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I'm right there with you, I was banded on 4/29 and have lost 8.5lbs since surgery. I went today for my 1st fill and the doc put 4cc in. I asked him while I was there if my weight loss was normal, and he said yes average is 1-2 a week and that's about where I am. He said some people do loose more faster but not everyone and to not be discouraged. He said he is very happy with my progress and my fill should help with curbing my hunger and come back in 2 weeks. I really understand your frustration and concern, but when I get a little upset that I'm not 20lbs lighter already, I just think 1 i'm still 8lbs lighter. 2 I'm loosing not gaining and that is exciting, and 3rd and finally, if I continue with 1.5 lbs a week I'll have lost 78lbs by 1yr and thats incredible. So although it may not be coming off as fast as we want it to, the scale is still going down and that all I wanted. best of luck

Hi Im Dee, Im 4 years out, my lowest weight was 113, Im stable at 115. Welcome. Your right it takes work. And when we (for whatever reason) don't or cant work it, it catches up really fast (damnit all to heck). So So So happy your reaching out, before your OUT of control and just say THE HELL WITH IT. yay hang out, have a glass of tomato juice, pull up an ottoman..lol

Just crossed over the 70 lb. loss mark (one milestone I set for myself along the way). It has been right at 3 months since my surgery. I also have two general questions. Did most of you who have achieved (or who are close to) your goal weight start with large amounts (of weight loss) and then moderated to smaller amounts as time went on? I am down to losing 1-3 lbs a week now. Also according to my dietitian there is no Peanut Butter allowed. Although my friends who have been banded and had by-pass use this regularly. I was just told no. Is this a hard and fast rule across the board? Thanks as always to all the support and encouragement. I brag about ya'll to our local support group and encourage them to come on board.:party4:

Whenever I'm complaining about the scale not moving fast enough...my husband always say....You know, sex is good exercise. He might have ulterior motives. But he's right, it is. It's cardiovascular...has some extra incentives. Why not? If you have a partner, think about the caloric benefits of being spicy a little more often. The average person burns about 144 calories for a half an hour of sex (including massage, pre-sex silliness, etc) So think about it....if you added sex every day....that's an extra thousand calories you're burning every week!

We will be visiting family for Christmas this year and I will be at the solid foods stage by then. They are all about the food, their cooking means so much to them if you don’t have something then they will get upset. I’ve looked up most of the nutritional info on the foods and have found some I can eat and others to avoid. The ones I am most unsure of is lumpia (egg rolls) because of the wrapper and pancit because it is noodles. I’m concerned the noodles or wrapper might get hung up or swell up, what do you think? I can bypass them, no problem, but asking just to make sure. Please don’t think I am asking because I want to return to the foods that made me fat. I didn’t do all of this just to jump into bad habits. I’m going to be there a week and want to make good decisions while I am there. If I have a plan, I can avoid things that won’t work. I’ve done this same thing with Restaraunt’s and fast food joints incase my family decides to go out. I am not allowed to cook while I am there so it’s their food or protein shakes. Have a great day! Amanda [emoji16] HW 248 CW 230 SW 231 ASW 239 Surgery Date: 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish 🤞🏼

I am 35 and have been struggling with my weight for over 10 years now. I was scheduled for sleeve today actually. My father was against the surgery in general, but accepted my decision and has been trying to be supportive. He wanted to meet the surgeon and have a lot of questions answered. We went in to see surgeon on Thursday and I came out more confused than ever. They basically all (mom, dad, and dr.) ganged up and made me feel that band is soooo much safer and a much better option. Truthfully, I never even read up on the band because I didn't like the idea of having something inside me forever and was not comfortable with the idea of it slipping and having to come in for adjustments (fills), etc., so I dismissed it completely initially. After that appointment on Thursday, I came away feeling like the band was so obviously the way to go, but every time I thought of having that thing inside me it brought me to tears. Obviously I had to make a decision fast bc they had to make sure to get the approval for the switch from my insurance and my surgery was scheduled in four days. I was so confused and felt so much pressure to decide that I thought it was not the right way to make the decision, so I have postponed the surgery and I have two new dates tentatively set in February depending on which surgery I choose to go with. I have to decide by the end of the week. Can you all please tell me your stories? Successes, failures, revisions, etc. I want to hear it all so I can make the most informed decision. I am still hung up on having the band in me forever, but I believe I will get over it if I really feel it is the best option. One thing that is for certain, is that the band is many times more safe (in terms of the surgery and chance of death) than the sleeve. But if the chances of success overall are lower and I will end up having the sleeve in a few years anyway, then I don't want to do that. I welcome any comments. Thanks in advance.

