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Hi my name is stacy pearse and i had my surgery 5-10-12...be happy to send you and email....email me at taxibusiness@msn.com

That is what I was thinking, but the office said they have everything they needed. She said it was a 3 step process and that the last step is done after surgery?? Didn't make any since to me the way she said it. Another thing that is really weird is that on my insurance website, the approval has dates of 03/18-03/19. I am supposed to be getting a call back from the insurance company explaining what those dates mean.

I am a little over 6 weeks (01-21-13) out and thank you guys so much I am already feeling better. I was about to drink water right before I got the mess. Thank you I am sure I would have regretted it. I love having a group of people who have been where I am. No throwing up for me don't want to slip.

@@sparksrn, I just had about 10-12 soybeans for lunch, that about what I can eat :-) The ONLY thing I can eat in a bit larger quantity is yogurt, I can eat a whole container, but it takes me about a half hour. Anything else, 1/4C max.

I think it might have something to do w/ when we were fat. Some people have been thin throughout childhood into young adulthood. I've noticed those people tend to feel more like themselves the more weight they lose, like they're getting back to the person they knew. For people like me, who have always been big since the age of 10 or so, we don't really have a concept of what we're supposed to look like w/ all the weight off. I'm 30, I've never actually seen what my face or waist or legs or any other part of my body is supposed to look like w/o a few inches of fat attached. I think for me, I'm guessing for others, it's a different person coming out of this journey, and I'm not really sure what that's supposed to mean. I think our brains just fill in the blanks of what we expect to see only the math isn't adding up.

I pay $3600/year for my health insurance. Thanks to Obamacare that is a lot more than I used to pay, much less coverage and a higher deductible than before insurance became so "affordable". And unfortunately the state I live in opted out of WLS under the ACA, so despite my insane premium, I was on my own for this surgery. I took all the money I had been saving for two years for a down payment on a new truck, put about $1000 on a credit card, and headed to Mexico. 10 months later I happily drive my 15 year old truck to work everyday. Money WELL spent!

Opt out is one thing. Choosing to not go thru "hoops" is something I will do considering my cost per year for premium is close to $2000 a year. So if it's covered I find out the guidelines and make sure I meet. Then I pay my deductible and coinsurance And yes it's more expensive than Mexico but I can go 10 miles and see my surgeon whenever I need to.

This post is for my dad. He had the sleeve procedure about 3 weeks ago amd developed a leak. He was in immense pain and the Dr. Had to then make a 10 inch incision on his stomach, go into his intestine and place a bag there which he would be fed into and he had to disconnect his stomach from his intestine while it heals. The fluid from the leak is now (3 weeks later) starting to reduce but he will not be allowed to eat or drink through his mouth for about 2-6 months. Once they check his leak has healed. He will then have surgery to remove the bag and reconnect his stomach. Has anyone else had such a complication and of so what was the outcome? Its so stressful as i recommended the surgery as i was very happy with it and now my food loving dad is nil by mouth till further notice

I'm heading to the hospital in 10 hours. Not looking forward to the coming week but it will get better after that. Good luck sleeve twins! See you on the losers bench!

Congratulations on your weight loss! I was sleeved on 11/19. I just had my dietitian visit today and she told me that average weight loss the first 4 months was 40 % of the EXCESS body weight. So if you had 100 pounds to lose than 40 obs in 4 months would be average. That being said, I want to emphasize like others on this thread that each person is individual and not to expect specific numbers.

I had my surgery 10/23 I am at my 2 month sleevaversary. My weightloss also slowed to a snails pace at 6 weeks. I just kept on keeping finally this week it just started coming off again. Everyone is different so try not to look at the numbers! My goal was 40 pounds down by 2 months and I fell shy coming it at 37. But u know what... That's ok!!!!!! On to my next mini goal for Valentine's Day! 50 pounds down here I come!

I'm a part of the group that ended up being way over prepared. I brought my own binder about a month before surgery, only to find out the day before surgery that the hospital provides one for you. Great, I thought - I can wear one while the other is being laundered. After surgery I wore it maybe two days and that was it. I never had a great amount of pain and zero complications. My recovery was quick and easy. But not everyone is so lucky and I've read many posts where people found the binder essential, and some even wore it for a month or more. So again, the necessity is unique to the individual. Every time I come across those binders I think that I should probably toss'em (I'm 14 months out), but I never do. Now that I'm entering the plastic surgery phase (probably 01/17), who knows, they might prove useful.

O how sad. The school district is NOT too smart. They screwed themselves by making that statement above. Here in Austin , Texas in general lately the schools are being OVERLY Cautious because in the past few weeks there have been SEVERAL Kids Die on the sports fields. IN houston Last week alone there were 3 kids ( one in 7 grade) die on the football field . The week before that there was a Football player in the Austin are drop on the side lines on the feild. He was dead... The had a portable defibulator and they brought him back. IN the past 2 weeks I would say there have been close to 10 middle school to high school kids die. They should be being more careful. Mindy

I am 10 days post sleeve (June 26) and I am so thirsty but can not get any protein or for that matter any drink to feel comfortable in my belly. Advice please!!

Starting weight 2009 - 268lbs March 2011- 162lbs Today 192lbs !!! ugh... Was feeling really good about myself back in March 162lbs and in a size 10 pants. The road started getting bumpy around April gained a few lbs. May gained a few moreJune- MORE!! What am I doing to myself? Trying to break the pattern. Got a fill a few weeks ago 2cc's havent moved on my numbers still 192lbs. Im counting cals. again taken in around 800 to 1000 everyday. should I lower it? That was always a comforting number/numbers for me. Maintained well. Something has got to give here. Im open for any suggestion, PLEASE HELP! Thanks alot guys Heather

Hello, all. I'm a 3 year band veteran and new to this site...judging from my current prediciment, I would've done well to find this site a years ago. Hold on to your hats...this is going to take a while... I was banded by Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago in Feb. 2004. I have not kept vigilant track of my loss, or my fills/unfills as most people seem to on this site. I did however, have amazing results of weight loss in the first year or so. I began somewhere around 308 and was down to 209 within a year. Couldn't ever make it past the 100 mark. (I am now 29 years old and have lost and gained significant amounts of weight prior to the band. Numerous times. In fact, I had an abdominoplasty and lipo in various areas following a significant loss. I proceeded to gain over 100 lbs. over the course of the next year. Just to give you an idea of my classic yo-yo syndrome.) I was extremely faithful in my exercise program and in my eating habits for about a year and a half following being banded; however, I threw up ALL THE TIME, on a very regular basis, even with just liquids and I don't mean literal vomiting, but "PB'ing" as I've come to learn it is called on this site. My weight loss was going so well, I chose to just accept it. My weight loss slowed after about 18 months...and at this point, I'm positive the scale is going in the wrong direction, I'm just too ashamed to look. I've only had about 3 or 4 adjustments over the course of the now 3 years of having the lap band, but have no idea as to how many ccs, I don't even know what band I have, specifically. I suppose these are things I should be more aware of. The last time, (which I'm estimating was 6 months ago if not longer) I saw my surgeon, I had an "un-fill", because I had completely stopped losing weight and finally owned up to the truth about my "PB'ing" and evidently my pouch had stretched out? (I don't know that that is the correct terminology). I went back in 2 wks later for an adjustment. I have not been back since. (Let me clarify, I was a self-pay and every time I walk in the door of my surgeon's office I'm spending $250). Since then I have not had the problem with the PB'ing barring a few exceptions, like when I tried to eat more than I should. The truth is, I eat soup and soft foods. And I most definitely, on a regular basis exceed the 4 oz. that my pouch should sufficiently hold. I don't even try to eat things like meat or bread. They don't even exist in my vocabulary. I have for at least 3 months lived with pretty acute pain in my upper abdominal region. I have chosen not to address it, because I am so ashamed, as I, at one time, was a "star patient" and now I have failed, yet again. (Unfotunately she shame goes far deeper than that). I am beginning to rapidly gain weight again at this point. I just decided to start researching and found this web site. I have finally called my surgeon and admitted my failure and told him what has been going on, in particular, the pain I've consistently had now for quite some time. Now that I have admitted this, the pain is quite more apparent. I will be seeing my surgeon (actally, Dr. Horgan has left the practice, however, he had a team of surgeons with him who have continued the practice). I spoke to him yesterday and he seems confident that I simply need to have the band deflated for a few weeks. I, however, after perusing many of the threads on this site fear major complications such as erosion or slippage. I don't have the reflux, as I have taken nexium for about 10 years (but if I don't take it, the reflux is constant and unrelenting). I am extremely frightened and am feeling so, so utterly ashamed of my failure and neglect and I hate that I know I will be made to feel even worse when I do go in on Wednesday, but I fear my health may be in jeopardy at this point, so I have no choice. I'm curious what you would do in my situation. I feel like an Upper GI is necessary, but I know that my doctor is simply going to do a barium swallow under fluoroscopy, deflate the band and send me on my way, to return for an adjustment in a few weeks. Should I be demanding an Upper GI? I have also requested a referral to a psychiatrist and will soon be seeing one who is also a patient himself. (I was req'd to see a therapist for 6 months prior to my surgery, and continued for about a year). I apologize, as brevity is not my stong suit, but would greatly appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks very much. ABP

