Izuri

I feel your pain =( I am in classes that start next week and I am having flashbacks to last year when I couldn't sit comfortably in those auditorium type seats. The desk thing would never go down, I couldn't get any kind of comfortable, the chairs were too small. I was too embarrassed to say anything, but I really think they focus more on to getting students in a room than making sure they're comfortable - which is stupid because who can learn if they can't even put the desk thing down and concentrate? All I could seem to think about in these classes was how uncomfortable I was . It sounds like your situation is even worse - if it's bad enough that you're getting bruises you really need to see if the teacher will accomodate you somehow. (((((HUG))))) Hang in there, December will be here soon!

Oh wow! That is really neat, I hope that someday I can see my pelvic bones too! =) What an amazing difference.

I haven't had a lapband, but I know that from reading other posts sometimes the doctors will have you wait a while between removing the band and having the sleeve. Maybe this time in between will let you reevaluate how you are doing and what would be the best decision for you. I'm not sure what advice exactly to give you, but I do agree that at this point it definitely doesn't seem like you want to lose any more weight, which could happen with the sleeve. It sounds like you have been through a lot, are you still currently seeing a therapist? I know that you said you no longer binge/purge, but if you get the sleeve, you could seriously injure yourself if you fall back into that place. I am not saying you will, but maybe having some extra support and a doctor's point of view on whether you are ready. It sounds like either way you need to have the band removed, and you can always decide after giving yourself some time. I know you say you don't think you can remain that low on weight without help, but maybe you will end up surprising yourself. If not, at least you gave your body time to heal from getting the band out and really see where you are at afterward mentally and physically. I hope that no matter what you decide, that it works well out for you.

I just noticed today that the beds of my nails have become a thick white horizontal line instead of the small half moon that they usually are, and the line is about 2-3mm thick. I have tried looking it up online and the only things I can find is when your nail is white for almost the whole nail, not just the nail beds. I did read it could be Protein deficiency, but I have been doing a really good job getting my protein and Water in - unless it's just growth from the past few weeks when I wasn't getting as much protein. I had a lot of pre-op tests and I doubt that it's attributed to a liver/kidney issue as all my blood work came back normal pre-op (a month ago). Anyway, I was just curious if anyone had experienced this - I was thinking maybe low protein or anemia? I looked through the search function and I couldn't find anything on this. I know you guys aren't doctors and I'll call my doctor if it keeps growing this way, but I was wondering if this is common or if anyone else has had this? Thanks!

I just thought I'd follow up and let you guys know what I heard back in case anyone else experiences this and is worried/wondering. I did call my surgeon's office today and his medical assistant told me that the pale nail beds issue was a known side effect of the surgery and that it's just less common. She said to try the skin/hair/nails Vitamin that I have been planning to start anyway when I can take tablets. She said the color should return a week or two after starting it and if I continue to have problems to let them know. I guess it's probably related to something similar as the issue with hair - vitamin deficiency or something. I'll try and get more information when I go in for my 6 week checkup on September 6th. Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I was worrying about kidneys too, but they said since I have no swelling, no oliguria, and no back pain that they aren't concerned.

Yay!! Congratulations! I hope your surgery date comes up soon

90 pounds - that's awesome! I am one of those people who drops sizes slower too, always have been when I try and lose weight. They do eventually drop though. There are a number of posters who have been on here and are a few years out that have said they lost over longer than a year. Cheri is one of them I think, I always enjoy reading her posts, she's quite an inspiration. If you want to contact her, her username is clk. Don't give up! You can make it the rest of the way. How is your restriction? Are you still measuring your portions? Sometimes when I get off track eating if I go back to the basics I can get on the right course again. Are you exercising? Getting in all your Protein? I really do believe that you could pick right back up here and hit the end of the rainbow in your ticker. If you need any support/an ear to rant to (I know that helps me when I'm having a hard time), feel free to message me. I'm always happy to have new buddies.

I have been eating string cheese just fine. I also just have the light store brand kind. You're probably hitting the dreaded week 3/4 stall. It can come sooner or later, just depends on your body. Mine has lasted about 3 weeks and has only recently shown any signs of possibly letting me lose again, but I will have to wait a day or two more and see to be sure. I have heard of some people having it last only a week, while some have it last up to 6 weeks or more. Hang in there! Do you measure yourself? That can be a good way to gauge progress aside from weight. Your body just is taking a while to adjust to the surgery and all the changes. There have been some really good explanations lately, if you use the search tool and look for stall you will find a number of threads on this topic - it's just a frustrating time that most of us just have to tough out. If you keep doing everything right your body will sort itself out eventually.

Not only do you look sooo much happier, but you look like a new person! I know it's hard for us to see on ourselves, but wow, you can see a ton of changes. Congratulations!

Good luck! Things will go great =) Before you know it you'll be up and walking around taking your place here on the loser's bench!

Woohoo! Sending good healing thoughts your way! Let us know how it goes.

Your stall lasting for 2-3 weeks or even more is perfectly normal. I just possibly have started to get over my first stall, which lasted almost three weeks. We will see tomorrow when I get on the scale. Hang in there - our bodies are just adjusting. I was getting pretty ticked about it once it started to get over two weeks and found that just venting on my blog or going out and getting a bit of exercise helped me get it off my mind. It's hard not to be stressed about it, but stress just raises your cortisol level, which causes weight retention. The scale will start to move again, don't worry!

What a great compliment. Guess your hard work is really showing off =)

You can get through it! Last night I had a dream about being at the store picking out the most awesome ice cream sandwich ever and woke up craving one. Just trying to keep it off my mind. I know if I ate it I'd feel bad, and it's just not worth it! When I was craving pizza I made myself some shredded chicken with a little pizza sauce and some fat free mozzarella. High protein, low carb, and helped a little.

That's incredible that it's just 3 months, what a difference you've made! Keep it up, you're lookin great!

You look amazing, congratulations!!

That's awesome =) So is this your first semester? That's really exciting! I will be graduating in December 2013. We should keep in touch - it would be neat to get to know something who is going through something similar. We didn't do much lifting in lab, and when we did it was pretty much just turning the mannequins to do bed baths. I actually kinda wish we had lab this year - I liked having a chance to practice skills and stuff. We have 2 clinicals this semester. Where do you live? I'm in Michigan. You never know, some insurance companies do not require the 6 month diet. Or maybe if your teachers knew you were having surgery they'd let you take your finals a bit early? It sounds like you're in an accelerated program since you only have a couple of weeks off, is that right? That sounds brutal. I thought about accelerated, but I didn't wanna get burned out =p I'll keep my fingers crossed that it works out for you!

I dunno why, but I thought that today was going to be the day. I have been trying so hard to be positive and keep my head up. I feel so discouraged. I know that I've made progress in other places. And yes, I have been staying away from the scale as much as I can, but 17 days? Really? I expected a week, two weeks, but three weeks or more? Aughhhhhhh. I feel like I'm doing something wrong and just not seeing what it is. I walk every day, I have upped my calories a little, I have decreased them a little, I have added more protein, heck I have tried getting over 100g of protein to see if that helps, I am like drowning myself in water, I have decreased my carbs, am keeping my fat down. And the scale won't budge, not a bit. I feel like I should throw the stupid scale in the trash can. I have taken measurements, lost no inches. I am eating healthy things, I am following all their recommendations. Ok I'm gonna end my rant there. I just needed to vent. I know it will end someday. Maybe when I can finally add some good exercise in. Now that I've gotten all that negativity out, I'm gonna list some positives for myself so maybe I can focus on something else today. My NSVs: - I never huff and puff going up the stairs anymore - I can fit into a few of my 26s - I can walk for almost an hour - I have been able to stay on program for an entire month now - I have been getting in over my protein goal every day - I have been a happier, more productive person I go back to work tonight. I am not really looking forward to the shift (I hate working Sunday nights), but it will be nice to be back and get to see everyone. i have no clue what their reactions will be. I'm not sure if word made it around, but I bet it did. Yesterday I bought cardio ballet by one of the girls who was on DWTS. I never watched the show, but I came across the dvd on Amazon and it seemed like it'd be something fun to do when I am cleared to work out, which will probably be just around the time that it arrives.

You're getting so close now! Those daily reminders are really a big part of keeping me on track post-op, even just a few weeks out seeing what a difference is made in not huffing and puffing while climbing stairs. The big successes are great, the big milestones, but the every day life milestones - I think we under Celebrate them sometimes (I know I do), when they're actually really important. Before you know it you will be on the loser's bench zipping up and down those aisles at the store.

I had this pain too. It stopped around the beginning of week 3, but still flares up if I push myself too hard walking or something. You'll feel better soon =)

My first step was going to a weight loss surgery seminar and having a consultation that day. I had called my insurance company the evening before to find out the requirements so I'd know what I needed to look into starting at the appointment. So that's what I would do first, call the insurance, set up a consultation, and then wait for the doctor to tell you what they require as far as pre-op appointments. If you insurance requires a PCP visit or if you want to visit your PCP to discuss your surgery ahead of time, you can do that now too - some insurances require a letter/referral so you might as well get that out of the way if needed. Make sure if you do visit the PCP first that they document your weight so that if you do have a weigh in on record to get one out of the way if they require six months of weigh ins or whatever. In my opinion it's really important to look up your surgeon quite a bit before you decide on one. You could search for bariatric surgeons in your area online and make sure they have patient reviews, good follow-up, malpractice history, and pretty much anything you can find on them. Some clinics will have support groups that pre-op patients can visit too so that might be a good place to ask questions about how people liked the facility, etc. How long do you have until your clinicals start? I'm a nursing student too and I'm going into second year clinicals about 6 weeks or so out from surgery. I'm a bit nervous about it, but have been recovering well so I think I'll be fine. Good luck! =)

Great information - Thanks!

I had no prescribed diet up until the day before surgery. The day before surgery I had take 2 dulcolax tablets at 10am or 1 suppository at 6pm and have only clear liquids all day, then nothing by mouth after 10pm. Preps are just different from doctor to doctor - from the time I've been on this board I have seen a ton of different instructions for pre-op and post-op. Just follow what your doctor says - you will have lost an extra couple pounds from all the liquid diet anyway, which is one less pound you need to worry about post-op.

Just 2 months? Wow, that really is a ton of progress. You look great =) Show off those 3 sizes smaller pants, you deserve it.