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I am worried too! I don't know how to get all that in. I don't have surgery until next month, but that seems so hard to do. I am sure it will all work out, but dang! It seems like you would have to have a cup to your lips all day!! Kelly eight Loss CWenter is your best free resource for weight loss

Hi, I am 5 weeks post surgery and I am starting to worry that I made a mistake getting banded. I have lost 18.5 pounds only because of the liquid diet post surgery and being on liquids three days after my first fill. I am not scheduled for another fill for another three weeks. I have been watching my carbs and cannot seem to lose anything. In fact I have gained a pound and a half in the last week. I have been on low carb diets and had some success at losing some weight. I am doing what I used to do with no results. Until I get to a sweet spot on my band I guess I will have to diet just to stay where I am. I do not feel any restriction yet so I wonder if I should walk in and ask for a fill or am I being too anxious. I also understand banding is not a magic cure so I am not expecting miracles but so far I am disappointed. Any advice??? Thanks for letting me vent.

Just for anyone else that was wondering weight watchers does count for BCBS CA! But make sure you have 6 months consecutive dr. Prescribed exercise.

@@Puppypaws57 Yes!! I do feel so much better all the time. I mean I have my days where I don't feel too good but for the most part I feel so much better than I did when I would eat sugar. The most sugar I eat now is from a few bites of natural fresh fruit and then it's usually not much in one serving. I feel very healthy! Sending you prayers for your strength. ETA: Yes my weight loss is slow but steady. I'm perfectly okay with that. I just notice I an overall better look of health too. And yes I have an obstacle. I live with 2 other people who are very addicted to sugar. There's always stuff around the house but being this far into my count I don't even get tempted, only sometimes and it's usually at big events like birthday parties and everyone is having cake and ice cream and I'm not.

Had surgery today all went well. Already walked and blew in my new toy. Pain not so bad more when I sit up to go walking etc. Sipping has gone well, try to have an ice chip but really got nauseated but did not throw up. So I got to the hospital the nurse that prepping me weight me.in and said you don't weight that much. After 8 days of liquid down to 218 started with my jitters of backing out thank God for my husband honey you are doing it for your overall health. Then again when doing paper work and more prepping she said you really don't need this surgery my husband gave the look. Again got nervous and my husband said to me and the nurse you are doing this for here health.. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and my BMI was 39.8 t hyroid, joint pain etc.. then finally the nurse relaized be use my blood pressure was going crazy.. I should have said look at my chart because every dr visit and appt they always to my I am obese. Again everyone thank you for your amazing support. Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations! Your story is so encouraging, because I was thinking (when I ought to be sleeping), that my latest stall has just made me an utter failure, even though my team says I am right on track. That negative self-talk can really do a number on us. But your experience is a beautiful reminder that our success happens way before reaching our goal weight. You are a success for taking responsibility for your health. You are a success for following the instructions in your plan. You are a success because you are paying it forward by encouraging the rest of us and those at the University of Missouri who will come after you.

My surgeon did an extensive hernia repair on me when he did my VSG, so....guideline were: 2 weeks no exercise, walking as tolerated only and very light housework, no bending, lifting, twisting, pushing, pulling over 20 pounds. 2nd-4th weeks no lifting over 20 pounds and aerobics only. No weight training, strength training intensive workouts until after one month follow up.

I went to an "herb" remedies guy about two weeks ago. Some people call him a quack because he believes in herb instead of medications. As soon as I sit in front of him, he drew a picture of my legs without me saying anything. He asked my name and I explained the drop foot. He instantly drew 6 dots on the picture. Thee on my leg leg inside calf and 4 on my abdomen. He said I have 6 Vitamin E oil..they are in a get cap and I bite into it and spit out the gel caplet. He said it would dissolve the blood clots. I've been on the Vitamin E for two weeks and can lift my drop foot up and down when I'm not putting weight on it. He said it could take up to two months. My doctors back home are skeptical but everyone that goes to him say he has always been 100% on the nose and corrected their problem. He told my mom she had internal bleeding....next week, she went to the dr and has a bleeding ulcer which they fixed that week. His name is Bruce Joneshill from Rosebud, Arkansas. I do believe he is the real thing. He prays before he tells you what is going on. He is a Christian. My BP still runs around 85/55. My family dr thinks its dehydration. So, I'm taking the advice of both, taking the Vitamin E and drinking more Water.

