I was hoping to find others here to comiserate with. I had my surgery last August 2008. I lost 45 lbs in 4 mos and only 7 lbs since. And that soesn't even count because it was surgically removed. What now. Lost motivation to keep going.

Lisa:confused1:

I'm self pay so I don't have to worry about meeting any insurance requirements. I had to do some looking, but I've found a wonderful surgeon who agrees it will be a great option for me. I'm 51 and have been yo-yo dieting since I was 9, and I. am. just. done. My life is just wonderful in every other way, but this weight thing has been an albatross around my neck for my whole life, and swear to goodness, I think it's going to be the best thing I've ever done for my mental health, even apart from any physical health benefits! (And my shrink agrees! )

my physician does surgery on people that are at least 35 bmi. so good luck.

So let me get this straight: Do our tummies end up as tiny as those pens?

No, it's a measuring tool that the surgeon uses as a guide. That is why bougie size is only part of the equations, surgical technique, every patient's stomach length, and surgeon's experience making sleeves play a much larger role in determining overall sleeve capacity than just the bougie. My stomach is about the circumference of a nickel to maybe a quarter, maybe a quarter on a good day when I have drank some warm liquids, and my sleeve feels looser.

I had a 32fr, and when I had my gallbladder out, my surgeon also scoped me, and he showed me the pictures. My stomach looks amazing, not too narrow, not too wide, and he said he would estimate that I could only hold about 4-5 ounces of dense Protein per meal. He predicted absolutely correctly because that is exactly how much I consume of a medium steak with a little A-1 steak sauce. I still chew the heck out of my food as well to aid in digestion.

Edited February 25, 201016 yr by Tiffykins

Thanks, Tiffykins! I was worried there for a minute!

Carol, we're the same age. I will turn 60 in October. I too started out wanting the Lapband but it never felt right so I continued researching and found my way here. Welcome to VST. There's so much great info here!

I haven't lost anything in weeks either. I didn't have much to lose though because I had my band removed before I gained too much weight back. I'm sticking to eating what I know I am supposed to eat, and realizing the rest may come off slowly and may not come off at all. I have 7 more lbs I would like to lose.

I know if I stray from eating what I am supposed to and eat something like a piece of candy, I end up gaining a pound even though that candy is not 3500 calories. Then it will take me a week to take that lb off. So I am trying hard to not eat any sweets. Sweets are my big down fall.

Daisy this is something I just can not wrap my head around.The math doesn't work. I ask myself how is it possible that one candy or sliver of cake would cause my body to gain or plateau when the entire day's calories don't even amount to 1000? So there must be more to becoming obese then the simple caloric/energy equation. It is the reason why some people are able to eat seemingly whatever they want whenever and in large quantity without becoming over weight while others (such as myself) must near starve (by comparison) to lose and/or maintain. I can already see this now that my appetite is healthy. My body really needs severe restriction in order for it to release the energy to burn up the stored calories, (fat). I think that obesity is the result of some sort of brain/bodily malfunction and when I realize this it makes good sense to have had this surgery.

I also agree. Good for you. You wil have much success.

Carol

600 calories a day????? that sounds like starvation. That is like 3 Protein drinks a day and that's all?

Actually, my overall intake is more like 480-500 a day, i really try for 600 but rarely get there. . noooooooo there is totally no starvation on my part. . .i am like always sooooo overstuffed that i call it a "pigout". . . my hubbie looks at me funny all the time. . . last night i had made 4 brusselsprouts and a chicken leg (boiled of course) and ate 2 of the sprouts and 1/2 or so of the leg, the rest is my lunch for today. . .for the morning i have a flaxseed Peanut Butter Protein shake (yuuummmm). for a midmorning snack i had 1 cheese stick and for an evening snack i had fat free chicken slices. the calorie count for yesterday was about 584.

So no, it's not starvation at all. . . my hubbie doesn't think i eat enough either, but for me it is physically impossible to add more food if i feel so stuffed like i ate a whole extra large pizza with a 2 liter coke!

Flaxseed peanut butter shake? Can you post the recipe for that? It sure must be healthy!

Flaxseed Peanut Butter shake? Can you post the recipe for that? It sure must be healthy!

Lan, hi hon, the PB with flaxseed is sold at Walmart. It's called Naturally More and is a bit on the pricey side. $4 - $5 for a small jar. But it's 10grams Protein and low sugar, low fat. . . very good for you. . I LOVE flaxseeds, taste like seseme seeds. . So anyhow I have Bariatric Advantage chocolate Protein Shake , I take 1 scoop of the Protein powder, 1/4 tsp of the flaxseed PB, and 8 oz skim 0% milk, shake it up and yummmm yummm its so good. . .never miss a morning without it! tastes like a reeses pieces . . .total morning calories 200, total protein about 42!

Edited February 25, 201016 yr by thinoneday

Lan, hi hon, the PB with flaxseed is sold at Walmart. It's called Naturally More and is a bit on the pricey side. $4 - $5 for a small jar. But it's 10grams Protein and low sugar, low fat. . . very good for you. . I LOVE flaxseeds, taste like seseme seeds. . So anyhow I have Bariatric Advantage chocolate protein shake , I take 1 scoop of the protein powder, 1/4 tsp of the flaxseed PB, and 8 oz skim 0% milk, shake it up and yummmm yummm its so good. . .never miss a morning without it! tastes like a reeses pieces . . .total morning calories 200, total protein about 42!

Thanks I have not been able to drink Protein shakes since the surgery I lost my desire, but I just might try this one thanks again.

Let me know how you like it ok?

Let me know how you like it ok?

I will!

sounds great to me. Don't think I can do the boiled chicken but I will have it grilled and never eat the skin anyway.

I buy flax seed at the health food store and grind them in a coffee grinder. I love them too. I put it in my yogurt, and in my protein shakes and anything else I think of.