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HI- I started out a 44 DDD - F before my lap band July 25, 2007. I'm now at a 38 DD with about an 80 pound loss give or take a couple of pounds. I would have to agree with your doc. If you're fat goes, the fat in your boobs does too. Have you always been larger breasted? I've been at least a C cup since I was 10 years old. By the time I was 13 I was a D cup. I've never been below a D in the last 23 years. That is from 150 lbs all the way up to 282 lbs. I guess what I'm saying, is if you have alot of breast mass and not just fat mass, then you could have the tissue removed and not get too small. If they're big because of your weight, then you should wait until your close to your ideal to have them taken down. Hope this helps, cause I'm going to have mine lifted after I hit my ideal.

@@erinkath you are certainly not alone in your dislike of the pre-op diet. I think that Kinda was spot on in his reply, too. I used pre-mixed shakes on work days.....just easier to handle and mixed my own using powder and Water on my days off. I had 3-4 a day. I did use unjury chicken Soup flavor powder some, too. When mixed with warm-hot water it was a nice savory change over the other shakes. Water....water....water. It was my friend. I did not go caffeine free on my plan....surgeon was okay with that. I was not allowed salad, milk or anything like that. I'm glad....as I'd have been chomping on stuff and surely add in items that I shouldn't have. One thought keep resonating around in my skull during the pre-op liquid diet......one main thought. It was a tremendous fear. It was the visions of watching the surgical videos from our seminars. Seeing the part of the surgery where the liver is lifted out of the way was scary. Both times I went through this seminar (two different bariatric programs prior to my surgery....as I switched surgeons....switched bariatric centers)....both times....the surgeons stopped the presentation with this image on the screen......they drove home the point about easily damaged the liver can be from raising it up and holding it there throughout the process. They emphasized how critical it is that we remain vigilant during our pre-op liquid diet in order to shrink the liver as much as possible. They each recounted having patients that they had to abort the surgery up getting to this point due to their assessment of the patient's liver at this time. I did not want to be that guy.....the one who wakes up in recovery to find that his surgery was aborted. Now....the above scenario was a worst case scenario that the surgeons portrayed.......but it hit me like a hammer. It was a singular reason to adhere to the liquid diet. It was enough. My pre-op liquid diet was 14 days. I lost 10 pounds during that time. This followed losing 45 pounds in the four months prior after starting my bariatric program. That is a big change in rate of loss and was a very pleasant byproduct of adhering to the diet. It had me rolling into my surgery with confidence and momentum. Please.....consider this your way to take action.....to own your safety.....to do your part to ensure a safe surgery. You will find the same liquid diet is a piece of cake to adhere to after surgery. So easy, in fact, that I stayed with it for 4 weeks vs the normal 2-3. I had no desire to do the puree phase as I was completely satisfied with the liquid and the rate of loss. I didn't then......nor do I now....have any type of hunger. None. If I get the urge...it is in my head and not real. I wish you the best and know for certain that you can do this.

I have multiple disabilities. A month out from surgery, I can assure you: a smaller stomach is not a disability. (The first few weeks, as your body heals, yes: you're disabled. You're a little extra tired. Maybe there's pain--though by the second week, it's really minimal for most of us. In my case, I'm still, for a few more days, not allowed to lift 10 pounds or more. But when that rule is lifted, I won't have any surgery-related disabilities anymore.) Also, with the sleeve, you can take NSAIDs after ... 6 months? I think? My doctor gave me a date, but it was far enough out that I don't remember. Anyway, they aren't off the table forever, so I wouldn't worry overmuch about potential future pain issues. This is a surgery, and like any surgery, there are risks. The risks of this particular surgery are lower than for gallbladder removal and for joint replacement. Only three people out of a thousand die within the first month, which is still not a number I took lightly, but I chose my surgeon carefully, as I assume you did as well. I'll be honest: I wouldn't have taken the risk if I didn't have a comorbidity that was going to continue to degrade my quality of life without this intervention. That's how my math worked out when I weighed all of the pros and cons, all of the risks and potential rewards. Only you can do that math for your own situation, and I hope that, whatever decision you make, it brings you a sense of peace and confidence that you're making the right decision for yourself.

