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I just posted a similar topic just about an hour ago. I was banded 10/15/09 and seem to be stuck at a 36 lb. loss. I am eating healthy and working out at least 3 days a week. I understand about muscle being more dense that fat, I understand about weight loss plateaus, and I understand the band is just a tool, but my "inner child" is frustrated because the scale isn't moving. I understand your frustration completely. We just need to understnad that this too shall pass. Let's agree to not weigh more than once a week? Deal????? Maybe that will help out mental outlook enough to get us over the hump.:wink:

Thank you to all that have posted comments :wink: i realize about muscle weight , and calories in ---calories out ..... and now i only weigh myself maybe once a month -- i was falling into the pattern of being a scale whore after surgery .... by no means was i complaining .. i was just throwing it out there if anyone else happened to notice a weight loss stoppage ... or is this what everyone considers bandster hell.. i also realize that this is different for everyone ... i was simply looking for some guidance for this moment ..... it just seems that everyone else is posting that they lost this and that ... and i am so happy for them ... and then i step on the scale .... :eek: but this too shall pass ....

I don't know that there is a typical duration. Our bodies are so different and constantly changing through this process that there is no really predictable rate of weight loss. You may notice rapid physical changes when the scale isn't moving. Just follow your plan and stay off the scale if it is driving you crazy. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Hey guys! I haven't been on here in forever, but I'm just trying to see if anyone has had a pregnancy post op gastric sleeve, what your experience was, how much did you gain? Or, if you are pregnant, how are you currently feeling and how has your pregnancy been so far? I'm 13.5 weeks. This will be my third baby, first since having the sleeve done. I'm 15 months post op, and it was a surprise. I was actually on the mirena IUD and got pregnant.. oops.. but things happen. So far I have lost 4 lbs. I'm on prenatals, plus b12. I'm also on antibiotics my entire pregnancy because I've had two UTIs since getting pregnant and one kidney infection,not sure why... I also start mekena shots in a few weeks. (My daughter was preemie.) I was just wondering how everyone's pregnancies went post op, how was it different from previous if you had babies before the sleeve. Sent from my XT1710-02 using BariatricPal mobile app

Im 7 months out today. It is still hard for me when it comes to food. Just like today, BBQ and delicious desserts every where and you think to yourself maybe just one bite wont hurt. Then I realize I am not the type of person who can have just one bite. It is have it all or nothing. I have had to revaluate why I want the food to begin with and how am I gonna feel after I eat it. Alot of problems I face is head hunger, Im not even hungry but I still want it. Most people feel like they are not gonna diet after being sleeved but for me it has to be a diet or I will lose control and start eating the wrong foods which will eventually cause weight gain and poor nutriction. You just have to take a step back and realize what kind of food addict you are. Can you survive with a small taste or are you like me who wants it all? Good luck, I am proud to say I have no regrets being sleeved, it has taught me alot about myself and who I want to be.

Thanks for this thread. I had a small panick this morning as I am pre-sleeve and worried If I will crave and cave in to my cravings. This is exactly why I'm going forward with the sleeve, so I will be able to resist the binges. I know it won't cure my thinking, but from most of what I've read, it seems like it will be better. I really want to loose the weight!

That's what the weight loss is all about. It's not a number on a scale...it's about being an active participant in life and not sitting on the sidelines while the world moves on without you. This is a wonderful NSV and it makes me so happy to enjoy it with you.

I'm 2 months post op. I'm losing weight as I should, right on schedule, 34 lbs. I'm working out and drinking my water. That said, I feel amazing and have started to eat like I used to in social situations (not nearly as much or as often). A chip or two here, a bite of dessert there, and this past weekend was my 30th birthday so I had a few drinks, chips and dessert. The nurse practitioner told me everyday is a new day and to start over but I've been doing this, snacking a bit and what not for a few weeks and it's become a habit. I will not regain this weight and I want to have healthy life long habits but I'm falling hard into old habits. Advice? Help? Please!

Please help I'm confused I want bypass because I've heard it's the best most efficient for max weight loss and fix co morbidities and diabetes. I have to lose at least 140lbs in under a year I hope.. currently 320lbs need to be 180-185lbs as I'm 183CM tall. I'm a man mid 30s struggle with hunger cravings all the time. I'm curious what benefits of sleeve over RNY BYPASS? I know one of them helps with hunger hormones is that correct???

How long did it take you to lose 100 lbs? MK1986 the common thing all sleevers "share" is that we are all different if someone has more weight to lose - the weight initially usually comes off quicker same way if you don't have that much to lose, it "might" take you longer to get to your goal in my case i wanted to lose 100 lbs in about 9 months i had lost about 85 lbs it took me 3 months to lose the last 15 lbs - but i did it!!!! don't look too far ahead take one day at a time enjoy each day, even thought you will have the common stalls you will continue to lose your weight but..........never compare your weight loss to others you are on your way to a healthier, happier, longer life good luck kathy "God Grant Me Patience, Just Hurry Up About It"

Lost 30lbs pretty quick but was hanging at that weight for awhile. Hopefully this last fill will make a difference. Right now it is tight tight tight can I expect it loosen a little? Anybody?

I am a few days away from my 6 month anniversary of my Sleeve. I have lost 94 pounds and have about 12 pounds to go to reach my original goal. I have been hovering right at my current weight for about 2 weeks now, and I am fluctuating a pound up or down from my current weight. I am still eating right and exercising as much as before, but I just can't get past my current weight. Am I done losing??? I know 94 pounds is a lot of weight loss and everyone tells me I am looking and doing exceptionally well, but I really want to reach my goal of 12 more pounds. Am I being unrealistic about the 12 pounds? Should I just accept that 94 pounds lost might be it for me? I know 94 pounds is nothing to sneeze at, but up til now, I have been accustomed to stepping on the scale and seeing a loss in weight. It is freaking me out to see the same weight, and sometimes a pound more, especially knowing how hard I am trying. Signed, Not sure if I should be sad or glad...........

I had my surgery about 4 years ago. I have a bump inside too. It really feels like another belly button growing. Or better yet, I have been taken over by body snatchers. That could explain the extra weight!

No, you do not "need" your gallbladder. I had mine removed 2 yrs. ago. If I had it to do over again, I would think twice. :thumbup: Yes, I had sludge and yes it would eventually need to be removed. I didn't have gallstones and wasn't in any pain, just nauseated which hasn't changed much. Anyway, Drs. lead you to believe that you will be able to eat anything you ate before the removal. I unfortunately have trouble eating anything. Whether its a salad, turkey sandwich or greasy cheeseburger. I will have the same reaction each time and have to be around a bathroom in 30 minutes. Its awful! I hate going anywhere and I always have to know where the nearest restroom is. :wink_smile: Ugh...miserable! However, EVERYONE is different. Just like with the Lap Band. I just wish one of my Drs. would've informed my of the possiblilites. Thus, my only reason for sharing. I am having a Lap Band placed at the end of the month. Yes, I need to lose weight but not having my gallbladder also was a huge factoring decision. I'm hoping with less food going in will decrease my "dumping" syndrome. Hopefully you won't need yours removed. However, if you already have a band in place, then you probably won't experience what I've gone through. Good luck!

This is just a repost of a thread I started. I found this to be great information for those who don't want a bodybugg to track caloric burn per day. First let me say, I love my bodybugg. But for those who don't want the hassle and or expense, I have found that this BMR calculator, is extremely close to what I burn according to my bodybugg. BMR Calculator If you use dailyplate.com and add in any physical activity for the day, you will be very very close. So close it is down right scary. I in fact don't pay much attention to the scale for my feeling of accomplishment anymore. I just add up my calorie defecit and divide by 3500 calories. After a month, I have noted my weight loss to be exactly equal to what it should be for the amount of calories I have used over the amount I consumed. It has really helped me get past the scale watching, which really isn't as accurate, since your water weight can change as much or more then the amount of fat you have lost.

This is soo true the surgery is just a part of it...the struggles continue this is not easy and people think its an easy way out...Trust if i stayed home and watch Tele and not go walking or the Gym the weight would not move...Its winter here and the weather is horrible but every after work i ski ..slid to the Gym...The temptations are there but i fight them every day....Good luck to you !!!

I somehow just consumed 300 calories for breakfast! I am averaging 600-700 calories at 5 weeks out but I didn't plan today and ended up with a 2 egg omelet and a piece of bacon from a takeout place and I had already had a skim milk latte. I wonder if it will have an adverse effect and ramp up my weight loss? I have been averaging an ounce or 2 every couple of days and no more than 1/2 to 1 lb a week since week 3. Edited to say please forgive my typo in the title!

Does that mean your first surgiversary will be 4 years out? If so you should have no trouble reaching your goal weight by then!

well the 4 days off really got me...I gained 10 lbs. How could anyone gain 10 lbs in 4 days? I know I ate like a pig but was it my body taking in all the calories it could since it has been deprived of them for so long? What could it be? I waited yesterday and ate like I should and lost 5 lbs so I'm sure it was mostly water weight but I've never had that much water in me. I'm drinking like I should, ordered more protein powder from BE. They were out of my favorite chocolate so I'll try some new flavors. I just wanted to die when I saw the scale. That means I still have 6 lbs to lose by the 15th. How am I going to do this? I came in early to work, actually at 5:45 instead of 9:30 to catch up on paperwork. I'm trying to get all the OT I can before vacation in Aug. I still want to get to 200 lbs by Aug 29th. Now I have 5 more lbs on top of the 26 lbs I had to lose. I just have to get it together (that is the story of my life) Coming into work is not always a bad thing, I am here by myself and I can watch my favorite show-snapped-on tv and work at the same time. Life couldn't be any better...getting paid and not having to deal with customers what a relief that is. There were some off the wall people yesterday and that makes for a long day. They take their cable very seriously. I got my bangs trimmed, always go to Toni and Guy, and they didn't trim the sides like I am used to so I have to keep sweeping the hair out of my face. I bought 2 books on the lap band procedure and how to deal with it after surgery so I am starting to read those and I will keep you updated. So for now life is good just need to lose the 6 lbs by the 15th.

I don't know what is wrong with me but sometimes I just don't want to acknowledge that I have the band and want to eat what I want and how much I want. Well yesterday was the day. I had some jalepeno rings with half a salad for lunch. 4 ribs, a bowl of soup for dinner. About 5 hours later there was a taco bell commercial and I craved a spicy bean burrito. So we went to taco bell and I got 2 of them thinking I would eat one and put the other one in the fridge for tomorrow. Boy was I wrong. I ate both of them. I hadn't had taco bell since before I had surgery and they tasted so good. I didn't know I could hold that much. Some days it is like I can eat 1/2 cup and be full and then other days I can eat like a pig and no one would ever suspect I had weight loss surgery. If I had to do it again, I would have had the gastric bypass where you lose a lot of weight right away and then just maintain. Where when you have the band it is like a diet that you are being put on and the weight slowly creeps off. I don't want to minimize the surgery by any means but I thought the weight would come off alot easier than it is. My mother had surgery and she lost 140 lbs in the first year and a half. It was like the weight just fell off her. I'm here struggling to get even a lb off. I only go on a binge every once in a while about once every 2 weeks. And then I watch what I eat and exercise as much as I can after that day. Sometimes I do weights and 15 min on the elliptical and sometimes it is a challenge for me to do 8 min on the elliptical. I never know what my body will allow me to do. I take a prescription diet pill that gives me energy and I thought that would help and it does help curb my appetite but it is at night after it has warn off is when I have the biggest problems. I don't have any strategies on how to control this. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. My life is just floating along. My husband and I have a vacation to Vegas scheduled for Aug 29th and I want to lose 26 lbs by then so I know I need to try hard to do this. I know it won't be easy but hopefully it will happen. I have a ton of clothes for vacation and if I can't fit in them I will be very depressed. I'm in a 22-24 now and my clothes are a size 18. I know I can do this because my jean size has gone down to a 20 and fit comfortably. Just wish me luck and I hope everyone out there meets their goal as well.

