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I feel your pain. I am constantly being ask how much weight have you lost now? Sometimes by a person who ask me the same question 2 days ago. I have just started telling those people I don't know. I don't weigh every day and leave it at that. They usually let it go. It is annoying esp. since I seem to be at a stand still. I think if I were losing 5lbs a week I would probably be more than happy to tell everyone I meet.

Love watching Dr Alverez's videos and he just put out a new one regarding stalls. Has good information. Passing it along

How did everyone's eating plans go? I did not have the day off so I didn't go to any picnics or BBQs...I did, however, have a craving for BBQ and stopped by a BBQ restaurant to pick up a to-go meal. Of course, I will be eating it the rest of this week. I am only about 3 weeks out, so maybe I shouldn't even have had this mini-meal at all..I had a grilled chicken leg (no skin), about a teaspoon of sauce, and about three bites each of green beans and baked beans...here is a pic (this is on a saucer so it looks like more than it was)...I was actually surprised I was able to eat that much, and it's kind of scary..I am full, though, from it...what do y'all think?

@dreamingsmall i think @Cynthia119 is expressing sadness/injuries/pain about her car accident. looking for support during this hard time. she can't exercise like she used to in her present condition she is sharing that she is experiencing a stall - we all hate that. presently bummed/depressed not being able to exercise. hopefully her back shots will help her prob. my suggestion in trying to get some movement/exercise, rent a DVD on chair"sitting" exercises. they are helpful, give you some strength and motivation to continue your hard work. worth a try (i did it a few years ago when i broke my femur) you have lost 93 lbs!!! woo hoo, party dance - (you can sit and watch!!) btw - welcome to our large group. we get "smaller" every day.!! feel better soon i believe in you good luck kathy

Well, today I went in to get my IVC filter removed (it was placed a week prior to my surgery) and they found a gigantic blood clot "hanging on" to the IVC filter. Sooooooo...yikes. I'm back home and tomorrow I go in to see my surgeon. I guess we'll discuss what to do at that time. I've never had a blood clot so I'm not sure what the next steps will be. I do know that they scared the crap out of me when I asked if I could still do my walking (I was referring to my nightly "exercise" walk) and they told me that it "should" be okay for me to walk to the bathroom, but to try to avoid bending over because the clot could dislodge. *gulp* Yesterday I was zipping around like normal. I guess I'm happy I have the filter because it at least prevented the blood clot from heading to my heart or lungs. So...fingers crossed. I'm self-pay and this is going to cost me a fortune, but I'm still kicking.

Hey I actually haven't been sleeved yet! I am still pre-op, however this is an area of concern for me as it would have a great impact on my life. I hope it stops for you soon, congrats on 2 weeks!

I got whatever I could in chewable or liquid form and crushed the rest for maybe the first 2 or 3 weeks, but as you say, it's awful, (even using applesauce). It wasn't long before I started swallowing. For larger tablets, I'd cut them first and take in several pieces. Smallish capsules (Omeprazole) went down okay whole after a few weeks or weren't that bad in applesauce.

I haven't had the surgery yet, but my sergeon said the liver diet is not required for me. It basically just makes the surgery easier for the Dr because it shrinks the liver in order to have easier access to the stomach. I don't think it will stop you from getting sx by only doing it a week if that's what your Dr reccomended. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

It does suck.....but it's for your safety. In the grand scheme of things.....you'll look back on these two weeks and laugh. You are about to get so far past your old self that it's not even funny !!!!!

I was banded last year in april and suffered excruciating gas pain for about a week or so following surgery. I fould that liquid maalox worked the best for me and was easy to swallow. hang in there it does get better soon.

I was banded on a Friday and by Sunday night I was starving...lol. I had to wait until the following Friday before I was allowed to start mushy foods. The doctor said I was probably a quick healer and thus experienced hunger sooner than others. That week felt like torture, but I made it through. At any rate, just stick with the plan. There is a reason why you are only supposed to eat soft mushy foods and that is because you are still healing. meats, etc. may not be such a great idea right now because you do not want to disrupt the healing process....not trying to sound preachy, just dont want you to disturb anything. I found that eating a scrambled egg kept me feeling full longer as well as mashed potatoes because of how dense they are. Although eating yogurt and applesauce was good, I did find myself more hungry than when I ate the other things. good luck!

Hi Bill!! Welcome!! And congrats on making one of the toughest & most exciting decision of your life! There's a great group of men here on the board, and always room for more! I think the fact that the surgery exists offers hope... which is dangerous! I had given up hope, and getting it back hurt! I'm 3 weeks out from surgery... I was terrified of dying during the procedure, hehe, though it's very safe. And now that the surgery is over, I have time to worry about failing, etc, lol. I'm a professional worrier! But I really think this is going to work -- with or without my worry. Too cool! I read a post yesterday about someone losing weight without conscious effort -- the band just keeps the food amount down & the weight comes off. How cool is that!!! I'm not there yet (I don't have any fill so far), but I can't wait until I am! If you have specific worries / questions, feel free to ask 'em. We love answering questions! And we have folks that run the full gamut of emotions, so no matter what the question, most likely someone's been there. Welcome to the journey!!

Smaller sips of thinner Fluid is a great idea. Can you get clear fluid down ok? Every surgeon is different, I had my first fill at 6 weeks out, and others have had them at 4. Maybe it is just too much fill, too soon? :cool:

Aimee.. I am 5 7 1/2 . I had no complications. My surgery went really well I had it on a tuesday and went back to work on friday.. Call me crazy everyone else did lol... Did you have any complications? The only time I have pain in my port site is when I had my first fill my doc had a hard time finding my port ( probally to much fat) and stuck me with the needle about 50 times and a 45 mins later he finally found it he did say if he couldnt locate it he would have to do it under floro.. I hurt for a couple of days. From what I understand this is not usual only because a girl that I became friends with who had surgery the same day as me our doc only stuck her once and she was out in 5 mins... So it is not the same for everyone.... Sammee...... Carnation is like chocolate milk and I wouldnt say it is thick thick.This morning when I was drinking my carnation it took me 45 min for 8 oz how much slower can I go I am surprised the milk didnt sour on me lol... Clear Fluid goes down fine.. I didnt have any lunch or dinner because I was full I just hope tommorow this goes away if not I will call the doctor and schedule an unfill Melody.. my doc did not tell me clear liquids he just same liquids I did email him and ask him if I should just be doing clear and he said absolutly no he wanted me to have the carnation because it has the protien that I need he did tell me to try slim fast but that is way to thick yuck.. but every doctor has different requirements.. Now tommorow he has me doing mushies for 1 day and then i move to solids again.... What is your docs requirment (stages) for fills how long on mushies and when can you move to solids? Angela.... My doctor does the first initial fill 6 weeks out but he only put .5 cc in and the standard is 1.5 for the 4cc band that I have but the reason why he only puts that amout in is because he said some people only need 1 fill others need more. I met a girl at the meeting that was onle of his first patients 2 years ago and she has only 1cc in her band mind you it is a 10cc band and she has lost 175 pounds.. she was a size 32 tight and close to 400 pounds now she weighs 210 and wears a size 16 and she looks wonderful she is our inspiration at the meetings. Now my doc wants me to call him when i start to feel hungry in between meals and I can eat more than what I should that signals that it is time for another fill... He does not follow the every 6 week rule.. I am fortunate my doc has 1 day where he schedules all his fill patients and that is Tuesdays. I can walk in evcen if I have to. So i know that I amn always garenteed a fill when I need it. I started feeling hungry on thrusday of last week i called and he told me to come in aftrer work he stays open til 8... He is awesome. Also keeps in touch with his patients via email if not an emergency. We can vent to him and he will even come back with a reply whether a bad day eating or bad day in general... But thank you guys for responding to this and also the congrats on the weight lose it is greatly appreciated... Wish you luck on your journey Vickie

I finally asked my doctor if I was a candidate for WLS and was authorized to begin the process!! I'm scared yet excited. I'm currently with Kaiser in Maryland. Anyone in that area that has gone through the process and can let me know whats coming and how long? I know I have multiple classes but I have no idea what to expect. I'm scheduled for the first 2 class/appointments which are 4 weeks apart.... help please!!!

Well, everyone's different, that's the thing. The amount you should be ingesting may be different to the amount you CAN ingest. I think the thing is, you really have to eat according to what your body can handle, and whether you're hungry or not. I could probably only eat that much at that stage but over following weeks, I loosened up till at 12 weeks I could eat pretty normal amounts of food. So whilst nutrients may have been low there for a while, it evens out over time. And just FYI, there's no emphasis put on Protein at all as the one and only nutrient you need here in Australia, and we're not all keeling over . But the truth is, as a bandster, its probably going to be impossible to get the full amount of everything you need all the time, so supplements are a good idea. But really, its a lesser of two evils - you're far more likely to die from complications of being massively obese than you are from not getting quite enough Iron, protein or Vitamin whatever.

I wanted to add one more thing, make SURE to ask them if you have to do a pre-op diet and how much that will cost you if you have to order something they require. I didn't know that was a requirement for my doc, they NEVER mentioned it in my seminar, and I took some GREAT questions with me. That wasn't one of them I paid $249 for my four week food kit. You'll find a list of fantastic questions as well as things to do and buy before surgery in the FAQ and References forum here.

I had a fit bit flex and I loved it. I had it for about six weeks with no problems. Then when I started wearing it again after my surgery in October I break out severely every time I try to use it. Luckily Fitbit is an AWESOME company and they are sending me my money back plus shipping costs. I truly tried to make it work for me but it just wasn't happening. I also have the aria scale that syncs up with my Fitbit account automatically and I have a record of my weigh ins. Nice that I don't have to write it down anymore. I will probably try a different Fitbit when I get my refund check. Maybe one that doesn't go on my wrist. Highly recommend a Fitbit

Welcome!!! Are you excited as I am? Abt to start my pre-op diet next week for a june 7th surgery date!!!

I’m trying to be patient and zen about this whole thing, but at this point I’m discouraged and generally pissed off. I’ve lost 3 pounds in the last week and only 15 since surgery three weeks ago. I don’t understand how it can be physiologically possible not to lose weight on 550 calories per day, on average. I exceed protein, meet water, keep net carbs at 25 on average and I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every other day. Maybe I’m just in the group of people for whom this doesn’t work.

Hello again: I can't believe I have less than 3 weeks to go 'til I'm an official bandster! I wished I'd quit smoking long before this, so I wouldn't have gained any weight. But, I didn't and I did - oh well. I'm not going to chastise myself too much over this. I finally feel like I'm taking control of my life. I feel as if my life has been on hold for so long. To be only 5'2" and 246lbs. and an apple shape to boot - is not a very pretty picture.

Thanks all! I did recently replace the battery. My sister has noticed mine is always higher than hers as well. No one likes weighing themselves at my house I imagine I will get weighed at the hospital next week before surgery so I think after that I will go and buy a new scale that is close/on that number and see where that gets me. The upside is I think it is very likely I've lost enough to be back in "the two's"... Next stop, ONEderland (in 12-18 months !

Hi Lexie, For my weight loss surgery I'm having the lap band. As far as Chiari goes, I've been unable to work or drive for three years, I'm in a wheelchair when I leave the house because I'm unable to stand up for more than a minute or two without fainting, and I have the classic Chiari headaches daily (along with a huuuuge list of other symptoms). I've sent my medical records to neurosurgeons across the country but I've been rejected by all of them because of my weight. The funny thing is, I don't have any other comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, or any of that - other than the Chiari and being overweight, I'm healthy. I'm 375 lbs as of my 6 week pre-op appointment. Have lost a bit in the couple of weeks I've been on the pre-op diet though! I think what I'm worried about is going through the weight loss surgery while still having my Chiari malformation. I can't lie flat - the pressure builds in my head until I have an excruciating headache. I know I'll be out for the surgery but can I ask them to prop me up before they bring me out of anasthesia to reduce the pain before I wake up? Stuff like that. Just wondering if anyone else has had to bring this up with their surgeon... Thanks for your response! Katrina

Over the past twenty years, lot of patients have become more familiar with specific measurements related to health, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings. When it comes to weight-related health risks, there are three important numbers that you should know. The first is your actual weight in pounds; the second is your Body Mass Index, or BMI; and the third is your waist measurement. Your BMI is based on your height and weight. Doctors consider BMI to be a better measure of health risk than your actual weight in pounds. In fact, the medical terms "overweight" and "obesity" are based on BMI values. A BMI of between 25 and 30 is defined as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of developing a weight-related illness, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. spine surgeons california