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Excellent decision, Shar. I'll be 60 in June and was banded April 10. Why the heck didn't we do this years ago?? Oh well, better late than never. We still have many thin years ahead of us! Won't it be wonderful??:biggrin1:

Griffon, I am right there with you. I had my Gastric Sleeve 6/22/18 and I lost 15 lbs on the pre-op diet and then was 300 lbs day of surgery. I came home and I had gained to 309 from fluids because I was so sick from anesthesia and morphine. At my 2 weeks post op I weighed 285 (down 24 lbs.) I have been at 285 for 2 weeks. Yesterday I seen my surgeon for my 1 month appointment and he was very happy. He stated it is very normal for your body to stall like everyone is saying after a large amount of weight is lost right after surgery. Your body will stall and then acclimate and then begin to lose. I have not had any junk food or carbs, I am stickily eating protein or protein shake with my miralax and walking. He said I should start to see about 10-15 lbs a month after the initial weight loss. Believe it or not this morning I was 283. Best of luck and try not to get frustrated.

36 since surgery - the other 10 during 2 week pre op.

I'd strongly suggest you talk to them honestly and find out what their firm expectations are. My program is also very strict on this issue and they said they cancel approximately 10% of their surgeries each month for this reason. So you are not alone at all. I did the same thing for a window of time and now that I'm on the other side, I actually know it was something I needed to do. I'm sorry they (program) didn't understand it. And on the date of surgery I was where they wanted me to be. But the gain, then loss that happened in the mean time was actually my way of getting ready. They were angry about it but I now know I needed that process. And on the day of the surgery I shocked myself by going in with no fear and no reservations. I was ready. And prior to that date, I wasn't even sure I would be brave enough to show up at the hospital. A side note. My program demanded you give up carbonated drinks from the day you enroll in the program. It was the only thing I did not do. I've said before that one of the most important things about this whole process is knowing yourself and being truthful....at least inside your own head. I was drinking caffeine free diet coke. I'd quit drinking it before and knew it would be no issue when it was time. So I drank it up to the day I started my pre-op fast. Again, the way my mind works, that meant there were no regrets. I didn't look back on months of denial of something I didn't really need to be denying myself. I did not have a carbonated beverage for months after the surgery and, ironically, about 3 weeks after my first one I went to a support meeting where they announced they no longer required complete permanent abstinance from carbonation -- only from the start of pre-op to 90 days. Same rules they have for caffeine. So it sort of validated my method. I would have actually been angry if I had given up the diet coke I love for no benefit or reason. As it turned out, I went into surgery down weight wise down the approximate 10% they required and the surgeon was thrilled with my flat as a pancake liver. I was not the ideal pre-op patient until I knew I had to do it. I was perfect from the day they handed me the liquid stuff and others who were in my group later told me they were not. So my advice: get the rules, understand what you are actually required to do and then be honest with yourself as to whether you need to take a bit more time before you actually roll into the OR. Just because you are "death row eating" right now, it does not mean you can't do this. It just means you need to make sure YOU know you are ready and then meet the rules they tell you. My program said they get mad because people are not honest and do not believe that if they are insurance approved (or have self paid) that they will cancel and they do. They actually do.

I am 18 months and and find myself pregnant and I was NOT trying! (I think we all turn super fertile after major weight loss) I think at 10 months out you are getting to a place where you can start to get pregnant and start nourish a baby. Ideal, probably not... High risk? probably not.. a little extra monitoring? yes, but that's ok! Good luck!

I had my gastric sleeve July 10. The hardest part was dealing with the shoulder gas. To anyone having the surgery soon Please walk!! It's so important. I came home July 11th and I feel a bit more comfy in bed but I do continue to walk around my house. I even started my menstrual which has been months since I had my period. Has anyone else started there period after surgery? I drink my isopure protien drink and also drink like 32 oz of water which I need to drink more. But one thing I notice is I have cravings for regular solid food. Yesterday my family was over and the cooked and I wanted the food so bad. I know it's in my head but does anyone else feel this way ? I do drink half a cup of chicken broth

Twas the night before surgery, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse, or my dog, or my husband.......... Well it's 10:15 p.m. and my husband is watching a dvd, my dog is sleeping in her bed and i just finished taking my shower with my antibacterial soap given to me by the hospital. I'm getting sleepy because I took the sleep aid prescribed by my doctor, just in case I am too excited to close my eyes...........it's working.......... I told my immediate family yesterday about my surgery scheduled for tomorrow........at first I didnt want to because i wasn't sure about the reaction I would get. My two sisters are very supportive and so is my dad.......he said "that's great. You will look like you did in high school." haha. My mom wasn't as supportive but I'm sure it's a normal reaction when you hear your child is about to have surgery. She said she would go to the church in the morning to pray for me but tonight she texted me and said she will be there in the morning as she is driving in with one of my sisters. It's so nice to feel the love and support of my family. Now it makes me think I should have told them sooner........but I cant look back......I can only look forward at the start of my new chapter tomorrow. Good night my lap band family...........I will report again when I get home on Wed (if i am up to it).......until then...........xoxo

Actually 80 since being sleeved +20 = 100 total since I started February 19 all liquids sleeved 3/5 Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yeah! I'm 10 days post op. Doing ok so far -- latest issue is back pain, middle of back, right around where the bra line is. The shoulder pain from the gas is better now, did it move to my back? any input is appreciated! :-)

I was banded on 10/25. My doctor highly recommended ordering a medical bracelet. Just wondering if most people were getting these?

I lost almost 40 on my own pre-op diet from April 5 to surgery day, July 17. About 10 of that was on the required 3-day pre-op diet.

That is supposed to happen - there is 10-14 day lapse before your fill takes. Don't worry

Youknowit, the rules are pretty similar to the band but for somewhat different reasons. No drinking with meals. (The reason is there isn't room, not because you can flush the food out.) Chew, chew, chew Take 20-30 min. per meal but no longer I tend to eat my 1-2 oz. in about 10 min. and I know if I slowed down I could eat more, plus I wouldn't get the foamies as much. I'm just having trouble with it.

I guess I dislike the mindset that this decision is the easy way out. I've lost 80 lb by diet pills, eating 1000 calories, then weight lifting 45 min a day and walking 4 to 8 miles a day in addition to my daily steps. Working out 2 hours a day 5 days a week is not sustainable. Over 10 years it crept up. I've been to many Dr's and am told my Hashimoto's and genetics makes weight stubborn. I don't think this is the easy way out by any means though. Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

Sassygirl, Never too late to respond. Yes I am able to wear the pre op pants and a size under that too. That crazy 6# that I had put on, Well i actually (as crazy as it sounds) lost all 6# in one day. I am not loosing fast but I am still loosing and I feel good! You were a size 10 in 5 months! That is great!

Take advantage of not being hungry. I am 10 weeks post op and still do not get hungry, but my doctor said it will come soon enough. I do not exercise much outside, but while I workout inside, I constantly sip, seriously a sip every couple minutes and that seems to work for me right now. Keep up the good work and exercise!

I had surgery on 8/10 and I haven't yet started to feel hungry but I'm am overwhelmingly thirsty. I can never seem to get enough water. I went for a hike yesterday and boy was that a big mistake. I was so thirsty and hot and could not get enough water. How do you guys manage exercise without being able to drink a lot of water? Any tips and tricks? At home powerade zero has helped but I'm just always thirsty...

I just had my 10 month post op appointment today. I have lost 12 lbs since last month and am at a total loss of 88 lbs since surgery. I was feeling a bit frustrated when I went in because I am feeling SO HUNGRY in between meals. Within probably 2 hours of eating, I am so very hungry. I met with my nutrionist and we went over a lot of different things today, so hopefully we have gotten some things figured out in that department. I am obviously thrilled with the success so far though. I was a size 26 in jeans the day of surgery, and I am now a size 16. I was a size 3x in shirts, and I am now an XL (and they are actually a bit big really). I have absolutely no regrets about this band...other than not getting it sooner!!

1. When you are dehydrated.. your urine smells BAD! I almost gagged the first time I went to the restroom and couldn't believe what I was smelling.. (yeah so I make sure to get those liquids in!) 2. You don't use the restroom as much.. I only go maybe twice a day. 3. Acid Reflux! I've noticed when I swallow something too quickly or if I eat that soup too fast! I get hiccups or I burp a lot. (Never had this issue before). 4. I am always cold! This drives me crazy! (I'm a little dramatic) BUT!.. I literally have to sleep with my pajamas, snuggie with the covers over my head to keep warm. (And yes I take all my vitamins). I am freezing as I am typing this now 5. Waiters/Waitresses will assume you think their is something wrong with the food when you ask for a TO-GO box. I went to BJ's the other night and ordered a soup and had just a few bites and I became full. I asked our waitress for a TO-GO box and she went into apologetic mode and asked if she could offer me another dish and so on and so on.. very nice of her.. but long story short and lesson learned.. stay away from restaurants as much as possible.. it can be quite annoying dealing with the pressure of not eating your meal. 6. Do not purchase a new wardrobe after you lose those first few pounds. You are losing weight every single day and if you buy jeans today, I promise.. they will be too baggy just a couple weeks later. 7. My advice is to not tell people you are getting/ or had the gastric sleeve surgery. I made the mistake by telling my friends and I get asked a lot of questions such as; "So are you happy now?" "Well.. when are you going to stop losing weight?", "Are you going to act different when you lose all the weight?" It's pretty annoying and people act weird for some reason when you lose weight. I swear people weren't sweatin' me at 330 pounds. 8. I still have cravings! I thought my cravings would go away.. but nope! Still there! The sleeve is really a tool to help you lose weight and it doesn't solve all your problems. I almost had a nervous breakdown because I was craving Taco Bell and I couldn't do nothing about it. But the Good News is.. once you put something in your tummy.. you are full after a few bites and the cravings goes away. But it's a struggle everyday. 9. It takes people awhile to get used to the new you! So in my case.. a lot of friends were still inviting me out to Wine Festivals, Clubs, Brunch and Pop Up Bars. Just recently, my friend invited me to go with her to a Star Wars themed restaurant and I couldn't go because I can't have alcoholic drinks and all they offered were fried comfort foods. My new phrase is "no, sorry I can't go.. I can't eat that stuff remember?" Then it's "ohhh yeahh.. I forgot.. so when will you be able to eat/drink again?". Listen. I have come too far to let ANYBODY sabotage my weight loss journey so I am quick to distance myself from ANYBODY who will sabotage my journey and my advice is to anyone reading this is to stay CONSISTENT. People will catch on and know you mean business. 10. Regret. I did experience some regret after having the sleeve because I would use food to cope with issues I dealt with. And when that was taken away, I had to deal with my issues head on. That was difficult and I wanted to reverse the surgery (which you can't) but now that I'm over that hurtle, I have no regrets at all. I have my good days and bad days. My food addiction was real. And I take it one day at a time like I am in a12 Step Program. I used to socially drink every weekend, I was a heavy marijuana smoker, I DJ on the weekends- so I would get free drinks while I'm at the club. And I stopped everything cold turkey. It's tough, but I can't deny the way I feel. I have more energy w/o caffeine, I get 8 hours of sleep, before I was only getting 4 hours, I am in a much better mood, my skin is glowing, my depression is gone, before I was taking anxiety medication and I have completely stopped that. I look and feel like a new person.. and I never want to back to my old habits. Good luck to everyone that is on this journey. You will go through physical and mental challenges but stick to it! You will never have to start over again, if you never give up. Keep at it!

Hi All, I am almost 6 months post-surgery (6/19/12) and have lost 87 lbs. I am now beginning to have trouble finding good low fat high protein foods to eat. I do get weak and light-headed especially when i exercise, so i question my protein intake levels. Just hoping some of you experts had some recipes or good ideas on what to eat. I am not drinking any protein shake just trying to get in by foods. How many of you who are at my stage still drink protein shakes? Thanks for any info?

Hi Fred, welcome to LBT, and congrats on the weight loss!!! I am 16 month out from surgery, and am still not wearing my original wedding rings. The way my rings are made, sizing them will be difficult as well as expensive! And to do so more than once is likely to weaken the setting. So....I am wearing a simple ring that DH bought me for our 10th, it was easy to have sized, and very inexpensive, and I wear a simple plain band with it. Not ideal, but they work. When I quit losing, I will have MY rings sized. They are a size 10 and I am now wearing a 7.5. So, I don't imagine they will get much smaller, but I'm not taking chances. As far as being bad luck, I think that is silly!!! I could have stayed as fat as I was, and been buried early with it fitting snug---or I can be without it while I get healthy, then wear it with him til we grow old together. Most have had to have rings resized, or are waiting to do so---it is often one of the first places we lose weight, it was for me!!! Here I was wanting my belly gone, and heck no, my fingers went first!!! The commitment, and the bond, and the love are all there. I love my rings, but they are nothing but a symbol to the outside world. The real connection between us is much stronger than any ring. I would rather be without it, then resize it later, than accidentally lose it forever. I vote to resize, and until then, check out Walmart, they have inexpensive wedding bands!!! Kat

Sassygirl. That is fabulous!! How long did it take you to get to a size 10. I am still having a problem putting on my pants I was wearing pre op, (all too tight then) It make my tummy sore to put the slightest pressure. So I was going by that dang scale. I will wait another week and try some pre op clothes. I know the wait will all be worth it. Thank you for the advise.

I went through that stage. Man, the week before I started my pre-op liquid diet i probably gained 10 pounds just on my "goodbye food" tour. I had no idea what i would or wouldn't be able to eat. I remember sitting in McDonalds a year ago, eating a bacon egg and cheese McGriddle with tears streaming down my face as I mentally said goodbye to bacon egg and cheese McGriddles FOREVER. well, almost a year has passed, about 11 months actually, since my surgery and I am down about 90 pounds with NO FILLS and I can eat any type of food that I want to eat. the thing that has changed is the head hunger. I just don't feel it the way I did before surgery. before, food consumed pretty much every waking moment of my day. what will i eat next? what will i eat after that? what is the next meal? when is the next meal? i can honestly say i do not think that way any more. it's like a switch was turned off in my head and it really quieted that voice. sometimes i don't even think about food until my stomach makes a noise and i realize that i haven't eaten and i need to eat! can you imagine??? i certainly couldn't have imagined that *gasp* i wouldn't want to eat unless i was actually feeling hunger. so, although i can eat any type of food i want to eat, including bacon, egg, and cheese McGriddles, i rarely eat things that aren't serving a purpose. that means, i eat proteins first, as they fill me up, then veggies, then if i have it whatever starches there are. i can eat bread, but i don't eat a lot of it. every once in a while i will have a mcdonald's (or wendy's or burger king) hamburger with the bun...the difference is, I don't have the whopper or the big mac, i just have the regular size and it really is enough. i get the taste of whatever i am craving and then i move on with my day. if i have fries, i order the small instead of the super size. i also wait the 20 minutes after eating a meal to take a drink (like my doctor suggested) i still eat chocolate and cookies and cakes and sweets and things that aren't super duper healthy, but i don't have them every day. i usually have a cheat day or a special event that i save those things for. really, i don't think about sweets and starch and stuff like that in the way that i used to anyway. Holidays are really the only time where i indulge in sweets. can you say Cadbury eggs??? I'm so glad Easter is over and they have stopped selling these little eggs of evil anywho, i said all of that to say that what you are feeling is perfectly normal, at least it was for me. do what you need to do to mourn, but also know that if you chew long enough you can eat pretty much anything. the good thing about chewing is that once something spends a lot of time in your mouth and you really taste it for the first time, you realize that it wasn't a fantastic taste in the first place and you don't really want to eat it again. really, things don't taste the same to me anymore and i've lost the desire to have a lot of things that i once thought i loved. do i miss taking huge bites of delicious huge burgers? yes i do. sometimes, usually when it's that time of the month, but for the most part, i have competely changed my eating habits. i don't count calories or weigh foods or do any of that stuff. i think that now i eat like a normal person would eat. I have been watching my co-workers (who are all thin) and their eating habits this past year and i have discovered that we tend to now get hungry at the same time of day and eat roughly the same amount of foods and be full with the same serving size. this has given me joy to know that for the first time in my life there is something normal about me. i am eating like a normal person. not vacuuming the food down, not eating until i feel pain, not stuffing myself silly with supersized portions, but really eating and enjoying the tastes of food, all kinds of food. this band has actually opened up a world of food choices for me. i have discovered new flavors that i never knew existed or never paid attention to because i used to just bypass the chew stage. in the mouth and down the throat it went. no longer. now i spend time with food and since i'm spending time with food in my mouth, i want only delicious tasting things to go into my mouth. anyway, i could go on and on and on and on, but i will stop there and just say good luck to you and maybe give you hope that this isn't the end. you will be able to eat foods you like and love and you will be able to enjoy eating. just take it one day at a time and don't be discouraged. you will be just fine.