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I only told my husband and my best friend when I had my lap band. I had to tell more people when I had the revision because it was not planned and we had to accomodate kids, job, and etc. So I ended up having to tell my manager and my mother and another friend. You will find out that this is NOT the easy way out and in time you might be comfortable telling people you had weight loss surgery. The truth is that you will be losing the weight from diet and exercise. As far a not working out until 6 weeks that is not what my surgeon had me do. I was expected to be up walking the day I got home. I was up walking the hospital the entire 5 days I was in post op (mostly my choice because I was paranoid about getting blood clots). I wasn't allowed to lift weight for 4 weeks but I bet you will be exercising right away. It is your journey so do it how you feel comfortable. I even told a few people that I decided to follow a bariatric diet to support my friend having a lap band (my friend was having the lap band so it was partially true and that explained all the protein shakes. LOL

I am sorry for your loss. We all slip up and fall into bad habits. So journal your food and feelings and get back on tract with protein water and distraction when you feel the need to find comfort in food. I too have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. Can u go to the a ymca for water arobics or just to swim around. Remember God is always up 24/7. You got this!

I believe your fill will help get over the plateau! Looks like your initial weight loss was AWESOME, just need a jumpstart!

@@bigbit Congrats. Can you tell me the process? Did you have to have to follow a doctor supervised weight loss plan for a specific amount of time, or did you have to involve a primary care physician? My daughter has an appointment today with a surgeon, but this is her first step since leaving Kaiser and her new insurance being Anthem BC.

I was sleeved 4/18/11 by Dr. Jawad in Ocala, FL. Not sure exactly what I have lost since each scale weighs different, but including pre-op diet, around 25-30 lbs. , maybe 20 of it since surgery. When I read what you are doing, first of all, make sure you gets tons of Water. Sounds like you are good on Protein but is it high quality and low carb? I love Jay Robb--too many of the shakes are full of chemicals and artificial ingredients and simply unnecessary carbs. Jay Robb is really tasty and mixed easily with anything and comes in lots of flavors. Sweetened with Stevia, a natural no calorie sweetener, but does not have the aftertaste of some Stevia sweetened products. Plenty of availability--on line, Vitamin Shoppe etc. And, you may be like me--I have always succeeded best at weight loss by varying calories, protein/carb content, and exercise intensity. Read up on interval training (going hard for a few minutes then backing down, over and over). I have added some full fat dairy because it is actually beneficial to blood sugar and weight loss to a point. Greek yogurt is usually packed with protein, and mixes well with the Protein shake powder I use. Don't get discouraged. Throw yourself into it, get off the couch, and record what you are eating and doing to keep moving. I am humbled by your great success to date, and know you will experiment with some of these suggestions you will find the combination which tricks your body into letting go of this comfortable plateau and finding a new, healthier one.

Hi, I have seen some of your other posts so I know that you have been struggling... I know you don't want to diet, but for me, I have to, in order to be successful... If I don't know the fat and calorie content, I look it up so I know whether it's worth it to eat it, basically I just try to watch what I'm eating because I know if I graze or snack alot, it all adds up... I'm probably eating between 600- 800 calories a day but maybe a little more some days. I don't go crazy trying to count carbs or calories but I do try and keep up with my protein so that I make sure I'm getting enough. I have been working out fairly hard (at least 45 mins of cardio and some weight traning) so I know that really helps my weight loss. I'm sorry that you are not getting the results you wanted and I know how frustrating it is, I was a bander also and I went through it with my band. Don't get discouraged, I know you can do this! Try to get back to basics and you will see the weight come off... best wishes!

My experience was none but then again that was because I was taking Biotin pills early as a daily regiment. How to minimize it, make sure you are taking all your Vitamins & getting all or as much as possible the Protein that is required daily at your particular stage. Oh yeah, the hair loss your experiencing is not from the procedure or having the vsg. Its the surgery itself the anestisia.

I started taking hair supplements four months before surgery still take them. I get in 80 grams of Protein a day and drink tons of Water. I take my Vitamins and all that stuff. I still lost hair. I am loosing about half a handful each shower, but I do have a lot anyway. I am not too worried about it because My hair is curly and can mask thinness very easily. I did chop it short so it didn't look stringy though.

No hair loss here that I can tell. If anything, it seems darker but less greasy. I have to use hair gel to keep it from being all over the place. :tongue2: Maybe this is because I don't perspire as much as I used to. I couldn't say why I didn't lose hair but I do keep up with my vites and Protein. In the beginning I shot for 60g of protein building up to over 70g now (usually more). Calories between 600 and 800 since a few weeks out. At first, I had to focus on fluids and sipping and that made it harder to hit my options without Protein shakes. My Surgeons office asked me to stop drinking them regularly at about a month out. So since then, I've been able to hit my goals with just a little bit of label reading and planning.

