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I'm in the same position low BMI 30-31 with weight increasing each year and medical problems increasing as well. I don't want to wait until it's out of control in 5-10 years. I want to be proactive. I know insurance won't pay so it will have to be self pay. I would prefer to stay in the US but would consider Mexico if I have to. Please keep me update what you find out. I have a consultation next week.

I have 2 girls aged 13 and 10 so they are not babies and I can't completely fool them. But 7 yrs ago I lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise and got a tummy tuck which was a big surgery, they visited me in hospital and were both very upset about it and made me promise them I would never do that again! Well sadly I've regained a lot of the weight I've lost and I'm certain the best solution for me is the Gastric Sleeve surgery. I'm thinking of scheduling the surgery and just not telling them but not sure how I'd explain a 3 night absence when I'm a stay at home mum who's always with them??! Did you tell your kids? I just can't bear the thought of my youngest crying and begging me not to have it done as I know she will so I think I need to do this without then knowing its going to be hard to keep it from then though!

I'm 5 months out and a month ago I up my workout classes. Doing 6 days a week of metabolic conditioning and strength conditioning classes. Pretty hardcore 1:10 min long sessions. Since starting I haven't lost any weight I'm drinking all my fluids plus some getting on my protein in. No carbs don't think I'm eating enough now. I'm around 800 to 850 a day. My nut says I should be eating 1000 or more but afraid I'll gain. Any in sights???

I had surgery exactly 10 months ago. The last few months, I've really stayed about the same, maybe lost a few pounds total in 3-4 months. But... when I take my measurements, my waist measurement is INCREASING!! I can't understand why this would be. I've started working out with a trainer, but that shouldn't cause my waist to GROW, right? My other measurements (I only take chest, waist, and hips) are about the same, maybe a little smaller. Am I changing the way that I measure somehow? (I'm not pregnant LOL!) Did this happen to anyone else?

I have been at the EXACT SAME WEIGHT for two weeks now and was at the point of becoming discouraged--I mean how can you intake less than 800 calories a day and NOT lose even 1/10 of a pound???!! The Old Me said "To heck with it--just go ahead and have whatever you want because you're not losing anyway" BUT the New Me said "Keep up what you're doing with the eating right and working out and if nothing else happens, you feel really great!" Thanks, Lap Band, for bringing out the New Me...!

@@BSWhip08 I had band to sleeve revision 4 weeks ago. And I wanted to say that even though we're all different, for me personally, the recovery from getting the sleeve was way less painful than the band. My tummy didn't hurt at all like it did with the band. I was shocked at how easy the recovery was. And I too had my band about 10 years ago. I'm only 4 weeks out so I don't know what the future holds, but I can say that I don't feel hungry and I have to force myself to eat most of the time. It's definitely nothing like the band. Lastly, your kids will be fine. I'm sure they'll see you becoming healthier and more active and just be happy that you aren't struggling anymore. I don't look at my parents and think because they did xyz that I'm going to do that too. Kids will be kids, they'll do what they want regardless, but at the end of the day they'll be just fine. Good luck with your surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was banded 1-19-07

i am going to try to make a long story short and get to the point. i was banded october 2007. did fairly well losing, although it was slow. was overfilled late july and had to get a complete unfill. for various reasons i remained unfilled until the 10th of this month. during this time i yo-yo'ed with 10 lbs. it turned out to be more like 10-15lbs when i got to the doctor for the fill. i had an agressive fill. ended up going back a day and half later for a partial unfill. i am "sensitive" to fills now. i feel some restriction. its not wide open like it was for sure. but i am not at a good spot either. plus i cant get my head around or to the spot i need to be at again to really get going back on my journey to my goal weight! i cant find the motivation i once i had. i feel weepy and depressed about it. like i will never get there. and its all of my own making. i keep saying, i will start tomorrow. or monday....and that day comes and i find another flimsy excuse. i know all this...what am i doing? i just need to get back to it. i am gonna schedule another fill for february. anything anyone can offer to get me going would be much appreciated! thanks

Hi there, I 've been sincerely enjoying your messages so much. So I thought tonight I would stop lurking and introduce myself. I am now at day 4 post-op and day 18 into my liquid diet. So far I am doing perfect plus I have lost 15lbs. I am so excited to be back into bandland after a year without a functioning band. I pray all here will have a great exsperence and all of us will far exceed our goals to loss weight and run from our food bondage. I look forward to getting to know more of you and gaining your support as well. Sincerely,:clap2:

If you like your sweets like I do, you've got to try this recipe I made yesterday. It rocked my world! 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder 10 packets of splenda 1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter 1/4 cup of margarine You melt the peanut butter and margarine in a small saucepan just enough to soften it, then you mix it with the dry ingredients, press the mixture into a square pan and chill it in the refrigerator for an hour, then cut into squares. I made my first batch last night and wow oh wow was it good! What a treat for this sweet tooth and so filling. Nutritional info: 9 servings - 60 calories per serving, 6 g protein per serving, 2.5 g fat per serving, 4 g carbs per serving, 2 g sugar per serving

