MINI-Me

Don't beat me up for saying this , but it sounds like you are doing better than the odds. I was told to expect ~10 pounds the first month and 5 to 10 each month after. You are averaging 9 pounds a month - could you have done that before???

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Faith ... don't do this to yourself. I know I can say that easily, but the doing is much harder. This is not a typical diet like we've done in the past ... it's not all or nothing. There are no "bad" foods. There are better choices and poorer choices. However, you did not have this surgery to never eat certain foods again. Use this time to learn a healthy relationship with food. Occaisional "treats" are ok. A peice of toast with a bit of jam isn't going to blow anything. In fact, it was a good choice if you were feeling low energy. Some people find that they have to severely limit carbs during the losing phase to be successful. Many of us didn't. I ate much higher carb counts than others & lost all my weight (plus some)! Yes, I had a few stalls ... I complained on here ... I cried on here ... but I made it to my ultimate goal!!!!! You need to find what works for you. Losing fast & being a slug without energy doesn't sound like a good alternative to me. I think talking to a counselor is a great idea. But, in the meantime, don't beat yourself for these small things. At least you didn't eat 1/2 the loaf like you may have pre-surgery. Keep your chin up! We're here for you.

HUGS to you. Thanks for all you do!

You CAN do it. The Protein drinks (in my opinion) are TERRIBLE. You just have to find something that will get you through the first few weeks. Have you tried

Saw this today & had to share. I don't have and never had a lapband, but from those I have observed and those on here with revisions, I've pretty much come to the conclusion that it is not a successful tool. So, why is the FDA setting guidelines to let even more people have LapBand surgery??? The New York Times FDA Approves Lap-Band for Millions More Patients Publication Date: 02/16/2011 12:00 AM WASHINGTON (AP) Cosmetic drug and device maker Allergan Inc. said late Wednesday it received approval to market its stomach-shrinking Lap-Band to millions more patients who are less obese than those currently using the device. The expanded approval to patients with a body mass index between 30 and 40 and one weight-related medical condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Patients must also have previously attempted to lose weight by other methods like diet and exercise. Allergan, based in Irvine, Calif., said an additional 26.4 million American patients meet the new criteria for the device. That's up from roughly 15 million under the previous criteria: a body mass index of 40 or higher, or 35 and higher with weight-related complications. The adjustable band has been available in the U.S. since 2001 and about 600,000 people have had the device implanted, according to Allergan. During surgery, the band is placed over the top of the stomach and inflated with saline to tighten it and restrict how much food can enter and pass through the stomach. The device was developed as an alternative to gastric bypass surgery, a permanent procedure in which food is rerouted from a pouch in the stomach to the small intestine. There were about 220,000 gastric surgeries last year, with banding accounting for an estimated 40 percent, according to medical society data. Surgeons say the fact that the procedure is reversible and relatively low-risk accounts for its growing popularity. Some patients who were not obese enough to qualify for Lap-Band surgery have reportedly tried to gain weight to meet the body mass requirements. While analysts have speculated about the potential for sales to skyrocket, there are hurdles to wider use of the procedure, particularly its cost, which can range from $14,000 to $20,000. The device itself costs $3,000. The FDA's expansion of the Lap-Band comes as rising health care costs threaten to consume nearly a fifth of the U.S. economy. Obesity-related health care spending is estimated at $147 billion, double the level of a decade ago. More than a third of all American adults are obese.

Rootman may be right, but I am not so sure. I also have this issue around my TOM and believe it is very hormonal & the hunger is very real. Now, what you do about the hunger is where you have control. I fill it with cheese, pepperoni sticks, and other Protein rich Snacks. Try not to give into the carbs ... they are the devil!

I can really relate to your worries and concerns. I was so there last year. My best advice is to follow exactly what your doctor's plan is for you. If you can only eat 300 calories comfortably and his plan says 600, call him and talk about it. You paid for aftercare as much as the surgery. Try to relax ... learn to listen to your body ... and ask for help when you need it. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Globetrotter - Please don't panic. While I think it's important to remember what could happen if we aren't careful, we need to remember that we now have a powerful tool to help us when we are idiots. We don't know anything about this woman other than what was presented. How big was her sleeve from 4 years ago? Did she have a competent surgeon that removed enough of the stretchy fundus? Does she or did she ever have any restriction? Is she so addicted to food she has no self-control? I've read your posts & you are mentally prepared to do your part. Do your part and trust in your sleeve to do its part. YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!

