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First off, your doing wonderful and congratulation on your weight loss. True friends aren't jealous, they are supportive. Maybe you need to take a look at the friendship and decide if she is going to bring you down or uplift you like real friends do. Misery loves company, don't fall into her trap. Bring positive people into your life and you'll be amazed at what it does for you. Sorry she turned out to be like this. HUGS !!

I need someone to help me through these first couple of weeks. I am 23 year old female. I just had my surgery and I am already getting sick of the Protein shakes! Since the beginning of my weight loss journey, I have lost 11lbs. my beginning weight was 291.5lbs. according to my scales. My goal weight is 135-140. If you are willing to be my buddy, you can send me an e-mail. I check that more often than I am on this. Thanks. Raphaella raphaellat@gmail.com

Down 32lbs!! Very excited! I know I'm going to plateau eventually, but I'll ride out the losses 'til then!! Only a few setbacks since my surgery, but hopefully I can lose 20lbs by the 4th of July!!! I'll be seeing family I haven't seen since October, so to be -50lbs would hopefully blow them away!!

it could be hormonal . sometimes after a good chunk of weight is lost, esp. if you are a female, the hormones change in balance due to fat loss and it can cause hormonal shift and cause acne.

Do u lose less hair???!

Thanks for the info Indigo1991. I already have pretty fine thin hair so this is a concern for me. I am going to try the powder out.

I am struggling to find anyone else for support who is in a similar situation - whether it is because I am a rarity or that those of us with this issue don't frequent the support forum... I am not sure. I am getting frustrated over time and tired of working hard not to lose weight. I would never have expected this to be a problem! I had my surgery in May 2012 at 255 lbs and have been at goal for a bit over a year. I am currently struggling with a recurrence of depression, so the energy that I have typically been putting into getting all of my calories and exercise is flagging - I am getting treatment for the depression but it takes some time. I have worked very hard not to lose weight during this time and to keep my calories up. Typically I am very, very active. I expect that within a few weeks I will be feeling enough better to be back to exercising more. I usually exercise about 15 hours per week, taking one or two days off. Usually at least one day per week I get four to six hours of exercise, even as much as eight hours. I am an avid cyclist, hiker, skier, etc. My problem seems to be that I have a very high BMR of 2,000. So, I need at least that many calories on days with no exercise. Then, add exercise and I have days where I need 5,000 and even up to 7,000 calories in order to maintain my weight. Obviously those super high calorie days are rare, but I regularly have 3,000+ calorie days. Typically I am using lots of whole milk (at least 750 calories of whole milk per day) and on days when my weight has dropped below my comfort zone I start adding heavy cream or half and half. I also eat avocados, nuts, olive oil, butter, premier Protein shakes, etc. I also make green shakes - blended Protein powder, Greek yogurt, fruits, veggies. I use chocolate on days when I am desperate for more calories but don't have more room for real food - it's a total slider. I probably get minimum 1,000-1,300 calories from liquids and the rest from solid food. I have to choose the highest calorie foods out there - looking at a menu I will intentionally choose whatever has the most possible calories. My goal is to maintain at 130 when not working out and up to 135 if I am working out a lot. I was at lower weights initially (down to 123 at 5'6") and looked way too thin. At the lower weight I had too little muscle, was a size 0, and was told that I looked like a victim of weight loss. It wasn't a kind thing for someone to say but was accurate - at just a slightly higher weight I look far healthier and more proportionate. I am on the mobile app and have not updated my ticker from my lowest weight probably - but that is where I am at today and what I have decided is healthiest for me. It took a lot of effort to add muscle weight. When I was obese I didn't exercise and I am sure my metabolism wasn't this high. But now that I have lost the weight I worry that I will be thinner, fit, and set myself up for the same health problems by eating unhealthy foods in order to maintain my weight. I hear that weight gain is common at the 3 year mark. I also worry that the way I have to eat now in order to maintain my weight could set me up for problems later on. I currently weight myself regularly to make sure I am not losing weight rather than to make sure not to gain, though. I think if the depression would improve I would have more energy to pursue healthier high calorie food options. Looking for suggestions and other people in the same boat...

