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Hey whats up every1 been mia fo a lil bit. Alot goin on. Last few months have been crazy as i started a new job, playing in my pool league, looking for a house, loosing this weight. Im down 82 lbs so far doin great feelin great about to kick it up a few notches with mma training. Like i tell every1 its a juggernaut status now (u can knock me down but u cant stop me) I started at 473 This is me in august [ATTACH]9693[/ATTACH] This is a pic from new years eve [ATTACH]9694[/ATTACH] I gotta say im lovin the feelin of pants just fallin off lol Hope every1 is doin great.

Ugh! I am so frustrated. The scale hasn’t moved in two weeks! I don’t know what to do. I’m 5 months post op. I’m eating about 700 calories a day. Doc wants me up to 1000, but it’s been tough to get there. I haven’t had a whole lot of energy the past month, but I upped my protein shakes to twice a day and that has helped with my energy considerably. I admit I haven’t been too strict with my diet relying mostly on the tiny portions that I eat keeping me in check, which they have in the sense that I’m not getting very many calories. I do try and make sure I’ve gotten my protein in each day, and my water. I just don’t see how 700 calories a day can keep me at 185lbs for 2 weeks without so much as one pound lost. I have been loosing slow from the get go and now its trickling to a hault. I’m 50lbs down since surgery but my weight loss can’t already be stopping. Can it? Please advise. Or share you similar story. HW 238, SW 230, CW 185 Surgery date September 19, 2019

Aww its okay if you are sad and depressed. I was sleeved on Oct 29th and I get depressed often. I was told that it is the extra estrogen that is released when you loose weight that triggers the depression and mood swings and that sounds just about right. Its okay to have buyers remorse and to feel sucky. Just remember not to subscribe to any eating disorders which you had before your surgery to feel comfort (i.e. eating when sad, snacking and so forth) You will NOT be able to eat much, and it will HURT when you do. Think of your new belly as a baby and you have to relearn everything over. It will be ok.

Wow thanks for sharing. It's been 5 months for me too on Nov. 22nd and I had a second fill on Oct. 18th but didn't loose anything in the 6 weeks. I've been discouraged but I keep pushing and plugging along. I go for my 3rd fill tomorrow. I don't know what my happy medium is but I know I want to keep loosing weight and hope my body will respond. But I'm so glad you shared your story because I don't feel alone in this. Thank you

I do mine in the thigh. It's not very critical where you inject because it doesn't need to be into a muscle. Merely under the skin. That is why the needle is so little. You can do arm, abdomen, thigh. Anywhere is ok according to my doctor.

I had that too. It turns out that it was a stitch poking thru! What I ended up doing was getting a new CLEAN shaver, soaked in alcohol, and I actually very carefully shaved it flush with my skin. It worked! But since you're going to the doctor, I'm sure they'll take care of it for you. The fill is a piece o' cake.

Well your last appointment was a week ago. Most doctors say you can loose 1-2 pounds per week. If you've lost 2 pounds that's really good. You mentioned full liquids. My doctor said full liquids was tomato or squash soup. The Proteins shakes should not have fruit if you are on full liquids. That would be mushies. Yogurt is also a mushie not a full liquid. Protein shakes: What is the serving size of your shakes (how many scoops do they call for?)? Mine says one scoop. Your powder should be about 24 g of protein for less then 120 cals. When adding pudding powder I did 1-2 tablespoons. A whole package seems like a lot. During full liquids I made mine with 3/4 cup fat free milk and 2 "milk cubes" (frozen fat free milk). Lunch- Pudding is not a full liquid it is a mushie and does not have any protein. As I mentioned earlier yogurt is not a liquid but a mushie. Call the doctor's office and ask about the yogurt. If you can have it at this point I recommend Greek yogurt as it has twice the protein and regular yogurt. During Mushie stage I used a hand blender to mince the fruit. I do add splendra since Greek yogurt is sour. I would definately have protein at each meal. Seems like you are having your protein mostly at breafast and dinner. Here is how I ate during liquid phase Breakfast Tomato soup (added Mrs Dash unsalted chicken flavor spice before heating) Wait as long as possible and have a Protein shake, made with milk (no fruit) lunch Smooth soup Tomato or squash, carrot shake Dinner Same During mushies same plan start with soup and then eat the protein mushie later.

Well I had my first unfill. Since my last fill on 2/10/10 where I got .4 ccs in my band - I've been STRUGGLING. I would go for days where I could barely keep anything down. At first it was mostly just the morning and early afternoon - but usually by late evening I could eat. I figured I was just getting used the the band and I was losing weight like CRAZY! My thought process was, losing weigh so quickly my band would quickly become loose and thus I just need to wait out the tightness of the band. I tried to just stick to soups, Hot tea, water, but it got to the point where I could keep down nothing and was throwing up 5 to sometimes 9 or 10 times a day. I started waking up in the middle of the night coughing up stomach acid. I read about throwing up so much causing acid reflux - with this information and going 4 straight days not keep ANYTHING down I knew that I needed an unfil :-( . So I called my doc. He got me in this past Saturday. In just over 2 weeks I had lost 14 lbs ! I lose about 5-8 lbs a month so I was floored with the 14 lbs. My doc unfilled me 6 whole CC's - to put this in perspective my last two fills I got .4 ccs each time. 6 CCS removed takes me back down to about 6 months post surgery and since thens I've lost like 40 lbs so that impacts it as well. My doc said that I needed to rest a bit - he said I will be able to eat like normal so I need to be careful. I dread gaining any of these 14 lbs loss - I needed that burst! It brought me under 300 lbs which was definitely a milestone. He's going to have me back in in 9 days for a fill and I can't imagine gaining too much in those few days - but the idea of water weight scares me. I will be okay with no more than 4 lbs - I'll be sad for any more than that. Don't want to get back to over 300 - NEVER AGAIN. I ate pretty sparingly today and yesterday. I did kinda test my band today and was happy with the result - I can't eat like "normal". I ate 1/2 of a burger - and a little dessert. Normal would have been to eat the whole burger, and all of the dessert plus 3-4 glasses of strawberry lemonade (I had water :rolleyes2:). It was interesting though - I've become used to eating so little food that I forgot about how heavy your stomach feels after eating. A cup or so of food does not feel heavy but 2 or 3 cups can really weigh right on your midsection - never really noticed that before. So, we'll see how this goes :thumbup:. Wish me luck!

I have 185 to lose. I am not entirely sure the sleeve is the best option. I felt like it was, because weight loss was slower, therefore less loose skin hopefully. But I don't know if 185 lbs seems unrealistic with the sleeve.

Look at those loose pants ! You look amazing !

I may not be the one to ask because I kind of have my own program. 1 frapachinno in the morning 1 multivitiman salad and alvacado (small) for lunch tortillia chips and salsa for supper And a lot of cheese I have done this for the last eight months almost everyday. Maybe not in the same order. I did start loosing some hair, so I started drinking a protien supplement. Thank you for all the support.

WOW! Kaiser sounds awesome!!! I've already started saving for the various skin de-sagging surgeries I might need (OK want) to have.

Sometime being young has its advantage. The elasticity and collagen in the skin is much better when you are younger. Give it a little time before you decide to have plastic surgery. A lot of your skin might just go back into place with time. A tummy tuck will pull your stomach skin tight and also repair your loose ab muscles. However, a baby needs room to grow, which might stretch your skin again, cause stretch marks and ruin all of that beautiful surgery you have paid so much money for.

Congrats Lou, what a journey ! I have 2 questions for you : - did you have any problem with loose skin ? - can I ask you which clothes sizes (shirt and pants) you were at the beginning and what are you sizes now. Thanks

I've never been good at keeping up with a journal..........nothing has changed. My highest weight was 265. On surgery day I was 261. My lowest now has been 194. 70 pounds. Wow! The beauty of it is that it won't come back. I will never go over 200 again. I always said that when on previous diets and in the blink of an eye I would be back up there and beyone. Unless, God forbid, something goes wrong with my band I will not gain again. I had an unfill a couple days after Christmas and I've gained a couple pounds. I feel almost wide open and have been eating all kinds of crap. I am going back tomorrow for another fill. I want just a small one. The last one was bad and all the stress of David being in the hospital was a nightmare. I lost lots of weight but I also nearly lost my sanity. The lack of vitamins, protein, etc caused nasty things. My nails are a mess, my hair is dull, dry and lifeless. My skin is dull and has no elasticity. That may just be an age thing and I will live with it if I have to. I am wearing size 14 jeans and while I am not exercising, I still feel better than I've felt in years. I can breathe so much better. I don't wet my pants with the least exertion. It's all good. I want to go on to 150 if I can. I'm not desparate to lose now. I am not yet happy with my looks but I am so much improved. I can't imagine myself at 150. It would be cool just to see how I look. Later.........

Some of you know how much I'm struggling to do and eat the right food and the right amounts. Having said that I HAVE FAILED. I am horrible. I don't think I'll ever be able to loose all my extra weight. I feel like I can eat too much! why? shouldn't my stomach be smaller than before my vsg?? for breakfast I can eat a morning start veggie pattie and about an egg. Lunch is usually chicken or fish, about 3 oz and some veggies, but then an hour later I'm hungry again!!! I eat some cheese, or carrots, or whatever I see. These last couple of days have been the worst. I had a bite of cake, pizza, rice, a cookie... I CAN'T STOP!! what is wrong with me! I do feel full many times, but I can't fight with the inner me that tells me to keep eating! and I eventually feel sick because I am so full! I am afraid that I will end up stretching my sleeve and everything I've done will be thrown out of the window. Has anyone out there tried hypnosis?? I've heard that for some people works.... I just don't know what to do anymore. I plan my meals every night and I pack my healthy lunch, but when I get home from work I eat and make up for the whole day! I'm afraid I won't be a big looser!

