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i had my lap band on 2/15/11. I have lost onley 4 pounds so far in the month of march. It is kinda frustrating, I am eating just what i am supossed to. I have not cheated once since i started. I have lost a total of 30 pounds but it was mostly in the first month. Sure could use some advise.... thanks

I was on a 4 week plan following surgery. 1 week clear fluids 1 week full fluids 1 week mushie foods 1 week solid foods then into "normal"foods Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Hi Queenie- You and I are band sisters as I was banded on the same day and it also sounds like we have similar goals. I agree with the others regarding the weight loss and how to best approach. It will def get harder the closer we get to our goal. They key is cutting back the calories and adding in activity. I have been ok cutting back on food but have yet to move my fat ass and get in any exersize...maybe that should be my first mini goal...I need to even just take a walk around the block...ugh!

Even though you're not a fan of drinking and walking, give it a try till your tiny tummy can take more water. After a while you will be able to gulp water again but in the meantime, you need some way to keep from getting so thirsty. Just a little sip here and there on the walk will help. I had that issue too and I carried a water bottle everywhere and sipped, sipped, sipped. I still take water most everywhere, but I can now take a nice long walk and then drink a full glass pretty quickly when I get back home. Congrats on the exercise! For me, it's really been key to continued weight loss as I approach goal and to giving some nice form under the looser skin I now have. Lynda

I have always had a problem with overdoing when I exercise. I try to start small and work up gradually but I end up getting worn out and can't do anything for a week or more. This lady tells you how to build up after WLS. She said to increase the time by 10% per week. I hope this works for me. This is an excellent lecture for those new to the band or exercise. It is called "Lecture on Importance of Exercise Immediately After Weight Loss Surgery Weight Loss Surgery http://www.dynamic-progress.com/exercise-video-lecture/ http://www.youtube.c...t=FLFNut9fnDIMQ

Did you get close? I would think if you lost some, they would see that you tried. I don't get the mandatory weight loss that some doctors require. I am not talking about the pre-op stuff, just the stuff to see if you will lose. If you could do it on your own, you wouldn't be getting lap band in the first place.

Why do you want to go over 800 calories? That is the perfect range to be in. Maybe 1000 on a bad day. If you are still in loss mode that is...

Brachioplasty. A yup... But, i would not even consider that until you've hit your weight loss goal. It can't hurt to investigate if your insurance will cover it. Your doing great with cardio - walking, and Wii is an awesome start. I'd encourage adding more, though, it's not for the purposes of losing the skin. The rubber band work is good basic resistance training for the muscles. I'd encourage working that until it gets easy, then consider finding a way to add some sort of body weight resistance program (basic yoga, for instance)... The muscles in the area under the arms - triceps in the arms, and laterals along your back (among others) can be developed with more intensive training, but, it's still not going to solve your skin issues...

YES!!! Several years ago I did the Raw Diet. I juiced everyday multiple times per day. Actually...I'm pretty sure I ONLY did juice for the first couple of weeks. I lost 80 lbs in three months. It was awesome. But the amazing part was all of the other health benefits. Glowing Skin...and I mean glowing. People would stop and ask me what I was using on my skin. I stopped wearing make-up because my face was totally flawless. Super Shiny hair....my hair had this beautiful sheen to it. It totally stopped falling out in the shower and the hairbrush. It grew longer and thicker. Same with my fingernails. More Energy....I was popping up in the morning so refreshed and alive. I didn't need as much sleep! It was like all of those fresh vegetables were making every atom and cell ALIVE. No Cravings For Processed food....now this was the best part. After about two weeks eating only raw food I lost ALL of my food cravings. I could be around and even cook food and not have any urges to eat it. It was like once the processed crap was out of my system, my system didn't yearn for it anymore. It totally showed me how food is physically addictive. I wish wish wish I could go 100% Raw again. But that whole process was so psychological and I've never been able to go to that space since. I was going through a divorce and spiritual awakening/transformation and PURGING myself of so many toxic things, food being one of them. I still juice, but not like I did during my Raw phase. It was really cool.

Hi Jayla - We all want to be free! And the band is a great tool. I just caution you to be aware that in spite of how it may feel, your weight is NOT the source of all your problems - it's just the scape goat. So even when you get to be "skinny," you will still have to deal with whatever life dishes out to you. Think of all those celebrities who have good looks, great bodies, and lots of money, but that does not keep them from getting divorced, going bankrupt, being thrown in jail, or OD'ing on drugs. Okay - now that reality check is out of the way... :cool: The band is a wonderful tool. It takes work, and PATIENCE. Patience is probably the #1 thing most lacking with people who have been banded. Most feel as though they are losing weight too slowly. Be aware that if you get banded, this is a lifelong journey, and it will PROBABLY take you a good 2 years to reach your goal. Maybe longer, maybe shorter, depending on how you work it. But it will not do everything for you. There are a number of possible complications - most of them are more irritating than anything else. The things I see most commonly from what I read: 1. Most people experience the "stuck" feeling occasionally throughout their banded life - where they ate too fast, or didn't chew well enough. This is very uncomfortable, and can be somewhat painful, but is temporary (usually) and is controlable by you for the most part. 2. Many develop reflux a couple of years out. 3. Chances that you'll have to have a port repair/reposition at some point is pretty high. 4. Quite a few have problems with food not staying down because they are either filled too tight, or are not chewing enough or eating slowly enough (PB = productive burp). 5. PBing is also the number 1 cause of esophagitis, which is generally treated by removing the fill until you are healed. During this time of little to no restriction, many struggle not to regain weight. The above are the most common negative side effects, but are more annoying than anything else. Other possibilities that happen, but are less common: 6. Frequent PBing is the number 1 cause of band slippage, which requires surgery to repair, and sometimes results in the loss of the band for at least a period of time, sometimes permanently. 7. Erosion (where the band is absorbed into the stomach cavity) is also a possibility, and requires surgery to fix. Again, the fix may result in the loss of the band for at least a period of time, sometimes permanently. MOST people only experience the annoying problems 1-4, and some experience NO adverse affects. The benefits of being banded, for me, far outweigh the negatives. I am one who will have to have my port repositioned. I am 9 months out, and I have only PB'd 3 times. I have gotten temporarily "stuck" maybe 20 times. I do not (yet) experience any reflux, and have had no problems with esophagitis. I have lost 61 pounds virtually effortlessly, as I do not diet, and my exercise is very hit and miss. Many people have much better result than I, because they work harder at it. I, however, am comfortable knowing that whatever I have lost is gone forever as long as I keep my band and my restriction, because I am not doing anything special that I may stop doing later. I am just living my life in what is a normal way for me, the way I expect to live it forever. AND I AM LOSING WEIGHT!!!! How miraculous is that? It is true that I mostly eat high quality, nutritious foods. I have the occasional pizza and sweets, but they are by no means staples in my everyday food choices. Would I get banded again? In a heartbeat!! Do I have any regrets? Only that I didn't do this years ago. Do I feel better than I can ever remember? Absolutely. Would I recommend this to anyone else? Without reservation. However, you do need to be aware of the possible downside, so I have tried to give you a balanced viewpoint. Hope this helps.

10 dozen large eggs Your weight loss = 1 pound = a Guinea Pig 1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts 2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs 3 pounds = an average human brain 4 pounds = an ostrich egg 5 pounds = a Chihuahua 6 pounds = a human's skin 7.5 pounds = an average newborn 8 pounds = a human head 10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year 11 pounds = an average housecat 12 pounds = a Bald Eagle 15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs 16 pounds = a small whale's brain 20 pounds = an automobile tire 23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year 24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream 25 pounds = an average 2 year old 30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year 33 pounds = a cinder block 36 pounds = a mid-size microwave 40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of Water or an average human leg 44 pounds = an elephant's heart 50 pounds = a small bale of hay 55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner 66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year 70 pounds = an Irish Setter 77 pounds = a gold brick 80 pounds = the World's Largest Ball of Tape 90 pounds = a newborn calf 100 pounds = a 2 month old horse 111 pounds = red meat an average American eats in a year 117 pounds = an average fashion model (and she's 5'11") 118 pounds = the complete Encyclopedia Britannica 120 pounds = amount of trash you throw away in a month 130 pounds = a newborn giraffe 138 pounds = potatoes an average American eats in a year 140 pounds = refined sugar an average American eats in a year 144 pounds = an average adult woman (and she's 5'4") 150 pounds = the complete Oxford English Dictionary 187 pounds = an average adult man 200 pounds = 2 Bloodhounds 235 pounds = Arnold Schwarzenegger 300 pounds = an average football lineman 400 pounds = a Welsh pony

actingnurse i would like to reply to this - but i can't remember the question come on you guys, i could not resist ok, ok - i really haven't noticed any memory loss, i think

Thanks for sharing your journey. Looks like you have been very successful and your skin is doing remarkably well considering your loss!

