Search the Community

Hi everyone! I have been reading the different posts on the site for a couple of weeks now. It has really been a wealth of knowledge, and has answered so many of my questions. I thank all of you for that. I have been thinking about having this surgery for about a year now. I am having my surgery in Atlanta, Georgia with Dr. Christopher Hart. My scheduled surgery date is September 16th. I have one more test to go through tomorrow night (Sleep Study) and I will have all of the testing out of the way. The waiting is just so difficult. I am ready to get started. I am very happy I found this site. It is nice to know that someone out there is going through or has been through the same thing. :biggrin:

My surgery was April 8th. I am down 29 lbs thus far. Next week is my one month appointment. Today I told my self I am going to make 60 grams of protein. I just drank the nastiest protein drink mix with the Gosh awful EAS AdvanEDGE shake. I ate some yogurt (15 grams). I am at 42g and I did that ricotta bake in the cupcake pans so I am thinking one of those will put me at 50-52. Wish me luck!

I'm just venting here. I had VSG on 11/12/12. Did really well the first 6 weeks. Once I went back to work in January, it's like the genie said "Poof! No more weight loss for you!" I have struggled and struggled. I am at my breaking point now. I have even avoided the message boards here for weeks because I get even more depressed reading about everyone's success. Nothing I try seems to work for me anymore. I am exercising like I should. I am eating what I should, and avoiding what I shouldn't be eating. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get beyond that one hash mark on the scale. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week and I really don't want to go to it. I feel like a complete failure when it comes to this surgery. I have lost 42 lbs. so far, but that was all before January. Since then - nothing! Granted, I haven't gained any either, but I still feel like a complete failure. I was religiously logging my food on MFP, but found that if I did that, all I did was make myself feel hungry and deprived so I had to let up on being so obsessive about that. Now, I just don't know what to do. I am about ready to resign myself to the fact that I am just going to be this way the rest of my life.

I went and was weighed yesterday, and you were right, I did lose 8.7 lbs. I'm sure most of it was water weight, but I'll take it. I now have 7 lbs to lose in 3 weeks...I know I can do it. :sad: Thanks for all the encouragement and support, I have my running shoes on.

Hi all I am 5 weeks out now. We are headed out if town tomorrow and I am wondering if cooked veggies like squash and zucchini are ok now. I have had eggs, tuna, fish, and all have gone down really well. Also, when is a salad alright?

I would go by your surgeon's guidelines also. My surgeon allowed really mushy cooked veggies during the mushy phase and then other veggies at 6 weeks out. Iceberg lettuce could be tried at 4 weeks but I waited till 6. Other lettuces at 6. I really never had trouble tolerating anything other than broccoli and cauliflower that weren't cooked well around 6 to 10 weeks. I can eat them raw now at nearly 6 months out. I like eating veggies bc they fill me up, they are low cal, good fiber, and I can eat about a cup of them bc of the water content. I usually eat them as a snack bc I can't eat much of them after eating protein.

Hi Danielle! I could have written your story as mine...three years ago banded - same problems with gerd and esophagas problems! wow...I'm 34 and had revision surgery to RNY in August. I had a tough recovery due to my surgeon did my revision as mini-open rather than lap...I'm finally feeling like me. I had gained all my weight back within three years of beingbanded plus some...I'm now down almost 50 pounds and had no pre-op diet. It is such a relief not to get that "stuck" feeling...never thought the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest was a good thing! Now I don't have that...I've gotten sick some post op...mainly learning what I can and can't tolerate and moving from food stages as I advanced in my diet. No more foamies either! I hope you continue to write here...I'd love all of us to have a place to talk and make some new friends

Okay, it happens to all of us. We let ourselves take “just a bite,” and it turns into half a pan of brownies. Or we sleep in for one day, and all of a sudden a month goes by without going to the gym. Or there’s a little party a week before surgery, during the liquid pre-op diet, and we sneak in some solid foods. There are all kinds of ways to get off track. Sometimes it lasts only for a few days. Other times it can last for longer, and lead to a serious stall or even regain. I know it has happened to me: I have seen the scale climb up and realized that it’s not an accident – it’s because I wasn’t eating as strictly as before. So, when have you gotten off track? How long did it last, what caused it, and how did you get back on? Your stories can help us all be more watchful so we can stay on track!

I've been in a bit of a 'holding pattern' for a few weeks. I think it started at a bit of a stall, but that developed into something more.. Nothing dramatic of course.. But you know how we can get when there's no scale movement... There's also been some stuff going on in my life... Some really good... Some not so good.. Nothing as dramatic or confronting as many of the people here... But it's stuff nonetheless.. And I think I've laid some blame on said stuff... I know it's no excuse of course... But as hard as it may be to believe sometimes - I'm only human... Anyway, i've recently had an upswing in positives... Partly due to a purge (on a couple of levels)... But also due to a bit or a return of my "f**k you" attitude... I've decided that my tolerance for fools and ignorance is right for me... I don't have to pretend I'm nice... I'm me and I'm ok with that... I'm not sure how all the changes fit together, but the result has been positive.. I'm back to tracking my Protein and Water... (Yesterday, I actually cooked for the first time in a LOOOONG time... Prawn, lentil and peas... High protein, a few carbs and VERY tasty) I'm back to twice a day at the gym... I'm looking at some things in a new light... And it's good... Perhaps now the scale might move again... I guess time will tell...

Are they giving you any Phentermine to help with appetite control? That helped me in the beginning of my 6 months. Also, I did one protein shake a day, plus exercise 5 days a week. You can do it Congrats on the decision to improve your health! You will find that the 6 months will fly by. Take this time to try new recipes and see what you like. High protein, low carb. Buy kitchen supplies you think you might want for post op. I bought a new blender and a toaster oven I found cute little spoons and forks, so I will learn to eat smaller bites. Also found popsicle forms so I can make those yummy protein-cicles from eggface's recipes without using a dixie cup. There is just so many neat things to get...and it gave me an excuse to shop!!!! (The BEST part...lol).

Hi Everyone, Thank you all for your friendly welcoming and positive thoughts and advice. I will certainly try. It's a bit hard to stay positive at the moment, as I was told by my bone surgeon that it looks as though I'll have to have my shoulder reconstructed AGAIN. It was done approx 8-9 weeks ago but I've since hurt it again by being stupidly stubborn and not wearing my brace. As the weight is coming back with a vengence, I have only one blouse in the smallest of the bigger sizes I used to wear after giving everything away, thinking I'd never need them again. I spent hours yesterday trying to find something decent to wear for a change and hating having to go to the big sizes and especially having to go up another size again. I eventually found one but I came home totally depressed. Don't you find the shop fitting room mirrors the worst of all mirrors. It is so deflating to see the fat from all angles at once. Best wishes to all, Katydid.

I got an email from my surgeon yesterday telling me that I've been cleared to schedule surgery. WooHoo!! I'm so excited! I am supposed to get a call from the office in the next couple weeks to schedule, however I am seeking a June date so that I can recover during my summer break (Im a school bus driver) and not take time off. My only other Drs order is to maintain my pre surgery goal weight until surgery...for me that will be 6 months! Ugh. Thankfully I will have time to recover from any holiday weight gain. I'm hoping that won't be an issue as I plan to be "good" other than on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when I know the goodies will be hard to resist. LOL

Mine was 1 week clear liquids, 1 week pureed, 2 weeks soft diet, and then regular diet as tolerated.

Hi All, just returned from my DVT scan and got the all clear. No Warfarin tablets, Yippee. Told to wear compression socks for the next 4 weeks. Don't have a problem with that. Thanks guys for your kind words.

Congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery. What a great time to begin this new chapter in your life.....solstice! Be sure to walk all you can and you'll be walking your way to health and happiness. I am six weeks out and so happy with my band. You will be here in no time!

Hi there! I am getting sleeved 2 days after you! :cheers2: Most of my questions were answered at my 3 hour class. I wanted to know if the doctor was conservative or not when it comes to pain medications at the hospital. He is not and I was relieved. ( It was kinda late to ask that question 2 weeks before surgery. ). We will be given some scripts at our pre-op to be filled BEFORE surgery. If that is not the case for you, you might want to ask. I forgot to ask which medications we are getting. I have read here that Oral disintegrating Prevacid is good for gas, sublingual Zofran for nausea & I think Ragla for spasms. I must take my allergy meds the night before surgery or I will be sneezing & coughing after surgery , so I will ask about that. Most importantly I needed a contact number & person to call post-op with "simple" questions. Come and introduce yourself in the forum for November Sleevers. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/26418-banana-babes/page__hl__%2Bbanana+%2Bbabes__fromsearch__1 Best wishes!!!!!!

Congratulations to everyone that are going to have surgery next week. The surgery is not bad. Remember to walk as much as you can the first few days. It will definitely help to minimize some of the discomfort caused by gas.

HAd surgery on December 10, I was able to lose the recommended 10 lbs before and have lose 10 lbs after. Don't recommend having surgery at the end of a cold . I never felt so thirsty. So far so good . I see the surgeon this coming week and I definitely am beginning to feel hungrier . I weight 220 and it's been over 20 years since I was under 200. Trying to keep on track

It's my third day from getting the lap band. I lost a total of 16 pounds on the liquid diet and I obviously have a lot more to go. But i am proud of myself so far. The pain is starting to be manageable I have to schedule my two week appt. I have a huge bulge where I imagine the lap band is. Hopefully it goes down. Is this normal? Also can I sleep on my side now? I feel like when I lay on my back to sleep I wake up with my lungs in pain. Thanks for the help.

Hi! I was sleeved April 7th of this year. I took off six weeks as per my dr. I told the kids a few days before my last day. I told them I would be out for surgery. They were so relieved when I returned. They and their parents didn't know the details of my surgery. The parents wished me well and I had no complaints. Good luck.

I'm a mom, grandma, and wife who has weighed over 250 for about 18 years. I'm 48 and now weigh 265. I chose that lap band because I don't want to be unhealthy when I loose weight. I want to continue getting all my nutrients from the things I consume. I have several co-morbidities such as, diabetic for the last 15 years, high blood pressure, proteinuria, probably sleep apnea, (haven't been tested yet), high cholesterol (when I don't take meds) to name a few. I'm really tired of taking meds and I realized that I could stroke out, or have a heart attack or something and I want to be around for my kids and my grandkids. So that is the gist of my reasoning for the surgery. I hope to loose at least 70 pounds. 80 or 90 would be great. I would jump for joy. I don't want that skin hanging thing though, but I'm 5-8 so perhaps it will be minimal with the exception of my tummy. I think that's unavoidable. However, I will do what I can to alleviate as much as I can. I don't care how fast I loose, except at first I would like to quickly knock off a chunk of my desired weight loss at least 40 of it, then 1 to 2 pounds a week would be wonderful. I'm going to try my best. I have mononucleosis right now so hope that won't hinder my surgery date. I'm pretty well over the main outbreak so I'm just weak and tired all the time. That slows your metabolism, and I can't exercise without getting a sore throat and fever. Weird I'm a music minister/Psalmist. The Lord gives me songs and I sing them all over the place. My music is on www.breadsite.org in the mp3 section. Free downloads. I need to loose some weight so I'm not so reluctant to go and sing places where they ask me. Most of the time right now I think, "I'm so tired". I want to be able to keep up and LIVE!!!!! Garden, decorate, paint, sing, pack my keyboard (musical) and go wherever, chase after my two toddler grandchildren!!!. That's my goal. More than numbers my goal is to LIVE! Blessings

Hey. I am one week away too! I am so ready but so nervous too.

I am only 6 weeks post op...so I really remember that feeling: excited AND nervous! This surgery is the best thing I've ever done. I have done EVERY diet and gained and lost the same 20 lbs for the past 20 years. My surgery went really well...and I healed very quickly. Some of the things I did (not necessarily on my surgeon's list...but I did them anyway!) I drank organic aloe vera juice 24 hrs post op and continued for 30 days. It's VERY healing. If you buy the EXPENSIVE brand, which is George's (available at health food stores) it tastes just like water. I also started taking arnica immediately after surgery. Great for healing and not bruising! It's difficult to get your water in, but it's very important. I couldn't handle the broth (yuk) but I ate sugar free jello and popsicles that were fruit...with no sugar added. It was good to get my first meal 10 days post op!! Now, even if I try a bite of something I'm not supposed to have....I know how limited I am for space in my new small stomach, so I can't try much more than a bite of any forbidden food!! I'm eating breakfast: either an egg, or a protein shake, or a half skinned apple with peanut butter. I LOVE soup for lunch and I make a chicken tortilla soup with lots and lots of beans and some salsa and spices (great protein) and for dinner I usually have fish, or chicken or turkey with a little cooked veggies. In between, I'll have a small amount of protein shake or some peeled fruit. My clothes are getting baggy....which I love. My only worry is because I'm in my 60's I'm already noticing some extra facial wrinkles and sags I've lost 39 lbs in 6 weeks (no required loss pre-op). Good luck to you....I know it will go well!

It's fairly common to feel listless and unenergetic and just downright uninterested in many things for the first week or so of the liquid diet. This happens because your body is switching from using carbs/sugar for energy to using fat for energy. It takes several days for your body to make enough of the enzymes and other things it needs to be able to burn enough fat. After a week or 10 days on the liquid diet, things will probably get back to normal.

Now that I am "approved" for surgery and this is becoming a reality, I figured NOW is the time to post my story so far. I am 49, 5'7 and 235 at my highest weight. (Can't believe I actually wrote that down for public consumption!) That made me a BMI of 36.8. I had considered weight loss surgery off and on throughout the years of yo-yo dieting. My last good weight loss was about 30 pounds back in 2009 and I was lighter then. So that means I have put on about 40 pounds in four years. (Less than a pound a month, not too bad, right??!! Ha!) I have some lung problems, high blood pressure (if you would only lose weight, you wouldn't have to take these pills anymore....) and hypothyroidism. Too much for someone my age I decided and started considering the lap-band. I am a nurse and considered that to be "least invasive" and "easiest" to have done surgically. On November 28, 2012, I signed the hubby and I up for an informational seminar. While hubby wasn't interested (I'm hoping to change that), I listened to the doctor present the band, sleeve and RNY options. To his credit, he didn't try to sway anyone to any one procedure, but I had changed my thinking from lap-band to sleeve. I submitted my "insurance verification" form and left. In lateDecember/early January, I was contacted by the doctor's office and told that my insurance (CIGNA) did provide WLS benefits. I had started a post-holiday "kind of" diet about mid-January with Weight Watchers. I saw my surgeon for the first time on January 28, 2013. We discussed all the usual things and agreed that the sleeve was a good procedure for me. My only beef with the process was that the coordinator told me "All your insurance needs is the evaluation and 3 months of diet history. Just print out Weight Watchers and it will be ok." More on that in a minute.... From there, I had: EGD (endoscopy) on 2-4 and found to have a small hiatal hernia. Psych eval and nutrition eval on 2-13. In the mean time, I had researched CIGNA's bariatric policy and found out that I needed a lot more than "Just 3 months of Weight Watcher history." Rather than chance it, I went and got clearance from my PMD and met with a nutritionist for 3 months of a supervised diet. (2-20, 3-16 and 4-20...boy am I glad I started that "kind of diet" back in January!) Am now at 222 (fluctuating pounds.) My coordinator submitted my packet on about May 10th with a comment of "everything looks great...should be no problem." On May 17th, I was notified of denial...based on two points. My physician had failed to state that he BOTH recommended me for the surgery AND cleared me (he only recommended me....despite the fact I had asked him to do both.) The nutritionist did a summary report that detailed all three visits, with all of the components required, but CIGNA wanted it in three separate notes. At least it wasnt because of medical criteria! So...my coordinator got all that together and on May 21st, she submitted again, stating it could take up to 90 days, but probably not that long. The waiting is the hardest part!!! Well, today I got the news I was waiting for...APPROVED! It took 7 business days for the appeal. Now we are in fast-forward mode: 6-10: Pre-op meeting with surgeon to sign consents, etc... 6-15: Start of pre-op diet! (Not looking forward to it....) 6-17: Pre-op lab/x-ray work at hospital 6-25: Surgery I travel for my work (I am a healthcare consultant) and will be out of town three weeks between now and then, so it will fly by! I am so excited. I think now that it's a reality, my husband is concerned. I got the "If it makes you happy, it makes me happy" but I am not convinced. I know he is supportive of my decisions, but probably a bit insecure at the same time. food has always been a big part of our life and I have been slowly withdrawing from that over the last few months. Thanks for listening! I am so darn excited I just needed to share it with someone. I have told very few people. I will update after the surgery.