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Hello everyone so happy to be a member of this community. I just had my consult yesterday and will be getting the band soon. I guess I'm wondering if you started losing weight before the 1st fill of your band. I'm guessing after surgery you are on liquids. I don't have all of the info yet. Just curious how soon I can expect to lose after the surgery? Just excited for the losing to begin.

I had mine last night and I'm exhausted! I didn't know they were going to stick these probe things up my nose and I really had to work through that in order to calm down enough to go to sleep. I'm reading getting the results and having to get a CPAP. I have such bad claustrophobia. I hope they give me the version that just goes up your nose like oxygen in the hospital. However mentioned the hot oil treatment, thank you! It got all that nasty junk out of my hair. They really should include that tip in the paperwork they give you in prep for the study. And it's the most inaccurately named medical test ever - sleep study. Ha!

The only thing they submitted was my current weight/height and a few papers I filled out stating what weight loss attempts I had already made. No documentation of any other kind. If you are over a BMI of 40 thats all it takes. Thanks for the compliment! I havent felt this good in a LONG time!

Hello everyone. Im a newbie here, just starting my weight-loss journey. I attened my first seminar last week, and heard back from the office today about my benefits. According to my insurance, I must do a 6 month diet( as most of you know), and than we can do the surgery. Luckily for me, I did 2 months of a program this year, so I only need for more months. Im not happy about waiting for 4 months, but It will give me a chance to really think through the surgery, along with getting in the best shape as possible. Looking for others who give any support or tips, or just need to talk. Thanks for Listening JR

I'm a little nervous too but I was also nervous about my breast reduction and everything went great. Everyone described that as excruciating pain and it was definitely uncomfortable but also like I hear about the lapband...WORTH IT! I didn't let the mental part freak me out about the physical pain and changes. Everyone is different and I look at things as either temporary or permanent change. I can handle temporary discomfort for long term gain or in this case loss. :-)

BMI equal or greater than 40 and less than 55: • Must have one (1) of the following co-morbidities: o Symptomatic sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] >10) or Chronic Pulmonary disease requiring at least one (1) medication or Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) devices (e.g. pulmonary hypertension, Pickwickian syndrome) o Significant cardiovascular disease, disease (eg.coronary artery disease (CAD) under treatment, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) or left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), cardiomyopathy o Hypertension requiring triple therapy o Diabetes with HbA1C > 8.0 on one or more medications. OR • Must have participated in a physician supervised weight loss program which includes: o Compliance with attendance >80% of classes o Weight loss program completed within two years of the request for surgeryNutritional counseling o Exercise o Behavior modification components.

Loving the hair I get a small pain when I'm full.

One thing that stuck with me is also not as much weight loss. At the seminar I attended he said they total remove the stomach with the sleeve and with the bypass it stays in. So later on with your older if by any chance you. Need a feeding tube then you still have your stomach

Wow way to go!!!! I'm not losing nearly thy kind I weight but I am gaining muscle so maybe that is accounting for some of the non weight loss. Keep up the great work!!

I did not tell anyone except for my husband, daughter and a close cousin. The "easy way"? There is no easy way to lose weight. The surgery is not an easy way by any means. At times it will make you cry, depressed and extremely frustrated. The good news is you will lose weight and be healthier. It also gets easier with each passing day. I would not change what I have done for anything. You will have to change your lifestyle and work at it still. It is a total life adjustment. People that call the it easy way have no clue what it is like. The relationship with your husband should not change if it is strong and he supports you in this journey. I talked with my husband about every step, every fear, and everything I will have to change. He is supportive and has helped me make the right decisions for my eating and shopping for what I need. The 3 week diet is going the be torture I am not going to lie. You will fail at times and want to quit at times. Just get past any mistake you make and start over do not give up hope. The addiction is a problem we all have or we would not have the surgery. This will be something you will have to deal with on an emotional level and try to not replace it with another bad habit. Replace it with a healthy alternative like running or working out to relieve stress. I had all these fears too and as far as having kids you are only going to increase your chances with weight loss it definitely will not make the situation worse. Good luck with your journey and God bless you.

