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I'm glad I read this. I know it's normal to stall but I've been between 217-220 for 4 weeks!!! I have even started working out more and packing my own healthy meals, drinking shakes in the am. I don't get it. It's so frustrating. I feel like my body is comfortable at 220 bc I have been at this weight before and for a long time. And because I had the Lapband before I can eat more than other people. I hate it bc I feel like I can easily eat 1000 cal a day. I have to really watch it. Ok back to counting my calories!!!

I was worried that my BMI would be just under 40 based on what I thought my weight was when I called the surgeon. We celebrated our anniversary the night before my consult appointment and had a steak dinner + loads of carbs. The day of my consult, I stopped for lunch on the way and had another steak dinner + a gutbusting helping of cheese fries. When I weighed in, my BMI was 41. A month later, I still feel like I'm digesting those steaks.

I would just like to run this scenario by you guys and get opinions. I had my 4th fill on November 23rd and was very very tight. I decided to try and wait to see if I get loose at the 2 week mark as usual. Right now, being over 2 weeks and I still cannot eat anything but mushies and crap food (ice cream, etc). Even with ice cream, I cannot eat much before I feel like throwing up. I have tried grinding up meat, and even that I cant get down. I did an experiment, and with ground up chili, I could only eat 2 oz before I got pain in my chest. I am going today for an unfill (small). Is that what you would do? oh, and I have stopped losing weight because I am eating all the wrong stuff, thats all that will comfortably go down. Opinions welcome, although I will cry if you slap me (verbally) :thumbup: thanks!

Ok - so last year at this time I was getting ready for surgery. Then my company got sold and changed insurance. So in April I found out my new insurance required the 6 months of weight loss. So I went through all of this. It was a huge set back when I had to start over. Now I have gotten excited again...tasting victory. So everything was to be handed in to insurance and I got a phone call saying the surgeon wanted to meet with me first. They knew my health problems all along. I have spent $2000 getting ready and now he tells me I am too high risk for him and HE (the surgeon) is turning me down. I do have asthma and problems waking up from anesthesia. I am just really slow to wake up. I am also allergic to percocet and vicodin so he says there are little to no other options. I am trying to see a new surgeon ant a different facility but I fear running out of time. Talk about a bummer! Last year I paid me out of pocket max and couldnt do it. Now this year I have paid it again. I can afford going into next year. I am so frustrated!!! Anybody else out there that got turned down by the surgeon? Why could they have not told me all of this from the very beginning. Ugh!:thumbup:

Just wondering if there how much weight you've lost if you were banded in July. I've lost 30lbs. Just wondering how good that is compared to everyone else. Thanks!

I have struggled with my weight since I was 22. I had always thought I was over weight, looking back I wish I could smack my younger self... I has healthy and beautiful and had no idea. I am not a self loathing person. I do not look in the mirror and hate myself. I look in the mirror and realize I am slowly killing myself by the weight I have put on over the years. I feel tired most of the time, I have back, hip, and knee problems because of my weight. I am 5'6 and 270lbs which my body was not built for. This is the heaviest I have ever been. My weight has always fluctuated...I lose weight, keep it off for a while, then it comes right back on, usually bringing extra friend pounds with it. Anyone else who has experienced this, knows how depressing this can be. It has gotten to the point that I not longer care to work out, I don't really want to do anything, I have become lazy and sedentary. My boyfriend is an outdoor person who loves to hike and fish and move around and I want to do those things with him but I have a really hard time keeping up which makes me feel crappy. I had looked into gastric bypass surgery a long time ago, but the side effects were not worth it to me. Then my best friend had the gastric sleeve and told me how much better it was. She had her surgery in March and I have waited to see how she reacted to the surgery, how her body handled it, what she went through, her struggles and her successes. She has lost 90lbs since March, looks amazing, is happier, healthier, and more active. So I sat down with her and talked about the process she went through and all the steps that she had to do. I contacted the same doctor and have already met with him, set up my support group meetings, set up my dietician appointment, and will be calling to schedule my psych evaluation. I am so excited and anxious to get this ball rolling. I am ready for a new healthy life. I am ready to learn how to eat to live and not live to eat. I am excited about how this will effect my energy levels, how I can lose enough weight that I will no longer have chronic back, hips, and knee pain. I am also excited about how I will look. Anyone who says looking better is not part of why they want to do it is lying! LOL. It should never be your main reason and you should never do it for someone else. My boyfriend did not encourage or talk me out of it when I was making my decision. He told me he would support me either way but would not sway my decision. Now that I have decided to go through with the process he is with me every step of the way. He will be going to support meetings, appointments, and anything else I need.

