Ducker

So I have been reading the numerous posts on here about the dreaded stall between weeks 2 and 3. Of course I was secretly hoping that this would not be my reality and that I would never encounter a stall. Wishful thinking. The stall came. And it stayed. And it stayed. And it stayed. I remained positive and confident. After all, in each and every one of those posts the stall eventually broke. They each offered advice to be patient, stick to your program, step away from the scale. Blah, blah, blah. It all sounded so good until my time came, the time of the dreaded stall. However, please believe me. I really did stay positive. It took 12 days! The last 4 of those days I went out of town to a concert, ate whatever I wanted, and REFUSED to weight myself. Guess what happened? Guess. Really. Weighed myself today, down 3 POUNDS!!! So now I have to join the church. I am now one of the disciples. It's my turn to preach to you all who are reading this. So, listen closely. Be patient. Stick to your program. Step away from the scale. Ducker

So...in the pre-op forum someone posted what they wish they had know before banding. It included some very candid thoughts and details about life after the band which I found very insightful. There were many replies, and someone mentioned that this would be a great forum topic since the great majority of bandsters on here paint a very shiny happy picture without addressing the very real and sometimes unpleasant and uncomfortable facts about life with the band. Being that I am not yet banded, I thought that those of us contemplating the surgery deserved to know the truth - the good, the bad, and the ugly in weighing our decision to proceed with this life altering procedure. Don't be afraid to discourage us. Just so you know, the vast majority of those that posted some negative effects that they experienced said that they would still do it all over again. But, that is for us all to decide on our own, knowing all of the possibilities that lie ahead. Give us an opportunity to do that. We thank you. ducker

Hey all! I am doing very well, no complications. I actually almost don't believe they really did the surgery! LOL. My only gripe is that I seem to be losing much more slowly than anybody else on here. I lost about 10 lbs. since surgery day, including actual 2 pound fluctuations (some days I was up 1-2 pounds). I guess this is the dreaded and much talked about 2-3 week stall? I am being patient. I am amazed at how little I can eat and have been trying to make good choices, although I did cave yesterday and have some Peanut M&Ms. Interestingly enough, I lost weight even after that goof up. Anyway, I want to say thank you all so much for all of your support. It is so nice to have a specific group that had the procedure around the same time so that we can accurately gauge our progress/challenges against those that are at exactly the same stage as ourselves. I find it hard to relate to the "veterans" sometimes. Their reality it so far away from being mine. I can't even begin to discuss non-scale victories right now. It's too early. It's all about the scale. We are still skeptics at this stage. I need this sleeve to show and prove! :-)

I love that you determined your own goal instead of leaving it all up to the doctor. Cheers to you!

Yep! One bite over does it for me every time, especially if it's meat. Done. Totally not worth it. Hopefully time will allow us to really know when enough is enough.

I had the same problem with water, and it seemed so unnatural especially because I loved water pre-op. Try diluting apple juice with water. It tastes really good, isn't too sweet, won't overload you on sugar or carbs, and helps keep everything moving (if you know what I mean) as well too!

I have not tried to Costco shakes yet and would also like to know specifically which ones you enjoy. Since Costco rotates their stock so often, I want to make sure I get the right ones.

Discharge nurse just came by, going home today! Mild headache from DILAUDID, and now switched to liquid Lortab, much better. The gas sucked, but I have been very mobile so that has become a non-issue. Thank you all for your support and honesty. It has made this new beginning so much easier. Ducker

I'm tomorrow too!

I'm with you tomorrow, 5:30 am!

I'm right behind you on the 28th. We got this! See you on the skinny side :-) Ducker

I'm right behind you, scheduled for Wednesday. We will be fine! See you on the skinny side. Ducker

I'm right behind you, Wednesday 9/28. We got this! Can't wait to see you with your sleeve on! :-)

I am experiencing less of a food frenzy and more of a self-sabotage. I had to lose 5-10 pounds before my final pre-op appointment. If I gained any within that time, my surgeon would cancel the surgery. Well, I lost 12 by low-carbing and walking. Now I am exactly one week from my surgery and I have gained 10 of the 12 back not by bingeing, but just by not being as strict as I had been in the weeks leading up my pre-op appointment. I enjoyed some carbs (healthy ones, but carbs nonetheless) and wine. It was good, but not as good as I thought it would be after so much deprivation. I am in hope that I can at least lose 2 pounds before the morning of my surgery so that my surgeon does not cancel my surgery on the morning of. That would really suck. I vowed today no more carbs, no more partying. I have come too far to sacrifice my opportunity for a few french fries and some cabernet! Ducker

If you are considering this surgery, then there is no doubt of your being positive that you will eventually gain the 10 pounds whether you do it for this surgery or not. I was under at 37.5 BMI. I gained 10 pounds to qualify, and I would do it again. Insurance companies are always trying to get out of ways to pay for things. More and more are excluding WLS each year. Take advantage of the fact that you could qualify with an extra 10 punds. I gained 10 to qualify and lost it in 2 weeks after I was approved. And, I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!

You mean DOWNWARD...on the scale that is! Hehe. You will be just fine. Good luck! I am right behind you on 9/28. Ducker

So...my last pre-op appointment is on 9/12 with my surgery scheduled for 9/28. At my last appointment the doctor that works with surgeon ordered me to lose between 5-10 lbs. before my last pre-op appointment on 9/12. She also said that if I did not lose the ordered amount it was fine, but that if I gained any weight, even an ounce that the surgery would be cancelled. Wow! That's a lot of pressure. So far I have lost about 4 lbs, giving me 6 days to lose between 1-6 more lbs. So scary! The surgeon didn't even make me go on a pre-op liquid diet. So, I have been going the low carb route and trying to walk and ride my bike more. Anybody else been given this kind of ultimatum? Ducker

Thanks ladies! I feel so under the gun. The Labor Day weekend that just passed was pretty intense. Luckily for this particular holiday there are lots of grilled meats and salads involved. I feel like I have no choice but the make it! Cancelling surgery is just not an option. I have come too far. Thanks to you all for all the encouragement, and thanks for the 2 day Slim Fast suggestion Kelly! That is a great idea! Ducker

Hey All- Seriously on the countdown now. My last pre-op appointment with the surgeon is on Monday 9/12 and surgery is scheduled for 9/28. I was wondering if anybody invested in that after-surgery shapewear? I know my sister has had 5 kids and swears by it after each childbirth. So, it led me to wonder if it would helpful for us sleevers and if anybody could testify about that. Also, my surgeon said that he provides all of his patients with a binder to wear after surgery, but it is optional whether or not we wear it, totally up to us. However, he says it helps protect the abdomen and incisions from being rubbed against or directly pressed upon. But, I was thinking that may the binder would also help prevent saggy skin similar to the function of the shapewear? Any thoughts about any of this? Ducker

Thanks Krista! Surprised you only wore the binder for one week. Makes me optimistic about how quickly the incisions begin healing. Ducker

Thank you so much for this! I have always loved costco but was wondering if it was going to be worthwhile to maintain my membership once I had been sleeved. But, you all seemed to make it a ver simple decision. After all, Protein is the most expenzive food group and with all of your great suggestions I see that not only will Costco still have a place in my new life, but that there are new thing you all suggested that I have yet to try. Thank you so much for this, I would have never thought to pose the question. Ducker

Yep, I sure do know that triumphant feeling of being approved! I will never forget it. I, like you, have just recently been approved and given a surgery date of 9/28. However, I have no fear just pure antcipation and excitement. The only fear I have is that my date is going to take FOREVER to get here. It seems the days are just dragging along at an unbearable pace. The only thing we have on our side is that it is still Summertime and the weather is bright and cheery. I couldn't imagine having these days drag by as dreary, gray, cold, and rainy. So, there is a little positive in everything if you look at it JUST RIGHT! Good luck to us!!!

Hello All- First of all, let me say I am so happy to be here! I previously belonged to the lap band forum. Oddly, at first I felt like I was cheating on them. LOL. Anyway, I am so glad that I did start on the lap band forum since I was intially considering LapBand. However, all of their very candid entries led me to believe that the Band was not for me, especially after seeing how many banders had already or were in the process of revision to sleeve. So, their honesty was a blessing since it gave me a very accurate picture of what I DON'T want. I know this journey will by no means be easy, but I am ready to do the work and can't wait for this change! My surgery is scheduled for 9/28 and I am just beside myself with anticipation, not fear, anticipation. So, thank you all in advance for welcoming me into your circle and for all the feedback that you have candidly shared to help me get here. I really appreciate it. 36 Years Old Female 5'7 Starting Weight 259 Current Weight 256 Goal Weight 160 Surgery Date 9/28/2011

I agree that what you are experiencing is probably most normal, like with any big life decision. I remember signing the final papers when purchasing my condo. I was shaking like a leaf, my daddy had to hold my hand, and I was so nauseous that I nearly threw up. I realized how heavy the contract I was entering. This contract that you are about to enter to reclaim your health is just as serious. If you did not feel such a case of nerves I would question whether or not you are taking this seriously. Take comfort in the fact that this is weighing on you so heavily. Also, realize that some of your feelings are probably due to "breaking up with food" similar to breaking up with a long term bad boyfriend or the dissolution of some other comforting yet destructive relationsship. Also, subconsciously you are probably also battling with fears of failure. Now, I don't mean to sound like an expert, and I probably have no real right to comment since my surgery date is not unitl September 28. But, I have the gift of being able to look at things from a very alternative perspective, and I for one, am proud of you that you are taking this so seriously. It tells me that you are a perfect candidate for success! So, look for me when I am crying and sobbing ready to back out on September 27th. I hope you will be right there to offer the same words of wisdom and support to me! Much Love!

Hello All- This is my first time writing, as I previously belonged to the Lap Band forum. Oddly, I feel like I'm cheating on them. LOL. Anyway, I am so glad that I did start on the Lap Band forum since I was intially considering Lap Band. However, all of their very candid entries led me to believe that the Band was not for me, especially after seeing how many banders had already or were in the process of revision to sleeve. So, I am glad I am here and can't wait for this change! My surgery is scheduled for 9/28 and I am just beside myself with anticipation, not fear, anticipation. So, thank you all in advance for welcoming me into your circle and for all the feedback that you have candidly shared to help me get here. I really appreciate it. 36 Years Old Female 5'7 Current Weight 258.8 Goal Weight 160 Suregery Date 9/28/2011