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My journey was kind of fast too. I thought about this off and on for 10 years and decided in February that I wanted it and here I am. Tomorrow will be a long day and possibly emotional. My new life will be starting

MissSammyD, First of all congratulations on your decision. You will not regret it. My success is due to multiple events that worked in my favor. First, I was falling apart medically. I had or had been recently diagnosed with multiple co-morbitities before banding and I was starting to feel the impact. I just could not go on living with all the pain and suffering. When my grandaughter was born I made up my mind that I wanted to be around for her and of course my family also. My doctor advised weight loss surgery. I was so serious about changing my life that I quit smoking the day after the lapband seminar. I was scheduled for surgery in September, but a few days before my surgery the hospital called and said that I was to be re-scheduled because there was a shortage of a drug used in surgery and all non urgent surgeries had been cancelled. I was already 12 days into the liquid diet. My next scheduled date was 2 weeks away and I had to continue the Protein diet. This diet consisted of 2 low cal Protein drinks, one for Breakfast the other for lunch, then 1 can of Soup at night with all the sugar free popcicles and sugar free pudding(s). I was on the required protein diet for 1 month. I lost at least 30 lbs. on the protein diet alone. I cringe with the thought of drinking another shake. lol When I went in for my first fill I ended up getting an unfill because I was way too tight. I'm one that needs very little in my band for restriction. They had put in 3cc's in the 10cc band during surgery and unfilled me down to 2cc's. I'm doing great with 2cc's. I started losing immediatley after surgery. Remember that it could take several fills at 6 weeks apart before you have restriction. We are all different. I was just lucky to get restriction right a way. On the other side of the coin, was that I was losing too quickly, I was getting too weak and was looking rather sickly. I know this because I had only told a few people at work about my surgery. I was approached by a couple of very concerned co-workers who thought I had cancer or a very serious illness due to the amount of weight I had lost and how I looked. I then decided to announce the lapband. They have all been very supportive. I started exercising as much as I could handle at first. I started with small walks around the block, at the school track, riding my bike on low gears, started walking in the pool, walking on a treadmill, 10 minutes of step aerobics. I have built up to working out 40 minutes a day at 1or 2 activities mentioned. I can now jog 2 miles. I can swim 40 minutes. Last weekend I did a 20 mile bike ride. Its awesome!! Most importantly, all of my blood work has come back normal (diabetes, gout, cholesterol). I am off 5 different medications, off my CPAP machine. I am normal medically except for high blood pressure which will be evaluated in july. Take it one day at a time. There is no big race to lose so fast! Also, keep in mind that fast weight loss can lead to gall bladder problems and require surgery. In addition, you want your skin to tighten/tone up as you go. You also want to keep your hair from falling off. In my case, I'm a bald male so I'm ok with it falling off. lol In all seriousness, I now eat properly and even if I did have hair I'm sure it will not fall off. I have never eaten properly in all my life, so this has been a win win situation for me. As I said, you will not regret doing this for yourself. Yes, the journey get difficult at times, but, you get back on the wagon, especially when you start seeing the results. Keep me posted on how you do please.

I'm with you--hoping that the last 11 fall off (then I can go for 10 more LOL). I have my fifth fill tomorrow and was this close to canceling, but it seems like I've been ravenous all day. Fickle band. Thank GOD for fluoro!!! LOL

Hi sleevers, to anwser the ??? about wheat saltine crackers. Calories (5 crackers 60 calories) Carbs (10) No sugar No fat Happy Snacking :-)

Hello all...so I was sleeved March 11. I will be going to England on May 28th for 10 days. Can anyone give me some ideas of how am going to travel so far and still eat what I need? Btw I live in Idaho. So like a 12 hour flight from start to finish. Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

They pretty much they ask you if you have any questions.. they tell you who will be attending the surgery with your doctor.. Blood test and they tell you what you can and can't do a week before your date... I just had my pre-op 7-30-2019 I go under 8-2-19 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes! It only took about 10 days. My doctor submitted the paperwork on Jan 3rd and got approved on Jan 13th.

On my way to the hospital surgery at 10 am I'm excited yayy

I've been denied by atena . I don't wanna give up I've been crying since may 21st <---------------- surgery date it just not fair ive been heavy all my life fear of dying at age 55 like my dad 10 years from now. I've been heavy all my life have bmi of 39.5 high cholestral high blood pressure I know there r people who have written letter and got approved I need help who do I write it to and a little help and ideia what people put in their letters.please and yes I'm begging for help here I have atena

I just posted on your other thread!! I am so in awe of you losing! I am trying to build up to 10 minutes aerobic a day, I am great with weights I just have no puff IYKWIM!! Nina x

I'm doing about the same as you and I've only gained about 4 lbs in the last 2 months. I'm not going to sweat it though. Thanksgiving is 10 days away, Xmas is 7 weeks, no need to torture myself over the holidays. I'll just try to make wise decisions when I can and try to avoid the places where excessive sugar lays waiting for me. January 2nd is not that far away and if I can keep my weight where it is, I'll consider it a victory. I typically gain 12 lbs or so every holiday season. Keeping it under 5 would be a moral victory. The band will still be there in January and I'll take full advantage. Happy Holidays! tmf

9 1/2 to 10 (preferably wide, but could squeeze into some regulars) before, I'm down 55~60 lbs, and I can wear most 8 1/2's. I still get some wides, but many aren't. The shoes that I wore for my sister's wedding a week ago were 8 regs.

I am a perfect example that everyone is different.. I was banded on May 19, 2009 and I had my 3rd fill last week. I have 3.5 CC's in a 10CC band and right now, I have a LOT of restriction... I had 2.5 CC's in before last week and I really had NO restriction.. I know of people who have more in their band then me and don't feel much restriction... and I started this journey I was over 350 lbs... so everyone is different... good luck!!

That's great news! You did RNY? That makes me hopeful. Also, I woke up this morning and didn't feel hungry like I did going to bed last night. I'm down 12 pounds since my surgery three days ago! I'm sure it's mostly Water weight, but still it's nice to see the scale moving. Keeps me motivated! Yes, sit tight, it will be all good. First weeks are the hardest. Congrats on your weight loss! oh and yes, I had RNY. Loads of us feels the hunger, and I do not talk about head hunger, but it is actual painful hunger. If you feel hunger drink first. Then wait half an hour and if you are still hungry then eat. (I don't know when will you start pureed stage, I was lucky and my doctor progressed me fast, on day 5 I was on pureed, day 10 solids, and thank god for that!)

I'm scheduled for RNY on 10/14/14.

So, I went to the seminar last night. The surgeon said the following statistics 1 in 150 people maintain significant weight loss when left to thier own devices...less than 1% eek! Note: surgery failure = 25% regain BYPASS = 20% SWITCH = 10-15% SLEEVE = 20-25% So, I am looking for long term inspiration. I am fascinated at the Before&After thread. But I'm curious about the long "termers" Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

That is so funny Karrie. I am really proud of you, doing all that cooking and baking over the holidays and losing all that weight. Not me/ If I had done even half of what you did, I'd be at least 10 pounds more. Now, if I can just quit the grazing........................... HAVE A GREAT, BLESSED NEW YEAR. AND MAY ALL OUR LOST POUNDS DISAPPEAR FOREVER!!!!

WANTED TO SAY HELLO FROM DENTON, TEXAS!!

This is a great idea! There was a group of us on this forum who all had surgery around the same time (in 2019), and it was really useful to share our successes and setbacks with each other. Good luck!

These were just too funny not to pass along. ENJOY THEM!!! 1. Does a clean house indicate that there is a broken computer? 2. Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white? 3. Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale? 4. Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized? 5. On electric toasters, why do they engrave the message "one slice"? How many pieces of bread do they think people are really gonna try to stuff in that slot? 6. Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance? 7. Why is it that no plastic garbage bag will open from the end you first try? 8. How do those dead bugs get into those closed light fixtures? 9. Considering all the lint you get in your dryer, if you kept drying your clothes would they eventually just disappear? 10. When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart than apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?" 11. Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over? 12. Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed? 13. In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat? 14. How come we never hear father-in-law jokes? 15. If at first you don't succeed, shouldn't you try doing it like your wife told you to do it? 16. The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends, if they're okay, then it's you

I had late c sections and they weren't too bad. I slept in and kept myself occupied until it was time to go in. I think my struggle will be after since I'll be up by 10 or so and then have all day yet. Probably an early bed time to keep my mind off of it! My husband likes watching my 600 lb life or whatever its called. He said there's a new episode on tomorrow so hopefully settle in for the night while that's on.

Everyone always asks me if I regret having WLS. The only thing I regret is wasting more time being unhealthy. I wish I would have done it 10 years ago. For me, I would do it sooner but only if I were mentally ready to move forward. I am glad you are working with a therapist. If you are not ready to have this surgery, you should wait. The hardest thing about it is realizing the changes you must make to your lifestyle. I believe that is why most insurance companies require a 6 month supervised diet with either a nutritionist or a physician. You have to be in the right frame of mind to be successful. Good luck and keep us posted! You will have support from this group in whatever decision you make for yourself!

Ok, well there was a study done, and for those going into sleeve surgery without GERD, approx. 10% will develop it. Not so bad of odds I guess... Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

Hello I'm Mimi 25, TX. I had my sleeve done on 10/09/2015. So far im down 45 pounds. I was looking for a support group or friends who are in process of getting the sleeve or have had the sleeve. Hopefully that will help with my process as well as others!!! Instagram/Twitter: @MimiDaBeauty

Hi All. I had my 2nd fill today & orginally I had 5 ml in my 10 ml band. My consultant told me he takes out the fill first & checks the amount then adds more. But in my case he told me he could only manage to take out 4ml & explained this as sometimes the band is 'crinkled like a deflated paddling pool' & some of the liquid gets stuck in the ridges & some amount stays in the band'. Has anyone else experienced this? I now have 5.5 ml (or is it 6.5ml) in my 10 ml band. I am a bit concerned & confused about all of this - anybody out there had this experience & could put my mind at rest? Thanks in Advance Confused Gingercat :laugh: