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@@Alexandra85 thank you for this! My surgery is 19 days away. I am a ball of nerves and excitement

I know it's frustrating to read about people who seem to be losing HUGE amounts of weight in the first month or two, if you're not one of them. But honestly, there are so many factors that go into how much you'll lose and how fast. Men lose faster (damn them!). People with a higher starting BMI lose faster. Younger people seem to me to lose faster. People who didn't have a larger pre-op loss seem to lose faster initially (because the first 10 pounds of any weight loss is mostly water). Some people who are losing faster may be losing muscle mass as well as fat, which will slow down their weight loss later (because muscle mass makes your resting metabolism higher). And some people stall earlier, some people stall later. What's important to remember is, you will lose the weight. It may take longer to come off for some of us (I lost about 15 pounds the first month, 10 the second, and 7 so far in the 3rd month), but it's going to come off, and it will come off consistently, without you feeling like you're starving all the time, and it's going to stay off. Yes, maybe you've been on crash diets where you lost faster, for a little while, and how long did that last? Stick to your surgeon's plan, give your body the liquids and protein it needs (you want to keep the protein up so you maintain muscle mass, which will keep your metabolism from slowing down), take a deep breath, and remember it's not a race, and it's not a diet. This is for the rest of your life. You want to be learning good eating and exercise habits, and learning how to live with your new sleeve and eat for life, not live to eat. And if you're still feeling like a slow loser, check out this thread on slow users unite - you're in good company, and it's full of people who are successful sleevers! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/11308-the-good-thing-about-being-a-slow-loser/

Hello! I understand your frustration. I, too, was a very slow loser for the first month. If you keep your Protein and Water intake where it should be, the weight will eventually begin to melt away. I'm almost 11 mos. post op and have lost about 80 lbs since my day of surgery. Even at a month post op I seriously questioned my ability to shed the pounds other VSG patients do. While others were losing 20+ lbs per month, I was losing 5-10. In the end, I couldn't be happier and I know you will feel the same next summer! Best wishes on your journey. Lisa

Roxanne, it takes a few days to get back to feeling normal. I was banded 10 days ago and with each day you just feel better and better. Also, you can take in more Fluid each day too - like the other replies it is usually swelling that stops you getting in too much for the first few days. Good Luck Glenda Banded 29 July Dr James Ritchie - Sydney Australia

I don't track anything except protein. I just add up my protein mentally through the day (egg 7, greek yogurt 20, chicken 10 etc). And then I eat whatever else-usually healthy but sometimes not-never very much. I cannot handle much without feeling quite sick. I have no nutritionalist visits because I traveled for surgery. I'm pretty much on my own, with my surgeon's instruction book and this forum. I literally have no idea how many Kcal I have in a day because I despise food tracking (altho I know it works to lose weight). Right now I'm actually trying to eat more to prevent anymore weight loss! If I start to regain I'll have to track more to get back on track.

Hey recovery has been pretty good to me thankfully! Have a great support of other medic and drs that have had it which has been awesome lol. Surgery on the 18th at 730 am catheter pulled by noon walking by 6 pm discharged by 6 pm on the 19!!!! Taking it easy drinking plenty of fluids and keeping up with pain mess, FYI to all don't try to be above the pain mess did that one day and it kicked my ass the following day lol. Ps where in jersey, I'm from toms river lol

Big progress begins with one small step... I admire what you are doing and will check our the 10 minute trainer myself...

I started Tony Horton's 10-Minute Trainer this morning. OMG! I couldn't do much at all, but I felt like I had worked out when it was over. Just making the effort is better than nothing, right? Just did what I could - tried as hard as I could. Should get a little better every day, right? Just getting down on the floor and getting up is quite the workout for me! I'm still about 40 pounds overweight and 59 years old. Haven't exercised in years.

I had my lapband 10/09 and a port revision 12/10/09. I started passing bloodclots at my job and I have since had the band removed. I now have Crohn's Disease and I am deathly sick. Two doctor's told me that it must have been lying inactive in my system and the lapband brought it to life. Has anyone else had a similar incident? I am on a chemo drug and will be starting IV therapy to try to get my colon healed. I have huge ulcersin my colon.

I've had my second fill. I guess it was on the 10th. So two weeks ago. I have noticed a huge difference in what I can and can't eat. I get that golf ball feeling way more often. I would say at least once a day if not more often. I'm still hungry quite often. But I guess that's normal. At some point you are supposed to be, right? I eat a good dinner and occasionally have a yogurt or something like that as an evening snack. When I wake up I have some v8 fusion and some Protein stuff and a cup of coffee. I am NOT a Breakfast person. Never have been. So it shouldn't surprise me that by 10:30-11:00 I'm hungry. I think that really is the only time I'm "starving." The rest is head saying I should eat. I don't know. I sometimes think that I shouldn't have gotten this fill. I should have waited a bit longer. I have more head issues at this point than hunger ones. That's my experience.

This is not to say that you won't do well with surgery, but for you to say that you don't know [something] and feel that surgery will be the best decision seems like setting a trap for yourself. Having realistic expectations and a grasp of the realities of surgery and what follows are foremost, along with having confidence in one's ability to follow through successfully. Surgery means taking action and making changes. It is not a passive affair. Just as you've lost 10 and gained 12 in the past, it is possible either not to lose weight or to lose and regain after surgery. If you don't believe me, look at Chris Christie -- not a surgery success story. Making wise food choices and planning meals is imperative. Exercising regularly is important. Losing weight and keeping it off are pretty straightforward matters. The mental and emotional aspects are trickier. You can do well if you get yourself to the place where you tap your confidence in your powers of follow-through.

1st are you staying overnight in the hospital?? I did - ended up an extra night cuz when the doc came at 1 the day after surgery - I was having major gas in the shoulder pain and was afraid to go home in that kind of pain (me & vicoden don't get along well) and it's just me and my grandson (16 at the time) the pain shots put me to sleep - so he said I could stay and they gave me a shot at 1:30 and truly I could have gone home that night if I was thinking - I was good by day 3 and back to work day 6 (desk job) Still would have a little gas but the strips helped - walked a little hunched over when I first got up but once moving did good - Whats your doc orders for eating after you get home - I had to do full liquids (incls cream soups - yogurt - pudding) for 10 days then mushies for 10 and soft for 10 then regular. Home made stuff is better than canned - Low fat - sugar free - The creamed soups saved me. Secret - to my success so far - is that I have my MIND totally into this band - I eat healthy 98% of the time - I allow treats 2% of the time - I weighed my food in the beginning until I learned what 4 oz of meat/fish looked like - I got this little one cup bowl from target that I use to eat from and I eat off sandwich plates and use condiment fork & spoon - I keep a food diary and count calories and Protein grams - I try to keep my calories between 900 - 1200 a day - and if I want a treat - I budget those calories into my daily totals. I primarily eat baked fish for dinner every nite - with 1/2 c rice and veggies - I may eat out once or twice every two weeks I go to the gym anywhere from 3 -5 times a week - I started out just walking on the treadmill for like 30 minute mile with no incline - I am now walking 3 miles in 1 hrs on an incline of 4 to 6 - and with no incline I am doing 3.5 in 1 hr - I can walk a whole song on 4.o speed.. I got a trainer a month ago - so I now work weights twice a week and the other days I do cardio. This is a lifetime lifestyle change for me - I am totally serious about losing this weight - to me have major surgery is a big frickin deal - and I didn't have it just to mess it up... I am not that big of a fool.. I am using my tool - but that's all it is - it's just a tool - the band it's self will not cause you to lose weight as you can eat around it if you choose (I was just told about a lady who ate Oreo's & milk like 5 days out - How incredibility asinine) The band does require will power - the will power to eat healthy to follow your doc's orders and to exercise. If I as a middle age lady who has been fat most of her life - and was a total slug bug and do this anyone can. Don't get me wrong - it's not always a walk in the park - but I can tell you that I feel 10 yrs younger - feel so much better about myself and LOVE shopping in the regular stores - got a size 6 pair of pants today (this is a fluke cuz I am normally a 10 or 12) but they say 6 and I am going to wear them inside out.:lol: Those are my secrets - I think positively - Do I miss the junk - ya sometimes - but not that much and now a days if I want a treat I can have it - 1/2 piece of cake even a whole piece - NO LONGER THE WHOLE CAKE :sneaky: But usually my sweets are sugar free fudgecicles - sf pudding - sf yogurts - or fruit... Bander's Rules -Small bites - eat slow - chew chew chew

Hi Timo, wow, now you probably out of the Hospital..? Right. I will get a better internet hook up, in about 7-10 days. Can Skype then, if you like. How are you feeling now... hang in there,it gets better. We can talk on phone , or meet up anywhere in the City or eastern Sub, if you like. OK, let me know, B-Franky

I do good old fashioned push up's and pull-ups. You can first start on your knees and as you progress move on to full push up's. For pull up's I use the pull up machine at the gym. In addition I use smaller wts. 10 lbs for overhead press to work the shoulders as well as arms. Small wts like Lissa said can define your arms.

My DH is a personal trainer (i never went to his classes because of having little kids and no help and too busy at home to try), he says weight training is the way to go.I have started pre op toning (i am making a concerted effort and he is being great about it...but TOUGH) i have started with 5 pound dumbbell 10 reps, 3 set of curls, the same for extensions. I am also doing 3 sets of 10 squats, holding on th the back pf a chair and rear leg lift bent at the knee. I cant do lunges yet due to bad knees and excess weight. It's a start, unfortunately I am laid up today with a stomach bug...of all things

I sure hope this isn't true!! I had surgery 10/29/12 then gallbladder surgery 12/29/12 then 3 weeks ago a total hysterectomy so I really haven't been able to exercise much!!! As 20 weeks out of my 6 1/2 months post op has been healing and can only walk!!

Well .. eating something every 2-3 hrs is normal on my doctors plan.. I eat Breakfast at about 7. Snack at 930 or 10. lunch at 12 or 1230. Snack at 3. dinner at 6. I am still not feeling hungry or full. I stick to the plan given to me and measure everything.

I am at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital in Houston,off I-10 and Gessner. I have followed all my directions to the T. I've been up walking since 5 this evening and can feel the air(gas) moving to exits. I have not had anything by mouth yet, but my pain is minimal. I am on a morphine drip I can use if I want, but I haven't had reason to us since after my first walk at 5pm today. I have no regrets what so ever. I know I have a long road ahead and will keep you posted on how my first liquid goes tomorrow. I did need pain meds asap when I woke up in recovery, I was so soar.

Wow toshao, my surgeon requires just 10 days of liquid diet pre-op . . .hang in there both of you (kmshea81 too!)

I was sleeved on 12/18. And like everyone else the gas hurt more than anything else. I made sure I got up and walked around. For at least 10 minutes every other hour. The gas pain went away in 3 days.

I am 72 days post surgery, and not on any restrictive diet anymore. I was cleared about 10 days ago. On Friday, I am not sure if I ate too fast, or ate something wrong, but I have been in severe pain - all day yeserday, and even into today. I know I am not blocked up, as I pooped 3x yesterday. i heard all kinds of rumbling and moving and gurgling in my belly yesterday. Today is less noise. Today I have pain like soreness you get after puking a ton from food poisoning - like your core and all stomach muscles are just sore. Has anyone else had this? Is it from eating too quick? I did eat some Taiwanese style tofu like pudding pretty quick, and it had some sugar in it. I definitely noticed a bad feeling after that - but was not 100% in the morning either. That night I also ate a small bowl of Chicken Tortilla Soup from Chick-fila, as well as the insides out of one of their wraps with baked/grilled chicken. I ate more than I possibly thought I would (took 30 mins to eat that). I am wondering if the tofu and beans combo just added a ton of gas? Yesterday was rough. I only got in 64 ounces of liquid and had 2 premiere protein shakes - no food at all. I have really done good since the restrictions were removed, but not sure what caused this issue, and I want to make sure I avoid doing it again. I literally felt pain like the week after surgery.

I think it's completely normal after this surgery! We loose soo much soo fast an out minds haven't caught up to our changing bodies! I'm a year out and a size 0... But in no way do I think I look that small at all, in my mind maybe like a 10 or 12. But everyone else always comments on how teeny I am and I keep looking around for the "teeny" women... And they're talking about me!!

A recipe that I discovered after I was cleared to eat regular foods was on the worldaccordingtoeggface website. However, after I made it I thought it would have been great to eat during my mushy stage. The recipe was for a crab and shrimp bake. OMG it was soooo good. My only suggestion would be if you decide to make the bake is to either avoid adding shrimp or add the shrimp and don't eat them. Also I made the mistake of not draining the tomato juice from the canned tomatoes and that made it mushy, but all in all it taste great :-) Here is the link to the recipe: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/10/crab-shrimp-bake.html

Here's my little update: Well its official, I'm sleeved and o so relieved... to be home! I had my surgery yesterday morning, was up and rolling the halls around 1:00, but I had horrible gas pains just as many of you had also experienced. Of course I did take my heating pad and gas x strips, just to be told I could not use either while in the hospital, blah. I'm curled up in my recliner tho making great use of the heating pad now! I was up doing my laps in the hallways throughout the night and it definetely did help. I rated my pain a 7/10 at highest immediately following surgery, but was given dilatid (sp) pretty much on the hour which really helped keep it at bay. Then late last night they started liquid lortab which is what I was released on to take home, while it has helped thus far, I am fable to feel more pain at the incision sites and within the muscles, like I took a drop kick to the belly! Since surgery i've been sipping lots of water and wylers broillon broth, beef and chicken, and just had a popsicle. I am experiencing a lot of gurgling which I guess is normal as the swelling is still present. As I was being discharged they weighed me before walking out the door, and I was 4 pounds up because of all the anestesia they pumped into me. I was relieved with that however, the nurse said often it is alot more than that, as as I continue to drink and pee drink and pee I should see that fall right off, and more! Thanks for your well wishes to us all. My surgery was thankfully a smooth procedure and thankful to be feeling how I am today. Ladies, please post your updates also when you feel up to it. I'll look forward to hearing all about it.

Are you using small plates/bowls? It does help with the visualisation. Very small meal on a big plate or in a small bowl looks miserable but put the same meal on downsized crockery it looks a whole lot more satisfying. I am almost 10 months out and I still use small plates and bowls. There is a new normal now, small plates/bowls, smaller meals, waiting at least 30mins after food for drinks.