Charlotte I just saw this post and I so sorry I forgot to check in on you!  I totally understand how you are feeling....I was the exact same way and it honestly took me about 3 months until I was myself again. It's alot to handle.  You are on your way to so much joy I promise you!
Let me know if you want to chat or get together anytime....how arey you doing with your shakes?
I was not able to tolerate any- so that was rough.
Hang in there girl!
Deb

Hi Jaime:  I am also a Lap Bander just about 2 weeks ahead of you.  I was on liquids (protein shakes and clears and SF jello and popsicles) for about 10 days preop and 2 weeks postop.  Then my next stage (current stage) is thick liquids including yogurt and SF pudding, but nothing that has to be chewed.  I was absolutely starving throughout this long liquid stage.  I started cheating with soft foods at 3 weeks out, which I regret since I was hoping to stick to the rules, but they went down fine and I did feel more full.  BUT my weight loss stalled.  It is definitely tough right now.  Part of the problem for me is hearing that others can eat more foods.  But this time will pass quickly in the grand scheme of things.  I know that doesn't make it easier in the moment, though.  Hang in there, band sister!.

Hi Ms Jo Jo.  Congratulations on this second chance.  When you say the surgeon is not going to close the wound, it reminds me of when my ex had an open abdominal surgery that they did not close.  It was left to heal and close on its own over many weeks - so it looked like a piece of beef muscle for a while under the gauze, and I think most people didn't appreciate how much this resembled living with a war injury or something.  Don't know if that is the same plan for you, but I have sympathy for what you are facing.  I am glad you have been able to receive the OH support.  Best wishes on your new DS!

Hi Genblosum:
I think you may be a bit too hard on yourself, although perhaps you do need the kick to get back into control (only you would know).  I am 3 weeks out this week also.  We are now in "bandster hell". Take care of yourself by following your surgeon's instructions!  They are there for a reason.  The Lap Band doesn't restrict you much until you have several fills which can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months from posts I have seen - the key here is seeing your doctor regularly.  For better or worse, it's like a diet at first - following the band eating and drinking rules even though you don't have restriction so you still feel hungry.   You need "some" will power to start with your protein, then veg/fruit and limit the carbs (although nothing is forbidden except perhaps carbonated beverages).  Also you need to not eat constantly but keep to 3 to 6 small meals, and drink enough water.  I worry about my will power also.  I found my weight loss stalled after leaving liquids, and I definitely have had meals that were not right for my stage at times.  Liquids in some ways was easier than having to cook and choose foods.  But I think if I can follow the rules more often than not, and be patient until I have good restriction, I'll eventually get there.  I think you will too!  You are doing this for you, not for your dad.  Can you tell him the nagging doesn't help?   

Is this possibly occurring after you changed what you were eating?  I have seen in my own experience and on some other posts that some people will stop losing weight when they switch from liquids to mushies for example.  I realized that I was making the changes a little too quickly, and taking it a bit slower helped me to get back to losing.  But I also have to watch portion control.  Best wishes to you!  Plateaus are normal.  Many people say they lose weight in a variable pattern - some weeks or months lots, some weeks or months little or none.  They say they lost inches rather than weight at times.