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Last week I said good bye to chicken wings (they were so gross) and yesterday I said good bye to movie theater popcorn. I look at it as if loosing a loved one. Its easier as I have a chance to say good bye. Lol crazy I know but I only have 2 weeks until liquid diet starts. I don't really have anything else to say good bye too (:

Never thought I would savor 1/4 c. mashed pintos with 1 T. melted jack and a little salsa. Wow, that's what 2 weeks on liquids will do. It was sooooo good!

Hi everyone. The minutes are ticking down - I'm so excited about getting banded on Friday. I've been on Optifast for 2 weeks with a few slips like a salad here and there. Clear liquids are going to be a little hard to manage at work on Wed/Thurs - any ideas? Thanks

I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your incredible inspirational stories! You help me when I feel down. I had my sleeve done June 2012. After a year I am down from 308 to 168. I will never miss those 140 lbs. I lost another person!!! I am proud of myself but I am also so proud of each and every one of you! You're all an inspiration to me! Never lose hope because you're incredible!!! Love yourselves and enjoy your new lives Here is a before surgery picture and one from last week!!

I have good days and bad days still swallowing 5 weeks later after band removal. My doctor thinks that he may need to go back in-another surgery-and take out the stitches attached to my stomach. I dread another surgery and I wonder if I will ever be normal again. Thank you for thinking of me. Private Dancer7

Its been 7 1/2 weeks. I'm feeling more normal, except there is nothing I feel like eating. Nothing is appealing to me. I love seafood...sick of it...veggies...eh, carbs I have been dying for...eh too, don't even feel like it. Nothing seems to have flavor that is "IT" lately. I am eating because I have to...biting things and tossing them cause I don't want to eat something that doesn't seem good??? I can only eat a little...don't want to waste it on what I don't really want. I have literally not eaten hardly at all 2 days this week cause NOTHING appeals to me. I am hungry...but ehhhh. Whats with this ehhh feeling. I would eat anything if it seemed good...no mind to calories or carbs or whats bad for me if I thought it would bust through this ehhhh feeling. But I got nothing!!! Any ideas ohhh wise ones? I'm at a loss! HELP!!!

9 days post po, no pre op liquid diet but a solid diet for a week and i am 15.5 pouns lighter today! I feel like fllyiing!!! This is the best secision ive ever made!

My experience..... My consult appointment was yesterday. The whole staff was very friendly. I really like my Doc. My appointment didn't really go like I thought it would. I did the whole check in height weight. Found out I am 5.1/2 ft. but I actually think I'm 5ft. my hair kind of got in the way, (updo, I know stupid). I met with the nurse, we went over a couple things, the doctor came in, he asked me a lot of questions that are normally on your new patient questionnaire which I thought was weird.. Like my nationality, am I mixed, married... and so on. We didn't talk about my past weight loss attempts. What I've been doing to lose weight. Or why I gained weight over the last month. He had to of known I've been seeing my PCP since October for weight-ins. Anyone else have to fill out a questionnaire that asked you how much money you make a year? There were a few other questions I thought were strange, but I cant remember them. I also received a check list, which most of it is already done. I'm not 100% sure what supporting documentation for weight management is... another question for insurance, I guess? Anyways, the Doc then brought me and another patient in for a little slide show of bariatric surgery procedures and risks. Which went into a little more detail than what I've found online and I found it interesting. After the slide show, I went back into my exam room and had physicals. Found out my ideal weight is 109lbs, that seems impossible to me. He said "120-125lbs is good." My goal is 115lbs. He brought up my heart murmur. So, now I have to get cardiac clearance before he'll do the surgery. I forgot all about it, I was told when I was 16. But no other doctor brought it up again. Surprising, because I've has a few surgeries. And because of my heartburn I have to do an EGD, which he will perform in a couple weeks. He mentioned that my BMI is 43. I'm assuming he meant I needed to lose some weight before surgery.. but he could of also meant I needed to do the weigh management for the 3-6 months, being that my bmi isn't above 50. So I will need to clarify that with him. There was so much information thrown at me, it took me till after dinner to process it all. When I was finished up with the Doc. I met with a lady that scheduled my EGD and handed me lab papers and I have to get a chest xray. Then off to another room and met with the NUT, which ended up being a group meeting, the other patient was there again and then we met individually with the NUT. I thought the NUT would go over eating a healthy well balanced diet.. lol.. duh, no it was about getting enough Protein in. and I found that I am not . so my goal is to get my 80g of PRO and working out a little bit more. She gave me a sample of vanilla unjury, which I will be trying today. The whole process took 3hrs. And I only had to paid the NUT, which was 130$. I have dual coverage and it paid for my appointment with the doctor. Oh, I cant forget the pre op diet. Boy am I ever lucky... I get 3 meals a day 3 scoops of Unjury between meals. This plan seems easy enough and fulfilling. The plan consist of Protein, Free food & Extra Food Choices. It reminds me of the 1st stage of Atkins, with some exceptions. Unlimited FF, which is zero cal beverage, coffee, tea, raw veg, herbs and spices, vinegar, mustard, lime, lemon juice. I will be using the FF to make my own salad dressing. I need more that one serving of dressing on my salad. I can have 4 EFC (guys get 6): 1 small fresh fruit or 1/2 cup fruit, cooked Cereal, potato or rice, low carb tortilla, 1 slice whole grain bread, English muffin, sandwich/bagel thins, low cal bread, bran buds or Fiber one cereal, 1 cup v-8, tomato juice, Soup or any food or beverage that is 60-80 cal per serving. For Breakfast select 1 protein, and 2 protein for lunch. Dinner 4-6 oz very lean meat, 1-2 cups low carb veg and 1 large salad with 1 serving of salad dressing. approximate nutrition 120-150g of protein, 100g of carbs estimated 1,200-1,500 cals and 15-30g of fat. I think that is the best Pre-Op diet I've seen so far, well other than the eat what ever you want ones. I feel like the insurance coordination was not on the ball. I asked her some questions and she seemed confused and didn't know exactly what my insurance was requiring of me. Hopefully I can get a clear answer from my insurance company. I really want to know if my weight-in from Oct count or do I start from yesterday. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

I had mine shut with glue and I was told to just leave 'em alone until the glue fell off on its own. I think it took a couple weeks to come off entirely.

Itching is healing ... so I'd say not far off!! For me it was just under 2:weeks.

I've noticed this too. I just as calm and at peace with the whole thing. I'm glad to, because I wasn't two weeks ago. Meeting with the hospital staff and doctor has really made me feel better. This blog as me ready for anything that might come up so I am ready to go!!

Hi Jana... I feel your fear my surgery is next Monday April 11... And nerves are definitely flying!. I'm not afraid of the pain..it's the whole surgery process..I'm a needle phob!...and the fear of what's to come. This Optifast 2 week diet is so hard but I'm getting through it. I totally get the nerves!, Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I went for my 12 week follow up appointment on Friday. My surgeon was called out for surgery, so I met with one of the other surgeons in the office, whom I have met before, so I did not mind. My last follow up appointment was on October 30th (a month and 3 days after surgery) at which point I received a 1.5 cc fill, adding to the 2.5 cc's put in at time of surgery, for a total of 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. My surgeon was certain that I would need another fill by this next appointment (on Friday), however the other surgeon that I met with went on and on about how well I was doing. I have lost 30 pounds since surgery on 9/27/12. He said I have lost 23% of my excess weight in less than 3 months and said in his opinion I do not need a fill. When averaged out over the weeks since surgery I am losing about 2.33 pounds per week, which he said was amazing. I guess my question is, how many of you have gone in for a scheduled fill and not received one? He told me to call anytime before my next scheduled appointment to come in for a fill if I feel that I need one. What signs will I have if I need one? I am still very new to being banded and am looking for some Band Vets advice here. I do limit myself to a cup of food per meal, stay below 1100 calories a day, most days am successful of getting in all my Protein. I do snack between meals, still staying in my caloric range for the day. Like I said, I feel like I am missing something, or uneducated as to how I will know if I need a fill?? Thanks for any advice in advance and Merry Christmas to everyone!! Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

HollySue You are not a failure - you are just in a rough spot. If you can not eat regular food (I'm not talking about pizza) but meats/hard Proteins (cut up to the size of an erase tip), chicken, fish, veggies and some carbs you are too tight and should have some taken out. What is a typical day's food for you - are you tracking your calories are you exercise - are you eating low fat & sugar free. I think you have resorted to eating slider foods (foods that slide right through your band) and that you may be eating more calories than you think. I know that people say they didn't get the band to weight & measure foods - to track calories and Protein grams - but as fat chick we don't know what a real serving size is - we think a serving is 16 oz steak - large loaded baked potato - Soup & salad then dessert - when in fact 4 oz of meat - 1/4 of a large baked potato without the extra and 1/2 cup veggies is a real serving size.. I use my scale and food diary as a learning tool - it helps me know what calories I have eaten for the day - It's easy to forget that string cheese and few crackers - those 200 calories adds up. We are suppose to get min 60 grms of protein - if you aren't reading labels and tracking you don't know what you are getting or not getting - did you know that for every ounce of meat you have 7 grams pt.. I think that you need to quit the pity party about being a failure you aren't you have lost 50lbs and that's a considerable amount to be proud of Now just pull yourself up by your boot straps - make the commitment to yourself right this second that you are going to get the rest of your weight off. This commitment will include exercising min 3 x week for min 30 minutes and build from there - Track your calories - 900 -1200 a day - Eat healthily low fat - low sugar - get your 64 oz of Water - 60 grams of pt & Vitamins. If you need some take out to achieve this (remember tiny tiny bites eat slowly and chew chew chew) if this doesn't work then you do need some taken out - don't drink with meals and up to 1/2 hr after. You can do this Hollysue :glare:- Stand up for yourself you are worth it :Dancing_biggrin:- Come join us on our main thread we are a great group and we will help you We aren't going to beat you up - we aren't going to yell at you we all understand - but we will give you tough band love (operative word being love) I look forward to seeing you on our thread You are a Lucky #7 and you will succeed..

Has anyone had this happen?? I am def noticing that I am losing hair and it's freaking me out! I saw my dietician last week and she siad it could be because I am low in iron as Im not eating meat etc. I am off to the doctors on Friday for a blood test to see if that is the reason. Has this happened to any of you?? Does it right itself naturally or did you take protein shakes???????? Help!

Hello everyone, My name is Joyce. I was banded November 15, 2007. I live on the east coast. I completing my fourth week and I have lost 10 lbs. I have maintained the weight since I lost. I have not had a fill as of yet. I will see the surgeon the first week of January 2008. I am thinking I will probably need a fill. My weight fluctuates everyday. It seems I am losing then I gain it right back. I initially exercised, but my incisions are bothering me. I am getting sharp pains and a pulling sensation when I am standing and walking. My stomach is drooping a little, maybe that is the reason for the pulling?? Anyway, I am getting my Protein requirements in everyday and I am keeping good records of my diet. Oh, well. I do feel a lot better and my friends are complimenting me on my initial weight loss, especially those who didn't know I had surgery. I just want to get the ball rolling though. I am new to this site and look forward to everyone's comments.

I'm 3 weeks in and I wake up in the mornings feeling like crap! Is this normal? Any tips?

Im post op 3 days and my doctor already has me on pureed foods already. Is that okay because many of you guys have been on liquid diet for about 2 weeks two a mknth and I've only been on it for 3 days also some soups and some yogurt especially the sugar free pudding and the cheese have carbs in it but I've been looking for foods that have low carbs. Is it okay to have that little amount of carbs?

I was still up 11 pounds one week after surgery. The next week when I weighed I was down a pound or two. I was glad to be so well hydrated.

Hello all! I am just beginning my lap band journey. I have been researching the procedure for about a year, and have finally decided it might be the right fit for me. I have been struggling with my weight since I was about 8 years old (I am now 22) and am just no longer willing to accept living my life in misery. I have tried just about every diet there is, and have been the most successful on weight watchers. That said, every time I lose weight on weight watchers (or on any diet) I end up gaining it back within a year. I cannot seem to keep weight off for any period of time. Its so frustrating! I think the lap-band procedure can help me with this. Right now, I have a BMI of 40.5. I believe that based on this BMI, my insurance will cover the surgery. I have carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield. Does anyone else have this insurance? I am interested to find out more about everyone's exerieces before, during and after the surgery. How hard is the lifestyle to stick to? What kinds of things are you supposed to be eating on a daily basis? I have heard I cannot eat coconut anymore after surgery, why? Also, what were your friends and family's reactions surgery? I have had people tell me they think its "the easy way out," but to me, it doesn't seem very easy at all. It just seems like a way to help, and even safegaurd your hard work at weight loss. Thoughts? Finally, does anyone live near Annapolis, MD who would be willing to talk more with me about the surgery? Anyone had surgery at GBMC in Baltimore? That's where I plan to have mine done. I am going in for an information session in 2 weeks and cant wait. Hope to hear back from you soon! Best, Brooke

It takes about 2-4 weeks before you have energy again, I was totally ok though. I had surgery on a Friday I was back in the swing of things on that Tuesday. I flew home that Monday and I was totally ok, But I remember not being able to run around with the kids like I used to for about 2 weeks. Hang in there. It gets way better!

Hi Everyone! I have my first appt in a week and I am so excited! I have lots of questions though... I have read alot on this site in the last week so I decided to join tonight! Everyone on here seems so nice and helpful so I thought it would be good to start! And give me a little more insight on everything.:sneaky:

Hello, I was banded a year ago yesterday! I remember the first few times on the elipitical - was difficult. I think the "backwards" may have put alittle more pressure in the port area - I don't think you would have done any damage - just be careful & stick with going forward for another few weeks. Enjoy your band!!!! Sharon

Yes that's me this month. I am due next week or so and I could not eat untill dinner today ! And I was peeing 100 times during the day ! Ugh

Thanks everyone for helping me feel normal! Lol! I will be taking it slow and taking all your advice! Tlmiller, please let me know what the doctor says! I would really appreciate it!! My next appointment with him is not until next week.