Hi all,

luv2teech7, When I had my operation, the pain from the results of severe constipation was worse than the pain from the LAP-BAND® put in! I couldn't sit properly for days. So benefibre is my friend if I up my protein.

Melis, what luv2teech7 says is spot on. I was really disappointed and depressed at times when I would get on the scale and see either no improvement or a gain. I just couldn't understand it. However I am happy with what I've accomplished now too, even though I have lost "only" 66 pounds since November 07. I am now at 227 from my all time high of 293, this is the lowest I can remember being for over fourteen years. I'm turning 50 next month and it isn't the horrible depressing thing I thought it would be, or would have been at 300lbs. And I can see the 100's just a bit in the distance!

I'm not measuring my progress in my own achievements, other than the scale. More and more of my clothes are now given away. I too started at a slow walk on the treadmill and now have tripled my speed and even run for small sprints. I started at 3lb weights and I'm now lifting 10.

My goal is to eventually get to 170. But even with the amount you've gotten off, you are far better off than you were. My husband says to me. "you've always had trouble losing weight, and who knows how those other people were eating before they got their band. Maybe this is the first time they've ever really restricted their intake, and that's why you are losing slowly still. It's just your makeup" And he's right. I had to stop going to some forums as it was making me feel bad about myself watching other get to goal so quickly, while bragging that they ate a lot, but still lost 4 lbs a week!

If you feel you can eat too much, go get another small fill. If you have had experience with PBing (productive burping) then you may be at the right level. I had 5 fills before I got where I am. And as you lose weight outside, you also lose weight around your stomach inside, which loosens the band.

Good luck and feel free to moan and bitch. We are all here to help each other.
M

__________________
Op date: Nov 8/07
Start date and weight, Oct 27 - 293
Start/current/goal
293/218/170