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I had my band on 9/4.. and have only lost 6 lbs since then. It is very discouraging watching so many report weight just falling off of them while I am plugging along trying to eat enough protein and the scale isn't moving. AT ALL. I start mushies today, so I hope the calorie increase will kickstart my metabolism and get things melting off me soon! :: sigh::

I am currently 23 years old and have been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember and my PCOS since I was 13 (although I wasn't diagnosed until 17, looking back I see the signs). I weight approximately 200 lbs. and I am 5'1. I have tried metformin, calorie counting, low carb, no carb, paleo, salad diets, fad diets, Victoza, the gym for 2 hours daily, you name it. Even with all of the things I have tried I can not go below 185. I also suffer from acid reflux and erosive gastritis. I am very nervous, but I think I am making the right choice. Anyone else have similar experiences or advice? THANK YOU!

Great job! One suggestion that I’d say is that during your treadmill time, start doing intervals. It doesn’t have to be drastic, but you’ll burn calories longer (after workout) by doing them. You are trying to get your heart to about 70-85% of max during the interval. Not sure if your age, but for 35 y/o that’s about 130-157. When I first started my base speed and incline was 3.0mph and an incline of 3. I’d stay there for about 3 minutes and then push my speed to 3.5 and incline to 6 for 30 seconds. As I got stronger, I’d increase the time I spent at the higher speed/incline until I was at a minute.

Cassieh that is great you lost over 90lbs in 4 months. I haven't been sleeved yet bt I'm looking to be successful in my Weightloss. Can you tell me what you did in order to lose the weight like what type of exercise you do Nd how many calories you are eating a day and so forth....

I don't know if there is a "better" overall, but there may be a better for you at this time. If you aren't satisfied with your loss rate, or if you are stalling a lot, then try a change and see if that shocks your system into action. Initially, I needed six small meals a day but as I have progressed and could eat more different things, and more of them in a sitting in some cases, I have dropped one or two of those smaller meals to keep my daily calorie count in line. Smaller meals have classically been used to smooth out the insulin spikes during the day and to keep from getting too hungry and over-eating. Changes in intake or exertion are often used to break stalls; some find that upping their calories for a short term breaks a stall, fooling the body into thinking that it's no longer starving; trying the very low carb diet for a while, if you haven't already been doing so may do it - the shift into ketosis mode may tell your body that you're serious about this. Or try the other way around if you have been doing low carb and try adding carbs (preferrably complex carbs rather than twinkies!) - I have found that adding complex carbs in my meal (like some whole grain toast along with some meat and cheese) before a workout allows me to workout longer and with greater intensity than when I have a lower carb salad and meat. Another thing to look at is your workouts and exertion level. Simply changing a routine can often help, or varying the intensity of exertion. I found at around this three month time that my condition had improved enough that my exertion levels weren't taxing me as much as they used to - walking as fast as I could without breaking into a jog previously would get me into that 80% max heartrate zone (around 130+ at my age) that's often recommended for optimum cardiac and calorie burning effect but by the third to fourth month that same pace could barely get me to break 100 - it didn't feel all that much easier, but my body could sure tell the difference. Lots of things to try, good luck in ramping it up!

I am having some of the same issues as the other posters. The first 80 pounds flew off with hardly any help from me. I was losing extremely fast. Then since November 07, I have only lost 27 pounds. I also see the same thing on my scale as far as being low one day and then next time looking like I gain 10 pounds....the next few days are back down to the low number again. I cycle 130 miles a week, averaging 16-19 mph, so I am buring mega calories.... I have less than 30 pounds to go to reach my personal goal(less than 50 to reach doctors), and it just is hard. But, as long as I don't gain the weight back I guess I will take it. Good luck to you!!!

if you haven't--start using My Fitness Pal and track Protein, carbs and sugar. That has helped me stay on track. I'm at almost 1 1/2 years out. I can tell when I haven't been as diligent as I should so I log back into my fitness pal and get back on track. I don't track calories, only protein, carbs and sugars. I think exercising helps me stay focused as well. You can do it!

I was banded just over a year ago and have had pretty good success. I have lost 117-120 lbs; depending on the day. I'm oddly at exactly the weight that statistically my lapband surgeon said I'd get to. However, I remember the pre-op visit where he told me that and I said, "No way, I'm going to all this trouble I'm going to be a normal weight for once in my life!" Easier said than done. I have made changes in my life. I am so much more active and I exercise at least an hour a day. I wear my bodybugg watch religiously, and track calories trying to get that caloric deficit in every day. STill, I tend to self sabotage and undone every food days the good that I have done. It just seems that when I get powerful cravings and a desire to overeat its too much to overcome. Eating how and what I do is an addiction I am constantly fighting. I'll always be fighting those demons to some degree, but frankly I'd rather do it at my goal weight than this weight. Sooo..... I see ads for diet pills, weight watchers, weight programs etc....all things I have tried and failed at in the past. Sometimes I just want to try them again anyway, this time with the help of the band- I sometimes feel I'd do almost anything to get to my goal weight and then when I'm bouncing between a 3 lb weight range it wouldn't be a problem. Is this irrational????

I agree, the first post-op week of clear liquids was torture. I had no trouble during the pre-op liquid stage. Even the 3 days of clear liquids weren't bad, cuz I could gulp that nasty Isopuke and get it down. Pre-op I did the first 11 days "full" liquids, then 3 days clear. I was never hungry, usually thirsty, and had no problem with getting in enough liquids and protein. Post-op, having to sip that yucky stuff was like punishment. Now that we're back on full liquids and we can have shakes and soups it's much easier. My challenge is getting in all the protein and keeping the carbs and calories low.

For me, changing my calories either up or down for a day or two will work. When i was eating around 700 calories, I went up to 1000 for a day and it helped. Now that I'm eating around 1000 most days, if I think I'm getting stuck, I might drop down to 600-700 for a day or two and that does the trick.

I'm in a stall too for a week now. I'm getting about 80 grams protein, 64 oz water, and about 800 calories. I'm 11 weeks out. Is this common at 11 weeks post surgery? How can I break it?

Hey, Can you guys share about how many calories you're getting in about 2 weeks post-op? Or if you're past this stage can you remember about how many you were getting at that stage? I'm now averaging probably 500-800 daily-- is this too much? My post-op instructions do not mention calories at all. They do say that if you do not feel like eating, don't eat, just concentrate on liquids and Protein and Vitamins.

Dana-if you are losing, do what you are doing. I had started a stall so asked a similar question and so many people responded with lower calories than I was. I was similar to you with calorie count and I was getting in all my protein and water. I panicked and cut back because I thought I was too high and I think it prolonged the stall. I went back to my prior calorie count and poof, started dropping again. Everyone is well intentioned, but our bodies, requirements, and tolerances are different. Focus on protein and water goals your dr gave you.

Have you tried switching your diet to a carb-based diet with add'l fats added in? Considering your situation, maybe it's time to switch off of lean protein and go for more calorie-dense food. Also, there are nutritional drinks on the market designed to help people but on weight, and are very calorie dense and easy to tolerate if you have a problem holding onto solid food. I had a friend with a similar problem and it turned out that her thyroid was out of whack and she had to start taking medicine for overactive thyroid. I'm sure if you've been to other doctors, they have run blood tests but if not, that should be a priority. What you're going through sounds awful! Wishing you well and hoping you solve this problem very soon!

Wow! Thanks y'all! I really appreciate the outpouring of advice here! I got booted off of a male bariatric board for this about a year ago and was hesitant to try again. Winston, I love the advice and your story above. Nut butter were mentioned and I’m down to try those too. Softer foods are definitely better and I do love pasta. I’ve recently started overcooking it to aid the digestion process. Rice is tricky for me. I’ll begin adding in more high calorie filler between meals and work to snack/graze every ½ hour or so. I did undergo Testosterone pelleting and I’m not sure it made any difference outside of “that area” becoming more lifelike (sorry ladies). I have hashimoto’s and I question whether the desiccated thyroid meds are contributing to chronic weight loss. Someone asked where in TX, (sorry I’m not good at stringing replies). I’m in the suburbs between Dallas and Fort Worth. FutureFine Mama mentioned slider foods. Not sure what that is but heading to google to check it out. I was trying to keep it short and not sound like a little baby, so thank you all. I never added that I went from 254 to 120 in less than 8 months and the ride has been terrible since. I really, truly appreciate the replies!!

How many calories were you getting at 6 weeks post op. I'm finding it hard to get my protein in can you all tell me what your daily diet was at 6 weeks. Also how much did you eat at a time? Thanks

DON'T PANIC! You are frustrated and beating yourself up over ONE DAY!! This journey doesn't happen in a day, or even a week. Look how far you've come. You're not the same person you were pre-surgery. Don't put yourself back in that box. I have decided to take a one or two meal "break" once a week, no more, and not worry about what I eat during that time. Very few people can eat perfectly 100% of the time. I'm not going to eat to the point of discomfort - this sleeve keeps me on course, but I can plan special treats. Two weeks ago Sunday I ate French fries - just a few, with this amazing Belgian sauce. This past Monday I had a Krispy Kreme. And part of a cheeseburger, later for dinner. Yesterday and today I ate beautifully both days, and hit the gym yesterday. It believe this can be okay. Serious bodybuilders actually plan to eat extra calories some days in order to keep their fat-burning and muscle-building in high gear, and not slow down their metabolism. They may be on to something. I don't

Are you weighing yourself everyday? If so, stop, at least for now because you will make yourself crazy. I weigh myself once a week so I don't see as much fluctuation day to day. Also I found that eating several small meals per day helped me meet my goals much better nutrition wise. Honestly, I did not start losing weight well until I upped my calories and protein intake personally. I still can't eat very large meals but I can eat several small meals to help me meet my goals.

At 9 days out, I had to travel a little over 400 miles by car to attend nursing training. It was 10 hour training days, and I was on my feet for 6-8 hours per day for 3 days straight. I had paid the 4,000 non-refundable fee for the training long before I finished insurance requirements. Because of the surgeon's office screwing me around with a date, I had no choice. I won't lie, I felt lousy, but I drank a lot of carbs and full calorie Gatorade, and I was able to get through it. When I got back to the hotel every evening, I was knocked out until it was time to get up the next day. If it's new job orientation, and all you'll do is sit and listen, I think you'll be fine. Just make sure you're sipping the entire time, and go home and take naps everyday. Also, know in advance, the nearest hospital with a bariatric program, just in case you have complications. Good Luck!

I use Wellesse Calcium & Vitamin D3 from Walmart. Its a liquid. Sort of has a orange creamsicle flavor. Its not bad. It says you can add it to a Water or fruit juice, but I just take it straight. I originally was taking a gummy calcium supplement which were great, but then I noticed they were like 30 calories each. I would rather spend my calories on Protein.

I have Arizona MercyCare (Mercy Care) AHCCCS Medicaid insurance. I have had Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC) for three and a half years and I finally decided to look into weight loss surgery about 3 years after I was initially told to do it by my neurosurgeon to help the PTC. I started my 6 month physician monitored weight loss in March 2014. My weight fluctuated due to steroids and medications I was on for the PTC. Overall I lost 21 lbs, but one month I was up a few lbs. Because of that month, my surgeon's office said that was why I was denied the surgery. However, after speaking with the insurance appeals guy, he sent me what was sent to my surgeon's office: "Failed physician-supervised exercise and nutrition program (with regular visits every 2-4 weeks). These must be documented in your doctor's progress notes. Exercise and nutrition programs must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration. Details of low calorie diet and physical activity with accompany change in weight need to be documented in the medical record at each visit. Records must document compliance with the program and you must not gain weight during the program. The submitted notes do not show these" So there are several reasons that I did not get approved. It looks like the surgeon's office needed to put more effort into their notes from my visits. Has anyone had to deal with this? It also looks like they are saying that I did not go every 2-4 weeks. I think the surgeon's office schedule my visits for the same date each month, which could be more than 4 weeks apart. (Usually there is a few more days from Nov. 1 to Dec 1 than 4 weeks). So what do I do? I've appealed and I am awaiting my appeal. My surgeons office has been horrible from the start. I had to start keeping documentation and now have the hospital's patient care person come with me to all meetings with the surgeon's office because of the lies and things that did not get done to begin with. They say they have changed a lot about the way they do their business after I made a complaint to the hospital and they lodged an official investigation. However, I still feel like this is going nowhere and I'm not sure what to do. I am in constant pain. I lost my job due to the PTC and haven't been able to hold a job since -- PTC requires a lot of sick days and doctor visits so it is hard to keep up with that and a job. Does anyone have an appeal letter they would be willing to share with me? I am willing to share the letter I wrote as well if someone needs it. I don't know if it will work for an appeal though since I have not heard back regarding mine.

Thanks so much for the ideas. Yes, I haven't been able to eat the calories (about 800) or the protein I'm supposed to get, and I'm working out 3x weekly so I likely need even more protein/calories than the norm. I can't even drink a whole bottle of water, and I LOVE water. I'm going to call my doctor today now that I have some free time on my lunch break. I am glad you said that about the carbs - I have been eating far more carbs than I normally do, but they are some of the only things I can get down. Crispy carbs like crackers or tortilla chips have been the easiest things to eat, oddly. The crispier, the easier it is for me to eat.

I can finally tolerate yogurt! I tried the Yoplait 100 calorie Greek Yogurt and I didn't have to get on the BM train to Crapsville!!!! This is an awesome day! Just because you get severe lactose intolerance after surgery doesn't mean you will have it forever ...your new tummy may decide to start making lactase again!!!! Mine did!

I think way too much. I just tracked everything for the past couple days and I am shocked. But just this week I started feeling better and eating better so breakfast: 1 cup of oatmeal or 1-2 scrambled eggs with cheese Protein shake : 3 scoops. I blend it with ice and do it all at once. Comes out to almost 2 cups. Will drink 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. snack: laughing cow cheese lunch: 1 egg beat made in crepe style some refried Beans and cheese snack: rest of my Protein Shake or a greek yogurt with protein or a pudding with protein dinner: Soup or if I am feeling okay some tuna or chicken salad. I am averaging 900-1000 calories a day 70 grams of protein and some 50grams of carbs. I think its too much my husband thinks its too little and my body is in starvation mode. Who knows ???

Well I've been discourage becuz I am 6 lbs away from being in ONEderland and I cant seem to get there no matter what I do. I know I havent been eating the right foods, I cant seem to get into the exercise becuz I am not seeing any results. Just sore muscles and no weight loss. :biggrin: I dont know how to get back on the bandwagon. I am thinking about doing the 5 day pouch test. I know my band is working becuz things get stuck often. I dont think I am able to eat very much and I have to wait til like afternoon before I can eat something close to solid. All morning it's just shakes and coffee and iced tea. I think it's a combination of probably not getting in enough calories and not having the motivation to exercise becuz I'm not seeing any difference in my clothes or the scale. Has anyone else gotten down about their band and just stopped following the rules becuz it doesnt seem to be working. ??? Private msg me if u dont want to post on here. blessings to all and hope to get some support here. love and light dolphin