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:thumbup:Went to the dr. on the 31st and we had a lil trouble getting into port, i thought I would go up about 2 ccs and he only put in a half. Thank GOD in heaven, I haven't been able to eat since, can't keep anything solid down...I can pretty much keep the shakes and water down, and I am very grateful. I have had heartburn, which is unusual for me. I also had told him that while everything seemed going great, I seem to have some unusal hair loss, so I started Biotin. I am off my bp and cholestrol meds! I have lost some more weight and this weekend went hiking with my family for the first time in 10 years! I will trudge through this rough spot! total loss 70 lbs!!!! :biggrin:yea for me!

I say go for it! The first week is hard because you're weaning yourself off from carbs but by the second week you should be in the swing of things. This way the week before your surgery you won't be so miserable from craving all the carbs. Plus, if you do it for 2 weeks, you'll lose more weight and you'll be closer to your goal! I didn't have a pre-op diet but from the time between my initial consultation/decision to get the band and the date of my surgery was actually 5 months so I used it to my advantage and did Atkins and lost 60lbs! I love how I feel when I get rid of the carbs and I figured the more I lost then, the less I'd have to lose later. It was one of the best decisions! Good luck with your surgery!

Don't let the scale get you down. It's a number. I try to go by the way I feel, the way my clothes are fitting, etc. Sometimes I weigh myself multiple times. I'll get up with the dog at 5:30 AM and weigh in, then go back to sleep. I weight myself again and I'm a pound and a half down. From what? It's just a number. My rule for myself is to eat when I'm hungry and not eat if I'm not hungry. Good luck with all and here's to spring!

I have been gaining and loosing the same 5 lbs for I don't know how long....actually it's more like a 10 lb swing, 5 lbs under to 5 lbs positive.... And I weigh myself, sometimes twice a day....it's no big deal, and if I tried to figure it out I'd go crazy.... I can watch it climb 1 -2 lbs a day. then BAM...drop 5 lbs overnight....then 1 lb the next...only to start the climb back up....and I'm not doing anything different that I can tell. I suppose if I kept a journal, I'd make some correlations...but it would have to be a very concise journal including phases of the moon, tides, barometric pressure...it could be anything! For me, it's all normal.... (and for me, the only TOM I have is when I have to pay the Mortgage and my Son's college tuition...that will give me some stress)

Hello! I can relate. I had my surgery several years ago. I had been maintaining my weight between 130-135 for years and then I got sick. I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I ended up getting a bit out of my band and then went back for a fill. For more than 1 1/2 years I was coughing in the night. Not during the day - the night. It has been HORRIBLE! Keeping my husband awake every single night. I FINALLY bit the bullet and got an unfill. Now I am 30+ pounds heavier, but I have been resting ever since. I go tomorrow to try to start back with fills. I have learned over the years....I will only ask for .25. AND then I will go back if more is needed only after I am able to eat and sleep! I am on a Quest to get off this extra weight! I wish you good luck!!!

When I lost 70 lbs and was a size 10 I still looked for clothes on the plus size racks. In my head I was still a size 22. It took a while to feel like a regular size person. I maintained that weight loss for over three years and then my thyroid died and the weight piled on again. I wonder how long it'll take me to not feel like a fat girl when I lose the weight this time. Maybe you could talk to someone about it. You've been through a huge change.

Yep, great advice here. I didn't feel real restriction until mushies. I also didn't lose any weight in the first few weeks - I gained from the IV and long flights. It took a while to lose that. If you haven't heard it by now, make sure you're on a PPI that works well for you. It comes up so often because SO many of us experienced those hunger feelings and didn't realize it was acid until much later. It feels exactly like hunger and a lot of us have a freak out when it starts to be an issue. I thought my sleeve didn't work but in reality my Nexium wasn't cutting it and I needed to switch to Prilosec. The "hunger" disappeared two days later. I'm a slow loser. There are other folks on these boards that are super slow losers. Guess what? We're still losing. The fact is that this isn't a race and there's no prize for getting to goal faster than anyone else. Unless you give up completely, you're going to lose weight with this surgery. I'm learning that it doesn't really matter if you do it in 9 months or 19 months...you're going to love life at goal. The early weeks are the hardest. Hang in there. ~Cheri

It's a fine line...just think of a fire. Too much wood can smother it, or not enough wood and it doesn't burn well. Our bodies are like that...we need enough food/energy to get the old metabolism engine running but not so much that it doesn't turn to our stores of fat when needed. I'd think 300 cal a day isn't enough, esp with your exercising. Your engine isn't running smooth. On those low days, I'd add in Protein shakes or some type of food supplement, and if you are so tight you can't drink liquid, get a slight unfill. I am NOT a weight loss pro (although I am a pro at almost any diet, done them all LOL) but this I know...you have got to give the furnace fuel to burn.

