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Hello everyone, I had my sleeve done on May 23rd,2011 at 2:45pm at Scripps Mercy Hospital. My surgeon is Dr. Laurance Tanaka. My beginning weight was 223 pounds. I am 5'6" and 51 years old. The surgical experience and the staff were great. I have not had any problems or complications. I stayed in the hospital for four days. The night of surgery I was up walking with my iv pole in tow. I walked several times a day while admitted and attended the exercise class offered for post surgical patients. My one week discharge appointment yielded a 14.5 pound weight loss. I encourage everyone to comply with the program. Follow your doctors instructions, exercise (walk), and stay hydrated. I am now intaking about 40 ounces of fluid daily. My diet is one protein shake a day and all protein soft foods. Currently I am eating fat free cottage cheese, mashed beans, greek yogurt,soft fish, shrimp, scallops, and crab meat. Eggs and tofu are encouraged however I don't like either. My next appointment is June 29th and I will be introduced to more foods. I look at this opportunity as a new beginning and I look forward to returning to my previous vigor. I am happy to be on this site and I will answer any questions.

Hi everyone - I had my consultation January 25th and just didn't feel comfortable with the surgeon. I had posted before that I believed he was an excellent surgeon, but didn't really seem to address my concerns and I thought aftercare might be lacking. I have done a lot of research since then, and I just scheduled an appointment with a second surgeon. She is with a large medical group that has a full weight loss program with psychologists, nutritionists and support groups. I think this may be exactly what I am looking for. I hope things go well and I will you keep you all posted.

New to the forum: Going to pre-op today. Have been on the miserable liquid diet for 1.5 weeks. Procedure is Tuesday. Have been "cheating" on the liquid diet but not too bad....Just have more of the lean Protein than the sheet indicates...i.e. broiled shrimp, tuna sashimi, crab legs. My surgeon is a very close friend of mine. Who's been doing the band for 2 years. He's quite passionate about it and is very excited that I've decided to take the plunge. I've got a lot of naysayers (everyone but him and my wife) around me. I combat them with facts: 1. NIH study indicating that less than 5% of people can maintain weight loss from diet and exercise 5 years out vs published long term lap band results from Dr. Obrien in Australia and Italy. 2. LSU study released this year that essentially says that the battle of the bulge is won at the dinner table. 3. The fact that you are combatting the most primal urge you have...to eat when hungry. 4. The fact that I've done diet and exercise and regained the weight (as have most of the people I argue with) To hell with them. I just tell them that in about 9 months I'm gonna have their wives wanting to cheat on them.:heh: :heh: Podna Louisiana

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who also lost quite a bit of weight (no WLS, just low carbing it). I was jokingly telling how how I've become so scatterbrain lately....... for example, I forgot to press "save" after adding a phone number to my phone contacts, and thus didn't have the number the next day when I needed it. We laughed, but then she quite seriously said that she had been experiencing similar "cognitive malfunctions".... like not being as sharp as she should be. She went on to say that she had researched that rapid weight loss causes fat loss in the brain as well, which according to her...... the brain has fatty tissue. My response to her was, "So, what you're telling me is that the SKINNIER I'M GETTING, the DUMBER I'M GETTING?!?!?!?" Just checking in with you all to see if any of you have noticed any difference, one way or the other, in your cognitive ability with weight loss...... SHARPER or DULLER

I am 8 months out and have the same issues. I have no suggestions for hair loss. I take Biotin, but it is still coming out. I chopped my hair off in December because I was sick of my long hair clogging the shower drain every other day. I had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago. Those attacks are very scary! I thought my stomach had twisted or something terrible like that. I talked about the options with my surgeon and we decided it was best to come out. He said the recovery would be similar to the sleeve, but I think it was way easier! I felt like my usual self in 1 week, except for bending and twisting. Good luck!!

I lost a little bit of hair, but I have alot so it really wasnt noticable, except for the regrowth sticking up. I know someone who had a lot of hair loss, and we went to sallys and got some hair extentions for her. if you get real hair you can dye it whatever color your hair is and then there is the hair glue that you use to glue it in by the root. you can add them wherever you are really thin. Also getting a shorter hair cut helps disguise thin hair. In your picture your hair looks great btw. you really look wonderful! as for taking anything for it, I never did...and the hair stopped falling our at about 6 months for me. good luck!

Im noticing that im losing more hair these days (banded in Jan 2015) im already taking prenatal, biotin, b12 vitamins. I used to take a multi vitamin but switched to a prenatal. Should i add it back in? Anything else i can take?

