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I weigh daily and find comfort and control in seeing it every morning. I also agree that it gives me insight in how my body changes water-wise throughout my cycle. I do not count lbs lost until I get two consecutive days at that weight, then I consider it my new weight.

On a good note, you are losing! I know that we sometimes get discouraged, because we expect drastic results, but the slower the weight loss the less likely that you will have a lot of excess skin. That's how I justify it anyway. I will be two months out on Tuesday. I weigh myself weekly for my YouTube updates; otherwise, I would do it monthly. So far, I am down 30 lbs. Some people who have had their surgeries around the same time or after me have lost a lot more than I have, but I try & remember that everyone's weight loss journey is different. Anyway, my point minus all of the rambling, things will get better. Good luck & try to weigh yourself weekly...!

I've always been a slow loser no matter what I have done to lose weight, so I don't expect this to be any different. What has been helping me though is to not stick to the same routine both with food and exercise. I think the body quickly adjusts to routines and once it's used to a certain weight it likes to keep you there. If you change things up it will give your metabolism a swift kick in the pants every so often. I haven't read the entire book yet on carb cycling and I'm not strictly following the author's program, but I have noticed that if every other day or so I add just few extra carbohydrates to my diet it seems to help. Sometimes I have a spoonful of baked or roasted sweet potato, brown rice or a multi-grain cracker to the menu and/or get in a little extra exercise (I'm kind of restricted right now due to a foot/ankle injury). I'm still avoiding the white stuff as they say such as potatoes, bread, white rice, etc. I also read that it is a good idea to try and eat Breakfast within an hour of rising. According to this book you should always have some sort of complex carbohydrate with breakfast. I've only had one fill and not feeling restriction, so if I really feel like I have to have something more to eat besides sugar free Jello, popsicles and that stuff, I eat something that is high in Protein and avoid any junk food. It's funny because since I've started this my husband has lost 11 lbs without even trying since I'm not cooking big delicious meal anymore and I pretty much only have high protein, low calorie foods around. It doesn't seem fair since he's not exercising, still eats out every day (most times more than once a day) and eats fast food and drinks Coke. It's sort of like collateral weight loss. You have to remember though that everyone loses at a different rate and if your doctor isn't worried, then you shouldn't worry either. It will happen. One other thing that helps is to not weigh yourself every day (says the pot to the kettle - I'm trying to work on that myself). That seems to make the needle on the scale move slower and even stop! LOL!

Someone posted a link before for a ticker, but I haven't been able to find it. For the weight you lose, it gives you the equivalent of what you've lost in other items. Like "You've lose 16 basketballs" and stuff like that. Anyone have the link? Thanks!

It’s been six years since I have my surgery. Lost over 100+lbs. However in the past few years, it’s slowly regaining - approx 70lbs up atm. Most because I went vegan for two years and regained a ton because I ate quinoa mostly (carb galore) ughhh...mad at myself for that. I’m a lacto-ovo vegetarian now and looking for some help. Can anyone suggest any tips on how I can jump start my weight loss again? I’m thinking about doing the 5 day pouch test to start.

People who’ve never struggled with weight never understand the eternal battle. I have one brother who knows the struggle & one who doesn’t. I didn’t tell the one who doesn’t about my surgery but he recently found out I had it and has been hassling my mum about it & being very critical (not me yet but I’m waiting for it). I was fortunate. My mum was supportive of my decision but she has since told me she was very worried at the time. Does your mum’s negativity come from her fear that you’ll lose weight when she can’t or the loss of something you currently share (eating and being overweight)? All surgeries have their dangers but not having the surgery and not losing weight has major health complications too. @rjan is right you still eat food after you have surgery but if you want to be successful you change the type of foods you eat and choose healthy, nutritious options in much smaller portions. Over time you will work out new favourite foods, what foods you can or can’t tolerate and if you can have an odd treat like @catwoman7 said. Do your research. Talk to others who’ve had the surgery. This has to be your decision. Good luck.

I started loosing a few months after surgery and I think it started growing back at about 10 months post op because at 12 to 13 months I could see 2 to 3 inch long hairs growing in all over my head. It was not fun, but I knew it was a real possibility and a minor inconvenience compared to getting rid of the weight.

Kind of anticlimactic, huh? As a rule, people with bands do not dump--at least not by the same mechanism as those with other weight loss surgeries. (Lots of us do "dump" in response to sugar, but it's different.) I don't think that most of us experience nausea in response to most foods, either. And once the postoperative swelling is down (if it even was substantial enough to be felt), most of us don't have anything resembling restriction. So pain is not something we'd expect, especially after a tiny nibble. So, it's understandable that you felt nothing---there wasn't much to feel! This will change as you approach restriction after a fill or three (or four). In the meantime, yes----starvation is a way of life! It's really hard, but your weight loss, at this point, is 100 percent dependent on your choices. Step away from the cheesecake!

Asking your provider (insurance provider?) or asking the hospital what their cash price is? These are 2 different things. My surgery billed at 38K but the insurance agreed rate was under 12K (what BCBSIL actually paid). A lot of hospitals in the US offer cash prices in the 11-12K range. http://kcbariatric.com/compare/ http://www.hoab.org/procedures/gastric-sleeve-st-louis-mo/ I believe someone who posted on here said blossom was 10K and that was in 2013. http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/27844392/blossom-bariatrics-at-the-forefront-of-low-cost-weight-loss-surgery Everyone has to make a choice that is comfortable for them. You don't really have to have long term care from your surgeon, you can do your follow up care with your primary. If cost is an issue, there are lots of avenues to explore. Depending on where you live in Illinois a BCBS single plan is going to cost you around $300-500 or more a month for one person (it varies by age and county). I think the lowest out of pocket max on a plan is $4500. So premiums and out of pocket are going to be 7500-9500 alone. Might as well cash pay, because you are basically cash paying at that point anyway. Unless you have your heart set on using Northwestern or University of Chicago, I don't see any other center in Illinois being worth the cost and hassle of insurance.

My program allows free visits with their dietitians for life if you had surgery within their program. I only live about 5 minutes away from where they are located so I have taken full advantage of this perk and meet with them monthly and will continue to do so as long as I'm seeing a benefit. I found it very helpful during the first 6 months because I was progressing through new foods and increasing my quantities and could talk to them about how that was going and ask questions. Now that I'm 18 months out my appointments are really just a check-in and a way to keep myself accountable - much like the weight watchers meetings I used to go to back in the day. My vote is yes, take full advantage of the resources you have available (assuming you have the time and money of course).

StephC - Right after I had the baby I was taking pilates classes at the gym. It was on a machine and I absolutely LOVED those classes! I was there 3 times per week. I have a pilates DVD, but it's not the same "type" of pilates, so I didn't enjoy it as much. One of my weight rewards is to join a gym, and start taking pilates again. 2x per week is my goal. nat

Good Job...bet that makes you feel soooo good...and I doubt it is water weight...What are you going to do for the cardio? Did he say what the best cardio is to do or does it matter? Anyways...Congratulations on a HUGE loss....Way to go Deanna

They say your body gets used to a routine-so change up your workout routine a bit-maybe increase your cardio- or do cardio one day, weights the next day, etc. mix it up a bit and see if that makes a difference.

I think so. You would need to have a good excersize plan, a good eating plan, and approach this like a diet with a little help from your band. I would highly recommend that you start your day with a good Protein shake that has at least 25 grams of protein. It will jump start your weight loss. If you plan on joining a gym, have a few sessions with a personal trainer. It will really give you an edge with your exercise. That is what I did when I lost 60 pounds in 6 months a few years ago. Thank God you have the band to help keep it off.

I also absolutely love yoga. I haven't been doing it for long but it makes me feel so calm. It really is a workout too. I have to wear a sweatband. I am becoming more flexible and it also helps with your muscles after a great workout! Pilates, on the other hand----Definitely not for me at this time. I might try it after I lose much more weight.

It's nice to read I'm not the only one with an A-hole for a doctor. I get the "you need to be more committed" speech when I go in for a fill. I finally told him that I am exercising to such a degree that the small weight loss I've had so far can be attributed to the exercise and not the band. That's great right? Sure, but I want to get the benifit of the band as well. Otherwise what's the point of having the procedure done? Anyways he give me a 1.5cc fill and I definately felt restricted and began losing weight quickly. I'm finding tha the restriction has lessoned in the 8 days since the fill. So I'm made another appointment. It's time to take charge and get this train moving!

Hi. I'm researching options re. a small group policy and looking for recommendations. I have insurance through the University of CA but it has been worthless for anything other than meds. That's partly my fault, but at nearly 35 years old, I don't want to go sit with freshmen in the campus health center so I pay privately for medical/dental costs. I am self-employed and have a few employees so I could purchase a small group policy. One of the surgeons' offices recommended United Health Care. I looked up some info and found out that the coverage isn't available "in my area," perhaps due to the small size of the business (3 FT employees vs. 3000 or something). Other question is... I thought when you purchased a small group policy that you didn't have to worry about preexisting conditions (e.g., MO), but the application does include info related to weight, medical history, etc. Ideas? I had previously tried to apply for individual policies before I gained more weight and was denied due to weight. I need to move quickly so that if I have to jump through any hoops I can get started. I'm having the surgery regardless, but if I can get help paying for it that would be great. Thanks for any ideas. Kelli

Has anyone been successfull in finding some weight toning excersise for those dreaded arm wings? If so please share. Also thigh flab!!! Thanks,

Here's a great book, made for us girls, Smart Girls Do Dumbells. It has great info, good explanations of the right way to do basic weight training exercises with dumbells, and the equipment needed is inexpensive, small and easy to store. If you need more info on the book, PM me and I'll check out the author's name when I am at home!

When my Surgeon gives the ok part of my surgery is to be able to use the hospital gym with the assistance of a PT for 3 months free!! I can't wait. I need to learn how to appropriately use weights too! Bat wings, thighs, gut the list goes on.

Today when completing my profile for my new Fitbit I realized for the first time in 20 years my BMI no longer puts me in the obese category! I'm now just officially overweight Now comes the challenge of moving into the "normal weight" category!! Jules

Yes I think this is something that only a person who has successfully lost a massive amount of weight can understand, whether or not they did it with surgery. there is a book I used to refer to as my "Fat Bible", it's a memoir written by a woman named Frances Kuffel and it is called, "Passing For Thin". She joined an OA-style group and lost 180 pounds through diet. She's very tall so even though her lowest weight was 149, she appeared very very thin. Not only is she an excellent writer, but she frankly addresses the exact notion we are talking about, and for her, the rage she felt. She eventually relapsed and started eating again, and I believe she is in "recovery" for the 2nd or 3rd time at this time, but that does not negate the truth in her words. I recommend it.

I spoke to a friend last night, who had her surgery in Feb. 2010, She told me, she hasnt seen a doctor...(since her surgeon left town), in 8 months. She hasnt had any fills in her band. I know about 2 months ago, she was trying to find a new doctor to take her. I dont know what reason she has for not finding a new one, I know she has insurance. Is this soon enough for her to stop getting fills? How long do fills usually continue? She had alot more weight to lose, she didnt give me a reason and I didnt delve, thinking if she wanted to discuss it more, she would have. But, does there come a time when you just stop getting fills? and what happens to the band when you do???

Hi Everyone, I joined this forum back in December 2005 just a few months before having my first lap band done. I now have my 3rd lap band and still feel at a loss. I stopped coming on here for a very long time cause I was just getting so down and frustrated with the whole thing. My first band slipped and I had that one replaced. The second one broke inside me, the buckle broke and it took me so many appointments with the surgeon to try and listen to me when I was telling him that it wasn't right. Now I have the third one in and that was done almost 2 years ago. I have gotten no where in the whole time that I have had all these bands put in. I feel like giving up but at the same time I don't. A couple of days ago I got a fill done, it's too tight. I can't even swallow a drink properly without having to bring it back up. I have had pureed soups and opti slim shakes since getting the last fill but most of those end up coming out again. I read somewhere that a guy had a fill and it was too tight for him but he stuck it out for a couple of weeks and because he had lost a little weight,from not being able to consume hardly anything, it made his band that little less tight for him and now he is fine. This is what I am wanting to do aswell, see if I can stick it out for a couple of weeks and see if it changes. Has anyone else done this and has it worked? I've always been on a constant battle to lose weight and no matter what I do it just doesn't want to come off. I admit I don't always exercise but when I did I still wasn't having much luck.I'm hoping there might be others that have had a fill that was too tight but stuck it out and it losened up a bit. Thank you.

Sorry about not posting sooner. Have been really tied up at work. its been 24 days since I have been sleeved. Feeling great, I wasn't feeling so great the first week (obviously right) week 2 was getting better and I think after week 3 I got back to my normal self. Protein intake is going great, I went to sams and picked up this box of 12 count 11oz Protein drinks. 30g of protein per serving. I have one during mid afternoon at work. I start my day with the powder 25g protein shake in morning with my prilosec. I try to get in some food with protein usually chicken breast (you can buy at wal-mart comes in 2 pack for $3.88, garlic herb marinated, you dont even have to warm it up) and i also pick up at walmart a box of chicken breasts in cut up pieces usually found near where the deli meat is, also very cheap and rich in protein, which I eat in small bites throughout the mid morning to mid lunch. Food is still in test mode, I do not get hungry that much anymore. the first two weeks - i was craving alot of food, especially since i was laying around watching TV, i never noticed how many commercials came on about food until then. Now i do not care for it, i am saving so much money by not eating out, because i eat healthier options, and the best thing is go to wal-mart and pick up their deli items. keep at your desk or at home and eat little bites throughout the day, i learned that if you eat little bites throughout the day, you feel alot better instead of trying to fill yourself up like we used to do in our pre-sleeve days. After week 3, I started the solid foods, I ate the whole chicken breast serving in one sit in and i felt so full and bloated and i felt like i was going to throw up the whole time. It took walking around and staying active to push the food down. I learned my lesson not to do that again. Now I just cut up the meat in small pieces and eat in increments throughout mid morning to mid lunch. Finally I try to polish off the day with another protein protein shake if I can. Have been slowly working out, nothing crazy. I go to the local park and walk the trail at my own pace. I get in about 2 miles everyday. I started lifting a little bit of weights every other day, havent had any problems yet. Have lost 25 lbs so far, I stalled for a week during week 3, but then slowly started to see 1lb lost here and there. Weight before surgery day was 250, now I am 221. It seems like the pace is about 10lbs a month, we will see in September how it goes! Hope your surgery went well, hang in there, it gets better I promise! If you need anything just post it!