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Sufina - welcome. I have found it very helpful to be tied into the local lapband patients in my area so I went under USA Local support groups thread, to my Ohio thread, and then we have all kinds of various groups by the major cities and areas in Ohio and as a result of chatting in that area, we actually formed a local support group that meets at a mall once a month and involves only lapband patients since we found each of our surgery centers had about 90% Gastric Bypass and 10% lapband patients (or about that split) and we wanted to just have lapband support specifically so it has worked out great for us. The second group on the website I've found great support through is once you have a band surgery date, mine was March 17, I found tremendous support from the people having surgery at the same time as me, going through the same fears and cheers about going to the hospital, initial diet post op, etc. So that is under Band surgery dates and then it splits by Year and then by Month of surgery. Third group I've found some support through is whether you have alot to lose or just a certain amount to lose, there are groups for those by weight loss categories so if you have alot to lose, you'll need support from those who understand you're in it for the long haul because its not going to come off in just 6 months or even a year if your BMI is over 40 or 50. Hope this helps.

I had bad gas pain for 10 days after surgery. With walking it got worse before getting amazing better. Hot drinks worked well for me, especially pepermint tea...or a pepermint droped in some hot water. It gets better I promise! I am 5 weeks post surgery and feeling great (20lbs down). Still get some gas pain now and then but I'm used to it now. Good luck!

You sound so normal it's scary! Lol! Like you, I had the same fears and trepidations. One day after I lost a whole nights sleep worrying about all the negatives that "might" happen, I just dropped to my knees and gave it all to God. I told Him point blank that this was in His hands and if He saw fit to see me through or not, that I would respect His decision. My mind has been at peace ever since. I know not everyone has these convictions, but it worked for me. Something else that someone told me before surgery has also helped...... "You're 98% more likely to get in a car wreck any day of the week, than you are to have complications or die from this surgery!" Breathe deep, write down everything you can about the surgery that you can think of or that you have read or learned in your research. Write down the good, the bad and the ugly and keep your mind open!!! Do not let fear sway you to thinking negatively, and I think you will find that the good FAR outweighs the bad! I'm 10 days post-op and feel FANTASTIC!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat and I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have, or simply lend a quiet ear if you need to vent or get things off your chest! Welcome to the family!! Christal

I am 21 months out from surgery and have gotten pretty comfortable. I have fallen back into old habits and have gained about 10 pounds back. I know it is not much but I am scared it will spiral out of control if I don't get it under control. BUT, I am struggling with getting back to basics and getting the weight loss rolling again. Any advice on how to get back to basics and restart is appreciated. The bad thing about being almost 2 years out from surgery is that you can eat more than right after surgery and you are not as diligent and focused. I know I just need to do it but don't even remember where to begin, what to eat, what to do, etc. It feels so foreign to me... Please help!!!

I'm 15 months out and decided I wanted to go 10 pounds below goal. I hit 150 at 12 months out, and have 1 or 2 more pounds (depending on the day) to go! So it's taken me about 3-4 months to get the last 10 off. I'm a super slow loser anyway

