DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Protein shakes have nothing to do with losing weight. Burning more calories than you are consuming does. You can lose weight without the shakes. I would suggest counting calories and concentrating on making good food choices.

food addiction is VERY real. In my opinion, it's the hardest addiction there is to break too. For instance, I am an ex smoker. I smoked for almost 20 years. When I quit smoking 18 months ago, I knew I couldn't have a single puff again or I'd be smoking a pack a day again. Cigarettes were 100% off limits forever. It wasn't easy, but I quit. However, I am also a food addict. I need food to live so I can't just walk away from it. So here I am, a recovering food addict staring down the face of my addiction multiple times every day of my life. Really, think about it!! Do people take an alcoholic and say "you must drink 3 beers a day, but no more! No don't cheat! Where's your willpower?" NO!! Yet, that is EXACTLY what they expect of us food addicts. It is just brutal. As far as the band, it is amazing tool, but sadly it won't fix our brains. That addiction is still there. I've lost a lot of weight in a relatively short amount of time and I still battle against my own brain daily. That desire to binge, to graze, to seek comfort food... is still very much there. Learning to tame my food addiction can only come from me. The band can't and won't help you with that. The best advice I can give you is to seek counseling for your food addiction along with the Lap Band. I really think it will make the journey a lot more manageable for you and give you a much higher chance of success with the band. Best wishes to you! Remember, you're definitely not alone.

The extreme changes, both to your lifestyle and to your body, can be downright overwhelming. As many have correctly stated over and over, the band can help tame our appetite but it can't fix our brains. And really, isn't it our brain that led us to get fat to begin with? Those issues don't just disappear because the number on the scale get smaller. Sometimes, watching that number shrink can actually make those issues worse. You know, I get a lot of compliments for losing almost 160 pounds in about 9 months time. But the thing is, there are some MAJOR downfalls to losing so much so fast. It is so incredibly hard to wrap my head around it at times. I see my own reflection in store windows and I'm honestly startled. I don't even recognize myself anymore because it's all happened so fast. I still battle head hunger something wicked almost every single night, and sometimes I think my brain is so shocked by my own reflection it's trying to change it back to something it recognizes. It's a forever battle and some days it's very hard to win it. I DO understand what you mean, I just think we have to constantly remind ourselves our food demons aren't going to win this battle, we are.

Oh I am so sorry. My heart just broke a little for you when I read your post I agree with the above poster, you should ask your surgeon to appeal it for you on the grounds of medical necessity. I know there's no guarantees it'll work, but it's definitely worth a shot. Hang in there ((hugs))

Isn't that the best feeling? Congratulations!!!

Yes, they can cancel the surgery. The purpose isn't as much to lose weight as it is to shrink the liver so it's safe to go forward with the surgery. Obese people have very fatty livers but it's also one of the first places we lose weight, hence the pre op diet to shrink it. If the doctor doesn't feel the liver has been shrank enough, they can and will cancel the surgery.

Yes, as the swelling goes down your hunger will return.

How many calories a day are you eating? I would strongly recommend taking your food journals to a nutritionist and have them help you figure out what needs changed. Btw, I couldn't eat nothing but meat either. But, I don't do low carb at all. I find it's totally unrealistic for me long term.

Holy cow that's amazing! Very inspirational! Thanks for sharing!!

Ok that is way too awesome!! I seriously can't even fathom that! Congratulations!!!

How much you lose is 100% up to you and how hard you're willing to work for it. Btw, I'm sure your doctor meant well, but she couldn't be more wrong. I've lost 158 pounds in the last 9 1/2 months and I'm still losing. That's a heck of a lot more than 30 pounds lol

Hi and welcome! I too have Multiple Sclerosis. Yesterday was actually the 4 year anniversary of my diagnosis. I firmly believe losing weight and getting healthy is the very best thing we can do for ourselves. We can't cure the MS, but we can get rid of the fat and all the health related issues that come along with it. I was banded 9 1/2 months ago and I've lost 158 pounds so far. I have to tell you- losing weight, eating healthy, and forcing myself to be more active has helped me more than any MS drug ever could. The National MS Society's slogan is "Keep Moving" and I understand that now more than ever. It's so crucial for us to keep our bodies moving so MS can't stop them. When I had the surgery in January, I walked with a cane. I had to park in handicapped spaces just to make it into stores then use a motorized cart to get around the store. Now, since losing the weight, I don't use a cane anymore, I don't use a motorized cart, and I don't need a handicapped spot. I now walk about 2 miles 5 days a week. If I can do this, you can totally do this too!! Believe in yourself!! Best wishes to you!

I can only feel food go through if I take too big a bite or eat too fast. Otherwise no, I can't feel it.

You have to remember a couple things. Statistically speaking, only roughly 8% of Lap Band patients fail by no fault of their own. The rest are responsible for their own failures. Over-eating, eating around the band, still eating unhealthy, not following up with doctors appointments, vomiting, and bands too tight are some of the many ways people sabotage themselves. All of these reasons are 100% avoidable and within your control. It's also human nature that the unhappiest always seem to yell the loudest. Everyone who has a woe is me story about the band is quick to howl and cry fowl, so you see lots of them. What you don't see is the even greater number of people very happy with their bands. Why? Because they're busy living and enjoying their lives and have better things to do than to whine on YouTube about they messed up their band. Take it all with a grain of salt and remember Youtube is nothing but ancedotal evidence, not medical facts. Best wishes!

That is just too cool! And widen the doorway, you earned the big head, hold it high and proud!

For the liquid phase of the post op diet, I loved the V8 soups. No lumps, a serving of veggies, and lots of flavor. I particularly liked the Tomato Garden and Potato Leek.

The Chocolate Splendor is what I have for breakfast every morning. I love it. Sometimes I even use it to make my own cafe mocha. I take a cup of coffee, a half cup of skim milk, and a scoop of Unjury Chocolate Splendor. It's VERY good!! It tastes just like a cafe mocha!! (just mix the protein mix with the cold milk first then add it to coffee, so it dissolves properly)

Heehee, go to your profile. Click "Edit Profile" on the top right, and you'll places to edit everything there I actually didn't have a pre op diet. I know many do, but I got lucky I guess. I just had to go to Clear Liquids 24 hours before surgery then nothing after midnight the night before. My recovery wasn't bad. The gas pain was the worst part for me. But I've had numerous abdominal surgeries, including a C-section and hernia, and the Lap Band recovery was by far the quickest and easiest of them all. I had my surgery on Friday and was back to my routine by the following Wednesday. I just wasn't allowed to lift more than 10 pounds for the first 4 weeks.

Thanks Actually, I am honestly better both physically and mentally than I have ever been in my adult life. I positively love my new lifestyle, my only regret is not doing this years sooner. If I had to put it on a scale for difficulty, I'd say maybe a 3. I've found it to be an incredibly fulfilling and smooth journey.

I think it's an incredible tool when used correctly and you're willing to do the work. I've lost 158 pounds in about 9 1/2 months and couldn't be happier. It's the best decision I've ever made for myself.

First, why on earth are you eating a Whopper to begin with? And you can't eat anything? Are you saying you're too tight so you can't eat?