Hi: I don't do any weight training, however I do alot of aerobic exercise. I walk and/or trikke 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day. Luckily my weight has been coming off of my back. My lower belly is another story. I'm wondering if the body choses where to lose from on its own. I'm kind of melting from the top down even though I've lost everywhere I look normal from the belly button up. My lower abdomen, butt, and legs are still very heavy, but I expect that alot of that will go away with the last 37 pounds to goal. Good luck. Sue

I don't mean to be rude, but if you're 100-110 lbs over weight, I can assure you that you do not look like you need to lose 20 lbs. There isn't a person out there that would. OTOH, it sounds like you might not be mentally ready for this. I'd be 100% sure that this life-changing decision is the one you want to make.

i got banded 7/26/07 start weight 238 lbs. now only 206 lbs. i thought it would happen faster i go to kickboxing 4-5 times a week i follow weight watchers get lots of water and protein is this normal in 5 months to only lose 32 lbs or am i just rushing things ???? ( i have gotten 2 fills )

Oh man am I seriously questioning this decision. If you saw me you'd think I needed to lose about 20lbs. I'm very stocky but I weight 290 and should be about 180-190. No one in my family other then my mother is over weight. I've been up and down for the past 14 years. I have demons in my head that keep telling me I can do this on my own.. Man I hope I make it through tomorrow without canceling.

I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem....I went for my first fill on Thursday, 2/5, and I weighed in at the doctors at 274, but today I got on the scale and I weigh 280. I don't know what happen, I hardly consumed anything the last couple of days cause I don't feel hungry at all, I have all I can do right now to drink my shakes. :thumbdown::confused: I don't know what is wrong.

thanks! every day is a day closer. I think it's weird that when they do my h &p on the 21st of may I have to be at my weight goal for surgery. I thought I wouldn't have to be until my surgery day on june 10th. Which means my weight we'll prob be even lower on june 10th. i've only got about 6 or 7 more pounds to loose before may 21st and i've lost about 12-20 pounds in less than a month by just eating right and exercising.

I got my first fill 6 weeks ago. 3cc's. not sure how large my band is, I have the realize band. Everything was ok, I could tolerate pretty much anything. I haven't lost much weight in those 6 weeks, only 5 lbs. Now, yesterday I got my second fill, an additional 1.5 cc's. I cannot eat ANYthing. I tried to eat a little chicken today and I thought I was going to DIE. For about 20 minutes I thought I really was going to DIE. I kept spitting up, exteme pain, finally I threw up. Now, 2 hours later I just feel terrible. Really horrible physically. Did I mess up my band by throwing up? Do I need to go back for an unfill? Any advice would be appreciated. I'm a little freaked out.

