PattyGirl66

Are you tracking everything you eat? You must of been watching to not gain back any weight, you should be proud for that. Start back to basics,start measuring your foods, no more than a cup per meal. Drink plenty of Water. Get your Protein in. and of course exercise. Once you get back on track you will once again start losing like you did in the beginning. Have you had a fill yet? You also might want to ask yourself: Are you hungry all the time? How many hours can you go before your next meal? When was the last time you saw your surgeon? You can do this! Stay strong, and get back on track.... (hugs)

Wow! Nice job Chad!! You are one up by tracking all of your food, I swear by this, one of the reasons I am losing weight is because I track everything and super careful of my portions. Best of luck to you on your surgery, Keep up the great job!!!!

I have read that it does happen. You can only hope for the best that this is not the case - Sending good karma your way! Keep in touch and let us know (hugs)

Hey Sweet, if you are experiencing any tightness, or feel like you are getting stuck when eating, more than likely you may just need a small unfill. From everything I have read on here about fills and waiting is the outcome is not good if doing so. You want to take care of it right away, preventing any slips especially. Contact your surgeon first thing in the morning and let them know what you are experiencing. I have heard people getting fills, leaving the office, and turning right back around to get an unfill. Believe me the surgeons have seen and heard it all, that is what they are there for. Hope everything works out for you hon (hugs)

Hi Chad, You were right to say that everyone is different. as is weight loss for everyone, We all lose weight at different paces. Expect on the average with the band to lose anywhere between 1-2 pounds a week. Also, on a note immediately after surgery some have experienced a small weight gain due to Fluid retention. Are you banded or plan to be??

I agree "withlovethenewme", you need to keep the chicken moist as much as possible. There are many ways to do this, like said chicken broth. You can also simmer it in marinara sauce, lemon juice/chicken broth, bbq sauce, lemon juice/plain yogurt, low fat condensed Soups such as cream of mushroom and chicken, they even make light alfredo sauce now. My chicken always comes out most and tender because I slice it very thin before cooking and while simmering I 'cover' the pan with a lid to keep all the moisture in. Pause inbetween eating chicken when you start to take your next bite of whatever foods you are eating with it. Take very small bites, and mince in your mouth. OMG< I litterally chew food till its mush in my mouth before swallowing. As said, it is a learning process that takes a while to get use to ....

Hi Mommy, I would recommend that you first contact your health carrier just to make sure that weight loss surgery (i.e) lapband is covered by your insurance. Secondly, you can start research on finding a bariatric surgeon in your area or nearby and make an appointment to attend a weight loss seminar or speak with the surgeons. Making a list of questions before you speak with the surgeon is a great idea, that way you don't forget anything you may want to ask. It is important as well to let the surgeon know any medical conditions you may have so that they can decide what will be best for you. Hope that helps! Best of luck in your journey

I misread your information i thought it said "post op" sorry.. Yes, if you are on a strict liquid diet you have to stick with that as provided by your surgeons/NUT instructions......

Contact your NUT and ask for suggestions - Let them know what you are feeling, sometimes they have pretty good ideas on what you can have

I lived off of water and gatorade during these times. The gatorade helps replenish any loss of electrolites and has adequate potassium in it. You can even dilute gatorade with your water (i did that) . Water you can mix with anything if you can't tolerate it, I would drop slices of oranges, lemons , or limes in mine to spruce it up. However, I love water so I don't mind it plain at all.

Hi Angela, I think buying the protein shakes is a good start. You might want to prepare meals for yourself for the weekend so you can just grab from the fridge and don't have to worry about deciding on what to make, being it is the weekend you are probably relaxing from your week and catching up on household chores is enough to distract us from eating. You can make simple light meals and snacks. Things I love to have ready for 'grab me' foods are - cut up celery and carrots with cream cheese and vegtable soup mix (veggie dip) I make it myself so I don't get so much sodium in it. I love Hummas and mini pretzles or cut up veggies. 1/2 apple cut into wedges (remove skin) dipped in 2 tsp. peanut butter. For lunch time I buy thin deli meats such as Chicken breast or ham and mix cream cheese and spinach together and roll them up and put in microwave for 15 seconds. yummmo! Hows about opening up a can of tuna fish and throwing in a wedge of laughing cow cheese (how simple is that) spread it over triscuits or your favorite light cracker/bread However, I think the ready made protein drinks are a great idea

Hey Ali, I would be really concerned about your band at this point. I know you mentioned your finances,as to having no money, but you need to contact your surgeon or facility and let them know exactly what is going on. Your health is far more important. You need to be checked out for a band slip/erosions, etc. Not being able to keep food down is a sure sign of something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Many doctors/facility are willing to work with patients who don't have the means, (i.e) payment plans, etc.You may even be able to get medical relief through charity care,... You need to ask for help, your health maybe at risk.... Best of luck to you and please keep us posted!

I swallow "One A Day" Womens Petites (Multivitamins) - You take 2 a day, one in the morning and one at night. I have NO problems at all swallowing these, I am lucky because honestly I would hate to chew any vitamins or pills.

Be ready next time.... Buy a Blender Bottle container (they are super cheap) keep it at work. In the future what you can do is store Protein bars and Protein powder in your cabinets at work (just in case) PS: I have the green one (i loveit) paid only $5

Last year when I started to see my weight plumage! My body for years was getting too comfortable with being in the 280's for decades! But when I hit 304, then 310 and jumped right into 367 I knew something was wrong. I wasn't feeling right. sleeping a lot, the weight gain, swelling. My thyroid was a little off and I am being treated for that. Not to mention, I have degenerative hips (one replaced several years ago), I couldn't walk. Today, I can walk so much better, move around faster, more agility. Best decision I ever made for myself. Yes, I wish I took control a very long time ago before it got out of hand with my health. Better late than never.....

You can do it!!!! stay strong

Richgirl, very normal! I was exactly like you with my water and calories (except mine was a little lower). As your new stomache heals you will be able to eat more. Best thing you are doing right now is keeping yourself 'hydrated' very very important! I say you are doing just fine

Loseit and Myfitnesspal are great tools for tracking your foods. Besides that, you can personalize your food journal/tracking and keep an eye watch on certain nutrients (just to make sure you are hitting that goal). You can add friends to both and share your success along the way.

And Floridays is right, you need to measure. I measure everything! Yes, drinking water - drink a lot of it!

Hi Renz, Just wondering if you are tracking your everything you eat? You would be surprised what nutrients we need to adjust when we start losing and then our weight comes to a stall. Example: I was losing weight steadily not changing a thing, until the beginning of October I lost nothing for that entire month. I adjusted my carbs (I was taking in about 120) daily, as soon as I adjusted my carb intake, the weight started to come off again. A few other things you can look into such as, are you taking any new medications? Have you any problems in the past with your thyroid? What about your sodium intake, are you eating too much of it? Getting in enough of Protein? What about your fat grams a day? I know this is a lot to absorb all at once, but believe me tracking is beneficial and has proven to be effective. Honestly, if I didn't track my foods I would not be losing any weight at all. Don't give up!! first and foremost, you didn't have this surgery for nothing! If you have done everything I have listed and then some, maybe your right and the band just doesnt work for you, but don't fail to overlook something you haven't before you throw your hands up! Lastly, you should be proud of yourself for losing the 15lbs and keeping it off! That alone is a great accomplishment! Your calorie intake is very good, try uping your calories (give it a week) YOU need to jump start your metabolisim again. Fat grams should be no more than 30 grams per day. Carbs keep it to a minimum and be very careful, they are very sneaky! I can't give you a magic number for carbs because I am still adjusting mine every week. Do you know how many carbs you are eating per day?? If you have any questions, feel free to email me,

Name, real or screen~ Patricia Goal weight for December 29th~ (279) Weight on December 1st~ (286) Age~ 49 Dietary goal for December~ (get in more protein) Exercise goal for December~ (work more on upper body) Personal goal for December~ (get into my denim skirt without squishing myself to death in them) Date banded~ July 25th, 2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 81 What is your favorite Winter/Christmas/Holiday Activity?~ (Shopping/baking)

Please update us once you are able to so to let us know how you are doing and what the prognosis was ((hugs))

Its a very normal feeling. Our bodies after lapband surgery need to heal anywhere between 4-6 weeks, some even longer so don't be alarmed if you are feeling this way even after the 6th week. You will feel like yourself soon, just remember to follow your surgeons instructions on doing so, keeping hydrated is key. Plus don't forget Protein and a multivitamin

Hi Krystle, hair loss after surgery is very common. Numerous things affect hair loss like anesthesia, weight loss, it shocks the body. Some of us don't even experience hair loss until later down the road (that is whats happening to me) now. My hair is falling out too a lot! There is medically nothing you can do about it. You can take biotion supplments daily.Make sure you are drinking plenty of Water and taking a Multivitamin. Remember this is temporary.......