I didn't tell mine until I got back. We are actually good friends, and he was a little upset that I didn't tell him ahead of time. But he's should be used to it. I also found my own neurosurgeon and scheduled my own neck fusion surgery after he diagnosed me with bone spurs and stenosis in my neck. He admitted he would have disapproved (that's why I didn't tell him). But my successful weight loss and outstanding 6 month bloodwork has convinced him that my crazy Mexico surgery adventure wasn't such a bad idea. And I know he would have done whatever it took to make sure I was taken care of if I had had any surgical complications.

Lots and lots of research being done day by day. I am going to go to plenty of seminars and whatnot. My insurance does cover this type of surgery because there are ladies in my department who have had the surgery, I just don't know how to get started towards getting them to approve me for the surgery. I know the surgery is not a quick fix. I am ready and willing to do whatever it takes to make this work for me. I have tried so many other forms of weight loss including but not limited to: weight watchers (numerous times), herbal life, xenadrine, zantrex, simple diet & exercise, i've been perscribed meridia, and I've tried many other things. I weigh 340 lbs right now, and I am 5ft8. This is a BMI of 52. I am only 19. Realistically, I need to lose 140+ lbs. I am at risk for many diseases that are not only hereditary, but greatly increased by my morbid obesity (does anyone else hate this term??). I'm not looking for a quick fix, but something to help me make the lifestyle changes I need to make for a better, healthier me.

I was just banded Dec. 14, 2011, and looking forward to seeing my weight loss continue. The hardest thing for me being 2 days into my new life, is not being able to eat "real" food. lol Liquid diet and tomorrow I can start blended food (yeah) lol. I lost over 30 lbs pre-op so I just keep thinking positive. I understand your situation, but at least you have a source of income. I am unemployed and have been for over a year. It can be stressful and hard, but use exercise as a stress release rather then food. Comfort food was in our past lives, post-op we are new people with new goals and new habits.

My roomie was banded in March and her scars don't look bad at all! Of course, keeping them clean and dry in the beginning helps, and then you can always apply Mederma after they heal. I'm a clutz and Mederma always works for my other scars. Plus I'm taking Biotin (a supplement) which is supposed to be good for your hair and skin. Anything that can help, I'm tryin!

Hi guys! I'm a bit curious about something. I have read a ton of blogs and it appears that everyone is put on different post op diets and I have also read that many people have had different weight loss. I was wondering if maybe the post op diet has anything to do with the way you lose weight in the long run. My diet right now is 2 weeks liquids (no sugar), 1-2 weeks mushies then solids. What were some of your diets and how much have all of you lost? -N

Here's some hope for u: I got my band 2 1/2 yrs ago Nd the first 5time mths (till my 3rdlast fill) I lost about 5the lbs. I could eat like I could before the band. After the 3rd fill, I literally started melting the pounds off. I've now lost 102 lbs with about 10 left I thought I had failed yet another weight loss attempt and regretted my decision to even have it. Then it started working and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Yes, there's lots of us out there that it took a while to see results. Good luck to u Marci

A new friend on here and I met up locally and of course we hit it off, she's the best. It's great to have found someone to share this journey with along the way. Anyway she told me about a protein powder she uses and today I went to GNC and got me some and OMG I LOVE IT!!!!! I am plugging in my meals on MFP and only getting about 40 grms of protein and losing hair big time so I needed to up the protein. Tonight I fixed a shake and it was soooo good. It's GNC's brand Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 and I got the chocolate flavor powder. I used 1 scoop instead of the 3 scoops it called for because I was making 1 serving of 8 oz in my bullet and used light vanilla soy milk and half frozen banana, just let me tell you, it was delish, not gritty, smooth, creamy. I think I found my vice to getting extra protein. Thanks Anna, ur the best!

I'm on a plateau. 1 month and no weight loss. I'm 7 months out, lost 50 lbs so far and 30 to go. Anyone experience long plateaus? Anyone reach goal weight?

ok, so you have done amazing on the loss so far.. have you lost inches this month you say the scale hasnt moved? have you had to buy smaller clothes? maybe realized the clothes you are wearing are too big? are you able to have better mobility? are you physcially feeling better better? if so, then you are continuing to lose even if the scale doesnt move as fast as you like or at all.....keep on the track of eating great foods, exercising and stay the course....the scale will catch up.

