DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

When you go in Wednesday, don't be afraid to take charge and ask direct questions. Ask specifically how many calories you should be eating and how much Protein you should be getting daily. As far as weight loss, you have to remember the first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing not losing. Your body has been through some major trauma and you're not on real food again yet. It's natural your body puts a halt to the weight loss to try to heal and adjust so don't let it concern you. But, this is also why it's important to get some clear direction from your NUT and doctor. Best wishes!

I have been saying for the last year I need to get one but I still haven't yet. (yeah, I know, I'm procrastinating foolishly) For now, I have my Lap Band ID card right behind my license. I figure this way if I'm in an accident and they go for my ID they'll see that Lap Band card too.

Have you seen a nutritionist? If not you'll definitely want to do so. They will help you establish food guidelines specifically for your health needs. Everyone here will likely have different answers (hence why you need to see a nutritionist) so I can only speak for myself. I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day.

You are so right. It's not easy and not it's not simple. Most of us haven't even felt physical hunger in years because we would constantly eat and never let ourselves get hungry. So not only are we trying to learn to listen to our body's natural hunger signals, we're also trying to retrain our brains to go "Oh, I don't need more food" rather than eat until our brains go "Oh I couldn't eat another bite". That's one thing all the surgeons and nutritionists seem to miss telling us ahead of time: trying to be successful with the Lap Band is one huge learning experience.

You'll definitely want to check with your own doctor because they all have their own rules and ideas what works best. As for myself, I was told to stay within a cup or less per meal from the very beginning. Not to lose weight but to get used to staying within band sized portions and (as TMF pointed out) so I didn't stretch my stomach. Regardless of what the rest of us have done, just stick to whatever your surgeon recommends. Best wishes.

Perhaps look at it from another perspective... You must need the Lap Band or you wouldn't be getting it, right? So would you really want your DH to lie to you and tell you don't need it? The sad truth is, too often people are on here sad because their spouse doesn't support their decision to have WLS. Your DH not only supports it but he's excited for you. I see that as something to be thankful for not sad about. Best wishes on your journey.

Going out to eat is tough because you're at the mercy of the chef. If they have chicken in some sort of sauce or marinade, that's usually a guarantee it won't be too dry. Then you just have to be careful the sauce isn't some calorie monster. If you could find some sort of chicken in a tomato sauce it would be a good bet for both moisture as well as not horribly high calories. At home is easier for sure. I marinade both chicken and pork for about 4 hours before cooking them. Then when I bake them, I cover them in foil to help keep in the moisture.

Congratulations, Dee! You have done a truly amazing job and should be so proud of yourself!!!

Ok this is totally off topic, when I saw the cartoon of the girl checking out her @ss in the mirror (your signature) I seriously laughed out loud!

Congratulations and I hope you heal quickly!

I think scales, like all things with weight loss, are a matter of doing what's best for you. I know others that only weigh in at doctor's appointments and do great. As for myself, I weigh myself every day. In fact, I normally check my weight both morning and night. For me, it holds me accountable and works. I got to over 400 pounds avoiding scales so owning and using one is crucial for me. Do what works for you Best wishes!

Your doctor didn't give you post fill instructions? You'll find a wide variety of responses because every surgeon seems to handle them differently. Mine has me do liquids the first 24 hours, then soft food for a day, then gradually back to real food

First, my heart aches for you. I can't fathom what you're going through. You desperately need to find a psychologist or psychiatrist that deal specifically with eating disorders. Bulemia can be deadly and the fact you've already aspirated food into your lungs by vomiting, resulting in pneumonia, is just the tip of the ice burg of problems yet to come if you don't get help. You also say "band removal is a non option". Do you realize vomiting is one of the biggest causes of slips resulting in band removal? Please, don't be embarrassed You're suffering from a very real disease that is beyond your control. But, you are aware of it, and now you have to take steps to get help. All the weight loss and thinness in the world isn't worth it if it costs you your life. Please get help. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Something doesn't add up. You say your doctor says you have Anorexia. You have dangerously low blood pressure as well as severe kidney and liver problems, yet you're talking about going to the gym and normal nutrient levels. Something is seriously, potentially life threatening wrong. You need focus on resolving the issues not your weight. Please, just get medical and counseling help immediately. None of the weight loss is worth it if it costs you your life.

