BetsyB

An overweight body has plenty of fuel to sustain workouts. Instead of focusing on changing your food, I'd make sure you are well-hydrated. Your symptoms can be attributable to a need for extra Fluid or even electrolytes But odds are really, really slim that you require more food. Not that a Protein shake post-workout is a bad idea, if it fits in with your food plan. It's just that ...well, we're overweight. Our bodies DO have the fuel we need, right there, ready to be used. And that's the whole point--to use it.

I think you'll find, with time (and increased restriction) that the ability to control the compulsion will increase (or the compulsion will disappear altogether). As you gain mastery of the tool, you'll find that inner changes--emotional ones--take place. You will gain control.

Awesome job!

It depends on your insurance. My policy used my BEGINNING weight to determine surgical eligibility. They required 3 months of supervision, but my doctor's office determined the requirements for that. THEY required a 6-pound loss (to demonstrate compliance); my insurer did not require this loss. Ask your doctor's office insurance specialist to spell out what you need to do, specifically, to stay within the terms of your policy; there are so, so many variations.

Salt cravings very rarely have a biological basis. We crave things that we like. We crave them because we are accustomed to them. As someone who's given up sugar, caffeine, and all added salt (as well as almost all prepared foods high in sodium), I promise you that if you eliminate the foods, the cravings will vanish. Sometimes, you just have to tell yourself NO. If you're a sodium-sensitive hypertensive (and not all high blood pressure does respond to sodium restriction; your doctor will be able to identify if yours does), then it's not just a matter of craving--it's a matter of health.

I've been told I look younger. Not sure I believe it, but I'd prefer to cling to that notion!

The degree to which your skin will rebound depends on a number of things. They do not include how quickly you lose weight or anything you apply topically to your skin. (There are good lotions, however, that can temporarily affect the appearance/tightness; I really like C. Booth 4-in-1 Multi-Action Skin Lotion, especially in the lemon-sugar fragrance. Very light, very nice product.) It's influenced by age, genetics, how long you've been overweight, how much excess weight you have, how many times you've gained/lost in the past, how many pregnancies you've had, and so on. The latter two---number of times you've gained/lost and pregnancies---play in because each stretch and rebound reduces the skin's resilience. All that said, I'm 48, have had 3 pregnancies, have gained and lost a bazillion times, have lost 80 pounds, and am really pleased, for the most part, with the way my skin is responding. I still have weight to lose, and think that I will have problem areas (and in fact already have a plastics consult scheduled for May)---but overall, it's not nearly as bad as I feared. ETA: the lower BMI means that the excess skin doesn't remain filled with excess fat. If you look at most plastic surgeons' before and after galleries, you will see LOTS of patients who headed into the OR with far more than just excess skin--they had a good deal of excess body weight, as well. By getting down to a lower BMI, you are left with a far easier surgical repair, if you go that route, or simply less excess tissue to contend with. I'm aiming for a pretty rock-bottom BMI for my height because my frame is small, and I really want my only excess to be that which I cannot control. I'm still not sure I will have surgical intervention; I will, however, explore the options.

A couple of seasons ago, they had a "failed" gastric bypass on--and didn't dwell on it at all. It was mentioned at the beginning, but not much after. He did really well on the show. I'm looking forward to the new season.

What great news--awesome!

Congratulations! It was the best decision I ever made, too.

PURE unflavored whey protein isolate from Bariatric Eating is great in a variety of savory things---great in broths and soups, for example.

I know it's super-frustrating--but it takes time. Yes, that four-letter word, time. It's the rare bandster who achieves restriction with the first fill--most take at least 3. After my first, I was genuinely hungry. I was losing well (because I stuck with the recommended eating plan even though I was starving)---but it was really difficult. I ended up emailing the nurse coordinator. I told her what and how much I was eating, and how soon I got hungry---and they had me come in for my second fill several weeks early. (I kept my original second-fill appointment, and used it for my third fill.) Maybe your doctor's office would be willing to work with you, timing-wise, to get you to a place where you're comfortable a little more quickly than they customarily do if you explain what's going on to them.

Okay, wait. Some perspective is really, really needed here. 50 pounds in 5 months. 50 POUNDS IN FIVE MONTHS. C'mon--how is that disappointing? It's a rate that well exceeds the expected rate post-banding. And it's exceptional, if you've spent much of that time without adequate restriction.

When I'm really tight--like after a fill when I'm still swollen---I lean toward stuff like refried beans with cheese, chili, smoked salmon (it's very soft, but moister than tuna, which can cause trouble), protein shakes, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and soups to which I add unflavored protein. (Ordinarily, I avoid soups that aren't really substantial because they can be sliders, but when I'm tight, this isn't a problem.)

Yes. And even though my doctor is Catholic and operates from a VERY Catholic institution, they strongly suggest use of birth control for 2 years postop.

Holy moly---you are hard on yourself! You're losing...what? Around 10 pounds a month, right? That's a really good rate--really good! Yes, some people lose more in the same time frame. Some lose less. Lots of that has to do with body weight and fat mass---not with whether you're doing things right or wrong. Look, at the rate you're going, you'll be down over 100 pounds in a year. Please be gentle with yourself--there is no sense beating yourself up over SUCCESS. Please try to Celebrate it rather than compare.

Jen, that's an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations!

I did all of the recommended things--getting enough Protein, drinking enough Fluid, taking Biotin and zinc supplements (and a bariatric multivitamin), using Nioxin, etc. I did lose enough hair that I got quite nervous that, if I lost more, the whole universe would notice---despite the efforts I made to prevent the loss. Fortunately, the loss really tapered off. It peaked during months 4-6, and now it seems to be staying put. I suspect that all the things I did to prevent loss just sort of prevented me from going nuts---it made me feel like I was doing something. In reality, the hair growth cycle is interrupted by traumas such as surgery---but it gets back in sync with time.

Each surgery has benefits and drawbacks. I chose the band because it was the least invasive, surgically-speaking. And also, it does not interfere with the absorption of nutrients. (Bypass results are faster partly because nutrients are not absorbed; after about 12-18 months, the body does become more efficient at again absorbing some nutrients---which can affect loss or result in gain. But lifelong deficiencies of other nutrients remains a possibility---one that I was not willing to risk.) Another consideration for me was the fact that the long-term weight loss results for bypass are about the same as those for the band. Because the odds of success were roughly the same (albeit somewhat slower with the band, for many), I again opted for the least invasive. I should also mention that my surgeon--who performs both surgeries, as well as the sleeve---recommended against bypass for me. I had identified before seeing him that my issue with loss was caloric intake; my body requires around 800 calories/day to lose, and that was not sustainable long-term without intervention. When I produced a long-term record of my dietary intake, exercise, and weight history, he agreed that banding was the best option. I've been very, very happy with my decision. I've lost at a great rate, and have felt terrific. I do have to say that my surgeon recommends the same diet for banded patients as he does for bypass patients---and that has been tremendously important in terms of promoting my good loss. There are so many considerations--I wish you good luck with your decision. If you want any more information or feedback, feel free to PM.

If you're feeling well-restricted, I, too would avoid a fill. It sounds as though you're doing the right things. Sometimes the body just needs a breather to regroup. Plateaus can be persistent, but they always end. Do make sure you're doing the things you need to do to promote loss---at some point, you might need to reassess caloric intake (because needs go down as you lose), but it's probably premature for that. Hang in there! If you're concerned, journal your intake and exercise someplace like Fitday so you can identify if anything warrants tweaking. But chances are, just riding it out will do the trick :thumbup:

oh, no--both of you--I'm so sorry! I am definitely tight with stress--very. It can be a struggle to eat. Jacqui, it isn't a given you'll look sick. There are wonderful antiemetics now that will be a godsend. When you do have difficulty, it can be helpful to choose cold foods rather than warm---they tend to be easier going down (and staying down, if vomiting becomes an issue; hopefully it will not). I will keep both you and Rach in my thoughts and prayers.

I get 800-900 calories/day (I am for low 800s), ~100 g Protein, <50 g carb. I take supplemental Omega fats, so sometimes my fat grams are a higher than the 20 g your nutritionist recommends. (Some days, they're 20 percent of my daily intake, some days, more--I don't obsess because I'm fine with the heart-healthy stuff, and it does increase satiety.) I exercise at least once daily--usually twice. I've lost at a very consistent 2.6 pounds/week since banding. I've had a couple of very brief plateaus--but have been very happy with my progress.

I never have viewed sneezing as optional--when I have to do it, I have to do it. But you're right, it can be uncomfortable postop. I always tried to splint my abdomen (press a pillow or my hands against it) before a cough or sneeze; it helps.

I think it's important to keep in mind that people tend to post when they are having difficulties. Those of us who are doing great don't tend to post, "Had another great day today--no problems at all!" People post to vent, or to get solutions---but there are an awful lot of us who are really happy with the band.

There is no "just in case." The clothes are history. I was contemplating keeping my largest pair of jeans as a reminder of how far I've come, but I really think I'll just take a picture of me in them when I hit goal----and donate them to charity.