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I had lap band in 2009, it slipped in 2017, and I had it revised to bypass December 2020. I lost 16 pounds in two weeks then nothing for over a month. I worry that our bodies already got used to the lower calorie intake from when we were banded. I also think that is why I gained so much when my band slipped because I was eating “normal” amounts of food, but my body had been set at band amounts for a decade! I’ve finally started losing slowly again in the last week. I too got discouraged reading people’s posts about their significant and quick weight loss, I was starting to feel like a failure. But we each have our own journey and I wish you all the best on yours.

Lots of people complain that they have a 3 week stall and lots of people seem to feel depressed and regret having had surgery. I think this is a great explanation as to why. One of the challenges some patients face after weight loss surgery is a condition described as the hibernation syndrome. This is a group of symptoms that include feeling fatigued, depressed and lack of motivation to do any physical activity. Patients often feel upset and become plagued by thoughts that the surgery was as mistake.. This can be quite alarming to patients recovering from the surgery and recognizing the signs assist in getting over this stage in recovery. Hibernation syndrome is common in the first few weeks after the surgery. It is caused by the low number of calories being consumed and the reduced activity associated with this time of healing. The body perceives that it is starving and triggers an evolutionary response that has helped humans survive famines. The main aim of the response is to slow us down to conserve energy and thus resulting in; tiredness, need for sleep, lack of motivation and depression. It is important to understand that these symptoms are normal and will pass with time. Most patients notice improvement in their symptoms around 4-6 weeks after the operation and the improvement is brought by increasing protein in the diet, taking the multivitamin tablets, increasing the metabolic rate with exercise and return to work and the encouragement patients get as they shed the extra weight. A supportive family member or friend is a great help during this time.

Constipation can become a problem after surgery. I have found that eating an apple each night prior to bedtime cures this for me. But you must eat the skin of the apple. Many individuals report hitting stalls during their weight loss. Some individuals even gain weight temporarily. Sometimes this might be associated with Water retention. Some people recommend only weighing yourself once per week at the same time of the day to avoid the stress.

Me. I can relate to slow weight loss with the sleeve and for many of the same reasons you've stated. I had a lap band in 2005. Did great, but was miserable and later found out that my band had slipped. I had it taken out in 2009 and did pretty well maintaining my weight until I had some major life changes and did some stress eating. Gained all of my weight back over the course of 2 years. Had a sleeve done in 2018 and my weight loss was slow but steady. I'm still not at goal, but I'm happy and feeling good. COVID lockdown has totally stalled me and maybe added a few, but my tool is still there and when I'm ready, I'm confident I'll get back on track. Stay the course. Follow your plan. It will work. (side note: it is my understanding that revisions typically lose slow. Something to do with the impact on our metabolism. Sort of a "been there-done that" mentality.) Good luck!

^^^ I agree with this 100%. We see posts on here from "revisionists" who say the weight loss is much slower from them than it is from "virgin" surgeries. Just follow your plan. As long as your weight is trending downward, you're good.

I need opinions please help me. I started with 186 at 5"2, currently I am at 160.8,, 7 weeks out. I am super happy with the loss although i only lost 4 lbs this month.. I only can eat very little, and I am super full, which I love it. I eat very little carbs and only cheated couple times...My cheat consists of 1 bite of Pasta, seriously 1 spoon... I am a little upset, because I did this because I hate diets, and I failed at all of them. My goal with this surgery was to restrict food portion and lose weight but eating so little that I would lose regardless. I am learning that no matter how little you eat, you might not lose? Am I right, or I am stalling? If I used to eat 2.500 cal perday before surgery and now I eat 700 but I have carbs I still wont lose because if you eat carbs you wont lose? I am so confused... I thought calories were a number.. regardless of what you eat...if you eat 800 calories in a day and burn 3000 cal you lose even if you ate a burger... I am just venting because I hate diets and i feel i am in a endless diet...Maybe i am stressed..I have to plan every meal i eat, plan the carbs, Protein....we ended fat for a reason, and the reason is that we are terrible at diets..Aren't we on a diet again...Ok you will tell me we are on a life change, I know..I am, I dont eat anymore...I eat protein now...but the measuring what, why and when...do you identify?

You look amazing and are a true inspiration to all of us who are on this side. I am almost 2 weeks out and feel great as well but am curious when I hear the first 6 months are "rapid weight loss" and what "rapid" means. Please continue to share your successes and tips with all of us as I love to read about your journey. Keep up the fabulous work ????

No worries:) Make note that each surgical group does things a little different. Some groups will have you on a two week liquid diet presurgically, some will do only a week...still others will do shorter or longer presurgical diets. Different groups will move you through the post surgical diet differently, too...and will approve foods differently for reintroduction. Different groups will require different things of you before surgery, too. Some will want a full Upper GI endoscopy, some will accept a normal barium x-ray study of the upper GI. Any abnormal results will likely require more tests so appropriate measures can be taken to keep you safe. Having just gone through these months June to December....the things on my list are just what's fresh in my mind. I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff. Best wishes on your weight loss journey!

I'm up early this morning not for surgery, as I was last year, but for my one-year appointment. I am thrilled with the results and just can't believe where I was last year. I am an ex-bander and old for this journey, I'll be 74 this year. I have my life back, I can jump off the boat and get up the ladder, the same with the dock. I'm having fun with my grandkids again. I go for walks, swims, and move about without the aches and pains I once had. Food is no longer my joy in life, life is my joy. I eat to live and not live to eat. I reached stage 4 eating and just stayed there. I have a protein drink for breakfast, 4oz of cottage cheese for lunch, 4oz of protein for dinner with a protein snack or Outshine no sugar added pop cycle. Saturday is my "free day" I sit with my neighbors in the street to visit and have my weekly drink. Not being able to eat out this last 6 months has sure been a help! For those starting on your journey, the first 6 months are very important for both weight loss and to set the stage for the rest of your journey. I did not have a drink for the first 6 months. I have learned that your body will drop the pounds when it is ready. A lot of pauses the second 6 months that will drive you crazy. Good luck with your journey, I hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine.

Your body has reached its new set point. Losing more weight will be as difficult as losing weight preop, and as difficult to maintain that loss. Others have discovered that (for example), to maintain 130lbs, they had to eat 1100 calories a day. To maintain 150lbs, they could eat 1800-2000 (they were also exercising). So, you need to decide how important those last 20lbs are to you. You'll have to restrict your calories and exercise more to burn them off, then figure out how to eat/exercise to maintain.

What did you lose prior to surgery? Most of us count our preop dieting weight loss into our total. I had surgery in january, and technically since surgery day I have lost 37 pounds but the weeks prior to surgery I lost quite a bit, bring my total to 56 pounds which is the number I ALWAYS USE. If you didn't bother with a preop diet or were not instructed to go on one, you seem to be right on track as far as I can tell.

So yesterday I am out walking with one of my best friends. She has been having issues lately, stress at work and chronic pain, etc. and but has been even more emotional lately and withdrawn. We were walking and I ask how she's been doing. She said better, then started to cry...??? Turns out she went back to see her therapist the other day to see if she could get some help and figure out what was going on. They were talking and the therapist asked her if there had been a recent trigger that started all this. My friend didn't think so but started listing all the things that had happened recently. Guess what her trigger was..... Me having surgery and losing weight! It seems that previous friends have lost a bunch of weight and changed their behavior and attitudes and she was concerned that would happen to me. I tried to reassure her it wouldn't and I didn't get upset but when I got home I guess I slipped into a bad mindset and started thinking, so she's fine being my friend as long as I am the "fat" friend but if I lose weight and am "skinnier" then what? I am hoping that is not what she meant. Anyone else had to deal with something like this and have suggestions for how to help her along with my weight loss or do I just go on and hope she gets ok with it.

James, that is the most comprehensive "document" I have seen that breaks things down so concisely, I truly appreciate you! It took some weight off my brain, so thank you for that. It just seems so logical. Now I did not notice you mention hair loss, was that an issue for you?

Saw the doc today for my slightly late 6 week appointment. She was happy with my weight loss. I have lost 22% of my excess weight. She told me she wants me to be up to 30% at 3 months. Seems like a lot of weight to lose in four short weeks.

