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In June when they hospital ran my initial blood work I came back positive for h. pylori which wasn't surprising because I lived in 3rd world countries for a few years in my younger days. It is actually pretty common here as well. I was put on an 10 day intensive round of antibiotics. Yesterday I had my endoscopy and the results were that my esophagus was normal, but that there was erethematous mucosa in the incisura, antrum and perpyolric region of the stomach that was biopsied. In my mind my friends, I have catapulted myself into full blown stomach cancer. So, once I back myself off of that ledge, what does this mean for surgery? I have no idea and of course have to wait for pathology. I just have no idea what this all means. Is this something that could stop getting the sleeve permanently? Anyone else out there with a similar story?

its so crazy the different responses. I told my surgeon I have a work trip to China the last week in February and it was important I know how long after surgery I can fly/travel. He said 10 days. That answer kind of shocked me, I'd like at least a month, although I think the liquid diet would be far easier to deal with in China than blended or soft. Last time I was there, they served a lot of fish (not a big fish eater) but they could never tell me what type of fish, other than "river fish".

I didn't have to lose any weight prior to my pre-op diet that I will start soon. But every weight loss program is different. My surgeon said ok as of now try not to gain any weight, either lose weight or stay at your current weight until insurance approval. And approved 1/18. ???? Now the first weight loss program that I was on required a stupid 10% of weight loss prior to pre-op. ???? I was suppose to lose 25lbs. My insurance approved it but the stupid surgeon did not approve me cuz I only lost 17lbs. ???? sorry it's super long. I hope it helps!?

When it seems like I am not losing, or losing too slow. I know why, however, and I know now, understand now more than I ever did - why this surgery is so invaluable. I have issues with my metabolism that is quickly regulates to whatever calories I am putting in...and it gets very hard to trick it...My sis ter was the same but instead of the furnace banking itself, hers burned red-hot. At one point she ate 4800 callories a day and was still a size 0. We both caught a very bad flu once, I lost 15 lbs and was getting "you gos!", she lost 15 and was in the hospital. I need not trick it anymore - there is no feeling of being desperate to lose before I fail on my diet. I ma waiting out my metabolism, and winning. I finally decided on the surgery because I had lost just enough weight (from 1/2011 till 10/2011) that they could see the cause of my issues with my stomach – I had a tumor growing in/through/ and progressing out into my abdomen from my stomach. So since I was going to have to have so much removed anyway, and I HAD been looking into one WLS or another for a decade (lol), I decided it was time. Sleeved 1/2012 – will never go back to what I was, ever. The fat lady syndrome doesn’t help slow losing, I just have to remember to not let it get me. – I still am not “seeing” myself at the size I was (almost) not the size I am. That isn’t helpful at all! But I look at my NSV’s – and they are real. Squeezing into a size 12 recently made me dizzy and nauseous…not because I squeezed into the jeans, it occurred to me I could button size 12’s. I asked a lady I know (as politely as I could, but she is so nice I hope she understood) what size she was, because I was asked by a friend to “find” someone I thought I was the same size as myself, near my height. She is a size 20-22. I am a size 14, squeezing into a 12, and I see myself as a size 20-22. It's all good, however - I now have the equipment to play this game, and I win.

Hi I had my 5th fill on friday afternoon and since then i havent been able to keep anything down,including fluids. I thought it may loosen up as it has done previously after a few days,but it hasnt and im in so much pain. I have a really bad burning sensation in my chest and throat and my mouth keeps watering like i want to vomit when i havent eaten and when ever i do try to eat or drink,i am vomiting constantly until everything is back up. I have never experienced this before,only the occasional pb when i eat the wrong type of food,but this is absolute hell. And being a sunday,i wont even be able to contact my doctor until at least tomorrow and then it depends when he can fit me in to when i can get an unfill. I have 6.2 cc's in a 10 cc band. I feel so weak and i have a major headache but the burning sensation in my chest is the worst. i tried to drink a protein shake for breakfast and couldnt even keep that down. any suggestions for what i can do to relieve this until i see the doc would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance cindie

