jen_1381

Are you logging your food intake? Exercising? Have you talked with your nutritionist or surgeon? Plateaus happen. I sit atop one right now, and it's very frustrating. I would highly recommend keeping a food diary for a few days then getting in touch with your nutritionist. Get their input and suggestions. There are things you can do - - increase activity, change foods...but sometimes you just plateau. Good luck to you I wish you tons of success, and congrats on the weight you have loss.

No judgement here! Don't feel silly asking a question, that's what we're all here for! You're probably feeling tight from being fresh post-op. There is typically swelling around the band. My team highly recommended NOT using a straw. The theory is you swallow less air drinking from a straw. You're going to swallow air no matter what...it's what fills up the rest of your mouth that's not water. I actually do drink through a straw, but only water. I ran it past my doctor and he said as long as I wasn't feeling like I was taking in an excessive amount of air it should be find. For some reason, drinking out of a cup makes me drink MUCH slower and I take in a lot less water. Using my plastic bottle with a straw makes it easier to take in my 100 ml goal. I know it's all a mental thing, but hey, I've made so many changes, my water bottle is the last thing I want to change right now. If you're concerned about damaging your band or stomach, it never hurts to ask your surgeon, but from my experience/knowledge drinking water and swallowing a little air shouldn't cause any damage. Again - my disclaimer - this comes only from my knowledge and experience so far, and each physician is different in their care, so if you're concerned ask your WLS team.

I actually just emailed my nutriontist a few days ago because I'm stuck on a horrible plateau. I hit the 50 lb loss mark and have been stuck for about a week and a half. I was like you, losing very steadily, then BAM. Stopped. I emailed her my eating plan and exercise plan, and she said I'm doing absolutely everything right, and do NOT cut calories for where I'm at to try to kickstart the weight loss. My BMR is 1680 calories, and she recommended I stay between 1000-1100 calories. I had been taking in around 800 and burning about half of that running every day. I'm going to try to ease off the running for a few days and increase my (healthy) calorie intake. See if that helps. I've started getting those thoughts of - - maybe this is where by body is meant to be at, maybe I won't ever hit my goal, maybe I'm done losing, etc. Luckily my husband keeps reminding me that plateaus happen and just to ride it out. Maybe run your plan past your doctor or nutritionist and get their input. Other than that, as frustrating as it is (on a daily basis!), just ride it out.

Not that this fits into your plans, but I had a hysterectomy and it's the best EVER! Almost two years with no periods, no cramps, no ovarian cysts, no risk of pregnancy and no pain. It's amazing! I highly recommend it

I'm about 11 weeks out and 4.5 cc in my band. I haven't ever gotten stuck. Indigestion from eating a big bite once but never a PB or worse, throwing up. I'm actually still struggling with eating slow so I'm pleasantly surprised it hasn't happened yet. I'm working on slowing down though. It's tough!

Sliders are dangerous . Things like ice cream, pudding, etc. Things we *can* eat but shouldn't.

Logging every bite, snack, nibble...completely helps. I had no concept of calorie content until I started logging. I went through a brief stage of shock, then I was mortified that I had put SO much in my body all these years. I can't count carbs to save my life, but calories is easy. Logging will be a great start.

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice for you, but I would like to offer support. Since surgery, I can completely see how someone becomes anorexic. I catch myself obsessing about food choices and have to remind myself over and over to relax, take it one meal at a time. As far as having Fluid removed, I think I would go under the advisement of my surgeon. I'm glad you're meeting with a therapist and it sounds like you have a good team and are headed in the right direction. I wish you nothing but success and happiness, and thank you for sharing your story.

The main thing I've learned is that you are responsible for your own choices. The only one you hurt when you make a bad food choice is yourself. I'm not trying to sound harsh, but it's a reality I had to face. Maybe touching base with your nutritionist will help you stay inspired to eat healthy? I had to basically put my diet on "lock down" and only stick to three food categories, and that's IT. It is too easy for me to talk myself into a bad snack and out of exercise. And by the way, 28 lbs is good! Don't be too harsh on yourself. Are you exercising? Have you tried logging everything you eat? Myfitnesspal is a HUGE help to me.

My surgeon even had a spot on his consent form, that I had to sign, stating that he's advised to not get pregnant within one year of having surgery. Well, I've had a hysterectomy, so barring a medical miracle, it wouldn't be an issue. One thing this discussion board has taught me is that every surgeon is different. Even partners within the same office can have completely different view and guidelines for surgery.

Some insurances require it (I believe Medicare requires an 23 hour observation stay). Luckily mine didn't, I was at the hospital around 11, surgery at 1, home by 5...and I was in surgery until 2:30.

I agree with Cazzy. He doesn't have to have all of the really-bad-but-oh-so-good foods to gain the weight - - lean, healthy food with high protein may be just as effective. I have been doing "seperate" grocery shopping for months and it doesn't even bother me. I have it set in my mind that certain things are my husbands and others are mine. My husband is pretty fit, and has actually lost 7 lbs since I've been banded sharing my healthy meals. He has a really intense job though, and doesn't get a lunch break, so he has to "graze" all day. I just buy snacks that are on the healthier side but still ones I wouldn't eat (the "healthy" crackers, regular yogurt, etc). I hope your husband has a quick recovery and you're able to continue your success.

Not adhesions from the band, but I eventually had a hysterectomy two years ago because I had such bad adhesions. I'd had five laparotomy/laparoscopy procedures over six years for fertility issues and pain, and had serious adhesions, along with scar tissue. Hysterectomy is one of the best things I've done besides lap band.

Name, real or screen~ Jen Goal weight for August 31st~ 185.0 Weight on August 1st~ 193.8 Age~ 28 - until August 30 then the big TWO NINE!! Dietary goal for August~ Sharpen up my plan - stick to just protein, fruit, and veggies. No exceptions!! Exercise goal for August~ Let myself take a day off once a week. Personal goal for August~ Just enjoy it! Let myself relax on vacation. Date banded~ 5/18/12 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ just a smidge under 50. Some days right at 50 (dang this plateau!) What is your favorite place to travel?~ Vegas!

Honestly, I didn't have time to do anything post-op still in the hospital. I had it done as an outpatient. I came in two hours before surgery and was kept busy with the nurse and anesthesiologist. After surgery, I was so sleepy, I could barely focus on drinking what the nurse gave me. I went home about 4 hours after surgery and slept on the couch. I didn't need anything at all besides the comfy clothes I wore (recommend a sports bra and comfy clothes - I couldn't have focused enough to snap my bra hooks!!) and sandals.

I think the heat in the South would completely drain me...if not kill me! I'm not a hot-weather girl at ALL. I couldn't imagine exercising when it's hot and humid.

When I least feel like working out is when I need it the most. It gives you this weird energy afterwards. Try a workout or a nice brisk walk around the block. Also - have you had your Vitamin D and thyroid levels checked? Just a thought, if you feel excessivly tired, there may be an underlying culprit.

Is this our regular monthly challenge? Maybe submit the format of questions so we can all fill in our answers. I forgot them all!!

Oooh fun topic! I just hit the 50 lb loss mark the other day. I'm having a hard time seeing any changes but my husband sees them. He pointed out yesterday that my leg muscles are really showing (I've been running every day). Also, my hips are pokey He pointed out my now-hourglass figure and it was actually really cool to see! I catch myself glancing in the mirror when I'm running on the treadmill. I used to have a...boxy?..figure. It's pretty nice to see actual defined hips and curves instead of one big curve Health-wise, I notice that stairs are no longer a problem. I haven't had heartburn once since surgery (I did have a hiatial hernia repair though which probably helped). My blood pressure has been fantastic the past few times I've seen the doctor. And my pants that didn't fit in March, then finally fit in June, now need to be taken in about 3 inches! (I used my FitBit clipped to them to hold them up!!). I dropped the "x" before my shirt size.

Good job!! I find that I park furthest away from where I need to be. Any added steps really help!!

Great post! I read a funny little thing yesterday about the "new" exercise in weight loss. Turn your head to the left. Then turn your head to the right. Every time someone offers you food, perform 5 reps of this exercise. You're completely right though, discipline does make it easier to resist temptation in time. I can now easily walk by a plate of french fries without feeling like I'm REALLY missing out by not indulging. Food for thought I like it!

I love how on the website where I update my ticker it has ads for different diet pills and plans. "Lose weight without surgery!" "Miracle diet pill!"....uh, been there done that, no such luck!

I have hypothyroid, have been on levothyroxine for about a year. After I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago, everything went out of sorts. The replacement keeps me in the normal range. I've lost 50 lbs so far and am almost 11 weeks out from surgery. It can be done!! I asked my surgeon if losing weight would have any effect on my thyroid level (in hopes to one day have it function normally on its own and I can quit the pill) and he said that the research so far has been inconclusive. Wait and see? I tell you though, getting my thyroid level regulated and my Vitamin D level up to par, I feel 100x better.

My surgeon doesn't do lidocaine. If you think you'll need it, ask for it, but to me it's just one more poke.

I was so nervous before my first fill, I almost asked him not to do it. It's actually super easy and it doesn't hurt hardly at all. Each surgeon is different I'm sure, but mine just had me lay on the table, he felt around for my port (had me do a crunch to help it stick out), swabbed the area with alcohol to clean it, drew up the saline to inject, then poked it in. It hurts way less than a tetanus shot (if you've ever had one of those). When my surgeon pushes the saline in, he puts in a small amount then draws it back out to confirm he's in the port. Once Fluid comes back out (indicating he's in), he injects the rest. I then have to stay in the office for 5 minutes and sip Water to make sure it all goes down okay. I do 24 hours of liquids then 24 hours of mushy food, then back to normal. Each surgeon is different, but that's the general idea.