If you don't eat healthy, then yes, you can have major health issues due to weight loss. You see this often with Gastric Bypass patients because they don't absorb nutrients efficiently. But if you're healthy the speed you lose is irrelevant. I've lost almost 190 pounds in about 13 1/2 months. I eat according to my nutritionist guidelines, I walk for exercise, and I am healthier than I've ever been in my adult life. Speed of weight loss is irrelevant, how healthy you live and lose it is what matters.

You won't hurt anything sleeping, even it is on your tummy. I have slept on my tummy since the day after surgery without a problem. Get comfy and get some sleep!

Actually, if you lose the weight eating healthy and exercising, the speed you lose it is irrelevant. Neither fast nor slow are more healthy than another so long as it's done properly. Her problem has nothing to do with weight loss speed but rather Anorexia.

Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss- even if they do suck. If you're burning more calories than you're consuming, the plateau will pass eventually on it's own. Some people find mixing up their calories or exercise a way to "trick" their metabolism to get past a plateau. For instance, doing completely different exercises than you're used to, like cardio versus weight training. As far as calories, switching them up to shock your metabolism sometimes helps. Say you normally eat 1200 calories a day. Doing something like dropping down to 900 calories on day 1, then up to 1400 calories on day 2, back down to 800-900 day 3, up to 1300-1400 day 4, then back to your normal 1200 a day 5 and on. But the reality is, metabolism shocking tricks or not, even if you do nothing eventually your plateau will eventually pass on it's own. Best wishes to you.

I just looked back and remembered this thread from you too: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/164823-depressed/#entry1937054 You say: "Been very depressed lately have been having low blood pressure to the point where I'm passing out today it was 70/50 my primary doctor is saying it's because I'm not taking in enough calories! And she said that I'm suffering from anorexia! I have 25 more pounds to go to my goal so I don't see how I have anorexia" Anorexia is completely different than simply losing weight. Anorexia will cause all the symptoms you describe and can even result in death if left untreated. I urge you to get into counseling immediately as well as listen to your doctor. You have a very big, very serious problem that you simply can't afford to ignore.

Maybe it's just a consistency thing? I eat pudding all the time but if I try even a bite of yogurt I'll gag. There's just something about the consistency of it that I can't deal with.

The problems you list are highly unlikely due to weight loss at any speed. High Protein diets can cause kidney issues as well as bowel issues, and weight loss can make your blood pressure lower, but it's much more likely you have another health issue going on. I'd urge you to go see your primary care doctor immediately because what you list here can all be highly dangerous. If my memory serves me correctly, you just recently posted upset because your doctor wouldn't give you another fill. You said you were told you lost too much weight but you wanted to lose another 18 pounds. Now, this post today. If you believed all these health issues were due to weight loss, why would you be trying to lose more? Best wishes and get into your primary care doctor immediately.

Thrift shops. They're you're best best for clothes so you're not spending a fortune while you're losing weight.

Do you take a good daily multi Vitamin? Oddly, I find activity really helps combat fatigue. Sometimes when I'm tired, I'll take a mile or two walk and then I'm wide awake again.

If I were in your shoes, I would definitely be concerned. There is no way 1cc should disappear in a month's time. I would also be more than a little upset your doctor didn't have the amount that was put into your band in your patient records. Hopefully it's all just a big misunderstanding, but I'd definitely insist your band Fluid is checked next visit. If it's less than 4cc, I'd insist your doctor investigates the possibility of a leak. Best wishes.