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Hello BandLand!!! First I wanna say I hope everyone is doing great and I am glad we have this forum because everyone has the opportunity to inspire someone else throughout there journey. I am getting a lil discouraged though... Today makes 1month post-op for me and I am only down 20lbs... For the 2wks the scale is just not moving. I am staying around 1000-1400 calories but on most days I am at 1200cals. I am starting to feel very hungry again. I will be getting my first fill this Friday the 18th. Currently i have no Fluid in my 14cc band. I just wanna know how has everyone's journey been? Any regrets? Anyone doing any vigorous exercise right away? Also for those out there who understand carbs... I need help!!! On a daily basis, I am trying to stay at 1200cals, 60-80g Protein, & under 100g carbs... I just dont understand how people say they stay under 30g of carbs when there are carbs in just about everything we eat including high protein foods also. If I eat yogurt for Breakfast, thats 20g carbs just from my a.m. snack... Can someone please explain carbs to me? I have been avoiding Pasta & rice and minimal bread but I do have a bagel thin or english muffin once or twice a week. Any help or advice would be great!!! Thanks Everyone... Below are some additional questions. Any help is appreciated!!! Thanks... HDC 1. (Women only question) What do you do for cravings and appetite when it's that time of the month? Does your weight fluctuate during this time as well? 2. Because there are carbs in almost everything we eat, how do you determine what is a good amount of carbs per day? My fitnesspal says 249g is a go number. 3. What kind of exercise do you all do and how much and for how long? 4. Any ideas on things I can do as a truck-driver that works nights? I will be going back to work in a couple weeks and snacking is how I use to make it on the road. I need ideas or even some healthy snack choices to get me through my nights at work driving down that lonely highway. 5. Are sunflower seeds bad? 6. So far I have been eating 1200 calories of less per day, along with 80g of protein and trying to keep my carbs under 100g. Is this ok??? I'm really unsure… Just still so confused and need some words of wisdom on certain things. Bandsters please share any advise or tips to help me through my journey. I appreciate all comments and I accept all the supportand encouragement I can get. Thanks a lot lbt…

I've got the book, blah, too many rules. To much weirdo Protein drinking, I just used the book to give me some ideas about what to do with the dumbells I have at home, and then never did them anyway, lol. I just cant be bothered living on such a strict diet where you have to drink this at that time, etc etc etc. And I'm sure all the pictures are NOT the results people achieved in 12 weeks!

I did BFL a few years ago and lost 30 pounds in 12 weeks. The workouts were hard; I kept a little journal of all of my weights and reps so I could see how far I've come (I'm making a new little journal for myself now.) Bill Phillips endorses EAS (whatever the brand) shakes because it's his brand. That's why there's so much emphasis on drinking those Protein shakes and eating the protein bars: He makes more money when you buy them. I think some of those people had to do BFL multiple cycles before they attained their results. I agree - some of those pictures are a little too hard to believe, but I do think the pictures are authentic, and those people did change their bodies through exercise. I could see my muscles getting "cut" even through my 270 pound bodyflab. :biggrin1: The program is awesome but takes a lot of time and dedication. It's much easier to follow if you have a partner. I would love to get back on that program once I lost some weight. The results will be even greater, I believe. But for now I want to concentrate on my cardio. Nathalie

I did BFL many times over the past few years. I did manage to lose about 20 lbs. I am going to back to using the recipes from Eating for Life. They are so good and eay to make! I think I will do a challenge in the few weeks. I would love to see how far i can go now that I am banded!!! Maybe we should start a BFL challenge ourselves and enter?????

Well it has only been 3 weeks. Give it some time. The minimum amount of protein you should be having is 60 grams. I noticed that 2 of the last 3 days you were under that. If you do not get enough protein it will stall your weight loss. Are you drinking 64 OZ of water everyday? I also see where you said you were not exercising yet. Is there a reason for that? You should not lift weights for 6 weeks but getting on the treadmill or eliptical is something that will definitely increase your metabolism and boost your weight loss. It will work if you put effort into your weight loss. I am at the gym 5-6 days a week for 1-2 hrs. I hate it but I know if I don't do it I will stop losing weight. Just keep your eye on the ball of why you had this surgery in the first place. It does not matter if your calories are low like that. Your body does not think it is starving as long as you are giving it the protein it needs. Be patient. It did not go on overnight and will not come off overnight. I know I am in the same boat, you want that scale to move everyday but that is just not practical.

Once you get on to regular foods your calorie intake will increase. I am 11 weeks out and keep my calories at 900. The scale will move. Just do not get obsessed by it. Just stay in the action and you will get the results. Are you getting in all your protein? Sometimes in this stage you still need to supplement with protein drinks to get enough in. Be proud of your efforts so far. It is not easy and you should applaud yourself. Keep up the good work.

Mine was 5 160 calorie shakes per day for two weeks prior. Liquid the week after, then a week of mushiness, then a week if soft foods, then solids.

My surgeon had a 3 hour seminar we were required to attend. I am so glad I did because I learned so very much. He actually gave the seminar himself. I would look into that, and attend both if applicable and see from there. I kind of feel like you. I have had my consultation and am in my 3 month 'pre surgery insurance stuff' to lose some weight and get in better shape for surgery. I am about to start trying Protein shakes and see which ones and what recipes I really like. That is something you can start doing. I am also slowly weening off of cokes. Well, I havent had a coke in a week so I guess I have weened off of those. I plan to have surgery in early December and about early November I will start weening off of all caffeine altogether, as that is a requirement from my doctor. I will also really limit my sugar intake. I do not want to be any more miserable than necessary when I do the 2 week pre op diet. Also, find out what both of their pre and post op diets and requirements are, like a sleep study and an endoscopy. Good luck!!

You look great. Did you gain a few pounds before reaching your goal? Just two weeks ago I was 4 lbs away from my goal of 140...being in the house because of the cold weather I am now 13 lbs away....I'm 7 months out...my personal goal is to maintain between 135-140...but you do look good. No I haven't gain anything I'm basically trying to tone right now so I might gain a few pounds back but it'll be okay Congrats to u too

Yayyy I'm approved for gastric sleeve. My surgery date is May 8th. . . .I'm ELATED my husband is nervous for me though. I have my God so we are great. I cannot wait to start this new life. Do you guys think 2weeks is enough time to get back to work? I cannot be out too long because I have to make this more eyes and I refuse to use my vacation time. P.S I will be using my short term disability but the first week is unpaid

Vs gal, What kind of work do you do? I'm at a desk. I was out less than a week.

@ - kudos for realizing you were headed down a path you fought you way out of three years ago. Go to support meetings, get back to basics (REALLY look at and record) what you are eating, do a re-set. Come here and read about others who have slipped and re-set. Are you drinking Water? Have you slipped into old habits that got you to your HW? You are currently where I would like to be by my next doctor appointment in Sept. We have roughly the same stats and I hate to see a sister slide. I would want someone like @@bewell or myself to step up and say "get it together girlfriend". I hit 282 on the scale early this year when I backed off the WLS and realized it was not a matter of if I could weigh 300lbs, it was a matter of when. I am only a little over 2 months out and I am not losing as fast as others but I am losing. Hang in there and let us know what you decide to do.

I was banded May 28th. One week liquids, then one week mushy, and then solids. First fill appt. set for June 30th. Right now I'm in mushy week. I'm blending the heck out of food and weighing it to 4oz. Eating three times a day. One snack allowed in a day. So for so good. Not been hungry.

That is great. My first fill experience was not as nice but I found out that I need to lie down when I get my fill because I get dizzy if standing. Live and learn. Since it is your first fill it might settle after a couple of weeks and then one day you will wake up and the coffee doesn't go down as easy. Once you feel that make sure you take it easy. I notice that after each fill it takes a couple of weeks to really feel the restriction and one day it just settles and you have to sip and have liquids for your meal or mushies. Then other days I can eat fine and not as much restriction. It has a mind of its own that is for sure!!! Glad your fill went well. The first one is always the most scary because you just don't know what to expect.

I'm so sorry you're scared. I would love to say that you are unique in your pre-op fear but you are absolutely not. I posted on here the night before my surgery because I was totally freaking out. I had all the fears you have now. I hate to speak for others, but I would assume 90% of us on hear had those same fears. Regarding the unhappy and miserable people, as you say, understand that this is a support forum. Many of us have nowhere to go but here when we are scared, frustrated or confused. But just because there are complications, doesn't mean we are unhappy. I have only been banded a week and one walking, sleeping, breathing complication. Notice I didn't add "eating" because I'm not doing that. I'm having a lot of swelling and have spent more time in the hospital than out since I was banded last week. Am I scared? Heck yeah, a little. Would I do it again? In a second. Why? Because what I'm scared of is that they will have to take it out. I've losed 23 lbs and I like that. Do I longingly look at what my family eats? Sure but that's only because I can't eat anything at all. If I could have some salad or some fish, I wouldn't need anything else. I do like the feeling of restriction because it takes away my obsession with food. I'm not planning my next meal or snack because I'm not hungry. I admit, I am currently obsessed with getting Fluid in but that will pass as the swelling goes down (I pray!). Also, admit it, aren't you drawn to the threads where it seems like there are issues? I am. If there are two posts and one says "Happy Day!" and the other says "Please help me", which are you going to first? We all say we'd do it again because we WOULD do it again. For every person that is "miserable and tremendously unhappy", there are 20 that are thrilled. These feelings are normal but don't let them take over. You'll get through this, I promise.

My longest stall was probably about 4-5 weeks so far. I actually don't do anything to try to break a stall, just try to be patient and do the right things in terms of diet, exercise and sleep. I read some articles about the contestants on The Biggest Loser that dissuaded me from the idea of eating ever fewer calories or doing ever more exercise to try to force things. Lost about 65lb so far. Wish it went faster, yes, but I already feel and look so much better, I don't mind the journey.

My friend has her C-section scheduled for tomorrow. She was banded two weeks before me in July '08. She kept her entire fill the whole time. Her ob/gyn said as long as she could eat 1800 calories per day, she wouldn't have to get unfilled. She has gained I think maybe 15-20 lbs with the baby and that will all come off when she has it. Oh, and this baby was a big surprise! She had to go on fertility drugs for her first two pregnancies, so she never dreamed she could get pregnant on her own. In fact, she has a set of twins that were 11 months old when she found out she was pregnant with this baby. Good luck!

I was diagnosed with PCOS last fall, banded in Feb. I lost weight slowly but steadily. My cycles came back after surgery and I was declared free of PCOS in June. I never had cysts but my endo said that I still had PCOS. Well, last week I was feeling like crap, tired, cranky and my boobs really hurt. Not aunt flo either. I took the test and it came back positive. It seems that I am currently 6 weeks pregnant. Shock, that is all I can say! I really did not expect it to happen. Talked with my doc about things. He wants me to keep what fills I have in my band and aim to not gain any weight. That will be interesting. Have any of you had luck doing that?

Hi there, you're my twin!!! I'm having surgery on the 23rd and start my liver shrinking diet on the 9th. Like you I started dieting about 8-9 weeks ago and have lost 15 pounds already. My goal is to have lost 20 pounds by the time I have surgery. Also like you I have a VERY good support system but there are still those who doubt my efforts, the process, the success rates, you name it, they have their reasons. Some have even suggested that I talk with people who were not successful with their surgeries. I look at this and think... "isn't that like talking to a drunk who has failed to get sober and using HIS reasoning to justify keeping on with drinking?" So I have chosen to continue seeking the support of those who do love and care for me and to find additional support in reading of the success of others on this site. Keep on thinking positively and all will work out. I would love to keep in touch with you and see how you make it through this diet. Private message me anytime you want.

So your post sounds just like me...add a few advanced nursing degrees AND the fact that I had RNY done 25 years ago to make me feel like even more of a failure. I'm back going through the process of considering a revision to my original surgery at my highest weight ever. IF insurance will approve. While it would be awesome to get a total do-over with the RNY process (not just the reducing the stomach which is essentially what I'm not a candidate for) I don't regret my decision 25 years ago. I am sad that back then there was little/no follow-up, no real rules on diet/caffeine/timing of water intake/etc --maybe I'd have had better long term success. BUT I did lose just over 100lbs. Felt better than I had in my entire life and did more than I'd ever done - travel, marriage, shoppig in normal size clothing stores, etc. I have been morbidly obese since 6th grade and overweight since I was 7. That surgery got me closer to "normal" than ever. No diet I did before that or since then has been so successful- a year long protein shake diet did result in 70lbs lost but then I regained all + some much faster than after surgery. But, I realize now that I half-assed the process and expected that it would just magically work on its own. I'm sure deep down I probably still sort of think that way. I'm older have a couple kids that wish mom was more active and am restricted from doing things because of my weight and that makes me sad. This time I'm throwing everything at it...sort of feel like it's my last ditch effort. After my mandated psych eval for surgery I opted to continue working with the counselor who specializes in all types of eating disorders and am seeing a bariatrician who will prescribe WL meds. I've long thought until someone fixes the chemicals in my brain WL will never be long term, so I believe in meds. I'm taking the process so slow unlike in the past where I jumped into huge lifestyle shifts that were only sustainable for short-ish periods of time. I didn't even start a legit "diet" until just this week even though I've been going through the pre-cert process since October...and it's not really a diet- just replacing one meal a day with a shake per the changes prescribed by the bariatrician. On the advice of the counselor I've been setting one really small goal each week that is hopefully attainable and I'm able to maintain. Who knows what will happen with the WLS approval process. I'm hopeful the other adjuncts I'm working on will help me be successful for the long term. IF surgery is approved, it's really just another piece of the WL puzzle though a really nice one in terms of the ability to lose weight rapidly. It's up to me to keep it off though.

You can go now if you'd like. I'd take it easy though. No stretchin of your stomach quite yet. Just try to walk on the tread mill for a while. i think i started working out after about a week but I am very young. So i healed very fast.

Oh this is pre-op! I should have read where the question was asked, my apologies! I was not the best on my pre-op diet to be honest. Trust me though, post-op is a whole different ball game. You will most likely not even feel hungry. There are times I have to tell myself it's time to eat because I have to get my protein in. Just hang in there until you have the surgery! Trust me, it's all worth it! When you're 4 weeks out and shedding pounds and clothes sizes, you'll look back on these days and laugh!

You should weigh and measure your food. Not sure why, but some people don't feel the restriction at first - maybe numbness? Then they report later that they do. Either way, I wouldn't push it. You are less than 2 weeks out, and have a long way to go before you are healed.

Weightloss isn't consistent nor linear. You won't lose weight on the scale every week, doesn't work that way. Maybe focus more on NSVs and measurements. Two weeks without a decrease on the scale is hardly a stall/plateau. Good luck!

Yes, I agree with Jen. I wasn't losing because I wasn't eating enough. Me too about 700-800 calories a day. Now I am eating 1000 cal a day and I have been able to lose 3-4lbs a week. Definitely recommend eating more. Good luck!