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I never worry about the carbs in healthy vegetables. Vegetables with higher carbs like winter squash, potatoes, etc can be enjoyed but in much more careful moderation. It's rarely the vegetable carbs that will slow your weight loss, usually it's the "white" carbs such as potato, rice, pasta, sugar, flour etc. As for when you can add in raw vegetables after surgery....I think 3-4 months sounds right. I have to check though. I'm with ya on that one..I'm craving a salad!

Yep, you are doing fine. You will have starts and stops, but the inches continue to drop away even when the pounds are not. Your body needs adjustment times in between chunks of weight loss. Relax, and weigh once a week when you are in a stall, so you don't get stressed.

Congrats! It is a wonderful feeling to finally reach proper restriction, isn't it? I went through 3 months of misery, depression, feeling like a failure, gaining and losing the same three pounds over and over. Now... my band is actually working! Woo hoo! It's different for everybody -- I have 7 CCs in a 10CC band. Hang in there hellions -- your day is coming too!

You and I are starting out at about the same size, but I was banded in April. You need to be careful about "testing the limits" this early after your surgery, as you could hurt yourself. Be patient, follow your doctor's instructions and remember that those of us who start out with relatively low BMI's (compared to some other Bandsters) will not lose weight at as fast a rate. Good luck and welcome to "bandster hell!"

That is my exact goal weight as well!!!!! I feel like the weight loss stalls and then all of a sudden boom a couple pounds come off!!! I am really happy right now.. Good luck to you!!

Thanks so much for your information. You are completely right about expecting too much. I am only 22 years old and not very flexible when my mind is set on something. I definitely need to work on appreciating the opportunity for a new life and a great future rather then lamenting my past and being unhappy with what I have now. It is very helpful to hear your experience of unpredictable weight changes. I guess its only normal to lose some then gain some at times I can not wait to reach the right restriction, so that my weight loss journey continues to improve my health and confidence. I know this isn't cosmetic surgery but rather a lifestyle alteration.

The morning I had surgery I weighed 261 pounds (NO PREOP DIET). On the same scales one week later I weighed 238 pounds. Thats 23 pounds in one week. I know this was mostly fluid but here I am nine days after that and Im only up a pound and thats mostly because I started eating food and am not on the liquid diet. Each person is different just like I had no pain with surgery some have lots, some have nausea and some don't. Some have four or five fills and then there is my friend Jimmy who had to have his second one removed because he lost 25 pounds too much. Now he cant gain the weight back. Pay close attention to your body and what you can and can not do...Do not compare yourself to others. THE WEIGHT WILL COME OFF THATS A GIVEN!! One of the women in my support group lost from a size 22 to a size 6 in 9 months. If I do that wonderful if it takes me two years thats wonderful too...It sure took me a heck of a lot longer than two years to put it on. Good Luck :rolleyes2:

I was banded on 7/6 and quickly lost 15lbs in the first two weeks. Since then, I haven't lost any more weight and have been at the same weight for about 1 week! I'm eating right-what should I do?? Has anyone else experienced this and how did you get through it to start losing again? (my first fill will be on 8/19) Thanks in advance for the advice!

I will be soooo happy when I get my 2nd fill come Monday. lol I have never looked to forward to having a needle poked in my tummy. The past 3 wks have been so emotional and stressful for me after loosing my sister and I really tried to wait it out but the weight just isn't dropping and at a stand still. This week I have been getting hungry when I'm not supposed to. So Monday will be a new day and a new chapter and I am so looking forward to it. :party:

Had my first fill June 17th and I could tell very little difference from before I got my fill. Could I be ready for another fill already? I haven't lost any weight since my fill. Also, what exactly does restriction feel like or will I just know? I can eat more than 4oz but try to limit myself to no more than 8oz per meal.

LOL!!! That's just too funny! Only us with weight problems would get that!!!

So I'm in a dilemma. Got new doc today. My surgeon relocated to Chicago. I've had 2 fills and doc assured me I was now up to 6cc. 3.5 fir 1st and 2.5 for 2nd. Anyway went to new doc and he gave me a fill and said he would put in 1cc. He decided to check and infomeed me I only jad 5ccs and with his fill made me 6 in 14cc. Now I'm wondering is my band leaking, did fill evaporate or did previous doc lie just to pacify me? I don't have restriction yet but new doc does fill cards to keep track of weight and adjustments at every visit. I have appt next month to see if I need fill#4.

Thats great!! I walked into work today and like you said not thinking much about it and a lady stopped me and goes "wow you are loosing weight" WHAT A GREAT FEELING!!!!!!

The last time I went to GNC, the guy behind the counter was totally hopped up on something. I swear it was like talking to a crack head. I wouldn't worry about this sales person and her obvious lack of knowledge about the subject of weight loss surgery and what supplements would be helpful. Her journey is hers, your is yours - at least you aren't going to have to come down off some crazy supplements after your weight loss

I agree with everyone else on here about keeping your body quessing. I also seen that changing your workout will help as with getting your body out a stall. does your trainer know that you are not losing right now? They might need to change your workout. Like if you are on the treadmill, try to walk longer or up hill, or do a few burst of running during your walk. same thing work if your are riding a stationary bike. if you are lifting weight maybe lower your lbs but increase your reps. hope the info help..i am doing the same right now and started to lose weight again...good luck

I am thankful to say that this is the first year I have NOT needed to put "Lose weight" on my New Year's Resolution list. As a matter of fact, I have very few things I want to change in the new year. It has been a blessed last few years and spiritual growth has taken me to a place of loving myself. So in the new year I feel that I need to use my life long experience with weight, weight loss, food issues, & banding to help others. So I vow to be an active advocate for obesity awareness. Oh, I'm not planning a campaign or anything, just helping a little here and there, starting with my own family. I think that if people here things over and over and from different sources, sometimes that sticks a little more than a full throttle campaign. That little voice saying 'proper portions', 'healthy choices', 'nutrition'....we've all heard those things for so long they are FINALLY starting to seep into popular culture. So I intend to be another one of those little voices that repeats those phrases and with the help of my band, lives the lifestyle, so that maybe, just maybe, the next generation doesn't have to suffer through the obesity epidemic as we are now. I notice in this past year that the general food service public seemed very confused when I ordered extra small portions of things or asked for less of something. I generally didn't go into detail about why I wanted less but on a few occasions when I did explain people seemed surprised, almost like a little light bulb went off over their heads, that less is ok. For example, every time my daughter and I stop at our local ice cream shop for a cone I have to literally yeall "STOP!" as they are scooping. I say "That's plenty." Inevitably, the kid says, "Are you sure." I have had to explain that their 8oz portion of ice cream (which the kid informed me was in reality a 9oz portion) was far to much for both myself & my 8 year old combined and that a 2 to 3 ounce portion was more realistic for a healthy lifestyle. The confused look on their faces speaks volumes to the obesity epidemic here in the U.S. Throughout this whole process I have tried to teach my 8 year old daughter that it's about health, not weight. She is a head taller than most kids her age and has a very sold frame (thanks to Eastern European genes). According to governemtn growth charts she would have to lose a whopping 20 pounds to be considered 'normal." 20 POUNDS!!, from where I ask? She isn't overweight. She is heavier than almost all the kids in her class except for one who is her height but she is most definately not fat and she's 5 feet tall. She has already voiced concerns about being fat based on the weight of her best friend who is of Asian decent & at age 8 is barely out of a size 6x. That worried me so I spoke to her about exercise, nutrition & the fact that we are all different body types & she was good with that. Admittedly I had to throw in the fact that she will probably grow to be 5'10" like my mother. That really perked her up. She loves her grandma. Proper portions, enjoying food for it's health benefits, & enjoying our favorite treats in the right portions. So I figure if I start with her an maybe catch a few unsuspecting people along the way I'll be helping the community. So, how will you help enlighten folks based on your weight loss experience? Good luck.

