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Weightloss is going to depend on a lot of factors. The obvious factors are, your initial weight, activity, intake, and band size. The band has to be filled slowly over time to give each person their just right amout of restriction. The greatest benefit with the band is that it is a more natural slow loss and the band is adjustable. If you loose 10 pounds are you going to keep it off? With the band, you can control if you are going to keep it off. LB patients don't have malnourishment or dumping which makes a great diffrence.

Just want to note that I know it's probably annoying for those of you who are "pros" to answer these types of questions over and over. But it's very helpful for those of us who are researching the band. Thanks for the insight into different levels of weight loss.

Hey everyone...so, I'm thinking about this whole lap band thing. My situation is this: I work a ton, I usually have 4 days off a month...been working on paying down the debt (Dave Ramsey!) and dealing with my constant up and down weight loss battles. I do really good for 5-6 months, lose around 50-60 pounds and then something changes in my life and my routine fails and BAMM!.........the weight is back on. It's not like I live on pizza and beer. I actually care what I eat, I like working out, swimming, running, doing aerobic classes. I really think my body is just screwed up when it comes to maintaining or losing weight. Obviously, it's not like I don't eat bad sometimes, because I do...and sometimes I eat too much of something. Does everyone ever feel like your the only one working so darn hard to lose weight, all the time! Because I do, a lot! My good friend can order two dinners when we go out and he basically has been within 10 pounds of his current weight since I have known him for the last 6 years. There is just something different about him. I'm so happy my daughter does not seem to be taking after me. I was always chubby as a kid. And I loved playing sports...football, basketball, tennis, you name it. Most of my pictures growing up, you see me...fat, skinny, fat, skinny...back and forth my whole life. Now, though, it isn't going to the skinny side anymore. I'm willing to work hard, I just want to keep it off forever if possible. Let me know what you think, Have a great new year. I'm going to a bariatric seminar at my hospital next Wednesday. My wife is a little skeptical right now, understandable though. We'll see what happens.

I went to a "reunion" of sorts - people who I worked with on a very big project about 15-18 years ago. I was a "young woman" in my 30s then, but due to obesity aged beyond my years. Now, we are all a little older, a little mellower and for me ALOT thinner. I have been at goal since Feb 2013 so most people hardly remember what I looked like before - in fact somebody at the party mentioned that (I still work with her so she has seen me alot). It was uncomfortable at times to get all the remarks, and I felt like my former 9retired) boss was uncomfortable around me (happened last time i saw him too, shortly after getting to goal). Since so many people post about being uncomforrtable about people noticing their weight loss, I thought i would share two specific stories that came up at this party. First, a lady that has always been thin, beautiful, tall blah blah blah. She made comments about how she had seen my face in pictures, but never really got a look at my body and just went on and on about how much I have changed. The longer and louder she got, the more defensive I started to feel. I recognized it and made the decision to do what I decided in 2012/2013 about work colleagues - these are people that respected and included me even when i didn't feel I deserved it, so I am going to suffer through some of their current rudeness knowing they are just expressing alot of things they don't know how to express in the best way. It was like... deep breath.... I can get through this even when she said "I think you are about half the size you used to be!". I told her that was the truth, I lost about half my size which of course is an indirect way of giving people an idea how much you lost. But seriously, when you used to be in the 24W-32W size range and are now single digit sizing - it is not exactly a secret is it!?! I knew her intentions were good, this lady is also a horse rider and she never made me feel like I was too big to be involved with horses or any of those kinds of things. Anyway, it was difficult for me, but the end result was getting invited on a trip to Hawaii with her and a small group of "girls" that were on that same project! Why didn't she invite me before? Well, to be honest, because in the past i could be standoffish/separate myself from others and often refused invitations etc from work related people especially. I am thrilled to be going and they are thrilled to have me. Second, the host of this event is a few years younger and was actually a single guy when I worked with him. Anyway, he is super outgoing/outrageous type of personality so he was really over the top vocal about how much I have changed. I could tell it was even making other people I work with (who are well over the shock) uncomfortable. Finally, one of the guys i work with said in response to his gushing about how different I look "yes M, you already said that". To which M replied, "but what i haven't said is not only do you look great from losing all that weight, you somehow turned out hot!" That got nods of approval and good laughs all around. It was a boost for me as I am 10# over goal, and of course notice my waist isn't as small as it was a year ago etc but i am still doing great. Moral of my story - well, there probably isn't one, but at least for me embracing other people's reactions to my epic physical transformation is part of my epic internal transformation. I have always felt I am a person with integrity, honesty, but this having to face stuff like this has forced me to dig deeper for a level of transparency and trust of others that isn't always comfortable. The thought that helps me alot is the knowledge that these SAME people accepted me, advocated for me, promoted me, respected me, worked with me and did alot of other great things even when I was morbidly obese (as they should of course!)