*NOTE: Well, now it’s 58 days actually. I've tried posting this the last two nights and gave up trying to get access to this site after hours of trying (apparently the site capacity is maxed out), but that’s another post entirely. If you don’t know yet, I’m turning 49 7/8 this year. I’ve promised to work my way up to calling it, what it is, by my birthday. See? There in the title? That’s a huge step in the right direction, right? Well, if I say it’s a huge step, it is! I’m not sure why 40 didn’t bother me, I thought it would, but it didn’t. I’m not one to hide my age either (I’m stating the obvious here again, aren’t I?). But this one is FREAKING ME OUT!!! What’s so scary about 5-0?…it’s a milestone, a landmark, the BIG 5-0, half a CENTURY for crying out loud, you’re definitely on the downward spiral of life even if you do make it to that Willard Scott Smuckers birthday, it’s midlife (you hope), and don’t you remember when your parents turned 50, and how OLD you thought they were? Let’s face it, when AARP sends you more mail then Victoria’s Secret you’re on your way out. Can I just say here, STOP SENDING ME MAIL AARP!!! I’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN I’M READY TO JOIN!!!! I had pretty much decided that I was NOT going to turn ‘that age’ this year. I’m not 5-0 in my head, so what’s the point. I certainly don’t act like I’m 5-0. But lately, my body is starting to act like it is. The past few years I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said that I felt like I was circling the drain. I was feeling, well, OLD! I’d been puzzling over this attitude for awhile now, because it’s not like me. What’s up with me? I’m definitely a ‘cup half full’ person. DH calls me the eternal optimist. After pondering some more, I think I’m figuring this out. You know why? Because things ARE changing. I see that I was feeling bad about my age, because I was FEELING it. After my ‘Moment’ (don’t think I’ve shared that one here yet, but I’ll save that for another blog)…you know that moment when you decided that you were actually going to at least ‘look’ at that ‘extreme thing’ called WLS?...Then I decided on the LB, and that was a HUGE change in the right direction. I decided that this year was going to be about ME for a change. I’ve never put myself at the top of the list, let’s face it, I’ve never even put myself ON the list. I decided to make this my year for getting healthy. I made a pack with myself to do this to my best ability and see what happens. My year of taking care of me…so it’s a birthday present for myself, of the best kind. It hasn’t been easy to do actually, and that part surprised me. I’ve always been know as a person who embraces change…in business, I was know as a ‘change agent’ and it was something I was very good at. It’s easy to feel optimistic about everything else in life, but yourself?...when you’re feeling sick, tired, and old?...but I kept to my promise to myself…it certainly hasn’t been without major moments of guilt for putting myself first…and I’m sure there’s much more of that to come. I’ve made myself re-look at my surgeries that failed that I’d given up on (shhh…stress incontinence…bladder sling and hysterectomy) and even knowing I’m the only one my doc has ‘ever had the surgery fail for’; now I’ve gone through re-testing and am scheduled to see another specialist in March. I’ve made myself ask for help about my osteoarthritis that has given me constant pain for the past 10 years, and doctors have told me “it’s age”; so I thought there was nothing that could help; and now Physical Therapy is actually helping me. I’ve chosen to get the LB, and now, by many unforeseen circumstances, it’s looking like it’s going to happen within a week of my birthday. Coincidence? I’m seeing changes that I thought would never happen. So now I have new hope. I’m already not feeling as old anymore. If I can make changes I thought would never happen, then maybe the LB will work for me and make more changes I thought could never happen. So maybe turning the BIG ONE this year won’t be so bad after all. It might be a year to celebrate! …baby steps…I’m getting there.

Hey Rocky, way to go! Im glad it is over for you too! At least you stayed the night, my surgery was at 2;30 Monday and at 5:10 they were sending me out the door! My husband wasnt very happy about this, I just figured I was the last case for the day and they wanted to go home.. Its now Thursday and I finally ate alittle Malt-O-Meal. I feel like I need to do a major major BURP but cant??? Did you feel this way as well? Feels like a hugh lump in my throat..Im alittle sore, but it was not as bad as my 2 C-sections Ive had so I can live w/this. Hope you have a speedy recovery!!!

Somebody posted this link in a thread and i couldn't find it again - so thank you! I think it is a great article and should be read by people considering WLS. I am 2.5 years out from a revision band to sleeve and that article made so much sense based on my experience. Band (when filled) - I had a very small food capacity but I couldn't tolerate the reflux. I also honestly couldn't tolerate the very small capacity either and it drove me toward sliders (my responsibility not blaming the band). When I revised to the sleeve I was surprised that eating was so much easier say 3 months out then it ever was with the band. I didn't think about it that I could eat more quantity /capacity then I had with a filled band but it is true. I think for me that is one reason I have been so much more compliant with the sleeve, I can eat salads and veggies and dense Protein without feeling discomfort or pain. I get an "absence of hunger" sensation after pretty small quantities, but still more than I could consume with a filled band. I had the band for 10 years, most of that time with "no fill" due to my issues with it. I think that might explain why some people do really well with the band and struggle with the sleeve after revision because you can eat more. Anyway, there is alot more to the content of this article, but that particular piece fit my experience.

I read through the whole article and found the research on the band to be kinda vague compared to the sleeve and bypass. Seems like they are making assumptions due to lack of specific research on the band. From my limited experience... I can say my cravings and tastes have definitely changed with the band. I am still able to eat meats and raw vegetables with a 5cc fill. I find myself wanting healthy food as opposed to junk. I have more energy than before. Perhaps I am an exception with this experience? I've read studies where the weight loss with the band matches the sleeve and bypass patients long term...meaning it takes band patients a little longer to lose, but in the end we all end up at similar goals. A lot of these studies only look a year out. I honestly think it is an individual preference...one surgery might be better than another depending on the person. Hoping more long term studies are done to help people with their decisions on all forms of surgery. I found it all confusing and contradictory when I was researching my options. Bands have been redesigned, techniques on all the surgeries have improved. So I went with my gut...no pun intended...and so far, I feel I made the right decision. I also think the surgeon, and support system afterwards make a big difference, as well a person's attitude going in. It's surprising they can't analyze more human subjects and have to resort to rats...I mean, how many people have had surgery in the past 10 years? I'd be willing to answer questions about my diet, carvings, etc...give blood samples, or what ever else, if it would help them understand how to best tackle obesity. I kinda feel we are all guinea pigs right now, anyway.

Surgery was Wednesday and it went well. But I am struggling with nausea and vomiting. I have only been able to keep down a few ounces of liquid a day. I finally got my Dr office to call me in some phenergan but I vomited about 10 minutes after I took it. The Medical Assistant tells my I don't need phenergan just take Reglan, Symax, and Prilosec and I will be fine. I am ready to strangle her. It defeats the purpose of taking these meds if I just vomit shortly after taking them. I am hoping today will be better. I definitely don't want to end up back in the hospital with dehydration. Any tips would be greatly appreciated since my Dr's office is not very helpful.

LOL That is anyones guess! This time next week? Like a cat that has been run over. Twice. After that? I am pretty confident that within the month I will be back to my old self, IKWIM. I tend to bounce back from surgery pretty quick, and I am healthier now than I have been in 10 years. Thank you all for your kind words. While I am not trying to "inspire" anyone (I tend to inspire the worst in people, lol) I do remember thinking "If she can do it, so can I" when I saw a post like this... So thank you all again. I will be posting some before and during (I am not an after till the TT) in my journal later on today.

Hello! We're practically neighbors! My Dad lives in Albany, but I live near Bainbridge. Dr. Bagnato did my surgery on 10/19. It took me about 4 months to get approved. I had the usual gas pains and soreness after surgery, but I've really felt great. Dr. B left 1.5 cc in my band at the time of surgvery. My first fill was 6 weeks post op (2.5 cc) and my 2nd fill was on Dec 28th (2 cc). I've lost a total of 65 lbs, including the 2 week pre op Sugar Busters diet. Dr. Bagnato is great and I absoluely love my band!

Hi, I'm about 10 days post op and 4th day on phase 2. Since surgery I've felt like there's something stuck in my throat. Saw my surgeon a week after and he said that's normal and can last up to a month. Does anyone else have it or had it? Also for the past 4-5 months I've had this weird shallow burp/hiccup. When it started I had the band and they kept taking Fluid out thinking the issue was caused by the band being too tight. After the band was completely emptied it slipped but went up instead of down. Had it removed. Before that I had an endoscopy, then an esophagus test where they put a tube up my nose and down into my throat to check the motility of my esophagus. All these tests showed nothing. My surgeon thought maybe I had scar tissue from my original lap band surgery and hernia and that he would take care of it during my sleeve surgery and it would be gone. WRONG! I now am still in pain from the sleeve surgery....still have those annoying horrible throat burp/hiccups and yesterday I tried eating a small piece of fish and was vomiting and dry heaving so bad I thought for sure I popped internal stitches. I'm at my wits end! Anyone have/had any of these problems and can maybe shed some light? Only positive is that I've lost a lot since I either can't eat or afraid to. Negative is I'm probably not getting anywhere near enough food, liquid or Vitamins. Hopeless and regretting surgery.

I'm taking two weeks off. I'm 10 days post-op and started back walking almost immediately. I feel great and my energy level is fine. I'm still on full liquids, getting plenty of protein (Premier Protein shakes) so that's got to be why I feel good.

I felt the same way after my surgery. I was banded 1-4-10. I couldn't believe I had actually gone through with it. I am losing weight though which was my goal. I am thankful I had the courage to see it through. Seeing the scale move every few days is awesome. I haven't even had my first fill yet. I can't wait to see the band in action in my life.

7 weeks Post Op and the Honeymoon is OVER for me. The first 3 weeks the weight melted off, then I had the dreaded stall. The stall broke and now I am losing 1-2 pounds a week. Which is great! BUT, it is definitely work! I am having to make very conscience decisions about what I eat and to exercise. Sound familiar?? Sounds like the standard eat less, move more mantra that every doctor/nutritionist has told me my whole life. DUH!! See, I am one of those "lucky" ones that can tolerate anything. Nothing makes me sick, I guess I have a sleeve of steel to quote someone else. Now, I am limited to how much I can eat which is definitely a good thing. Because I CAN eat anything doesn't mean I SHOULD. This weekend was my eye opener. We had people over and I discovered that I can drink...DANG! I had a couple drinks, and I munched ALOT. I can eat a little something, then a little bit later I can eat a little more. I felt like I was eating all night. I did keep track of everything on Myfitnesspal on my phone so I have a really good idea of what it really looked like. When you add in the drinks (which were vodka and diet cranberry, which is a decent choice) I ended up close to 1200 calories for the day. Pre-Surgery that would have been a GREAT day. However post surgery that was very eye opening for me. I could see very clearly that my choices and decisions are going to make a huge difference in my outcome...regardless of the surgery! The surgery helps, for sure, but I am still going to have to do the work or I'll be right back to where I started!! So like any normal person, the next day, I picked myself up...took the lessons to heart...and started over. Made good food choices and kept exercising. I say "like any normal person" because previously this would not be the way I handled it. I would have said "oh well, I blew it so I might as well quit" and my one day of bad eating would have turned into 2, then 3 then a week. I am alternating between walking and riding my bike (the picture is of me the other day with my uber-cool cruiser bike!) and I just found out that 24 hour fitness has a great deal going on so I think tomorrow (pay day) I'll be joining the gym too! I think that's a good reward for losing almost 50 lbs!! Heaviest Weight: 281 3/6/13 Surgery: 257 (-24) 3/13/13: 251 (-6) 3/20/13: 245 (-6) 3/28/13: 238 (-7) 4/3/13: 238 (-0) FIRST MONTH -19# 4/10/13: 237 (-1) 4/17/13: 235 (-2) 4/24/13: 233 (-2)

Phat Journal Entry; Starting Weight: 325 lbs (March 10th, 07) Highest Weight : 340 lbs Curent Weight : 304 lbs Banding Date : MARCH 27TH, 2007.... 8 DAYS AWAY!!! I have lost 21 bls in 10 days of being on Optifast and excercising 30 - 60 mins/d. THE GOOD:angel: : Lost 21 lbs in 10 days....made it through first 3 days of intense carb hunger!! I am less nervous about surgery after chatting and reading enteries in this bulletin boards. I have decided that the best thing I can do to increase my chances of a positive surgery is to stick to my pre-op diet, remain positive and include the family in all steps. THE BAD : Hello my name is CanadianMacDaddy and I am an addict. I am addicted to Coke. Especially the Zero brand with its great taste, carbonation and sleek black label. I usually have 6 cans/day and have been warned that after banding carbonated beverages may be a NO NO! I quickly felt a stroke coming on as that also meant BEER... I am freaking Canadian and from East Coast... Beer paid my way through university (returned empties) after house parties. Anyway I am down to 4 cans of crack a day... even worse we just moved to Calgary and 4 houses down there lives a Coca-Cola service technician...Crack Master himself. The temptation is all around!!! THE UGLY :painkiller: : I have 3 young kids and Dad's quiet time was in the washroom with reading material or laptop. (A laptop in the washroom... is that a bad thing?) Now after being on Optifast I have no reason for the frequent bathroom breaks... "Terd No More" saw dust... so in a frantic search for fibre I have added lots in past few days and things are getting back to normal...well at least once a day regular! Pre-Op Meal of the Week: Ingredients: 1 - 10 oz Albertan Filet Mignon (pronounced MIG-NON) 1 strip of Canadian Back Bacon 200 grams of fresh raw mushrooms 5 grams of hot banana peppers 2 large white onions 1/2 bag of McCain's Tator Tots (any flavour) 6 Keith's Bottles of Beer 2 Carrots (for decorative purposes) 2 tbl of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Extra Virgin...yeah right) 6 large strawberries 1/2 a banana 1 package of Vanilla Optifast 8 cubes of ice Consume 1 beer. (Do not go to washroom) Wrap filet with bacon strip. Secure using toothpick as you will need this later. Bring frying pan to high heat with Olive Oil and place filet in pan to sear... count to 9 (for those of you in Ontario just count to 3 three times) and turn over. REPEAT. Consume 1 Beer. (Do not go to washroom) Remove filet from pan and cook onions, mushrooms, banana peppers and tots in the remaining cow meat gravy. Add some beer for moisture. Cook for 2 minutes...or for 1 TV commercial period between hockey game. Consume 1 Beer. (Do not go to washroom) Cut Carrots length wise and place on plate with potatoes. Place mushrooms, peppers, onions and sauce on filet. Consume 1 Beer (Do not go to washroom) Place optifast, strawberries, banana and ice in a blender. Mix and pour into glass. Consume 1 Beer (Do not go to washroom) Now take filet with side dishes and throw in garberateur. Drink Optifast and curse any family that may have contributed to metabolic syndrome heredity traits. Drink last Beer (try not to get any tears in the beer) Use washroom now... laptop optional. CanadianMacDaddy... wanting to be 1/2 the man I am today !

