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I worked very hard not to do this and I think I was successful. I really lost weight very slowly compared to a lot of other bandsters, its taken almost 2 years to lose 40kg, many many people have lost that in one. But I refused to diet, count calories, Protein grams etc. I really believe that most of this is mental and that if you're still counting calories and worrying over everything you eat some years down the track, then you've not won a huge part of the battle. BUT - this is personality dependent. I know that's just me. That's what I most wanted to be free of. My mum lives on weight watchers and she doesnt even need to lose weight, she just loves the discipline and routine. So, what do you want? How do you want to do it?

Lol boot, I am 39, 5'1" & 230 lbs. You really should consider taking the next step. With our height and this weight , we have BMI of 40+! that's not good for us, it will only get worse with our weight this high. I just ran into high blood pressure problems and now meds for that. Putting bodies can't handle this much weight. I am choosing the LB. I hope u r able to make a choice soon for your family and yourself!

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The kind of questions to ask yourself is how long do you want to be fat? How much of your future are you willing to throw away due to obesity? When will you have had enough of clothes that don't fit, airplane seats too small, and tiredness when standing or walking or climbing stairs? How often will you be able to ignore the rolled-eyes expressions of people judging you for your weight, or tolerate being the invisible fat person in the crowd? And how many times will you be comfortable telling your twins, "Sorry, honey, you run along and play. Mommy needs to sit here and watch." Are you prepared to let your children grow up missing out on a life of activity and bonding with you? The questions go on and on, and only you can say when you've had enough. Once you're banded, and it's adjusted properly, your appetite will be virtually eliminated. You won't GET hungry, so there won't be any "starving." A small amount of food will fill you up and make you feel full, just like a large amount of food did previously. So you won't have that crutch to lean on anymore. (I tried that for years - I hated feeling hungry, so justified being fat. Nowadays it's a non-issue. I eat 1000 calories a day or so, and it's PLENTY of food. Oh yeah, and I've lost over a hundred pounds without ever feeling like I was missing out on eating "big.". It's a no-brainer.) For me, the decision to get banded came when I finally admitted I was unable to properly do my work. (I'm in IT tech support for a busy hospital.) As a fairly rugged guy, imagine my embarassment when the female employees at work said things like, "Did you want me to crawl under that desk and connect that cable for you?" To my shame, I admit that I let them do it any number of times. And I thanked them for it. Nowadays they don't even ask - it's quite a different experience. The reason is that I"m no longer that red-faced, sweaty, obese guy huffing and puffing as I try to tuck in my tent-sized shirt into the waistband of my incredibly huge pants, while trying to keep my pants from falling down off my fat ass. I get compliments from everyone I meet, telling me how amazing I look, and how great my (much smaller) clothes fit. I can keep up with everyone, and most times I'm the one in front of the crowd. It's like I was reborn into a whole new body. And it's only been eight months! Have the surgery. You have everything to gain, and nothing to look forward to as you are except more of the unhappiness you're living with right now. Good luck! Dave P.S. My surgery was at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. That's where I get my fills, too. They're great to work with. Give them a call.

Had my 2 week check up and could not wait to get on the scale to be weighed,(imagine that) New weight 331, that's 14 pounds lost since surgery and total 42 if you include pre op loss. Surgeon checked my incision and reminded me that my port had to be put in deeper then usual due to a thick abdomen, he says this had nothing to do with my weight some people just have thicker bellies. He is hoping that he can do my fills in his office if not I will have to have them done in the hospital under xray. Next stop the dietitian and she wanted to know what I had been eating and if I had stuck to full liquids for the first 14 days, yes I did! Now I am on mushies and am so happy to have canned chicken there is a variety of foods that I can have during this phase and I am looking forward to it. My fill is not until May 14 but that's ok because so far I have been able to go close to 5 hours without getting hungry and the 3 oz amount really fills me up! Now I know that I have the lapband and not the realize band and my band is empty so maybe it's mental or maybe just having the band around my stomach is doing something to help satisfy me....whatever it is I am digging it. I must say that this has been a great experience and I am glad I made this big decision to change!

I really started shedding about a month ago, which was 4 months post op. Some days it seems to come out in clumps. I had to give my vacuum a hair cut the other day! I went through this with my divorce 2 years ago too. Stress plays a big factor, so try not to stress, it goes hand and hand with weight loss and it will grow back with time. I think I'd rather be bald than go back to the way I was before (unhealthy!)....

I have done HORRIBLE this week...how can I go through Thanksgiving and do PERFECT but then fail like this! All week I have gave into tempation. I eat Beans, beef fajita meat, sour cream and pico de galo almost every night for dinner. Then for the last 2 days I have ate 2 bite size reeces. I have worked so hard and went through pain to start this journey and now just (pardon my french) screwed it all up...not anymore..starting RIGHT NOW I will stick to my diet and get this weight OFF OF ME....ok rant over...have a great day

I am 10 days post op and I did 10 minutes on the elipticle and some very light weights. Even though it was a very light work out, it felt good.

I am the only one on here that doesn't do sugar free and fat free everything?? I feel horrible when I drink sugar free lattes, sugar free drinks, and have sugar free popsicles. Can you notice a difference when its not in your diet? I feel like it is toxic. I know it can help cut back on calories but I don't think that is needed for when I am (or others with VSG) are eating such small volumes of everything, plus I found out recently I need to eat at least 1200 cals a day to lose weight. I am not a carb counter- but I definately eat high protien first. Actually 80 grams per day. What is your opinion? What does your surgeon recommend? My surgeon's plan says eat sugar free and fat free everything but my NUT and the NPs I see know I won't follow that. One nurse mentioned she actually thinks it is better for some people. What do you think?

I am almost 5 weeks out and anything I eat causes discomfort. The only thing that goes down ok and stays down ok is crackers. I am not sure if I am eating too much, too fast or what. My sleeve seems to be very very tiny- it would honestly suit me just fine to not eat at all, but I keep trying because I know that is how I'm going to lose the weight. Any advice??

Hi B, it doesnt hurt at all to eat post-op. You'll find that there are going to be things that are going to be tougher to eat, typically bread, sometimes Pasta and definitely steak and chicken but eventually you learn to chew the hell out of your food, eat small bites and know your limits. You'll have to feel it out a bit. It's a weird thing. It doesn't ever hurt to eat but when something doesn't feel good, I usually describe it as "not sitting well". it just feels like a bit of a lead weight is sitting in your pouch but it quickly passes. You're going to be fine!

This is my story! I have not dropped much at all lately in weight but drastically in size. In the last 2-3 months went from a 14 to a 10!!! BUT not much weight, like 3 pounds. BUT like Nana said you'll eventually get to your goal!

:help:I was banded in May this year. I was 263 and am now 237. I have plateaued since June and stuck at around 240. However, the curious thing is that although the numbers on the scale don't seem to be moving much - I do feel like I've lost inches and am now able to get into smaller clothes. Has anyone else experience this? I am a little disheartened about the weight loss. I started the WW diet last week and writing everything down and sticking to my 28 points per day. I'm certainly eating less than I was before I was banded, and after 2 fills (in my 10cc band) I still get hungry but when I sit down to eat a meal I find food still gets stuck and I can't eat any more. Then I feel that I've ben cheated out of my meal and after an hour I am hungry again. The qustion is do I go for another fill to make it 3cc's and risk food getting stuck even earlier into my meal or do I continue as I am on this crazy plateau. I wish someone could give me a clue as to what is happening. Whilst I am happy to get into smaller sizes, and I know that the numbers on the scale shouldn't matter that much - I still want to see smaller numbers!!

I have sf and ff everything. Low fat too and 0% or 2% yogurts. I am afraid to add more calories than necessary because I don't count. I just have three tablespoons of something three times a day and one protein drink and sf snacks twice a day. I don't understand how upping the calories helps lose weight. I was always taught less is more and will help weight drop faster.

awesome!!!! it sounds like we are almost the same weight - would be funny if we get the same surgery date!!!!!! I keep watching my phone waiting for the call from the dr's office with my surgery date - since I know the insurance company called the dr. office this morning with my authorization code before the insurance co. called me - I'm thinking they should have called me by now with the surgery date. The only reason they may not though is every Wed. they do a roundtable with all the surgeons and a few key hospital staff to go through the list of candidates for final approval from the surgeon with input from all - that is when they may decide to send the candicate for more testing etc. Then it's possible the office is waiting for that roundtable Wed. before approving me - still this waiting is terrible =)

Your BMI is pretty low I dont think you will need to worry about loose skin. If you carry most of your weight in your belly and the rest of your body is pretty small then you could possibly end up with some skin issues on your tummy but I dont think it would be a really bad case of loose skin. I had similar BMI and I am not having loose skin issues so far and I am down to 27 BMI. Exercise will help keep the body toned while you lose weight.

In my opinion medifast is like any thing else even weight loss surgery you can cheat and gain the weight back its just harder to cheat with your stomach that is limited to.how much it can hold. Its 99% mental. Good luck I had me sleeve Tuesday and look toward to the future

I do sugar-free mostly, but I don't follow the fat free philosophy. I do SF because it's what I'm used to doing, and because my son that lives with me has diabetes. I can actually taste when a drink has sugar in it. I usually do decaf and unsweetened tea for drinks, if I'm not drinking Water. And, I still haven't gotten my taste back for most sweets. chocolate is the exception, unfortunately. I don't do fat free because the substitutes for that usually make my tummy irritated. I religiously did low fat when my kids were small, and gained weight the whole time! Now, I just keep the portions small. I agree with you. How bad can one piece of full-fat bacon be for me? I'd rather eat that one piece than a pound of the turkey bacon!

After having a lap band for 13 years with not so great success, roller coaster weight loss, and the inability to eat certain foods at all, I am having it removed in the future and wanted some I put as to getting the gastric sleeve while they take it out. Anyone else switch and have any insight or advice as to good move or not? I’m 68 and in relatively good health.

I have a question. I was told when I had my UGI that I had a very small dilation. I asked if it was because I ate too much or did anything else I shouldn't of. I was told no. I asked if they were going to remove fluid and was told no, everything was going down fine and that it was very slight. I wasn't even told to go on liquids...just that I was progressing nicely and my weight loss is good and that in fact the fluid was moving through so well that I probably could actual use a slight fill (but they wouldn't do it because of the heartburn and reflux). To this day, I still struggle with heartburn and occasional nightly reflux and lots of burping (most of this is the week before my period...sorry if TMI, but I get alot tighter then). Do you all think I should press this issue?? Is the dilation getting better/worse/the same? Am I hurting myself? I don't want to have any fluid taken out, but I don't want to hurt myself and potentually lose my band! have you ever heard of doing nothing for a slight dilation? Just any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

I also go back and forth but I'm just tired of the up and down, diets, losing the same 20lbs to gain hem back I just need this push I'm also scared but from what I've seen & read most people do go back to a basically normal life & diet after some time just in smaller portions Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hang in there. I'm four months post op and doing much better. My first month was very rough mentally and physically. My surgeon and OBGYN have both told me that your body gets off track hormonally from this surgery from the shock and rapid weight reduction. There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a lot to process and learn to eat properly on top of all the physical changes. Each week will get better and better. I did have the doc prescribe Ativan for me and that really helped calm me down and relax. It got me to sleep a good nights rest and heal.

I had the same problem. However I was able to find some old records that was beyond five years and that work. Also you can put a thing in there about you could not obtain records from all other doctors because they no longer have your file. Also you can use your OBGYN records as yell. We had problems with my wife pcp in regards to past weights etc. His excuse was HIPPA. So we just went to the OBGYN and had them do the same letter and she was approved within 20 minutes after it was resubmitted by the doctors office. If you would like to see the letter send me your e-mail and I will forward it to you. We both were approved in less than 30 days. I hope that this will help you out. Chris

Sounds like you are in what they call bandster hell... I'm only 2 weeks out from being banded... and saw my Dr today for a check up. He told me it is not uncommon for people not to lose weight before their first fill. And after the numerous threads I've read here it also sounds like finding the "sweet spot" with the fill can sometimes take a couple fills to get there. Are you getting 60grams of Protein a day? Its important to get all the protein in to continue weightloss. Im sure more experienced banders will chime in... Hang in there!!

Hi, I could use some advice. I was banded on Feb. 27th. I lost 26 pounds prior to getting banded, and ZERO pounds since getting banded. I had my first fill last week. I am scheduled for my 2nd fill next week (2-week increments). (I have a 10cc band. 2 ccs were put in during surgery. Last week they gave me 2.5 ccs.) I have not lost any weight. I don't feel any restriction. I have had a problem 3 times now where I didn't chew properly and the food kind of got "bottled up" and I had to burp a lot until it got moving again. I have been making moderately-healthy food choices....fish, steamed veggies, low calorie foods and drinks. I cut out diet pepsi entirely, which was a HUGE feat for me. I don't seem to have ANY problems with food choices; what I mean is, I have no problems getting some foods down that others seem to, like carby items. I have not gotten into my full exercise routine yet (prior to surgery I worked out 5-6 days a week) but I'm starting to bicycle a little after work and will start getting back to the gym this week. I wish I was losing weight, but I'm not wholly surprised that I'm not, since prior to surgery I ate well, exercised regularly, and only GAINED weight. I'm starting to get worried that maybe my band slipped? When should I start seeing weight loss? What should I do differently? I know I need to start exercising more, but that'll happen gradually, starting this week. Does anyone have any advice? What's going on with me? Why isn't this working?