Every night when I get off work I call the husband to see what is for dinner. The night before he said let's figure out what we are eating tomorrow night so you don't have to ask. I didn't get the fact that it bothered him for me to ask...I ask every night after work, it's just a question. I've made decisions all day and don't want to have to make one when I get off. Well last night he went off when I asked about how he doesn't know what is for dinner and I always ask and that it makes him mad because he doesn't know what to say when I ask. That threw me into thinking...my life revolves around food. Food is my best friend...it is there when I am happy, sad, depressed, bored, celebrating. It is always there and I can't stop thinking about it. I think about food from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I think about what's for breakfast, what's for lunch, and what's for dinner. I can only eat 3 times a day so food is very important to me. I even dream about it sometimes. So I've come to the conclusion that I need to focus more on what I am doing that day and take one meal at a time. You have to be prepared when you have had the surgery, you just can't pop into McDonalds for lunch and order a burger. There has to be some meal preparation and thought into what you eat. My life just revolves around food. I love to eat out even though I can't eat that much, I like the atmosphere and getting waited on, not having to cook or dirty up dishes. I love to eat out. At first I didn't because I couldn't stuff myself from the plate of goodness that sat before me but now I am getting re-adjusted and I love it. PF Chang's is my favorite because there are appetizers that I can make a meal out of and have enough to take home for another meal later on. But just having him make me think about how important food really is got to me. I hadn't realized just how important it is and how much I think about. So that is that story. I weighed this morning and finally hit 226 lbs so I feel better since this is what I weighed last month when I went in for my fill. So anything that I lose after this will be a plus. I'll tell the doctor about my 4 day binge eating feast that I had and how I gained 10 lbs in 4 days so he will know that I am human and lost alot more than what shows on the scale. I just can't believe baked beans and birthday cake were worth gaining the weight because it has taken me 1 1/2 weeks to get it off. I don't know why I chose them to be my friends for the 4 days off but I did. I think after my fill I will stick with my protein shake in the morning along with my coffee, cottage cheese or some type of meat for lunch, and a hot dog for dinner. The hot dog helps because I know I am getting more calories from it and that is what I seem to not be hitting. Maybe that is why I am not losing the weight like I think I should be. One of the series Robert and I like started on Showtime and we missed the last 4 episodes so tonight we are going to catch up with it again. I can't wait for True Blood to start but I hope it isn't as stupid as last year. The commercials look good. We also like Dexter, it is so good and coming from being a cop, I can relate to wanting to kill off the bad guys that get away with their crimes. Yes I was a cop, I made $9 an hour working as a Deputy Sheriff for the small town I lived in. Now I make more than twice that and don't have the life threatening decisions to make. All I can do these days is turn off your cable if you don't pay. It bothers me that people come in wanting extensions on their bill because they are unemployed and can't afford to pay that month of service and you look and they have the top teir of cable there is. How can you justify paying $149 for cable for one month when you don't have a job? I know cable is a big thing in people's lives and it is the only source of entertainment for some families and I'm ok with that but don't come in and give me a pity party because you are broke and have that kind of teir. Do you really need all the channels? The high definition box and the recording box? If it were me I would downsize to just basic which runs $20, keep my internet so I could look for a job. I'm more than happy to put you on a promotion for 6 months to help you get back on your feet but we look at payment history and how long you have been a customer to do that. I've been unemployed twice lost 2 jobs and didn't have another one to back it up so I understand being unemployed. In fact before I got this job at the cable company I was unemployed and this first thing I did was get rid of the cable, internet, and house phone. I had my cell phone in case I got a call about a job and would go to the library to look on the computer for a job so I understand being in a position where you don't know where the money is going to come from for the next month. I didn't get unemployment so I didn't have that to fall back on. I understand where people are coming from that are in this position. Ok enough about that. I have the day off with the husband and we are going to meet up with my mother and her boyfriend for lunch so it should be good, don't know where we are going but it should be good wherever we go. We have some shopping to do so I'll have something to eat this coming week but really I don't need much after Monday because Tuesday is my fill and I have to be on liquids for 2 days after and then mushy for 2 days after that so that takes me to Saturday before I can eat something good. I hate getting fills for this reason but like the restriction I get from them. I'm not at full restriction but I have some. I just hope this fill does the trick. Well everyone have a good day and please don't bash me on this entry.

My Journey 9/12/14 Next week it will have been a year – I was banded 9/19/13 but my journey didn’t start there… It was a long time coming that wake up moment when you realize nothing is going to change without some effort and commitment on your part to make it change. There wasn’t really any one ah ha moment but rather a number of smaller nudges that pushed me in the right direction... March of 2013 saw me at around 240 250lbs getting on a plane for work and later to see family… seat belt didn’t close very easily.. It shut but the flight was miserable. Then for the first time I was bigger in size then my brother we had always been similar in build – but he had managed to slim back down to the weight of his youth while I seemed set on tripling mine. Pictures that spring where posted on Facebook I couldn’t figure out who that woman was looking back. I wasn’t willing to acknowledge it was me. I was horrified, OMG, did I really look that bad. I normally shied away from the pictures oh there are one’s here and there over the years when I decided I had lost enough that I could be captured forever frozen the way I was… May brought my annual health check – not so good… another year of doing what I was doing and I’d be looking a medication for all sorts of things – blood pressure – cholesterol – diabetes things need to change… June rolled round and I got on the scale… 269.. It would get worse from there before it got better but seeing those numbers 269 literally took my breath away. I had been thinking on lap band for a while. I had listened to the commercials and gone on line to research but that day I made the call and scheduled my evaluation meeting knowing my insurance would cover the surgery if I decided to move forward. Right there during the meeting I went on and had my diagnostics done to see if I was healthy enough for surgery. On the day my primary care Dr signed a letter saying it was medically necessary for me to have this surgery my weight had bloomed to 282. It seemed that I had managed to rationalize that as I was going to have this surgery I could spend the last few weeks before indulging any way I wanted. My Dr. tried to talk me in to alternate surgery’s apparently not really a believer in the band. I told him it didn’t matter what he thought I was the one doing it. It took 3 wks to get approved during this time I decided that I needed to start living as if I was banded. I got the call on sep 3rd saying it was a yes and did I want to schedule the surgery for the following week. I panicked so it was pushed to the 19th to give my self-time to adjust it had all of a sudden become very real for me. The morning of the surgery I was a wreck imaging everything possible – said goodbye to my girls like I didn’t expect to see them again. I very nearly left the surgery office after getting there I was why do I need this surgery I can do it myself. But in reality I knew that I couldn’t although I had weighed myself that morning and it was 272 the first sizable drop in weight I had in years I wasn’t sure if I could keep it going by myself. Surgery went well recovery was – text book. All the right complaints thought I was dying from the gas but I survived and moved past it all. Every day since I have taken one day at a time, the fight has gone I no longer fight with the urge to eat enough for a family of 3. I still eat what I want but can now stop and actually put food down when I realize I don’t need it. I’m full I’m satisfied. Being satisfied is key – it isnt’ really healthy to eat until feeling full – to eat until satisfied is the point – it has taken me the best part of a year to truly understand. I’ve had many adjustments to my band even getting to the point it was too full. Spending my time in the bathroom because every meal was a fight just wasn’t the way I wanted to live not to mention the health risks. So I had it adjusted and removed some of the fluid. BEST decision ever.. After the first one off course of actually getting the band. Weight loss for the most part has been good. This morning I weigh 211.4 OMG… I don’t recall the last time I weighed this little. I still have a ways to go but i have a handle on it I know I will get there it will just take time. And now because I’m a much healthier time is something I have again. There have been many small victories this past year, wearing smaller clothes, fitting and being comfortable on an international flight, to curling up on the sofa with your legs tucked under – to even taking control even further and attending the circuit training class that I have wanted to do so all year. It’s brutal but I can do it is the point. There have been times if I’m honest where I have questioned what I have done, why am I not the size 12 I so want to be. I’m a 16 every one has self-doubts. I usually come here and post when one of those black clouds are hovering – this site and the wonderful members have been my foundation for success without them I’m not sure what I would be like.. YOU GUYS ROCK!! I’m hoping that by sharing someone who is on the fence about WLS whether it is the band, bypass or sleeve just know that there are many many of you out there with the same questions concerns. I’ve recently pledged to be a voice/representative for True Results where I had my surgery done. Yea you can look at it that it’s free advertisement for them if folks like me go out and share our journey but I look at it like this. If I can help change just one person’s life by sharing my experience than why not. I wish someone would have found me earlier in my journey – having someone to share it with that understands what you are going through makes such a difference. So if you’re in the phoenix area or even if you’re not and are considering weight loss surgery (WLS) and want to chat feel free to message me. If nothing else it is always great to talk and meet new people. To our journeys may they end where we want them to and may there be joy and laughter along the way.

I am about 8 weeks post op and have about .75 ccs in my 10cc band, I have lost about 18lbs all together and have been stuck at 212.5 for about a week and a half. I go for a second fill in about a week. In regards to you saying that you have had the willpower to eat right and change thus far and hope that you will continue to have willpower after the newness wears off. I am loosing steam and my willpower is fading. I do eat less than before and I have always been aware of the right type of food so I try to make the best choices possible but it is starting to get hard and I am frustrated that I have not lost any more weight. I need to kick the exercising into gear and count my calories but at this point I feel like I am back to the old "start a diet, do well for 4-6 weeks, loose motivation, back to old habits" cycle. I can eat anything and quite a bit of it to full me up. We are also struggling a bit financially right now so my grocery budget is has room for milk, bread and diapers and thats about it so I am eating whatever I can scrape together to make for the family. Ugggggh, I need something to pick me up. Anyways, I just wanted to comment on your concern with the motivation dying out bc I definately have experienced that. Best Wishes.

that means your weight has shifted. thats what my doctor told me.because my port is not where my surgical scar is.it is down below.so you are going to be ok.i can still feel it.