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I'm so excited. I am schedule for my surgery on November 12th. I will be out of work for 2 weeks and I can't wait. Let me give you a little back ground information. I'm 41, BMI of 40.5 with no co-morbidities. I have been overweight since I was 10. Tried every diet out there including a doctor supervised liquid diet and nothing works.. or I should say it kinda works but I can't keep the weight off. I looked into getting banded last year but that is when I wanted to try one last ditch effort on my own. Hence the liquid diet. I lost 50 lbs but immediately started to gain it back. I'm sick of being overweight and unhealthy. I want to feel good... and I just don't right now. I feel like a beached whale! :w00t: So I work at a hospital as a CNA on third shift, go to school for Respiratory Therapy and I'm also doing this. I have alot of my plate (no pun intended :smile:) I am going to be so happy to have my band done and I am looking forward to the new ME! Wish me luck.:thumbup:

I was thinking the same thing! I plan on making me a silver bracelet with a round charm hanging off it for every 10 pounds I lose! I'm hoping to have 10 little charms on it to represent 100 pounds some day! This way it will always remind me where I can from.

Hang in there ladies!!!! 3 weeks ago, I was getting in the bed as quickly as possible, not because I was excited for surgery, but because I was so hungry and just wanted to eat! But, I got up that Monday, went to the hospital, and had my surgery....my stomach doesn't feel any different at all, and hasn't since surgery. It doesn't feel like any of it is missing. The best thing.... I don't get hungry at all. I have been struggling with Protein, but I'm doing my best. I am in stage 3 of my post op diet, and I literally make myself eat, just so I have my nutrition. My family always has a dinner out on the weekends, and although the steaks, baked potatoes, buffalo wings and pizza all look amazing, there is no way I will put that mess in my body again! You can still eat healthy, and enjoy it at the same time. You just have to improvise, and learn to make revisions in your diet. I was 150 in high school, just 12 years ago. But after having 3 boys, over the last 10 years, I focused on them, and ate when I had the time, when I was sad, happy, mad...it didn't matter, I just enjoyed eating. It became mental for me, and even now...I still have a few lapses of that same mentality, not hungry, just wanting it...you just have to be stronger than the mind, and go for your goals!! Good luck ladies!!! Prayers to you all for a safe surgery!!!

Hi all! Yes, the waiting is TORTURE! I'm getting sleeved on 10/15 and cannot wait for my new life to start....

Update: I am now day 6 post-op and having no issues with the clear liquid diet. Unlike before the surgery, it helps that I don't get hungry and that I'm sipping slowly all day. Seeing as I am unable to stomach the artificially sweetened Protein drinks it's probably a good thing I didn't do the pre-op diet, as it is I will have only 10 days of almost zero calorie intake rather than 24. I can't wait for the full liquid phase to begin

My surgery is on the 12th and I am doing the liquid diet as well, my scales at home say I've lost 6 pounds but the scales at my pre-op appt at the hospital this morning say 10! I'm going with those ; ) The liquid diet is not fun but will be worth it in the end I'm sure. Losing any amount of weight helps I'm sure, I mean if you went in for emergency gallbladder (sp?) suregry you wouldn't have been on a liquid diet and they still are able to operate. I think it is also to help prepare us mentally and emotionally as well...just my opinion. Good luck on your surgery, and your new journey!

I'm going through this right now. I posted on another forum and have copied and edited it a bit below and hope I can help anyone in preventing this. As far as your question, yes you can get the pouch back to normal but you and you only can make that happen. It's difficult, but, it can be done. If the pouch is really stretched badly they will un-fill you and place you on liquids for a period of time. My doctor told me 6 weeks of liquids. Holy smokes!!! Here is my post from another thread: Under floroscopy my doctor told me that my pouch was bigger than it should be. She told me that I would get a warning this time, but if next checkup showed the same, she will un-fill me and I will go on liquids for 6 weeks. For now I have been instructed to measure my portions. I did get a slight fill, so, I'm thinking that I'm not that bad yet. I keep a loose band because my allergies and drainage cause the dreaded lapband cement on the pouch that is only dissolved by drinking lots of hot liquids and is very unpleasant, thus I have to be a bit more careful with my portions. I have decent restriction and my portions have been at least 1 cup of food and sometimes 1.5 cups, however, I got into the habit of not chewing well and eating too fast. I rarely got stuck because of my loose band. In my opinion, not chewing well and eating too fast is what caused the dialation. I was also doing way too much exercise and was feeling more hunger and I would eat way to fast and not chew well with the hunger I felt at times. Someone asked about symptoms. First of all my weight loss stopped for months. My weight would go up and down by 6 lbs. and went on like this for at least 8 months. I tried increasing calories, longer work outs etc. etc. and nothing! My biggest symptom was more hunger in between meals and was getting hungry every 2-3 hours. The most obvious symptom that I should have never ignored was feeling satisfied (full) and would get that uncomfortable feeling of "no more" at meal time then all of sudden I would feel a thump in my pouch, due to food going thru quickly, then I could eat another meal if I chose to and honestly sometimes I would. I thought this was because I needed a fill, however, this was not the case and Doc said that a enlarged pouch of course holds more food and will push everything down quickly. Since being warned I have gone on liquids 2 times consisting of 4 days of Protein drinks and 1 can of Soup a day. In addition, I have modified my drinking and wait 1/2 hour before a meal and 1/2 hour after a meal. I now feel a huge amount of restriction and can only handle the 1/2 cup of food at mealtime. So, yes you can reverse the stretched pouch. I will continue to do the liquid thing at least every other week for a while just to be on the safe side. Since doing this I have lost 10 lbs. Lesson learned? If something doesn't feel right get it checked. I knew something was wrong, but, I was embarrassed to see the doctor because I had not reached goal. I think the biggest disappointment is first myself and second, being banded is high maintenance, but, we are the culprit to our own complications in most cases. I still love my band though! Hope this helps anyone who may be experiencing some of my symptoms and have ignored them. jake

I went self pay actually, I was sleeved on 9/15/10... so I won't be doing any more research on this. Sorry!

First and foremost, Happy Friday! When I started this journey at 6'4" 380 lbs I never thought I'd get approved and just kind of went through the paces. When I learned about the 3 mo waiting period I figured it would be a good time to just endulge on everything I would potentially be giving up in the future. Month one I gained almost 10 lbs. I realized how stupid this was and that I'm doing it for all the wrong reasons! So, 4th of July I lit a fire under my a** and said that I WILL lose 20 lbs by my Pre-op shake diet (hoping to lose another 10 on the 14 day plan). Well I don't start the Pre-op for another 30 days and today I weighed 349! Now I have readjusted my goals to lose 50lbs by my surgery date. I can't believe how easy it was to lose 30lbs in two months when you have the right motivation! So here I go on part two of this, 10 lbs in the next month then 5-10 lbs on 14 day Pre-Op!!!!

Woow i swear i thought i was the only one going through this roadblock smh my surgery was also 8/4/15 and ive lost only 19 lbs. im like something aint right? Did my surgeon perform the surgery correctly? Lol its soo aggravating when i see other people a month in and theyve lost almost 40-60 lbs what the heck. I thought for sure i would have been one of those people. Worse part is i feel exactly the same ughh. 1 more week until i can get in the gym im soo ready for this weight to just start melting off. When will this "plateu" go away?? Ugh

So, how goes the pre-op diet? I've been on mine now for almost 2 weeks and will be done on 3/11/10 as my surgery is scheduled for 3/12/10. The first couple of days were a bit rough - going from food to liquids, but it's been well worth it and I believe that this will be the hardest part! If I can do this without the band then with the band I should be in good shape! Keep us posted on how you're doing - there are some awesome people here! I just started today and have already figured that out!

I am on my 6 month diet right now....and I have gone up and down. What I notice is that I am learning all of these things about food, eating, etc......so I seem to have food on the brain 24/7. I have another 50 ish days before my pre-op appointment, and if they weighed me right now I would be up a couple- hoping I can drop 10 in the next 50 days. Good luck to you!!

I'm so excited to finally be this close! It's been an extremely long journey for me. I've been close before but it never happened due to various reasons. This time, it's happening! It's the closest I've been, all my clearances have happened, all my weight management, my psych eval is done! I'm currently scheduled for my preop and nutrition class on 10/23... I'm so ready for this!

It never really clicked that without food in the pre op phase I wouldn't have energy, I've been on the shakes for 6 days now and it's only yesterday that I felt exhausted, I don't know how anyone that has a job can deal with this, I don't have a job which usually I'm bummed about but at this point I'm glad I don't because I never would be able to work and be on the shakes, I feel exhausted even after 10 hours sleep which is ridiculous. Anyone else encounter this?

So, I had my last required pre-op test before my surgeon would submit for insurance approval (sleep apnea) and my case worker from my diet/nutrition program submitted my charts as being good to go, lost the 10 lbs (+) they required, but I have NO idea when the sleep apnea results are going to be faxed to the surgeon!!!!!!!! I know they say it typically takes about 2 weeks (had the test on the 3rd), but I called the Sleep Center, they told me to call the pulmonologist, called the pulmonologist, they told me to call the sleep center. I am just going nuts praying these results come in soon so they can submit everything to BCBS!!!! I am so eager to get this surgery done I can't even stand it! And just when I feel like I'm close to the finish line, it seems to be further and further away.... Anyway, sorry to whine everyone. I just needed to vent. Please keep your fingers crossed that they send those blasted test results into my surgeon ASAP!!! :thumbdown:

I'm on day 6 now and all my gas pain has stopped. I still get a little shoulder pain 1st thing in the morning but when I'm up and moving around it goes away in about 10 mins. It is so so uncomfortable...... But it does pass!!! Hope it eases for you soon xoxox

Greetings everyone! I wanted to have the lap band for years but financially it was just not possible! Low and behold about 3 months ago, I open my e-mail to find out that the military hospital I go to for medical care - and Tricare - now offers lap bands! :crying: They have been offering GB and GS for several years and the lap band is new for the system - but not the doctor that performs it. I am thrilled and willing to go the course - which includes waiting (elective surgery in a major military hospital that supports a large number of troops going back and forth to Afghanistan/ Iraq) It looks like I might be able to expect my surgery in October if all goes well. I will be required to loose 10-20 lbs and show that I am implementing what is taught through the pathway. I'm thinking the fact that 10-20 lbs is coming off me is a good indicator!!:ohmy: I'm going to need this support group and have appreciated reading your posts! As there are far more post GB and GS in the support groups - not as many lap band patients. So I'm looking forward to being involved with this online family. On my way to loosing half of me!! Ingie Oh, that I might have my request, that God might grant what I hope for.... Job 6:8:rolleyes2:

What a decision! Im with Kaiser South Sacramento. Things movin fast! I have to drop 15lbs pre-op. Im down 10 & waiting for my Sike(physcological) Dr, appointment. They then schedule surgery and I have to lose 5 more LBS. before. Total looks like 3-4 months from start to surgery. On a 1200 calorie now. Not bad but not easy. Man I want a cheeseburger and fry or fish N chips. LOL. Good news is I want a NEW ME MORE!! I was originally sold on the lapband but have been won over by the Gastric Sleeve bypass. Lap band longterm did not appeal to me. Why go through all this to fail. Plus,Insurance only covers 1 surgery so If it failed and they had to take it out I have to pay for the next one. I also found out that It is approx. $100.00 each time they have to fill the port. Insurance wont cover. Anyway I cannot wait to get this ball a rolling. Ive been practicing chewing my food,small bites,taking my time and no liquids when I eat. Started the vitamin supplements too! My Dr. has done over 1000 surgeries with awsome success. So im comfortable. Good luck to all my other newbies!! and Pre-Oppers! Love to stay in touch and share our progress! Email anytime!

So i have posted here 2 times with a surgery date in the past six months. The 1st fell through because my mom went into icu 2 days before my surgery(she came out ok). The seconf time i tried my work required me to go out of town 18 hrs away for 10 weeks for training. Now this is all out of the way and im getting the sleeve on march 21st. Im exited and nervous but this time nothing short of armagedon is going to stop me. i am having my surgery at university hospitals in cleveland ohio by dr alan saber. have been on preop for 1 week and have lost 10 pounds and am dyiong for taco bell. have followed the diet 80-90% but have had an extra shake or piece of skim milk mozerella here and there. little nervous about the first couple weeks after surgery wondering if i will be hungary and wanting to freek out lol. I have a great support system and everyone i know knows what surgery i am getting so im sure they will all be understanding. just gonna take it one step at a time. I have had no probs with insurance bcbs federal has been great. well wish me luck and ill keep posting. oh i plan on taking pics once every week or 2 in my boxers to get the full effect so if you read more of my post be prepared lol. mike w

I am so happy finally the day has come. I started the journey February of this year. My insurance require a 6 month medical supervised weight loss program with my PCP. July 10 was my last month. I only had to so 5 because I first went about my weight was October 2013. My PCP office faxed everything to the surgeon office on Tuesday July 16. I was told that it would take about 2-3 wks before I knew it got approved from the insurance. Well I got a called Tuesday July 22 to tell me that it is approve my pre-op is schedule for July 30 and my surgery date is August 11. I have been waiting for this day it kinda a bitter sweet I'm excited and nervous at the same time. All I can say is Wow.

Surgery scheduled for 1/19. Had pre-op yesterday and ready to go.

I am so ticked off! I went to the doctor to get my band unfilled as an emergency because I couldn't keep any food down. I thought the doctor's office had submitted my paperwork to the insurance company on 10/8/14, but they didn't. It seems that my doctor no longer works there so I have to go to a new doctor AND the new doctor won't do the surgery in one surgery he does it in two. My deductible is met for this year and they're not sure they can get me in for one surgery this year, much less both surgeries. They want to wait 6 weeks between surgeries. The doctor's office kept apologizing and saying that somehow my case slipped between the cracks. No one ever called to let me know the doctor no longer worked there. If I hadn't gone in at the last minute, I would have kept thinking that my paperwork was submitted to the insurance. They even called me and cancelled my 10/1/14 appointment saying it wasn't necessary since my paperwork was ready to go. The doctor left 3 weeks ago! In the mean time I've lost 28 pounds since July, not by trying, but because the band was too tight and I couldn't keep anything down. So now my BMI is at 34. I'm not sure the insurance will even approve me now. I was warned not to gain any weight or they won't do the surgery. Has anyone else had to switch doctor's in the middle of going thru the process of the revision from band to sleeve? I'm so mad I could just spit.

Switch doctors. Your doctor is out of date...which doesn't speak well of her keeping up on her continuing education. My doctor's been asking me to consider WLS for over 10 years. So far, so good.

I lost 10 pounds but its been 3 days that its not moving.. is this normal?? I am doing everything right I think.. Help