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I was tempted to do too much too fast, but I listened to my surgeon. I did cardio right away, as much as I could tolerate, mostly treadmill and walking, some recumbent bike. I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds until after my post-op appointment three weeks post surgery, and even then they told me to go slow with lifting or using resistance equipment at the gym. Now at 90-days post-op I can do anything I want.

Another thing to add: make sure you have an adequate cool-down period. I doubled my cool-down from 5 to 10 minutes walking last night and woke up with much less soreness.

I literally have those huge plastic bins from walmart in my attic. they are marked 10-12-14-16-18 and 20. Pathetic..... I am almost into my 12s. Talk about your yo yo

I was 10 days early!!!!

Expectations. I think one of the biggest problems with my gaining and losing weight over the years is my expectation of the situation. Reading the forums here I see that I'm not the only one who suffers from expectation problems. For example in late 2012, I joined Ideal Protein. It's a medically supervised low carb, high protein diet that garners relatively fast results. I was expecting to lose weight quickly and I did. What was the problem? I expected to lose it faster than that! I expected to lose 100 lbs in under 6 months and when I had successfully lost 75 lbs I couldn't really consider it a success. I wanted to but I didn't make my goal. I didn't live up to my expectation. Had I looked at the reality of the situaton: I LOST 75 LBS IN 6 MONTHS perhaps I woiuld've been more gentle with myself. Perhaps I would have taken more pride in my accomplishment, perhaps I would've care more or acted sooner when I started to feel the weight start to slowly creep back. My reality was that I had already failed at this process and so the 5 pound gain that turned to 10 which quickly morphed to 50 lbs was simply more failure. With this process I'm trying really hard to have zero expectations of how it's going to work out but that's easier said than done. From my first meeting the expectation was that it would take months to fulfill the insurance company requirements. I wasn't going to let that deter me. Just proceed on and understand that this could take a while. Nutrition and Psychology and the toughest to schedule with people waiting MONTHS to get appointments. I was prepared. I had zero expectations. My psychology appointment was booked on a Wednesday for the following Monday. WHAT? When I discovered that my 6 months at Ideal Protein covered my nutrition requirements and I only had to see the nutritionist twice through the surgeons office I was pleasantly surprised but I was told that scheduling them could take months. I had my two appointments within 30 days. That was better than any expectation I could've set for myself. As of yesterday, I have fulfilled all of my requirements for the insurance company submittal process so now I have to wait. I know that it can take up to 7 weeks to get an answer from my insurance company but I plan to just continue to have zero expectation of time. It will unfold as it has to unfold and I will yield to the time gently. I'm going to carry this out to my surgery and then to my weight loss following surgery. I know that there are many people who have lost extraordinary amounts of weight in short periods of time. I know others who have had more stalls than a football staduim's restroom but I am neither of those people. I am me and my weightloss will be unique to me. My goals is to: Follow my surgeon's instructions Make my meal planning a priority Keep my body moving Educate my family on what this surgery is doing for me Not compare myself, my diet, my surgeon, my instructions to any other persons Have zero expectations of how this wll play out but know that if I just follow the rules it will play out as my body needs it to. Tha'ts my new reality.

I usually have the same Premier Protein shake for breakfast every morning. It holds me over to lunch time. I guess my problem is with portions, still. I just had my 4th fill on 10/1 and I'm now at 7cc in my 10cc band. I think I'm really close to my sweet spot, but I still feel like I have to watch my portions so I don't overeat. Sometimes, after my 1/2 cup meal, I might still be hungry, which boggles my mind.

I went to orientation about a month ago and today I called to let them know I am ready to get started on my classes. They signed my up for classes starting 10/1/15 and will complete 1/14/2016. There are 4 weeks that land on holidays during my classes on thursdays but I am looking at it as 4 more weeks to get my 10% off. Anyone else starting around that time?

I do two of the things mentioned above @GreenTealael mentioned, I try to stave off hunger by drinking fluids. Similar to @FluffyChix mentioned, I focus on my commitment to weight loss, and making one good choice at a time (choosing jerky over a brownie for instance) I also focus on my NSV, and how great those make me feel, crossing my legs without even thinking about it, wearing size 10 jeans, wearing size M shirts, easily fitting in an airplane seat, feeling sexy af, lol. This is vain, but I also think about the compliments I have received. It's one thing to think I look great, but it is affirming to hear others say it.

Okay - I was a travel agent and guess what - the average weight gain on a cruise is 10 pounds!!!! So, you didn't do bad at all. I love cruises too. I once went on a strictly scrapbooking cruise, it was so much fun! So I totally know you had a great time. Don't sweat the 5 lbs, now is the time to get back to the basic bandster rules.

I have had the alpine (fruit) punch, and the orange flavor of the pre mixed Isopure in the bottle. You get 40g of protein per bottle, and alot of your liquid requirement. I also have tried the powder in the same flavors... I personally cannot stand the thickness of the powder drinks.:thumbup: They come out quite chalky looking, and settle to the bottom of the glass after a few minutes. :embaressed_smile:The girl at GNC told me that that's the xtra vitamins and minerals they add to the powder mix that settle. I still prefer the pre mixed clear kind. Get a gold card, and save $$ durring the first week of each month. I think it's 10 or 15 % off your purchase! :frown: Good luck!

Welcome Carl, you have come across a wonderful site, there is so much information, and support to be gained here, I am ever thankful I found it, I think you will be too! I agree with Zoe, anytime I have any doubts, I hit the before & after pics....how inspiring!!! I am about 10 weeks post op, and have had no problems. I have had the golfball pressure in my chest a couple of times from eating too fast, I keep hoping to learn to slow down more!! It is enough to convince me it is in there working on keeping me in line!! It is an awesome thing to feel in control of my eating finally, I truly never thought I ever would again. I wish I had done this years ago! I had my surgery in Mexico, my insurance denied me twice, and in order to qualify with them I would have been required to be on a medically supervised diet with bi monthly meetings with a nutritionist, for 12 consecutive months. She told me they were so strict with this clause that if I were to miss an appointment, my 12 months would be required to be started over. I figured there would always be a catch, so I went to Mexico as a self pay. I have not had a single problem, have a Dr. here for aftercare and fills. However or where ever you have your surgery, I wish you luck, it is am amazing journey!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

Roughly two months out now, and my weight loss looks like this: 8/19/13 - 343 8/26/13 - 336 9/2/13 - 327 9/9/13 - 319 9/16/13 - 312 9/23/13 - 306 9/30/13 - 302 10/7/13 - 296 10/14/13 - 293 10/21/13 - 293 So, of course, I'm freaking out now. Granted, I had a rough week (drank beer at my college homecoming, didn't eat the best food), but I also started cardio again this past week, so I expected at least... 1lb or something. Even though the food I ate was bad, it was like 5 bites. You can see the trend - each week is less and less. Is this a "stall" that I keep hearing about? Should I be freaking out? Help me put my mind at ease. I mean, I am still like 50-60lbs overweight. I better not be done already!

I've felt the same many times since my surgery on December 10, 2012. My surgery date weight was 235, my current weight is 180, so that's a total of 45 lbs lost post-op. I had a few weeks where my loss just stopped and I was so worried that I would be the only person whose weight loss stopped so soon...but, it picked back up after I upped my water and cut carbs back some more.

What can I eat? If I drink one more sweet drink I am gonna gag. Help!

yup, i didnt pass gas for four days. i barely got down the protein shakes, and i barely finished a bottle of water. its important to just keep sipping water. slip all day like every 10 minutes.

Thank you for your posts.... Makes sense w the gall bladder... I had mine removed over 10 years ago...I will keep track & see if there is a pattern! Thanks!

Sounds like we are in similar boats. I had my band placed in 2012. I weighed 292 and got to 165 about a year ago. Since having the band placed, I went to the bariatric center monthly. I met with a nurse practitioner to discuss strategies and to weigh & check blood pressure. In the last six months, we've made a major move and I no longer have the bariatric center because there isn't one in my new area. Unfortunately, since the move, I have been stress eating and have gained enough that my pants are TIGHT. I don't know the number because I no longer weigh, but use my clothes as a judge of gain/loss. I like to stay in my 10s and 12s. Thanks to the bariatric nurse, I have never bought any bigger clothes, so I've got to get this off or wear pjs in public. I'll choose to get this weight off. My band is in the sweet spot, has been for over a year, and just need to listen to it and control what I put in my mouth. I do Protein (Syntrax Matrix) shakes for Breakfast and lunch and eat a small portioned dinner with my family. It just works better for me and my nurse practitioner agreed since it keeps my protein levels high. What I seek is an accountability partner. I'd like somebody to check in with daily, to hold me accountable, and discuss ideas and strategies. As a veteran bander, I think I have some tips to offer and I'd love to partner with another bander. Interested??

I had to adjust my cpap within the first two weeks, as well. (I couldn't fully exhale.) I adjusted it again after five weeks (I was waking up to burp - swallowing air). I was on a 10 setting, and am now on a 7. Getting off this machine is my number one goal of weight loss. I am grateful for the progress! I went to youtube to learn how to adjust it myself. I see my neurologist / sleep specialist at the end of the month, and hope to have a sleep study by the end of the year (since I've met my out of pocket) to render this machine useless! A girl can dream...

Holy crap! 10 weeks? I would need the money. That's a long time.

I am starting to get a cold...sore throat....My surgery isnt till January 18th, but It still worries me. I am getting on a 13 hour plane ride in a week and REALLY don't want to be coughing and miserable... perhaps I'll try the Zicam..... I have been making this jelly concoction made with a sugar free metamuciel mixed into the emergenC. I mix it, then let it sit for about 10 minutes before I eat it with a spoon. Its kind of yummy and full of fiber and C. Trying to kill two birds with one stone.

I had my Vertical Gastric Sleeve June 19th. I am taking sips about 10 seconds apart. I have a fullness sensation but no nausea or vomiting. Is this normal?

The first thing you will learn is that "there is no normal". LOL Everyone reacts differently to the surgery and has differing levels of healing, tolerance, etc. If you are able to take sips 10 seconds apart and feel good afterwards, I say CELEBRATE! That's awesome! Fullness makes sense because your stomach is SUPER TINY right now. With post-op swelling, it may only be 1-2 ounces in capacity at the moment. And it may take a week or more for that to swelling to reduce enough for you to increase your Fluid intake capacity and frequency. The most important thing you can do right now is carefully follow your doctor's instructions, stay hydrated and give yourself plenty of time to heal. At whatever rate your body dictates. And feel free to ask questions here. We're happy to help. You might think about using the SEARCH box (top right hand corner of the page) to see if your question has been posted before. Probably, it has been, and many helpful answers already given. Soak up the knowledge. There's a TON of it on this site! Good luck!

As soon as you are not taking narcotics you can drive. You have to know your energy levels though. I drove on day 2, but no longer than 10 minutes each way. Then on day 3 I drive 45 minutes each way and that was too much. Today is day 4 and I finally got a sold straight 8 hours of sleep, so I feel like my energy is much higher.