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All I had to do in advance was blood work, an EKG and a chest xray (because I used to smoke). I had no pre-op diet and no post-op barium swallow. My surgeon is also in a center of excellence. I have had no problems. In fact, I believe the skill of my surgeon greatly reduced my post-op recovery time and I believe she was very knowledgeable about band placement. Hey, I'm down 53 pounds since December 9 - haven't had a fill yet - and I'm feeling like it has been a pretty easy road for me. I wonder if the surgeons that do only WLS are so familiar with the procedure that they just don't make you go through any unnecessary stuff. Most people get pre-surgery jitters - I did too but haven't regretted my decision.

Oh my gosh that looks delicious. On my meal plan, deep fried gets a deep NO so I wouldn't even be bothering to count calories on that! I guess you could probably use a similar roll and see what the calories are. In California, chain restaurants are required to post their nutritional information - I wonder if you could look online at a sushi chain restaurant for something similar? I can't think of any chains off the top of my head though...Tex Wasabis maybe?

Krissy, I am totally with you on the idea that this surgery will prevent the weight from coming back. That is my hope too. I am totally prepared to do the slow losing and not drinking before meals and all the other lap band rules because I honestly believe that this time the weight won't come back. If you keep thinking that way you will be amazed at what you are willing to go through because it may be the last time you have to do this. I agree totally with vickyd that it may be they don't know what it is about and parents worry. I know for me, I am 38 and was able to make my decision without input from my family and once I decided, because it was my decision alone, I just told my mom that I had made up my mind. I think she went along with it because she knew I had decided and wasn't wavering. I wish you the best!

Hi Laura, You said you are trying to control yourself but then worry about stretching your pouch. I guess the question is - is the trying working? You can do this. Commit yourself to eating the amounts you should be eating and choose dense Proteins that will fill you up. Make sure you aren't drinking before and after meals. If you need a snack - do it but choose veggies (cauliflower is one of my faves and I have a great recipe for Roasted Curried Cauliflower if you are interested). Stay strong!

I sometimes have to remind my family that although I have a band (with no fill yet) that it isn't just about how much I can eat - it is about what I choose to eat. I haven't chosen bread, rice or Pasta or anything sweet since the day of surgery. Not a single bite. I do worry a bit that there might be some issues when I actually weigh less than them that there may be a bit of a struggle - however, I am hoping that I end up with my sister as a work out partner and have some healthy competition going! I am so sorry you were hurt. I kind of have to wonder if that person would post online about you - how much of a friend they really are. Then again, I think your eyes have been opened and you will probably be pretty wary. Best wishes to you.

If benadryl doesn't help, rub a bit of baby oil in the area. That might soothe it a bit.

It took about a month for the bending to be back to normal. I had minimal pain after surgery but the port site hurt from the inside when I would bend. Gets better every day but try not to lift any heavier babies!

Never heard of that one. Is it specific to a certain restaurant? What's in it?

I wasn't allowed coffee for one week after surgery. Since then, I have a cup of regular and a cup of decaf each day. I use sugar free coffeemate vanilla caramel creamer. Delicious!

Stay strong! Do what you can to not gain weight if you are struggling. It probably involves a bit of self policing but just do your best. I hope time flies and you get in to the green zone very soon!

Your loss is awesome. Think of it this way... Aren't you willing to lose a little bit slower than you expected because this time - yep, this time - it will not come back?? You should expect a loss of 1-2 pounds a week. That's 4-8 pounds a month and you are over that by far! Pat yourself on the back and stay strong. You can do this!

Wonderful! You should be so proud of yourself!!!

Call your doc and get some suggestions. I wonder if anti-nausea meds are effective for flu?

I have a feeling your doctor may have put fluid in your band at the time of surgery. Find out and ask to have it removed. Usually when people post with this issue the reason turns out to be that their surgeon added fluid during surgery. Best wishes and I hope you get some relief soon.

How long have you been banded? If it is very recently, I wonder if you might already have fluid in your band which was put in at the time of surgery. If so, maybe have some fluid removed. If it isnt recently, maybe you are too tight? I apologize if you have the info in your signature - I can't see it on my iPhone.

Hi, I've been "vegetarian" for two and a half years. I use quotes because someone once objected on this forum to me saying I was a "fish-eating vegetarian". I just hate the word pescetarian. Because I eat fish, I am not as limited as most vegetarians when it comes to Protein. I make sure I eat only fresh, wild caught fish and not farmed. My nutritionist said that eating 40 grams of protein a day was fine for me because I am eating high quality protein. However, when I am not eating fish, I select things like Smart Dogs (italian style is the best!) and Quorn products. Quorn products are generally soy and gluten free. They are made with mycoprotein instead of soy and are delicious. I don't generally like meat substitute so I eat lots of lentils and Beans. I also sometimes will eat 2 ounces of organic cheese instead of 4 ounces of fish. Unlike Acadia, I've never had to take extra Vitamins - well, I should say, I've never known I was supposed to take anything other than a multi but I just had blood work done so I am going to check with my doctor on the B12, Iron, vit D and calcium. (Thanks for that info, Acadia). I love tofu done thai style with curry and coconut. I also stir fry tofu a lot and eat the prebaked tofu. I bought a tofu press which really helps infuse whatever flavor I am cooking with into the tofu. You can get those at Amazon quite cheaply. I love a little hot baked tofu with a small amount of peanut satay sauce. That's one of my favorite meals. I don't supplement with Protein shakes. I had such a hard time finding a humane whey protein that I just settled on soy right after my surgery. Now, I don't need it at all and prefer not to drink my calories. I liked the Field Roast mentioned above but found it was way high in carbs and for me it didn't taste that great to spend most of my carb budget on. The texture was good but it just wasn't great. I tried all the variety of sausages and found them to be slightly oily. I became "vegetarian" for moral reasons. In California, in 2008, we had almost constant running of ads relating to Prop 2 which was related to treatment and cage space allowed egg producing chickens. One night, instead of switching the channel with the commercial came on. I watched it. That moment, I changed my diet and have never looked back. It took a bit of getting used to - like learning that rennet is an animal product and no more Gelatin (gummy vitamins, Jello and some jello mousse puddings). I find it was a very healthful decision for me. I wish you all the best on trying it out. I truly hope you love it. Best wishes,

Hi, You can use measuring cups or a kitchen scale to help you with portion size. Also, my surgeon's orders are not to drink 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after eating. I use my iphone timer to make sure I don't forget.

Hey, I just saw this. Sorry you didn't get any other replies. I don't know what your new insurance will require but if you lose 50 pounds, you may see that the comorbidities you listed have improved. Your back pain may go and the knee pain may lessen too. The acid reflux and depression may improve as well. It will all depend on what the new insurance requires. If your BMI is only 34 - you may not qualify. Without knowing the requirements, I don't think anyone can say whether you will or will not qualify. As far as I know (and I was self-pay), each insurance carrier is different. If you can lose 50 pounds without the lapband then maybe you can lose all your excess without one? Has the advocate given you an any as to what the actual requirements for the insurance are other than a six-month diet plan? I wish you lots of luck. I say get started now and see where you end up. Best wishes!

For me it lasted about two-three days. I would watch out on cough drops though. You don't want to swallow one accidentally! sugar free popsicles were so awesome. I forgot I had them until day three and it was heaven to eat one!!

I hope so too. Have you considered attending a food addicts anonymous meeting? Check out foodaddictsanonymous.org for local meetings. I feel for you because I know how hard therapy is and to have it not help in a way you really need and want it to is very disappointing. I went to Food Addicts Anonymous for a while and it really helped me back then. You get a sponsor to report to who is also a food addict with some time under their belt. Best wishes,

Do you have fill in your band that was put in at the time of surgery? Find out and if so, have an unfill right away. Anyone that seems to have lasting pain like this after surgery, especially with breathing or being unable to keep food down, always seems to have fill put in at the time of surgery. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

That doesn't sound like SILS. You had three incisions so am I confused on how that is a single incision procedure. I though SILS meant that actually stick everything in through your belly button. If so, I imagine it would be directly under there?

I am really surprised your therapist didn't have any ideas on how to deal with head hunger! I assume she is helping you with the issues that led to being overweight in the first place. If she isn't, then I would suggest you consider finding a therapist who specializes in eating disorders and nutrition (not that you have an eating disorder - they just seem to know more and understand more about food issues). I have a therapist too that I can't imaging leaving for someone else, but I really feel that she should have several ideas on how to work on this issue with you. Sorry if I come off as judging her, I'm not - I just feel that my food issues are so central to my life that therapy would be worthless for me if my therapist couldn't help me with head hunger vs. physical hunger. There are hundreds of books on amazon about emotional eating. I wonder if the reviews of those books might be helpful to you. I wish you all the best - and sorry if I come off harsh about your therapist. I really don't mean to be.

Ooooh. Me too! The tropicals were my favorites...they had pineapple and carribean orange in the box. Yum!

Hi hopeful, Look - your user name is positive already! Keep that attitude going! I suffer with chronic depression myself. I also have anxiety. I find that what has helped me is intensive psychodynamic therapy. I haven't taken medication for my depression in a few years because it doesn't really work the way I need it to work for me. I do go to therapy often. I shared my surgery information with my therapist and we talk about it a lot. I think that not being able to turn to food for comfort actually has HELPED my depression because I am actually learning to process rather than stuff it down. I wish you all the best. Depression is scary and I think if you try hard to focus on a new life ahead then it might be helpful. Believe me, I know this is easier said than done.