I had my six-week follow up with my local doctor yesterday – to say I’m happy is an understatement. Although I’ve complained about my weight loss in other posts and lamented about being a slow loser, I am happy with the way things are going. I don’t use my doctor’s numbers to track my weight because it’s inconsistent – they weigh with clothes on, sometimes shoes on (depends on the nurse), I wore heavy jeans yesterday compared to lighter capris the last time, etc. I use my Thursday weigh-ins on my home scale to track my loss. So, I’m down almost 41.8 pounds from my high weight and 24 since surgery. Wow! Writing that is surreal. My body fat has been decreased by 5% already and while I have lost some lean muscle mass, it’s not a concern right now, I just shouldn’t lose any more. Even more than the numbers, I can see physical differences in myself. Why do my fingers seem longer? OK, it’s that they no longer look like pork sausages that were masquerading as fingers! My shoes fit differently now and as a side benefit, I can actually reach down and tie them and not look like I’m steer wrestling trying to lift my right foot up to my left knee. I have a jaw line – you can actually define where my head ends and my neck begins. When I was driving down the road the other day, it felt like the seat was pushed further back than normal. It’s not like my legs grew…there was just more room between my belly and the steering wheel! I noticed the vanity in the bathroom the other day while brushing my teeth – I was standing closer to the sink, again, because my belly wasn’t in the way. I cross my legs (like a lady) all the time now, BECAUSE I CAN! There are many subtle, but very real changes that are happening to my body and I’m trying to bask in each and every one of them. This has been an amazing journey so far and it’s only the beginning. There will be lows, but there will also be lots of good things happening, too! I’m noticing some other changes as well. I feel more comfortable around other people. It is easier for me to strike up a conversation with a stranger. I used to be a fairly outgoing and chatty person. Since starting to gain weight about 15 years, I slowly became an introvert to the point where I would avoid talking to people I have known for years. I would pretend I didn’t see someone in the grocery store so I wouldn’t have to stop and talk to them. I would sit in the outfield during my son’s baseball games rather than the stands or by the other parents because I didn’t want to be around people. My social circle has been reduced to my family. In the past few weeks, that has changed. I’m slowly coming out of my shell. I caught myself smiling yesterday morning when I was walking into the hospital and a couple of people I crossed paths with smiled back and said “Hello.” I felt like they were reacting to me smiling and not having, what I assume was an “I’m pissed off at the world so go screw yourself” look I used to have. I discussed my diet with the doc as well. A few weeks ago I started to restrict my carbs because I thought it was the right thing to do. We always hear “carbs are bad” and I restricted mine down to between 20 and 30 per day. What I didn’t immediately connect was my very low energy level to the carb restriction. I didn’t feel good and I blamed it on coming down with a cold. I would come home from the gym and be completely exhausted and take a 60-minute nap. Understandably…I wasn’t giving my body enough fuel to get through the workout. I now realize carbs are an important part of our diet and they aren’t necessarily evil. Bad carbs (refined sugars and flours) are bad. Complex carbs like those found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains are great carbs and a necessary part of your diet. Once I increased my carbs to about 50/day, I started feeling so much better and have that increased energy that so many speak of after weight loss surgery. Increasing my carbs hasn’t changed my overall calorie count by much. I’m still taking in between 800-900 calories a day (on hard workout days I can go over 900 because I am truly hungry). I’m increasing my carbs by adding ¼ cup of fruit to my shakes, adding 1-2 tablespoons of refried Beans, or part of a Carb Balance tortilla to a meal. It’s amazing how different I feel now compared to a few days ago. Also looking forward, I now have no restrictions to my diet – that’s terrifying. I had the security the past 6 weeks of “I can’t have that because it’s not on my plan.” This is where that discipline comes in, right?!?! So, here are some of the high points from the meeting with the doctor yesterday: · Weight loss is good, more importantly, the 5% body fat reduction and minimal loss in lean muscle mass · Blood pressure is lower – 117/82. It hasn’t been that low in years. · Diet looking forward – no restrictions on what to eat; min 80 grams of Protein daily and 50 grams of carbs should be OK. · hair loss – I’m noticing some shedding (*gasp*). She OK’d Biotin and 1 gram of folic acid daily. There is so much debate on whether anything works, but I’m willing to try (she said the most important thing was the protein). · Real coffee is now approved, but only one cup per day. This makes me happy. I had to pinky promise I wouldn’t go back to my old habit of 3-5 cups per day. Honestly, I don't think I can fit more than one cup of coffee in a day! · Exercise - no limitations and start strength training as to not lose more lean muscle mass. · Constipation – ahhh the pooping (you know I wasn’t going to get thru an entire post with out a comment on the poo). I’ve been taking Colace and that’s the only thing that has helped. Per doc's orders, I need to cut back to one per day, then stop entirely. Doc wants Metamucil and more Fiber in my diet for a more natural approach. I wish everyone a very, very Happy New Year. 2014 is going to be a great year for us! Be safe!

Thebanded girl...thank you for your input. I did check out that website...what a fun blog! I wish you continued success with your weight loss.

It's crazy how much hair I lose everyday, I don't have bald spots yet but it's very thinning and fine, I had to unclog my drain in the tub and now I use a hair stopper for it lol.. I just can't wait for it to grow back =\

Its going great! Losing a lot of inches. I haven't weighed myself because I get consumed by it. A week ago I was at -25 lbs. I'm 24 days post open and big changes are happening. sleep apnea is subsiding. I barely snore at all. I am on no pain meds at all for joint pain. I exercise 6 days a week at minimal. Don't compare your weight loss to everyone else's because everyone is different. I've slowed down from the dramatic jump in the beginning but I am still losing. I've been told that sometimes when the scale isn't moving you are losing inches. I am happy to be feeling less winded and tired all of the time...

I just bought some of this to try. I'm six months out and losing hair. Glad to hear it is helping. Thanks for sharing!

I am 4 weeks now without the loss of a single pound. I am stressed about that. I am eating about 1500 calories a day. I need to make a change today!

Hi all, I'm new to forums and chat rooms, but getting ready to have this procedure has prompted me to seek out others. I'm almost there, just need my EGD and set up surgery date, looks like it will be in early May 2007. I read several responses to Melissa Dangers posting and felt encouraged already. Glad to know I'm not alone in my struggles with this decision, it's like you guys/girls are in my head - it's comforting to know someone else has walked the walk and talked the talk. I feel pressured from my thin friend who wonders why I couldn't just keep working on the weight loss like I'm doing now (lost 17lbs since Christmas!!) and not go through with this. She really doesn't understand how that I cannot face another big weight loss failure from a "diet" to gain it all back, like I've done for the past 30 years. I'll be sure to share with her some of your sage words of wisdom to help her understand. I too am afraid of the pre-surgery diet and what it is going to take after surgery to succeed, but when you need to lose over 100lbs, I've decided this is the tool I need to have to be successful. Good luck to everyone out there.

Thank you all for your quick response.Your support is overwhelming and much appreciated.This is not a decision I am just pondering. I have thought about it for 2 or more years and have done all the research.2 years ago when I went to the weightloss clinic it was in my mind my final attempt to loose weight before surgery. Surgery seems so permanent. I have thought about this for so long. Most of my friends do not face the weight loss battle. I needed reassuance that my feelings are normal.You all have given me that. I am now in the process of finding someone to accept my insurance.Another battle I am afraid.How long does it take form the time you find a doctor have a consultation and then have surgery??I suppose that varies form doctor to Doctor but maybe you al can g ive me a ball park figure.

First off, you are absolutely not a failure. Being overweight is just one part of your life. You should never measure your self worth by your weight. For one thing, you're a mother, the most important job in the world. You sound like a very thoughtful and loving woman, and I'm sure you're children are being raised in a wonderful home. Look at your life, and don't get stuck on diet failures as a measure of your worth. Secondly, you've had some very successful weight loss victories, but there's just something out of whack when you can lose weight, but not keep it off. I have friends who eat like there's no tomorrow, and they don't gain an ounce. I blame my ancestors. They were rugged pioneers who worked hard, and I'm sure needed a slow metabolism to stay healthy during lean times. Unfortunately, for me, life is just too darn easy. :tt2: I was used medically prescribed diet pills for weight loss, and they worked great for a short period of time. My body adjusted, and soon, the affect wore off. They really are a short term solution. I've only been banded for two weeks, and I've lost 20% of the weight I want to lose to be healthy again. Part of that was during my two week pre-op diet. I still have good restriction from being so recently banded, but I can tell you that I've never had this feeling of satiety with so little food. Once I start feeling hungry, I'll be able to get fills that will keep me in this zone. The band isn't magic though. Food cravings can still hit you, you have to make good healthy food choices, and there are changes you'll have to make when you have a lap band. For me, those small sacrifices are worth it. I already feel so much better. My clothes are loose, rather than skin tight. I feel victorious, because I know I'm going to win this battle once and for all. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. But know, that there is help for you, and you're not alone in this.

Now that I've chosen the RNY as my revision surgery it was reccommended by ladiesassie to ask about Protein shakes.... A person at work told me I should drink the already made Low Carb Slim Fast shakes- 20 grams of Protein and -0- sugar..... Is this something I can drink right out of the gate? would it be too sweet for me? Also what other types of drinks in powder form are GREAT tasting? I don't mind blending them up as long as they taste good. I really don't want to lose my hair ( My hair has already thinned out from the lap band) So it's important that I get in enough protein to keep what I have left :tongue_smilie: Any in sight would be very helpful to me. So let me know what your favorite high Protein Drink is- It must be sugar free though- I'm sure it will be difficult to find good tasting drinks that are sugar free.....:thumbdown: Hey you guys have a great Tuesday today!!!! Only two more working days left this week!!! :thumbup: Thanks again for your insight!!:biggrin2:

Congratulations!! I’ve been banded now going into my 7th year and have talked about this here several times but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters. Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Remember… take tiny bites (the size of your pinky fingernail) and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite. When I was losing weight I checked in every month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. (I don’t own scales) I also attended two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept me motivated and on track. I still check in every month with my family doctor to get weighed-in and I host two coffee groups. For me support from fellow bandsters plays a big part in this journey. Back when I was banded my doctor suggested something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger. Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books. Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey. The second book is: The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”. --- tomander@bell.net Tom, Toronto Banded July 6 06 Wt. Loss: 156 lbs tomander@bell.net

Hey Guys, Well I AM NOW A BANDIT! OR A BANDSTER..whatever. LOL Surgery went well; I was in at 7:00 am Wednesday and out by 12:30 pm that day. I will give you all the details from a guy’s point of view, I haven't read that many men's stories, more women's stories than men. Okay, here goes: I arrived at 6:45 at the hospital. Was told to sit in the waiting area in the lobby until the pager thing they gave me buzzed. About 5 mins later it buzzed. I walked to the desk and they took me to my room. The nurse handed me a gown and told me to go to the bathroom and change, she said I was to take EVERYTHING off! I tried to bribe her with a 10 spot to let me leave my boxers on, and well she was not having it. Oh well, I changed into the gown and tied the back. I came out and she said, "Sorry, you need to leave the back open, you are going to be moving on and off alot of beds/tables." She then said she was going to give me a shot in my stomach, Heparin, and that it might hurt a bit, a sting while going in. I must say it was the most painless shot I have ever had, I didn't even feel it, just a warming of the injection site. The nurse then found a good place to poke me on my arm, it was a pretty big needle, she also said, "I'm sorry this is going to hurt alot!" It didn't though; she drew three vials, and started me on an IV. Also I got the BP done too. It was HIGH, must have been nervous. It is normally, 129 over 68. It was 159 over 90! I chilled out in my room, watched some TV and waited. Next a man came in, older guy with slicked back hair. He had a blue jacket/smock on and said, "Let’s take you on down to preop." I said, "Sweet, I am ready to go" So he pushed my bed all the way down to the preop room. It was COLD AS ICE in there! But I like the cold, I guess because I am so fat I am hot and sweaty all the time, the cold was nice. The guy parked my bed, and asked me if I needed a blanket, I said no, this is nice. I sat in the room there for a bit and got to listen to the preop staff talk all about politics, and much I did not agree with, and I started getting pissed. I wanted to jump into the convo, but hey, if I piss them off it might not be good; they are after all the ones going to be changing my IV. LOL A male nurse came over introduced him self and said he was going to start the IV antibiotics, I made sure it wasn't the penicillin derivative, that it was in fact the erythromycin derivative; I am allergic to penicillin. He already knew that and it was all good. My doc came by and spoke to me, he was very nice and I told him that I was looking forward to the surgery because my nuts are turning into ice cubes, he laughed pretty hard. He told me that I would not be getting the average band, that many men require the "large" band and that is what I am getting. I told him I was used to having to have large everything, clothes, seats, etc. He just shook my hand and said see you in the O.R. Next the anaesthologist came over with his assistant. He asked me if I had ever been put under before. I recounted my list, wisdom teeth, appendix, 12 times for ECT. I told him I had violent vomiting when I had the appendix out. He then said, okay, we won't use those drugs then. He put a motion sickness patch behind my ear. Then he said he was going to start some versed to make me relax and feel good. He injected it into my IV and I started feeling awesome!!! I hate to admit this but for some reason I was sexual aroused, and started saying some not so innocent things to the nurse, she just laughed. Then he injected me with more drugs. At this point I was higher than I kite! I never felt so good and sleepy too! They rolled me in the OR and made me move. I was so sleepy at that point it was crazy. The nice nurse from the bariatric center came over and held my hand. They then placed a mask on my face and said, breathe some oxygen and I was out! Next thing I knew I was being rolled down the hall, my eyes really would not open, I started talk and they it was okay. I fell asleep again, and woke up in recovery, yelling! I needed to piss badly!! I told them I need to walk to the restroom, they said no, I had just had surgery, they handed me a pee bottle and I filled that thing up! The nurse there said, well you have already urinated, you are almost ready to go home, just rest a bit and you can go. I told her, "I demand to sit on the edge of my bed." She said okay. So I sat there, and they asked me if I was ready for x-ray. I said yes! So they took me to x-ray, that went quick!! Before I knew it I was back in recovery and walking around. They said I was the third to have that surgery that day, and the first to leave! LOL They gave me my clothes, went into the restroom, and changed. They went over all my instructions with my parents while I sat in the lobby. I got in the car with my dad and headed home. BOY I WAS SORE! MY port area especially! The next days were a blur...of pain meds and lots of sleeping. I could barely eat!! LOL I am drinking the EAS drinks, some CIB, Lots of tea! I am also into cream soups as well. I don't eat much though; I am burping much and farting alot too. I didn't have a BM for almost four days! The longest time in my whole life! Here I am on day six, still feeling a little weak, sore, but I am at work! Don't want to be here, I could use a day or two more off.