My surgery was scheduled for 12 noon, and the day before I had my last pre op appt. at the hospital at 8 am, which took all of 5 minutes. I only had a one day liquid diet requirement after that. I'd already lost more than 10% of my weight. As I was leaving the pre op at the hospital it suddenly occurred to me that I still had about 3 hours left before that 24 hr liquid diet was supposed to kick in. I went straight to pizza Hut and ordered enough to feed a family of four. I didn't eat it all, mind you, but I did my best. The really odd thing was even after that final food funeral orgy, I still managed to lose 3 pounds by the next day. Now at seven months post op and only 7 pounds from goal, I have no regrets about that final meal. I haven't gone off diet since, and have even managed to go cold turkey on any fast foods, bread, sodas, sweets, etc. I couldn't have managed that without the surgery. So don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of us have answered that siren song so you're definitely not alone. Best wishes!

My program wanted me to try to lose 10%, but a minimum of 5%.

I wouldn't be rushing either you want it at 1 to 2 lbs a week you are doing awesome. I had too much fill on my 3rd one and dropped 10 lbs in two weeks - i've kept it off (after the unfilled). You don't have a 4 cc band do you? Sorry my memory sucks so if its not in your signature I won't remember - LOL. Its so interesting that everyone's mileage varies so much. I'm at 5.6 cc's and I think i am at my sweet spot (after the unfill); Others who had surgery with us are at 7'ish or 6'ish and seem good. I got a Bodybugg present to myself - I am loving it! I have to compare the calories burned w/ my heartrate monitor (soon as I get batteries replaced on it) but its awesome! I horseback ride (train not pleasure though it is fun don't get me wrong)... and as I thought its about 600-800 cals an hour depending. I only do 45 mins usually (i can go longer but my trainer doesn't want the horse going longer). It is really cool though you can see your entire day and what you did or didn't do. I'm sure when i go back to office it will be a flatline LOL.

The older ones are 4cc's which would mean at 2 cc's you are half full... the newer ones are 10 cc's and 14 cc's which at 2 cc's you barely have anything in it. I think the AP should have another letter after to indicate whether it is 10 or 14 but I am not sure. So it sounds like the newer one. I think Mexico they use the 4cc one still. Not sure if they do in the states.

You can always call your insurance company and ask them. I did and they told me the status of my approval and also told me they had 10 business days to review and make a decision. No harm in asking!

No pre op diet? Lucky! I'm ready to pull my hair out already and I've only eliminated the stuff I needed to for day 10 (starch, soda, caffeine). I could still eat meat up till this point. Now It kicks it up a notch with the 7th day to no carbonated drinks, no caffeine or sugary drinks and only full liquids. I have been on a similar diet before but I remember the first 4 days I felt like I was starving (mostly due to withdraw from craving carbs) then it got easier but I felt tired all the time. I hope that is the case this time but I still feel the anxiety coming on to make it through the hardest part (the cravings).

Well yeah, I could do that but does that count? I mean, it could still have some tiny bits of starch left in it. 10 days pre op I'm supposed to eliminate starch. UGH this is already getting hard and I have barely started!

If you have a recliner, you may end up sleeping in it, so make sure it is clean and in a place you can sleep comfortably. If you don't have a recliner, consider renting one. I wish I had! If no recliner, then consider a body pillow or something like that. I was required to have a functioning home blood pressure monitor and thermometer. I also made lots of use of a heating pad. Every time you lift something 10 lbs or more (bags of kitty litter, small children, large cats, etc.) remember you won't be able to do that for a while after surgery and come up with an alternate means of accomplishing whatever you need to do. Don't put too much stuff in your bedroom -- the key to a quick recovery is walking and moving as much as possible. If you are picturing yourself propped up in bed with a remote control and a book, re-think. You should be as up and active as you can and only in your bed (or recliner) to nap when you need to. Good luck!

