Search the Community

Not so much. If you eat 1800 calories a day, every day, you should start to lose weight if you excercise and burn 500 of those calories. Same for any caloric intake... 1800-500=1300 so 800-500 = 300. BTW you have to burn 3500 calories in order to lose 1 pound. I can go on the stationary bike and near kill myself for 45 minutes and only burn 350 calories. kind of puts things in perspective.

As has been stated, everybody is different. And some people are just naturally better at holding onto weight than others. I'm sure everyone on this forum falls into that category, so it's no wonder that all of us have the ability to defy the old "calories in vs calories out" logic. It's our super power. I would not try to live by the math, I believe it's better to eat a healthy diet and exercise everyday (or as often as your body and busy life will allow). Doing this, with the sleeve, the weight will come off. Also, those "calories burned" indicators on exercise machines are always wrong, so don't go by them if you are doing the math. You are better off going by time.

That's the one I got! I got the 20 oz as well, and didn't add anything to it. And before I got the band as was dieting on my own, I was drinking one of these a day, and was losing weight. So, maybe I can start having these for breakfast.

My "people scale" gives a different number every time I step on it. I literally take 5 weights and average them. Stupid scale!

Woohoo still in hospital unfortunately but im feeling so much better than I have im getting released tomorrow hopefully and can't wait till that happens so I can go home and see too very excited little puppy dogs I have lost weight and am finally getting off the drip in 4 hours or so you beauty I have been drinking 30Ml a hour it's not alot but the nurses are happy with it as im also drinking optifast with it I knew this was the right decesion and now I no why I did it im blessed that everything went well onky had some temperamental blood pressure but even that is good all aboard the positive train from now on im hoping I can kick depression in its ass hears to a new future only 4 days post op but damn what a difference

It all comes to personal choice. I would strongly suggest doing your homework before making a decision. Both procedures have their pros and cons, and unfortunately both procedures have their myths too. Research the actual medical facts, not just anecdotal evidence here. They did a very large study, over 4000 Lap Band patients, and found that about 8% suffer complications. It's also very important to take in account the number of people with slips, complications, and needing removal because they abused their band. Unfortunately that number is scary high. It seems either surgeons aren't educating their patients enough or people are foolishly ignoring their instructions, but whatever the case I've seen more cases of complications because of patient negligence than I can count. How much you lose with the band is entirely up to you. Whether or not you keep that weight off is also up to you. The band is just a tool, not a magic fix for fat, and to be successful with it requires you to change your eating habits for a lifetime. Best wishes with whichever you decide!

Hi all I have not posted in quiet some time... busy... you know... but I am at 9 months and I thought I'd give an update. for all the challenges that this type of surgery can present (in my case pretty minor, a little extra skin, frustration over slow weight loss etc.) I would absolutly, hands down do it again. I was so scared at first. I remember I started crying in the elevator on the way up to surgery... just overwhelmed with the idea of permanantly altering my body. The people on this forum did soooo much to help me stay sane before and after. My biggest challenge has been that I am a slow looser. I "only" had 57 lbs to loose, so I expected to be at goal pretty fast. I think there were two months when I lost more than 10 lbs, but other than that its been pretty slow (relatively speaking, I could have never achieved this without surgery). A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with hypothyridism and have since started on meds. Although I feel better, I still only lost 2 lbs this month. I have 8 to go. It may take me 4 months to get there... but I guess I'll get there. Before surgery I was a binger. I would go on a super restrictive diet until I couldn't stand it... then binge on everything I could get my hands on. Yesterday, after doing my monthly weight in and discovering I had only lost 2lbs I slipped back into "bing" mode and had about 5 chips with queso and two Peanut Butter Cookies. The cookies make me kind of sick (I think I have a little dumping syndrome, which is probably for the best). That was all I was able to eat for the rest of the day. Granted... not the best way to deal with frustration (I'm really working on finding better coping skills and thats the first "binge" since surgery) but, if I'm going to binge 500 calories is a lot better than 5000 (not and exageration). If your considering surgery... don't let this put you off....most of you will loose much faster and if you do happen to be a slow looser, its a little frustrating, but eventually the weight comes off (I was considered low bmi pre-surgery, I think most people with higher bmi's loose at a much quicker pace). Although I am so happy about loosing the weight... I am most pleased with the psychological changes that have taken place. I have a sense of being satisfied most of the time now. Its not that I feel restricted to "only" eating small amounts of food, its that small amounts of food are emensly satisfying, much more so than huge amounts of food used to be. It's allowed me to let go of that constant focus on what I will eat next... what diet I will go on next etc. I feel like I can just live now. Bottom line.... I would do it again in an instant!!!!! I hope you are all doing well on your journey thanks for reading stacey

i love it...I wish me and my mister could have done it together. I think he would be more understanding to all the changes I have gone through and still going throough. I couldnt convince him though. I secretly think he resents me for wanting to lose a whole lot of weight. I hope it doesnt affect our relationship too much! Good Luck to the both of you! Crystal

because i don't know wheres the right place to make this comment to you and to be sure that you will read it i post it in main I watch your progress and i have to say that you have done amazing work! i saw your pictures and i can say WOW what a difference!!! body + face!! do ya remember you were saying about astronomical numbers of weight loss and look at you now what a great loss!!! you must be proud and happy with yourself! keep doin your perfect work galfriend!! im very happy of you! you are such a beautiful girl inside and out and you deserve the best! TAKE the best of life!!

thanks everyone for sharing! i will relay all of this to my cousin. it does seem like she eats less within a certain time frame (even if it is still at the same meal time), but the band isn't helping her to feel full enough or to stop her from eating too often. wanttobethin1, do i have a band? no. am i overweight? depends on the day. ha! seriously though, i have about 6 - 8 pounds to lose to make it to my goal weight range. however, the Never Too Thin Society (NTTS) would probably bump that up to 12 - 15 pounds. still even at goal weight, i am a "meaty" person with muscular thighs and a higher than expected weight that makes me feel always not quite there. i'm slowly releasing that though.

Mine's the same, I had a fill yesterday so I"m up to 2.5 in a 4cc band and STILL no real restriction in the way that other people describe, I can still eat bread for crying out loud. I cant eat fast and I eat about half what I used to be able to get through, but I still have to work at the head hunger, which after eight months of practicing is way easier than it used to be. I can still go out and eat a "big" meal for a bandster. I've decided to work with it, take what I can from the band and work on the rest. I love to run so that helps. It is possible to still lose steadily without maximum restriction for a lot of people and it is easier than it was with no band. I actually enjoy and appreciate the ability to have a little "break" from banded life, to enjoy a restaurant meal or a party etc. I just do it in controlled amounts, I eat what I should, healthy fresh food in appropriate quantities most of the time and if I get hungry, I ignore it until meal time. Whilst my band doesnt physically stop me eating a reasonable quantity or eating six times a day, it has provided enough behaviour modification for me and I've had good enough results that I just am now motivated to put in the work and do what I know I should. It still took a band for me to reach that stage. I believe a large part of my success is I took up running and am now focussed a lot more on running performance than on weight loss for weight loss' sake. So my advice would be to soldier on, give it your best effort and hope that somewhere along the line in a schedule of regular fills, restriction will come. Obviously it takes longer for some than for others.

It's not a stall. A stall is no loss of weight or inches for longer than 30 days. You my dear are no where near that. If you choose to panic that’s up to you. Did you measure prior to surgery? You may be losing inches. Also photos weekly? I know there are a few times that I did my weekly measurements and photos with nothing to show for it but my photos showed a great improvement in my body shape. Good luck, sounds like you are just fine however!

luca how much weight did you lose in 2 wks

I've had several medical problems since sleeve surgery. Any suggestions?

Hi Everyone I have been banded since August and had 2 fills but not had much weight loss success yet. I am going on holiday in 5 weeks and some friends were really recommending the vibration training/power plate things for inch loss. As I have not told anyone about the lapband I couldn't ask this question there, but do you think it is ok for me to use the power plates or can they harm the lapband. A special offer is going on if you take a 4 week package at the moment but I didn't want to sign up without confirming if it was safe. Thanks MD

I am 1 month post op and taking the actigal for my gallblader per doctors instructions. Apparently rapid weight loss can trigger gallbladder problems. My question to those who have had WLS THEN had gallbladder problems.. did you take the actigall??? do you think taking the actigall did or did not help?? I am just wondering if I may have a gallbladder operation looming over me in a few months... At this point I have never had any gallbladder related health problems. Just wondering Rhonda

How is this for anxious....:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: My consult with Nisrene at TLBC if on April 13th and because I don't want to waste any time whatsoever, I called her this am to ask if I could book the surgery now as I feel so well informed etc especially from my very very informative friends here, she agreed and I will be banded on April 26th. She said that I will need 7 to 10 days for the pre op diet so that was the soonest. I am freeeaaaaaakiiiiinggggg out!!!!! I feel so ready for this. I know I can lose the wait but I cannot keep it off. Each time I lose I gain back even more. I have reached 205 which I didn't even weigh when I delivered my first child. I am off to San Andres Island tomorrow for one week but I look forward to talking with you guys soon. Thank you again, all of you for your inspiration, courage and support D

Try Spanx. I havn't lost enough weight to have loose skin yet, but I like Spanx for everyday wear. Some girdles can be hard and uncomfortable, but Spanx can be worn all day.

The Dr put me on some meds for the ulcer, I will have another scope done on May 1st to see if it is healing. I'm not sure what will be the next step if it doesn't heal. It seems if I graze or eat only "sliders" I am okay, no throwing up. But when I eat more solid food, any type of meat it usually ends up with me suffering. I know the grazing and eating soft food doesnt do my weight loss any good, but Im not sure what else to do. As I am sure the vomitting can't be good for the ulcer either.

I have my first follow up tomorrow...but not with my lapband surgeon...with my bypass surgeon. I had bypass in 2008, got to my happy place, and then gained 45 lbs. I went to Mexico and got band over bypass. My stoma was enormous and I was hungry all the time. I tried and failed over and over again, trying to lose the regain. I went to Mexico for band over bypass. I called my local surgeon before I left and generically asked if they do fills for patients who didn't have the band there...they said yes. So I'm hoping tomorrow they follow through. I'm so worried. I'm eating like I was pre band. I guess this is banister hell. I'm always hungry. I hope I don't fail at this...I hope the band works for me...so nervous! Prayers, positive vibes- Whatev! Please send help. Lol :-) Thanks for listening.

Not a bad experience at all. The surgery went well, although I'm sore at the five places he went in. It feels like I have such a weight inside me, especially when I get up from a sitting or laying position. That gets better each day. It's been a little tricky getting used to what to eat, drink, and waiting half an hour before and after each. I know I'm getting too few calories right now, but I'll work on that. I really want to be a good lapband patient. Never perfect I'm sure, but I do want to follow the rules. Thanks to eveyone who has wished me well, and helped with my protien shake selections. I ordered unjury last Tuesday (four days ago) but it hasn't arrived yet. Going to check on my order tomorrow. For those who are still up, don't forget to set your clocks back an hour. Barbara

Definitely check the thyroid. My dietician said to watch the excersise. You can start gaining weight from muscle if you go too hardcore. Also drink lots of water and watch the sodium intake. I gained 4 lbs between my first and second visit, but ended up losing by the end. Good luck.

Once your band gives you adequate restriction so that you are satiated at meals and you are losing weight, you are in the green zone. tmf

I too am new to the banding game. I was banded on Jan 29th of this year. It's been a long process ~ my ins. req. the 6mo. diet also. So I met with a nut in my surgeons off. monthly for six mos. I've only lost 20lbs thus far. I shouldn't say only because that is a lost and not a gain. For some reason I was thinking more would have been off by now. I'll take my 20 and the inches too. I'm so happy with this new life!! I don't eat bread, pasta or any type of "goodies" Being 300lbs is not cool at all. I wish you the very best and God Speed!!!

My story in a nutshell-- I was banded Nov/Dec 2006 by Dr. Huacuz in Mexico and hit my goal by the end of the following summer. I use fillcentersusa for fills and see Dr. Muse in Murray, Utah. I started out 217 pre-op but have weighed as much as 240 in my struggle to keep my eating under control. My goal was to be a size 12 which is about 160-165 lbs for me. I maintained at between 165-170 until last month when I just got fed up with some things and decided to see how I would do without any fill at all. In a month I gained back 18 lbs. I kind of went nuts. I went back in yesterday and attempted to have get back to where I was fill-wise a month ago and could not get water down. Ergh. I know where my band needs to be to lose and mr Dr. and I debated back and forth over the right amount. We compromised at 2.0cc's, but he was leery, thinking I may be overfilled. I was at 2.4 before I went on my Pizza Hut binge. Yesterday I was able to get some food down, had some fish and even a few cookies last night, everything was just fine. Today I have been super tight and am struggling to keep fluids down. I need to just make sure I stay hydrated for the next few days so my body can adjust. Bleah. I'm feeling motivated again to lose weight and as long as I don't have too much fill right now, I should be back on track and able to lose the stupid setback from last month. I will admit that the cheeseburgers were wonderful, but the self hate wasn't worth it. I feel like I have a golf ball in my throat. Bleah.Bleah. Bleah. They need to make a PBing smilie.:biggrin: