reverie

It's either scar tissue or your port. You'd be surprised how much losing fat can shift things around.

100-120g a day.

Never heard of a PT appointment. Maybe you could ask your surgeon what it is? As for the psych exam, it really is a breeze. I was worried myself but all for nothing. It's really just a one-on-one talk about the surgery, seeing if you're ready/willing to make the changes, if you have a support system behind you, etc.

As Paigey said it all depends on what your insurance requirements are. All I had to do was a blood test, the typical pre-op physical, and a psychiatrist/nutrition visit. It's all worth it in the end though!

I'd request a fill..with a new doctor. How can anyone work with someone who is keeping them in the dark? Did you not question why he took your fill out? Do you wonder why he doesn't tell you how much he put in for your last fill? I can't relate, as I've never even had a fill, but point is, you want a doctor who is open with you. Maybe it's just me but that situation seems a little shady. JMO.

You're healing. Before our surgeries and right after we, for some reason, have such high standards and expectations. While many people lose a lot of weight during the pre-op liquid diet as well as the post-op liquid diet, that rate of weight-loss does not last. Point is, you're still healing. You will be until you're 6-weeks post-op, if not longer. Right now focus on that. Stay off the scale, as it really doesn't help you except cause obvious frustration and doubt. Allow your body to heal first before you're looking for it to continue to drop weight. Surgery takes a toll on the body, keep that in mind. Continue to track your food. Maybe up your protein if you can. Take a short walk around the block and see what it does for you. Get into the routine of exercising when your surgeon gives you the go-ahead.

I was banded in May. Mine are fading and are pink, but you can still of course see the port incision; the others healed well and are fading. I use silicone scar sheets on them and will use bio-oil/fade cream when I'm ready.

I measure my food down to teaspoons; crazy. I eat no more than a cup of food at a time.

Join anytime!!

There is already a Christmas Challenge going on if you want to search for the thread.

I'm 19 so I definitely know what you're going through! It sucks to think about the possibility of having all this hanging skin, but in the end you're so much more healthy. It all depends on how long you've been overweight, by how much, genetics, etc. I have 40lbs+ (maybe 50 if I wanna push it) to lose and my skin is doing soso. I don't think I'll have a flat tummy ever and I can tell there will be skin there. But I can say it looks better then I thought it would, but in the end I am definitely saving for plastic surgery. I'm oddly excited to go through that phase..but that'll come in time. Only thing I suggest is staying hydrated and toning (weight-lifting) as well as cardio. It's important to build muscle and it can really help. Start with light weights and build up. I've been using 15lb weights and I'm starting my routine over with 20lb dumbbells this time. Best of luck and feel feel to message me if you have any questions :thumbup:

You won't lose the same as someone else. It's your journey; remember that. My only tips are exercise, Water, and Protein. Count your calories and see if it helps. @ OP. While you did cheat, I think it was a wise cheat. I wouldn't worry too much because it isn't worth the stress. Just pick yourself up and move on.

Your caloric needs will differ from person to person based on plenty of things. Some people can lose steadily on 600-800 calories, some on 1,000, some at 1,200+ calories. It really depends on your body. In the beginning I was eating about 600-800 calories but once I started exercising I began to eat around 1,000 a day. I'll probably need to bump that up soon. You may want to just play around with things. If you're losing at the levels you're eating at now, I wouldn't worry. If you start to stall/add in exercise, up your calories and see what it does for you.

Netrition has some. Bella Vita Low Carb Pasta sauces 4g of net carbs per serving.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tYmPkphTP9YKZEc8WCbyoHQ&authkey=CNrR4dQH#gid=0 Bumping the spreadsheet. Hit my goal; can't wait for a Thanksgiving Challenge!

3 hours as well.

Congrats you look so happy!

You may want to check out the plastic surgery forum here. I (oddly) can't wait to have a TT though I know I have a ways to go before I have the guts to do it. Either way it's a very common surgery after weight-loss, especially with 100lbs+ lost. The stretch marks that are below your belly button will mostly be gone and the ones above will move down to a lower position. I can invite you to a helpful tummy tuck site if you'd like, just PM me.

Blunt but very true. Eating all you did so early on wasn't smart at all. Your surgeon should have told you that restriction (rarely) happens at the time of surgery. Often several fills are needed to reach that point. Until then it's up to you to eat properly..not "test" your band to see just what you can tolerate.

Plenty normal; don't worry too much over it! I still sometimes hear weird noises when doing sit-ups. Congrats on being banded!

I can't say I felt like that, but it will pass! We go through so many emotions before and after being banded. Just remember you're on the road to a healthier life. Once the scale moves down and your clothes fit looser (or not at all!) it really becomes all worth it.

My dream is to live in Colorado in the middle of nowhere! Maybe one day.

Early Morning: Quest protein bar Breakfast: Turkey sausage w/ egg beaters Lunch: Going to Ruby Tuesday's -> Santa Fe Chicken Salad Snack: Strawberries Dinner: Salad w/ chicken My last normal day of eating! Off to Vegas tomorrow for almost a week and so worried about the food aspect.

Western Maryland; Computer..stuff. Going to college for Computer/Security Technology but I do a lot of online freelance writing as well. :thumbup:

Play with your calories and play with your exercise. See what works. Betsy may be right in the fact that your body is just playing catch up. My plateau's only last a few days, but I did have one that lasted 2 weeks; the fix to both was to up my calories since I upped my exercise. Good luck!