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So I finally got a date the last time I met with my surgeon - October 17th. (SO CLOSE!) He asked me to lose 10 pounds before the next time we met, and to meet with the psychiatrist again for the final clearance. The first time the psych wanted me to get stable on my antidepressant before clearing me. So I lost the 10 pounds and met with the psych. All good, right? Well, the psych told me he needed to get in touch with MY psychiatrist and therapist first, and that it should only take a few days. It has literally been a MONTH since then and he hasn't managed to get in touch with the psych yet (he did call the therapist.) My psych claims they've been playing "phone tag" but I suspect that neither of them have really put in the effort. I mean, how hard is it, really? A 3-minute phone conversation? So either way tomorrow I'm starting the liquid fast, even though this might have to be postponed. They can't send everything into insurance without the clearance, so I still might get bad news. Ugh! When I told the surgeon about this last Friday, to his credit he was pissed too and told me to call him if I don't hear anything from the coordinator or psych by tomorrow. I'm so stressed and annoyed about this. It wouldn't be the end of the world to postpone a month or a couple of weeks, but it seems like such a lame reason. I've gone through so much with the tests and clearances and now this? Anyway, wish me luck! I feel pretty good about the liquid fast, at least, and have stocked up on lots of Protein Powder and Crystal Lite the list the nutritionist gave me also included Diet Snapple, strangely enough, so I got a case of that, too. Onward!

How long is the pre op fast? Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Never mind I just reread and saw the 14days yikes Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App Exactly, 14 days. Now thats my dr here in fl. But then i read where some people didnt have to fast at all so i was like, wth......ive now kinda gotten use to it because ive taken all my Vitamins in the am so it has gotten easier - Sent from my SM-N920V using the BariatricPal App O ok I am in Washington state I was told 2 wks as well but my aunt that got her sleeve done about a yr ago was on it for a month. She got hers done at a different place though so fingers crossed lol Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

best wishes to those on their journey! i'm getting banded in 6 days so i'm excited! the time leading up to the surgery while your doing all your tests and stuff goes by super fast! before you know it, you will be getting ready for surgery! so hang in there! i suggest getting used to eating a little healthier. i dunno if your surgeons put you on a diet or not (mine did... pretty strict... for the month or 2 before while i did everything), but its a good idea so you start getting used to it. i'm on all liquids right now (for 2 weeks pre-op) and it was good i eased into it! keep us updated!

I sitll get hiccups if I eat to fast, but I remember that healing state. My doctor told me relax they will pass. The worst thing to do it tense up, that increases the chance of causing slipping while your still in the healing phase.

Actually it happened so fast I didn't really feel more than a quick little "wiggle" inside me. Totally thankful for that since my mother told me she had a drain once and it felt like a "razor blade covered snake" coming out!!! Completely not my experience thankfully!

I agree 100% with Penni. I think our bods know how much they want to weigh. My mother was super slender till she retired. If you think it's hard having a skinny sister, try being fat with a thin mother - torture. But she recently admitted to me that she was practically anorexic to keep herself looking that way. She admitted she was sick all the time. She had constant hunger pains, dizzy spells, black outs, missed periods. She wasn't skinny, just slender. Now she's a Vegan, her only pigouts are from whole grains and veggies, yet she weighs 200 pounds at 5'10". I am stuck right around 250 now, but like Penni, I can climb steps and walk fast without dying. I can lose more weight, but I feel too hungry and deprived. I hoped that a fill would keep me from getting hungry, but so far, no luck.

I feel like I can drink the cup down pretty fast, of course I'm sipping but do not really feeling restricted

Let me add I've been getting the since last night when I'd been fasting 24 hours. I haven't had anything today but 1 cup of broth, a half cup of jello and water.

ichthyology The reasons you stated are the reasons I was banded.. I have lost 110 lbs - I feel 10 yrs younger have tons more energy.. I live in So Cali where Mexican Food is the food of choice I still eat chilli - salsa - I cook with jalapeno's - I can't say I eat super hot but I do pretty good for a white chick since I have grown up hear and mexican food is what I grew up on.. I have read were some pple can't tolerate spicy food - but for me I can still eat it - my doc didn't say I couldn't... Heck I still drink coffee - there are pple here who's doc's dont allow it... As you will find out the longer you are on this board that every doc has diff instructions... Good luck on your journey.. Heck 100 lbs for a guy is a walk in the park - go to the guys room - they lose that in like 6 months - You men seem to lose it fast than us girls :cool2:

Hi, I just joined today. I had my consult last week. Now have to meet with nutritionist and psych. I want to lose 20 lbs before surgery. My surgeon is Dr. Larson in Lake Worth, Florida. He doesn't require weight loss, but says it is easier on your lungs if you do. I will try. I want to know if you lose your appetite, and how fast larger people lose weight. Also does anyone prefer one band over another: Realize or lap band? How is energy level after surgery? Thank you, Louisa

Missy is right. I only feel food if I eat too big a bit or too fast. When this happends my band is very vocal. It gurggles as the food moves through, makes my step daughter laugh at me.

I am just like Missy...I can only feel food pass through when I take too big a bite, or eat too fast.

Hi everyone Have not been on very much lately. Everything is going great. Had my first fill on June 4th. Don't fill much restriction. Have had a few problems with eating to fast and getting stuck because I forgot I was banded and went back to old eating habits. Weight loss pretty slow. Most of the weight loss was during the liquid stages. Go back for a second fill July 16th. Good luck to everyone.

Funny you should ask this. It so happens that it is sold out everywhere. JDK called Dragon Herbs and apparently they are having trouble sourcing the ingredients. My typical online store of choice is amazon.com. Love' date=' love, love amazon for all my impulse buying needs. Lol! Fast delivery too! I need to buy a new green drink to hold me over until the Tonic Alchemy is available again. There is a green drink thread I started that contains a ton of suggestions from different folks. Go check that out and see if there is one that is suitable for you. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/71674-best-green-superfood-powder/ I think I will be going with one from Vitamin Shoppe that has been really good called Green Essence. It is their best selling green drink powder or so says the lady sales woman. I generally trust Vitamin Shoppe with my purchasing needs as they are always super knowledgable where GNC is sometimes lacking in that area.

the area under the bandages is itching and leaking but i'm afraid to fiddle with it too much. i don't want the whole thing falling out. although i have been half considering just pulling it out. also i'm afraid to shower with it in. the next time i'mseeing the surgeon is next tuesday :/ oh well. glad to hear it heals fast

I did measurements pre and post op so I would know when the swelling had all gone down. I stayed swollen in my belly region for almost 6 weeks. So yes the water weight goes away fast, but the swelling on me at least took a long while.

I had mine done in Oakbrook with Brad Watkins.. Best decision I have ever made. Im down over 40lbs since July. I had surgery at end of August. Ive had about 4 fills and feel awesome right now at 8.5 cc. I get full fast and stay full for a long time. somewhere around 4-5 hours. .

I'm so excited that I actully have trouble sleeping sometimes...and it is still weeks away. :smile: It will go by so fast though. Especially since the week before I'm going on a cruise for my niece's wedding.

hey guys, everyone seems to be doing great! i had my surgery on 11/10/09 and im not even one week post op yet and im already down 14.5 pounds! im ecstatic but im actually wondering if im losing too fast? i mean its a great boost, but im mostly on liquids and soups too. but im soo full from them! lol. Marissa

Hi everyone, I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today, and so far, have lost 15 lbs. Most of that was when I was just on fluids only but seems I'm stuck now. Was just wondering how fast most lose it. Am I being impatient?

