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I used to frequent this forum, and somewhere along the way I got used to a new normal, and I haven't been back here for a long time. I was thinking the other day, that I should check back in, and sprinkle some hope around... because more than 5 years later, my story remains a textbook case of Lapband success and I love sharing it for those who are struggling through their first few weeks and months post surgery! Today I weigh 138 pounds. I most certainly haven't forgotten I have a band... it's still VERY present in my life, and a daily reminder of so many things. I still have "stuck" episodes... more often than you might imagine.... there are still foods that I can't eat, and never will be able to... there still exists the very real possibility of cheating my band, overeating, re-gaining all of my weight and having the past five years be for absolutely nothing... but during all of these things I have gained a huge appreciation and love for myself that I never even knew was possible. And I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but today.... it was all worth it! Every single pound I worked so hard to lose! Every single ounce of blood sweat and tears I've put into trying to take care of myself. Every doubt I had along the way that I was eventually able to turn into hope, and every person who I hadn't seen in awhile who had NO CLUE who I was! That last one was and still is kind of entertaining to me! I won't lie... I still have a few hang ups.... I won't date men who wanted nothing to do with me back then... but who are all about going out with this NEW me.... they piss me off. I still tend to buy clothes too big for me... a LOT. So I've started forcing myself to try them on before leaving the store to avoid returning everything later! Other than those things, I think I've adjusted pretty well to my new body. I was fortunate enough to not have to have secondary surgeries to get rid of excess skin. My skin turned out to be very elastic, and because I worked out from the first week of my new life, it just kind of melted away with the fat. Sometimes it still blows me away that I have lost an entire other person's worth of weight... when I imagine carrying all of those pounds around with me for all the years I did, it's absolutely amazing that my body held out as long as it did. I love taking care of it now... and I love my other butt! Here's a current photo... it's a selfie, but it makes me happy, because it's a pretty accurate photo of me!

Hey all-- My surgery date was 10/10, so I am more than three weeks post-op. I have been progressing very well, except that I am feeling completely drained. Not tired, but just lacking any energy. I know I have to "give it time" because I just had major surgery, but I stayed home doing nothing for three weeks healing up, and even though I wasn't doing much--zero energy. One thing I haven't seen is anyone talking about severe caloric restriction and its impact on how post-surgery patients feel. Like I said, doing great, lost 25 pounds so far, and expect (hope) to lose another fifty. But I am not taking in more than 500-600 calories a day. My NUT says that even when I am totally healed up the max will be 900-1000. That's a starvation diet, really. I mean, I don't feel starving at all, just...no energy! Anyone experience this and get over it in time, or as you ate more? I'm hopeful. You can call me "Low Energy Leslie"

I'm in the same place..sometimes u lose lbs and not inches..other times it's inches and not pounds..

I agree with jenn1, and will add that you no doubt lost pounds on your pre-op liquid diet. Your body just needs to catch up. You will start losing soon. I lost 25 pounds on my 2 week pre-op diet, and lost nothing my first week. I was told not to get on the scale for the 1st week or so anyway, because your body has to release the IV fluid and water weight resulting from it.

you are so close... a few more days how are you doing?

Breakups suck. Sorry you are struggling so much. Try to get in some relaxation - put on some spa music, and take a hot shower, extra b vitamins always helped me, talking w a friend. Maybe set a timer and follow a regimented schedule. No one else can take care of you but you. Hugs...

Many experience problems drinking protein shakes. I hated them. But in the beginning I drank them, three 16-ounce protein shakes a day, in order to meet my protein requirements. You do not have to like protein shakes only tolerate them. There are many varieties of protein shakes available today. Experiment until you can find one you can tolerate. There are many different types of formulations on protein shakes. I would recommend that you keep experimenting until you find one that you can tolerate. You don't have to like it, just tolerate it. I used Muscle Milk Light (Vanilla Creme) powder blended with water and a half a banana. That worked for me. But on the opposite end of the spectrum, you might try premixed Isopure. If you tried all the various varieties and still are unsuccessfully, then there is the fallback of fortified milk. 32 ounces of 1% milk fortified by adding 1 cup of dried milk provides 56 grams of protein. It also takes a dent out of meeting the fluid requirements. Mix up a pitcher and drink a little throughout the day. Without sufficient protein, your body will scavenge protein from other areas of your body, such as your muscles. Protein is extremely important after surgery as its job in the body is to build and maintain tissues including your body's major organs and skeletal muscles. Protein deficiency, when continued over a long period of time can cause a disease known as protein caloric malnutrition. Common symptoms are poor healing, fatigue, hair loss and muscle wasting. Immediate post op, protein promotes healing of the staple line and incisions. Since you are 3 months post-op, there is another option that has opened up for you. You can begin using protein bars in place of protein shakes. I used Quest protein bars. These bars were good in that they had high protein, minimal sugar and also contained fiber. They also came in a lot of different flavors. Protein bars are good when you are on the go and can't drag along a blender in order to mix a protein shake. A Quest protein bar contains 220 calories and provides 21 grams of protein. A Muscle Milk Light protein [2 scoops of powder in a 16 ounce glass] contains 210 calories and provides 25 grams of protein. So they are comparable.

Very cool!

That's awesome congratulation!!!

Cut out dairy and flour based products. You will see results. You are worth it.