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I'm so glad that I found this topic! My surgery was June 5 and this week I've stayed at the same weight. My Dr. told me at a recent check up not to be obsessed with the scale that this is normal and to date my loss is 23 lbs, but I was still thinking that I was doing something wrong or that this was a cruel joke like all past diets. Thanks for everyone's support!

Well I'll be 8 months out from surgery on Monday. Did another before/after pic. Weight loss is definitely slowing down but I'm quite close to my goal and perfectly content where I am. I wouldn't mind dropping a few more pounds and I'm still losing, just slowly (7 pounds in the last 7 weeks). Overall though I feel a million times better.... I've gone from a 3XT/4X shirt to a regular Large shirt and waist was as big as a 50 at one point but generally a 46/48 and now down to a 34. Absolutely ZERO regrets!

hey there is my buddy Dee:w00t:! i am feeling much better today (sat). are you getting excited? how did you do on the liquid diet? yes my port and incision pain was because i was not that big when i started i was 231lbs. on the day of surgery i was 209lbs. my dr said that because i had loss so much weight he had to do a lot of tugging and pulling. to give you an idea of how small i was, all of my incisions are high up right under my rib cage, that part of my stomache was kinda flat, you could feel my ribs. then you also have concider my height too (i am short) that is why they say everone's pain experience is different. different body types and sizes. it kinda got on my nerves, but all my nurses kept saying that i was so small, and why am i having the surgery. forget all the medical problems i have right? then i had to explain that i worked hard as hell to lose the 22 lbs prior to surgery. But Dee, i feel a lot better today, each day getts better.

My band was put in and left empty so my stomach could heal from the surgery. This is really a sensitive time for your stomach, so it is really important to follow the rules after your surgery, or you can end up in pain, and even sabotage the whole thing. After about 6 weeks, I got my first fill. Make sure your doctor uses a fouro scope (like an xray machine) when you get your fill. That way they can see how much tighter your band is getting. They will have you drink liquid to make sure it goes through the band. You will feel restricted after the first fill, but don't push your luck trying to eat, eat , eat. The first fill may not be as tight as your second fillwill be, weeks later, but you need to increase your consumption gradually to figure out your limits, and you will lose weight if you follow the rules. You shouold always be able to swallow liquids, no matter what!

You're not being ridiculous at all. I did a BMI calculation based on your weight and height, your current BMI is 38.7. That is on the high end of the obese range, less than 2% from the morbidly obese range. It doesn't matter that your weight is under 200, for your height, it makes sense why you'd feel so miserable at your current weight. Getting the Lap Band is a very personal decision. Do your homework on it before making the decision. These forums are great for anecdotal evidence and person experiences, but be sure to learn the medical facts as well. Learn exactly what the band does, doesn't do, what to expect after surgery, and what not to expect. I would even find a seminar with a reputable surgeon in your area so you can learn more there. Education will be your best friend in making this decision. On a personal note- I think you're smart for trying to find a solution to your weight issues now before they get even more out of control. I only wish I'd gotten the Lap Band years before I finally did. Honestly, it's the best decision I've ever made for myself. I'm so incredibly glad I did it. Best wishes to you on whatever you decide.

Welcome bro! Fellow guy here and you will find a lot of great information on here. We have similar ages/weights etc....so I'm interested in seeing how your surgery and everything plays out. March 14 will be here before you know it! Congrats.

doing something brave, and for accountability...saving these photos as my “Day 1”...super ashamed and embarrassed of how far I’ve let myself go, but it’s only going to get better from here... Starting weight (and heaviest) 278.49 pounds, 5 ft tall, age 31, BMI 54.3 (pics taken on 4/17/22).

[ATTACH]17153[/ATTACH] 50 pounds to go!! Surgery date May 16th 2013- weight was 267 todays weight 200 pounds yeyyy. From a size 22 pants to a 14/16. Medium to large shirts from a size 3x.

There are no nerve ending on the stomach so you don't feel the band or the stitches at all. And I had to lose 100 lb before I could even feel my port buried in that fat!! LOL!! The surgery itself was a real non-event.....learning a new lifestyle is the challenge. And, as the others said, I was scared of dying from NOT having weight loss surgery. If I had not done it two years ago, I probably would not be here today....seriously! And now I am unstoppable!! It's nothing short of a miracle.:cursing:

It's easy for other people to say we "don't need" this surgery when they have not lived in our bodies and lived our lives and have no idea what we've been through and deal with on a daily basis. As for loose skin, mostly it's not something you can control, unfortunately. It's true that staying super hydrated and lifting weights can help, but really when you're weight training you're just increasing muscle mass and hopefully tightening muscles as well. This does not include the skin in any way. Generally, that's all up to your genetics, age, how much you lose, etc. Congrats on your approval! You'll do great.

For years - I have probably been up and down 40-50 lbs three or four times in my life - Adkins or Sugarbusters seemed to work the best on me. Now I find myself one month out of sleeve surgery and not able to eat red meat or chicken yet (which for years has been my mainstay - avoid the carbs and eat the lean meats right?). Since the surgery I am not hungry at all. The only way I know to eat is I get a weird kind of pain in the middle of my back and realize it is meal time. Presurgery I did the shakes and protein pudding and lost some pounds and thought the shakes would work for me after surgery. I am not sure what happened but since the surgery the shakes make me GAG. It is so weird to have to 'make" myself eat something. After years of being able to eat everything and anything.....I find myself standing in the kitchen scratching my head ALOT. I am really not hungry. I think to myself "drink the shake" and almost immediatly think "barf". I have ordered the chicken soup with protein added. I am hoping when it gets here that will help my problem. I really can't eat enough real food right now to meet the protein 40-50 mark and I really just can't do the shakes. Will there come a time when I can eat enough meat to not have to do the protein supplements? Will it hurt for now if I only get 30 ish of protein for the next couple of weeks? I am loosing alot of weight and my energy and stamina feel fine. I have lost 37 lbs so far (10 were presurgery). Thanks for any suggestions.

I have completed everything. During my 3 months of Nut appointments, my weight fluctuated. I lost 3 lbs and I gained 3 lbs. My end weight was the same as my start weight. My net gain was 0. Aetna denied me because I gained weight. Once I lost the 3 lbs, I had to keep it off. In phone conversations they tell me it’s because I fluctuated, the denial letter says I gained weight. They Aetna reps also tell me it’s not a lost cause. These things usually get overturned on appeal. The peer to peer appeal was denied. The doctor is in the process of filing the second appeal. Aetna tells me I can resubmit my initial claim in October if the appeal is denied. I have no other appointments scheduled for nut, it seems like maybe I should... just for the weigh in. I am little nervous to call and ask though, because I have lost weight and I am afraid that I will gain a pound back and screw it up again. I knew Aetna had the one pound rule, but I was under the impression it was a net gain. Anyone had any experience with anything like this?

God bless you! Just know you are going to feel like crap for a while! But you will start dropping weight! In s month, things will be very different! So don't worry and get lots of rest!

I've been looking at all these before and after pictures....and I think what scares me the most is taking that before picture and looking at it. I know my view is distorted - I know what I looked like before all this happened - and it wasn't all that long ago. I know I don't look like that any longer and I know I carry my weight different from everyone else....and I know what I looked like 50 lbs ago - kinda... I SO do not want to look at that before picture. I'm afraid I'll literally get sick to my stomach. I've avoided mirrors as much as possible - I don't do pictures since I'm always the one with the camera. Its going to be a difficult thing. Probably the hardest thing of all - seeing the reality for what it really is.

Well after the fill the Dr. said to be on liquids again for 2 days...its the only thing that will keep me full, I hate broths. On the 2nd day after my fill I ate 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes and they were fantastic! LOL. How do you hate milkshakes? It gets terribly easier...especially if you didnt have a fill with your surgery you can pretty much eat normally but like I said if you eat to fast it will hurt. I am making my own way pretty much, guess I am a rebel, I do my own thing and part of the Dr.'s orders. Its my first fill since my surgery and Dr said for me to go back once I feel that I need to...weird right? Words cant express how great I feel I did this...Weight loss varies depends on what I eat and if I over ate (before 1st fill cant really over eat now =[ ). You will look back and see that this is just the tiniest tip of the iceberg.

I'm 25. I started at 260 and three months later I'm at 222. I have always had tight skin. I am 5'8. I don't think I will end up with a lot of loose skin, but I am looking jiggley. I was not always overweight though. I gained 115 lbs in college. My friend went on her own diet last year and she started at 250. She got down to 175. She has been overweight all her life. She had a lot of loose skin. She is 5'4 and is 24 years old. I think it's all about the elasticity of your skin. She broke the diet and is now the same weight as me.

HI,I TEND TO WORK IN KGS WHEN WEIGHING ECT...COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THE WEIGHT DIFFERANCE FROM KGS TO POUNDS ..E.G96KGS IS WHAT IN POUNDS?:faint:

It's really strange and probably psychological, but I'm finding I enjoy cooking for other people more than I ever have! I make huge pots of vegetable soup and give much of it away. I have also been freezing berries, meatballs, meatloaves and other foods I prepare. I don't like processed foods anymore (I think this is what has caused my weight gain pre=surgery) so I'm enjoying making my own meals and freezing them.

@@Sara51692 thank you so much! Also, it's kinda cool to know someone else who started around the same weight. I see lots of people who started in, say, the 250's...and I'm totally baffled at what that's like, lol. No judgement though! I've also been in therapy for a while. It's what finally led me to this decision. My therapist was the first person who had the courage to tell me I looked as awful as I felt! It sounds like you're doing great! PM me anytime if you need a buddy!

@@Wendyfm Congrats on your 95 pound weight loss. Constipation. Oh yes, I have been there. Lots of Water and ask your surgeons office about what stool softener they would recommend. 4 pounds can be frustrating. You got this! The scale will move again. you already know how to work your plan. You are on your way to goal my friend, Jenn1

Have you had WLS? How long ago? Neither of those categories of food are things you should be eating until you're in maintenance. They're not high Protein, they're not healthy / colored veggies or non-starchy fruits. And they are definitely not whole grains. That's what you're supposed to eat during the weight loss phases. If you haven't been sleeved yet, you probably can't imagine how your appetite and tastes will change post-op IF (I said IF) you adhere to your eating program. But if you have had WLS recently and you're craving these foods and think it's appropriate to have them now, you're probably already eating these foods. So go cold turkey, and your cravings will reduce greatly.

Was banded on 6/17/11. Just wondering when do you really start seeing a consistent weight loss?

Thought some of you might find this interesting... 5 Ways Vitamin D Could Save Your Life 'GMA' Medical Contributor Marie Savard Explains the Best Ways to Get Vitamin D By RAQUEL HECKER Aug. 3, 2009 — Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin, and it has a lot of sunny benefits, but most Americans aren't getting them because they aren't getting enough of it. Between 50 percent and 75 percent of Americans get suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Now a committee at the Institute of Medicine is meeting to determine whether the recommended daily intake of vitamin D should be increased. ABC medical contributor Dr. Marie Savard came on "Good Morning America" today to offer five ways vitamin D can aid your health and tell you how to get more of it. Why People Are Vitamin D Deficient Nature gave us only one good source of vitamin D, and that is the sun. We are meant to absorb vitamin D from the sun through our skin. When we lived closer to the equator and worked outdoors, we were OK. But that is not the case today. And food is not a good source of vitamin D, not even fortified food. Five Ways Vitamin D Can Save Your Life Promotes Weight Loss - You need vitamin D to effectively lose weight. Your insulin works better, and vitamin D helps you lose belly fat. Diabetes is also related to low vitamin D levels. Reduces Risk of Death - Your overall mortality is reduced. Fewer Bone Fractures - Without vitamin D, Calcium can't be absorbed. But if you get enough vitamin D, it can help you avoid osteoporosis, bone fractures and falling, which is a cause of morbidity among the elderly. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease - Vitamin D improves blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Helps Fight Cancer - Vitamin D improves the functioning of your immune system, and that helps fight cancer. Five Ways to Get Vitamin D 15 Minutes of Sun 3 Times Per Week - You can get 10-15 minutes of high-noon sun exposure in warmer climates a few times a week. In the South you can do this all year long; but in the North it will work only in the summer months. But this is unrealistic for those who already wear sunscreen all day, or have been warned to stay out of the sun by their doctors. Fatty Fish and Cod Liver Oil - If you are one of those people who have been warned to stay out of the sun, another good natural source of vitamin D is fatty fish. In food, vitamin D is naturally found in fatty fish like salmon and in cod liver oil. Fortified Dairy Products - You also can get vitamin D in fortified dairy products. But you need to be careful. There are only 100 units of vitamin D per cup, so kids and most adults would need at least four cups of dairy products per day. You could drink four glasses of milk a day, but most people choose not to. Multivitamin supplements - Most Multivitamins have a substantial amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D Supplements - I recommend 1000 to 2000 international units of vitamin D supplements every day. It's cheap, there are no side effects or down sides. Although D3 is considered more potent and longer lasting, both D2 and D3 are acceptable. Copyright © 2009 ABC News Internet Ventures

I had gastric bypass surgery last January 2017 i had roller coasters of my weight not so easy for me and I have work hardly to lose more weight because I got gain weight!! Clk, my dad died totally unexpected unknown cause and he died after Christmas 2016 and I'm so devastated!! I got gastric bypass surgery in January 2017 nearly two years after my dad's death in December 2016 im felt fabulous after gastric bypass surgery I have be careful to eat after my surgery..

Hello. I was banded two and a half years ago. I was 105 pounds overweight. I started out at 248 and now weight 176. I have gained about 6 pounds since January due to being too loose. I just went for a fill a couple of weeks ago. The problem I am having is I just can't seem to lose these last twenty pounds. I stopped losing right around 165 pounds. I keep gaining and losing the same 5 or 6 pounds. I have slacked a little on my exercise, but I am back on it. Before I was rapidly losing 1-2 pounds a week the first year and a half even by not really going by the high Protein low carb rule because I was just not hungry. Now it seems that no matter what I do this weight is not moving. My dietician told me that I should have no more than 25 grams of fat and 60 or under grams of carbs. To me this is almost impossible, being that most low carb foods are high in fat. I cannot exercise 6 days a week because I work a full time job and I have two grade school kids that need my attention. Has anyone else been through this and what helped you lose those last few pounds?:ohmy: