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ALL OF THE ABOVE Great information, But Scar tissue can also affect the band tightness, ( and it doesn't have to be immed. post op) and it's a personal belief of mine that they don't know enough about WHAT exactly affects the Band because when studies are done they take everything into consideration BUT only report the MOST prevalent issues. I know stress IS a reality in all aspects of our lives, but I also think the medical community uses it as "catch all" to explain to many problems, just like I was reading earlier how they blame allot of health issues on "your overweight" "If you'd just lose weight". To me that is just an easy way out so they don't need to get to the root of a problem. ( LOL...sorry off topic rant) I did find that while living in Arizona for a year I was able to go longer without a fill, but then returning to Michigan I had more frequent fills. SO YES, anything is possible with the band.

What's the distinction between this social group and the "Life At (or Near) Goal Weight" forum?

you can create your ticker at Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss, Trying To Conceive, Pregnancy...

Due to side effects including appetite suppression and weight loss, Adderall has also been used as an off-label drug for obesity. You aren't obese any longer. I have no clue how much more you need to lose but this drug you're taking seems to be working against you. I am sure you realize only a doctor can help you with this matter. None of us would ever want to steer you wrong. It doesn't seem normal for you to be going through this. Do the smart thing and see a nutrtionist maybe with what you are eating and maybe they can suggest your next step. That drug even talks about depression and maybe you are going through something mental that you can't put your finger on. Josephine

Check out this site: exercise4weightloss.com and then click on restaurants. It is geared toward weight watchers but it is a fabulous site for restaurant nutritional facts in one place. I always consult it on my iPad before ordering.

Congrats on your loss of 71 lbs! That's amazing! Even though it's not 100 lbs, you're just about 3/4 of the way there. From what my doctor tells me, most of his patients lose that amount (100 lbs or so) between 12-18 mos, so sounds like you're still in the zone for more weight loss before it begins to steady out. Just continue doing what you're doing and staying motivated!

Was band 4-24-12 at Uc Davis in sac .ca. Was 300 lbs now 275 lbs. have no fills , next app isn't till July . I asked the doctor about getting a fill because if being hungry all the time. And they told me that they don't like to do fills , unless they have too. And that they won't even consider me for s fill unless I have 2 mos food records and probe that I need one , and then it's still up to them wheather I get s fill or not . I have 2 mos food records . But July seems so far away , mean while I'm struggling to not gain wieght and drink loots of water for hunger pains . Is this normal? I thought that u get the bsnd and u get fills to help the bsnd Nd you, I didnt know that I get the. Snd and your done . No fills at all. I thought about looking for a diff doctor , that would talk to me and do the fills , also one that is closer to where I live, in great gridley , ca. I heard there is one in Chico. Last time I saw the doctor I left feeling shamed and a failure it was my 2 week after operation app to have staples pulled . I had list 18 lbs And was told that I wasn't losing fast because I was doing something wrong with my eating habits , like not staying with liq then purée diets . But I did stick to the diets , I too wish I would lose more and faster . And that's when I ask Bout getting s fill because I was starving , they said drink more water and inform me that they try not to do fills if they can get away with it. Now I'm wondering what the heck!?!? What? Why? I'm starving and I feel like I did before the band except for my booboo hurting and feeling the port against my ribs . Why did I have this done?what have I allowed them to do to me ? Help? Is this a normAl? Not to get fills? An I being a baby and wanting more then I'm supose to have? Am I expecting to much, I just want some restriction , to not feel like I'm starving Nd my feel my stomach eating my back bone from hunger. Should I find another doctor that will do the fills?

Most docs won't see you if you didn't have your surgery with them. But look around, some do and you just have to find the right one. The attitude your doctor has seems out of character? You've lost a lot of weight and don't let them tell you different. Sometimes you have to be very aggressive with some of these docs. They get this God complex you know? Demand a fill if they say no. Call them up and tell them you want an appointment in the next two weeks. All they can do is say no. tmf

@@lf1227 HI there and good luck with your move. I really learned a lot from the two links below in my signature: The Lapband is Not About Restriction (Dr. Simpson) and O'Brien's Eight Golden Rules. Every one is different as far as what they can tolerate and how much fill is required for the Green Zone. I don't like to be too tight but in my view if I ever am I can do a liquid diet until I am able to get a smidge removed. My personal test is salmon and broccoli -- I need to be able to eat those foods easily. Sometimes chicken, steak, etc. are too tough and require a lot more chewing or still will not feel "right" to me. The problem with a too-tight band is reliance on Slider foods which will cause weight gain. You'll get there -- stay on it!

This is about ten years ago, I had lost over 100 lbs on phen phen. It worked well for me, but I lost the battle of keeping it off. When I was thinner, I wanted to buy some beer and they wanted to see id for proof of age. Well, I felt complimented because at the time I was 30. When I produced my driver's license, the cashier refused to sell to me because she just "knew" that pic could not possibly be me. I was angry at first, but then I realized I should just be thankful. I smiled all the way home even without my beer. Now, I am back where I started. I will start again. This time with a tool to keep my weight off. Congrats!!!! :frown:

Welcome Kara I don't blame you for being scared. I was, too. I am 15 days post op and am doing great. I know how daunting it is to think that you aren't going to eat any food for awhile. It's amazing that we can muster up the will power to do that. I wondered, if we have enough will power to do that, why do we need surgery to lose weight? I actually asked that question at a pre-op seminar and the Dr said "I couldn't have PAID you to come here and ask that - that is the BEST question anyone has EVER asked" and the answer is.....(drumroll) ..... we have the will power - we've lost weight on restricted diets before - we can do this - BUT - we cannot sustain that kind of will power for a lifetime. that is what the band will help you do. TIPS FOR MAKING IT THROUGH: Protein drinks will save your life. Some of the better ones are: Atkins, EAS Advantage, Muscle Milk. Drink one of those and you are not hungry for awhile. Truly not hungry. It's amazing. And SO healthy. My nails are growing, my hair is thicker. It's just great. They are about 1.75 each (4 pack for $6.50) better prices at costco, watch for sales etc). sugar free Jell-O is fun to eat but it won't do anything to help you if you are hungry. Sugar free popsicles - same thing. I admit, I haven't had dinner with my family in a month (my requirements were 14 days pre op and 14 days post op). That was hard. We didn't go out during that time if it involved a meal as so much of our social lives are wrapped around food. but, that's ok. it isn't for very long. If you are in the right mindset, and if you've come this far, you must be, you can go a bit farther and do this. Feel free to email me anytime. And good luck!!

Hi Everyone, Although I have posted to the Lap-band forum before, this is my first to this group. I am being banded on July 14th and although a bit nervous, I am extremely excited and ready to get onto my new life. I am only sorry I didn't get this done many years earlier. I just hope it works ok for me and that I continue to lose all this weight so that I can finally travel again without being miserable. I have so many problems with my legs and feet due to Neuropathy and my being overweight. My obesity has really caused numerous health issues that will hopefully change for the better once I lose this weight. I need all the support I can get to help me stick to my diets. I have been doing well on this 14 day liquid diet pre-op. I must admit I did cheat one meal by have some grilled chicken which was wonderful. There wasn't much of it (in the past, it would have been only enough for a taste) but still cheating. I know that the Neuropathy will always be with me, but the sleep apnea as well as so many other problems will hopefully taper off or go away altogether once I lose most of this weight. Getting the surgery done at Temple, TX. Anyone else from the area? OH yes, another question unrelated to Lap-bands....Sharon, is that a Bischon puppy in the picture you have on your info? I have one also.

I don't use stockings or anything like it but avon has these nice camis that come with a girdle. They are awesome. I've bought them in xl n l n as I loose weight I'll continue to buy them. They hold everything in nice and tight in the belly area. Plus they go great with a shirt over.

I was doing a weight loss program at a chicago hospital. I was following a 1200kcal diet but had only lost 2 pounds in a week. The doctor had bigger expectations so he told me "Just don't eat! You have got to stop eating. You will see your weight drop if you just stop eating" Ok, maybe he ment 'don't overeat' but the way he phrased it, I was PISSED and wrote a complaint. I did not sign up for that kind of treatment. Other than that, I have been told not to eat for 3 days to shrink my stomach, drink lots of vinegar, smoke, etc. Just ridiculus stuff. None of it healthy.

hi! i am soooo glad that i'm not alone! i am so thankful to find this site. i have felt really alone in my journey with pcos and almost doubling my body weight in the last 9-10 years. like many others, i'm sure, i have thought about getting lap band surgery through the years. through the painful process of diets, "i'm gonna start on monday", spiritual journeys, emotional journeys, mental journeys, losing 20 pounds twice, and so on(you get the picture)....i went to an orientation with my mom, who wants the surgery, and decided that i am going to it! i have alot of questions, nervousness, and excitment at the same time! i know it's not the end, but making the decision feels like the end to a looooong journey and i am about to step into a very new life.:smile2: i would make my appointment today, but i am trying to raise the money(i do not have insurrance). i hesitantly asked the surgeon here in alaska if he would do my surgery pro-bono. he said no. the surgery here is 23k. so, i am on the search for a experienced surgical team that will cost way less. i already has a couple of friends that want to donate to my lap-band and wow, what a blessing! i was diagnosed finally last year with pcos and put on birth control and metformin. well, the metformin made me sick, so i stopped it, and i have been off bc since april. i have had 2 positive pregnancy tests, but start my period(i think i am mis-carrying). i am hoping that god-willing, everything will fall into place soon, and i can be restored back to health! support, advice, and new friends are welcome to respond! have a wonderful day:tongue:

This is going to sound weird but you have to eat or in your case drink in order to lose. You should be getting 50 to 60 grams of protein and 64oz of fluid. Hit those goals and start walking a little bit and the weight will start coming off. Good luck!

I am 7weeks out today and down 64 lbs. You are doing great, everyone will lose at different speeds but it is most certainly not gone foerver if you go back to eating unhealthy. Good luck START WEIGHT: 467 <br />SURGERY WEIGHT/DATE: 420 / 4-10-13<br />NOW: 356 5-28<br />64 AFTER VGS 111 TOTAL

Okay, I'm a banded plication person, but I have to respond.... In your WILDEST dreams, did you ever see yourself trying to figure out how to STOP losing weight??! I love it!! I can't wait to have that problem Good for you - I know you feel fabulous!

I had my lap band surgery in October 2005. I initially lost 28 lbs. I have had seven fills since 2005 but I now weigh what I weighed before the surgery. I have cut back to about 1500 calories a day. I can feel more restriction right after a new fill but in a couple of weeks I don't notice the restriced feeling anymore. Has anyone experienced a similiar situation? Thanks JB

Anyone here care to discuss their experience with a low-profile port? My port is becoming VERY noticeable, especially when I exercise. It looks like I have an "outtie" belly-button just below my rib cage. :rolleyes2: My doctor many months ago mentioned something about a low-profile port. Before I go back to him, I just wanted to see some experiences here. Did your doctor replace it free? What it an in-the-office procedure, or will I have to go back to the hospital? The more weight I lose and more fat I lose, the more uncomfortable the port gets. All in all not a bad problem to have. My sig is a little out of date. I'm actually down to 205 now.

It is typical to hit a plateau every so often, and it is important to maintain your compliance with your diet. Also, I have found that my weight loss slowed significantly if I did not eat enough Protein, and if I did not drink enough "free fluids" (SF and FF). I have also read that changing up your exercise is supposed to help; if you have a set routine of exercises, change the type and perhaps the speed of your reps. I halve also written in past posts that this band and weight loss journey has taught me a life skill which eluded me for most of my life: how to have patience and be patient... Best wishes as your journey continues...and it will!

Thank you for sharing your story and congrats on your weight loss! keep up the hard work and keep us posted!:crying:

Ok experienced Sleevers..... I have a few Questions.. 1) does your back and you feet really stop hurting after losing weight? 2) does exercising get easier because you actually feel lighter or is it mental motivation that gets you moving? 3) does the snoring stop? 4) does spicy foods (jalapenos, hot sauces, etc.) affect our tiny tummies?

Hello New World!!! After years of yo-yo dieting, seemingly endless "gaining and losing" cycles, feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, and low energy, I have officially decided to step in the direction of a surgery "tool" and becoming a "sleever". During my OMG, am I really doing this thinking chair moments, the following questions and thoughts pop up: Am I taking a short cut? Will my personality change? Will there be any complications? And the all important... Will I be able to handle it and be successful? Now, before anyone gets too excited with their answers, I think a short back story is warranted (in relation to the questions that filter through my mind)... Am I taking a short cut? As a teenager, I was told not to give up. That quitting anything was negative and you have to work to achieve whatever is worth achieving. Once I hit my pre-teen years, I started gaining weight (but not at the age of 14, that's when I had a growth spurt and seemed to thin out, and never learned how to eat properly). So setting goals was like being on the fence about knowing whether the glass was half empty or half full. That part may not make sense to anyone, but it sounded right in my head. Will my personality change? I've always warn the hat of "the quiet observer" . I'm not loud, I don't wear flashy (or in-and-up-to-date fashion) clothing, and I'm a hermit (being home to me is like eating steak and mashed potatoes... comforting). I've watched and wondered, could I ever wear the "fun" hat? Could I entertain and participate in group get-togethers where the attention will be on me for more than 5 seconds? Could I handle people looking at me and not delve into those thoughts of, "Are they looking at how round I am?" If I could get to a point of not giving a sh*t and loving me because, let's face it, I'm friggen' awesome (currently working on that self-esteem after being told years ago that I wasn't good/thin enough, I don't want to wear the "victim" hat anymore ), I would be able to relax and join the party. Will there be any complications? I know that complications are ALWAYS a possibility, but I've been in the hospital multiple times for multiple reasons. Hospitals freak me out. That's normal, right? Will I be able to handle it and be successful? As an adult, I typically start something, but then have a difficult time following through (why I'm like this now, I have no idea). Where I am located, there's a 6 month pre-op process. I also have support from everyone who matters to me. But I am aware that it all boils down to me, and the strength of my will. I suppose this is where the phrase, "One day at a time" kicks in. So that's what I'm doing... talking to myself (literally). So with all that said, I know I can do this. I CAN.