DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Congratulations, we'll be sending you good vibes!! Let us know how it goes!

It greatly depends on your age and how much weight you have to lose. If you're younger and don't have tons of weight to lose, you may get lucky. However if you're older with hundreds to lose, it's pretty likely you'll have excess skin after. Sadly there's no way to guarantee it either way. All you can do is work out to tone and pray for the best.

Unfortunately until you have adequate restriction, there is a lot of white knuckling willpower required. Keep in mind that even once you do have restriction, you can still not lose weight (or even gain) if you're not making good food choices. It's really important to look at this as a lifestyle change rather than a diet and to realize the band is just a tool not a cure. If you have a smart phone, I would highly recommend an app called 'Lose It'. It is my bible! I track everything I eat so I can be sure to stay within my allotted daily calories and monitor my Protein, carb, and fat intake. I've even used it when eating out to check the calories on food before I order (you can search food by restaurants). I have even used it to figure out the calories and nutritional content on food I cook for my kids, like spaghetti and goulash, so I can eat with them. Another thing I have found helps is to get rid of processed bleached white flour foods. For instance, I use whole grain wheat bread. Aunt Millie's makes a great one and it's only 35 calories a slice. When I make things like spaghetti or goulash, I use whole grain Pasta rather than the normal bleached pasta. It costs a little more but well worth it. If I'm making something that calls for ground beef, I substitute it for 93% lean ground turkey. There are a lot of ways to make foods you already like healthier. I try to stay at about 1000 calories a day. Of that I make sure to get at least 60g of protein, less than 20g of fat, and no more than 125g of carbs. (this is per my nutrionist's recommendation). If I have a sweet tooth I can't beat, I will have a sugar free pudding, a Smart Ones dessert, or even a Skinny Cow cookie. But even then, I make sure it fits into my daily calorie and carb allowance. Good luck to you!

I am very lucky that I hit the Green Zone after only my second fill. I only have 3cc in my 10cc band, yet I'm stuffed after very little food and have no problems going 4+ hours between meals without hunger. For the record, my doc tried to put 3cc in on the first fill, and I couldn't swallow Water so he took 1cc back out. Second fill, he tried to put in 2cc and again had to take 1cc back out because I couldn't swallow water. He said he wants to an xray to see how tight I am because he's shocked how little I'm able to take in my band. Personally, I'm not complaining, I'm totally happy right where I am.

I found the 4oz bottles of Water (Dannon makes some) were very helpful. It made it easy to keep track of how much water I was drinking but in a manageable size. Skim milk is important to have on hand, too. If you like tea, I found it to be great for settling my tummy. I use Stevia instead of sugar to give it a little sweetness.

I use Lose It, too. I absolutely love it. It tracks everything. I even use it to figure out the calories, fat, protien, and carbs in my own recipes. I agree, I'd highly recommend it. I'd be lost without it.

I was within weeks of having gastric bypass surgery and canceled. I just couldn't rationalize having perfectly healthy organs re-routed and even parts removed without trying less drastic first. I did a lot of research on gastric bypass, the sleeve, and the band. For me the band was the most logical step, because it's 100% reversible and there's no rerouting of your organs. I figured if this didn't work, then I'd consider the sleeve next, but only if the band didn't work. I had surgery on January 6, 2012 and I have lost 55 pounds so far. I feel better than I have in years and am SO happy I chose the band. Something to keep in mind, regardless of what surgery you choose, you still have to do the work. None of them are a magic fix and all take a lot of commitment to change by you. People don't lose weight, or gain weight back, with all three surgeries if they aren't eating right. I know a man who'd lost over 200 pounds after having gastric bypass 4 years ago, however now he's gained about 100 back and is still rising. The other thing about the gastric bypass and the sleeve is, if you overeat and stretch out your pouch, you're kinda screwed. However with the band, you can always get a fill if you're needing it. I love my band, but I also know we all have to choose what's best for us. I'd talk to the surgeon and do a lot of research on both procedures. Get the facts before making a decision. Best wishes to you on whichever path you choose.

Yes a pound is a pound, however no one is speaking pounds but rather volume. A cup of muscle will weigh more than a cup of fat. Just like a cup of lead will weigh more than a cup of feathers. This is why people can lose inches but not weight, because they are replacing the fat with muscle. In fact, this is why they sometimes will even show a pound or two increase when they start working out despite the fact they're shrinking in inches. Muscle weighs more than fat. It's a fact.

Yes Medicare approved mine fast, too. I went to my first doctor's visit on Dec. 3, 2011 and had surgery Jan. 6, 2012. No waiting period at all. It's awesome you're finally about to get yours! Congratulations!

Yes, your calorie intake could be playing a big part in it. The type of calories can effect you, too. I use an Android app called "Lose It!" to track not only my daily calorie intake but to monitor my fat, sugar, carb, and Protein too. It's a lifesaver for me, I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for an easy way to monitor their food. I try to stay around 1000 calories a day, at least 60g of protein, less than 20g of fat, and less than 120g of carbs daily. So far for me, it's working.

There are people who actually gain the first month, so please don't stress. These first 4-6 weeks post op are for healing not losing weight. It gets a lot easier once you can eat real food and have a fill or two. It'll come just be patient with yourself. Hang in there, you're doing great

Have you tried any mushies? I would and see how that goes. Also, I know may people who are very tight in the mornings and for that reason never actually eat food in the morning. It's a big reason many continue to have Protein shakes for Breakfast indefinitely. You definitely don't want to be in the red zone. If I didn't see improvement by this Thursday, I'd call my doc's office on Thursday and get their opinion. It's always better safe than sorry,

You might want to take a stool softner, like Colace, until you go. It's not for constipation but rather just makes sure things aren't all bound up and makes it easier to go. Anesthetic and the other drugs, especially pain killers, can really bind you up. The Colace will help. It's also normal for it to take a little while to go again, especially when you're only on liquids. Best wishes to you.

Everything you're going through is totally normal. Not only is your stomach very swollen, but you have considerable air in your abdominal cavity, too. The combination of the two can make drinking difficult as well as cause pain/pressure. The thing most don't realize is, the gas they pump in to blow up your tummy for surgery isn't in your digestive system, so no amount of burping or farting will help relieve it. It has to be reabsorbed by your body and the best way to help that along is by walking. That's why some experience tightness or pain in their chest, back, and even shoulder after laproscopic abdominal surgery. Dannon makes these little 4oz bottles of Water. I got these after surgery because it was a much more reasonable amount of liquids to deal with and it helped me keep track of how much I was consuming. Good luck to you, you're right where you're supposed to be, now just give your body time to heal.

Never had to do a Ketosis diet, either. In fact this is the first I've heard of a surgeon requiring it.

Yes, we're on the liquid then mushies to allow your stomach to heal, Did you see a nutrionist pre-surgery? They should've given you a post surgical food schedule to follow.

It's clear that mahupetesc is only here to spam her website and sell the product. Her only posts and topics are to sell the stuff. Ironic, really. This behavior of spamming us only guarantees I'd never try the product and will strongly warn others to steer clear of it as well. His/her ridiculous spamming only backfired.

This is just me, but when I get like that and find myself grazing, I know it's time to "cheat". I find if I just eat whatever it is I really want, I get it out of my system. If I don't, I'll do exactly what you are doing, grazing on absolutely everything. In the end, I've done far more damage grazing than allowing myself a single cheat. I allow myself one meal a month of whatever I want, i.e., I don't take fat, carbs, anything into consideration. It's my monthly meal cheat. I also allow myself one dessert a month, same as the meal. I find by allowing myself this I am able to have a lot more self control the rest of the time.

Oh wow that's terrible! For the record, I have a ton of belly fat but my doc had no problem finding my port and I had no pain. What you went through is not normal at all. I would insist the doc do the fills himself going forward.

I've slept on my sides since the day of surgery and on my tummy within two days after. I guess I'm lucky but I've never had an issue with mine. I never feel it, it never hurts, and honestly I forget it's even there unless I see the scar or am getting a fill.

I eat about 1000 calories a day, low fat and high protein, and my nutritionist said it's fine.

Only your insurance company can answer that. If they have a 6 month waiting period then I don't think there's a way around it. I'd give them a call and find out.

I also stay at 1000 calories per day. I was told in our circumstances, that is the correct amount per day for a female. It also depends on the type of calories. For instance if you're eating a lot of processed foods, sugar, and/or fat you'll slow down even on limited calories. Maybe try 1000 calories a day and see if that doesn't help?

I don't think that's correct. I could even have coffee on the liquid portion of the post-op diet. Heck, they even serve coffee at the Lap Band Center I go to. If that was true it'd be on the "no-no" list like carbonated beverages.