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My thought process with regard to all things related to the sleeve went something like this... Pre-Op Diet: "I can put up anything for two weeks if it gets me closer to my weight loss goal. I am going to kick the pre-op diet' a$$!" liquids Phase: "I can put up with liquids only for 10 days if it gets me closer to my weight loss goal! I am going to kick a$$ on liquids!" Soft foods phase: "Yay! Soft foods! I can totally do this phase because it's way easier than pre-op or liquids! And I am so much closer to my weight loss goal! I am going to kick a$$ on soft foods!" Adding in exercise: "I can do anything for 30 minutes! I am going to kick this workout's a$$!" Reaching goal in January 2014 : "OMG! I stuck with my routine for a YEAR and hit my goal! I really can do anything I set my mind to! I kick a$$!" Currently kicking MBA degree a$$.... I am 18 months out and will tell you that YOU CAN GET TO GOAL!!!! We are the tape recording that constantly plays in our head. Use that tape recorder to become a fierce, fat fighting machine!! Affirmations are powerful!

WHAT A DAY I went to bed with thoughts of my surgery date for 11/30/2011. BUT today I get woken up when Terry called me this morning about 8:00am to say John went to the hospital during the middle of the night because he had a fever of 104.7 degrees with chills You see, my brother-in-law, John, had his sleeve surgery on October 19, 2011. John is having a rough time with his surgery. They kept him until Saturday in the hospital because he was not getting enough drinks in. Once home he was only drinking water and warm turkey broth which turkey broth only has about 2g protein so not much that way. As we were talking I asked Terry about her surgery date because with her being around John and the negative things happening I’m worried that that would scare her off from her own surgery (I was also getting a little nervous ). She said she didn’t know and I laughed with her about guys being wimps and all that and to not let that scare her. Well, I get to work about 10 minutes later when I saw a patient and he didn’t look good (like death warmed over). He says to me – my GOD, since I had my surgery (ruen-y) I have lost so much weight (over 200 lbs) and I can’t stop losing. I would tell anyone looking who is having WLS to not ever do it. (he didn't know I was) As he was ranting about all the negative things with WLS I was trying to not get any more nervous then I was already (especially NOW) The patient was still ranting about his WLS and how he wished he never got it done and how he should of listened to his sister who was an RN and told him this would happen. As I was bringing in another patient who saw Ralph (not real name) and who heard him with his ranting as he was leaving say to me how he looked awful and that she was so glad surgery was nothing like his (so :Dsome good things after all okay, good) I was surprised by this (because she was heavy!!) and I said “you had WLS Mary?” (not her real name) and she laughed and said well yes, but after 7-8 years I only gained 50 pounds back which is only 2 sizes bigger, My head was spinning because within 30 minutes ALL this happened and now I don’t know what to think. Soooo, I had to call my sister Terry tonight when I got home to night to check on John and to tell her my tale only to be told that my sister Karen isn’t doing well with her Lap Band surgery because she eats a lot of slider foods.STOP THIS PEOPLE I was thinking. I still would like the sleeve surgery but with a day like today I will need a few days to REALLY think about this. I have jumped every hoop giving to me just to get my surgery date and I finally get my date LOL and I wake up this AM for ALL the negativities regarding WLS surgery to hit me. Hmmmm – I need to make a decision. I think, is this an omen or what? Or, is this to show what could happen if I don’t follow the MD’s advice when I get sleeved. Hmmmmm. P.S. John has pneumonia and not getting the required protein also isn’t doing him any good. He said he is really hungry (because of the lack of protein). I told my sister that I have a starter kit from Unjury that I bought to try but have been sick (Sinusitis and Bronchitis) and I have no taste buds so he might as well try them when he gets home from the hospital (again) Hmmmm – I still need to make a decision. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Night all.

I Got my last fill 12/09/11 7 cc total in my 10 cc band going on a cruise in couple of days Happy Holidays

It's hard to breathe, isn't it? And when you're scared your DYING it's pretty hard to relax! But those are the two things that help me the most. If I can, I go lay down. The first time I ever had one of these things I was 19 years old! I was on all 4s gripping my chest and breathlessly telling my mom to call 911! She blew me off!!! LOL Moms are wise.

Sue, When I posted there, in 10/08 I had just gone through a frustrating 14 months of living with the band and having issues the main one never losing weight with it. It just wasn't the right procedure for me. I had it removed and lost a bit of weight at first because I could eat normal foods which included healthier ones. Since then I gained a lot of weight as my stomach went back to its old size again and I have since revised to RNY on 6/11. This time it's working and after about a week post-op the weight just started coming off. I can't eat like I used to and can't eat through the RNY like you can with the band. Once you're full, you're full! I know no WLS is perfect and they aren't always as effective as they were in the beginning but at least I can say I'm losing this time! Anyway good luck to you, you will make the decision that is right for you whether you're band-free and doing it on your own or you decide to revise to another procedure. Take care, Nancy.

Hi Lisa I am a newbie too, and feel the same way. At about day three, the hunger started, and I am keeping a food journal to make sure I don't drink too many calories. As for the nausea, I only felt nausea and hunger together when I was pregnant. Are you taking any Vitamins or medicinces on an empty stomach or at night before you go to sleep? That might be the cause. You could try taking any medicine with some skim milk and see if that helps. Good luck. Dessia Banded 10/10/06

Hello everyone here's my story!!! So I went to Mexico, TJ to have my gastric sleeve done on 2-23-2013. Was sleeved on the 23rd!! Yes same day as surgery! I will tell you I went to Dr. Fernando Gracia! The coordinator told me that the doctor said because my bmi isn't so high I can eat light the night before and drink till 8 am the day of surgery! Well well I ate only Grandma Cookies the day before! chocolate fudge ones and I sure enjoyed it。the day prior 2 that I only had Jamba Juice! I would've ate more but my friend that had the sleeve done two months before me suggested me not too! Advised if I wanted a smooth surgery to not eat! So let me tell you about the surgery.... i went under afternoon and was in my room about 2 hours later. i WON'T LIE THE FIRST NIGHT WAS A BIT PAINFUL.... PAINFUL AS IN SORE STOMACH AND FROM A 1 - 10 I WAS IN 4. SO IT IS PRETTY BARE-ABLE. I DIDN;T sleep WELL THAT NIGHT. MAJOR BOTHER OF MINE WAS THE IV..... OMG MY POOR RIGHT HAND WAS SO SWOLLEN WHEN I HAD LEFT THE HOSPITAL.... AND FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS NOW IT IS JUST DIEING DOWN. WELL. SURGERY IN MEXICO TURNED OUT TO BE A LOT BETTER THAN I THOUGHT. THE GROUP THAT I WAS WITH WAS REAL SUPPORTIVE AS WELL. THROUGH OUT THE NIGHT THE NURSES WHERE CONSTANTLY GIVING ME MEDICATION SO I DON'T FEEL PAIN. Post op 5 days my sore ness is GONE! Well out of 100% its 30% around. I am actually feeling hungry more than anything. anyhow i will finish up my story in abit ----Major FEAR OF MINE IS HAVING A LEAK GOD FOR BID. THOUGH THEY DID RUN 3 TESTS ON ME WHILE IN MEXICO AND NO LEAK. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW. about weight: SW: 253 LBS. POST OP DAY 5- 248;LBS. CONGRATS TO ME I AM 5 LBS LESS.

I am having the same problem. Continuous spitting....can't really keep much solid food down. At night, I can't sleep flat and I have reflux during the night. I am only at 6.5 in a 10 cc band. I have good weightloss with this fill, but it isn't worth it. I am ready for a complete unfill. Should I do it? Complete unfill or slight unfill? Everytime I get to 6.5, I need an unfill. Lower than 6.5, and I stop losing. I have 27 pounds more to lose, but the spitting, throwing up, sliming isn't worth it. My five year old granddaughter told me she is worried about me and I need to go to the doctor, after I uncontrollably threw up in my car in front of her. What should I do?

I'm on a low carb diet as well currently eating below 20 net carbs per day (subtract fiber). Interestingly I did Atkins (not the induction plan but the on-going weight loss plan) for 2 years at one point and all of my chemistry and vitals improved (though they were in the normal range to begin with). Of course it was difficult to maintain and once off the wagon I regained all I had lost. With friends. The nice thing about the band, when I go off plan, I don't gain and so it's easier to get back on track because I don't have that discouragement of gaining 10 lbs in a weekend. LOL When I compared what I ate "normally" (choke choke) my fat intake actually went down low carbing. No fried cheese sticks, no bread to put butter on... you get the picture. And my Protein was about the same (pre-band Atkins). The only thing I try to avoid is sugar and simple/starchy carbs (white flour, potatoes, rice, pasta). I eat far more healthy veggies and I also eat regular dairy products (not low fat), eggs, berries, pumpkin, flax seed meal, and other lower carb items. Of course my portions are much smaller with the band, so that makes getting my protein in (recommended above 60 by my dietitian) a little tougher with my band. But the veggies seem to go down very well. I also take a daily Vitamin and Calcium supliment which I probably needed more when I was... ah hem, eating "normally." I don't like shakes or bars (flavor/texture thing). I will rarely drink a low carb slim fast for "emergency" situations, but I don't drink them on a daily or even weekly basis. I've drank maybe 4 in a year. Is my fat-to-carb ratio high? Yes, but if I were eating the same number of servings of starchy/sugary foods as I used to, the ratio would be very low, even with the reduced portion size. I have great labs, blood pressure is normal, sugar normal. And have all my life even at my heaviest. Let's not forget genetics. Moderation, moderation, moderation, it really is the key... If I could only follow that advice all the time.

Just... in the exact same position I was when I left off here years ago. I am STILL around 320 pounds... and i am STILL TIGHT and have restriciton problems constantly. But instead of trying to fix it with prednisone, I just deal with it. I choke every day. On food or water. I think.. ill just start off with a food journal. I just gave up cookies yesterdaty or so I tell myself, we shall see. I gave up candy 10 months ago, and have had NO candy since. Which is mindboggling. I have not done a food journal for months. I got to see where I can make changes. See if what I THINK, is really the Truth. Tuesday April 12th 11am. - 2 pills and one gulp of 100% Grape Juice. 12:45pm- 4 tortilla chips 2:30 - One inch section of granola bar ariel handed me and I took. 3:30 -Now.. and Im hungry. but... ya. I can still feel that granola bite, in my throat. 5:00 = 3/4 cup mashed potatoes with gravy (from this dinner thing, i fed the meat to the dogs) 20 ounces 1% milk, with nesquick 7:40 - eating Rye chips right now. hey. I should go to fit day.

to much i weigh lol age now to old 50 lol atleast i dont look it,people always thinks im 10 yrs younger tg,so with my weight loss should only get better ,i used to live michigan then georgia i loved it there,now louisana ugh.i was banded oct 20th and im doing great.walk 45 mins each day sometime 2 walks