Hello Sleeve Sisters/Brothers...!!! I have been sleeved for going on 3 years, come Dec. I still LOVE my sleeve and my sleeve STILL LOVES me..!! I have recently had a LBL (LOWER BODY LIFT) and I LOVE my new and improved shape...I hope to have my inner thighs and under arms and back flab removed, along with the flapping bat wings clipped within the next year or two...X...keeping everything crossed for all of this..!! LOL Having the sleeve was the best decision I have ever made, for my health...I have told many people who have asked about my weight loss and I am amazed that everyone< (MOST EVERYONE) thinks...OH HOW SCARY AND AWFUL..!!! Yet, they still struggle with their weight and their FOREVER weight loss diets...THERE IS THIS AMAZING TOOL THAT "WILL" HELP THEM, BUT THEY ARE BLIND TO AND SCARED TO TAKE THE PLUNDGE TO A BETTER WAY OF LIFE...When I heard about the weight loss surgeries, over three years ago, I quickly started researching and decided on the sleeve...It was a struggle to get the money together and to have my families support...My husband was the REAL problem, but now, he is in total shock and aww, of the transformation..!!! My only regret, is I did not KNOW about it in my younger years or just waaaay sooner...!! If you areon the fence, get off and GET THE LIFE YOU HAVE ALWAYS HOPED FOR...THEIR IS LIFE AFTER OBESITY...I'M LIVING PROOF..!!! HUGS TO ALL..!!!! ((((((( ))))))) FLOWER

Is a marathon not a sprint and don’t compare your weight loss to others. Some are faster losers and others are slower but for most of us just stick to the plan and the weight eventually Does come off.

I guess it depends on a number of things. Insurance requirements: I had 6 months of PCP supervised Weight Loss appointments. Once I finished all of my requirements: PCP visits, psych appts (1 for testing, 1 for clearance and 1 more within 3 mo of surgery) Nutritionist, exercise physiologist, EKG, Upper GI, Sleep study x 2. It was submitted to my insurance, they generally don't schedule (through my clinic) until you are approved through insurance, but I had a special circumstance so they "penciled" me into a date I needed. So From my first appt until I knew my surgery date was around 6.5 months.

Sorry I have to laugh at your post...sounds just like my mom. The whole telling strangers in a restaurant and I, too, am known as the WLS daughter in her community. To tell you the truth, though, it really doesn't bother me. I am more comfortable accepting compliments and talking to the people that do know than I am facing the people that don't know because I feel guilty about lying if I don't disclose my "weight loss secrets". Oh it's not like I kept it a secret. I am very open about my situation, but when I mention it to a waitress I am discreet about it, not my mom, she is loud and makes sure everyone around hears.

I'm not so worried about who my mom tells but rather what she thinks and how it affects her. Before she retired one of the ladies at her work had gastric bypass. She got real sick and was unsuccessful with her weight loss. She actually gained weight. So now this is what she has in her mind when she hearts wls. Today my mom tells me how she went to the Dr. And has been diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure and arthritis. My great grandma died of diabetes. I wanted to tell her about how in June I will be getting the sleeve surgery done . I wanted to share with her all the stories and people I've met who have been successful and who are not sick anymore because of surgery . But I felt her out a little and brought up a friend of mine from my job who had the sleeve a year ago and how he had health issues last year that have disappeared along with over 100lbs. She said that she completely disagrees with surgery and it's dangerous. I couldn't tell her. Maybe after I've had surgery and shown how it works and that I am OK afterward she'll look at it differently. ?? I don't want her to be sick and I don't want to die from diabetes some day. But I don't want her to worry about me on top of her stress with her health.

madam rev.....glad to hear that your hair is coming back. I remember when you were in a deep blue funk about it for a while. I am just at four months, and my doc said last week that it's my turn to watch the tub drain. hmjdreamingbig.......madam rev is always spot on. You can take her advice seriously.

Wow! What a change! You look very sexy! Now with your new body, will you give pregnancy a try again? Just wondering cause you said you gained weight on all the meds trying to get pregnant? Of course, maybe now it will happen for you without meds due to the weight loss? Whatever the case, I'm so happy for you & can't wait to post pics of me before & after!

Hi and congrats on all your losses !! I am going for my consult this month and have been reading alot here and learning alot.........my ??? now is----what does the right amount of restriction or the "perfect fill" feel like ?? Thanks & hoping for your successes soon !!

Hi Katie, Welcome!! You might want to check out: http://www.rnytalk.com/topic/2315-what-to-expect-when-youre-expecting-weight-loss-surgery/ lots of good information posted by one of our own. Good luck

Hi Debbie - Congratulations on your weight loss! Welcome!

Today was suppose to be my weight day but I was so scared to see no weight loss that I didn't weight myself, lol. It has definitely mess with my head. Since I have not been losing weight the past weeks I feel FAT, i'm not seeing the wonderful progress I've made I just see what needs to improve. I know logically that's crazy. I was able to fit into a dress that i've not been able to fit for years and that made me very happy and I have to remind myself of that. We give that scale too much power over us.

I was admitted to the hospital Friday. I got out this morning. I was severely dehydrated, dangerously low on magnesium and potassium. I went in because I have a horrible pain right above my appendix scar. I feel like someone is stabbing with a hot knife but it iis just dermal, not deep. So they figured out that two of my internal stitches are rubbing against a main nerve going down my belly. The stitches are slightly infected and have caused my nerve to become inflammmed. If you have ever had shingles it is very similar. They also found a kidney stone but it is not blocking so that is good. The stone was imbedded in my kidney tissue but with the fat loss I guess it got loose and dropped into the kidney it self. Pissed at myself because I feel like I failed. Doc said it is just something that happened. I need to have 64oz of water and not include my protein shakes in liquid intake. I may need more due to my lupus. He said my protein level was very good and I'm doing everything right it was just a slight setback. But I am so hard on myself and such a perfectionist I just cred the whole time I was laying in that hospital bed. I tried so hard not to get there and I did anyway. Frustrated......

Also, if they are requiring 3 month of medically supervised weight loss then generally they will require that all 3 are consecutive months. So if you were weighed at the fertility doctor in January, were you also weighed in November and December or in February and March? My insurance requires 6 months of medically supervised weight loss, but it's a lot more than just getting weighed. It has to be documented that we discussed weight loss, what strategies I would use, what exercise and food plan I was following, etc. My insurance is super picky so I also have to send in food and exercise logs for the entire 6 months demonstrating at least 80% compliance along with my cardiac clearance, pulmonary clearance, sleep study and a million other things. Hopefully yours won't be nearly as much!

Congrats on your loss and good luck with your fill. Doctors vary, so ask yours what you should eat immediately after a fill. Mine is liquids for 24 hours, then soft food for 24 hours and back to regular meals. Yep... 25 pounds can make a huge difference!

Sorry to hear you are not getting the support that may be expected from your family. Sometimes the issue isn't losing weight (as you can vouch for) the issue is the ability to maintain the loss over the long term. WLS is a tool that can help both in losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. You don't want to be yoyoing with your weight, and you want to give yourself and husband the best change of another baby, plus you want to be as healthy as you can possibly be for your child/children. Your mother and sister may not change their stance, but show that you are determined to proceed and have sucess. You can't force them to talk about it, but you can find others that will support you here on the forums and perhaps in various support groups where you are at.

You gotta walk through the door or you will never know what is on the other side. My surgeon gives all his patients a journal - a way to track food, weight loss, exercise, vitamins, etc. On the front it says," As I'm getting smaller, my world is getting bigger." I never really understood it until I lost about 50-60 pounds and could be more mobile and pain free. Now my world can't be big enough! I feel no limits - only by my own mind. I believe I could hike the Grand Canyon now, or ride in the 100 + mile El Tour de Tucson (bike), or hike the 830 mile Arizona Trail, or take flying lessons. Or kayak without swamping the boat, or get on and off the floor with my grandkids, or walk up hills without being winded, or ride my mule, or buy SMALL size tops and size 12 pants. It's an unbelievable world right now for me - a world I would never know without walking through that door, scared as I was (crying in preop, wondering if I should just get up and leave.) Surgery has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is a whole new life!!!!!! A life I never thought I would see again. Yes, there can be complications (I got a blood clot in my leg), and yes, recovery is a bear. But there is a whole new world waiting for you on the other side of that door.

Are you nervous about the surgery itself or the lifestyle changes? I'm assuming you've gone through a long preparation period for the surgery . . . so you've had time to think about it. I know it can be scary when it's imminent (mine is next Monday). But if weight loss is really what you most want, you know this is the way. It seems like a drastic change--and it is initially--but there's plenty of evidence that people can reverse the effects of the surgery, eat badly again, and regain the weight. So unless you're sure you are ready to change your habits, maybe talk to your surgeon? Otherwise, trust that you've made the right decision and can do this! Good luck.

I'm guessing there would be ways to do the 6-month weight loss program online under the current circumstances, but I can't say for sure. My recommendation would be to contact a surgeon to see whether he/she might be able to recommend such a program. My surgeon was extremely helpful in advocating on my behalf with the insurance company, so perhaps your surgeon could help in your case.

I had my surgery on October 8th and at about two and half weeks out I had lost about 20 pounds and since then nothing. I dropped two more then the next day gained them back. I get my first fill this coming Monday and I am on solids now. Its so frustrating and I am hungry a lot of the time. They said something about once your stomach heals and the swelling goes down you will get hungry until your first fill. But honestly I am eating much healthier and far less than before and have no idea why I can't seem to drop anymore weight. In my life I have eaten more on regular diets and lost weight. If anyone knows what happens after the first fill I would like to know. Will it take care of the hunger? Will the protions become smaller again like they were soon after surgery?

Christina Rose, you are a beautiful girl (said in a totally platonic way, fyi!) and I love the ticker pic of you and your spouse/boyfriend. Congrats on your weight loss journey that is about to begin. You will have a rush of so many emotions, but it's exciting.. and scary. I am still trying to figure out how to eat now that I can and still not sure about it. I'm struggling this week, but it's a roller coaster some days. But I didn't gain all of this weight overnight, I sure am not going to learn to lose it nor lose it overnight either. Hang in there, sounds like you are off to a wonderful start! Sassygirl, hang in there yourself ok? You have done a wonderful job according to your ticker.... but I love what you said, it's totally true. No other addicts have to have their choice drug and 'get over it.' It's a hard struggle.... but we are all worth success. Hugs.

Hello Band Buddies Couldn’t resist sending this out… how many times have we said out ourselves… “I’ll start my diet next week.” (Yes.. I hate the word DIET). If you’ve fallen off the “band-wagon” now is the perfect time to get back on… don’t wait until next Monday, next week or until after the holiday is over… start with your next meal. Hope everyone has a great holiday. Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 160 lbs