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HI all. Im hearing alot of self bashing going on. Believe me I'm just as hard on myself. I think there is something happening that needs to be looked into. It is a vicious cycle. Scale stops moving, "I must be a failure". Didn't exercise for a few days "I must be a failure". Shouldn't have eaten that cookie "I'm a failure". Im not at goal "I failed" I'm a failure so I might as well; -eat all the other cookies - just lay in bed - sit and watch another mind numbing TV show -look back and beat myself up for all my short comings. Yep the motivation isn't as strong as when we first started this journey. Im not sure I will ever be that motivated again. But to say I'm a failure is just not correct. These last few weeks I've been trying to find my MoJo again. When I have a particularity good day I try to see what made it so good. Why did I bounce out of bed, work so hard with my trainer, take the dog for a walk and go to yoga class? Plus I made good food choices. So what gives? Is there a way to bottle this and reproduce it on the days Im just not getting it in gear? Because when Im at that place where I don't want to move my body or the peanut butter is looking really good willpower is out the door. It is really easy to say F it I'm just not meant to lose another 10lbs (or 1lb). So Im left to try to acknowledge what works. Really mindfully acknowledge that something is going right. Maybe even write myself notes of encouragement to the sorry self I might be the next day. Focus on the good. We all know what we are bad at. What is hard. Directing your energy to trying to figure out a negative will just keep you in that negative place. So why not find what you're good at and build on that. Do you work out more consistently with another person? Well make it your business to get a buddy or join a group. Do you need to make a commitment to something? Do a charity walk where they have training help. Like the Avon 3 Day Walk. Does telling your story about the band and your decision to get it remind you why you did this in the first place? Than offer to talk at your Drs support group or informational meeting. Be a mentor here on LBT. Do you do well with a list or goals? Than write a few and support them with an action plan of how you will succeed. Do you struggle with food choices? Start using The Daily Plate/Calorie King or whatever. Set yourself up with a menu for the next day or the whole week. Make a list before you go shopping, and stick to it. You get the idea. Find what works. Baby steps. Stop beating yourself up about what you haven't done. Be kind to yourself. -Since I choose not to have another cookie I feel empowered. -That walk yesterday really energized me, how can I fit in another one tomorrow? -I have come so far on my journey and Im still committed to a more healthy lifestyle. We all slip up. Sometimes for a day sometimes for a few weeks. Main thing is you have it within yourself to make the change. For Gods sake at some point you were motivated enough to get the band. Pat yourself on the back and shout "WooHoo!" Move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. I think you're doing a great job!!

I also had to do the 6 month diet for my insurance, and I went to the dietician on the bariatric team who will be adivising me on pre and post-op diet. For a small fee ($35 in my case) she set up the program and she documented my weight every two weeks. I finally finished it in mid January and she sent me paperwork to take to my PCP to sign off and mail back. Then it went to insurance. I have been waiting 3 weeks for insurance approval (seems longer than the 6 month diet). My PCP sent me for a stress test and echocardiogram (I work for Cardiologists, so I had them done at work--no out-of-pocket charges, just what insurance paid). If you have picked out a surgeon, check with their office and see if the dietician will supervise the 6 month diet for you. Good luck.

Im thinking no reserves after infection, wasn't c-diff so placed on Cipro. Infection cleared up about a week ago but still fatigues. My Iron was slightly low but will check lab work next week to see it's come up.

I went through the same thing. I had a very hard time maintaining my weight. Because of other complications, my doctor told me he needed me to gain weight (even though I'm still overweight--204 before pregnancy). I couldn't do it with the band, no matter how hard I tried (and, believe me, I got SOOO tired of eating!! How weird is that!) At about 20 weeks, my band tightened and I couldn't even keep fluids down so I went in for an unfill. Well, turns out my port was flipped. They had to do surgery (no anesthesia!) to rectify the situation. I am now 26 weeks pregnant and have gained about 21 pounds. It's on the high side, but I'm not TOO worried yet. We'll see how I feel when I get closer to my due date (February 25th).

Ny Lapster, I will be banded tomorrow and I too am on two weeks liquids pre-op - no veggies, though. I cheated a couple times too, but I am not going to sweat it. I mean, realistically, do you think a 'normal' sized person could do 2 weeks liquids and not cave in??? I don't, and I don't think any dr. should expect his patient to either. I have done the best that I can do and that is just gonna have to be good enough! Good luck to you!!!

Yes we do!! Are you going to the meeting next week ?? Yep, I will be there. You?

My nut said I could have pickles at 3 weeks out as long as I cut the skin off, got rid of the seeds, and chewed very carefully. I was craving pickles so badly.

I had my surgery in 5/2008 and had about 4 fills since surgery. I went in at the end of January and had 0.5 ml put in, could drink water in the office fine. Later that night, I could not eat food, I felt like something was sitting on my chest, only fluids would go down in sips. I had really bad heartburn. I got really scared. I went about a week doing this and made an appt and got 0.3 ml taken out. It made such a difference. It was like night and day. I'm glad I didn't let that feeling go on for any more time. I lost 4 pounds in 6 days during that time but I felt horrible.

Hi So after a 41/2 years wait, I finally had my band done over a yr ago (Dr Nottle) and for about a year it hasnt been working. Have done all his tests for them to realise it is Leaking not by puncture but port fault (of course i have to get the dodgy one) So i go every 2 weeks have a fill of over 2mls each fill. Every fll it is removed and in 2 weeks i can loose anywhere from 2 mls most has been 5 mls in 3 weeks. So for past 6mths i have sat patiently waiting to have it fixed. 1stly band has a fault nothing i did so i am getting really peeved off im still waiitng. Has anyone else had same happen? How long did they wait etc, my weight is going up and if it doensnt happen soon i will be back at my start weight (......... It just isnt fair...

OK so i'm two weeks out and no hair loss yet obviously. I've been reading posts about all of the people who experience hair loss. Tons of it. I understand it does grow back but it is scary. Now I want to hear from those of you who did NOT lose hair. There must be some out there. Does it happen to everyone? Do men experience it? Let me know your hair loss stories and that it regrows. And if you have had none let me know too..thanks...seaview

You should not be doing ANY exercise other than walking without your doctor's consent. Generally, the first six weeks after surgery are about giving your body time to heal from surgery. If you get too active too soon, you run the risk of tearing stitches, flipping your port, and even causing the band to slip. You've been banded less than a week - and I think your motivation is excellent, but you're walking a very fine line. There is plenty of time for exercise after you're healed. Definitely talk to your surgeon before you screw something up. Good luck! Dave

I was having normal bowel movements after day three; now it is only smooth diarrhea. I have noticed today; that I am getting small blots of bright red blood on my paper. I believe that this is due to hemorrhoids from the constant diarrhea. Does anyone else know or have experienced this? It's only a few small dots; bright red - not dark. I am not in any pain, cramping, etc... I feel fine. Please let me know your experiences.

Got my band 12/21/11. First fill six weeks after I think to like 3cc I'll have to check I didn't paying attention it feels like forever. Then I had another 1/2cc every other month. My first real feeling of the band making me feel less hungry was at 3.5cc. But the 4cc was the real beginning of gradual weight loss. So I'm at 5.75 now. I was 267 size 24. I'm now 178 and some size 12's. I chose to make this weight loss slow, but it's going well with this most recent fill August 2. http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w3x7zPz/

In a few weeks it will all be a distant memory! So glad you are doing well otherwise though, hang in there, it will get better..

Congrats - Congrats! I'm 3 weeks post op too. I'm almost down 30. Had a little stall this past week or so. I think I need to get more food in me, it's just so hard sometimes. Enjoy the ride!

I am on week three and my nutrition plans for soft foods includes any ground meats with sauce. I did have a little bit of spaghetti sauce with italian sausage (1/4 cup) and had no problem and I really chewed and chewed and until it was really soft mush. I also had ground chicken patties, chewed them really well and they went down fine. My NUT says their soft plan is to help us acclimate to chewing our food really well, eating slow and making sure all foods we eat are very moist. By chewing, we add a lot of saliva to our food and it makes it easier to go down. I had pork tenderloin a couple of nights ago that was super moist, but I took really small bites, chewed and chewed (I don't count chews or anything) and had no problem with that either. I read here though that people who are in the phase of eating regular foods still have issues. Some foods are just not going to agree with you. I think if we diligently follow the plans designed for us by our surgeons or nutritionists and try different foods, we find out what works for us and what does not.

You are not alone. I know I must look different because others notice, and I've dropped three sizes (at least), but when I look in the mirror, I don't see much of a difference. For me, some of it is that I could never get used to myself at that super high weight, even though I was sure there for a long time! I wonder if in my mind's eye, I saw a somewhat slimmer person - similar to where I am now - what is considered just obese, instead of morbidly obese! Must be a coping mechanism, lol. Who knows!? Anyway, I see the scale moving, measurements shrinking, and the pile of clothes that are too big growing, but I'm still shocked when I get the realization that it's actually true - I am smaller! Gotta admit - it's always a pleasant surprise. Enjoy your success.

I feel the same way! With clothes on man i see the weight is going away. Get naked in front of a mirror and the fat me is back! It wasn't till last week I did my second before and after picture since surgery that I saw I now have collar bones! Who knew?!? Brain fog doesn't clear for a while...

Just got home from my first follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I've lost 20 lbs since the last time I was in his office a week before my surgery!!(Oct. 29):peace::rockon::wow2: He moved my to full liquids and said to come back next week and depending on how I am doing move me to mushies! That means mashed potatoes for T-day!! I got all my staples taken out. Feels much better, but they do itch!! My incisions are closed nicely though!

I was moved to soft foods at 3 weeks and ground beef was allowed for me. My NUTs encouraged flaky fish, soft cheese, ground beef, refried Beans for Protein in that order at that stage. They recommended trying chicken last. My first meal was Wendy's chilli. For me, I had very little trouble with any foods. I would wait a couple of weeks and try the ground beef again then. Go back to fish for a few days. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using VST

You are reeeeally early to be eating beef. At 3 weeks I was still on protein shakes and creamed soups. I don't know what plan you've been given, so I'm not saying you're breaking the rules or anything, but it's not a real wonder that you feel bad. Once that happens it usually subsides in a half an hour, (for me, anyway). There's not much you can do to speed it up either. I agree that lying down would be bad. I hope you feel better soon. Do NOT drink anything until you can tell the food has cleared out, or you will go from bad to worse.

Hi everyone, my name is Bonnie. I am 5 feet tall and was 223 lb when i started my journey last November. I have insulin-dependent diabetes, sleep apnea (using CPAP at night), high blood pressure and have had both knees operated on. Since November, i have been working toward my life changing surgery. I am 62 years old and have finally come to realize that if i do not do something now, especially when i have all the tools in my reach, i would be crazy. I jumped in with both feet. My first step was going to the seminar. My doctor was so confident and knowledgeable. I was given the pamphlets and appointments were made. Then the work began, losing the 10% required for the surgery. It was hard work and i worried that I was not going to be able to do it. I had failed on every other diet (i wish i had all the money i spent in my lifetime on diets of all sorts). It was taking too long for me to lose the 22.3 lbs i needed to lose. At my next weigh-in appointment, one of the nurses talked with me about my worry. She was so supportive and understanding that i pushed forward. I did not make the goal by the time my surgery was scheduled, but by the time the surgery was to be performed, but by the grace of God, i made it !!! ... i went through the dieting, appointments with the pulmonologist, cardiologist, psychologist, labs and GI testing. I was doing it. i really did get caught up in the optimism and support. Last Wednesday night, the night before the surgery, i was worried, really worried. Like most, i was worried about the unknown. I heard some horror stories about not being able to handle certain foods, the nausea and the vomiting. I was told and i believe that if you listen to the doctor and follow her instruction, you will not be sick. From the beginning, if you do not drink when you are supposed to drink or eat when you are supposed to eat, the possibility of these things happening is very real. No drinking when eating. Stop drinking 1/2 hour before eating and begin 2 hours after. Must follow progression of foods, clear liquids (see through liquids) for 5 days, full liquids for 2 days, then pureed foods. I struggled and did this for a week AND i lost 8 lbs. I feel great (don't get me wrong, it was still surgery on your abdomen with the incisions and piercing pain when you cough) BUT it goes away. I keep thinking over and over, i will not have to ask for a seatbelt extender this year on the airplane for vacation and i will not have to take pain meds for my legs. My journey is moving forward ...I hope everyone who is contemplating this surgery goes forward and succeeds. Don't wait until you are 62. I feel wonderful right now, even with the fear of sneezing, about the 30-some lbs i have lost so far. Good Luck to everyone. Thank you for listening.

Good luck, that was me 4 weeks ago and all is well!

My initial consultation was November, 2009 and I wont be seeing the surgeon until after a 6 month 'training' period. I originally went to Geisinger in Danville, PA but chickened out 3 months into it. Then last spring I went to Hershey who denied me the sleeve operation. And now I am back at Geisinger. All three times, I was told the length of time was due to the insurance companies. But they agreed that it was a good idea to wait that long because of the lifestyle change that is necessary to do when we get banded (or any gastro surgery). I for one am glad it takes that long because I am enjoying the learning aspect of it. I don't want to go through all of the surgery and then mess it up because I didn't have the knowledge to learn how to utilize the tool of having the lap band. I guess it all depends on where you live and what insurance you have.

I was around 7 weeks out when I did shrimp. No problem with it- did shrimp cocktail. Haven't tried steak yet. I'm a little over 2 months out. Surgery was may 30 Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk