NMJG

Hi Clara, It would be a good idea for you to also post over in the the lap band forum and get their input. I'm sure they can give you lots of pros and cons from a first hand perspective. For me, I decided on the sleeve for these reasons. I am 6 1/2 months out and very happy with it. I am at normal BMI now and feeling great. The long term success rate is very good with the sleeve. Although people talk about it like it is new, it is an old procedure - used to be "part one" of a bypass, then the doctors figured out they didn't have to complete the bypass (part two) and could leave the stomach as a sleeve. Complication rates are relatively low with the sleeve. They are even lower if you use a "Center of Excellence," which I highly recommend. The sleeve does not have malabsorbancy issues. That is when you can't absorb your nutrients properly. You have much less likelihood of dumping syndrome, and chances are you may never experience it with a sleeve. With a sleeve you can eat pretty much anything (just much smaller amounts) once you are 6 months to a year out. You are not restricted as to the type of food. Did not want foreign objects inside me. No adjustments and fills of the band. Some doctors (including my surgeon) don't offer the lap band any longer, even though they did them for many years. My doctor believes the sleeve is a superior alternative to the band because of the difference in success rates and complications. Some thoughts: you can get the band and then if it doesn't work and you are still interested in WLS (and have the money) you can switch to the sleeve. You can also get the sleeve and later go to RnY if you wish. many people have success with the band, it is just personal choice of what you think you will be most successful with. I thought I would be more successful with the sleeve. Most important: do your research

Don't you hate those last few pounds? My understanding is that shaking it up can often yield results, sort of confusing your body and hitting a reset button. Some ideas to try: Try 5:2 for a few weeks and see if the scale budges Try eating a completely different meal plan, for example, if you eat mostly meats, try vegetarian or vegan for two weeks Try 2 weeks of very, very low carbs, like 20g a day max Talk to your trainer about incorporating some HIIT or interval training into your routine The other thing that could be going on is your training. I started strength training in January. I've lost very little poundage in the last two months but have gone from size 14 to 10. I've gained muscle that has offset my fat loss, so I'm not seeing it on the scale. Have you measured.yourself? Best of luck, let us know your progress.

Great post

I have a love hate with mfp too. I log everything. The added calories from exercise and "you aren't eating enough" bits annoy me no end. I think WebbRN78 has a good idea there. As far as filling up any leftover calories, maybe just don't worry about it? If you have your level set appropriately, does it really matter if you eat up to your daily limit? Just asking. Perhaps if you give yourself permission to eat to your limit it won't seem so important and maybe sometimes you won't....I don't know, just thinking aloud...

Long term, I expect to be able to keep excess weight off, something I was never able to do before. I expect this tool to give me the edge in keeping a healthy lifestyle, eating right, and maintaining my weight. I know I have to do my part, too, but in the past it was never good enough and I always failed and regained. I expect WLS to be the difference.

Look at you! What a cutie! Congrats on a great accomplishment. You should be very proud.

I feel for you, that is really sad. I wish I had some good ideas for you. When I'm stressed I try to do something nice for myself, but I'm not sure that's what you need right nowq given you have such a sad situation to deal with. When I fall off the wagon in situations like you describe it usually involved copious amounts of alcohol and sugar, then it is out of my system. Not recommending that - just sharing.

How far out are you and how long have you been overfilling it? That makes a difference. I have found that a couple of days of just Protein shakes tightens up my restriction if that helps.

That's awesome. It's the little things in life....

Fiddle, this is not quitting. This is adjusting your fitness plan to something that better suits your body. Just like ice skaters don't do slalom and curlers don't luge, some sports and fitness activities are better for different people. It is smart to adjust and try new things until you find your niche. No guilt!

Jane, thanks so much for sharing your pix with us. It is so helpful to get such insight. And you are looking mahvelous!

Lies are so hard to keep up with, for me anyway. When they ask why you are out, just say "it's personal." It's no one's business but your own. When they comment on your weight loss, just say thanks. If they ask how you did it, just say "eating less, exercising more." No need to make it a big discussion. Your privacy is important. More important than their curiousity. You don't owe them any explanations. Good Luck.

Dragonsmate, good for you! Now, when you hit the three week stall, don't get into a tizzy.....

I was UHC. They told me three weeks and "don't check back earlier." LOL. That was about how long it took. I got a phone call and a letter.

Jujube, he is your PCP, not your bariatric surgeon. This is one time I will say ignore your doctor LOL. He is not trained in bariatric procedures and has no business telling you things that he is not an expert in. You will do fine and you know what you need to to do succeed. It's too bad he is not supportive, it makes such a difference. My PCP and his nurse have been very supportive - and curious. My PCP did research on the sleeve so he could treat me properly. I really appreciated that. Now he orders a different range of tests when I see him so he can check my Vitamin levels, Iron, Calcium, etc. in addition to the regular stuff.

I still find it hard to eat small bites and eat slowly and I make myself uncomfortable after a few bites all the time. I think I will have this problem forever. (hits self over the head). It's really bad if I wait too long to eat.

I think low carb is interesting, as well. I have tried to go very low carb (from 60 g a day to 20-40 g a day), but since I eat a lot of vegetarian Protein and dairy, I just couldn't get that low. I don't eat bread or Pasta or rice, etc. but Beans, nuts and dairy have carbs (also lots of fiber). That's just me, though. Still, 60g a day of carbs is not bad. I think there is a lot of really interesting new research on relatively high fat diets, too, like half your calories from fats, while keeping carbs low. Again, been trying to go that route, but even though I don't watch my fats at all, I rarely eat more than 35 g of fat a day. Higher fats increase satiety and healthy fats are not bad for your heart or cholesterol, and can even improve it. At this point, I would say I am relatively Low Carb. Low Carb is a very sustainable way to eat, pretty easy to do, and one I plan to keep up with after my weight loss phase. I spent a lot of years addicted to carbs (bread especially) and I just don't want to go back to that.

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You will be OK. Protein shakes have enough nutrients to keep you going just fine. The human body can get along with a surprisingly small amount of food when it needs to. It does get monotonous, but you can do it. And you will lose a lot during this period. Cheer up

That's about all I lost the first month and only ten lbs a month after that. Don't despair, it will come off and you did great.

Kay, so glad to hear you are better. Thanks for giving us your news so we know how it turned out. Hugs to you.

I don't have a problem with it. Sugar is an issue, not unsweetened cocoa I think, which is pretty low in everything. I use Penzey's cocoa powder, it's awesome.

I felt like cr@p the whole first month. Be gentle on yourself, it gets better. You just had major surgery! Vitamins do make a difference. I take B12 injections once a month.

I have not, nor have I heard of it, but you may have special needs that most of us don't. Is your insurance requiring it?

It's normal, but you can easily avoid constipation. As others noted, Benefiber is great. Put it in your liquids. I also use hemp protein shakes. The hemp has great fiber in it. There are several brands of hemp protein powder and shakes. I get mine at Whole Foods..