DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Weight loss isn't instantaneous it takes time. But you also must remember fills have absolutely nothing to do with losing weight. The fills add Fluid to your band to control your appetite and suppress hunger. It has nothing to do with your metabolism. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume- and that isn't a quick process. Best wishes.

It definitely could be. It's really important you get in all your protein because otherwise you're risking burning muscle instead of fat. Plus, protein also keeps you full a lot longer.

I think you have a really good grasp of it all overall, you're doing very well, especially for someone not banded yet! Nice! I'm not sure if I'd go as small as a pinky nail, maybe more like an index fingernail. And I'm not sure anyone waits a full a minute between bites, if they did, as you pointed out you'd never get more than an 1/8 of a cup per meal. What my nutritionist told me, and I still do even after a year of being banded, is I put my fork or spoon down between bites. So, I take a bite, put the fork down and my hand off it, chew thoroughly, and not reach for my fork again until I've completely swallowed the bite. This way I'm not accidentally shoveling food in mindlessly and not piling food into the pouch. As for time, I was told 20-30 minutes max. After a half hour, you're done regardless of how much food you have left. I hope that helps. Best wishes to you!

It takes most people multiple fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band to control hunger. Being as you've only had one, it's not surprising you're still very hungry. It's rough, a lot of us refer to it as "bandster hell" because you don't even feel like you have a band yet. The best advice I can give you is too stick to a cup or less of food and track your calories. It's important you stick to band sized portions anyway, but counting calories is how you can make sure you're not consuming more calories than you burn. It will get easier once you have had a couple fills, but it is definitely possible to lose weight even before you're in the Green Zone. Be patient. It will come.

You're doing beautifully!!! Be ready because your feet may shrink even more! I know it sounds nuts, but I actually went from a size 10W shoe to a 8 1/2M. I didn't think it was possible! I fully expected to have to replace all my clothes but I couldn't believe I also had to replace all my shoes lol!

If I wasn't doing well with just the information I learned from my nutritionist, I'd definitely be on Weight Watchers too. Like you, I can't feel deprived and be successful. I love Pasta, bread, and potatoes and I refuse to live the rest of my life without them. Thankfully my nutritionist also agrees it's unrealistic to give them up so she actually encourages healthy carbs. So far I'm doing very well as I am, however if that ever changes or I find myself struggling, I'll definitely be turning towards Weight Watchers.

No, not even remotely. Call your surgeon.

Do your homework. Be it the Sleeve, Lap Band, or Gastric Bypass, none work for everyone and none guarantee weight loss. Weight loss surgery is just a tool and requires changing your eating habits to healthy ones for life. Regardless of which you choose, the best thing you can do is go into it well informed and knowing what you'll need to do to be successful. As far as the band, how much you lose is completely up to you. As far as not losing fast, I guess that's not always true either. I've lost over 175 pounds in a year and I'm still losing. Granted I have worked hard to get where I am, but I'm also living proof it can be done. Just remember, at the end of the day, you have to do what is best for you. Best wishes on whatever you choose to do.

Yes, if I get stressed out I pretty much can't eat.

You did great! I'm going to be honest, I'm not so sure I would've been able to resist lol! You should be very proud

Cooking with it is fine because there's no carbonation in the finished product. Enjoy!

Hi Shanae! Welcome! First, don't let all the band horror stories scare you. Unfortunately the majority of so-called studies out there stating high band failure rate should actually be called high patient failure. What I mean by that is, the majority of complications and slips are caused by the patient not following the rules. They chronically over eat, walk around with a band too tight for months, eating around their bands, drinking carbonation, or even simply don't get the proper after care. The truth is, it's a very small percentage of Lap Band patients that have serious complications by no fault of their own. I actually started off close to your size- I weighed over 400 pounds the day of my surgery. I heard a lot of people try to talk me out of the band and into something more drastic like the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. I can't tell you how glad I am I didn't listen to them. I've lost over 175 pounds since I was banded a year ago. My life has changed so drastically it's hard to even put into words. I still have weight to lose but I know I'll get there. Honestly, I am happier and healthier than I've ever been in my adult life. Getting the Lap Band was the best decision I've ever made for myself. Best wishes to you!

That sounds VERY good!!

I actually did that! I mixed cream soups all the time. One of my favorites was mixing cream of chicken with cream of onion. It was really really good!

When I was on that phase, I really loved the V8 soups. There's no chunks in them and they're a creamier soup. They have flavors like Tomato Garden, Butternut Squash, and Potato Basil. They're so good and very good for you- low fat and a full serving of veggies.

There is no way we can guess that. Have you been banded? You should really fill out your profile so we can better help.

It's been a year since I was in your situation, but I remember it well. I was on liquids for 4 weeks and it was pure hell. It was pretty bad when the highlight of my day was taking my chewable Vitamin because it was the only thing I actually "ate" lol. Hang in there, you can totally this and you'll be so glad you did

Can you be more specific? What type of trouble?

There's actually a large variety of protein shakes on the market with a good amount of protein besides just Premier and Bariatric Advantage. It's just a matter of reading labels and finding one that you like.

I personally think people need to do whatever works for them. People get way too hung up on the word "diet". But the bottom line is, we're all following some sort of diet whether we want to call it that or not. Here's the Webster's definition of the word diet: a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed b : habitual nourishment c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight Low carb, carb cycling, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Paleo, or even restricting calories. It doesn't matter what you call it at the end of the day it's a diet. Do what works for you. We're all unique with unique needs. Some like low carb and do great on it. I personally despise it and think it's totally unrealistic long term- but that's my opinion. Some happen to like Weight Watchers, which really is just a way of counting calories easier. At the end of the day, if it's working for you, it doesn't matter if anyone else likes it or agrees.

I saw this picture and thought...this is so perfect for us!

Quite honestly, being pregnant, you don't have the time to just wait around and see if it calms down and it's highly unlikely you can get the nutrients you need on liquids. Most women get unfilled during pregnancy and this is exactly why. Proper nutrients for you and your baby are so crucial and right now you're at risk of not getting that. Call your OBGYN, tell her exactly what's going on with your band, and see what she says. If she tells you to get an unfill then call your surgeon for one ASAP. Your baby's developmental health is far more important than your weight right now. Best wishes

I hate to say this, but I'm going to call BS on that doctor. There are very few complications within the first 30 days of Lap Band and statistically speaking, only 8-12% of complications are by no fault of the patient. The rest have complications because of their own poor behavior. As far as the woman going "the doctor could not find a needle that would go into my fat; since I have gained all of my weight back." I'm also calling BS. I started over 400 pounds. I've met people who started closer to 500 pounds. Never, ever is finding a needle to get through the fat a problem. Either that woman is blaming others for her own failure or her doctor was completely incompetent. The Lap Band makes the surgeon the least amount of money of all the WLS. Either that surgeon is only in it for the money or he's an ignorant bafoon. Either way, if I were you, I'd definitely be looking for a new one. Best wishes to you. Sorry you had such a band experience.