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Tonight, a very dear friend of mine and her hubby came to visit us and I don't see her very often, so I chose to tell her about my upcoming surgery. Needless to say she was shocked. She desperately tried to talk me out of it. Asked me if I would try one more time to go to weight watchers, go to the gym , etc... I told her thst I'm 45 years old and yes have had great success with all the programs, etc... But each time the weight came back on and more so the time is now to get something done. I came to a realization tonight that people are not so much angry with me for doing this, they are more just worried about the surgery, etc... I realize some will never understand "why" even though I try to do my best explaining so I really need to just not listen to them.

I am very scared cause as of my nut appt i am up 13lbs from my original surgeons visit weight! And they wanted me to lose 10... yikes! so the next 2 months i have to lose 23 lbs, or i am guessing i can't get the surgery on time. OH BOY!!!

Hello, So i started my Pre-op nutrition visits, and the first month I GAINED WEIGHT! 6 lbs. I am trying to get back on track now, because I have gained about 15lbs since my initial consult with my surgeon. Is there anyone else out there that gained during their insurance approval nutrition visits?

You're NOT too far out for an incision to be leaking, nor are you too far out for a stomach leak. HOWEVER, you probably don't have a leak. It's very rare to have a leak and you don't mention any of the symptoms that others have mentioned when they did have leaks. As for feeling crummy, you may still be reacting to the anesthetic given to you during surgery. Also, your body may require a lot of your energy to heal, which will also leave you feeling blah. It does take a while to heal and get that energy boost for many people. Be prepared because most sleevers experience a weight loss stall at 3 weeks out. It's perfectly normal and is related to the surgery. Our bodies hold onto weight for a few days to a few weeks because we have suddenly changed how much fuel we are putting into them. It will pass. Many doctors keep their patients on liquids for up to 4 weeks, so if you don't feel ready for pureed foods yet, don't worry about it. However, being on only liquids may be contributing to your tired/crummy feelings. It's tough to get in enough calories on liquids alone, so you may want to try adding some pureed food to your daily diet. You might find that it helps you feel more alert. Maybe try some watered down mashed potatoes or some strained cream Soup. I even liked the liquid from egg drop soup at this point. Also, and this will probably sound strange, are you walking and getting any exercise in? Exercise plays a big role in how good we feel about ourselves, helps with weight loss, and may encourage you to eat/drink more. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!

Hi Elcee, They had to completely unfill due to all of the swelling. I allowed a month to go by barely eating anything as I thought it was me and the last week I could barely keep liquids down. So he stated due to the urgency of the situation we had to unfill completely to allow healing. He explained it as it was like I just had the surgery. He is also very reserved and the first fill I had 4cc put back in and the last one only 1 cc. He says it is fine and the weight gain is normal, however I am an all or nothing person. When I see one pound gained it is like 100 to me. I feel great physically, but mentally I am a mess.

I like the idea of a child being able to avoid painful, obese teenage years. But in reality, I just dont think an average child of that age can handle the work it takes to lose weight - with a lapband or without.

Teens typically make better patients than adults. They are not trying to find ways around the docs instructions, they do as they are told. I'm all for it. I think it's great. Bands or sleeves, either one. I'm not supportive of bypass in a teen but I am bands and sleeves. Why should a kid suffer obesity? I had a Mom PM me the other day regarding her 13 year old son with a BMI of 52. What will his BMI be by the time he's 18? He could well be dead by the time he's old enough to make his own decision. He already has high blood pressure and diabetes. Kids can't lose all this weight any better than we can. Why wouldn't they deserve the same chance at a life saving surgery?

I started the C to 5k program last april....9 week program.....took me about 15 weeks to complete because if I hit a roadblock during a given week, I would go back and start the entire week over. I then moved on to the C to 10k.... Now, I run 5 miles, 5 days per week...... I had hit my weight loss goal months ago, but running has caused me to continue to drop clothing sizes.....changes your body, for sure! Did I mention I'm 61 years old and had one heart attack? resulting in coronary surgery? Because of the Lap band, loosing weight and starting a rigorous exercise routine, my cardiologist and other Dr.'s say I am their most remarkable patient! Thank You LAB BAND!!!!