My surgeon talked with my dietician and she totally revised my eating plan. He said that the diet is per Doctors orders and the nutritionist's job is to make sure calories and nutrients aren't being sacrificed. Well with that said I told him about not being able to have yogurt or cream soup stuff or sf pudding etc. He had her change the diet. I can have thin deli slices, yogurt, sf pudding lowfat cheese slices, eggs(soft scrambled or poached). My surgeon said that the liquid phase was okay for a week and full liquids does include cream soups thinned etc. Kathy I can have egg drop soup with the egg but to got slowly! I feel so much better now. he also said I ws doing very good and the weight loss is great but not typical so don't get discouraged if it slows down after the next 4 weeks. He said that all the surgeons who perform this procedure have different diet plans. Unfortunately my dietician had RNY in mind for me and that is the diet plan I was on. I guess she got confused since the majority of the patients are RNY. I had a slice of lowfat cheese..yum and 3oz of fat free turkey and ham... and I was full WHoo Hoo! I am on my way.

I smoked up until the minute I was wheeled in to surgery, my nutritionalist told me not to try and quit , that trying to lose weight and quit smoking at the same time woul dbe difficult, told me to do one at a time, so I did the weight loss , now I'm focusing on quitting once I reach my goal weight which I'm hoping wil lbesoon, however since home from the Vegas Bash where I smoked way too may ciggarettes, I have made a commitment to my self to cut back, I'm down to 5 cigarettes a day. I had the same fears of not being able to do the liquid diet post op also but I wil ltel lyou this, it was much easier then I had imagined, all of the swelling and gas I hadfrom surgery, I was not hungry for 2 weeks, you may be surprised, dont worry too much, you wil lget through it, we all have Good Luck

It's officially been two weeks since I was banded and I was wondering if what I'm losing is normal. I've read your first month you lose the most but I've only gone down 9 pounds since the day of the surgery, I feel stuck :thumbdown:. Anyone have that slow weight loss the first month? Thanks!

I had the Lap Band and had to get it removed and revised to a sleeve. I wish I had not wasted so many years with the band but the sleeve didn't exist back then. I would strongly suggest you not go with the band due to the many cases of it being ineffective at weight loss as compared to the sleeve and bypass. If you are self-pay then your lower BMI should not stop you from getting the sleeve. Those BMI requirements are usually tied to insurance approvals. You should get a second opinion.

Looking for someone to be a lap band buddy with we can walk and do other things about our weight loss.

My mind was wandering today & I realized that I had met someone whowas banded over her GBP. It was about 3 years ago. I was working in the hospital & she was my patient. She had gained a lot of weight back from her bypass & her doc recommended the band & she was doing great with it. I'm sorry, but I can't remember her name. I thought you might like to know about her though. That was actually the first time I had heard about the band. She had it done in Dallas. I'm sorry that's all I can remember. I can't believe I forgot about her! She was a psychic & I didn't know it & when I touched her to do a dressing change she went stiff as a board & proceeded to give me a reading. Made every hair on my body stand up! Anyway! I hope this helps you!

I know the feeling!!!But don't be hard on yourself- you've done well with the liquid diet. Can I make a suggestion? Put away your scale!!!! That HELPS me a lot. I wouldn't be obsessed about the weight loss during pre-op dieting. the most impt thing is u will lose alot post surgery then you can take back ur scale. pUtting ur scale away would help u focus on getting back on track and focus on ur surgery preparations. good luck! We're all here rooting for you and you're doing good. 6 lbs is great!!! :laugh: hang in there~ :Yawn:

I have successfully loss large amounts of weight previously. Historically, I would reach a stall, and stop trying and then regain. Always around the same weight. 235ish. Didn't matter if I started at 290, 250, I would hit a hard stall at 235. Sure enough, here I am approaching 235, and I have hit a stall. My head is in a better place, but was curious if others have seen stalls hit around certian weights.

Amy.....You might need to do what I have had to do...stay away from the scales! I had my surgery on 4/29/05 and I have stepped on the scales only 5 times. Once the day of surgery, my 2 week check up, my first fill, my second fill and one day last week when I was feeling rather light that day. I am doing really well with the weight loss but I know me well enough to know that I can't become a slave to my scales or I'll make myself crazy (well crazier any way). I don't know if this is a good or bad thing but I know from my Weight Watchers days of weekly weighins and nearly weekly disappoints that not weighing very often is my best course. Hang in there and good luck with this most amazing journey!