Thats All Folks

I've heard from more than a couple people that after having their band unfilled, it's different when getting it refilled. I had to have mine emptied in August for emergency hernia surgery, and oddly, when I had the same amount put back in it was too tight. I wouldn't worry about the numbers and concentrate strictly on how it feels. If you feel you need a little more to get back where you were before the unfill, then go from there. Best wishes.

Health issues, PMS, weather, altitude, and even stress can all effect the band. Not for everyone, mind you, but it's possible. I'd talk to your surgeon and see what he recommends.

Honestly, there's no right or wrong answer to this one. Some never weigh themselves, some do daily, it's really a matter of you need psychologically and what works for you. As for myself, I actually weigh myself twice a day, morning and night. I need it to keep me on track, plus I went 15 years without stepping on a scale and all it got me was up to over 400 pounds. I simply need the accountability.

I am so very sorry you're struggling. It sounds to be like quite possibly you weren't given the information you need before your surgery. It seems more often lately, I'm seeing doctors send patients in for the band without properly educating them. Really, it angers me, because then there's people with the band feeling bad and frustrated because no one bothered to explain it to them. I think possibly the problem may be you're expecting the band to do things it's not supposed to do. As far as soda- it's not supposed to stop you from drinking it. It's your job to not drink it and the reason is because the carbonation can lead to slips. So, no more carbonation, regardless of whether you can physically drink it or not. The band isn't supposed physically stop you from eating. It's not supposed to give you that full feeling either. In fact, if you're eating until you're full, you're likely over-eating. The band is supposed to keep satisfied on less food for longer periods of time. By doing so, and appeasing your hunger, you're not pre-occupied with food because you're not starving despite eating small amounts. Please have a look at this link. It explains it all very well and I think it will really help you a lot: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html You're not a failure so please don't beat yourself up. You're only failure if you give up on yourself, and you obviously haven't or you wouldn't be here asking for advice. You just needed someone to give you some good, useful information on how to use the band inside you. You can do this. Best wishes to you.

It's WAY better than nothing, that's great!! Don't downplay your hard work! That's a lot of exercise and you should be very proud!

Oh that is just horrible. People aren't just mean, they're downright ignorant and cruel. What makes me mad is the fact that newspaper intentionally made a mockery of the woman. If a 200 pound man had fallen through the concrete in front of a barber shop, no mention of the man's weight or the fact he was in front of a barber shop would've been made. It would've said "man falls through sidewalk at corner of 6th and main". But because it's an obese woman, they says "350 pound woman falls through sidewalk in front of Atomic Wngs". It breaks my heart.

You're doing everything right. I know it sucks but the plateau WILL pass. You're burning a lot more calories than you consume so eventually your body will have no choice but to start dumping off the pounds again. There's a bunch of little tricks people do to try to get over stalls. Some will try to shock their metabolism with going from super low calorie to higher than usual. If they usually do low carb, they start eating carbs for a week. Personally, when I hit a stall, I carb cycle to get out of it. But regardless of whatever little tricks people try to pull on their metabolism, the bottom line is the stall will pass regardless. Hang in there, you're doing great

Holy cow, you've lost 148 pounds in 6 months? That's insanely amazing! Congratulations! I'm so sorry about your poor foot! Since you're normally active, I would just really carefully count calories and make sure to stay in a reasonable range. I would even consider contacting your nutritionist and asking them what a good calorie range is for you while you're unable to exercise. Best wishes and I hope you feel better soon.

It's frustrating, I know. I've hit numerous stalls over the last year and every time I want to scream and throw my scale into the lake out of pure frustration. Do you track your calories? If so, about how much are you eating a day?

Oh gosh yes, I was TOTALLY freaking out! I've had other surgeries and been put under general anesthetic before too but I still kinda losing it. I was scared to death and kept letting my imagination get away with me with everything that could go wrong. I think for me (in retrospect) it's the fact I was doing this to myself. It was my choice and not a necessity. My other surgeries were all not optional, they were emergency in nature and had to be done. But the Lap Band was 100% my choice, so I kept thinking "oh my gosh what if I kill myself doing this?" I was a wreck! That was a little over a year ago. I'm happy to report I didn't let my irrational fears get the best of me and I've never been happier because of it. Getting banded was by far the best decision I've ever made for myself. Just remember, fear is normal, but also remember you are stronger than fear and you can totally do this. Best wishes.

Mine also says at least 60g of Protein a day. I would ask your doctor specifically how much you should be eating, just to be safe. Or even better yet, meet with a nutritionist and see what they recommend for you. Best wishes.

These are two of my favorite websites, you can find some really awesome recipes on them: http://www.emilybites.com/search/label/Main%20Dishes http://www.skinnytaste.com/

The ladies above my post give great advice. Really, don't worry, you haven't done a thing wrong. Between swelling and tummy mass it's not uncommon at all to not be able to feel your port. I know I couldn't feel mine until I was about 4 months post op- and even then I had to really push around to do it. Best wishes

Yes!! When I first got into the Green Zone, I swear I would hiccup constantly. I finally realized I had to slow down a lot more when I ate. Before I was banded, I was definitely a rushed eater. I'd just plow through my meals without any thought. I guess old habits die hard because even though I thought I'd slowed down, apparently I hadn't slowed enough. I still get weird hiccups when I'm done eating sometimes. It's one of my "soft stops". It's not even like normal hiccups, in fact my kids and I jokingly call them "hiccurps" because it's like a combination between a hiccup and a burp. I'll have a half dozen hiccurps and I know when that happens I'm done eating. Odd huh?

Unfortunately that really depends on your doctor's post op diet. You'll find they all differ pretty greatly from surgeon to surgeon. As for myself, I had a really strict post op diet: 1st month- I was on liquids. Yup, all liquids for entire month. 2-3 months- by the end of month 2, I was finally back on regular food again 3-6 months- I eat whatever I like, I just eat less of it and try to make healthy food choices Good luck!

That had to feel SO good!! I'm so happy for you!!

I find it amusing as hell the two people (I'd say ladies, but they don't fit that category) bashing me for taking "tiny bites" and using "tiny cutlery", and acting like petty juveniles, are also two who are infamous for howling on here how they're not losing weight due to their own bad habits. Jealousy is a horrible disease. Do get well soon.

Could it be from them rubbing? Mine do that but get more raw feeling than tingly.

Why thank you!! My "tiny cutlery" has helped me to lose over 175 pounds!

First, I applaud you for doing the research and asking yourself "am I ready?". Too many rush into this totally unprepared and uneducated. You'll know you're ready when it feels right. I know that's a horribly vague answer and likely not helpful at all, but it's the best response I can give you. It just "feels" right. For me, I had this moment of clarity when I simply knew this was right the right choice for me. I was still scared and I still had doubts, but deep down I knew it was the right decision. Best wishes to you.

Is the tingling on the outside of your legs, especially the outside of your thighs? If so, that can actually be from a nerve being irritated by movement. It's very common in overweight people (including myself).

Oh you have an issue with me? I'd pretend to care but I'm a horrible liar. Best wishes

I think the hardest bandster rule is no carbonation. Everytime I see my boyfriend enjoying a Vernors I fight the urge to tackle him and guzzle it *laughs*. But, the hardest rule for me overall isn't a bandster rule set by my doctor but rather my own I set for myself. I simply cannot lose well if I eat after dinner. So, I keep my food cut off at 6:30-7:00pm. It is SO hard not to eat at all night for me. I end up taking long baths just to get my mind off my intense desire to snack. It's definitely my hardest rule to follow.

Wow...another thread gone wrong as a result of people interpreting the exact same words two entirely different ways. No one said anything against slow losers anywhere on this thread. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a slow loser. We all lose at our rates and in our own ways. The thread is about people who simply are not losing (at all) or even gaining. I might also add, everything said is 100% correct. Like it or not, it is as simple as basic math. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. It may be slow, and it may not come off easily, but it will come off. Likewise if someone isn't losing at all then unless there's a medical issue at play they need to change something they're doing (or not doing). I've been around these boards for a year now and there are very few catty, critical people here. Are there any? Yes, but thankfully they are the minority. The majority of the time people are labeled catty or critical simply for speaking the truth. I have a newsflash for you- just because you don't like the truth doesn't make it any less true nor does it make the person speaking it critical. It makes them honest. Many of us here (like myself) don't do the whole coddle thing. If you post something expect an honest response. If you don't like it, then get a blog where people can't respond in ways that ruffle your feathers. This thread's original post spoke the truth, nothing more and nothing less.

According to your profile, you're very newly banded. Call your doctor because nausea can lead to vomiting and vomiting is dangerous with the band. Plus, you don't need to be straining with constipation so soon after surgery. Call your surgeon ASAP.