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If the band is supposed to control my hunger then, it's not. Was I not clear in my note? My doctor asks me can you eat a hamburger with bread ( not DID you, COULD you) so that's my benchmark. I can still eat a hamburger if I wanted to which is why I feel something may be wrong. I'm at 7cc and have a 10 cc band.

I think this is the best place to vent. Most all bandesters go through this hell. The liquid faze whether before or after surgery is HARD. Our minds always think of food, the TV shows all that we are missing, it's plain hard. I too am about 10 days out and can't wait till real food is back on my list of approved foods. Although I am not looking forwrd to the PB that may come. I hope I can remember small small bites and chew chew chew.

HI..Just a little bit about myself.. My insurance will not pay as well. I have been researching and researching. I have choosen to have surgery in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. My schedule date is Nov 14th. I have asked and asked on this board about Mexico and about the Doctors. I made my decision due to the fact that I found out that Dr. Ortiz is a teaching doctor and the doctor that I have chose to use after my surgery in the United States, was proctored by Dr. Ortiz. Carolyn that works for Dr. Ortiz is wonderful and she will answer any and all (trust me, I think I have emailed her 10 million times)of your questions. ....Good Luck with your choice....

My surgeon's rule of thumb for everything was "if it hurts don't do it"... and of course not to drive if I was taking my medication (which I only did for a couple of days). I found that the first time I tried to drive it was uncomfortable, so I asked my mom to take over... BUT I drive a standard car, so I had to use both legs and both arms and it wasn't just brake and gas etc. Since I am short I also have to actually extend my foot to properly reach the clutch and that pulled on my lower abs, which pulled on my incisions. Around day 10 though I had no issues at all pain wise. At that point my drain was also removed which made everything easier lol. I truly think it is individual. If you feel comfortable and you aren't taking any narcotics then go for it. Since our surgery is laproscopic we heal much faster so we can go back to our normal lives much quicker.

I just had a fill yesterday and this morning I had some quiche for breakfast around 7:45 and it's 1:10 and I'm still stuffed. Is it okay to skip a meal?

Where is everyone getting the ticker tapes from. Had surgery 09/23/08 and today 09/27/08 was the first time on scale in a week, and i am down 10 lbs

Glad I could help Mac. These bands can be so fickle. I am up at 4:30 each morning but don't have breakfast until my stomach growls, usually 6:30 or so (per doc's order). Then by 9:30 it is growling again no matter how much protein I have at breakfast - I try to put it off for an hour and usually have lunch between 10:30 and 11. Luckily my employer is flexible with my lunch breaks. Then I can go until 5-6 p.m. before dinner. I don't get it! I talked with my doctor's office and they said my body may just need lunch that early, as long as I can go that long between lunch and dinner they said not to worry about it. It's a learning curve!! Good luck with your recent fill!

Hey! I got banded last tues... (11/10/09) I did good on the next day. But then yesterday I felt awful! nauseous, & stuck. This morning I felt a bit better, but then when I started to drink down the liquids, I started to feel the same way as I did yesterday- stuck. Felt like there was no air in my stomach, it made me nauseous & dizzy! I called my nurse, she kept saying keep drinking - you need 64 oz of liquids a day... I cant keep drinking if I feel like throwing up did you go through this in ur first week? what do you suggest? thanks!

I have to wonder if they prefilled your band some....please ask that question. Weigh yourself tonight and tomorrow and if you lose 2 more pounds from vomitting please go to the ER or call your surgical on call service. In the meantime, sugar free jello and popsicles count as liquids and try to keep drinking even if it is a spoonful every 10 minutes. Best wishes and let us know how you do. Mimi

I am 10 days out post op. Wondering if I could melt some cheese on my soup for added nutrition??? Having a hard time getting on my calories.

Well, we did it, Dr. Seger and I. He'd had a tough time without my help. I went in at 10:00 AM and got to my room around 12:15 PM. I spent two nights in the hospital enjoying the best care a person could possibly get. I started this journey at 335 lbs and today weighted in at 299. I'm in the middle of my clear liquid diet and am doing well. I've had two total knee replacements in pervious years and can already feel the releif the weight loss is bringing to my joints. I am a diabetic and have not needed insulin at all since two days prior to going into the hospital; because of the pre-surgery weight loss diet. If you haven't already figured it out, I am excited about my future weight loss and I am happy to be on this journey with you all. One final note, a thank you to Forensikchic for her conviencing talk at the seminar I attended and her more recent encouragements.

