Provost

Just getting out of a long bit of a stall... It was frustrating to spend the better part of a month with only about 1lb a week loss. I had lost a bunch on the 3 week liquid diet and then a bunch in the first two weeks post surgery so overall it was fine. Now 6 1/2 weeks post op and down 28lbs since surgery and 55lbs overall since start of liquid diet.

A little frustrated right now with my weight loss slowing/stalling for a long time. I am just starting soft foods and don't think I have broken 600 calories in a day yet. Had the surgery on June 8th, exactly four weeks ago. I had lost 27lbs on the liquid diet (they make us do it for 3 weeks at my clinic), then the first time I weighed myself 10 days after surgery I had lost another 16lbs. In the 18 days since then, 4lbs... with a 10 day complete stall in the middle. I had read that it can happen, I was pretty dehydrated after the surgery and apparently your liver needs to get back to normal size after the liquid diet and that adds some weight. I know it is mostly mental, but with eating so little, I kind of expected a pound a day early on like this. I try to tell myself that if I hadn't been weighing myself and if you had told me that one month out from surgery I would be down around 20lbs, and about 50lbs total including the liquid diet period, I would have been fine with it. Just closing in on 3 weeks with really modest weight loss is discouraging. I really want to break that 300lb barrier for some motivation.

I can assure you that after surgery it won't be that kind of struggle. I am more than two weeks past surgery and the struggle is getting just some calories in, no hunger issues at all.

That is absolutely me. My normal meals were fine and healthy. I just ended up eating an entire extra dinner's worth of calories by the time I went to bed at midnight.

I didn't actually have pain from day one and never took any meds for it. Just some discomfort occasionally with a gas bubble or adjusting positions awkwardly.

My doctor isn't that worried about my protein, I have been around 35-40 grams almost exclusively from Premier Protein drinks, I am 2 weeks out now. At 5 days I wasn't having much at all.

Two weeks post surgery (tomorrow). No huge issues, some constipation and I had to take some Colace and milk of magnesium. I am still hardly taking anything in. One Premier protein drink and about a cup of soup a day. No weight loss in last 4 days which is annoying, but I know it will start happening again. Still down about 15-16lbs since surgery and 43lbs overall since I started the process.

Gastric Sleeve 08th June, it had been postponed from March due to Covid. Two days in hospital due to nausea from general anaesthetic (I always have that post surgery). No pain at all really, even had to drive (be driven) for 9 hours home. Not able to put much into myself at the moment and not sure how normal that is. The first few days it was literally a few sips of juice/milk. A little over a week out and I can finish a Boost protein drink over the course of the day and half a cup of cream soup. I have tried some thinned applesauce but that isn't sitting too well.

Got cancelled last minute because of the virus stuff. Just got back into town. Kind of glad as schools have since been cancelled indefinitely and I wouldn't have been able to take care of the kids all day long while recovering.

I am just packing to leave in the morning to fly to my clinic. A strange question, what types of shirts did you bring and wear? Not sure if T Shirts will hurt too much to lift arms over head and get on, and whether button ups are a lot better. I am bringing jogging pants and gym shorts for bottoms so nothing is pressing on my stomach, as well as slip on loafers that I don't have to bend over to do up. Anyone who has just been through it have some advice?

Scheduled Monday, I think it is a race to get it done before they stop elective surgeries and focus on preparing for virus stuff. In British Columbia, Canada

I don't know if this is too personal (I am scheduled for my surgery in a couple weeks). Did you have to get follow up plastic surgery for excess skin? I am wondering if I need to plan on it, I started a little over 350lbs and hopefully drop 100-150lbs range.

My doctor told me that the newer research is showing that protein intake is much less of an issue with a gastric sleeve. With a bypass it removes a part of the system that is responsible for protein absorption so there has to be a real focus on getting enough protein because of that. With a sleeve the area responsible for protein absorption is still there. All the guidelines for protein intake have been based on bypass surgery.

My wife is also not supportive at all, maybe not to the extent of yours... no threats of divorce. She is slowly coming around since I have made it clear that I am doing it (surgery is March 16th). I even had to arrange a friend to care for me when I got out of the hospital when she said she wouldn't do it (I think because it is a requirement to have someone watch you for the first couple days, she thought it was a way to stop it from happening). I am not sure what is behind it, she struggles with weight as well and maybe she thinks she will be left behind or something. We have young kids and I just want to be able to be more active with them. I can't do things like to to the fairs and go on rides with them because I don't fit, I can't go canoeing or things they are starting to want to do.

March 16th here.... a few days into my Optifast diet. Not going too badly aside from a few light headed spells. From British Columbia, Canada and having my surgery in Victoria. A little worried about travelling, staying for a couple days after leaving the hospital but than an hour flight on a small cramped plane.

I have just started looking into lap-banding and wanted to get people's advice. I am 35 and 270lbs, my BMI is right at 40. I have had a number of sports-related surgeries on my knee and shoulder which have dramatically reduced my activity level. I hope that if I can drop 50-60lbs the pressure on the joints will be enough less that I will be able to exercise more. I have found a Toronto clinic which is around $16k for the procedure, and have looked at some overseas options (India $7k, Mexico $10k). I am somewhat unsure of the way to go. I saw that some Albertans have gotten money back from their Provincial medical after getting the surgery done in Toronto. Has anyone gone this route from BC? Cost is certainly a consideration, if there are folks who have been overseas and have good experiences I don't have much hesitation about doing it myself.

Its interesting how us newbies have the same questions. I am planning on calling their offices this week to get packages or more information. I am unsure of whether we need a doctor referral. My own doctor although he has been trying to help me with losing weight will likely be less than entirely helpful.

I just started looking as well, I am from Canada. My first contact has been for a place in India. http://www.recoverdiscover.com/gastric_banding.php It is the cheapest, but I am alost trying to find a place in Singapore (I just live that place so it would be nice to recuperate there). I am going to look into the Raffles hospital and maybe Hong Kong. Tell me if you find anything.

Thanks for the replies so quick. I am really leaning towards Mexico, and having a BC doctor do the post-op fills. (edit...wait I just read that it was $12k for your operation which is a darn sight cheaper than the 16-17k for Toronto. Mexico would only be a savings of 2-3 thousand after the cost of the trip)so that might make the difference in choice.) Mainly its because of the price, I have read a lot from folks who had good experiences in Mexico. I got stuck in a hospital there (private of course) when I tore some ligaments in my knee during a competition. I found the quality of care to be far superior to what I have experience in BC so don't have a lot of concerns in that regard. If there are BC doctors who will do fills (for a reasonable price) even if they don't do the banding, and are available for post-op care it would be about perfect.