Matt Z

Are you tracking your intake? What's your protein intake like? What's your total daily calorie intake like? What's your total daily water intake like? At 4 weeks, you could be hitting a stall, they happen often, but as long as you are paying attention to protein intake and are getting what the docs want you to get, if you are paying attention to your water intake and are over 64oz a day, upwards of 128oz, if your calorie intake is as low as your doctors want... and you are not losing weight yet, don't worry about it. But if you are not paying attention to anything above or tracking... then you could be ingesting too much. Just because you don't get sick, or it doens't hurt, doesn't mean it's ok. Stick to your instructions.

Firstly, that BMI is pretty low, and if you don't have co-morbidities, then you'll be hard pressed to get your insurance to cover any WLS. Secondly, the Band is on it's way out. Lots of issues, problems, etc coming up, it was over hyped, it under performs typically. You'd be better off with another surgery in my opinion. Read though all the problems people have had with the band, there are reports that are starting to be talked about that the band might cause cancer (haven't seen the reports myself, just the talk about it). I recently had mine removed. You can totally do the pre-op diet and then follow the post-op diets without getting the surgery to see if that helps you... the whole process of WLS requires drastic changes to your eating habits and the Band and the Sleeve are both tools that are easily "worked around" if you were so inclined.

I take mine every night, have right up until the day of surgery, started taking it again just as soon as I got home from surgery. Zero issues and was approved by my surgeon.

Little over 3 months post-op and I'm stalled out pretty hard. I'm pretty sure it's just a muscle building "issue" because I'm noticing much more loose and sagging skin now, but for the last 10 days or so now I've been stuck around the same weight. It's frustrating, but I know I'm getting everything I need to be, and I'm under my caloric burn each day, just gotta struggle through it. That said... I feel down right fantastic. Working hard on muscle growth, seeing sizes drop, just need that weight to start actually moving again and I'll be even happier!

Actually, no. You are still healing, and healing means swelling, water retention, etc. So not everyone is dropping quickly at only 2 weeks post op. You are far too close to surgery to start worrying about your losses, relax and follow your instructions. Things will start moving soon enough, focus on healing first.

Check the side effects of whatever meds you are taking. Pretty sure the surgery itself doesn't trigger dream changes.

Congrats! Amazing how things turn around and how great you feel now huh!

Just over 3 months post-op... and some days are ok... others not so much. More "not so much" though! Some days... even the Poop-Purri doesn't help much... just the weird combination of essentials oils, and rank poop.

So this is another one of those "doesn't happen to everyone" things. I haven't really noticed any changes in my tastes, pretty much at all.

Congrats! That's one amazing milestone!

So why exactly do you think it didn't work?

Quitting will do that, you just need to "start over". Get back to tracking your intakes, exercises, water, etc. Pretend you are new and are just getting out of surgery. It's going to take some work to get back to pre-quit. You've taken a pretty powerful stimulant out of your routine, so now you've got to create a new one again. It's not going to be easy, or pleasant, but with the right mindset and a little determination and you'll be feeling great again soon.

Firstly, it's super ok to be nervous or scared about it. I know I was! Secondly... I wish I would have just done the bypass back in 2011 when I had my band put in... all that BS because I was afraid of the commitment to the bypass. I too was concerned with permanent changes. And rightfully so. But I'll tell you right now, after surgery, I couldn't tell you if my intestines were really altered or not. Just can't feel any changes. I'm losing weight, I feel great, I can eat about as much as I could with the band when it was working as expected. So I *KNOW* it was done... their just isn't any sensation of a change. I was afraid of the "Death on the table" thing too... so much so that I drafted up documents for family members just in case. So I could say my goodbyes if need be. Overall, I knew I needed something that would "work" and had more feedback (dumping) if I went off the path. I'm 3 months out, down 58ish lbs, body fat is down like 7%, I'm in the gym daily. I eat so much better now. I really wish I had done this sooner.

I had a band installed back in 2011. Lost about 70ish from that but then things just kinda... stopped. Revised to the Bypass March 21st and I'm down 58lbs or so since March 2nd, 117ish total.

Here is where you can make better choices. I'll avoid the "soda" topic and stick to "carbonation" First, you want to avoid carbonation for a while since WLS is an alteration of the stomach, so any extra pressure is something you want to avoid for as long as you can. Carbonation is said stretch out your pouch/sleeve. Some drinks are much more carbonated (obviously) so better choices would be... well... better. BAI makes carbonated drinks. I found (once, still looking for more) a Kola nut version, this tasted like a Cola Soda. But had no calories (or anything else really) and was only lightly carbonated. Plus the BAI sized drinks are smaller typically than a normal can of fizzy stuff. Should you talk to your surgical team, yes. Will you ever be able to drink carbonated drinks... more than likely, but you really *shouldn't*.

There are a variety of tools that will do this, scales, hand held "scanners", etc. Even the old school pinch measure method with calipers. You can get some digital hand held ones for less than $40 https://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C-Handheld-Body-Monitor/dp/B000FYZMYK/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1529951257&sr=8-4&keywords=body+fat

Feel free to hit me up on a PM with any questions etc you've got etc. What surgery are you going in for?

Yup, the Patches come in several types, I use a Calcium, Multi and B12 patch each day.

if it's clear (ish) and doesn't smell... that's perfectly normal. If it's got any yellow or green coloration, then you might want to call a doctor If its got a funny smell then you might want to go to the ER.

Banded in 2011... lost 70ish lbs. Lots of small issues, nothing major or caused by the band. But it just wasn't working as advertised. 2 of the largest manufacturers, no longer make them. Lots of surgeons, won't install them any longer. The band works for some, but it was by and large over hyped and under performed. Now for the caution. Outside of all the other horror stories listed... Mine was a time bomb and I didn't even know it. So, no real issues, no slippage, no erosion, all imaging, scans, and scopes were good. Zero issues. Well, until they went to remove it when I was revised to Bypass. My band was 100% completely encapsulated in scar tissue. It took my surgical team more than 3 times longer to remove than it should have and increased my surgery time from 2-3 hours... to 6+. I can't say I really "Hated" the band... but there are just far too many problems and complications that just keep coming up. I didn't want to go permanent either, nor did I want to have my guts rearranged. I can say however that I'm beyond glad I got the bypass done. Who knows what would have happened if I left the band in there. I feel so much better now, I really wish I had gotten the bypass when I originally got the band. But my fear of commitment ended up costing me 2 surgeries and years of "dealing" with band. Personally, I would take the fact that revision rates continue to climb, that installation rates continue to drop and that 2 major manufactures, both pulled out of the business as a sign that... the band, might not be the best option, even if it is the one that doesn't require things to be "changed" inside.

Pretty sure everyone, with any WLS, will or has experienced a stall. They happen. Just remember that Weight is only 1 number and is **NOT** the whole picture. Body Fat % is another, very important number to be tracking as well. So yes, don't stress, don't worry about the scale. If you are getting your proteins, water, etc and are exercising 60+ mins daily... then you've got nothing to worry about.

Is Rhode Island close enough for ya?

Hell it's possible they can do this for you while you are under for the bypass. Ask the question! Guys room Jess...

Anorexia is a mental disorder, it's possible you have it... only way to be sure is going to be to sit down with a professional and have them evaluate you. I'll leave it there, I can get into some of the specifics, but given I'm not a doctor or licensed therapist, anything I tell you is going to be generalized and if you have a legitimate concern you really should check it out. It's also possible that you are just learning your new digestive system. But again, might be best to have a professional give you the 411 on that.

I buy mine on the BariatricPal store https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/patchmd They aren't "cheap" but the cost isn't prohibitive by any nature. You put them on in the morning, leave them on for at least 8 hours and that's it. There is a lot of mixed feelings about the patches, lots of people refuse to admin they work, stating that it's impossible for the vitamins to be transmitted transdermally, that there are no tests/studies/etc. So I figured I'd give them a proper test run, full with blood work etc. So with my surgeon, the head of nursing for my hospital and the head pharmacist, I was approved to try them out. I took once a week D vitamins, Daily B1 (which I no longer need to take) and that's it, everything else was provided by the patches. So, outside of my Vitamin D being low, every other tested level was perfect.