Sojourner

I purchase my chewable Multivitamins at my surgeon's office, brand name "Celebrate AGB", and they are formulated for bariatric patients. I was advised to never use the gummies. I cannot tolerate calcium citrate, as it upsets my stomach, so I was given the permission to return to using Caltrate chewables, which contain 1200 mg of calcium carbonate.

You will be under general anesthesia. The surgery typically takes around 30-45 minutes if the surgeon can do the procedure laparoscopic, instead of having to create larger incisions.

What a disappointment...not until today did I look at the BMI I will have when I reached my goal weight, which is actually 5 lbs lower than what my doctor advised me should be my goal. At 145 lbs, my BMI would be at the high side of normal weight, leaving no room for fluctuations. Soooo, I decided I need to decrease my goal weight by 5 more pounds. Literally, it is just like someone moving the finish line on you... But, if I am going to complete this journey, then I need to devote 100% effort to have a better end result. I will remain focused on my goal of better health, and not the numbers to get there.

The band in only a tool to use in your efforts to loose weight; the majority of the success depends on your level of motivation to be compliant with the diet with regular exercise and good food choices. ​If you lack the motivation, and inner determination to make weight loss and health priorities in your life, there is really nothing others can do for you. This forum has many knowledgeable members who provide a support system to others on the same journey. I hope you will reassess your reasons for having the surgery in the first place, and get in touch with what your priorities are. One phrase I live my life by is the former slogan for Weight Watchers - "If it is to be, then it is up to me!"

The evaluation consists of some psychological testing, and many questions related to assessing your psychological history. It's nothing to be concerned about, it's just another tool your surgeon uses in determining your suitability for the surgery. My thoughts were that they want to know if you have a history of mental illness, and are your expectations for the surgery results realistic.

According to my surgeon's office, not having enough Protein will slow weight loss, just the same as not consuming enough calories every day. If you do not like the Protein shakes you are using, try another flavor or another brand. Be certain to read the label, and make sure that the shake has 100% whey protein, and enough grams of protein for you to reach your daily protein goals. This goal varies from person to person, so be sure what your recommendation is. I was recommended to purchase my Protein Powder from GNC; I use their "Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60", and only use 1.5 scoops of protein powder per shake to give me 30 g of protein in every shake. My favorite flavors are chocolate and Cookies & cream. I think just about everyone, including myself had difficulties with consuming all of the liquids recommended every day for the first weeks. It helped for me to structure my time, and to know how many bottles of Water I needed to have by certain times in the day and between my shakes.

I feel your frustration, as I have had issues with one of my hips, which has caused me to limit my exercise. What has helped me to continue to loose weight, though at a slower pace is to be certain to have all of my recommended Water every day, and to meet my Protein goals daily. I have noticed a direct relationship between not having enough protein and slowed weight loss. If you are able, lifting weights to tone your muscles might also help. Good luck... try to focus on this being only a temporary challenge.

Surgeons seem to have slight differences of opinions and methods for the diet they require you to follow. I was told that if I had too few calories, that it would slow my metabolism and weight loss. Another thing which will slow my weight loss is if I have less protein than recommended for me to have. Empower yourself to ask the necessary questions of both professionals, mixed messages only create confusion. If you feel threatened, share your thoughts on the subject. Remember you are paying for the services of these people, and you deserve to have answers to your questions. Good luck with all this...I know how important having accurate information is.

​I have also experienced some major challenges to maintaining regular exercise. My issues are related to arthritis in my hip. I have continued to loose weight, though at a slower pace with remembering to drink all of the Water I have to during the day, and I make it a priority to reach my Protein goals daily. I have noticed a big connection with slowed weight loss and not eating enough protein. ​A bicycle seems like a good choice. I have a recumbent exercise bike which I am usually able to use, however I need the pain to resolve in my hip before I can return to exercise on a regular basis.

