DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Wow that is a REALLY small amount! My doctor and nutritionist always say a cup or less of food per meal. A golf ball would be a fraction of that. I'm curious what others respond.

I was very worried. I started over 400 pounds and in horrible health so I knew losing weight was crucial so I didn't die way too young of obesity related diseases. But, like you, I had never successfully lost and kept it off. I was terrified of failing. What finally convinced me "hey, I can totally do this!" was seeing the numbers go down. I have counted calories and stuck to a cup or less of food per meal since the day I got home from the hospital- and it's definitely worked. As I watched my weight drop (and clothes literally fall off! LOL!) my courage and self confidence increased. I no longer worry I'll fail. I know I'll lose all this weight. I've lost 175 pounds in less than a year. I still have a ways to go, but I know over time I'll lose the rest too. Best wishes to you.

Given the choice, I'd get a Realize band over an Allergan band. The reason being is Allergan is trying to sell off their Lap Band business. I'm not sure how that will effect patients with the Allergan band (like me!) however it seems to me Realize is the more stable choice. Again, just my opinion.

Congratulations!!

Congratulations!

They may be telling you the band has a 47% failure rate, and that may be the case with their patients, however I'd be willing to bet the majority of those people caused it themselves. You will hear a lot of doctors who prefer the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass (because they make the surgeons a lot more money, by the way) talk about the high failure rate of the band. What they don't tell you is, the majority of failures are because the patient caused it themselves. Walking around with a band too tight for months, vomiting, drinking carbonation, and chronically over eating can all cause slips. There is a small percentage of people who's band fails by no fault of their own (the last study I read said 8%) but most "band failures" are because the patient failed, not the band. As far as the band size, you definitely don't want a 4cc band. They don't use them in the United States anymore because of the high slip/complication rate. If you read these forums, you will see a high amount of people banded years ago with the 4cc band who are now having to revise to the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass because of major band issues that are no fault of their own. You can also read FDA reports against the 4cc band. At the end of the day, you have to do what you feel most comfortable with for you. It's your body and you have to do what you think is best for it. Whether it's Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, or the Sleeve be sure to thoroughly do your homework first so that you can make a good informed decision. Best wishes to you.

That is up to your doctor. I'd ask him to be sure.

You are 100% correct!!! When I was little, I was always forced to clean my plate. It didn't matter if I was full, I was expected to eat it all. I honestly believe that is what lead me to being a binge eater as a teen and adult. I was taught from an early age to ignore my body's natural full signal. As a result, I ended up a morbidly obese adult. (my brother is morbidly obese, too). I'm not blaming my parents for being fat, btw. I take full responsibility for that myself. But I do know the whole "clean your plate" mentality played a big part in my poor eating habits. I'm very lucky that I realized this early in my adult life. As a result, I've never ever told my kids to eat more than they want. If they have only 1 of 8 chicken nuggets- fine with me. Tonight I made spaghetti for dinner and my son said he wasn't hungry. So... I simply said "ok hon, you can have some later if you change your mind". I'm thrilled to report both of my kids are healthy weights, aren't binge eaters, and have very healthy relationships with food.

It all depends how you're losing it. If you're eating healthy foods and exercising, and you're not nutrient deficient or malnourished, then I wouldn't worry about losing too fast. I've lost 175 pounds in less than a year, by the way. I know it's freaked out a lot of people and I hear how it's "too fast" all the time. However my family doctor, surgeon, and neurologist are all thrilled with my weight loss. I have considerable blood work done every 3-6 months so I know everything looks good from a medical standpoint, too. If you're eating right and your surgeon says you're doing well, then just enjoy the loss. (it does slow down eventually, btw) Best wishes.

I'm so relieved everything is ok! I actually had similar happen after my c-section years ago. It was a build up Fluid internally and it essentially "burst" out my incision. I actually called 911 because so much was pouring out of me (literally) I thought I was about to bleed to death. So, don't freak out if it starts to bleed again. Mine actually oozed for a month on and off. Glad you're doing well :wub:

I'm not into the Paleo diet myself, however I commend you for trying to find out what works best for your body and metabolism. Too often I see people who are like lemmings, following the herd, doing exactly what everyone else is doing without questioning if it's truly right for them. I'm a huge advocate of playing with your nutritional intake to figure out what works best for you and your body. I think if more people did this there would be a lot more people losing weight easier. Good thread. Keep doing what works for you

I so agree with CarolinaGirl. For me, willpower has nothing to do with it. It's want-power. I want to lose this weight and be healthy more than anything and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it. Willpower, btw, I have absolutely none. At all. Want-power I have tons of.

You've got a couple weeks, you have time to lose some still. The purpose of the pre-op diet isn't to lose weight, it's to shrink the liver. (the pre-op diet isn't the same as insurance required diets prior). In obese people, the liver is very fatty and large. When the doctor does Lap Band surgery, he has to be able to move around the liver and physically move it out of the way to access the stomach. If the liver is too large and fatty, there is a very real risk of serious damage to the liver. I've actually heard of many surgeons who've canceled the patients surgery because they felt the liver was too enlarged to safely do the surgery. I would make your surgeon aware of the kidney stone issue and then simply do your best to lose in the remaining time you have. Best wishes.

You look amazing! Congratulations!!

Use this time to seriously consider your decision. If you decide not to, then simply cancel the surgery. But ultimately you have to do what's best for you. One thing to point out though: You can't stay on liquids forever. Eventually you'll inevitably go back to normal food and likely old eating habits, gaining back whatever you lost and then some. Whether you choose to get the band or not, you will still have to change your eating habits for a lifetime.

I started seeing a man about 6 months after my Lap Band surgery. I actually told him almost immediately. Granted I was vague at first, but I did tell him. As time went on and we grew closer, I went into much more detail, even showing him pictures of what I used to look like before losing 175 pounds. I saw it like this: If a man can't choose to be with me despite all faults and trials, then he's not worth my time and has no place in my life. Fast forward to today- we now live together very happily. I'm glad I told him early on. I honestly believe it strengthened our bond and helped me to feel safe and trust him.

My boyfriend doesn't have a weight issue, heck if anything he's underweight, but he's 100% supportive of me. He's even offered to not snack at night while watching TV because he knows that's when it's hardest for me not to graze and fall into old habits. However, I told him it's ok, eat whatever he wants. He understands I have certain "trigger foods" (like Peanut Butter cups) that I simply can't have in the house. I'm so thankful he doesn't bring trigger foods in the house, however, he still has his junk food that he enjoys. I wouldn't have it any other way, either. I'm the one who allowed myself to get grossly fat and have to have WLS not him. I don't expect him to give up what he enjoys eating.

It's the meds they give you during and after surgery combined with your lack of food on the post op diet. I would take a stool softner, like Colace, every morning until you go. Make sure it's a stool softner though, not a laxative. Drink lots and lots of Water, too. Best wishes to you.

Actually I don't restrict carbs. I keep my fat less than 25% of my total calories, I make sure to get at least 60g of protein in daily, but I don't restrict carbs. In my opinion, it's simply not realistic for me long term and I lose great even while eating carbs. I honestly don't eat anything special. I just smaller versions of what I make for my family. Right now I'm about to have a Lean Cuisine for lunch. Last night I made meatballs and rice for dinner. For me to lose the weight and keep it off, it's really important I don't feel deprived. That's another reason I don't restrict carbs. I eat healthy and count calories but I eat the same things my family does.

Floridays is exactly right. Plus, you need to realize the post op diet isn't there for you to lose weight. Your stomach has been banded and sutured. It's wounded. It needs time to heal. You're putting your band and health at risk by not following the doctor's orders and giving your body time to properly heal.

It happens a lot during the holidays. I'm guessing it'll come off relatively quickly, especially if you're retaining water from high sodium foods. Start logging your calories so you can regain control. Hang in there.

I plan on having some but I'll let it go flat first. I'm not willing to risk the carbonation.

First, my heart goes out to you. I also have struggled with my weight my entire life so I understand how hard it is. I got the Lap Band surgery almost a year ago. I weighed in at 421 pounds but I'm only 5'3 so I was wearing a size 7x. I've lost 175 pounds since then and I'm now wearing a 1x. I still have weight to lose but I know I'll get there. Honestly, my life couldn't be more different than it was a year ago. Getting the band is the best decision I've ever made for myself. As far as skin, ugh, I have TONS of it. I'm getting a tummy tuck in a couple months because of the extreme tummy skin hang and hoping to get my breasts reduced and lifted next fall. But, excess skin aside, it's still worth it. I'd rather have all the extra skin than all the extra fat. My best advice to you is to thoroughly do your homework before making a decision. Too many people seem to rush into this surgery ignorant to the facts. They think it's a magic fix for fat and that isn't the case at all. It takes work and determination to be successful with the band. The band is an amazing tool, but only that, just a tool. The work is always ours to do be successful with it. Best wishes to you with whatever you decide

Congratulations!