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This is a big decision. It's great that you are asking these questions. I'm a long-term lap band patient. Here are 2 articles that may help you. They are part of my 5 year lap band journey. The first is about eating with friends and family -it's an article and video. The second deals with hunger and all my failed attempts at weight loss - I call it Hungry No More. My biggest question was would I be HUNGRY, which is something I struggled with all my life. I hope some of this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

My pre-op diet was low carb/high protein. I lost 17lbs. I was banded on May 31st, and I have lost 15lbs since then. So, I'm down 32 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks. But now I am on soft foods, so that weight loss is going to start slowing down. I'm also walking every day.

Michelle, give it some time. Your skin may be elastic enough to shrink to the point you will feel better about yourself. I think you are pretty young and many things will change with a little time. Give your self some time and work on the toning....I think you will be happier than you believe. As far as what people say....just figure most of them are ignorant....unless they've been overweight and lost a lot of it, they will never know. What I have noticed this time around is when I slowed down on the weight loss, (and I haven't even lost 50 lbs yet) that my body started to tighten up a little. Yes, it's still flabby but I'm huge and have been for decades and this flab is better than not fitting into the airline seat. I really notice it in my face, my face is already a lot thinner and there are many more wrinkles. Oh well, I will get that worked on some time down the line but for now....I will learn to deal with it and everyone else can not look at me if they don't like it.

My name is Shannon. My gastric by pass was on December 27,2011. I have lost 95 lbs. I have done great until the past two weeks. I have had some issues come up that has put a lot of stress on me. I haven't lost any weight in two weeks and I'm not eating right. I have noticed I have been grabbing whatever to eat. I also haven't been to the gym. I am starting back on Monday going to the gym and I have started eating right today. I am so glad I found this app.

Last night I went to Panda Express and got the 2-item combo with rice and noodles. I ate the whole thing and could have eaten more. This morning I can barely get down a hard boiled egg without the tight feeling in my chest. I have never pb'd. Sometimes I get a tight feeling in my chest and if I stop eating for a few minutes I can usually start right back up again and eat whatever I want. I am eating less than I did before but not by much. My fear is that I don't want to get too tight and have a band slippage but I'm not losing weight so wtf am I supposed to do?? I am getting frustrated with the whole process. I have had 2 fills and am filled to 2.9 in a 4 cc band. What happens if I max out in cc's?:tired Any advice?

I am currently going through the 3-mo. requirements (doctor and dietician) for AETNA. I also have five years (even longer) documented obesity weights. However, I don't have a lot "wrong" with me--I've been on high cholesterol meds for the last ten years and Nexium for probably the last 5 for GERD. Has anyone out there been accepted for surgergy by AETNA with a POS II. I have also been on thyroids meds for over ten years. I'm afraid to get my hopes up about the surgery b/c I'm afraid they will reject me. Also, what does surgergy cost when out of pocket? I live in West Houston and working with Dr. Ferrari. Has anyone out there had a similar situation or have been approved by AETNA?:smile:

As I said, Jen, be patient and see what comes of everything after a year's time. I do some weight training and think that really did help with putting the girls back up to where they are supposed to be. I never go without a bra (except for sleeping) and believe that it contributes also.

Hi everyone,my name is Helen Bauzon and I work as a Bariatric Dietitian and I am a magazine contributor within this forum. I have received the permission by Alex Brecher to ask your assistance in completing a survey. I am presenting in 3 weeks at a conference detailing "how to keep the bariatric patient well nourished while losing weight". I am looking to ideally obtain 100 replies from individuals who have had a sleeve gastrectomy. If you would like to contribute your feedback, you can do so by clicking on the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6G76QLV Thank you very much in advance Helen Bauzon

Stalls are quite normal, more prevalent for gals, but happen to guys too. Just this week - and I am 5+ months post op - I encountered a stall. For some reason, my weight stuck at a number, then all of a sudden, I was back to losing. Each person is different, but this does happen. Keep ur head held high -RC-

Hi everybody. I'm writing as a lap-band failure. I had surgery in July 2009, and was faithful to the program for a year--lost 55 lbs. But I never found a sweet spot, and got too tight in May 2010, loosened in June 2010 but perhaps not enough. Anyway, I found I couldn't get anything down and began--yes--with milkshakes and the like to compensate. I began gaining, had some family trouble, and long story short, I'm here in March 2012 having gained all the weight back. I am going to call my surgeon's office and get a new fill-tighten-loosen, but I'm looking for advice-counsel-experience from those who have gone through something like this and have managed to get back on the horse and get straight. Thank you so much for your time.

I only have 3.6 more pounds to lose and I will be able to schedule surgery and start my 4 week pre-op diet (Phase 3). I am HAPPY TODAY. And scared. And happy. And nervous. And then happy again. For the last month I have worked my ass off doing my requirements, losing weight. All in the face of: Tax audit Fiance job demotion 15 year old picked up at a party now has probation officer til May to avoid a "frequenting" charge House repairs we can't afford Etc. But it all blew up the same week I started this. And Ive kept on track. Its scary. 3.6 pounds seems so small, and at the same time, feels like 20 pounds away again. Normally putting such pressure on hitting a "number goal" isn't something I do ( I go by my size) but its my requirement...and the closer it gets the more it feels like *something* else is going to happen. Something else will finally happen and break my resolve to complete this and I will end up gaining or regaining (rapidly, as I am wont to do) the weight I have lost, and not make my requirements by the time I am supposed to. So. I have my Water bottle. And my Walk Away the Pounds DVD is queued up to play on my PS3. Im so close.

Tons of protein, exercise a lot, just because at least you don't eat when you exercise, and remember that this too shall pass. Even if I eat a ton at least I try and make good choices. Limitless chicken breasts or Weight Watchers Popsicle won't kill you whereas some things will. It sucks though. I hate when that happens!

Marion, The lapband is a slower, but consistent tool to lose weight. The average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week. My first year I lost 120 lbs, which would be more than 2 pounds a week. But I had a lot to lose, so it went faster and I worked very hard to get the pounds off. My feeling about this topic is that it really isnt gonna matter whether you got to your goal in one year or two years. It would only matter if you had a really really high BMI with cormorbidities that required you lose the weight immediately or risk death. In my case, I had a high BMI but I did not have short term life threatening issues, so I am happy with the progess I have made in 20 months. Babs in TX 334/180 -154 lbs and still losing!!! New goal: 170 and size 12

Hi All, I have one more day til banding:eek:. I am a nervous wreck. I'm weepy :think and have all the "what if's" going through my head, wondering if I'll be successful with this tool to finally lose the weight. Well wish me luck, any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Best of luck to all who are sharing the day with me.

My words of wisdom would be to consider that it is YOU that makes the band work. Some people ask "What if it doesn't work for me?" It'll work for YOU if you work for the band. Keep on top of your fills, don't eat foods that go down too easily, and don't try to use the first month as a weight loss period. It's a healing period. You'll have more energy to do what you need to do if you get calories in during the healing period. You'll do fantastic! Use positive self-talk and remember that the band has no "magic period." I lost the majority of my weight during the last 9 months, when I really started to enjoy exercising. So don't get caught in the "I've only lost 30 pounds in 5 months" trap. Just get back on the horse and do it. Good luck!

Aah, this is something that I always wonder about. I too have a big belly. I'm wondering if it will flatten out after losing weight. Hopefully it doesn't hang like a curtain.

Everyone is different. I am 1.5 years out and only down 32. So, you make me envious! You are doing great; you have lost weight that won't ever come back! And if you're continuously losing, then why complain? It's working!

Think I have been misunderstood I am very very glad about my weight loss what I ment to say is that from November to now I have worked harder than in the beginning and I have no loss in3.5 months. So I am not whine!!!!!!ing was just asking as anybody been through the same. Thanks to everyone who is helping.

I travel a lot with work and have a two main survival tips: 1) Pack emergency foodstuffs. Since you're pre-op you could pack some nuts and single-serve Peanut Butter, sugar-free jell-o or pudding, in addition to staples like Protein bars. Since many hotels also have coffee / tea service, you could also pack oatmeal (e.g., Quaker Weight Control is full of protein!) and use the coffee service to heat Water. In a pinch, you can use a coffee cup to fix up the oatmeal, but a disposable bowl is good to have too. Don't forget to bring a spoon. 2) Visit restaurants with large menus. Diners are great for this. Explain that you are on an extremely restricted diet and you only want XYZ. If you can find something on the menu that's close, order that and modify it. Otherwise, pretty much anywhere can bring you 3 oz of plain grilled chicken and steamed vegetables if you ask for it. Most places are very very good for this. Don't forget to leave a big tip in gratitude. Hope this helps!

I posted about measurements yesterday. They're a good way to track success other than just the scale. Mine haven't had a lot of movement in the last 6 weeks even though I've lost weight, but overall they've changed. Plus, I haven't exercised in 3 weeks because of the heat wave, so I guess I need to get back to toning up at the gym.

First off, good for you! You did/are doing great! if you want to keep going is really your own personal choice. No one should make that choice for you. I know for myself, I reached my doctors goal which was 212. I surpassed that and now weigh anywhere from 200 - 210lbs . I personally feel great at this weight. And I love how i look in my clothes. I look healthy, not anorexic or starved (although my daughter thinks I look like a starved orphan! hahaha) anyhow, i had a personal goal to get to 170lb. My doctor said, as with you, that my frame is too large for a weight like that, but i could try. . . nope, my body (not me) likes where it is at. . .won't budge, so i leave it alone. . i'm not going to force the issue. Like one of my forum buddies said, I did meet my goal which was set out for me. . . therefore I am a success. . .and I'm glad i did. If i'm to lose more, good for me. . if not, then good for me too. . . good luck!

Yesterday, I posted about these 11S junior size jeans that fit me. I was absolutely on cloud nine! Many people told me yesterday that 11S is a really small size in reg sized jeans. Ok, how much smaller could the number be? I mean seriously right? I think it was early this week that I posted on something Pasquini was talking about and mentioned that I was going to get my very first pair of skinny jeans to go with a new pair of boots I just bought. I was so happy about the boots because there is no zipper on them and they just slid right over my calf. I bought the jeans today. Are you ready for this people???? I got a size 6 and they fit like a glove! Initially my personal goal was 140lbs, doc said no way that 155lbs is really what I should do, that my frame is too large for 140. Ok, I amended my goal to 155lb no problem. But you all know this well, we go from one goal to another until you find a place where you are happy. At one point I said I wanted my goal to be a size 6 jeans. I guess I am at goal, right? There is where lies the problem, as happy as I am in being a size 6, I am 171lbs which is 16lbs from the weight goal. Do I keep going? Do I stop and try and maintain? When do you know when enough is enough? Do not get me wrong, I AM OVER THE MOON about reaching this goal, truly I am

Thanks for all the input, guys. Your opinions mean a lot to me because you are living what I am going through too. When I ask people who know me well they think I am fine where I am at. Of course they do, LOL, they remember when I was morbidly obese and compare between then and now. Some even argued that I didn't need the surgery. I am going to continue fighting the good fight . Anewme is 100% right too, because we can gain if we are not careful, its in our make up. I proved that when I tried to quit smoking. We have to watch everything. When I don't have to watch everything is when I will be happy. I also realized too, that posing the question was in essance the answer to my question: If I have doubts then I need to continue on until I am doubt free. I need to be 100% happy with most things about me, my health, my body and especially my eating habits. In reality, like thinoneday has stated, my body will probably make that decision for me and when its happy where its at, then I will stop losing. So the deciding factor is a little bit of what EVERYONE has said ... Am I comfortable with where I am at: 1) size wise: yes 2) weight wise: no 3) body visual: no 4) health numbers: almost 5) eating habits: almost - I still see where I can easily "fall off the wagon" I think those are the 5 questions to ask when looking for the answer. I only said "yes" to one of five. Not good enough in my own eyes if I'm going to be honest about it. Oh btw, have I said how much I love you guys??? If I have never said it, I will say it now, I LOVE YOU ALL! You are all my sanity (and my hubby's) through out this whole process. Thank you so much for everything you have given me.

I was banded on June 6, 2008. Frankly, the whole story about how I got the band is pretty interesting. I was working for a man who, for 48 years of his practice, never had a 'big girl' that worked for him. I was good at what I did, came highly recommended and so he hired a fat girl. Over four years I heard comments about my weight. He would give me cards to surgeons (I was a single mom, there was no way I could afford the surgery), he would have his friends - who were doctors - come and talk to me about my weight 'issue' and tell me that often fat people are fat because of some type of sexual disfunction. He would hang photos of skinny women in almost nothing bathing suits and put notes like "what real women look like" etc. One day one of the other staff actually said she would rather be dead than fat. Now I have never written that in a public setting and I haven't told many people that story. Before you get riled about it and ask why I didn't leave immediately, it was a great paying job, I was a single mom and words are words - I can let them hurt me or I can not. In January of 2008 my insurance, Aetna, decided to start paying for the lapband surgery. During the first 30 days predetermination was not required - because they had a flaw in their benefits. I had 30 days. I was misreable in my job and misreable in my body. I went to my boss (legal field, very established firm, crazy money) and just flat out said, "put your money where your mouth is" - I would get half the surgery covered but he would have to pony up the other half. He did. So - I had the surgery February 8th - I left my job March 7th. I have to admit I didn't feel bad about it. So - after I was banded I lost about 20 pounds, fell and injured my ankle, was on crutches, didn't get a fill, met the man I married this February 2011 and pretty much ignored having the band for awhile. I gained all the weight back. In July 2009, I got my first fill. I've been filled twice since then. It is not easy. The band is not a magic wand that makes it all better - the band is a tool for a journey. To shorten the story, I have to really watch what I eat. I know that some foods let me cheat and if I do then it's not a weight issue - it's a me issue. I have lost almost 100 pounds. That's ten sacks of potatoes. That's a whole other person. I have about 50-60 more pounds to lose. These are going to be even harder than the first 100 - but look! I'm more than half-way there. I joined this group because I'm beginning to excercise more, I'm really watching what I put in - good stuff in, good stuff out. I really enjoy reading this site when I google lapband questions and it seems to be such a positive forum. I like that. Look forward to interacting with all of you. - Simone

That's good that you still lost after the holiday. I had my first gain but I'm not worried about it. It's my TOM and I didn't drink enough water over the weekend. I was out of town and ate all kinds of bad food. I only worked out twice last week. My elliptical is supposed to be coming soon so I will try to get on it everyday.