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I am 7 1/2 mos post op. I've lost over 100 lbs since then. However, if I didn't workout as much as I do (7 mornings a week for cardio and 4 nights a week lifting) I could have lost soooooooooooo much more. At the beginning of Feb., I had a personal trainer re measure my body as opposed to when I joined last April. In that time, I had lost nearly 40" off my body. Exercising, especially resistance training, will build muscle. And, as the old addage says "muscle weighs more than fat". It's not just the scale that is important. If you are still losing size, you are accomplishing something. Eventually, you will start to lose weight again. Just make sure you are eating correctly, and enough as ironic as that sounds, and you'll get off your plateau soon.

Hi Julie ~ I totally understand what you mean about 'liquid calories' . . . I don't drink alcohol, but I had gotten into a habit (bad habit) of drinking sweet tea and lemonade mixed pretty much all day long and knew I had to stop. When I finally did, I dropped 5 pounds in a WEEK! Boy was that an eye opener! :rolleyes I knew I wasn't eating enough not to be losing so it had to be the liquid calories . . . I knew I didn't need a fill . . . . Now I am concentrating on drinking TONS of Water and hoping to lose these last 20 pounds faster than I lost the first 40. Good luck to you . . . If you are getting a slight un-fill because of your vacation I don't necessicarily think that is a bad idea. My family went on a cruise the end of July and I was so tight I could barely eat at all. I wasn't miserable, but would have enjoyed being able to sample some of that delicious LOOKING food . . . Lynn

I too found out I had sleep apnea. I had to bring the machine with me. The most important thing is make sure the Anethesiologist knows about it. He will more than likely come and talk to you before the surgery, and he will probably ask you if you have sleep apnea. He will monitor it during surgery. Now, back to the cpap machine. I hated mine too, I talked to my sleep study doc about it and they gave me a perscription of Ambien CR to take until I could get use to the machine. It took about 2 weeks but now I can tell a difference if I don't sleep with it. I've had mine now for about a year, I think it helps you lose weight, you wake up feeling so much more refreshed. When I started the machine, I had my machine on a pressure of 15, now that I've lost weight, I'm down to an 8. The doc thinks another 15 or 20 lbs and I will be completely off of it. I'm not sure if I really want to give it up though, it really makes me feel so much better in the mornings. I hope you will talk to your doc about the problems you are having with the machine and mask, they have several types of mask you can try.

Hello, my name is Tiffenii and I am from East Texas. I am in the final stages of the approval process, just waiting to hear. I have my fingers crossed as I am waiting to hear from UHC. Hopefully, it will be worth the wait!! I think that the lapband would be a God send for me. After having three children and eating a poor diet I have gained about 70 pounds in seven years! I am 30 years old BMI is 37 Hope to be banded June 08

I get a brand called "Max" from GNC. They have discount pricing during the first week of each month. The one I especially like is "Cookies and Cream". One scoop has 28 Protein and it is under 120 calories. I usually do one scoop with a little Water, 1/2 a banana and ice and blend it all together. You really don't need milk with this one. It really tastes like a icecream shake. They also have other flavors. Helen

ugh i am sooo freaking annoyed right now i just wanna scream! i totally need to vent... so im having some "issues" with my band right now. nothing horrible just some discomfort and problems getting food down within the last week or so. My dr recommended getting unfilled and then coming back in a week once things have settled down and having it refilled... PERFECT right? so i go to make an appointment for the next week THAT THE DR RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE....and they have NOTHING for an entire month. I mean come onnnn...NOTHING. im not so much pissed that i am unfilled (of course in a week i will be probably mad about that too once i start gaining weight!) im just so agrivated that they are soooooooo freaking inflexable!!!! I am soo freaking bummed right now u have no idea. I called and left a message for the person that does the scheduling but im not sure exactly WHAT i should say. I dont want to be mean but at the same time i want them to know that i am very annoyed. any help or other frustrations with simmilar experiences would be appreciated!

There are things that help some people... papaya enzyme tablets (to me they're just nasty and turn my PBs orange - they've never helped), meat tenderizer (by the time I'm willing to give this a shot, I don't think I could get it down), etc. For me if I get relief it usually comes from leaning over my island or pooping (more info below). As weird as that may sound, it's true. Sometimes - very rarely - relief comes in the form of holding my breath, but never in the later steps (information on steps below). You've received good information so far. For me, it begins with "slight pressure", and usually ends up in pain, though the degree of pain varies from - really uncomfortable, to spasms that make me cry out. I never feel anything in the chest or the "golf ball" people refer to so frequently. I have a 5-step pain program that I can clearly identify. I'll give you all that information, and a bag of chips!: Step 1: Mild pressure in the esophagus, and slight discomfort in the abdomen. At this point it may pass, or it may progress. Nothing else going on at this time, just waiting to see what happens. Step 2: Pain kicks in on either side of my bellybutton. Usually around this time I also get the urge to poop, that pressure in the bowels. Which is why I call them "PBMs" (PM, BM, haha). Sometimes when I poop that also seems to clear up whatever is stuck, but I don't know why. Maybe it has something to do with the way my insides are moving. At this point I will start trying to do things to alleviate the doscomfort/stick, such as taking breaths and holding them, or leaning against our kitchen island. For some reason, this can be a sort of magical position for me. More than once I've been |-| far from PBing, leaned on the island, and within a minute or two things have passed. But it's hit or miss. Step 3: Pain has migrated into my hips, almost exactly where my hands are if I do the typical "hands on your hips" stance, and if the stick doesn't pass. About this time I also start with the excessive gurgling, hiccuping, and burping (sometimes the burps can get through, and sometimes they try but can't get anywhere. If I burp I usually feel a little bit better, for a very short period). Step 4: The pain begins in my back, centered between my shoulderblades. I'm pretty much just hurting at this point, and it's when I will head into the kitchen and start "prepping" the sink (my PB spot of choice) - getting some paper towels out, turning the Water on, making sure the dog is out of the way, etc. Sad, but I have a whole list of things that help make it a little more convenient, like "preparing my workspace". Salivation is significant at this point, and I'm swallowing or spitting nearly constantly -- honestly, I'm usually spitting because sometimes that triggers my gag and can help the PB come more quickly. Also during this step I will start getting the "cry out loud" spasms, if I'm going to get them. Man, they feel like someone just kicked you. Usually when I get them hiccups kick in, too, so it's an alternating "Oh! Eeech! Oh! Eeech!". Husband always wants to check on me, but usually gets nothing more than a "Go away!" because I'm trying to salvage what little dignity I have left. Step 5: Not so much pain as a weird thichkness/tingle sensation starts to kick in at the back of my throat, and it becomes REALLY hard to swallow. This feeling in my throat is the "ok it's time" indicator, and spitting out the slime will usually spawn the PB. If it doesn't it will at least make me heave, which - unfortunately - causes me more pain in the abdomen. I am a "2 yaks" kind of girl. Rarely does the first one take care of it, and rarely do I need a third. Usually I know right away that all is well, and sometimes the pain persists and gradually tapers off. When this happens, I still kind of know I won't have to yak again, and will go lay down (they exhaust me when they're bad). My best advice when people ask me what to do is to try benign things to alleviate it (holding your breath, bending, etc.), but not to do so much of the active things (taking a drink, eating a tablet, etc.) That's because IMO that just makes it worse. If I'm stuck, and throw liquids on top of it, I can proceed immediately to step 4, maybe 4.5. That's a big huge no no for me, but it works for some. Overall my best, best advice is to just relax and don't fight it. If it needs to come up, it will. If you try to hold it back (you can control this, unlike vomitting, at least until your esophagus is maxed out), you're just going to hurt more and for a longer time. And don't panic. Sometimes the pain can be so much that your body will hit a panic kind of state, and you really have to focus on breathing. This was more true early on, when I was still a tenderfoot. Not so much the case any more, but I can remember - a time at work, in the bathroom stall, leaned over the toilet where all I could do was think "breathe, breathe..." And of course if I'm in a restaurant, Ijust sit there quiet, completely disengaged from the conversation & the workd in general, until it's time to head to the bathroom. My family/friends already know to leave me alone, that nothing's wrong, and that all will be well when I emerge.

Can we have alcohol during the liquid diet phase. I don't need a lecture, I'm just curious. My 1-week starts Friday.

Hang in there! What you are going through is perfectly normal. The first week to ten days are the most challenging. It will get better as your body heals more. Be patient to yourself and kind to yourself. Tea really helped warm me on the inside. All my best to you.

Today was the first post op appointment since my surgery on 3/20 ...my last weigh-in was at the pre op appointment on 3/11... Since 3/11 I have lost 19lbs ...I have been strictly following my doctors post op diet ..haven't had any problems with reflux or any "stuck" episodes ???? I definitely feel when enough is enough .i'm currently on water/yogurt/pudding /popsicles/creamy Soups /premiere Protein shakes -aka-full liquids stage which hasn't been too bad ..I'm not hungry at all so I have to make myself eat . I'm still a little sore but only around the port site and since I'm not eating enough I don't have much energy but I still make it a point to go for a walk every day ???? Although I've lost 19lbs I'm sure most of it is from Water weight so once I start to actually eat again (Saturday) I will lose a lot slower which is a-okay with me ...my goal has never been to lose 100lbs in 6 months I just wanted to lose steadily and be healthy ???? Will update again in a week ❤️❤️feel free to ask me any questions ????

When am I supposed to start taking my chewable vitamins? When I start eating?

Oh man! I feel for you. I was told to do a low carb diet for the week before surgery and lots of others here have also, but I know you need to follow what YOUR doctor said. I know the turkey burger wouldn't really hurt, but who knows, your doctor might have a specific reason he likes the liquid diet for his patients. Maybe you could call him and tell him you are about to blow the whole thing with some pizza if you can't have something to chew! Might work. I wish you luck with the rest of your pre-op my friend.

Ok so day one of five is behind me! Day one, while it was not fun, it wasn't as bad as I thought I would be. My Dr has me on 3 Atkins Advantage shakes a day, plus broth and Jello. I did the three shakes, two cups of broth, and two single serving sized sugar free jello. It was not a very difficult day, yes I was hungry, but I was able to quickly dismiss the hunger and move on. I kept busy all day long, took the dog for three walks of more than an hour a each, and I chewed a lot of gum. Over the next few days I'm going to keep myself busy by working getting everything in the house done that needs to be done so when I get home from surgery I wont have to do anything. Hopefully keeping busy will prevent me from wanting to eat, I wonder will today be as easy as yesterday? What will days 3, 4, and 5 be like? How did everyone else keep on tract with the liquid diet? I can only do so much cleaning and dog walking before I get bored and turn my focus to food.

This has been quite the journey thus far! I was a low BMI bander so I knew I was not going to lose a lot until 3-4 month mark. It is finally happening. I think what helped jump start it is 1) I had the flu-lost about 4#'s, then I had a fill that put me at 6.25CC (I think). This was way too much but I waited a month before going in to have some Fluid removed. I couldn't drink/eat any thing until about 11am and then maybe a bit and often times that would come up. I lost about 10#'s. Obviously that was not good, so when I went in for my next appt they removed 1CC. I was a little bummed b/c I wanted them to put me where I was at just prior to the Constricted fill but they said absolutely not. So, I have to work my way back:) I think one of the most challenging aspects of the band, which will forever be changed, is there are certain foods I just can't eat, no matter how small of a bit and no matter how well and slow I chew and swallow. I stay away from chicken, unless it is very juicy. The only type of bread products is flat bread and that I have to take baby bites and chew chew chew. Pasta-which I didn't eat a lot before, but craved here and there, is in very small portions. What I find odd is that I can eat my dense Protein bar with no problems, lol. I can see how people do gain wait on the Band and can abuse it. When I was beyond restricted, I would get a shake or anything liquid to try and fill me up. Yu really have to re-evaluate foods and items you once loved, you might have to sacrifice and not have them anymore (Sushi). So my stats to date: Starting weight pre-surgery 207. Weight at surgery 198 (they didn't want me to do the pre-op diet for the week or 2 because I couldn't fall below a certain BMI). Today's weight 179.2!!! I work out 5 times a week, 2 with a trainer and 3 on my own. My trainer wanted me eating every 2 hours a day and I just couldn't do it. For so long I forced my self to eat even when I was full I would still eat, now I am listening to my body. If I am hungry I eat, if I am not, I don't! So simple in theory right;) I hope you all are doing fabulous!!