Hello PCracker :tea: It's great to meet you! I am just loving all the wonderful responses here on LBT. I'm really glad I joined, I don't feel as alone anymore. Please feel free to PM or email me anytime too! We do sound like we have a lot in common. Congratz on the 20 pound weight loss so far, that's more than I can do without some diet (although I have not done the pre-op diet yet). Please let me know when your date for the banding is! Would love to know how you are doing :gluck:

Hello Donna! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, I need to hear these success stories (I know the risks and complications, lol). I'm so happy to hear you are pleased with this, congrats on the weight loss so far!

Well, yes the lower BMI do great. But also, yes, you MUST work out to have consistent weight loss.

Okay. Thank you. Sorry to hear about the job loss. I wish you the best.

i go at a time when there are 2 types of SAMS, say right after they drop the kids off at school. there is the hardcore women who have their ipod on - go about their business. then the others who have a full face of makeup on / perfume on & their hair perfectly coiffed & socialize. i'm not a girly girl to begin with & the smell of perfume while working out makes me gag....so i steer clear of that group on the machines w/my ball cap & ipod on going about my business. lot of cops around this time as well:wink: you get to be friendly seeing the same faces each day:) spudmama - each of us started in the gym not feeling so hot about how we look. i found putting my ipod on kept me in my own world not worrying about what others thought. good luck to you!

We all need encouraging, and I am one myself. The hair lose comes from not enough protein. I had my surgery on August 16 2008 and I fell like a failure also. The only thing that we can do is get back on track and win this race. I see people that got the surgery the same time I did and felt like, that could of been me.... But guess what its, not... I stopped putting time limits on when to loose and just try to do my best. Because if you put a time limit on it, your going to set yourself up for failure. Just do the best you can and remember, that they are not walking around in your shoes.

57 lbs!!! That's awesome! At least the number on the scale went down not up. You should feel wonderful about that. I have read several posts similar to yours where people are adament about the number on the scale and comparing their loss with others and it's easy to do but Stop!!! No 2 people are alike. What everyone is failing to realize is that they have upped their grams of Protein which causes more muscle building which weighs more than fat, so the scale is not going to move. So you may be getting the wrong type of protein. Lower your intake of the meat and try a faster digesting protein such as whey or Soy. Also you probably are exercising more which is building muscle and causing you to stay at your plateau. Lower your intake by at least 10 grams for 2-3 days and up your cardio. Try to do at least 20 mins of heart rate elevating cardio at least 2 times a day. You should be able to move past your plateau this way by allowing your body to feed off it's fat and not muscle. And measure, measure, measure! Your body will drop inches before it even registers on the scale. Keep your head up!! You're doing a great job!!! You'll get where you want to be before you know it!

I experienced major hair loss starting at month 5 and it continues no matter what I do So ready for it to stop I have already chopped all of my long thick hair off because its now so thin and dry.

I would have to say the major cause of hair loss is going to go with hormone changes. I lost a ton of hair while pregnant and after the baby was born. When you lose weight your hormones got through many changes and during this time you will experience hair loss. Vitamins will also cause it too but I think the main vitamin to focus on is your B12. As we age this is a vitamin that we lack also just not with WLS so even the elderly need B12 and it will stop hair loss and promote growth. So please make sure you have a good liquid B12 complex. Liquid is better than dots that dissolve under your tongue.

Sugga4Fun I posted something along the same lines so do a forum search and you should find something along this subject that I posted. However I can add I am in the same boat I have lost over 10" total but my weight is steady at 15lbs. I might have lost some more this week... but I will check 2mor. Muscle does weigh more the fat. So you are most likely building muscle. So hang in there the weight will come off. You look like you have done well with the weight loss so far so congrats.. Take care

I am ready to tackle this weight loss with all that I am!:rolleyes2:

Years ago I joined weight watchers. They had this beautiful woman stand up and announced that she had met her goal weight that night. She looked like a size 0 so I was impressed until they said she had joined 9 months before and had lost 14 pounds. My mom and I didnt really know what to think. I told my mom that I had lost that much with one bowel movement. Needless to say we were cracking up. Not meaning to imply that I was not happy for her weight loss. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App