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Stalls sucks. I am 10 weeks out of my surgery and I am just coming out of a 20 day stall. It was terrible, mentally. 20 days is a long time and you really begin to question things at that stage. Like everyone says out here, you just have to be patient.

Tinytears its usually 20% of your weight.my doc told me 10% being I quit smoking..it hard for me too..I have lost 60 pounds before 30 before.. But now I am needing to lose and have lost 10 so far..need 7more

Hi, my name is Mark, 19 years old and from ND. I was banded on July 18, 2007 and I'm down 115 pounds! It feels so great, I have so much more energy! I'm excited to read more on this forum.

You look amazing. In 10 weeks you have lost a lot. Tomorrow I will be at 6 weeks and is only 21 pounds down!

I am 15 weeks out today. I lost 1 pound this week. I almost said "ONLY" before that 1, but I am not going to do that! A loss is a loss. It's ONE pound gone forever! I'm just going to be happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. I started working out this week, so maybe I am building some muscle. I think I was really dehydrated the week before, so this past week I have been drinking a lot more. I also ate some pretty bad stuff this past week, so I am going to make sure to stay on track this week. I weighed in at 278 pounds today! It feels so weird to say that. Last week when I was 279, I wrote 297 in my notebook where I keep a weekly record of my weight. Either I am dyslexic or just not use to that "7" in there. So, here are some NSV: Some I have shared before, but I felt they needed to be re-shared 1. I am up to 10 mins on the elpitical machine (HUGE FOR ME) 2. I went to the cardiologist for a re-check last week. Haven't been there since a few months before surgery. My BP, with no meds since date of surgery, was 122/84, and pulse was 72! Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"..........the doctor shook my hand 3. I could squeeze my butt into size 20 jeans Still tight, but I could zip them I put my size 24's in the dryer and they are still baggy. But I don't have any 22's and don't want to buy any. I went to a store where I know the stuff is cheap, and NO size 22's!! So, I just bought a few 20's. Just bought some sweat pants for $3 to wear until I fit into the 20's. 4. I got a job! Not a RN job, but it's a job for now. I got a nanny job for a family I have known for 8 years. It's just part time, but it gets me out of the house 5. I can walk from my basement (up 3 sets of small steps- quad level house) carrying laundry and still have the energy to fold it and put it away without sitting or resting! 6. While working, I can run up the steps to check on the kids, and not feel like my heart is gonna jump out of my chest I couldn't walk to my mailbox before surgery without the need to lean over the counter when I got inside to be able to breathe. 7. I can shower and get out and not have to sit down and rest. Sometimes, before surgery, I would have to lay in bed naked because I couldn't do anything else. 8. I shoveled the snow from my entire driveway and sidewalks with no break I couldn't even shovel 1 path last year. 9. I fit into a booth at a resturant without moving the table. 10. My periods are freaking NORMAL!!! 11. I met a friend for lunch the other day that I haven't seen since I was 6 weeks post-op and she said "WOW, where did the rest of you go" 12. I can play with my dogs, and run around (somewhat) with them and play hide and seek, which they love. I can take them for walks (which I need to do more of). Okay, now some # victories: 1. I am in the 270's! 2. I am 11 pounds away from being half way to goal!! 3. I am 9 pounds away from losing 100 pounds!! 4. Starting BMI was 53.... today.... 39!!!!! I know I say this a lot, but I am SO glad I have you guys to share all my victories with :D For anyone just starting this journey, trust me, it gets better, and it will all be worth it!!!

I've found that it helps to have pictures taken. I used to always cringe inside when someone flashed a camera in my direction. Now, however, I think it really helps my mind grasp that my body really HAS changed. It's hard to change our internal view of how we "look". When I was a teenager, I lost 115 pounds on Nutrisystem. I really never did feel a "normal" size, even though I was down to a 10/12. We just came back from a vacation in Puerto Rico. I've never felt SO GOOD wearing shorts and a tee shirt. I'm just into size 18, but wow! I know I'm not skinny, but in looking at the photos, I know I am looking healthier. And it was really odd to realize that I wasn't the largest gal in our group. (It was a work trip for the hubs and 60 other of his co-workers and their spouses.) Anyhow, photos do help. It's kind of a wake up slap to your brain that you HAVE changed!!

