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Hi all, I am going in for my band tomorrow the 17th March. I will keep you all up to date hopefully of my weight loss. What do you eat after you come out of hospital? I have been told only to take sustagen and vitamin supplement. Can anyone let me know what to expect in the first few weeks.

i would like to know where do you go on your page to copy the weight loss ticker? i seem to be having problems trying to figure it out. Please help!!!! thank you

Donna-- To be specific, here is a list of factors I can think of off the top of my head: People who have higher BMIs tend to lose faster. gender age Metabolism The first several lbs contains a lot of Water and glycogen and that comes off quickly so if people were required to lose weight before surg they already lost some of the "fastest" weight. Different MDs give very different after surg eating plans (and for different lengths of time). People who have fewer calories lose more. Some people exercise or are more active then others. There are differences to how well people can stick to their dieting plans. The human body may have set points (unique weights where each body "likes" to rest and cling to for a while before moving up or down in weight. There may be more factors that I'm not listing In addition; according to Dr. Ortiz (Lapband for Life) it is very common for lap band pts. to have a period of weight loss stalls after surg and the initial weight loss. This can be cause by a "shock" to the system -- or the body's effort to adjust. I lost 20lbs before surg, 11 within 2 weeks, several more in the next few weeks---then I stalled for about 6 weeks even though I was being golden. At times I have been frustrated but when I stop to look at it ---I have lost 49lbs in 6 mons. I'm half way to my goal and my goal is actually 8lbs less than a normal BMI. I haven't gained 1lbs since I started losing. Six months ago I was 92lbs overweight and now I'm 42lbs overweight. I know are worried and you want to lose faster. I feel the same way -- but try not to worry

Just know that each person is different. Alot depends on your starting weight and the rules your surgeon has for pre- and post-op nutrition. My surgeon is less conservative than many I have seen written about here. I had to do a 2-week fasting program pre-op (which is fairly standard) but was on mushy foods a week post-op. I lost 8 lbs during the fasting program and have lost 11 since being banded Feb 15 for a total of 20 since Feb 1. Denise

Someone toldme that I will need to have my gallbladder out because more than likely it will bother me after i lose weight. She told me to have them remove it once I get the band....anyone have any feedback on this? I'm already nervous as I've never had surgery before I need feedback please!!!!!!

I'm not an advocate of removing perfectly good body parts unless they need to be removed. It is true that significant weight loss can aggravate the gall bladder, especially if you have gall stones. Three months into my weight loss post op, it was determined that my gall bladder had stopped working entirely. I don't have any gallstones. This was a result of the weight loss, and not the band. The symptoms for my gall bladder were to develop mild pancreatitis first (very painful, ended up in the hospital), which then evolved onto the more traditional presentation of problems with the characteristic nausea and upper right side pain. I am scheduled to have my gall bladder removed next week...and hope that the continuing pain and nausea will then cease.

Major weight loss often leads to gall bladder problems. I had a double whammy. I lost 100 pounds AND had strong genetic disposition to gall bladder problems. All of my mothers siblings (male and female) had their gall bladders removed (with my mother eight in all!). This was preband when I was 19. I have a high pain threshold and the pain is horrific.

I am almost 3 months post op and have never had any gall bladder problems until this month and I have to get mine taken out now :-( . I have read that rapid weight loss can cause problems. When I told my lap band surgeon that I have to get my gallbladder out he wasnt at all surprised.

Thank you for the encouragement. Headache is gone, but I feel weak (I can deal with that perfectly fine). I'm worried that I don't have any weight loss to report to my nutritionist, but I have my period and always gain that water weight...

Has anyone else had trouble with UTIs since having their weight loss surgery? I was sleeved approx. 1 year ago and now suffer with these more frequently than ever. Someone mentioned to me it might be my alcohol intake, another one said not enough water. Thoughts?

To be honest, I would choose the elliptical (and usually do) - but mostly because it challenges me more and makes me fitter. The more my heart rate gets up and I sweat, the more I am training my heart and lungs, and improving my cardiovascular health. The fact that it is also making my weight melt away (11 lbs last month) is a bonus. Walking is proven great, and anything is better than nothing. Do what you will continue to do long-term.

Right now I'm just doing cardio, and a little bit of weights.....I hate weights, but really want to get super toned..

When did anyone start lifting weights after surgery And was it light or back to normal

Mona what took so long? Ha ha I had this soon as I started foods again. My dr got me taking stool softener then fiber etc. the phase will change back again and again. Sometimes I need suppositories even. But I feel that when I poop a lot I lose weight faster. Good luck

I started doing cardio at 4 weeks (biking, walking and swimming) and my doctor gave me the okay to add weights at 6 weeks ( moderate weight, no power lifting! LOL). I'm 8 weeks and 47 lbs. down...haven't had any problems yet.

Highest weight 299 Day of surgery 289 Current 233 Love my sleeve!!

The same thing happened to me. I was plateaued for a while and then joined a gym. The weight is coming off again. I do weigh myself everyday. I find that if I don't get all my water and protein in everyday, then my body won't release fat. So exercise, drink water and get all your protein in and you will be fine. My surgery was on 6/6/12 and I am down 50 pounds so far. 100 more to go!!!

With both of my pregnancies now (currently almost 10 weeks pregnant) I was only able to keep my 'green zone' fill level in until last week. My body swells when I am pregnant and I get so tight I cannot keep food down. I had half of my Fluid taken out last pregnancy and gained 60 lbs! This time around, I only got 1.5 cc taken out so I can try to maintain some of the weight loss and not gain an excessive amount. I'm using My Fitness Pal again as well to try to keep myself in check. I know there are people who can go through all or most of their pregnancy without getting an unfill and some get it all taken out right away. It really just depends on your surgeon and your body! I wanted to wait longer to get an unfill, but I just couldn't do it!

I feel the same way! In all my spare time im on here. I feel obsessed too. I have done ally preop just waiting for them to submit it to my insurance. Were going to try using proof of weight watchers and nutrisystem to help it out. So nervous and getting on here usually helps me feel as im still in the right direction

I am from Canada. I have been approved for the sleeve surgery. I was put on the waiting list Dec 2,2014. I am frustrated with the waiting. I feel like I have been preparing for something that I have no idea when is going to happen. The clinic will not/ can not tell you how long the wait will be and we are not allowed to phone and ask about it. I am required to maintain my current weight to continue to qualify for surgery. I hope it's soon but I have zero idea....

Yea I track on myfitnesspal. I'm getting 80-100 Protein a day but the rest I'd have to look up to tell you. My phone recently took a dump so I'm basing off of memory. Are you tracking everything you stick in your mouth? What is your typical carb/protein/fat/calorie count? Are you taking your measurements as well as weighing yourself? HW 312 SW 289 CW 224 I'm so frustrated at my weight loss. I've been in my 220s since 4/25 (today is 6/18, almost 2 months later). I know I wasn't getting enough Water in, but the protein was always 80-100 at least. I'm going to the gym twice a day now. Is anyone else stalled, or has stalled and broken out of it? That could be it. I'm getting about 800-900 calories a day. @@stephyr Are you losing inches? If you are going to the gym twice a day, are your calories keeping up? You can't create a huge calorie deficit and not fill it. If you are working out more you need to eat more, or your body will think it is starving.

Hey Big Opie, I say going into wls with out the knowledge is VERY foolish. One of the best ways I gained great amounts of knowledge before I had my bypass is #1 have a wonderful wife who had a sleeve and has managed to lose 100 lbs in her first 6 months with great determination and complete commitment to following the rules. #2 is I have attended over 12 in person different support groups between her program and mine. If you have access to support group before or after surgery take it. The people at them will be people who have been there or are going on the same journey as you and are most likely to be the most help to you, and you to them. If anyone is to tell you that support group is for POST OP ONLY tell them I don't care I would like to attend anyway I am trying to gain perspective of wls (I was told this by my program and I informed them after I had attended several that they still had people at their front desk informing people it was for POST OP ONLY and the organizers of our support group took care of it). To tell the truth when I went to my support group I was the first pre op patient to come to it, they seemed quite shocked that I was attending but I must say they were very welcoming, supportive, and wanted nothing but success for their fellow friends. That is where you will find your acceptance it's almost a church of your people (if you will) they get it and understand the sacrifices and commitment that you will be facing in your near future and can be a tremendous help in your journey. I have found that the more you talk to people that either don't need a tool such as ours or haven't realized they are in need of help they generally don't understand or want to face the reality of their health concerns (god knows I didn't) until they come to the bottom of the well and figure out the only way up is to change (no matter how you do it whether it be wls or if your able to change your whole lifestyle without wls) they will never get it. If they don't support you in your life's journey, you don't want them anyway. (keep in mind everyone's wls journey is theirs and everyone's results most likely will be different). Welcome and Best of Luck Fellow Friend!!! Brian

2 years post op and lost nearly 200 pounds. I have been in a stall for almost a year. I fluctuate about 10 pounds (gain and then loss) but I cannot get below the 190 mark. I have tried everything! I workout 5 days a week, try to stay at 1200 canals although with the excercise calorie adjustment it is usually around 1500c. I feel EXTREMELY guilty when I put anything bad in my mouth but then there a days ( usually once a month) when I will go on a mini binge and have little snacks throughout the day that are completely unhealthy. I love the way I feel but I still have fat brain and I am EXTREMELY frustrated that I can’t drop below 190! Btw...this is my first post, I usually just troll

That's great. Amazing how losing some weight causes so much energy!

Hey there! Your post touched home as although I'm older than you, I'm about the same height and was close to the same weight as you. Great job on deciding to make a change for the better! Cutting out the soda is a great first step! Soda is just empty calories that don't help you in any beneficial way. The first step – have you seen a doctor about your back? You may want to have it checked to make sure you don’t have a herniated disk. If nothing shows up and you’re cleared to exercise, then I suggest you start walking. Try walking for 20 minutes, and build yourself up to longer time. Once you start exercising on a regular basis, it’s very possible that your back will begin to feel better. When I take more than a couple of days off from working out, my back starts to hurt a lot; when I start exercising again – no more pain. Once you lose some weight, you may want to try jogging/running. Start for short increments, like warming up by walking fast for five minutes, then jog for 90 seconds, walk for 90 seconds, jog for 90 seconds, walk again, etc., until you reach 25 minutes. Then cool down with another five minute walk. That will definitely help you tone up and lose weight. As you become fit, you can increase the time that you run and work out. The second step is to make sure you’re not overeating. If you are not banded, then I offer the following suggestions: You only need 3-4 ounces of protein, and you can always add some veggies. You may want to invest in a food scale – it really does help. Also, if you eat cold meat sandwiches, then I suggest that you switch to whole wheat bread and have low-sodium turkey. You only need one piece of bread and about three pieces of turkey. A half of a sandwich is really enough, especially for lunch. Also, you’ll want to have a mid-afternoon snack, so some fruit and two hard boiled eggs are a great suggestion. (You should eat about every four hours.) You need to remember that you need to burn more calories then what you take in. If you want help in tracking both how many calories you burn and how many you take in, you may want to invest in a calorie counter, such as a BodyBugg or Go Wear Fit. There have been a lot of posts about these, so just do a search to see what the others have said. So, if your goal is to lose two pounds a week, then you’ll need a 1000 calorie deficit each day. For me, this means burning 2500 calories each day and not eating more than 1500 calories. I think my highest weight was close to what you are – and once I stopped overeating and began walking for a ½ hour a day, I lost abut twenty five pounds really quickly (a lot of it was water weight). Last year I lost 50 pounds. I think I could have done a little better, as there were times I slacked off from working out, but I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and hope to finish what I started this year. I hope this helps. Regardless of whether you are banded or not, this site is a great resource. Let me know if you have any questions. Best, Maggie