Thats All Folks

Eeewww...I'm not even gonna lie, a warm Protein Drink sounds icky lol. Hang in there, remember this is just a tiny little bump in the road. You'll be past this phase and onto actual food again before you know it!

You beat me to it! I was about to post that link too! GMTA!

That is very wise because there are a lot of causes that are easily fixed, like a common Vitamin deficiency.

Your profile says you just had surgery today? If that's the case, you shouldn't be eating at all, just sipping whatever liquids your doctor approves. If you can only sip Water right now I wouldn't worry about it. Your biggest concern is to stay to hydrated right after surgery. So, keep sipping lots of water. Your appetite will come back soon then you can move onto whatever other liquids your doctor approves. Best wishes.

Your best bet is to ask your doctor for examples. As stated above, every doctor has their own idea what is best. Most doctors will even give a print out or folder of what to eat on what phase, including examples.

I take Nature's Bounty brand. I get it at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, or even Kroger. They're very small liquid gels so easy to take.

I know there's been a lot of talk about Biotin on these threads, specifically how it effects hair loss. I thought I'd share my own recent experience. When I had my Lap Band surgery 17 months ago, I lost a lot of hair after. It did eventually come back but it took a really long time. I had experienced the same thing with other previous surgeries, too. Then, I read on these forums about Biotin. So, about 6 months after being banded, I started taking 5000mcg of Biotin daily. I also use a Fruitese shampoo called "Fall Fight" with Biotin in it. In the last 3 months, I've had 2 surgeries and another procedure that required sedation. This also included 3 separate hospital stays and all the IV drugs that went with them. In the past, I'd have started losing my hair for sure by now. I believe because I had been taking Biotin and eating healthy for many months prior to all this- I have zero hair loss despite all the anesthesia and chemicals. I actually went to get my hair cut today and the beautician said aside from being a little dry (which is normal for me, I have naturally curly hair) my hair actually looked really healthy. I didn't even have split ends. I was shocked but thrilled. She said she was sure it was because of the Biotin I'd been taking before all the medical issues. So... I can't guarantee it'll help everyone, but my advice to those pre-surgery and worried about hair loss, start taking Biotin now. The longer you can take it before you assault your hair with all those medical chemicals the better your hair will be able to stand it without major hair loss. Just my experience- your mileage may vary.

I've been banded 17 months and I still measure my food. My family teases me, asking if I'll measure it forever, I just laugh and say "probably!" I never eat more than a cup of food per meal. So, I use measuring cups when I can. For things like meat I use a food scale. Zip Lock makes small storage containers with a 1 cup mark right on the side. I use these a lot because then I can just grab my pre-measured meal from the fridge and go.

I'm on my phone right now so I can't post a link, but Skinny Taste and Emily Bites are both great sites for recipes. I'll post links when I get home later.

I am so happy for you!! Thank you so much for sharing!!! (btw, I love the Steph portion lol)

I eat about between 1000-1200 calories a day. I'm also careful to get in at least 60g of protein a day, too. I try to get closer to 80g of protein lately though because not only am I still healing but I'm a lot more active in the summer, too.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and go against the tide- not all carbs are bad. I don't restrict carbs at all. In fact, I eat a lot of them daily. I'm just mindful to make the carbs I eat good carbs: If it's a white carb (aside from potatoes) or has the words "bleached" or "enriched" on the label I don't buy it. I try to stick to whole grain, whole wheat breads and pastas. I've lost 212 pounds in 17 months without restricting my daily carbs. If your diabetic, it's totally different. But otherwise carbs aren't the enemy you just have to be smart about what type of carbs you're eating.

I'm copy/pasting one of my own blog entries here because it best details my own experience with this topic. When your body doesn't have enough fuel (calories), it hangs onto every single thing we eat. Some call it "starvation mode' but that isn't what it actually is- it's a self induced metabolic syndrome of sorts. I was taught this by my nutritionist and below is my experience applying what she taught me to my own life. I wanted to share my recent experience with calories with everyone in hopes maybe the information can help someone else. My weight loss had seriously slowed down. To be honest, I spent about a month getting very frustrated because I'd slowed a lot (for me, anyway). I was eating around 900-1000 calories a day. I knew I couldn't lower my calories any further so I figured "ok, let's increase a little and see what happens". I raised my calories to about 1200 a day and sure enough, the weight started falling off again. July weight loss, on 900-1000 calories: 7.8 pounds/1.95 pounds per week August weight loss, on 1200 calories: 17.8 pounds/4.45 pounds per week Needless to say, that's a pretty big difference! So for anyone who's struggling to lose and eating under a 1000 calories a week, don't be afraid to play with your caloric intake. Raise it a little and see what happens after a week or two. It's worth a try, especially if it works!

First let me start by saying this isn't a brag (at all) it's sharing my own story to make a point. To put it bluntly, I'm coming out of what had to be the worst 3 months of my entire life. In early April, my gallbladder went suddenly and I had to have that removed. During this time, my Grandma (whom I was extremely close to) was in hospice. I was by her side when she died 3 weeks later. A week after she passed, I was in the hospital again having a tummy tuck/skin removal/hernia repair surgery. A couple weeks into that healing process, I had my first severe MS exacerbation in 3 years. During that time, my uncle also suddenly and unexpectedly died of a Pulmonary Embolism after surgery for Pancreatic Cancer. It was around the time of his funeral I was beginning to realize there was something very wrong with me, too. At the end of May, it was discovered I had severe blood clots in both legs. They extended from my knees all the way up into my groin. I was airlifted to an ICU 70 miles away where I spent the most painful, terrifying, and emotionally exhausting 8 days of my life. To put it bluntly, I almost died. Thanks to a new (but brutal) treatment for life threatening blood clots- not only did I live but I have no permanent damage to my legs. But..wow...the treatment and ICU stay were like torture. So...this has been the last 3 months of my life. During all this turmoil, heart break, pain, and fear- I still managed to lose weight. Even when going through 2 surgeries, 2 funerals, and a near death experience I was still mindful of what I ate and tracked my calories. Yes, once I could eat again in the ICU, I even tracked my calories there. (I amused the heck out of the nurses by doing so, too lol) Did I slip up and cheat during all this? Yup I sure did- but when I did I still counted the calories and never let it get out of control. My point to all this isn't to brag nor is it for pity. We all have stress and turmoil in our lives. We all have sadness and fear at some point, too. But you can NOT let life's obstacles be your excuse to eat poorly and gain weight. My point is if I can lose weight and be accountable for what I eat even during all this hell the last 3 months- there is absolutely no reason anyone else can't too. Just my thoughts.

Unfortunately no one can answer your question for you. Everyone is different and it all depends on you and your anatomy. Some people are in the Green Zone with no fills- they're obviously the lucky ones. I only have 5.2cc in my band and I'm very much in the Green Zone. The first time I hit the Green Zone I had only 4.9cc in my band and that was after 4 fills- but then as I lost weight my stomach shrunk so I needed a little more. Be patient, it will come.

You should fill out your profile so we can better help you. When was your surgery? How much have you lost so far? How long has it been since you lost any weight?

I keep Zofran tablets on me at all times as a precaution. They're fairly small and I've never had a problem taking them.

Unfortunately, doctors make the most money with Bypass and the Sleeve so we're seeing them pushed more and more often. Some facts- only 5% of Lap Band patients have complications by no fault of their own. The rest have complications due to their own behavior. What does this mean? It means if you follow the rules and live the way you're supposed to with the band, you have a 95% chance of never having a serious complication. Here's the study that back up that fact: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/ On a more personal note, there are many of us that started off with high BMI's and still got the Lap Band. 17 months ago when I got mine, my BMI was 72. Since then I have lost over 200 pounds and am still losing. I'm not alone either- there are many others out there like me who are living proof you can have a high BMI and still be successful with the band. Best wishes on whatever you decide.

This is so true! I see supposed adults on here that I swear have the maturity and common sense of a 13 year old. Likewise, I've seen a teen or two on here that were very mature and level headed about their decision to have WLS. I think it needs to be a case by case basis, dependent on their level of maturity, support at home, and how obese they are.

Not only did I sleep in my bed from the first night but I actually slept on my stomach, too. Not a single problem.

AWESOME response!!! I can't wait to see her reaction!!!

Hunger is the body's natural response to needing fuel. For most of us, we will always have some degree hunger just a lot less often. It takes most people multiple fills before they band starts to control their hunger. Be patient, it'll come.

It takes most people numerous fills before they have adequate Fluid in their band. It can be frustrating but it's a normal part of the process. Going back on the full liquid diet is a bad idea- you need the Vitamins and nutrients of real food and liquids will only make you hungrier. As far as being able to eat whatever you want and being able to over eat- please realize that won't necessarily change even when you do have adequate fluid in your band. The band's job is to allow you to be satisfied on much less food for much longer periods of time. It is there to control your hunger. The band isn't meant to physically stop you from eating anything. Here's a link I think will help: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes

I think it's a disease. Alcoholism is classified as a disease. The only difference between an alcoholic and an obese person is their drug of choice- alcohol vs. food. Plus, like with many diseases, they have found numerous genetic and environmental links predisposing people towards obesity. As many of us can attest, it definitely runs in families too. I also believe it's an incurable disease. The tendency to be obese is always there, we just need/have treatments to help keep it under control. I happen to have two incurable diseases- MS and obesity. I give myself shots three nights a week to control the MS and I have the Lap Band to control the obesity. What's the difference? Just different tools to manage different diseases. Just my opinion.

The fact you're having swelling in your feet and tingling in your hands makes me think there is something bigger than the band going on. I'm glad you went to a cardiologist. Granted I'm newly off a stint in the ICU from blood clots in my legs so it's on my mind, but I'd request an ultra sound/doppler of your legs just be sure that isn't the problem. A lot of your symptoms sound like the ones I had. Best wishes!