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I was sleeved 4/26/2013 and I've been at a stall for 3 months. What's really discouraging is that the doctor told me 2 months ago that she thought I would have lost more weight by now, which is even more discouraging! I have been exercising. I have started Zumba, kickboxing, and walking. Any suggestions on how to speed up my weight loss. I'm looking good but the weight is not falling off as I expected.

U probably need to increase your calories to 1000 for a week and see if you lose. I had to increase my calories and start walking at least 30 min per day you will start to see the changes just hang in there.

I went for all my blood work and ECG today as well! It kinda makes it real.....I'm being banded a week on Friday!!!!! OH MY GOODNESSS..... We'll get through it. Jx

I am in 3 weeks since the start of my program and have lost just short of nine pounds. One of the reasons I am going for the surgery is that I probably lost ten pounds five times in the last year.

After hitting a nearly 3 week stall I finally started losing again this past week slowly. Finally I was starting to feel better and not so down on myself. I went to see my doctor today and I've lost 7 lbs in the last month. Instead of hearing words of encouragement he told me I wasn't doing a good enough job and need to work harder. I explained to him I hit a stall and couldn't lose and nd I just started losing again. His words "well you just have to work through it". It didn't matter how hard I worked I couldn't lose it. I really thought I was doing good. Was even kinda proud of myself and need starting to accept this new life style better now I feel like I'm back at square one and did nd depressed again.

I had surgery on April 15, 2013. I always get at least 80 grams of protein and I take all my vitamins including 5000 Biotin for hair. I drink all my liquids and follow the diet I was given pretty well. About three weeks ago my hair started falling out. My surgeon said it shouldn't fall out for sleeves but here we are. I knew going into this it was a possibility and I thought thin and healthy and bald was better than fat with good hair, but I'm having a hard time accepting this. When you go through trauma, hair can fall out. Last week my scalp got sunburned on vacation! My friends who've had sleeve and RNY all say it will grow back. I'm praying for it to be soon!

I'm just under two weeks post-op. I was operated on here in the states and my post-op diet is as follows. Day of surgery, we're allowed NOTHING at all. No Water, nothing. That sucked. Stage 1: just water (this was the day after surgery) We could only sip no more than 1oz over 1 hour. Stage 2: Clear liquids, sipping no more than 3oz over 1 hour. Then we were sent home on day 3. Stage 3: sugar free & low fat full liquids, sipping no more than 8oz over 1 hour. We're supposed to get in 48oz liquids a day plus 60 grams of Protein. During this stage the doctor approved water, crystal light, coffe/tea, broth, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, sugar free juice, tomato or V-8 juice, yogurt Stage 4: pureed/soft foods. This is where we can introduce things like fish, tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad, imitation seafood, cheese, cottage cheese ricotta cheese, eggs, baked chicken/turkey. So, I go see my doctor in two days for my 2 weeks post op appointment and this is where he'll advance me to stage 4-pureed foods. Personally, I cannot wait. I'm so sick of drinking and can't wait to taste food again, even though it'll look like baby food. LOL I guess I could get to my question now. Once I start eating again whether it's during the pureed food stage or once I start to actually eat normally again, how long does it take for you to know if what you're eating is going to agree with you? Is this something that you feel immediate or does it take time for your stomach to say, 'NOPE' this ain't happening?

THATS MY PLAN TO JUST DO A BIG CHOP AND START ALL OVER IM JUST NERVOUS NEVER HAD SHORT HAIR DONT KNOW WHAT ID LOOK LIKE MY 28TH BDAY IS COMING UP IN A WEEK OR SO MAYBE ILL TRY SOMETHING NEW

I am 15 weeks out today. I lost 1 pound this week. I almost said "ONLY" before that 1, but I am not going to do that! A loss is a loss. It's ONE pound gone forever! I'm just going to be happy that the scale is moving in the right direction. I started working out this week, so maybe I am building some muscle. I think I was really dehydrated the week before, so this past week I have been drinking a lot more. I also ate some pretty bad stuff this past week, so I am going to make sure to stay on track this week. I weighed in at 278 pounds today! It feels so weird to say that. Last week when I was 279, I wrote 297 in my notebook where I keep a weekly record of my weight. Either I am dyslexic or just not use to that "7" in there. So, here are some NSV: Some I have shared before, but I felt they needed to be re-shared 1. I am up to 10 mins on the elpitical machine (HUGE FOR ME) 2. I went to the cardiologist for a re-check last week. Haven't been there since a few months before surgery. My BP, with no meds since date of surgery, was 122/84, and pulse was 72! Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"..........the doctor shook my hand 3. I could squeeze my butt into size 20 jeans Still tight, but I could zip them I put my size 24's in the dryer and they are still baggy. But I don't have any 22's and don't want to buy any. I went to a store where I know the stuff is cheap, and NO size 22's!! So, I just bought a few 20's. Just bought some sweat pants for $3 to wear until I fit into the 20's. 4. I got a job! Not a RN job, but it's a job for now. I got a nanny job for a family I have known for 8 years. It's just part time, but it gets me out of the house 5. I can walk from my basement (up 3 sets of small steps- quad level house) carrying laundry and still have the energy to fold it and put it away without sitting or resting! 6. While working, I can run up the steps to check on the kids, and not feel like my heart is gonna jump out of my chest I couldn't walk to my mailbox before surgery without the need to lean over the counter when I got inside to be able to breathe. 7. I can shower and get out and not have to sit down and rest. Sometimes, before surgery, I would have to lay in bed naked because I couldn't do anything else. 8. I shoveled the snow from my entire driveway and sidewalks with no break I couldn't even shovel 1 path last year. 9. I fit into a booth at a resturant without moving the table. 10. My periods are freaking NORMAL!!! 11. I met a friend for lunch the other day that I haven't seen since I was 6 weeks post-op and she said "WOW, where did the rest of you go" 12. I can play with my dogs, and run around (somewhat) with them and play hide and seek, which they love. I can take them for walks (which I need to do more of). Okay, now some # victories: 1. I am in the 270's! 2. I am 11 pounds away from being half way to goal!! 3. I am 9 pounds away from losing 100 pounds!! 4. Starting BMI was 53.... today.... 39!!!!! I know I say this a lot, but I am SO glad I have you guys to share all my victories with :D For anyone just starting this journey, trust me, it gets better, and it will all be worth it!!!

I felt the same as you, and I actually gained a couple of pounds in the week after the surgery. Part of that was, I'm sure, my body's reaction to the drugs and anaesthesia etc. But it came off eventually again. That combined with the severe limitation of food in the pre-op diet put me into starvation mode. The thing that I am starting to learn with the lapband is that this is the last time we will see those numbers that we are currently seeing on the scale. We shouldn't gain it back again and we should lose it little by little. I'm not a fast loser, but I feel much happier with my 50-odd loss and know that I'll never be near 300 pounds again! In time I will be able to say the same about the 200's. Focus on eating really healthy food, eating Protein every three hours (even if it just a little), drink your Water, and when you can start, do some exercise. I thought this was a miracle cure too, but we still have to do some of the work, and eventually our bodies will reward us with a loss. And something that I've really had to learn is, the scale doesn't tell the whole story. Welcome to band land, you'll do great. Mary

I'm 7 weeks out I lost 44 pounds at 6 weeks for I have been in a stall Monday make two weeks of it and I'll be 2 months but yes I could eat 3oz sometimes it depend what kinda if protein it is chicken breast I get full really fast that shows that you heal very well your rt on schedule in my opinion

My friend's mom is the hosptial for three weeks recovering from heart surgery/problems. She is a former teacher and loves to read and I was wondering if anyone had any good book recommendations - I was thinking along the lines of humor and healing but any suggestions are welcome. THANKS

I've had 5 fills for a total of 9cc in a 14cc band and I do not think I am in the green zone. I go next week and I am hoping and praying that my dr will give me another small fill. I think I'm close but I know I'm not there. He's getting nervous about continuing to give me fills, which I appreciate, but I'm still ravenous and battling hunger all the time. Maybe this next time will be the elusive green zone? But I also think that the green zone is ever changing as our stomachs change. Just like this whole weight loss challenge, it's constant work and almost always on my mind. But progress is being made and that makes me so happy!

I have a love/hate relationship with the elliptical machine! I love that it works me so hard and that I post-surgery PR everytime I get on it! But, I hate getting on it 3x a week! I also do a lot of weight training. For your back tri swimming or Water aerobics. I had a have a back injury and could not walk for very long before I was is so much pain I could not go anymore. My last straw was at Disneyland I was in a wheelchair wile my 70 y/o mother was walking around with no problem. I had the surgery and have lost 140lbs from my HW and now run on the elliptical for 2 1/2 miles at a 7 min pace and my back barely hurts anymore! Good luck to you!

You are doing extremely well with your weight loss, congrats!! I don't see a problem with the protein bar as breakfast if it's not causing you to stall, and clearly it's not harming your weight loss efforts. Your calories look ok too. How many grams of Protein are you getting in per day? The protein bars usually have 20 or so. Also are you on a multi-vitamin with Iron? I don't see why you'd need the red meat except for the Iron content, if you prefer other meats and protein sources. Do you like chicken and does your sleeve tolerate it? What else are you eating through the day, please give me samples of your meals. I need tips from you with your weight loss! And then we can see if you're getting enough protein too.

Hi just had the band placed three 1/2 weeks ago at GBMC and feeling hungry but they told me I would feel hungry untill I get the first fill. My question is actually about carbs. Does anyone know what a good carb count for a day should be?

same - I had some scrambled egg after 2 weeks. I just needed something! it was so delicious and nothing bad happened. tiny bites. big savor.

I bet you are, well done. I am due to you for my first visit and possible band fill in a couple of weeks. I had my surgery on 15th August. The surgeon placed a small band in and gave me 4cc during my op. Im finding that i am able to eat more now and starting to feel hungry particularly when i am due for my evening meal. But feeling really good now. I am feeing a bit anxious about my first fill though.

singer1, I'm not sure what rules you're referring to but you'll probably get a bigger response if you start your own thread. More people will see it and comment if you start a separate thread. Sorry to hear about your problems, my best suggestion is to call your doctor as soon as possible. Heart palpitations and faiting spells MORE than justify a trip to the doctor's office. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. Elizabethsew! Great name, do you sew? There aren't many people that do these days. I slept in bed from the first night post op and was able to sleep on my side at about 3 days, was comfortable at about 5 days, and didn't really think about it after 8 or 9 days. I'm not a big fan of MediFast. The Protein I'm using is called Body Fortress - you can find it all Wal-Mart for about $17 for a big 'tub' of it! The one I buy is the vanilla flavor and I mix two scoops (40 grams of protein) in 1 1/2 cups of fat free milk, 3 tablespoons of fat free, sugar free chocolate pudding and 1 tablespoon of reduced fat Peanut Butter and blend it up for a minute or so. The protein mixes easily but the peanut butter takes a minute to blend in completely. It tastes like drinking a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Mmmmm. It IS higher in carbs and fat because of the add-ins so I alternate days with my protein cocktail on one day and Isopure clear (50 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbs) the next day. I really look forward to the protein mix days! lol Onother good thing to eat if you're on full liquids is blended Cream of chicken and Mushroom Soup from Campbell's. Mmmmm. I'm on mushies now (I was banded on March 7th) and I'm learning to chew, chew, chew and when I'm done chewing . . . chew a little bit more and even then only swallow a little bit at a time. It's funny how old habits die hard. I've been on mushies for a week now and today was the first day I wasn't just CONCENTRATING when I ate and before the 2nd bite I had swallowed a piece that was too big. It went down but my band let me know on the way that it wasn't happy about it. At least there was no PB. Whew. Congratulations on getting your band and good luck to you on your weight loss journey. Let us know a little bit more about you, maybe set up your "signature" in User CP so we can keep up with you.

That is great!! Please tell me what you are doing....I am at 16 weeks, started at 240 and I have only lost 40 pounds so far. I was a size 22 and now I am a size 16 and weigh 205. I admit I don't exercise at all. And I am hungry...alot. But I do eat well...protein first, then vegetables. Besides exercise, is there anything else you might suggest?

I was sleeved the 29th and the same.. I've lost 20lbs. I started at 195.. I think that's a lot for a week but maybe not

Just a word of advice - if you do give into your cravings, I guarantee your body's reaction will be so awful you won't do it again. I craved Cookies. Bad. I finally gave into temptation about 2 weeks after I went on solids. BAD mistake. I was so miserable. Spent the evening in the bathroom, if you know what I mean. I agree your stomach is trying to pull a fast one on you. One thing I learned in this journey is that sugar is addictive. Once you start in the morning, you can't stop all day. So if you put sugar in your coffee, you will crave sugar all ..... day...... long. UGH! Also, artificial sweetener (Equal, Sweet N Low, etc.) all produce the SAME EFFECT in your brain as sugar does. Your brain can't tell the difference. So, if you put Equal in your coffee in the morning, you will crave sweets all.....day.......long. And carbs. It's vicious I tell you.....VICIOUS! LOL!!! My understanding is that Stevia doesn't do that to you. I need to try it. But, for you, this may be the key to why you're having those cravings? Good luck. You can do it!!!!

I know that deficiency in Vitamin C, Iron, B12 and vitamin K can cause easy bruising. If you had good bloods 2 months ago... it is quite possible that you may have developed a deficiency.... all these (except Vitamin K) are Water soluble... so they don't stay in your body long.... a deficiency can occur in as little as 4 weeks. What Vitamins are you currently taking and at what dosage?

I used one for 3 weeks. Our bed is low to the ground and I wouldn't have been able to sit up and get out of it without abdominal support. It help with pain immediately and I was off pain meds by post op day five. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 4 weeks out from RNY and I've noticed that almost every time I eat, I become nauseas almost immediately. I feel like I'm eating slowly enough but I'm sure I could work on that. Some things, especially meat, comes right back up so I'm wondering if it is an eating-too-fast thing. (The weird thing is that the throwing up isn't all that bad. It just kind of comes back up). Any ideas?