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Hi there. I am such a hard time getting filled. I have been twice in the last 2 weeks, 12 sticks, several different needles and done under fluro with not luck. I am SOOOOOOOOO bummed out. I can eat almost what I want and I know that I should not. I was unfilled last time by mistake and I am nothing in my band according to the barium swallow. Another doc is coming Oct 4th to try to hit my port. If that does not work I so do not know what I am going to do. Thanks for listening.

How has the first six weeks gone for you? Don’t know if everyone else goes through the same thing as the date approaches, but what I am curious now is about living with RNY. And how long until the everyday routine of vitamins and diet become normal.

I went for my first 2 week post op and list 20lb and feeling great. I can start mushy foods today. he said to watch calories more then anything and to eat protein first. he agreed that the south beach diet is probably the best to follow. he said about 1000 1200 calorie a day and 60 to 80 grams of protein that that sound right. he also said 4oz of protein per meal. he used a 34 bogie us that considered average

I am on Seasonale, so I only get my period every three months anyway. When I was due for my first post-op period, it didn't come. I was terrified I was pregnant, because I'd read about how the surgery can make you more fertile and a lot of women get pregnant unexpectedly post-op. My husband and I even used back-up birth control for the first month or so post-op to be on the safe side. I ended up taking three pregnancy tests, all negative. I continued taking my pill and the next time I was due for my period, it came like normal.

Good news. Good luck on your surgery. Here are some suggestions: Take an unflattering before photograph of yourself. Later when the weight is off, take an after photo. You and everyone you show it to will be astonished. Thirty minutes of walking everyday. This will help the recovery process immensely. If you drink caffeinated drinks, cut that out now. I gave up my 6 Coke a day habit cold-turkey. I suffered through a week of withdrawal syndrome (very bad headaches). It is better to get that over with now, than compound it with the effects of surgery.

Leading up to surgery, a good supply of liquids...remembering that this is only for 7 days (in my wife's case). Most people here could do that in their sleep. After surgery, healing. You aren't looking to lose weight. Joy would have a instant breakfast and make it taste a bit better with a scoop of ice cream. As the swelling goes down you start getting hungry...stick to your "heavy liquids". She loved the cream of potato soup and V-8. Joy had her two week post-op appt today and the doc put her on mushies. Her first BIG meal in the last three weeks.......mashed potatoes. Good luck!

Zet, Don't let anyone try to change your mind if this is what you want. I've lost over 50 pounds in three months and even though I have at least 50 more to go you can't believe how much good it has done for me and this is a forever fix. It can stay in you and work with you until your dead and gone. As far as foreign objects, I have more metal in my neck and back and foot than this band takes up and what about crowns on your teeth, they're foreign. You just don't pay any attention to them. We'll all be supporting you here.

Hi all, Wanted to drop an update on here. I've run in to some more complications post-op than I'd like. I'm that low percentage of patients who apparently have issues. When I actually had my operation, my stomach pouch leaked, so they did a revision on the spot, which basically just means they stapled more off. This resulted in an even smaller pouch than the standard RnY patient. It also meant some very deep stitches to keep everything from moving around. So, post-op, the stitches (which were sealed in place on the surface with staples) were the source of tremendous amounts of pain. I have a high pain tolerance, and hydrocodone wasn't even touching my pain. I ended up going back in, they ran some labs, gave me IV fluids, took the staples out, and told me to continue to lie low, it should heal on its own. After a few more days of my pain being at a 12 on a 10 scale, it did finally get better. Then, earlier this week, I started having an issue with the pureed food I was eating just sitting in my stomach. The only way I could move it was to throw it up. This was happening with food and liquid/water. So I went back in again, and after an upper GI, they determined my stomach was very, very slow to empty. Now I'm waiting for 2 weeks to have them go in with a scope and balloon open my connection from my pouch to my intestine. In the meantime, I'm back on a liquid diet. So, I guess my update isn't really that positive, but there it is. My weight continues to fall off. I'm down 36 pounds from surgery just over 4 weeks ago, and soooo close to being below 300 for the first time in I don't know how long. Those are positive. But I'd really like to be semi-normal now...

i can totally relate...i'm in a 12...probably could get in2 a 10/11...but i'm not at goal...i have been at 179 pounds for close to 3 weeks now...i had a awesome ride with my band...when i look at myself i'm all :thumbup:....when i look at the scale i'm :ohmy:...i posted a thread once asking if people think u lose more inches...not pounds ...inches when u have weight loss surgery vs. conventinal diets and everyone jumped down my throat...telling me a pound is a pound...when again i said inches...what do u think????????????

Hello Everybody! It has been 10 days since I was sleeved. I'm doing pretty well. Looking forward to moving to mushies next week! :thumbup: YAY! I've lost 16lbs. so far. :lol0: When I went back to the doctor he told me that I was dehydrated and needed to drink more. They told me I need to drink like 3 20oz bottles of liquid everyday. I probably have been drinking 1... I guess I have been worried about drinking too much or taking too big of sips. HOW do I know if this happens? I really haven't had any problems since the surgery. I haven't felt like I was going to throw up or anything like that. Also when I drink soup, I am finally able to eat soup with chicken and vegetables if it is put through the blender! What happens if I put too much in my sleeve? I usually go with 1/2 cup, but sometimes I still feel hungry... Advice anyone? :001_smile:

I also had problems with taking in air when I drink or eat. The first two weeks were hard for me. Lots of pain/discomfort. Now I'm about 2 1/2 mos out from surgery and this rarely happens. Just hang in there. It will get better!

I'm wondering if I'm allowed to take a bath. I'm really in the mood to sit into a bubble jaccuzi bath. I have huge migranes the last few days. I need to relax. On my discharge papers from the hospital it said 3 to 4 weeks no bathing. I'm 3 weeks and 4 days after surgery. What do you say?

I'm in the same boat. I'm 5 weeks out . I get all my protein and even go over. Average around 100-120 g of protein but I feel like I can eat lots of food. I'm trying to focus on more water. I don't exercise as much as I would like too. I am in a stall between 240 to 237 it moves back and fourth

My paperwork said 2 weeks.

Don't worry..You are geared to lose weight...Your body is going to shut you down if it feels distress....You will start again but give your sleeve a chance to heal okay....Everyone is in such a hurry...LOL This is a life long journey, enjoy the ride...There will be good weeks and bad weeks, good days and bad days...Seems to me you are doing great...A loss is a loss.....

I had vsg.at 25 december i am in stall week 3 and week 4. I am so sad of this stall...i just lose 7 killograms untill now Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app

I am a hiker both pre and post op. Even before food considerations, make sure you have more then enough Water. Probably 2x the amount you take now. I went on a difficult hike at week 3 (mistake in hindsight) and ran out of water at the top. It was a tough hike going down too and I had zero water. This hike was 5 miles round trip, but 1 mile was flat and 1.5 mile was 3000 foot climb to lake. Hard for even "good" hikers. Just to let you know, I took 64 oz, was still only enough for going up. I got really really dehydrated in the last mile back to the car and did not think I was going to make it. Seriously, I was thinking about a living will and power of attorney right there if my body shut down and if I did make it back in only dehydrated state, what the ER trip back to the hospital was going to be like. This is not hyperbole!!! Any ways, made it back to the car and downed water all the way home and was still wiped out when at ho.e. went to sleep very early so wiped out from the ordeal. Don't repeat this!! So- now you understand the importance of staying hydrated on a challenging hike ( or any hike) post op. As for food, you will want to have 3 or 4 Protein shakes with you. You do not need them pre mixed, but have the powder in baggies so you can quickly mix the up. This is if you are hiking before 1 month post op. Once you are on solids, I would make sure you take small protein packages (1-3 ounces in size). Try and west one every 1/2 mile. I do not really know as I was not hiking until 6 months out after the week 3 hike. If you are far enough out, make sure you are testing good carbs. Nuts.com makes good energy squares that will really help you up those switchbacks. Cliff bard are OK for hiking, but they have a ton of sugar so not so good for us. Most likely you would get diarrhea from the sugar overload and that is no fun on a home. Try and replace Clif bars with a low carb variety so there is no sugar rush. Again, small increments of protein are good to eat as you are hiking up the trail. Think sausage size, lunch meat or babel cheeses. Hope this helps!

I went today to meet my surgeon. I really love him! He spent an hour with me and we talked about all of the options, where I was at with my thinking, etc. I am officially on the road towards my Lap Band placement. Now I need to do a bunch of "pre op" tests including a Upper GI series next week. I am also going to a mandatory nutrition class tomorrow morning too! Everything seems to be falling into place and now I am hopeful for a July surgery date!! I am looking forward to getting to know this site better and better since there is some great stuff here!!

It has been two weeks and five days since my surgery, and I am left in wonder and introspection. I have had my first post-op doctor's appointment and am scheduled to see him again in about two months. I am to lose 24 pounds by then. My scale and the scale at my doctor's are different by six pounds; I also weigh myself nude at home while I am fully clothed while at my doctor's (plus I think I had my car keys in my jeans pocket). I've realized I haven't been following the schedule that I am supposed to have set with my meals: 3 meals a day, 2oz each, and 2 protein shakes. I am still on a liquid diet; broths and protein shakes have been my meals. I've been nearly meeting my protein intake of 50g a day (I get around 46-50, depending on the kind of shake I drink). Along with my realization that I need to work on my food schedule, I also realized I need to be measuring my broth so I can get used to the 2 oz of food I am allowed, so when day 22 comes along, I will measure my soft foods out of habit. Instead of measuring my broth, I've been pouring them into my little toddler bowl and eating it slowly until I feel full. I believe that I was eating double of what I should, but then would not "eat" broth the rest of the day, but would focus on drinking my protein shakes. Even with the completion of my third week coming up and soft foods will soon be on my menu, I am still only allowed 500 calories. This is somewhat concerning to me in that a protein shake that I am loving automatically gives me 220 calories. I can reduce that by using just water to make my shake as opposed to a cup of soy milk and half a cup of water; though with the current way I make my shake, I get 33g of protein in. I'm considering having that shake as a "breakfast" and shake combo. I am also concerned about the 500 calories since I will be starting to exercise, besides the everyday walking that I do. I will start slow, but I also know that beforehand I could burn 400 calories with 30mins of cardio. I trust my doctor, so I just have to hold on to that while wrapping my head around the idea of small calorie intake and the addition of cardio and eventually strength training. With all these changes that I've been going through, I've realized that I've been focusing on the wrong numbers: instead of focusing on my number triad of 500/50/<40, I have been focusing on the number on the scale. and disappointed in that I see no difference in my body shape. Still, I know I am losing weight, and I tell/comfort myself with the idea that I may be losing slowly compared to others but that could be good for me skin wise and also, just adjustment wise. I've taken to keeping a food diary, and have set up a weight loss chart to remind myself that even if I cannot see a difference, I am losing weight and am on track. With all that being said, I am glad that I've taken this big step and am making progress on my journey. I've realized my mistakes and am seeking to correct them. I am working on my water intake, thought I do get my full amount of liquids in through the broth, shakes and bit of water I do drink. I know I need to get better at my water intake since I will be trying soft foods soon, so I will be including broth less and less in my liquid intake (and really, I am getting so freaking tired of chicken broth). I am making my way down this path and with each little step I'm realizing past mistakes in the way I ate and took care of myself, and I'm realizing the mistakes I was making now and am working on correcting those. Sometimes, things that are worthwhile must be worked for and earned so their enjoyment is that much sweeter. My life will be so much sweeter learning and meeting the new me. And for now, in the short term, the sweetness will come with my first scrambled egg!

Thank you so much for the support. I am truely greatful. I think that I will be just fine, I am scared of surgery, and waking up and pain. BUt I am a tough cookie. I have 4 kids so I can't be down to long. I have 2 sets of natural twins. I am not only doing this for me but for them too. I want to be there for a long time, and more active. I do got to the gym about 4 days a week. I plan on getting there more after the surgery. I love the eliptical and the treadmill. Thanks again! Keri

Terry I used to use a Polar F11 (??? not sure of the exact model) but i loved it. only reason i stopped using it was it interfered w/ the body bugg. Thanks HP - i've been stalled (my own fault) for a bit, but want to get back on track ... have a great day!

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

Today is January 16th. I didn't lose anything last week, but when I stepped on the scales this week I was pleased to see a 2-3 pound loss that would put me at a 52 pound weight loss since my surgery in mid August. I am very pleased with that! I have been out shopping with my Christmas money! I can now pick out medium sized shirts and tops and need to buy some new jeans, probably size 14s as my size 16s are too loose. I have gone from 230 to 178-79. I have been using the treadmill about 40 minutes at a time about 3 times a week. I need to get on that tread mill more often as my weight loss has slowed down. I am due to see Dr. Avila on Friday for another fill as I haven't had one since mid October. It is so much more fun to shop for clothes now and I don't have to try on every little thing and I can shop the sale racks with more options, which I have done since Christmas. I even bought regular flannel p.j.s with tops and pants which I normally do not buy because the pants are too small for the tops usually, in order for them to fit my body shape. I usually buy night gowns to avoid this problem. Not any more!!! I am enjoying my two pair of large pjs, but bought a medium size for next winter as I continue to lose more pounds. I can put these large in the dryer and shrink these a bit if I need to as they are all cotton, for next winter.

I have my 1st support group meeting this week. Im kinda nervous. What do I say?? Ive never been to one of these before. anyone have some experience they can share with me? thanks a million

January 20- Yesterday I had my appointment with Dr. Avila and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I had actually lost 54 pounds and now weigh 175. I did have my third fill at that time as I have been feeling a little hungry between meals. He told me I was doing great with an average loss of two pounds per week. I don't go back to see him again until I feel like I need another fill. Last time he told me to come back in three months so now I really feel like I am on my own. I will try to attend some of the support meetings they have the last Wednesdays of the month when the weather gets better, to keep up with how others are doing and to have others to visit with for support. This band has been great and will be a great help when it comes to the maintenance part of the weight loss picture that other programs cannot provide. I have not missed the foods that I have not been able to eat at this point, and maybe I will be able to add some of them back anyway in small quantities later.