My surgery is scheduled March 1st but I will be there from Feb. 28 - March 10 because I am having some dental work done as well. So I will see you there! Do you know which hotel you are staying at? I will be at the Lucerna. Can't wait to meet you there! Tracy

i am 23 days from my last nutrition visit and my 10 day post op diet! im so excited and nervous...but more excited...anyway..thanks for the encouragement. i love hearing how everyone is happy they made this decision.

I had surgery 11/19 , HW 282, SW 239, CW 221 only 18 pounds since surgery. I am not exactly happy with my loss either but I am taking as a clue to exercise more and hit my protien and water harder.

2 other things that really helped... GAS X. toned down all the gas which causes so much pain when trying to eat, drink, move, blink. COLACE... day 3 once i pooped and tooted d horn life was so much better. Day1-3 were hell, 4 was so-so, today 5- i went for a walk, total 10 blocks, no pain, mild soreness. Good luck, It gets better, hang in there. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

I hear you on that one as I just got Zumba and am struggling! I'm gonna persevere a bit longer, but I'm going to keep doing my Caribbean Workouts with Shelly McDonald. I like the Step workouts... you need a lot less co-ordination than with Zumba! I'm gonna go back to my '10 Minute Solution - Ultimate Kettleball Fat Burner' DVD once I'm a bit more recovered (only 4 weeks out at the mo). Good luck and I'll be interested to hear other people's suggestions.

I’m growing increasingly impatient. I finished all of my preop 10 days ago and still don’t have a date. I know it takes time, but I’m just anxious to have a date!

Best of luck, Sherri! Your surgeon cannot substitue gallbladder surgery for the lapband surgery. But when you signed your consent, it would have stated that if the gallbladder would be removed, if necessary. I will be banded myself on May 2nd - gallbladder already removed 10 yrs ago, but I will have my hiatal hernia fixed while she is in there.... a 2fer!! My prayers are with you...Rachel

Hi everyone. I'm new here too. Had my surgery October 2006. It took a long, long time and lots of adjustments before I had any restriction at all. I would say that it only really started working June/July 2007. I have since lost 46.5 Ibs. Slow I know but still happy with the results. Have been quite poorly on and off with it. Had a couple of yeast infections in my gullet which cause immense pain. Feel I am getting back on track now though. My question is, does anyone suffer sever night time reflux after an adjustment. I get it terribly all through the night (I wake up choking and struggling to breathe:confused_smile: at least 9 or 10 times). This lasts for a good couple of months after. I know it is not due to eating or drinking as I don't have a thing after 5.30 pm at these times, not even water. It almost feels like it is just saliva refluxing, nevertheless, it is extremely uncomfortable. Any advice?

I'm going to go against the norm here... Who said you can't have carbs? Who said you can't have bread, Pasta, rice, and potatoes? Whoever even said you couldn't have the occasional treat once in awhile? Just because low carb is the new "in thing" for dieters doesn't mean it's the only option. It doesn't mean it's the only thing that works, either. I have lost almost 160 pounds in about 10 months. I do not restrict my carbs. I count my calories religiously, restrict my fat intake, and make sure I get in all my Protein...but I don't do low carb. It's simply not realistic for me long term so I don't do it. I love pasta, bread, and potatoes and I eat them daily. I just am sure they always fit into my daily calorie allowance and stick to band sized portions. Just something to think about!

My doctor tild me about 10 days

I was sleeved on the 11th. I asked my doctor when I could start excersing again. He told me as soon as I feel comfortable doing it. The only restriction I was given was not to lift anything over 10 pounds for the first 2 weeks. I've had a ton of energy since trying to go to sleep last night and decided to try using my elliptical today. I only did 6 minutes because I could feel some strain in my abdomen and didn't want to over do it. For me, I just don't want to get out of the habit of excersing, which is really easy for me to do.

19 days & still have discomfort. Today's the 1st day I haven't felt the need to take my pain medicine, which has usually been late afternoon. I kinda felt like a sissy, but have read people are just different. Sometimes it's achy above my belly button, sometimes it's time a pulling where my incisions are. It was 2 weeks before either pain would allow me to sleep on my side. Now, in just doing Advil for soreness & try not to do too much.

