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If it's going to happen it's going to happen no matter the rate of weight loss. Take advantage of the "honeymoon" stage, which is the first 10 months to a year after surgery where the weight drops rapidly. After that you will have to work much harder. Personally, after losing almost 60 lbs in 2 months, my skin seems to be a bit squishier and my stomach is still hanging a little low. My arms have always been big so I know for a fact I will have a lot of skin there. I am 25 years old. I'd rather have loose skin than have it full of fat. Bring on the skin!

Hi, I am Yvonne. I had my surgery on March 9th and think I am doing ok. I am not in the green zone yet but hope to be soon. My highest known weight was 296 but currently 255. What pushed me to have the surgery was getting dianosised with Diabetes in Oct. 2011. I had been thinking about the surgery since my youngest sister had the surgery 2 yrs ago but never thought "I needed it". I thought I could do it myself but I have failed all the diets I've tried. I was turned down by 2 doctors, they told me I was too fat. I was determined to check out one more dr and go with their decision. Dr. Carcamo agreed to do the lapband. Now, I am down 255, a little over 2 months after surgery. My name on MFP is weightloss_dreamer if anyone wants to add me.

Don't worry you are doing great! Just think if you hadn't had the surgery you probably wouldn't have lost even the 22 lbs, and you may have gained. How many fills have you had... you may need to have another one done... or even talk to your doc about an appetite suppressant. But you are doing great... you have lost 22 lbs in 2 months, count that up thats 44 lbs in 4 months and soo on.

It's VERY important to follow your surgeon's plan. If you don't think you can even before starting this process, maybe you are not ready for this right now, and need to do some reading about what happens to people who have complications. The preop diet is meant to shrink your liver so the surgeon can work safely in that area...if it is in the way there is a higher chance it will be "nicked" and you can hemorrhage. At best this can be managed with blood transfusions (do you really want that?). At worst, hemorrhage can cause death. How badly do you want to lost weight? What sacrifices are you willing to make for a BRIEF period of time, in order to reach your goal?

I made it to the green zone in my first year. I lost more weight during my first year than my second.

I hit the Green Zone about 4 months into my first year. The weight definitely came off a lot faster the first year than it is during this second year but that's also because I had more to lose. I lost about 175 pounds the first year and about 25 pounds 3 months into the second year.

@Introversion great statement!! don't see enough of you and your smart/small stuff! newies et al would love to hear your words of wisdom. @ElseeG "group of people for whom this doesn’t work." NO such group. you work with your sleeve, and it will work for/with you!! you are doing fine with your weight loss. 3 lbs is good! be happy, and keep up the good work!! kathy

Here are 2 threads with bathroom scale recommendations http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/bathroom-scale-21700/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/what-good-bathroom-scale-42390/ I have an electronic one that just does weight. The brand is Thinner(you think they're hinting to something?) It's not the best. It has a 330lb limit and it worked when I weighed 310 lbs. You can't always get a consistent reading. I can step on it once and it will give me a reading and then 20 seconds later it gives me a different number. So even though you can't fudge the readings because the number is what it says you are, the number isn't always right or it changes. I now use a mechanical Health-o-Meter scale that is at least 20 years old but is very accurate. It has the little leveling bubble to balance the scale. You can't fudge the readings on this one either. Either the bubble is balanced in the middle or it's not. The difference between this one and my digital scale can be a 6lbs. difference. My mechanical one says it's a "doctor's scale" and so far, my numbers at home have been perfectly consistent with the scales in multiple doctors' offices. I did not pay for this one and I have no idea how much was paid for it. I know that doctor's scales like these run a bit expensive starting at $150 and many are more expensive. You may not have to buy the expensive ones if you don't want to spend the money. Just find one that gives you consistent results so you can see the changes from when you weigh yourself to the next time you weight yourself, but just know that the scale at the doctor's office might be slightly higher than yours. Good Luck

I’m trying to be patient and zen about this whole thing, but at this point I’m discouraged and generally pissed off. I’ve lost 3 pounds in the last week and only 15 since surgery three weeks ago. I don’t understand how it can be physiologically possible not to lose weight on 550 calories per day, on average. I exceed protein, meet water, keep net carbs at 25 on average and I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every other day. Maybe I’m just in the group of people for whom this doesn’t work.

I'm 4 days away from surgery and for the first time I'm questioning what will even change after my surgery. I have cheated a little here and there during my pre-op diet and am constantly thinking about food. If I can't even do this bit properly, what makes me think I can change my thinking and behavior patterns with my sleeve? Food's always been my friend and I would love to know if any of you felt this way before surgery but then saw the weight come off after you had your sleeve? What changed your mindset and behavior towards food? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone. It's great to find this website. I was banded on July 6, 2009 so I am nearly 1.5 years post surgery. So far, it has been good in that I have lost now 94.5 pounds with about 60 more left to lose so I have absolutely no regrets about this. What I struggle with is looking at what is yet undone/unachieved and wondering if I have the emotional & physical stamina to keep on doing what I need to do to get the rest of the weight off vs to I just give in and accept this current weight as "good enough". Has anyone else found themselves in this place and if so, what did you do?

Hi Lexie, For my weight loss surgery I'm having the lap band. As far as Chiari goes, I've been unable to work or drive for three years, I'm in a wheelchair when I leave the house because I'm unable to stand up for more than a minute or two without fainting, and I have the classic Chiari headaches daily (along with a huuuuge list of other symptoms). I've sent my medical records to neurosurgeons across the country but I've been rejected by all of them because of my weight. The funny thing is, I don't have any other comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, or any of that - other than the Chiari and being overweight, I'm healthy. I'm 375 lbs as of my 6 week pre-op appointment. Have lost a bit in the couple of weeks I've been on the pre-op diet though! I think what I'm worried about is going through the weight loss surgery while still having my Chiari malformation. I can't lie flat - the pressure builds in my head until I have an excruciating headache. I know I'll be out for the surgery but can I ask them to prop me up before they bring me out of anasthesia to reduce the pain before I wake up? Stuff like that. Just wondering if anyone else has had to bring this up with their surgeon... Thanks for your response! Katrina

Over the past twenty years, lot of patients have become more familiar with specific measurements related to health, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. When it comes to weight-related health risks, there are three important numbers that you should know. The first is your actual weight in pounds; the second is your Body Mass Index, or BMI; and the third is your waist measurement. Your BMI is based on your height and weight. Doctors consider BMI to be a better measure of health risk than your actual weight in pounds. In fact, the medical terms "overweight" and "obesity" are based on BMI values. A BMI of between 25 and 30 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of developing a weight-related illness, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. spine surgeons california

Well youve been banded for 4 yrs, have you lost any weight? whats a typical meal for you?

I'm 62 and was pretty fit even though overweight all my adult life. I worked out AT A GYM 3-4 week and was able to eat moderately well into my early 50's but the excess baggage slowly gained over time and I went from 250 pounds at 52 to my max of 390 pounds, my current weight of 365 and I am 6'5". What Changed in my life from 52-62? I went from an active on my feet job to a desk job that demanded manditory overtime I stopped going to the gym as often and I continued to eat like I was still exercising like before. My life became a cycle of Eat sleep Work and I became too tired even to have fun on weekends. This was a true downard spiral. My company downsized and my job, the one that seemed so important and demanded so much time from me was gone. I was unable to find work and lived on the severance, unemployment and a small pension. At 62 a fat man even with experience and degrees will probably never find work. I was even turned down by McDonalds, guess they were afraid I would eat the product...Picture frosty day in hades for that. In that one year after being laid off till my 62'nd B'day I gained 35 pounds to reach that all time high and I was Miserable. I had to have a heart stint put in, The ol blood pressure went through the roof and deep dark depression set in. Why do I say all this because if you see yourself where I was then you realize No Job is worth what you are going through. If the band didn't work for you then you must make time to LOVE yourself and go to a fitness center or gym. Don't bother with buying equipment you will use for a clothes rack and take up space in your home. Do 1/2 to 1 hour of cardio limit weight training to 6-8 exercises for chest arms and back the legs will be ok with the cardio at the gym and ask the gym to set up a routine for you. Let them know weight loss is the goal not massive muscles. Go 3 times a week do not weight train the same muscle groups 2 days in a row except for walking thats what we were made to do. Park as far from your office as possible and get some extra walking in, Do the same at the stores you go to, walk. Never take the elevator for 1 or 2 floors, great exercise. You can stand up at your desk to work, it burns more calories. This follows in the suggestion of an under the desk leg exercisor is a good one. Your legs are 40% of the average mans muscle mass and a pedeling device with resistance also is better than sitting and doesn't keep you from typing on a computer or answering the phone. So you see and I am sure already know that theres lots of exercise opportunities you may be overlooking or avoiding. Talk to your nutritionist, find out whats going on, you are taking in more calories then you are burning the same as the rest of us. Do a follow up with your surgeon perhaps they can work with you to get you on track. Do all of this today, don't wait another day passes and another and pretty soon, if you'er lucky, you are 62 and perhaps in ill health and then the task will be that much harder. I'm not trying to be preachy, I'm just trying to show you a future that would be a lot harder than it needs to be. Let us know how it goes for you and I for one wish the very best for you. All of us here know it's not easy. Ask for help, work less play and laugh more. I finally realized that no matter how much I love food it doesn't love me back. Good Luck.

Im currently 330 lbs Age 32 Male 125 over 83 blood Pressure Height 5'11 And all the Time I sit on My Office My Free Hour only when I got home 6PM and take dinner. Im Lapband Patient Since Oct 13, 2006 I want advice a Recipe for Diet and Exercise Program My Existing Equipment are the following... Protius 3 Home Gym Cardio Master Core Sellectorize What are your Suggestion For Me To Loose Weight.... What Program Diet Recipe and Exercise Program do I have to take???? And how many minute I take for My Work-out and What Recipe Diet you may suggest???

What your uncle did was horrible, and I hope surgery will be healing for you. Will you be in therapy during your weight loss process to help you cope with your new body and the new way it will force you to relate to the world? If it's something you can manage, it might not be a bad idea. Although I'm not a survivor of sexual abuse, I can relate to not knowing how to accept male attention. In fact street harassment is one of the few things I'm really worried about regarding life after weight loss. I get some now, but not as much as I know I'll get when I'm smaller, even though I live in a country where it's not as big a problem as others. Truthfully though, I'm not a particularly feminine woman. I wear dresses and skirts everyday now because they're comfy and stretchy and relatively flattering and fashionable, but once I drop down to a 12/14 I think I'll be presenting much more masculinely (get a short haircut, wear menswear inspired looks, etc). Not just to stave off street harassment, I genuinely am something of a tomboy, but I'm hoping a reduction in street harassment will be a bonus.

Ok, hi everyone , yes tomorrow I will be having my VSG surgery.:biggrin0: I need to lose alot of weight! What's the most that you have lost since you were sleeved? Oh, and please pray for me! Princess

Hello------ I can only speak of what I know. I know that I am glad of going to Mexico Dr. Aceves and paying HALF what the states cost. I know that the care I got there was far far superior to any hospital I have ever been in. Now regarding calories and muscle building, to maintain muscle while working out you must have protein as you stated...to me I still have a stomach not as large so again to me it would seem that if I wanted to build I would ingest protien...like before. I am no expert. Regarding the cancer of the stomach...I too am predisposed for cancer, however, I am losing the weight and doing other things for my HEALTH. I refuse to allow the thought you threw out to enter. The way I figure it is HEY I am doing better weighing less....

Here is the best thing about the sleeve - it takes away your hunger and cravings (for a while at least). I know it is hard to imagine but it is true. You won't want carbs - you won't want food. I had to make myself eat for the longest time. I am now about 18 months out and my cravings have come back some. Nowhere near what they used to be and I also can control myself and I know I can't overeat because it could stretch my stomach back out. I do eat what I want now that I am at 160lbs. That means sometimes I will have one scoop of ice cream or sometimes I might eat one small slice of pizza. The key here is I don't do it all the time and when I do I have very small portions. I also workout a few times a week. I have ate this way for about 6 months now and have successfully kept my weight around 160 give or take a couple pounds. I had similar concerns as you. I am 100% glad I did this and I feel awesome! I look awesome! I wish I would have done this sooner. If you follow all your doctors guidelines for what to eat at each stage you will do just fine. Congrats on your surgery date. A new you is right around the corner!!!

I don't know what is normal..everyone is different, but I've heard others say on here that the weight loss is better when they get lots of protein in (low carb) and drink lots of pure water. You are still early out. You probably should just concentrate on staying hydrated and healing still at this point. Good luck to you!

Congrats...on your weight loss and more important your marriage to your partner. !!!!

I am going to have surgery this week, I am a nurse. The thing I fear the most is the depression afterwards. I have already thought about the lost of food some how depressing. I realize that looking better will be the bonus. I want less weight on my feet. I want more energy. I wrote a list of reasons I need this and want to loose weight. I promise myself to read it when I am down. At the point you are now you can look how far you come and know that it's only going to be better. You want better health and your working in that direction. Some days are one moment at a time. This is your journey and you will do well. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G750A using the BariatricPal App

hi I am almost 4 months out and having my 2nd fill on the 21. Boy do i need it. I have good days and bad just like you. I have not yet ventured out and tried bread. But i have tried out toast, tortillas. I have had only to episodes where the food (rice) went down fine till i had the 4th bite and BAAMM!! what a nasty feeling. Thankfully the 2 times where in my house. The weight is coming off slowly...and i have to remind myself that "if it took me 10 yesr to gain 100 lbs, i cant expect my body to loose it 1 year" To be honest i am not sticking to the dieat 100% bad habbits die hard. But im hoping that with each fill i will be getting closet to that "sweet spot". Good luck in your journey!! this website is great!