Hello, Eileen. I had the Lap Band 12-06-04. I have lost 39 pounds since then. Before surgery, I had managed to loose about 12 pounds, so in all, I've lost 51 pounds. I now weigh 184 and I've developed a hiatal hernia. It is giving me fits. Sometimes I go for as long as 5 days with a couple bites causing choking sensations in my chest, and eventually throwing up. My doctor ordered an upper GI so he could see what was going on and if the band was in place. The dr. who did the test told me about the hernia, spasms, and reflux. However, when I went for my regular dr. visit yesterday, my doctor had not even read the report or looked at the xrays. I was so upset, it was a wasted trip (I have to drive two hours to get to his office). So, I know of nothing to do (or not do) to help myself. Sorry, didn't mean to cry on your shoulder. I am a slow loser too, in fact, for a couple months I lost NOTHING! I needed a fill, tho. I think my fill is good, now, but with this choking problem, I can't eat hardly at all. I should be loosing big time, but I'm not. Just 3 pounds this past month. BUT, that is better than none at all!!

So I *thought* I was done losing. Per my nutritionist, I was at a healthy weight, and could stop trying to lose these last 5 - 10 pounds. I had not lost anything in about 2 months when I finally went to see her. She told me it was all excess skin. (I was about 161 - down from 250) She suggested I try to increase my calories to min 900 per day, and exercise more to firm up. Soooo...I went to have my follow up with my surgeon a month or so later (weighed 159, so I had lost a couple of pounds since nutrition visit), and he said there is no reason I should not be able to lose 5 - 6 more. He asked if I still count calories, which I stopped long ago. I estimated that I eat about 800 - 900 a day. He said I should start counting again and he was certain I would find that I am eating over 1000 a day, otherwise I would be losing. In his experience, people were in denial about how much they were eating in a day. He gave me a goal to lose 5 - 6 pounds in 2 months, (and then he wil give me a referral to a plastic surgeon as my reward) So I came home, started counting calories and SURPRISE SURPRISE...I was getting in about 1200 per day! Those little bites of something here or there....they certainly add up!! SO I cut back to under 900 per day and I have ALREADY lost 3 pounds. (in two weeks) So all week, I have been back to basics - protein drinks, water water water, quit carbs, only snacking when I am truly hungry, and then making sure its protein, or a piece of fruit. I can't believe how quickly I fell back into old habbits. But nw I am down to 156. Dr wants me at 153 - my ideal goal is 143, but with the excess skin, he said 153 for now. Can't wait for my tummy-tuck. He said they will most likely do a full body lift - cut me from butt cheek to butt cheek. Yippeeee! Jenn www.kuddlebugz.com (last page is WLS page)

The time SURE HAS gone fast, hasnt it? Seems like it was almost just yesterday when we started this journey.... Congrats on your loss so far, and keep up the great work! Susan

right at this very moment I was in surgery. My dear Angel, Rachel Q patiently waiting for me...... Where did the time go? I have updated my profile (thanks for the reminder Marta) so feel free to take a look. It is long and the most current ramblings are at the end. AND I have lost 138 lbs......WOW Thanks to everyone who has helped me along in my journey. Love you guys Sheryl

B4 surgery 235 Today 145 Loss 90 Goal Weight 125 20 lbs to go I still have'nt hit that century mark but I have lost 2 more sizes in the las two months but no weight. I need to kick it into gear and get back into excersing and drinking and eating more to lose that last 20 lbs. Wish me luck. Shirl