vlp1968

I vote for the small clothes in the closet fitting. What a great feeling to try on clothes that were way too small and have them fit. Really shows how the body is changing. I have lost 69.5 pounds and haven't needed to buy any clothes yet.

I agree totally, you are not overreacting by any means. What's going on with you is not OK. I think showing up sounds like a great idea. Hopefully your doc. isn't too far away.

Yes, I also believe it's the IV. I think they put saline in it. The weight is probably just water.

Wow in 7 months! You must be doing all the right things. Congrats!

It's my understanding that if the band slips you can't keep anything down- even fluids. I think you are ok. I would talk to your doc. if your worried about the pains.

Sounds like a tough situation. As others have said, getting restriction will help tons. I would speak up to your coworkers and ask them not to bring the treats to your office. Also, maybe there is another place they can keep the treats. Somewhere you don't have to go by all the time. I read about a visualization excersise that may help. You look at the food and imagine something gross about it. For example, sprinkles on a donut becoming ants. I have tried it with some success. Good luck!

I just do a protien shake in the morning. Lasts about 3 hours and then I have lunch. I used to be a big breakfast person, but not as much since the band. It doesn't sound like your eating too much in the am in terms of calories or volume. Keep up the good work!

I don't think your band slipped. My doc. said that when the band slips suddenly your not able to keep anything down. Not sure what is going on with you, probably should talk to your doctor. Hope you feel better soon!

tamra, Sorry you are having such a rough time. It's tough to get back on track once you've fallen off. My first and foremost advice is to get a fill. You certainly don't have proper restriction if you can eat enough to gain the weight you report. Tell your doctor exactly what's going on. If they don't think you need a fill, I would seriously consider finding another doctor. Until proper restriction happens, I would focus on eating the right things (high protien, low carb, low fat blah blah). Eat when your hungry, just eat the right things. Begining an excersise routine would help a lot as well. It will reduce your hunger and make you feel great. It's so tough to get started but well worth it. Start out slow and gradually increase your time and intensity. Hope this helps and best wishes to you!

Going off my diebetes meds. was a huge NSV. Imade an appt. to get some bloodwork done. Maybe I can go off the blood pressure and cholesterol too! Clothes fitting that haven't fit in years is a great one too. I haven't needed to buy any clothes yet, despite a 67 pound weight reduction, since I had so many sizes in my closet.

I don't think your band slipped. The big sign of that is that suddenly you can't keep anything down. Hope you feel better soon.

Hang in there! You probably don't have restriction with only one fill, it will get better. Also, try not to just focus on the scale. How are you feeling? How are your clothes fitting? You may want to start measuring yourself. It's possible your loosing inches without the scale going down. As far as what your doing, my biggest advice is to get plenty of lean protien, at least 60 gms per day. If your not excersiseing, starting that would help greatly. Best of luck to you!

I remember I lost 3.5 pounds the first week after surgery, I was very dissapointed. I don't remember the second week, but don't think it was anything huge. 3-4 weeks after surgery I lost 8 pounds in one week. I think it took that long for my body to stop holding water. Someone told me they put saline in the iv at the hospital, not sure if that is true. You are doing great!

Interesting article. I have found that excersise reduces my appetite. If I skip a workout I am hungrier all day.

As I have lost weight I can just barely see the port now. I imagine it will stick out more as I loose the last 40 or so pounds. It is bothering me. I anticipate having plastic surgery down the road, maybe it can be taken care of then. I didn't talk to my doc. before hand about this. I guess I just assumed they would place it so that it couldn't be seen. I will talk to my surgeon when I go in for a fill Monday.

You go girl! Excellent job!

You are doing so well! I also had a hard time getting started with excersise- took me 2-3 months postband. Now I love it! I do cardio about 5 times a week and weights with a trainer 3 times a week. I have lost 67 pounds since Nov. 16. I know I couldn't have done it without working out. The benefits of excersise are just to good and numerous to pass up. You will: increase your metabolism (burn more calories at rest) and energy level, reduce blood pressure, blood sugar et..reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. It's also good for your skin (you'll look younger) and of course will surely increase your rate of weight loss. I encourage you to try different things and you should find something you at least somewhat enjoy. Continue working outside- that's bonus. Hope this was motivating- keep up the great work and good luck!

I was told to expect 1-2 pounds a week. Remember, you didn't gain the weight overnight. You won't loose it overnight either. Best wishes!

It's my understanding that if your band slips, you can't hold anything down. Since you held down dinner, you probably don't have a slip. However, you may want to call your doctor and report your experience. Only he/she can say for sure.

Once you have had enough fills, you won't be hungry. It took me 3 fills. Try not to worry, it will work. As far as accessing your port, I have heard it mentioned on this board that the doctor couldn't find the spot. I don't know how common this is. I would try not to worry until you go in. He may be able to feel it with no problem.

Sorry to say I don't believe it exists. How your skin recovers is about it's elasticity. Many factors contribute to that, such as, pregnancy, how long you've been overweight, how many times you've lost weight, age, genetics. Instead of cream I would start looking for a good plastic surgeon LOL. Best wishes!

The mushy phase is about healing, not weight loss. You are right, some things allowed are not diet foods. They will not be allowed once your past the mushy phase. I aim to eat 60-70 grams of protien (high protien is very important) and 50 or so carbs ( my Nut says 130 but I believe that's too high). I don't count fat grams, but I eat very low fat (ie. eggbeaters instead of eggs, lots of very lean protien). I eat about 800 calories a day. Some may say that's too low but I have lost weight steadily- I am very short so maybe that's why it's working. Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck on your journey!

You are doing just fine. Don't feel bad about the creamy soups- you didn't stray that far off the path. Be aware that your doctor will probably not do a fill at your next appt. My doc. waited 4 weeks. I think 4-6 weeks is the norm for the first fill. Best wishes!

Many posts have indicated being told to eat 1 cup of food at a time. I was never told this. I was told to get at least 60 gms of protien, 5 servings fruit and veggies and 2 calcium servings. Even with restriction, I believe I eat more than 1 cup at a time- especially when it includes veggies. I agree the 20 minute time line doesn't make a lot of sense. We should be eating slowly, small bites and chew chew chew.

I am so glad to hear you are back on track. Good for you not allowing the one "binge" to totally derail you. You have done so well! As far as cheat days et... personally, I don't do them. I am sticking hard core to the rules of the band. Just what works for me. What works for you may be different. It's possible that if you let yourself have a little bit of a treat once in a while (maybe once every 2 weeks or month) you won't binge. You have accomplished so much! Keep up the great work!