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8 weeks out and lost 32 pounds. I feel so much better. I'd do it again a million times over.

So this is me. My name is Kathi, 28 years old, 165cm tall and 143kgs. I've been tooing and froing about getting bariatric suregery for 2 years now. I have been big most of my life. Teased by kids as I'm sure many of you can relate to, and even worse have been discriminated against in all areas of life due to my size, including being passed over for promotions and postings to foreign climes. So not fair! So 2 years ago I got on track to get a lapband... I was scared and had a lot going on in my life at the time: Broken up relationship, job going weird, and many other things, so I chickened out after seeing the surgeon. Now, I have matured and come to know myself more (its amazing what you find out about yourself when you lose the deadwood of a bad relationship and a bad job). Now I have realised that I need this tool to stop me becoming what I see my whole family becoming. I dont want Diabetes, or heart problems, I dont want to be immobile, I dont want to be prejudiced against anymore. I have tried everything! fad diets, weight watchers, diet pills, you name it So here I am, Surgery booked in for 30 November. My Parents are giving me a loan to have it done (not that they can really afford it though, but they know its what I need...), and I will be paying it off for the next 5 years. But I feel its worth it. I now have 6 weeks of preop diet in front of me, plus learning to eat, exercise, and change the way I think. Its a hard road, but I'm hoping at the end of it, the rny will be a life saver. I'm on Day 2 of pre op diet. I think taking all things in context it's been successful. Minor slip ups, but I'm proud of my salmon, bok choi and broccoli in the face of others eating a mountain of pizza around me that I was pretty strong to only steal 2 bites of pizza. Still not ideal, but better than caving and eating a half pizza like I normally would. Plus going to 3 pubs this weekend and only having a tiny taste of beers that the others bought. I have the motivation, I just hope I can hold onto it! 40 minute wii dance workout this evening - so shattered. My cat thinks I'm crazy, but what does she know, she's a cat! I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you, and sharing in yours along the way

Hello! I have a question? I am on puréed proteins for a week. I had my surgery on March 3rd. When I eat I am never getting that really full feeling like I thought I would get. I just get a tightness feeling right in the middle of my cheat when I am done with food. Does that mean you are full? Thanks everyone!

They do contain them but the majority of the protein is collagen from my understanding and research. Thats why most of them recommend to take it with food, to aid absorption. It is very confusing..I asked my dietician and she said they were fine but to be aware of the amount of sugar. I have heard others say that they are crap but there are also people who came to the same conclusion as I did. *shrug I am not sure. I have been using them to subsidize the amount of protein I get, because I don't have the capacity to eat all of my protein and I have been fine. My first month labs will be done this week so I will let you know how the come out.

Update: I had 1cc removed and feel much better! I will probably need some put back in soon, but their philosophy was better safe than sorry and after a week of misery, I can appreciate that

To me this is normal. I was banded on 12/14 and just this week the swelling on the port incision is subsiding. O have a small bump right under the port incision and it's still a bit sore but nothing to worry about!

I agree!! I was just saying at a support group last night that if I were to get in this situation I'd go liquids for a WEEK to let things settle down. Allowing this cycle to continue could lead to real problems over time. Take it GENTLY and realize you have to heal before you can move forward.

Oh yeah I'm so exited I go Wednesday to check incisions and maybe get out on mushies. But I've already lost 25 lbs from pre diet and this week. This is great so far I'm scared to go through banister hell as everyone calls it.

So are you going to do like one picture per week ?

So....tomorrow is 5 weeks post op. Monday I started hurting extremely bad in my shoulders and sternum. I thought it was gas and would pass. Tuesday morning I called my mom to take me to the ER....we got there about 9:30am...little did I know what was going to take place. After xrays and a ct scan it became known I had a perforation where my esophagus meets my stomach. So then off to emergency surgery. Now I have drain tubes and feel like I've had to start all over again. Back on fluids only. I'm so thankful no infection had started to set in. Very fortunate in that aspect. I'm so sore and ready to be 100%. I've had horrible luck with this.

You're too early out, don't worry about calories just worry about getting your protein which will probably mostly be from your protein drink. I am 8 weeks and depending on what I eat I am mostly around 500 to 600 calories but I worry more about my protein and carbs.

Thank you guys . . . I have good news . . . I think, online I show that I have been approved to see Spiegel for 6 visits - I hope that means that the surgery is approved. I am going to his seminar/consult next week - at least I know that will be paid for. I have been floating all day today. :-)

Hello all! I have been reading this site for a few weeks now. I have gotten so far as to get the referral from my PCM - awaiting authorization through my insurance (Tricare) You guys have given me so much support - lol, without you knowing it. I just wanted to say "thank you". My referral is to Felix Spiegel. After reading so much, I know a lot of you have been banded by him. It has been great to hear your perspectives. Hopefully I can tell you all soon that I have my authorization. I soooo want to be a part of the "banded crowd" :-)

First of all congratulations on a job well done!! And next thank you for your perspective on carbs. I've been lazy lately and have hit a 6 month stall that is totally self inflicted. TOO MANY CARBS. Time for this old girl to get back on the wagon. Again thanks for sharing and motivating.

I didn't get the gout.... however, I do have an auto immune disease and I certainly did have a terribly painful flare up of my joints. I am feeling great now and am three months post op.

Went to the seminar last tuesday.. Met with the NP on tuesday. I see the NUT & Pych next week... Things are moving right along... Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have been banded for one week also and was craving something else besides clear broth so, I added in some meats and veggies, garlic, pepper, etc. then strained it. It added so much more flavor...and helped me a lot. p.s. How have you lost so much weight so far? You've only been banded a week???

Is your preop diet all liquid? I was able to do a Protein shake in the morning with fat free milk, a Protein Bar for lunch (Quest bars are good) a shake for snack then dinner which I stuck to chicken and fish with a mix veggie or broccoli. I would suggest cutting out one meal not and doing a Protein Shake replacement to get use to the process. I did three weeks of the preop diet. I did two shakes a day and for dinner ate what I wanted but not a overload of food. That was for the first week.

I feel so terrible. Like I'm not myself at all. I woke up this morning feeling horrible. My tummy was making weird noises and tryin to get up was like a act of god. I don't know if it's stress that's taking a toll on my body or what (had VSG 4/10/12). I am a 25 y/o college student and finishing my finals this week. One class has me so stressed since I fell behind with surgery. I don't know if it is that now with stress I have to be super careful because of the surgery it could be more harmful? I'm just confused. I hate this feeling. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I can't tell you how many times I have read on the forum not to expect too much if you are over 50!! That is just nutty. My mantra is "Who's Universe is this?" IF I buy into someone else's Belief System [bS], then THAT is what I am stuck with. Hey--I was stuck in a rut before my WLS. Dr. Aceves told me before surgery in a 45 minute consulation about what to expect with the RESULTS from this surgery that HE would deliver 50% to me -- but the other 50% was up to ME. 10 words 20 letters IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME No one is going to do this for you. NOW is the time to get into relationship with your body in a way that you never have done before. Learn how to be a Body Listener--not a Body Big Mouth. What do I mean? I was told to TEST one food at a time. NOW just because suzy-q on the Forum can eat something post-op, does not mean that I can eat the same thing. So testing means I try to eat something--and if--my body says NO...then it is a NO. Don't try to override in your HEAD what your BODY is communicating to you.I read about the number of people who are NOT losing, who have gained __# of pounds and are shocked, or they are throwing up all of the time. To those people I would say to use a little SALT: Stop-Action ... Listen-Think. IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME Stop what HURTS, stop what makes you throw up, stop trying to be your old SELF, stop trying to be like someone else. Stop those Actions. LISTEN to your body. Obey your body. THINK about it. THINK about what is no longer working, TEST it for yourself, Test it again and again if you need proof, and then BELIEVE what your body is telling you. Are you using a food journal? IF so, this is a great place to post your discoveries. For example, here we are in the middle of the summer and there are lots of BBQ's going on. Body Big Mouth wanted a BBQ'd cheese burger with dill pickles. So I tested. I ate 2-3 bites and the food was so HEAVY that I did throw up, then I had to sleep for a couple of hours to feel better. But Body Big Mouth did not give up. I waited a week or two and I wanted what I wanted. Test it. SSDD Same Stuff Different Day I ate 2-3 bites and the meat was so HEAVY that I threw up, and then had to sleep for a couple of hours to feel better. Now Body Big Mouth still wanted what I wanted, waited a week or two and decided to test it again. I ate 2-3 bites, the meat was so heavy that my body hurt. SSDD Stop-Action ... Listen-Think IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME After three tests, notes in my journal, I realized that I was not being a Body Listener ... I was being a Body Big Mouth--I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it--I did not want the results that I was getting--my Ego was louder than my Body-Talk and I was not listening. So back to being a Body Listener. Back to doing what works for my body. I have lost 45 pounds in 90 days by realizing that Dr. Aceves gave me the vehicle for a new body. Now I have to retrain my MIND and my MOUTH to be in relationship with my new vehicle. I need to know when to throw on the BREAKS and Stop-Action...Listen-Think. I have to understand that this is a journey of Self determination and my surgeon gave me the support that I need. He did all he could do--he did his part. Now I have to do my part. IF IT IS TO BE -- IT IS UP TO ME Be a Body Listener. Will you please post your thoughts on how you have become a body listener for yourself? Here are my Before - After pictures [so far] on YouTubes

I had sleeve surgery on December 30. I lost 10lbs in a week but starting this week I have gained 4 pounds. I have been doing everything the doctor told me to, so is this normal?

I was sleeved about a month before you two and about a month ago I went through a few weeks where I was eating 1300-1400 calories a day. Scared the crap out of me! Then I just couldn't. Now I'm back down to 600-800 calories a day again. I don't know, Weird. ..

Hello all, Last time I posted I was at a stall. This time I am posting because guess what....I am at another stall. I am at 200.0 and have been for about 2 weeks and just can't seem to get down, I am starting to incorporate more excersize, and could use some advice for getting more protein in. As always any and all suggestions are welcomed. Thanks. Nellybell

Wayne, even if you did come last, you will be streets ahead of all the folk still at home in their beds. For that reason every entrant in a race is worthy of respect. And you wont be last anyway. There's always amazing people like 95 year olds or disabled people and such getting out there having a go, who are happy to just be out there but generally come in way behind the average aged, average ability people. 5K is very achievable, you can train up for it in a matter of weeks and its short enough that you can run it with a bit of pace. Have a go, you'll get hooked and be doing 10k's before you know it and then you can REALLY burn some calories!

Hi everyone, thought I would finally post this question since the issue has not resolved itself as I was hoping it might. Did anyone else experience pain in the throat after surgery? It is hard to describe what I am feeling but I will try. I am 9 weeks post-op and have felt this pain in the back of my throat ever since surgery, especially when I lay on my back. When I go to bed at night and am lying on my back I can feel it. If I breathe deeply the pain intensifies. I had a bad experince a couple of weeks ago when I went for a massage. I started out on my stomach and everything was fine but when I turned onto my back, the pain in my throat was very bad and I immediately got very nauseous. I sat up immediately and managed to control the urge to spew everywhere. I have been discussing this with my surgeon and he has never heard of this but is still working on figuring it out. Has anyone else ever experienced this? Thanks for listening.