Search the Community

From what I have read here on the forum, it is not unusual for some people to gain after the band until you get your first fill or even get to your sweet spot. Don't get discouraged yet, they says the first month is about recovery and healing not loosing weight.

Good Evening All, thanks for the kind words. I do have an outfit I put on to see how far I have come. And I find it hard to believe that I once fit it. By the end of Dec. I hope to buy another set of clothes. They're just the basic color pants, black, brown, navy and gray. Since I wear a sweater (security blanket) at work, I can get away w/ my tops being loose. Went to the gym tonite, step aerobics class had a good workout. Now to add one more gym day, making gym 4 days a week. Today I felt some restriction, but wanted something to eat about 2 hours later. Wasn't hungry, didn't want a snack, just wanted something to eat. Had a banana and some applesauce. Did not curve my appetite, just got in my fruits for the day. Had 2oz of fish and 4oz of veggies. Had a cheese sandwich for dinner. Well, good nite to everyone.

I was experiencing significant hair loss as well. I am now 6 months post op and my hair loss has slowed down dramatically. I do not think the hair loss is really due to Protein intake or Vitamin deficiency because I was getting much more protein when I was loosing a lot of hair (months 2-4 post op). Now I am in the green zone and am loosing weight much faster than I was then, and eating less (so less protein by default), but the hair loss is back to normal. I only take a regular multi-vitamin as my doctor really did not feel it was tied to nutritional deficit. I hope this helps!

I've been juicing a little lately but I'm not sure I'm logging it correctly on myfitness pal. Do I make a new recipe and just add the veggies/fruits to it? Or am I loosing some calories from the stuff that doesn't get juiced?

Im 6 days out of having the sleeve , 3 years ago i had lap band and didnt work out for me initially i did loose weight then after 2 years started to put weight on again so 9 weeks ago had it removed so here i am ..i have done alot of research and listen to alot of you tube posts and opionions and i have to say most are very very positive. its not an easy choice nothing is ...what we are doing is high risk and will have emotional days and i think i will have withdrawal symptoms from the food i have been eating but all i know is if i dont do this i will die from Obesity.... Good Luck never give up hope xx

Weight loss happens in funny places, huh? Sometimes I notice saggy skin, but a couples of weeks later, it looks better.

Congrats Heather. I know how you feel. I've lost 14 as of yesterday ( got to up date the ticker). I almost lost it a couple of times already. I have a 2cc restriction, and for the past few days I didn't feel like it was there, then this morning my oatmeal was too much, at lunch I ate 1/2 of a piece of chicken tender, no mid day snack, and then ate crab/tuna wrap. I've got to also learn to sip more water. I'm only getting about 40oz of water in lately, not including a cup of coffee and glass of tea(not every day). I can't wait to loose more.I go for a fill Feb. 7th and I can't wait. I've almost gotten depressed, but then I thought, 14 lbs in less than month is good. I hope I can loose 14 or more next month. Good luck to you. Felicia

Hi, I'm recently found this forum last week. My wife and I both decided to get banded and just finished all of our pre-surgery testing for the lap-band. Hopefully our insurance will approve us quickly so we can still get this done before the end of summer. Does anyone know if it matters if your BMI drops below the required number during the pre-op diet? My BMI was 35.6 on the day I met with the doctor. Since I have hypertension my BMI meets the requirement for my insurance, but what happens if or when I loose weight during the pre-op diet? Should I be concerned? Was anyone else in the same situation?

Ok, so it sounds like the usual arsenal of stuff us sensitive gals would have handy. I've got a bag of just skin rash creams..so sounds like that will do the trick with the Benadryl at bedtime. Thanks for taking your time everyone! I really appreciate it. :-)

I have very sensitive skin as well. I had internal sutures and Dermabond, no staples. I broke out everywhere that there was tape or adhesive, but I took Benedryl to help with the itching. Once the Dermabond came off at about two weeks, I stopped itching, but the first two weeks were bad when it came to my skin. My doctor also gave me a prescription strength hydrocortisone cream, which helped, but I still itched myself raw in a few places.

Ok everyone, I need some feedback. I have very sensitive skin, I break out from metals except high grades of gold. Scents from laundry soap and shampoo and regular soaps can also make me break out. I usually get raised red Patches of insanely itchy bumps as my reaction. Having said this, has anyone else here had the same? What did you surgeon recommend as a result? I want to go in well informed when I meet my surgeon. Thanks!

Hi guys & gals, My name is Bonnie, I am 26 years old and 380lbs at the moment. Skip the next paragraph if you don't care about my whiney health history. Health history: I actually only have sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. Decent bp, pulse, blood sugar. My choice for bariatric surgery also has nothing to do with self image as I have been for years an extraordinarily confident woman. Unfortunately for me (& my family who rely son my care taking) I have been dealing with unexplained neuropathy in my limbs and extremely debilitating back pain for about two years. I now walk like my 94 year old nana lol. Doctors take one look at my large body and immediately dismiss my pain and issues, like my neurologist actually prescribed me a weight loss drug and walked out without even discussing a single issue I was having. Those who push thru with chronic pain are my heroes. I am not a strong enough human to deal with this pain on a daily basis and I also do not chose to use Rx pain killers (family history of substance abuse) so I've chosen drastic weight loss as a last ditch effort to have a life free of crippling pain. Prepping: total nesting mode! I've been researching for months. Collecting tools and other stuff. I really wish I had friends to share & taste test with. I'm absolutely excited to start living life without pain. I'm hoarding Protein, bought a blender, made lists and notebooks, last on my list is planning a stretchy versatile weight loss wardrobe that will fit my needs for at least the next 80 lbs. I'm thinking leggings, tank tops, and large loose long sleeved blouses. I'm so thankful to find this app for my phone. It's been like a prayer answered. Even in the middle of the night I sneak on and search stuff easing my obsessive mind frame. thank you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It could be the tubing. I kept feeling a hard lump, then it shifted, then it got harder. Leave it alone! I thought it was scar tissue, so I kept massaging it, adding heat, etc. I tried making it go away, but it was the tube that eventually poked out of my infected, open wound. This could happen if the doc put the port too close to the skin. This is my personal experience and my own opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. I could be very wrong, but better safe than sorry. Good luck, and keep us posted.

How did everyone's eating plans go? I did not have the day off so I didn't go to any picnics or BBQs...I did, however, have a craving for BBQ and stopped by a BBQ restaurant to pick up a to-go meal. Of course, I will be eating it the rest of this week. I am only about 3 weeks out, so maybe I shouldn't even have had this mini-meal at all..I had a grilled chicken leg (no skin), about a teaspoon of sauce, and about three bites each of green beans and baked beans...here is a pic (this is on a saucer so it looks like more than it was)...I was actually surprised I was able to eat that much, and it's kind of scary..I am full, though, from it...what do y'all think?

I'm much more open with my skin. I know I'm still "a fatty" but, I'm way less a fatty than I was and it bothers me SO MUCH less now. Like, going to the gym and changing in the locker room. Normally I'd be SUPER QUICK to get a shirt on during changing... now, I don't rush it. Sure those super buff dudes walking in are going to be like.. damn that dudes fat. But, it no longer bothers me. The way I figure it out. You don't judge a statue by the size of the block of stone, you wait until it's finished before you judge. I'm part way through my own personal re-sculpting, and I give myself a TON of slack for it.

We spend so many eager, anxious moments planning for surgery. We trudge through dozens of obligatory pre-op tests, evaluations, and diets. We research and ask questions until our heads could burst. Surgery day comes closer, but at the infuriatingly slow speed of cold molasses going uphill on a snowy winter day. Then suddenly the big day looms. It’s tomorrow! Are you ready? Do you even have a list of last-minute things to do before you leave for the hospital or surgery center? Have you packed your bag yet? Your surgery is tomorrow! Are you ready? Do you have a list of last-minute things to do before you leave for the hospital or surgery center? Have you packed your bag yet? What to Take to the Hospital or Surgery Center This isn't like packing for a two-week vacation. Most hospitals prefer that you bring a minimum of belongings with you and don't want to be responsible for keeping track of them. You'll need less than you'd think. The hospital will want you to wear their gown instead of your own nightgown or pajamas, and you can wear an extra hospital gown backwards to use as a robe so you won't moon anyone when you're roaming the hallways. If you're allowed to shower while you're there (you may not be), they'll provide soap and shampoo. If your feet get cold, the nurses will give you very attractive one-size-fits-few socks with non-slip soles. Here's what I suggest you bring: Insurance ID card Photo ID A copy of your advance health care directive CPAP machine (if you use one) A list of your medications (you may be instructed to bring the actual meds with you) Lip gloss (your mouth & lips will be very dry) Toothbrush, toothpaste and essential toiletries Cosmetics (if you must) IPod or MP3 player Laptop computer (if you must) Something to read (magazines, books, Bible) Loose-fitting clothing (elastic waist) A change of underwear Slip-on shoes or sandals Pillow(s) for the ride home A water bottle for the ride home Bring your cell phone if you like, but some hospitals don't allow use of cell phones on the premises because of possible interference with patient monitoring equipment. Do not bring cash or valuables. The medical staff is there to take care of you, not your engagement ring. Last Minute Things to Do 1. Have someone take Before photos of you (front, back, and side views). 2. Take your body measurements (neck, bust, waist, abdomen, thighs, calves, ankles, upper arms, wrists). 3. Set aside a pre-op outfit of fat clothes to preserve for posterity. 4. Put clean sheets on your bed. 5. Do laundry. 6. Clean your house. 7. Arrange for transportation to and from the hospital. 8. Arrange for child care. 9. Arrange for pet care. 10. Pay your bills. 11. Fill your prescriptions (your usual meds, plus pain-killers, anti-nausea meds and/or blood thinners for after surgery if your surgeon’s willing to prescribe them in advance). 12. Pack your bag for the hospital. 13. Complete & submit any forms your employer requires for your time off from work. 14. Pick up books to read and videos to watch while you recover. 15. Make sure there's easy-to-prepare food in the house for your family to eat. 16. Do your bowel prep if required (laxatives or enema). 17. Check your supplies: § The liquids you'll be allowed to drink in the first week § A blender or Magic Bullet® § Liquid Tylenol § Thermometer § Gas-X® § A heating pad § An ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) § Witch hazel or anti-itch gel (to put on the skin around your itchy incisions, but not directly on the incisions) § Reading material, puzzles, games 18. Remove nail polish (if you wear it) from fingers and toes. 19. Remove all jewelry (including piercings) and put it in a safe place[1]. 20. Bathe with Hibiclens (or other antibacterial cleanser) as instructed by your surgeon. Almost without exception, bandsters’ response to this is that every item on the list is a good idea except items 1 and 2. Some also whine about items 17 and 18, but I’m not interested in hearing what dreadful thing will happen to you if you must undergo surgery while completely unconscious and denuded of your nose stud and blue fingernail polish. Save it for the pre-op nursing staff. I just want to reinforce items 1, 2 and 3. You may hate the camera and the measuring tape with a passion, but some day you’re going to be glad you have those pre-op photos and measurements. Similarly, you may plan to burn that fat outfit in a celebratory bonfire soon, but one day you’ll be glad you saved it. When your bathroom scale is stuck at on a number you hate, comparing your “now” photos, measurements, and clothing to those awful “befores” will remind you of just how far you’ve come, and give you a little push forward on the bandwagon trail. [1] This is not negotiable. I once had my wedding ring cut off by a nurse before she would transport me to the operating room.

Sounds like he feels that he is loosing control over you, since your weight loss only makes you more independent and self secure; and less reliant on his being there. I am not a shrink, but marriage counseling might be in order?

I use Burts Bees rose Water astringent all over when I notice the funky... the smell is caused by bacteria, and the astringent kills the offending bacteria. I have very sensitive skin, and chemical sensitvities, so I don't use lots of products. Try adding more fruit to your diet. Heh, When I was working with a trainer, a woman walked by and we could smell her body lotion. it was really pretty, sort of a peachy smell. However, we thought it a little inapproprate given that we were there to sweat, not pick-up boys. Long story short, it wasn't the other woman, it was me. My sweat smelled like peaches because of my every night late-night snack--peaches with Fiber One Cereal.

Definitely chap stick and eye drops. I don't really recall much of my time in hospital but definitely slip in shoes/slippers. I could not bend, so loose clothing and slip on shoes are a must especially with all the up and down and walking they make you do. good luck

Yes others in the group seem to have gone silent. I do hope they are all doing well and just lurking in the shadows. Seems like ppl are viewing the posts and just choose not to share. That's ok too. Maybe our posts help them as well. I hope so, too. I'm baaaaack!!!! There was a time when I would weigh myself everyday and then I just decided to stop. Wasn't easy but my mood for the day was based on a number. Ended up more often depressed because it didn't seem to matter how hard I tried, the scale wouldn't budge. Now I swing between daily weigh ins and waiting a few days before I step on. Seems to help and I try very hard to Celebrate even the smallest loss. I wish I didn't feel compelled to weigh every day. The humidity is back up this morning, and so is my weight. I can tell I am losing, though, by the fit of my clothes. Or at least that is what I am telling myself. There is no possible way that I could be gaining when I am limiting my calorie intake and walking 10 miles daily. I like this idea of replying to posts within the post! Since my surgery I've had a lot of time to think about my own self image. I've lost almost 30 lbs and not one person other than my sisters (who are aware I had WLS) have noticed. I do understand and am experiencing the same thing. Only one person outside of my immediate family has commented on my weight loss. I have a story to share along these lines... Last fall many of my co-workers knew I was working with Dean Comprehensive Weight Mgmt Program. A few were very supportive, most said nothing (didn't bother me at all) and another told me one day when I had lost about 20 lbs that she had not noticed any difference. I know her personality and it was not meant to be mean and I didn't take it that way but I was still like "WTF??? Why would you say that to someone? If you don't notice you don't need to say anything at all!" After I had lost about 30 she did mention she could tell I was losing weight. I've had to question why this bothers me. Am I more concerned with how others see me, or is my own self image more important. Have I not lost enough for it to even be noticeable? I have wondered exactly the same thing. For me most people did not start to say things until I had lost about 50 lbs. I started at (5'4") 270 lbs. so I'm guessing the heavier you are the longer it takes for people to notice. It seems like after you hit a certain point more and more people start commenting on your weight loss. I think sometimes they are just not really sure what is different about you and afraid to say something just in case the accidentally insult you. The questions and self doubt can consume me if I let them. I did this for me, not for others and how they see me. I want to feel good in my own skin. Move around without the burden of 50 extra pounds dragging me down. No one but me felt that. They may have seen it, but they didn't feel it. I haven't shared my surgery with hardly anyone, thank goodness. I have shared my surgery with very few people. Mainly because I feared yet another failure. I, too, did it for myself...for my health primarily but my self-esteem has also improved. I think most of you know I have shared my journey/surgery with just about everyone who will listen. For me I have decided this is a good way for me to stay accountable. I understand this is not an approach that will work for everyone. I am sure to tell people it is only a tool and I can still gain all the weight back if I do not use it correctly. As you know I'm a hair stylist so I work with people everyday. I may only see my clients once every 6 weeks but many times during the year. We share and over time bond with our clients. I found it amazing how the over weight clients seemed to bond with me. We had something in common. On the other hand, my skinny minnies would avoid taking to me about things like their diet or exercise programs feeling like I couldn't relate. Sadly, I can relate to both sides as I wasn't always this heavy. It will be funny to see how this shifts as my body changes. I'll be the same person I am now, but I know I will be treated differently by both groups. I understand exactly what you are saying. I am already treated differently and have wondered if it has to do with my improved self-confidence. Maybe people treat me differently now because I am somewhat less reserved and give them more of an opportunity to interact with me and be nice to me. As an adult, I wasn't treated badly when I was obese (given two exceptions) but rather it was more like I was invisible. There are a few people who treat me better now that I have lost weight....not people I cared much for before...so I take it with a grain of salt. I second the invisible feeling. I won't even start about the whole dating scene. That's a whole layer cake of dysfunction. Sadly, our society sees heavier people as being weak which is anything but true. You are definitely right about our society. I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to navigate the dating scene today. I have been married 22 years...I think we could use some counseling. We get along fine but some things are greatly lacking, even with the weight loss...That's all I will say. We are each determined in our own ways, far stronger than we give ourselves credit for and should be proud of our smallest accomplishment. Yep, I'm proud of my loss but perhaps I need to focus not on what the numbers are but on who I am becoming in this process. I think we will all grow differently on this journey but I feel each of us with transform not only physically but mentally as well. It will be enlightening to watch and share. You've summed up well how I feel. I've lost weight before, lots of weight each time, only to gain it back. This time will hopefully be different from the standpoint that we now have the tool that will help us do our part so that we can stay on-track and consequently not get caught up in a vicious failure cycle. I am also on somewhat of a spiritual journey with this WLS journey so I can relate to transforming mentally as well as physically. Ok, maybe too much coffee this morning and too much alone time to reflect and ramble. Time for Julz to shut down her mind and move into her day. I enjoyed your reflections. Have a terrific evening! A great post to come back to after my hiatus! Back to your regularly scheduled program cheerio my friends, j~

same here.... I never got rid of my clothes, so now I'm shopping in my own closet. I was a size 26 pants now I'm fitting in my 22s and a little loose, hoping to get into the 18's by the end of the yr. (maybe 20, but going to give it the old college try)

Please post some comments Marylanders

Well, I wouldn't actually use the term "hacked". My husband would be curled up in the fetal postition if he heard that! Remember that their skin is covered with hair, so they're just removed and the skin sewn up. You can't even see it. If they had a vasectomy that wouldn't eliminate any of the negative tom cat behaviours, like spraying all over everything. Yuk.

I managed to get some decent sleep last night. I can't say the same for Jess who just moved to the bed to get an extra hour before work. Me with 3 pillows under my upper half, one behind me supporting my lower back and one between my knees doesn't leave much room for him. Normally sleeping on the couch wouldn't bother me, but not in this condition. I got about 5 hours of sleep before waking up. I got up and I was in a lot of pain. So I took my pain meds while pacing the apartment, then went back to sleep for another 3, this time with a cold compress on my head, and now I'm up. They gave me this anti heart burn pill to take. Idk if I should take it yet or not since I'm still on liquids and not eating meals yet. It is a small pill but the thought of taking it scares me a little. What if it hurts. Ok, I took it. Here's hoping for the best. Now I wait half a hour, then I'm going to have some Jello. I need to shower. I can smell myself. I haven't showered since monday morning. Ok. So I just brushed my teeth. And my face is clean now. I'm a little worried about the body, but now that I have those two knocked out, I feel a little more confident about washing myself without getting too much water on my front. It's been about an hour since I started this entry, for reference. I'm having a Jello cup for "breakfast." Jello cups are never ending. Yesterday I had one and it felt like I was eating it forever and it was still there. I'm going to attempt to shower now. I've got my outfit picked out. Wish me luck. It's almost 2 hours from the start of this entry and I am now clean. 3.25 hrs later I am dressed, medicated, and wondering when I should take the carafate. Maybe I should start posting times. I started this entry around 8:30 this morning. It's 10:58 now. I called kaiser about the carafate. And I asked a question about it on the board for my support group. It says to take it a hour before eating or 2 - 3 hours after eating. But since I'm not technically eating, I'm not sure how to take it. I finally finished a jello cup. At noon I'll take carafate. And then at 12:45ish it will be time to medicate again. It's 2:10. I took the carafate. Took a nap. Got up, medicated. I'm having Swanson's beef broth, which is nommin, and I paid most of the bills. The guys for the flies came even though Jess called the front office and told them not to. And they're supposed to warn me if they're going to paint again. I can't remember if I wrote about it yesterday or not, I woke up from a nap around 4pm and my apartment smelled really bad like chemicals. Like paint thinner or something. It freaked me out. I was crying. I called Jess 3/4 times, no answer. I texted his mom She called me and and asked if I wanted them to come get me, I said yes. So I sat out on my patio till they came and got me. Turns out they were painting the apartment behind ours and the paint fumes were coming in from the ac. I was freaking out because I didn't know what the smell was and I didn't know if it was going to hurt me or not in my fragile just got home from surgery condition. And there was stupid in the pool, just like there is today. So that added to my freaking out. I'm going to try taking a B-12. While in the hospital I couldn't imagine taking my vitamins when I got home. I told my surgeon and he said that I could wait a week or two if I wanted. That I wouldn't get any vitamin deficiencies. I started my period at the hospital. My face is all broken out. I wish I had something to put on it. You'd think I would with all the beauty junk I have, but no. My skin is usually the least of my worries. I'm almost out of my face wash, so idk if we're gonna go to the mall tonight and get more or order it online or what. The benefit of going at getting it is that I can get a sample of stuff for my breakouts. I just texted Jess' mom and she happens to be going on base soon so she's going to check the price of Purity for me. My coworker buys hers on base, so I wonder how much cheaper it is. 3:37p It feels like this gas will be the death of me. It's like I have to encourage it to come out. Coax it. I've been trying bending down on all fours on the bed trying to get it out that way. Leaning over the couch a little seems to help too. Burping really hurts, so I'm trying to fart. When I feel like I've swallowed air I pat my chest to see if it'll come up. Usually doesn't, but it helps with the pain. 4p Now we has purity. It was 6 bucks cheaper on base. I kinda want to turn the ac on but I'm scared because the office smells a little to me. Could be my washcloth from earlier. but I don't want to chance it. My itchiness is getting closer and closer to my incisions. I wish one more of them had a bandage over it because it's so freaky looking. I want to take pictures of them. 4:23 I just took macro pictures of my stomach. The one incision that freaks me out is so gross looking! I couldn't get any good shots of the bruising on my arms from the blood thinner injections. I don't have the sensation to pee like I did in the hospital. So I've been gong every so often. I probably just have less liquids in me. 8:06p I took carafate one more time. I've been standing and pacing the apartment most of the day. I'm sitting now (but probably won't be for long) and the gas bubbles are back. Well, it's 8:30p and I going to go to bed. I'll probably wake up a few times in the night. Here's hoping it's progressively better.

Hey Dr C (or anyone else that knows) I have a question---how is it that you can loose clothing sizes but no freaking weight??? I haven't lost a SINGLE pound since my last fill 4 weeks ago, but dropped from a 18/20 to a 14/16....how????