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i have the same hun and im 19 days post op but as RJ said it gets easier every day! just keep doing what your doing taking each day as it comes angel xxxxxxxxxx

Thank you,.I think each doctor is different cause I saw my surgeon for a consult on Oct 16, 5 day's later I received the call that I was approved, all I had to do was blood work, chest x-ray, & last visit before the surgery to my pcp,...I feel very fortunate that it went so smooth,..have been on a full liquid diet since Nov 4th, no a morsel of food!! Dropped almost 10 lb's!! Maybe it's because I'm 74 and they want to do this has fast as possible! Ha!

On here I set my goal weight. I think for my height and BMI number, the weight I want to reach is a good milestone for me both physically and especially emotionally. By surgeon however has this expectation that I should be about 40lbs lighter than my goal. I think it could be doable, with additional factors into play such as skin removal surgery. The problem is that I honestly don't know if I'll ever want to go through that surgery. This last surgery was very rough for me, and I did have some complications. I was under in that surgery for almost 4 hours. From what I've read and seen online, the skin removal surgery is an almost 8 to 10 hour procedure, and the recovery is long and very painful. Mentally I know right now I am not ready for that. And therefore I kinda have already known in my head that 180lbs might be only realistic to me if another surgery is involved. Do I want the other surgery??????

Almost 10 months here and I agree, complications free just get use to the fills and eating again. I would be second in line behind you Tanya.

Hey guys. 5 days post op surgery was 10/31. I am having major gas pains and having a hard time pushing to pass any gas. I have been walking and it helps burp sometimes but this morning i was up for several hours with intense belly pains. Pain medicine doesnt touch the gas pains. Do yall have any suggestions on what else i can do? My nurses in the hospital wouldnt let me have stool softeners. I have called my surgeon to see if they recommen it but no word back yet. Also, was anyone allowed to wear some sort of stomach band like a splint to hold the incisions while walking so its not kinda hanging. Any advice or recommendations are much appreciated! HW: 404.8 SW: 362.9 Sent from my SM-S820L using the BariatricPal App

There's probably going to be a lot of people respond to this and disagree with me but I say go for it. Get your protein in then have all the fruit you want. I personally did not fuss about my carbs too much - usually around 50G a day. But most of the carbs that I do eat are from fruits and veggies. I've taken the approach with this sleeve to eat as clean and natural as I can. So no artificial sweeteners or low fat foods. I figure with the fruits and veggies I get the nutrients too. Like I said, people will disagree but I'm 10 months out and 99 lbs down, 1 lb to goal. It's what has worked for me.

I am four weeks post op and the same exact thing happened to me. Right out of surgery I lost 10 pounds and then gained like 3 pounds and then nothing until the very end of week 3 when all of a sudden I lost 10 pounds again. Its really weird what the body does. But I think right before you loose or it lets go it stores as much of whatever you are giving it until it has no choice but to let it go. Don't worry about the scale, it will move sooner or later but it will move. Focus on getting fluids, calories, and Protein and focus on taking your Vitamins and starting a routine. Once you get this down the rest will fall into place. Good luck, one day at a time, this is a lifetime journey.

yes. This is the first time in my adult life that I've actually been able to maintain a loss (I'm five years out and have been in maintenance for 3.5 years) not gonna lie - it's a daily struggle - I still plan my eating for the day every morning (or the night before), log my food intake, and try to stay within my maintenance calorie range (which for me is 1500-1700 per day - but that's going to vary for everyone). It's a hassle but it's do-able. I NEVER could maintain a weight loss before I had WLS. I should add that most of us gain 10-20 lbs after we hit our lowest weight. It's not inevitable, but it seems to happen to the majority, for whatever reason. I shot up 12 lbs in year 3, and then another eight pounds last summer & fall (I'm in the process of dealing with the recent eight-lb gain. I have no desire to go back to my lowest weight, which I think was too low for me). But keeping the weight off is do-able if you monitor yourself and, as someone above said, see this as your new lifestyle rather than another diet.

So I am 2 years banded and 1 year post TT. In that time I have lost 100+ pounds (idk how many inches). Gone from a 22w to an 8/10. And yet I still struggle with my body image I just don't see what others see or what the clothing size difference says. Eureka!! Today a huge lightbulb (100 watt) when on above my head. My problem is the number on the scale (isn't that what brought most of us to banding). Seriously though I mean I am relating how I think I look to that number that glows at me when I step on that scale. Has it changed - hell yes it has. 262/3 pre banding to 159 this morning. Somewhere in my brain that number tells me I am still fat! If Jennifer Anniston and Angelina Jolie are like 120 or less than I MUST still be fat. And forget when I watched Kirstie Alley on DWTS. I felt like a beast. I never wanted to be a size 2 and I still don't want that. I would look awkward especially since I am a 36dd. I know now I need to separate what I see from what Hollywood tells me. Heck Marilyn Monroe was a 12 and she was perfect!! Am I a success. Yes I am and if u are trying your best and u like u than u are too

Just got cleared for mushies 10 days out. Down 20lbs. Yay!! Good luck, I had salmon tonight

I don't get it! How could we all have the same exact procedure done and all get different instructions from our doctors? How is it that I can only have shakes and other people are allowed mushy stages at 9 - 10 days post-op. Also the suggestion about adding some fruits to the shakes - I'll admit that it sounds elicious, but yesterday, I had maybe about 1 ounce of lot faw cheese and I have had dirreah ever since. So, that is why I am afraid to add anything that the doctor does not ok first. Here is what I did to try to solve my problem - Since I use the powdered shakes and it calls for 8 ounces of Water and 2 scoops of mix, I make one big batch for the day (3 servings); but instead of using 24 ounces of water, I am using 28 ounces of water and adding one more scoop of powder. I'll let you guys know tomorrow how I hold up today. Thanks to all of you for your help! I really appreciate hearing everyone's opinion - it really helps! Eileen

MY SIZE 10 WHITE BILL BLASS CAPRIS FIT! I LOVE THEM! I WALKED ALL AROUND YALE CAMPUS W RUBU YESTERDAY. GOT MY HAIR DONE ON SAT THE OWNER OF HEADCUTTERS DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ME. WENT TO GEISS'S OFFICE W CARMELA & NANCY. GEISS,JOANNE, JOY,& KATHY SAID I LOOK GOOD. GEISS TOLD ME I MAKE HIS DAY EVERYTIME HE SEES ME & HOW WELL I'M DOING. WENT TO SUNRISE LAB TO DAY & THE LAB TECH LOOKED @ ME & SAID "HI SKINNY I SAW YOU IN THE DUNKIN DONUTS PARKING LOT & I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW THIN YOU ARE! GEORGIA FROM NEXT DOOR TOLD ME HOW GOOD I LOOK ON SATURDAY

Im one week post op...have been doing 5 to 10 min Walking about every 2 hrs..as im still in a lil pain..but am trying to move around. .question. .How much walking should I be doing so early after surgery? What was/is your walking regimen???

I include my pre-op loss as well because I lost 30 pounds in 6 months and I worked my butt off to do that. Plus that's my total weight-loss from the day I entered the program to now. HW: 301 (July 2016) SW: 271 (12/30/16) CW: 188 (1/5/18- I'm currently bouncing again between 189-186) GW: 175 then reassess. I'm 5'10"- Size 10/12 in pants. M/L in sweats because I wear them bigger and S/M in tops depending on brand and cut.

HW-454.5 (01/29/16) SW-383 (05/17/17) CW-294.2 (as of 01/03/18) Total WL from surgery: 88.8 Total WL overall: 160.3 GW-130 (159.2 to lose for reaching GW) Sent from my XT1097 using BariatricPal mobile app

Just found out that my surgery for lap band will be in just 10 days! Took my surprise! Starting to get the jitters a little. That's normal though, right?! I'm so blessed to be living with someone who has had lapband for three years now....my mom! She is my biggest cheerleader and supporter in this journey. I can't wait to see where this lifestyle change will take me!

Same here! After a few bites, I get this pressure in my chest/windpipe area, that is only relieved by walking. I have been able to eat more often, but I can't take in a lot. This morning it took me two hours and 10 minutes to eat 5oz of Chobani yogurt. I am not complaining, I am just adjusting to my new life style! Still working on the protein though!

First of all it sucks typing on an iPhone. Second this may be really long. Well after missing my flight I was able to get everything adjusted by one day. So the next morning I was two hours early for the flight lol. Flight was uneventful but it was a cool 63 degrees when I arrived, I am used to 100 or more. Samuel was waiting for me around the corner and pulled up shortly in a very discreet white mini van. He's super friendly and we chatted the whole way. He pointed out a few interesting things and soon we were crossing the border. Not scary at all. A little run down and dirty but not scary. When we pulled up its not a huge hospital. More like a medical annex. Very modern and pretty. As soon as I walked in the lobby even the receptionist was asking about my flight. They were expecting me the day before so everything was ready. I got my allergy bracelet and was taken to my room. Ana the coordinator was so nice, also asking about my flight. I felt bad that they had to run around and change everything to get me in next day surgery, but she said not to worry. I signed far less paperwork than I ever did for a hospital stay. Less than 10 minutes later I was given a gown to change into and taken to blood draw. I am a hard stick so I expected a lot of pain, but she looked all over both arms for a good 15 mins before trying only twice. Because I hadn't drank since midnight on Sunday I was pretty dehydrated. Next was chest X-ray right down the hall. Then back to my room. They tried to look for a vein for the i but no luck. Dr. C said they would inly try twice because they could always do it once i was under, they didn't need to cause pain. but they got it on the second try. vI was given a pill and a sip of liquid to relax. Dr. C came in to tell me about anesthesia and to take a medical history, Dr. V came to discuss nutrition and post op care, then Dr. G came to discuss the surgery. It all seemed so fast and so sudden! I went for my height and weight. I lost 15lbs!! Wow. I went back to my room and was told I would be operated on shortly. Well three hours later and a much needed nap I was woken up and told to get ready. They brought in the gurney and I hopped on, put on my "sexy cap". Rolled down the hallway to the OR. It's very small. Not like the huge US OR. But everything looked modern and clean. I have quite a few tattoos and everyone seemed very impressed and asked me about them and my job. That must have been a distraction because next thing I knew, i was fighting the oxygen mask and I was back in my room lol. Now for the part everyone is waiting for... NO PAIN. I was prepared for so much pain and soreness I kind of freaked myself out. I had a very sore raw throat. I almost thought I didn't have the surgery! But the doctor said everything went smoothly. I slept through the night and the nurses came in with meds every few hours. Again I was shocked at the lack of pain. I even refused meds a few times just to make sure lol. One thing I had severe nausea. Every time I stood up I vomited. So there was no walking for me. But I had no gas. I guess the vomiting pushed it out. I was given a few extra bags of electrolyte because of dehydration and nebulizer treatments every 8 hours. Nausea and pain meds kept up the entire time. The first leak test, hard to describe the taste. Yucky but it goes away fast. Dr. V came in again and scolded me about walking, but since I have no gas pain or overall pain she wasn't too hard on me. I slept most of the day away until they brought the blue dye. It's a huge cup! But I was worried for nothing. It just tasted like... Blue dye. No leaks in my drain. So that's my story. Very simple, very easy. And I leave for the hotel today. Oh every nurse I had spoke English. And I speak a little Spanish so communication was great. If you have any questions about the small details, just ask away.

it's super glad you are here and posting to everyone. The thing that rings most in my ears from what everyone says here is..... It gets better! Maybe you are still having the effect of being put under? Those drugs are heavy and effect people in different ways! Take it slow friend!! Rest sip walk repeat. The nurse told me that flexing and pointing my feet 10 times in a row will be important those days after surgery. And if anything- I'm going to need your cheering on for me next week when I am where you are! Hold fast!

I was banded in 2008. About 2 years later, I was told my band/stomach was dilated, so Dr. unfilled me completely. I have not been able to go back to Dr - insurance/financial reasons. I have been having issues at least TWICE a week where, after I eat (no matter what I eat), within 10 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my upper abdomen, more towards the right, radiates to my back and I feel just miserable. Sometimes it feels like gall stones...however, my gall bladder was removed in 1995. The pain is so bad, it hurts to take a deep breath and sometimes to even move. I already take Nexium for acid reflux. There's more.....I have chronic kidney stones (for 9 years now) and had a stone blasted last week, with 9 still sitting in both kidneys. I notice when I get this pain, I get flank pain also. It usually lasts for several hours and I am miserable. When I went to urologist for follow up xray, I was told my band is still in place, but dilated...I'm completely empty. We just moved so I am looking for a local weight loss surgeon/dr, but am still trying to figure out insurance issues. I'm thinking next time I get this, I should make a trip to the ER, tell them EVERYTHING and see if it can get taken care of sooner rather than later. Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone have these issues (probably not all at the same time). I would so greatly appreciate it. I cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for your time. God Bless. Andrea

My husband told me the other night "No getting skinny, then finding another man." I just laughed and told him "Not happening, I already put 10 years into you... I am not starting over with hey, what is your favorite color" haha. Seriously though, he should be happy for you. You will be healthier and feel better and want to do more "things" with him.

How'd we ever get out of such a wonderful habit? The last 10 years my two sons were living at home we left the day after Christmas and spent a week in the Islands, then along came grandkids and no more Christmas trips. Hmmmm, maybe it was really due to my weight and the grandkids were just a good excuse, time to get back into that old tradition.

Ok - I know this is off topic but I have a funny webkinz story. My older son is 8 years old - and of course I thought he would never go for the whole "stuffed animal with on-line life" kind of thing. So last Christmas, my mother-in-law gets him this stuffed tiger and I could tell it was one of those, and I'm thinking, "Oh no! Here comes the lukewarm thank you from my son and the animal gets tossed to the side." To my complete shock, he yells, "WOW, a Webkinz! Everyone in my whole class has one of these - now I have one! Mom, can we go home right now and log in?" I about fainted in surprise. My frog and mud loving, baseball playing, shower hating 8 year old son now has a collection nearing 10 of these silly stuffed animals and he begs to play games on the site almost every day. So, when I saw your post, Lori, I had to laugh. How old is your son? Oh and I have to be honest - my weight loss ticker shows my starting weight on January 7, when I started my pre-op diet. I've learned that most people start their ticker with their surgery date. (but gosh - I worked SO HARD on that pre-op...I want credit for it!) So for full disclosure - I've only lost 19 lbs since my surgery on February 6. I'm so glad you are encouraged!

I had my lapband surgery April of 2011. The first fill I went in for did not go well. I think it was 4-6 weeks after I had the lapband surgery. I had formed fluid around the port and the dr drew that off and put me on an antibiotic for a week. I went back 2-4 weeks later and he still had trouble getting to my port. They sent me down to xray. My port had tilted. He was able to fill it then and1 or 2x after that at an angle. Then when I went back for a fill in August the port had completely flipped over. I had surgery in October to have the port redone. I went for a fill 4-6 weeks after that and it went well. My next fill was in Jan. and all went well at that appt. When I went back for a follow up visit in March my dr. did not give me a fill because I had lost 10+ lbs. since my last visit and did not think I needed a fill at the time. Today I went for a check up and when he was feeling my stomach he said this port feels like it is moving and should not be doing that. Then when he went to give me a fill he could not access the port again. I go Thursday for a xray but all indications from today's appt. points to me having a port that has flipped again. I am just wondering if any of you other banders have had any trouble with your ports??? I am so down tonight about it

Hello there, I was revised from band to sleeve on 9/15/2010. Well my experience was initially great, I got to goal in 10 months and went 11 Lbs below. I am going on 4 years post op and many issues and complications have gotten me a weight gain, as well as extremely bad GERD so my new surgeon has me working toward a revision to the Bypass. If you have any specific questions, I'm always open for interpretation. All the best in your upcoming journey!