My Dr has been doing bariatric procedures for over 10 years. When I asked him before surgery how many laps he had to convert to open, he said he had done his first one three weeks earlier. That seemed like a good success rate to me! Good luck

Congrats on getting your date, I'm hoping to join the FAB FEB'ers LOL All of my paperwork was submitted to the insurance company on 12/28 so now it is just a waiting game for me. They said it usually takes 4 weeks for approval, but the dr's office told me to call them daily to check on my status (I guess if they get tired of hearing from you, they will approve you) LOL. I was hoping to get the surgery at the beginning of Feb, but it looks like it will be towards the middle because of the 10 day pre op diet. Oh well, I am closer than I have ever been and just thankful that I have found this site to talk with others about this process.

Over rated in the pain department. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 equals lots of pain, its a 0. I felt NO restriction until about the 3rd fill. Most doctors go it slow on the fills and want you to continue to make the right choices with food. Best wishes

Glad you got your band back. I'm hoping and praying that I get to keep mine. I was a binge eater prior to being banded and was gaining8-10 lbs per year. The band helps me to control that. It didn't however change the way my brain thinks about food. I definitely need it to stay.

When did you decide to eat fruit again post op? For example, apples and bananas. I am almost 10 months post op and think it is time to start adding fruit as I have been maintaining for a few months now. I think fruit will help me fuel better for lifting and running. I used to really like fruit, but have "forgotten" my like for it as May 2012 was the last time I ate any fruit (1-2 months pre op). My diet includes fruits now as part of a green drink (71 different veggie and fruits). Let me know what you think.

Hello! Thank you for your post. I think you are right also, most of us here do have an eating disorder and it is binge eating. Someone, a friend of the familly who worked for a specialised clinic in montreal has told my mother 3 years ago that she suspected me to have compulsions because i have gone from 150 to 341 in 10 years, yet when i ate in front of ppl, id have reasonable amounts of food! No one knew about my struggles, it had started with bulimia and then i would try to diet and then go on these 2000 calorie compulsions. Your clinic was very smart to have you sent to see a therapist and i think most ppl here would need to consult one to increase their chance of success and for them to finally understand why food is such an obsession for them. I think it would have been dangrrous for me to have had the lap band before stopping my bing eating. I did stop last year, i lost 50 pounds pre op just with the help of my psychologist and nutriotionist, without dieting what so ever. They understand us, we are the opposites of annorexics, but oh so similar! Therapy like this does take time, but in the long run, it is the best thing ever. I read posts, ppl who are trying to diet and wanting a very restricted band, and i find it so sad because they had no one to finally help them with their problems. Lap band for me is not about restricting my food intake, and yes i will still eat french fies, but so little of it. I cannot diet anymore and the liquid diet has been very horrible for me because it made me wanna bindge so badly, it made me understand my progress even more. My doctor who was given to me by the eating disorder clinic strongly suggested the lap band when i brought it up to him because he said i had so much to loose and it would be a great help. So far so gOod:)

WOW! what a ride. Much more than I expected. I am home. Trying to find something to drink that A. does not make my ankles swell. B. tastes tolerable.. I am still on the anitbiotics so I wonder if that is what makes every thing taste bad. Except S/F pudding. Sweet things taste OK. I am wanting something hot so I have been drinking herbal teas. Now, does any one have this swelling problem? Even with low sodium soups? Should I just make my own? seems such a waste as I can eat/drink only 1 or 2 oz at a sitting. The Experience was quite different. I really liked the care I recieved. If you choose Dr. Almanza. I would suggest the option of the hotel. I did not care for the recovery house. Here is why. rooms are small/tiny. no air conditioning. barking dogs outside. one shared bathroom upstairs. food is prepared down stairs for all. When you cannot eat that is hard to deal with. My hubby stayed there the two nights I was in the clinic/hospital. When I was to come out, he got us into the Hotel. I was concerned as I would not have a nurse, but, the fine staff brought me my meds and juices and teas and all was perfect. Hubby got American TV (baseball and football) He could go down stairs and get any food and drink he wanted. American newspapers, with sunday funnies. The Hotel provided free popsicles, soups, yogurts for me. Our room had two queen sized beds all soft and comfy. I had a table to sit and drink my meals, LOL. The hallway was safe/great to walk around for exercize. Walked at 12 and 2 AM one time, and, I got up to three times around before I left. The last night there I felt good enough to get dressed and go down for dinner. The Chef made me special soup, chicken broth blended with mashed potatoes. It tasted yummy. I am sure that is where the sodium overload started, but I loved that soup, all 1/4 cup of the huge bowlful they gave me..God I am still food obsessed, LOL I am sure the staff at the house does all this also. The nurse from the Clinic that did my IV came to the hotel and removed my drain tube. He was so good. (thanks again Edgar) I also had Sevier (on staff at house) come and give me a massage. He is excellent. My back was hurting and my right leg was numb from laying on my back for so long, so, he was a pleasant relief. Could not talk Hubby into massage, heehee. Overall my rating for the experience is an 8. (1 to 10) Here are my reasons for 2 points off. I would have liked to see the hand cleaning stations on the wall inside the rooms. I would have liked the appratias used to come in sealed bags that the nurses opened in front of me. I would have liked the nurses to put on gloves and dispose of them in my room. I wish the cleaning crew would come in after each shower and disinfect. I was lucky to be first both days. I hated (one full point off here) the drive clear across T.J to get the Xray Leak test done. yes, I understand the necessity, I still hated that dam trip.There was a parade outside the lab, so surreal. I know some go shopping and do stuff on their 3rd day, just not for me. I was finally ready on the 5th day. Felt good and upbeat. Finally felt good about what I had done. Met a lady that was escorting two friends having sleeves. (Canadian) She was 7 months out and looks soo cute. She is 5'7 and 165ish, So I have revised my goal to that. It has been so long since I was a "normal" weight I did not have a realistic goal in my head. I was 240 at weigh in, but 245 when I left. All the liquid retension I guess. Dr. Almanza got snippy with me under surgery,....I am a Moley person lots of raised moles. He asked my hubby for permission and they removed 4 from my lower mid section. Love that. Extra stiches, but who cares? Thinking of that,,,, did any of you remove your own stiches? Did that go OK? Gotta do that on the 25th or so.:crying: So, that is my experience. Great, positive and LOVED the staff/people I delt with.. My hubby even liked it. He got to talk with several couples and Dr's about this whole deal and got a MUCH better attitude towards my weight. He is much more supportive in a positive way, for that I am truly grateful. If I need any futher surgery, IE: tummy tuck, etc. I would go back there. But, I would drive straight to the Hotel and be picked up from there. Marriot, TJ. Hope that does not turn anyone off to this deal, it is the best. The nurses I had were so darn caring and good at their jobs. Ricardo was my assigned personal support staff. He spoke very good english and tried very hard to accomdate all my wishes. It all went well for me, hope it does for you where ever you choose to go. Just do not be afraid to get-r-done. Onward and Downward---weightwise:thumbdown::001_tongue:

My birthday is September 14th- I don't think it's possible to for me to lose 48lbs in less than 3 months. I mean, it could happen but I just don't see that happening. If I can get to 220 by then, I won't complain but I really would love to hit 200. I haven't been 248 (my current weight) since I was 19 and I am just too thrilled that I'm below 250- I didn't think I'd ever truly see 250 without this procedure. I love that I now have mini-goals and challenges that Irene does because they truly do push me to get my butt in the gym, to eat right, to overall just feel better about ME. I've currently decided that when the Labor Day challenge starts- I'm going to push for a 30lb lost. Crazy huh??? P.S. What do you think about my ring??? lol cool huh?

Hey Bobbie, I did the same thing I failed my stress test. I have a rapid heart rate and didn't get to take my meds that morning and I thought that is what made me fail but to find out after my heart catherization I have a 10% blockage. They won't do anything unless its 70% blocked. I had my lap band surgery August 21 and am doing fine. My cardiologist told me with weightloss and exercise that will take care of my blockage...It is always better to be safe than sorry...I hope everything goes well and I'm sure it will...Marie

I was in the process of all the prelim things you need prior to the sleeve then Hurricane Sandy hit and the hospital that I was doing this in NYU was hit hard . The hospital I work at went under water and I'm still not back to work. I have my husbands insurance at least so that's not a problem . I just feel like I'm hitting walls ( I went for EGD and I have an ulcer and Hiatal Hernia . I've been very down because I have to wait at least 10 weeks on medication until I have another EGD to see if it clears up . So I'm probably looking at July for surgery 9 months later then I thought I would have it and steadily gained more weight because if the stress issues I'm going this Friday to see the surgeon again to see when we can finally get the ball rolling on this . I pray it's sooner than later !!

Five months ago I weighed 234 pounds I am now 172 pounds and the weight is still coming off. I have no doubt that by March (less than 10 mos) I will be a total of 97 lbs lighter and at goal. There are plenty of other people here with similar stories. My concern would be whether your doctor will do well with support and after care to make sure you will be successful. If 40-50 pounds is the norm for his patients, then something is wrong somewhere. Does he provide the education, support and proper adjustments needed? Or does he just think that LB is not for you?

After I reach goal I plan on dropping more 10 lbs or so to give me a little 'bounce" room, so it's for the foreseeable future (at least another six -eight months or so). After I decide to maintain, I may have to tweak a bit to steady the scale, but I cannot see a day when I will eat until my stomach says "I'm full." I ate like that for thirty years and ended up obese.

Be carefully gentle with your stomach. The nurses had me drinking 1 ounce about every 10 to 15 minutes. Be patient, I'm 11 weeks out and instead of 2 swallows at a time I can drink 4 swallows. Try to stick to Clear Liquids. Carbonation will upset your new stomach for a while. Sent from my SGH-M919 using the BariatricPal App