I wanted to ask if there are veteran sleevers out there that didn't have hair loss. What do you think helped? How many grams of protein you were eating at the beginning? How many calories? Were you taking zinc?

My surgery weight was 284.3, in the first month I lost about 30lbs. I've had a couple big loss weeks, and a couple of barely any loss weeks. On average I've been losing 4-5lbs a week.

OHHHH dear one- the conversations we've had today on this forum about stalls!!! I am in one as well. Mine started at...guess when....three weeks!!! Yes, it's referred to around here as the "three week stall." I found a great explanation for it today from one of our seasoned sleevers. Check it out: (This was a post on another thread by "Tiffykins.") This is why you are in a stall. It's normal and expected. Your body will never go into a stall as long as you have body fat to burn: Weight Loss Stall or Plateau A weight loss stall or plateau is an extended period of time during reducing efforts where is there is no weight loss according to the scale and no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This is why it is so important to take your body measurements before surgery, so you'll have a reference as your weight loss progresses post-op. We suggest you take measurements of your chest, waist and hip, neck, upper arm, thigh and calf. Be aware it is very common for your weight loss to "stall" shortly after surgery. Diana explains the reason for this below. The Inevitable Stall By Diana C. A "stall" a few weeks out is inevitable, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when you are not getting in enough food, your body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. And when you use up 2 lbs of glycogen, you also lose 8 lbs of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs that most people lose in the first week of a diet. As you stay in caloric deficit, however, your body starts to realize that this is not a short term problem. You start mobilizing fat from your adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But your body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy -- like, to outrun a saber tooth tiger. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. And as it puts back the 2 lbs of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though you might still be LOSING energy content to your body, your weight will not go down or you might even GAIN for a while as you retain water to dissolve the glycogen that is being reformed and stored. Breathe, and fuggedaboudit for a few days. What You Can Do About a Stall or Plateau If you are experiencing a post-op weight loss stall or plateau further out there are a few possible causes. First, check that are you really in a stall. If the scale has stopped moving you may be losing inches, so check your measurements. Too Many Carbs? Carbohydrates can start sneaking into your foods without you being aware of how quickly they are adding up. For more information on carbs, see our section onCarbohydrates. If you are struggling with your weight loss you may want to examine your daily carb count. You can try to keep your carbs under 50g a day and see if that makes a difference in your weight loss. Do not eat carbs before bedtime as it triggers insulin and initiates fat storage. There are some great web site resources you can use to keep track of what you are eating.

Hi Ellen. Another exercise lover here. It's true....exercise may indeed slow weight loss for several reason....chiefly increased lean muscle mass and increased appetite due to exercise. And it's been proven that exercise is not the biggest component to weight loss, diet is. However, to me health is the big goal, not just weight loss. There is a big difference between weight loss and fat loss. I'd rather have fat loss and increased health....which exercise will definitely do. So my point is if you love exercise, go for it. And don't worry about the scale as much as your overall health.

Welcome Gina! I had VSG on 9/2/10 and I also had a history of dvt's and pe's. I had my filter placed about 1 week before surgery, everything went fine and i'm doing well. They went in about 3 weeks after my surgery to remove the filter but they we unable to retrieve it.......the dr said that it's fine to stay there the rest of my life actually. I'm okay with that because I feel like I have protection in case I ever get another clot in my legs I know that it wouldn't be able to travel to my lungs like before. I wish you luck with you up coming procedures and your weight loss.

Here's my list of upcoming rewards 1st - for completing 4 weeks of liquid diet, I deserve a massage. I think the incisions should be healed enough that I can do this. 2nd - at 25 pounds gone (217), a pedicure. That's just another nine pounds away, so possibly by next weekend, maybe not until the following one. 3rd - I want to do something small at 210, maybe buy myself a small bouquet of flowers. 4th - At 199, I want to do something big - like a mini shopping spree. My mom said she'd kick in a little towards this. I might just cruise around Goodwill or just Ross or Marshall's, nothing pricey because I'll be losing more, but I think that after a 42 pound loss I'll need some new things. 5th - its just a tiny bit later, but I want to mark the 50 lb mark, maybe again with just some flowers, or maybe a bracelet or pair of earrings to commemorate it. AT this point I have no idea how much I'll be losing, so that's probably enough goals to keep me busy for awhile. My 6 month anniversary of the surgery is my 35th Birthday, so there will definitely be some celebrating, probably with more new clothes And after I get below 150, I want to ride a horse. I know that sounds really weird, but right now I'm too heavy to ride a horse at the places around here where you can go for little trail rides. I probably just need to be below 200, but I'll give the horse a break, especially since I have other fun treats for 199. So, somehow, at 150, I'm going to take a little horseback ride.

