vlp1968

That is great you were such a good advocate for yourself. I think people know there bodies well, and need to listen to that. Glad you are feeling better!

As long as you are tolerating liquids you should be fine. My doc. said you know the band slipped when suddently you can't even keep water down. Sorry you got sick and hope you feel better soon.

I experienced some hair loss about 6 months post op. I went to the dermatologist. He said your body goes into a kind of shock from rapid weight loss. Much to my relief, he said I wouldn't go bald. I didn't do biotin or anything. The hairloss stopped in 3-4 months. I was luck to start out with a think head of hair. Try not to worry about it, but I know it's concerning to see that hair fall out.

I hope this fill puts you in a good place in terms of your band. You want to be able to eat solids for sure, at least a couple days after the fill. Follow your doc's instructions on that. Setting mini goals is a great idea. How about adding in an excersise goal? If you already are working out, set mini goals to increase what your doing. If your not, set a small goal to get started. Maybe some light cardio like a brisk walk to start out. You can gradually increase your duration/intensity. A goal can be to workout for 20 minutes 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Reward yourself when you meet a goal, just not with food. Maybe buy a new top or get a spa treatment. Excersise is tough to start, took me about 4 months post op to hit the gym. Good luck! You can do it!

Doing just shakes for 2-3 days might kick things off. In additon, once you go back to solids, I would focus on eating the right things- low carb/low fat/high protein. Lots of lean meat and non-starchy veggies. I eat eggs and or low fat sausage for breakfast. Also, if your not working out I highly reccomend you start. It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. I hope they figure out what's going on with your band soon. Very strange they couldn't even find it. Best wishes!

I too am very all or nothing. Either I eat great all day, or I eat like crap all day. I have other addiction issues, food just being one of them. I lost all my weight by going "cold turkey". I ate nothing high fat or high carb for about a year. I am now trying to strike a balance. I was in therapy for a while, but stopped because I thought I had everything under control. However, now I am struggling a bit to maintain. Like I said, I am very all or nothing. Once I get this last 4 pounds off , I gained about 10, (I am doing protien shakes for the past few days) I plan to eat treats in moderation- like once every 1-2 weeks, and make it a reasonable amount. I need to stop "pigging out" all day just because I ate something not on my food plan. I am thinking of going back to my therapist to help with this. Best Wishes!

Oh yes, it happened to me, also to lots of people from reading posts. You are in what is affectionatley known as "bandster hell". It's the time between surgery and when you get restriction. Hang in there! 3 seems to be the magic number for lots of people, it was for me. Right now, I would focus on eating the right foods (low carb, low fat, high protien) even if your portions are larger than they will be once you have restriction. Also, excersise would be great, if your not already. It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. Start out slow (just a light walk for example) and gradually increase your intensity/duration. It's so tough to start, at least it was for me, but it will become a matter of routine. 3-4 days a week would be awsome.

You have gotten great advice and encouragement. My 2 cents is to start excersising if your not already. Start slow and gradually increase the duration/intensity. If you already are working out, increase the intensity/duration or change up what your doing (if your walking try swimming for example). It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. You can do this!

Accocording to my surgeon, when your band slips you suddenly can't keep anything down. However, I would call your doc.s office and let them know what's going on. I don't think you have a slip, but something else might be an issue. Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry you are feeling down. Fast food was a real dowfall for me too. I was pretty good at not buying junk at the store, but would go out for fast food instead of eating the healthy stuff I bought. I find since I haven't had it in so long, I don't miss it very much. I would just go cold turkey and break the habit. Just tell yourself fast food is not an option for you. That's what I did anyway. Also, are you excersising? It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. It's tough to start, but it will become a matter of routine. It took me about 4 months post op to hit the gym. Now I go about 5 days a week. Good luck, you can do it!

My comment is about snacking. I know many doctors seem to say no snacking, but I have found it works really well for me. I eat something about every 2-3 hours. I believe it keeps your metabolism going, every time you eat it gets "fired up". I think the trick is to make them planned snacks that fit into your eating program. I eat low fat cheese sticks, nuts, berries, beef jerky for snacks. Just what works for me. Take Care.

First off, YES! excersise will help you loose weight, not to mention all the other benefits. I think your brother is right about you not eating enough. Your body can go into "starvation mode" where it hangs on to body fat. I also think you are a bit too tight. It's not normal to have all that throwing up. It's probably gotten worse because the vomiting causes swelling and it''s then a vicious cycle (more throwing up, more swelling). Being to tight means your band is too tight for food to go through it. I think it has to do with loosing weight because your not holding on to enough calories. I would see your doc. and talk to him/her about a slight unfill. In the meantime, you might want to try soft foods like refried beans, apple sauce, cottage cheese. They may stay down better. Also, you can drink protien shakes if they are available where you are. I have found a diet low in both carbohydrates (chips, bread, pasta, fruit) and fat works really well. I eat lots of lean meat and veggies. Usually eggs for breakfast. Hope this helps and hope that you feel better soon.

I agree with above, try to drink as much water as possible. Sounds like your tolerating it fine. Hang in there, the initial post op diet will come to an end. Congrats on your surgery.

As others have said, I always weigh myself when I wake up, after going to the bathroom. I believe this gives you the most consistant weight. When I was loosing, I weighed in once a week and recorded it. Now that I am maintaining, I weigh myself every day. I want to stay within a few pound range. I would say if the scale is frustrating you I wouldn't get on it so often. Best wishes.

Keep getting your fills. That's great you have an appointment. I disagree with Dave, that the band works right away. If you don't have restriction it's not going to be helpfull. I hope the next fill does it for you. In the meantime I would focus on eating the right foods (high protien, low carb, low fat) and get some excersise. Hope this helps!

I would get the unfill your doc. is recommending. You will be eating different foods I assume, and they might give you some trouble. If the band is nice and loose this shouldn't happen. It's a scary thought to have a problem with your band while in Peru. Just my humble opinion. I am also going over seas in Oct.- can't wait. I am maintaining my weight- had a large unfill a few months after reaching goal so I think I will be ok.

You will get there! I don't know how soon, but sounds like you are doing all the right things. Keep doing what your doing and you will get to the half way mark anytime now. Best wishes!

I agree that a fill would probably help, or at least get you one step closer to restriction. I also second the excersise advice. There are so many benefits, just one being weight loss. Start out slow and gradually increase your duration/intensity. Best wishes.

I would think 2 weeks would be enough. I would talk to your doc. about it for sure. He may want to see you, then give you clearance to go back to work. Congrats on your impending surgery.

I would call your doc's office in the morning and ask. They will probably have you talk to one of the nurses, they should know what to do. I would leave them on until then.

I don't know about one high day during the week. I have read that varying your calories from day to day can help weight loss. Like eat 1200 one day, then 900 the next et... Never tried it though. I counted calories when I first started solids after surgery but have stoped. I've gotten into a routine with what I eat.

Glad everything went so well. 270 bucks! Very cool! Keep up the good work, you are off to a great start.

Did you win? Just curious lol

My 2 cents is to start excersising if you haven't already. Start out slow and gradually increase your intensity/duration. It has so many benefits, just one being weight loss. You can do this!

As already said, you can have all the water you want for sure. My nut. says no drinking 15 minutes prior or 15 minutes after eating. However, from reading posts, a lot of people are told 1/2 hour to an hour before and after eating. I would look into a place to get fills before you jump into surgery. The band won't work unless you have fills. Since you probably don't want to go to Mexico every time you need a fill, a local doctor will be important. It can take quite a few fills, and maybe some unfills, along the way. Good luck!