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This post helped me when I started to compare my story to others on this forum. I have reprinted it with permission from Cheri, the author. I hope this helps you stay positive. Please stop and do the math by Cheri People get completely freaked out by what I feel are unreasonable expectations. They fly into a panic. They assume that the first time they don't lose on the scale that their loss is done. They think that two weeks at one weight is a massive stall. They look at other people's large losses and forget that we don't all lose at the same rate. First - if you did a pre-op diet you are not going to have the same loss your first month as someone who didn't do one. Your pre-op loss should get counted into your loss calculation if you did a pre-op diet. Second - a stall is three weeks or more at the same weight with no fluctuation. Are you panicked after that? Well, my friend coops once spent twenty one MONTHS at the same weight. She finally broke through and never regained during that time, and even lost two sizes while not budging on the scale. Is it the miracle cure you may have been hoping for on the scale? No. But stalls are not the end of the world. They are certainly more normal that flying to goal in six weeks, I promise you. Third - losing anything more than a pound a week is good. Are you eating less than ever before? Yes. Does that guarantee you'll lose faster than ever before? No. I had two nine week stalls - no movement except upwards for my monthly cycle. I had months where I lost but only in the tenths of a pound. It's not normal to expect a big loss every time you step on the scale. It's setting yourself up for disappointment. Fourth - your pattern is your pattern. You can compare yourself to other people sleeved the same day or with the same stats but it doesn't matter. So much of this is individual. So if you're constantly seeking out other people and comparing your losses to theirs, you are eventually going to discourage and frustrate yourself. Fifth - are you closing in on goal? We all lose even more slowly the less weight we have to lose. So if you only have sixty pounds to lose but shed thirty in your first three months, please don't be hysterical because you're "only" losing a pound a week now that you're past the halfway point. It's normal. Stop. Breathe. Do the math. Adjust your expectations. This is not a race. You do not get a special award for reaching goal more quickly. Your surgery was not pointless or worthless if you manage to get to goal in two years instead of six months. The real goal is not losing the weight. It's keeping the weight off. That's real success - that's what we're here to do. It does not matter if you hit goal in nine months or two years - the real challenge and the real journey begins with maintenance. How quickly or slowly you lost does nothing to change the challenges you'll encounter there. I am not ranting at anyone in particular. I just feel that this is an issue that comes up constantly and it's actually pretty silly for people to fly into such a panic without really thinking. I've seen folks upset when they're logging losses of upwards of four pounds a week. Point to the diet that helped you accomplish that and was easy to maintain prior to surgery.

This is the hardest week ever lol. I feel good, just a lot of head hunger....is this normal? I am craving things I never craved before! I am scared I will end up eating something and ending up in the hospital! Help

I am only 7 weeks wow its early for me then, but i do know that i will have to have another one later on. I just hope i pass, i do not need the added MD visits. I had Dr. Krahn in SB as my surgeon.

You lost an average of 4.5lbs a week and you're not happy with it? That is very good weight loss!

So am 7 week out of surgery and I just lost 32 ponds...is this normal or is me... I did not lose no wait before surgery ...whats going on with me...an I go to the gym 4 times a week. ..

-52lbs in 11 weeks! I have slowed down a little is that normal?

I'm 2 weeks out today, and thought that pain would never go away, it is still there when I drink but much less, your body almost adjust to how the water hits do it's not as painful

Was never on purees. Went straight from full liquid to soft after 4 weeks. But my first meal I guess can be considered purees: Refried Beans with a dollup of sour cream and a pinch of melted cheddar and a little taco sauce. It was like eating steak and lobster. Good luck!

Hello, all! I am getting ready to schedule my surgery for sometime in October. I started my "journey" (actually feels a lot like the road to Hell!) in May, 2005. It took a long time for my insurance company to finally deny me for surgery. I will be going to the Mid-West Institute of Bariatric Surgery (Lenexa, Ks.) next week to make my appt. with Dr. Jessie Lopez. Does anyone have any experience with this Doctor or his office? So far, I have had a lot of trouble getting them to return my phone calls when I was trying to make the appt. I will be paying for the surgery on my own---it seems like a LOT of money! BTW-I am 215lbs., 5'4', hoping to get to 130.

I started my pre op June 7th and had my surgery June 21st.. I'm down 26 pounds.. But I think Im already having my first stall. Its bugging the crap out of me.

