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I had VSG on 10/20 , and haven't lost any weight since Thanksgiving. What gives? I've only lost 21 lbs total.

I lost quite a bit of weight PRIOR to WLS, then had a TT. After my TT, I had the mind set that "now I no longer have to be as careful about what I eat". Of course that thinking led me to ultimately need WLS. Just saying, don't fall into the same trap I did. Even after a TT it is still possible to gain In your abdomen. Your weight line increases and your upper abdomen will get fuller.

All I can say is WOW! I started this journey back in September 2012 and when I planned surgery for June 25th 2013, it seemed SO far away! Now it is just 2 days away and it feels very real. I have lost 40lbs on my pre-surgery journey and have 100 more to go post op. I keep hoping I am making the right choice, sometimes thinking " maybe I can do this on my own". The truth of the matter is I have tried this "on my own" many times with varying degrees of success which ultimately lead to regaining it all back, with some. I have also come to the realization that having the sleeve and losing the weight with "its" help IS doing it on my own. I am the one who will make the decisions every meal of every day to make the right choices, I am still in control of the outcome. My HW was 340 and my goal was to be under 300 by surgery time. I am proud to say this morning I was 296, and it feels good. As I made bfast for the family this morning and at a plate full of eggs and 5-6 slices of bacon, I couldn't help but think I am ready to be satisfied on less food so I can have more life. That's the trade off, and for me that's the mantra that will see me through this new chapter.... Less food, More Living! Here's to all my June 25th sleeve buddies. Good luck and God bless! Jen

Vic, There is so much information on this website and others. I would first suggest you do some internet searches on lapband, etc. so you can get some general information. There is www.obesityhelp.com that describes most of the procedures. Most of us on this site believe in the lapband because it does not surgically change any of our body parts, its reversible if there is an emergency, and its the safest of all of the weight loss surgeries. I would also suggest you attend one of the seminars in your area about lapbands. They will describe the entire process, what the lapband looks like, what fills are (.5, 2.5, etc you referrenced), and what you can expect. The lapband is a tool and you must work with to change your eating habits. The weight loss is slower than with other means, but its a lifelong committment. Hope this helps. Anyone on here will be happy to help answer your questions, but you will find it easier to start looking through some of the threads to get information.

This is my first post, and I am hoping my first attempt to get some help. I have been banded since OCT 2006 starting weight 126kg getting to my lowest weight December 2008 which was 75kg. I am 5ft10inch I have never been able to eat properly with my band only being able to keep down fluids with most solid food coming back up. I for over 3 years vomit any solid food I eat. Over the past 12 months I have gained back over 10kg of my lowest weight even though my calorie intake would be lucky to exceed 600 calories a day (unless I binge on chocolate!) My daily intake of food is lucky to be a V drink and 2 freddo frogs with the occassional handful of nuts or sometimes I can keep down some Cereal with yogurt. I can't go back to my surgean to have fill taken out for 2 reasons. firstly I had some further surgeries with him that didn't go well and I don't trust him and 2 I am scared if I get fill taken out my weight will go up even further! I recently went and had some tests done and have been diagnosed with something called Adrenal Fatigue, my thyroid is no longer working my Iron along with most other nutrients is dangerously low and they class me as having malnutrition...In short I am killing myself... I know this in my head, I am a smart person, a mum, a successful business owner... but I am petriefied of being fat again (even thought I look at myself at the moment and class myself as extremely overweight since gaining the 10kg) I am booked into a specialist to work on the adrenal fatigue and thyroid but just don't know what to do with regards to my lapband... Please don't come on here and be agressive with me that is not what I need, I need to speak to people that understand me and can help me... My husband is worried (no one else knows I have even had the band done) I cover my fatigue and general unwellness very well but am suffering daily with these chronic symptoms. Sorry for such a long post, I have woken today feeling exceptionally unwell and realise I need to do something before its too late..

I got a fill and I was too tight, I couldn't eat more than 500 calories a day. I finally went for an unfill but I was scared of regain so I kept on with the 500 calories a day. I started gaining back, so my friends on here convinced me to start eating 1000 calories a day last Tuesday, I have lost 2 pounds in 4 days by eating quality foods at 1000 calories a day. Plus I am no longer suffering from cold skin and fatigue.

Hey All, I got a question about the MFP profile setup process: I am about 3 weeks away from my surgery date and have been researching like crazy and it seems like a lot of people are using MFP to track their food and exercise so I thought I would sign up and try it as well. I just set up my profile but it seems like the profile questionnaire is seriously lacking in options for people who are having/have had a VSG. When I entered my weight, goal weight, lifestyle, and 2 lbs weight loss per week (highest weight loss option to choose from) it said I should be taking in 1370 calories, 188 carbs, 46g fat, and 51g Protein per day. I know these numbers are way off for VSG patients so I guess my question is, how can I change the daily goal calorie, fat, and carb intake to reflect the recommendations given by my NUT? I am not computer illiterate but I must be doing something wrong since I haven't seen any one else on here mention the same problem. Please help! Thanks, ericarae11

Hi everyone!! Currently at all time heaviest of 250lbs. Having surgery in July/August and I would love to get an idea of the average weight loss people have experienced at 3 months post surgery mark. I know everyone is different but would be great to see how people are getting on. So glad I found this forum.... Getting so excited about finally loosing the weight and starting a new chapter in my life. One where the main character (me!) is a skinny b****!!!! You're all so thinspirational! X

@@windysample don't dread the fill You will hardly feel the little pinch of the needle as it enters into the port, and then you might not feel anything as they put some Fluid in. It could take a little bit up to 2 weeks to feel any difference, as the fluid settles into the band. How long after surgery you will get your first fill will usually depend on your Dr. when you see them for post-op ask them, or better yet give the office a call so you will know what to expect when you get there. I would also ask them how conservative or not they are with the fill amounts. Some offices will only give .3-.5cc at a time and some will give you 1cc and up. It's always good to have an idea of how your fills will be done for reference. Each person will respond to surgery and fill levels differently. Some are good with no fluid in the band and lost the majority of their weight that way and then some need to have lots of fluid in the band and then some find the green zone at 5cc while others are at 6 or 3. It's really subjective but the more you know the better able you will be to ask advice from other bandsters and from your doctors/PA's.

I got a fill last Tuesday and i can definitely feel i'm too tight and have been having heartburn like crazy even waking up in the night or early morning with a bad acidic type flavor in my mouth and medicine, even the prescription stuff, isn't taking it away.. so my doc said to come in Monday and get a lil taken out...I hate to get any taken out cuz i am stubborn but i know its not good to stay like this...I have lost 7lbs since Tuesday and even though i like losing weight i don't want to lose it like this...

I think just exercising, in particular weight training/toning. And time. And lucky genes!

Don't worry. I was banded on the same day as Fairydust and we seemed to work one another through the nerves. lol I felt like you too. I wanted to lose weight but I was also scared about changing my lifestyle. Even though food is our enemy because we couldn't control ourselves, it was also a best friend because it always was there. It's hard to break up even a harmful relationship because we get used to things and don't like change...it's no different when it's your relationship with food. Just like a 'human' breakup the pain lessens every day until you just can't feel that remorse any longer. Maybe not the best comparison but the best I could do first thing in the morning sans coffee. lol

I agree. This is likely not related to weight loss at all but possibly musculoskelatal or neurological. Speak with your primary physician immediately.

Hi Melissa! Congradulations on your surgery date! My name is Jackie and I just had surgery on April 22nd. Everything went really smooth. congrats on the weight loss so far! I lost 11 pounds on my pre op diet and 8 more since surgery last wednesday. I am now on mushies and feeling great. Would love to chat with you sometime. I started this at 240 and now I am at 222. On my way!!!! Good luck to you!!!!

I think the Dr. realized he didn't put enough, but i called and asked a few days after"when will i feel some restriction at all, that's when she told me to come in today. I have heared of the horrible stories of being filled to tight, I don't want that to happen to me. But i really need to feel some kind of restriction so I don't get tempted to go back to my bad habits. But i have a question for anyone out there! Is anyone ever gained weight after being banded, got first fill and still gaining ?? It's scary!!

Sorry to hear the nutritionist was awful. My surgeon told me that I couldn't weigh more than consult weight or my surgery would be canceled. I didn't ask her - she just told me. And, then, my nutritionist told me too. Don't blame yourself. It was your first time there and you're not going to know what to ask. The guidelines should have been given to you, in my opinion. Is there a medical portal or email where you could request the guidelines? Is she the only available nutritionist? You are worthy of being treated with kindness. If she's the only one, you may consider asking her why she is being so abrupt, or rude, or disinterested. You've made a difficult medical decision and you need positive professionals (as you know). Congratulations on this step toward a healthier future.

I am so excited to read this post, my stats are very similar to yours 'nothing up my sleeve'. My surgery is on the 8 of September and I am so ready to finally stop this roller coaster I have been on. I can not believe that I will lose that sort of weight...

Toast was NOT in my plan at 5 days out. Toast WAS in my plan at 3 months out. Remind me, did she say she ate toast in her original post? I believe she said she had a scrambled egg. I was eating scrambled eggs at 5 days out (very loose scrambled eggs), because it was in my plan. Everyone's plan is different. I'm over a year out, have made goal, and have maintained my weight loss. How she eats, how you eat and how I eat is gonna look very different. Just because someone's plan doesn't look like yours, doesn't mean it's wrong.

There's another poster on here (@Jamielogical) who refers to her surgery as weight MAINTENANCE surgery. I have lost 50-100lbs several times over the course of my life. I hit a low and immediately rebound with a few extra lbs to show for it. This time I lost 136lbs and have maintained for almost two years. Could I lose without the surgery? Sure. Could not keep it off. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's so frustrating. Some of it, I feel, is based on the fact that they love and care for us. I think that's the first part, that you can do it yourself without surgery. I'm not sure what the second part is about. So far though, I have learned that it is crucial that we work on the emotional part of our journey, otherwise this "tool" that surgery gives us will be wasted. Maybe they don't want us going through surgery if they think we can't follow a diet plan...and believe me, part of me believes it to...part of me worries that the surgery will help me lose the weight, then I'll gain it again. It really is a mind game though, so if you're ready to make it happen, find a good therapist and/or support group and start your journey! We are here to help you and I'm glad to hear that your husband will be supportive of you and your choice. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved by Dr. Nick on 3/8/11!! He's a GREAT dr! I used Forest Park Medical Center and it was a wonderful place! I'm 10 days post-op and am SO glad I picked Dr. Nick and the sleeve! I lost 8.2 lbs my first week! I finally feel like I can actually get all this weight off FOREVER!! GL!! (If you have any questions....ask away! I'll do my best to answer them!)

Hi all! So I did it - I really did it- I am officially sleeved! I'm feeling pretty good. The doc did a hiatal hernia repair and that part of my chest hurts but is manageable with the pain meds. My tummy doesn't hurt at all, which surprised me. I've had 3 bouts of nausea but have not thrown up. I've been walking my laps around the unit. This morning I had broth and jello and have so far been able to tolerate eating. I feel a lot better than I feared I would. I may have to stay one more night in the hospital because my hematocrit is low. They will check it again in an hour. Hopefully it will have increased but even staying at the same level is probably okay. Now I'm ready to get to the weight loss stage - woo hoo! Good luck to each of you on your journey!

I can kind of understand why the successful sleever suggested you look online rather than just talk to her. I'm with the ones that suggest she was doing it with the best of intentions. My mother-in-law is in the process of getting the sleeve, and I had it done a year ago. I am VERY nervous about this. I am excited for her, but I am also worried that if she ends up having a bad experience or problems that I am to blame. I am very nervous about this. When I first had the sleeve, she openly declared she'd never get WLS. I remember posting in the rants section because she kept bringing over food when I was in the liquid phase. Then a cardiologist suggested WLS to her, and she has seen how it has helped me, and she is looking forward to WLS. She has been struggling to lose weight through diet and exercise, and we all know how hard that can be. Before she decided to have WLS, I didn't talk about my experience much because I could easily monopolize a conversation with everything I was feeling and experiencing. When she was looking into it, I was very cautious about telling her about my choice because I wanted her to make her own choice. I talked to her about the various Centers of Excellence and why I went with the one I did. She decided to go to the same place. I went with her to the initial meeting that tells about the various options, and I've gone with her to most of her appointments. I have tried to be very supportive with her while still trying not to influence her into doing it "my way." Still, she decided to go with the sleeve, and she even ended up being assigned my surgeon. She likes that I've done what she is doing now because I can help her find where she is going and tell her what to expect. My mil hasn't told a lot of people that she is going to get WLS. She is still finishing all of the requirements and something could still halt the process. She had a second endoscopy today, and she has an appointment with a pulminologist (sp?) in the future. Yesterday, she finally told her daughter about it. Her daughter probably has a bmi of 60 or higher. Several years ago, the daughter looked into getting sleeved and even started the process, but her insurance denied her coverage. Since then she lost her insurance and hasn't restarted the process with her new insurance. My sil has been going to a different center of excellence than I did. One of the first things the daughter said was that she wanted to be at the hospital with her mom. Her mom told her no that either her husband or I would be with her. My mil wasn't being mean. My sil has some medical issues that make it hard for her to travel, and she also doesn't have a lot of money. The location my mil is having surgery would place a burden on my sil financially and medically. All of this is a very long winded way of saying that it feels very scary to be an adviser to someone starting on this process. I am glad to help, but I worry that my comments will influence my mil to make a choice that won't be right for her. It is easier to do it in this forum where my comments are one of many and my influence doesn't have such a direct impact on my life. For instance -- if my mil has surgery this fall, it is possible that she will still be on a liquid diet at Thanksgiving. She is the one who normally cooks thanksgiving dinner. Will she still want to do that? And if she doesn't, who will? And how will my extended family feel if my mil decides that a family tradition won't be happening this year? Will I get blamed? Or worse, will I be expected to cook and host Thanksgiving? I've never cooked a turkey!

I went right up to 800 calories almost immediately after surgery and I'm currently eating 800-1050 calories a day (usually closer to 800) The difference between 800 calories and 600 calories a day, represents less than two pounds of additional weight loss in a month. Yeah, I'd like to have those two pounds, but I just feel better at around 800 calories so that's where I'm going to stick!