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First, I am a bit confused about why your doctor feels you could do better than 71 pounds in 5 1/2 months, I personally feel that is awesome. This isn't a race, and you are doing fabulous. As far as a stall, everyone experiences those at some point. Most of us experience several of them. I have found that doing the infamous "5 day pouch test" usually works for getting me back on track. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ I have always strived for about 60 grams of Protein a day, and that has worked well for me. At six months out, I was averaging around 800 calories a day, and other than going for daily walks, no exercise. I admit, I was a pretty lazy girl, lol. At a couple of years out, I average between 1100-1200 calories a day and do try to get in my exercise, especially now that I realize the importance of it for long term weight loss and maintenance. At any rate, don't feel down about what you have lost, you are doing amazing, and don't let anyone, including your doctor tell you otherwise!

I've been to my nutrition appt, next Is my psych appt, then back to my surgeon for a surgery date. My beginning weight is 265.4. I'm nervous and excited. I look at before/after pics and imagine the day I post my own!

Heartfire, OMG! How scary for you! I'm so glad you got sorted out so quickly, though boooo to his nurse for not taking care of you properly the first time so there was unnecessary waiting for you. Don't be scared about being unfilled. I was completely unfilled too for my body lift surgery and despite gaining a little, once you get your fill back it'll go again. This is a small set-back but you need time to heal so you can carry on in future, hopefully without any other similar such incidences preferrably!

Well, I didn't even come close. The scale is not budging - very frustrating! I am thankful that it is not going up. It is hard to not get so frustrated when the scale won't move - it has been weeks! However, my back is feeling better, I am able to start moving and exercising again. That is a plus for me, I have found exercise to be good for the mood! I am hoping as I am able to get back to pre-injury exercise my weight will respond! WTG to all that met their goal! Keep up the good work!

I am not a fitness guru, but I am a huge fan of swimming: laps, water aerobics classes, water weights, water walking, etc. There is something for all levels of fitness.

Hi everyone. So, I attended the nutrition class, support meeting, had my psych evaluation, and now I am waiting for my doctor's talk before my insurance coordinator is able to support my information for insurance approval. I am sooo excited and hope I get approved. My BMI is 48 and I keep telling myself they'll have to approve because I am so overweight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I need this weight off so I can join police academy! How long does it take for insurance to approve and set a date for surgery? I appreciate all answers

After having to do the liquid diet for 3 weeks total (before and after sugery) I would never suggest that to anyone. It is truly a miserable way of losing weight. It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. If you are just trying to lose some weight before hand as the others said count calories and exercise... That will do wonders. The liquid diet is like starvation. Load up on protein it keeps you full longer and stops the snack cravings. I hope this helps.

I've lost 37 lbs since my Aug 15 surgery (total 52 lbs since pre surgery diet). I've been feeling pretty good with the weight loss so far. It's noticeable to me in my clothes and how I can now cross my legs with both legs hanging vertically like they're supposed to. I've actually looked at myself in the mirror more than I have in years. It's cool being able to see my collarbone and shoulders and my slimmer face and neck. This past weekend we took family photos for Christmas and when I looked through them I was a bit disappointed. My weight loss doesn't seem to be as noticeable in the pictures as it is IRL. Curious if anyone else has noticed that.

So I've had a really bad cold for the past week, so I haven't been to the gym and I've also been really hungry lately. I don't have much restriction so I've been eating pretty badly. I haven't gained any weight, but I haven't lost any either and I have yet to see 269 on the scale. I have another doctor appointment on Tuesday and I'm going to ask him if it's possible that I have a leak. I just don't get how I could barely eat any food at all three weeks ago and now I can eat anything (almost). It's also going to be one of the slower months for weight loss. I'm going to try and step it up this last week, but going from eating nothing to eating alot and not working out has not resulted in a large weight loss for the month. I'll be lucky to have lost 10 pounds, and I say lucky because it may be less. I'm going to count my blessings though and get back on it this week. I also am going to try for more restriction at the next appointment. The guy I've been dating for the past month may know all my secrets including all the gory details of my lapband. My hard drive crashed and he helped me out by putting in the new one, but a few days later he "mentioned" that he was able to save my old hard drive--onto his computer!!! He said he didn't look through it, but I don't know that i believe him. It had before and after pictures, the letter I wrote to the insurance company to get the surgery, and a Video blog I took before I started this whole thing. It's not that I don't plan on telling him eventually if this works out, it's just that my computer had really personal stuff on it and I'm embarrassed by the fact that he may know it all now. But hindsight is 20/20 and I can't do anything about it now, so I'm going to try and not stress over it. If he did read it all, he's still talking to me but wow, I look really bad in some of those "before" pictures. I also would like to explain it in my own time rather than have someone reading through my personal journals, that are more personal than this journal by far! I'm trying not to stress over this! I'm hoping he didn't read through my hard drive! I'm going out of town this weekend for my cousin's shower, so I'll be unable to go to the gym at my parent's house and of course they love to push food at me, but I'm determined to lose some more weight before the appointment on Tuesday. I'll keep updates on how it goes.

I had surgery on Jan 28 and lost 12 lbs post surgery from 296 to 284. I have lost no more weight. I have had my port flip and before they figured that out I went through 4 "B horror movie" fills one lasting 45 minutes while they stabbed at my tummy in seach of the port. I finally got my first real fill when they did the surgery to flip the port. 1cc and I just got a 1/2 again last week. I feel no change and am so disappointed. My surgery center and doctor have NO support what so ever on this process. Should I worry or should I get another fill? What is an average fill amount? I hate to sound so blue but it has become a nightmare. Thanks for listening.

Hello BaDonk, I live in the Atlanta area, also. I am scheduled to have my surgery July 5, 2007 in Gainesville, Ga done by Dr. Richards. I am currently on my two week diet (pray for me!) It took me two years to get to this point. My journey has been interesting beginning with the insurance I had at my old Employer (BCBS) did not cover it. Then I found out my husbands recent employer did cover it, but his job changed insurance companies and the new company did not cover it. During all of this time my husband eventually got a better paying job with another company and the good news again was his insurance with his new job carried it! I was soo excited, but then what prolonged everthing was CIGNA wanting 6months of doctor office visits with my PCP following me on a diet. I visited my PCP about 2 months to go along with 4 months I was being followed at a weight loss clinic a couple of years prior (was told by the sugery center the old doctor visits would be ok) After submitting my information I was denied approval. It took about two months or so to find out I was denied. In the letter they then said they needed 6 months of consistent visits to my PCP following me on a diet and they needed a letter from a nutritionist and my PCP, so there goes another 6 months of me going to my PCP. After that another hold up was getting my PCP to write the letter for me. That took another month or so. I had given up when I was expericing all of the hang ups, but after finally getting the letter from my PCP saying she followed me on a diet and based on my BMI and weight she recommend I had the surgery and the letter from my nutritionist(no problems there.) I was approved and I now have a surgery date (7/5/07) and I am on my third day of Pre-Op dieting. As far as support from friends and family. I have support from my husband and sister, but when I told my best friend I was thinking about having the lap-band two years ago, she was soo against it and I have heard my dad make negative comments about people having weight loss surgery so I haven't told him nor my mom nor my best friend (I will one day when I am ready) There is enough emotion that I have experience to tell people I know are against it and hear the negative comments all the time. It is totally up to you, but do what makes you feel comfortable. Tell someone though you will need to have a support system of some kind. If your husband supports you then that is great! If his insurance United Healthcare covers it and yours don't then yes get on his plan as soon as you can. (Call your carrier and his first to make sure before switching) If either your carrier or his cover the lap band then make sure you find out the specifics on what they require then once you find that information out. I know you said you were looking for a good doctor and I would recommend Dr. Richards in Gainesville, GA (obesitysolutions.com). Go to this website to see when they are having the next Informative Meeting for weight loss. I just checked the next one is Wednesday, June 27th @6:30pm Lanier Park Hospital. I say go for it! You may run into some bumps in the road, but don't give up and keep a good notebook of all of your information. I hope this has helped in some way! GOOD LUCK!

It is now 3 days after my surgery, and I am feeling a lot better!! It is hard to get any food in me, I just don't want it, and forcing it makes me a little nauseous. But I am very very happy the surgery is over and I can start losing weight!!

My surgeon has a swimmer's build. I wouldn't trust a fat doctor no less a weight loss surgeon. Maybe it's a personal failing of mine, but I feel like people need to look the part. Mine was Dr. Menish Parikh in Bellevue Hospital in NYC--I haven't seen anyone else on here who went to him.

I was at the hospital getting prepped and still thinking about backing out. I am SO GLAD that I did not. I know everyone is different but my experience has been nothing but positive. Recovery was quick and I have accepted my new life and new eating habits. I have had no side effects whatsoever...and I am now 5 weeks post op. Just go in with a positive view of your new life after surgery...yes, the first few weeks can be a bit trying because of your limited diet but it goes quickly...soon you will be able to eat everything again. I am at 39 lbs and finally can see light at the end of the tunnel because for the first time I have hope that I will not only be able to lose the weight but that I will be able to keep it off Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress

Hi everyone....I'm back....some of you might remember that I wrote a blog every Sunday that followed my weight loss journey for the first year.....like all of you, it was a huge year of transition for me. But even I couldn't imagine how vibrant and incredible and amazing my life would be 3 years later and it would never have happened without WLS. I have created a dream life that works for me (trust me, it would not work for 90% of the readers here in my opinion). But I have decided to start writing my blog again in hopes of inspiring people to have the courage to create and design their own dream life. So if you are new to the forum and want to read what it was like during the first year after surgery, or you are a veteran, and especially if you are older, 40's, 50,s, 60,s, I'm here to tell you it is not too late! Tomorrow I turn 61 and I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.....just click on the link below.....and happy reading! To read my most recent post (just posted today) just go to www.queenofcrop.com If you are interested in reading about my first year, just follow the link below.

The Gastric Sleeve By Guillermo Alvarez. It's actually a nice handy size to carry in your purse or bag. IT's got some history on weight loss surgery, what the sleeve is, what the stages are, recommended eating and advice on getting to goal. It's a nice read. I am buying "Skinny Jeans at Last- secrets to long term weight loss surgery success" which was recommended by some YouTubers. I heard it was good.

Welcome and warmest congratulations on all you've accomplished! Stalls are most often normal and part of the weight loss. Unless you've changed your diet/exercise routine significantly, then your weight loss will likely start again. I've had two stalls that lasted almost a month each, but the weight loss started up again. I've read that a stall over a month and you should look closely at your caloric intake, carb intake, grazing, exercise routine, and so on...to see if any of those items could be triggering the stall. Of course, we're all different and can stall at different times and for different lengths. Continued success to you and don't get discouraged!

I did great on my pre-band diet and good since the surgery. My last visit I was upgraded to mushies and find I am now constantly hungry. It starts about 2 hours after my morning shake. My stomach is growling and I start thinking about and looking for something to eat. Even high Protein Snacks (cottage cheese, yogurt) aren't holding me very long. One afternoon I had no snack with me and succumed to trying a bite of a donut that was in the office. I discovered that I can not only tolerate eating (yes, I have to chew well) but the QUANTITY doesn't seem to be an issue. I've gained back about 4 lbs according to my home scale. It's that same little-bit-of-crazy hunger that used to herald the coming of my periods. Experienced bandster, HELP! What's going on? Is this normal? I don't seem to have any restriction and think I've reached the end of my own discipline and willpower. Is this just a bump in the road? I'm not due for my first fill until this coming Monday.

I'm having surgery on Thursday and I feel like I am going to be some weird case and it won't work. I'll still be able to eat food and not lose weight. Anyone else feel like that?

Yes! I think we all did, because what weight loss program, diet, etc, have we not done that DID work? We are use to them not working. Plus, this is a big deal- surgery. It makes you think, "what I am doing this for?" Another failure? Everytime I would doubt myself I would get on this forum and read all of the sucess and I realized all of these people can't be wrong. I am a food addict. I was very worried that I wouldn't be able to stop eating when I was full so I didn't think this would work for me. I eat differently, I have new habits, I haven't had a diet coke since pre-op, I have lost 43 lbs and am making real changes in eating habits and am much more active.

Hi all, I had my sleeve revised to bypass on Monday, 8/31. I am 4 days in and weigh more than I did on surgery day. Is this still surgical fluids? I’m following my Stage 1 plan to the letter and frustrated.

I'm so excited and beyond thankful. I'm waiting to receive the "Questionnaire" by mail from the Surgeon I am hopefully going to use (Dr.Woodhead) so that I can set up my consultation. I would love to actually get the surgery done this year but I do not think that will be a possibility for a couple of reasons: 1) I am having my tonsils out next month and I'm sure my body will need to have proper recovery period as I do not want to risk anything. 2) I will have to take the week off work as vacation time and I do not have any until next January that I can take that would be enough to cover it. Now I just have to get my brain on track to stop EATING CRAP food. Seriously, what's my problem I'm like I want to lose weight this sucks, mmmmm Cookies. *slaps self*

yep - the band only allows so much food at one time and unless you binge on liquids which I haven't done (ice cream for example) it will be coming up. I binged once during my good ole period week on melted butter with sugar and dipped one piece of bread into it - got it soft - i guess necessity is the mother of invention and my cravings were huge. Really in almost 15 months that's about it. Binging is something I used to do often so I consider that pretty good - if you continue to binge as some do - you can eat around the band - you can stretch your pouch, sabatage your weight loss, etc.