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You think your lunch is early... oy! Mine is at 10:50 this year! How crazy is that?

Got banded in september 25, it was the greatest birthday present ever! I lost 63lbs but unfortunatley gained back 10. Ive been eating a lot of fast food lately but im getting back to healthy foods slowly. Anyway i think some support and any advice would be great! I'd loce to help anyone out as well!

I have that same scale and it is very easy to use...first step is to turn it on and then check that it is reading ounces instead of kilograms (sounds like it is)...if you need to switch it, hit the "unit" button once to switch measuring mode. If you are measuring food outside of a container, put it directly on the scale and read the number...the number on the left side of the decimal is the "full" ounces, and the number on the right side of the decimal is the "portion" of the ounce...so 2.6 would be 2 ounces with 6/10 of another ounce. If you are measuring multiple items to get to a total, just add together the totals you get (so, 1.1 oz + 2.6 oz + .4 oz would = 4.1 oz) Then, if you have a container that you don't want to be included in the total you see on the scale, then you place the empty container on the scale BEFORE you turn it on, then hit the "tare" button on the right...wait a second and it will show a 0 number on the scale and then you can add in food to the container and it will only count the "net" weight of the food (so, if you placed 3 oz of food into a container that weighs 6 oz, the scale will only show the 3 oz food portion)

If you do a search on this topic you will find hundreds of posts on this topic. I know as a newbie loose skin and hair loss were two of the biggies that concerned me. I recently went back and posted a picture of myself 11 months out from surgery exposing all of my goods on an thread titled - "My top 10 ways to prevent loose skin." I'm convinced genetics and how long you spent over weight have the most influence on whether or not you will have excess skin. I also was a sloooow loser. I once read it takes skin 2-3 months to adjust every time you lose. There were times my thighs look horrific and a few months later they snapped back into place. If you lose too much too quickly, your skin may newer fully snap back. My loose skin is limited to my lower stomach. I have had two very large babies and my lower abdomen had Freddy Kruger stretch marks on it. There is no way that's going back to normal without a tummy tuck! There's likely some tell-take signs you will have loose skin in areas. For example, if you have fat pockets that start right above your elbows, you will probably have bat wings. I carried most of my excess weight in my mid-section, so it doesn't surprise me this is where I have excess skin. It doesn't look bad standing up, but when I bend over, I look like I would whelp a litter of puppies! What I can tell you is part of this journey is accepting our new bodies. I decided to post a pic of myself exposed because I noticed most people are wearing pants and long shirts in their after photos on this site. It always made me wonder what was lurking underneath. Many of us will be left with more excess skin than what we are comfortable with. Some can afford plastics. Many cant. Regardless, I wouldn't trade the new active lifestyle I live for anything. For reference, I am a woman in my mid-40's. 5'7" and was 241 at my heaviest. I was 226 the day of surgery. I was 152 when I took this picture a few days ago. I am currently 7 pounds away from my stretch goal of 145. I haven't exercised with much consistently during the 11 months post surgery. I took this photo as my "before" picture and hope to see how tone I can get after I start doing squats, sit-ups, and lifting weights! I have to say I'm a tad more motivated now that I can actually SEE my muscles! Who would have thunk I had abdominal muscles? Albeit pretty separated post child-bearing, I'm sure!

Babylvrrn, you're just a few days ahead of me in this experience and I feel exactly how you do with this liquid diet. It's driving me bonkers too. I would pay big money just to eat some cottage cheese right now. It's gotten to the point that no matter what I drink, it all tastes the same. My doctor said I could start pureed food at about 10 days, and I'm only on day 3. He won't let me eat solid food until week 4, which seems like an eternity. I guess we just have to tough it out.

Yes I'm now 10 days out and only fighting "head hunger". I now truly understand what that means. I have not really had any physical hunger yet. I really hope it stays that way!! Today is my first post op. I'm down 13 pounds.

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble deciding who to listen to - my surgeon or my nutritionist. HW 243 SW (day of surgery after pre op diet) 234. 2 month post op I was 214.5. I'll also mention that I had a lap band for 10 years and had it removed almost 3 years ago- gained back anything I had lost with it. When I went to my 2 month post op appointment, my surgeon was unimpressed by my weight loss. So was I. He asked what I was eating and I told him I was getting about 700 calories a day but getting in all of my Protein. He said I was eating WAY too much and this is why I wasn't losing. He said only eat when hungry, forget about protein, stop Protein shakes, and live off my fat. I pointed out that is very different guidance than I had received from the nutritionist that I had seen right there in that very office. He said something like "yeah, yeah, I know. She gets all focused on that and it is really not necessary - this is an ongoing conversation I am having with her". Because I was on a stall at the time, I decided to go with his advice and see what happens. I lost about 10 pounds the following month. Also during this month I upped my exercise, getting 10,000 steps most days with a combination of walking and jogging (using couch to 5k, up to week 4). But now I am on a stall again, and wondering what I should do nutrition wise. I am getting around 700 calories still most days but really never over 40ish grams of protein. It is hard to figure out what to do when your 2 resources are telling you different things. I haven't seen anyone else on the boards who are being told to forget about protein. What should I do? Forget my surgeon's advice and go with the nutritionist even though my weight loss was slow when following that plan? Follow my surgeon's advice even though it is not consistent with any of my research or reading others' experience? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is scheduled for September 10 and I'm trying to prepare as best as I can. I've seen people talking about meal prepping for themselves after surgery. What is it that you're prepping? Sent from my Pixel 3 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am 15 weeks out today. I lost 1 pound this week. I almost said "ONLY" before that 1, but I am not going to do that! A loss is a loss. It's ONE pound gone forever! I'm just going to be happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. I started working out this week, so maybe I am building some muscle. I think I was really dehydrated the week before, so this past week I have been drinking a lot more. I also ate some pretty bad stuff this past week, so I am going to make sure to stay on track this week. I weighed in at 278 pounds today! It feels so weird to say that. Last week when I was 279, I wrote 297 in my notebook where I keep a weekly record of my weight. Either I am dyslexic or just not use to that "7" in there. So, here are some NSV: Some I have shared before, but I felt they needed to be re-shared 1. I am up to 10 mins on the elpitical machine (HUGE FOR ME) 2. I went to the cardiologist for a re-check last week. Haven't been there since a few months before surgery. My BP, with no meds since date of surgery, was 122/84, and pulse was 72! Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"..........the doctor shook my hand 3. I could squeeze my butt into size 20 jeans Still tight, but I could zip them I put my size 24's in the dryer and they are still baggy. But I don't have any 22's and don't want to buy any. I went to a store where I know the stuff is cheap, and NO size 22's!! So, I just bought a few 20's. Just bought some sweat pants for $3 to wear until I fit into the 20's. 4. I got a job! Not a RN job, but it's a job for now. I got a nanny job for a family I have known for 8 years. It's just part time, but it gets me out of the house 5. I can walk from my basement (up 3 sets of small steps- quad level house) carrying laundry and still have the energy to fold it and put it away without sitting or resting! 6. While working, I can run up the steps to check on the kids, and not feel like my heart is gonna jump out of my chest I couldn't walk to my mailbox before surgery without the need to lean over the counter when I got inside to be able to breathe. 7. I can shower and get out and not have to sit down and rest. Sometimes, before surgery, I would have to lay in bed naked because I couldn't do anything else. 8. I shoveled the snow from my entire driveway and sidewalks with no break I couldn't even shovel 1 path last year. 9. I fit into a booth at a resturant without moving the table. 10. My periods are freaking NORMAL!!! 11. I met a friend for lunch the other day that I haven't seen since I was 6 weeks post-op and she said "WOW, where did the rest of you go" 12. I can play with my dogs, and run around (somewhat) with them and play hide and seek, which they love. I can take them for walks (which I need to do more of). Okay, now some # victories: 1. I am in the 270's! 2. I am 11 pounds away from being half way to goal!! 3. I am 9 pounds away from losing 100 pounds!! 4. Starting BMI was 53.... today.... 39!!!!! I know I say this a lot, but I am SO glad I have you guys to share all my victories with :D For anyone just starting this journey, trust me, it gets better, and it will all be worth it!!!

I am 10 days post op and just got back from the doctors. I had a clear, little red liquid leaking from my large incision and he said it is an infection. You may want to go to your doctor and check just to be safe. You don't want to let it go and then get into serious problems.

Hi Guys, I'm right there with you. Surgery April 1st. Started all liquid a day early. Day 10 and feeling hungry for the first time in a long time. Going to have my last shake now and that ought to do it for the night. Down 11 pounds. Not one single bite of food in 10 days. Wednesday will be here before we know it. The end and the beginning is in sight.

Had my procedure on March 19 and I am at 4ccs right now. Dr T is about to give me another 2ccs. I've been feeling like it hasn't been working but I have noticed my clothes fitting differently. I've lost a total of 14 lbs and I'm anxiously awaiting for the other 80 to disappear. I'm sure it will all be fine, I just alwys seem to have reservations......I've tried to diet almost my whole life. Cross your fingers.....by the way my name is Joey. :-)

Hey all, I go back to the doctor today for my 3rd fill. I currently have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. Here's my dilemma. I have learned over the last month or so, that to lose weight, I need about 1700 calories per day. If I go too far below that, I maintain or even gain weight. I don't have much restriction right now but worry that if I get another fill, I'll have trouble getting all of the calories that I need in. My doctor doesn't go by calories, just amount of food and how long that keeps me satisfied. I've read on here that some people are doing between 600-800 calories, however that doesn't work for me. I'm not really sure why, I'm wondering if it has to do with the fact that I've dieted for the past 30 years and that's completely messed up my metabolism? Does anyone else have the issues with needing more calories and what should I do about my appointment today? Thanks for the help!!!

Is there always pain if your band slips? I ask because im wondering if this is why im having issues and doc isnt just doing the unfill, but having me do a barium swallow first? Is she looking to check for slippage? I asked the nurse that called me back and she said she wasnt sure, but that this is just what the doc was having me do. Most of what i have eaten since my band fill last monday, i have logged in my food journal as what i prepared on my plate, but prob half of the "meals" i didnt even finish and the ones i finished didnt always stay down...I have had a few PB's everyday at some point or another. After attempting to eat a hard boiled egg this morning, and having PB;s of "slime" for over an hour after only eating half of it...I called doc to say i think band is too tight..they cant get me in today so i go tomorrow, but she wants me to go to radiology first to do a barium swallow and make sure nothing else is going on i guess. Normally with my fills i ddrink some white chalky stuff (tastes diff then what they gave me at the barium swallow after my surgery) and she looks on the screen to make sure everything goes down ok. So im not sure what she is looking for this time that she needs me to go to radiology as upposed to the GI lab where we normally do the fills. Has me a little concerned..but im gonna go wtih the flow, listen to what she says, and see what happens. I was even having trouble keeping some liquids down and my Water intake has been about half of what it should be. Since the 21st I have lost 6 lbs..im thrilled but its a little too much in just 10 days, and losing it because nothing is staying down is not the healthy way to do it lol.

I was able to do 1 hour on the treadmill, but definitely not at the level I could before all this stomach crap. I was at incline 15, speed 2.6, heart rate around 142. It annoys me that I've had to back it down, but at least I can do something. I was also able to do 20 sit ups (used to be able to do 50), 30 stomach crunches (was able to do 60 before), 10 step ups on each side (used to be able to do 30 before), and 20 reps on each of my arm exercises (used to do 40 each). I couldn't so anything more because I started to have sharp stabbing abdominal pain as well as burning from the gastritis and GERD. I might have to back it down on the treadmill a little more and see if things improve. I can't wait for all of my procedures to be done so I can finally start feeling better and get back to working out the way I normally do. I can't even THINK about any weight training or strength/core training right now

I'm so sorry for you loss. I lost my brother Which was the catalyst for me to lose the weight. My brother was always active and a pillar of the community. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to these things it just happens. I've also lost both my parents in their early 60s. I'm in my 50a and to think that I only have 10 or 15 yrs left scares the crap out of me. Again my condolences for your loss.

Yep - my doc consistently told me that the average weight loss is 60% EWL and that if I follow the plan, that's what I could expect. On another thread where people were discussing their goal weights - I said that this was mine and that I don't want to set myself up to feel like a failure. I'm pretty appreciative that my doc is conservative in his estimates. And some other WLS patients on these boards were kind of jerks about it. Saying that by setting of goal of average I was assuming I'd fail and still be obese and why was I even doing it. Even though I'm about 10 lbs from the 60% EWL at 4 months out, so likely to exceed that, I'm still thankful for my doc setting expectation. I'd rather under-promise and over-deliver. Because I know that if I did only achieve the average weight loss, and I'd expected/hoped for more, I would feel like a failure. And that would be very bad for my mental state. Plus, I had to judge whether or not to have surgery based on the most conservative outcomes - would I still be glad I went through it if I was still slightly obese? Yep - because I will still have lost a significant amount of weight that I couldn't have lost without this tool. And, overall, it will make me more healthy, even if I don't get to a "healthy" weight.

I just finished up 20 sessions with a trainer (2× week for 10 weeks). Best thing I could have done. I was down about 50 lbs when I started with him...prior to that I was doing group classes or elliptical. The difference in my strength is remarkable; I am doing things I never in a million years thought I could; I just kind of overall feel pretty bad-ass. :-) oh, and I lost about 3% body fat during that time. I'm moving soon, but will either buy more sessions or start doing cross-fit. Have fun with it and push yourself...it's so worth it.

Thanks! Oh wow we really are right on the same page, my goal is 138lbs! I am so nervous about the last 10 or so.......blah its not going to be easy!

I'm located in Northern California. I have Kaiser and Kaiser insurance (mom works there) 3 of my doctors request this I was just told 3 weeks ago. SURGERY WILL BE DONE IN ... SAN FRANCISCO !!!! I have class on the 10th. After Class I have to call my doctor. He will contact San Francisco For my appointment (: We tried do all this 2 weeks. I guess lol. I will have to go to the class first . And sounds like just one class. ANY ONE UP HERE PLEASE TELL ME YOUR STORY (: how fast did you get your call (my doctor said within 10 days they have to call you)

So, according to my surgeon, I am to have nothing but Clear liquids (Water, broth, black coffee or plain tea), sugar free popsicles and sugar free Gelatin cups. I am also suppose to drink to simple Protein drink (no fruit and no dairy). My choice of Protein Drink is Muscle Milk Light. When I add up the calories of what I take in for the day, I am left wondering if this is healthy. Muscle Milk Light: 140 cal X 2 = 280 calories Sugar Free Popsicles: 15 cal X 2 = 30 calories Sugar Free Gelatin Cups: 10 cal X 2 = 20 calories Total Calories = 330 Calories A Day????!! How can your body possibly heal with so few calories coming in? Doesn't your body start metabolizing muscle to compensate for the lack caloric intake? Or won't it just effectively go into starvation mode which is not beneficial at all? What am I doing wrong?

I'll get my first fill on 05/17/10, at Fill Centers USA. This location does not have a flouro. I'm really nervous about going that route about him puncturing something. I'm assured he MD is skilled.

I'm 10 months out and doing things I never imagined I would go! I went on an alpine slide this summer and i had to ride up on a ski lift! 70 pounds ago, I wouldn't have done it. I work out a the gym and the other day someone asked me a health question. Seriously? I talk to people I don't know. A year ago I was almost a shut-in. I rarely left the house and rarely spoke to people. I now strike up conversations with people at the grocery store and I find that people talk to me more now as well. I go to a hot yoga class every day - if you would have told me a year ago I was even going to attempt hot yoga, I would have laughed. A whole new world has opened up for me - this surgery and the subsequent weight loss is helping me become that person I was supposed to be. I have gained confidence, I have a better relationship with my husband and son, I have reacquainted myself with friends that I shut out over the years, I'm trying new things. For me, this surgery was not only a life-changer, it was a life saver!

I hate this rule and struggle with this rule. I've lost about 10 pounds for the past 2 out of three months and I drink when I eat if I'm super thirsty or my food is spicy. Last month didn't lose so well but I maintained my weight and went on vacation for two weeks. Best advice I can give is try to stay away from drinking with meals but if you must only take a sip or two :/

Keep up the good work and way to go!! I do think that really working hard to get lots of exercise has helped me lose the weight. I also started as a light weight and am 50 with a metabolism that isn't like it was when I was in my 20's. We both had our surgery in March and will be at goal before we know it. Keep working it! Frankie VSG 3/22/10