OK I was banded 8-18-08 did great at first lots of restriction. Got 1st fill on Sept 25, did good for about 2 weeks but noticed I could eat a little more every day. I stop eating when It suddenly it feels like I will throw up or any pressure in chest. I just don't feel that way very much anymore. I go in for another fill this Friday but being a little worrier as I am I started wondering if I stretched my pouch. I have only PB once and that was from eating to fast. I have had no other problems. So my question for you long time bandsters is this bandster hell or did I stretch my pouch?? I thought when you over ate with restriction you would PB or have extreme chest pain, Is this true?? Since my last fill I have only lost about 5lbs but at least I didn't gain.

what precipitated the cramping? Eat too fast? overexertion (excessive walking)?

Yes I am going to go with the flow and say stay liquid however I did not after two weeks I slowly and I mean slowly got a little more then liquids 1. When did you move to soft foods? - Assuming you mean any food after liquid i was 16 days out before i even tried it, I am a chef so i knew my plan, I made very very light broths and added just a Tad of Veggies to them. I then Nutra Bullet them to they were about 95% liquid. I did this for well over a week, I had info from My brother who did the surgery before me, So he warned me not to go to fast. I stayed on pureed and blended foods for the first month. 2. Favorite was a lentil veggie broth - 3. How to integrate new foods - I slowly over the first 5 weeks brought in veggies and proteins, Some just are not going to work, For example a group of us, including myself can not do chicken. Find very very very soft proteins like fish, shellfish, and ground meats like Turkey - Be careful i can tell you that food you buy is often treated and preserved, For example if you buy shrimp rinse them big time they have lots of salts and preservatives. If you can and you dont have to be a chef do your own meats. For example today i have a Large Pork Shoulder and Turkey on the Smoker all day. I know exactly what is on it and what is in it. When done I will vacuum seal small amounts for myself to eat, I also will grind up some Turkey and Pork into a hamburger meat. I have a meat grinder but any food processor will do. This ensures you know what you are eating. Sugar can raise hell and most cheeses, processed meats and Deli Meats contain tons of sugar and salts. Stay clear of these 3 for sure Rough on the incision during healing and generally not good for you There are three classes of chemical preservatives commonly used in foods: Benzoates (such as sodium benzoate) Nitrites (such as sodium nitrite) Sulphites (such as sulphur dioxide). It is almost impossible to buy pre packaged protien, Including the Meat counter and Seafood counter that is not treated with one above. However a good rinse or brine will remove most of it Suggestions Simple Take your time, Try not to rush into the next phases and transitions into them, Its a long journey and if you do mess up you get punished thru pain, sick, Dumping, We all have been punished for our mistakes, but good planning is the key. Also this place is loaded with lists and ideas on good foods to eat.

Healthy carb balance is around 80 to 120 grams similar to Protein intake. You need the carbs to burn for energy to allow the protein to be processed by the body for muscles and nerves. Granted you get more calories from carbs but once you start exercising you will need the carbs to keep the weight loss from dropping to fast and burning your protein.

