DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I have no problems swallowing pills and have since surgery. If you do crush your pills, check with your pharmacist first. Some pills can't be crushed or cut or it can cause an accidental over-dose. Best wishes

Being an ex-smoker too, I'd be willing to bet it's head hunger not physical hunger. Because you're no longer getting the hand to mouth stimulation of smoking, your brain is making you want to eat to try to replace it. It's extremely common and why so many gain weight when they quit smoking. Perhaps you could find a support group? Or maybe a counselor? Some sort of outlet to deal with it besides eating. Best wishes.

If all you can eat is Soups (slider foods) and real food comes back up, there's a good chance you're too tight. Being tight can actually lead to weight gain because you're unable to eat a healthy, balanced diet. I would discuss it with your doctor if I were in your shoes

Ugh I am so sorry you ladies are going through this. I just spent 8 days in the ICU for DVT's in both legs, going from my knees all the way to my groin. I had a procedure called TPA to dissolve the clots. It was brutal but it worked. I'll keep you both in my prayers!

It sounds like you need some sound guidance. I would go see your nutritionist and let them help you establish food guidelines that will be best for you. Remember weight loss boils down to simple math- when you burn more calories than you consume, you lose. The easiest way to assure that's happening is to track calories and stick to band sized portions. The nutritionist will help you do this. Best wishes.

I too weigh myself every morning and every night. It keeps me honest and accountable.

It really depends on the activity. I felt great and was back to my normal routine by day 5.

I would definitely let your doctor know.

As stept04 said above, it's likely because of surgery. It's actually pretty common but as she also stated, it's very important to breath deeply and deliberately so you don't develop post surgical pneumonia.

First let me start by saying this isn't a brag (at all) it's sharing my own story to make a point. To put it bluntly, I'm coming out of what had to be the worst 3 months of my entire life. In early April, my gallbladder went suddenly and I had to have that removed. During this time, my Grandma (whom I was extremely close to) was in hospice. I was by her side when she died 3 weeks later. A week after she passed, I was in the hospital again having a tummy tuck/skin removal/hernia repair surgery. A couple weeks into that healing process, I had my first severe MS exacerbation in 3 years. During that time, my uncle also suddenly and unexpectedly died of a Pulmonary Embolism after surgery for Pancreatic Cancer. It was around the time of his funeral I was beginning to realize there was something very wrong with me, too. At the end of May, it was discovered I had severe blood clots in both legs. They extended from my knees all the way up into my groin. I was airlifted to an ICU 70 miles away where I spent the most painful, terrifying, and emotionally exhausting 8 days of my life. To put it bluntly, I almost died. Thanks to a new (but brutal) treatment for life threatening blood clots- not only did I live but I have no permanent damage to my legs. But..wow...the treatment and ICU stay were like torture. So...this has been the last 3 months of my life. During all this turmoil, heart break, pain, and fear- I still managed to lose weight. Even when going through 2 surgeries, 2 funerals, and a near death experience I was still mindful of what I ate and tracked my calories. Yes, once I could eat again in the ICU, I even tracked my calories there. (I amused the heck out of the nurses by doing so, too lol) Did I slip up and cheat during all this? Yup I sure did- but when I did I still counted the calories and never let it get out of control. My point to all this isn't to brag nor is it for pity. We all have stress and turmoil in our lives. We all have sadness and fear at some point, too. But you can NOT let life's obstacles be your excuse to eat poorly and gain weight. My point is if I can lose weight and be accountable for what I eat even during all this hell the last 3 months- there is absolutely no reason anyone else can't too. Just my thoughts.

Definitely not, in fact because you are already under a doctor's care for it and it's under control with meds, it'll probably work in your favor. It'll show you take responsibility for your health which is a good thing. It'll go fine

Yup just like the other's said- you'll have to ask your doctor. When he says you can progress to the next phase then you can but not a day before.

You know what's funny? My first year of junior high, the gym teacher started doing exactly that. I flat out REFUSED to get on the scale. She tried to demand on get on- I told her that she wasn't my doctor or my parent so it wasn't her business what I weighed. Of course, she called my parents to complain. Thankfully, my dad totally stuck up for me. He told her it wasn't any of her or the school's business what I weighed and that she needed to back off me. I never did get on the scale year at school- or any other year. My dad was (and still is!) so awesome

I won't lie, the ICU was hell, but God IS good and He saw me through it all It was actually kinda funny in the ICU. I couldn't eat until the 5th day I was there because I was being sedated daily for the TPA procedure to dissolve the blood clots. But my very first meal was complete junk- I actually complained to the food service woman asking how they could feed sick people fried, fatty trash? I'm not kidding, it was *that* bad. My nurse overheard and said there were some Ensure shakes at the nurse's station- did I want one? YES!! The Ensure shakes weren't nearly high enough in Protein and were too high in calories, however I still had one brought to me with every meal. This way, when the food served was nothing I'd even consider eating, I'd just send it back and have the Ensure instead. 85% of the time the Ensure was the better option.

I've lost 212 pounds and I'm still losing. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't lose with the band. There are many of us just like me who've lost a lot of weight with the band. You can lose as much as you're committed losing. Btw, here's a study that actually shows not only long term success with band but that a couple years after surgery the amount of weight lost with the band actually is comparable with Gastric Bypass. http://www.futurity....p-band-surgery/

Thank you I am a very spiritual person, actually. I very much believe in God and pray to Him daily. In fact, I believe thoroughly the only I reason I lived through the blood clots without permanent damage was because of the enormous amount of prayer cover I was receiving from tons of people.

I know there's been a lot of talk about Biotin on these threads, specifically how it effects hair loss. I thought I'd share my own recent experience. When I had my Lap Band surgery 17 months ago, I lost a lot of hair after. It did eventually come back but it took a really long time. I had experienced the same thing with other previous surgeries, too. Then, I read on these forums about Biotin. So, about 6 months after being banded, I started taking 5000mcg of Biotin daily. I also use a Fruitese shampoo called "Fall Fight" with Biotin in it. In the last 3 months, I've had 2 surgeries and another procedure that required sedation. This also included 3 separate hospital stays and all the IV drugs that went with them. In the past, I'd have started losing my hair for sure by now. I believe because I had been taking Biotin and eating healthy for many months prior to all this- I have zero hair loss despite all the anesthesia and chemicals. I actually went to get my hair cut today and the beautician said aside from being a little dry (which is normal for me, I have naturally curly hair) my hair actually looked really healthy. I didn't even have split ends. I was shocked but thrilled. She said she was sure it was because of the Biotin I'd been taking before all the medical issues. So... I can't guarantee it'll help everyone, but my advice to those pre-surgery and worried about hair loss, start taking Biotin now. The longer you can take it before you assault your hair with all those medical chemicals the better your hair will be able to stand it without major hair loss. Just my experience- your mileage may vary.

It's probably dehydration, however if it continues see your doctor. It could be something else.

You're absolutely right, it's MCG. Thanks for catching that!

Eeewww...I'm not even gonna lie, a warm Protein Drink sounds icky lol. Hang in there, remember this is just a tiny little bump in the road. You'll be past this phase and onto actual food again before you know it!

You beat me to it! I was about to post that link too! GMTA!

That is very wise because there are a lot of causes that are easily fixed, like a common Vitamin deficiency.