Rapunzel

I didn't have plication but I also didn't have a fill for the first 2-3 months because I was having restriction with just the band in (no fill @ surgery). I am now -86 pounds since surgery (9 months). Get restriction when you need it.

6 weeks is still a little early. Do you have a Realize band? I have one and my surgeon doesn't add any fill during surgery and the first fill was 4cc - he said that the Realize structure is different and 4ccs is twice what he'd start w/ the lapband. You may not be eating dense enough Protein - dark meat chicken (you probably can tolerate white meat) - ground beef... those will stay with you longer. Weigh and measure to make sure you don't over do it. I also find that a few almonds with my meal helps to sustain my full feeling. Call your doctor's office and let them know - they may move up your next fill date or advise you on food options. Hang in there.

I have recurring (constant??) thoughts about when the weight will come back. I don't feel bad about what I do eat, I just am expecting (but hoping not) that the weight will come back - like every other "diet" I've tried. Working / discussion with my therapist to get the negative talk out of my head and how to beat this voice!

I was there recently, I had the Thai Chicken lettuce wraps from the appetizer menu. They give you some rice noodles to put in your lettuce cup but its easy to pass on those. Enjoy!

I'm not sure you're getting enough calories. You should be doing protein drinks and that would be more than 100 calories. Check, but you should also be able to have milk. Tomato soup helped me get some energy back too (Trader Joe's has a fab T. soup in a carton). Right now its about healing not calories. Lack of calories and protein could be making you more exhausted too. The bike might be a bit much, ask your doctor. I wasn't allowed to do anything but walk and that really helped to move the gas out. Hang in there!

I hadn't heard about the delayed hair loss - but I definitely noticed I lost less hair than usual the first 2 months and at end of month three it started falling out like crazy. Luckily I have a lot of hair, even so it feels much different now when I touch it. I've added biotin and at month 6 (+) I think the loss is slowing down. I do see new hair coming out.

My doctor's office urges us to discontinue using straws. I have had a bit of gurgling now and then - usually after something was stuck passes through...it rumbles like an old boiler.

I burped a bit after my first fill (4ccs on a Realize Band). I ended up having 2ccs removed because when I did burp or sneeze I had left shoulder pain.

I'm still new to this site and not sure about how to find info on support groups. I found one in SF via the Meetup site and I really like the group. My surgeon's office has one too (in Oakland). I know on obesityhelp.com I've seen some groups advertised in the California forum for San Jose. Good luck on finding a group. You can call local surgeon's office and ask if they have one you can join, several in this area do not require you to be a patient.

Hi , I live near Oakland, I got the Realize Band 12/28/11. Welcome to the band! Amy