So I am at my 5 week mark and the lbs have been coming off like clockwork, until last week that is. Started at 371, surgery at 330, down to 290 last week, now I have stalled and even gained a pound or two back. I'm starting to freak a little because of it. I just recently went back to actual food, but I eat protein first then veggies, rarely any fat (no fried food or anything). I exercise and walk, although stress over the past week from work is causing sleeping probs. I don't want to see that scale go the wrong way. Any advice?

Are you making your protein and fluid goals? It's really important to get in the prescribed amounts of both. Many people experience a stall at the 3 week mark or so. Your body is just trying to adjust to everything that's happened to it. Keep plugging away and I'm sure it will pick back up. After a loss, my body fluctuates up and down for a few days and then I lose another couple of pounds. I definitely never lose any weight the day after a good workout. I've learned to go with the flow!

I was told walking first 6 weeks then slowly introduce strength training.

Ok thank you so much. I'll start this week Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Was first banded in 2011 weighing in at 302lbs. I lost over 180lbs the first year but my band kept slipping which ultimately put me in the hospital for 6 weeks because I had lost an additional 40lbs and was passing out every time I stood up. After my weight returned to 290 my Sergeon suggested I get the sleeve. I did in May of 2012 and has only gotten down to 238. I exercise 3-4 days a week for at least 2hrs(I don't feel like I did anything if I'm not there that long) I started doing cardio and weights and it goes up and down never going higher than 240 but no lower than 237. As far as my eating I have been counting calories and cut out sugar and sweets(oh it was hard) but I can't seem to get any lower. Starting to feel discouraged because I know I am working hard. Any advice will be welcomed

I just had one done two weeks ago and it was painless!! All I remember is the same thing as liberated sleeve. They put something in my mouth to protect my teeth and next thing you know I was waking up and it was all done. You will be fine!

Dear Diary: Tomorrow is a week since my banding. This past week has been most interesting because I was so limited in action and movement. I have found 6 different spots where I can lay, temporarily, that ease the gas and the soreness of the port - four of these spots, I've never even sat in....but now part of getting some rest. I have terrible thoughts - like the port is falling out, that it is infected and will need to be reopened, and, greatest fear....because the port is more in the front on the left side of my body.....I'm afraid it will prohibit me from riding my horses. The ride is not the problem, it is getting off. I have short legs and "hop" down from the saddle to the ground. The way I do it now would scrape the port everytime. My Doc has never banded a horsewomen. Then I think about how big I've gotten, which makes it harder to ride and harder on the horse. This has to work for me and my boys (horses). One day at a time and the answers will come to me. Good Night my Diary!:eek::kiss:rolleyes:girl_hug::amen::welcomeB::mad:

It totally normal. I have the same thing happen to me. Drop consistently then stall for a day or two. No big deal. Focus on your hydration first and foremost. If you are being brutally honest with yourself and following your doctors plan then trust the process.

i took a week off i will also remind you to make sure you take all ur vitamins and maybe some extra vitamin C because when i went back to work it was cold season and my immune system was prob weak from being on liquids and surgery that i kept getting colds like crazy from being around all my sick students

I am to be sleeved on October 9th. I attend support groups weekly. This topic was actually just mentioned on Thursday. Some people who have had the surgery already that were there said everything taste the same, others reported mild changes, and some gave examples of when they first got it done that for a week or two everything, for some even water tasted odd. Some said like sand, some said copper, and yes someone said soap. I wouldn't worry, but if u want that extra relief just call your doc to confirm. Best of luck and please send updates. Will be sleeved by doctor Singe at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY on October 9th.

I'm currently in the process of fulfilling insurance requirements so we're looking at a timeline of around June'ish. I will get done with the requirements the early part of May then they said that insurance companies take between 2-3 weeks to send back approval should they approve. Once i have the approval they will look at his schedule and see what is available. I have a family reunion the second week of June in Illinios (about a 10-hour drive) so I think I will choose to do it when we return so I'm not on the road and away from my doctor if needed

Thanks Kristin, I am sorry if you thought I was being stroppy I truly wasnt. That is why I asked the question, I can eat waaay more than 3oz, I wish that my band was working that well! I have cut out almost all the bad carbs, no rice Pasta bread biscuits cake god the list of what I wont eat is endless, but I still find that even following the rules I am hungry a lot of the time I workout 5 days a week and I am getting to the point where I feel that I am doing all the work. I think that the answer is that I need another fill!!!

i will have to agree with something you said nina....BEFORE surgery i was never told about calorie counting, measuring..avoiding food......at the seminar we were told...you can eat what you want ...in small amounts and you will lose weight... guess what... thats what weight watchers ppl do...and they lose.... so i dont know...i dont get it... now my dr's orders AFTER surgery are...eat meat then veggies then starch.... no where or no way have i ever been told 3oz's. right after surgery i couldnt eat much...now i'm 6 weeks out..no fill till the 15th. its all me right now...i can eat anything...but what makes me wanna answer to ur problem....the dietician i first met with said " EAT UR MEATS IN GRAVIES ..RED BROWN ETC IT GOES DOWN EASIER" ... so.... are they selling me something?? or providing me healthcare? right now i dont know...but i dont plan on living on diets ...or counting calories.... and as far as the TOOL story goes... please... i have 4 friends with the band who eat as they like and all of them 100 lbs less in a year or so.... its a TOOL i bought and paid for...because i was told it would restrict eating... NOT TO BE ON SOME DIET COUNTING CALORIES?? COME ON

Ok this is a moan, but I am sick of having the same conversation with my surgeons dietician. When I went for the op I had done what I thought was fairly extensive research, I looked at the bypass and the band, and I had decided that apart from the fact that the bypass scared the living crap out of me, the band was better suited to my eating habits. Although I do like treats my problem was always portion control and the lack thereof. I had a long discussion with the dieticians explained that with such a large family I cook loads of one pot meals ( think coq au vin, spag bol, pot roast etc) I just eat too much and get hungry 1 hour afterwards. During this discussion she mentioned trying crackers/raw veg etc if that happens as it will stay in the band longer. Since I had the band I have cut out nearly all the Snacks, I allow myself one low cal bag of chips a day and that is it, BUT I dont eat my food dry. I follow all the rules, take 20 minutes to eat, dont drink with meals or for an hour after, and I exercise. My weight has stayed pretty static in the last 4/6 weeks even with the fill, and I eat way more than I should be able to. My clinic are telling me that is because of the pot roasts and tomato sauces (apparently it just slides through the band???) and that if I want it to work I have to eat grilled/steamed meats and plain veg. WTF??????? If I ate that without the band I would lose weight!!!! The whole point of the band for me was the fact that I could still cook the things that I enjoy cooking, and the vast majority of what I cook is healthy, and have portion control. She is right, when I do eat the dry food I do get full much quicker,but from what I have read on here I should get full on spag bol just as easily. What gives???? I ended up asking her what I had spent £8,000 on becuase I have already made the healthy choices, started excersing etc, if I have to change the healthy stuff that I eat so radically then to me I just feel like I am on a diet, not that I have changed my attitude to food. She mentioned me getting another fill, but again I am worried, in surgery he had to put in 4cc as the band was so loose, my first fill did nothing and in order to get any restriction on the 2nd fill I had to go to 9cc in a 10cc band, there is only 1cc left FGS!!! That worked for a couple of weeks but now it seems to have loosened off, I can eat pretty much anything (but not white bread), and if there is any sauce on it I can eat loads! Can the band loosen off if you dont lose weight? If I cant eat white bread then surely I have restriction, so why am I condemmed to dry foods only in order for it to work? I feel like I have met the band half way, I have made huge changes and embraced them and it still isnt enough :wink: At the moment the way I am looking at it it is 70% me, 30% the band :tongue: I just feel like I was missold. Friends keep saying to me that my diet is no different to their weight watchers only I am not allowed the sauces and that they cant see why I spent all that money, %&)&^(&^%&$!!!!!! I am sooo hacked off..... Nina x

i'm not unhappy for losing at all i'm just bitchy because i didnt get my first fill it was cancelled so i go on the 15th... and i'm grumpy because i've been dieting and i dont like to diet... so forgive my mean attitude...i just want..or need to get to where i feel like....ok...this is it ...this is what the band does... i'm full or satisfied after 1/2 cup..right now i'm having a hard time dieting ... and it seems all the skinny ppl i work with LIVE ON CANDY!!! i know i cant do that but damn sometimes i want to!!! anyway.....i guess i'm just more upset that my appt was cancelled and i had to wait another week to start the fill process which may take several months to get right! gl everyone.... i will do this ...but i cant gripe to my family.... sorry i griped here :smile: