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@@inkdcosmoqueen You asked what will happen? Just for starters,,,, - your hair can fall out - you will likely develop osteoporosis - you will become malnourished This list could go on and on.... Ask yourself why you had this surgery in the first place? Was it to get healthy? If so, you put your goals at risk. But I think you already know that. Time to start holding yourself accountable.

Hi, fellow 21 Oct sleever. That date will be etched in my mind for a very long time as it is the day that I could finally take control of my weight. Albeit with the skill of my surgeon. Weight loss so far is 21lbs. I feel great. My energy levels are increasing, having dropped pre-op. I enjoyed my afternoon naps then but love the way I am feeling now. Haven't told my husband yet as I reckon I still need an excuse to catch a little shut eye on a dreary English afternoon when I haven't got anything pressing to do!!!!! Walking my dogs further and faster every day. Getting used to new eating habits and enjoying the new feeling of 'fullness'. Haven't felt completely stuffed for years! Wish I had asked my surgeon just what size my removed bit of stomach was when he removed it. Maybe it's a good job I didn't as I would probably still be hanging my head in shame. Still mixing fruit juice with pure whey Protein and watering it down with coconut Water for a quick solution to the liquid/protein quota for the day. It is there when I'm in too much of a hurry to stop. I'm sure that it might not be the best idea but it's working for me. I'd rather have that than the flavoured shake powder as there are so many additives in them and I'd kinda like to keep my body free from crap! Love these forums by the way.

Band slipped after 3.5 years. Initially lost 75 lbs in first 9 months. Been slowly gaining about half of it back. Would like to hear from others who have gone thru second surgery and kept the band. Any surprises? What was your weight loss experience the 2nd time around?

30 and change off since surgery 11.28.12...stalled at 3 weeks, and another one now at week 7 No real cheats. Eating 3+ small meals, mostly Protein. Trying to increase fluids. Just wondering if any of you were in the same boat as us newbies, only to see major cumulative losses over the next six months or so. It's not that I am a hurry or a race (okay, maybe a little..lol), but just knowing that things do work out, equilibrate, is comforting to know. I saw another poster's log of dates and weights, and it appeared to be a slow steady loss of 1-2 lbs per week. I am really not trying to compare, just wanted to know if this is to be expected and not to get overly concerned. Thanks!

I don't know the answer but wanted to say congrats on the loss! That's awesome! ! happy Llama sad Llama... big fat mama Llama.

Well lookey here Sam, it takes time. And your body does stall a few weeks after surgery. And then you'll suddenly have this week in which every day you lose a lb and it is really fun. I did that and now I'm up a lb. But most people seem to lose 10-12 lbs a month so I think you've done great. Weight loss didn't stop, your body just needs a minute to hold onto your fat. But with the calorie restriction it can't hold onto it forever. Be patient, stop weighing. Weigh only one day a week and record it and you will see progress. If you weigh the other days that is just for fun.

I think I went to my profile, click on About Me, then Signature and that is where you copy/paste the URL for your ticker. There are a lot of places to get a ticker, mine is from tickerfactory.com. You can google weight loss ticker to find other sites as well.

I wasn't restricted on what type of liquids after banding but I guess your doc is different. Isopure makes a clear Protein drink and Ensure Clear is also a Protein Drink. That said, hang in there. I was on full liquids for six weeks post op. It sucked but I lost fifty pounds in that time. I started exercising and got my weight loss off to a good start. If you follow your team's advice, you will be in great shape once you start your fills. Once your band is adjusted properly everything gets easier. Don't give up. The light is right around the corner!

I just started week 2 post op. I agree I am so tired of the protein shakes. I can't wait to week 3 When I can add cottage cheese and eggs But I can't argue with my weight loss so far. Pre op diet weight -293, today's weight -267.

I'm not nervous about the surgery it's self. I've been under the knife several times. It's all the other stuff that is the big unknown for me. Recovery, pre and post diet, post weight loss. The most nerve wracking part is the thought of doing all this and STILL not permanently loosing the weight.

Even though it will be a tough conversation, and she probably won't want to hear what you have to say, you need to talk to her about getting professional help from a psychologist and a nutritionist. All of the revisions in the world aren't going to matter one bit if she doesn't change her relationship with food. The surgery allows for weight loss during the "honeymoon phase" pretty much regardless of one's eating habits. That changes soon. The majority of this journey is about the mental game. If she's eating all of that crap on a regular basis, she's losing that battle. Good luck. I know this isn't easy, but I'd definitely have that conversation before she puts her body (and your checkbook) through more trauma.

After RNY gastric bypass surgery, your meal volume size is so small that you will not need very much food. The three most important elements after RNY gastric bypass surgery are to meet your daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. Food is secondary because your body is converting your stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Weight loss is achieved after surgery through volume control. You begin at 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per meal and gradually over the next year and a half increase the volume to 1 cup per meal. With this minuscule amount of food, it is next to impossible to meet your protein daily requirements by food alone, so therefore you need to rely on supplements such as Protein shakes. Your taste buds may change after surgery. Food, Water, fluids and protein shakes that you had no problem consuming prior to surgery may taste different, even revulsive. So be willing to experiment until you find those that you can tolerate. Experimentation is the key. As you work through the various stages, each stage has its series of changes. Have a pill crusher/pill splitter on hand because you may find it difficult to swallow in the beginning.

And why don't you go out? Today am almost 4 week out, and I went to a BBQ at my chair's. I had my pureed lunch b4 going, and sipped water all mt time there. I felt good, and many friends talked to me about my weight loss. It was quite good time. next week am going to a brown bag lunch with friends in a park. you can always find something fun to do with your friends. Think positively

I am a New Yorker. I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza, the Yankees or the Mets, Jones Beach or Rye Beach or one of the beaches on the sound. I know that "THE END" means Montauk. Because I am a New Yorker I am a New Yorker. When I go on vacation, I never look up: skyscrapers are something I take for granted. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me. Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me, because I am a New Yorker. I am a New Yorker. I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct. I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food because they are all American food to me. I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay. They were New Yorkers. I am a New Yorker. People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me. My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans. My firefighters and police officers died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers. They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans because they were New Yorkers. I am a New Yorker. I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers. I mourn the loss of part of my beautiful city. But then I remember: I am a New Yorker. And New Yorkers have: Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country Intelligence, experience and education par excellence Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond Faith; no matter what religion we practice Terrorists hit America in its heart but America's heart still beats strong. Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls. Hit us in the pocketbook; but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them, because they are New Yorkers Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are. There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation. We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents. And most importantly, we will never forget. Because we are New Yorkers. And we are proud to be New Yorkers. I REPOST THIS IN HONOR OF ALL OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES 5 YEARS AGO TODAY

hi everyone! This site is so helpful! I want to thank everyone for talking here. It really helps me to research the band and all related questions. My name is Kathy and I live in NC, just outside of Charlotte. I am considering banding in Mexico (insurance doesn't pay for bands, only gastric bypass, which I don't want to do). So off I will go, hopefully in March 2005, to see Dr. Kuri. I have 2 young children, ages 5 and (almost) 2. My husband is supportive but very nervous about 1) me be-bopping off to TJ for major surgery and 2)incurring a bit of temporary debt until I can go back to work and pay this off. But he feels like this is a good solution for my struggle with weight loss. As he says, "just quit eating so much" but he knows it's more than that. I have been exercising faithfully for a full year and have lost and kept off 20 lbs, but I haven't lost anything since October. My goal is another 80-95 lbs. I currently weigh 220, but would like to see 145-160. BMI is 36.6 and I am 5'5". My percentage of body fat, according to the gym machine, is 43.6%. Yuck! I will be 40 this year (May 2005) which is what made me look into all this. I am weary of struggling and depriving myself and I don't want my 40's to be a decade of discouragement. Seems too much to hope for, but maybe with the band I can succeed. Here are some things I have learned by lurking... lurking-reading everything but not writing or contributing in any other way PBing-yuck but I have a perfect understanding of that DH-could be "Darling Husband" but probably means "D*&%" Husband avatar-whatever, I can't figure out how to do that but I think I have a smiley face, no pic tickers-no clue but I'll keep clicking NSV-what? it's something good though. patient facilitators-to trust or not to trust? Oh, there is so much to learn! Again, thank you everyone for all of your posts. They are really helpful and I hope to be able to contribute when the time comes. And...all you who have posted before and after pics...thank you-you have given me hope!

Awesome. I'm 2 1/2 yrs post op. Holding steady at 190 lb weight loss

I didn't invite people to comment on my weight and in fact, I discouraged it. Setting yourself up with a picture collage wasn't the best idea, especially while you are probably feeling frustrated and hormonal. For the record, people really didn't notice my weight loss until about 75 pounds, so there's that. You'll get there. Don't concentrate on other people's opinion of you. They don't matter.

Hi Charity. Thank you for replying! Congrats on your weight loss so far. It's so good to hear that so early in your journey you have come to realize food is fuel. That's my downfall. For me still food is, a lot of times, a reward. I don't eat unhealthy which I believe is why I don't have high cholesterol. I eat entirely too much (for example I could eat an entire head of steamed broccoli and tell myself it's OK because it's healthy, along with a large portion of boneless skinless chicken). UGH! This is why I am so afraid of over eating after surgery. I don't eat bad foods......sigh. I haven't been here for a few days because I read thru the complication section and got a little scared. There are some really poor outcomes and of course some fears crept in. I have had 7 surgeries so I am not fearful of the surgery itself, but reading the complications was an eye opener. I just need to be prepared on that front. Perhaps the delay that has me so frustrated is exactly what I need to be as ready as I can be. What made you decide it was time? In addition to my hip pain I am just steady increasing in size. Never down, always up. Walking is ok, but if I put any speed to it my hips go numb and throb for days. Can you share what you've been eating and portion sizes? Exercising? What you've found hard? Thanks!

@@OneReallyBigBird, man you rocked it with all that weight loss on your own!!! Have you learned how to deal with depression? Please continue or start going to counseling as much as you need to. It's really important to learn how to deal with disappointments and hurt . This journey. But, other than that your awesome! And congratulations for your upcoming surgery date. , keep up the good work!!!

I just got my 2nd fill and feel like this as well.... Although even right after surgery food just didn't taste good to me. I thought it was due to the meds etc at first. I have spouts of "head hunger" where I feel like I am craving something but 1 bite an I am over it. It never tastes as good as it did before surgery. And I do the same thing-- look in the fridge/cupboard for something to make or eat becuase I have to- not because I want to. And nothing really sounds good. And I know that it probably won't taste that great. I have only had a couple things that I really thought were worth eating. Spinach (which was a suprise), roasted squash, asparagus all taste great. Had a little piece of grilled steak and that was really good as well. But it took me a long time to eat it--well worth it though. Hoping that with the restriction I know have and complete disinterst in food that my loss will start to increase.

My WLS journey has been at a Bariatric Center of Excellence in a major Medical Center. The Weight Loss Center here has done thousands of surgeries in the last ten years. The program is discouraging patients from pursuing the lap band procedure because of the risk of complications. In my classes, I met two lap band revision patients that have had multiple issues. After talking with them, I am very comfortable with my decision to do the sleeve.

I think we all feel the same way and it's during hard times like this (when we don't make the choices we felt we should have made) that we have to look at the successes we HAVE had. For example, I am FREEZING at work today, I have 2 sweaters and my coat on. I consider that my body working to take me down another size. Being cold + No weight loss = lost inches. The weight WILL follow the inches. It's just your body catching up to the quick weight loss you've had prior. It's a stop and go process. Hang in there, we will ALL get there!! IndioGirl: thanks for the words of encouragement and the kick in the tush, I know I needed it!! -Becky

I'm also in my 60's +:thumbup: and have a lot of medical issues as you do. Just got banded on 3/17/10, actually thought I wouldn't get accepted because of age, but when I brought up about joining Weight Watchers again my cardiologist suggested I have Lap Band, less invasive then bypass, removable if necessary, and recovery not as long. He even said if I had to pay for it out of pocket I should consider it. Prior to my decision to lose weight, I was given about five more years (my body was sliding down the mountain and the brain was on the peak) couldn't let that happen. I have pulmonary hypertension excerise induced (which is a no win situation he said) and only breathe 94% room air, dystolic dysfunction (left side of heart enlarged and like shoe leather), hypertension, diabetes, etc. Now with 22 lb weight loss I feel about 45 years old. I was just 100 pounds overweight and doctors say I only need to lose 50-60 pounds to feel like a new woman. I wonder if I would feel like a teenager if I lost the whole 100 lbs:thumbup:, going to try but really just want to prolong life to maybe see and enjoy a great grandchild someday. The reason I actually decided on lap band is the fact, if necessary, it can be removed. Had to see the phychologist and once tested actually got approved immediately. Then I went through six months of supervised weight loss with my primary care physician (didn't lose any weight:thumbdown:) but the insurance company actually didn't care if I lost because as soon as it was completed I had the approval within a month. Think it is just a hoop they make you jump through to see how serious you are about this. Now if I had this to do all over, I would have done it years ago when I first start down that mountain. So this is my story on my journey to a new life So good luck on your journey, on whatever surgery you decide. You will definitely feel much better than you do now and life will be prolonged.

Congratulations on your new date. Also congratulations on losing 50 lbs. Way to go! You already are a lot healthier with your 50 lb weight loss. You'll be even more healthy once you get the band and lose even more weight. I'm a few days in front of you. My surgery is this Friday, 9/17/10, just 2 days away! I'm nervous and exciting! Your surgery date is right around the corner, too. Best of luck to you!

Well, Iam back. Everything with my check -up went fine. He wants me to come back in October for another endoscopy to re-check everything Dr Martinez was pleased with my healing progress and was alos pleased to see I had lost 5 lbs in 2 months with no fluid in my band. I did get a fill, he gave me 1cc. . I asked if he was going to fill me to where I was before I was unfilled. He said that would be too drastic of a jump, he actually put in 1.3 cc's and saw under fluoro as I was drinking the barium that it might be a little tight to start off with that much so he backed it off to 1cc. He said in 2 weeks if I did not feel like it was enough to come on back down. He said my esophagus looked great and told me I could stop taking the prilosec that I was taking for the gastritis.. I am excited to get going again with my weight loss I'm on liquids for 3 days.