DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I was afraid of looking older too, however apparently just the opposite has happened. I hear all the time "holy cow you look so young!" Apparently losing weight has made me look younger. This is my driver's license pics. The left November 2011 and right October 2012

You look gorgeous!! Congratulations!!

I have no idea why anyone would go for a ridiculous fad diet when they have the Lap Band. If you're only eating 500 calories a day and taking human growth hormone, you are going to gain every ounce back the minute you start eating normally and stop the hormone. Plus, this warning came out in January: "In January, the FDA warned that homeopathic hCG is fraudulent and illegal when sold for weight-loss purposes. Though the FDA said such products aren't necessarily dangerous, their sale is deceptive, since there's no good evidence they're effective for weight loss. What's more, all hCG products, including injections prescribed by a doctor, must carry a warning stating there's no proof they accelerate weight loss, redistribute fat, or numb the hunger and discomfort typical of a low-calorie diet." Translation: HCG is nothing more than a useless gimmick and anyone only eating 500 calories a day is going to lose weight. Btw- only eating 500 calories a day is a sure-fire way to lose muscle and lots of it. Just FYI.

That's way too little calories, however eating more will be much easier once you're on solid foods again.

I look drastically different but I am thrilled with the changes. I do have a lot of extra skin and does make me look bigger, however the worst of it is on my tummy and I'm having a tummy tuck this spring.

It's really hard, I'm not even going to lie. I've finally got it down to around 30g but it's taken me a lot of tweaking to get there.

I know it's probably not good, but I also weigh myself every morning and every night. Like Cheryl said, when I weigh the same at night as I did in the morning I know I've lost. When my weight is only up 2-3 pounds at night, I know I haven't gained. It holds me accountable.

I'm making a turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, green bean casserole, corn, homemade bread, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and apple pie.

Honestly, for a male, I still think you're eating too little. I would guess a man would need 1500-1700 calories a day. 1100 is considered on the low end for females even. Btw, 5 pounds in 2 weeks is very good. There are a couple of us trying carb cycling to increase our weight loss. I started researching it during a plateau that lasted over 5 weeks (yeah I was not happy). Perhaps it could help you too? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/159669-carb-cycling-an-experiment-gone-right/ Best wishes to you.

Excellent post!! I find myself modeling my healthy, thin, 10 year old son (yes the little guy in my avatar picture). I can make his favorite meal in the entire world, and if he's no longer hungry, he's done eating. It doesn't matter if 3/4 of it is still on his plate, either. The same thing goes with deserts. I can give him a piece of cake and most of the time he doesn't finish it because he's no longer hungry. I watch him and think... I'm so thankful he didn't get my food issues, and now I'm trying model after him.

Has your surgeon checked your band placement with a barium swallow? If not, you need to demand it done immediately. Ice cream is a very bad idea. That is nothing but empty calories and will quickly sneak up on your scale if you're not careful. If your band isn't slipped, I'd guess your bites aren't small enough. They should be about the size of your fingernail. You should also be chewing until it's absolute mush and pausing between bites. Best wishes and congratulations on losing so much weight!

I am making Thanksgiving dinner for my family this year. I'm still making a huge turkey and all the "stuff" we typically eat with it- I'm just sending it all home with them afterwards so it's not sitting around here begging to be eaten.

I know this isn't the answer you want, but you have to ask your doctor. None of us can answer this question for you, only your doctor can. Personally, I'd say it's a waste of time and money to take stuff like that. You got the band so why not use it rather than some gimmick?

The Ensure High Protein would work, the other variations aren't nearly high enough in protein. Talk to your surgeon for sure because he'll have a strict post op diet for you to follow.

I'm so sorry you're struggling. I would strongly suggest finding a good counselor. The band is a wonderful tool but it can't fix our heads. food addiction is VERY real and extremely hard to combat. Unlike an alcoholic who can walk away and never have a drink again, we have to eat multiple times daily just to live. A good counselor can help you win the battles that the band can't- within in your own mind. Best wishes to you.

Just a little update. Today I have officially been carb cycling for 2 weeks. I've lost 11.6 pounds during that time!

Yes exactly! High carb days=low fat Low carb days=high fat The reason low carb days are high fat is because your body can't handle both low carb and low fat. It will start to use it's own muscle for energy- which we do not want at all. High carb days are your typical low fat because the carbs are energy.

I think you're doing good! My only suggestion would be to maybe lower your fat a little on the high carb days. I know, it's confusing. This whole thing is one big learning experience.

I've already lost almost 65% of my excess weight. I've lost 166 pounds in 10 months. I'm still losing, too. You can lose as much with the band as you are willing to work for.

Well there's a lot of us on here, perhaps your local surgeons are pushing the other WLS heavily? A lot are doing that now not because they're actually better, but because they make the more money with less aftercare effort on the other surgeries.

You need to ask your own doctor, they all have different rules to follow both pre and post fill.

That is very good news indeed!! Rest well and heal up fast

Holy cow, thanks for sharing your story!! I never heard of such a thing, let alone a doc or PA missing the port like that, but you offer wise advice!!

I started with a BMI of 72 and well over 400 pounds. I was originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass (I heard the same speech about high BMI not being good for the Lap Band, I wouldn't lose the weight, etc). At the last minute I canceled the surgery because I just couldn't justify re-routing my perfectly healthy organs. The Lap Band just seemed like a logical starting point to be because it was the safest, totally reversible, no hacking off or re-routing organs, and no dumping or malabsorption issues. I found a local surgeon who wasn't afraid of my high BMI and Lap Band. That was the best decision I've EVER made in my adult life. I've already lost 166 pounds in the 10 months since surgery. Regardless of which WLS you choose, how much and successfully you lose is entirely up to you. They are wonderful tools but that's all they are, not magic bullets. You will have to change your eating habits and exercise portion control for a lifetime. But, if you're willing to do the work, you will be successful.