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Your surgeon will give you a post op diet to follow the first few weeks after surgery. It's very important you follow it exactly- regardless of what anyone here says. Once you're past the post op diet phase and back to regular food, there isn't anything you can't eat. It's just about moderation and making healthy food choices.

Welcome! The best place to start is actually a free seminar near you. If you want to use the same surgeon who banded your mom, find out when his next seminar is. There, you will not only learn about the band but there will people there to help you start the process. A good surgeon has staff who can literally walk you through the whole process from start to finish. Good luck!

I had 4 weeks of liquids after surgery, so it could be worse than your 2 weeks The reason is because your stomach has been sutured, manipulated, and wounded. If you don't follow your post op diet exactly, you are putting yourself at very high risk for complications such as ripping stitches in your stomach. Your stomach needs time to heal.

It's really important you find a bariatric surgeon. I know it can be hard, but your health depends on it. Right now, you are clearly too tight and are having soft calorie syndrome and weight gain as a result. This is explains why you've gained back 75 pounds. Plus, you're putting yourself at serious risk for complications. Tighter isn't always better when it comes to the band, in fact it can be dangerous to your health and sabotage your weight loss.

It really depends on the cause of your GERD. If it's something fixable, like from a hiatal hernia, then that can be done at the same time they place the band. If the GERD is from something that can't be fixed, the band may not be the best option for you. Acid reflux is very bad with the band because it can cause erosion. So, talk to your doctor for sure before making a decision. On a personal level, my brother wanted the Lap Band but he also has GERD that isn't fixable. Because of it, his surgeon has recommended the Sleeve for him because he'd be at high risk for band erosion.

You don't want to use PGX. It's a Fiber capsule meant to expand in your stomach to create fullness but with the band, you really don't want anything expanding in your stomach. You'd be at risk for a slip. I agree with dylanmiles, you should be going back to your surgeon for help, not trying useless diet gimmicks and pills.

Yeah the reason you're feeling that way is you're way calorie deficient. Being as you're on full liquids, I'd start having a Protein shake with every meal. You really need the extra nutrients and protein is important for healing. This is strictly my opinion, based on my own experience, but I wouldn't worry about fat or sugar while you're on only full liquids. Your choices are so limited already. I did sugar free whenever possible, like sf pudding, but if you can't find sf then I wouldn't sweat it. Best wishes.

I'm with the lovely ladies above- I'm all about online dating too. I met my current boyfriend online about 18 months ago. We moved in together last December and are VERY happy.

For me, the Green Zone is exactly what it should be. I can go much longer periods of time without hunger after eating very little food. Because I'm not always hungry, I'm not pre-occupied with food so it makes it easy to eat less. The band isn't meant to physically stop you from over eating, but if you listen to it, it will tell you when you've had enough. Like the "soft stop" mentioned above. I only eat about 1/2 cup of food and I'm no longer hungry so I stop eating.

You've lost a lot of weight since April. Plateaus are very normal can last weeks or even months. Plus, the lower on the scale you go, the harder you have to work for every pound you lose. If you're tracking your calories and exercising, the weight will start coming off again. In the meantime, some tricks I've found that help get off plateaus are fooling with my calories and carb cycling. When I fool with my calories, I'll have a really high calorie day (like 1800) followed by a really low calorie day (like 800). The big calorie difference is sometimes enough to shock your metabolism into working. Carb cycling is when you alternate low and high carb days, it's what Chris Powell has his contestants on Extreme Weightloss do to lose weight. When I've hit a stubborn plateau, I've carb cycled for a couple weeks and it always gets the scale moving again. We actually have a thread about it here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/159669-carb-cycling-an-experiment-gone-right/page__hl__carb%20cycling Good luck