Just put together a nice salad.. Cubed avacodo, can of black beans, cubed tomatoes, sliced olives, jalapeño, low fat cheddar cheese, lemon juice and a dollop of fat free sour cream!! (10 weeks pre-op)

@@CaptainJohn I'm a year and a half out. No complications after surgery. I still have no complications. I bounced back quickly. There is pain with every surgery...I had good perspective going into this.... I watched my mother struggle with serious pain dying from stage four cancer. The least I could do is to buck up and get my life back. I made the choice to have surgery. I have absolutely no regret. Here is my video from my high weight to goal..Its dedicated to my mother: http://www.bariatricpal.com/videos/view-10-goal/

10:30am I will be rolling back for my Roux-en-y... Excited. Nervous. Starting to feel real...

Meganliz0824, I feel ya man. I am 10 days post op and for four days I have stepped forward a week and have been having yogurt and cream of wheat. I am supposed to still be on Clear Liquids. I am thinking that since I tolerate it it's ok. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing. I just wasn't satisfied and was hungry. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts. I have felt great through this whole process I am sick of isopure drinks. I have also had premier Protein shakes and not supposed to yet. I don't know the answer and I really don't want to screw this up. Liamnatx, thanks for the great ideas!!!!

I agree with the posters above you may need a little unfill, or you may need to chew more slowly and take smaller bites. Not that I'm an expert, I'm only 2 months out and not restricted yet, but that's what I've read here on other posts. For motivation to exercise, check out sparkpeople.com. There are several 10 minute exercise videos on the website. Its all free. Maybe you can commit to 10 minutes a day at home and work your way back up from there.

I had the lap band on 10/27. Like you, I have been very emotional. I think in some strange way, I'm mourning the role food played in my life. I haven't cried, but I've been irritable at times. I know it will get better!!

Seems like each adjustment has a learning curve.....Congratulations on being problem free for so long. You might end up needing a small unfill, but I believe when you learn what this fill will let you eat/not eat you will be fine. I had a fill the other day that is different from all prior fills and I am taking it slow as long as I can get liquids down and pee 3-4 times a day. It seems like it is at this point that I will lose the 10 pounds I keep losing and regaining. You might want to do liquids for a couple of days and let any swelling settle down. Best wishes, Mimi

I was just banded on August 26, 2011. My insurance paid for everything and required the 6 months of pre op therapy. I have never had any type of surgery before so i'm healing very quickly but my appetite is also coming back fast. I'm not due for my first fill till sept. 20th. I'm not eating very much when i eat, i'm just eating more frequently. Is that normal? I've been eating pudding, cream of wheat, yogurt, soup and protein drinks. Today i'm allowed to start having bananas and strawberries. I'm craving something more solid but am afraid to try anything in fear of being miserable or throwing up. I haven't thrown up even once, but people have told me that happens sometimes when you first start out on solids. Is this true? I've lost 20 pounds and am so happy to finally have my band.

10 days out for me all I was allowed was cottage cheese, greek yogurt, oatmeal, mashed potatoes and unsweetened applesauce.

You are right tmf...you are not a woman and have no understanding...lol. I however, am a woman...I'm reminded every time I sit to pee...lol..and I understand what enjoy is saying perfectly. I too am 10 lbs. less than my doctor's goal of 150 lbs. I've decided to continue to eat as I have been and the weight loss will stop when my body simply is done giving it up. I'm in no danger of becoming anorexic...I love food too much for that. (Oh and I've been spoken to by friends who are concerned I might be headed that way. It makes me laugh inside...You don't know me vewwy well, do you?) For enjoy however, she is truly ready to maintain and wants to make sure the scale doesn't creep up. Here's my advice darlin'...add Protein to your diet. Not carbs, not garbage. ...and you know what I mean by garbage. Don't have a larger helping of potatoes. Don't drink another glass of wine...or a cocktail. Holy Moley...cocktails have so much sugar and calories, it's nuts. Keep up your exercise. If you stop or slow down, it becomes a slippery slope. Protein is easy to tweak. If you go up to 4 oz. for lunch or dinner and the scale goes up, then take it down a notch. I'm a carbaholic so it would be hard for me to be playing around with my Pasta. I so get you my control freak friend. We are sisters for sure. But at some time, we must give up some of that control and just try to live our lives. Let me know how it goes, feel free to PM me if you need to so I can talk you off the ledge if necessary..lol. Have a good one today. Hope the weather is beautiful in MO. It's gorgeous here in The Big Apple today.

My name is Lori and I have considered this surgery for a couple years. Funny, I was always scared of having such an invasive procedure done, but now that I have finally made the decision to do it, I'm afraid I will be declined. Anyone who has found a surgeon who would operate on them with a BMI of 29, 30, 31? I'm 5'5" and, through no fault of my own, my weight fluctuates between 183 and 198. The trouble is, I don't eat a lot of sweets, or fast food, or drink sodas. Most of the time, I barely eat. But why do I have to starve myself just to be overweight instead of obese? I'm 42 years old. I have had 3 kids, and five more for other families as a surrogate mom. I was a normal weight growing up until my 2nd child was born. I ballooned from 140 pounds to 205 in a couple weeks. Was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroid. I have battled my weight and blood pressure ever since. I am being treated for my thyroid condition with Levothyroxine 125 mcg per day. No the doctor refuses to bump it up any further. For 6 years, I kept a food journal, eating between 1200-1400 calories a day working out steadily for 6 hours. I walked 8 miles a day, plus I went to the gym everyday and walked an additional 2 miles at 3.5-4.0 mph, 1 hour on weight machines, and one class, usually the quick fit. I worked out religiously those 6 years at that pace 6 days a week. I never got below 165. When I left my husband, I became so sick and so depressed that I didn't eat at all. I was a dog groomer and on my feet for 9-10 hours a day, sometimes without a break. At that time, I think I got down to 158 before I was put on Prozac and began feeling better. I plateaued at 178 after that. Now I'm at a sedentary job with the State and up to 188 to 198, depending on the day. I try to eat healthy, and since I binge when I'm bored, I've began eating 3 small meals a day. Still can't below 183, and typically bounce back to 188. You guys, I'm just so scared I will be denied for this surgery and I don't know what else to do. I am so sick of feeling sick and tired every day. I cannot continue to look and feel like this!

I am going to have to get my lab band removed or revised. I am going to choose removed, as they are no longer performing the procedures around here and no one wants to mess with it if I have problems, which I have had tons. I have had mine for almost 10 years and was down to 115lbs. I have since gained 50lbs. While my insurance will pay for the removal, they may not pay for a revision to a sleeve. I have IU health plans for an insurance, and I can add my husbands insurance, which is ANthem premium, if needed. Does anyone know what the rough cost is for a revision to sleeve? What about just the sleeve portion? Anyone had any luck with IU health plans on appeal, as I am sure it will have to be appealed. I feel like I have worked so hard and put up with so much in the past ten years.

I am two months post op lap band. I have not listed but 10 lbs and kinda frustrated. My band has 3cc. I still get hungry

Measurements log sometime before surgery hips: 49 7/8 " waist: 41 7/8" chest: 45 1/2" 8/30 day of surgery following pre-op diet hips: 48 7/8" down -1" waist: 40 1/2" down -1 3/8" chest: 44 3/4" down -3/4" 9/18 hips: 48 3/8" down -1 1/2" waist: 40 3/8" down -1 1/2" chest: 43 3/8" down -2 1/8" 12/2 hips: 47 1/8" down -2 3/4" waist: 38 7/8" down -3" chest: 42 3/4" down -2 3/4" rt thigh: 26 1/8" lf thigh: 26" calf both: 15 1/2" bicep both: 12 7/ 8" 01/06/07 hips: 46" down -3 7/8" down 1 1/8" from last month waist: 38" down -3 7/8" down 7/8" from last month chest: 42 3/4" down -2 3/4" no change from last month rt thigh: 24" down 2 1/8" lf thigh: 24" down 2" rt calf: 14 3/4" down 3/4" lf calf: 15 1/2" down 1/2" rt bicep: 12 7/8" no change lf bicep: 12 1/2" down 3/8"

I usually have the same Premier Protein shake for breakfast every morning. It holds me over to lunch time. I guess my problem is with portions, still. I just had my 4th fill on 10/1 and I'm now at 7cc in my 10cc band. I think I'm really close to my sweet spot, but I still feel like I have to watch my portions so I don't overeat. Sometimes, after my 1/2 cup meal, I might still be hungry, which boggles my mind.

Sx 10/25/12 I started at 243 and officially down to 178..my doctors goal weight based on my body composition and height (5'6) is 168....my overall goal for myself is 140 ..I. trying so hard to reach my doctors goal by oct. I have 7.5 cc in a 11 cc band.

What a person has trouble with will vary from one person to another. I'm 10 weeks, 1 day out now. I was released to eat anything my sleeve could tolerate. At around 8 weeks I had some salad and my body rejected it. I tried it again in my 9th week and am fine with it now. I also tried a little bit of bread in my 8th week primarily to know if I could eat it. I did fine with it but haven't had it again as it takes up too much space that I need for Protein. I haven't tried steak as I don't like it so I cannot give you my experience there. I have tried a variety of other things and haven't had issues with any of them. Some of them, like chicken that isn't shredded, sit heavier than others but I am still able to tolerate them. If I can suggest something to it is is to try one new food at a time at a certain meal. That way, if you have issues you know what is causing them. Then, once you've tried a certain food and done fine with it in a prior meal you can have it again with something new with it. Does that make sense? Good luck to you!

Hi: I was banded on July 10, 2007 and I know it is working, but I know it is a long slow process. I just needed to know if 2.2 is alot for the fill your band holds? I am ok with it, just when I get anxious, or stressed out I can't hold anything down. I really think it is a nerve thing. Too much going on, all the time, no slack in my chain. Someone is always pulling it, or I have to many errands, etc. Please give me some feedback, and let me know if anyone out there is at this level of fill and has similar problems. Thanks. Oh, and if you are familiar on how to find the answers to posts please let me know at kclang@myway.com unexperienced with this board. K

My last 10 years of dieting and exercise, portion control, countless hours at Weight Watcher meetings tell me, and prove the answer is NO. I added up the weight I had lost and gained over back over the last 10 years, and it was well over the same 400lbs. I'd lose 40, gain 50, lose 60, gain 70,lose 20 gain 10, back and forth, up and down, it was a never ending cycle. I had zero issue losing weight. Maintenance, and keeping it off was my issue. With the sleeve, I now know it's possible to keep my weight off. I did all the lifestyle changes pre-op, did behavioral modifications, and to no avail, I'd gain the weight back.

Hi all, I am ten days out from VSG. My first eight days I had a tight feeling at the top of my stomach. Not hungry, but when I had something (even water) I would take a sip or little spoonful and have to wait 5-15 minutes before I could even THINK of having another. All was well. I had some nausea and discomfort but it was liveable. Day 8 was the most comfortable for me, I could even lay on my left side pretty well. I didn't take any pain meds that day. I made a poor decision and smoked a little bit of marijuana with a friend. Just a bit. And all of a sudden, that super tight, super full feeling is GONE. I am able to comfortably have a few decent sips of Water at a time. Instead of maybe 3 little baby spoons of yogurt in a time period, I was able to manage five. Did I mess up, because the restrictive feeling is gone? Am I okay? Is that supposed to happen anyway? Is that normal just in general for it to just go? Along with these things I've also found my nausea and acid reflux to be much less severe.... But still worried.... Did I really do something wrong, or is it just odd timing of a natural process? Is it normal this far out to be able to do these things? If you're going to be negative and not nice, just don't say anything. I'm not looking for you opinion on pot, either, please. To each their own. I did what I did and if I really messed up then I have to live with that... But maybe I didn't and one of you could have answers for me.

I think we had sex like, 5-6 days after. I think it was less than a week and definitely less than 10 days. Pain meds controlled my soreness really well. I remember my husband being a little more ventral than necessary. Pretty sure it was a sort of modified missionary position situation. Anyway, it didn't take long for us to get back down to business and I had no ill side effects from it.

Everyone is so different. I didn't have a pre op diet and had surgery on Jan. 10. I came home 8 lbs heavier than the day of surgery. I lost that plus an additional 35 by my 3 week follow up. I would encourage you to drink and get protein in but I NEVER met my water goal during this time. Rarely met my protein goal. I still struggle with both but I am steadily losing. You had a great loss with your pre op. I would say if your surgeon is happy, you should be happy. :smile1: If there was a concern, I'm sure h/she would let you know. Sounds like you're doing great!