Lillyanne_M

You sound exactly like me. I'm 1 1/2 years post op and can't get the last 35 pounds off no matter what I do. I'm tight as I can comfortably be and still, no joy. I went back to Weight Watchers a few weeks ago and I bought some Slim Shots today. I feel EXACTLY like I did before the band - frustrated, hopeless, angry. Granted, I am 70 pounds lighter than I was then, but I'm still too fat and still desperate. Glad to know I'm not alone. :tongue2:

If you pour the soda back and forth between 2 glasses until the fizz is gone, you get rid of the bubbles. I do this with a very occasional bottle of hard cider or Light Mike's Hard Lemonade. I wouldn't do that with Coke, though. Flat Coke is the worst! I'm a big fan of the minute maid sugar-free drinks in a can. They're not carbonated, but they're really good. Especially the raspberry flavored one.

My diet was first Clear Liquids - anything you can see through without sugar in it (so no fruit juice). Nutrition stores like GNC have a ready-to-drink clear liquid Protein drink called Isopure. Popcicles, Jello. Next was liquids, Protein shakes, milk, yogurt smoothies with no added sugar, blended soups. Make sure everything is pretty thin. Even some protein shakes are a little too thick. Just add more Water. Next was mushies - pureed meats are ok if mixed with some mayo (chicken salad), fat free refried Beans, thinned with a little water, puddings, yogurts, soups with beans for Proteins, but make sure you can mash the beans with a fork. vanilla egg custard from Bariatriceating.com is a great recipe. Check out BariatricEating.com Health & Nutrition - Bariatric recipes. Also, sugar free pumpkin pie, made in individual ramekins without the crust is really good. My favorite mushie lately is Hormel canned tamales. I know, they don't sound that good, but I really like them with a little light sour cream. And they're a great lunch when I'm feeling tight because they're soft and the meat in them is ground up really well. Hope this helps.

My doc said no soda, because the carbonation expands in the pouch. I gave it up completely. However, once in a while, I have a carbonated Mike's Hard Lemonade (light of course, only 90 cals per bottle). What I do is pour it from a bottle into a glass, then pour it out into another glass and keep doing that back and forth until it loses some of the bubbles. Then I put it back in the bottle and drink it - 'cause it makes me feel more normal that way - or something.

Hey! That happens to me too! My shoes fit fine and it only happens on the elliptical and only if I go for more than 1/2 hour. When I do an hour, my toes really hurt. If you find out why, let me know! :yikes:

You can do it! I remember the first time I sat down in one of our dining room chairs and realized the arms of the chair were not squeezing my hips. I almost cried. You'll get to where you want to be and everything you have to do now will be completely and totally worth it. I have faith in you!

Go Gators! Saw the hat :tounge_smile: I just wanted to say that 50 lbs is an incredible amount of weight to have lost (my 6 year old son weighs 50 pounds) and you're doing great. The downward trend is what's important, not the week to week stuff. Of course you know all of this, but I thought you'd like it confirmed. You should be immensely proud of yourself!

I remember that feeling. It might just be a reaction to the stress your body goes through following surgery. I wouldn't worry about it too much; as my doctor told me, "Not one of my patients ever died from malnutrition!" Funny guy. You do need to stay hydrated, though. So take little sips of water or Crystal Light (whatever you can get down that's sugar-free). If you're worried about getting some nutrition, there are clear liquid protein drinks you can buy at places like GNC. In the meantime, take advantage of this period to get some weight off. Your appetite will be back soon - and with a vengence! Call your doctor, too. Good luck!

I am a sugar addict, as many of us are. I mean "addict" the way a junkie is hooked on heroin. I felt withdrawal when I tried to quit. Being around sweets made me anxious. I used sugar to help my mood. I felt bad after I "used". I hid my addiction. All these things are what addicts do. I finally admited the problem and asked my doctor if he thought Wellbutrin might help. Some doctors prescribe it for cigarette addiction (and other types) under the name Zyban to curb cravings. It definitely worked for me. I don't feel the anxiety when I walk by the candy dish, for example, and I have been sugar-free with a few exceptions since I started on it. I'm losing weight again after a 3 month plateau too. Your post sounded exactly what I used to feel. I could almost hear the ice cream calling me from the freezer, and most of the time, I gave in to my craving. I don't mean to sound like a commercial for drugs, and I don't think it would work for everyone, but it might be something to consider.

Thanks! I did get 1/2 cc taken out and I'm just fine now. :grouphug:

I had port reattachment surgery this past Friday. It was local anesthetic and my doc put in another cc while he was at it, bringing me to a total of 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Since then, I can barely get anthing down. I threw up after a Protein shake today, have to take TINY sips even if I drink Crystal Light, I'm slimeing like crazy. I've never been too tight before. I'm going to call my doc tomorrow (today is Sunday), but I wonder if anyone else has had this happen?

Thanks!! You look so good! It must be an incredible feeling to finally make it. How long did you wait after you hit goal to get the surgery? I heard it's best to give your body a year to catch up and then have it. That way, maybe some of the skin will shrink a little. What do you think? My idea was to get to 150 lbs, maintain that for a year, then go see a surgeon. I can't wait - I can't wait -I can't wait!!!!!!!

Hi I need to get a couple of names of plastic surgeons in Broward County, FL. I't will be probably 6 months before I can consider surgery, but I've been dreaming about it! Can anyone recommend a doc? Thanks!

I have had that feeling...that the band is not working. I've been at the same weight - give or take 3 pounds - for over a month. The prooblem is not the band though, it's me. I do feel full after small meals. I stay physically full for several hours after I eat. BUT - I eat when I am not hungry - that's my real problem. If I only ate when I was physically hungry I would not have needed the band. So, it's back to counting calories for me. DailyPlate.com is great.

Mickey is right: you have no restriction now and getting a fill will probably help. My doc told me that not losing weight before your first fill is normal. Every body is different. Here's how it works for me (which will be different for you): my body holds on to Fluid like a camel in the Sahara. I can kill myself at the gym and eat next to nothing and plateau for a couple of weeks. All of a sudden, I'll start peeing like crazy one day and weigh 3 or 4 pounds less the next. Your fat cells are filled with fluid. Until they decide to release the fluid for whatever reason, you just have to wait it out. It will come off, but I have learned that my body does not work according to the 3500 calories= 1 pound program. It just doesn't and it probably never will. It's hard to accept, but it's a fact. Hang in there and keep doing what you know you should. GOOD LUCK!

Awww, I'm sorry. Please, please don't give up. The liquid phase is so hard, but it will be worth it. I'd give you a big hug if I could. You can do it!!

Hi I just saw a very worrying video with a doctor who says the band is losing popularity in Europe and the reason for it is very high long-term failure rates. Is there anyone on this forum who has had their band for 5-10 years? I'm worried and would like to know if you've had complications. Here's the video: [ame=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3935926914857694794]The Failed Lap Band: 10 Years Later[/ame]

What made it worse was that the woman had gastric bypass (or similar) to lose the weight. She probably couldn't even eat what Rachel was making. I think producers are the ones who book the guests for the shows, so maybe Rachel wasn't entirely at fault for that one. But, it might have been better if she'd done some homework and found a recipe that would be diet-friendly for a GB patient. Just my opinion.

Did anyone see her show last week or the week before where she had that lady on who lost like 150 lbs.? She was talking about how she lost all that weight but then her friends wouldn't talk to her and even her mom was mad at her. They talked about the emotional impact of losing weight, emotional eating issues, etc... Here's the idiot part: after the interview, Rachel Ray goes, "Now let's cook up some great food for these guys 'cause food makes everyone feel better!" OMG I think my jaw hit the floor. Good thing I wasn't on the show because Rachel Ray would've shoveled some food into my mouth. She is such a moron!

Just a word of encouragement to all those on their way to Onderland! I know it seems like it will never happen, but it WILL! You really can and you will do it. I never thought I'd see 199 again, but I crossed that line and if I can do it, I know anyone can. I really thought I'd be the only one this amazing surgery couldn't save, but it did and I'm so proud and grateful every day. Sometimes the weight loss stalls out and I get so frustrated I could cry. But keep at it, do the best you can and the stall will break. It really will. I'm so proud of you all. :biggrin2:

I've had 4 fills all without flouro. My doctor did a 4cc fill the first time and has gone up .5cc each time after that. I think that's his standard operating procedure. I go in once a month and tell him what I can eat, if I'm satisfied and whether or not I'm hungry between meals, etc. I told him I wanted a fill last time and he was fine with that. I can no longer eat in the morning because I'm too tight until an hour or two after I get up, so I just have my coffee and go to the gym. I usually eat when I get back. Doc says that's normal and that most people have their protein shake in the am because they can't get food down. I hate protein shakes, and I'm just not hungry in the morning, so I just skip it. I can still eat pretty much anything I want except I have to be really careful with bread (don't eat much of it) and I can't eat boiled eggs at all. I do stay full between meals but I find myself snacking when I'm not hungry sometimes. When you have 2 little kids, it seems like someone is ALWAYS snacking. It's hard and I haven't been losing weight lately. I have bumped up my exercise program a lot, though so maybe that will help.

My Dr. had me on the same plan. It wasn't fun, but I'm glad I did it. Solids too soon after surgery can cause damage to your pouch and to the band. The flap of stomach they sutured over the band needs to heal in place and having to deal with chunks of food can cause slippage and can interfere with the healing process. Anyway, that's what I was told. Hang in there! It will be over before you know it! It's frustrating as all get out, but it really will be better for you in the long run. GOOD LUCK!

Dr. Bass in Hollywood is great! Had my surgery Jan. 9th and have had no complaints or problems with him or his office staff. I haven't seen Dr. Cohen

I don't think there's anyone on here that doesn't love to eat! :smile: The great thing about the band is that you probably won't feel like eating for a while after the surgery. If your doctor is like mine, you'll be on liquids and then pureed foods for a while and, at least for me, it helped me adjust my appetite and eating habits. I still have to watch what I eat, but it's easier than before. Knowing you can't eat some things without making yourself sick helps a lot too. I absolutely HATE being nauseated and throwing up so that's a great motivator. The size of your pouch will help you eat a lot less. Don't worry so much, it's going to be the best thing you ever did for yourself!

Hi I have fibromyalgia too, although mine is a mild case compared with many people. I can tell you that losing over 40 pounds has made a difference in my joint pain for sure. The biggest impact on my pain I believe has been cutting out the sugar. I had surgery Jan 9th and stayed off the sugar for about 3 months and had almost no symptoms of Fibro! I slipped and got back on some sugary foods and it came back. I got off the sugar again and the pain, fatigue and crabbiness is almost all gone again. Simple. No one knows for sure what causes Fibro but at least for me, I now know for sure what aggravates mine. I can also tell you that when I don't get enough exercise, I start getting depressed. When I get back in the gym, I feel much better. Good luck and stay positive. This will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself!