Search the Community

Yeah she shouldn't worry about how much she is losing yet--it is too early in the game for that. The first 6-8 weeks are for healing and the 1-2 lb avg loss a week doesn't start until you are properly restricted which could take up to 3-5 fills. Plus everybody is different--some lose rather fast and others are turtles but what is nice about the band is that there is no window of opportunity. It is perfectly fine to take as long as you need to get to goal. Good luck to your daughter on her band journey. ~Liz~ 03/10/06 241/163/160 5'7''

My surgery date is this friday, and boy is the mental warfare raging. I've never been of normal size...(okay, I was from birth until age 5). So I have a very deep rooted attachment to those foods which give me positive affirmation, feel good hormones bring me pleasure via my tongue, etc. Counseling didn't help, because it's truely an addiction, and I just wonder is this really going to work for me. I keep trying to imagine what it will be like when I wake up after surgery and the deed is done, and I have my first "mental hunger" for the "feel good" response needed from something sweet. I know there is going to be a lot of tears, a lot of shouting at my husband that I did this for him (which is only half true...I am doing it for me too), a lot of regrets and remorse. But in the end, as the weight drops, I hope to be excited about where my life/body is going. Sadly I have not fully embraced what is about to happen to me because I'm fearful. Fearful that life without food (large quanities of unhealthy food) won't be as "sweet" as life has been with food. But let me say that right there is a lie that my subconscious believes, because the more I eat, the worse I feel. The more my body hurts, the lazier I feel, the less I want to do the things that do bring me "feel good" hormones, that last and leave me in a better place than when I started...like the 11 mile bike ride I took this weekend. Hiking to the top of mountains (real ones..ha!) in the Smoky Mtns. Kayaking. So, for now, I'm clinging to the hope that losing this weight will replace what is currently bringing me pleasure (but leaving me heavier and unhealthier), with something that is lasting and that will help me to live a long, healthy, and most important to me, active life. And I'm so tired of the yo-yo dieting, of the struggle to lose 10 lbs and have one weekend of "fun" and gain it all back...the endless dieting cycles. I do know I am down to 2 options...the surgery, or "let myself go" and ballooning back up to my highest (320) or higher which means giving up the activities I do enjoy. I don't have one single more "just try this diet" in me. Only radical change such as this is going to help me. Ready or not... here comes the sleeve. I will embrace it...but first it will embrace me

Hi Ryanon. I also live in Texas (Bryan/College Station area). I was banded on 9/2/10 so I'm still learning also. Will be glad to be a friend to you.

wow I'm sorry to hear that you had that sort of experience. I'm going to assume your doc doesn't use xray floroscopy. when i go on the table.. the doc put a device over my abdomen that lit up my port like a neon sign, all he had to do was one stick.. felt like a little pin prick and he was in.. in then withdrew the air and the bubble from the line, and then added the saline. too be honest, I felt absolutely nothing.. no pain, no pressure. I got to see the entire thing on the screen in front of me. He asked me to swallow first a little barium, then a bigger gulp. I could see the passage of the liquid from my throat to my stomach and I could actually watch the level of restriction based on the amount of saline he injected into the port. entire thing lasted 10 minutes tops and i was done. he asked me to drink a bottle of water afterwards which was easy enough to do. I'll keep you posted of my progress with solids. I'm on full liquids until sunday. My stomach is making so much noise it sounds like the Anvil Chorus.. plus lots and lots of gas...glad I'm home ..could be a little embarassing

I'm 12 days post-op, and wanted you to know surgery was not bad. I had absolutely no nausea afterwards. They put Zofran in my iv and I was fine. I was driving and going out in a week. I've not had to take anything for nausea since I've been home either. You'll be fine! Keep us posted. 17 lbs gone in 10 days for me...

My RN coodinator told me that the range for Protein is 60-100 grams a day. She said the lower is for a smaller woman (im 5'1) and the 100 is for a man who needs more. She also told me to get out 10 3 oz dixie cups each morning and have three oz of Protein shake every hour or so and by the end of the day you would have the amount needed. I am only 3 days out from surgery and cant get all 10 in but have been gettinf about 45. Hoping to increase as i go. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You will be sore for a bit. O had surgery on 1/15/19 and back to my desk job on 1/21/19. Even though it's a desk job, it forced me to get up and walk around. Which I needed. I'm just starting feeling hungry. I'm averaging about 800 calories a day and about 80 grams of protein. Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

On Day 7 of pre-op shakes and today I really feel like I'm white knuckling it. I have been trying to distract myself and drink lots of fluids but I feel my "resolve" thinnning a bit. Thursday I go for pre-op and weigh in (doc wants me to lose 10 pounds). I am already 9 lbs down and will make the goal however I am pretty sure he will make me stay on the shakes until the surgery date which is the 7th (the following Thursday). I am hoping to dig deep and find the energy to get through it. I know this is part of my mind "letting go" of food....but wow....it certainly challenges every part of you! Good luck my pre-opers........we can and will get through this!

miss phobia, I wish I could afford to pay for your surgery. I just know how difficult it must be for you. My doctor banded his youngest patient at 16. She is a sweetheart. I wish you the best of luck trying to save the money. It is well worth it. You have many years ahead of you and I wish I had found lapband at least 10 years ago. Good luck.

I'm 2.5 weeks out and just went to the gym this morning actually and did the elliptical for 45 minutes I was walking 5 miles a day too! At my post-op check in my surgeon told me I can do whatever cardio just still no lifting over 10 lbs till I'm at 4 weeks

Hi, I am starting a new life on Oct. 11th. Anyone else out there? I know someone is doing it on Oct. 8. Lets get together and support one another, I know I could use it. Dana Married mother of two great boys ages 10 and 8.

Would love some inspiration. I am only 10 days pre op Six week out. How much did you loose from surgery? More importantly what is your diet? Or any sample diets post op I would love to hear. Thank you Thank you.

When I had my LB I was covered 100% medicaid. Since then I have went for over a year w/o any insurance. I currently have new insurance with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa. I have a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Period which ends 10/26/2010 . It also states that "Surgical and non-surgical treatment of morbid obesity is not a covered benefit." Do I have a chance of being covered? Im a little freaked out that I may never be able to have my band check or get filled/unfilled. I spoke with Heidi at Siver Cross Joliet. She is going to check for me to see if the insurance will pay. When I checked they told me no. But like I say "never take a no from someone that cant give you a yes". :confused:

Sleeved Wed 12/26/12 As of Thur 01/10/13 Down 40 pounds. As of Thur 01/17/13 Down 48 pounds. Feeling good.

Sweatinitout, I had a TT in the summer of 2007 and was sleeved 1/23/10. The pain was substantially less than recovering from the tuck, but then again I didn't have alot of pain after that surgery either. I realize everyone's different but I doubt you'll have any problems. Was your TT recovery very painful?

And I am cheering you and all my other Bari- mates, we are starting 2019 in better, healthier state than we were just a year ago . Hurray for each of US.

I understand your pain! I was sleeved on the 20th. I wasn't expecting to be in so much pain. I've had a c-section and a hysterectomy, but the sleeve hurt the worse. When I awoke from surgery, they asked me my pain level and I replied 10! And then I was so nauseated, I couldn't tolerate liquids and had to stay an extra day in the hospital. It was rough. I'm on day 3 now and reading these boards helps me because I know I'm not alone

today would have been my oldest son Levi's 19th birthday. last night his 19 year old cousin hurt herself and has not woke up yet. she is in the hospital and her family is in need of prayers and love!!!! thank you all

Still have to jump through a few more hoops. I have to see a Cardiologist and get clearance I have to get an EGD Preop appointment Surgery Date (YEH) 5 Protein skakes/day and any clear low calorie clear fluids.

So I'm on day 10 and I just remembered that I'm supposed to be on my chewable vitamins!!....between concentrating on getting all the liquids and protein in, I forgot! Anyway, so tonight I took them slowly....but my tummy is RUMBLING and then diarrhea!!! Anybody have this problem with the vitamins? Since I'm day 10 I'm only on protein shakes, water, tea, diet Snapple and broth....maybe just the change in what I'm putting in....but it makes me not want to take them!

As soon as you get full or think you are Stop!! I use my Iphone timer set for 15-20 mins to eat slow then I reset it for 10-15 mins after to give my head time to know it's full you are re wiring your brain on how to eat in your new way of life ask your Nut on how many cals and protein you need in a day it will help you will know if you eat to much the pain will hit you hard...Good Luck!!

Sounds like you need to spend some time looking on the inside for what's going on...some ideas: 1. Track your food (use MyFitnessPal or similar free program online) to see what you're consuming, if you're not already. You MUST eat enough calories or your body won't lose - funny way of thinking, I know. Print out reports of your habits (or bring them up on your phone) to take to your doctor/NUT to discuss what you're doing and what you could be doing differently. 2. Focus on high Protein, at this point. If it doesn't have a good protein number, it doesn't belong in your mouth. You are HEALING - you can't afford to eat stuff that may go down easily or be a former fave food if you're sacrificing nutrition. 3. Get off your ass. Yes, I know that's harsh - but why choose to be weak and make excuses? Be stronger than your excuses. GO FOR A WALK. If you have a smartphone, download the "Couch to 5k" app to help motivate you toward a goal. Set a goal yourself outside of that - even mini-goals (i.e. take 10 minute walks 3x/day) are important. Share your goals with your support network (family, friends, Facebook, etc.) and Celebrate your accomplishments with them. SO MUCH of this journey is in your head - you have GOT to start conquering THAT, in whatever way works best for you, before you can expect results. Sure, the sleeve is a fantastic tool that forces a behavior modification (i.e. smaller portion sizes), but you've got to make the right choices in the kitchen AND the gym (figuratively - many don't "work out" at the gym) if you want to see results. This surgery was NOT a magic wand. If you were led to believe that, that's highly unfortunate. Take charge of this journey - because it's YOUR journey. No one else can do this for you!

