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I feel almost the same though i dont think i lost or put weight on. I still also seem to be able to eat large portions. Maybe i need more Protein or something...

Tanomano, I have not gained wt. since my fill, but have not lost any. I, too, have a full appetite, but it has kept me from gaining wt. I am discouraged as well, but I am trusting that when I go back on Tuesday, I will get another fill and I will see some results. The dr. says he wants to go slowly. Logic tells me he wants me to get used to the small restriction rather than going so tight that I have not made any adjustments in eating habits like chewing more before swallowing, and taking smaller bites. If I eat too fast or don't chew well, I do have restriction problems. I assume with the 2nd adjustment, I am going to really see a difference in restriction and these skills are going to be in demand. I have never thrown up but think I would have had I had more fill the first time. I have not lost any weight with the 1st fill, but I have had enough issues that I am learning to avoid the uncomfortable side effects of eating too fast and too much. I think it is common to still be able to eat as you did before with the first fill. Focus on the skills needed when you have more restrictions later. If you don't, I think you will have problems with the 2nd fill. Just my guess and hope!

The carbs and sugary food are what is making you hungry. It also doesn't engage your restriction, so you can eat a lot of them. No one like to hear this, but you have to stop eating them, all of them, immediately. Take three days and eat nothing but lean, unprocessed meat (no sausage, bacon, deli meat, salami, jerky), eggs, green veggies, and healthy fats (olive oil and grass-fed butter. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want, but eat only those things. This will help you kick the cravings for carbs and sugar. You also won't ever feel true hunger as you get to eat as much as you want, whenever you want. So, you will learn to distinguish true hunger from head hunger/cravings. Also, even eating as much as you want, you won't gain weight and will likely lose. After those three days, keep eating that way for two days but get (or revive) a myfitnesspal.com account and start tracking your intake. After those next two days, add in modest amounts of dairy, fruit, nuts, and beans/legumes. Set a calorie goal for yourself -- I would think you will lose weight at 1500 calories -- and stick to it. Avoid grains, starchy veggies (potatoes, peas, corn, sweet potatoes, lima beans), sweets, liquid calories, and alcohol. Stick to your calorie goal. You absolutely can do this, I promise. 25 lbs may seem like a lot but it really isn't that much to take back off. I have done it before and I know you can too. Good luck!

You could be gaining muscle mass with heavy exercise ... That could amt for the gain... What are these mandated insurance diets before surgery???

My surgery is in mid-February and I have done three weighins so far at my hospital program. The last one really threw me, because I was up two pounds. I mean,I was just starting a period and it doesn't help that the weighins are all at night. So this month started out pretty well and I am keeping faithful to my log, but the last week I have been just giving in to the carbs. I am having a heck of a time sticking to 1400 cals a day and I am getting crabby and nasty. I keep asking myself if I want to do this or if I just want to give it up and die fat. It's a long haul and I am really worn out. I have 15 days to lose the two pounds (which I think are now FOUR pounds, according to my scale). 1. How did you manage to get through the insurance mandated diet and be sane at the same time? (Note: I am allergic to dairy, soy, whey and due to diverticular disease, can't eat nuts, seeds, corn, etc.) 2. What is the best way for me to take my morning weight, which is always lower than evening weight and carry that forward on the weighin day? Should I not eat for that day? I have two more scheduled weighins, Dec 9 and January 9th. I meet with the dietician on Dec 4th and she might weigh me then. Can I wear a bathing suit? Weigh in naked? HELP!!

I'm required to complete 90 days of the program which includes 2 nitrition appointments, psych eval, no weight gain among other requirements. What do you mean by "approved instution"? Do you mean the hospital must be approved?

I have bcbs insurance and my policy language specifically excludes weight loss surgery. I am wondering if anyone else has had this and if they have had any luck getting it covered by having the doctor submit a letter of medical necessity? Should I even try to fight that battle and wsste that many months or should I just start to find ways to pay for it myself.

Your eating too much. I agree with the above poster. Just because you can eat more or large portions does not mean your supposed to and you will not lose weight eating like you did preband. Measure your food with the majority being protein and if your hungry later on eat some more. You can't continue to eat like you did preband because if you do you will not lose one pound. Start now decreasing your portion sizes. It is not okay to eat the way you did before you got the band. I guarentee if your only eating a cup of food three times a day you will lose weight.