I set my goal for 125 then decided I want to be 110 I'm currently 124 so I'm very near my goal weight but with out trying hard I feel I'm starting to become thin. I feel great but I never been this small so it's shocking everyone that see me. I know when I have plastic surgery I will be thinner all the tummy fat & skin arm skin & w.e. else will be like 10 pounds less. That's for 2014 let's see what happens. I don't want to be a skeleton neither or size 0 but if I become size 0 it's ok as long as I don't look like anorexia.

I can't use it. It gives me headaches, loose stools, nausea. From the research I've done on it, it's nothing more than poison. I don't eat margarine either. I eat real butter and olive oil and I use turbinado sugar or honey. All used in extreme moderation of course. A teaspoon of sugar has approximately 16 calories. I think I can handle that......That's all I need in a cup of tea. I don't think a lot of people realize that wierd symptoms they have may be from artificial sweetners. I avoid it like the plague.

I can answer for myself only ,but yes i can feel my port through my skin, i do still enjoy dinner out once a week as we have always done. I try not to eat things i am not supposed to but eventually we all try something and you will either have a problem or not...for me under no circumstances can I have any kind of bread...yes i have tried on 3 different occasions(glutton for punishment i guess) and every time it got stuck and i was in a lot of pain till it finally came up, i can honestly say after 3 tries i will not be trying that again! if you over eat you can get sick or just feel really bad from being too full both are not things i like to do. good luck to you I hope i was of some help.

I travel a lot with my husband and the main thing I am worried about is being able to eat something while we are at dinner so I don't just sit there while he is eating 2 courses like we both usually do. I have 40 lbs to lose so I am going to tell the doctor to make my band loose because I don't care how long it takes me to lose would rather have a more normal diet and it take longer than not be able to eat anything at all during our travels. I have read where some people can eat pretty normally right after surgery and some people can't eat a thing or drink anything - that sounds like the band must be too tight - it is very confusing - I realize people are different so I guess that is why there are so many different experiences.

I love my band and wouldn't won't to ever loose it and haven't had any problems to speak of so I guess just getting to your sweet spot fill wise would be the only thing I've not liked, but I'm there now and it's heavenly.

I think it is just taking a little time for your body to adjust. I am sure you are feeling the difference in your clothes. The scale can be our enemy sometimes. Just remember, it took you a while to gain the weight thus it may take sometime to loose it's this is not a race, it's a lifestyle.

Hi All, I was banded in 2011 and it was a move that everybody in my family was against, I started to lose the weight and was very happy, reached my ''initial'' goal within a year and was very happy... Had a little bit of extra skin as I was too scared to work out. During this year, I was lucky enough to get my entire family living in the same city as myself, and we ALL enjoy food so much, so any gathering with parents, brother, and sister meant food, food, and more food. I was eating good portions, and had started to take my band for granted, forgetting about the rules of of not eating too fast or drinking and eating at the same time Anyways, my troubles started about 6 months ago, when I was under a tremendous amount of pressure at work, and at home as my husband had to travel and we'd be separated for a whole year... lots of stress and angry days and nights starting causing me pain the upper part of my stomach (which is normal for me even before the band)... Started getting stuck more often, but it would come and go as sometimes I would be able to eat very well, and other times it would be a hassle... didn't really do anything about it, then started to get acid reflex, and continued to ignore things.. Then I had a 1cc unfill, but the symptoms continued, and i continued to ignore them... things were getting worse, and i started to cough at night, eating became a nightmare, and I started resorting more to fluids thinking it is probably stress and will be better soon. Lately things were way worse and I felt like i had it, so I went for an endoscopy (which is covered by my insurance) and was told that probably the pouch above the band is dilated and I must see my surgeon (whom I no longer live in the same country as) Anyways, I went to the surgeon whom I was doing all the follow up with, and he jumped directly into conclusions saying I must remove the band..... I panicked and cried, so he said then you can do an xray. The report of the xray Dr. came good, saying there is no slip and the band is ok, but the surgeon said that there IS a minor slip that the dr. missed and he unfilled me completely and asked me to go on a liquid diet for a month, then if the xray showed no improvement then I would have to remove the band. I am completely shocked, and so so so so worried… I have paid for this from my own money and removing the band would cost a fortune, let alone the other factor which is weight gain… I am completely lost and feel like it is the literary the end of the world…. Any help or similar experiences or links to videos or articles would be AMAZING…. I can’t seem to find anything other than the horrible stories online. I also need some thoughts on the liquid diet, can drink fruits and veggies smoothies? Grinded veggies and meat Soup? What are the things to stay away from (band safety wise not weight gain wise)? And would I be able to eat any mushies? Or is it liquids only? Thank you so much for any help or reply that you might leave…. Appreciate it like you can’t imagine.

Hello..I go for my free seminar Monday..I've done my homework with insurance, preparing other drs notes and medical records etc. so I'm set to go after my seminar for my consultation. One concern I have is how much weight is expected during the first few months after the surgery? I struggle with doing a diet and no results as do many and I don't want to get discouraged or feel hopeless if I don't loose a lot during the first few months. Is it espected that you will loose 60-80 during your first year? Thanks

I eat baked chicken all the time. I do add salsa or veggie spaghetti sauce. I have BBQ chicken breast on occasion. 3 oz no skin. Yes I do weigh all protein.