Have you read the book Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients? http://www.bsciresourcecenter.com/proddetail.php?prod=2.SHBook It's full of basic steps to follow to help keep you on track. Like not drinking with your meal. Focusing on Protein. Exercise... maybe it's time for you to read up like you did pre-surgery and get back to basics. And, even though your doctor retired, you might try contacting your insurance to see if nutritional counseling would be covered. They would probably be more helpful than a surgeon if you aren't having complications. You'll find lots of support on this site but you need to educate yourself for what you should be eating and doing and then, the hard part, do it! Best wishes

Wow, you have been so successful! I have stayed at the same weight for months and am so frustrated. I am 189 lbs. and really should be around 160. Until recently, I have not been able to eat any meat, I cannot eat eggs as they make me gag. Now, I can tolerate a small amount of white chicken that I mix with a little olive oil mayo and put on some Wasa Bread. Until the last month, I feel as though I probably ate under 500 calories a day, and now that I am more hungry and eating more often, I am gaining weight. I would love to hear from anyone who has any advice and I'd love to hear what has worked for you! Please help me get to a healthier weight. I'm feeling desperate at this point.

I did not realize how much weight does affect your periods until I started on this journey my self. Yes, I have heard that is true...but there might be more to for it to go that long with out one. Ya know for me, when I started to feel the way you feel, which is were I am right now, I knew it was time for help. HANG in there, it is a long process....but I know it is going to be worth it!!!

Am still waiting for my doctor to submit to my insurance company. My POP sent all of my medical records to my GYN instead of the bariatric doctor. How frustrating. Had to have a D&C and biopsy's two weeks ago after having had no period fo 4 years. I have been reading that being overweight can create too much estrogen. I did not know this. Is this true? Having trouble driving because I have a stick shift car and my stomach is now becoming an issue. How very embarrasing. Have a bad knee and am using that as an excuse to look at an automatic. I really hope I can get this lap band surgery done because I feel I am just about out of options and the extra weight is compromising my ablility to live the life I want.

The sweet spot doesn't mean u can't eat certain foods..I wasn't able to tolerate pasta with no fill also bread. There's just certain foods that expand or don't break down while in the band..doesn't make it the sweet spot. Just means don't eat it bc its a "problem" food. Are u continuing to lose weight..like 1-2 lbs a week? If so, then u may not need the fill right away..but if its slower and stalling a lil then I would get the fill. U should be able to eat food that's the size of ur whole palm/hand..minus the fingers. My doc made that visual connection for me and it helps..but yea if ur not losing wat u should then get the fill. Good luck

Wow Miss Diva I am so impressed with your weight loss, most of the gals on this site started in the 200's but I started at 335 lbs day of surgery and have lost 20 lbs already, you are an inspiration!

I feel the same way, have only had one fill. my surgery was 9/1/2010. How much weight have you lost post surgery? I am down 12lbs, feel like I need another adjustment.

Experiencing my first stall. I know it's normal. Just curious if anybody has any tips or something they've tried to break the stall?

You can't vape nicotine for a month before surgery or during the 6-8 week surgical recovery period. No gum or Patches or nasal sprays either. You can use ZYBAN.(wellbutrine) Many doctors do a test to see of you have nicotine or marijuana in your system. The clinic I went to cancels your surgery and sends you home. http://www.yourbariatricsurgeryguide.com/smoking-cessation/ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/08/facing-surgery-kick-cigarettes-now/ http://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/nicotine-test-before-weight-loss-surgery.html

Hi @froufrou I don't work out intensely, I have a dog that I share with my boyfriend and I walk him for between 30 mins to a 1-hour 4-5 times a week. Other than that I am not super active. I live in a city and I don't have a car so I walk a lot too. Really my weight has come off with not a lot of effort. I try not to obsess over small stalls and I think that helps me understand that the process is a marathon and not a race. I hope that helps.

So the time is coming around again for the Canadian Bandster bash out in Mississauga. I am a member of the planning committee and we have rounded up some great people to come and speak. The organizers are all bandsters, but we wanted to open up the bash to all bariatric patients so we are changing the focus to wellness this year. I got involved after going to the first bash and learning so much, and having so much fun. We have some great people confirmed to speak to us including Monica Ganz of Obesity Help, Julie Janeway of Little Victories, Dr Barry Simon and a ton of others. We are focusing not just on the newly banded/WLS patients but on people in all stages of banding weight loss, maintenance, thinking about WLS etc. How do you take off the last little bit of weight, how do you maintain. How do you get over body issues all sorts of stuff to help out all sorts of people. If you are interested the website and registration is located at the following site. I can't say how much it helps people to meet others who are going through the same stuff they are and who understand. Besides we always have a blast hanging out together. www.canadianbandsterbash.com If you have any questions let me know. Hope to see you there. Heather:clap2:

I have the list below of clothing that I just cleaned out of my closet - I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Please message me if you are interested. I would love to swap for some size 18 clothes if possible but I know we are all losing weight and smaller size clothes are what we all need!!! Dress Barn – size 3X – burnt orange sweater with brown underlay ¾ sleeve Size 18/ 20 – brown tone paisley dress Dress Barn – size 22/24 sweater – burnt orange Dress Barn – size 22 turquious dress with black print and black shrug HIllard & Hanson size XL – red sparkly turtle neck sweater Lane Bryant – size 22 / 24 black cardigan sweater Old Navy – size 20 khaki pencil skirt George – size 22 / 24 blue long sleeve button up Size 18 black skirt w/ pockets – elastic waist band Size 2X black skirt Size 18 plum sport jacket Old Navy size 2X black tank top (qty 2) Size 18 Navy blue sport jacket Dress Barn size 22 / 24 wine scoop neck sweater with black underlay Lane Bryant size 16 black turtle neck dress Dress Barn size 22 /24 blue geometric pattern button up Dress Barn size 22 black skirt – below the knee with a while polka dot ribbon around waist Old Navy size 2X brown sun dress CJ Banks – size 2X floral skirt Dress Barn size 3X black and purple plaid short sleeve button up Dress Barn size 22 / 24 khaki color button up – ¾ length sleeve Dress Barn size 18 / 20 brown scoop neck ¾ length (this shirt fit me when I was wearing 3x) Size 24 – Brown plaid full length skirt Leslie Fay – size 20 navy blue dress pants Dress Barn – size 22 / 24 black button up ¾ length sleeves Size 2X plum shirt – short sleeve George – 2X black skirt Size 18 Jeans Leslie Fay – size 20 sport jacket – green with floral pattern LL Bean – size 20 khaki pants Hunt Club – size 20 light green pants Dress Barn – size 22 / 24 red button up ¾ length sleeves August Max Woman – size 1XL Light green cardigan Faded Glory – size 22 /24 pink button up ¾ length sleeve Dress Barn – size 2X long skirt – blues and green vertical strips – very summery Dress Barn – size 3x – sleeveless paisley shirt – wine, silver and black Fashion Bug – size 18 / 20 black floor length skirt Dress Barn – size 3X – cream colored shrug Lane Bryant – size 20 New with Tags – Sleeveless dress – black and gray colors – price on tag $49.99 George – size 2X Charcoal Skirt Lane Bryant – size 22 /24 gray sweater – never worn Other Items: Three 22 /24 swim suits: (1) one piece and (2) two piece Two old navy floor length sun dresses size 2x Three t-shirts size 3X Some pajamas

It first started when my "Tastes" for foods started to change..,foods I used to love just did not appeal for me anymore...I then became a very picky eater, and soon realized it was not any particular types of food, but that food, and eating for that matter did not appeal to me anymore....simply had no interest in it. Could care less. I can go to the grocery store and not find anything I want to purchase....go to our favorite restaurants and not see anything on the menu I would care to eat.......etc. I soon realized that this was the band taking away my hunger....not just in between meals, but 24/7 I never get hungry, and could care less if I eat or not....I have gone 24 hr periods without eating. Don't intend to, just forget to. I have to remind myself to eat. I have NEVER felt full after eating with the band, as many other people on this forum describe....it's something different for me...it's as though my brain is telling me I'm full, and I don't need to eat....even though I have not eaten and have no physical "Full Feeling"....24 hrs a day! The mere presence of the band stimulates that. There are certain foods that give me trouble, and are high risk of getting stuck (learned the hard way)...so I simply chose not to eat those foods anymore....this includes all red meats, anything made from flour such as breads, pastries, Pasta, cakes, Cookies etc. And there are a few other categories...It boggles my mind when people are determined to eat pizza...WHY? What's the value? and high risk of getting stuck? It's not worth it! Also, when I do eat, the band allows me to eat just so much...then I have to stop...but I don't care because I'm not hungry or interested in the first place. So it's all good. I think a lot of peoples problems are they just don't know when to stop...even if the band is telling them to, SCREAMING at them to stop!....they continue because that is how the used to eat...then they can't keep anything down, irritate and inflame the area making it worse....blame the band, get Fluid taken out so they can find comfort and eat the way they want to...then say the band does not work or they are failures....REALLY???? The staff at my Dr.'s office likes to tell me stories like this....some people just don't get it...either you want to loose weight or you don't...you have to accept the change or you're wasting everyone's time... Sorry, I'm getting off track.... So, for me, being in the green zone....I have no hunger, and my portions sizes are limited making it impossible to overeat. Does not matter if it's a holiday, family get together, vacation cruise....the band, and me being in the Green does not change, but remains constant 24 hours a day.... Having said the above, I quit counting, or worrying about calories....best thing I did was stop using those gadgets such as fitbit etc where I was tracking everything I do all day, making me neurotic....... And, since I eat so little so less often with very little or no struggle, all I need to do is choose to eat the best, healthy foods I can....organic, non processed, etc. Also be sure I get plenty of Protein and always be drinking Water. So being in the Green has....has taken away my hunger and cravings, automatically sets my portion sizes making it impossible to overeat, and leading me to become very health conscious. Does not mean I don't indulge in life's pleasures...I do! Just don't do it like the pig I used to be. If I'm offered ice cream, etc, I'm not going to pass it up....I'm done dieting. It's a new lifestyle one that I will live for the rest of my life, never having to "Diet" ever again.... It has become so much of a lifestyle I go through the day and don't even think about it anymore, what I need to do or not do....just live my life....my NEW life with NEW habits. (forced upon me from surgery..a physical change) I first hit the Green zone 4-6 months after surgery, my final fill, then after that it took some time to figure out what the heck was going on, why was I always getting stuck 2-3 times a day, etc, etc....but eventually I found that "Groove", that balance between everyday life, new foods, new way of eating/chewing, and the band.... With that, the weight will come off and settle out where the body wants to, not any goals I have set...I became fat/obese by living a bad lifestyle. did not set any goals to become obese! It just gradually happened over time....so the same is true in the opposite direction for living a different lifestyle...gradually came off and settled at what my body considers normal...which in fact it is. It has been 4 years now, and nothing has changed....and I am still an extremely picky eater, and still in the Green Zone, which has become blase...no big deal anymore...it just is. As is my weight loss...no one even notices or mentions it anymore...Old news.

I Know how you feel!! I had surgery 2-5-08 and am down 40 pounds. I didn't have restriction at all until June after 7 fills. I thought my band was broken. What your going through is bandster hell! It sucks! Having a band and no restriction. You think your going to lose weight the day after your surgery. Wrong! My weight loss has been slow and steady. Now it's better because I'm not starving all the time. I have a 2 year old and no gym within 40 miles. I try to do push ups aerobics anything to move a little around the house more than normal. It is very hard to do anything with a one year old! Especially if your still breastfeeding. Don't be to hard on yourself. I met a new friend in the hospital. She and I email every week. She has been such a support. But it's been hard not to compare. She had restriction right away and was down 100 pounds in six months!! Very unusual for the band. She did out weigh me by 120 pounds but still. So try not to compare. She also has massive lose skin to deal with down the road. What matters is the weight is off for good even if it takes 2 years. Make sure your getting all your protein. Hang in there! Chrissie

Hi bonbon, i think thats a bit strange, i've been an overeater all my life as well, tried all sorts of diets, even had a gastric balloon in a few years ago (i lost a bit but then i put on even more weight) and the sleeve is working wonders, for my hunger (don't get me wrong i do get hungry but after some soup or a a rice cake i'm full), and physically cause i simply can't get more than a few ounces of food in (that for me was the whole idea of the sleeve in the first place!) I would ring the surgeon just to make sure everything is in place. Good luck for you!

The whole reason for not drinking liquids with meals is because it makes the food in your pouch soupy. The whole idea of eating solids instead of Soups and such is that it takes so much longer to drain into your big stomach. The longer it takes to drain the longer you stay full and don't want to eat more food. If you drink fluids with your meals the food drains faster and you are hungry sooner. I'm not one for lots of rules and such. If something is working, why change it? If you are not over eating, if you are not eating too often, and most of all if you are losing weight, do what works for you. BTW, you are not going to have a stretched pouch and esophagus with 1/3 cup of food. You are doing fine!

I received my pre-op appointments today and after one year of preparing for this and I am terrified. I think I am terrified because I do not want to fail again. I read all of the threads about bandsters still fighting like mad to lose weight and even gaining weight after banding and it scares me. Some bandsters are even eating as much as they used to before the band--how is that possible??? I started this process at 234 lbs. and I am 205 lbs. now and I would be very satisfied at 160. Will I have a harder time losing because I don't have a lot of weight to lose? I guess my main question is------How does trying to lose weight with the lap band differ from trying to lose weight without it? Thanks for all your input. It really helps me.