In Tyler Texas. I'm not sure who around here could do a second opinion. I could go to dallas I guess. He was like well you have has a complication so that slows things down. I hate to do surgery again and it leave more scar tissue You just never know what could happen when you go in for multiple surgeries. I think if I could increase my calories my body would move out of starvation mode and lose weight. I've been saying that for 3 months though. My scale hasn't budged since end of march first of April. And it was we can stretch ur esophagus again but that's ur call. Let's see how ur feeling. Really? I'm pissed cause I spent all this money and efforts and for this?? How do I think I feel? I was told my strictures were caused from scar tissue from my large hernia. He said it was quite large. Digestive guy says cut the tissue out. WL guy says let's we what happens ?

Hi everyone, Does anyone have BCBS HMO (Blue Advantage)? I am in the process of completing my pro-op testing and have to get referalls from my primary care physician for all the testing that my surgeon wants. It is very frustrating! I was scheduled for my cardiac clearance tomorrow. After wating almost a month for the appointment they called me today to reschedule. GRRRR. SO frustrating. I am rescheduled for nest week and I hope ther aren't any more delays. My question is if anyone else has this HMO how long was your insurance approval process? I have done the 8 months of required weight loss classes and it will be over a year since I began this journey before I even get a surgery date! I am frustrated but trying to take it one day at a time. I am afraid I will fall apart if I am denied after this long annoying process. Thanks for any advice/support! Cosmo95

I have gained 25 pounds back. I got my surgery July 2015. I'm embarrassed and ashamed of myself. I feel like a failure. I was doing terrific for the longest time. I didn't go back to the surgeon for my yearly surgery anniversary because I'm ashamed. I'm hungry all the time and craving sweets like mad. Worse than even before I had the surgery. I'm not eating right. I have lost that "restricting feeling" when I eat. I also lost "feeling nauseated" when I eat touch sugar. I don't know what to do. My current weight is 260. My goal is 150. Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App

Hello, everyone. This is my first post. I'm aware that stalls occur, however, I am just starting my seventh week after gastric bypass surgery on October 20, 2015. Two weeks after my surgery I stalled at 352 pounds. It took me two weeks to lose down to 348, and today when I got on the scale I weigh 351. So basically for the last month what little I've lost i've gained right back. I've been monitoring my food intake and I have not eaten more than 800 cal each day. I've gotten in most of my protein but not close to all of my water. Could you please analyze what's going on here? I started my liquid diet pre-op on October 8 at 385 pounds and I was 372 pounds on my surgery date if that helps. Thank you for your time.

I am 24 days post op and still feeling very fatigued and achy. Since the beginning of this process (end of November) I have lost 43 pounds which is fantastic! But, I thought this weight loss success would make me feel better and more energetic. I am not able to eat much, two quarter size meatballs in tomato sauce and a quarter of a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese (for example), in one sitting; but I am trying very hard to get at least 40 grams of Protein in each day by supplementing with Protein shakes. Also, when I do eat, I get a very uncomfortable feeling in the base of my sternum (area). Almost like I have swallowed glass. This sensation makes me want to avoid food all together! This is my only source of support, so I really appreciate any feedback. Also, to be honest, I think I am mourning the loss of three of my favorite things: nutritious food, coffee and red wine. Life seems so dull - especially when I don't have any energy. Blah. One last question... as I progress on this journey, how do I update my stats?

Does anyone have Anthem BCBS of Ohio? I have this insurance and I've heard conflicting answers on whether or not they require 6 months of medically supervised weight loss. I have called my insurance company 4 times and gotten different answers. The first time I was told there was no such requirement, that everything was done "on the honor system" (doubtful) and then the second time I was told there was a 6 month requirement. The 3rd call the representative didn't know and the fourth time I got an answer similar to the first time I called. I'm inclined to think that I don't have the 6 month requirement. However, I talked to a nurse at the weight loss center I'm going through and she said that Anthem BCBS is one of the trickier insurance companies and she's some people get denied (and then have to appeal) due to not having the 6 months of documentation, even though the insurance company didn't list this requirement in the benefit. Any input would be very much appreciated. I'm too frustrated to be at the very beginning of this process. Thanks!

Stalls happen, it could just be your body adjusting to the rapid weight loss you had directly out of surgery. It's hard to know for sure without knowing what exactly you are eating and how much. It also could be partially due to being dehydrated. When I had the stomach bug a month ago I lost 10 pounds in 1 day and it took a good month for me to fully rebound. I gained back and then relost the weight I lost from the lack of fluids while sick.

You're going to be fine. Just hang tough for the next few days. My surgeon didn't even require a pre op diet. Said the shrinking was so minimul that it doesn't even matter really. That said, you still have a weight loss requirement that your doctor wants, so just try to suck it up for the next few days and stick with it. I know it's hard! You're not going to be magically over the desire for food, even after the surgery. It's something that is going to be a constant struggle that takes time to break, if ever. The surgery will help, but like the saying goes, they operate on your stomach not your brain. Good luck and keep us posted!

Okay, I watch a lot of lap band patients on youtube and most of them seem to have an accountability partner. So how many of you here have an accountability partner and if you do, how does he/she help to keep you on track? I have been struggling for 5 days now and have gained some weight (not a lot though), but weight gain is not part of this journey.

Thank you ladies, all of you give me hope . I always thought the band would restrict my appetite , which has been my only problem with weight gain. I guess that was what I was looking for . Need to start working at it myself now I guess

Hey all, Excited to post in this section of the forum for the first time! I thought it would be nice to share my ever-evolving journey with you all To make a long story short: My name is Mark - I am a few months shy of 23 years old and live in New York City. I am a proud Bandster, having had lap band surgery with Dr. George Fielding of NYU Langone Medical Center on May 6, 2013. My highest weight ever was 357 lbs. As of February 21, 2015, I am 201 lbs, giving a total loss of 156 lbs! I have attached some pictures that are pretty recent. I am overwhelmed with joy to say that my next chapter in getting to my body goal is super near - I will be undergoing a body lift (tummy tuck + muscle repair, thigh and butt lift) as well an arm lift this coming Friday, February 27th at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. My plastic surgeon is Dr. Joseph F. Capella who specializes in bariatric patients and was recommended to me by fellow member Cheryl, also known as My Bariatric Life! I am eternally grateful to her for this. I am excited to document this part of my journey with you all and become more active on this forum again! I'm super nervous for the recovery but have zero doubts that it is what I need for myself. Thanks for listening please feel free to add me here, Twitter and/or Instagram. - Mark

I was told that hair loss over a year out is probably related to zinc or Protein deficiency. .have you been checked? You mention you don't feel like the real you. I think that is at the heart of your regret right? I would be interested in your putting more words to that. I am 2 years 3 months out and can relate to the emotional. ..changes. I associate them with the weight loss and not the surgery itself so am wondering what you are experiencing. This journey has been both easy (never really believed I could transform and I have) and at times very hard. My whole life has changed...mostly for the better but it is still an adjustment. I am finally to the point where I am thinking alot about...what's next. I appreciate your sharing your story.

Lately, I have had a few people send me PM's with this question and it is an oft posted thread to which I usually reply with a summarized version of this, but this has been my basic plan over the last 3 years, so I thought I would post a recent reply to a PM here: As far as the few days after surgery, I'm not going to lie to you. It is tough. The whole first month. You are drinking your meals for the first couple weeks and then soft foods after. I often whined to my wife, "I just want something with texture in my mouth!!!" About a month out, like so many others, I questioned, "What the HELL have I done to myself!!??" But, for me, the bottom line was to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and do the next right thing. These feelings subsided as the scale began to move and I adopted a new method of eating. As far as what I have done since then ... well ... that is a huge question with a very lengthy response. If you are viewing from a web browser, you can hover over my name and a pop up will show. From there, you can select My Content and read the hundreds of threads I have responded on. But in a nutshell, I followed the guidelines closely. Those are: Don't drink just before, during or immediately after eating (it is difficult at first, but you get used to it) Take smaller bites Chew ridiculously well Put the utensil down in between bites Evaluate how that bite felt. How does my stomach feel? Stop eating one bite before you are full. You are going to learn a new definition of what being full means, so you need to take the time to figure this out. Exercise. Find something which will get your heart pumping up in your target heart range for weight loss. If you are going to take the time to exercise, then make it worth your while. Only weigh once a month. If you can't do that, then no more than once a week. DO NOT WEIGHT DAILY!!! This only leads to disappointment as there is no way to lose everyday. You will have stalls. This is a normal way your body is going to react to the drastic reduction in caloric intake. So many folks get discouraged and cry over a tub of ice cream. Self sabotage is our killer. Don't eat processed foods. Take the time to learn how to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Only eat things which are nutritionally relevant. Use a food tracking software (MyFitnessPal) and track everything that goes into your mouth until you find your groove. Understand your motivation for everything you put into your mouth. Why am I eating right now? Is it because I am hungry or am I eating for some other reason? Bored ... tired ... angry ... lonely? Try to only eat when your body need nutrition. Get the sleep your body needs. If is so much easier to make the next right move when our bodies are well rested. Stay active in a support group, whether here on BariatricPal or a local WLS support group. It is easy to forget where we came from once things start going well and we may fall back into old habits. Remember that you are important. Give yourself permission to make yourself a priority in your life. Sometimes, at the minor cost of someone else. Don't make things more difficult by not setting yourself up for success. Do I do all of this perfectly? No, but these are my guidelines to which I strive for. I've been maintaining for over 2 years now and this has been a lifestyle I feel I can maintain.

Yes ma'am. After you talk with your primary, they'll referral you through IEHP. I think I received a call from Dr. Krahns office, 2 or 3 weeks after my appt with my PCP, telling me about the seminar. They hold it I believe twice a month, at like 6 or 6:30 pm at St B's (in a conference room by the cafeteria)... Once you confirm the seminar, you'll get a packet and info to fill out (basically asking what have you tried to lose weight and medical history). I filled mine out before the seminar since I arrived early. During the seminar there'll be some people who work in his office there telling you about the four different types of bypass' and go over any questions you'll have. I think by the time everything was said and done and questions were asked and answers, I think i was there for 2 ish hours. About two weeks I received a call from Dr. Krahns office to schedule my first appt. My first appt was Dec 28th, and there they double checked my medical history and talked about with surgery would be best for me. I was given a giant packet to study and keep for after surgery and was given a "quiz" packet to answer to return back in at my next appt. I was also asked to follow a low carb, high protein diet and to lose 5-10% of weight. My next appt is Feb 2nd, with my PCP for my medical clearance, and also Dr.Krahn's office. Hopefully I'll get my surgery date and do the other necessary requirements done for surgery.

Men do cheat. It has happened to me. Just keep moving forward. I'm sorry that it happened to you but it will make you stronger. You must get your calories in because if you dont your body will hold on to the weight . My nut said that if you are not eating enough calories you will not lose weight because your body will hold on to the fat. Good Luck. Keep your head up. And Stay focus on what you need to do in order to accomplish your weight goals.

hmmm... I guess I am a creature of habit and eat a lot of the same things every day and do not get bored. Your menu looks pretty much like mine. But I do believe your taste will return, it takes time. You are very early out. Looks like you are getting plenty of protein...don't forget your Water. Your weight loss is great. Does your plan allow some fruit yet? How about half an apple or banana with some Peanut Butter as a snack instead of a yogurt. i would peel the skin off the apple. I find I really enjoy these "treats" but only eat them sparingly because of the carb content. Tuna salad on cucumber slices? have you tried making your meat with some type of sauce or gravy? Chicken marsla, lemon chicken, meatloaf, meatballs with either brown gravy or spaghetti sauce....so you are not eating plain meat? One of my favorite and easy ways to cook chicken is to cut up boneless breast into cubes, season with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, brown it in a little oil and then add a can of cream of chicken soup(and the water or milk as directed)and let simmer until done. I add dumplings for the rest of my family but the chicken is moist and tasty from the Soup. Google some crock pot recipes...makes meat moist and juicy and the cooking liquid/gravy adds flavor. You'll get there!

Wow, Gabby, you're doing great! I'm a little surprised your doctor agreed to fill you both so soon after surgery and while you're clearly losing weight at a rapid clip. Every doctor is different, I suppose. Good luck with the fill and congratulations on the great weight loss!! (OK...DUH! I just realized your band date was year ago. Now I'm going to ask why you waited so long to have a fill? Or was that a typo?)