When I started this journey in july I only ate 1/2 cup of food. I measured everything I ate. If it fit into the half cup that's what I ate. No matter what food it was. Now I measure everything into 1/4 cup serving. When I go out to dinner I can't make a decision so I get coffee for refried Beans. Everyone else I know eats a lot more. I was just wondering if anyone else eats like me. No, I'm not starving myself!!! Surgery- July 11, 2013 Band is 10cc's 4cc's in 1cc in 1cc in .25cc in .25cc in .25cc in .50cc in .25cc in .25cc in Band Dilation.........All out...............because my esophagus closed completely because I had too much Fluid I was on liquids for 3.5 weeks. 3cc's in Everything is all good!!!! SW: July 11 250 lbs Size 18/20 XXL Top 38 weeks ago 209 lbs 32 weeks ago 199 lbs 21 weeks ago 178 lbs 13 weeks ago size 9! 8 weeks ago 169 4 weeks ago 167 Today -Size 7/8- M Top. My goal is 150 lbs Dr. Goal for me is 159 This journey isn't easy but I love it!

Hi all, I got a referral from my PCP to see a surgeon this coming September. I have been reviewing my insurance and they want 6 months of a physician supervised diet within the past 2 years (which I don't have) plus 3 month pre-op diet. They say that I have to show at least a 5% loss during the 3 months but if I lose more than 10% they could extend the physician supervised diet and postpose or deny surgery. Has anyome lost too much on their pre-op diet and been denied?

I agree it seemed less invasive and more straightforward my doctor also said the risk for complications is higher in bypass then with sleeve also my aunt had gastric bypass about 10 years ago and has been really sick also I didn't like the malabsorption Factor the dumping syndrome and the fact that it seemed like I would have to watch what I ate even more closely with gastric bypass like what if I'm at a new restaurant and it has something my new couch wouldn't agree with dumping syndrome byterrified me and the thought of my intestines being rearranged I didn't like that I am higher BMI patient BMI 52 but I love to workout so I don't see this being an issue but that is what led me to my decision.

then dont gain it back...like maya said, is it that tom? i know i cant gain up to 10 pounds easy forget about it and just get back on track....(if you are losing inches, and feeling better) alittle setback is nothing hang in there

Susan helms from the mexican bandsters yahoo group had the exact same problem as you, she could not keep any fluids down and actually not even her own saliva. She called her doctor and was admitted into the hospital for 2 days on IV. After which she felt a lot better. Here is the post she put on the group "Thanks to all of you who responded about my problem with thirst. I have been in contact with Dr. XXX throughout the night and I am hoping I have turned the corner on this thirst thing. I have what he calls Late Post Operative Obstruction which he says happens but very infrequently. I was able to swallow enough liquids in the hospital to have my IV removed and be released. The next day at home was fine and then BAM I swelled all up again. Tiny sips of ice-cold Gatorade every 10 minutes have stayed down so I hope this is the solution for me . I can't say enough about how kind and concerned Dr. XXX and his patient liason, XXX , have been. Sue H."

Hi there, I got sleeved in Manhattan on 8/5. Exactly 3 weeks ago. I have recovered so quickly, it is almost ridiculous. I have been able to eat everything, love the sensation of getting full and leaving food in my plate. This had never happened before in my entire life. But I am having 2 major issues, number one is insomnia (despite keeping active during the day--I go for long walks or cycle in the afternoons), My insomnia leads to late night eating. I have eaten nuts and yogurt, feeling very guilty. As a result my weight loss has slowed down. I have only lost 10 lb since my surgery (I'm 5.8" and weighed 258.5 on day of surgery. BMI 38). I had an appointment with my surgeon 2 days ago. She said my weight loss was on target and there was nothing to worry about. She advised me to eat 4 smaller meals to make room for my late night cravings. But she did advise me to seek help for my sleep issues with my primary care physician. My second issue is that Soup and pureed foods, like pureed bananas do not make me full. Few nights ago I had 14 oz of lentil soup and was still hungry. I had another 6 oz afterwards. So total of 20 oz of soup! My surgeon said this was most unusual and that I should stick to solid Proteins instead as they DO infact make me feel really full. She also advised me to have my Protein shake late at night. Love to have your feedback!

Hey there surgery buddy! Mine's on Wednesday too. I only had to do a week of an official pre-op diet, but I started cutting way back on calories and sugar on the 1st. I'm down 10 pounds since the first, so the misery has been worth it. Tomorrow, however, is the clear fluids only day. I am NOT looking forward to that! Especially since I didn't take the day off work!

Yesss, was craving McDonald's as I drove by it on the way to work, lol. Is your date 9/19 also? Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App Yes it is! I'm getting so excited! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I've decided to make this app my new fb, lol. I go thru the different threads and read the stories. Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

I'm on 10/7 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I know when I was recently post-op I wanted to know what my life would be like after the dust settled, so to speak. When I had surgery I was 56 years old, at a weight of 234 lbs and a BMI of 35.6. I wore a size 22 dress and size 10 shoes (I'm 5'8). Dr. Alberto Aceves did my sleeve in Mexico (a 36 trochar) and repaired a large hiatal hernia. I was self-pay. After my surgery I lost my hunger and also developed some food aversions. I lost 102 lbs over about ten months. I followed the post-op instructions as well as I was able although some days I was not able to drink all my protein. When I graduated to solid foods I learned that regular bread seemed to ball up in my stomach and it felt awful. So did noodles. Chicken made me vomit. I ate lots of shrimp and steak. I ate no desserts other than baked custard that I usually ate for breakfast. As my weight stabilized at 136, I had much more energy. I mostly walk and hike in summer, and swim indoors and ski in winter, but I am certainly not a fanatic. However, it is considerably easier to breathe and move almost 100 lbs. lighter than I was. Bad habits, though, can creep back. My hunger is still gone, but I have a tendency to eat when I am bored. It's easy for portion sizes to increase, so I consciously use my food scale and measuring cups. Also, my sweet tooth came back. I still can't eat cake (see bready things above) but let me tell you, chocolate candy and cookies go down just fine. But, I can easily lose five pounds in a few days when I am busy and out of the house and so I have managed to stay under 140 lbs (and size 6) since my surgery. (Oh, and I went down half a shoe size!) To this day I cannot eat too fast or it comes right back up. I still get the slimies but rarely--usually when I am very hungry and eat too fast. I can't eat bread easily, although toast is fine. I cannot eat salmon, tuna, or other fish that dries out in the cooking process. I frequently use sauces to slide dry food down and I have learned to cook in ways that preserve the moisture in food. Eggs are iffy--sometimes I can eat them, other times not. Vegetables are fine if the pieces aren't too big. Crunchy things, like crackers, chips, and apples, are fine, although I avoid the chips except at parties. If I have them here I will eat them, but out of sight, out of mind. That is the difference between pre-surgery and post-surgery for me. Before surgery, I thought about food ALL THE TIME. I would be eating breakfast and thinking about what to eat for lunch and dinner. If I had to go out I had a "snack" in my purse. If I traveled, I carried food with me and bought food in airports and roadside quickie-marts besides. Now I don't think about food except when the clock tells me it's mealtime or if I get a little light-headed because I've forgotten to eat. There have been some drawbacks to surgery. I can't give blood anymore because it takes too long to replenish my iron stores from food alone and iron supplements irritate my sleeve. I developed GERD about a year after surgery and have to take a PPI daily. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis this year--I had some risk factors unrelated to the sleeve, but a year of malabsorption/malnutrition probably didn't help, despite the liquid calcium citrate I took. All in all, surgery was the right choice for me. It did not change my life, but it changed my relationship to food, and for that I am profoundly grateful. I have so much more time to devote to other interests instead of thinking about what I'm going to eat next. I wish you all the best and hope to read your success stories in a few years.

My date is 10/19 and I am so ready since I have been working on this since 2013. I am not doing good on my pre-op diet because at the pre-op seminar with the surgeon he said that they found it doesn't matter if you do the diet or not. However, as I have been working with my Bariatric doctor that has always been the plan. My mind now has its own battle going on and the wrong side is winning.