Please post some information that we new folks should know ---POSITIVE WOULD BE GREAT!

 YOU WILL spend a lot of time playing the "I Know I'll Screw THIS Up, Too" game. It's normal.

Wow, that is a daily dialogue.  Having experienced multiple diet failures, I keep wondering what will make this attempt so different?  I am hoping for the best and definitely willing to do my part.  Thanks for responding and I am hoping I will love my Lap-Band as well.

  That thought is going around and around in my head. 

I am not done with my journey...I have another 60 lbs to go.  Here are somethings that have happened since I have lost weight.

I can cross my legs now

No more blood pressure medicine

I can jog on the treadmill  (I couldn't walk across a parking lot with out getting out of breath)

I am no longer in plus size clothes

I can use my seat belt now

I shoveled my snow for 5 hours (that would have never happened before)

All this and more...and my journey isn't over yet

You get it!  I want all of those NSV's----accept maybe the snow shoveling.  Well, OK I'd rather be able to do it than not be able to do it.  How is that?  Haha!  Good luck and wishing you continued success. 

From day 1 (actually before that), I expected the Band to be my partner -- that I would control the food I ate, if it helped me control the quantity that I ate (I got that from Lisa O.)

So, when I got my band, I visualized that even with it empty, it was more 'restriction' than I had with no band at all ---
Then, with every fill, I visualize that it is being tightened and that is more restriction than the day before -- and I eat that way --- I eat less and pretend that I have great restriction ---

Truly -- it is amazing what happens when we start to eat less -- and imagine that it is enough.
We are so used to huge portions -- and we are over-served.
For me, the band is not about 'how much I can eat' but is about 'how little I need to eat' -- and it is a remarkably small amount compared to the way I used to eat.

That is it!  I don't expect the band to be the majic bullet.  I just want some help, you know like a permanent appetite suppressant.  I hope I am not being too optimistic, I know everyone wants restriction from day one.  If not, I am hoping to convince my doctor to do my first fill at 1 month rather than 6 weeks.    Don't get on me for wanting too much too fast.  That is the attitude that put the big numbers on the scale---got to change the mentality.  One step at a time.

I had a 'wound check' at 1 week post-op.
I scheduled my first fill for 3 weeks after that (4 weeks post op) -- before I left the office

Then, I scheduled fills/follow up for every 3 weeks for the first 6 months -- then stretched them out to every 6 weeks --- then, every 8 weeks.

I now see my surgeon every 3 months (for this year) -- next year will be every 4 months

It is part of my committment to myself and to the process --- to stay in touch, and 'show up' to be checked on.

Since u only want to hear positive, I will just say that I think that doing high protein and not drinking during or after meals does help with the weight loss.

Also, avoid buying food and bringing it into the house if it is not a wise food choice. If it is there at home u will be tempted. If u know u have to physically get up and leave the house and drive to the store to get it...........your much less likely to do that than just run into the kitchen and grab it.

Good luck.

Thanks for responding.  I think that eating with drinking is going to be an issue.  I have a 10 year old and thankfully we don't like the same "junk foods".  I guess knowing my issues I have done pretty well with him, if I do toot my little horn.  My main reason for doing this is to be healthy for myself and him.  I don't want to be a hypocrite----you eat healthy while Mommy gets herself a treat. 

For everyone:-

Be patient
Be realistic
Follow exactly any instructions you get from your doc which relate to safety (like post-op diet).
Come on OH!

Suited me!:-

Don't deprive yourself
Don't obsess about eating the right foods
Don't feel you have to be perfect
Don't forget to come OH.

Restriction - it would be really good if someone posts the article by Terry Simpson. I think i will do a separate thread asking if someone can. Should be compulsory reading! Watch out for it!

Kate