My great doctor saw me today even though it was his surgery day! I ran right over to his office when they said they could see me! I had an "unfill". What a relief. I can now eat more than 1 teaspoon of food without being in total pain and throwing up. I have 1.2cc of fluid in my band now. For background info: I had my first fill on Sept 24 of 1cc and did fine. No problems felt great, lost 14 lbs. in one month. The 2nd fill was on Nov 26 and the doc added .5cc. This was apparently too much. It is hard to believe that that little amount can affect me so much. It sure has taught me that we are ALL different and will lose differently and feel differently. I just wanted to give an update of how the unfill went. I haven't heard much about that before. Good Luck to everyone! Tasha 274/227/170?

You are a very kind person to reach out and help others. I wish you well in you continued journey Adrienne. It is a bit tough, but to me well worth it. I had surgery May 19th of this year and have lost 135 lbs with 40 more to go for my goal. Success has been a great motivator for me. Keep up the fight.

DON'T EVER GIVE UP! WHEN PEOPLE SAY ITS COSMETIC I JUST LAUGH! I HAVE NO MORE HEARTBURN, NO SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, NO JOINT PAIN, NO MORE ACID REFLUX, NO MORE SNORING, NO MORE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE... HOW IS THAT COSMETIC? THIS SURGERY WILL HELP ME LIVE LONGER AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I MADE THIS DECISION. IT'S NOT AN EASY WAY OUT AND I HOPE AND PRAY THINGS GO WELL FOR YOU! YOU DO WHAT YOU CAN! AND GO SEE DR. BELNAP, HE TAKES SELF PAY IF YOU CAN... THE ONLY PROBLEM IS PAYING THE HOSP UP FRONT!

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Hi All, I just need to vent to my family if you do not mind. Going into this surgery I knew that it would not be easy. I did lots of research and went to support groups and read articles and looked at TV shows that talked about it. In doing all of this and knowing the risk and the life altering change I still felt the need to have this surgery, this was something I wanted to do without fail. However although I do not regret having the surgery nor can I yet say I would do this again, I just need to keep it real when I say that having this surgery was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and maintain in my life. Without the sole support of my new best friend Lisa Cohen and my longtime friendship with Lisa Dunlap, I have no idea what I would do. Lisa Cohen and I had our surgeries about 2 weeks apart so the things I am going through now she is so helpful with, my day does not feel complete unless I talk to her. Lisa Dunlap is almost a year out and she gives me that energy and the reassurance that things will definately get better. I said all of that to say this when you are going through this, it is so important to have someone to support you. My husband and my best friend Lea and my sister Rochelle are all having this surgery and I am so glad that I am the Guinea Pig of the circle, because when they have surrgery they will have all of me. I will have already worked the kinks out for them, I will be there to help them from day one, I will be able to encourage them when they go through the depression and the battles of what to eat and what not to eat.. This is a remarkeable journey that all of the post ops have began and all of the pre ops are thinking of taking, it requires hard work and determination and most of all support from someone who understands and is willing to be there for you when you need them. This message board is such a great place to come and read and get advice, sometimes it can be a little intimidating on the main board because people will just beat you down and make you feel bad about your questions. Just thought that I would let all of you know that we are all in this together, weither i know you or not I plan to be an advocate and a great support person for anyone that needs me, I call people on a daily basis, i send numerous emails daily and I call my Lisa C. daily to see how her day is, this surgery is life altering for me and i intend to be as supportive as i can to anyone that just wants to talk. You can email me directly at [email protected] and I will take your number and give you mine and just know that I am here for you all, anytime of the day and night, because i do not want anyone to feel they are alone. This is a winning battle, not one without a strong and hard fight. I just want you all to know that support is the key to success. I hope that i have not offended anyone with what i have said, it was never meant to come out that way. i also want you all to look for regular post from me, because anytime I learn anything new that is helpful I will be on here sharing it. Thanks for listening and good luck to US ALL!!!!!