@@Bufflehead, very well said! I am always comparing myself to everyone else, it's a habit I've had for the last 20 years. I need to stop it and accept my rate of loss as mine! I will step up my effort on following my plan. I see the surgeon on Tuesday and plan to check with the NUT on his protein/calorie expectations

Do you still have your gall bladder? If so, it could be a gall bladder attack. When I was having my gall bladder attacks I mistook them for problems with the band because they were in the center of my abdomen and felt like pressure, pressure so bad I felt like I was going to blow up! But yet I couldn't do anything to relieve the pressure. Gall bladder issues are common for individuals undergoing weight loss. *Also, if the pain is that bad you should absolutely consult your doctor. Pain is an indicator that there is something wrong.

I also chose the Realize band because that is what my surgeon uses. I do actually like the website that goes along with it. i am just waiting for my access # from my surgeon so i can log in. you can track your food & water intake, your exercise and there is a place to upload photos of yourself to see your progress. i believe that you can also use a photo to see what you would look like after weight loss!

With Lapband -you can eat ice cream physically - super easy to get down -- but it could hinder weight loss due to high calories and being liquid your newly modified pouch really doesn't limit quanity -- (same with alcohol - liquid high calories) I eat IC sometimes - not daily -- just have to be accountable for it - or anything I place in my mouth. You will do great - you will need to make sure to get 3 meals in a day -- it increases your metabolism -- otherwise your body thinks it is starvation mode - I am sure you heard all this before. Journal your food daily and share with nutritionist! Great sites for journaling: www.nutritiondata.com www.fitday.com www.fitbodystrongbody.com www.dietfacts.com www.sparkpeople.com www.calorie-count.com www.thedailyplate.com www.calorieking.com Best Wishes!

As you get closer to your goal weight, the harder it gets to lose those lbs. Go back to your basics...are you keeping a food and exercise journal? review what your intake is and your exercise pattern. you might need to increase or possibly decrease your kcal intake or increase your exercise time, or you might have to "shake" things up a bit by changing your routine with both food and exercise. Don't beat yourself up to badly, plateaus are expected. 2 lbs in a month is better than nothing. My loss started to slow and then was doing nothing. I started with the food and kcal, then went on to change up my exercise...I'd start to lose and then nothing for weeks, so I shake things up again...I have finally started to lose again so we will see how it works out. Also, check your measurements alot of the time even though we may not be losing lbs, we do lose inches. Good luck!

Hi I was banded July 10th.Everything seems to be going good. Has anyone ever heard on New Directions. My doctor mentioned it to me and said it will accelerate my weight loss and still give proper protein/nutrition etc. It is a diet consisting of all shakes followed weekly by a doctor. I decided to try it. It has been kind of difficult but is getting easier now that I have been banded. It is a High Protein low carb shake. I have read that returning to solids as soon as possible is important. Does anyone know why? My doctor is not to concerned about this and says I can start my regular phases puree/soft solid/solid when my 3 mos. is over. Just curious is anyone else has tried anything similar with the band?:nervous

I discussed with my husband the changes that will occur once I'm banded and other people reacting to my weight loss was brought up. I told hubby I was afraid of family & friends thinking I should stop losing weight 50 lbs in because they are so used to seeing me 85 lbs over weight that 50 lbs less is a lot to them. I told him if he feels I should stop then to discuss it with me but to understand that losing 50 lbs doesnt put me even in the top of the healthy BMI for my height and age. I totally agree with you that being called anorexic. Any comment that is stating you are unhealthy (be it too skinny or too fat) is uncalled for. How can people say they care about someone when they are so obviously verbally assaulting them by saying such things. I understand they care but becareful of the accusations you make.

I to started out at 311 when I began the program. I lost 15 pounds prior to surgery. My surgery was 7/9/08 and I am now at a total weight loss of 59 pounds (down to 252). I still have a lot more to lose but have already gone down three sizes. I get compliments all of the time but I just do not see it, or feel it yet. I am frustrated that I am not enjoying the success I have already but I am still that "fat girl" in my head.

Just read the article on weight regain. interesting but the samples are very small -- 26 in one study and 41 in another. I believe one had 96 patients but that is still pretty small to generalize to the total population of vsg patients. Also mean EWL is just the arithmetic average. Some people would be lower and some would be higher than the percentage they present. In a small sample, one or two "deviant" people with huge weight gain could throw off the mean. Using a median (50% above it; 50% below it) might be more meaningful as a middle point. Hard to know without seeing the entire database. As one of the formerly super obese people they mention in the article, at least this is a sign to me to be really vigilant forever about what I put in my mouth. Water, healthy eating, and exercise is a way of life during and after weigh loss and I imagine a lot of people slow down on those, hence the weight gain.

We have developed somewhat of friendships on this site. Please let us pray for the familes with tragic loss in this senseless school shooting.