I would not worry about it. Many times when you see people struggling with eating it is sometimes because the don't get all their Protein in and they are healing much slower. Or they have a stricture. From what you described and your weight loss, you are right on track. Everyone is different and heal at different rates. I was like you, completely healed and able to pretty much eat anything at 7 weeks. I have lost nearly 100lbs in 7 months. I have never gotten sick although I have eaten too much on occasion and come close. Good luck with your continued journey!

You're right! I most likely wouldn't have lost the weight if I hadn't had surgery. Now that the weather is getting nicer I am going to start on afternoon walks. I wanted to join the gym close to my house but I hate contracts and you have to sign a 12 month one. May sound like an excuse but for someone who lives paycheck to paycheck it's a legit concern haha. Sent from my SM-N981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi mikee, I read your profile, you and I are very close in age and height. Im almost 56 and im 5' 3, and 160 lbs. As I calmly explained to my lap band surgeon 2 weeks ago during a 6 mo checkup," I think im done losing weight as ive been at this weight for a year now. I would love to get to 140 lbs, but im 55, had a child and at the end of menopause, so im not expecting to have my teenage body back, because things have changed !" He calmly looked at me and said " You can do this if you really want to, just cut back a few more calories and exersize a bit more! " I love him to death, but seriously ? Did you not hear my reasons ? Anyhooooooo.......... I think you have to listen to your Dr, but just as important, listen to YOUR body ! You' ll know when your weight is "right"!

I was wondering if anybody out there had done any counseling with a therapist while going through the lap band process. I'm not afraid of the surgery and I'm not afraid of not being able to have some of my "binge foods" anymore, but one of the things I feel I need to work at is how to have that mentality of being a thinner person and not seeing myself as a former fat girl. I thought about trying to find a counselor to start working through these issues BEFORE I have my surgery and then continuing during the weight loss process. I didn't know if there are counselors out there who deal specifically with or specialize in people who have weight issues. Anybody have any suggestions?

Hi Toni - I was also banded on 7/26 so today I am also 17 days post op. I can tell you that according to my scale at home I've lost about 11 lbs. (I am a much higher BMI than you) I try not to compare my weight loss during this period since I haven't had a fill yet and my band is currently empty. I agree that this time is supposed to be focused on healing. I asked my nutritionist if I should be counting calories now and she said no but I do it anyway to keep myself in check. I'm concentrating on eating what I've been told is allowed during this time and walking as much as possible. You're doing great! I wish you the best of luck!

It's def right...enjoy it! Sometimes our bodies do odd things with weight loss.

Congrats on the weight loss! I am terrified to get my first fill, glad it went well

It's early days yet tbstacks! I know, every day feels like it drags on forever and it doesn't seem to be getting better. But you VERY slowing are improving and healing. And in another week or two, you will probably feel more positive. I am 3 weeks out today and the first 2 weeks were really tough. liquids are boring.....the weird taste in your mouth can drive you insane.....energy is low....changes are happening but not enough that people's jaws are dropping (they will in time though!).....you hubby might be trying not to focus on your weight so much to help you "normalize" (a positive way to look at it, no?).....and OF COURSE you're grieving the loss of food! But in a few months, when you're stable and back on solid foods and have figured out what works and doesn't work for you....how much you can eat in a regular meal...now much Protein and liquid works for you.....how to vary your diet to keep things interesting rather than a chore....it will seem so much better! There's a good chance you don't need meds for anti-depression right now (though if you feel strongly about it, you should see your primary care physician). Your energy is low due to the low calorie intake. Perhaps a B12 (sublingual) supplement daily will help with that, and maybe you need some Iron supplements as well? As soon as you can start doing a bit of exercise (even just walking now is very good!), it should help elevate your mood. The natural endorphins released by your body during exercise can do wonders to help combat depression and really make you feel alive again! Later on, you can try low-impact aerobics such as swimming or water-aerobics. Exercise bike is also good if you're not comfortable getting outside and jogging/running or even fast-walking. And of course, as you start to add "mushies" and find out what your new stomach's actual boundaries are, it will be a daily experiment to find out how your new eating life will be! That should keep you busy for a while. Remember, you've just gone through a MAJOR surgery! It takes time for the body to shake off the after-effects of the anaesthetic, the shock from the surgery, the stomach needs to heal, your metabolism is trying to survive (right now it thinks you're starving with the sudden drop in calories), and the fat you're losing is also releasing alot of hormones into your body in a flood and causing mood changes as well. There's alot going on inside of you! Hang in there. Things will "normalize" in the next couple of months, a little bit at a time. Until one day you'll wake up and it will feel "normal" again. Only a new better, slimmer, healthier "normal"!

Hey Newbie, I had my surgery on the 5th so I know exactly what you are talking about. The shoulder pain is completely normal. I read up on it and they said that when they do the laproscopic surgery and inflate you with CO2, the coldness of the air does minor nerve damage. The nerve runs from your stomach up through your shoulder, and you will feel the pain in your shoulder...apparently your left shoulder, because that is where my hurt as well. It repairs itself, so no need to worry. I've also 'heard' that it is caused from gas pressure as well, not sure because that wasn't in the article. I'm having hell with food this week. I want to eat everything in sight. I'm not, of course, but it seems like the only things that I can eat are carb filled Soups...so I've already gained a pound and I've been losing like crazy. Not sure what I am going to eat tomorrow, but it will not be carbs. Good luck.

are those classes given by your drs office? or is it a different thing? mine are part of his "process" . I wasnt required to lose any weight. I was self pay, but it did help during the preop diet and post op and still today ( 4 months postop), they even had a fashion show at macys last month hahaha..... wearing borrowed dresses in smaller sizes

compared to what is what I ask myself. I get down in the dumps when I hear someone lost more weight than me. So I have to remind myself that before it took me over a year to lose 10 lbs. 50 is still a celebration. Its a journey!

I find it hard to believe, but I DO KNOW you can drink your calories via alcohol, cokes, milkshakes.....I guess if someone came out of surgery and did every possible thing WRONG....it's possible. Anyone that stupid is destined to fail. 50 lbs in six months is good. I lost 23 prior to surgery and another 55 in six month. I continued to lose, ending up at one time, 18 lbs below my doctor's goal weight. This is a GREAT "tool" - forced portion control. The perfect solution!!

I had mine on jan 3rd. So far down 73 lbs. I have had my blood pressure meds reduced from 20 mg to 5 mg. I go to the gym three nights a week and do about an hour on the treadmill. Currently eating between 600-800 calories a day with between 70-100g of protein. I realized that making sure I get enough protein and drinking water all day has helped when the weight loss slows down or stalls.

I am copying my respone in another thread which is almost the exact as yours and the reply is applicable to you too: It would be useful if you filled in your profile: weight and height, helps with context to some questions/posts. I wouldn't say it was slow either, 6kilos in three weeks is good, you are doing great. Your body has been through a surgery, there is swelling and inflammation, its healing. If you read through a lot of the posts here or use the search link for stalls you would see that stalls are a common factor in weight loss surgery even in the first few weeks. The infamous three week stall that can happen at two or four weeks too, for some people the first stall may last a short time for others it can be a few weeks. There will be other stalls along the way. If you lost a lost of weight pre surgery in the pre op diet, this typically lessens the weight loss in the immediate post op phase as you've already lost all the bloat and Fluid retention. https://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/436058-hardly-any-weight-loss-after-week-2-post-op-is-this-normal/

How much weight did you lose in your pre-op diet? I start mine tomorrow. Any helpful tips, suggestions??

Hi all. I was banded 10/1/09. On Feb 16th I had to have the port out because of infection. (Also had my gallbladder removed at the same time). On April 16th they replaced the port at a different location. On May 29th they had to remove it again because of infection. It is a common staff infection, but I got very sick. Has this happened to anyone else? Are you still losing weight? I still have the band and do have some restriction. I hope I can end up at least keeping the band. Kathy:cursing: