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Hello All, I have been considering lap band surgery since Nov. 2011. I met with a the surgeon's nurse practitioner and she was great! Answered many of my questions and was not pushy in my process. I attempted to lose weight on my own (again), but just seem to gain. I have insulin resistance and high cholesterol. I am 23, work full time as a paramedic and on call firefighter. I have become so discouraged, it seems I just keep gaining. I figure I now need to lose about 105lbs to be at a healthy weight ( I can't remember when I was at a healthy weight, but I have never been this big before) I am glad I found this forum, as I have read quite a few threads and I feel like I can get answers from people who have had the surgery. A few of my questions that I forgot to ask the nurse practitioner: Is 23 too young for this surgery? I have not had any children. Has anyone here had the surgery and then become pregnant? Does it increase any complications with pregnancy with having the surgery? I know the lap band won't take away emotional eating (something I have a problem with), but does it help to stop thinking about food? While I don't think I drink excessively for someone my age, I do enjoy going out and having drinks every now and then. How does the surgery affect consuming alcohol? Not that I would be embarrassed about having the surgery, I would like to keep it quiet. Is this the wrong attitude to have going into it? I am not sure how having the surgery and getting back to full time work as I do alot of heavy lifting and strenuous activity. I hope this isn't too many questions! I just want to feel confident and pretty again, I guess I just worry that this surgery won't work as I have decreased my calorie intake and I still seem to be gaining. Thanks so much for answers and advice!!! Kaylee

I'm on day 4 of my pre op diet (1120 calories) and these next two weeks will drag on. Any advice for post op?

I think Libbe and E-Girl did a great job of answering your questions, but I had a couple things I thought I'd add. 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? Yes, you can drink as much broth as you want, but you need to be careful of the sodium content or you'll puff up like a toad. (Sorry.) I made broth with whatever I had on hand when I was in this stage and it agree with me a lot more. Leftover rotisserie chicken or any chicken bones, beef bones or bits, veggies. I throw bones and etc. into plastic bags in my freezer until I have enough for broth then throw it all in a big pot and make broth. I made hubby some wonderful onion Soup with beef broth I'd made when I was still on my liquid phase and I sat there and had my broth with him for dinner. It made it easier to eat together when I was on the liquid diet. 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. You won't keep losing as fast as you have been. You should drop to about 8-10 pounds a month and sometimes it will be less. This is better for your skin adjusting anyway. 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. You'll get your revenge when he's had the surgery!! (Insert funny, evil laugh here.) He still has all his ghrelin hormone making him hungry, so you could cut him a bit of slack. My hubby was eating things like chicken-fried steak in front of me, but he's not overweight. 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. When you get to real food soon, you'll find that there's normally something you can eat on every restaurant's menu, although I do still avoid Italian restaurants and I'm four months (and two days) out. Smelling garlic bread makes me crazy. We went out for tapas last night and I was able to eat every dish we got (all Protein and veggies.) Main dish salads are my best friends, although I can't eat much of the lettuce. I just tell people like my 87YO mother who doesn't know I had the surgery that I'm on a diet, and she says, "Good for you dear, you're looking great." My other best choices are grilled salmon or fish and I totally love seared scallops. I also eat the middles out of sandwiches and if I get any weird looks, I just smile and say, "Dieting." If they say anything else, I tell them I've lost (fill in the blank) pounds. Works every time. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? Heck, I still have tons of gas at four months. I try to fart discretely. 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. I drink 32 oz. of Powerade Zero before breakfast and then the rest is a breeze. My favorites are the zero or low-calorie versions of Sobe, Fuze or putting Crystal Light in my water. I'm not wild about drinking plain water. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? This will get better. Eat teensy, tiny bites SLOWLY when you start eating regular food. Hang in there. It will get better!!! Carol

1. Are full liquids eating, i.e. no drinking for 30-90 minutes after? Ask your doctor. 2. Is Jello considered eating? No, its a full liquid believe it or not. 3. Can I drink broth all day? Is there a difference between chicken and beef? Yes, and nothing. 4. I don't like artificial sugar for the sugar free diet. How can I compensate? You can't. Although you have had a sleeve. You can still get dumping as you do with gastric bypass if you eat sooo much table sugar. But you won't have the cramps...you will get diarhea...trust me. 5. How do I keep the momentum going with the weight loss? I'm starting to feel hunger, but can't eat. I'm worried about going into starvation now that I'm actually feeling hungry and it working backwards for me. I'm also afraid that when I do start eating it will either stop the weight loss or go backwards because of the previous "starvation". Momentum, momentum, momentum, I want to keep it rolling. If you wait to each until you get hungry. Make sure you are eating every 3 hours at least (3 meals - Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 Protein shakes) It the protein that is most important as it contributes to healing and more "filling". 6. I'm having a hard time watching my family eat. It grosses me out the food intake not so much with my growing boys, but especially with my husband who is going to have the surgery also. I feel like....."hey do you realize how much food you eat and I'm over here drinking broth all day long! Get control of yourself." Yikes, I know. So sorry, but it's true. This is emotional. You don't realize the emotions that you will go through in this life changing journey. Don't know if anyone told you but when you lose a lot of fat, your body will release a lot of hormones into you rsystem which give you mood swings like crazy. I felt the same way about my family but I remembered that my husband did not have the surgery and I didn't like it when someone told me that I ate too much so I usually talk more at the table or sit down at the table 10 minutes after everyone else does so that we all finish at the same time. My husband has decided to go forward with the surgery so soon he'll know what I went through. 7. TMI Warning!! I am on the Depo shot and I have been spotting ever since the surgery - 12 days. I never have a period if I do it a day or two of lite spotting. This is every time I wipe, not fresh but old if you know what I mean. Sorry again. Could something in the surgery have messed with my shot or what are your thoughts on this? I do not want to get pregnant! Again the hormone release do to the rapid release of fat can do this. Call your doctor to besure. 8. I'm starting to feel normal and that scares me a little. When I could feel the soreness and restriction (no hunger), it made it easier to not eat and be great with it. Now, it's like appetite is coming back. I'm scared of gaining. Other diets have worked opposite for me and I don't want this to also. I'm scared of any change or move! I feel like I have to starve myself to keep this going. :-( Remember this is a tool to help you adjust to a new healthy life style. If you try to eat something fried or full of sugar you will get very sick. You will only be able to get 300-500 calories in the first month or so then you will need to get 800 to keep your hair from falling out. And it will be a challege to get 800 in. I am at 3 months and I'm struggling to get 600 calories. Also measure, measure, measure your food. I can't stress this enough. Normally, leaks occur 3 weeks after surgery because patients feel better and use the sleeve to gage fullness. But remember, it take 20 minutes for your mind to get that signal that you are full so by then you would have consumed to much. Besides, if you do eat to much or too fast, you will thowup and believe me, it's no the same as throwing up before you had surgery...it's worst! Not to freak you out but it is painful and sometime lasting. You will also plateu that will sometimes last for a week. You may gain a little when drop the following day. These are all normal things. I used a calendar to write down my weight everyday and the total lost. Then at the end of the month I figure out how much weight was down for the month. One month I gained 5 pounds but had at total weight loss of 13 pounds. My husband has been very supportive. He is having his surgery in August. We have already change what we eat when we go out and what I cook for the family. Being obese is just as much of a mental battle as it is an emotional and physical battle. Everytime I was tempted to eat bad or eat fast or stuff my face or felt sad that I can't eat what everyone else was eating, I would redirect my mind to think " in 3 month I am going to look HOT!!!!" Now, I am the envy of every woman at work! I can fit in to a Small Shirt!!!! i have never fit into a small shirt!!!!!!! 9. Life evolved around cooking, eating out, social eating, etc. I've halted all of that and feel a little trapped. No one except immediate family, i.e. husband, sons, and girlfriend who went to hospital with me know that I have done this. I don't lie and would have a hard time explaining why I'm not eating, drinking alcohol, participating in the activities this early in my post surgery. So we are using our workload right now as a reason for staying home, etc. There's so much there for me right now. My husband is extremely supportive and wants me to do the same for him when he has the surgery. Sorry rambling but trying to get through the emotional/mental part of it. I like to cook too. It was a real adjustment to cook healthly things. I have discovered new foods as part of the process and that has been fun. As far as explaining why I don't eat to colleagues, I told them before the surgery. For colleagues I haven't seen in a while, I told them the truth if they ask and answered their questions. I have had only one person treat me bad but she was a big B to begin with so I was prepared to handle it. As for anyone who had past judgement on me to my face or behind my back, that just doesn't bother me because I did this for me and my family and for my health and that is all that is important. I think you will surprise how supportive people can be. Most people are just curious. And again don't get sorry about rambling because you are emotional...it's the hormones talking. 10. I'm still bloated and tend to bloat throughout the day. Is this normal or what can I do to alleviate this? Yes, this is normal. I was bloated for 5 weeks. This is because of swelling. Also there may be gas still trapped inside. Walking makes a big difference. 11. I know I don't get enough liquids in as I can't drink Water. Any liquid suggestions would be great. Frozen sugar free popsicles, warm tea, and sugar free gatorade were my friend. I also had sugar free jello and broth. 12. I can already tell that my absorption rate is super sensitive and high! Within seconds of trying something, I either feel sick, lightheaded or full or all of the above. Does this stay? When food is introduced will it be one bite at a time? You may need to eat slower. Take a bite, chew 25 times, swallow, then count for 10 before taking another bite. This does going away...sort of. You will get sick, lightheaded if you eat too fast. As far as full, you will have to figure that part out on your own but my Doctor told me to start with 4 Tbsp. (2 tbsp of a protein, 1 tbsp veg, tbsp fruit - in that order) but be prepared if you can only get 2 tbsp down. I started with 2 tbsp but now I am up to 1/4 cup. 13. I think protein shakes make me sick?? You tastes with change over time. I liked my protein shakes before the surgery. Then could not stand them for about 6 weeks after surgery but now I like them again. I would try a bunch of difference one. I like the Unjuy and nectar brands. The nectar brands taste like fruit juice with not after taste.

I had my six-week follow up with my local doctor yesterday – to say I’m happy is an understatement. Although I’ve complained about my weight loss in other posts and lamented about being a slow loser, I am happy with the way things are going. I don’t use my doctor’s numbers to track my weight because it’s inconsistent – they weigh with clothes on, sometimes shoes on (depends on the nurse), I wore heavy jeans yesterday compared to lighter capris the last time, etc. I use my Thursday weigh-ins on my home scale to track my loss. So, I’m down almost 41.8 pounds from my high weight and 24 since surgery. Wow! Writing that is surreal. My body fat has been decreased by 5% already and while I have lost some lean muscle mass, it’s not a concern right now, I just shouldn’t lose any more. Even more than the numbers, I can see physical differences in myself. Why do my fingers seem longer? OK, it’s that they no longer look like pork sausages that were masquerading as fingers! My shoes fit differently now and as a side benefit, I can actually reach down and tie them and not look like I’m steer wrestling trying to lift my right foot up to my left knee. I have a jaw line – you can actually define where my head ends and my neck begins. When I was driving down the road the other day, it felt like the seat was pushed further back than normal. It’s not like my legs grew…there was just more room between my belly and the steering wheel! I noticed the vanity in the bathroom the other day while brushing my teeth – I was standing closer to the sink, again, because my belly wasn’t in the way. I cross my legs (like a lady) all the time now, BECAUSE I CAN! There are many subtle, but very real changes that are happening to my body and I’m trying to bask in each and every one of them. This has been an amazing journey so far and it’s only the beginning. There will be lows, but there will also be lots of good things happening, too! I’m noticing some other changes as well. I feel more comfortable around other people. It is easier for me to strike up a conversation with a stranger. I used to be a fairly outgoing and chatty person. Since starting to gain weight about 15 years, I slowly became an introvert to the point where I would avoid talking to people I have known for years. I would pretend I didn’t see someone in the grocery store so I wouldn’t have to stop and talk to them. I would sit in the outfield during my son’s baseball games rather than the stands or by the other parents because I didn’t want to be around people. My social circle has been reduced to my family. In the past few weeks, that has changed. I’m slowly coming out of my shell. I caught myself smiling yesterday morning when I was walking into the hospital and a couple of people I crossed paths with smiled back and said “Hello.” I felt like they were reacting to me smiling and not having, what I assume was an “I’m pissed off at the world so go screw yourself” look I used to have. I discussed my diet with the doc as well. A few weeks ago I started to restrict my carbs because I thought it was the right thing to do. We always hear “carbs are bad” and I restricted mine down to between 20 and 30 per day. What I didn’t immediately connect was my very low energy level to the carb restriction. I didn’t feel good and I blamed it on coming down with a cold. I would come home from the gym and be completely exhausted and take a 60-minute nap. Understandably…I wasn’t giving my body enough fuel to get through the workout. I now realize carbs are an important part of our diet and they aren’t necessarily evil. Bad carbs (refined sugars and flours) are bad. Complex carbs like those found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great carbs and a necessary part of your diet. Once I increased my carbs to about 50/day, I started feeling so much better and have that increased energy that so many speak of after weight loss surgery. Increasing my carbs hasn’t changed my overall calorie count by much. I’m still taking in between 800-900 calories a day (on hard workout days I can go over 900 because I am truly hungry). I’m increasing my carbs by adding ¼ cup of fruit to my shakes, adding 1-2 tablespoons of refried Beans, or part of a Carb Balance tortilla to a meal. It’s amazing how different I feel now compared to a few days ago. Also looking forward, I now have no restrictions to my diet – that’s terrifying. I had the security the past 6 weeks of “I can’t have that because it’s not on my plan.” This is where that discipline comes in, right?!?! So, here are some of the high points from the meeting with the doctor yesterday: · Weight loss is good, more importantly, the 5% body fat reduction and minimal loss in lean muscle mass · Blood pressure is lower – 117/82. It hasn’t been that low in years. · Diet looking forward – no restrictions on what to eat; min 80 grams of Protein daily and 50 grams of carbs should be OK. · hair loss – I’m noticing some shedding (*gasp*). She OK’d Biotin and 1 gram of folic acid daily. There is so much debate on whether anything works, but I’m willing to try (she said the most important thing was the protein). · Real coffee is now approved, but only one cup per day. This makes me happy. I had to pinky promise I wouldn’t go back to my old habit of 3-5 cups per day. Honestly, I don't think I can fit more than one cup of coffee in a day! · Exercise - no limitations and start strength training as to not lose more lean muscle mass. · Constipation – ahhh the pooping (you know I wasn’t going to get thru an entire post with out a comment on the poo). I’ve been taking Colace and that’s the only thing that has helped. Per doc's orders, I need to cut back to one per day, then stop entirely. Doc wants Metamucil and more Fiber in my diet for a more natural approach. I wish everyone a very, very Happy New Year. 2014 is going to be a great year for us! Be safe!

@@Trayjay33 I buy one of the non fat 100 calorie Greek yogurts. Aldi has one that is good and inexpensive. The mustard was spicy southwestern from Wal-Mart (their brand) I buy a lot of shredded deli chicken and mix up the tastes with the sauces. The Greek yogurt adds to the Protein total too!

That completely depends on what foods your surgeon allows you to eat. 8 days post op I was allowed protein shakes, drinkable yogurt, and clear liquids. I had a protein shake for breakfast and dinner and strained clear soups for lunch. 10 days post op I was allowed to switch to strained cream soups. I really didn't bother with "snacks" because I wasn't hungry and because the sugar-free jello and popsicles I was allowed didn't have any calories, so why bother?

Sure! I try to do an hour on the treadmill everyday. That is good for over three miles, and around 800 calories. Why don't you start a thread in the exercise section asking everyone to log in daily with the number of steps, or miles, for each day? Maybe you could have everyone add to a running total for steps and/or miles to keep the challenge going. When we reached 1,000,000 maybe Alex will treat us to a steak and lobster fest (his treat) as a reward and incentive.. (just kidding on that part.)

Check your daily calorie count to make sure you are eating enough. I was in a plateau for a while and it actually took upping my calories to get me started moving downward again. If you use The Daily Plate to track your food, you can enter your current weight and your goal (lose 1 pound a week, lose 2 pounds a week, etc.) and it will suggest the number of calories you need to eat daily to meet your goal.

I am 4 weeks now without the loss of a single pound. I am stressed about that. I am eating about 1500 calories a day. I need to make a change today!

First, go see a nutritionist. I can tell you what my surgeon said and what my nutritionist said. Start with protein. These are the things that will fill you. Avoid empty calories and things that go through the band too easily. Alcoholic beverages, mashed potatoes, shakes, cereals with a lot of sugar, nuts, milk. Normally, nuts and milk are considered healthy. But for the band, you don't get much "bang for the buck." They have minimal nutritional value compared to the fat and calories and won't fill you up at all. When I'm getting ready to eat (other than the last 2 weeks when I've been really bad), I consider the nutritional value (especially protein) and how it will go through the band. Is it going to get stuck or just go through? If it is going to stay in the upper pouch and not pass through, then that's what I choose. If it will go right through and has empty calories, I don't eat it. I'm not perfect. I still say what the heck and eat things I shouldn't, especially the Starbuck (you'd be amazed how many calories are even in the sugar free). But I'm so much better than I was.

I had to have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy as part of pre-op stuff. For me this was a good thing .i had polyps and ulcers.which were treated, I al So had sleep Apnea,and so use a c-pap machine. Two weeks before surgery I had to go on a thousand calorie high protein low carb diet. Then three weeks of full liquid diet after, then two weeks of soft/puréed food and then normal diet.

First, EVERYONE is different. Especially men vs. women. So comparing to your husband is asking for frustration. That said, no, I wouldn't consider 30 pounds in a year a great success. I'm not trying to be harsh! It's awesome that you've lost 30 pounds but obviously you didn't remove most of your stomach for a smaller result. Yes, LOG YOUR food. Do it. If you don't you slip into denial about what you're really eating. Track everything - even a single jelly bean should go into your food log. If you don't do this, you have no idea how many calories, carbs, etc. you're eating. Get your metabolism tested if possible. If not, simply adjust your calories downward from 1200 until you start losing and hang there until you need to adjust again. I was told over and over again that my basal metabolic rate was close to 2000 calories and that on a 1200 calorie diet I'd lose two pounds a week. In reality, after testing we discovered that I have a highly efficient metabolism (curses!) and my BMR is actually less than 1400 calories a day. That means that on a 1200 calorie diet, I can reasonably expect to lose just over a pound a month. So, if you can get tested with the breathing test, DO IT. If not, just track calories for a few days and then fix what's wrong. Not everyone carb counts but I suggest that if you're not active you keep them on the lower side. There are dozens for free sites that allow you to track your food. So do it. Honestly. There is no better thing you can do to control you intake. I'm not an exerciser and firmly believe that while exercise is good for your body and can reshape it, that it doesn't always help us lose weight. But being more active is always a good thing so please try to work more activity into your daily routine. Even simple things like taking the stairs, parking farther away and enjoy a walk will help you feel better mentally and physically. If you want exercise to help you lose weight you have to really bring it - you can't fool around with a 20 minute walk every day and expect it to do much. If all else fails, do the pouch test. Reassure yourself that your sleeve is still working, break the bad cravings and jump on board. Only you can do this. You need to evaluate why you're not losing and what's going on in your head. If you "reset" and still can't lose, get a barium swallow to reassure yourself that your sleeve is still there and in good shape. But honestly, in almost all cases it comes down to us not doing the head work and having to accept that we need to change to lose weight. I've had to reset a number of times myself, so I understand this. Take care and I wish you the best! ~Cheri

I know, I know. :thumbup: It seems silly and I should just enjoy it. I've been feeling the effects of the really low calories ever since I started Medifast a month ago (though I think that was mostly the lack of carbs) and kept saying, "Oh, it's going to be better soon." I also had a couple family members drop dead from electrolyte imbalances (ie, no potassium) during dieting/severe dehydration episodes so I'm paranoid, even though I'm taking my Vitamins like a good girl. I'm sure I'll be chasing the hunger again in no time. :biggrin: Just curious when that happened for people.

Honey, enjoy it while it lasts. Personally, my appetite came back (and with a vengence) after about 2 weeks. Getting 'enough' calories was not a problem for me.

My calorie intake was up to about 1000 cal a day within a couple of weeks of being banded. I now eat 1200 - 1300 cal a day. Please don't be alarmed if you gain a little when you increase your calories. That is normal and the weight will start to drop again. Your body needs to adjust when you make changes like that. I was lucky and it didn't happen to me but I was only on liquids for 2 days and then mushies for 4 weeks (probably only 3 weeks) and my calories increased quickly so my body never really adjusted to the super low calories. As a matter of fact my body didn't like that one little bit and I don't lose much my first week. Good luck!

Quit buying it...throw out whatever is in the house. You have to give up all that junk anyways (forever) or this surgery will be a waste of time and money. You might as well start now and avoid the withdrawals when you are trying to recover. Besides, 1400 calories is an easy preop. I did 3 protein shakes and leafy green veggies for 2 weeks and lost 22 pounds. Like Harlem loser said, you need to make up your mind if you really want this and make it happen.

I am scheduled to have surgery on 4/21/08 and VCU Medical Center by Dr. John Kellam. I am excited and scared and anxious all at the same time. I have been overweight all my life but not extremely obese. I have now come to the stage in my life where I realize that all the dieting and exercising that I am doing are giving me some muscles but not helping me to lose weight. I think that as you get older, it becomes harder to lose weight. So I'm looking at this surgery as the way to reorder my way of thinking about food. My greatest fear now is that I'm not up to the challenge and my most immediate concern is the 2 week preop liquid diet. I have visions of starving and falling into a hypoglycemia coma. Then I laugh at myself for worrying so much because no fat person ever died from a low calorie diet - too many fat reserves in the body. I am 5'3" and currently weigh 220. Luckily for me, my insurance will pay everything but $35 copays for physicians and $100 copay for hospital admission. I'm looking forward to the changes this year will bring.

I have to share this with y'all because I just discovered it and it is so good! I've had a terrible time finding a shake I could stomach, and I found 2 today! For both I use the Isopure zero carb unflavored powder. The first one tastes just like a wendy's frosty, no joke! It's just 5- ice cubes, 8 ounces skim milk, 2 tbsp LITE hershey's chocolate syrup (only 45 calories), and 1 scoop of the Protein powder. It is so good! I also tried putting it in the freezer because they always get so frothy and I hate that, but after putting it in the freezer for about 30 minutes and then mixing it all with a spoon it was just like the frosty consistency and not frothy. Best one I've tried! I also did one the other day with the same Protein Powder but mixed 1 cup frozen peaches, 1 cup frozen strawberries, a cup of crystal lite lemonade, and then added some spinach and ground flax (optional, you can't taste either one at all) It's very good also and tastes like frozen lemonade almost but I didn't freeze that one so it was pretty frothy. Just thought I'd let those of you who haven't found one you like that these are great! I'm sure you could use any unflavored powder, but the Isopure is really great and I really don't taste it at all, no after taste or anything!

Sliders are anything that "slide" right down through the band. Usually they have little to no nutrtional value. Like ice cream, milk shakes, Cookies, chips. Any other highly processed, easy to chew and swallow food you can think of. Some folks defeat the band by having it too tight and then relying on slider foods to survive. But not getting any nutrtion along with high calories, it is easy to feel horrible and gain weight back.

I am 4 weeks post op. I renewed my gym pass. Before surgery I was taking phentermine 37.5 (appetite suppressant, energy booster) so I'd be able to work out for hours. On phentermine I would push hard and burn lots of calories. I loved what the pill did for me. But my doctor no longer wants me on it because of the long term risk. Going to the gym without my energy booster is awful. I can barely do 10-15 min on the elliptical at a low resistants. And the treadmill is just a joke. I can barely get to 5 min. Can someone please help me... Is there something out there that will help me in the gym? Get me going.

I am about 7 months further into my journey than you. I would say not to worry too much at this stage about not eating enough focus on protein, fluids and vitamins. I too had this feeling like I couldn't be bothered with food, wasn't interested in it and it seemed effort to eat. I would say I've passed through this stage and do now look forward to eating again. I am able to tolerate most foods now and have to consciously continue to make healthy decisions, focus on protein in order to use my restriction best and consciously count my calories to remain in my daily goal of 1000. Sent from my SM-G935F using BariatricPal mobile app

Mix the Powerade with water. I use a water bottle, and leave 1/2 water, and fill to the top with the drink you prefer. It helps to cut the calories.

This is something I have also wondered about....and I plan on talking to my Dr. about it before I'm 65.... Has nothing to do with loosing weight, the band did that just fine in that department...I'm just wondering about the long term...life time... Possible long term complications with the band? Versus the sleeve? I have no idea.....uncharted territory.... I have been banded for 3 years now, and I don't think about it anymore...I wonder that now that I am at that point, and I have formed new habits and the rules (some of them) have become practicable common sense....can I get something that is not adjustable with little or no maintenance? And still sustain me in the Green Zone? ie; no hunger, auto portions, etc? or will I have to go back to dieting, counting calories, etc, which I am absolutely terrible at.... Was the band a temporary quick fix to get me there...and the sleeve a permanent fixture? Don't know, just things I ponder and want to investigate..... Dr. did casually say something once but I did not pay attention....

This is strictly my opinion, but you should go look over at the Sleeve forum before deciding it's the better option. You will see post after post over there with the same struggles we have- not losing weight. They get the same advice we get too "how many calories a day are you consuming?" WLS, no matter which one, is just a tool. The work will always be ours to do and that includes monitoring our calories and portions. You have to completely change your lifestyle and calorie intake no matter which WLS you choose. Your life shouldn't be about what you can and can't eat, either. The band is about moderation not deprivation. If you're talking about what you physically can't eat, if the list is very long then quite possibly your band is too tight. I would strongly suggest discussing this at length with your doctor. Best wishes.