Good thoughts AJ... been there and doing that now. I would still like to lose about 8-10 more pounds, but I have been where I am now for 5 months. Guess that's what the body likes! Good luck in maintenance. You have all the tools!

La Bella were you referreing to me?? It has taken me a long tim to lose the weight because 8 months after my band I got pregnant so I also have a band baby that is 16 months old and it took me after he was over a year old to want to start lossing again, its harder than when we first have the surgery because its all by will power and the motivation is gone because of the weight gain with the pregnancy. I went back in July (7/19) to get a fill and I was 191 and as of today I am 177 I am starting all over and feel great. I am also happy about my separation because it was just full of problems and I was unhappy for a long time before I made my decision. Thanks for the support everyone.

Hi! I had the exact same issue as your having. It went away after a few days. Mine started day 10. I still have it a little here and there I'm now at day 14 post op. my Gf had the same op 2 years ago and she experienced the same thing. You need to take it easy and stop moving around so much. I overdid it looking after my kids... Picking them up, moving side to side playing and so forth. Someone on this forum recommended an ice pack for the pain. I gave it a go and it helped so maybe try that. I was so scared thinking I had done myself damage or something, but you have to remember you have just had a pretty big operation. I totally underestimated this op and expected to be as normal within a few days but far from it. Wish you all the best!

It depends on your Surgeon's requirements and your Nutritionist's recommendations. My surgeon required 'some' weight loss.. Nutritionist said 10 lbs (cos she thought I'd gained weight since my initial consultation, whereas it was terrible Water retention after switching HBP medication) All the best!

I lost 10 pounds my first two weeks after my ESG procedure. I haven't lost any more weight this week, which is very frustrating. My nutritionist's advise was that I should not be weighing daily. I'm finding that impossible. Are my expectations unrealistic for 16 days post op?

I with the Artic bald that came thru central Ohio, my kids have had 2 snow days this week (after a 16 day winter break!) and I'm going crazy! They're 3, & 5 (girls) in preschool, 6 yr old girl and 10 yr old boy in elementary school, and 16 and 10 yr old hs girls! They're fighting, arguing, and nonstop bickering has been off the hook!! Then just when I think I can't take anymore... I have 1 Water line broken in 3 places! That means the landlord, his helper, and my (eye roll) husband have all been standing in my kitchen tracking muddy snow all thru it! Seriously!?! I am ready for a nervous break down! Oh and did I mention that I am also logging my every meal and trying to lose weight on my own before seeing the surgeon again!? Yeah I'm a tad past cranky!! I can't take much more!!! Ty for allowing me a safe spot to vent without going smack ass goofy on this "fantastic" husband (eye roll again!) of mine! Tho if I had maybe he would go find setting productive to do besides hold the couch down!!! Then again prob not just makin me more annoyed!