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Try to add some Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast to the skim milk. At least this will give you some added protein and keep you more satisfied. I have to do this for 10 days preop but yours sounds so severe. My heart goes out to you!:ranger:

The time draws nigh! Any last minute suggestions to help make my journey a more comfortable one? I've read the threads, made the list, going shopping tonight and I'm cleaning the house today. Liquidy foods are frozen, mushies are in there, too. My Lortab elixir is sitting right here on my desk. Tomorrow! 24 hours from now I will be one of the few, the proud, the banded! Darr

It's just dehydration. My ears look great. My doctor laughed when I told her the ER doctor didn't even check my ears. I have been dehydrated many times since surgery but this is the worse ever. Lesson learned. Just glad that's all it is. That scared me. HW: 331 SW: 11/26/12 319lbs CW: 215 06/10/13 GW: 167

These are good. they come in 3 flavors. They have 10 grams of Protein and 140 calories. I find them at Walmart pharmacy in the ensure section. Don't get them confused with the snack Special K bars. I really like them for on the go. They taste like they could be cousins to the rice crispie treats. tee hee edie:p Just make sure you get the ones that say 10 grams protein on front of box.

I just got my fourth fill yesterday 10/28/08 and i'm down another nine pounds. I am so happy...:w00t:

I chewed Tums like candy before I was banded. I had random (didn't matter if I was sleeping, standing, eating, hungry, etc) burning in my throat, but never felt anything "come up" into my throat. After banding, the reflux completely went away...bada bing...gone! Fast forward...I just had my 4th fill with .5 cc in a 10 cc band. I now have a total of 5.5 cc's. The fill was on Tuesday. Restriction feels fine, not too much. I don't have any trouble with liquids or mushies, and the stuff I struggled with before (namely meats), I still struggle with. I just notice I have to be even more careful with bite sizes, etc...the usually bandster stuff. BUT....I started having reflux yesterday. Nothing coming up into my throat or mouth, just the random burning in my throat. Tums takes care of it. But, why in the world do I have reflux NOW???? What in the world happened? Someone, please help! thanks a bunch! :thumbup:

I feel hungry sometimes but can usually fix that with a drink of milk. But I never have hunger pain. You're body is still adjusting give it some time. START WEIGHT: 467 <br />SURGERY WEIGHT/DATE: 420 / 4-10-13<br />NOW: 345 6-06<br />75 AFTER VGS 122 TOTAL

Omg im sorry to hear that, were there symptoms or did you just wake up one day in pain? I also had surgery on 10/3..... Im praying for you....

I've been reading on here for a while and just got my surgery date today! Friday I go to my nutrition class. My mom is worried because she doesn't know why they haven't sent me to see a pyschologist. Has everyone had to do that?

I dropped almost 10 pounds in 2 weeks by sticking to a lean diet of 6x premier Protein shakes and 2 cups of vegetables a day. 2 tbsp Fat free dressing with those veggies, I usually made a salad. No carbs. I was allowed coffee with skim milk and artificial sweetener, also sugar free popsicles, etc. Sent from my Nexus 10 using the BariatricPal App That's great! Thank you so much for in the info. I've been eating chicken, a little bit of brown rice and veggies, along with Protein Shakes. It's been 5 days and I have yet to weigh myself. ???? Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Had my consult at TLBC in Toronto yesterday. Took about an hour and a half and it went well and they had an opening for the 4th of May. So in a little less than a month I will be turned to the Banded side. :bandit The journey will not be easy! Oh no! The PTB have already set an obstacle to trip me up. They gave me a directive, a 10-day pre-op diet:hungry: that is designed to weaken the strongest and most powerful of humans. I speak of the Yoghurt and clotted cheese diet, the very dietary bane of the lactose intolerant . I may find this doubly difficult as I have access to many more delectable and tasty morsels, as I cook for my diners, but I shall endeavour to resist this evil and stay on the true path. So I am a combination of nervous and calm, excited and relieved, with a dash of terrified and glad. But there is always that tiny voice of dread and disaster that I can’t shut off. That Jiminy Cricket with a blow horn,:director: the naysayer that always plays devil’s advocate pointing incessantly at the danger and woe that can always befall any decision made. But this time I will not listen :lalala: for I know all will go well and the band will work with me, like the thousands of others before me and the multitude that will follow me to the Banded side. The single step has been taken and the first test to see if I am worthy to join the Brethren on the Banded side. With no hesitation I move forward and despite (or because of) JC screaming in my ear, I continue on the path... (and stayed on my feet!)

Hi I am being banded the day after tomorrow. My name is Ginny, and I am a relatively 'low" BMI, so the doctor did NOT put me on a pre-surg diet. Therefore, I have been eating my way through town this weekend. Truthfully, I am SICK of food and wish tomorrow was the big day instead of WEds! Thanks for letting me introduce myself. Looking forward to joining everyone in Band Land.

Hey twin I also got sleeved on the fifth but didn't go home until this afternoon because my belly was still swollen n couldn't even get ten oz of water down so doc said I had to stay. I am doing much better today so I am. Happy I stay the extra day but it still hurts wen I sip I hope it gets better soon because i go back to work on the 19

dinner. Place: Varsity Grill, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma- 1/2 block north of the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel. Phone number: 253-627-1229 8:00-10:00 A special event, in the Sheraton Ballroom, “Talking with the Surgeons”. Includes a non-hosted cocktail party. Saturday: 7:30-8:00 REGISTRATION 7:50-8:00 CONFERENCE BEGINS / ANN0UNCEMENTS 8:00 SPEAKER: Don Mills - Marketing Representative Allergan Corporation, formerly Inamed Corporation. Our inside man at Inamed-Allergan Corporation, Updates Us On New Lap Band Information. 8:30 OPENING SPEAKER: Joanne Godmintz 9:00 The morning starts with a motivational seminar titled: “Hold on to your band, you are in for the ride of your life”, led by noted psychotherapist Louise Pietrafesa, MSW and Randy Brandies, MSW. Ms. Pietrafesa is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley, with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Besides having a busy therapeutic practice in Seattle, WA, Ms. Pietrafesa is a consultant to Northwest and Clinical Nutrition Center, Joslin Institute of Diabetes at Swedish Hospital and the Novartis Nutrition Corporation. Randy Brandies is a graduate of University of Chicago, where he received his Masters Degree in Social Work. He is a cognitive behavior therapist and practices in Seattle, WA. 10:30-10:50 BREAK – Meet with Vendors 10:50-12:00 MOTIVATIONAL SEMINAR CONTINUES 12:00-1:00 CATERED lunch 1:00 LAP BAND SURGEON SPEAKERS SESSIONS BEGIN: SPEAKER: Roberto Rumbaut, M.D. Medical School: Escuela de Medicina, Ignacio Santos, ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico in General Surgery Residency at San Jose Hospital ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Graduate of Board Certified- General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery: University of Monterey-ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Past President of the Mexican Obesity Surgery Society 2003-2004 Member of the Medical Advisory Committee for Bioenterics Lap-Band System Member: ASBS Topic: Living With The Lap Band SPEAKER: William D. Neal, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, OR Surgical Residency: Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: Regular Member, ASBS Staff Surgeon: St. Peter's Providence Hospital, Olympia, WA Chief of Surgery, Mason General Hospital, Shelton, WA Topic: Coencentric Dilatation and Slippage SPEAKER: Dr. Pedro Kuri, M.D. Medical School: National University of Mexico, Mexico City General Surgical Residency: National University of Mexico, Mexico City Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Past Senior Professor at University of Baja California Medical School Member of the Mexican Medical Society of Obesity Surgery Member: ASBS Topic: Lap Bands SPEAKER: Dr. Barry Fisher, M.D., FACS Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Clinical Research Professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: ASBS Topic: Motivation for Success SPEAKER: Dr. Ariel Ortiz, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico Residency in General Surgery: Centro Medico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery and Clinical Medicine, University of Baja California, Tijuana Member: ASBS Topic: Are you failing the band, or is the band failing you? 2:40-3:00 BREAK 3:00-4:00 PANEL DISCUSSION 4:00-5:00 BREAK-OUT SESSION SPEAKER: Mary Costa R.N., CDE, Diabetic Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente, Antioch, California Topic: Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Weight loss is one step; are you at risk? Additional steps to prevent heart attack and stroke SPEAKER: Dr. Leo Petersen, M.D., Practices with Dr. Pedro Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico Topic: Insulin Resistance SPEAKER: Terry Simpson, M.D., FACS Lap Band Surgeon, Phoenix, Arizona, Author of several books on weight loss including “Losing The Last 30 lbs” and “Fundamentals of Weight Loss”. Topic: How to get to your goal SPEAKER: Dr. Martinez, M.D., Practices with Dr. Ortiz. Topic: Diagnosing Using Fluoroscopy 5:30-6:00 CLOTHING EXCHANGE 7:00 CATERED DINNER Followed by an evening of lively entertainment including: Fashion Show, Jamie's “Famous Slide Show”, bandsters pictures Before and After. Raffle and Bandster Auction. (Save your dollars—something Extra Special is being Auctioned off--it's a secret.) Fun continues with entertainment by the Vancouver-Portland Bandster Group, "The Van Ports" with 80's Disco-Dancing – Dance the Night Away! Prizes Galore!!!! Sunday: 8:30-12:30 PLASTIC SURGERY FORUM Speakers will include a variety of different plastic surgeons, nurses and patients. Cathy Ross, CRT, Bandster, Patient/Nurse, Kirkland, WA Topic: What you want to know before Plastic Surgery . Gavin Dry M.D., FACS, Plastic Surgeon, Kirkland, WA, Medical School: Univ of British Columbia, Vancouver, Gen. Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, Plastic Surgery Residency U of W Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery-US, Topic: Plastic Surgery following Weight Loss Lisa B. Stubenrauch RN BSN CDONA/LTC NHA Bandster /Patient/Nurse /Seattle, WA Topic: Total Body Lift- A Top to Bottom Reconstructive Overhaul, From the Patient's Perspective Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, Plastic Surgeon, Tijuana, Mexico Medical School-Universidad La Salle in Mexico City Medicine. Residency: General Surgery National University of Mexico Fellowship specializing in a Plastic Surgery at the National University of Mexico and University of California, Irvine. Board Certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mexico Topic: Total Body Lift