Heya folks. I've been on Depo provera for six months. I neglected to get my last shot because of some of my concerns (side effects and wanting to conceive eventually). Last shot was due on 2/15/11, which I skipped so I can get off it. My question - I've been banded since March 2010, and my weight loss basically slowed and then stopped in the time I've been on Depo. I've still lost a lot of weight, but most all of it was in the months before I got on depo. Back history - I was on depo a few years ago, gained a little weight, but then, I was already fat. When I stopped it, my periods came back after about 3-4 monnts. I'm hoping this time around is the same because I want to start trying to conceive in about 2 years from now, and I know depo is long acting and I want to clear it from my body long before I start TTC. My age is also a concern (26 now, I was 19-20 during my first depo experience). Can anyone share their experiences with depo, both with how it relates to being banded/weight loss and in general (especially concerning periods/ovulation and TTC)? Thanks

I just 10 days post op so I know I am extra slow right now, but my goal is to have it together by the end of the month. So whatever is in May, keep me in mind and I will see if I can stroll with you!

Hello! I am new to this forum. I have decided that I can’t win this weight battle on my own. I need help as I am convinced that I am doing great harm to my health. A few months ago, I knew nothing about banding. I’d heard about gastric bypass but I never really thought of myself as “that overweight” (by the way, I am) and focused on being a failed dieter. I gave up dieting. I only gained the weight back after killing myself to lose it. No more WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, and so on. I’d lose weight with a great deal of effort and gain it back the minute I felt a modicum of success. I learned that I was pre-diabetic about three years ago. Blood fasting sugars about 120 each day. Pre-diabetic – well heck..that’s not so bad. I mean, I am not truly diabetic I told myself. Of course today, that number has jumped to 182 some days. But still under 200! I am not REALLY diabetic! Right? Wrong! I was seeing the gastro doc because I have developed “fatty liver disease”. Isn’t that a pretty name for a disease? Hey folks, I have fatty liver disease (but remember, I am not diabetic, only pre-diabetic!). So now let’s count my co-morbidities – pre-diabetes (just had my Metformin dose increased to 4 tabs), high cholesterol, high blood pressure (just doubled that dose) and fatty liver (my daily martini has changed to an occasional glass of wine but I haven’t stopped eating like a Viking. (no offense to any Vikings out there). What a mess I’ve become. And every visit to the doctors – PCP or specialist, ends with “if you could just lose 10 lbs…” Incidentally, my BMI is 41 and I am 5’7. I wear a 20 to 22 and 1X to 2X. I am a big girl and have been for most of my 58 years though never as big as I am right now. My husband loves me no matter what size I happen to be thank goodness but I know that he wants me to live a long time and that he is worried I will not. My gastro doc mentioned that if by the next time I saw him, I did not lose some weight, I should consider surgery. I think that was the dose of reality I have been waiting for since hearing I was “pre-diabetic” a couple of years ago. This time the words were not as softened as the word “pre” softened diabetes. It was just out there. You are obese and are unable to lose weight and you will die if you don’t change things. After feeling totally shocked that he recognized that I could not fight this battle without help, I began to research my options and found myself here on this website lurking every evening and reading all of your thoughts, prayers, concerns, and successes. When I read between the lines of what you all write however, I see HOPE. You all share hope that things will be better and can be better with a little help. I’d reached the point that there was no hope anymore but now, thanks to you and my gastro doctor, I can see that even at my age, there can be a future without obesity. So, I have taken control of my health and have decided to be banded. I attended the Weight Loss Information Session at Brigham’s and Women’s in early Dec. I scheduled my consultation with Dr Ali Tavakkolizadeh for Jan 21 along with the Nutritionist that day. I have an appt with Dr. Cynthia Worth end of Jan for my weight management behavioral evaluation. I have called Aetna and learned that I am covered for 80% and that there is a 3 month and a 6 month program. I am not sure yet what the difference is between the two programs but most certainly would prefer the 3 month one. I saw my PCP last week and asked for my medical records. All of these appointments were scheduled within one day with little effort. I take it as a sign that success is in my future. Thanks for reading my story. If anyone has experience with Dr Tav, Dr Worth or Faulkner Hospital which is where Dr Tav does this surgery, please write. My thoughts are with all of you fighting this fight.