i still have pain from my port also i know that takes time and you will definetly lose weight its still very new for us and when we get adjusted we will start to lose weight of course we have to eat the right things cause if we eat chocolate and milkshakes we aint losing weight lol remember always eat your proteins 1st and if you r hungry in between grab a sugar free jello or pudding they help you will reach your goal dont despair its a new journey for us but it will b worth it

Best of luck. Are you having surgery near home? You need lots of support and visit the nutritional psychologist, the dietician, the nutritionist, and the counselor who manages your case. I had great support at Northwestern University's Hospital-Northwestern Memorial. The nutritional classes were invaluable support. Four classes before, three after. I felt well prepared. My cousin's husband lost 275# with bypass surgery, but sugary sodas and peroggies are not helpful. He is still close to 400! And he needs a new heart-which he'll never get because of that weight! Stay close to your recommendations for your diet. Plan to look back in stages. Try taking portraits every 2or 3 months. You'll be so amazed my husband is tired of me saying, 'I can't believe it!' He says to just believe and enjoy! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The only time I have ever heard anything remotely similar to that was during pregnancy when I was starting to develop high bp. I was told to eat HALF my body weight in grams of protein every day. High protein diets in pregnancy work to lower bp and keep your body from breaking down cells to feed itself.

I have a dear friend who has had diabetes for 30 years, she is now 55. She is on work disability due to the damage it has done. She now has Gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying) and has steadily been gaining weight. Her Dr. wants to look into WLS. She believes the diabetes has done to much damage and WLS surgery would not help. Has anyone out there been in this situation and had WLS? Thanks for your help.

I noticed the reason I was going into stalls was because I wasn't eating enough. I'd eat lightly for a week, go into a stall, eat more, get out of the stall, eat lightly... back into a stall!! So, I got fed up, and just started eating a little more than I was.. and well I haven't been in a stall since. Ive been losing about a pound a day, and i'm fine with that. Also weight training helps too. As far as protein goes, I only take it in after my work outs.. When I eat i'll try to reach for protein rich foods, but I know i'm not getting in the recommended amount... and I haven't lost all my hair yet- lets hope it stays this way, lol!!

Yea being stuck like that sucks. I didn't loose any weight for a good 6 months and then all of a sudden my weight loss picked back up and I have since lost 30 lbs. Just keep doing what you are doing. Make sure you are working out, staying on track with your eating. Maybe re-evaluated what you are eating and change it up. My doctor told me "there are times you loose and there are times you shrink". I didn't pay too much attention to that but it always stuck with me and how true it is!

Been stuck at the same weight for couple of months and not sure how to jump start more weightloss?

Why is your skin so dry? Are you getting enough Water in? I didn't even realize that my one month is a couple days away until you posted this. I'm only down 5 pounds since surgery...and that is only when my "water retention" issues are giving me a break. But I'm sooooo happy to not be gaining weight...ecstatic that for the first time in FOREVER I'm actually motivated to exercise...and feel blessed that I have not had a single post-op issue (unless you count the rash caused by the anti-bacterial soap). Overall, this has been a great experience so far...I'm very hopeful that this is going to work...but not loving being in "bandster hell" even though I knew to expect it. I wonder what's up with your skin though...we should be able to get this figured out for you and get you baby-soft in no time.

Woohoo! That is totally awesome! Going down in size is even better than losing pounds in my humble opinion. I can't wait for the day I reach goal weight, and I can finally do some serious shopping. Right now I own two pairs of pants, because I'm too cheap to buy any more knowing that I'll lose out of them soon. Isn't it exciting! In high school I weighed about 285. When I was in my early 20's, I lost over 100 pounds on my own to get down to 165 which is the lowest I've ever weighed in my entire adult life. One marriage and three kids later, I ranged from 205 to 220 depending on the season (Summer - 205, Christmas - 220). I saved two clothing items from my 165 days. A pair of size 14 jeans and a pencil skirt, which were my first and only regular store (non lane bryant) clothing purchases. The other day I tried them on, and they fit comfortably...almost a little big! What a moment! I can't believe I'm back at my lowest weight ever...and even better...I'm going to smash that former record into the ground!