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Amazing how fast the last few months have gone. I am finishing up grad school this week (last test is Tuesday woot woot!) and soon thereafter I will be embarking on another huge undertaking – getting sleeved. I’ve complained about this on the boards a couple of times but will say it one more time…the pre-op classes are simply ridiculous. I can honestly say I got nothing out of them. The only semi-interesting class was a one-year post-op RNY patient who talked about the challenges and victories he had experienced. The rest were beyond lame. But, it’s over now Once I completed my last class, the surgeon’s nurse navigator got my paperwork submitted to Aetna and exactly 7 days later called to say I was approved! I was really expecting it to be more difficult than that. I met with the Surgeon 6/1 (before this, had only seen him at the seminar in December 2010) and had a good conversation in which he answered all of my questions and made me feel 100% comfortable with my decision to move forward. After we were done he had me talk with his scheduler, who got me on the roster for June 20. Sweet! I probably still won’t believe it until I’m driving to the hospital that morning. Since I don’t have a PCP the surgeon will just do my H&P the morning of surgery. He doesn’t do any type of pre-op testing. Interesting because here on the boards some people need sleep apnea studies, testing for hernias or h-pylori, etc. He does not require any of that. Which is cool because I am pretty sure all of those are negative for me and I hate when unnecessary testing is done. I have to go to one more nutrition class on June 9, which revolves around how to eat pre- and post-op. I actually start the pre-op diet June 10…the first few days will be challenging because I have visitors in town that I rarely get to see, and usually we eat out and drink wine, etc. But I will manage. The good news is that from the literature the surgeon’s office has given me, I think it’s pretty good as pre-op diets go. It’s only 10 days and I get mushy stuff, am not restricted to liquids like others sometimes are. Emotionally, I feel great. I feel ready to kick fat in the ass. I am not nervous at all. This may change as the date approaches, but as of now I feel at peace with my decision. The main issue on my mind right now about two weeks out is, whether or not to tell anyone. I do have a great family but truly just want to keep this private. Maybe I still have a little shame, I don’t know. My mom is a true supporter of me, however she has been through a lot the last few years (cancer, heart failure) and has developed a pretty significant amount of anxiety. I rarely see my siblings due to distance and they are great people however…skinny people. And I don’t think they would understand. Co-workers, I absolutely do NOT want to know because I feel they will forever scrutinize what I eat. That leaves friends. There are a few close ones I have considered telling. Despite the fact that they are thin I think they’d be on board with my decision because they have seen me fluctuate so much over the years. Anyway, still not sure. As surgery approaches I’ll decide what to do.

Yes, you can. I'm 19 months out and eat pretty much whatever I want, just in small portions. That said, I have ridiculous restriction and one scrambled egg fills me up. So for me, drinking one Protein coffee or tea each morning is a great way to boost my protein intake to where I like to be (90+ grams a day) without eating all day long. But my situation is a bit different as I'm stranded in Central Asia. When I'm stateside and have access to hundreds of different protein options it's definitely easier to reach my nutritional goals each day. Though honestly, I just don't like to sit down to four heavy meals of meat or eggs a day and drinking a shake is an easier way for me to get there. But if you don't like them, it's not something you're going to have to do beyond the first six to nine months. I'm not going to lie, though. If I had to drink a Protein Shake every single day for the rest of my life and the trade off was being this size, I'd do it in a heartbeat. ~Cheri

10 months out now. My doctor originally told me a good target I could expect to hit was 205lbs. My plans were to hit 200lbs. At the time that sounded so unreal I knew I'd be thrilled if it ever happened. When I hit 200 I was thrilled. But I went ahead and set a new goal for 185lbs. That seemed achievable at that point. Today I hit the 185 goal. Yea!!!! Now comes the strange feeling. For so long before sleeve and after I've been in constant thought mode about losing weight. If I was not losing weight then I was likely gaining weight. So my focus has been on losing, losing, losing. My reaction right now is to establish a new goal (say 175lbs) to aim for. I don't really need to lose any more weight. But my fear is if I'm not losing then I'll be gaining. Maintenance is something I have no experiecne with either in actions or in mindset. I've read others discussion on their maintenance transition. It seems to have come fairly natural for many. Maybe it will for me as well. For now I'm staying more on the keep losing mentality cause I can't help myself. Having said all that....God bless the sleeve and the health that has been restored to me. I could not be happier and would not want to imply otherwise. Although maintenance mode is foreign to me if its like everything else it won't be too hard to figure out.

I felt restriction along the way after almost every fill, but it was fleeting. It was when I got my last fill at about 10 months that I knew it was the "one". The other fills gave me restriction for a few weeks but then the feeling of satiety after meals started to diminish, but this time it took. It's been a little over two months now, and it feels the restriction feels the same today as it did two months ago. It's also a stronger feeling of staying satisfied between meals then I ever had prior to this past fill.

I have finally decided to put myself back on my priority list. I know it's very "Obrah'ish" but for weeks I've let other things take over my life. The holidays are over and I've painfully thrown away all the yummy Snacks in the house (except the ones my skinny daughter has hidden from me, bless her). I've restocked my shelves with the food I know works for me and I've started exercising every day. I had a small fill last week and almost immediately noticed a difference. So, I think I'm all set to see what the next few weeks have in store. There's nothing like just cleaning house and giving yourself a fresh start. I was stuck at 219 lbs for 10 weeks (at least no gain!) and the scale finally moved. Looking at my chart, I'm still doing better with the lab-band than I was doing on Weight Watchers alone at the same time. So all is good. Still have a long way to go but I'm up for the challenge. I'm not going to look back, only forward. God bless you all!!! You all give such encouragement and wisdom.

I've been on the Pre-opt liquid diet for 8 days now, ill be going in to get banded on April 13th (next monday) Ahhh Im so NERVOUS! I lost 8lbs so far. This diet is so hard, but I feel like Im in control for once in my life! :thumbdown: Im excited, I wonder how much weight Ill be able to lose? How will I do eating only mushie food for the first 10 days? I guess anything will be better then this liquid thing! Wish me luck on my surgery! 1 week away! Starting: 215lbs Now: 208lbs Goal: 110lbs

I'm having surgery too on the 13th. I'm on day 4 of 10 days of liquids. It is tough especially at night.

I'm scheduled for surgery 10/5or6 and was told to start pre op diet 2weeks prior. For me it's 2 Protein shakes and a lean meat for dinner. Nothing else. I've noticed everyone is different. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Personally, I was sleeved in MX so I didn't ahve any post op follow up. I had surgery and flew back home less than a week later. My loss was really slow at first, then accelerated, then stopped, then slow, then stopped....I'm just getting off another plateau now. I'm 15 and a half months out, and I think this final 40 lbs is kicking my a**, but I know that slow and steady will win the race. It's easy to get discouraged and to look at the tickers of other who had surgery the same time as you and wish you had their results already, but the most honest and best advice I can give is: Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Compare yourself to you. When was the last time you lost 10 lbs before surgery, how long did it take? Did it take longer and was it more difficult than the current 10 lbs you're lamenting over? The answers are probably yes and yes. Another thing to remember about your loss now, is that, you're not losing weight, you're GETTING RID of it!! That is 10 lbs you will probably never ever ever EVER see again!! How great is that!?! One day at a time, if you do the right things, Protein first, exercise, you WILL see results, you WILL lose the weight, and you WILL look hot and feel great!! Welcome to the losers bench!!

Wow, great question! And a great answer! As someone who is within 10 lbs of goal, this is fascinating. I'm still going for the goal, but it makes one wonder.....

Mine was 10 days first 8 Protein drinks, broths and raw steamed veggies ( no starch) and plenty of Water. Last 2 days Protein Drinks, clear broths and water, water, water, but worth it. My surgery is tomorrow Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I am on day 10 it does get better, my surgery is tomorrow. Ever time I felt hungry I drank a bottle of Water or a glass of crystal light. Felt like I was sloshing when I walked but it did help with the hunger. Good luck you can do this Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm 10 days post op and on fluids as well. There are times I am so hungry I feel like I could eat one of my kids lol Thankfully it's only just started the last few days and i've only got a few to go to the puree'd stage...Instead of giving in, I make a cup of soup and come in here and look over the before and after pics again and again ........sometimes I do this 5 times a day if needed, but I tell you what it sure makes me determined again!!

I think we all had THAT DAY. We had gone on a small weekend vacation with family and friends. I ate and drank just as much as the skinnier people there. But low and behold upon our return home I had gained 10 pounds in 3 days. So maybe I did eat a little more??? I just wanted to enjoy the vacation. All I know is that trip made up my mind. I had been thinking about the LapBand for a couple months but was scared and unsure. After that weekend I knew what needed to be done. I’m not like everyone else. I’m special and I need something special to help me with this problem. I was terrified when my surgery was right around the corner. I almost left the doctor’s office the morning of because I was so scared. I think that morning at the doc was the bravest I’ve ever been. I’m glad I stayed! I was banded on 7/17. I don’t regret anything so far. I’ve been steadily losing with the liquids and the mushies. I can’t wait for my first fill. It’s exciting. Don’t worry (I know that’s easy for me to say) but it WILL be ok! I would love to hear about how you’re doing in the months and years to come. Just remember the LapBand is a tool, we have to use it properly and it will work perfectly! Take care and I wish you ALL THE BEST! -D

It has been a really slow process for me. I have had a fill each month since January. I thought maybe my band had a hole in it but my Dr said no since he pulls the liquid out each month before adding more. I'm so glad I asked cause I was sure it had a hole in it. Lol. Well my last fill was at 9 in a 10 bad and I finally feel like I have a band. So I know what ur going through although you have done really well. I've been hanging on trying not to lose the initial weight I lost. This is certainly a journey and I look forward to learning how to figure it all out so I can lose some weight. It's been hard not getting down on myself and worried about people judging me knowing I had surgery and not seeing any weight loss.

Decided I am going to use this as a diary so I can look back on my thoughts and feelings pre-op and post op and hopefully see my progress!! I went into the clinic the other day and I paid the £500 deposit for my lapband. The operation itself is on the 18th april. Im going away on a cruise on the 7th-14th april and I start the milk diet on the same day as my journey home. I was a bit nervous about not doing the whole 10 day diet as recommended by the clinic, but i voiced my fears to the surgeons assistant and he assured me this was only necessary for the very big patients and that i would be ok with only 5 days, i hope to god this is true!! Ive spent the last few hours reading through various posts/groups/looking at photos on this website and i have to say im absolutely petrified!! There is such a range of success stories!! some people not losing much at all and feeling hungry all the time (which is my main fear as that is the main reason i am getting this operation-to not feel starving all day every day!!) and some people losing loads and saying it has changed their lives. Im just terrified im going to be one of those people that dont lose much or that dont have much restriction, as the thought of spending £7,500 on something that might not even work is heartbreaking!!! plus, im pinning all my hopes on this as i really dont think i could go on much longer living the life i am now, im so unhappy. Another thing that is worrying me is the fact that no one else seems to have had the operation with the birkdale clinic where i am getting mine done, i dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing that they havent been mentioned. seeing some of the terrible feedback of certain places (the hospital group for example which i thought seemed like a reputable company till i read this website) has scared me cos the birkdale clinic seems like such a good place and everyone seems so genuine, and when i mention things that could go wrong and problems people have (not having any restriction for example) they say it is because the people have not received the aftercare that i will receive. Im just going to have to pray that they are not just saying these things to get the money off me then jib me off once i have had the operation!! anyway i better go, got to have my blood taken monday and im paying then too so ill have to wait and see if anything changes once they have my money! fingers crossed not!!

I was sleeved on Sept. 7 and I just reached 30 lbs today! (11 lbs pre-surgery, 19 since surgery) This is fun!

I agree - 10 pounds in 24 days is awesome -- if you lose 10 pounds a month that's a great rate -- I was banded in December and have lost a total of 80 pounds -- only 5 away from my goal -- and that has been about 10 pounds a month. You don't want to lose any faster than that as it isn't healthy. I only had 2 fills and feel like I'm at the sweet spot -- although sometimes I feel like I don't eat enough - I think eating more often with tiny portions and keeping the protein up is the plan. Good luck - you're off to a great start! Deb

Banded 10/10. Still on liquids but hopefully mushies next Monday. My granddaughters 1st birthday party next Wed. What can i have and still stay on plan. My dr is strict. No sugar or anything white and low fat too. To make it harder party is at my house! Dinner and cake. Help!

You know I was thinking about being scared and i was reading in the complications thread about a gal who had to get her gallbladder out and she was so glad so now she wouldnt be sick anymore and she would start feeling better!! I think the difference is the type of surgeries...elective vs. HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW!!! But if we think about the lap band as HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW because we need to feel better now...then maybe it wouldnt be so hard to swallow the fact that you are having surgery. I mean, if you didnt have the Lap band surgery and then 2 years from now you have to have open heart surgery because you have a heart attack because of the obesity and comorbidities, you would be glad that the doctor was going to fix your heart so you could live longer....I dont know, I am just ranting...I was scared too and I dont think there is anything anyone can say to make it better or the nervousness go away. But, I do know, that my doctor told me three years ago that if I didnt do something about my weight I would not be around in 10 years...So three years later...I was 7 years away from the ten year time frame...and I got scared...more scared than thinking about the surgery... You will get through it and then wonder why you were so nervous...thats how it always works.....but in the mean time....CONGRATULATIONS!! You are gonna be healthy:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Deanna

I make a protein drink with a chocolate powder (two scoops 40 grams protein 12 oz of skim milk 10 grams protein) twice daily. I don't think I can stand it much longer. Its not that its nasty its just the flavor stays with me for awhile and I am just about to try anything as a change. Suggestions?

i am 1wk shy of my 10 month post op date & i have 21lbs to lose before hitting my goal. i highly doubt i will lose 21lbs in 2 months but im pretty sure that if i tried really really really hard, i would & could. im going to start hitting the gym & im going to work hard at toning my body & losing these next 21lbs. im down 117lbs right now.

I have but I did not have alot of weight to lose. My goal was only 65 lbs and I lost it by 9 months.. I will be 10 months next week. The more weight you have to lose, the faster you will lose.