Jessica, I had my surgery Nov. 10, 2005, lost 111 lbs. in 8 months with NO FILL. I have maintained my loss since July 25, 2006. I am going on two years of maintenance with no problems at all. Well, I just had a hernia repair and that was a possibility from being obese. It is possible as long as you have your mind with it. To me I believe the band was there just in case but I didn't treat it as a diet tool. I had to begin to rely on myself and believe it was there if I needed it and if not then more power to me. Josephine

Hi there my surgery is scheduled for April 10 in Mexico and I'm also scared that somehow I won't be full . I am right now I'm never fall I can eat all the time and I just never get that feeling of fullness or when I do feel full after a really large meal and then I'm hungry and I can eat like an hour later. I am totally willing to do the work as far as eating healthy and exercising I'm just really scared that somehow I still won't feel full.

Hey There, My Name Is Sarah. I Just Had Surgery About 10 Days Ago. My Advice For Pre- Surgery... Get Used To Eating Small Amounts. And Also If You Know That You Won't Be Able To Eat Something After Surgery, Eat It Now!!! Recovery Is Fairly Fast As It Is Only Took Me About 2 Days To Recover.

I called Anthem this morning and got the news!! Surgeon's office submitted on 10/23 and told me to give it up to 2 weeks. I'm excited, yet nervous. Pre-op appointment on 11/21.

Just got back from a 3 week trip for work - while there I had to buy some new clothes and that was great . I also could relax in the tub - still not as comfortably as I would like, but enough to fall asleep in there! The big Nsv for me was getting out of my hot tub and grabbing my usual towel that doesn't quite fit around me and what do you know!?! It more than fit around me! I had a good 6 inch overlap where there used to be about a 4 inch gap! I haven't been paying attention to a scale - being out of town makes that near impossible - when I got back I had lost another 10 lbs in that 3 weeks and I was bloated from that time of month and from travelling. I celebrated with a nice pedicure Sent from my iPhone using VST

One has to rely on will power and coping strategies to manage diet compliance, and your initial fill likely will not provide you with a significant amount of restriction. Head hunger is a part of the recovery process...and you need to be able to use tools such as distraction with a project or exercise or drinking your necessary "free fluids" to manage it. You are likely also able to eat many of the foods you previously enjoyed, but are not on the approved list of healthy food choices post op. Just because you can eat those things does not mean that it is proper to give yourself permission to do it! Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss process...and I have reached them periodically with every approximately 10 pounds of weight loss. I believe Mis73 should have some good posts on this topic in the archives. She has discovered, at least for her case that by varying the amount of calories she has daily she can break through a plateau. Look for them for additional information... As I don't count calories, only measure portions by volume, I simply use exercise and try to vary it. Eventually you do get off the plateau, but some people are more patient than others...and I have become a patient person! Shaking up your routines, both with eating and the type and speed of your exercise should help. The body does adapt itself to routines...and that's when the plateau typically occurs. I hope this information will help you...best wishes...

Hello my name is Rebecca and I am 28 years old. I have struggled with my weight since 6Th grade. It was so bad that in gym class everyone wanted me to be on there team when it involved the roller chairs, because nobody could lift me off my scooter :tt1: I have been married since 2001 and my husband is wonderful :tt1:. He supports me in whatever I want to do including Lap Band. We have 2 wonderful daughters, a 6 yr old and a 2 yr old. :tt1: I have a free seminar on Nov 19 to see if I qualify. I am 5 ft 5 and 255 lbs :smile2: (I sure hope I do) Is there anyone else out there that is in my situation?

WOOO HOOOO! This has got to be on the top 10 NSV!! WOO HOO, congrats to you!

My dr office suggests 3 weeks, I work in daycare but my co worker who also had the sleeve was back after a week. We only have 3 employees, it's a home daycare, so everyone else just helped her pick up the slack. I'm hoping for a Friday surgery and will go back the second Monday for 10 days out.

Well tomarrow morning I will finally have my surgery. Getting pretty nervous, I hope I can sleep tonight. Have to be at hospital at 9am, surgery at 10:30. Hoping all goes well and I get my band. Will keep you all updated on how it goes. Thanks for all the support and great info.

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I wanted to share my journey that involved highs, lows and severe gutter blows. I have been overweight for about 10 yrs and gradually became obese before I knew it. I knew when I saw a pic of myself, I did not know that person That was photographed with my family...Who was that? What happened to my 100 lb body that I had just 11 short years ago? I felt sad and disgusted for allowing myself to look like that. I begin layering clothes to hide the bulge, advanced to sweat pants and my husbands T-shirt. About 1 yr ago in March I finally decided to get VSG- I was paying out of pocket 100%. Paid my deposit, paid anesthesia, then death in family. Had to reschedule, paid all deposits again, came home, my husband said I was being selfish for doing that to my body and spending that amount of money on what he saw as frivolous. Weekend of arguing, gave up and cancelled surgery. I was so depressed . Quit my nursing job that I had for 21 yrs, Started a new job. Obviously, still in public eye, and feelings of disgust that hid behind my cracked, fake smile. New insurance. Sit down with hubby 25yrs and he agreed I was unhappy and he knows I have exhausted all other avenues, including: exercise, medical directed wt loss program since 2008, multiple drugs: phentermine, belvique and Contrave. I was carried by my husband’s insurance and the policy lacked WLS. Great. So signed up 11/30/17 last day at work to get insurance. Planned to go see dr ASAP. One of my close friends secretly got sleeved. I was so jealous and angry at her for doing that. Met with new surgeon, brought all of my records and he was impressed, didn’t have to wait normal 6 mos. 3 denials from insurance co., and all I have left is 1 appeal. By the way-the Inursing I do deals with ins and coding for payment- so I know all the rules and had everything worded perfectly; no avail : DENIED!!!!! I cried. Phoned coordinator 2/25/18 told her it was denied again, requested surgeon file an appeal. On Wednesday 2/28/18 I received a call from coordinator, all she said”are u ready to get excited, u are APPROVED”!!! Elated! Received letter of approval for inpatient procedure on My Birthday! Scheduled surgery. 3/26 day before surgery, medical center called and said my portion was $25k need it before surgery.... WHAAAATTTT??? Called insurance straighten out everything, phoned medical center and instructed her who to contact. Wow, I got sleeved Tuesday 3/27/18. Wooohooo!!! Now, what the heck did I do? Lasted 5 mins then was delighted. So I am 4 days post op, still hungry, but I fought so hard for this, I have this under control! Besides, I was out of pocket almost 10K. my husband agrees it was the best $ we have ever spent! Happy Silver Anniversary. Stats: highest wt 170 Ht: 4’10” BMI 35.5. Pre surgical wt 168.8 and current weight 160.0. Moral of my journey: Fight for what you deserve and make it happen! Looking forward to the rest of my journey and becoming the person I know I am! Sorry for being so winded; I have kept my procedure from everyone except my husband and kids.