I was also sleeved 10/15/2014. I am doing well. I have lost 24 pounds in four days. With pre op and post op diet I have lost 40 pounds. How are you?

I have researched VSG thouroughly especially doctors opinions on the procedure and what the future holds. There is a video on YouTube with two of the worlds most famous bariatric surgeons and they are asked what the future holds in regards to WLS. There response was that the band will be obsolete because it is not meant for long term and Sleeve will increase by 40% along with 30% of RNY.. They go into detail about why they think this is the case and I tend to agree with this concept.. As long as you take your supplements and get in your protein then 10-20 years from now we will be here to see the latest WLS gatchet... they are always pioneering old procedures with more advanced. Soon the sleeve will be just as common as insulin, as treatment for obesity.. i'm glad to get in on it now.

I think back to a year ago, and I had just gotten approval from my insurance company, and scheduled my sugery. What a difference a year makes! I walked into surgery weighing 277lbs - this morning on my scale, I weighed in at 193lbs. 193 lbs in 11 months - holy smokes. I always wanted to be a thinner woman - and not be the biggest mom in the group, and cringing when boarding an airplane hoping the belt would buckle. I wanted to fit in the desks at back to school night, and wanted to stop undoing my pants on my drive home, since I had stuffed myself into a too tight pair of jeans rather than buy a larger size. I wanted to look in a mirror and not cringe, I wanted to buy clothes in the regular ladies section, not the plus sized section of the stores. I wanted that - and went on so many diets in an effort to acheive it - but always failed. I wore a 26/28 shirt, or a 3XL, and squeezed into 24 jeans, but really should have been in 26's. I muffin-topped out of every single bra I owned. Not now - October 19, 2009 was a day that will forever be noted on my calendar as a second birthday, if you will. My rebirth - the day the NEW me came into being. I have joined the gym, I walk several times a week, I don't just sit on the couch anymore! I wear a large t-shirt, and bought size 16 jeans today (whoohoo!) and they fit comfortably (meaning no unzip on the way home from work!). I bought a sweatshirt in a large, too, since the XL was just too big and the arms way too long (why do clothing people always think heavy people have REALLY long arms!!!) I have new goals - such as hitting the 100lbs down mark by the time 2011 arrives - and trying to figure out what to do with my boobs, which now look like two deflated beach balls, altho they easily stuff into anything these days. I also would really like to see what buying size 12 jeans feels like! THAT would be awesome! 11 months...and I am happy with my progress so far! This has certainly been a journey - but one I wish I had the courage to make years ago, instead of waiting so long! I cannot wait to see what the next 11 months have in store!

Unfortunately, there is not going to be one set answer for all people - and even the "experts" argue about the best way to go about weightloss. So be suspect of anyone who claims to have all the magic answers - I'm not sure they exist. At least not in one composite body of knowledge. My suggestion is to do some www.google.com searches on the key words you're interested in: optimum weightloss nutrition, basal metabolism, etc. You will find a lot of conflicting info, so you'll have to decide what makes the most sense to you, or find someone you trust who "witnesses" for a certain way, etc. I am trying to keep my daily caloric intake at no less than my basal metabolism requirement, plus up to 200 calories more a day. I am losing, but not like you are looking to do - I have long plateaus. My average is good, but... I am not down 6-10 pounds at the end of each month. My way is working for me, but if I fixated on losing a minimum of 6 pounds each and every month I would be a very unhappy camper. Again - that's pretty much what my average is to date!! But these last six pounds have come off between March 28 and May 15, with lots of ups and downs in between.

So I seem to be losing 10 pounds a month (including my preop diet). I started at 240, so not too terribly high, but I'm out three full months now and only down 42 pounds. I need to be down another 18 pounds by the end of september to be ready for my breast reduction/lift and I'm so nervous! I have been running 3-9 miles a week trying to push it so hard but the slowing down is killing me. I'm trying to remember that it's not just weight, but measurements and muscle. I lost 6 inches in my waist last month so i know I'm shifting weight to muscle, but it's hard not to feel discouraged. pics attached, first one in black outfit is before, then suit jacket and animal print recent pics How is everything going for my fellow April sleevers?!!?!?!? Before surgery After Surgery

For me, I did better being under scrutiny. I posted on FB from the first day, and put pictures up every time I lost 15 pounds so my friends could see where I had been and where I had gone. I also thought that it would be a kind of chronicle of my experiences for those friends who might want to know what having the surgery was really like. And, for me, knowing that I had committed to post every 15 pounds lost and setting realistic deadlines for accomplishing each 15-pound loss, gave me something to shoot for, and got a lot of people rooting for me and encouraging me onward. All my friends wanted me to succeed, now fail. I am now 10-1/2 months post sleeve, and I have lost 92 pounds and gone from a size 2X to a size XS in bottoms and a size S in tops. My friends on FB have been right there with me every step of the way cheering me on, and became a motivation for me not to fail, and to keep going to I could keep posting positive results. So, I say, don't hide from your co-workers and friends. Enlist their aid in helping you along your journey. You can do it, and your friends will cheer you on every step of the way.

