Hi everyone! I had my band done on 8/19/05 with Dr. Ortiz. I think I had a BMI of 32, I'm 5'8 and on the day of surgery I was 214lbs. Well as of last week I was at 181lbs. so I've lost 33lbs. total so far....but I am one of the people that hasn't had a fill yet. I eat about half of what I used to usually, not always though. Some days I can hardly eat at all, it just depends. It was hard going to restaurants at first, at least with people who didn't know I had the band. But I would just say I wasn't very hungry or had a large lunch or something. I still do sometimes although most people now know I had the surgery, its just easier that way. I find I'm eating a lot healthier now, a lot of fruits and veggies, after my protein of course.
Exercise is a big, and I mean BIG, help. I find I'm losing about one pound a week now, but I've gotten a lot smaller due to lean muscle mass. People are really noticing now that I'm losing weight. I am so happy that I got my band, I would do it again in a heart beat! Good Luck! - Vanessa