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I got a fill 10 days ago after living nearly 3 years with next to nothing in my band because of pregnancy and breastfeeding. This fill is totally kicking my butt! I still cannot eat most food. Liquids are ok, soft foods (think baby food consistency) are <i>sometimes</i> okay. I am headed back to the doc tommorrow to get a little taken out to get me back to the "sweet spot". After being off of the "band" wagon for so long, have I forgotten what a fill feels like? I have the large Inamed band (10 or 11 ccs) and I am at 5 ccs right now which doesn't seem like much in comparison where some others are that have the same band. Regardless, I need to be able to eat solid food! Right?! Feeling very frustrated and slighly sick after eating a mashed up avacado is not where I want my life to be!

Hello Everyone, My name is Dominic, I'm 34 yrs old (35 in May). I'm 335.4 lbs (just checked). Just got a call today telling me that I have been approved for my surgery on Mach 21st. Let me tell you alittle about myself. I'm a divorced father of two wonderful kids. My daughter will be 17 in December and my son will be 10 in June. I served in the Army for 13 yrs (1996-2009). And with having this surgery done I will finish my 7 yrs and retire from the Army at 20 yrs. I work full-time as a Nuclear Security Officer. I'm in school working on a degree in Business Management. I'm also an active officer in the American Legion Post 214. Well if you have any question or comments please post them and I'll try to answer them as fast as I can. Hope to hear from you all, Dominic

hey everyone. long time no see. I've been busy with pre-op diets and such....and then surgery on July 2nd....and now post-op diet stuff. it's been 9 days since surgery and i'm feeling ok. been a lot of ups and downs. pre-diet wasnt so bad! Due to diet restrictions I was able to have a tiny bit of real food mixed in with a lot of protein shakes and broth. the two weeks flew by pretty fast and it wasn't until the last few days that I started having the runs. that was embarassing at work.....in my head, no one actually noticed thank god! threw out a few pairs of undies though. surgery day everything went smoothly, took 2.5 hrs actual surgery time. they did repair a hiatal hurnia as well. I basically slept that day/night away and wasn't good for anything until the next day. i'm like that from anesthesia. I was in the hospital for 2 days as my blood showed it was fighting something. they wanted to make sure it wasnt infection. I walked a lot the 2nd day and was able to get liquids down. not as much as they would have liked, but enough. Please make sure your hospital knows who you want in the pre-op room, etc. don't let what happened to me happen to you........ day of my surgery I was in the pre-op room, in a hospital gown in the bed. i was about to talk to my bf about something personal that would get my mind off things. I tend to internalize everything and dwell on things. i was making myself anxious and starting to panic. i'd wanted to talk to him about stuff like dreams of vacations, etc. i open my mouth to ask a question and I hear a voice in the hall. i clamped my mouth shut and in walks a co-worker.....AND HER HUSBAND!!!! first of all i didn't want her there in the room with me. 2nd of all you bring your HUSBAND???? what made her think i wanted him to see me in a hospital gown? they spent the next 10 mins prattling on about their life, etc. probably to try and get my mind off things but it just made it worse. the anesthesia guy comes in and I had to talk about personal med stuff in front of them. they didn't get the hint to leave! then a few minutes later the doc peeks his head in and I turned to them and said, well I gotta kick you out now. yep, i was rude....but they didn't get the hint before! doc asked me who they were and I said a co-worker and her husband and he was appalled that they were there. the staff hadn't even tried to see if I wanted to see them! i made sure he and my bf knew that when the update came afterwards it was NOT to be in front of them. I was in full blown anxiety and panic by the time they wheeled me off to surgery. luckily they didn't notice as it only showed in the way my right leg was moving. I hide it well. if they hadn't sedated me almost the minute i was in the OR i probably would have jumped down and ran. and i also hear that they went up to the room afterward. i slept the full day so I have no clue who was there and who wasn't. Home everyday has gotten better. i was on liquids for a week and by the end was drinking everything i was supposed to with no complications. i'm now on pureed foods. people say that's the worst stage. I won't lie, it's no fun eating mush when my boyfriend is eating chinese and fried chicken, etc. however, with that said i don't feel hungry at all. i eat because im supposed to eat. I have no cravings for food as I thought I would. i see him eat something and think yeah that would taste good. but i'm fine eating what i need to and letting him eat his fav foods. lol i'm still bruised up a lot....especially from all the heprin injections (have to for 2 weeks). I still have quite a bit of pain on my left side and will need to ask the doc about that on Friday. and I wasn't able to go poop (sorry for graphic) since before the surgery. yesterday i was FINALLY able to and feel soooooo much better now. it hurt like HELL though! i've been sleeping on the couch so I can be propped up some. kinda depressing since my bf and I are now sleeping seperately. but I just can't lie flat and get back up in the morning. first thing in the morning my pain is worse. frustrated beyond belief right now. been having a hard time swallowing one of my night meds. it's a capsule so it's not like I can make it smaller. and if i take it out and take it as a powder I wanna puke. so called my psych and he switched it to liquid for me. got a call yesterday from the pharmacy (2 days later!) saying it would be over $100 (per month) with the discount card. discount card? what happened to my insurance? they won't cover it. so now i'm stuck with my capsules and hoping that they won't get stuck on the way down each night. i'm near tears! my stomach pain isn't going away and they gave me a little bit of a hard time calling in more for me on Monday. i feel so bruised up inside, i look like a pin cushion from all the heprin shots and I'm getting frustrated that I can't even do normal everyday activities. i'm eating everything i'm supposed to to the T...no extra stuff. I've only lost 6 lbs. i did lose 3 inches of my belly, so guess that's something. maybe my shakes have too much sugar or something? trying not to give in to the feeling of eating even less just to lose more weight. all in all it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. however it is still a very emotional journey and it's not over yet. i'm lucky to have the most amazing man in my life to help me through this and not let me slide down into my dark depression again. if anyone is reading this and still debating on the surgery please know that even after all i've just said I'd do it again. it really is worth it! one step at a time and i'll eventually get to that healthy life I desire so much