Yeah, I just ordered my sample pack from BJ's on Friday and it came Monday!! Really fast! I haven't tried them yet, but excited to see if I like them. The variety would be nice!!

BJs Bariatrics is where I get my sample packs from. They are well priced and they ship fast! Sent from my iPad using VST

HELLO EVERYONE, I was just approved by my insurance company, everything is going so fast now, still can't decided on which band, very nervous now!!

For surgery, rule of thumb is nothing after midnight. For fasting lab work, the posted signs in the laboratory near to where I live says 12 hours is best for accurate fasting lab work, but it ranges between 8-12 hours of fasting depending on orders of the physician or clinic.

WOW! You are doing awesome!!! I wish the weight was coming off me that fast!! I have 200 pounds to lose too. I looked @ your pictures on your blog and you look great!!! WOW! Love the new hair too! VERY CUTE!

Well it depends on what you can eat. I can eat salads so McDonald's grilled chicken bacon ranch or cescar salad is really good. For breakfast what about a Protein shake or slim fast For Snacks fruit or Jello For lunch grilled chicken sandwich without the bread or salad. Wendy's have chilli Don't forget Soups also or mash potatoes It's a lot things to get you have to make the right choices with foods you can eat. I only eat a piece of bread. No a hole sandwich or biscuit. I have to protect my 15000.00 investments

Yes. You are not full into banded eating at this point if you are not eating hard protiens first, then veggies/fruits, then carbs if needed. Yes, you will stay fuller for longer when you are eating bandster meals. Here's my opinion about Snacks. Yes, healthy snacking can turn into unhealthy snacking. Yes, it could just be head hunger you are fighting. BUT, the hungrier you let yourself get, the more likely you are going to eat too fast, take too big a bite, or do something to get stuck or even PB, and is not healthy for your band. I also think that starving is not good for your metabolism, and thats what I'm fighting with. My metabolism is shot and I keep having to sneak around it to lose. It's a real crap shoot. As for counting calories, I don't. However, it's a good idea to count for a few days to get an idea of what you are putting in your mouth. That info helps you to make better eating choices, so yes, count, but no, don't count all the time. And go to www.room42.com to get your calorie, fat, carb, protien requirements for weight loss so you will know what you are shooting for. I usually eat a scrambled egg w/ cheese for Breakfast. sometimes I'll even start with and 8oz glass of milk and add a 1/2 slice of whole wheat toast. I'm fine until lunch and have whatever, a sandwich, large salad, some chicken, leftovers, whatever. By 4pm I need something. It's just too far to go until 6-7pm when we eat dinner. My 2yo can't do it. He needs a snack. I need one, too. I can occasionally avoid it my making a half pot of coffee, but then I'm drinking cream/sugar, so wouldn't it be better to eat some veggies? Or grilled chicken breast? 2-3 ounces maybe? Anyhow. I snack once a day in the afternoons. I find I eat a much more sensible dinner that way. No liquids during meals...doc is right on there. No arguing about that one. No fill...if you are losing, you shouldn't need one. There is nothing worse than being too tight. But if you are struggling, by all means, get one! It's what your band is for. Give it 3 weeks and call to schedule that fill if it's not going well. It sounds as if you have pretty good restriction now but that will change and it will be a whole new world when you move to solids. I don't think anyone should get a fill before 6 weeks anyway. And no way should you get one if you don't even know what it's like to chew and swallow moist grilled chicken breast. I'd eat mushies all the time if I let myself...guacamole, refried Beans, eggs, etc. but you really need to do the solid protiens first to get a feel for how your band is working for you. Good luck!!!

Not sure what you weigh, but I first got into spin when I was 360lbs. It’s great cardio and great for toning the booty! Spin class is where you ride a stationary bike but it’s made to go fast. They play great music and get you moving! I started at much heavier. Check one out and you may be surprised! I like it because it’s kind on my hips and knees!

I've had 3 or 4 ounces of wine once (maybe twice) per week for the last month. I have also had vodka (straight, no mixers), and found that it hits me really fast. As others have said, the calories can really mount up fast. When I do have alcohol I am sure to add those drink items into my daily food journal and still stay within my acceptable calorie range.

Totally normal to have all those feelings. Being just 2 weeks out, im guessing your on mushies? That is a tough phase, but if you feel nauseous you may want to tell your Doc. Keep fighting, everyday gets better. I am 7 months out and lost 67 lbs. My doc says i am right where i should be. Not good to lose too much too fast, makes the skin sag, so dont worry if you dont notice it yet, you will, and when you do you will be glad you took this journey!

