DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

The first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. Many don't lose at all during this phase and some do gain a little. Just try to do the best you can and put your scale away until you're past the post op diet and onto real food again. Otherwise you're going to drive yourself nuts.

If your speaking of the pre-op diet, yes it's not fun but temporary. If you're speaking about your diet after being banded, you're only limited during the post op healing phase. Once you're back on normal food, you're not limited at all. The only thing we "can't" have is carbonation. Otherwise, you can eat whatever you want, it's just in your best interest to make healthy food choices rather than junk. Btw, I was banded 5 months ago and I eat out at least 3 or 4 times a month.

Good luck!! We'll see you on the other side as a bandster!!

If your dad already had surgery with them and you're confident in them to do yours, the next step would be to call them and get their seminar schedule. Almost all bariatric surgeons in the United States require attending one, plus you will learn a lot of good information there. At that point, someone at the center should step in and guide you through the rest of the approval process. Also, research Lap-Band like crazy. Knowledge is going to be a huge asset to you during all this, so make sure to really understand it and what to expect before you are wheeled into surgery. I see far too many people go into this ignorant to the facts and they struggle bad after because of it. So, do your homework and educate yourself on all things Lap-Band. Best wishes to you!

I had surgery on a Friday, the gas pain (I had it bad!) finally started subsiding by Monday and I was back at my normal routine by Wednesday. So for me, it look less than a week.

Yes you're retaining a lot of fluids right now, they pump you full of them during surgery. Keep in mind the first 4-6 weeks after surgery are for healing, not losing. It's not uncommon to not lose anything during this time and some even gain a little. My best advice is to try to make smart food choices as you go through the post op diet phase, stick to the plan your surgeon gave you religiously so you'll heal well, and put the scale away for at least the next 4 weeks. Once you're past the healing phase and on real food, then you can start weighing yourself and worrying about loss. Best wishes to you

Hi and welcome! Typically speaking, if you have a desk job you'll want about a week off. If you have a more physical job, talk to your doctor because he will want you to take a couple weeks.

You won't have restriction until you start getting fills and usually it takes more than a couple. Until then, you have to rely on willpower.

Popcorn and chips are both slider foods for me. I stay clear of them not because they get stuck, but because it would be way too easy to eat way too much of them.

Yes, because it's a small space for the food to pass through. I don't mean this to sound harsh, only honest, but if you don't slow down chew thoroughly, you will get stuck. Chewing like crazy and eating slow is part of being banded and working with the band. If you need another fill (or more) and don't get it for fear of eating too fast and getting stuck because of it, it's highly unlikely you'll do well losing weight because you'll be able to eat too much. I mean, there is no purpose in having the band without restriction. Perhaps a med to treat the a ADHD is in order?

I was told if it runs off the back of a spoon, it's a full liquid. Runny oatmeal, yogurt, sugar free pudding, cream soups and broths with no lumps, and I was even allowed to have cottage cheese.

Glad it all went well and you're in little pain! Rest up

btw, I should also add I understand the issues with exercising. I am disabled with Multiple Sclerosis so I can really relate to how hard it is to "move" when you body just don't want to cooperate.

Congratulations!!!

I agree with Holly, tracking what you eat will really help you see not only how many calories you're eating but what foods in particular may be hurting your weight loss efforts. I use an app called Lose It that I just love. It syncs between my phone and the PC and it makes logging what I eat very easy.

Welcome to the group and best wishes to you

I love the Lipton Diet Green Tea. I get it in citrus, mixed berry, and raspberry flavors. Zero calories!

I have been fat my whole life and always hated scales, but today, if I could've hugged my scale I would have. As of today, I have officially lost 100 pounds since being banded 5 months ago. I know I still have a long ways to go, but finally hitting that 100 pound loss mark has made me so happy!!!! I seriously love my band. It is the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. It's changed my life!!!

It looks like you're doing great! Some plateaus are normal and they can easily last a month or two. Sometimes something as simple as adjusting your calories slightly (up or down) can kick your metabolism in to work again. Also, do you know how much Protein you're getting in daily? Most recommend between 60-80g per day. Plus, you have to remember that closer you get to goal the slower you'll lose. So again, I'm not at all surprised you've hit a plateau. Hang in there, I'm pretty sure if you keep doing what you're doing, eventually your metabolism will kick back in on it's own.

If I have a cup of hot tea and walk a bit, it does seem to help loosen the band up, but it usually takes a couple hours of being up and awake before I can eat normally again.

Until you have some restriction after a couple fills, you'll likely feel like you don't have a band at all. Many refer to the time period between surgery and good restriction as "bandster hell" because you're pretty much working on nothing but will power until you've got enough saline in your band to have good restriction. Don't be surprised it takes multiple fills before you feel restriction. Hang in there, it gets easier.

Yes! If I take a nap before dinner then I can't eat hardly anything for dinner. I'm too tight. In fact that's why I always have Protein shakes for Breakfast because I'm too tight to eat when I first wake up. I'm glad it's not just me!

Congratulations!!