Hi, I had my Gastic Sleeve 30/6/2011, was pregnant 6 weeks later and had a beautiful baby boy. Lost weight throughout, baby fine and both of us apparently healthy. In March 2013 I was done to 67kg, from 118kg and discovered I had Colan Cancer. Since then I have had surgery, Chemo and am now tumor free. There is a 15-20% chance of it returning, and if it does then it will be terminal. But my old "friend" weight gain is back and biting me hard, I have gained a lot and am back up to 83kg, and NOT happy. That said my motivation is low, self loathing high. If only loathing = action! I know I am eating too many carbs, sugar craving is high. Salads are perfect content, size is massive. I have had every test under the sun ( they keep looking for cancer ) and this includes a gastroscopy and lucky for me I have not stretched my stomach. Thoughts about a good diet to get back on track? I am eating my emotions, was drinking too much alcoal as a stress reliver and could certainly do to cut that out/back. Excersize has never featured in my weight loss to date. My surgeon and I spoke last week and is not concerned about the re-gain, but I have kep a food journal and am meeting with his dietician in a couple of days.

I'm almost 3 mos post-op and will tell you that walking helps a lot! Start walking now and don't stop exercising. It will make a big difference in consistent weight loss. Also, I know I had that shoulder pain also. Once the drain was pulled out, I was much more comfortable and the shoulder pain disappeared. Weird to think that drain causes shoulder pain, I know.

So I have Illinois medicaid and am in the process of my 6 month physician supervised diet. I don't feel like my doctor is documenting my attempts at weight loss very well. She more or less writes weight loss of how ever much and then continue exercise and portion control. That's it. Will Illinois still approve me with this type of documentation?

I'm Ellen, and I've been lurking on the site for a while and thought I'd say hello. I know a good half-dozen people in "real life" who have gotten RNY, but no bandsters, so I am loving this site as a source for real stories from real people. I'm still pretty early in the process. The first step that I've accomplished is to have decided that yes, I do want to do this! My surgeon's office had me start by gathering a bunch of documentation from my doctors on my past weight loss efforts, which is taking longer than I'd thought. It always seems to when doctors are involved! Hopefully, we'll be done with that part by Tuesday, and can move on to labs and xrays and other such fun!

welcome pan we are here for you......congrats on your weight loss

Hey there! I'm in Monroe/Snohomish (northeast of Seattle). I used Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett and was so happy with them! I have a coworker who has tricare as her secondary and because her PRIMARY is refusing to cover a medication Tricare is also refusing, but if she drops her primary Tricare will. That's all I know about it though. Welcome!!