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When I hit a plateau about 5 months out, I was speaking to a nurse at my surgeon's office and she suggested cutting out all crystal lite and artificial sweeteners and replace with water--I've never had a plateau like that since, and I drink at least 64 oz a day. Every once in a while I'll crave something other than water and I'll have a crystal lite or iced tea, but that's 1-2 glasses a week. Other than that, I drink my protein shakes with 1% milk and water only.

I can identify with that feeling, and its one thing I think is problematic with the band becuase I think it keeps you in that dieting headspace. I'm conditioned through dieting my entire life to expecting to be hungry. I spend my entire losing phase convinced I wouldnt lose THIS week becuase I was a piggy and had eaten too much. Even five years down the track, every day feels somewhat like one of those "bad days" from pre band, where you go to bed vowing to do better the next day. I just constantly feel like I havent done well enough becuase I'm full and satisfied. What I tend to do though is not "allow" myself to eat enough at meals and then wonder why I get the bikkie attack at 4pm - the cravings that send me for the chocolate biscuits. Yet, allowing myself to actually eat at that time feels somehow wrong. I'm working very hard on this and am slowly overcoming it. It just doesnt compute for many of us - we cant possibly be not hungry, that means we've done somethign wrong.

My BMI was 30 when I decided to get my band... I am barely 5 ft tall. I went to my initial consult, and 2 weeks later I had my band. Best decision ever. I feel like I did a very smart thing, I did not want my 55 lbs to turn into 100, or 150 lbs to lose. I highly recommend the band to low BMIers.

Well, this is my first blog post. I have been visiting this site for the past 2 months studying and researching the Lapband procedure. I am a Christian who knows the healing power of God. I went through a divorce 7 years ago after a 10 year marriage. The main reason for the divorce was my husband's infidelity. However, through the recovery process, I accepted my part in the whole thing. This was mainly co-dependency and putting my husband before my relationship with God. Through Celebrate Recovery, my church and family I have recovered from my divorce by giving God control of my life. I was able to forgive everyone who hurt me, and I have remarried to a wonderful godly man. We adopted our daughter after her family fell apart. She is about to turn 14. However, the one area that I have not been successful giving to God is my issues with food. I have been overweight all of my life. I started dieting in high school and lost a significant amount of weight with diet pills. I was still bigger than my friends, but I would love to be that size today. My weight fluctuated within about 50 pounds until my marriage got really bad. At that time, I see now, that food became my friend. I was lonely and often uncomfortable in my own home. Food became my escape. Now I am about 100 pounds overweight. I am 39, and my health is beginning to suffer because of the excess weight. My Mom has type 2 diabetes and multiple other problems and complications mainly caused from an unhealthy lifestyle. Right now my only problems are PCOS, infertility, and painful knees and feet. I have to make changes now to avoid my Mom's fate. About 3 years ago, I began praying about having lapband surgery. I was in a different place in my life wanting different things. At that time I was desperate, but not really ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes to be successful. I didn't know this at the time, but God did. He did answer my prayer then - with a "No." I then signed up for Weight Watchers again. I was determined to do it. I spent 2 years on the program and only lost about 18 pounds. At least I did not gain over that time. During that time, I did learn that my relationship with food was a problem. I would stick to the plan for a period of time. Then I would have a bad day, special occasion, etc. and lose control. On those days, I never really got full. I undid all the good I did in a few weeks in one day. I prayed for help and started each day fresh, vowing to do better. When I did have these weak moments, I usually didn't realize it in time to ask God for help. I had usually done the damage before I realized it. In October, I attended my 20 year class reunion. I found out that one of my good friends from hgih school had lapband surgery. This really got me to thinking about it, but I still wasn't sure it was right for me. In February, I began praying for God to show me if I should have this surgery. There was a seminar on my anniversary at the end of the month, and I planned to attend unless I felt God telling me "no" again, which I fully expected. Surprisingly, it seems like God has opened up doors since then. I went to the seminar at the end of February and had my first consultation with the surgeon that day. I began the process of seeing my primary care physician, nutritionist, psychologist, etc. All of the paperwork was submitted to the insurance company on April 21. I have talked to the insurance company who said that I have met all the requirements and my letter was in the mail. I hope that means that they will be paying for the surgery. I think I will be responsible for about $1,300, but I have saved that much in preparation for the surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday to hopefully to set my date. My big concern now is will I be able to make the necessary diet and exercise changes permanently. I hope that the band will be my backup system. By that I mean, when I get into the situations I described above where I tend to overeat, that the band will be my constant reminder. I have been trying to prepare myself emotionally to let go of food as my friend and escape. I am trying to learn to bring my emotional issues to God (and maybe I can vent them here also) so that I won't need food to comfort me. I so want food to be only nutrition to me. I understand that (at least for me) I have to completely change the way I think about food. I hope the band is the tool that I need to make that change. However, there is also a fear inside of me that says, "I haven't been able to make changes before, can I really do it now?" I guess that is enough about me for now, but I will be back. I have never been one to keep a journal for very long, but I feel like I need to log this journey to be successful. I think it will help hold me accountable.

