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I also have had Splenda and a few other 0 calorie sweeteners without any harm too. I keep seeing articles and posts touting that artificial sweeteners can make you gain weight but when it comes right down to it I don't see any plausible explanation as to WHY. They typically just mention the fact that it wakes up cravings for sweets causing the person to consume other high cal sweets, I haven't had it happen to me. I drink a few diet 0 cal sodas a week, 2 cups of coffee with Splenda a day and have pretty steadily lost. I recently started to lose again after being stalled at 210 for over a month but while my weight stayed the same my measurements kept decreasing, I was building muscle from working out and displacing fat. Short answer - no one really knows, if they do their not coming out with a scientifically backed answer.

Hi There, I am an insurance biller in CA and I feel that your Doctors office is handing you a line so that they can get full pop for the surgery! Call your Insurance company and look for another Doc right away! I am going for my first doctors visit on Tuesday and I would guess that all insurance companies would be happy to help pay for this surgery due to the fact that we who are over weight will have more health problems as we get older if we stay over weight.

I am looking at having lap band, but want to know more information.... I am a type 1 diabetic, and I have a lot of trouble managing my condition, because I lack control with my eating, and I hope that Lap Band would assist me with this. I also have my diabetes team's full approval, which is a good start I think. I have read a few stories about type 1 diabetes and lap band, but none of them have answered these questions. However I am unsure of all the requirements, like what BMI do you need to be, I weigh about 82Kg and I am 5"3... I don't think I would quite make the weight requirement, but If I don't get this done, I am afraid it might not be too much longer until I do. I am also worried about scaring, I take a while to heal because of the diabeaties how have other people healed up. (photos would be great). And what do I need to look for in a surgeon and what questions should I be asking before I choose one. and what questions should I be asking before surgery. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Weight loss is an added bonus during pre-op, now matter how many or few lbs lost. It's all for your liver. Just follow your plan and it'll be fine.

Ok maybe I'm an alarmest or basically not eating making me edgy so hoping some of you can give positive advice. Started diet Monday and lost 4 lbs til Thursday. Fri and today no loss!![emoji20]. I am getting all liquids in ...water/protein drink and Health Meal etc for dinner. Tracking cals and protein. I'm allotted 1200 cal per day but doing between 850-950. Maybe this is normal and just knowing that would help or if I'm doing something 'wrong' that I can tweek. If anyone has experienced this it sure would help. Thanks[emoji3]

Day five of surgery – I weighted myself this morning and I lost 14lbs since my surgery, last Wednesday. I am glad I took the time off work to focus on my new eating habits. I do not think I am drinking enough water. I need to make a schedule for liquid diet in order to consume the proper protein and water. I am scared that I might get dehydrated or lack protein. I do not want to end up in the hospital because I am not doing what I am suppose to do. I am not feeling a lot of pain. I went through the day without the pain medication. I am going attempt not use the medication starting today. Emotional, I starting to see how much of a role food has been in my life. Food has been social tool, financial cost and of course, it has been an emotional healer for me. These last couple of day’s food has been so apparent to me. I have notice food commercials that I normal would not pay attention to and I cannot stand to watch another person eat while I am protein drink. This sucks! However, I trying to remind myself that having this surgery will all pay off in the end. I am hopefully and I want to lose weight, however I am fearfully that I will be among many that fail at this. I DO NOT WANT TO FAIL. There no other option for me. I am tired of being overweight. I am going to do what has to be done to be successful. I need all the support and encouragement I can get. Until next time. TE

It's all going to depend on you. Remember it is a tool, it only does and gives what you put into it. If you don't put anything in to it, you may not get skinny. Remember too that the band is to help you get to a healthy weight, not necessarily skinny. As for seeing a difference for yourself, everyone around will see it before you do. At least that how it is for me. Sure I see a difference because of my clothing size, how i feel, but when I look in the mirror, I still see me. The brain is tricky!

SDGirl - Please slow down before you sabotage yourself with your unrealistic expectations. Your Mom is right - you didn't get overweight over night - it was a process and the band is a process. I was a skeptic too in the beginning - I never thought I would get to 170 but I did get there (that was my original goal) so then I moved my goal to 160 (again didn't think I would get there) now -9 under goal - 99 lbs gone in 11 months. The band works as long as you do the work - even without proper restriction you need to make healthy food choices and exercise - if you do these thing - the weight will come off. I know today's generations wants everything now - immediately but take a page from us oldies - you will be rewarded in time from your hard work - but the work has to be done to get what you want. Good Luck on your journey... I wish you the best.

I am apparently in "bandster hell" right now where my swelling has gone down, but I have just about no fill (2ccs in a 10 cc band), so I'm hungry and pretty much have a wide-open band. Well, it put me into a plateau because I was losing weight like mad on liquids. So . . . I decided to get aggressive on my own. I decided to log my calories on thedailyplate.com, log my exercise, step up the cardio a bit, and increase my protein/water intakes. No, the scale still hasn't moved . . . but I'm determined. Yeah, I could sit around and wait for the fill in 2 weeks, then another 4, then another 4 or whatever it will take to get me to my sweet spot . . . . but I don't have patience. I just don't. So, in my downtime, I have to use it to my advantage and just know that the hunger will only be for a short time until I to proper restriction. That knowledge (a forseeable future) is the only thing that is helping me to not scarf up anything and everything in my presence. So, I guess you're like me . . . kind of at a crossroads and trying to decide how much work you're going to put into it or how much you are going to rely on the band. I decided to put in the work because I know the waiting would kill me . . . HTH

Do you have the realize band? I do and was also filled on the 23rd of April. I got my first fill at the end of May and it was also 4cc. My doc said that 4cc is the standard first fill for the realize band if you don't feel any restriction from the band itself. If you do, he gives 3cc. Anyway, I got 4cc and didn't really notice it until about a week later. I'm not sure why it took a week but that is when I found I did have some restriction. Right now I would say I have 'light' restriction. I am full quicker than before but I still can eat more than I am supposed to. I eat about 1 1/2 cups of food at each meal. Bread, fresh pineapple and anything not chewed well enough cause a brief pressure in my chest. I suspect that when I am properly filled, I won't be able to eat bread or fresh pineapple at all. It is hard to wait though. I too just want all of the weight OFF!! Are you exercising? I am doing cardio 3 days a week for 45 minutes and weight training with a trainer(and 20 min cardio) 2 days a week. The two days that I do with my trainer BUST MY A$$!!!!!! It is hardwork(and a little pricey) but so worth it. I feel very strong and confident. My next fill is on the 8th of July and I can't wait!

Hi, I have had the LAP-BAND® placed 5 years ago by Dr. Daniel Huacuz. It has been eroded for 3 years but I have not had any complications til now. Regardless my insurance will not cover the removal. My weight was 170 when I had it placed and I currently weigh 210. I'm having a hard time finding a doctor that will not charge me an arm and a leg to have it removed. I had an Endoscopy and half the band is inside my stomach and the other half is outside my stomach. I have a lot of chest pain, headaches, nausea, dizziness and gastric reflux. I can sit here and cry in hopes that it will disappear but that is not going to happen!! Is there anyone out there that has any reasonable resources to have this horrible band removed?

Good for you! And who knows, in a few weeks you may be doing so well with your weight loss and new eating plan, you might not even want the cookies.

Hi all it's now been 10 weeks since i was banded i have lost some weight 10 kilos i would of thought i would of lost more then that, i have had 2 fills done the first fill was 4 weeks after the op it did nothing for me i was able to eat all the same foods and lots of food. so i made a appointment to go back to the docs and i had my second fill 6 weeks after my first. This fill has stopped my eating. food gets stuck all the time i find 95% of food i eat comes back up, which i am fine with cos it means the food is not left in me and i dont have to excirse to lose it lol. i lost 7 kilos before the second fill and its now been almost 3 weeks since the second fill and i have lost a further 3 kilos more would be better. im now starting to do some work outs to help me lose it faster so i will keep you guys all up to date as the weeks go on. good luck with your weight loss. xoxo

Hi 5. You are absolutely right. All those milestones are just as relevant as the scale #s (dropping clothes sizes, new bmi ranges, ability to do something physically you couldn't before etc). When I got to BMI 24 and was "normal" weight range I just didn't know what to think. It was just as relevant as being 155 or size 6. Find those little milestones and celebrate them> They all serve as great motivation to keep going!

How close to when you ate does the pain happen? Sounds like gallbladder to me too - which does happen commonly after rapid weight loss.

@@canadian_girl No need to beat yourself up thinking you can do this on you're own. Many of us have dieted, lost weight and regained. For me loosing on my own was not realistic. ( tried it over and over) Living for you're kid's. I think you said it all in that statement. I don't believe risking death is selfish of you. You need to be in you're children's life for the long run. You're kids will get so much back by learning from you're example of what a healthy lifestyle is. They will be so elated to see you happy in you're life and in theirs. (what is selfish about that? ) No complications from obesity now. But how long until you start having more health issues? Enjoy researching surgery options. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

So excited we leave tomorrow morning for Oahu! My hubby and I are going for our 24th anniversary and packing my suitcase I was giddy with excitement! I tried on all my "dream" dresses (I bought 10 dresses a year ago hoping one day I could wear them. All a size 8) and I am going to toot my own horn here but I look fantastic lmao! My hubby is gonna freak when he sees me in them. I am 12 pounds from goal. Hoping I lose an inch to fit in my "dream" New Year's Eve dress I bought lol. I am so happy I revised from band to bypass! (I was successful with the band-lost 120 but was about 20 pounds heavier than I am now and could never get below that- it eroded so revised to bypass) I am 6 months out from my revision and 70 down (had to gain 50 to be eligible for the bypass ) have a wonderful day everyone and happy December!

Hi , I got my surgery done on 6-22-2016 , I am in my 6th week , I am in my early 50's and looking for a sleeve buddy in the same era and that has had their operation around the same time , at least within a month ,, female please cus you males lose weigh much fast ,,, (hate you all , just joking) would like to see if us 70's chicks are holding up to the younger ones, what issues having , exercise routine , foods etc.... Lets have some fun and lose some /// no // LOTS of weight together,,, what do you say ,,,, not opposed to a little group of us , more the merrier,,,,

One of my goals is to get up on a surfboard (hence my forum profile name). I've been to Hawaii twice. Once after losing a significant amount of weight on Medifast years ago and once at my highest weight when I couldn't even walk on the beach. I can't wait to return for a third trip. You look like you are having a blast!

Thank you!!! I have stalls all the time lol I'll bounce around the same couple pounds for a week or two then bam I lose 4 or 5 then stall again. I started tracking my weight through my fitness pal and found a pattern.. It's how I lose which took so much pressure off. I am sure you will have a blast in February. I have been losing around 10 pounds a month. I was a low bmi when I started so it's slow going but it's going try tracking to see approximately how much you are losing per month. I figured I would be 4 pounds less than I am now when I got to Hawaii so my tracking was pretty darn close!

Hi all I am planning to have my surgery as soon as possible and I am in contact with few doctors trying to make the right decision. I wished that this forum doesnt have members who might be getting money referals and they only talk about their own experiences to help each other . Anyway thanks all for ur help my major question is was anyone here helped by a lady named Rita Coonrod, she sounds like a respectful nice lady and she is trying to help me to get my surgery by dr Mario Almanza, it's a package to go to san diago.....Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery, Mexico - The Bariatric Group s the company she works for I guess th epayment should go to ISA in texas , has anyone done that b4 and is it safe to send the money this way . Rita sounds like a nice proffesional lady but I just want to make sure that I am on the right track and no spam is involved. Another one is Sandy Johnson who is very porffesional and helpful as well , she gave me the same package for a different price . have anyone been helped by this lady or did the surgery through her. she workd for www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com Both look good to me and I just want to hear from people who did it NOT WHAT PEOPLE THINK PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE in a lot of threads I notice that members start fighting so please please please dont do it here , if u have anything personal discuss it personally , I would like to get exact info so I can do my surgery very soon thanks

Hang in there sis! Do u think he is acting this way because of your weight loss?

As Chris Isaak would say "Baby did a bad bad thing." When I was on call last night, Faye was talking about McDonalds in the Galleria. We walked over, and as I passed the Subway I said, oh I should be good and go there. But I didn't, of course. I walked with her to McD's, got the purple food haze and ordered a small fry, 10pc chicken nuggets AND a medium milkshake. SERIOUSLY!!! I also had waaaay too much for lunch, veggie burger (plain no bun), frozen yogurt with snackwells cookies, small serving of veggie lasagne. I was so full after that lunch, I can't believe I went on to eat McDonalds - it wasn't even that good. I think there are a couple things leading to this: 1. The fact that I have this card with tons of money and I can have whatever I want for free. Solution: Think of it as having as many healthy things as possible, pretend the other stuff doesn't exist. This is not easy. 2. The "reward" thing, I'm on call - I deserve to have whatever I want Solution: There are some rewards down there in moderation. Fruit bars, small amnt of frozen yogurt, snackwells 3. The fact that I am very hungry, have to rush down when I get a second to eat. Also not many good choices. Solution: Eat smaller meals through the day, pack a few things... protein bar etc. 4 The fact that I have access to foods that I don't usually have access to at home and that I want them. Nothing can change that, hopefully the fill with help. Ok, so now to turn over a more positive leaf. Saturday: Joined the gym, did 20 mins on the elliptical and it was rough. Sunday: Gym closed so did 30 minutes on the recumbent bike, it wasn't that hard, nice to watch tv. Monday: On Call Tuesday(today): Went to gym post call and did 30 mintues on the elliptical at 20 resistance and 0 elevation, found it a bit easier without my hands on the arm swingies. I also did a good job on the nautilus, figured out the big bugee machine. Still feel a little fragmented on them, like I'm not picking the right weights or doing enough reps/or few enough, and repeating the way I should. Regardless, I was there for an hour. I feel pretty beat now. So, this is actually a pretty good week overall. Monday holiday (even though I was on call I wasn't at Neuro), Tuesday post call, Wednesday lecture, so just really a full two day week. And I'm on call Friday, so I don't have to stay late. Then I have eight days off!!!! I sort of feel that I'm wasting my vacation though. Not going anywhere or doing anything. Truth is, I can't really afford it. I could get together with Jill, take care of more annoying busy work (insurance/accident thing, apartment condo thing). Hopefully I won't sit around and eat all day. Ok, so overall, winning on the exercise front, losing on the food choices front.

Been of the pain meds since yesterday at 9am. Water sucks and taste like metal. Got some flavoring and it is helping. Tried power aid zero and leaves a bad after taste. Broth is good but strong. Tried chicken noodle soup and strained the broth out and love it! A real treat! Jello is good, milk is good. Walked 3 blocks today and feel good! Going to keep increasing the length. Is it really true you get a runny nose when you are getting full? Two weeks prep weighted 331, day of surgery weight was 314, day after was 320. Said that the IV fluids cause that and some people gain up to 10 lbs. appointment Friday for 1st post op appointment.

Week 5 has been rough. Dealing with the worst constipation of my life. Haven't lost weight. The reality that this is permanent is really setting in now. I am still basically on liquids because I can't chew with these turbo things the dentist put on my teeth when I got my braces, to keep my bite open. It is hard to be out running errands and see all of these fast-food restaurants and realize, I can never eat there again. I had been out running errands for several hours yesterday with nothing to eat. I had to get gas and when I went into the convenience store I was lucky enough to find a muscle milk protein drink. I was kind of proud of my purchase as I thought of how easy it was to pass up junk food. Small wins really help. Sent from my SM-G930V using BariatricPal mobile app