It does get discouraging. I've only lost 8 lbs since Christmas. Lost the rest since July surgery of last year. I have 18 lbs to go. I figure I've lost 65, down to a size 12 from a 22. I should be happy but I'm not totally. If I could freeze my weight at this the rest of my life I would be happy. But I sure want to get to 150 and a size 10. Anyone else stop loosing?

I'm so confused reading all these post. I have been banded for three years and lost 93 pounds and it took me 3 years to get there. No I am not at my "goal weight." But who cares! Our life is about a journey, not a destination. I am alive, I no longer have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre diabetes, and depression. Remember WLS is a tool not a cure. We still have to work it everyday. Our lifestyle needs to change, this is not a diet. A Lifestyle Change!!!!! And it can be incredibly fun. So congratulations to everyone who has lost 60 or 30 or 20 or even 1 pound!!!! Now stop crying about your expectations not being met and go celebrate and enjoy what you have accomplished....

You Rock and you look hot!!!

Regarding Docs not wanting patients to mingle.... I have not found this to be the case. Dr. Watkins has a yahoo chat group they invite you to so you can chat with other patients of his. It isn't very active, but it is there.

Also, Dr, Cottom offered me to talk to a couple of his patients when I was first researching this.

Another observation... I don't think the doctors I went to had WLS, but probably half of their support staff had.

I am interested in finding about an experienced veritical sleeve doctor in the US that would convert or do a plication revision to regular sleeve. I have maintained weightloss due to strick calorie counting, but I live a unsatifying life of deprevation/hunger and live on veggies since a bigger stomach - although GPS worked for awhile. However most should know that my results probably aren't typical and GPS does work for other people. Does anyone know a doctor that would consider plication revision to regular vertical sleeve? I hope I don't have to gain all my weight back if I am self paying for revision surgery. If a stomach has stretched out or stitches have come undone, I really don't understand why it is a big deal to convert to regular sleeve since they would be cutting that part out anyway.

From what I've heard, they should be able to "tighten" your sleeve back up for you to give you restriction again. Have you consulted your Dr about this?

He is a really nice guy/top surgeon and probably would, but since it didn't work for me the first time, I think I rather do something else that will still have the restriction.

I'm so confused reading all these post. I have been banded for three years and lost 93 pounds and it took me 3 years to get there. No I am not at my "goal weight." But who cares! Our life is about a journey, not a destination. I am alive, I no longer have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre diabetes, and depression. Remember WLS is a tool not a cure. We still have to work it everyday. Our lifestyle needs to change, this is not a diet. A Lifestyle Change!!!!! And it can be incredibly fun. So congratulations to everyone who has lost 60 or 30 or 20 or even 1 pound!!!! Now stop crying about your expectations not being met and go celebrate and enjoy what you have accomplished....

well i had mine done may2 20011 so iam going on 10 months and went in as of 217 now i am at 176 not to happy

I'm so confused reading all these post. I have been banded for three years and lost 93 pounds and it took me 3 years to get there. No I am not at my "goal weight." But who cares! Our life is about a journey, not a destination. I am alive, I no longer have high blood pressure, sleep apnea, pre diabetes, and depression. Remember WLS is a tool not a cure. We still have to work it everyday. Our lifestyle needs to change, this is not a diet. A Lifestyle Change!!!!! And it can be incredibly fun. So congratulations to everyone who has lost 60 or 30 or 20 or even 1 pound!!!! Now stop crying about your expectations not being met and go celebrate and enjoy what you have accomplished....

Thank you for your comment. I have had some major struggles this first year after WLS and have only lost about 53 lbs. Your comment made me realize that I'm not "done" losing weight and that just because I didn't lose 100 lbs in the first year, doesn't mean I'm a failure and that I can't lose more weight in the upcoming years.

Struggling myself these days guys...haven't lost any in over a month. I'm trying to stay positive though and you guys are a help. I haven't been on this board in awhile, but I realize maybe I need to to inspire me. :-)

Hey chow chow I'm sorry your having a hard time this month I myself am not looking forward to those times. How long have you been placated? How much weight have you lost already? Did you start with a high bmi?

Hang in there! Sometimes we take steps back only to be able to move forward with more motivation again. I'm trying not to get too discouraged, either. My restriction is pretty much gone now, so it's up to me and my lifestyle changes...if I could just make them!! I did work out today, though!

Try shakes again, and restrict yourself to no breads, carbs, for 3-5 days sometimes our bodies need a shock to get back to losing,

I started out about a 40 bmi. I've lost about 55 lbs and am 11 months out. I do feel some small amount of restriction and that is all that is keeping me where I am these days. My cravings are through the roof. I'm trying to get back on some kind of plan, but I feel rather lost right now.

I'm actually Julie6 and started this thread. Just wanted comment on whats happening now. I understand I should be grateful for having lost anything at all but when you've been overweight almost all your life and you have a dream of getting to your goal, it is a bitter pill to swallow not actually reaching it. I had my surgery on July 15 of 2010. I still have not reached goal. I flucuate between 159 and 163. I may never reach my goal weight of 150. My body likes where its at and I'm ok with that. It sure beats 233 lbs. Some people reach their goal in record time. Some lose most, slowly. I'm healthy, reasonably attractive, but most importantly, I am self confident and can do more physically than I ever could before. Life is good now.

I'm actually Julie6 and started this thread. Just wanted comment on whats happening now. I understand I should be grateful for having lost anything at all but when you've been overweight almost all your life and you have a dream of getting to your goal, it is a bitter pill to swallow not actually reaching it. I had my surgery on July 15 of 2010. I still have not reached goal. I flucuate between 159 and 163. I may never reach my goal weight of 150. My body likes where its at and I'm ok with that. It sure beats 233 lbs. Some people reach their goal in record time. Some lose most, slowly. I'm healthy, reasonably attractive, but most importantly, I am self confident and can do more physically than I ever could before. Life is good now.

Good, positive attitude!