Search the Community

I was banded 9-1-09 (so 10 mos ago?). I have lost 130 lbs so far (YAY!!) and am the smallest I have ever been as an adult. I have done this with no fills at all. Nothing. My band is completely empty. Even the 2cc of Fluid that came in it has been removed. I had to have my port removed last Nov (3 1/2 mos post-op) due to an abcess around the port and he removed that 2cc then. So I don't have a way for my band to be adjusted, even if I wanted it. I have exceeded what my surgeon projected at my pre-op appt. He says he has had a couple of patients to have success with minimal fills, but none to have no fills.....until me. My question is this: has anyone else experienced this? I am just wondering how common this is. I am definately NOT complaining (or trying to brag)! ROFL! I watch my carbs/sugars/fats very closely and work with a trainer 3x a week. Am I just weird?

I'm 10 days post op and right now I have the worst heartburn. My doctor didn't write me any kind of prescription though. I was wondering is it okay to have a chewable tums?

I agree with all comments! but just a few..my best friend my hubs who has believed in me since day 1 we have been married 15 yrs an he seen me at my worst. He is my biggest fan an supporter. He takes me to my app's an we have fun together. the road I was on with over 12 dx's if it hadn't been for 2 of my specialist referring me to WLS an supporting me 6 months ago I would have been bigger an not 94 pds lighter! my endocrinologist told me without this tool even with all the legit efforts the weight was not coming off. it was a blessing for me thats for sure. I dont care if I dont eat like a so called "NORMAL" person portions..thats what got me where I was..society does NOT focus on healthy protions! an its obvious. I eat to live. not live to eat. I dont allow social scenes that all they focus on is having a great time around food an drinks. But I have learned that I can still be social without having all the conversations around food! this tool an the pre education that we get before you are even qualified to have it (at least I was) the education an evaluations were alot of time an learning put in. I learned alot. I did this for me. an I am soo grateful my hubs supports me 1000% ...mentally I have changed emotionally I have changed. my self confidance is back ( although I still get dressed an undressed alone) haha...not used to this new body form yet. working on it! I was fat for so long it takes some time to adjust. (just me) but I am proud of what I have accomplished. an I couldnt have done it without my medical team supporting me an backing me up. I knew going in this there could be issues. its major! I was willing to take that chance I was not about to waste another day depressed, fat an in victim mode. 10 yrs of therapy an still do see phsycologist that helps me with the new me perspective. most of all I thank my God my creator Jah for giving me the endurance an strength to get this far in life an sustaining us an for the love me an the hubs share. (yea I got sappy) oh well!! being honest ppl! Im out of the spiraling dark hole an seeing light an enjoying it again an I am 51 an feeling like our life together is even going to better then ever now an in the new order to come ! sorry so winded got going on a roll here..lol..

I am on this Facebook page which is very helpful! They call it 5 days pouch reset and they go back to beginning! Day 1- liquid liquid protein drink, day 2- smoothie protein day 3- purée protein 4- soft protein like eggs, ground turkey, 5- normal protein meal! Just go back to your post surgery rules, drink at least 64 oz water, take your vitamins, keep your carb below 50 gr per day! You will start to lose! And you can repeat as many times as you wish! They start this challenge every Monday for 5 days! Then many restart the next Monday again! Cut sugar, carb and fat and Focus on your protein! I am post op for 2 years and stopped losing at around 16 months out and was plateaued for couple of months! Just started this reset thing 2 weeks ago and after almost 6 months start to lose and 5,5 lb down in 10 days!

Why specifically is the sleeve contradicted for MS? There are many success stories with the lapband, but overall stats aren't that great. I personally don't think most people should consider the band at this point in time given the other options available. I am biased - had the band for 10 years and it was not a good experience.

I'm 8 weeks post op. I seem to have heck getting my first goal of 300. On monday I was 304. Today, weds, I'm 306. It's like my body is doing the same ol song and dance it used to. Not very promising seeing so many at the same timeline as me dropping like crazy. Anyone else have this problem? What do yall do to get going again? 5' 11" OP 9/16/19 HW 365 PO 343 CW 304

Gosh, what a loaded question! Just like Donna said - I wasnt living life to the fullest when I was heavy. I go to water-parks without being freaked out that "people are looking at me". I dont even notice that stuff anymore. Or the "am I the biggst one here?" question we all wonder when we are MO. Its given me a completely different mindset of when I was MO. I now have the confidence to look people in the eyes and begin a converstaion INSTEAD of waiting for people to speak to ME first. Perfect example: About 2 weeks ago I saw a guy I graduated with... 18 years ago (wow!) Im now about 10 pounds lighter then I was back then. He and I stood and talked for the longest about where weve been for 18 years - and I never felt embarrassed or uncomfortable conversing with him. And I could tell that he was equally interested and excited in visiting with me. That was neat. If I hadnt lost 70ish pounds with my band, I wouldnt have felt comfortable enough to talk to him. I wouldve either avoided him or just made small talk and moved on. Anyway, there's a whole lot of great personality changes that happen when you lose a big amount of weight. Its actually every aspect of your life that changes... not just personality, but clothing styles change, sex life changes, the way other people interact with you. Its awesome. Honestly!

I've heard some lose 10 lbs. It all depends on your body.

I hope to be banded in February. Because of potential fatty liver of his patients, my surgeon requires 10 days of 1000 calorie or less diet then 2 days of a liquid diet prior to the surgery. Although, really I don't think I would mind a longer liquid diet. Many of my so called "successful" weight loss attempts were long term liquid - usually water only - fasts. But then, to no one's surprise the weight all came back on. So, now I am here.

I'm 3.5 weeks out from being banded. Over the last week I've experienced extreme nausea and a lot of dry heaves. I saw my Dr. on Tuesday and she prescribed phenergan but otherwise wasn't too concerned. She also keeps chalking up my ailments to "nerves" which is partially true but not entirely. I just constantly feel like I'm going to vomit and I dry heave occasionally for 5-10 minutes at a time. I thought it was an antibiotic I was taking but I haven't had that for 2 days and I'm still sick. Has anyone else had this happen? Did it pass? I can't stand having to live like this!

I was sleeved on the 12th. I lost 10 pounds in the first week. I haven't lost anything since 6/18. It is frustrating! All we do in drink a measly amount of calories each day yet the weight lingers. Very frustrating!

Starting weight 273 currently on liquids finding it hard to get all my protein

I had surgery at West LA. Did you go to Options already? If you have been to Options already. Then at the Surgeon appointment. He/She will see if you have reached the 10% goal or are very close to it, if you are then they will set up a surgery date. Kaiser has approved as long as the surgeon says it a go! They usually will have the surgical coordinator call you to set up a surgical date and pre surgery appointment. On the pre surgery appointment you follow up with the surgeon once more, draw labs (if need be), see anesthesia, fill out paper work, apply for short term disability (if you plan to be off work). They are pretty good.

Well 2 guys who worked at the site where I had mine done both said they went hog wild the EVENING before their surgery and they lived to tell about it. Nachos, buffalo wings and tequila shots, YIKES! They said they got real sick but didn't define it exactly and I was reluctant to listen to the gory details as my own post-op tummy wasn't up to hearing about it. I would be very concerned about post-op constipation too, having your gut packed with waste when anesthesia sometimes hangs up the colon might be pretty painful. Whatever you do fess up to it and take the consequences. Better safe than sorry. BTW: I was on liquid diet for 10 days, just wanted to make it as easy as possible and wanted to jump start the weight loss.

Mine was 19 at one point, dr gave a prescription for 50,000 iu thinks that the measurement and after a month or two it came to normal levels... "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them" Einstein

Wow, I just want to cry while reading this..I can relate to almost all of it too. I have a few things to add to the list. 1. Developing rashes in places that sweat 2. I hate that it's so hard to keep my legs closed when I sit 3. I wish I could cross my legs 4. I wish I could be or feel sexy to myself and my husband 5. I wish I could wear my wedding ring, but it's too small now 6. Tough when your child says, "I wish you could play with me like you used to" 7. It would be nice to look all the way behind me when backing up in my car 8. No tolerance for heat so can't enjoy many summer activities 9. Afraid of falling because I probably couldn't get up 10. The moment when standing first thing in the morning, it's so painful since I've developed arthritis 11. My kids and husband being able to wrap their arms completely around me for a nice hug..been a long time

I want to be able to keep up with my 9 & 10 year old little girls. I want to join them at the park instead of watch from the sidelines. I want to ride roller coasters and not wonder if the bar is going to lock into place. I just want to live again! Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

I don't have enough proof that this works, but here's what I try when I want to break a stall. High Intensity Training - giving maximum effort for a short period of time. My exercise routine only consists of walking, but at work, I have access to the stairwells. I try to climb 5 flights of stairs as fast as I safety can. My best time has been 1 min 26 seconds. My lungs and legs are burning by the 3rd flight and I take a 10 second break at the 3rd and 4th floor. If you are doing the same exercise routine, eventually your body is going to become more efficient at it. If your weight program consists mainly of free weights, try alternating with weight machines that force your muscles to work in a different way. If you're on the elliptical, pick a program that changes up the one you're used to. Alternate speeds, add in inclines or switch off to a Stair Master for a few exercise sessions. When I used to do the elliptical, I set up my music playlist to have one really fast, motivating song ( like Motley Crew's "Kick Start My Heart") every 4th song, and I would go all out for the duration of that song, then slow back down to my normal pace. Keep up the good work, you'll get there.

What's your budget? I may get myself a piece of jewelry with a diamond for each 10 lbs I've kissed goodbye. A more affordable option is one of the customizeable lockets with charms inside. You can get crystals in them, plates with "congratulations" or "believe", or even have your surgery dates engraved on the back.

Hi. We should exchange email address so we can keep up with each others progress. Mine is sheila.pinkney@shaw.ca Luckily I do not have to do any pre-op dieting like the liquid diet. I have been doing nothing but pre-op dieting since November 30 and I have lost more than the required 10% and I am still following the 1 cup of food 3 times a day. Although I do cheat now and then. My surgeon said that changing to this diet from the very beginning helps to train you to prepare for life post surgery. Anyway, hang in there, our day will be here before we know it. Sheila

LOL.... Not a silly question at all. Actually kind of funny. The gas they pump into you inflates your stomach so they can do the surgery without opening you up completely. That allows for a quicker recovery, however the gas gets trapped in your body and it sucks (at least it did for me when I got my gallbladder removed). My shoulders would ache when I was upright so I would lay down and then have to get up (cause I had to keep walking) and then lay down again. Like I said, it sucked but it only took a day or so for my body to absorb it. It was 10 years ago but I still remember being mind-boggled because I just had my gallbladder removed and expected pain from that and my pain was in my shoulders. It wasn't severe, just irritating. So anyway, your body absorbs it (eventually). I have heard though the more you move around the quicker it goes away. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I experienced it back then so I know what to expect for that part anyway.

One of my oldest and dearest friends had VSG surgery on 12/17/13. He has been doing absolutely fabulous. In fact, I am a little jealous at his success because he has trounced me in weight loss. ( He started his pre op diet 12/3 and since that date he has lost 85lbs. I started dieting on my own 8/1 and total, including post op weight loss since 10/21 surgery date, I have lost 75lbs) Ok, granted he is male. And he had a lot more weight to lose. But I have to admit I am jealous as all can be too. I know I should not be. And when we speak I do not mention my stupid, irrational feelings. Yet there is one issue that has me absolutely baffled and even more upset. I am two months ahead of him. I was a guide (of sorts) to him early on. I would share my experiences and thoughts with him as he prepared to journey through things I recently had. But since his surgery we have very little contact. I keep track of him through his weekly Youtube blogs. I can't understand what happened. We had planned to be there and support each other as we did this. We had discussed sharing food as neither of us could eat much, didn't want weeks worth of leftovers, yet wanted to create new recipes for our new lifestyles. I bought him a Yonana machine for his birthday last August, preparing for his coming surgery. In the two months between my surgery and his something happened, but what it was I don't know. Shortly after I had my surgery he sort of disappeared. I was not hearing from him and would have to reach out to him several times before we would actually connect. When he was struggling through the early stages of his pre op diet I tried to be as supportive as I could. I encouraged him and did all I could to be the friend he needed. Then he had his surgery. After that he shut down, at least towards me. During his recovery he was too tired or not feeling well and didn't want to chat. As he healed he continued the distance. He speaks about reconnecting with all his old friends on his video blogs, yet I am being left behind. I am not sure what the reason is. Maybe it is because I am his former fat friend, from his former fat life. Maybe he feels our friendship is toxic for his newfound healthier lifestyle. Yet I have changed too, I am not the fat friend I once was. I am the friend who has been there through many major life events with him. I held his had at his dad's funeral. I held his hand as he went through a fight with cancer. ( and came out of completely in remission) I accepted and supported him when he came out, even as he struggled with his family to accept. We have been through thick and thin together, literally. Yet now, when we were both at a place where support is critical and we are both on the same page....He has gone. Maybe I was expecting too much from him, I don't know. All I know is it really hurts me deeply that he is wanting to move on with his life so entirely while our friendship is being pushed aside. I truly thought both of us having the sleeve surgery would only ingrain our long time friendship that much deeper, but it appears I was wrong. Watching him from the sidelines is becoming hard to do. How do I celebrate my friend's success when it has meant our friendship is suffering?