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WOW... that is outstanding!!!! Congratulations!!

Have you seen a nutritionist? If not, I highly recommend doing so. A nutritionist who deals with bariatric patients can really help take the guess work out of eating and help you set up food guidelines that fit in your lifestyle. I would also strongly suggest logging calories for awhile. Most people who don't count calories are shocked at how much they're actually consuming when they do start tracking their food intake. Also, it will help keep you accountable to what you eat. It's one thing to rationalize eating something in your head, it's another entirely when you see it in black and white and can't deny the facts in front of you. Plus, logging your food for awhile and taking the logs into a nutritionist would help you even more, because the nutritionist can help you recognize problem areas to change. I use an app called Lose It to track my calories and nutrients. I've used it since the day I got home from the hospital and it's helped tremendously. I would also stay within the band portions of a cup or less of food per meal, regardless of whether or not you can still physically eat more. If you're getting hungry too soon, try spreading a set amount of calories out so that you can eat every 2 hours but while staying within your daily calorie budget. Again, this is where tracking calories will help you, and this will help you to lose even while you're trying to get good restriction in your band. Best wishes to you.

Hi Dawn and Welcome! A couple questions, so we can help: You got the band in August 2011 but didn't get a first fill until January? Why? Also, when you doctor says you have a finicky band and can only have 1/2cc fills at a time, is there a reason he says that? Has he tried putting more in your band in the past? Also, are you sticking to a cup or less of food per meal? Do you count calories? If so, about how many calories a day do you eat? Sorry for all the questions, it's not to be nosy but knowing is how we can best help

See your doctor, it could be something as simple as Restless Leg Syndrome to something more serious. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

I am very much in the Green Zone and definitely satisfied with a cup or less of food. It is important to note that full is not the same as satisfied, and the band is not supposed to make you feel full. Satisfied simply means no longer physically hungry. This is what the band does, helps you to feel satisfied with less food for longer periods of time.

....I am now picturing flocks of fat people, all licking the dust off their dining tables and shelves.

I believe regardless which WLS you choose, the work is yours to do. You are in complete control over how much you lose or don't lose. How much you lose is all directly relevant to how much you are willing to change your eating habits for a lifetime and work for it. As far as the band not working for higher BMIs- I am living proof that's not true. Granted I am still losing, but I started with a BMI of 72. So far, I've lost 133 pounds and my BMI is now 49. My weight and BMI both continue to fall daily. Good luck with whatever you choose.

If you make smart, healthy food choices, you will loose weight. In fact, you should lose more because you'll be getting a balanced diet and adequate calories again. Just stick to band sized portions and healthy food choices then you'll be fine.

It's a good thing I got my staples out yesterday or I would've popped one laughing for sure. Jean, you are too awesome

If you can't drink you are definitely too tight. I would go back to your surgeon immediately for a small unfill. Dehydration happens scarily fast and slips result from bands that are too tight, so definitely don't wait around any longer. When they do the unfill, take a big gulp of Water after, not just a sip. If you're still too tight the water won't go down correctly and will likely start gurgling back up your throat. If it goes down, then they're taken out enough. I do the big drink test after every fill. Twice I've had no problems with little sips after a fill, but when taking a big drink had water start gurgling back up my throat and immediately had to have a little Fluid immediately taken back out. But, I do the drink test while the doctor is still in the room, so getting the fluid removed is no big deal. Best wishes!

I would definitely keep the December date if I were in your shoes. By 6 weeks post op you'll be off all restrictions and back on solid food. You'll also be feeling totally normal and recovered physically. You won't have any problems at the Super Bowl. Best wishes to you.

I would have your surgeon check it out, it could be a hernia.

It sounds like a stitch that hasn't dissolved and worked it's way up. I had similar happen around one of my incisions. I just gently tugged it out with a pair of tweezers and it slid right out. Had it tugged/not slid out, I'd have cut it with nail clippers. It's more common than you'd imagine. Just watch for signs of infection.

I was lucky, my PCP was and continues to be very supportive. I very firmly believe how much weight you lose with the Lap Band is entirely dependent on you committed you are to making it work and doing the right thing. Some do only lose a small percentage of weight, but that is by their own doing most of the time. Then there are others that lose literally hundreds of pounds- also by their own doing. For the record, I've lost 132 pounds since January, so I'm living proof you can lose a lot more than 30-40 pounds with the Lap Band. Best wishes to you.

This is the best logic I've seen yet. You are so right!! Excellent point!

When I was on full liquids I was allowed those things. I had sugar free pudding and applesauce all the time. I ate a lot of runny oatmeal, too. I was told that if it ran off the back of a spoon easily, I could consider it a full liquid. I was on Clear Liquids for 2 weeks then full liquids for 2 weeks. Needless to say by the time I got to mushy food at week 5, I was starving lol.

I agree with carolinagirl. I think you're only 8 days post op and need to try to calm. You said you are a medical person and understand the healing process, then you must also understand heightened emotions and even depression are common after having all those drugs pumped into your system. If you really want to know about getting it out, then simply ask your doctor. But I have to be honest, I think that's a bit crazy when you haven't even really begun with your band yet so you have no idea what life with it is actually like.

Excellent article, thanks for sharing! And I totally agree. I've researched this as well and have found a lot of good things about potatoes. As a result, I eat them as my carb with dinner a lot. They're filling, they're rich in nutrients, and if you don't load them up with a lot of fatty extras they are great when trying to lose weight.

You were just operated on a couple days ago. They pumped you full of all kinds of IV fluids and drugs, most people actually show a temporary gain because of all of it. The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not for losing. The losing will come but right now you need to focus on healing. My best advice is try to make good food choices and stick to band sized portions but put the scale away entirely for at least the next month. Just focus on healing.

It's funny you posted this because I just discovered the same thing. I saw my primary car doctor yesterday and it was the first time since being banded in January. I was actually excited to be weighed because I knew he would be in shocked and pleased when he saw how much weight I've lost. It's a great feeling

Congratulations!!

ROFL I almost nurfed my Water laughing when I read that!! Thank you, I needed that

I'm a little over 7 months past surgery and I still have a Protein shake every morning for breakfast. I love the unjury chocolate Splendor, in fact, it's the only brand that I've found I genuinely like. My band tends to be tight in the morning anyway so eating can be tricky. Plus, I just feel like the protein shake starts my days on on the right foot. My surgeon knows I still have one every morning. He says that's fine but that's the only one a day he wants me to have.

This is strictly my personal opinion, but I decided before even getting the band that if it didn't work for me, the next step would be the Sleeve. To me, it just seems like the natural progression. Band first because it's not irreversible and doesn't change my anatomy, Sleeve next because it's not rerouting my intestines and there's no malabsorbtion issues. Gastric Bypass would be my absolute last resort.