My appetite has sucked lately (no idea why). But also keep in mind, everyone has their own idea what works from calories to diet style. This is simply what works for me, it's not right or wrong. If you follow a low carb diet, my daily menu won't help you because I don't restrict carbs. Breakfast (183 calories) - Protein shake lunch (322 calories) - 1/4 cup chili mixed with 1 Tbsp cream cheese and 1/8 cup colby jack melted over the top. - Dole apple cup with granola sprinkled on top dinner (389 calories) - salad with 1/4 cup cheese crumbles, 3 tbsp chick peas, 3oz diced ham, sprinkled with sunflower seed hearts, topped with 4 tbsp low fat Ranch dressing Snack (280 calories) -medium non-fat caramel mocha Total calories: 1174, total protein: 60g

Actually, it does make sense you're having a hard time meeting men in Florida. It seems like the sunnier the climate, the more stress to look good in a bathing suit to enjoy it. I remember even going down to Georgia and feeling like a whale because it seemed like the women were a lot thinner overall than they were up here in Michigan. I'm not sure what age guy you're looking for, but if you're looking for a younger one I bet it would be harder, too. My boyfriend and I are both 40. As much I hate being officially in my forties (I want my thirties back! lol) the plus side is- we're both too old for superficial BS. Guys my age are dealing their own issues too, be it losing hair or gaining weight, so they're not nearly as critical as a guy in his twenties or early thirties. There are actually a couple really nice single guys on these forums, btw!! *hint! hint!*

It would be nice, but you can still meet people who are empathetic and understanding. I actually met my current boyfriend last July, seven months after my band surgery. I was honest with him about it from the beginning and he has always been very supportive. In fact, I've lost about 120 more pounds since meeting him and he's become my biggest supporter. (We now live together, too)

yes

At one year, I had lost 178 pounds. If you're doing research, you're already ahead of the game. Going into any weight loss surgery informed is s important. Good luck

The first surgeon I saw told me the same thing- I had a BMI of 72 and was too big for the Lap Band. He also told me RNY was my only choice because I'd never lose enough weight with the Lap Band. I found a new surgeon. One that believed in me and would respect my choice of the Lap Band because I sure as heck didn't want RNY. I got my Lap Band 21 months ago and since then I've lost 232 pounds- and I'm still losing. I've lost 89% of excess weight so far and couldn't be more thrilled. You can lose as much with the Lap Band as you're committed to losing and willing to work for. You have to do what is best for you regardless of what anyone else thinks. Best wishes on whatever you decide.

Are you newly banded? Your question is quite unclear, more details would help.

Oh goodness! I'm glad you're doing ok. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers for a speedy, painless recovery!

I was told only finger nails had to be bare. The reason is, the anesthesiologist uses your nail color as a way to regulate your oxygen needs. If your nails turn blue or purple, it's a sign you may need more oxygen.

27 pounds is great and it's a lot better than gaining, right? I think you already know where you need to make changes- you said you don't exercise and you don't regulate how much you eat. Weight loss comes down to simple math: when you burn more calories than you consume, you lose weight. Measuring portions, tracking calories, and exercising is a sure-fire way to assure that happens. Otherwise, you're likely eating more calories than you burn and thus don't lose. Hang in there!

You can eat whatever you want, including grains and nuts. In fact both are important in a healthy diet. When it comes to diet, it's a matter of figuring out what works best with your own metabolism. It isn't one size fits all and what works for one won't work for all. If you think the Mediterranean diet will work for you? I say go for it. It can't hurt to try, right?

It sucks but it's really important you cough. Otherwise, you run a risk of post operative pneumonia. Keep a firm pillow (or even stuffed animal) nearby and when you cough, hug it tight against your tummy so it won't hurt so much. Hang in there.

If you're dealing with morning sickness, then yes very normal. I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter (before I had the band) I actually lost 3 pounds my first trimester because I was so dang nauseous all the time. If you're worried, I'd talk to your doctor about possibly removing a little more. In the meantime, if you're truly not eating but a few bites, I would consider something like high Protein Ensure to supplement your diet so you both you and the baby get enough calories. Congratulations!

If you're PBing every night, you could be too tight. Call your surgeon, tell him what's happening, and let him decide what's best.