Honestly.... I know its hard to do- stop stressing and obsessing over it-- your body will react to stress by holding on to weight.... take one weekend- and jsut relax- dont think about the band - or exercise.... just be normal.... take a 2 day vacation from it.. then Monday hit the gym... I promise- everytime i was stressing over the scale not moving-- it got worse- out of frustration on weekend I said - FORGET IT... and let lose- went out to eat with friends.... slept in instead of hitting the gym.... and just lived life... got up Monday morning dreading geting on that scale--- it was down! So i started back with my routine again.... Sometimes you need to let yourself relax ...I know easier said than done.... I need to follow my words of wisdom.

I am in the process of getting approval with Aetna. My doctor told me stay confident that I will get approval but I was curious about one thing. I currently have a 40.5 BMI and meet all the requirements for my doctor. My one concern is that they require a 2-year of BMI history of being over weight. Do you have to have a 2 year weight history of a BMI over 40 or just an overweight BMI?? Over the past two years I have gained about 40 lbs due to a thyroid problem, which in turn makes it much harder to loose weight. Some of my weights from 2010 and 2011 only show a 33-34 BMI. Do you think this will keep me back from getting approval? Any feedback from others who have been approved by Aetna would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you in advance! -Mandy

It's difficult to say...I had to submit 3 years of medical records, most of which of that time I did not even have my weight recorded. They placed alot of "weight" (please excuse the play on words...) on my physician's letter of medical necessity which stated that my weight issues had been present and steadily have gotten worse during the time he has been my doctor (around 9 years). Do you have any weight related comorbidities? When I was approved by Aetna for my surgery, my BMI was under 40, however I had several weight related comorbidities.

i love reading everyone's comments to each other, because I can't believe how many emotions i can go thru in 1 day! I'm excited, nervous, anxious... and have felt the OMG moments of removing part of me. BUT... i'm down 25 lbs on pre surgery diet, and i can't wait for some help to continue this. I can't even remebr the last time i lost weight. I'm on my protein shake countdown before surgery, and I try not to think about it, but here i am. i have to be at the hospital early wednesday morn, and I'm first on the or list for the day. wish me luck....

I agree with her. I have seen a lot of postings about bypass patients gaining weight back and stretching their new stomachs. I like the fact that I control the fill levels so that will not happen. I love my band and I wouldn't have it any other way. With that being said, you have to realize that the weight loss is slower with the band. I have the feeling that it can be kept off for a longer period of time though.

One of the reasons I chose the band was because of the long-term prospects. At 5 years out, the weight loss between the band and bypass is the same, from what I could find. And with the bypass, you don't have any way to adjust it later if need be. Pouches stretch out, and the body adapts to the malabsorption. With the band, it can be adjusted however your body needs it to be as you go along. That was very appealing to me.

Hi everyone lets get together and send up prayers for all the March 19 sleeves. Please post to let everyone know that your surgery went fine and anything else you like to add. Set weight loss goals for six months after surgery. I will be first my six month goal is 60 pounds gone by by.

i think you should go as long as you can without a fill. Ask your doctor what he/she thinks but there are many people on this board who have lost a lot weight without a fill. I am not so lucky i have had 4 fills and i think i need one more tweak to get to the green zone Good luck and great job losing 24 pounds

7 months out and gained an 1 1/2 back in my waist. I've been stuck for a month? Any one else expereince this?

Global Warming People are after us... http://www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org/news/article-info/2617/scots-researchers-suggest-link-between-obesity-and-global-warming.aspx

I am scheduled for my first fill tomorrow. I am very nervous because the Physicians Assistant is doing it not my Dr. I remember her saying that if I lost enought weight she would not need to do a fill. However, I lost about 22 pounds in 7 weeks and it has come to a halt this week. I am very pleased so far (not complaining) but I kind of hope she will do the fill. How bad does it hurt and how do they find that little port under your skin?

My doctor gave me the okay to start cardio exercise 1 week post-op. She told me to go ahead and start slow enough that I could hold a regular conversation with someone while on the treadmill or walking without needing to take deep breaths or gasp for air. 10-15 minutes to start, 1-2 times a day. Stop if you feel uncomfy, just listen to your body. More vigorous exercise that use your abs or include high intensity workouts or lifting weights shouldn't happen until at least 6 weeks post-op, or until you're given the okay by your doctor. But during the next 5 weeks, if you feel good enough, you can increase your cardio time to 30minutes at a time. Check with your doctor first, of course, but this is just what my doc told me! Hope everything goes well!

