TracieR

I had my band removed due to acid reflux. My reflux was so bad that when I laid down I would wake up choking. Once my band was removed it went away. I was sleeved two weeks ago. Since then I have had some acid reflux not as much as with my band but it is there. My doctor prescribed protonix and it helps but I notice it more when I haven't eaten. If I eat every couple of hours I don't have it. I'm happy with my sleeve so far.

I'm not using small cups or spoons just trying to stick with pre-measured foods. I've been really trying to get in 64 oz of Water. I'm feeling dehydrated though. Not sure if I need more water or more calories. I have to stop trying to rush everything. I want it all now. Haha!! Tomorrow is my post op appt.

Wow you're doing awesome!!! I still feel hunger from time to time but I've heard that's somewhat normal. I didn't start feeling hunger until these last few days. It's nothing like before surgery though. I don't think I can do purée yet, but I'm going to call and find out for sure because I really want to move on to purée. I've been feeling hungry as well. I also seem to have no problems drinking Water or protein shakes. I'm a little worried about this. I hope this works for me! Good Luck!!

I had my surgery on Tuesday as well. I haven't been nauseous but have had some heartburn. My doctor lets you start soft foods right away. I realize I have to eat little bits every few hours to keep the heartburn at bay. I've been doing thinned cream of wheat, chicken Soup, and sipping unjury chocolate splendor with some skim milk. I'm definitely feeling better that I am eating a little. It seems like Water gives me the most heartburn. I've been trying sugar free Powerade. I only take in a small amount but I keep at it. I have to be back at work on Monday so I'm trying to make sure I have the energy. I wish I could take more time. I'm taking it one day at a time. Good Luck to you! You seem to be doing awesome!!

Got home yesterday at about 4:30pm. Slept the rest of The day. Today has been up and down. Been experiencing pretty bad heartburn this evening so far. I ate a little cream of wheat and a small protein shake. I've also been sipping water all day. Other than the heartburn I feel ok just sore. Hopefully tomorrow I feel better. Hope everyone is doing well!

Good Luck everyone! I have to be at the hospital at 5:45am! Can't wait!! See you on the other side!

I am so excited! I'm down 15lbs from preop so far. I've surprisingly been doing really well on my preop. I cheated once at a luncheon we hosted at work. I made it through the whole day with just my shakes and Water and right at the end I ate a bunch of cheese. So not too bad. I also have only been having 3 Protein shakes and 2 protein puddings instead of four shakes and one pudding. I figure thats ok. I just can't get down the last shake. I can't believe it is only 3 days away! Can't wait! What are some of your post op diets? My doctor lets us go right to soft (mushy) foods. I'm probably going to eat creamy Soups and refried Beans thinned with chicken broth. Let me not forget my protein shakes!!

I'm May 6th too. I am on Long Island, NY! I am 1 week into my 2 week preop diet. So far I'm kicking a**!! Down 10lbs! I would love some fruit or anything I could chew! But it is so worth it. So excited for all of us to start our new life!! Best wishes to you!

Get your hair done! With my last surgery I had minor hair loss after about 3 months! Good Luck!!

I had a huge appetite as well and not a good track record for any kind of diet. I am one week in on my liquid diet. I am allowed 4 Protein shakes, 8oz of skim milk, 1 sugar free fat free pudding, and one low carb yogurt per day. As well as unlimited amounts of sugar free caffeine free drinks. The first few days were pretty tough but I have my eye on the prize. The more I drink the better I feel. I know everyone feels differently about this but for me what has helped is weighing myself every day. I am down 10lbs already in one week. I only record my weight once a week but the daily weigh in right now helps me focus on the positive of this diet. Hey, I figure that not weighing myself at all for years is how I got here in the first place. It works for me. I also have the awesome support of my husband who when I complain motivates me by telling me how awesome I am doing and that I can do it! You can do it! Use the forums for support and feel free to message me anytime! Best of luck to you!!

Your update definitely helped me...It is good to read all these comments about people who are doing well. I am trying to focus on the positive. I had my pre surgical testing today and I am all set for surgery May 6th! I can't wait! Now to get through two weeks of liquids...Glad you are doing well!

I found these at my grocery store.

I am having sleeve surgery May 6th as well. I had the lap band first and had it removed in Dec. due to a slip. When I first had my band the hardest part after surgery was grieving food. Food was my best friend and I thought it was gone forever. I eventually realized that it was not gone it just wasn't my whole life. My advice would be to Keep busy! Find a support group. Exercise. It all helps. This time I know I need just as much help for my head as I do with my body in order to be successful. I'm excited to start my new life!! I wish you all the best! You can totally do this!

Hi everyone! I have been right here before my lap-band 3 years ago. Tomorrow I will start my pre-op diet for my sleeve scheduled for May 6th. I'm nervous, excited, scared, hopeful, determined and a slew of other emotions. I was short term successful with my band. I lost a lot and now have gained it back. I KNOW this time will be different! I'm glad to have this site for support! Anyone else scheduled for May?

I am going to start the Whole30 program on Monday. My husband and I are going to do it together - he is not banded. I was just wondering if anyone on here has done the program before? Here is an excerpt from the website: What is the Whole30®? Certain food groups (like sugar, grains, dairy and legumes) could be having a negative impact on your health and fitness without you even realizing it. Are your energy levels inconsistent or non-existent? Do you have aches and pains that can’t be explained by over-use or injury? Are you having a hard time losing weight no matter how hard you try? Do you have some sort of condition (like skin issues, digestive ailments, seasonal allergies or fertility issues) that medication hasn’t helped? These symptoms may be directly related to the foods you eat – even the “healthy” stuff. So how do you know if (and how) these foods are affecting you? Strip them from your diet completely. Cut out all the psychologically unhealthy, hormone-unbalancing, gut-disrupting, inflammatory food groups for a full 30 days. Let your body heal and recover from whatever effects those foods may be causing. Push the “reset” button with your metabolism, systemic inflammation, and the downstream effects of the food choices you’ve been making. Learn once and for all how the foods you’ve been eating are actually affecting your day to day life, and your long term health. The most important reason to keep reading? This will change your life. We cannot possibly put enough emphasis on this simple fact – the next 30 days will change your life. It will change the way you think about food, it will change your tastes, it will change your habits and your cravings. It could, quite possibly, change the emotional relationship you have with food, and with your body. It has the potential to change the way you eat for the rest of your life. We know this because we did it, and tens of thousands of people have done it since, and it changed our lives (and their lives) in a very permanent fashion. (Need convincing? Just read some of our stunning testimonials.)

I am 2.5 years out from having my lap band. I lost over 120lbs in the first year. Since about the beginning of year two I have been struggling. I had an overfill and had to have Fluid removed. Since then I've had fills and unfills. I've put back about 40lbs. I have also been struggling with acid reflux severely at night. I had an endoscopy. Tried different kind of acid reducers, not eating 4+ hours before bed and it still doesn't go away. The only time I do not experience the reflux is if my band is pretty much unfilled (less than 2cc) which means I have no restriction. Now I know some of you lose weight without the restriction but for me the only way I lost the weight was restriction (and exercise!). Now that I have none, I am thinking why have the band? I saw my surgeon this week. After listening to my concerns and reviewing my history. He is recommending I have the band out and look into having the sleeve? Anyone else thinking about the sleeve or have any feedback? I am truly confused and overwhelmed. I tend to think why have this foreign object in my body if it is not helping with my weight loss anymore and only causing me issues. Anyone else thinking about the sleeve or have any feedback? Thanks in advance!

Isn't life funny? I finally decide to get the band and feel great and less than five years here I am again? I am really torn. I'm going to do some more research and do what feels right. I am also leaning towards doing it. My doctor would remove the band and then I would have to wait 3 months before the sleeve. I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and have the band out and then decide about the sleeve. Keep me updated on what you decide! Best Wishes!

Interesting thought! I've been thinking about doing that as well as cutting dairy to see if it helps with my infertility. I guess this could go hand and hand! Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Thanks Jean! Gives me plenty to think about and lots of questions to ask about. I appreciate you taking the time to answer! It did strike me that he right away went to the sleeve without hesitation, which just reminds me that this whole weight loss surgery thing is big business. I am going to really take the time to educate and advocate for myself before making a decision.

I am 2.5 years out from having my lap band. I lost over 120lbs in the first year. Since about the beginning of year two I have been struggling. I had an overfill and had to have Fluid removed. Since then I've had fills and unfills. I've put back about 40lbs. I have also been struggling with acid reflux severely at night. I had an endoscopy. Tried different kind of acid reducers, not eating 4+ hours before bed and it still doesn't go away. The only time I do not experience the reflux is if my band is pretty much unfilled (less than 2cc) which means I have no restriction. Now I know some of you lose weight without the restriction but for me the only way I lost the weight was restriction (and exercise!). Now that I have none, I am thinking why have the band? I saw my surgeon this week. After listening to my concerns and reviewing my history. He is recommending I have the band out and look into having the sleeve? Anyone else thinking about the sleeve or have any feedback? I am truly confused and overwhelmed. I tend to think why have this foreign object in my body if it is not helping with my weight loss anymore and only causing me issues. Anyone else thinking about the sleeve or have any feedback? Thanks in advance!

I used a heating pad to help with the pain. You can also try gas x. For me staying on top of the pain meds was what helped the most the first week post op. Good Luck!

I was banded March 8, 2011. I had lost 125lbs but over the last 6 months or so I have put back about 25lbs. I have had fills and unfills. Up until last fall I was working out 3-4 times a week and losing was almost easy. I had to stop working out for 4 weeks due to a small procedure on my leg and I just haven't gone back consistently. So now I am getting back to basics... getting back to the gym and no snacking. I have no excuses just let bad habits creep back in. I'm back on the wagon now. Best thing I ever did for myself. I will keep on keepin on!! How has your journey been?

This whole process is very emotional. That was the hardest part for me in the beginning. I just kept telling myself, "You can do hard things". I finally started to believe it. You can do this! Best wishes on your journey!!

There are so many Protein shake options. It really depends on your tastes. My favorite is unjury chocolate splendor, it tastes just like chocolate milk. One scoop has 100 calories and 21 grams protein. You buy it online. I also like Click Espresso Protein Drink in Mocha. I have it in the morning as a replacement for my coffee. I also buy that online. I also have sugar free torani syrups that I add to shakes. They have a ton of flavors. I have vanilla and caramel. Hope that helps!