I am so glad that I found a place like this. My lap band journey started in August. Well, actually it started many years ago when Tricare said they pay for it. I spoke with my husband over and over about it and he was still in the mindset of "you don't need surgery, you need self-control." Little did he know, I knew my body much better than he did. Ten years later and he finally saw what I had been telling him. I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol (uncontrolled even on medication), and borderline diabetic. I went to one of Dr Keith's seminars and it was a packed seminar. Two weeks later I get the phone call I've been waiting for. I started making all my appointments and then all of a sudden we are deep in debt and I have to push off my appointments because the bills are piling up that weren't there just a few months ago. I started at a horrible job and lasted a meer 4 weeks until I told the doctor I was working for to shove his job where the sun doesn't shine. Not my best moment, but life does go on. I started back on my appointments using my Pell Grant money (after classes and books are paid for) and used that just for the appointments insurance wouldn't pay. I, again, had to look for a job, but I was very upfront and let my wonderful boss know that I was going to have weight loss surgery by the end of Feb. She was so happy for me and I was hired that day. I had a small set back and ended up having to see a cardiologist because I had Ventricular Tachycardia. I went through the appointment and stress test with the cardiolgist stating that he believes the problems I have is weight related and that I was cleared to have surgery. Yay! Surgery day is here. I have March 27th, 2013 circled and ready to go. I was at the hospital at 5:45am and at 7:28am I was given the "boom boom" as my husband called it. I am 5 days post-op and are a little worried about the Protein drink and always heading to the bathroom afterwards. After my long winded post...Hi! Linda

good update...keep up the good work! I was only down post-op 1 month about 22 pounds...had stalled around 3 weeks...since then losing has been slow, but at 6 weeks post-op I am now about 30 pounds down...I don't have a follow-up visit with my surgeon until another 2 weeks, which will be 2 months out...I hope I can be at least 5 more pounds down by then, so my total loss at my upcoming visit will be 35 pounds...if I could somehow make it to 40 lbs down by then, I would be super happy