How awesome for you. Can't wait to hear how things go. Congrats on the "instant weight loss" that is coming! You will be in my prayers.

I'm sure the trainer has the best intentions, but you really need to follow your surgeon's plan right now. Sounds like you are about right for your meals at 4 weeks out. What does your surgeon say about Snacks? Mine allowed 2-3 snacks but they were Protein rich - meaning pepperoni sticks, string cheese, egg, etc. From my understanding, the protein is the most important right now. Protein is going to have some fat attached to it, so you'll be fine there. But, your body will burn muscle (i.e. heart ,etc) without appropriate protein intake.

Ditto what Tiff said ... OK, ok, ok ... I'm not the "perfect" sleever. I have a few vices.

I've been having night sweats since about 4 months out. I figure it's pre-menapause, but it SUCKS!!! I'm cold all the time, but when I'm dead asleep, I'm burning up. My husband teases and says I'm "One hot chick in bed!"

YOU GO GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait until you have to put a pillow between your knees because you aren't used to them rubbing each other when you try to sleep. LOL! What wonderful problems we thin people have now!

Welcome and congratulations on your surgery and success.

Diva has some great advice. I also kept reading my surgeon's statistics about quality of life and improvement of co-morbities (sp?) after surgery. It quickly changed me from bawling to being excited again. This is very normal and natural. You will get through it & be so pleased once you see the results! You are almost a LOSER!!!!!

Congratulations. Feels good to get to a year, doesn't it? I like your goals for year 2: What is next during the next year? Well...definitely losing the rest, not regaining, firming it up, lasiks eye surgery, and giving the girls a lil lift. I've done: losing & lasik (You will love that!!!) ... I'm also focused on firming it up & the lift. Can't afford the lift right now & to be honest, I'm a little scared of it. But, it would make a WORLD of difference. Keep in touch & let us know how you are doing on your goals.

You've got it! They are going to slide down. But, you had the "well satiated" feeling. That's really what you should be looking for. We shouldn't really eat to a "full" feeling - that usually means we've overdone it. Satiated is the goal. (Now, just because I said that, doesn't mean I follow that all the time. ) At only 6 weeks out, you are still learning your "stop" signals and how much is enough for you. And, it's going to change a lot over the next 4 months or so. Just try to rememer the feeling you had today & stop when you get to that point. Good for you!

I agree with Tiff - the Pasta is making it go through faster. But, pasta and bread are part of life. My nutritionist recommended that I start with a small Protein - think of it as a sink stopper - and then eat my pasta/bread and meat mixtures. You might try that & see if it helps with a longer saiety.

LOL ... I just feel like I've read a MasterCard Commercial. "Priceless"

Welcome!

A heating pad. That was a must-have for me. It helps so much with the gas-related shoulder pain.

Hunger is very different now ... It's not that ravenous "I GOT TO EAT NOW" kind of thing. It is more of ... "Hmmm ... I feel kinda tired (no energy). Oh yeah, I need to eat". Right after surgery, I was never hungry. I even forgot to feed lunch to my youngest at around 3 months. He finally spoke up & wanted to know if we were "ever going to eat". I had been dragging him around for the day shopping and doing errands. Oops! Head hunger is different. It strikes and I want food "NOW". I've had to be very careful deciding which is which.

I don't like beer due to the carbonation and how filling it is. Wine is a different story. I drink it & my nutritionist is fine with it at this point in my journey. One fear is transfer addiction - meaning trading one addiction (food) for another (alcohol). alcohol goes down easy & is not filling - so just be careful how much you allow yourself. A glass in the evening is fine ... A couple glasses with friends is fine ... Overdo it? Not so fine. Besides wine ... most mixed drinks go down fine. Margaritas are high sugar, but one or two on vacation is perfectly acceptable. You can also try Screw Drivers, Rum and Coke (hardly any fizz is noticed when it's mixed like that), etc. Enjoy your vacation. Congratulations on your 2 years. Please feel free to stop by sometime and let us know what life is life for you at 2 years. How are you maintaining? Any "secrets of your success" for the rest of us?