I'm so excited and nervous! Walking into my appointment today, I almost turned around! I was so nervous of the "what if's".... What if I'm too big for surgery... what if he thinks I'm not a good fit for the surgery I want... what if he looks at me and tells me I'm not trying hard enough with other options (my mom's suggestion: "Why don't you exhaust all of your other options first honey!") What if he likes everything and first surgery date avalible is in December... what if!!! Thankfully my husband was by my side and I'm too chicken to tell him "lets turn around and hide!" What if nothing! ***Happy "I'm getting surgery" dance!!!!**** (never thought I would be happy about going into surgery willingly! needles *cringe*) He approved me for surgery, he said two weeks of shakes/ less than 1,000 calories a day and surgery on June 13th!!! Bonus: Work is good with the days off, kids are going to hang with my mom and my honey is going to be by my side (he is my rock!) On a side note: The girls in my office are always having some sort of weight loss something going on... I think the current thing is $5 to weigh in each week for 6 weeks and at the end the "biggest loser" gets the "pot". They have always invited me to join in, but at twice their weight I've never been interested in everyone knowing my actual weight. Today they told me they didn't want me to join... that they all knew they would lose!! (this actually makes me happy!) Happy Tuesday everyone!

Congratulations! I have Cigna too and I'm hoping to be able to stop the weight loss supervision after 3 months under the new policy. I could actually have surgery this summer if they allow it. Enough about me, congrats again.

I'm 26 months out and have been below goal for 18 of them. Of course the further out I got my portions increased. I could only eat a couple tablespoons at a time at 2-3 months and reached my max capacity of about a cup by 14 months. I can eat more in the evenings than in the morning and I can eat more of things like Soup and yogurt than I can chicken or steak. When I was close to goal I upped my fat and carbs by adding in more fruit, whole grains and full fat dairy, nuts, etc. in order to slow down and stop my loss. I can't give you numbers as far as grams of fat, Protein, carbs and calories because I don't track or measure. But I shoot for protein first, minimize (not exclude) carbs like Pasta, rice, bread and sweets and pay no attention to fat content. Besides my high protein diet I drink a protein shake and eat a Quest bar everyday so I know I'm getting well over 60-80g protein/day. I drink 64-100oz every day. I eat fruit, veggies and grains every day. I take my Vitamins every day. I don't ever feel like I'm dieting because there's nothing I can't or don't eat, just in moderation. I saw the nut on my day of surgery and haven't talk to her since. I just figured out what worked for me based on the basics of meeting protein and Fluid goals and making healthy food choices.

If you're like a lot of the rest of us, at 43 you'll end up at 350, or even 400. That's 10 years from now. Not to be negative or a downer, but that's been the reality for me. My losses were rewarded with triple gain. I wish I'd had this done 10 years ago. The "not being able to eat" (for me it was 5 weeks) is so very temporary, and TOTALLY worth it!! It goes by like a blip on a radar screen and you'll barely remember what it was like as you start trying on smaller and smaller clothing! Just sayin'...... you could do it....easy.

A few years ago I did Weight Watchers and lost 100 lbs. Their first Points system worked really well for me, but of course I started to feel cute and decided that I didn't need to go anymore and gained back 80 lbs before I knew it. A few weeks ago before I commited to the sleeve I went back to see if I could take some of the weight off myself and found that their new Points program didn't work nearly as well. The weight loss was a lot slower than it was the first time around even though I followed the program exactly as directed. I was bummed to see that it had changed so much.

Julester, congrats on your fab weight loss and maintance... and on your forthcoming sergery ...*goes green with envy*! You must let us know how you get on and some pics??? Any hints on how to get to that all important goal? I am 13mths out and struggling with each and every pound!! I am 17lbs of surgeons goal and just over 30lbs to my ultimate goal!! I would love to get there, but I sometimes wonder if my body is happy where it is even if my head isn't...? Good luck in Oct! =]

No, but I'd sure like to feel that sensation just once..."oh noooooo.....I'm toooo skinny!" From what I've read on this forum, there are plenty of ways to make your loss come to a grinding halt. Have no fear, my dear...

Ok so my surgery was January 31, 2012 in the first two and half weeks I lost 32 pounds and have been stalled for 2 weeksish. This has caused me to be so bummed. Even through reading posts about it being normal, and doing everything right: I'm still obsessed with the scale and bummed. My NUT said I already started out with a dramatic weight loss and I'll start to equal out and lose 10 pounds a month, conservatively. However I am trying to focus on the positive. Therefore I am posting my first NSV: I HAVE A NECK!! In my wedding pictures I was at my highest weight (still had an amazing wedding). However the one thing I noticed was my head looked like it sat on my shoulders. Yuck. Last night I went out with some friends and after being tagged on Facebook (I usually dreaded) I was happy with most of the pictures and noticed my neck (: I also posted two pictures in my gallery and can see a little difference there as well. Here's to more NSVs and a healthy journey! Have a fabulous Sunday, sleevettes!

I am 7 months out, down 78 lbs and have dropped the pressure on my machine twice since surgery. My pulminologist said he wants to wait until I am finished losing weight before he sends me for another sleep study. He also warned me that some people continue to need therapy despite the weight loss. Honestly, I sleep so well with my CPAP I am really in no rush to get rid if it. ????

As a military veteran myself I have to say go get a second opinion. I am sure that the VA psych is very tuned in to anything that can increase suicidality since it is as you know a huge issue in the Veteran community. However this doesn't seem like someone that has a lot of experience with these types of cases. Go to your weight loss clinic (if you are doing this through the VA go to a civilian one) and ask for their list of recommended providers that can give you the required psych clearance. If you think that your VA doc might have had at least somewhat of a legitimate concern you can even ask that the civ and VA doc discuss this to address any legitimate issues. If you go with a weight loss clinics recommended doctor they should have a lot of experience and can address any concerns your VA doc has. Good Luck.

Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that. I hope this helps and please add your questions too. ABOUT THE DOCTOR: How many gastric banding procedures have you done? Is he a board certified surgeon? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band? Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands? Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to? Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery? Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well? Do you perform other gastric band procedures? What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each? What are the short term issues? What are the long term issues? What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS). What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson) ABOUT THE PROCEDURE: Lap Band vs Realize? What is the “scarless surgery?” Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital? What kind of anesthesia will I be getting? Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital? How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure? What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery? PREPARING FOR SURGERY: What tests do I have to have prior to surgery? Will I need to have a special diet before surgery? Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure? Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery? AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP When can I resume taking medications? How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit? How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted? Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies? When should I have my first adjustment/ fill? What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items? When can I resume exercise? How will I manage my pain after surgery? How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery? How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month? FRIENDS AND FAMILY What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me? LIFE AFTER BAND: How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing? How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost? How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve? What is the expected weight loss? How much time will be required for losing weight? Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

I have type 2. no insulin. I am hoping to get rid of type 2 diabetes with the help of weight loss. Good luck on your journey. I look forward to my journey.

So I'm trying to make I don't forget anything I may need at the hospital since I live 2 hours away and I don't want any company its not like if I forget something I can run get it. I'm not sure if I'm forgetting anything important or not so every body help me out. Maybe my list will help you too. O.k I have tooth paste/tooth Brush, pillow and snuggie, panties/socks x2, 1 change of clothes for the ride home, p.j pants/robe for walking the halls, also slippers, deo, hair brush, shampoo and conditioner if you are like me you will want to shower, chap sticks for the dry lips after surgery, my meds just incase they need them, cell phone charger, and gas x strips. Heard they are much needed after the surgery. Please let me know if I'm missing anything or if I'm over board. Lol thanks sleeve friends.

My surgeon was strict with meeting his weight loss requirements; if you did not weigh below his designated weight loss number for you by the day of your pre op appointment, you were not scheduled for your surgery. No exceptions. I was advised of this, so I was determined to make it happen and have my weight where it needed to be or lower. What have you been doing in an effort to loose weight? I followed the band diet pre op to loose weight (lean Proteins, low carb Fiber, strict portion control), and I got an hour of cardio exercise in every day. I lost 13 pounds in 21 days...8 pounds under what I needed to loose. Best wishes for success...it can be done, but it takes focus and a realistic timeline.

I have 4 weeks before my surgeon can submit to my insurance for approval. Ever since I made the decision to do this, everyday that goes by I get more anxious for it to happen. I never hated the way I looked as much as I hate it now. I read all these wonderful stories of incredible weight loss and self discipline, and I all do is think of what I will miss, so I can eat it...gaining more weight. I don't know if lurking around these boards is encouraging or anxiety producing. I have gotten so much good info here, i am so excited to start my journey, but my inpatience is getting the best of me making me feel so down in the dumps. Help?