People respond to your positivity and increased self-confidence. Healthy is seen as attractive. It’s sad that I feel more valued in society because I am at a healthy weight. I see a difference in how I’m treated. A few things I experienced. Some positive: Strangers look me in the eye and smile more I’ve had attention from the opposite sex, Unnerving at first when you have been invisible. Men hold doors open more often Sales people seem more helpful I’m excepted as a part of the fit gym crowd. Many do not know I was formerly obese. Job opportunity’s/promotions have been offered. Some negative: Some close friends no longer associate with me. It reminds them of their own struggles. I have been judged by a few people in my local support group. (stopped going) I fell in the lower BMI category. Comments. “you didn’t have to work as hard” “working out/running as much as you do is an eating disorder” “if you gained some weight you would look less skeletal” An unsupportive family member “you know you’re just going to gain it back” She is my motivation to never gain it back. Years out, life becomes normal. I don’t notice how differently I’m treated anymore. The compliments and focus on your weight loss are over.

Chanelle, my heart is going out to you. On doing a cursory search of the academic medical journals on pregnancy after bariatric surgery (because as of yet, I have not found one which encompasses 'surgery whilst pregnant' and I concede the procedures documented do not encompass VSG), I found the following. Go straight to the abstracts/conclusions to get the gist of the research and findings. Sorry to everyone else for the information splat taking up your screens. This is clearly not merely an issue of the fetus being exposed to radiation through an x-ray or the impact of the anesthesia on the fetus during the VSG procedure (which is not to be overlooked and if you'd like me to send you a complete article privately, I can - 'cause it's very long to post here and you'd need to read all of it to get the baseline). It is also about the severe nutritional, Vitamin and mineral deficiencies present in the first weeks after the operation which appear to have a significant impact on the progress of the fetuses growth and development in utero. A point that would need significant evaluation, monitoring and intensive hands-on care. If you would like to ask any questions on the below, please do not hesitate to contact me. Much love x Analgesia, Anaesthesia and Pregnancy A Practical Guide 3rd Edition By Steve Yentis Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London By Surbhi Malhotra St Mary’s Hospital, London Publisher: Cambridge University Press Print Publication Year:2012 Online Publication Date:December 2012 Online ISBN:9781139012966 Paperback ISBN:9781107601598 Book DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966 Subjects: Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Pain Management ,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Chapter 3 Anaesthesia before conception or confirmation of pregnancy Many women will require anaesthesia when they are pregnant and many will be unaware that they are pregnant at the time of the anaesthetic, especially in the first 2–3 months of their pregnancy. The thalidomide catastrophe initiated the licensing arrangements for new drugs and their use in pregnancy; the current cautious stance of the pharmaceutical industry is reflected in the British National Formulary’s statement that no drug is safe beyond all doubt in early pregnancy. The anaesthetist should have a clear knowledge of the time scale of the developing fetus in order to balance the risks and benefits of any drug given to the mother. A teratogen is a substance that causes structural or functional abnormality in a fetus exposed to that substance. Problems/special considerations The possible effect of a drug can be considered against the stage of the developing fetus: Pre-embryonic phase (0–14 days post-conception): The fertilised egg is transported down the Fallopian tube and implantation occurs at around 7 days post-conception. The conceptus is a ball of undifferentiated dividing cells during this time and the effect of Downloaded from Cambridge books Online by IP 129.215.17.188 on Wed Jan 29 01:41:58 GMT 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139012966.004 Cambridge Books Online © Cambridge University Press, 2014 drugs on it appears to be an all-or-none phenomenon. Cell division may be slowed with no lasting effects or the conceptus will die, depending on the severity of the cell damage. Embryonic phase (3–8 weeks post-conception): Differentiation of cells into the organs and tissues occurs during this phase and drugs administered to the mother may cause considerable harm. The type of abnormality that is produced depends on the exact stage of organ and tissue development when the drug is given. Fetal phase (9 weeks to birth): At this stage, most organs are fully formed, although the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and urogenital tract are still developing. Drugs