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Geez Louise! You have lost 57 pounds in 10 weeks assuming the rest of the loss you show is from the pre-diet. That is just huge. I beg you to drop to your knees and kiss the feeet of the diet gods! LOL Really, relax! You are doing great and your body is just processing all the changes it already has performed and getting ready to perform. Take a bow! We are all applauding!

I have Psoriasis, which causes my body to break out in incessant itches from time to time. From what I've experienced the best way to relieve the itchies, is to take a cool to lukewarm shower, Cold or Hot Water will irritate your skin. After your shower, take some oatmeal, mix it with warmish water till you have a goopy sort of consistency, and spread it on the affected area, leave it for about 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with lukewarm water. It's gross, but It works.

You all give me soo much hope!! I went from a size 10 to an 11 to now a 12 since the birth of my two kids 11 years ago! If I could go back to an 11 or a 10 that would be freakin awesome!! I can't find size 12 shoes anywhere except for payless or Lane Bryant!!

I hope we get more interest too. Even if it's 3 people, that's a start. What time would be good for you? 5 is early for me, but i wanted to be considerate of the time zone. 7 would be great for me, but that's 10 on the east coast. I'll work with people who want to chat, to find a time that is right for them.

Hello!! My name is Joy and I'm having surgery at Maine Medical Center in Portland probably in October or November. I joined the weight and wellness program there back in June and I've lost almost 20lbs, I have an appointment with the surgeon on 10/01 This is terrifying and awesome! I'm very happy about my decision to do this. How far along in your journey are you?

I have my first consultation with the Surgeon next thursday (9/10) and I am very excited! I have maine community health options for insurance so I'm hoping everything will go smoothly. I dont know what the requirements are yet, unfortunately, but hopefully I will find out then. I have been doing research on this for years, and finally am in a spot where i am eligible and able to do it. I refuse to wait longer than i absolutely have to. I want to change my life and eating habits NOW! I dont want to develop comorbitities. Heart problems run heavily in my family, too. I think it might be easier to do this while im young so I dont pick up more bad habits. Nice to talk to you, Joy!

Hi! 

It’s been YEARS since I was on this forum! I was very active from 2014-2016. Loved the support, hated the drama. 

I had VSG in 2014 and although I was a bit on the slower side losing because I was considered a “lightweight” (ha) at my surgery weight of 235, I was very successful. My low weight was 142 for about 15 minutes, but after a little bounce weight of 10-12 pounds or so, I maintained there for several years and was even running! Me—running at almost 50 years old! I was a WLS success! 

**Record screeching noise** not so fast.....

2018: On my Quest to stay active by finding new and fun activities, I decided to get on roller skates again at 51 years old. Let’s just say that didn’t turn out so well, and an almost debilitating neck injury happened. + 15 pounds. 

2019: Strange, I’ve got blood in my pee? Lab work shows no UTI. Bladder cancer?? WTF? That’s an old man’s disease! 
+ 10 pounds 

2020: Do I even have to say it?? Oh, but I *did* manage to break my ankle in October walking my dog and was in a boot for 2 months. Also, I got Covid in December. + 10 pounds 

I’m not using life happening as excuses at all. I was fully unprepared to deal with my weight maintenance *when* life happened. It just goes to show how woefully unprepared I was with my emotional eating when the chips (along with my poor broken body) were down. I can only hope my experience can be a lesson to all either thinking about WLS, or are happily in the honeymoon phase of WLS and maintenance. 

With a little pharmaceutical help from my Primary, I’m working on going back to basics and concentrate on healthier Protein and Fiber rich options to try to lose at least 25 pounds. It can be done. I’ve seen it. 

Wish me luck! ❤️

when i got mine after surgery it was 2 weeks late. mine finally regulated after 2 cycles. and i have hard the first one lasts the longest. mine lasted 10 days

I have this document for download on my site under "links" imtorb. I am also kinda stuck in a plateau just like you. But after reading this document I feel lots better. Fear of loosing the Weight Loss Battle You will lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do Your part:) But I can almost guarantee: ·You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely 1-2 weeks but could be 3 like mine was) ·During many plateaus you will loose inches not lbs and finally a larger loss. ·Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a never to be repeated experience so enjoy it Then you begin the long slow journey downward (not upward) ·You will learn the fine art of PB's and what causes them for you is it swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast.. Not chewing well or too big a bite.. Eating the wrong food for you...and not recognizing the no longer hungry after 1/2 cup (satiation) versus an I want to eat more cause I can or it tastes good or I crave (head hunger). ·You will watch your body shrink and will walk a bit taller literally and figuratively... Start slipping into booths in restaurants. Sit in chairs with arms .. Stop worrying about how strong the chairs are...Not having to ask for an extender belt on airlines.. Finding it is easier to and you have more energy to walk / go up stairs/ Clean house and do a million other day to day activities ... Slip in and out of bath tubs where the Water goes all the way around you instead of damming up and it doesn’t kill you to stand up from sitting on the floor ...Wipe yourself easily in the bathroom.. Watch the years fall off your face and drivers license picture .. Go to a restaurant and order an appetizer and still end up with leftovers to take home.. ·Go through doubts and several fills/defills until you hit the sweet spot fill level for you. ·Will have to stop several times along the way to reassess your eating habits (I could eat certain foods and get away with some cheating a bit quantity wise at 359 and still lose .. That had to go at 250) ·I have also found that I have to keep reminding myself 1/2 cup of solids 3 times a day only and drink my water (1 hour after meals until the next meal but not with meals) ·Eat Protein first ..Fruit and veggies second and non-complex carbs last. (Keep the fats, sugars and non-complex carbs low ..Still have them but keep em low). And believe it or not a plateau that indicates that you need a fill is 1.No weight loss for 4 weeks. 2.You are following all the band rules (8 times out of 10 we want to be able to break the rules and still lose.figuring if we get a fill it will miraculously start us losing without us having to do our part). 3.You are eating foods that are hard and stick in your band for the 3-4 hours not drinking your calories- You are hungry an hour after eating (really hungry not cravings) and the 1/2 cup doesn't stay in the band for 2 1/2 to 4 hours. 4.You are drinking your 60+ Fl oz water a day and not drinking with your meal or for at least an hour after. 5.Once you move from mushies to solids.. As much as possible get your nourishment from food that is solid. If you have problems with it sticking in your stoma.try it again chewing it well..Cutting it up finer or chewing it with other foods to keep it from recombining in your pouch and forming a plug (e.g. potatoes).. 6.Try to avoid Soups and or Protein drinks if possible (if you are able to eat your protein you will be full longer - some people have tight bands in the morning and cant eat so have a protein drink) 7.Whenever you hit a plateau.. Keep a food diary and log everything, including water, which goes in and measure the 1/2-cup of solids. Mine grew twice from 1/2 to almost a cup without my noticing lol. 8.Try weighing in once a week to begin with not daily. Later move to once every 2 weeks or once a month. When you are losing slowly weight fluctuates daily with hydration levels etc. At least this way you normally will see a loss and not a fluctuate on or gain. Yes the loses are smaller but they are down not up. 9.Measure yourself monthly ..Often you lose inches before you lose lbs. 10.Don’t compare yourself to others.. We all lose at different rates based on age/metabolism/food choices/ activity level.. But we can all lose Hope that helps I downloaded this originally from a yahoo group. It was written by someone called Sam.

Thank you to all who answered my post. I am going to try the suggestions and get in more solid foods. I am still having a hard time getting in the solids. Since this last fill it is the first time I have ever pd'd maybe the last fill might be a little aggressive. I think that is why I have stuck longer with the liquids and mush stage. I was concerned about the weight loss as my doctor said I should loose appx. 10-12 lbs per month. And I was thinking "Please don't let me fail again" I know that 68lbs is alot of weight (it's more then the weight of my son, a whole nother person) but I think I was looking at "the glass being half full" because I was thinking of the other 100lbs I still have to go. And if my weight loss goes as slow as the last few months...well....I am not getting any younger here I am thankful I am at where I am...took two+ years and I have now had the surgery and have experienced weight loss. I know there are people out there still in their fight. My life has changed. I am able to walk for longer period of time. And I can do housework again (now who would think doing housework would make you happy ) I am thankful for my family and friends and for the people on this forum who have taken the time to help and share their experiences with others. Sometimes I just take from the past and all the disapointments. I need to rethink and regroup and KNOW this time I WILL make it. Just learn and keep going.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU BUT IF ITS HARD FOR YOU NOW JUST KEEP IN MIND YOU WILL BE IN 2 DIFFENT PHASES AFTER SURGERY . MAYBE YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE WILL POWER TO DO IT SO THINK TWICE ABOUT THE SURGERY . ITS NOT EASY BUT IT DOES PAYS OFF IN MANY ACCPETS . IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION P/M ME i HAVE NO PROBLEM . I JUST HAD A 2ND FILL AND MY DOCTOR REQUIRES 10 DAYS LIQUID AFTER EVERY FILL . i AM DOING GOOD i HAVE CRAVINGS OVIOUSLY I AM HUMAN BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOU MIND NOT PLAY TRICKS ON YOU AND KEEP YOUR SELF REMEMBERING YOU MAIN GOAL . BEING HEALTHY AND NOT BEING FAT ANYMORE!! BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU !! CLAU

I too jumped off the wagon this weekend. I had to do the pre-op thing for a month before surgery (3/28) so...I've already had a long time with the dieting. I've only lost 10 lbs although I've not cheated until this weekend. As for today...I hopped back on things and hopefully that will jumpstart the losing again, cause it really sucked to be only 10lbs gone for a week and a half. I've got a tad over a week left....FINALLY! Patience isn't always my strong suit.

Being told all my life to cut down on calories in order to lose weight makes it so hard to process that now I have to eat more calories to lose weight. Maybe they should offer a lobotomy to go with the sleeve. I find that I’m drinking water all day and because it takes me so long to eat, It feels like I’m also eating all day. So I get nervous that I’m eating to much. I’m keeping a food journal so I can see what I’m eating. I know everyone is different but what are your eating schedules if any. Here is mine: 8:30 - soft boiled egg, 1/4 c cream of wheat ( 1/2 hour to eat then I have my coffe about 1/2 after) 10:30 - protein shake (1hour to drink) 1:00 - 2oz Deli Turkey, 1tbsp cooked veggies 3:00 - protein shake (right when I come back from the gym) 5:00 - 2 oz meat, 1/4 c cooked veggies (depends on what meat and veggie I make for dinner but I generally eat the same thing) 7:30/8:00 - homemade oatmeal protein muffin (no flour-recipe found on Pinterest) all the while I’m not drinking water until 1/2 after I eat but I do drink up until I eat. Phew!

Hey guys, Just popping in the forum to say I am going to be sleeved 06/26/19! I am beyond excited and so ready for this magnificent lifestyle change/journey. I am on day 1 of my 2 week pre-op cleanse and it is hard but I am so determined. For anyone who is unsure if they are ready for the surgery I say make sure you know this is what you want. I was supposed to be sleeved in November but I realized I just wasn't ready for this commitment and post-poned my surgery. I also thought at one point that I just wasn't going to go through with it at all. After months of research and self reflection I am proud to say I am ready to be sleeved. This is such an exciting journey and good luck to all of my June sleevers! ❤️

I don't feel anger at those who make bad food choices down the road - that is part of life and their choice. What gets my engines fired up are those who have obviously done zero research on their chosen surgery before having it done and those who are risking their health during the first six weeks of healing. It makes me physically ill to see the posts from people who are 4 or 5 days out and asking for permission to cheat. There is a lady on my surgeon's facebook page that was eating grapes and meat 5 days after her sleeve surgery. The post op nurses nearly fainted and got her straightened out. This lady went through the same company as I did so I know that she was inundated with information and apparently chose to ignore/not read it. The after care nurse emails your list of approved foods each week so you are prepared. Another lady was eating crackers a week post op. I don't get it. You have major surgery and then can't be bothered to make sure you heal properly and not rip your new stomach? At least let it heal so you aren't risking your life with a blow out. I understand and live the fight of changing your eating habits and the constant war in your head. I did months of heavy research before deciding to do this and understood what I needed to do pre and post op. I guess that I expect too much out of others to do the same? There is so much information at our fingertips in regards to this surgery and it is as easy as googling vertical sleeve surgery to get started. I have a friend who recently told me that she is getting sleeved on 12/29 and she's doing it because I am her inspiration. I was just sleeved on 10/22/15 so it's only been a few weeks and I didn't announce the surgery until I was 4 weeks post op. She didn't even call me to ask who did the surgery! I worry because she is the type to leap before she looks. I asked her to give me a call if she has questions. She said she has tons but hasn't contacted since. It's not my problem.....It's not my problem.....It's not my problem....

As I reflect further, 15K seems awfully ambitious right out of the gate. For now I'm signing up for a Halloween-themed 5K that takes place on 10/27/2018. I feel like that gives me time to do C25K (or at least some of it) and 'dip my toe in the water' in terms of racing!

Your post make me feel better. Just received my approval today for January 3rd. I had the band in 7/09 and it was out 10/09. I am hoping this will be a better experience for me.

I am full of successes this month. I think I was in a plateau and I didn't even realize it because I lost another 3 pounds this week and suddenly all my size 10 slacks were hanging on me. Got some size 8 retro flare slacks from Penneys and some size 8 slacks from Sears. They all zipped and look great! I even found some size 8 bootcut jeans that fit. Size 8 pants. Seriously, sweeter words have never been said...

Thanks.. I also got my period today so I think my emotions are all over the place lol. I would LOVE to do a 5k or something of the sorts.. however, I have shin splints at the time from running so I am allowing myself to heal. It has been a couple weeks since I injured myself and I am wondering how long it will take. I am also on a bowling league so every Wednesday I feel like I set myself back a bit with recovering because my shins are awfully sore by the time I get done. I do need to buy some good running shoes because that was part of my problem in the first place, the shoes I wore were bad. I have not run since volleyball in high school which was 10-11 years ago.. I slowly started getting back into running and I thought my shins were sore from being out of shape but after I got home from an evening run my legs were in so much pain I was in tears.. they've been sore ever since. Just when I feel like I am able to go for a run, the pain comes back instantly. I think I need someone to teach me how to run again lol. I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. But you are right.. the first 6 weeks after surgery are the hardest part. I had no restriction even a week after surgery. I thought for sure the swelling would last longer than that but not for me. I was thankfully able to get in for my first fill after 4 weeks but it took me 3 fills to feel anything. I am now at 6 cc's and feel some restriction but may need to go in again, I'm just trying to figure it out still. It was extremely difficult to follow the orders when it came to diet right after surgery. I was always hungry and my doc said to progess as I felt I could, so I did and never had any problems. Some people dont need fills, others do. Try to hang in there.. your time will come. Patience is key with this surgery and sometimes I lose mine, but I know I am still trying to figure things out for myself. It's just hard getting there.

Ok so I have talked with several dentist on the phone and a couple of dental hygienist and they said that this is very rare and what happened was when they gave me the injection it actually got into the blood stream and that is what caused all these issues. It is about 1:100000 people this happens to and there was nothing to do but ride it out and watch my heart rate. My resting heart rate is still alittle above normal, but they said it might take up to 10 days for it to return to normal. It had nothing to do with my sleeve and I am feeling much better and getting over this slowly. I am drinking as much as I can to get this out of my system and will be going back to the gym for the first time since Monday as my heart rate is finally down to the lower 70's and I feel that it is safe again. Thanks for all your comments and help. (Sleeved June 15,15)

I am with you. Though I must confess, slipping into an 8/10 dress today felt pretty good. Still can't get small jeans on.

Hi, I had my lapband placed on May 29 and my first fill on July 19. I'm having trouble with the food I'm supposed to eat and I'm wondering if anyone has any post-fill menus they'd be willing to share. I'm terrible at making up menus, but I'm good at following them. Thanks, Mary

I've had my lap band for 2 months now and The first month I lost 13 pounds, the second month 0 (zero). Here are my questions. Feel free to copy and paste and answer them with your own personal information. 1. How long have you had your band? 2. How much weight have you lost? 3. How many fills and unfills did you get until you found the "sweet spot"? 4. If you stick to a particular diet (ie weight watchers, low carb, atkins, etc) which on works for you? 5. How often do you exercise? 6. Does anyone do Yoga and how long did you wait until you started practicing again? 7. Do you ever drink alcohol? 8. What foods give you a problem? 9. Does your port stick out? 10. How much water do you get in each day? 11. Any tips that will help on the journey?

I am at goal after just over two years with my band. I lost 87 pounds & weigh 131 now, you can do the math. I don't want to have my band removed, but I had to have it unfilled. I really pushed it to keep it filled long enough to loss the last 10 pounds. I knew it had slipped. It took work for me to even get enough liquid down. It was one small swallow at a time. I couldn't eat much of anything. I had bouts of nighttime acid reflux, & by the time I reached goal & went to TJ for, at least a partial refill, I had a pretty severe case of gastritis. When the fill doctor looked at the floroscope he said I had to totally unfill the band. Of course I dreaded this, fearing immediate weight gain, but he left me no choice and I wasn't surprised. He also said about 80% of the people whose band looked like this had to have them out, but then also noted a couple of things in favor of me beating those odds. It's been more than a month & the gastritis has almost resolved & after 3 weeks on liquids & mushies, I can eat most anything. I still have restriction on certain things; chicken, salad, sticky rice,etc., but mainly I can eat most anything. The really great thing is that after almost 5 weeks, I haven't gained weight. I have been on Weight Watchers all along. It's just before it was easy, now I have to work at it, but so far so good. I made it to goal & am a Lifetime member. I want to keep my band so I can get it refilled if I need to. I am cautiously optimistic. By the way - I look great, at least to me, and I'm enjoying the heck out of buying size 8 clothes.