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Your body is adjusting and needs time heal. The best thing you can do for yourself is to put the scale away and focus on getting in your protein. Your weight is going to fluctuate as you lose/retain water, put on muscle from exercise etc. Stepping on the scale everyday does more harm than good. Hang in there and trust that if you make smart choices regarding food, protein and exercise, the weight will come off. You can do it!

I felt the same way. I am 6 weeks out. I gained a little, then lost it. You can not so much feel the restriction because your insides are numb like from the surgery and when you start taking in more and time goes by you will see. Remember, this is very important, You body (stomach) just went through a total over haul , It is screaming inside to feel like it did for how old you are, it is freaking out right now resisting change. Be patient, do what you are suppose to do and it will work!!!! best wishes

I started my conversation by telling him how bad I was physically feeling with the extra weight and how I knew so many of my issues would go away if I could just lose it. I reminded him how I'm a big yo-yoer and that it's gotten harder to lose as I've gotten older. Then I asked him to tell me what he knew about the Lap (before I'd been to a seminar). He said I wasn't a "metobolic nightmare" but I could look into it and he gave me some names. I think you've got lots more ammo than I did...you already know your BMI is above the minimum. You know what a comorbidity is and you can probably list all yours or ask him for the testing you need for them. And if Magee thinks your a candidate then that's the blue ribbon. I'd be proactive and tell him your issues and what you've done instead of starting by asking. If you take the lead and remind him of all the diets you've been on and gained it back...how can he then say "just diet"? Do you have another visit scheduled with your PCP? You don't have to use your PCP for the diet, you can use Magee (I think it costs though, right?). All you need is a letter from the PCP saying it's medically necessary and documenting your comorbidities (at least that's what I need). I've been seeing a nicer (female) Dr. in the practice since I originally brought it up with my original Dr. and she's been great! Post is under the "Blog" tab. Shassy, I just realized you've already been to the surgeon by the dates you gave. If you read this let me know how it went. -BG

Hi all---I have two more appointments in first week of November and I think that I have met all of my presurgical requirements for insurance. Do you think I could get a surgery date during my appointment with the bariatric doc? I am a little nervous in the "not knowing stage" and wondering how long it took to actually get an appointment......I am in my fifth month of dietary waiting period---that is with documentation--I am planning my surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh......anyone else????? also....how do i get one of those weight loss progression things to show my weight loss? I started at 42 bmi, currently at 40---presurgery

LOVED that blog post and then started my own :thumbup: Not as witty nor fraught with disaster but a start :thumbup: I called Magee this morning and they said we should hear today or tomorrow. I told them my height is NOT 5'4" - it is 5'3" and that makes me 37.5 BMI, not 35.7. In MY mind it made a difference. The last time I saw my PCP I asked for xenical because alli HAD worked well for me too. Problem was the xenical worked TOO well and the alli would be like 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. I am, like you, very tired of the yo yo effect. I just want to get the weight off and then keep it off. I want to be able to RUN without my panniculus (google THAT!) slapping my thighs. The fact that I even have a panniculus is killing me since I am nowhere near my max weight now and my max weight was only 214. But whatever. It was that KID! :thumbup:

I like mine. It's a Weight Watchers and I got it at Walgreens.

i guess i am an old time. most people have to do the weight loss and exercise journal for 6 months . consider yourself lucky. any thing you want to know please ask. i lost 89 lbs 2 years ago.

Thanks, Cindy's mom! I guess I'm just being impatient. I know the weight didn't come on over night but it sometimes feels like it! Have you had any problems with your band? Was your weight loss pretty steady and what did you eat! I've got lots of questions, as you can see! Lol

Ok. It's bad but if you get back on track it will be ok. However if you continue to graze you will probably not lose weight the way you want. Being hungry will always make you think about food but once you are past purée you may find that the solid proteins will satisfy you more. Come on Ronna! You can do this. When you are hungry in between meals try drinking some Crystal Light. You can't eat for at least a half hour after that... I use that rule to help police myself very often.

I was reading some older topics and saw a couple of people post about having the sleeve after having experienced back issues (rods and screws, etc.). I had a spinal fusion at L4-L5 approx 3 years ago. I have a question and a concern for anyone who has had chronic back issues then a sleeve... 1. Did you find some of your chronic issues with your back eased after losing the weight? My pain mgmt Dr swears it will be a fantastic benefit of having the sleeve surgery. 2. I'm worried about potentially having to go without medication for my back prior to surgery. I have a conference call with my surgeon later this week and will discuss it with him, but I'm worried that I'll be asked to stop my daily pain meds prior to surgery. I have no idea how I will be able to sit up, much less travel across the country, without pain meds. :/ Has anyone experienced taking pain meds regularly prior to surgery and been able to continue them up until the day of surgery? ~Kat

sooner or later we all have to deal with our emotions (some deeper than others) that, in the past were dealt with by stuffing down with food. I know exactly what you're talking about. I journal, pray and have begun attending a weekly "anger management" support group at church. There have many things in my life that could explain the deep anger but I have to take personal responsibility for it and get help because the weight comes off, and I feel more vulnerable emotions WILL surface. I hope this helps you.

I assumed I did if I used water but I didn't want to mess my intake up. I am really not a milk drinker but I will definitely try it with the protein shakes. It seems like it would make them taste better. I am ordering samples of different brands to try and see what I like. I plan on having enough for pre and post op so I can see what I like after surgery before buying a large quantity. Thanks and any other suggests that you have for pre or post of are greatly appreciated!! I am going to Mexico and I am worried about not having a strict diet to go by afterwards. I do best if I am told exactly what to have and how much and when. I am thinking about trying to find a bariatric nutritionist for post op to keep me on track. My insurance does not pay for anything relating to weight loss so I don't know if that would be excluded or not. Ugh! I am just worrying about everything. I have so many lists of what I need, and do's and don'ts from posts I have read on here. I am driving myself crazy thinking about it!!

I have been banded for 5 weeks. Whenever I inhale deeply I swear I can feel where my band is. It's not painful, just uncomfortable. In the morning it feels the same way, kinda of tight, and as the day goes it loosens and I barely notice it's there. It really depends on the day. On my post op visit dr. didn't seem too concerned. It has gotten better over the last few weeks but it hasn't gone away. Does anyone else feel their band? I have no problems swallowing, nothing comes back up and I haven't had problems with any food. Minimal complications.... So far I have lost 20 lbs. and I feel fantastic. Going for a fill soon. I have lost most of my weight in my belly area and it seems like my port has shifted position. It hasn't flipped it just feels like it maybe shifted? I can still press on the site with my fingers and feel it. Am I just paranoid? Has one else had their port shift? Thank everyone!

I thought this was an interesting article. I hope the link works. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/health/biological-changes-thwart-weight-loss-efforts-study-finds.html?_r=1&

Your next to last sentence hit the nail on the head for me! I need long term tools to help me keep the weight off! :-)

Hi, I usually just read and learn from other people's experiences; but when I read yours I felt compelled to respond. I've been banded for 11months and have managed to loose 50lbs. I've been stuck here for over four months now. I lost three more then gain seven and just started loosing again. There are different reasons why we keep gaining or stuck, mostly for me I found it’s because I rarely exercise and have not been eating right; (and I have one reason for the other for this behavior). Although in my mind I always feel am eating right, until I religiously started to note what I was eating. I started logging my food on sparkpeople.com. I feel this site to be a great motivator. It tells me my caloric intake and gives me easy exercises I can do. The other thing that’s been helping me is walking now that the weather's nice. I sent out an email looking for walking buddies and got some responses. Am however thinking of walking alone sometimes because it gives me time to think of stuff. Try to leave the house and walk somewhere because staying at home for me makes me eat more, am constantly hovering around my fridge. Life's not easy but you're doing the right thing by asking for help. You can never get lost when you ask for directions. Good luck to you and I wish you all the best.:crying:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

:redface:Hi everyone Im new here and was looking online for support groups. I had my band removed last friday after 3 yrs of dealing with persistent port site pain and also recently finding out the band had slipped. About 6 months after my band was placed, we found out that i had an incisional hernia at port area and it had to be fixed and the port had to be moved b/c it was rubbing against my ribs and causing damage. My immune system started weakening also after I got the band. I didnt realize it then, but looking back thru charts and info...even my lap-band doctor agreed it could be the cause of increased issues w/my immune system disease. (3 yrs ago there was no conflict w/having immune system problems and the band...now its a contraindication). Initially I lost about 40 lbs w/the band....i later gained it all back plus more with the medications i had to be on to help out my rheumatism and its increased progession. Im still very sore right now, but im pretty thankful this was able to be removed b/c my life has been hell the last 2 years. I guess the band slippage and port pain were just the nail in the coffin (so to speak). Im looking forward to discovering whether or not the band had anything to do w/my immune system or if mere coincidence. We shall see.... Thanks for listening....

I am currently waiting for an upper GI scope on 6/22. This will determine if I have ulcers. If I do have ulcers, I will not be able to have the procedure. If I don't then I will hopefully move on the fast track to getting everything done. I would really like to have the procedure before school starts in the fall because I don't want to miss any work. My husband goes in for his first meeting with the weight loss center in a couple weeks. We are really hoping to have the surgeries done at the same time. :thumbup:

Today marks three weeks since my sleeve surgery. I have been on "Full Liquids" for two weeks and move to mushies on Sunday. I have to say I have not been getting my Protein in and the past two days I've missed my Water mark as well. I've felt horrible especially at night for some reason. I catch the chills, and am just dead beat tired. I've really focused on my Fluids today and I think I'm close to 64 oz's. I haven't been hungry at all either which kind of worries me.....I hope moving to mushies is a smooth transition. Otherwise, the weight is still coming off. My Stats are: Starting Weight Pre-op Diet - 267 Surgery Date - 249 Today - 221 Stay strong and positive fellow sleevers!!!

The liquids are the worst, mushies are like heaven once you start them haha. After a month or so you are back to eating normal. Basically a 900-1200 calorie diet, and you will be on that until you lose the weight. Then I think you up it a tad to maintain. It is work, but the band helps you out, and helps your hunger

I don’t want to be a Debbie downer, so I am starting a new topic, I don’t want all the newbies to read this a freak out thinking this is typical. I am 5 weeks out of bypass surgery and am having major complications. I was told I have a stretchier and ulcer. I am at home with a PICC line, doing two bags of IV fluids a day. Back on a full liquids diet, and struggling with getting that down. And on top of it all, I have not lost any weight in three weeks, no, really, I have lost a total of one pound, I kid you not. Talk about feeling LOUSY. I am really needing a good buddy to chat with. Really someone who can talk about anything just so I can talk to someone else who is going through this. My family is super supportive but I feel like a broken record and they must be tired of it because i am tired of hearing me complain!

Hi! I'm super excited to use this app, and kind of wish I'd downloaded it sooner . I am currently four and a half months post rny gastric bypass surgery. I always feel awkward writing about myself so apologize in advance if this is a rambling introduction that is difficult to follow. Since I'm not sure where to start, I think I will begin before surgery (kind of makes sense for a timeline) Before I had surgery, I heard so many mixed views about the results of weight loss surgery, some really amazing and some absolutely horrible, so I was very unsure what kind of results I would see. I live in a smaller town, which of course means gossip travels fast, and since everyone knows everyone in some manner advice (whether asked for or not) is freely given. Nobody was mean or rude about my decision to have weight loss surgery, but there seemed more negative stories told than positive (or maybe they stuck out more in my memory). I thankfully have what i think is a very great Weight Loss Program. I started that program (after talking myself out of it a dozen times) in August of last year with no set decision on surgery. I signed up for a medical option, and switched to a surgical program after approx 7 months. My highest weight (the day I went to my first of many appointments) was 312 pounds. Having spent the majority of my life overweight, I still was surprised how awful i felt about myself as i looked at that first comprehensive analysis of my body (I remember focusing on the segment that broke down each limb/body part because the numbers were smaller). scales had disappeared from my house long before that day, so I wasn't prepared for the results. I'm sure the bazillion appointments with the dr, nutritionist, fitness specialist, psychologist, surgeon, support groups, etc are about the same so I'm going to skip over them other than to say I made some very slow but steady progress presurgery, and was very pleasantly surprised at the level of support and encouragement that I received. Fast Forward to May, after what seemed like both years and just days at the same time, and I was weighed (280.4) and prepped for surgery! I felt a strange combination of excitement, fear, doubt, and expectation while I waited. After I woke up of course all I felt was Pain and worry (was I going through all of this pain for nothing? ) The words "no guarantee" echoed through my head the first night constantly, along with regret (as painful as it was MUST mean it was a bad decision). It seemed like the ****** mean nurses were trying to torture me by insisting I walk around the hallways and poking/prodding checking my aching body!! (couldnt they see i hurt so bad just laying there trying not to breathe too deep and remain perfectly still??). My last clear thought, before I finally fell into an exhausted sleep, was that i was going to tell the next person who walked in my room EXACTLY where to go! Despite my less than positive attitude that first night, I did everything (without noticing since i was grouchy and focused only on the "new pain") i was supposed to do very well. It's hard to notice that you are walking, talking, breathing, swallowing etc well when you are busy wallowing in self pity . Thankfully, morning came with a new and improved attitude, and the decision to NOT allow the surgery to be worthless, I remembered (now that i wasnt focused on pushing the pain med pump every two seconds) that the amount of effort I put into recovering would have a huge impact on outcome. With that determination helping (sometimes being the only thing making me walk an extra lap around the unit or drink something i felt no thirst for) I was home and healing in a couple of days. Now, it is Almost October, about four and a half months since I left the hospital, and so far, things are going pretty good for me. I weighed in at 204 last week during my check up, and I feel a bit more energetic than I have in at least a decade. Dumping Syndrome quickly became my good friend and helped me really learn that eating certain things is bad for you. (It definitely was a better teacher than the words don't eat it...It forced me to actually accept the lesson). I am glad that I chose this new lifestyle, and on a side note, I still do not have a scale in my house, but for different reasons. This Journey, with all of the ups and downs, and twists in the road, could change from an improvement in health and fitness, to a number game, and for me, it has never been about reaching a number goal on the scale, but about improving my life. So here I am, kind of dewey eyed like a newborn looking at my changing life without knowing what the future holds, but amazed at where I am now.

I am a realistic person, really I am. Pragmatic even....but these stalls every few weeks are just the most aggravating thing. 3 week stall, then five lbs off I am at another stall (sleeved 11.28)....where I sit at 216 (down from 246 initial weight, then 236 one week preop). I am eating enough, not too much, not too little. I have to admit I am lucky to get in 40 ounces of fluid each day, not the requisite 60 ounces then recommend. I just need reassurance that this is completely normal, and this follows similar paths to a lot of post op patients. I guess if I know by the summer, I should have at least another 40 lbs off, I would breathe a huge sigh of relief. But there are no guarantees, are there?

I am experiencing the same as you!! Big drop in first couple of weeks. Then 3-4 week stall, drop of 5, then 3 week stall, drop of 5. Talked to my doc and he said I was doing fine! Ok! The weight didn't pile on overnight, and it's not coming off that way, either. Everyone is different, and progresses at their own speed. Don't be too hard on yourself-- I am impatient too!!! Just keep doing what you are doing!

Now I gurgle all the time and today while on the phone with my nurse she heard it and said that it should not be normal after all. I was told that I need a UpperGI done and then I have to have some fill taken out becuase this is a part of being over filled which can lead to poor weight loss and other problems and I have had very poor weight loss since May of 2007 I ahve lost 103 pounds but that is it I am currently holding at 175 pounds and I look good too. I am toned and not a lot of excess skin hanging around me. I work out all the time. So now after all of this is done I should begin to lose more weight. I need to be at my goal of 145 pounds but will settle for 150.