DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Perhaps you could find a different doctor near you to take over your care? Honestly, I wouldn't want to go somewhere I never saw a doctor only PA's. The crap information you're getting from them is a perfect example why.

Oh no, I'm so sorry! What phase of the post op diet on you on? I'd be willing to bet the stuck in your throat feeling is due to a combination of things- phlegm and coughing causing throat irritation and swelling, and coughing also "jarring" the band and causing further irritation as well as the sharp pains. If you don't already have a strong cough suppressant, I'd ask your doctor for one. Feel better soon.

I agree, that makes zero sense. Basic math- if you're burning more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. Jogging may build leg muscle but it also burns a lot of calories. It could cause a temporary plateau on the scale due to building muscle but as you pointed out, even then you're still losing inches. I'm curious who told you that? A doctor? Nurse? Whoever it was either totally clueless or seems to be under the illusion temporary plateaus due to exercise is a bad thing. Either way, I'd talk to someone that isn't completely lacking common sense. You're very smart to question it. Best wishes to you.

hi Belinda and welcome!! The best advice I can give you is to do your homework. This forum is a great place for support and reading the experiences of others, but be sure to really educate yourself on the medical facts too. Learn not only what the band is and isn't supposed to do, but what will be required of you to be successful with the band. Personally, I love my band. I'd do it again a heartbeat. It's the best decision I've ever made for myself. Best wishes

I drink the Lipton Diet Green Iced Tea, too. Zero calories, no carbonation. I love it. My favorites are mixed berry and citrus flavors.

It sounds to me like you're too tight. Ironically, people who are too tight usually end up losing faster and more efficiently after a small unfill because they're able to eat healthy foods in a realistic manner again. Your husband is right, you need to see your WLS. Avoiding the situation is only going to make things worse.

I really wouldn't worry about it. For starters, you have a bigger band, so it's going to take a bit more to have adequate Fluid. The other thing is, you'd be amazed how much the smallest of fills can make a huge difference when you're close to the Green Zone. I'm not kidding, even as little as .2cc can be the difference between being in the Green Zone and being too tight. With as close as you are to being in the Green Zone, I'd be wiling to bet it takes very little to get you there. You'll do great

Good luck to everyone get fills!

First, you're not alone. You're on a forum with many others just like you and we understand Your husband sounds like a great guy. He may not understand, but at least he tries, I see so many on here with spouses that don't support them or even worse berate them for getting the band. I know it's hard to explain what you're going through to a person who's never been through it, but keep talking to him and sharing your experience with him. You may be surprised just how supportive he can be when including in the process both physically and emotionally. As for your weight loss, I agree with Carole above. A nutritionist would help you tremendously. I would recommend journaling your food intake for a week or two then taking that journal into a nutritionist, this way they can tell you where you need to make some changes as well as what you need to continue. I know for me, the information I learned from my nutritionist has been crucial. I honestly don't think I'd have been even nearly as successful without the food guidelines she helped me establish. Best wishes to you!

Dear Lord, how in the world does sharing facts make this a clique? And why the hostility? I have a theory. People who are *that* defensive without cause it's due to their own insecurities. It's not my job to placate people, sooth their wounded egos, or tell people what they want to hear. In fact, it's not my "job" to be here at all, I'm here to simply offer support and share information. I see entirely too many under-educated people walking around with bands, clueless, then wonder why they don't lose weight or worse end up with avoidable complications. I'm simply trying to educate. This is a forum btw, not a blog. If you don't want or can't handle responses to your posts, then get a blog, but here you better expect responses. One small piece of advice- just because you don't agree with something doesn't make it untrue. There is a big difference between medical fact and anecdotal evidence. I highly suggest you learn the difference. ...please excuse me while I join the other clueless people in the clique.

It is very true information, here's some reading that will help educate you: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html If you choose to have your band so tight you can't eat, that's your choice, however that isn't what the band was meant to do.

The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating anything. It's not supposed to restrict how much or what you are eating. It is supposed to help you be satisfied, meaning no longer physically hungry, on less food for longer amounts of time. It's very likely you'll need multiple fills before you have your hunger satisfied, so don't worry, it's normal not to have that from your band just yet.

I would strongly suggest meeting with a nutritionist. They can help you establish eating guidelines to fit your specific needs and lifestyle. Best wishes.

Congratulations!!!!