Okay, so I had the lap band surgery on August 30th 2011 and it went perfectly. I got home and was dropping weight (24 lbs within the first 2 weeks). I suspect this was simply due to the liquid diet that followed the surgery. Fast forward, it is no October 13th 2011 and I'm staying staying right about 257 and can't seem to get bellow that dispite walking everyday. I have lost inches however. I am now considering trying NutriSystem or Weight Watchers to help. Anyone have any suggestions on how to start getting the weight to start going down? I must be doind something wrong.

Allright I have been sitting back and reading every post of here for the past month-ish and Now I think I will write about me. Im 24 I live in Vancouver Canada, I have a 4.5yr old little girl. All my life I have been overweight. I did weight watcher when I was 12 I think maybe even 11.. and until now ive tried it probly 8 times.........when I was 15 it Turned out I had a mass ovarian cycst (22lb tumor) I was huge !!!anyways long story short ...I had major surgery, had to be on bedrest for 3 months. I gained more weight again since I couldnt do anything really! finally I was ona family road trip and in a magazine I bought was a free "south beach diet" book my mom read it and said she was going to try it when we got home I agreed and no one thought I could do it... well after 8 months I lost 60 lbs... I was looking amazing! My Grad year was great I met a guy who was a bit older my first "real" bf... one year later I got pregnant, gained weight back and then some and couldnt loose it after... My relashonaship was rough we fought alot, I had some unerlying depression and anxiety and I tend to be a "emtional eater" ...well it just got worse and worse and worse after being with him for 4 years he was getting to mentally and emotionally abusive I had gaine a fair amount of weight and was misirable due to all situations around me. its been 2 years since being with my ex and lets just say things got even worse...seems to be a pattern?? Honestly I just donnt get how I let this happen to me. I kept seeing the numbers get higher and thinking oh okay ill try harder at this lbs and then id pass that mark and think okay this time! Then I too embarrased to goto Weight Watchers, my anxeity has been getting worse and worse. My weight is ruining me. I cant have as much fun with my daughter.. cause im to tired!...I cant do ALOT of things. and i am tired of it. I am not ready to say my weight yet.. but I can truthfully say it is high then most people on here... I have made the decision to do something about it... I told my parents about the lapsleeve surgery, I did a lot of research for 2 weeks while they were away on a trip, I went to the seminar with my sister who I told about this cause I was driving myself mental on if I should or shouldnt do it. ...My parents have decided to help me out with this, not because they can but becausethey know who I really am, and I am not shining the way I should be. I am going to Puget Sound Surgical Center in Edmond, WA so just over the border. Canadian insurance wont cover it of course, so $17,000 includes 2 years after care program with nutritionist, deitition. its alot of money but I think its worth my life...... I go for my pre-op this Wednesday Oct 20!!! I am SOOOOO nervous! the surgery will be soon after they are saying Mid November!....I am excited but very scared! Theres always what if I dont wake up from surgery and i leave my little girl behind without a mom... ahh tears well when I talk about it. I have tuns of family support which is great. I just hope I can change the way I think sometimes..... Well there it is! I will let you know how Wednesday goes I am doing a surgan consult, psyc asses, and nutrionist assesment...

I was already on the following plan when I started my 3-month supervised plan: 1200 calories a day + exercise calories Low carb (10g or less per meal) Lean Proteins Exercise 4-5 days a week (3 days weights + cardio, 2 days cardio only). My cardio preference is HIIT on elliptical. My nutritionist approved my plan an I continued doing that until my pre-op. Best wish on your journey!

If you feel you are getting the proper signals from your band, maybe you don't need one! You don't HAVE to have a fill every 4 weeks (some people do need that, but others don't). If the visit isn't costing you anything, then why not go, consult with your doc and see what he says? If you feel you don't need it, wait another 4 weeks and see where you're at. As long as your weight is going down, all is good!

I went to my preop appointment yesterday it went well. My boyfriend has also started his weight loss journey. even though he will be sleeved after me we are kind of doing this together, and we support each other