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I went to Cancun last winter for a holiday, while there I went to see Dr. Perez. I had not been loosing any more weight for quite some time. I did have some restriction, but was working too hard in order to maintain my current weight. My band holds 4cc. and I was at the top. Dr. Perez was able to withdraw only 2cc of clear Fluid. No visible signs of leakage. He then (under fluoroscopy) filled my band to 3cc, and I felt more restriction, he could also see the restriction as I swallowed the barrium. I asked why I went from 4cc to 2cc. Keep in mind none of my other fills were ever done under fluoroscopy, so did I really get to 4cc?? Were some of my fills interstitial?? meaning, was the saline injected outside of the port. Another explanation I received: Evaporation!, really 2cc's evaporated. Dr. Perez left it was more likley I never received 4cc to begin with. Although this has happened, I still have restriction. It was also noticed that my band slipped, likley shortly after my surgery, it was hard for my surgeon to get the band in place from the beginning, due to a previous hernia repair. With all that said, I havent lost a lb since I've been back from Cancun! I still feel restriction, but mostly in the am, by the evening im hungry and it takes a larger portion to become satified. So im going back to a fill Dr. I know in Manitoba, no fluoroscopy, too bad! Hope you have better luck!

lark60, Yes it was an NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anytime you have to change a record showing you lost that much weight--you bet your biffy it's an NSV. My ta-tas are now a 42-Long, (42L) instead of a 42C. I think I"m actually smaller than that--got to get some new bras. Need a "Border Collie Bra" --one that can round them up and point them in the right direction . Kathleen

This may help understand why fluids should be avoided when eating meals.... https://www.tristatebariatrics.org/blog-post/eating-and-drinking-after-weight-loss-surgery I find it easy to not drink for 30minutes after a meal since my ESG, I look at the time I finished eating and don't drink for 30 minutes. I assume this is more complicated in the post op stages with a lot more smaller meals thus eating more regularly. I guess its all in the sipping, carry a water bottle with you, sip away - a lot, stop drinking the required time before a meal and don't pick it up for 30 minutes. It may have been a little different for me, I have been use to sipping a lot and often (for a number of years) as a I have a autoimmune syndrome that results in no or very little salvia production. I know someone who takes very small sips when eating and she is doing fine, she is about six months out, she was given the okay to...but each surgeon seems to have their own guidelines and its best to follow your own surgeon's guidelines.

you'll never be able to drink like a normal person. Well, you PHYSICALLY can, but not if you want to keep your weight off. You will have to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before drinking anything for the rest of your life. My surgeon said two of the biggest reasons people gain weight after surgery is 1) grazing 2) not following the food/drink separation rule. The good thing is, it becomes automatic after awhile for a lot of us. It was a challenge for me at first, but I got used to it pretty quickly.

Wow! That is terrible ...I too had no comorbitities. My surgery was done based on joint problems. My surgeon told me not to gain any weight and to lose before my surgery and I was 216. I got to 204 the day of surgery and he was super happy about that. It actually helped me to reach my final goal of 150 (I'm nearly 5'6). I actually got down as low as 144. HOWEVER, if I would have had your situation I would stay within the guidelines so I could have the surgery! Best wishes!!!!!!!

Those last ten pounds will come off if you are strict on your carbs. I am pretty close to maintenance so I don't count as close, but the weeks I do super low (20-30) I lose a pound or two. When you first cut the carbs your body drops the weight. Just have to be careful when you start adding them back in. I eat fruit and veggies but try really hard to stay away from the white devils (sugar and flour) once I have a bite I want more more more!

I too was in your boat but i had about 20 lbs to play with. I just lost the minimal weight i could or stayed the same. I had to maintain my weight for 2 months while we went through the Appeal process. I was finally approved on Christmas Eve and had Surgery on January 9th. Good luck to you!

Does anyone else have this problem? I still have to sleep elevated slightly, or I get reflux. Also, after I eat or drink, I get like a "bubble" in my chest right below my throat. It growls, but I can't burp. Normal? Freakish? Also, weight loss is definitely slower this time around...but I feel better than I did post band. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You know I am so motivated by the Biggest Looser. I had thought about after I reached my goal weight would I have sug. to flatten out my tummy but i have decided that I will workout really hard to make sure that my body is how i want it to be. I am so pumped up about loosing this weight It aint funny. As the weather gets warmer that just pushes me more to get to where I really want to be. There is more to life than being fat, lazy... I want to enjoy life. It is already too short and it dosen't make since to have it shortened by being fat... In the process of taking control for real...:thumbup::thumbup:

Hi everyone. I'm new to this website, but not to the idea of WLS. I have seen the same surgeon twice before and both times was timid to have surgery. This time is different as is my outlook on my life. I want to have children and can't do that unless I lose the weight. I have tried diets with not much success. I'm looking forward to taking my journey to weight loss for the ultimate goal of being healthy enough to have children. I have a blog that I'm going to use to record my progress. I will post it at another time. I look forward to reading the threads and learning about everyone's stories. Spaz

I have looked but I can't find Truvia or Stevia in anything. Just the usual artificial sweeteners. (btw, Splenda is an artificial/chemical sweetener too). It's a bummer! Take what you're reading about aspartame with a grain of salt. People have been trying to blame it for everything from diseases to mental disorders for years but without merit. The majority of what you read is nothing more that debunked theories that have been plaguing the internet since the 90's without merit. The only thing I do know to be true (via actual research studies) is that artificial sweeteners can actually increase sugar cravings in some people. They can also cause headaches. Some people gain weight using them because of the increased sugar and carb cravings, too. But...not everyone. Some people can have them without a single issue. The only way to know is to see how they effect your own body. I actually drink a lot of diet iced tea with artificial sweeteners and never have a problem. Best wishes!

Trying to find women like me who had surgery to regain their fertility.. I have secondary infertility due to pregnancy induced Hypothyroid with an underlying of PCOS. Basically before baby 1 I was healthy & fit with no issues. That pregnancy caused my thyroid to crap out, causing the imbalance of hormones (pcos), causing the weight gain... Here I am 3 years later & 180lbs heavier getting surgery in two weeks as an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) recommendation to hopefully conceive naturally when I am cleared to do so. I am 23, reach out with your story if you are or were in the same boat!!

My dr hasn't talked about a goal with me yet I'm only 9 weeks out. But I was 175 back in the day and other than needing to tone up I was happy there so I made that my personal goal. I will see where I am when I get there. It's also the high end on the range for a person of my age and height. I can pull off a heaver weight because I'm so tall (5'10) and I didn't look heavy then I was in a size 12-14. I did have some extra chubs on my tummy then but I felt good in clothes.

In two days I hit my three week mark, and I've noticed a stall also. I've gotten so used to dropping weight so fast (46 lbs so far) I got bummed but then realized I've hit the phase where it's going to drop less now I've already lost all the water weight. Just be patient and don't loose the good habits you've gained ????

Hello everyone! I have been reading a lot about the difference between LAPBAND and Gastric Bypass procedures. There seems to be consistency regarding the statement that 40 - 50% of excess weight loss stays off after 2 years with LAPBAND. This confuses me. If one keeps the band on and continues the correct behavior and is consistent - shouldn't you be able to keep your initial loss and maintain (also continuing to monitor the band re: fills, etc.)? :rolleyes Basically it seems to say that if one loses 100 pounds, they can expect to regain 50-60 pounds.... but that seems very disconcerting. Am I missing something? :help: Thanks!

Jan 6 jan 16 jan 31 feb 7 today 225 start weight 278.0 IM MY OWN MOTIVATION

Yep, you are doing fine. You will have starts and stops, but the inches continue to drop away even when the pounds are not. Your body needs adjustment times in between chunks of weight loss. Relax, and weigh once a week when you are in a stall, so you don't get stressed.

Most of us don't after surgery- hence the raging hunger. When I was on the post op diet, I spread out my food so I could eat every 2 hours and got as much protein as possible. I even added clear unflavored Protein powder to stuff like Soup just to try better control the hunger. It wasn't easy, but it's how I was able to stick to the diet plan and lose weight despite having an empty band. Hang in there

I'm getting sleeved on tuesday and from what i read and know it's an Adkins type diet we all follow after surgery. High in Protein, low in cards. If you need structure, follow the adtkins exactly for a while..the first phase is very strict and then it gets a bit more lienient as the stages progress. You can still have high quality foods, just limit them to whats on their list of foods. You can eliminate carbs slowly is you can't tolerate going all the way. Carbs are easily processed by the body so your metabolism doens't have to kick up when you eat them. If you eat a little protein every 3-4 hours, your body's metabolism has to kick up to process the protein. Making meals and Snacks with high protein will hellp with weight loss. Good luck with your journey! Gayle

Man I love mushies. My protein shakes were tolerable, but this is definitely better. Right now I’m perfectly fine with my new diet. The portions (2 oz protein, 1 oz carb 6 times a day) are more than adequate for me. I’m still feeling plenty of restriction and sometimes I’m not even eating my entire meals. I do feel hunger, usually if I haven’t eaten in 3 hours or more, but otherwise I’m fine. I’m thrilled with my progress so far but I’m waiting on this bandster hell I hear about to hit. The way I feel right now, I can’t imagine it happening to me, although I know it’s still early and it might. I had my first follow up with Dr. G on Tuesday, 1 day after I started mushies, so I was able to discuss how my body is reacting to the beginning of this new stage in my diet. I do sometimes feel that pressure in my chest but it’s been less often as the week has gone by. He said that’s fine, but that I should try and slow down my eating. Of course I feel like I’m eating really slowly already—I usually take anywhere from 15-20 minutes to eat my designated portions. Since my post op instructions said to aim for 5 minutes per ounce of protein/carb, 15 minutes is the right time frame. But I guess my body just needs even more time right now. I also explained that even when I felt “full” up in my chest area, I still could feel my tummy rumbling—like I could tell the difference between my pouch and the rest of my stomach which was still empty. He said that the mushies shouldn’t necessarily fill me up at this stage and that it was fine that I was feeling that way. I think it might have just been psychological though. I’m not really having problems with that anymore. Even more exciting than the fact that I am not hungry physically, is how little head hunger I’ve been suffering from. I can only think of 1 day, the first week after surgery when I had really bad head hunger. Otherwise I’ve been OK. Sure, I’ll see commercial with some yummy looking food, or see what someone else is eating and I’ll want it, but it’s not the same as it was before. Just yesterday the people at my office went on a Friendly’s run for ice cream sundaes. I was able to sit with them while they were eating it and not have any problems. Sure, they looked nice and tasty, but that was it. It’s almost how I’ve always imagined it must feel to be a “normal” person without an eating disorder—to see food and to want it a little, but not to be consumed with that desire. To be able to say no and move on without this obsessive nagging in my head reminding me of how good it will taste and how much I want it. Okay, I’m seriously tearing up right now because I’m so happy about this. Anyhow, Dr. G explained that because the band presses on the Vagus nerve—a nerve which runs directly to your brain and has effects on hunger and satiety—that there is actually a neurological component to the band as well that will often make patients want to eat less. I’m thinking this is my favorite part of the band so far. And last but not least, I got clearance to go back to the gym. When I had my appointment Tuesday, I had my gym bag packed and in the car with me so I could go straight there after I got the okay. Dr. G said I was allowed to do very light lifting and cardio, but warned me not to do the cardio machines on an incline or with too much resistance. He doesn’t want me grunting and groaning and getting my intra-abdominal pressure up yet because he said that it can make the band go from being arranged in a 2 o’clock to7 o’clock direction to a 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock direction which will screw me up. So I headed to the gym and got on the elliptical—no incline or resistance. I tried to go slow which was the hardest part since I very carefully selected my gym music to be songs that motivate me to work out hard. Since I had to hold back I tried to make up for it in length and did a full hour. I skipped Wed, and Thurs as I work 12 hour days and spend most of that on my feet, but I headed back today and repeated my work out from Tues. It felt great. Plus I think it stimulated my weight loss again. I slowed down last week on the last week of fluids but the weight seems to be melting off again now that I’m on mushies and exercising. I think my metabolism just needed a boost. I’m so happy with how everything is going so far. I'm feeling good and I'm down 26.4 pounds. This band kicks ass. Dr. G was pleased with my progress as well. I also met with my psychiatrist today—the one who cleared me for surgery—and he also says it seems like I’m doing great. So basically everything is great. I truly and completely believe that I made the right decision getting my band and that I’m going to be so successful with this. It’s a great feeling to have. Alright, I’m tearing up again it’s time for me to get my ass up and go get a tissue. Hasta la vista, amigos.

Ok, my question is... I was banded on 10/24. By the 3rd day I was fine with drinking fluids. It's now been, 2.5 and I'm already eating. yes I know I'm not suppose to, but I stay so hungry! I'm, afraid I'll strech my stomach, is this possible? I'm not eating anywhere near wha i use to, but I'm already eating "soft foods". I'm afraid I'll gain weight before my 1st fill in 3 weeks. Anyone else have this problem?

Yep! This is your time to heal. Any weight loss at this point is a bonus. However, I would closely keep track of what you're intaking and keep bad food choices (empty calories) to a minimum. It takes most people quite a few fills to get settled in. It's hard to keep from getting frustrated but it will get easier as you progress. Brad

Hi All I am now 2 months post surgery, 35kg lost. started back in the gym and looking for ideas for work out programmes? having spent a lot of my youth trying to lift heaviest possible weights what should I be doing now? still using the weights or all cardio? I have never wanted to be "thin" so thinking weights will be best? any personnel trainers on here?? cheers Steve

I have two kids, 3 and 4, that are the love of my life. My son is big but thin; my daughter is not a big eater at all but she is a bit chubby. I don't really notice it until she's around other kids and she's a lot thicker. Both kids like to swim, play outside, etc. My husband and I are trying to build healthy family habits, and since we're both sleeved, there's not a lot of junk in the house anyway. My pediatrician isn't overly alarmed but asked us to keep an eye on it. I feel like we are doing all the things recommended for healthy kids, but I wonder if it's really possible for two parents who've battled weight to have kids that can outrun their genetic lottery toward weight gain. Thoughts?