Nikki D

This is the 5DPT (5 day pouch test) you go on full liquids for 2 days, soft Protein then work up to ground meat and chicken. I did it and found it very helpful. While it's not always easy, it did cure my cravings for carbs and sweets. If you google it, the whole plan will come up. I am so sorry for you loss. Wanting to change is the 1st step. Good luck! ????

I love Premier Protein Bars. I get mine at BJ's. 18 bars for about $17. It comes in a variety pack with 3 flavors: Peanut Butter crunch, chocolate peanut butter and yogurt peanut crunch. They have a lot of other flavors but these are the 3 that come in the variety pack. You can also find them at Walmart and they sell them by the bar for about $2/bar. I find them to be very tasty and honestly have them quite a bit for Breakfast throughout my weight loss. I'll list the basic info so you have an idea if you want to try them. I know they're a bit high in carbs and at 1st I was very leery about that. But I've lost 150lbs so they couldn't have 'hurt' my weight loss that bad. Calories: 290-300 depending on flavor Protein: 30g Sugar: 9g Fat: 10g Cabs: 24g

Yes, I was banded last January.

Yes you will lose your hair, or rather it will thin a lot. I had very thick hair before my surgery. It is quite thin now. It has to do with the nutrients you lose from what I understand. I will say start taking Biotin as soon as you can start taking pills. It really does help. No, it won't happen overnight but I can tell my hair is beginning to get thicker. Even my hairdresser noticed when I went in January that my hair is getting thicker again. Do I hate that my hair is now thin and that I can't keep it as long as I would like? Of course. Is my thin hair worth the 150 pounds I've lost? Hell yes! ????

I'm about at my wits end. I was banded on 1/27. I've lost 135 pounds (92 since surgery). Things were going great, I listened to my band and really hardly ever cheated. I hit a plateau in August and only lost 4 pounds. Found myself "cheating" a bit more but I was still in control. Fast forward to today and I am completely out of control. I've lost and gained the same 10 pounds since September. I'm eating the wrong things. It's a head game/battle with me. If I listen to my stomach I'm full. But my head is winning. All. The. Time. I'm making horrible choices and eating until I'm in pain. I'm jealous of people who say their band stops them/won't let them overeat. Because I have learned that mine most certainly will let me overeat. My head knows what I'm doing is wrong but it's like I can't stop it. Has anyone gone through this and if so what helped? I'm desperate to get back to where I was. I don't think I need a fill as if I listen to my belly I'm not hungry. I've thought about a psychologist but I'm not sure. Can anyone please give some advice? I was on track to meet my personal goal weight by Christmas, a month ahead of "schedule". Now I don't even see being there by my bandiversay. ???????? I can't fail at this too, I can't.

Walk. Walk. Walk. I can't even tell you how many laps I did around my house those 1st few days. The air bubbles were the worst for me. They hurt far worse than any of the incisions. Just keep walking and telling yourself it will all be worth it! Good luck!

Congrats!

Banded Jan 27, 15. Total lost: 150. Still have 17 to go. ????

I just finished the 5DPT myself (yesterday was day 5) and I'm so glad I did it! You're so right, it stopped the crazy cravings I was having. I no longer crave sweets at all (this was a definite perk after surgery, no more sweets cravings. I can't believe I pushed myself right back to that!). while I will always want carbs (even before surgery I would have picked a loaf of bread with butter over chocolate cake any day) I have a handle on them again. I just have to keep them out of the house and that's ok. I did learn that I was completely wrong about what a slider food is. I thought it was just like ice cream, shakes or food like that but I learned it's all the stuff I was eating: goldfish, popcorn, cheese-it's, chips etc. I truly had no idea! I feel much more in control now and hopefully the # on the scale tomorrow shows that. Thank you for all the support!

Thank you @@gowalking I found a support group that deals with "head hunger" so I'm excited for that. Only bad thing is the next session isn't until mid January. For now I'm going to try the 5 day pouch test to see if that kick starts all of this again. I appreciate you always having a kind word/advice. It's very helpful. ????

I hit it! I now weight 198.8. Typing that 1 at the beginning of my weight is surreal to me. 14 months ago I weighed 337 pounds. 8 months ago tomorrow I had my surgery. I've lost 96 pounds in that time frame. I'm not perfect and I've had my bad days. I hate that I can still have bad days but I ate the wrong way for many years. It'll take time and I get that. There is no way I can complain about losing 138 pounds and being in ONEDERLAND. I have 32 pounds to hit the goal I set for myself. Once I get there I'll see how I look and feel and see if I want to lose more. For right now though I think I'll just enjoy my success so far and that big ole *1* at the beginning of my weight ☺️

Thank you everyone!! I'm still on cloud nine about it all!! ☺️

Thank you so much!

I went 10 days without a BM. And let me tell you, you don't realize what a relief it is to have one until you go that long without one, lol. ☺️ I used to have at least 2 BM's a day before surgery. Could basically set my clock to the AM one. Now though it's not unusual to go 2-3 days. It's just the norm now.

Completely normal. It's the biggest incision and I remember it hurting more than the others. As for pain I used liquid Tylenol for the most part. Congrats on your surgery and good luck, it gets better!

It made me successful for the 1st time ever on a diet. LOVE MY BAND!!

More times than not, I'm not hungry for Breakfast. I'll eat because it's time to eat. I hate eating when I'm not hungry so a couple times this week I skipped breakfast and was fine until lunch. However, I didn't get even 60g of Protein those days. To those who don't eat breakfast, how are you getting your protein? I struggle on a good day with all 3 meals to get to 60g.

Thank you so much for the tips!! I tried yet another Protein powder this morning and had the same effects: phlegm. After some research it seems I may have an intolerance for whey protein. I don't have phlegm any other time. But if I drink a protein shake, wham! So much for that new idea. Guess I'll just stick to what I've been doing the past couple weeks by not having breakfast. I'm not going to eat just cause the clock says it's time to do so. Last week was a good #'s week on the scale so I must be doing something right! ???? Thank you all again for all the tips and encouragement. This site has definitely been a lifesaver for me!

I don't have a specific diet. I try to keep the carbs low and the protein high. The past couple weeks started me with the whole "not hungry for breakfast" thing. What I would do is have a cup of coffee in the morning then a premier protein bar for lunch (30g of protein). Then usually chicken or steak for dinner. I just received a new protein powder today so my plan is to make a protein shake now in the morning. I'm hoping it goes well!

Let me start by saying I love my band!! I read so many horror stories and quite frankly they scare the crap out of me. My constant fear was (is) that I would fail at this too. But so far I'm doing pretty well with my new tool. Am I perfect, no. Do I let head hunger win, sometimes. Not all and that's key. As my Dr said Thursday "you're still human, the band doesn't change that." My Dr told me that I'm doing "phenomenal" and using my tool perfectly. He's very impressed with my weight loss and even said if I lost not 1 more pound he would consider me a success. ☺️. He then said "we're going to quarterly for your appointments now". His nurse looked at me and said I need to be proud, he doesn't do that for patients the 1st year hardly ever. They did say if I need anything or feel any change in my hunger to call and they'll get me in but I'm doing great and to keep up the great work. I know I'm lucky to have found my green zone so quickly and trust me I do *not* take that for granted. I have 1.2cc's in my band and found the green with my 2nd fill. I still have a ways to go but I'm hoping to be at my goal weight by my bandiversary on 1/27/16. Well thanks for "listening" lol. I just wanted to be one to share a good lapband story cause I know before my surgery and even now those are so very helpful to me. Here are some "stats" of my journey so far: 7/24/14: Started journey, weight 337 1/27/15: Banded, weight 294 6/27/15: 5 months post band, weight 228 6/27/15: Total inches lost since surgery, 40.5. Most being waist (8) and hips (11.5) Starting pant size: 32 Current pant size: 18 Starting shirt size: 4X Current shirt size: XL

Do you have a certain kind/flavor you use? I tried putting Beneprotein in my coffee and it just wont dissolve. Thank you all for all your help. I'm definitely new to the whole Protein Powder thing.

Thanks for the tip! I drank the premier protein shakes for my pre-op liquid diet. By day 8 I couldn't get them down anymore. Literally. But I'll definitely try another kind and see how that goes. ????

Try not to let the horror stories get to you. They scare the crap out of me too. There are many success stories as well. I've only had my band 5 months but I'm thrilled with my tool and could not be happier. I'm also very happy that I still have all my intestines and nothing had to be rerouted. Good luck on your journey!

Thank you everyone! I'm another 10 down so I'm getting there! I've had a "bad" week where I found myself snacking at night, every night. Not sure what my deal was but I still lost this weeks I I was very lucky. No more snacking for me!

I struggled a bit in May. Had a big loss the 1st week then nothing. Actually GAINED 1 week then sat at 95lbs all month. Then finally Friday I did it, 100lbs lost! Whoop!! ☺️ Every time I say it, I'm in awe. Not all is since surgery, I lost 43lbs between Aug and my surgery date (20 of that was my pre-op liquid diet). I was banded 1/27 and have lost 57lbs since surgery. I still want to lose 70 more pounds but if I lost not 1 more pound I would consider my WLS a success! This surgery has changed my life and I can't wait to see what the next 70lbs look like!! I know I'm still a newbie myself but I just wanted to let the people who just had surgery or are struggling, weight loss can and will happen. Even through a stall just keep doing what you're supposed to and it'll happen. Trust in your band, your doctor and most importantly yourself. ????