Good evening! I had band to bypass revision on May 3 and I LOVE IT!! I am so happy with my "decision". Mine wasn't so much of a decisions as it was...if you ever want to eat again you need to get the stupid band out of you. I was very successful with my band and lost 110 pounds in 9.5 months but then right around my 3 year anniversary I started having major problems. I was completely unfilled but I kept throwing up quite regularly. Any time anyone would question it, I just made one excuse after another without realizing it: The food was too tought, I ate to fast, I didn't chew enough, etc. Finally I had resorted to eating three things: Hershey's with almonds, cheese puffs, and Pasta with alfredo sauce because those were the only things that would go down with out being rejected by my band...which we soon nick-named the "anti-gravity band"...cuz what went down was inevitably coming up!!! (TMI...but any of us revisioners have been there and done that!) After craziness with my insurance company I finally had my revision done by Dr. Stowers in Decatur, TX. The recovery was very easy for me. I was back to work as a high school science teacher 6 days after surgery. The first two weeks were pretty easy because it was just liquids. Weeks 3-6ish were a little more difficult as I transitioned to soft foods and then to real foods. I was getting nauseated all the time. Every time I ate I felt like I was getting car sick. However, that has seemed to fade unless I eat too much fat. I have avoided sugar at almost all cost except for the piece of cheesecake on my birthday which sent me over the edge. Dumping for me is a lot less about running to the bathroom (though I was in there for a while) and more about my the heart pounding in my chest. From what I have read everyone's experience is a little different but for me I know when I have too much fat or sugar because my DH can put his hand just barely touching my shirt and feel my heart beating. I can feel it in my ears and it is awful. This might sound bad but I am done counting calories, grams of Protein, and everything else so I don't. I eat things that are healthy (though I am having a really hard time even wanting meat...it disgusts me right now!) and I eat small amounts but I don't fret like I did with my band. I have lost 27 pounds in just under three months. However, I was fairly close to goal and only have 13 pounds to go to get to goal so my BMI was not very high. Both my doctor and I agreed that I would take the weight off slowly because my rapid weightloss with the band caused me some medical issues. I will tell you that your tastes buds are going to change. I thought they were crazy when they said you wouldn't crave sweets, but I haven't wanted a candy bar, doughnut, or ice cream since surgery. Salt on the other hand...that is my new "transfer addiction". I can't get enough! Please let me know if you have any questions. I still feel like a newbie myself but I will do my best to answer any questions you might have. Good luck!

I can see my weight loss now. 1st pic-1week after surgery 2nd pic-6 week checkup 3rd & 4th pic-this Sat

I tried it about two weeks post surgery, and it hurt my stomach. I told my wife, who used to be a CNA, and she told me to stop being a moron! I think I'll wait until about six months. Sent from my Nexus 5X using the BariatricPal App

Yes... I have found that I have to be REALLY careful with movement. I am at almost 7 weeks, and last week had a day with a lot more movement (twisting, up and down off the floor, etc) than I had, and I really hurt myself. My DR. explained about how the muscle fibers in your abs are basically scar tissue (which does not have the flexibility) and so any of those types of movements are going to be more painful. I have had to go back to square one. But until this incident my incision areas had been feeling better. It took about 5 weeks for me... so It does get better but hope it is sooner rather than later for you!

My sleeve was 7 weeks ago. I'm very happy with my decision. I weigh under 200 for the first time in 12 years. My sleeve has tolerated almost everything I've tried so far but in much smaller servings. I do have pain when I don't chew enough and when I eat too fast. I've only thrown up once since surgery. I've lost 29 pounds since surgery. The hardest part for me was giving up caffeine and diet pop. I can have caffeine again but I don't want it yet. I enjoy being caffeine free and I don't miss pop as much as I thought I would. I'm becoming more active then I used to be. I feel much better. Nothing tastes as good as this feels. The sleeve is the best decision I ever made! This is my experience but you have to decide whats best for you.

64 pounds in 4 weeks?! WOW! Congrats! I would definitely say getting in all my liquids is really hard. And not drinking after meals or even with them is still a huge issue for me 4 weeks post op. I'll get the hang of it eventually. As for the baked chicken, maybe you should try pureeing it until you can try again at week 6. Or what about canned chicken? That's softer and mushier!

