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I was told by my Doctor that he should have no problem doing the surgery, but he still wants me to do the 2 week pre-op. I assume so that I get used to a liquid diet. I can live with that. I'm in my 3rd day of the pre-op, so far just a mild headache and 3 more pounds lost. I can also eat as many green veggies as I want. I am using unjury, nectar and Isopure to mix up the Protein shake routine to help.

Ah the lovely spirometer. I had to use that for about a week after and I could tell when it all cleared. As for liquids/protein, it was an all day thing and I felt like I sat around watching the clock. My goal was Water first and foremost. The Protein slowly added on. It took over 2 weeks to really get the protein I needed. Just be patient and it will come. Sip, take your time. It's a full time job!

Congrats!! That's awesome. I have my 1st appt. with the surgeon on Jan 16, so I'm really excited like you. They are gonna do the psych evaluation and nutrition thing that same day, so I should have a surgery date next week. Yay!! Anyway, I don't know if you've seen it before, but there's a really good checklist on this forum. You go to the main page on this site and click on "FAQs and references." Then there's a sticky for post op checklist. It's really good. I think there are things on there for what to do before-hand also. Anyway, congrats! Hope that helps!

I have been tracking everything so far, I was even before the band. I add exercise and it doesn't seem to help. I was doing the EA Sports Active 5 times a week for a while and that didn't seem to make a difference. Then I switched to hitting the treadmill at least 5 times a week for at least 40 minutes at a time and that didn't make a difference. Now I'm trying upping my calories a little, lowering my carbs, upping my protein and hitting the treadmill 3 times a week now for 40 minutes at a time to see if that works. I think part of what I need to do is stop focusing SO much on the quantity of what I eat and focus more on the quality of what I eat. I had no restriction for a long time as I had gone 4 months without a fill, but, 2 weeks ago, I got a fill of .5 cc and now it seems like I finally have some restriction again, so, I'm hoping that makes a difference as well.

wow you decided a week ago to have surgery! that is so quick. i have been going through the process for almost 3-4 months now. im sure Dr. Martinez is an amazing surgeon, but when i think of TJ i think of it being dirty and very run down :] good luck with the surgery! I wish my process of surgery would be that quick! Surgery will be fine! congrats on taking the big step of being banded!

The weight loss definitely helps! Just don't ever let yourself run out of Vitamins. I went without for a week between paydays and thought I was dying by day 4. Maybe it was psychological, but BOY did I feel like a wet dishrag!

I've tried many, many different brand and found some that agree with me, and some that don't. I once was told that if the total carbs in a Protein bar aren't more than double the protein listed, then it's safe. It's not great for you, but better than some of the other bars. I have found that if you're lucky enough to live in the Kroger grocery store areas, that they have been having a weekly sale on Protein Bars, in thier health type food area of the store. They pick a few brands or styles and sell them 10 for $10. That's not too bad at all. Of course check the total carb to protein ratio to see if any worth buying that week. They normally change ads on Tues or Wed for the week.

Ok, I will pick one up. However, I know my body pretty well and I would be on the floor shocked if it were positive. I have always known I was preg before I ever took the test due to just having the feeling and then wham the symptoms would hit around week 6. Plus my weight has steadily gone down. But I will check it out just to be safe. Honestly, I fear I will never carry one to term anyway, since I know for sure I was preg 3 times and miscarried and the doctor believes it was more than that due to scar tissue. They don't hold high hopes for me ever being able carry. Never had a prob getting preg, just keeping it is an issue.

I setup a counter/diary on Live Strong One thing that shocked me was when I used their calorie calculator it had me at 2800 per day for 1 1/2 lbs loss per week I used sedentary as life style My weight and height From my reading here that sounded very high I had to up it to 3.5 lbs a week to get to 1750 Why was this so different that the 1200-1600 I read about here?

I've had to work on not comparing myself with others. Everyone is different and our bodies will react in their own way. I "only" lost 14lbs (I'm two weeks post-op). I was disappointed because I'd seen other people who lost 20+ in the same time frame. But then I looked at every failed attempt I've had over the last 20 years of dieting and I never lost a pound a day! I've lost 53lbs since August 25th (day I started this adventure). I need to be proud of that and just focus on following my plan and letting my sleeve help guide me. :-)

I have a dilated pouch and got a complete unfill and an order to do two week liquid diet. I can't wait for august 2. Hope it comes fast!

I did it! Made my mini goal weight of 207 my most recent lowest weight - 2 years ago on Jenny Craig! I started JC in Feb. 2010 at 272. 10 months later Dec 2010, my lowest weigh-in was 207 lbs.I was working out (walking and videos) 5-6X week, plus I spent an average of $400/month on JC food! So excited to get back to where I should never have left-I worked so hard to get there only to plateau, stop going to get weighed (and I was getting sick of the food) and poof- weighed 278 this past summer. I'm working hard now, but it's different. Maybe it's the hunger factor, I just don't think of food the same way as I did before. I can't wait until next month...I've ordered my one way ticket to onederland!

I am 9 weeks post op and I have lost 31lbs since surgery and 96lbs since I started my journey almost exactly 1 year ago That's all I wanted to say

Had my EKG, chest x-rays & lab work today! My psych eval is on wednesday. Getting really anxious & hoping to have everything back within 2 weeks to submit to Tricare. So ready to get healthy & start living again!

I am 7 weeks post op and i was wondering how long i have to wait before i can start doing ab exercises?? Any advise or recommendations???:confused2:

My doctor insists that we follow EAting for life and his patients have been very successful. we follow the Eat Clean diet as itis very similar- 5 small meals per day, lean protein, whole grains, veggies, fruits. The whole idea is to fuel your body with the right foods for weight loss,highly nutritious and packed with the right vitamins, proteins and minerals. When i get back on to foods, i willl be back on eating clean. (around 3 weeks post op)

I read a post on here before and I can't find it now. But it was telling about making little pizzas on pepperoni. I had them for lunch today and they were really good. You take sandwich size sliced pepperoni (I had trouble finding this size, but finally found it at a grocery deli counter), jar of pizza suace, shredded mozzerella, and whatever else you want on pizza. I put three slices on a paper towel in the microwave for 15 seconds. Then I spread pizza sauce sprinkled cheese, and sprayed baking sheet with canola spray, and broiled until cheese melted. I put chopped green olives on top since that's what i usually have on pizza. These were so good and filling and you're right tasted just like pizza. I also tried one the other day with pizza sauce, small turkey pepperoni, and cheese on Wasa crispbread craker and stuck under broiler wil cheese melts and that was really good too. Better than having all the carbs!

It happened to me. 10 days post-op I was doing great and it hit me like a ton of bricks. An abdominal binder helped and O was getting better, then it came back even worse. This was almost 4 weeks post-op. It got so bad, I could barely breathe and taking a shower was out of the question because I couldn't lift my left arm to do anything, it had to stay holding my side. The finally gave me Flexoril (muscle relaxer) to take along with the hydrocodone. Well, the long and the short of it is, I am 7 weeks post-op and haven't had any pain for about 3 weeks. It just vanished. Surgeon said it was pretty normal, some of us have a muscle structure that heals differently, especially if we amp up the activity right after surgery. While it was happening though, I scoured this site to see if anyone had a similar experience and couldn't find anyone that did. If it does happen to you, make sure you get in touch with your surgical center and tell them you need extra pain management help!

Hello to everyone! I am newly banded as of 12-12-06. A week tomorrow. I had my surgery in Lenexa Kansas from Dr. Wanda Kaniewski. Highest weight was 296, already down 10 pounds. WISH ME LUCK!!!

My name is Nikki. I'm a mother of three living in Southern California. I'm currently looking for the right doctor/clinic to have the surgery. I'm paying out-of-pocket so I also need a place that has financing. I am SO glad I found these forums as I was feeling a bit lost, wandering around the internet looking for information. Looking forward to 'talking' to everyone. If anyone has a doctor recommendation (or someone I should avoid) for the Simi Valley/Westlake/Ventura area, please let me know!

I too am scared about getting my 1st fill and it is today. I will be leaving here soon. I hope it is just right, don't want to be too tight or not restricted enough. I have not lost any weight and have gained about 5 lbs in the last several weeks, eat too much. Please wish me luck, I do love my band!! Shelley

Congratulation! I was trying to keep my expectations low, but I have also lost 7 pounds since my surgery on the 30th and I was so surprised! I was also excited to start walking the dog again yesterday. That's great you get a fill so quickly. I think I have to wait until 6 weeks.

Great ideas! Noah's Mom greetings! I am a recovering claustrophobic who still has panic disorder. I can recommend that you ask your doctor for a sedative, I take Klonzipam, starting a few days before your flight. ( you may not need it but I'm assuming you are like me and might hide in the bathroom vomiting for an hour like me) Give yourself a treat for arriving to the airport. The bookstore/gift shop just before the shuttle to gateside has some neat stuff and there are also several shops at gateside. Break up the flight into increments. Home to the airport=reward, to flightside=reward. I can recommend going over to the security check to the left rather than the line. I found I simply couldn't stand that long without pain ( I am 300 + ) You can also get a wheelchair at the front of the airport and instead of having to walk the entire way, you can be pushed through security (you will have to stand, take off shoes, etc.,) but will then be pushed to your gate and will be first on and when you get to California, last off. As you pass by the flight attendant, ask for a seat extender, they are in the first overhead compartment that they use for supplies. (my sister is a flight attendant) In the air, I take a camera and photograph the sky. It's just so awesome, absolutely amazing...all the clouds, the colors, fascinating. If you have a digital camera, all the better. Burn a CD of your favorite music or take your favorite CD. My CD had 1 hour worth of tunes and I also had loaded the MP3 player with music. Things to remember: Statistically, you have a greater chance of getting struck by lightning than being in a plane crash. Statistically, more accidents happen within three miles of your own home than anywhere else. Hyperventilating from anxiety does not mean you are "gonna die" and in fact, if you are breathing you are very much alive. Pick up a favorite magazine and read it over the second half of the flight. Take a nap. Enjoy a glass of wine. It helps you to relax. Depending on your airline, you might be lucky and have a screen in front of you to watch a movie. Best of luck. I want to share one last thing Noah's Mom, I had my surgery in Denver! So I flew from TIA four hours to Denver with a one hour layover in Atlanta for my surgery. I go back to Denver for fills and am going back in October. My reward is seeing parts of the country I otherwise wouldn't be seeing (one of the rare positive aspects of being obese...the Lap Banding). I almost went to Mexico (where I am told the accomidations are great) but went to Denver instead. Check out the shopping there. Flying home was a breeze. The pain medicine knocked me out! Patty

I had soreness (not pain) along the staple line.....if that's all it is, I wouldn't worry too much......you need time to heal......but if you are in pain, true pain, then you may want to call the doctor....good luck on your journey! Those first few weeks are hard.