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Plateaus are normal though extremely frustrating. I've been dealing with a month long one myself. I eat around 1200 calories a day

Almost 160 pounds in 10 months

Ugh yes, big time. If I'm really stressing out, I'm lucky to even be able to choke down a protein shake. A lot of people end up with tight bands due to stress. The good news is, once you calm a bit, the band will relax again too.

It all depends on your insurance requirements and your surgeon. Some people have to do a 6 month supervised diet before surgery, others don't and get it almost immediately because of it. I didn't have to have a supervised diet so it was only a month between the seminar and when I had surgery.

You don't always, especially if you have abdominal fat. I've had many hernias since giving birth to my son 10 years ago, in fact I had emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia this past August. When they first started, it felt like you describe but no bulge. It wasn't until they were considerably bigger and pushed through the abdominal fat that I could see them.

It's possible you're developing an incisional hernia. Again, I'm just guessing from my own experience, I could be totally wrong. I'd ask your doc to check it out.

Thanks all...it really is a great feeling. Though one funny moment: I was picking up a prescription a couple weeks ago that was a controlled substance. I had to provide my ID to get it. The woman kept looking at my (old) license then me, and I finally said "I swear that's really me, I just changed a lot". She finally goes "I hope you lost all that weight on purpose, not because you're sick with cancer or something". ROFL!!!

Yummm...I love a good sandwich! ENJOY!

I drink a lot of Lipton Diet Iced Green Tea. It's zero calories, no carbonation, and comes in different flavors. I drink the Raspberry, Citrus, or Mixed Berry flavor.

I agree with others, it sounds like you are a bit too tight. If all you can eat is junk and sliders, you will end up gaining weight. Call your doc and tell them the problems you're having.

You wouldn't need dentures, just a partial to replace the missing back teeth. I would look into it because chewing is so crucial to eating properly with the band.

I have an Unjury Chocolate Splendor shake for breakfast every morning. I've always mixed it with a cup of skim milk.

Your post is so 100% spot on. I totally agree. For what it's worth, I've dealt with the same thing. I've been bashed both in private messages and in the forums for simply stating facts. Though I have been told similar, "just because you lost all this weight you think you know it all". It makes me wonder if the same insecure whiners are targeting us both. Regardless, I love your posts. You have been a huge inspiration to me since I got here back in January. Please, don't change a thing because of a few childish people. You are a huge asset to this forum and we need more people like you.

Unless you were told otherwise by your doctor, yes it's fine. I take all my pills (one is rather big even) with no problem and have since surgery. Just be very cautious after a fill when your band is tighter.

There is no way we can tell you that. Call your doctor and ask them.

That's awesome!! Congratulations!!

Have you seen a nutritionist? If not, I strongly suggest it. They can help you set up food guidelines that work within your lifestyle and needs. They can also teach you how to enjoy things like chips in moderation.

I'm truly sorry you're struggling so much. The thing is, the band is a great tool. It's wonderful for helping to appease our hunger and lessen our appetite. But unfortunately it can't fix our brains. food addiction is very real and many of us need help to conquer it. It sounds to me like a counselor would benefit you greatly to help you learn coping mechanisms to deal with your food issues. Along with a counselor, I'd also strongly suggest seeing a nutritionist. Dieting sucks and it's hard. It's also the reason so many of us fail. You don't need another diet, you need someone to show you how to eat and live healthy for a lifetime. A nutritionist, especially one dealing with bariatric patients, will help you to do that. They will help you establish food guidelines that work with your lifestyle and needs, not just another diet. Best wishes

If you can't eat healthy because you can't physically eat, then the last thing you need is another fill. You have to be able to eat to lose. You have to eat healthy. Fills don't make you lose weight, good food choices and small portions make you lose weight. It is necessary to eat healthy if you want to lose weight- no exceptions. Exercise is also very helpful and recommended. Remember the band is just a tool. The real work will always be yours to do. Good luck.

Donna that kind of pain doesn't go away overnight. It leaves lasting scars that haunt you for a lifetime. The best you can do is give those scars time to heal so over time, they slowly become less and less noticeable. I know right now it doesn't feel like it but in time it will get easier and hurt less. And of course you ARE worthy of someone else! The question isn't are you worthy, the question is...what man is worthy of a beautiful, loving, tender woman? Be patient and kind to yourself.

Just to try to regain the peace... I think bigtruk has been misunderstood. He said your husband didn't leave for a skinny girl meaning there was obviously much more at stake in the marriage than anyone's weight. It's not uncaring thing or even harsh thing- it's the truth. No one leaves a spouse just because of weight. Weight is usually just the icing on an already very messed up cake. He's saying you need to have the surgery for you, because you deserve to be happy, not to show your ex what he's missing. Now if bigtruk had been considerably more detailed in his post perhaps this wouldn't have happened, however, I do think a lot more was incorrectly read into it than was actually there. Btw- my ex called me every name in the book because of my weight. And, he cheated on me. AND he was an addict. I won't lie, seeing his jaw literally hit the floor when he saw me recently was SO incredibly satisfying. This was especially true because his long time girlfriend has gained a ton of weight and is now much bigger than I am. Petty and childish on my part? YUP!! But damn... I can't help it... it was so very satisfying

I hate going to buffets. I feel like I may as well be flushing cash down the toilet because I definitely don't get my money's worth. With that said, I do still go when it's part of a group meal. I just stick to the salad bar mostly. If I spot some baked chicken or fish, I'll have a small piece of that too.

First, you don't sound like a rambling idiot at all. You sound like a woman who's torn between taking care of others or taking care of yourself. I can only speak for myself, but if I were in your shoes, I'd get the surgery. It's a lot of work but it's an amazing tool. Plus, by losing weight and getting healthy you will be taking better care of your family too. They need you to stick around, not die too soon due to obesity related diseases. Not to mention your knees alone is a huge reason to go forward with the surgery. At the end of the day, only you can decide what's best for you. But you owe it to yourself and your family to be the healthiest you that you can be. Best wishes on whatever you decide.