In April 2012, I was driving to work one sunny morning when my life changed. A 19 year old drunk driver drove into my lane and hit me head-on. I know just how lucky I am not only to be alive, but not to have been injured any worse than I was. I had 3 broken bones and spent 4 weeks in a wheelchair, 2 with a walker and cane, and weeks in physical therapy, but I'm still here! The problem was even after physical therapy, my joints hurt. I thought I just needed to work-out and lose weight. Uh, yeah, I was about 316 pounds, so that should have been enough of a clue! However, working out wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, because I was in pain during and after. I realized that I needed to take off the weight in order to make the exercise work for me. I had considered weight loss surgery before and had even gone to an informational meeting, but didn't follow through. It seemed too extreme! What I needed at this time was the extreme. I had surgery Dec. 19,2012 by Dr. Teresa LaMasters. It was easily the BEST decision I've made to improve my health! I didn't have any problems. My insurance approved the procedure literally in less than 24 hours! I was fortunate that because of the car accident, my deductible was met and I didn't have to pay very much out of pocket for the procedure either. Nothing made me sick after surgery. My tastes changed some in that Protein drinks that I liked before surgery tasted like drinking syrup after and I found that the only one I really like is chocolate unjury. I also discovered Quest Protein Bars and love them! For about the first year, everything was easy. I got down to 209 pounds and stalled some. Some of the stall was due to the fact that I discovered I could eat anything and maintain for the most part as long as I worked out and didn't over do. So I'd gain and lose the same 5 pounds! (This is the point I should have been smacking myself in the head! lol) Things were going so smoothly for me, that my husband decided to have the surgery as well. He's 6'4 and was over 400 pounds. His surgery was June 2014. He's down 125 pounds so far. Now we're to the part of my story that got me here. In October, my sister started to not feel good and went to the hospital. She came home and they thought she had a virus. Two weeks later, she was worse and they admitted her. Three days later, no one had answers and she was transferred to a bigger hospital. In the meantime, I'm working on an important report for the federal government that will help me gain "points" towards re-funding the grant for my program. I was also informed at this time that my employer didn't want to spend the money on a grant writer and that it was now "my job" to write the grant that funds my job and 3 others over the next 5 years. Oh, and did I mention I was supposed to do this in my spare time for no money? We're approaching Thanksgiving and my sister is still in the hospital without a diagnosis, but with dozens of tests run. The week of Thanksgiving, we hear she's going to get to come home! Yea! The next day, they decided they needed to put a stent in and that she can't leave yet. Two days later, they decided she had polycythemia vera. She never got to come home. She passed away on December 1. 12 days before her son's 22 birthday...22 days before her 25th wedding anniversary...during her daughter's first semester of college. It's just so surreal to have my best friend and sister be gone. Our family is fractured. Two days before the funeral, my husband had surgery on an elbow he'd injured. The thought of him with anesthesia terrified me. Then two weeks later, I had surgery. We made it through Christmas and needless to say, food was a comfort through all of this. On Dec. 26, I went for my yearly mammogram and got a call two days later that it was abnormal and I had to have another. From there, I went to a breast cancer specialst and was informed that I had to have a biopsy. (I'm thinking to myself, are you FREAKING kidding me!! Yes, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself!) Good news, NO CANCER! Whew! In the middle of all of this, I finished that stupid grant that turned into a nightmare and things were starting to look up! Then, honest to God, I should be in a country song...I came home last week to find one of our furry, four-legged children dead. ARGH!!!! I've decided that if I've survived all of this, then I can DO ANYTHING!! Yes, I've gained 14 pounds since my lowest weight. However, I'm determined that this will not beat me!! I am so encouraged my the stories I've read here and am anxious to try some of the suggestions people have made. Thanks for giving me some inspiration!

I had horrible pain too for at least two weeks hang in there it gets better I would just sit there in tears praying for God to help me as I hit the lortab bottle like it was Jack Daniels. As far as stamina your body is using a lot of energy to heal on very little calories I'm nearly 4 weeks out and I still get exhausted. Bet you can't wait for the insomnia to start! Cuz I can't sleep for shit!

I Am just over 2 weeks post op and at times still feel like I Am not motivated or have enough energy to exercise. I know that surgery is only a tool and that I also need to do my Part... I do walk everyday tho:)

As another Dr. Nicholson patient, follow what he says. I am now more than 16 weeks out and life is great. The liquid for the first 3 weeks is not fun but there is a purpose for it. It will be worth the wait! I still have not tried rice or breads, it just doesn't seem worth it but I can eat anything else. Hang in there, he told me several times it will be worth it and it is!

I am 3 weeks post op. I lost 19.4lbs pre op and 17.6lbs since surgery. I also lost some inches but not sure how many.

That's awesome @@Hoppy5 and @@momfromjersey22 !!! I have my first fill next week. I'm loosing much slower then both of you but 2-3 lbs a week so still in the expected zone. I was able to wear size 16 capri's this week and fit a bunch of my old size 16 dresses! It's those NSV's that motivate me more then the scale! Great job ladies!!!

My weight loss is going well, I'm down 37 lbs. I'm meeting my protein goals and I typically fall just short of my water goals. I get up and walk 2 miles before work every week day. I average somewhere between 10k and 15 k steps a day. I've also tried to incorporate different night time activities, like hiking or roller skating.

How about this for luck?? I had my lap band placed June 27th. On July 19th I worked 5 am to 4 pm. Then, took my daughter to the hospital for induced labor (3 wks overdue). Got her there about 6 pm, she was nervous, we played games, they weren't giving her pitocin (labor inducing drug) til the morning. I stayed til about 11 pm, drove 40 min. home, cleaned up the kitchen, fell asleep exhausted about 1 am. My daughter called at 4am, 'Mom, almost time to start pitocin, I'm nervous'. Jumped outta bed, noticed some abdominal pain (frequent constipation since band) washed face, brushed teeth, went to hospital. Things went as expected, labor progressed, as my daughter's pain increased, so did mine! Around noon, I took milk of mag, hoping it would help, instead pain turned horribly severe, I assumed impaction (I'm a nurse). I ignored and hid it, as my daughter was having her 1st child, she already has anxiety, and she was in increasing pain. This continued till July 20th around 2 am. She was dilating, 8 cm at this point, but baby wouldn't come down. They took her away for a c-section. Around 4 am, I got to see my 1st granddaughter! She's the love of my life. I tried to leave the hospital, but by now, as I walked out, I was sweating, doubled over in pain, feeling nauseous. I walked by the ER, thought, 'No one in waiting room,,can get a suppository and go home!' Mind you, I've not showered, sweaty from pain, 2 days without sleep...I go in and they put me on a cot (no pillow, no blanket), I fall asleep! I can barely function to answer questions (they gave me pain meds, I remember asking for a suppository)..they are running tests, I am still out of it. I dreamed that a handsome Doc told me he was admitting me for an emergency appendectomy. I finally woke around 11 am as they were wheeling me to the surgical floor,,I remember thinking, 'OMG! It wasn't a dream (My Surgeon really was terribly good-looking..lol)! Anyway, my family had no idea where I was,,I woke enough to call them, had my surgery around 6pm, so my appendix and my grandbaby have the same birthday...haha I'd love to see my H&P,,,disheveled, unwashed, barely coherent, possibly 'on something',,,lol So now I have 4 more laperscopic incisions to add to my 5 from lap band,,my belly looks like a peg board,,,but all is well! I was wondering if anyone else had an appendectomy after lap band? I dang sight better end up cute and skinny!!! lol

I have been positevely dying for fruit and veggies! I thought I wasn't supposed to start on these items until 3 months out- well today I re-read all my handouts and realized I could have started on these items 2 weeks ago! So- I'll be honest- fruits and veggies are on my menu for dinner tonight and I'll make up the protein in the form of liquid with some Nectar protein powder. If you haven't tried it there is a sample bag of all the flavors you can get at mybariatricpantry.com. They are such a refreshing change for the other powders.

I was sleeved on the 19th so today makes one week! Speaking of sneezing we were at Walmart on Christmas eve. Buying the gifts for our kids and I sneezed. Ouch that really hurts I felt like I was going to faint I am not taking enough fluids and cannot even finish one protein shake. I would love to have real food

Am almost two weeks post op, lost 10lbs during my pre op diet. But only 12 lbs within the past 12 days! So over liquids! Looking forward to chewing Food!! Am a foodie! And going to be super hard!

Hey kids. I'm sorry I won't be at that meeting on the 10th. I'm going to be slogging along with 3000 other people riding my bike from Columbus to Portsmouth. Carol will be doing it with me next year, won't cha? Now mind you if it's raining cats and dogs, you all will see me, because I'm a fair weather cyclist. I could swing something on the 11th, or anyone the 14th or 15th in the PM I could do. That's my spring break week! No school for me! YEAH!

Hey guys, just wanted to give you an update.I'm 14 weeks post-op and down 54lb, and feeling wonderful.I am going to the gym three to four times a week, and currently going through a stall (tom).I eat about 800-1000 calories daily. Myfitnesspal is a great app I use to keep me accountable.I still haven't told anyone besides my family that I had surgery, I guess I am still not comfortable with anyone judging me about my decision.Oh well lol..Here are some pics This was the first month post-op pic This is the second month post-op pic This was some pics of last night Thanks