It's so true that we are all individuals, and no two of us will have an identical journey with weight loss. There are 3 things which I have noticed which will slow my weight loss: 1. Not drinking enough free fluids (SF, calorie free) of your choice. and 2. Not eating enough Protein, and 3. Not exercising. I have also noticed that with approx. every 10 pounds lost, I will hit a plateau. When that happens a full 5-7 days will pass and I will not loose any weight at all. You have to remain compliant with your diet, and persevere, knowing that this is only temporary. Emotionally, it is not a good idea to compare your rate of weight loss with others. That can set you up to feel discouraged, not where you need to be. It has helped me to be nearly 100% compliant with the diet recommended by my surgeon. I avoid processed foods, have fresh vegetables and fruit, and cook vegetables by steaming them, and lean protein, mostly chicken and fish. I was encouraged to experiment with seasonings, but not to add any sugar or fat to my meals. I also limit the complex carbs I was addicted to, to one 2 oz. serving a day. I believe it is very important to point out that my dietitian told us to never count calories, only make good food choices, and measure everything strictly by volume after cooking. Each meal is 3-4 oz of protein and 2 oz of a Fiber carb. If you fall short of meeting your daily protein goals, supplement with a Protein shake made with 1% milk. My protein goal, as determined by my dietitian, is for 32 grams daily. I hope to get my first fill on May 9 to help with the hunger I begin to experience around 3 hours after eating. I have been using my hunger as a tool to remind me to drink Water between meals, not very satisfying, but it keeps me hydrated. Yes, sometimes I think about how boring this diet can be, but then I bring everything into a healthier perspective. For me, it is far more important to loose weight than it is to have an endless variety of different food choices in any quantity desired for a few minutes a day during meal times. I hope that this information will help...we are all doing a good job with weight loss, so Celebrate that, and stay focused on your goals.

Reduced urine output. Nausea. "Foamy" saliva in your mouth. If you suspect you may be dehydrated, you should call your surgeon ASAP. Dehydration is a serious medical condition! I had no idea that I was severely dehydrated when I attended my last scheduled appointment with my surgeon. Instead of getting my first fill, he sent me to the ER directly from his office. I had been drinking enough fluids, but I had apparently not replaced the fluids I lost during 3 days of being ill. I had been nauseous for 2 days. Thirst is apparently not always a symptom of one being dehydrated. It's also important to ask your surgeon which doctors he works with in the different specialties. From this forum, and from my surgeon I am beginning to understand that there seem to be numerous medical professionals who do not know how to treat a patient who has the band. When I asked my surgeon if I could go to an ER closer to my home, he said definitely not, because the hospital where my surgery was done knew how to treat his patients, and all I needed was IV re-hydration with saline. Hope you feel better soon!

To add the ticker for weight loss tracking, click on the ticker which appears with my signature. That should take you to the web site, then follow the prompts.

I set a timer to remind me to start drinking 1 hour after finishing a meal. It takes me some time, but I can always get the recommended amount of free fluids in every day. I feel so much better when I am properly hydrated... It should make a huge difference if you wait enough time for your pouch to empty before trying to drink. The dietitian who works with my surgeon has told me that nutritionally, the food you are eating may will not have the same value if it travels through your digestive system too quickly. Not waiting for the full hour will cause nutrients to go under absorbed.

Does your surgeon's office have an ER that his practice works with? My doctor was very specific to send me to the hospital I had my surgery done at, because they know the problems his patients typically present with, and more importantly understand the treatment protocols needed for band patients. I would call his office, they should have some way for you to speak to a doctor or other staff member for emergency coverage. You need fluids - dehydration is serious. I had no idea I was dehydrated when I attended my last scheduled appointment with my surgeon. I was complaining of nausea after being ill for 3 days. He sent me directly to the ER from his office for IV treatment. Hope you will feel better fast...

And this is just the start of the positive health related changes you will likely experience...very happy for you! I have also had to reduce my blood pressure medicine dose, though as I have "essential hypertension", and weighed only 125 pounds when diagnosed, I am predicted to continue to need the medication. But, what I was not expecting was my GERD to resolve after 12 years of taking a very high dose of Prevacid daily. Now I only use it 1-2 times a month. Keep up your great job!

Aetna approved my surgery within 10 days of the paperwork and letter of medical necessity being submitted. Waiting to hear is not fun...I hope they respond to you with a decision quickly...

Yes, I have heard of this happening...my surgeon was very specific about the compliance with this requirement. I had to loose 6 pounds in 3 weeks, just after comming back from a cruise. There are medical reasons your doctor sets a number he/she wants your weight at...exercise to burn some additional calories in a responsible manner, limit your salt intake, and comply 100% with your pre-op diet. That's what worked for me... Good luck!

If you tell yourself that you cannot be compliant with the diet requirements for the band, then you will likely become the "self-fulfilling prophecy", and you will fail. Seriously, you need to talk so someone like a staff member at your surgeon's office about the way you are feeling physically ASAP. What you are describing reads like severe dehydration, and it is a very serious medical condition. So serious that my surgeon sent me directly from his office to the ER. Call the surgeon's office! After that, get on track with your diet. If you don't like your Protein powder or shakes, try a different brand or flavor...there are so many to choose from. When I was newly banded, I did not have my shakes with the rest of the family. I was not in the same room as others at mealtime. What you are describing is commonly referred to as "head hunger"; and you can change the dialogue you are having with yourself. No one ever said that these behavior modifications for diet compliance would be easy, but you really need to ask yourself what your priorities are, and get back in touch with the reasons you had this surgery. For many of us, the band is a way to regain some of the health that our weight was taking from us. What were your reasons?? I hope you will be able to get to a better place emotionally...but first CALL YOUR SURGEON!!

Very happy for you...you look fantastic!! Your success will give others inspiration to continue through their own weight loss journey!

I agree with what everyone has written in this thread...especially with the realization that the habits we are the most anxious about changing are the unhealthy ones which got us to the point of surgery. I also want to add that though it is true that for most of us, we can eat pretty much anything we want post-op (just in much smaller and healthier sized portions), this surgery is a life changing event. It was recommended for me to get a copy of the book "Bandwagon" (sorry I don't recall the author's name...) to use as another tool. This surgery requires that each of us develop a different, healthier relationship with food. And, just like the other types of addictions, we actually can go through a grieving process as we make this emotional adjustment to our new lifestyle. Initial "what was I thinking" regrets are commonly reported, but these pass quickly. I keep my focus on the prize of better health, and take one day at a time. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey!

I did read a post about Shirley's death, but have no information. Are you able to share how her band contributed to the circumstances of her death? I am just coming to realize that there are still many medical professionals who are lacking in knowledge of how to treat a patient who has a band. This information may be vital for us to better understand ways to remain healthy and out of harm's way.

Additional thoughts I have about your situation, and the same applies to all of the bandsters. When I was told by my surgeon that I was severely dehydrated and that the ER was expecting me, I asked him if I could go to a different hospital closer to home. I was told no, because the ER at Celebration Hospital knows how he wants procedures done, they are familiar with the needs of his patients, and they do not create additional issues post op. Mind you, I was only going to the ER to have IV treatment to re hydrate after being ill for several days. Point being: prior to having any procedure done, whether it be treatment or testing it would be proactive to first ask the surgeon if they have any recommendations for a doctor or hospital that is familiar with band patients. Prevention is so much better than trying to fix problems. I hope you will feel better fast...please let us know how you are.

You sound like me, the morning after my surgery. I felt the reality of the surgery and the behavioral modification realities hit me all at the same time...and then I gave myself another reality check to remind me all of the reasons I had not wavered from wanting the surgery during the entire year delay waiting for medical clearance. I felt better immediately! What I never received from my surgeon or the psychologist who completed my psych evaluation was information that the surgery can cause significant mood swings. There are major emotional adjustments we all need to make as well as the physical ones. You might have another "down" day or 2 ahead as you adjust to your new life style. I also had great difficulties with getting all of my "free" fluids in every day. It becomes easier as you heal from the surgery. What helped me the most was structuring my time, and assigning a bottle of Water to be emptied by the time I was supposed to have my next Protein shake. I constantly had to remind myself to drink, so I just kept the bottle of water in my hand. This does get easier...know that your feelings now are normal. Everyone has a slightly different experience with the rate of adjustment, weight loss, etc. Just keep your focus on the goals you have set, stay compliant with your diet, and you will see the results! Good luck with your journey!

Definitely call your surgeon in the morning for some answers. If you feel pain overnight, I would call the surgeon's office tonight or go to the er. Feel better...

Nice to "meet" you as well...and good to read that you are being proactive to improve your health through weight loss. There are many knowledgeable and supportive participants on this forum...come back often...