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Hi, I'm Alexis. I'm fairly new here. I got my surgery date for 10/23/17 and I am on day 5 of my two week full liquid diet. On 10/17 I have all my pre op appointments.

Hi! I had a Lap to RNY conversion on Wednesday. The surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, but the anesthesiologist pumped me up with too much gas & they had to try to do the surgery the following day. I was an add on patient for Wednesday. The procedure was supposed to be strictly a laparoscopic surgery. I noticed when I came home that I have 10 lap sites & 1 open incision on my left side. The site is puckered in VERY deep & looks like a huge/wide/ scary roll with sores inside of it. The "sinkhole" is completely disproportionate to my body. I didn't know if this was normal. It's extremely painful & I am so upset. I'm not trying to complain. I am completely grateful that i was given the opportunity for a revision... I just don't know, if this will look like this forever... Or if it should be this painful... Has anyone else went through this? I don't know if this matters, but I started out at 285. Thanks, guys!

You lost fairly quickly, which implies that you still have a relatively strong metabolism, so you have some work to do. As a very rough approximation of where you should be, take the average of your last couple months' loss; for every 5 lb (2.3-ish kg), that's about a 500 calorie per day deficit that you need to make up. For instance, I was losing at 10lb per month the last three months of serious weight loss, which works out to around 1000 calories per day deficit; I was averaging 1100 calories per day, and am now maintaining (for the past 6-7 years) in the 2100-2200 range. This will at least give you an idea of how large the steps up that you should be making to ease into your maintenance range. I started working toward maintenance at the six month mark when I was 10 lb from my goal (or about a month away) so I started increasing things then to slow things down; as this was early November, I in part just let the holidays happen and it took another two months to lose that final 10 lb, and I had minimal overshoot; I still needed to fine tune things from there, but I was pretty close by then.

This new format is weird! It stretches out everyone's profile pix so they look fat but like a funhouse mirror! Anyway congrats on the pants size. I know I am really a size 10 because that's my size now at the Gap but my Levis are an 8 so I literally keep the sticky Levis 8 Short tag on my mirror! I started in the same style of Levis but they were a bursting 16! Good luck to all!

I never gave up coffee.. I drink at least one or two cups a day. I couldn't give it up, but it really isn't the end of the world if you don't. I have a keurig as well, but put ground coffee in the reusable cup. I mean really if you count up the calories and fat, it's barely anything! The coffee itself is less than 10 cal (I think it's like 2 cal per 8oz?) and if you use the powdered fat free coffeemate light, it's 10 cal per tsp and i use Splenda or equal which is 0. So...maybe 30ish cal? I'm not too worried about that.

Hello everyone. I am Barb from Oregon. I have worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital(for 19 years) here in Portland that is the National Institute of Health's center for excellence for bariatric surgeries. We have insurance coverage for the bariatric surgeries. However, it only covers person over the age of 25. I joined this site to try to get help for my daughter who has decided she would like to have the surgery. Does anyone have words of advice for me on trying to get our insurance to cover her surgery? I will try to appeal approach and have already emailed our VP. I heard there was a lawyer out there that works for the lap banding manufactor that helps people who have insurance problems. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks alot! Barb

I looked at it this way. The surgery probably added 10 years to my life. Great investment even at x10000000 the price.

They never really said.....it just shows in.the packet 7-10 days before surgery start the diet Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

So this week I went to my surgeon for my 3 month post op visit. 3 months!!! ALREADY! Wow, I cannot believe how fast the time goes when you are so focused on a goal! So, I went there and first off got weighed by the nurse. She says to me, "Wow, you are down another 26.3 pounds since the last time we saw you just over a month ago!" So I tell her about the hair loss and the little bit of worry that I have about the loose skin, and she gives me some fliers about what other Vitamins I can be taking for the hair loss (BY THE WAY, ANY ADVICE IN THIS AREA WOULD BE GREAT!!!). She then tells me to ask the Dr. about the skin and what he thinks. So the Dr. comes in a few minutes later. Says to me, "Hello, Kim. I'll tell you, you used to look like someone I would perform surgery on, but not anymore!" So I smile and turn beat red (i'm sure) and then he looks at the chart again and says, "Kim! Do you realize you have lost 90 pounds in 4 months!?! NO ONE has ever lost that much that fast in our program!" Thats when it hit me. I have officially "lost" my 12 year old niece. WOW! Now for the bad news... My hair is 1/2 gone. Thank goodness I had a really thick head of hair to start or I would be bald by now. It's horrible! Every time I touch my head I loose a whole hand full of hair. I am really starting to worry about it but don't know what kind of vitamins to invest in so that it at LEAST slows down. HELP!!!! More bad news: I'm on another stall. I wanted to start the new year off in Onederland. I haven't lost in over 2 weeks. I am 10 pounds from Onderland and am stuck. Go figure. I just hope I can be within 5 pounds of Onderland at least by the New Year. Over all, I am happy as a lark and LOVING my new life! Thanks to the surgeon, their wonderful staff, and the sleeve I am happier than I have been in a very very long time. I finally feel good about myself and therefore am able to tackle the everyday things that used to tax me to even think about. I don't have a lot of full body pictures to post but I do have just a few to share. The first two pics is from a wedding I was in this last June (5 months ago). The last three were taken just this week. I will do my best to find some full body pictures this week and get them posted. ONDERLAND HERE I COME!!!!!!

Hi all!! So I will be a yr out on jan 24th 2012. It has been a crazy, happy, sad, exhausting, mind blowing yr! I've made mistakes, went a little too crazy, but came back and I love my freaking sleeve. I started this journey at 304 at a size tight 24. As of today I am 158 and a size 7-10 depending on the clothrd and m/l shirt. I only have 8 lbs til I am a healthy bmi and 18 lbs til goal (which I might even lower!!) I am still losing about a lb a week with some stalls. This is amazing to me! I don't ever remember being this small. I still have a lot of toning to do and am planning on getting ps. I don't think of myself as small or beautiful but I've noticed the way people treat me. Guys check me out! And not the ones I usually had. You know what I'm saying? When ur big u settle. I'm talking hottt guys that those skinny perfect b*****s get!! And its surreal. Women give me dirty looks. This one pisses me off. But they are nicer to my face. When I was obese thin women were for the most part very rude. I still can't wrap my mind around it. I see pics of thr old me and I can't believe it. I have so much more confidence now and it shows!! My sister who I love dearly but can be quite mean is jealous!! She used to be very thin bodering on an eating disorder. A couple months ago she let me go through some clothes that she had. There was a box thst didn't fit her anymore she was saving. She let me borrow some and they fit!! She was irrate!! She didn't think I was smaller than her!! Now they are a little too baggy (not the shirts yet becaise my arms and tummy are still a little too big. She used to make fun of me and call me fat and now I weigh less!! I shouldn't be happy about this but I feel likes its karma. I never go out of my way to make her feel bad and now when we talk about weight she gets mad and says ur not big its just extra skin. If u didn't have that ud be skinny. Has anyone else experienced this?

I was sleeved the same day as well....I am down 68 lbs and went from a size 20 to an 8! Your weight loss isn't slow. 10 pounds a month is nothing to sneeze at! Keep up the good work. Glad you will be able to see your doctor again. We sleevers are tough in many ways but we need our medical check ups to make sure everything is on track. Living the dream!!, Laura

Last week was my 8 month bandiversary. Why did I wait so long to have the lap-band? It has really been the best thing I have ever done for myself. My lap-band is my built in will power. Always with me. Always reminding me to make good food choices. I wanted to share some of my positive outcomes so far... Justin Bieber weighs 110lbs. I have lost Justin Bieber!!! I am working out regularly. I can make it through an hour kick ass spin class with out taking a break and I love it! I have more energy to play with my son. (I went down the slide at the park and went on the swings!) My whole family is eating healthier. I have learned what a real portion looks like. I can fit in any restaurant booth. If I eat slowly, pay attention to what I’m doing and chew my food really well, then I can still eat my favorite foods. (The funny thing is those foods aren’t as important to me anymore.) I went from a tight size 26/28/3X/4X to a loose 18/20/1x. I do not wear elastic waist pants anymore. My shoe size went from an 11W to a 10. I am putting myself first for the first time ever and I am able to take BETTER care of the people and things I care about. I'm saving money - eating less, eating out less, and less money on fad diets etc. I'm not missing out on anything. I try new things all the time. I am so happy! I truly wish that everyone can experience all the wonderful things that I have in the last 8 months. Who knew that in less than a year my life could be so different? I can't wait to see what happens next! Have a great day!

I sure hope this isn't true!! I had surgery 10/29/12 then gallbladder surgery 12/29/12 then 3 weeks ago a total hysterectomy so I really haven't been able to exercise much!!! As 20 weeks out of my 6 1/2 months post op has been healing and can only walk!!

I don't mind the tiny fills. I did gain 3 pounds and got no fill today. Ont eh bright side, my doctor would be fine if I stayed where I am for life. I would like to lose 40-50 more, though but then it has been over 40 years since I was that weight. As far as gyms go, I go around 1-2 and maybe there are 10 people there. All shapes and sizes and mostly older people. They do have a senior class but I am too lazy to get there at noon, M-W-F. I am a late sleeper. The weight room with the studs, is in the back and they walk through only and don't look at anyone but themselves.

dinner. Place: Varsity Grill, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma- 1/2 block north of the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel. Phone number: 253-627-1229 8:00-10:00 A special event, in the Sheraton Ballroom, “Talking with the Surgeons”. Includes a non-hosted cocktail party. Saturday: 7:30-8:00 REGISTRATION 7:50-8:00 CONFERENCE BEGINS / ANN0UNCEMENTS 8:00 SPEAKER: Don Mills - Marketing Representative Allergan Corporation, formerly Inamed Corporation. Our inside man at Inamed-Allergan Corporation, Updates Us On New Lap Band Information. 8:30 OPENING SPEAKER: Joanne Godmintz 9:00 The morning starts with a motivational seminar titled: “Hold on to your band, you are in for the ride of your life”, led by noted psychotherapist Louise Pietrafesa, MSW and Randy Brandies, MSW. Ms. Pietrafesa is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley, with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Besides having a busy therapeutic practice in Seattle, WA, Ms. Pietrafesa is a consultant to Northwest and Clinical Nutrition Center, Joslin Institute of Diabetes at Swedish Hospital and the Novartis Nutrition Corporation. Randy Brandies is a graduate of University of Chicago, where he received his Masters Degree in Social Work. He is a cognitive behavior therapist and practices in Seattle, WA. 10:30-10:50 BREAK – Meet with Vendors 10:50-12:00 MOTIVATIONAL SEMINAR CONTINUES 12:00-1:00 CATERED lunch 1:00 LAP BAND SURGEON SPEAKERS SESSIONS BEGIN: SPEAKER: Roberto Rumbaut, M.D. Medical School: Escuela de Medicina, Ignacio Santos, ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico in General Surgery Residency at San Jose Hospital ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Graduate of Board Certified- General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery: University of Monterey-ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Past President of the Mexican Obesity Surgery Society 2003-2004 Member of the Medical Advisory Committee for Bioenterics Lap-Band System Member: ASBS Topic: Living With The Lap Band SPEAKER: William D. Neal, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, OR Surgical Residency: Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: Regular Member, ASBS Staff Surgeon: St. Peter's Providence Hospital, Olympia, WA Chief of Surgery, Mason General Hospital, Shelton, WA Topic: Coencentric Dilatation and Slippage SPEAKER: Dr. Pedro Kuri, M.D. Medical School: National University of Mexico, Mexico City General Surgical Residency: National University of Mexico, Mexico City Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Past Senior Professor at University of Baja California Medical School Member of the Mexican Medical Society of Obesity Surgery Member: ASBS Topic: Lap Bands SPEAKER: Dr. Barry Fisher, M.D., FACS Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Clinical Research Professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: ASBS Topic: Motivation for Success SPEAKER: Dr. Ariel Ortiz, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico Residency in General Surgery: Centro Medico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery and Clinical Medicine, University of Baja California, Tijuana Member: ASBS Topic: Are you failing the band, or is the band failing you? 2:40-3:00 BREAK 3:00-4:00 PANEL DISCUSSION 4:00-5:00 BREAK-OUT SESSION SPEAKER: Mary Costa R.N., CDE, Diabetic Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente, Antioch, California Topic: Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Weight loss is one step; are you at risk? Additional steps to prevent heart attack and stroke SPEAKER: Dr. Leo Petersen, M.D., Practices with Dr. Pedro Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico Topic: Insulin Resistance SPEAKER: Terry Simpson, M.D., FACS Lap Band Surgeon, Phoenix, Arizona, Author of several books on weight loss including “Losing The Last 30 lbs” and “Fundamentals of Weight Loss”. Topic: How to get to your goal SPEAKER: Dr. Martinez, M.D., Practices with Dr. Ortiz. Topic: Diagnosing Using Fluoroscopy 5:30-6:00 CLOTHING EXCHANGE 7:00 CATERED DINNER Followed by an evening of lively entertainment including: Fashion Show, Jamie's “Famous Slide Show”, bandsters pictures Before and After. Raffle and Bandster Auction. (Save your dollars—something Extra Special is being Auctioned off--it's a secret.) Fun continues with entertainment by the Vancouver-Portland Bandster Group, "The Van Ports" with 80's Disco-Dancing – Dance the Night Away! Prizes Galore!!!! Sunday: 8:30-12:30 PLASTIC SURGERY FORUM Speakers will include a variety of different plastic surgeons, nurses and patients. Cathy Ross, CRT, Bandster, Patient/Nurse, Kirkland, WA Topic: What you want to know before Plastic Surgery . Gavin Dry M.D., FACS, Plastic Surgeon, Kirkland, WA, Medical School: Univ of British Columbia, Vancouver, Gen. Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, Plastic Surgery Residency U of W Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery-US, Topic: Plastic Surgery following Weight Loss Lisa B. Stubenrauch RN BSN CDONA/LTC NHA Bandster /Patient/Nurse /Seattle, WA Topic: Total Body Lift- A Top to Bottom Reconstructive Overhaul, From the Patient's Perspective Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, Plastic Surgeon, Tijuana, Mexico Medical School-Universidad La Salle in Mexico City Medicine. Residency: General Surgery National University of Mexico Fellowship specializing in a Plastic Surgery at the National University of Mexico and University of California, Irvine. Board Certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mexico Topic: Total Body Lift

I've had three or four different blogs over the past 10 years. Not sure how many readers I ever had, but I always went into it with the attitude that I was blogging for myself. You're absolutely right, that blogging will help you as you go through your journey. I'll be by in a day or two!

Hi Helena, I also went thru a 6 month supervised diet program connected with the hospital I went to and it was good to have the diet and all the tests done by the bariatric center. It was very convenient and I developed a good working relationship with the staff. The diet was kind of a formality for insurance purposes but I did lose close to 10 pounds so that was good. I don't think you have to worry about losing too much - it just shows you are serious about doing what it takes and will use the band as tool. I'm envious of you only having a 12 week diet - it took me 9 months to get all my pre-op testing done. (hectic life) I felt like I was having a baby but just like a pregnancy, the results will be totally worth the wait. The surgery was no big deal at all. Good luck to you!! Smilliegal

HI Cherry, I'm a new bandster too (Dec 10) and also in Perth. Welcome to the club

This sounds like gas pain to me. It's typically not as bad as what you're describing, but I have heard of it being this bad. Is she taking gas-x or something similar to help move the gas? Was she on a liquid diet prior to surgery? That would explain the lack of BM's. I went for about 10 days with nothing, and then I had the worst case of diarreaha - liquids in, liquids out. Also, is your girlfriend taking the Tramadol in pill form or is she crushing it first? She's not eating yet is she? That could also cause lots of pain because she should be on liquids only at this stage. Use a heating pad on the shoulder and tummy and walk as much as possible. If she doesn't have some relief after the gas-x and heating pad and walking, then you really do need to see the doctor. Preferably the doc that did the surgery, because he's going to know more about it than and ER doc. Let us know how she's doing. You'll both be in our prayers. Barbara

Hi folks, Tomorrow, I am having my first fill (I had my surgery on 9/17/10), and I wonder if it is okay to eat Breakfast before I go for the fill or if I need to have an empty stomach. I looked over all the literature I received before my surgery and couldn't find anything about it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Well thanks for all the input on my first discussion as to When to have the lap band. I have scheduled my first appointment for Oct. 10. What can I expect from here on out? Thanks again you all have been so helpful.

Like the above person said they should give you a checklist at your first appt of things that need to have done prior to getting a surgery date. Mine was super long and I just wanted to get them over and done with so I could get the surgery. My first appt was on May 31st and I hustled on getting things checked off and had surgery on Sept 12th, 3 weeks ago today ...... Here is my list, I know it seems long but I feel like I learned a lot about my body and my health. Good luck! sleep study (2 nights) EKG Pap smear Psych eval (3 appts mandatory) Upper GI Support group Lose 10 lbs. Attend 3 Healthy Weight classes Nutritionist Attend 2 bariatric surgery classes and pass the test at the end of classes Blood work Chest X-ray Start a food and exercise journal

10 years of research and seminars = the sleeve. My husband and I both diabetic, I am off Metformin and his 300-400 daily blood sugars are now 110, morning and night thank God! Praise the sleeve. Loving life.

It does take a while for you to feel it. I had my surgery 9/10 and I have now lost 130 lbs. I wear a size 12 pants and medium top. Even fitting into smaller clothing it didn't register. And just recently I feel like I have lost weight. When I look in the mirror and do say to myself I am skinny. I have been so used to not looking at myself in the mirror. Everyone else has been saying it for a long time. My mother and husband say I look frail. So good luck and keep up the good work. Our mind plays such games with us. Take a lot of pictures and you will also notice it.