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Chronic migraines here. I was told that the weight loss may help lessen the frequency. Hope so! Will eliminate the need for some of the medications. I am so tired of all of the medications I have to take for this and that! How are you dealing with it?

Checking in to see how everyone is doing....little over a month out. Down 20 lbs. Still sore but back to work. Soft foods are working out great and meeting my protein goals but not my fluids :-( working on that. Can't wait to start weight training in 2 weeks!!

1st let me say I am glad to have found this Forum. I found it yesterday after google 'ing bariatric support groups at the suggestion of my nutritionist. Along with a list of "what to start doing to get used to it" items she said I should find a support group for obvious reasons. I have very little knowledge on the subject bariatric surgery other than what I have learned from my visits with my surgeon and his group so far and what very little i learned from my brother having lap-band several years ago. Well gotta figure no better way to learn than to ask those that have gone through or are going through what I plan to. I've been reading topics here since yesterday and have come across some things I didn't know or even think about. So I figured I'd give details of my current situation and see if others have anything in common and if they could give me some ideas of what to expect. It's been just over a month since I first saw my surgeon and came to the decision to go through with the sleeve surgery. I did not initially go to see him for it though. His name was on a list I received from my primary care doc after she told me the lump on my belly button was an umbilical hernia. When I went to see him he said he could repair the hernia but there was a high chance of either it reopening or another opening somewhere else due to my weight and big ass gut (not his words). After his, what I 1st felt was a sales pitch, He showed me some videos gave me some info to read and suggested I take some time to think about it and talk it over with my wife. We read, I showed her the video, we talked about it and decided it was probably the smart thing to do. Over the past few years I've put on a significant amount of weight and it seems every time I try to diet it off, I pack more on. A little bit of medical history for ya...... According the old trusty BMI system I've been heavy since my late teens early 20's but that is because of my height. I was pretty fit and muscular back then. Stayed pretty fit but did gain weight heading into my 30's and put on more the older I got. I've had back issues since my late teens due to a vehicle accident but it was never anything more than a good cracking my back couldn't relieve. My line of work has always been very physical, so along with getting older and the weight gain my back issues became worse. Now about to hit my mid 40s I've been out of work for going on 3 years due to osteoarthritis, slipped/herniated disks and sciatica. I have very limited movement and seem to be stuck in my "snowball". Also because of the weight I am on blood pressure, cholesterol and get happy meds. I do not take pain killers other than occasional 800mg ibuprofen. I have an addictive nature and am terrified of getting hooked. Speaking of which I am an "alcoholic". On the wagon and have it under control but still might as well mention it. Damn I am one F***ed up specimen. Well, I'll leave it at that and hope for any feedback, experience or suggestions/advice that any of you care to give. Thanks so much in advance for reading and feedback. Sorry this turned out so LONG. J

My hair started thinning around month 3 or 4. Many people posted in the past that it stops falling out by month 8-10, but I'm almost a year out (Mayo Bandito also), and I'm still losing a bit more hair than normal. I've tried Biotin and increased Protein for periods of time, but it didn't seem to have an affect. The problem is that the thinning is somewhat noticeable now-- because I didn't have very thick hair to begin with! I'm losing weight, so that's a great thing, but I want my hair back!!! Anyone out there have it grow back to normal at some point?!

I had surgery March 30th. At first wasn't sure I made the right choice but after about 7days started feeling good and have lost weight. I like others am having difficulty getting enough protein and I am still on chewable vitamins Yuck!!

That's very true, I need to get my mind together. I have a excellent opportunity to finally change my life. Don't want to lose it. I am sick of my weight! I have 2 kids I want to be here for.

I talked to my OB about it this past April and she said to have to kids first then to tuck, to avoid extra surgeries. I think I may invest in some kinds of semi-comfy compression garment until I have another baby in the next couple of years. On the bright side...maybe you won't need a tuck. My lapband doc swears that I won't need one if I lift weights, she said at most a little laser lipo that tightens the skin too.

Wine turns to sugar once processed and will be primarily stored as belly fat. So it will slow down your weight loss. Since we are so limited on what we could consume, they want us to choose wisely. Think of it this way a small bottle of wine is about 500 calories (~90 calories a glass), if you drank a bottle a day you would gain 1 lb a week. Ive cheated to and I spoke to a nutrionist, she said to make sure you drink a glass of Water after each glass of wine if I feel I absolutely have to drink when I go out. Dont drink spritzers, I had one and the carbination made me foam at the mouth, it was so scary. I went away for 4 days and drank a few glasses, my weight loss was only 1.5 that week, as oppossed to 7lbs the week before. Good Luck

you all have been so encouraging...... it really means alot. How long ago did you all get your band, what was your weight lose, and sizes....As you all know i started a 223, 5'2" size 18-20. Now i'm at 145 and a size 8 fit very comfortable, but size 6 fits. Hoping to be a size 4 by the end of all this. but mostly it's about losing this apron and the rashes and soreness from the rubbing when i walk or exercise.... So Laura...Monday is your big day... Wow... 4 days out. How was the pain? How long are you going to be out of work? My doctor does not use drain tubes, so i'm hoping to be back on my 12 day. surgery on the 15th and back to work on the 27th. Did you stay overnight? Who changed the port? I would love to see pic if you feel comfortable showing one day. Thanks for the prayers......

My BMI is just under 36 and I have documented foot problems from the weight. Would that count as a co-morbidity? Or is a co-morbidity something that is life threatning? And is a PPO more band friendly or a HMO?

You are not alone, am right there with you. The struggle is real. I have lost five pounds only to gain it back plus a few more. As of today I am at my starting weight again but it is a struggle to stay there. Does your insurance company or Doctor require you to lose a certain amount? Hang in there.

Does anyone know if I start my liquid diet over again will I start to lose weight again I have been in a stall for a month and was sleeve on September 15th Sent from my Z828 using the BariatricPal App

i thought this article was very interesting. especially the last 2 lines. NBC.com - The Biggest Loser Fat Burning How Does Your Body Burn Off Weight? By Michael Scholtz, BiggestLoserClub.com Fitness Expert Q: How do I know if I’m in my fat burning zone? A: Fat burning is not the issue. It is actually calorie burning that you need to be concerned about. While much has been made about the existence of a magical “fat burning zone,” it is actually one of the more persistent myths in the area of exercise and weight loss. The myth stems from the fact that lower intensity exercise does burn a higher percentage of calories from fat than from carbohydrates. That sounds good on the surface. After all, it offers up images of fat melting off your body! What could be better? The first hole in the “fat burning zone” theory is that your body does not care how you burn the calories or what fuel was consumed in burning them. The body gains or loses weight according to how much of an overall calorie surplus or deficit exists over time. In other words, to lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than you expend. Therefore, the question must be raised: Do you somehow burn MORE calories by deliberately slowing down to stay in the infamous “fat burning zone”? Of course, the answer is “NO”! You burn more calories by exercising a bit longer or a bit harder, not by slowing down. The key is exercising at a pace that is comfortably challenging and, over time, having that pace increase as your fitness increases. As this happens you will burn more and more calories per minute. The second hole in the theory is that even if it WERE true that it was more important to burn fat calories than total calories, the “fat burning zone” proponents would still be off the mark. It seems preposterous to even make this point, seeing as it is not true that burning more fat calories matters at all. But, it is a fun way to look at the issue. So here goes. You see, when you slow down to burn more fat you might burn 50% of your calories from fat vs. perhaps 30% if you exercise at a higher rate. However, you also burn fewer TOTAL calories; therefore you burn 50% of a LOWER number! For a side by side comparison, look at the below estimates for 30 min of exercise for a 200 lb person: Low intensity exercise % Fat burned 50 Total calories burned 120 Fat calories burned 60 High intensity exercise % Fat burned 30 Total calories burned 200 Fat calories burned 60

I'd actually disagree with that recommendation - cardio is usually the easiest and most effective for people to be starting off, it will kick start weight loss, and what's the point of starting any strength training now, for 3 measly weeks when you're going to have to take a few weeks off that after the surgery? You may as well wait - whereas you can walk a day after the surgery! Also, with neck, shoulder and back pain, no matter what, starting exercising is going to make you hurt, and I wouldnt go aggravating that just now. If you're really out of shape, I'd make a commitment to walk as many days as possible between now and your surgery. In even as little as 3 weeks, you might bring your blood pressure down a little, might improve your blood chemistry and get your heart a bit stronger - all important things that will minimise the risk of an anaesthetic. What's more, you can build a little fitness and if you can get out a day or two after your surgery, and build up over the following week or two, you might even retain that extra fitness you've built!

I went through a period last summer when I was drinking every weekend. While I didn't gain any weight, I didn't lose any either. Booze, whatever it is has many empty calories.

Although I hate to hear that people aren't having success, I have to admit, I am a little relieved. I thought it was just me. Like others, I had my first fill and although I am dieting and trying not to eat anything bad, I can still eat just about anything. A few things I have tried go down a little rough, but once it is down and I stop eating it, I'm fine. I am not feeling full at all. It is a mental game of looking at my plate and saying "I shouldn't be able to eat more than this," but my body isn't telling me to stop. I feel like I could keep eating. It is really frustrating, I keep bouncing b/t 12-15 lbs lost. I haven't lost anything in 3 weeks since my first fill. My dr. schedules the fills 7-8 weeks apart! I still have another month before I can have my next fill. I'm already at 2.5cc in a 4cc band. Like others, I've been afraid there is something wrong with my band or that I stretched out the pouch. I am trying really hard not to get discouraged. Next week will be 2 mos. since my surgery and I lost all my weight so far before the fill!!! Anyone else out there that has experienced the same frustration and moved on to success after their second fill?

Hello everyone. I am still preop. My surgery date is 2/24/14. So excited and a bit nervous. Started my preop diet yesterday. I am hungry but I will manage. 28 more days and then one day of Clear liquids. I am hoping to get my bmi as low as possible so that my surgery is safer. Starting it was about 61. I started this journey back in August at 330+ pounds, I am lucky to be 5"-2" and have set my first goal weight at 160. My ideal would be to get into a normal BMI range and I think for my height it is 125-135. I don't even know if this is possible. I have pretty much struggled all my life with my weight and the past five or so years I have packed on a good 100 extra pounds. I just really want to be healthy and have be able to see my old face in the mirror. I don't like looking at myself anymore because there is a stranger in the mirror. My brother took a picture of me early last year. I saw it and about chocked. Goodness it was bad. I knew I was a big girl but that was an eyeopener for me. It was pretty much the catalyst that has put me on this journey. For that I am thankful. You are all an inspiration to me and knowing that you have accomplished losing a substantial amount of weight it gives me hope. I wish everyone well and great success.

How long does it take to notice weight loss?

okay, so here's my issue. I have bcbs of al. Most of their policies will cover the lap-band. However, b/c my husband's company is so small they have an exclusion for all weight loss associated surgeries, treatment et. al. We are not really in a place to finance the surgery ourselves. i mean if it comes down to it, we can. But we'd rather not. So I have started looking for a new job that has insurance (my current does not) that i can take out on myself that will cover the lap-band. But in case that doesn't work... I was thinking of just buying my own policy privately. Has anyone took out their own insurance policy and done it that way. I started thinking about this and wanted to know if this has worked out for anyone.

I have been taking my meds religiously and I was hyperthyroidism, then I had radioactive treatment to kill my thyroid and now my levels still have not leveled out and it's been a year already and my weight loss is not too great.... Hard journey I have not seen the surgeon yet but I hope this will not get in the way of getting the sleeve done.

The biggest thing that the shink wanted to check on with me was to make sure I had realistic expectations about the band. Understanding that is a tool for weight loss and not some magic bullet that will do all the work. Once she realized I had researched it and knew what to expect, she signed off and wished me luck. I am sure your will do the same. Good Luck!!

Pretty much if you're eating healthy your tiny sleeve is going to force you to do a low carb diet. When you get to solid foods you have to eat your Proteins first because that is the nutrient your body needs the most. I have added up my totals here and there and I get anywhere from 50-75g carbs per day. This is a bit more than many here do. However, I lose pretty good, and I don't really have many complaints. It has slowed some recently but I don't blame the carbs. I blame my laziness for not working out like I should or rather I say, like my body is used to. I feel good though and I believe for me I have found a good balance. That's the most important thing, in the beginning is a learning curve. You just will have to find what works the best for you and what keeps you at 100% top speed. I've picked up my normal routine for workouts again and I can already see a major difference in the last 4-5 days. I know a good sized weight drop is coming soon. I weigh on Fridays, so we'll see then or even maybe the Friday after. Good luck to you! This will likely be the ride of your life!

I am six weeks out how much should I have lost

Has everyone worked through or read the book 100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle? It is a book and workbook that is supposed to work although with any diet. I am planning on ordering the book and was wondering if anyone had comments on it. Thanks much!