Get this--- the hubby and I just got in to our first actual argument about food. I truly believe that this is the first of many. I am 11 days out of surgery and still fighting the food addiction and lack of food while on this liquid portion, not to mention the insane cravings for things that I never would have cared to eat pre-band. Hubby text messages me from across the house to let me know that my pudding is ready. I let him know that I'll be down to get it later. He comes upstairs to inquire what my damage is... to which I respond, I'll be down in a few. He then announces that dinner is downstairs and he wants me to eat next to him. Already an emotional nightmare, I blurt out "I cant be around you and your food" (said while crying). Which sparks the guilt trip of how bad I am making him feel and how he feels he cant have anything to eat and I dont know how he feels... (flip bitch-switch now):eek:. I let him know that he has no idea how I feel and how much trouble I am having handling this whole thing. It hasnt even been 2 weeks... blah, blah, blah. So the dog and I go sit with him on the couch. The dog is acting up and I am not interested in his TV selection so I get up to bring the dog to her crate and he wigs out again... now he wants me to sit and watch some auto-auction on tv that is a snooze fest for me. It's odd, whenever I want to spend time with him, he runs off to Tony's or wherever. Now that he is being needy and I'm now used to doing things on my own around here, he's flipping out. I dont know what to do. He's been snappy all day.... I came home from work and let him know that one of the nurses at work has a friend that had lap band and felt the same way I do but now she's a hot mama and doing great and Margie gave me her number to talk with her to help get me thru this. He flipped. He wants his sister to be my support person but I think he has forgotten her words of wisdom regarding her "horror-in-law" and how much she didnt want to go to meetings together, didnt want to help me or want my help... etc. So when I reminded him of this, he got mad again. Either he is having one hell of a bad day and I am just in the way or he's really upset with me. Either way, I think this is just the first of many food related arguments. Other than that.. another day, another $1 made. Actually worked from 8-5 today. OOOH. I must have gotten some testicular fortitude at some point today... I called the Dr.s office and booked my first fill appointment. The nurse person I have to deal with is such a bitch. I hate calling there. She treats you like a 2 year old, she's mean and just nasty. Yes, I fear her. I'm not a confrontational person and this woman makes me want to slap her and run. So my first fill is Feb 11th. I cant wait.. maybe that will help with the hunger issues and hopefully by then I wont have such bad cravings as I will be back on real food. (Today, I want lettuce so bad). All in all, things are getting better. 2 of the 5 steri-strips have fallen off. I am still so itchy from the adhesive on them. One of the doctors at work and one of the NP's have told me to take them off but no way. I will let them fall off as instructed. Besides, if my skins rots off, that is weight lost. Speaking of weight lost, I got on the scale this morning... it said 98 pounds. Not 198 but 98. HAHAHA. I'm rather bloated for weighing in at 98 pounds. I'm thinking new battery or maybe new scale. I dont ever want to be 98 pounds. Anorexia is not a fashion statement. I am going for a hot shower, and my pillow. Hopefully I can sleep tonight. As tired as I was last night, I did not sleep well....

I am an a"MAY"zing bandster too! I missed the list, but here is mine. . with a few already checked off!! 1) Ride a roller coaster again (I couldn't fit in the seat at Dollywood a few years ago. . I was mortified). CHECK!!!!! 2) Buckle my seat belt in an airplane (haven't traveled yet, but we'll see) 3) go jogging. CHECK!!!!! 4) buy jeans at the Gap. CHECK!!!!!! 5) not huff and puff walking a flight of stairs. CHECK!!!!! 6) go skydiving (this is my prize for hitting my goal weight) 7) wear shorts w/out being self conscience. CHECK!!!!!! 8) not weighing over 200 lbs 9) being smaller than my husband (I'm close) 10) no longer caring about food (I'm getting there)

Hey there. Don't give up! I heard that many sleeve patients lose like another 10-15 % additional weight in the SECOND YEAR too! You still may be able to hit that 100 pound goal. I agree that working at McDonald's after having the sleeve is like an alcoholic working in a bar. I understand you can't quit. Try to eat something before work like some of the other people have said so you are full and not tempted to eat there. I don't even know anything I would eat at McDonald's except maybe the oatmeal and I'm not even sure i would eat that. Good luck girl!

Here's an article from Yahoo News Child stomach surgeries more popular <!-- END HEADLINE --> <!-- BEGIN STORY BODY -->By DAVID B. CARUSO, Associated Press Writer 25 minutes ago As the popularity of stomach surgery has skyrocketed among obese adults, a growing number of doctors are asking, "Why not children, too?" For decades, the number of kids trying weight-loss surgery has been tiny. The operations themselves were risky, with a death rate of about 1 in 50. Children rarely got that fat, and when they did, pediatricians hesitated to put the developing bodies under the knife. Only 350 U.S. kids had such an operation in 2004, according to federal statistics. But improvements in surgical technique and huge increases in the number of dangerously obese children have begun fueling a change of heart. A group of four hospitals, led by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, are starting a large-scale study this spring examining how children respond to various types of weight-loss surgery, including the gastric bypass, in which a pouch is stapled off from the rest of the stomach and connected to the small intestine. Three more hospitals have approval from the food and Drug Administration to test how teens fare with a procedure called laparoscopic gastric banding, where an elastic collar installed around the stomach limits how much someone can eat. The FDA has hesitated to approve the gastric band for children, but surgeons at New York University Medical Center reported in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery this month that the device holds promise. The 53 boys and girls, aged 13 to 17, who participated in NYU's study shed nearly half their excess weight over 18 months, while suffering relatively minor complications. Crystal Kasprowicz, of St. James, N.Y., said she lost 100 pounds from her 250-pound frame after having the band installed at age 17. "I'm a totally different person," she said. Before the procedure, Kasprowicz said she took medication for a rapid heartbeat and was showing signs of developing diabetes. Every effort she made to stop getting bigger failed. Dieting didn't work, she said. Her heart problems made it hard to exercise. Even walking up stairs was a challenge. Now, she's off the heart drugs. Her blood-sugar levels are in check. She also feels better about herself. "I'm very outgoing now," said Kasprowicz. "I hike a lot ... I go to the beach in the summer now. I'm not as self-conscious when I go shopping for clothing." Similar studies are under way at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago and at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, which recently opened a weight-loss surgery center for teens. Doctors there expect to conduct about 50 operations this year. Children are only considered candidates for surgery after they have spent six months trying to lose weight through conventional methods under hospital supervision. But so far, not a single one has slimmed down enough to take surgery off the table, said Dr. Jeffrey Zitsman, associate attending surgeon at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. "That battle can only be won in a few instances," he said. The studies have followed a huge surge in the popularity of obesity surgeries among adults. The American Society for Bariatric Surgery estimates that more than 177,000 Americans had weight-loss surgery last year, up from 47,000 in 2001. Not everyone is pleased that kids might be next. "I don't think altering the human digestive tract is a solution to the problem of excess weight," said Joanne Ikeda, a nutritionist emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. "It's one of these quick-fixes that isn't a fix at all." Doctors, she said, still know relatively little about the long-term effects of such operations on the very young. The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a study in July that said four in 10 weight-loss surgery patients develop complications within six months. Among adults, mortality rates among gastric bypass patients remain at between 1 in 100 and 1 in 200 patients. Laparoscopic gastric banding has been shown to have a much smaller death rate — about 1 in 1000 patients — but complications do occur. Of the patients who participated in the NYU study, two needed a second operation to adjust a slipping band; two developed hernias; five got an infection; five suffered mild hair loss and four had Iron deficiencies related to their new diet. After the study was complete, one patient asked to have her band removed because of discomfort, said Evan Nadler, a pediatric surgeon and co-author of the study. Nadler said those complications were minor compared to the chronic diabetes and cardiovascular disease teens would face if they remained that heavy into adulthood. "These are people who have tried everything they could possibly try," he said, noting that their mean weight at the study's start was 297 pounds. "Once they reach this level of morbid obesity, the vast majority go on to be obese adults," he said. Thomas Wadden, an obesity expert at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said surgery can be of immense benefit to some teens, especially those already experiencing health problems. But he also advised caution. Egged on by TV shows and commercials expounding the benefits of weight-loss surgery, adult patients have begun showing up at Penn's Center for Weight and Eating Disorders demanding an operation as an easy first step to thinness. "When we ask them, 'What have you done so far to lose weight?' The patients say, 'Nothing,'" Wadden said. "They're going right to a $25,000 operation for which they are ill-prepared." It would be tragic, he said, to see the same phenomenon repeated among children. "They have to be selected with caution to make sure that this aggressive step is absolutely necessary."