So this 25 pounds......it's your nutritionist's goal but NOT an insurance requirement, right? If so, you'll be fine. The 6 month diet is a great way to make the needed changes before surgery. I used every month of mine to change my diet, increase exercise, and practice some post op stuff. I'm about 4 months post op but haven't had caffeine or carbonation in almost 10. It makes your post op SO much easier! During my 6 months I think I only lost 15 pounds....and most of that was during the 2 week preop diet I had. Don't expect any miracles during those 6 months because it's not gonna happen. Just keep your eyes on the prize. You sound like you're doing great so far! The holidays are rough on everyone. I avoided the Thanksgiving temptations because I was at work but I already dread Christmas. Just going to the grocery store is torture right now lol

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???

Yes, welcome to bandster hell...it is such a miserable place to be, but we have ALL been there! You have to be diligent with getting your fills and you WILL get out of there, I promise! I have found if you call your doctor's office 4-5 days after a fill and tell them you have no change in restriction a lot of times they will schedule you to come in sooner for another one....don't be shy in asking for what you need to! Unfortunately until you get to a place where you feel true restriction you will feel as if this is a diet and it is SO not fun....but please know we are here to support you, anger, frustration...we have ALL been there and understand what you are feeling! I am "only" 10 lbs or so from my goal....but I have been going up and down 2-3 lbs for months now...which has totally frustrated me to no end! But I know it is the choices I am making in my foods and splurging too much with birthdays, etc...so I have to buckle down and get to exercising, too! Do what you can to make small changes....they will add up!

Hi Bryn, I too started over on Lapbandtalk.com, but wanted to do plenty of research before coming to a decision. Once I started seriously considering the long term complications of the band I decided it wasn't for me and looked for an alternative. The bypass was never an option for me due to bowel issues, so that left the sleeve. It sounded terrifying at first, and I almost scrapped the idea. But after chatting to these guys on here for a month or so and doing tons of research, I decided to go ahead privately as I live in Guernsey and the local health department do not financially support WLS of any kind. I was sleeved 10 days ago in Southampton, and recovery is going well. I am SO happy I didn't go with the band. You're in the right place for support and helpful information, trust me. There's nothing these guys don't know! :thumbup1: Welcome! And good luck on your journey! xx

Excellent! Size 8, that is just awesome. My dream size is a 10/12

I just got a call from the surgeon’s office. I thought it was their insurance expert FINALLY calling me back.:smile2: I started off with “Thanks for calling me back!” Then I get “Thanks? You might not want to thank me yet…I have to reschedule your appointment.” :mad:#@%& (in my head) are you kidding me??! Mr.SA was off for the holiday and set to go with me on Dec. 23. I had all my questions ready to go.:sad: I was SO HAPPY:crying: that this would be done right before Christmas…a nice little present for me.:ohmy: At first she tried to put me off until Feb…:angry:not happening. Now it’s on Jan. 13th at noon, so who knows if Mr.SA can make it or not.:nonod: I’m depressed:sad2:…I know, that’s life. Many people don’t get to see their surgeon until that point anyway (half-way through 6 mo. diet). I’m still bummed…OK, upside-:nopity:pity party time, join me:party:…time to open that wine early tonight (maybe a lovely fruit martini even)…now that I’ve really got something to whine about!:cheers2: Who's joining me?

I've learned the hard way <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Just thought I'd post a few things I've learned after having the lap band installed. I hope you dont mind me putting my spin on your cool post! 1. You get hungry after a week or so. I was absolutely ravenous, but I found ways to eat Protein and still managed to lose 9 pounds in 2 weeks. >>>>>>I was never hungry.. and if I got a hunger pain here and there it didnt bug me.... (this was the same before the band, but then I was eating wasnt I..lol) >>>>>>>>I got kinda hungry for the first time in february and march when my band was too tight, my fill doctor was out of the country, and I went days without eating.. I am usually good for three days max.... this was three days, then a week,. then two days, on and off for two months... I did get hungry! but it takes so little to saticecy those pains.. (to me) I had to have steroid shot to open me up... Then it was time to pig out before I was back to choking again.. (pig out on Soup and candy and chips, lol) 2. You really need to chew your food a whole lot. I got hungry and didn't chew enough and, boy, that hurt. It helps to wash the food down with Water. >>>>>>>>>from day one, I had no problem chewing my food to death...I felt like a pro. (i never told anyone that before, lol) Now a days, I chew a while and get sick of it and spit it out.. its easier. I know what the pain is.... thus the chewing pro! Oh and I drink with almost everything I eat. I dont find it washes the food down, it actualy limits my food intake.. I dont like filling my pouch with solids, it feels weird. I rather eat less and be able to drink! 3. Plan on throwing up at least once. I was doing just fine and got a piece of food stuck. So I drank some water and that went down the wrong tube so I was coughing and carrying on when I just burped up the food. It was just like a baby burps. Unfortunately, I did it on the carpet. This would be most embarrassing in company. >>>>>>Thats a PB, I had one on pills for 9 hours and on my saliva for 30 more hours. I dont do it. 4. Don't pick up heavy stuff for at least 4 weeks. I picked up a couple of cases of Dasani water and sprang a leak or something in my stomach. It hurts a bit, but I suspect it will go away in awhile. >>>I dont remember any recovery at all.. I think and think and NOTHing.. I had glue residue. And little red marks.. 5. Yard work is probably not good for a month or so after the surgery. >>>what surgery did you get? 6. Deviled eggs are good and they go down well if your family doesn't eat them all. >>>YUM, and low carb! 7. Buy stock in the Dasani water company.>>>>I do, (but I dont drink water, its gross) My four kids drink 4 cases a month.. 8. fruit juice mixed with water is good. >>>>Thats like getting your cocain mixed with cutt stuff...(bunk dope) ... I am addicted to juice. UNCUT, lol 9. You can drink if you want to expend the calories. I drank some brandy and lived to tell about it. But it's fattening. >>>>Drinking alcohal has not changed at all for me.. It does not affect me more or anything like that.. 10. You can poach anything -- pork chops, chicken, beef--just let it boil enough and you can eat it. >>>>>>>I need a cook! 11. My sweet tooth did not disappear. I have a piece or two of candy though and am satisfied. I find chocolate mints do the trick. >>>I eat more candy now than I ever did before. 12. Taking care of one's 86 year old mother after surgery is a real pain in the wazoo. >>>My mom is 49, I thinkk.. please dont remimd me she may get bent someday. 13. It is wise to have a Cadillac or other luxury car after surgery. It hurts less, and the air conditioner is good. (I bought a Cadillac on eBay and love it.) >>>>>>>>>>>>yeah, and a private jet too.. 14. Excited dogs are not good when you first come home. One of my dogs jumped up on my stomach which was pretty bruised. He meant well. >>>I was laying on my stomach the first night and these other banded ladies were all freaking out about it.. (hey at least they could walk around and sip gatoraid while I was still gagging on ice chips) 15. It is probably better if your cat does not bring in a field rat to live with you while you are recovering. Our rat seems to be doing well and is healthy so far. Of course, I feed it and give it water. Okay, I'm a severe animal lover. I hope to capture it in my net and put it outside. This is much better than discovering it's innerds on my beige carpet. >>>awwwww, I coulndt live without my animals 16. A person can tell if he/she is full if he/she pays attention. If one doesn't pay attention, pain can result. >>>>>>>>I dont call it "full".... but I agree.. 17. It is difficult to make oneself exercise if one hates exercise like I do. I still haven't managed that, but my friends are lobbying for me to sign up at the fitness center. I figure I can do the low impact aerobics which consist of waving one's arms around. I may sign up for yoga which doesn't involve heavy lifting or jogging on a treadmill. I might be willing to walk sedately on a treadmill, but the exercise freaks always expect so much. >>>I cant imagine ever being into excersize.. maybe DO something thats active and excersizes your body.. BUT plain ol excersize in a gym... not for me.. (?) 18. Expect your metabolism to change. I have been waking up at ungodly hours like 5:45 a.m. I have spent many years arranging my life so that I could sleep late, and I wake up early! This is disgusting. I hope my metabolism returns to its normal laziness soon since I'm on vacation. I will wake up early when I go back to work. >>>I dont notice metabolism. Its a mystery to me. These are just a few of pitfalls of the lapband that I have discovered. Stay tuned for new developments >>>haha that was fun... have you seen the "you might be a bandster" thread its hillarious