the waistband of my pants so that they didn't drag the floor and sag in the butt - but it didn't work. I told my fill doctor that I was going to the walk-in clinic at my regular doctor's today because I thought I had poison ivy. He asked to see it and confirmed that I did indeed have poison ivy and told me the over the counter stuff to get. I kept closing off my cubicle today to doctor the spots as they are all over the back of my legs - I know tomorrow isn't Friday but I am wearing shorts anyway for easier access. Word to the wise, if you have a lovely paved or graveled walking trail provide by the Army Corp of Engineers stay on it and do not venture off of it just because you wonder where those nature made step will lead. Take it from me, they lead no where exciting and will only expose you to a very itchy and miserable experience within a week. Returned my extra 14 swimsuits today - poor girl that did the return looked exhausted after she finished. Saw another lady there buying size 10 clothes - that was nice as it gave me a visual for the size that I am and I think I like it. Discovered that a lot of 60 year-old plus men hang out in the pharmacy isle where the anti-itch stuff is located - not sure I want to know what that is all about. Also found out that there is only one kind of Benedryl and that it is for more than runny noses, itchy eyes, etc. If only I had known this last night I would have already had a hit. Stopped in at Dress Barn to return a pair of pants and came out with another pair of pants and 3 winter sweaters/jackets. Their winter clothes from last year are on clearance. I paid about $15 for each item I purchased. Yes, I am cold all of the time and ready to wear some winter sweaters. I ran my space heater at work all day. Usually I turn it off around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, but not today. Scheduled my blood work to have my Vit. D, Vit. B12 and Iron levels checked next week - thank goodness they are going to do them all at the same time. Also scheduled my follow-up appt. for 2 weeks later - please let me stop taking some of these pills. Something tells me I am missing something, but I am ready for a it of Benedryl an itch free night of sleep. Goodnight!

Don't think that is my problem. There are 2 things I cannot live without, air and milk. I had my normal 16 ounces at 6:30 this morning and snuck in another 16 ounces when I got home from work because I wanted to and because I cheated and bought the chocolate gallon this time. Bad, bad Andrea - but oh so yummy! Next 20+ gallons will be white - I promise.

If you have any sporting goods stores in the area such as Dick's or Academy, check with them as they will sometimes know of walk/run clubs or groups training for 5 - 10K's and marathons. I had a roommate in Fort Worth do this program thru Luke's which is a store that caters to runners, joggers and walkers.

I live in Grandview, go to church in Raytown and will be taking my nephews swimming at the Raytown Y this coming week, so it isn't completely impossible.

I hear the too big in the boob thing - although they haven't really gone down everything around them has which meant my old suit had no support whatsoever. It didn't look too bad in the butt, but then again it was dry, get it wet and I could be arrested for public indecency. It is now on the floor of my spare bedroom with other items for a future garage sale. Should have gotten rid of it in the last one, but I really like the color and style of it. Some articles of clothing are just flat out hard to part with. I couldn't bring myself to try on a bikini, but I now understand why small girls with big boobs wear them b/c you can buy different sizes for the top and bottom so as to actually get a good fit. The tankini's were bad enough with the lack of boob support that I couldn't imagine a bikini right now, but put another plastic surgery behind me and I will be tempted to at least try one on, but if I buy one and wear it I will have to make confession to my plastic surgeon b/c I told him I would never be able to wear a bikini and he said I would.

I cook the normal portion size, eat on it for a while, and then when I get tired of it I put it in the individual ziplock containers and throw it in the freezer. These are wonderful to then grab in the morning and take to work for lunch. I usually have 4 or 5 different things available to choose from in the freezer. When I make meatloaf I make it in my muffin pan so that it is already portioned out and easy to freeze in a big container and then just grab one out here and there. Other than peas I don't really buy canned vegetables. My mom cans all of her garden stuff and I reap the benefits. I have a bunch of quarts of green beans that I am going to give to my brother and his family b/c mom is going to can me some in pints this year which will help tremendously. Bags of frozen vegetables are easy to keep in the freezer and to just take out what you need when you need them. A trick my brother taught me for heating up pieces of meat such as steak, pork chops and chicken is to cut it in strips, put a little water on the plate, put a microwaveable cover over the plate and heat it for no more than a minute. You can get the microwaveable covers at Wal-Mart in the kitchen section for a few dollars. This helps to keep your meat moist and tender without drying it out b/c you don't have to heat it forever to get the middle warm. There are also some cookbooks out there that cater to people who are cooking for 2. Those would have smaller portions that would alleviate so much being left over.

Way to go! It isn't too hot for a run tonight, as long as you don't mind getting drizzled on. If I am ever out driving and see you running I'll honk and wave.

Yikes - ScarGuard is expensive on-line. I dug out my receipt and paid $35 for it at my plastic surgeons office - which I thought was expensive at the time. You might want to call some local plastic surgeons first to see if they sell it and if so whether or not you can buy it from them without being a patient.

I told one of my banded friends after I had my surgery that even though I knew the surgery was done in the abdominal area I would almost swear part of it occurred in my brain as I no longer really cared about a lot of food. As an example, prior to the surgery I would look for the biggest cookie in the batch, but after the surgery I was willing to take one, maybe two bites and then throw the rest away. I did this back in the winter and the poor child that made the cookies saw me do it - I felt horrible and told her over and over how good they were, but I just couldn't eat the whole thing. I don't think she really bought it, but it was true. I can't say I am as well behaved as Shelby when I go out to eat, but I don't berate myself either for the choices I make because I know that the rest of the week I am behaving myself. Besides, when what you used to eat in one meal now gets split up over 3 or 4 it really isn't that bad considering most restaurant meals are at least double what a person should be eating at one setting. Just remember that you will still be able to eat after your surgery and tell yourself that you are going to postpone some of your farewell tour for later and then see if a month from now you really want those foods or not.

Once you are out of the clear liquid stage milk is also a good way to get in some liquid protein.

Another possibility is scar tissue. I had this problem and at times it hurt to even breath. Luckily it finally went away as the scar tissue shrunk.

My doctor does 72 hours of liquids after a fill as well. I didn't feel restriction until many fills down the road. Don't let that discourage you, you and the band can and will still succeed even without restriction. Slow and steady with some pure determination thrown in wins the race!

Most consultations are free - start checking it out so that you can be armed with all kinds of info when you talk with hubby. At least you were able to decide on a swimsuit - I finally reduced my 15 down to 1 yesterday. Don't be deceived, it wasn't as if I liked all 15 of them, I was just tired of trying them on in the store and listening to screaming children.