Search the Community

Hi - Even before having lapband surgery (Jan 9, 07), I wanted to try B-12 shots to see if it helped with energy. My primary just gave me my first shot, but said that it might stimulate appetite. Of course, I don't want to do that, but I've waited so long to see if B-12 is helpful in some way that I proceeded with it. I'm not losing much due to "soft food syndrome" (ha!) so I figured now was the time to try. Did it stimulate your appetite? Did it give you more energy? Any other benefits from it? What are the usual reasons people get B-12 shots? Etc etc Also, I posted on the lapband support board about solids not being solids and being back to self-control. Not losing weight now. Lots of foods I thought would cause restriction slide on through and it was quite an unpleasant shock. Even though many bad behavours have stopped, eating lots of Protein is still keeping me at a standstill with the weight loss partly due to having to get a grip on reducing carbs. I still can't believe I'm not losing weight since I have had so many improvements. Others of you must have this problem. Any comments would be appreciated and I'm new so I'm just getting used to which boards to post under. Sorry if this was a repeat of what you read on the other board. Thanks!

This is my abbreviated story: Update: September 17, 2008 9pm My lapband was cremated ..I had the inevitable deal breaking experience of my failed relationship between my body and my lapband. After 20 months of fills and unfills, which led to stoma obstruction & finally pouch dilation & band slippage...I was forced to make a quick life-changing decision. I had to give up my band due to slippage and the reality that I could not say that the band was the best fit for me and lifestyle stresses. I do think and feel that my lifestyle and how I internalized stress definitely compromised the ultimate maximization of the efficacy of the lapband. However, I continue to perservere through this journey of weight management as a life long struggle. Before Banding: 247 lb highest weight Average Weight Post Banding: 210 lbs. At Cremation of Band: 201 lbs.

I can only say for me this is pretty normal- I seem to have a range instead of a set weight, depending on the time of month and if I was eatting really salty foods ( like too many nuts)

This summer, my eight year old niece came to visit, and my daughter was home, too. My daughter is in her early 20's, and has been my biggest cheerleader for weight loss surgery. She's a microbiology major (microbiologist study viruses, bacteria and fungus) pursuing entomology in grad school....entomology is the study of insects...but with microbio she can apply this to medical research, insect vector spread illness, microbial food science, pharmaceuticals, etc. We had her for a month before she left for her internship this summer:) So anyway...My little niecey was coming and I was loading the grocery cart with "kid food"....spaghetti O's and Captain Crunch and pringles and ginger snaps and pizza rolls...and a dozen other crimes against nutrition.....and my daughter.....put her foot down. "Mom, why are you buying that crap?" "Because little Chickadee isn't on a diet, I am." "Um...we all share genetics, Mom, this isn't a kindness. And watching her eat junk could be a weird pathological transference of food addiction." "So, I shouldn't buy any kid friendly food?" "You're on a serious diet preparing for surgery. You don't need to buy this crap. No, you don't. Why don't you let me handle getting things for her?" I'm always amused when my daughter puts her foot down with me...so I conceded. But my daughter didn't buy anything....which worried me. A couple days later, little Chickadee came for her week long visit, and we went grocery shopping. She adores her big cousin. Two peas in a pod...both biology nuts. They go canoeing and hiking and look at pond water under the microscope and collect bugs and play weird genetics games online together. So we're at the store and my daughter goes..."Chickadee, pick out three things you'd like to try. Any three fruits or vegetables that you want." Chickadee thought this was fun...so she picked out....an eggplant (because it was purple), a starfruit (because it was cool), and a hunk of ginger root (because she wondered what it was). After we got home, my daughter showed Chickadee a bunch of recipes using the three ingredients, and asked her which ones she'd like to try. They decided on a Thai chicken dish because it used both the ginger and the eggplant, and the starfruit could be part of a sweet salad. Chickadee was thrilled with ginger tea. Slice the root up with a little honey and lemon....she was all about it. Yum! Then, they got in this huge discussion about plants and bugs and coconut milk.....and how kitchens are really laboratories....and that tons of chemistry and physics and biology goes into cooking. And they made an Amazing...Healthy...Dinner. Chickadee was proud of it. She learned all sorts of stuff...had a wonderful time with her big cousin....and no one ate spaghetti O's. For the rest of her visit we planned our meals around the produce that Chickadee picked...(with a few gentle suggestions from her cousin) At the end of the week we all went to a farmer's market and Chickadee fell in love. She brought home all sorts of healthy foods to try, and got some succulents and flowers....and spent way less money than I would have spent on junk food...half of which would have been thrown out. I'm humbled by what a cool kid I raised and what an awesome mom she's gonna be someday. Or professor, or researcher, or maybe all three. And I stayed on my damned diet and really loved watching the girls make better choices for themselves.

I am going to Florida for 2 1/2 weeks in August and plan on continuing to scale's downward motion while I am on my trip as well. I just wanted to tell you, Aunt Lucy, think of changing your attitude about food as not 'good' and 'bad.' I CHOOSE healthy foods and make HEALTHY choices to nourish my body... However, a slice of carrot cake occasionally should not be viewed as 'bad.' I just know that that majority of choices I make need to be healthy... The band offers us a tool in weight loss, and I really think I've been successful so far because I don't view things as 'bad' or 'off limits.' I just CHOOSE to make better choices for me...

Start with you pcp and get a referral for wls from him/her. Your health record more than likely shows your weight history--the up and downs and ups. Also, the more you read on this site, the more you realize how very different every insurance company's requirements are for wls. You'll need to contact your insurance company to find out what "proof" they need of your weight-loss efforts.

If you are referring to the 6mo supervised diet - it is pretty standard for most insurances. It basically consists of meeting with your PCP once a month, weighing in, and discussing weight loss. Good Luck!

Yes, that may have been me. Mine has gone down. At times it seems more prevalent than other times though. I'm honestly not too worried about it. I'll take the little lump in exchange for losing weight.

Hi Pixel I am a RPSGT, I am the person that does your sleep studies and yes, you will most likely need a pressure adjustment after weight loss. Depending on how close you are to your goal weight, I suggest contacting the lab and requesting a pressure adjustment even if it is just until your goal weight is achieved. At my location we would have no problem with lowering you a few CM of H20 (pressure) and then once your at your goal have another study to see if you even need it. There is no use in getting a study done in the middle of your weight loss when you will most likely need another shortly down the road. Also there is no reason you should be not using your CPAP and compromising you overall treatment because it's at un tolerable pressure. If you have any questions or problems mail me.

I've read on this board a couple of people who have their bands maxed. I also read that they can go over a bit than the size even still. I think it all depends on restriction and what's comfortable. Anyway, CONGRATS on your weight loss! Julia

I have to do 6 mo - I’ve completed 4 mo. basically - nutritionally sound - calories based on your weight - and learning to measure and report. I have to sit with this skinny bit** once a mo and go over what i’m eating blah blah blah - it’s doing my time - but I find it to be BRUTAL. She pontificates eating more carbs - when I KNOW it’s carbs (good OR bad) that help raise my blood sugars - so now I lie to make her happy and i weigh in for her...i find it very dull.

I think there’s a BIG difference between a “general” nut and a “bariatric” nut My general nut is NOT a fan of my high Protein ways - My diet is protein and veggies - she wants me to add carbs (even refined) and fruits - which my diabetic body does NOT care for (well I do - but my blood sugars DO NOT) I had a side conversation with the Bariatric Nut - and she explained that the general nuts just don’t get the bariatric diet - My nut went so far as to say “I could never do that surgery - I like eating too much” - she’s a size 6 (maybe 8) and I wanted to scream - I’m doing this to mitigate my diabetes - and have a much more active lifestyle. You might be pleasantly surprised and like your nut -- I like the person - she’s a doll - and I would kill for her clothing - but the fact that she’s not enthralled with my choice to get bariatric surgery sorta sucks -- I feel like I’m playing her game and doing what she wants - but I wish I could just be honest and say I’m loosing weight because I gotta see you every month - otherwise I’d be having a heck of a food funeral were it not for these mandatory woo woo veggies and fruit meetings. whew - i feel better saying that.

How long ago were you sleeved? I was sleeved on April 2nd and about 2 weeks ago I was in this terrible funk, I didn't know what was going on because before that I was on this big high just from losing weight and feeling better, so I didn't know what was wrong with me..It lasted about a week and a half and then all of a sudden I felt like myself again..I forced myself to go to my kettlebell class again one night and after that is when I felt better..Not sure if it's a coincidence or not but I was just happy it went away...Good luck and feel better, I hope it passes quickly for you..

I would take a guess that possibly you are not eating enough. My nut said that I should be eating 1200 calories per day as long as I am working our 5-7 times per week. She said eating less than that can cause more stalls with our body thinking it is not going to get enough. Are you getting the minimum protein? I have found when I up my calories, that I actually lose more weight and have more success.

been single WAY to long to even pretend to deny that!!!!!! HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 202.4

OH MY GOSH!!! sk8lady, this is my life exactly...sleeved 4-14-11, lost 64 lbs in 6 months and have been stuck less than one pound from onederland for 6 months!!! I thought I was the only one in this boat, but now I have a cruise mate!! I know my problem. I am not working the sleeve like I did at first because I have lost 104 lbs from my highest weight, and at 64 years of age (today), I can really live the rest of my life like this. But I would also like to lose at least 20 more pounds. Lissa is right. We just need to start working the sleeve like we did at first. Stress is a big trigger for me, and my stress level over the last year has been off the charts with no hope of relief in the near future. Thank you so much for posting and letting me know I am not alone. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Here's to us...Kathe

There's a store front that anyone can go to a buy a Protein shake. They make all different kinds of flavors. They also do a wellness evaluation. They stick some electrode on your hands and feet. It tells you your BMI, your muscle mass, fat mass and it will tell you what your weight should be. My goal is to be 135, but that evaluation said that I already have 133lbs of muscle mass and that I should be 168 at my lowest!! REALLY?? Has anyone tried this wellness evaluation? I don't know if nut's do this at their office or maybe your dr does it. PS. I like their scale better, said I was 4 pounds light than what my home scale says....

I was on Metform twice a day but not since I was sleeved. I know it is crazy but our bodies with PCOS sometimes dont want to let the weight go. I guess we just have to keep on going!.

I didn't do it because I wanted to get into the right habits. But I will tell you, a really good reason to not do it, is just that much more weight to lose after which can get discouraging. I'm only a week post op but I already wish I'd managed to lose more before the surgery so if get to goal faster. From all I read on the forum I kept telling myself that it wasn't that I was never going to be able to eat those things, just not for a while, and just not as much. No free rides here. What we do now, we pay for later unfortunately.

Heating pad!!!!!! Works miracles for the gas and discomfort . Good luck!!!! HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 204.2

I'm a slow loser too but I'm happy about it. No really pumped about losely large amounts so swiftly...plus steady works for me. Remember any weight loss is a huge accomplishment! Surgery weight 256 checked out 257.4 today 247 been at that weight for a few days...it's all good! In due time it will melt...

Hi everyone, I haven't posted in a while due to post-op recovery, but I've been itching to get back to my compy and see what's new here. Has anyone experienced a dramatic rise in the occurence of hiccups? I seem to get them whenever I go from a sitting or lying position to standing. If you have had this, does it go away, or is it because of your new stomach/diaphragm allignment and is likely to be permanent? I hadn't read about this particular side effect before so I was unprepared. Other updates, I got engaged 2 days ago (eee!) and have lost a total of 17.5 lbs lbs since the beginning of the pre-op bowel cleansing liquid diet. Granted, that pre-diet weight included a 'last meal' so it was probably a bit inflated, but genuine progress none the less. No pants seem to be fitting any better yet, but I'm hoping that's due to swelling and not because I had just been wearing them far too tightly before. The first week was pretty terrible, as I couldn't take my anti-depressants (they are time-release so can't be crushed) or eat chocolate and the pain meds they gave me made me either too dizzy or sleepy to function. I'm on a different form of anti-depressants now and have switched my pain meds to Vicodin, which have helped immensely. Plus I'm sure just natural healing has cut down on the pain some, so I'm hoping I'll feel up to work by the time I go back on Monday. Any thoughts on the hiccup problem?

I was banded on 10/13/08 and waited 4 months til my first fill on 2/19/09. I lost 30 lbs but then gained 5 for a net loss of 25 lbs by the time of the first fill. I dropped that 5 lbs over the last 2 days. Just follow the rules and your doctor's advice. Everyone and every doc is different. This isn't a race. It's a lifestyle change. Good luck!

What is the most weight you've lost in one month and what do you think you did differently? I'm just curious - always trying to try something new or change routine/food/exercise. Thanks

This is bull! I started at 319 and am now down to 192 and still losing steadily. You can get down to your ideal weight or close to it! He's just covering his arse!