administered during this time may affect the growth of the fetus or the functional development within specific organs. Management options The anaesthetist should always consider the possibility of pregnancy in any woman of child- bearing age who presents for surgery, whether elective or emergency, and should specifically enquire in such cases. If there is doubt, a pregnancy test should be offered. If pregnancy is suspected, the use of nitrous oxide is now generally considered acceptable, despite its effects on methionine synthase and DNA metabolism, as there is little evidence that it is harmful clinically. Similarly, although the volatile agents have been implicated in impairing embryonic development, clinical evidence is lacking. Some drugs cross the placenta and exert their effect on the fetus, e.g. warfarin, which may cause bleeding in the fetus. Key points The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in any woman of childbearing age. No drug is safe beyond all doubt in pregnancy. Further reading Allaert SE, Carlier SP, Weyne LP, et al. First trimester anesthesia exposure and fetal outcome. A review. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg 2007; 58: 119–23. 6 Section 1: Preconception and conception Pregnancy shortly after bariatric surgery. Transliterated Title: Svangerskap like etter fedmeoperasjon. Authors: Skogøy K; kristin.skogoy@nordlandssykehuset.no Laurini R Aasheim ET Source: Tidsskrift For Den Norske Lægeforening: Tidsskrift For Praktisk Medicin, Ny Række [Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen] 2009 Mar 12; Vol. 129 (6), pp. 534-6. Publication Type: Case Reports; English Abstract; Journal Article Language: Norwegian Journal Info: Publisher: Norske Laegeforening Country of Publication: Norway NLM ID: 0413423 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 0807-7096 (Electronic)Linking ISSN: 00292001 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. Subsets: MEDLINE Imprint Name(s): Publication: Oslo : Norske Laegeforening Original Publication: Chistiania : Alb. Cammermeyer, 1880- MeSH Terms: Bariatric Surgery/*adverse effects Pregnancy Complications/*etiology Adult ; Bariatric Surgery/methods ; Duodenum/surgery ; Female ; Fetal Development ; HELLP Syndrome/etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Obesity, Morbid/metabolism ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Risk Factors; Time Factors ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Weight Loss Abstract: Bariatric surgery is increasingly used to treat morbidly obese patients. Fertility in women may be enhanced after these procedures, owing to substantial weight loss and possibly a decreased absorption of oral contraceptives. We report a pregnancy that occurred two months after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in a 32-year-old woman. She subsequently developed haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets count (HELLP) syndrome and had a weight loss of 43 kg (from the bariatric procedure) until the infant was delivered preterm by caesarean section (due to low activity). The infant was small in relation to the gestational age, with a weight of less than 50 % of the expected (780 g at 29.6 weeks). Histological examination demonstrated a small placenta with insufficient spiral artery trophoblast infiltration, possibly caused either by severe preeclampsia or by maternal nutritional deficiencies. Severe metabolic aberrations may complicate pregnancies after malabsorptive bariatric surgery. Patient preparations before weight-loss operations should include information on fertility and birth control in the postoperative period. Protocols for monitoring of patients that become pregnant after bariatric surgery are needed. Comments: Comment in: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Mar 12;129(6):536-7. (PMID: 19291887) Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20090317 Date Completed: 20090319 Latest Revision: 20110330 Update Code: 20131125 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.09.34019 PMID: 19291886 Database: MEDLINE with Full Text The risk of adverse pregnancy outcome after bariatric surgery: a nationwide register-based matched cohort study Mette Mandrup Kjær, MD; Jeannet Lauenborg, MD, PhD; Birger Michael Breum, MD; Lisbeth Nilas, DMSc OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome after bariatric surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Nationwide register-based matched cohort study of singleton deliveries after bariatric surgery during 2004-2010. Data were extracted from The Danish National Patient Registry and The Med- ical Birth Register. Each woman with bariatric surgery (exposed) was in- dividually matched with 4 women without bariatric surgery (unexposed) on body mass index, age, parity, and date of delivery. Continuous vari- ables were analyzed with the paired t test and binary outcomes were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: We identied 339 women with a singleton delivery after bari- atric surgery (84.4% gastric bypass). They were