I have tons of excess skin, especially on my tummy. Like...TONS. I'll be getting a tummy tuck early this spring.

I'm one of those weirdos that don't like Halloween. I tolerate it for my kids but that's the extent of it. If I were going to dress up... I'd be a Shar Pei puppy. I mean, hell, I already have the loose, wrinkly, sagging skin like a Shar Pei!

It sounds like a pretty typical plateau. Considering you're losing inches despite not losing pounds, I'd be willing to bet you'll see a rather sudden drop in weight eventually. I've hit a couple of them, and I've found a couple things: One, switching up calories will very often get me off a plateau. If I haven't seen the scale budge in a couple weeks, I do a big calorie shift to jolt my metabolism into activity. Normally I eat between 1000-1200 calories a day, closer to 1200 a day. When I'm trying to break a plateau, on day one I'll drop down to 800 calories. On day two, I'll jump up to 1500 calories. On day three, I'll go back down to around 900 calories. On day four and on, I'll go back to my normal calorie routine. For whatever reason, it always helps break the plateau for me. Two, I have found I actually need more calories. I actually wrote a blog entry about it, have a read, perhaps it can help you too. http://www.lapbandta...issys-thoughts/ Hang in there. Just remember basic math- you're burning more calories than you're consuming, so you will drop pounds. Even if you do nothing but continue eating as you have been and exercising, the plateau will break on it's on eventually. It's only a matter of time. Best wishes to you.

No believe me, it's not just you at all. Once you're back on real food it's a bit easier. I do allow myself to splurge when the cravings get bad. I tend to crave one of two things, either chocolate or cheese. If I'm craving cheese, I'll have a piece of cheesy pizza for dinner one night. If I'm craving chocolate, I'll have a single Peanut Butter cup or maybe a Hershey bar. But... I do it in moderation and still make sure it is accounted for in my daily calories. If find for me, it's enough to calm the cravings. Plus, I don't feel deprived either. I know from past dieting that deprivation leads to binging, so I follow the 90/10 rule. 90% of the time I eat healthy, but 10% of the time I eat whatever I want just because I want it. For me, it works, especially when I'm dealing with PMS.

If you're sliming and gurgling just drinking liquids, my guess would be you're too tight. That's not normal. I'd give your surgeon a call.

It sounds like you're building muscle, hence losing several pants sizes despite not seeing the scale get lower. How long have you been at this scale plateau?

I have horrible cravings and an appetite increase during that time of the month. It's really awful. There's always a couple days in there that I swear I'm going to lose my mind because all I want to do is go nuts and eat anything I can stuff in my mouth. You're in probably the hardest month because you're on the liquid diet. I'm sorry to say you're kinda stuck white knuckling through it this month. If you think increasing Protein will help, by all means, do it. If you're craving sweet, perhaps a glass of chocolate milk. If you're craving salty, maybe a Soup with a saltier flavor. Just be sure to do either in moderation, as you would when you're back on real foods. Best wishes to you

Good luck!! You'll do great and we'll be here when you return!!!

What you're going through is totally normal. You're only a couple days after surgery and your stomach is very wounded and swollen. Just drink what you can and don't worry about calories. I'd have water with you and sip constantly to keep hydrated too.

I had no pre op diet at all. I had to go to liquids 24 hours before surgery but otherwise that was it. Every surgeon is different, I'd just follow whatever rules yours laid out for you.

It really depends... but first, I would stress to you to concentrate on staying hydrated and healing for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. Weight loss will come, right now you need to focus on giving your stomach time to recover. As for weight loss, some don't lose anything, some gain, and some do lose. I was on liquids for 4 weeks after surgery. It was extremely hard, but I did it without cheating. I did lose weight the first month but it's important to note that I was watching calories even when on the liquid diet. Cream soups, juices, and many other liquids can be packed with calories and fat. So, I started counting calories on the Lose It app the day after I got out of the hospital. I also stuck to the no more than 1 cup of food (liquids) per meal rule, too. As a result, I lost 38 pounds the first month after surgery. But it's important to note I didn't have a pre op diet, so I'm sure at least 10 pounds (if not more) of that loss was the Water weight most lose on the pre op diet. It's also important to note I started over 400 pounds, and the higher your weight the faster weight comes off at first. So, my results definitely weren't typical by any stretch of the imagination. Best wishes to you.