So today was my first day back on. I haven't had an adjustment and have no restriction right now but I'm trying my best til I do. Got up, had a cup of coffee and 1/2 C oatmeal. Tummy started growling at 1030 so I drank 10 oz of water at once. Went away. Then lunch came and I had 2 oz sliced turkey meat, 1/4 C baby carrots and 5 strawberries. Was starving when I got home. I REALLY wanted the Cheez-its that were sitting on the counter, but I resisted. My best friend (who is staying with my fiance and I with her 2 little ones) was making Velveeta dinner (a spin on hamburger helper--not the healthiest)...had about 1/2 C of that with a cup of tossed salad! I only got in about 50 oz of fluid today but it's a start. Went for a walk after dinner with my fiance, bf, 2 girls, and our 5 dogs!!! That was interesting to say the least...30 minutes. It was nice and didn't feel like exercise at all. While talking to my bf today, she made it apparent that I need to share what I'm going through with my fiance. I was absolutely against it but when I got home and wanted to share about my day...it all just came out. I told him about my struggle with this weight and my emotional eating behind closed doors and how discouraged I am. I told him it was hard for me to admit to him because when I talk to him about me being self-conscious, he just tells me I'm beautiful and that it'll be ok. That's great to hear but I need to talk about these things!!! He said he'd be as supportive as possible...told me 'I'll stop pressuring you to eat Taco Bell' and talked to me about how we could set up a treadmill and such. Oh and today Betty, the support lady for my doctor, called and left me a message. She said that she took a look at my chart and thinks that I'm an individual that hasn't found my right fit and that we need to get it right. And, in no way, does she think that I've reached the capacity of my band. She told me to keep the journal, get my fluids, get my proteins....AND 'don't beat yourself up. I won't say don't be discouraged because that'd be impossible but don't beat yourself up.' I teared up. Now, to study a bit and get a good night's rest because tomorrow is my 2nd clinical of nursing school!!! Jess

I get some exercise everyday but it varies. Typical 2 to 3 days a week I swim laps for around 1/2 hour and tread water for 10. Then 2 or 3 times a week I practice softball with my kids in which I run the bases and laps with them and I am very active for about 2 hours each practice. I also walk my dogs a couple times a week... I don't have a set exercise routine bc it takes too much commitment. I wake up each morning and choose an exercise. I have to do something but I base it on how I feel.

Try to hang in there. The 16th is just around the corner. Make sure you are getting enough protein in your liquid diet, as the protein helps make you feel full longer. I have been doing a liquid pre-op since 3/10 and am averaging around 120g of protein a day... For what it's worth, I have not been hungry at all... I guess all of us respond differently. Good luck!

So I had pizza last night.. I was craving it.. (I know I know) I blame the $10 for any large pizza email I got from Pizzahut...anyways I got thin crust thinking this would help with bloating...etc.. Eh it's just not the same.. you ever eat something cause you had a craving and then you're like "eh" this isn't what I was expecting." or "this isn't as good as I thought it would be" - yep totally the reaction I had last night. Or maybe it's truly that I just don't care for pizza really, and especially pizza hut.. either way I was just about full after a piece, I started to eat another one and I was done.. which makes me glad I didn't get hand tossed but seriously who wants pizza on a cracker? Ick!

So I had pizza last night.. I was craving it.. (I know I know) I blame the $10 for any large pizza email I got from Pizzahut...anyways I got thin crust thinking this would help with bloating...etc.. Eh it's just not the same.. you ever eat something cause you had a craving and then you're like "eh" this isn't what I was expecting." or "this isn't as good as I thought it would be" - yep totally the reaction I had last night. Or maybe it's truly that I just don't care for pizza really, and especially pizza hut.. either way I was just about full after a piece, I started to eat another one and I was done.. which makes me glad I didn't get hand tossed but seriously who wants pizza on a cracker? Ick!

I couldn't answer the poll. I went back at 4 days post-op. I was still pretty weak. At 5 days, I did a bit better. I was operating at about 75% until 10 days post-op when I was feeling 100% better. I have a medium-level physical job. I work night security patrol. Getting in and out of a patrol vehicle a couple dozen times all night long, walking through properties, etc.

100lbs in 10 months.. I think that's pretty serious too.

I have gone through this every morning of my six-month pre-op diet. I won't get an accurate weight until after about 10:00am or so. I am still ridding my body of liquid until that point. If I weigh super early (before 7am), it can easily be a 2ish pound difference. I've learned to know that and accept it -- but it was a hard pill to swallow in the beginning!