My insurance also required the 6 month weight loss attempt. Don't view it as a roadblock, or delay, but as an opportunity to learn all you can about the band, the surgery, what to expect, the good, bad and ugly. During my 6 months I joined here and read everything I could (obesityhelp.com is another place to get lots of info). There are several good books out that would be helpful to read. Two that I have are The Lapband Solution, and The Lapband Companion. I got them from Amazon. There are many others, as well as cookbooks for post op, you name it. I also spent time adjusting my attitude. I work in a fairly large office and my desk is at one end. The phtocopier/scanner is at the other. Originially I resented the hike every time I needed to copy or scan (walk to the scanner, put papers in, walk back to my desk, activate the scanning software, when done walk back to get my papers and back again to my desk). Now I view it as an opportunity to get up from my desk, and as additional exercise walking back and forth. I stopped being mad about it. By the time I had surgery I knew so much about it I could almost do the surgery myself (just kidding). I also got my head around the fact that for the band to work, I had to adhere to the program, make a committment to exercise and eat better. I still try to eat too much, and maybe don't chew as thoroughly, but with very little restriction I have lost around 80 pounds. I had one fill that made me so uncomfortable I had 2 unfills. The last time I saw the doctor for a fill he talked me out of it because I had still lost 7 pounds between visits, and he said I was ahead of schedule for weight loss for all three bariatric surgeries. So I can eat more, but I am eating better, and occasionally the density of the protein or something will remind me there is some restriction, if not a lot. I am very happy with my progress so far.

Hey there! My name is Enjoli. I'm 30 years old and had gastric bypass done on October 27. So far I'm down 22 pounds. It's been an up and down recovery. I busted an internal stitch which resulted in me not being able to sit up straight all week. Then a few days ago I woke up covered in hives. Apparently I'm allergic to the hydrocodone they gave me. Hopefully I'm on the mend. Nice to meet you all!

2muchfun I agree with finding the issue but that is the thing they are giving up they are blaming it on my weight/head or other basically because they cannot pinpoint it. running_scared They have no per say tested for IBS they have given me a few IBS medications to try and see what the end result came out as. I have not done any allergy testing. I've seen I believe three specialist and many other regular physicians and the outcome is the same because they do not understand my symptoms to relate to anything they are familiar with they are giving up. I am doing my last three test this week I believe it will check my antibodies and infection which they use for lupus and a few other issues. The pain is on my lower left side consistent with how you might feel if you have a horrific kidney infection. That pain increases if I ingest caffeine or any medication and random food from time to time sometimes plain old Water makes me hurt severely. When I eat the first bite of any food I get so dizzy I have to hold myself from falling. If I eat anything that tightens up my stool even a tad I feel weighted down, heavy, dizzy, and extremely tired. I randomly have bloody clots in my stool which are completely unexplained still. Because there isn't technically anything on our left side they don't have a clue. The migraines I can tell are a side effect of the pain so its not a issue on its own to my knowledge. One of the specialist told me after pushing into my side and stomach very hard asking if I incurred pain that I had a rib issue ruptured or something. That was basically an attempt me to seek a muscular doctor but its clear that its something inside I can feel the pain and it radiates when I eat I don't know any skeletal muscle that would hurt when you eat .. lol Also, I was seeing a chiropractor for an unrelated issue and he confirmed I had no muscular issues or skeletal to his knowledge. This is the first time in my life I have to deal with doctors in this area I normally live up North and they treat people better there I would like to go up there to be treated all together but its just not an option right now. Living daily in pain with no relief from medication or direction from a doctor is hard to do. My family reminds me on a regular basis how strong I am but its like chipping at stone eventually if you don't stop chipping you may chip through it. If loosing weight is the answer then yes I will do that but I don't know that I am loosing fast enough right now. An average day consist of about 85% fresh fruits and veggies a day. 5% grains or carbs a day. 5% seafood and 5% fat a day. I don't eat anything out of a box or container I cook with fresh everything with reasonable exceptions like grains. I don't use MSG anymore. I don't use real milk. No meat. Rarely have cheese, eggs, or other animal products. hopeless!

Helo everyone ,i juss had my band put in a week ago .. still a bit soure,but feelin better day by day!

hi all....i was banded may 15th and pretty much having a lack of restriction by 2 weeks post op and eating whatever i wanted by week one. Im calorie counting and have been losing about 3-4 pounds weekly. Im totally satisfied with how things are going. Im hungry alot and sometimes i feel as though im a bottomless pit and feel no fullness when it comes to my stomach. but if i were to take a drink of water (yeah i know we arent suppose to drink with meals) directly after a bite, it feels as though the food is stuck in my throat(way down at the bottom) and that uncomfortable pressure takes place. Is this a sign of my band maybe has slipped and is much higher then it should be? Once the water is down i can feel the food do a plop...and the pressure is gone....im not sure if this is normal with to fast of eating or to big of bites cuz it certainly doesnt happen very often. I was expecting a significant change in the amount i was to eat and getting full. I just had my first fill last week thinking this might change things and well...it hasnt. Where do u folks "feel" the restriction and how does it feel for you? maybe i was just expecting something totally different then what is happening to me....obviously im having some restriction since im losing so well but i guess i just thought id be more aware of the fullness. sorry this was so long...would love to hear from anyone! have a great day sarah

Hey Denika! I know how you feel! I am one week one day post op and saw Dr. Bauman yesterday! This liquid diet is making me crazy!! I can't believe HOW HUNGRY I am!!! I didn't expect to want to eat as much as I do. I am ok during most of the day, but getting groceries, or watching TV makes me starving. Nevermind the delicious suppers my hubby cooks for the rest of the family!

Greetings all. I am a 65 year old woman living in Mesa, Arizona who is in the second month of a three month preoperative period. Medicare will not cover the sleeve and because I have a short torso creating a "belt line" I am not a candidate for lap RNY. Age and scar tissue make an open RNY out of the question. Guess I am saying that I come to the Realize Lap Band by default, not by choice since I need to lose around 100 pounds. I am looking forward to learning from all of you!

I am one week post op. Feeling ok. I am on a liquid diet for the first 2 weeks. Some days a struggle to get in all 64 ounces. Few questions: anyone get chest pains when they burp or hiccup? I can take one sip of water then hiccup and get a tightness in my chest? Is that normal? Also is anyone terrified to start "eating" again?! How do you deal with that? One last thing, I am zapped from energy. Good thing I am off work for 2 weeks! I get a 30 min walk in daily and some house stuff, grocery shopping and I am done! Feel like I have no energy! Does that get better as my body adjusts?! Thank you everyone! I appreciate your insight!!

vlb: My doctor said full liquids for 3 weeks post-op THEN mushies. After reading everyone's comments here, and getting a gelcap stuck (didn't let it soften up long enough) I'm in no hurry to push it. susan unsal: Doc told me Slim Fast is not a good choice for Protein. To much sugar, carbs and fat to be a useful tool. Look for twice the amount of protein grams, or more, as carbohydrate grams. For instance, Body Fortress has 20 grams of protein with 3 grams of carbs - thats a good source of protein. Isopure has 40 grams of protein with 0 grams of carbs. That's an EXCELLENT source of protein. You should also avoid soy protein. Your body cannot utilize most of the protein and the part it can't absorb moves into your bowel undigested and creates gas and bloat. whey protein isolates is the best protein suppliment for your body. Once again, Isopure wins, hands down. Hope this makes sense, good luck to you.

I eat real butter, olive oil, Sour Cream and always use 2% or whole milk which is only 3% by the way. Real Cheese also. I have lost weight slow but steady. I love red meat and have a steak most every week. Med/rare. I am most successful when I cook and eat at home. It is when I find myself eating out all the time when I struggle to lose or actually gain. Its a terrible cycle for me. Preparing at home is key I believe.

This for me didn't even come up until the surgeon questioned me on acid reflux, etc. I do get heartburn once or twice a week which just started a couple of years ago. I was describing to him that I lost weight while pregnant and always had a "full feeling" or indigestion. I get that on occasion now....in fact it started last night and is still bothering me. It is not very painful, more like uncomfortable....feels like a rock is stuck in my stomach, right below my sternum. No food in particular seems to cause it. Since I was never diagnosed or scoped earlier, does that sound like symptoms anyone had? Glad about sleeping through the scope.