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I am about 10 weeks post Op and have lost about 35 pounds. The last week I have eaten some things I shouldn't and I feel like I am failing at this whole thing, not just because of what I ate but because I feel like I should be further along and I can't see the weight loss on myself. I'm driving myself crazy. Anyone else struggling? Thanks.

I'm not all that happy, but I was ready for less weight loss during the mushy phase. I saw my nutritionist today-lost 1 pound in the last week and a half!!! argh! Two weeks post surgery I had lost 10! Iknow not to be frustrated, and I go in for my first fill tomorrow, so..I posted earlier that I had been feeling hungrier, and as if I can eat more now. I'veread So many posts like this, I really shouldn't be even writing this, but I just needed to vent, y'all! Upping my Water and Protein should help-at least I didn''t gain, right? I'll try and remain positive!..

My cardiologist looked at me and said, "You did not pass the test". Honestly, I thought he was kidding and then it hit me they don't joke about things like that! Now, I had been at my PCP on Monday. These results had been faxed to him last week and he never mentioned it. He spent maybe 10 minutes with me, most of which was composing the letter of clearance on his laptop. WTF are these guys good for anyway????? So, now I will be scheduled for an angiogram early next week. There is a 10% chance he will find nothing. It may be taken care of with a stent. If things are really bad, there will be open heart surgery. So, no WLS for me for the time being. Wonder how long my insurance authorization is for. Major, major bummer.....

I'm so happy I was able to hike for 5 straight hrs !!! What an accomplishment =]

So today was the first Measurement Date since day before Surgery - Boy it was tough not measuring before today Patience is NOT one of my virtues BUT I did wait - LOST 10.5 inches total! I am pleased - Bummera - I only lost 3lbs in the last 10 days I thought it would be more BUT 3LBS IS 3LBS~~~ and no gain - hoping I am just retaining water since I am due TOM have symptons but no activity for the last 2 weeks ARGGGGGGGGGGG And no chance of pregancy thank goodness

Only 5 days and it feels like longer. The nurse had said I could have mashed potatoes this weekend. I did and it was like waving a red flag in front of my nose! It tasted so good, and went down so well, I decided to slowly move to Stage II (a bit). I had a scrambled egg on Sunday. I made sure that I ate it slowly and chewed as thoroughly as I could (it's not easy to chew scrambled eggs for a long time!). The rest of the day I stuck with the protein drinks and water. Today I had 2 Tbl. of ricotta cheese, thinned with skim milk and made that last 20 minutes. That is the most difficult part of this--taking my time eating something instead of shoving it down my throat. I know that I can't let myself get too hungry or that's what I'm able to do. I'm trying to keep my diet as structured as possible. I'll talk to the nurse tomorrow and let her know where I'm at. Down 10.2 pounds so far. That's pretty good. I'm not noticing too much change except maybe my skirts aren't so tight. Feeling better with a bit more energy. Started extended hours at work today (so I can have Fridays off) and was able to get through the day and come home minimally tired. I guess carrying around that extra 10 lb.s of fat can really tire you out! That's it for today. ODAT!

Wow, 9 days out thats really great. I'm a nurse as well, but think I will stay out at least 2 wks/10 working days. I have to pull and lift alot in my area ( OR). I didnt tell anyone I was having this done at work, so I don't normally get much help on regular days and not expecting much when I get back either. How do you fit in your meals as we are supposed to sip, sip, sip all day? This is one of my biggest concerns as I hardly get lunch relief, and usually end up eating in the car on the ride home.....

I've heard of 4 (old style) 10, 10 and 14 (new AP S and AP L) from lap band, and 9 (old Realize) and 11 (new realize) but never 5 cc. From either Lap Band OR Realize. Until today, your post.

WHAT A DAY I went to bed with thoughts of my surgery date for 11/30/2011. BUT today I get woken up when Terry called me this morning about 8:00am to say John went to the hospital during the middle of the night because he had a fever of 104.7 degrees with chills You see, my brother-in-law, John, had his sleeve surgery on October 19, 2011. John is having a rough time with his surgery. They kept him until Saturday in the hospital because he was not getting enough drinks in. Once home he was only drinking water and warm turkey broth which turkey broth only has about 2g protein so not much that way. As we were talking I asked Terry about her surgery date because with her being around John and the negative things happening I’m worried that that would scare her off from her own surgery (I was also getting a little nervous ). She said she didn’t know and I laughed with her about guys being wimps and all that and to not let that scare her. Well, I get to work about 10 minutes later when I saw a patient and he didn’t look good (like death warmed over). He says to me – my GOD, since I had my surgery (ruen-y) I have lost so much weight (over 200 lbs) and I can’t stop losing. I would tell anyone looking who is having WLS to not ever do it. (he didn't know I was) As he was ranting about all the negative things with WLS I was trying to not get any more nervous then I was already (especially NOW) The patient was still ranting about his WLS and how he wished he never got it done and how he should of listened to his sister who was an RN and told him this would happen. As I was bringing in another patient who saw Ralph (not real name) and who heard him with his ranting as he was leaving say to me how he looked awful and that she was so glad surgery was nothing like his (so :Dsome good things after all okay, good) I was surprised by this (because she was heavy!!) and I said “you had WLS Mary?” (not her real name) and she laughed and said well yes, but after 7-8 years I only gained 50 pounds back which is only 2 sizes bigger, My head was spinning because within 30 minutes ALL this happened and now I don’t know what to think. Soooo, I had to call my sister Terry tonight when I got home to night to check on John and to tell her my tale only to be told that my sister Karen isn’t doing well with her Lap Band surgery because she eats a lot of slider foods.STOP THIS PEOPLE I was thinking. I still would like the sleeve surgery but with a day like today I will need a few days to REALLY think about this. I have jumped every hoop giving to me just to get my surgery date and I finally get my date LOL and I wake up this AM for ALL the negativities regarding WLS surgery to hit me. Hmmmm – I need to make a decision. I think, is this an omen or what? Or, is this to show what could happen if I don’t follow the MD’s advice when I get sleeved. Hmmmmm. P.S. John has pneumonia and not getting the required protein also isn’t doing him any good. He said he is really hungry (because of the lack of protein). I told my sister that I have a starter kit from Unjury that I bought to try but have been sick (Sinusitis and Bronchitis) and I have no taste buds so he might as well try them when he gets home from the hospital (again) Hmmmm – I still need to make a decision. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Night all.

In only 3 more days I'll be out of surgery about this time and starting the rest of my journey to a smaller me!! I have so far lost 11 pounds (9 on my pre-op diet); so ready to get this done and over with!!! I need to be cleaning my house and getting ready since I reckon I won't feel much like any cleaning in about 3 days!! But don't feel like it today either!! No day is a good day! Had people over for a wienie roast last night and a hayride. One couple brought their grandkids over cause they wanted us to let them ride one of the horses - as usual it was not enough and they wanted to ride in the pasture and run the horse instead of in the small pen, and ride the other 2 horses which are real high energy horses. Then DH over- heard their grandma telling them "I don't know why they won't let you ride the other two horses, you'll just have to be satisfied with this one." Well DUH - they've rode some horse a couple of times and think they're experts (at age 7 and 10). How about we bring our grandkids (6, 8 and 12) over to your house and let them drive your truck - just around town. After all, we once let them drive our truck and they were able to keep it between the ditches for 1/4 mile. WHY OH WHY are some people so stupid? Then the 15 year old says 'this horse is trying to rub me off by going under the trees' - well, why don't you simply rein the horse around the trees. You're supposed to be the driver!! Oh yeah, according to them the horse doesn't know how to guide - well, he's been ridden hundreds of miles thru forest and up and down mountains with sheer drop-offs and we've never had a problem with him - could it be the driver????? Hubby was sure pissed when they left and so was I. Why do people think they can come to your house and do what they want with your horses and then insult you and them when they can't handle them? I told him this morning that's it - no more inexperienced riders on our horses. Especially if they won't listen. Oh well - my rant for the day!!! Had the Matrix chocolate for breakfast this morning in water. It sure tasted thin; should have had it in milk I guess. I'll stick with Unjury and a couple of the others. Signing off for today!!

I have had a weight problem for over 10 years. It started out with just 20-30 pounds over weight but I grew older and stressed I ate more and more. I would lose weight but I never maintained the loss. The biggest gain for me started about 3 years ago when I made the decision to move away from my family for my career. At first I was okay no weight gain but as I began missing my family the more I pulled away from the life I had created away from home and dwell on how much I missed home. That's when I started eating more and more. Before I knew it I was 70 lbs heavier. I tried Zumba and walking to get the weight off but somehow I ended up with a cyst on my knee. Walking or even bending my knees have become painful. In Jan 2013 I made the decision to change careers and move back home. I started getting interview quickly and was able to obtain a job doing exactly what I wanted for a great company. So that brings me to now. I'm happy again but now I have all this weight that is still here. My blood pressure is only maintained with medicine. I received a call from True Results to check to see if I qualified for insurance to cover it. (I had tried once before but didn't have a high enough BMI). On July 30th I went in to my appointment expecting to go home disappointed but I left with the goal of an early September surgery date. Insurance approved my surgery late August for September 18th. I am not sure my goal weight yet I would like to be down to 140 from 269 but I'm not sure if that's too much. I am now 6 days from surgery day and I am getting excited. I have lost 7lbs since I started the pre-op diet. I have struggled with not eating and snacking but I have cut my portions down drastically. I have finally found some ways to make my protien shakes taste better. At first I thought this was going to be a hard time because no matter what I did I could only taste the protein in the skake but now I actually enjoy drinking a few of the flavors.

Hi Rena Welcome to LBT, you have come to the right place to see success, there are many many successful bandsters here, there is a before and after pictures thread you can view to see first hand. I too researched the band vs the bypass and there was no way I could do the bypass, Iam so happy with my decision to get the band. 13 months ago I was 91 pounds heavier and in a size 22, I am happy to say Iam now in a size 10 and doing things with my husband and 3 boys I have not done in years. I have my life back . I wish you the best, please keep us posted as to your progress and when you will be banded and please keep coming here to get your support and any questions you need answered here. This is a great group of caring, knowledgable & supportive people here. Good Luck

Hi, Anyone out there at the 6 month mark??? I have alot of questions. I have 4.5 ccs in my 10 cc band. My weight loss has slowed down drastically. I went to the doctor and I only lost a half a pound in 5 weeks. I have noticed my food intake has gotten to be a lot more. I am not sure if I Stretched out my top pouch. how do you know if you do stretch it. will you feel it? And if it is stretched can it go back to normal. I know they said that the weight loss will slow down, but I didnt think this slow. Anyone having the same issue? Angie

hi I am almost 4 months out and having my 2nd fill on the 21. Boy do i need it. I have good days and bad just like you. I have not yet ventured out and tried bread. But i have tried out toast, tortillas. I have had only to episodes where the food (rice) went down fine till i had the 4th bite and BAAMM!! what a nasty feeling. Thankfully the 2 times where in my house. The weight is coming off slowly...and i have to remind myself that "if it took me 10 yesr to gain 100 lbs, i cant expect my body to loose it 1 year" To be honest i am not sticking to the dieat 100% bad habbits die hard. But im hoping that with each fill i will be getting closet to that "sweet spot". Good luck in your journey!! this website is great!

Thanks for the food tips I would of never thought of adding favoring to my liquid drinks. Now I won't be making those messed up face as I try and force the drink down .You asked how I feel well I can't even find the right words ,but excited and scared do come to mind .I have never been so nervous in my life and I've had plenty of surgeries. This one is so different because someday in the near future I'm going to wake up to seeing someone I don't know . That really freaks me out in a way ,but I look forward to that . Make sense ? I can't believe you've already lost 10 pounds your doing so good you should be so proud of yourself .Now I gotta get my butt in gear I really should walk ,but my knees are so bad and with this cold air here in New York that's not likely to happen .I have had surgery on my right knee twice so far and the last one really made me worst then ever . I know once the weigh comes off I'll be walking like a normal person again. I had lost 98 pounds in the pass with Weight Watches only to gain it back in a year (after the second surgery). I was in so much pain I was crying all the time ,but when I had lost all that weight walking was no problem . I was a manger of a hotel chain Best Western,then the knee surgery put me out of work and I just could not stand on my legs all day . Now I'm a stay at home house wife .(not for long I hope ) I miss the people and the excitement hell I miss my fat pay check . I say let my new life begin now!!! I'll be here if you ever won't to talk ,and keep me updated talk with you soon .

HI, have not been on in a long time. I got banded aug.06 started out at 238lbs and got down to 140lbs in a year and 8 months. I did work very hard at this and was very happy and then my baby brother past away at 21. I and just gave up on everything, I am now back at 200lbs and its been 1 yr and 10 months since his passing. I am having trouble finding that motivtion to help my self back to health agian, I don't even know how i did so well. Has anyone out there been through this and have some words of wisdom for me. Thanks Johanna:confused:

Here is my August Exercise Challenge -- I wanted to be more specific with my goals and this is way too long to put in a signature line! Wish me luck! Monday - Upper body + abs 2 of 4 (missed 1*) Wednesday - cardio (cycle & elliptical) 4 of 5 (Missed 1**) Thursday - Lower body + abs + cardio 3 of 5 Saturday - Full Body (no cardio, no abs) 3 of 4 Sunday - Swimming + Sauna 2 of 4 (missed 1) Tracking pool laps: 8/12 - 12 laps total, 6 at one time. 8/13 - 15 laps total, 10 at one time 8/16 - 22 laps total (begin HIIT: can only do 1.5 laps at HI; takes 4 easy laps to recover) *Quit smoking this day, quads are killing me from lunges and fighting an ear infection....just too tired and cranky...need rest) **Quads still hurting bad (wish I could take Advil!!) and huge attitude problem since quitting smoking. Not worried. I'll get back soon. Just need a rest. 8/29 Well, exercise has been almost a total loss this month because of quitting smoking which ruined my attitude, then a back injury from a bad masseuse. I'm trying real hard not to get too down on myself and friends here at LBT are helping so much. I guess I'll start over in September! What else can I do?! Here's a link to 4 month progress pictures: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f91/shrinking-violets-april-07-bandsters-29472/index274.html#post533397 QUIT smoking on August 19th. Lord help me to not gain weight!!! :pray: Major Revelation: Just because you CAN put away 1 to 1.5 cups of food, doesn't mean you SHOULD!! Let me clarify: I had gotten a SB frozen meal for lunch yesterday. I generally HATE any kind of frozen dinner but I was in a crunch. I nuked it when I got back to the office then ended up eating only about 1/2 of it....it was disgusting....and I injested about 150 calories worth of chicken and broccoli. I remained satisfied until 5:00! Ok, so what was my lesson here? 1) I don't need to feel the food backing up into my esophagus before I consider myself 'done eating'.[/color] 2) My instrux are to eat 1/2-3/4 cup of food at one sitting (regardless of if I feel 'full' or not) and that is what I need to do!!! (It's a RULE, dammit) Now, of course, this is totally contrary to the way I've trained myself to eat for the last 49 years and it will take a conscious effort to stop waiting for that full feeling and just follow the rule of 1/2 - 3/4 c of food. I simply need to stop overserving myself. If I am in a restaurant, I need to ask for the to-go box FIRST and load up the extra before I even begin my meal. 4th Fill on Aug. 22 - to 2.8cc's -- 8/29 - UNfill to 2.4cc Weight loss for August was about 2.5#. Bleh.

Ok. today @ 2:45 was my post op appointment and 1st fill. I walked in, & they weighed me. I was kind of dreading this because 1. It's that 'special' time of the month 2. I've been hungry 3. this weekend, though I still didn't eat volume wise what I normally do, ate things I shouldn't have, like bread and brownies 4. last but not least, I weigh about 4 lbs heavier in the afternoon than I do in the a.m. water retention I guess. Much to my delight I have maintained myself at 318.. I was 331.5 on the day of surgery, which means I weighed even more than that before surgery and lost some before because of the hellacious pre-op 'all food is evil so you must drink your meals' diet. So I lost around 20 lbs and have kept it off without gaining any before my fill. From what I've been reading on the forums, some people gain before their 1st fill so HOOfreakinRAH for me!:clap2: They had a "basket 'o Needles sitting on the desk.. boy that cheered me up and fast.:faint: Todd was like... well look honey.. they aren't THAT big... Dr. Morton thought my incisions sites looked great and where healing V well. They also thought my matching tie dyed undies/sports bra and socks were a hoot, I informed them that of course, I wore them for this ever so special of occasions. At this point, they had me laying down on the table in my colorful skivies and it occurred to me that this bragging on my homemade undies was a clever ploy for them to distract me from the bee sting of a numbing shot they administered to the incision on my sternum. I think Todd's fingers may still be tingling...:rolleyes but I have to admit.. it was like a baby bee sting and not one of those big A$$ scary bees.... So.. after this he sticks in the saline needle and all I feel is pressure, I was like.. wow, that's kind of weird, he then informed me that he was going to help me SIT UP with said needle protruding from my sternum. uh....:guess He gave me his hand and helped me sit up.. I didn't pass out or anything! In fact at this point, I didn't feel a thing but I guess my eyes were still bugged out like a fly in a frog pit cause he commented on my expression.. It was kind of weird to look down and see a needle sticking out of me but, it didn't hurt:) They then gave me a cup holding 9 ounces of water and asked me to sip on it. Apparently the band I have holds 4 thingies of saline (cc's maybe?) and while I sat there drank water and burped profusely he put in 2.2 thingies of fluid. He seemed pretty happy with how it was sounding and he pulled out the needle and slapped on a bandaid. I was like... 'THAT's IT?" As I predicted, I felt silly for being to worked up over this. It all took about 10 minutes from weigh in/strip down to fill up. I was grinning like a cat in the fish market on the way up front because my stomach had been growling like crazy when I got there and all the sudden.. I was FULL. HOLY CRAP>>>> I went from ravenous beast to pleasantly just ate full.... on 9 ounces of water. NICE. I scheduled my next appointment for 3 weeks from now to weigh in and see if I need more fluid in my band. I am on liquids until wednesday afternoon then I can switch to soft stuff like cottage cheese/apple sauce then gradually at my own pace, work up to real food again. I am ever so slightly sore now where my port is and he said I might bruise a little. I got a protein drink and some veggie juice for supper and right now I'm full as a tick.

I everyone. I am beyond happy that I found this site. Like many of you, I have tried to lose weight for the past 7 years(I'm 25) and I just can't seem to lose it. I lose the weight and gain it right back.. My sister got sleeved on January and OMG she went from a size 18 to a small .. Amazing I know.. So at first, after seeing her have some complications, I said I can't do this, forget it... But just 3 days ago, I was trying to wear something for work and it wouldn't for properly and after trying few other outfits, I said that's it, I will have the surgery regardless what ends up being. Not for nothing, but I have an amazing life, I have a awesome job, I go to school which I graduate next fall, but I'm not happy with my weight. This is where the problem arises, I weight 200... I could of swore I was more but I was too scared to weigh my self. So 2 days ago I wanted to see how much I weighted and I was disappointed lol.. I calculated my BMi and it's 34 Uhg so frustrating.. Now some of you may say well wtf are u doing here, but that's not the case.. I am very self couscous and I don't ever go on dates bc I feel like I am huge (which 200 is not small) I am 5'4 also... I am registered for a seminar for Wednesday 10/2/13... Not sure if I qualify? Would I? I mean I do wear a size 16 so you would think I do? Right? I was always a size 4 until I turned 19.... I know it's wrong but should I gain a little weight? I did have a heart surgery in 2010 and my heart beats more than normal peoples so maybe they can consider that right? Worse comes to worse and my insurance say No, can I do it anyways paying cash? Will they allow me even though my BMi is not 35? I really want to be at least 130 and I have tried almost every single diet on the planet.. I just want some insight since I really want to do it but my family won't really support me since they still think I have a heart condition which I don't anymore.. I have decided I am going to do it even if it costs my life in the end... That's how serious I am .. And I have read so many of your stories and I am inspired.

I need a space to be real and accountable so here goes. Started 6month SD on 6/10/17 and really struggled for the first 10 days. The struggle was due to these factors: 1. failure to plan 2. wanting to eat crap more than wanting to lose this weight and get healthy 3. too many "last meals". So I had a come to Jesus moment and watched many more videos of others who have gone before me. I researched and planned a true low carb high protein meal plan and I went shopping to get food that is compliant and I made a video blog for my own personal use to hash it all out with myself. One thing that quitting smoking many years ago taught me is that this game is not in my stomach, it is in my head. Not to discount the very real fact that my stomach and other factors are heavies in this battle, but the real bad guy here is this voice in hy head that really thinks one more McDouble is a necessary thing because I may never eat one again. REALLY, that crap is so nasty but yet here I am like a ball and chain. So Ten days ago , I got on track. The last ten days have not been without hic-cups, for example, I now realize that carbs are not the enemy, but children's birthday parties and specifically PIZZA are the enemies. I went in with a plan and still ate pizza.. ugh. I have to realize that little things like this will still happen and while they are not to be blown off, I am not going to beat myself up over it. I WILL however look at all those caalories and assess, was bowling alley pizza really WORTH it. No. So I started 10 days ago at 268 and this morning I weighed in at 259.6. A baby loss and like any baby I need to takecare of it and help it grow, hence this thread. Thanks for reading.

I was banded March 2008 When I first decided to check out the option of lapbanding I was 213 pounds. I went in for the preliminary check up and had lost 10 pounds but of course I think that was the fear of hey I could be skinny lol I was having caused the weight loss. By the time the preop diet was complete I had lost another 10 pounds so it was looking good. I handed over the cheque for 16 grand and yeah you know it lost another few pounds lol By July I had lost 47 pounds and was feeling great. I had another fill this was my second one and about a month and half later that is when it started, I was throwing up constantly. If I ate and drank water I would vomit. Everything got stuck. I continued like this for some time before going back to doc and having an unfill that was in September. It was a nightmare as I felt terrible but the scales said I was down another 15 pounds but this is not how I need to lose the weight. I have lost another 3 pounds since then. I know it is slower now but I can tell you it is still my problem as I get nervous about the food so I eat what I know will stay down and that is not always the best foods. I am going back to see doc since I have read other posters and now I am afraid of losing the band all together due to slippage. I will make it to the destination because I have been waiting for me for a long time. I would like to lose another 30 pounds and better yet keep it off for life. I am being very conscious from here on as a promise to my life that I will eat properly.

Spoke to Nancy , my Nut today. She says I need at least 65 grams protien a day (at the minimum). So. that is my mission. Blah! But...whatever I need to do to break this stall. Its driving me nuts.

Apparently LapBandTalk is wondering where all of it's former members went and why us "old timers" no longer post. So far the first 4 pages, to my surprise have been "I'm doing great, lost my weight and enjoying my new body" type posts. I was the first bust thy bubble with complications. I figured those who had bands prior to VSG would at least enjoy the read if not want to share your story to prevent another poor soul from going through what we have. I did NOT go looking for this thread of LBT, they sent an email out asking where some of the "Old Timers" were and I figured perhaps some of you who used to post there may have changed your email address but would still LOVE the chance to be honest with what the band did to you and your body http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/126044-any-old-timers-still-around/page__st__60#entry1584321 is the link. Enjoy!