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Went to costco today and they had Kenneth Cole dress pants on sale for $20, and Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for $12.99! I bought a size 14 and size 12 in the jeans, and one pair of black pants - I decided to buy size 12 since I have a couple pairs of 16s I can still wear with a belt . . . I figured I'd have to keep the black pants for a while before they would fit. For fun, I tried them on - and they FIT!!! They are just a wee bit snug, but not too bad . . . I'm so excited! The jeans are cut a little different as the 14s fit perfectly right now, but I'm hoping to be into the 12s soon. Now I'm almost thinking I should go back and pick up a pair of the dress pants in a 10 . . . OMG. I can't believe I might be in a size 10 soon!!! I don't think I've worn a size 10 since junior high!!!!! Happy dance!!!

I was stuck for 3 weeks at between 180-185 fluctuating. Talk about driving me nuts!! Then finally I was 180, then the next day 179.5, then 179. Then I stopped weighing for 2 days ( well.... I was too tired by end of day). I weighed myself last night. I came in at 170.5!!!! 9 pounds in 3 days???? Holy moly !!!!! That must have been stuck water weight right? I'm almost at my second goal already!!! My first was to be under 200 ( hit that in 2-3 weeks). Then I roughed out where i thought I'd be at a happy medium. 160 popped in my head. That's only 10 pounds away!! I'm only about 9-10 weeks out. I'm finding this all pretty crazy.

Wahoo . . . MAYBE this will jump start me again . . . I'm all the way up to 2.5 cc's in my 10 cc band . . . I swear this progress has all been willpower so far :crying:. Anyway . . . onward and downward I go! Chris

Not sure but one thing to consider is that people who had the band 10 years ago have a different model than we do.

Hi Lisa, I am going to Mexico to be sleeved on November 16th. Super excited!! I think most surgeons down there require that you stay for at least 3 days. So you would have surgery day, 3 days after that to heal, and then leave the day after that. I think they do some blood tests and an EKG the morning of your surgery, but otherwise you don't have to do all the tests they require in the U.S. The surgeons in Mexico have one all inclusive price which includes a ride from the airport in San Diego, your hotel stay, meds after surgery, etc. I don't think your BMI is too high. My BMI is 42.5 and my surgeon's office is having me do a 2 week pre-op diet to lose 5-10% of my weight. It consists of protein shakes and dark leafy greens. Not great, but I've already dropped some weight! Are you thinking of going to Mexico for your surgery? Research is key when going down there. There are a lot of surgeons in Tijuana and you definitely want to do your research to find a good one. ????

OMG....the doc thinks i have sleep apnea...so his nurse calls me to tell me when and where to go for testing.....the doc writes stars all over my chart and writes "august surgery" on the papers. I know cause he gave me a copy. So she calls and gives me an appt 5 weeks later...hello this does not work for me...doc told me a day or two...yeah. So then she tells me getting the sleep study sooner will not get me into surgery sooner.....omg did she not hear her own words???? So I decide to look around for another place...i find that my insurance covers a place an hour north...no problem its near my school. I call her back and she tells me that she "doubts the doc will give me a referral for that place" I inform her that i am going where the insurance pays it!!!!!! So two days later she calls the place and I get in...in two weeks. So now I def have it and nurse-zilla calls me to give me the results...."wow-this is the highest number I have ever seen" okay "what does this mean?' i ask, she comes back with "I don't know" OMG shoot me now please!! She has no clue about sleep apnea....so why is this woman with RN behind her name calling me?? At the very least I expect the person calling me and giving me all this info to know WTF she is talking about! So now I have an appt where she wants me to go...I call insurance and got the tax id for them..yay its covered. I call after its said and done because the tech tells me she is rushing this because of all the stars on my chart. Yay. I call nurse-zilla and she gets pissed "it takes 2 weeks you know" Ummm yes i do and explain to her again why I need it in Aug and why the doc starred my chart. So i call the sleep apnea place directly, its on the doctors desk....my doctor!!! Yeah i call back, I get the machine. Nurse zilla calls back to tell me that the doc will come in and it takes 10 days for the transcriber to type it. Ugh okay I am at her mercy I thank her and hang up! Now mind you I starte this lap band journey back in April and have had all my pre-op testing done. I need August because today was my last day of school and I start again on 8/28 but with 6 CLASSES!! I cannot miss that many classes I will be too far behind..3 psych classes and 3 education classes!!!! The doc knew this...they all did, and all promised me august. Okay so the doc calls me last night and tells me to call the surgeon in the morning and schedule my surgery....he faxed everything over...I call today and nope, nothing. I tell the receptionist about nurse-zilla (she was not surprised) and i tell her no way can i call that office back, but i did because the surgeons fax was down..lucky for me. So i call the pulm doc and leave a message for nurse-zilla and she informs me that she didn't know i had insurance and had to call them first.......OMG shoot me....no shoot her. I have never ever had problems with any doc anywhere but now i see how this crap happens. I can't believe she is a nurse, and doesn't know anything about what she is doing...oh and she is NOT new! Oh and guess what......my sleep number is a 7, which is not so high, so why the hell did she scare me like that a month ago and I haven't slept since then (except for the Mojito night...lol) I am not for wishing ill will on people.....this woman is gonna get hers via bad karma!!!! Oh yeah and last night I slept like a rock!!! :notagree yay (except hubby said i was having a big conversation in my sleep ugh) Oh yeah since the sleep apnea I have been sleeping on the couch (well laying down anyway) for fear of keeping hubby up all night with my tossing and turning. (he is roofing right now, don't want him to fall off due to lack of sleep!)

And don't worry. liquids and other squishy stuff will go down too easy but when you really get to solids you will focus on the Protein to get it in. I still have a Protein shake every morning (surgery 1/19). Just don't graze. I still follow a high protein low carb diet with a treat from time to time. Typical day is protein shake, cheese stick mid morning, Atkins or high protein lunch, yogurt or other afternoon snack and pretty much whatever the family protein item is with a spot of veggie for dinner. Good luck. No worries.

I follow the 90/10 rule: 90% of the time I am very strict and 10% of the time I eat whatever I want (in band sized portions). One important note- you say you can "eat whatever you want". You have to remember that the band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything. In fact, most of us can eat whatever we want even with adequate Fluid in the band. So, it's a good idea to start getting used to controlling what and how much you eat. Best wishes.

Thanks for the wonderful words of encouragement Topazz and susidivah!!!! It's funny I've been around tempting foods for the other 8 days and not a bit of it bothered me. Just all of a sudden today it started. I know part of it has to do that I am tired... I always turned to food to help push me through a long night. Gonna kick this feeling in the butt... get through this... and get one more day behind me!!!!! Thanks Again!!!!!! ****UPDATE***** It's 3:40am, I just about have 2 hrs left of day #9, and I didn't give in to any of the temptations and cravings. Not the vending machine, not the strawberry cake in the breakroom, not the 2 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups a co-worker left laying in the office (okay, I did have to move those out of eyesight), not the smell of pop whifting in from the waiting room. Rest of the nights gonna be easy because after 4am, it's Protein shake time, and then I get busy getting ready for turnover!!! Gonna head home, and get some much need rest and wake up to a wonderful Day #10. Thank you all once again for the encouragement and support!!!!!!!!!

I was banded in august of 2015. Surgery went well and I was out of the hospital by the end of the day. I followed all of the diet stages properly and lost about 10 pounds in my first 2 months. In the following months I began to not feel any restriction, I could eat almost whatever I wanted. Honestly, I couldn't even tell I had a lap band inside of me. I went for fills and told the doctor I wasn't feeling any restrictions. 3 fills later and nothing has changed. Fast forward to December 2016, I get a letter in the mail informing me that the band placed inside of me was expired at the time of surgery. ummm what?! I called the number on the letter and it turns out two men illegally bought and sold (at least) 8 expired lap bands to surgeons in south Florida. Lucky me! I immediately called my surgeon to find out the risks of having the expired band. The receptionist told me he would be calling me back by the end of the day. No word from my surgeon. I called back the next day and the same thing, he would call me back. It's been a MONTH and my surgeon will not take my calls. My primary care doctor has finally found a surgeon that will talk to me about the risks. At this point, I'm scared. I want this band out. I'm just looking for some words of encouragemet or if anyone has any info on expired lapbands I would greatly appreciate it!

Hey all, Just wanted to check in and introduce myself. New here. Just had the sleeve done last Friday 10/28, and I am definitely adjusting. Pain was bearable, but honestly the least of my worries looking back. I left the house for the first time in 4 days yesterday and as soon as I started talking to anyone I felt like I was about to burst into tears. I have wanted this surgery for so long and I definitely do not want to go back but at the same time I feel stripped of my comforts and safety nets. It feels as if I'm 18 years old again, living on my own for the first time. Just opening up to my husband created this big knot in my throat like I was holding back tears. I've always struggled with food addiction since I was a young child. When I was 19 I got clean and sober after using and abusing drugs and alcohol and it's been 4 years since. I guess food has been my go-to now that drugs and alcohol are gone. Anybody on here struggle with addiction and recovery? I know I will prevail, one day at a time, but dealing with my own feelings are pretty rough sometimes. I just want to shove my face in a huge chocolate cake and cry while simultaneously eating Ben and jerrys. From what I see on here, it will all be worth it in the long run. I guess I'm just looking for some experience, strength and hope! -Chris Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was sleeved March 10. Started period early (day before surgery which I know is common bc of stress). Then in April and May I was normal (30-32 day cycles) but now for June it still hasn't came. I'm not pregnant but a week late. Normal? Going to ask my surgeon in Wednesday but wanted others thoughts.

On making protein pudding...I buy whatever sugar free flavor of store brand, or Jello brand pudding I like. Then I add the protein shake instead of milk, to the instant mix. A small box takes 2 cups of milk, so I use a full premier protein, and then the balance in non-fat milk, whisk it up, pop it into a container and into fridge for atleast 10 min. Overnight is better, as it gives a smoother texture. I've done Choc pudding with choc protein, vanilla pudding with banana cream protein, and vanilla with vanilla pudding I love the chocolate, and a little serving works wonders...YUM!

<p>I just got banded the 25th of this month. so needless to say I am still a bit sore. The liquid diet isn't as hard as I thought it might be, the hardest part is that I can't lift anything over 10 lbs and I have a 21 month old son. He likes to be independent most of the time, walking to the car, climbing into his carseat, but when he doesn't feel like asserting his independence, it's kinda hard to force that, but I have to since I can't lift him. But I guess this 6 weeks will pass quickly and in the end it will all be worth it. Oh well, nap time for the kiddos (and me):notagree. So Now that I am actually banded, I will be on here more often I assume, now that I really have something to talk about. Before I either had questions or I was just reading about everyone else's experiences, now I have my own to talk about!! YAY!!:whoo:

I am very nervous, hoping to be approved by my insurance company...all of my paperwork was submitted wednesday or thursday. they told me it should take 5-10 days to hear back form them. After spending the weekend at the lake in a tank top and shorts I am so ready to have this done and begin a new lifestyle. It's really uncomfortable when I am only 20 years old and can't even wear a bathing suit. All of my friends have cute bodies and run around in their bikinis...sucks for me. I am so tired of being "the fat girl." sorry for the vent

Hello Dec 19 sleevers, How are you doing? I am a bit disappointed at my progress. I have just a 4pound lost this week and I just can't comprehend that sooo early on. I have not cheated and am doing exercise about 5x a week. I must say I don't think I meet my liquids requirements and Protein. My surgeon requires liquid Protein shots that taste HORRENDOUS and I gag every time I take it, so scared of vomiting I haven't taken them. I am going to try Isopure starting today. Do you think that my slow weight lost has to do with the no protein? I would hope not. If so, I might start thinking I could have just started Atkins.......

So today I got my GI clearance and is very excited !! It was my last appointment and I contacted my doctors office via email and they stated I will be submitted to insurance as soon as they get the faxes .. Hopefully I can be submitted by the weekend. VERY EXCITED for my life to be more healthy before my life really starts, this is the best thing I could have decided to do. 19 years old and getting healthy for me and my future

I was sleeved 6/6. Similar experience. First few days were the toughest and I seem to get worse day three or four. I came home very late on day two. I think for me it was coming of the meds on the IV. I took antinausea meds for about 4 or 5 days and then did not need them anymore. I didn't really need pain meds except for first night home. For some reason day 5 seemed to be "magical." Everything started to turn around and steadily up. No more of the "up and down" feeling. Hang in there. It's a big surgery but it's amazing how our boddies bounce back. It's no fun but it DEFINITELY gets wayyyyyy better. MNB PS: about 10 days out I started to feel incredibly well!!! Lots of energy and just plain ol' happy! :-) Hope this happens to you!!!!

Take a very deep breath and decide if you are truly ready for this to happen. If you are, none of the other stuff should matter at all. Take things one step, one day at a time and that is how it all becomes less overwhelming. This includes the 3 week diet. It really is not that bad and will kick start your weight loss, ensure you have a healthier liver and make things safer. I can tell you that every bit of this is worth it in the end. I am 14 months post op, down 135lbs and 10 lbs from my goal. I thank god everyday for putting the Bariatric community on this earth to help us get healthy. When you feel the stress practice breathing very deep, it can be calming. Good luck to you!

I am getting banded on 10/11, starting the liquid diet tomorrow!!! Very excited, the surgery was scheduled today so everything feels like its rushing...but way better than waiting for it.

Hi...I was banded in Monterey, MX by Dr. Sanchez. I could not be banded in the US at that time because I was not considered "morbidly obese". I did the yo yo with my weight most of my adult life and was never able to maintain a constant healthy weight. At that time the lap band was very new and a lot of people were going to MX for placement. I have not had a fill in over 10 years and still have restriction. I still have to eat slow, chew well and am not able to eat certain foods unless I have had a drink or two (which loosens the band...relaxes me). I still have a difficult time eating out .... I eat much better at home. I can't eat in the mornings and have carnation instant usually. I try to get my protein in with cottage cheese, yogurt, organic chicken and eggs (eggs don't always do well). I juice occasionally to get my veggies and fruits. I am considering removing my band this next year because I would like to be able to eat salads and fruit naturally and I do have to work at getting my nutrients in. Unfortunately, ice cream, candy and white russians go through very well, lol. I know I would lose another ten pounds if I would cut out the sugar. I still slime a lot and that concerns me. Im not really sure what I will do. I am not being followed by a doctor and have not been for 10 years. I do have a lot of heart burn and am sure it is because of the sliming. I am going to see a doc to get checked out this year for that. I do not regret getting the band as it has helped me in the long run. The band is the boss as you all know. Any questions, feel free to ask. Also, I had a tummy tuck in Monterey with Dr Cardenas about a year after my weight loss and that was the best thing I ever did for ME....

Will your doc let you have sugar free Jello? I find that even pre-op while I am very restricted and trying to lose pounds, Jello made a little thick helps fill the need for substance and fills the longing for something fruity to treat my palate. Boy oh boy do I miss fruit...I could eat 10 bananas a day if no one stopped me. So instead of using 2 cups of water, I use 1 3/4 to give the Jello some thickness. Congratulations on your surgery. Hopefully this experience will help you educate your family on nutrition vrs. manufactured crap. Are you in the city or do your kids tangibly know where actual real produce comes from? How old are they? Are your hubby and other involved family members supportive? When my daughters were little (they are in their 30's now, I use to get a sitter and do my grocery shopping alone. Maybe I did them a disservice, but they did get to help in the kitchen. One thing about the VGS is that most people haven't heard of it and don't understand that you've get had 85% of your stomach removed to save your life. Do what you have to do for yourself. You have to be your own best advocate and follow doctor's direction. They have done this enough times to know what it takes for your surgery to be effective. So if liquids it must be for a while, hang in there, you will get through it. Take care.

Hi I am going to be flying in May 9 with my sx on May 10 at CER. Do you stay at the Mariott hotel?

I'm sitting here at this very moment planning my eight day preop and tears are flowing. I'm going through so many different emotions . Is this normal ? I have 10 days to go before my surgery . I'm happy, sad, excited, depressed, crying, smiling..it's like every damn hour is a different feeling. I guess after months and months of planning, when it gets right down to it I can't believe this is really happening..

at 6 wks here is my typical day: wake up, 1/2 Muscle Milk 100 with 10 oz milk and ice breakfast 1 hr later is 1 1/2 TBSP egg salad or some other 'mellow' Protein option then i drink water/crystal lite AM snack-if i have time for one- is a cheese stick or 1/2 of a Quest bar lunch is meatballs, sausage balls, chili or crackers with meat/cheese drink more. leave work at 430pm dinner is around 6, maybe a taco, or some sloppy joe with cheese, or chili, or 1/2 piece toast with some meat on it, or like 4 strands spaghetti with meat sauce, or lobster bisque, or 1/2 a tortilla pizza, or a portobello pizza. then 1/2 quest bar later, or if i need some protein AND liquid, then i do the other half of Muscle Milk with milk to get protein AND liquids. it sounds like a lot of eating. it's not. it's probably 1/2 cup MAX at lunch and dinner. maybe 2 tablespoons MAX at breakfast.