Holy Cow Chattie! You had a rockin' day! I can totally relate to the clothing thing. I've been shopping in catalogs because nothing in the stores fit, or they are too granny, or too maternity, or whatever. I put myself on a complete moratorium for buying ANY clothes until after surgery. I figure that new pretties will be a great, non-fattening reward. My hubby isn't getting banded but he plans to ride down the weight slide with me going the old-fashioned way. I've quit buying clothes for him too! Sad that I haven't had any normallys or chooses to post, but here's a tiny one from this morning. I chose to have a low carb SF instead of that giant bagel or fast food Breakfast that I've recently been "sneaking." Ha, SNEAKING! Who do I think I'm hiding that from, huh? I was SURE that the shake wouldn't take care of my hungries, but by the time I got to the turn for the place that I normally drive through, I was able to keep on going. Small Victories!

I got my surgery time. 10am. Super nervous. This clear liquids diet has me so drained. And I'm STARVING. What I would do for just a scoop of peanut butter !! Tomorrow cannot come fast enough.

I am totally with you. I finally learned that at 7 weeks out tomorrow, I MUST MUST MUST use baby utensils. After a bite or three, I get up, walk around the living room to work out a burp and then I can eat a few more bites. I was running to the bathroom to vomit for the first 6 weeks after two to three bites and that was miserable. I think I was eating too fast or too big of bites. If a burp is really stuck, I've learned to go to the bathroom, lean over the sink and cough. A huge DISGUSTING burp erupts and everything is golden again.

Hi Angelia - Welcome to the site. I'm not banded yet, but will try to answer your questions. I'm sure someone a little more experienced will follow and can offer their advice too! You aren't too young for the procedure. If it was an insurance issue they usually require you to be 18 (at least mine does.) I wish this had been available when I was your age! My surgeon did say he lets his patients know they should wait 1 year after surgery before getting pregnant. About drinking at mealtime, surgeons seem to vary somewhat in the time frame given, mine says no drinking 30 minutes before or after a meal . I've already made that change and it really isn't a big deal. You get used to it. If you drink during a meal you wash your food through the band too fast and it doesn't leave you feeling full - which is the whole purpose of the band. About the steak- you'll find as many different answers as you find people. Some say they are able to eat it, others can't. My surgeon said to plan to give it up, that if you can eat steak you don't have enough restriction. Again, I'm not banded yet so can't tell you my personal experience with that. I'm not a big steak lover so that one doesn't bother me a bit. However, the band does mean giving up certain things including soda. Otherwise, after surgery it seems to be a lottery as to what foods each individual is able to tolerate. You just have to go into it realizing there are things you may not be able to have again (best to think worse case!) but the trade off is a healthier you. Hope this helps some.

I am 33 days out. I have not had hunger like before surgery. I sometimes feel a sort of hollow feeling in my belly but a boiled egg or a piece of cheese fixes me up. I don't crave sugar or fast food. I have had an easy time of it so far. Sometimes I have to make myself eat. Good luck!

Hi. I'm sure this has been addressed before and hate to be repetitive; however, I need some help and reassurance please. I have a 4cc band and was banded on 10/26/05. I don't know what my current fill is but the last one I got was 3 weeks ago. This last fill was the first time I really felt any restriction and I was PB'ing all the time because I was having to get used to it being tight. Then last Wednesday I went out to eat with my daughter. That day at lunch I had had some trouble eating but just thought it was the usual eating too fast, too big of bites, not chewing, etc. Then that night at the cafeteria, I could get NOTHING to go down. I had to run to the ladies room 3-4 times. I was sooo embarrassed...of course there were people in there that I knew! Once I almost didn't even make it to the bathroom. I tried later that night to eat, no go...the next morning...no go...and Thursday afternoon...no go. I called my doc and they told me to stay on warm liquids and not to worry about slippage, etc. Finally later Thursday, after much broth, I could eat. Now I don't have much restriction I feel. I have PB'd maybe 3x when I tried to take my medicine or when I just absolutely ate too fast running out the door! Geez, when am I going to learn. I am making bad choices, and not losing weight. I really thought it would be much easier. I see talk of people losing some restriction as time goes on...but I still seem to drink when I eat~! I struggle with this daily. How do I get my head on straight, and can a fill go from absolutely very tight to no restriction?

Eating shouldn't be painful unless you're eating too much or too fast, but it doesn't sound like you're doing that at all. It sounds like you're being very careful. I don't know - maybe try mushies for your next meal - see how it goes and try solids later today, if it's feeling good. I sure wish I could be more helpful. Everyone is so different. I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope you have a great rest of your day!

First, 25 pounds down, that is great! I am sure many will chime in to say sometimes slow, sometimes fast, look past others results and focus on your own. But, 25 is a lot. If you are truly following exercise, diet, and protein to the letter -- why not try mixing up your fitness routine? Are you accelerating your cardio levels and/or weights? If not, it could be time to move those up.