I had been taking Phendametrazine for years. When I first started taking it I lost 80lbs but as soon as I got into maintenance and they weaned me off them (I was taking 2 35mg pills 3x a day) the weight came back with a vengeance. I think it seriously messed up my metabolism as I tried it again but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't lose it like I did before. I woud sleep eat in the middle of the night and sabotage all my hard work. Since I got off of them about 3 months ago I have finally been sleeping through the night...AND staying asleep! LOL I did LOVE the energy they gave me though, and they put me in a super good mood....I originally called them my fat pills, then changed them to happy pills to finally loathing my crack pills. =/

Please get a upper GI from your Dr. I am now on my second band. I did everything right the first time around and also lost very little weight. It took an upper GI to show that my buckle wasn't connected. That is when I had my second surgery. Now I am losing weight. Slowly, but surely, the weight IS coming off. There are problems with the band that are mechanical. Please have your Dr. check it out. My self-esteem took a real blow during all of this. I had told everyone I was having surgery and then didn't lose weight. If it is mechanical, you need to get it fixed NOW. If it isn't a mechanical problem, the Dr. can help there too. Bands can fail thru not fault on our own. Let me know how you are doing. ((((HUGS)))) Terry

A few days ago I had to multi-task as I got ready for work. I was sitting at the computer checking email and combing my hair after my morning shower. I had to get the sticky lint brush out to get all the hair off the front of my shirt. I took a long strip off and did my back as best I could because I was pretty sure the back of my shirt probably looked about as hairy as the front. I wouldn't even mind if I was losing weight really fast but I'm not. Or if only the gray fell out.

I told DH and family before surgery. But, since then I've been so happy with my results and weight loss is very noticable when people asked how I lost so much weight I feels like it's a lie to say "I just got self-control". I've struggled with my weight for years and if you'd know earlier how wonder the lapband was from a friend, I maybe could have started the LB journery years sooner. If I can help one overweight person with my experience I'll be pleased. But, I also let people know it still takes a ton of hard work, LB IS A TOOL not a cure. That's my two-cents-Connie

My doctor says I am a perfect candidate for lap band. I am to have a sleep study soon. At 44 and already having had 2 heart stents inserted, and 2 parents dying prematurely of heart disease, I feel I need to do something. I need to know.... Is the surgery worth it? I worked in surgery for many years and have assisted Dr. James Kane in the North West suburbs of Chicago during quite a few of the primitive Gastric Bypass surgeries that were quite invasive. His son James Jr. is now on the forefront of this field and the innovative lap band. I have read much and my Primary Care Physician has nothing but praise for father/son partnership. I will make an appointment with them after the sleep study. I have not worked in surgery for more than 13 years. I will navigate this site frequently in the coming days. If anyone can give me assurance that this is the way to go, please encourage me. I am a food addict too. I am not the typical Lap Band Patient as I carry my weight quite well , and need to loose approximately 60-70 pounds only. Still a challenge and my weight just keeps increasing. Well, that is my introduction to this web site. One more point... Does your family fare better after you have the surgery. By that I mean do they get healthier too as a by product of you being more healthy, cooking healthier, being more active and increased (hopefully) self esteem? Thanks for your responses. As my name says I want to lose so that I may have life. I do not want to leave my kids motherless. Best to all of you- loseforlife

I know what you mean, I hope goes will for you as well. At least you have a record of your weight, I haven't been to my primary care for quite some time (I forgot to mention that earlier). I hope I get approved for this. I am on pins and needles and the process hasn't yet to start yet. I have to stay positive.

Just a reminder that the WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) Support Group at Memorial Herrman is meeting THIS Wednesday. This is for BOTH bypass and Lap-Band patients. Last meeting there were more band patients than RNY, so don't feel like you can't come! I am planning to attend! Here are the details: WLS Support Group Memorial Hermann-Woodlands 9250 Pinecroft Drive 1st Floor, Conference Room

Congratulations on your weight loss and I'm sorry to hear that you've got a slip. Have you discussed replacing the band with your surgeon? Staying on a liquid diet for 30 days and "hoping" the slip does not progress would not be my idea of an ideal solution.

U know what things happen that we can't control... U couldn't control being hit by someone, but u can control what u put in your mouth... U have to be the captain of your ship u can't put the ship on auto pilot and expect it to take u where u want to go..... Food is not your buddy, it's not a pal, or a lover.. it's fuel and that's it... Just like gas is for your car... you don't see people bringing in gas cans sitting them in the living room, or playing cards with them, or when they feel bad going to get more gas just for the hell of it..... because the sole purpose is for it to get u from a to b and to c as well, if u put too much gas in your car it will spill out and guess what u have just wasted your money.. If u eat too much u might throw up, and if u don't it will stick to your butt...if it can't come out it will definately stay in, and cause us to gain weight.. Not to be hard on you or anything, but u have to face the stress head on and say u are not going to allow it to get the best of u.. U control the situation don't allow it to control u....U can do it, and just because u slipped dosent mean u can't get up and dust your sholder off and stay in the fight....cause u can...:cursing:

Hello, After about 1 year of having my band filled I lost 90 pounds and found myself in the same situation you described. I did what you are planning and had my band unfilled. Then I got it filled, unfilled, filled, filled and filled. From the time is was unfilled, to the time it was back at the right fill level was about 5 months. I gained over 30 pounds. Since it has been at the right fill level (2 months), I have lost about 12 pounds. So, if I continue to loose at the end of the year I will weight exactlly the same as I weighed last year. I would have preferred to weigh less. Be a little concerned about gaining weight when the band is not filled. I know when it feels like a piano landed on your chest, the last thing you care about is loosing weight, you just want somebody to move the piano. The unfill is like having the piano removed, it is a huge relief. I only wish I had been quicker to get the band refilled to the right level sooner. THE REASON THIS HAPPENS MAY NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE FILL LEVEL OF YOUR BAND. If your fill level intiaqlly worked and the band seemed to get tighter, the band fill level was probably alright. What happens is that when you vomit this causes trama and swelling, so things tighten up. Then because they are tighter, you vomit again and things swell even more and then before long, you are swollen shut and can't even swallow a single drop of water. Then you have to get unfilled. THE WAY TO FIX THIS AND NEVER HAVE THIS ISSUE AGAIN is to be very strict with your diet and not push it even one time. Once you vomit it is a very good idea to go to clear liquids right away for a week. You may not feel tighter after the fist time, but swelling has occured annd by the time it feels tighter, it is to late and it will be hard to recover without an unfill. Clear liquids will save you from ever having to feel like this again. Never, ever vomit and then the first time you do go immediatly to 7 days of clear liquids. Once it gets very tight, an unfill is required. For my this cost me 30 pounds, 9 months and about $1,500. I would rather not pay that tuition bill again.

Ask about your surgeon about his success rate and complication rate. Ask how long his patients have to be off work on average. Questions about recovery, how long before you can do things. How long is the hospital stay. His goal weight for you, follow up care....do you see him or a PA. Anything that comes to your mind. Anything you need an answer with to be comfortable with your decision to have surgery. No question is dumb.

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm still finding my way but I think I've found my green zone. I will tell you that makes ALL the difference. Can you try to get a fill under fluoro soon? Like mentioned above, I had to learn to obey my band. I love pork chops. My band does not. I had to give them up. I tried to force it but the band won. As I'm closer to/at my green zone, my eating has had to be more thoughtful, slow and obedient to my band. I still want to wolf my first bites down when I'm hungry. This is disaster for me now. It wasn't that way two months ago. But I have more fill in my band and an unchewed bite of meat or chewing my second bite before the first one has even started its way down is a recipe for getting stuck. Again, this didn't happen two months ago. I rest my band twice a week with a single 500 calorie meal on Mondays and Thursdays. It's not for everyone but it broke some bad habits for me that I was doing. One thing I don't feel restriction on is salads and soups. I can eat those for an hour and not get filled to satiety. So I choose to have those rarely now. I like them but I want to lose weight and I want to feel the band tell me to stop. Please talk to your team about how and what you're eating before you give up on your band. Maybe it's just some habit changes that are needed. We worked too hard for this tool to toss it out unless it's the last resort. I haven't looked at Bandista's links yet but she always has good advice. So I'll check those out at home later. Good luck. You're worth success. I hope you find it!