matched to 1277 un- exposed women. Infants in the exposed group had shorter mean gesta- tional age (274 vs 278 days; P .001), lower mean birthweight (3312 vs 3585 g; P .001), lower risk of being large for gestational age (ad- justed odds ratio, 0.31; 95% condence interval, 0.15– 0.65), and higher risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% condence interval, 1.32–3.96) compared with infants in the unexposed group. No statistically signicant difference was found between the groups regarding the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, labor induction, cesarean section, postpartum hemor- rhage, Apgar score less than 7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit or perinatal death. CONCLUSION: Infants born after maternal bariatric surgery have lower birthweight, lower gestational age, 3.3-times lower risk of large for ges- tational age, and 2.3-times higher risk of SGA than infants born by a matched group of women without bariatric surgery. The impact on SGA was even higher in the subgroup with gastric bypass. Key words: adverse pregnancy outcome, bariatric surgery, gastric bypass, pregnancy Pregnancy after bariatric surgery: a current view of maternal, obstetrical and perinatal challenges Ronis Magdaleno Jr • Belmiro Gonc¸ alves Pereira • Elinton Adami Chaim • Egberto Ribeiro Turato Received: 6 May 2011 / Accepted: 14 December 2011 / Published online: 29 December 2011 Ó Springer-Verlag 2011 Abstract With the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries being performed in women of childbearing age, physicians must have concerns regarding the safety of pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The aim of this review is to summarize the literature reporting on maternal, obstet- rical and perinatal implications of pregnancy following BS. Methods English, Spanish and Portuguese-language arti- cles were identied in a PUBMED search from 2005 to February 2011 using the keywords for pregnancy and bariatric surgery or gastric bypass or gastric banding. Results The studies show improved fertility and a reduced risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, macrosomia in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. The incidence of intrauter- ine growth restriction and small for gestational age are increased. No conclusions can be drawn concerning the risk for cesarean delivery and the best surgery- to-conception interval. Deciencies in Iron, Vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, folate and Calcium can result in maternal and fetal complications. Conclusions Pregnancy outcome of women who deliv- ered after BS, as compared to obese populations, is better and safer and comparable to the general population. Close supervision before, during and after pregnancy following bariatric surgery and nutrient supplementation adapted to the patient’s individual requirements can prevent nutrition- related complications and improve maternal and fetal health. Keywords Bariatric surgery Pregnancy Pregnancy complications Morbid obesity Weight loss Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy: Perspectives after Bariatric Surgery Cristiane Barbosa Chagas1, 2, Cláudia Saunders3, 4, 5, Silvia Pereira1, 6, 2, Jacqueline Silva7, 2,Carlos Saboya8, 9, 6, 2 and Andréa Ramalho3, 10, 11 (1)Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2)Center for Research on Micronutrients, Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (3)FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (4)Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (5)Research Group in Maternal and Child Health (GPSMI), Josué de Castro Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (6)Clínica Cirúrgica Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7)Human Nutrition, Center for Research on Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil (9)Brazilian Society for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, São Paulo, Brazil (10)Social Applied Nutrition Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (11)Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Edifício dos Institutos Bloco J, 2° andar, sala 26, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Andréa Ramalho Email: aramalho.rj@gmail.com Published online: 12 December 2012 Abstract This study aims to describe the clinical consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. Included are studies on VAD during pregnancy and after bariatric surgery conducted in humans from 1993 to 2011. There are few investigations on the relationship between pregnancy and bariatric surgery and on the damage to the binomial mother–child resulting from VAD in this relationship. The high percentage of VAD in the postoperative period is a cause for concern, especially considering the function of this vitamin in certain biological moments and in moments of intense nutritional demand. This vitamin serum evaluation is recommended during the prenatal period. Keywords Pregnancy Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency Obesity Bariatric surgery Retinol Beta carotene Night blindness