:thumbup: Well I am now out of school for the year! That is a good feeling! I NEED the rest and time to regroup :w00t: My daughter and I are joining the community center and will be lifting some weights and I intend to do a lot more exercise. Right now I still feel kind of tired. Even though I was off yesterday I am tired. School just wears me out. I read an article this week on the Spark that was about how working overtime makes you fat. Studies done, etc.that show it. Well, well what surprise that is! But there is nothing I can do about that! I have tried to evaluate how to make it easier and it just does not happen. Also does not leave me with lots of time to work out, etc. I am exhausted at the end of every day. Can barely get home, make a meal, clean it up, walk about 25 min, grade some stuff then go to bed at midnight. Weekends I catch up. Heavens if I have to get up early on a weekend. We go to church Sat night which I hate but is good for the catching up on sleep. Some Sundays I grade papers ALL DAY LONG. Oh well, BREAK time is here! Yeah! OK now the weight thing. I am going in Monday for my 11months. I think I have gained a couple more pounds. So I have lost maybe 35 lbs total. Have not lost a THING since November. I have to go to an open house for a family member and I have a sister in law who had a roux-en-y right before Christmas--she had lost 70 lbs. Who knows now? It is going to be HARD to look at her and not be upset. This is just not going the way I thought it would. By the time school was out I thought I would be maybe 20 lbs from goal. Well I am nowhere near that and not losing. I am struggling to not gain.... I need to lose about 65 lbs. and it is just not happening. Gosh I would like to lose 5 lbs a month?? I would get there eventually. So tired of this. I read the answer to my blog and have started just this week to eat very high protein with little or no carbs. However, I have fallen down at the end of the day a couple of times this week and had some fruit. It has been hard. Interesting that when I do this I feel really tired no matter what time of day it is and need to shut my eyes and sleep! My head starts to hurt and eyes hurt. Hmmmm.... The two days I ate so much protein I felt invigorated and good. Just ran into trouble on the other two. I did a BIG protein shake this morning adding 26g whey to 2c milk (16g) and the low sugar inst breakfast (5g). That is a whopper 47g for breakfast. I intend on having meat if I have anything else before dinner. There are some carbs there but am trying to do what was suggested to me. I think I will be able to now especially with school out. What I need to see if some RESULTS! If I start losing and I feel a lot better I will be motivated to go on. However, this is just like Atkins diet. I went on that once. Lost 13 lbs first month then like 5 then it stopped. As usual for me. But with the band, maybe this is different. So I go in Monday to weigh (great??) and probably get yelled at again. I have no idea if I will get a fill or not. I am not going to base my life and my outlook on that darn fill and it making a difference. I have done that every month since I started this mess and it has been a severe letdown every single time. What a rollercoaster ride this is! I also am NOT going to let the negativity from those in charge at my doc's office get me down. I will NOT let them do that to me. I am trying as hard as I can. I exercise DAILY with a fast walk at 20-30 minutes, I am drinking more water than ever, I gave up any caffeine, carbonated drinks, bread when eating out(I have NONE!! when I used to limit myself anyway!), and am writing down most of the time too. What else is there to do??????? I SELDOM feel any what I would call restriction. I have just about given up on hoping the the band is going to help me to restrict and stop eating at a very small amount. I do not eat much anyway but I guess it is too much..... I have a friend online who was struggling too. She just got a fill, said she now gets stopped and almost throws up at each meal. Has lost 7 lbs this month! How great! Where oh where is that for me! I told her she would get the throwing up figured out and quit eating at the right point. That will stop. Again I have another friend who had a roux-en-y and she did that but eventually knows exactly how much to eat and has done well. She has less in her band than me. I am so happy for her but man this is HARD to take. I think I have 6 1/2 in my 9 band. How much does it take? How much will they put in? I fear that they will say--hey that is it, we aren't putting any more in, it isn't safe so now it is all up to you. And guess what? I am not getting it done....... I know my doctor is very conservative. They told me this. Which is good, they have had almost no complications with their bands. But gee this is just not doing much for me. I just do not get any help from it, very, very little. Very disappointing after 11months.... Also I am SICK SICK SICK of the way I look! I have this big fat shelf belly that is gradually growing back. UGH, UGH!! I wanted to just look better this summer. UGH. So disappointing. I think my body has been on a diet so so so long it just adjusts to whatever level I am at. All thyroids been checked, are OK, I am not diabetic, had that test. I just suck! Well this is long, it is nice to have time to get it all out. Please don't read this if you want encouragement because it ain't here. This is just a place to POUR it out. I am gearing up now to go in Monday and getting in my ZEN place so I do not get upset when they tell me I am a failure... I just keep repeating "zen, zen, zen....." I will keep trying to exercise, eat lots of protein, not drink diet coke which I still love and MISS after a YEAR of not having it. Like it is doing any good. Maybe the next fill will work.....ha. Do you believe this? I still have that little hope in there that I will finally get this.....later.