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Like Doxie said try not to compare yourself to others. I know it's hard believe me I catch myself doing it, but we are all different and our bodies will react and lose differently. Be proud of the weight you have lost, and looked forward to healthier new you!! Congratulations keep us posted! I am here if you have any questions.

I'm 3 weeks post op and I think I've lost about 9lbs (lost in the first week) I lost 18 on the pre-op diet. I know it's a big adjustment for my body but I see so many posting about losing 20lbs the first couple Of weeks and wonder what is wrong with me. I'm thinking it could be that I haven't eaten enough or got enough Protein the first couple of weeks. Anyone else experience this or have a theory? Thanks!

@catwoman7 thanks for explaining some of the things you did pre-surgery and how they helped; and well done on your weight loss .... it's really helping reading a little of others experiences @GradyCat congratulations on the weight you've lost since surgery; and that's so encouraging to read that the surgery has helped you with the emotional eating as well; and to know i'm not alone in wondering regarding the hunger compared to emotional eating issue. Thanks for what you've shared @Orchids&Dragons thanks very much for your reply here. Definitely not something to do as a first option. i've done the loss, maintain, regain thing ........ a number of times. I've read some of the stories of sabotage after wls, and this is definitely something i want avoid, and to try and sort through before the surgery and find ways to reduce that happening. So working on my head, and finding new coping tools; that will then help with the surgery (as another tool) seems to be the direction I need to be taking

Hi, For years now i've been sure that weight loss surgery wasn't my answer ... and yet, here I am, starting to seriously consider it and wanting to learn more to help with making the decision. I've met with a surgeon and he has suggested both the gastric sleeve and bypass are options; and explained that I would lose a bit more with the bypass which he would usually recommend at my weight (although not necessarily) ... so now this is another decision to make as far as which way to go before i see him again. For me, I know that while the food and exercise aspect of weight gain and loss have been a very unhealthy relationship for the last 40 years (mid-40's now) it's my thinking that has been the main impact on this journey and subsequent weight loss sabotage. I've always struggled with using food as a coping tool for most things; from dealing with emotions, to distractions, to trying to cope with the impacts of various traumatic experiences. Now after a life time of morbid obesity, my body clings to the weight when I do start losing and I regain so fast it seems like I just blink (although i know it's more than this really). Increasing health issues, and a desire to live a healthier more active and fulfilling life have led me to where i am now .... as well as an increasing number of medical professionals saying that while i might lose the weight without surgery they think it's unlikely I would keep it off. Some of the things that are impacting my decision are I guess the usual questions of what it would be like to not have food to turn to in the same way; wondering how to replace food with other alternatives for coping and wondering how it will impact my life when until now eating has been such a big part of it. Right now, i'm taking some time to focus on working on finding other coping tools aspect of things so that if i go forward I give myself the best chance of success possible. As part of that I'm working with a therapist, reading what i can find that might be helpful and open to other suggestions. I know that for this to work, I need to work on the mental side of things ..... and that in turn will help with being able to do the rest. I'm also in the position of not really having much support to make this journey; so another reason finding online support and people to talk this through with is really important because I keep seeing how it is so much better to do this with the support of others. Currently i'm leaning towards the sleeve, and as well as working on the mental side of things trying to work out whether it would be good to spend some time losing weight prior to surgery or not; the dietician seemed to think that if i did that i might get discouraged and not have the incentive following surgery that i'd need ....... and that if i was going to lose it, i would have already. I'd be interested hearing how others have gone forward with this as far as losing weight prior to surgery (apart from the two weeks prior) or not .... As well as any other suggestions or information; and I think just knowing that there are others going through similar things will help Very glad to have found this site and look forward to taking part I think my current head space is a mixture of being terrified and hopeful all wrapped in one!

Right?! I thought that was odd!! Their practice really goes by statistics and average excess weight loss per month to calculate this but I think it is really unrealistic for a second timer especially. When I mentioned that I was stalled he said it was too early for a stall. He's a great doctor and I really trust him but I think he may not have real life data about what goes on post-op. Thanks! My brain still can't see the loss even though everyone else does. Band to Vsg revision: 5/23/17 HW: 315+ Starting weight: 294 Surgery Day: 281 Current: 235 Goal 170

Hi all. I 've been having a bit of stress here. My mom(77yrs) broke her leg, compound fractures of the tibia and fibula. She has had one surgery and is expected to have a few more. Problem is she is not healing. Dr's say that if healing doesn't start or if an infection sets in they will have to amputate. Oh ya my parents live in California. Long distance stress. Seems petty to also bitch about work stress. I was out all last week- yes I know it was a vacation but no one does my job when Im out. I can only imagine what it will be like the week before the cruise, in June and the weeks after. Im visiting my sister this weekend (was planned before the vacation). She is in Kansas City, so more time on planes- probably in thunderstorms-yay. Saw the eye Dr yesterday- I need glasses. yay. Not losing weight. Actually really struggling to keep stable. I never knew stress to cause me to eat but now with food such an ever present focus it is the first place to take the stress hit. Well that and exercising- no energy- but I drag my A*s to the trainer because I pre-paid for that. Im a little low right now. I need to count my blessings; husband, family, friends, home, employed, 80lbs down form my high. Just breathe. Thanks for listening.

Hi all. I 've been having a bit of stress here. My mom(77yrs) broke her leg, compound fractures of the tibia and fibula. She has had one surgery and is expected to have a few more. Problem is she is not healing. Dr's say that if healing doesn't start or if an infection sets in they will have to amputate. Oh ya my parents live in California. Long distance stress. Seems petty to also bitch about work stress. I was out all last week- yes I know it was a vacation but no one does my job when Im out. I can only imagine what it will be like the week before the cruise, in June and the weeks after. Im visiting my sister this weekend (was planned before the vacation). She is in Kansas City, so more time on planes- probably in thunderstorms-yay. Saw the eye Dr yesterday- I need glasses. yay. Not losing weight. Actually really struggling to keep stable. I never knew stress to cause me to eat but now with food such an ever present focus it is the first place to take the stress hit. Well that and exercising- no energy- but I drag my A*s to the trainer because I pre-paid for that. Im a little low right now. I need to count my blessings; husband, family, friends, home, employed, 80lbs down form my high. Just breathe. Thanks for listening.

Sensy, your doctor will have his own thoughts about how much to fill, but it has nothing to do with whether you're a piggy or not. Every doctor has a personalized approach, and even docs who are pretty aggressive with a fill probably won't be that way on the first fill. And you don't want him to be. Whatever fill you get will be more than you have, and will therefore take some getting used to. You may be hungrier than you thought you'd be at this point, but if you pay attention I'm sure you'll find that you are already eating less than you were pre-band. And that's the whole and only point. Many people do gain a little weight back in the period before a fill, but it's weight that you lost on the liquid diet, not actual weight gain. It's a sort of bounce-back effect and inevitable once you are off liquids and eating solids again. Don't worry about it! Just practice eating slowly and mindfully, so when you have restriction you'll be ahead of the game. So many people are ready to jump right in with mega-restriction right out of the gate. Those are the same people who come back later saying "I can't eat at all! All that goes down is ice cream!" Learning to live with restriction and eat healthfully takes time and we have to allow ourselves that time. As a very wise woman said, this process does not have to be drastic to be effective. Sorry for the lecture--it's not directed at you. But there is no specific amount of fill that's right for everyone, so there's no answer to your question.

Thank goodness b/c I was beginning to think that b/c my stomach was so powerful that it had not been phased by this band and that I would be the one person that would not have a change in my eating. I go for my first fill on March 7th and I am really looking forward to it. I am worried that I may gain weight until then. I am not eating a whole lot, it is just that I am more hungry than I thought I should be with this band. Since I am such a piggy, how much should my doc put for my fill?

Yes, I have the book and it is an excellent read. Another book which I would recommend is Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Patt Levine. This book has at what stage you can eat the recipe or whether you can blend it. Great asset.

Well, I am four weeks out, and have started to have headaches for some reason. At first, I thought it was a blood sugar thing (had diabetes before surgery), but I checked my blood sugar and its not that. Anyway, just wanted to check to see if anyone else started having headaches at the three week time frame. Weight loss is great, and everything else is going wonderfully. Thanks.

You are inspiring to me! I got stuck after losing 140 lbs and I got so 'satisfied' in my head with how I was looking and kept wanting and wanting to get below the 200 lb mark and I keep bouncing up and down and then slipped back over the holidays with gaining from some sloppy eating habits. I decided to recommit to my old 2008 self when losing weight was foremost in my mind every hour of every day as I got ready to have my lapband surgery in March and for those exciting months after when I was losing weight so fast. I joined a WW class at work that starts January 13 and it goes for a 10 week session and I'm going to fight like heck to get my 199 or less lbs mark. Keep me in prayers for this all important life milestone.

Congratulations!!!!!!!! That is such an amazing accomplishment! I cant wait to join you there. I was pretty close 2 months ago and since have gained 12 lbs. I am very disapointed in myself but am dedicated to getting there now. I can and WILL do this. You are an inspiration!

I walked for the first month and then begining at the one month mark I started running. I am not doing any weight lifting yet or any ab work...just walking/running. I plan on doing insanity at the two month mark....so I can work on muscle tone without actually lifting any weight...

I think it depends on how good you feel and what type of exercise you plan to do. I started with walking long miles the second week because I felt great. As I felt better, I started sprinting. Now at 6 weeks, I can run a full lapse on the tracks (I thought I would never be able to)I do 10lbs weights at home and I use resistance bands. I also bought a jump rope with weights. I have a Wii also and I like the step game. I try to vary it without calling myself.

I decided to have weight loss surgery in December 2012. It took mow way to long to get through the pre op process. I finally had surgery 2/19/14 it was the best decision I have ever made. I am now down 75lbs today and feel amazing. I am now in regular size clothing and feel more confident every day.

My friend sent me this list. It is pretty comprehensive....and I've tried (and failed) over 1/2 of them. Weight Loss Diets :faint:

I had my best success with WW, too. I've always said, "If I drank all the water they tell me to, eat all the veggies they tell me to and did all the exercise they tell me to, I'd lose weight. PERIOD." Problem is -- I lose it so incredibly SLOW that I give up and end up just pigging out for a few days or couple of weeks and gain back what I lost. If it doesn't do anything else, at least the band prohibits that sort of falling off the wagon!

Sounds like u are perfectly normal to me:)) I cried like hell everyone kissed me before the surgery.. all happy tears not fear U will do great and u are doing this for u and for gaining control on the happy life that awaits u sending u lots of good vibes ur way and post back as soon as u can!!

My back started killing me in the hospital, and I blamed it on the lousy beds, but it's still hurting at home, and I came home on the 7th. It's eased up a lot, but still hurts and aches in the lower area. I'm hoping it will adjust itself once I'm able to get a bit more active, and I lose some more weight.

Thanks for the comprehensive list, James. I drummed up a few more... AKA = also known as; above-the-knee amputation BBF = best buddy forever BKA = better known as; below-the-knee amputation BL = baseline CC = cardiac clearance CHO = carbohydrates CV = cardiovascular EBW = excess body weight FDL = fleur de lis (a type of tummy tuck) FNP = family nurse practitioner GW = goal weight HLD = hyperlipidemia HTN = hypertension IIFYM = if it fits your macros (macronutrients) LBL = lower body lift LW = lowest weight MCD = Medicaid MCR = Medicare MD = doctor of medicine (physician) MGB = mini gastric bypass MO = morbidly obese MVI = multivitamins OA = osteoarthritis OP = original poster, original post PA = physician assistant PS = plastic surgery, plastics Psych = psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist SILS = single incision laporascopic surgery SMO = super morbidly obese UBL = upper body lift UR = "you're" or "you are" VBG = vertical banded gastroplasty YMMV = your mileage may vary

We guys have our ports installed different than the girls. Mine is just under and to the right of my left manboob. It's sutured into the muscles of my torso near the surface. I've always been able to feel mine, and as I lost weight it now juts out more. I'm OK with it though.

complications are pretty rare - I'm sure you'll sail through just fine! Also, if you follow your surgeon's plan, you WILL lose weight!

Hello, I'm almost four months post op. I was having issues with BM's as well which caused weight gain or stagnation. I purchased some fiber one bars and brownies only 90 calories. You eat as a snack. The pounds started flying off again I've lost 60 lbs thus far. I hope this helps you. Good luck on your new journey

My name is Nikki. I have been battling with my weight since I was 12. All of my adult life I have been obese. After having 2 kids back to back I found that it was hard to move around and said I need help or I'm going to die. So I asked my doctor about barbaric surgery. I going to summit in Oakland,ca, I have a endoscopy Friday. Hoping for surgery date soon.