I don't weigh daily. I just weigh monthly. Have seen a downward trend each and every month for the past year and a half. I personally, can't handle daily fluctuations. Many people can. I'm not one of them. I may change to weekly weigh-ins once I get to maintenance, but for now, once a month is the way I avoid those fluctuations.......You've probably always had a little weight gain from Fluid retention during your cycle, but you're probably in super excited mode about your stellar weight loss that you have a heightened awareness of the numbers on the scale. Give it a few days and weigh again. VIOLA .......You may be even below that 150 mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a thread here from a week or two ago where someone posted a You Tube video of a doctor explaining WHY no carbonation and if you see that, you won't want to risk drinking a beer. She explained that the carbonation rises and goes back up into your new little stomach and makes it expand. That's not a very good medical explanation but you get the general idea. It sounded like it could permanently negate the whole affect of having a band. Wine and alcohol are fine in moderation, as long as you recognize that not only is it empty calories, but it generally will stall your weight loss.

Hey ruthie,, i think you and I were banded on the same day or somewhere near there. I was banded JUNE 9. I got my first fill yesterday and already I feel a difference. You have lost more than I have,.,,I have lost 17..so FEEL GOOD about that. Look forward to getting home and getting a fill. I can imagine the situation with your mom is terribly hard. That alone..is enough to get you down hearted. Please..do your best to keep your chin up. I think we all have heard,..and experienced the dead area...pree fill..post op. I have gotten down also..so I know where you are about the weight loss battle. We are all here for you..and always here to listen...YOU WILL BE OK!! We will get this weight OFF!! 278/259/not sure yet

Had my first appointment with the surgeon this morning. Lots of information and I'm a little overwhelmed. They explained all 3 options they provide - roux en y, sleeve and band. They explained the typical success rates of each and how much weight I could expect to loose with each based on the averages of their 3000 patients. Now I'm even more confused than I was before. He said he can't recommend 1 surgery over another, but that I'd see the greatest results with the bypass. However, he also said I'm the perfect candidate for the band because I'm young and have few health problems and no mobility issues. The target he set for a healthy bmi is a loss of 132 pounds (I can't believe I'm carrying around an extra person, I've been in denial). He said based on the averages I'd loose 75% with the bypass, but only maybe 30-40% with the band. He stressed this is only an average....but there's no way to known if I'll be average or outstanding. He also said the band doesn't always work. I hate the thought of going thru the surgery and seeing no result. His PA said if it were here, she would go "all in" and get the bypass. She described the band as "you on your best diet." They said I don't have to decide until we set the surgery date. I'm just feeling really overwhelmed and this is the first place I wanted to go.

Better check the definition of plateau, and adjust your expectations. If you expect to lose a pound a day, you are most certainly going to be disappointed. WLS is not a magic guarantee of steady and rapid weight loss. As time goes on, you'll learn how your body releases weight - but a human body can only lose so fast. Thinking that losing 3 pounds in 5 days is slow, a stall, or a plateau is only going to frustrate you. You're doing great - you'll see!

It is definitely the weight loss . . . but the band helps make the weight loss possible so you could say both indirectly. I had my only child 16 years ago and wasn't blessed with another . . . until I got banded that is. I lost almost all of my weight, went off the pill and within 2 weeks I had conceived. It has been a miracle for me and I know I am not the only one who has become ultra-fertile post banding.

I am sorry you are struggling. I understand why you are discouraged but please do not feel like a failure. Others have already given you many good suggestions. I am concerned because it sounds like you could be depressed. Sometimes depression gets better on its own, but other times, depression worsens if it goes untreated. Talking with your doctor sounds like a wise idea. Are your cosmetology classes offered through a community college? If so, your college likely has a counselor who could help you. Most colleges offer free counseling services. If not, perhaps your doctor could refer you to a counselor or psychologist who has an understanding of weight loss surgery. I hope you're feeling better soon!

So far so good, I will take a 35 lb loss in 5 months... looking forward to the next 35 to go... I am always ready for it to be more but I'd rather lose it slow and steady.

I can't stay off the scale! I hate my scale and want to think it's broken! I was banded on 12/20/2010 and only lost about 5 lbs since surgery! this is ridiculoussssssss. Its already February and I think I should have lost alot more. I have 8ccs in a 14cc band. I constantly think about food and want to eat everything I see. I eat alot less than I used to and walk alot now. I do get slime and stuck so I know there is some type of restriction going on but Im hungry a couple hours later. I think I have alot of head hunger that's why im going to vent right now here. Im thinking about going in for another fill hopefully this monday :/ any suggestions anyone?