DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

What you're going through is totally normal. I remember the day after I got home from the hospital having a "oh hell what have I done to myself?" moment too. You just had surgery, you're going through a lot both physically and emotionally. Give yourself time heal. As for the stuck, vomiting, and hanging skin. I do get stuck once in awhile but when I do it's my own fault for not eating slow enough or small enough bites. I've never vomited but I have PB'd twice, again, my own fault. I do have hanging skin and will be having a tummy tuck this winter because of it, but I'd much rather have hanging skin than be the 123 pounds heavier I was just this past January. Best wishes to you

Many have had long term success. Do a little searching past forum posts and you'll people banded 6 years and more with great success.

That's awesome, congratulations!

Just some info on restriction... Just because you can eat more than a cup of food per meal doesn't mean you should. The band isn't supposed to stop you from eating or make you feel stuffed full. If you're looking for that full feeling, or the inability to eat too much or certain foods, you're going to end up over filling your band and causing yourself big problems. The band is supposed to make satisfied with less food for longer periods of time. Satisfied meaning you're not physically hungry. It has nothing to do with full.

First, most surgeons say a cup of food or less but double check with your surgeon to be safe. It might be different with plication. Second, you're not supposed to feel full with the band, you're supposed to feel satisfied (aka, not hungry) with less food for longer periods of time. Just because you physically can eat more food does not mean you should, nor should you be expecting a feeling of stuffed full. Third, I am guessing you have no fills yet. Most people take at least a couple fills before they have good restriction, so be patient, it will come.

I was banded on Jan. 6, 2012 and have lost 123 pounds...and still losing!

The first 4-6 weeks post op are for healing, not losing. My best advice is to put the scale away until you're at least a month post surgery and back on solid foods. As far as calories, I would follow the guidelines your surgeon or nutritionist gave you, but 800 isn't too much.

The first 4-6 weeks are for healing, not losing, so for you to lose anything at all is great. It's not uncommon for people not to lose any during this time and even gain a little. My best advice is to put your scale away until you're at least a month post op and on solid food again. In the meantime, just try to make good food choices and focus on healing. The losing will come soon but now isn't the time to worry about it.

You shouldn't be getting sick, ever, let alone from only a half cup of food. You are losing fast, though. What exactly did your doctor say?

It's confusing, I agree. The fact so many walk around with their bands too tight then post about it here as if it's normal doesn't help either. You correct what restriction is supposed to be: Satisfied with no more than 1 cup of food for 4-5 hours. That doesn't mean you won't physically be able to eat more than a cup of food but that you'll no longer be hunger after a cup of food. Some people intentionally make their bands tighter than that. As for myself, I'm way too afraid of slips and prefer to keep mine reasonable.

I pretty much just eat what my family eats, just smaller portions. I could eat tons I'm sure, however I stick to no more than 1 cup of food regardless of how much I could physically eat. Here's what I'll have today: Breakfast- Protein shake, 3/4 cup of Cereal with skim milk Lunch- 1/2 cup of leftover Pasta from last night, 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese Dinner- Lean Cuisine dinner (kids are all over the place so I'm on my own tonight lol) Snack- sugar free pudding In total, my day will be at around 900 calories

Congratulations, you look great!!

I've used Lost It! since the day I got out of the hospital. I love it.

wow you have been through a lot, I have a lot of respect for you for sticking to it through all the pain and struggles. Congratulations!

That's so amazing, I can't wait until I'm there!! Congratulations!!

Isn't that best feeling? Congratulations!!

Congratulations! Are you on Clear liquids only? If so, you're kind stuck until you at least get onto full liquids. Once your on full liquids, definitely invest in some Protein shakes because they will help you to feel full. Be sure to mix them with milk, not Water, for extra protein.

Vomiting will lead to slips and eating junk will lead to weight gain. If your doctor removing fluid isn't helping, then you need to have a barium swallow done to check for a slip or other complication.

Every surgeon is different and every patient is different, so just follow what your surgeon says.

I chose the Lap Band over the other WLS surgeries because I couldn't rationalize cutting out 3/4 of my healthy stomach or rerouting my intestines. The Lap Band is reversible and doesn't permanently change your internal organs, so that is what I chose. food does feel stuck if you eat too fast or eat too big of bites. However, the other WLS have their set of issues like vomiting/dumping, diarrhea, and malabsorption of food leading to Vitamin deficiencies and hair loss. Whatever you choose, you will have to change your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime to successfully loose weight and keep it off. Good luck on whatever you choose.

I've see a few people your age on here. Welcome! Btw, don't be embarrassed about your weight. I started this journey well over 400 pounds.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You offer very wise words of advice, I hope others read this and learn through your journey.

You're doing awesome, congratulations!!

That's amazing, congratulations!!!