I apologize if it's been addressed somewhere else, but I haven't been able to find it. I read this alot... people getting not quite to their goal, and getting their plastic surgery. Now... I had just always thought (waiting a year or so and seeing if things tighten up on their own, aside) that you would want to get even maybe a little less than your goal, get your PS, then once you gained a little back, things would fill in and be nice and tight. I'm sure they're all good once you get all this work done, but wouldn't at least getting to goal, and then getting PS be better? If you get a TT and then lose 10-30 more pounds, wouldn't it just not look as good? or even, say, a boob job/lift/whatever. ? What's the 'standard'? Do most surgeons say "Yeah, go ahead... get it done even if you're not quite done losing!" or is "Wait until you hit your goal wait, and then come see me." more typical? Please enlighten me !! Mandi

My surgeon also does PS, he said wait until I am at goal. Oh well, so much for the short cut. I know what needs to be "tucked" would be about 10 lbs of weight gone.

Hi Parvathi, I had the full abdomnoplasty and also a medial thighplasty 6 weeks ago. I had some delayed healing and I still have an area between my bellybutton and groin that has not completely healed yet. I have to say that I am thrilled with my new flat tummy. Yes, its a huge scar and thats the trade off. I am not sure how I feel about the thighplasty yet. The scars start at about 4 inches above the knee, and do a T around the groin and buttocks. IT was extremely painful and was much worse than the tummy tuck. The drainage tubes at the hips are the worst. I had mine a short time (about 7-9 days). On a scale of 1-10, this combo of surgeries was about a 9. The best way to have these surgeries is to do one thing on the top and one thing on the bottom. I had both on the bottom and it was excruciating. I thought I would never feel better. I feel 100% better. The other night, I went for a walk feeling bubbly and enthusiastic and one mile later, I was struggling to get back to my door. It really takes a lot out of you. Babs in TX 334/189/170 -154

Everyday it gets a little better.. As much as you don't want to do it sometimes walk, walk about 10 to 15 minutes out of every waking hour it really does get that gas moving and out quicker! Discomfort can last about a week make sure your not twisting and bending to much. And it's easier to "roll" when you are getting out of bed. Good luck to you

I am 10 weeks and have salad whenever I want. I do eat Protein first, so don't typically eat "a lot". But I've had no problems with it... or anything really. Well... I think bread is "yucky" feeling. I seem to always feel uncomfortable if I partake in any bread. I guess it's a good thing for the long term. I hope it stays that way!

My doctor does not put you on a liquid only diet. She just requires you to lose 10% of your excess weight before surgery. I had 6 months to do it which was only 14 pounds. I am so "happy" she does not recommend the liquid diet pre op.

Hi, I also am on my pre-op diet, and I am having trouble losing 10 pounds!! I am on my protein shakes also. When is your surgery date? I don't have one yet, my info is going through insurance as we speak. Good luck to you!

Sometimes: I get mad just to get mad No one realizes: It is hard to be me I am so: glad I had the Lap Band People think: I am crazy for having so many dogs Tonight I: Will watch TV with Eddie It is hard to believe: I am wearing size 16 I realized that: I may never see myself as anything but heavy More than before: I wonder if I will regret not being able to have kids Obviously: I wish I could start over at age 20 I can't stop: Obsessing with the scale Nothing matters if: I didn't have my Eddie All I want is: Enough money, or a job to provide enough money to be stable Without even thinking: I know how many calories are in almost everything! It is clear to me that: People judge you no matter what size you are I dont know: What other people see when they look at me The only way: My way :-) sorry, but its true Its hard to tell: What others really think The only person: in this room with me is Piper - my dog It kills me that: Eddie has a Terminal Illness If I were: able to make my parents live forever I would It is not that I: Am vain, I just want to know what THIN feels like My life: Seems to be easier than most One thing I know is: I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband I would never: Say I told you so I can not stand: When people are late Im sick of: The Texas Heat of Summer Im afraid of: Losing someone I love The best: Is yet to come Its weird that: I just recently started using Myspace I do not have enough: Self-esteem I need: Clean House I love: My family, friends and dogs I tried: to ride on the back of Eddie's Motorcycle - but I really need a sissy bar I am starting to: Take SCUBA lessens For some reason: I worry so much about what other people think - Everyone has to like me I should: Finish College I cant: Stand Spiders, snakes and ticks Tomorrow: Zoe has a Vet's appointment I cant wait until: We can travel more I miss: Chris, Stacey, Jodi, Tina and Alisa I always: Show up 10 minutes early My parents: Are the best parents in the world Someone: Lives too far away - ROBIN My friends: Always make me feel better Valentines Day: Is a great date night Parties: Have too many people Why can't: I get motivated to go back to school I dont want: To be different I have to: CLEAN HOUSE! I will never: Give up on Medical Science Marriage: Isn't just for the good days. Children: Make the world fun It seems like: Time goes by much faster now than ever before I dread: Making mistakes School: Uhm, I need to go back, but feel like I am way too old The best food: Mexican Eventually: I will buy a purse for my concealed carry Everyday: I have to try to eat right and workout Rarely: Do I get angry I still cannot decide: Who else I want to go to the Toby Keith Concert with me I am hoping: My job to get busier The suspense: Is killing me It turns out: Life isn't over at 30 Everything: Happens for a reason Wendy

Sometimes: I get mad just to get mad No one realizes: It is hard to be me I am so: glad I had the Lap Band People think: I am crazy for having so many dogs Tonight I: Will watch TV with Eddie It is hard to believe: I am wearing size 16 I realized that: I may never see myself as anything but heavy More than before: I wonder if I will regret not being able to have kids Obviously: I wish I could start over at age 20 I can't stop: Obsessing with the scale Nothing matters if: I didn't have my Eddie All I want is: Enough money, or a job to provide enough money to be stable Without even thinking: I know how many calories are in almost everything! It is clear to me that: People judge you no matter what size you are I dont know: What other people see when they look at me The only way: My way :-) sorry, but its true Its hard to tell: What others really think The only person: in this room with me is Piper - my dog It kills me that: Eddie has a Terminal Illness If I were: able to make my parents live forever I would It is not that I: Am vain, I just want to know what THIN feels like My life: Seems to be easier than most One thing I know is: I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband I would never: Say I told you so I can not stand: When people are late Im sick of: The Texas Heat of Summer Im afraid of: Losing someone I love The best: Is yet to come Its weird that: I just recently started using Myspace I do not have enough: Self-esteem I need: Clean House I love: My family, friends and dogs I tried: to ride on the back of Eddie's Motorcycle - but I really need a sissy bar I am starting to: Take SCUBA lessens For some reason: I worry so much about what other people think - Everyone has to like me I should: Finish College I cant: Stand Spiders, snakes and ticks Tomorrow: Zoe has a Vet's appointment I cant wait until: We can travel more I miss: Chris, Stacey, Jodi, Tina and Alisa I always: Show up 10 minutes early My parents: Are the best parents in the world Someone: Lives too far away - ROBIN My friends: Always make me feel better Valentines Day: Is a great date night Parties: Have too many people Why can't: I get motivated to go back to school I dont want: To be different I have to: CLEAN HOUSE! I will never: Give up on Medical Science Marriage: Isn't just for the good days. Children: Make the world fun It seems like: Time goes by much faster now than ever before I dread: Making mistakes School: Uhm, I need to go back, but feel like I am way too old The best food: Mexican Eventually: I will buy a purse for my concealed carry Everyday: I have to try to eat right and workout Rarely: Do I get angry I still cannot decide: Who else I want to go to the Toby Keith Concert with me I am hoping: My job to get busier The suspense: Is killing me It turns out: Life isn't over at 30 Everything: Happens for a reason Wendy

I'm 9 or 10 weeks out. Mine are super light colored. Yellow or tan. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

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Congratulations.:clap2: They say every 10# we lose, affects our hormones and our fertility - so you're a prime example of that. I have no first hand knowledge of this (I'm very single, whew! :guess ) but lots of other LapBandTalk members have been there. Since so many Bandsters have been in your situation (do a keyword search here for PREGNANCY and you'll see the many threads about it) and please know that we have a bunch of very healthy Bandster Moms and Bandster Babies here. That's what's great about this tool - it can be adjusted to accommodate any situation. You'll do fine.

I made this Soup yesterday and it's super easy and tasty. It freezes great too, goes right into my freezer in 1/2 cup to 1 cup portions! Slow Cooker Ham and Great Northern Bean Soup http://soup-a-woman.blogspot.com/2012/10/deliberate-leftovers-slow-cooker-ham.html

I started at 238.4, I'm not quite 4 months out, exercise practically never, and I'm already at 193.6 (feeling like a slow loser compared to most on here!). So that puts me at within a half pound of your starting weight and already less than 10 lbs to their goal weight in 4 months, and I am by no means super strict about diet or exercise! So I think they're being very conservative. 140 is my goal too and my surgeon expects me to hit it around 12-15 months.

Everyone ends up with a different experience no matter which surgery you choose. I have a friend that is about four years post op, is struggling with anemia and has gained some ( maybe twenty to twenty five pounds) of the weight back. Has trouble with some Desserts with the dumping syndrome, but cheesecake( and some other desserts) are no problem. Some gastric bypass people gain their weight back and some Lap Band gain their weight back. For me, GBP was not an option. I could not get over the rerouting and bypassing of my stomach issue. As far as what you can eat after. That varies, too. Some banders choose a stronger level of restriction or band fill than others and with a strong fill level, it's possible to have difficulty with a larger variety of food. But having the flexibility with the band is something that bypass don't have. Their pouch is formed and that's it. No adjustment is possible. did your surgeon say why he thought GBP was better for you? Many surgeons prefer one procedure over another simply because they do more of them and a few might prefer it as ins. pays more. Or are they doing more Bypass because they keep recommending it? So far, I do not slime, I have had food stuck a couple times in the beginning stage of being banded. Why is it hard getting fills? It takes about a 10 min. appt for my fills and most of that time is talking to the PA about how I'm doing. Yes, losing weight is slower with bands but many GBP patients look wasted and gray in the first six months from the rapid weight loss and the malabsorbtion of nutrients. Both procedures have pros and cons. Keep reading and learning about both procedures and you'll be able to make your decision. There are forums that have more GBP people then banders, this site has mostly banders on it.

I have the same problem. I had surgery June 15th and I am still on liquids. I only consume 150-200 cals per day and maybe 10-20 grams of Protein. Nothing appeals to me except yogurt. I eat the Fage yogurt because it is high in protein. I was able to drink Protein shakes preop too, however now they make me retch. I was able to add some of the Protein powder to my yogurt and it went down okay. Hope you the chicken soup works for you.

For years - I have probably been up and down 40-50 lbs three or four times in my life - Adkins or Sugarbusters seemed to work the best on me. Now I find myself one month out of sleeve surgery and not able to eat red meat or chicken yet (which for years has been my mainstay - avoid the carbs and eat the lean meats right?). Since the surgery I am not hungry at all. The only way I know to eat is I get a weird kind of pain in the middle of my back and realize it is meal time. Presurgery I did the shakes and protein pudding and lost some pounds and thought the shakes would work for me after surgery. I am not sure what happened but since the surgery the shakes make me GAG. It is so weird to have to 'make" myself eat something. After years of being able to eat everything and anything.....I find myself standing in the kitchen scratching my head ALOT. I am really not hungry. I think to myself "drink the shake" and almost immediatly think "barf". I have ordered the chicken soup with protein added. I am hoping when it gets here that will help my problem. I really can't eat enough real food right now to meet the protein 40-50 mark and I really just can't do the shakes. Will there come a time when I can eat enough meat to not have to do the protein supplements? Will it hurt for now if I only get 30 ish of protein for the next couple of weeks? I am loosing alot of weight and my energy and stamina feel fine. I have lost 37 lbs so far (10 were presurgery). Thanks for any suggestions.

@Sherrie ScharbroughI don't have a lot of weight in my upper stomach. Insurance is paying for mine as well. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience! They are doing a mons lift as well. This is kind of an in between surgery as I am not at goal yet but need this skin taken off now. As long as I don't have a terrible experience I will most likely need a revision tummy tuck that will focus more on shaping. Thank you! @Julie nortonThanks! I'm hopibng it only takes me 10 days to feel better! I don't usually do well after surgery @Suaniya Thank you!!

I had gall blatter removed 2/22/10 then on 4/29 I had Lap Band now thurs. I am having Breast Lift/ reduction. With Lap Band I was so prepared. I new what to expect before durring and after. Mainly b/c of this forum. I am mostly dreading my Breast surgery and I am very nervous. Can anybody share thier experience with me. Good, bad or the ugly. The Dr. has told me the medical side of it. But I really like hearring from people who have been through it. Thank you so much. Teri

I had the band for 10 years. I chose 2 separate surgeries to revise because 3.5 years ago there wasn't that much evidence but it seemed safer. I had no complications. What does surgeon say about risks in 1 surgery vs 2? I think revisions have "about" double the complication rare as virgin sleevers but it's still low.

So here I am having lost 128 pounds, joined a softball team.. feeling terrific.. and it hasn't even been a year! I keep thinking how amazing it is. I am still losing at a pretty good clip. I am not thinking about food at all. I eat when I am hungry and have so much energy it is amazing. Last year at this time I would have been thinking about what was I going to have for lunch what was I going to make for dinner etc. Now I don't even have thoughts like that. It is amazing. I also have to say .. my sex life with hubby has always been awesome but holy crap it's out of this world now! We are like newlyweds! Can you tell I am loving life? If not I AM LOVING LIFE! Praise God for my lapband!

I am FAR from skin and bones, but I am very comfortable at my size. I am having a TT in July so I will lose the rest of my problem area. My goal weight was actually increased by 10 pounds until the TT. Then I will reevaluate. I hate the scale...don't get me wrong, I am addicted...but I still hate it. I have decided that I don't care what it says. I can get into size 6 clothes...Even if the BMI chart says that I am still overweight...I think the size 6 says I am not! It is all about being comfortable AND healthy. I was NEVER comfortable at a size 24 and 250 pounds!