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I needed to read this today! I am one of the lower BMIers but have felt very discouraged lately. I started at 206 and am currently at 150 (sleeved 10/26). I want to lose at least 30 more. My scales haven't moved more than a couple pounds each month for 2-3 mths now. I will be at my 6 mth surgeriversary next week..I'm gonna try to go back to the basics, liquids only for a few days to see if I can get my body to start loosing again..

10 days... I ended up needing Milk of Magnesia and then Miralax. I took Miralax every other day for about two weeks to just keep going but now I have no problems and have a movement every day. Just remember along with the protein to try to get in some whole grain to keep things on the move when you are able to eat.

It didn't take me that long to get my surgery date..it just took me that long to find a surgeon I was really comfortable with and to convince my parents. I walked into this doctor on Wednesday and wanted to schedule surgery for me Sept. 15th, but unfortunately I'll be going on vacation just 7 days later. I'm so releaved to hear there's other youngsters out there though. (That doctor's office was filled with people probably 10-20 years my junior. So how did you take the liquid diet?!

hi. I had severe left shoulder pain the first few days as well....I was banded on 7/1/10. I was told the only way to get rid of it was to walk around.....so I have been walking...prolly too much...not feeling too great otherwise, but the shoulder's better :confused: not burping...but HICCUPS! man they hurt!!!

FastFazer - your story is so typical of many of us who chose WLS. I went through the exact same turmoil getting to the point of going through with it. I actually joined Weight Watchers for the gazillionth time, two weeks before scheduling surgery. My weight had slowly creeped (back) up to 225, which was my highest high. And I'm under 5'2". I knew with every shred of my being, that at 57 years old (at the time of surgery), I was headed for a major catastrophic event; heart attack, stroke, etc. I was on blood pressure meds, my cholesterol was high, and so was my sugar. Now, 10 months later and 63 pounds lighter, that entire picture has changed. I'm off the meds, sugar and cholesterol are normal, and I walk up the stairs without feeling the need for the cardiac care unit waiting at the top to revive me - lol. I no longer wake up each morning with dread. So in answer to your question about regrets? Not a single one! I would do it over a hundred times. Just know that what you are going through is perfectly normal. I did not tell everyone in my world that I had the surgery; only the ones closest to me. They've all been very supportive, and now I just go about my life; the surgery and banded life isn't at the forefront of everything. Nor does it define me. It took a very long time for me to come to terms with that whole "I'm such a failure....can't lose weight and keep it off on my own". I don't feel that way anymore. Coming to this site has helped a great deal with that part. You are certainly not alone, and bravo to you on taking a huge step toward better health

You know I think one of the problems for all of us is that there is no one way to respond to this surgery! Some people sail through with little pain, and are bopping around in no time- others are really lid low for a while and are much slower to move forward. Some can drink fluids etc. with o problem, others really have trouble getting the fluids in for the first few weeks or longer. However- I think fever is a warning sign and you are right to see your doctor. Just today our daily poster Crosswind was found to have a double ear infection 19 days out- she had felt wonky and had also had a low fever now and again.

Congrats on being banded. You will feel better in about 10 days. Just hold on. Deekel gave you some good advice. Good luck.

Jan 25th 10 more dang days!!!!!! lol we can do it!!!

My surgery is on the 25th and I'm on day 4 of the pre-op diet. Today was probably the easiest, though I did take a bite of my son's cookie without thinking (I spit it out). The first few days I was trying to do it without extra vegi Soup or vegetables (which are permitted on my diet if hungry), but yesterday I had some soup and it made a difference. I really hope these next 10 days fly by. Are either of you getting banded at the Obesity Control Center?

Thanx MichiganChic, it's slowly coming off and I feel so much better!! And as I just said in another topic, make sure to measure yourself once or twice a month, take bust, waist, hips, each thigh and arms measurements. And, then compare, you'll be surprised. This past month I lost 1-3 lbs, kept gaining 1 and then losing 2, gaining 2 losing 3, on and on all month, BUT I lost 6 inches total in that month. So, don't get discouraged either, although trust me, I KNOW it's hard not to. We ALL want to see the pounds coming off at least 8-10 lbs a month and it's just not going to happen with some of us. I keep telling myself I didn't gain it all in 6 months so I'm not going to lose it all in 6 months either, and I haven't LOL! Karen

I live in New Zealand and we don't have those stores lol ... Ill have to look into if we can buy over the counter?? .. I took 2 x 2mg ones - I didn't know we could take up to 10! That's good to know lol Rebecca

So I am on Day 6 post op and will return to work on this Thursday. I am a little nervous about what I should take to make it through this second week on liquids. My first week was Clear Liquids and starting today I can progress to full liquids. That is to include my Protein Shakes, strained pureed foods, Soups,etc. I need suggestions on how others have gotten through this. Interestingly, I am not suppose to lift more than 10 lbs and am also struggling with how I am going to carry my purse, laptop case and lunch without exceeding that amount. Funny huh?! I just need help!

Thanks, everyone. It's funny how surgeons are so different with their approaches to the band. I had my first fill on 9/4 (4 ccs), then another on 9/18 (2.5 ccs), and my most recent on 10/2 (1 cc). My doctor didn't want to wait longer in between the fills because I've been so hungry. I'm hoping that this fill on Wednesday got me closer to where I need to be. Today is my first day back on solids after the fill. I hope to be satiated longer now. I have another appointment in 2 weeks, which will be the last appointment covered under my global surgery coverage. All appointments since my surgery in July have been covered 100%. I'll have to start paying my co-pay for the visits going forward. After the initial 3 months post-op, how often do you see your surgeon?

I think its VERY important and I place getting a wide variety of vegetables particularly and some fruit way way above Protein. I think most people that are eating 1200 to 1500 are going to get enough protein with normal eating patterns, I simply dont hold with the theory that you need like a gram per pound. I lost all my weight on a normal protein intake of around 50 to 60 grams a day, I did not lose muscle, I'm not flabby and "skinny fat", I have a good healthy body composition with 23% body fat. I did not need to do shakes or eat protein first to do that (its not what we're advised to do in Australia). I focus more on fruit and vegetables and whole grains. For a while I've not eaten a lot of grain food, barely ever eat bread, and I've had quite severe bowel problems as a result, despite my high intake of fruit and veg. I added some bread and good cereals back in and the bulk it provided has fixed my problems - fibre on its own isnt enough, you need bulk. I truly do not believe a diet focussed on protein is a healthy one. With limited stomach capacity, you simply will not get enough fruit and vegies and you do need some grainy foods too. I wouldnt buy a juicer but rather a super duper powerful blender that will crush the pulp so that its drinkable, that way you're not removing half the good stuff from your fruit or vegies. I have a vitamix blender, I start most days with a "juice" of one or two fruits (not entire pieces, just a chunk), Water and a green such as spinach to make a green smoothie - its not delicious by a long shot but drinkable in a small glass. I usually follow that a bit later on with a serve of a good Cereal. At morning tea time I usually ahve cut up raw vegies - carrot, cucumber, red capsicum, snow peas, whatever I have on hand, about a cups worth (it crunches down to very little in your stomach). lunch is VERY often soup, always home made and vegetable based, I snack on things like pumpkin seeds (10 grams protein per half cup, lots of fibre and good fats) and dinner is usually a meat based meal. I dont eat a lot in volume, but I've done really well on this sort of diet and it suits my body/metabolism. I know it goes against popular opinion, and I know there's compelling reasons to eat lots of protein but in reality diets like Atkins or other high protein low carb plans are meant to be eaten with huge quantities of vegetables, particularly green non starchy ones. You cant do that with a sleeve or band, and you end up eating a very unbalanced diet that includes lots of protein (and often from rather questionable sources such as too many shakes) and nowhere near enough of other nutrients.

Surgery on 3/19 8:30 am Nauseated with dry heaves all day and night 3/20 much better. Peed on my own, walked a lot and drank small sips of Water and broth and released but did need pain meds 3/21 woke up with really tight back muscles, worst pain so far. Started farting this morning :-) Gas hasn't been bad as its coming out. So far so good. Keep the prayers coming. For those on the fence about surgery, I cried and almost left the hospital numerous times but just kept going through the motions... And, nothing has been as bad as I have imagined. I have a great surgeon... Still worried about leaks and clots, but I'm a hypochondriac! Can't wait until I feel I'll really be "okay" and start looking forward to my goals. :-) Best of luck to you! :-)

Good morning fellow bandsters... I had my 2nd fill on yesterday, what and experience.. I guess everyone is different, a little sore this morning. But I'll survive.. But the scariest thing happened this morning, I went to take my vitamins as I always do, and OMG... one got stuck... I was panicing and I almost started crying because of the uncomfortable feeling.... LOL now that it is over.. I guess I'll be going back to chewables, it's not a hard pill it's a capsule but it's medium size.. I do realize that once I start back eating solid foods I will be chewing for long periods of time... because if a pill can get stuck... I don't even want to think of any food... I do not like that feeling. .. Maybe I'll loosen up in a couple of days.. I am able to drink without a probelm, but it hasn't been 24 hrs yet so we'll see... I was just scared there for a minute... Just need to vent a little. Banded 04/15/09 First fill 2.5 cc 06/15/09 Second fill 2.5 cc 08/10/09.

I was sleeved 9/19 as well- went in at 234, was 223 yesterday. Happy with it! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had two insurance/doctor office screw-ups/delays, but barring those, 10 months initial information session to surgery with all the BS appointments, CPAP stuff, lab work done, NUT appointments, surgeon appointments, psych eval.

I had mine done in TN on 10/21. Excellent surgeon and staff at the hospital. Good luck!

That's great!!! I'm down 10 lbs since monday Sent from my SM-G900W8 using the BariatricPal App

It's been hard to do any outdoor exercise due to heavy snow and weather where we live but since spring is finally coming around every night I've been strapping him in to the back carrier and going to collect sap for our maple syrup and hiking back from the woods w him through the field Bc there is at least 6 inches of tough crust to fight through. I've also pulled back out my elliptical and have been trying to do it in the evenings. I was worried I lost my pouch but I've literally have been eating 3/4 or an egg and maybe a half of a sausage link for Breakfast but am starving by 10. So iv had a shake to hold me over until lunch. I'm happy to know my pouch tolerance is only my fault but now to get over the stupid food addiction again. So I've been starting to keep a good log to keep me accountable

this is basically the question i have! call your dr and ask him flat out. take drastic measures to lose it if you cant. theres a herbal fasting where you just drink tea and something else & its high in Fiber. thatll make u poop a lot. youll lose about 10-20lbs just on that. let me know what happens with the dr. im supposed to be on a 6month diet but my primary dr told me not to lose weight or my insurance wouldnt approve me so im confused!

Hi, thanks! I am on a 10 day liquid high protein/low carb diet. I have started putting hot sauce in my V8 and it is now my daily treat.

I agree, they are all soooo different! SD: 10/10/12, Converted from Lapband to RNY, HW (before band) 263, HW (RNY) 230, Preop 219, after surgery 223, current 209