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Hi! I'm in Tuscaloosa and going to be banded this Wednesday (09/24/08) by Dr. Bilton at DCH in Tuscaloosa - and very excited! Any advice from the experts here in Alabama that have been banded? I have really enjoyed LapBandTalk - wish they had told us about this in all the classes/support groups that I attend. To get ready for this new experience. It has been so far a really good journey - believe it or even the full liquid diet I have been doing for the past 10 days! lol Thanks for starting the "Banded In Alabama" looking forward to getting to know everyone! :girl_hug:

So tomorrow is my day for surgery! Yay!! Im so excited its finally here but im really nervous too! I keep thinking about once i go under about not waking up. It scares me. I know this surgery has been done so many many times & i know im overreacting but Im praying & i have lots of family & friends praying for me. This is going to be an amazing journey im going on & im looking forward to a healthier & longer life. My husband asked me if i wanted to go to dinner tonight for a meal that i absolutely just had to have but i told him i didnt wanna go afterall because i need to get used to not eating all that yummy food anymore, or at least for awhile. He was so proud of me for turning it down. No food for me after midnight & i dont even have to be at the hospital till 10:30 which means i wont be eating anything for awhile so i know im gonna turn into a witch. I did my eating for the night already & am not planning on anything else. I guess i do have alot more willpower than i thought i did. I have done really good on preparing myself by not eating all the yummy foods i loved to eat. I look forward to hearing how everyone else went with their surgery this week & in the past as well. I will post as soon as im able to. I will share my surgery day story with all of yall too. God Bless!

1) cottage cheese with some olive oil mixed its soo tasty 2) hummus with some garlic cream extremely tasty 3) mashed potatoes cooked with milk and light butter 4)light jelly 5) yoghurt with some honey 6) low fat pudding 7)squash cooked with light butter 8) squashed pea soup 9) yohurt smoothies rasberry flavored or strawberry 10) light jam with light butter mixed or peanut butter

I'm so sorry to hear all of the issues that were created for you by an unknowledgeable surgeon! My first question is have you able to keep the 75lbs off that you lost 60lbs pre band diet and 15lbs while with the band? If so, it's not useless, think about what would've happened if you didn't have the band there. Speaking from experience on previous diets I was able to lose 126lbs but then gained it all back plus 21lbs to eventually hit my all time heaviest, so even though a majority of your weight was lost in the pre-op diet stage your band has still provided you the ability to lose a little more but most importantly to maintain your lose after 10 years. What condition is your band in now? You had said that there was a slight slip, has it corrected it's self? Is there any fill remaining in your band? It sounds to me like if you got a hold of the right dr. they would be able to work with what you have and work for you and not against you. You're right in saying that you didn't fail the band but in what I read here the band isn't what failed you, your Dr. failed you. the band wasn't allowed to do what it was "promoted" to do because it sounds to me like it was never properly filled, monitored etc. so my words of encouragement are to find the right dr. find the right "restriction" for you and proceed with your journey. I wish you all the best!!!

Hon--the Carafate is supposed to be dissolved in water---No one TOLD you that? You make what is known as a "slurry" with it...Place it in like 2-3 Tablespoons of Water...it'll dissolve---THEN take it. I started crushing all of my meds 1 weeek pre-surgery..to get used to the taste (I knew it would be bad...so I mix them all in a bite of pudding) Regarding the post-op gas pains, walking-walking-walking gets rid of it...and I agree...it can be painful. I hope it gets better for you...I'm a new post-op, as well..Just had my surgery Thursday, 11/19/15. Happy Thanksgiving to you! [[[[[hugs ]]]]]

I had bypass 8 months ago. I lost 100lbs so far. My first month I lost over 30lbs. Second month 20lbs and third month I started averaging about 15lbs per month- but then after 5-6months it seems to keep slowing down at about 7-10 per month. I started at 250- and now I’m at 148... so I only need to lose about 20lbs more or less- and perhaps that’s why it’s slowed down. I also don’t get in enough nutrients as I have a stricture and can’t digest most real food. Animal meats and products and most anything really.. so.. yeah. But my body did let go faster than a lot that I’ve spoke too, and I haven’t truly plateaued ... I feel lucky. It’s a very rough long road.

I havent tried cucumbers but I made spring rolls with cabbage, carrots, spinach and bean sprouts. I also made a warm brussel sprout and apple slaw. I didnt have any trouble with any of it. HW 385 SW 359 CW 335 (50lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16

I will be having the bypass on 6/19/2018 and was just curious on how much others had lost or is losing monthly? Thanks and Happy Losing!!

Yup. Your last line is ON POINT. Every surgeon is different. These are great general guidelines, but they are not "THE RULE". I am allowed gum/straws/alcohol. Six months was the rule by my doctor, I was given clearance at three. I had a catheter as does everyone else in our practice. No complications. 60% is the worldwide average MAYBE, but of all the sleeved people I know, ALL have exceeded 60% weight loss. I think that's an extremely low estimate. Everyone I know hit their goal, or are within 10 pounds of it. I know you said it, and I agree with you. Everyone's surgeon is different. Follow your team. After all, you entrusted them with your life.

Hey Rocky, way to go! Im glad it is over for you too! At least you stayed the night, my surgery was at 2;30 Monday and at 5:10 they were sending me out the door! My husband wasnt very happy about this, I just figured I was the last case for the day and they wanted to go home.. Its now Thursday and I finally ate alittle Malt-O-Meal. I feel like I need to do a major major BURP but cant??? Did you feel this way as well? Feels like a hugh lump in my throat..Im alittle sore, but it was not as bad as my 2 C-sections Ive had so I can live w/this. Hope you have a speedy recovery!!!

Yes I'm in the horrible pre op diet :-( I'm bloody hungry!! :-( I was lucky that I only have to do 10 dats of it. It's got to be less than 1000 calories a day and no more than 100g carbs. My teeth feel fury!! How are you doing? :-)

LOVE this post. Ever since my surgery in December, I cannot stop myself from getting on that hateful thing every single day...even though I know I shouldn't and that its just driving me CRAZY. I tell myself....I started a size 20. I am down to a size 10....and soon to be in single digits!! My head knows this, but then the next morning, there I am again. Tomorrow morning, I will think back to this post and feel better

I am 5 days post op and feel bloated and distended too. taking big sips of liq seems to make it worse and esp after my 1 oz of pureed food. I found 10 mts of walking and Gas x strips to help and take small sips of liquids. Also that 1 oz of food i get in 30 mts. Walk after eating seems to help things pass along better. When the pouch is empty feels better. Think we need to gauge how much we can tolerate. Hope this phase passes soon

Oh so much to talk about with this..... Sorry, but I'm going to ramble a bit. First off, there are risks and benefits to each of the three surgeries (as background I had a lap-band, miserable with it, prolapsed, lead to emergency removal, and now have a gastric bypass. I'm also a family practice physician assistant. I'm not a bariatric expert, but I've been around this a bit). On average, lap-band patients do not lose as much as the other 2 surgeries. That is why surgeons typically don't recommend lap-band above a certain weight. That said, I know people that have lost 200+ pounds with the lap-band. Average weight loss is just that, an average. For everyone that loses 10%, there's someone that loses 80% of their excess weight. It's impossible to predict where you'll fall in that spectrum. Some of it is how good your surgeon is, some of it is how dedicated you are to lifestyle change, some of it is sheer luck. As far as the band, I won't say don't do it. I will say research your butt off. Again, weight loss tends to not be as much as compared to the other 2 surgeries. I would like to add that, while the band is known for it's reversibility, that is not entirely an accurate statement. My personal story was that my band prolapsed, stomach herniated (and before i get jumped for being a bad band patient, I wasn't a bad band patient....sometime crap just happens). I had an emergency removal and was supposed to revise to gastric bypass, however, once the surgeon got in to remove the band I had so much swelling and inflammation that he was not able to do the revision. They removed my band, sewed me up, sent me home to heal for 6 months, then I had my revision. I know of at least 2 individuals in my area that had band removal and had so much damage that they could not revise to another surgery....while the band is removable, I don't really feel the term reversible is 100% accurate. Another point I'd like to share is 'invasive' truth be told, you're having major surgery. All 3 surgeries are invasive. The sleeve does not have the malabsorption issues or dumping associated with the RNY. However, they are essentially cutting off a large section of your stomach. The RNY does have malabsorption and possibly dumping (most people don't dump, I happen to be in the minority that dump easily, it's really not a huge deal if I watch what I eat). Yes they are making a small pouch in your stomach and bypassing and small portion of your intestine, you are getting some replumbing done with the RNY. That said, RNY is reversible (again, subject to scar tissue and such associated with previous surgeries) IF you need reversal. The vast majority of us will never consider reversal because we need this surgery to maintain a healthy weight.....(reversibility was not a factor in my choosing RNY). I know people that have been hugely successful with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have lost almost nothing with all 3 surgeries. I know people that have had bad complications, hospitalizations, ICU admissions with all 3 surgeries. None of them are magic. None of them work without a commitment from the patient. It is not something to step into lightly..... My advice, research, research, research. Find a surgeon that you trust and listen to what they say and what they suggest. Ultimately you have to make a decision that you are comfortable with and that you can commit to. But know that every day you spend morbidly obese is taking a toll on your body and your health. Most of us just cannot lose an maintain a healthy weight without surgery. Most of us have lost and gained a thousand times. There are some that regret the surgery but the vast majority of us wish we'd done it sooner. The RNY is right for me, I wish i'd done it in the first place. But I'm not you. I wish you the best of luck with the decision and applaud your choice to start considering surgery. If you ever have questions I'm happy to try to help. Best of luck with this decision and congrats on trying I take control of your health. It's a tough choice but at least you're considering it. That's a step in the right direction.

Hello, sorry this is going to be long. I hope someone will have advice. I had Rny in July of 2014. Since surgery I have been extremely exhausted. I have had my blood work done. Many times. My hands and feet go numb. I have a vibration in my left foot that feels like I am stepping on a cell phone on vibrate. Sometimes I get dizzy even when sitting. And my feet will sometimes just not work. It's all mostly in my left foot. Sometimes I have a hard time lifting it and it feels like it's not there. I also get body tremors. Mostly my hands. Sometimes my whole body. They have tested my bloodwork, did a CT scan looking for ms or brain cancer. They have done an emg. I have seen a neurologist whom looks at me like I'm insane. I am about 10 pounds under my goal weight. And I either keep losing or stay where I am at. My bariatric program has high turnover for all their staff from Dr's to secretaries so I have been doing all my follow up with my primary Dr. I take a multi Vitamin, Calcium with Vitamin D, Biotin, fish oil, b12, and Iron ( iron every other day so I don't get constipated) potassium and magnesium. I was doing them all twice a day but my neurologist took me off of them all to see if I was having a reaction. I added them back in once a day myself because i started getting horrible migranes. I juse added b complex and a vitimin d pill to see of that would help. So far it helped with body tremors but my hands still shake and I still have all other symptoms. I'm tired of seeing Dr's. I just want to feel half way normal. Any advice would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long.

honestly, it's kind of foggy now. I am guessing about a week- or 10 days? I had a nerve block in my abdomen so my pain was never really bad, and I did not have a hernia repair or anything else.

I am in the same situation. I am still 30lbs from goal, but my boyfriend knows me at this size... i had my surgery before we got together. Our relationship is long distance for the time being due to work and family he has in florida, and we visit each other every other month or so. We've been dating for about 10 months, so I'm not concerned really yet, especially since we are in a LDR. I know that when we get really serious, I will tell him. He knows how I feel about my weight (he is a skinny guy, but NOT a health nut in any sense.. he's just naturally skinny but has rather unhealthy eating habits and doesn't exercise) so I know while he may be surprised, he will be supportive. Like I said, I will broach it when we are serious, especially when he moves back up here and we possibly live together. It's a private medical disclosure and it is up to you when you tell people, though I would tell those closest to you sooner than later, when you feel comfortable. In your particular situation, I would disclose it now, especially since you are moving in together. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to mention to your boyfriend how he is aware that you've been on a weight loss journey. Simply explain to him that before you met him, you had struggled for years with a terrible problem and that you finally made a decision to take what many would consider drastic action. Because of it, it has changed your life for the better and has made it easier for you to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. The band is a tool and not a quick fix. He should understand. It's not as big a deal as we think it is, and anybody who is too reactionary about it is not worth having around, in my opinion. Best of luck!

I am super excited!!! I had my psych eval on Wednesday this week and was cleared to see the surgeon. So it was scheduled for October 16th that was the first available. I was kinda down because not being able to loose any weight what's stressed me out. Then about 10 minutes ago I got a call from the office. There was a cancellation so they want me to come in next Wednesday. I'm thrilled beyond words. The nurse let me know that they will submit my paperwork to insurance after this visit and that my surgery should be in October. I don't have anyone here to get excited with so I had to share my news on here. I hope the appointment goes well and everything gets submitted quickly. I'm also thrilled that I will be able to start walking daily and build up some strength prior to surgery!

I just had vsg surgery on Tuesday 10/14 I also went thru all of the same emotions as you did prior to surgery. Again as stated if you didn't I would say you weren't ready. I like you was also scared of the surgery itself, and the unknowns, well I can tell you from my experience only i went in to OR the anesthesiologist gave me my calm down meds and put a mask on me I dont remember anything else after that until waking up in recovery feeling groggy and sore and extremely dry mouth. I will not sugar coat the pain I was in a lot, no nausea just felt a lot of muscular pain trying to lift myself out of the bed and lie back down. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days. They were ready to release me the next day I was not ready I just wanted that extra day.. Once I came home I was also very sore, took my pain meds and rested a lot the first day. Today is my 3rd day at home and I am still sore it does get better every day, I have gone for short walks, focusing on getting fluids in and cannot wait for this to be a distant memory.. Hope that answers some of your questions please feel free to ask anything else. Best wishes to you

I'm 2 years out alo, and for me It WAS, and IS a piece of cake...because I have a tight band with good restriction....very little commitment on my part, other than not keeping up with my Dr visits....if I did not have good restriction, then it would be a struggle because then I would have to diet and count calories...which I have never done......I let the band do it all.... You say you have 8.5cc in a 10 cc band.....have you ever had good restriction to the point where it is IMPOSSIBLE to overeat? You say you can eat everything and anything.....sounds as though you don't have a band at all! But if you have 8.5cc as you say, then there is something wrong.....a leak? A herniated pouch? A slipped band? Are you a diabetic? Diabetics have high pain threshold due to nerve issues, and possible problems with the band can go undetected. I had a heart attack and never felt anything because I am / was a diabetc. I have 7.5cc in a 10cc band, and 2 years out I still find it impossible to overeat.....and my hunger and cravings are non-existant....all characteristics of being in th "Green Zone" 8.5cc in a 10cc band, you must feel something.....

There was a problem at Aetna, that they acknowledged they had only assigned a nurse to my case as of this morning. So it literally sat at Aetna for 10 days. I'm glad you had a different experience, I hope @cjark220 is better than mine too Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well if everything goes perfect this morning i am scheduled for surgery at 10 am. Im scared and nervous of the actual surgery but excited for the future. Wish me luck!

I have to do 7 appts pre-op with the surgeon. So far I've seen Cardio 3 times, Pulmonology twice, had 2 sleep studies (with and without cpap), and will see my endocrinologist once, will have my endoscopy along with nut and psych on 01/27. I'll also see my primary once more before we submit to insurance in February. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hoping for some encouragement and/or advice. I met with my surgeon yesterday and got my date...February 6!!! Wow!! My main panic moment was when I found out no anti-inflammatory for 10 days prior and 2 months after. I have arthritis and a dislocated ankle (fusion in my future). I'm worried about the pain and about it affecting my ability to increase activity. Anyone experience this? Will it be as bad as I'm expecting? I appreciate any input! Thanks!!

Hi Barb... I think you should not worry... and try to be happy about this next phase of life. You like and trust your surgeon, right? Then what I did was just left it in his hands (and the lord as well of course). I got sleeved the end of March 2027. The best thing I can suggest is rest... follow what your supposed to 'drink' and walk as best you can. Take your pain meds if needed, I didn't have to take many. I don't know how much you have to loose, but I can tell you honestly it's the best thing I ever did and wished I'd done it in my 40's. I had about 40 pounds to loose and am happy to report I am 5 lbs away from my goal weight. Don't buy a lot of clothes right away, if your like me the weight just comes off so fast that you'll want to wait till you level out a bit. I wish you all the best. The thing when you start eating regular food again, is don't over eat. I love to cook and still fix dinner for my husband and guest but I eat about 10-12 bites and that's it! I feel full and I stop. That is the key to maintaining. The hardest thing for me, is not drinking 30 min before eating and 30 min after. Just make your nutritionist your bff!! Best of luck... let me know if you have specific questions... hugs, Rose