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You know I was thinking about being scared and i was reading in the complications thread about a gal who had to get her gallbladder out and she was so glad so now she wouldnt be sick anymore and she would start feeling better!! I think the difference is the type of surgeries...elective vs. HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW!!! But if we think about the lap band as HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW because we need to feel better now...then maybe it wouldnt be so hard to swallow the fact that you are having surgery. I mean, if you didnt have the Lap band surgery and then 2 years from now you have to have open heart surgery because you have a heart attack because of the obesity and comorbidities, you would be glad that the doctor was going to fix your heart so you could live longer....I dont know, I am just ranting...I was scared too and I dont think there is anything anyone can say to make it better or the nervousness go away. But, I do know, that my doctor told me three years ago that if I didnt do something about my weight I would not be around in 10 years...So three years later...I was 7 years away from the ten year time frame...and I got scared...more scared than thinking about the surgery... You will get through it and then wonder why you were so nervous...thats how it always works.....but in the mean time....CONGRATULATIONS!! You are gonna be healthy:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Deanna

You very welcome,always search information,practice on siping and chewing ur food very well,cause thats the part that really the nutricionists want u to do and make a list of everything you eat so that move u to the next level when u see ur nutricionist,if have any question we are here with and answer,good luck surgery 10/09/2012

Yes I'm now 10 days out and only fighting "head hunger". I now truly understand what that means. I have not really had any physical hunger yet. I really hope it stays that way!! Today is my first post op. I'm down 13 pounds.

On full solids, can eat pretty much anything. Except breads like bisquits, pancakes, anything fluffy! I received some M&M's for komen support Ill be glad when they are gone!! My intake is limited- but my sweet tooth is alive and well!! Hopefully soon I will get a fill.

I am so happy to have found this app! This can be a scary process. I have a great support system but it's good to "hear" from people in my situation. The pre-op part that worries me the most is the liquid diet 10 days beforehand. But I can't wait to begin this new journey!

You may want to read the book 50 ways to sooth yourself without food by Susan Albers. It's like 10 bucks and has helped me out a lot.

Hey Guys, So I had my 4th fill about 10 days ago, bringing me up to 6.75 cc in my 11cc band and am feeling better restriction. What I'm going through now is that I'm eating much less per sitting, but I find myself hungry about 2 - 3 hours after each meal. Is this normal? Does this mean I'm close to feeling full restriction? I was banded in June and have plateaued at around 23 pounds lost, hoping to lose more before the holidays. Thanks! Steve

I have to second and third Betsy and vlp. I had my 2nd fill yesterday(No issues this time!) which brings me to 6cc in a 14cc band and have found I eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup(total) of food and I am full for 3 to 4 hours. Not stuffed but like Betsy B said and I'm not hungry. I also eat 5 to 6 times a day but I eat 3 small meals and have 3 to 4 snacks a day. I snack on natural almonds, yogurt, a slice of cheese or Protein bar. I am NEVER starving but I do get hungry. It is so cool to be learning the differance. I have lost 38 pounds since 8-15-10 It has taken over 40 years to put all this weight on and it is gonna take some time to loose it.:eek:

Sounds to me like I DON"T need a bodybugg, but I do need a job! A physical job! LOL! Have only taken a decent walk twice since being banded. Rain all day today and temps are 10 degrees below normal. I HATE winter! and if anybody needs a fill, it's me! Tomorrow is the day! Good Luck with your buggs!

Rita, I hate to tell you but, depending on your insurance, you may end up waiting an additional 6 months to have the lapband...if your insurance requires 6 months of documentation that you followed an approved diet plan. If your insurance doesn't require it, you are one of the very lucky ones! I am also borderline but I have chosen to be a self-pay. That way, I can have my surgery asap without having to jump through the insurance hoops or without having to gain an additional 10 pounds. I just have to attend the seminar and have my consultation...and hope the doctor will decide to do surgery.

I am also 5'3" and currently weigh just about 230. I sat down with my doctor and we had a long discussion about what is normal, healthy and most of all realistic. We both know that i should be 140 and that would put my BMI right where it should be, but he wanted me to be realistic about my body size, my muscle mass and if I wanted be stuck eating a bread crumb or two a day....forever. We came up with 180 as a goal. That would mean that I would lose 70 pounds. We agreed that losing the size of a 1st grader would be healthier for me then what is there. If I choose then to lose more, he will totally support me, but wants me to know what would keep my quality of life good too. I suggest that you sit down with your doctor. Don't look at the BMI scale. Look at what would be healthy for you and attainable. If you set a goal too far down and can't get there...you will always be disappointed. I also agree with the 10 pounds at a time....I actually do five pound increments....easier to be excited then. Good luck to all!!!

Thanks for the good reading ppl! I guess I do have goals...just not an ending goal :cry_smile: ( I was feeling stressed about that ) My first goal is to be minus 100 pounds before the year is out, I am close ( gotta update that ticker thang) Then I am going for that 199 (laughing) Then I guess I will see. I like that 10 pounds at a time idea. :drool:

(Jan 23, 10) It never fails....only women have to deal with the ups and downs or crazy hormones! I never lose during this week and matter of fact that last few cycles I have gained five to seven pounds of water weight. It's so frustrating. I know, it doesn't stay but to be so darned close and see the scale not move or go the other way makes me want to scream. Now I understand the commercials for Midol! :thumbdown: Who knew? When I was 280 I did not feel it at all. This week I managed to bang my knee in a weird spot which would not allow me to exercise at all. I tried the treadmill and my knee completely gave out! :thumbup: Oh, no....can't have that so I had to let it heal. Oh the horror! But somehow I am still calm about it all. I just know I can drop the last few pounds before my 40th birthday (Feb 23) I have been trying to reflect on my journey as much as possible and there are some things I have got to get better at. I still think I eat too fast sometimes, and also sometimes too late in the day. I tend to sleep better if I don't eat after 7pm, but sometimes that's so hard with my profession. (Realtor) And I KNOW for a fact I don't get all my water in. Got to do better with that. I also need to expand my menu's a bit. It's so easy to just fall back on easy things like soups. So I am going to really try and focus on those things. I wish I could make myself go to bed earlier but I am such a natural night owl! In the next few weeks I will be having new professional photos done for my business cards and for my singing ad's. It's so fun to think about all the cool clothes I can get for these photos. There were two ladies in the office talking about a huge sale at "express" and for the first time I allowed myself to think I just might go check that sale out! I may be able to fit some of that stuff! (wheee) I still have this image of me that is larger and shopping is fun but I tend to still pick up the larger sizes. It's so funny....when the sales people bring me the smaller size. My mind and my mouth immediately say....oh no...that's too small! However when I try it on it magically fits! Euphoria! I went into Lane Bryant last week out of habit and the sales lady who knows me said...Oh no honey, you can't wear stuff here anymore! HA! I use to think I would be a size 12 but I am starting to see that I may be able to wear some size 10's. ME....A size 10! I guess not really much to report this week but not all weeks can be full of stimulating activity! The fact of it all is, I am still adjusting and everyday is a new adventure no matter how major or how small! I am riding high! And as always....I am Blessed! See my progress photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums3475.html Start Weight: 280lbs Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Dr. M. Metz St. Lukes Hospital-Denver, CO

I can’t exercise at work. I can park in a parking structure that is a block from my building I can give the elevators the day off and climb the stairs (my office building has 11 floors, my office is on the 8th floor) I can go to the bathroom on the 11th floor instead of my floor (& take the stairs, of course) I can take a break & go for a walk (it’s amazing how refreshing it is to get away from my desk for 10 minutes) I can’t drink that much water in a day. I can add lemon/lime wedges or crystal light mixes to the water for variety. I can carry a bottle of water with me everywhere I go. I can take a drink of water every 5 minutes. I can’t stop snacking. I can stock my pantry with healthy snacks I can pre-portion my health snacks. I can drink 8 ozs of water before having the snack I think I want. I can go for a walk instead of having the snack I think I want. As long as “I can” I will maintain my weight and I know I CAN!

ok here's how it went the reader's digest version 1. My husband locked the keys in the truck but we had a friend to call and my daughter grabbed mine..that was the start 2. Surgery went without a hitch so said the Doc so that's a great thing 3. I could have been home by 4-5pm but I couldn't because for the life of me i couldn't PEE 4. went walking around nurses stations and drank 3 apple juices to "wake my bladder up" and then go sit on the throne and several times I feel asleep in my IV pole table 5. called Doc about what to do, he wanted to admit me I was like no way, I gotta pee 6. now on top of my co2 bloat from the operation it self.. I also had the most horrific gas ever from the apple juice; my poor hubby, we both watched my belly blow up even further I was about to ask my nurse Karen for a pin! 7. nurse Karen was so wonderful too...she said let's do a french foley.. i was like oh joy 8.we found out that I was dehydrated and could go home with the instructions that if I hadn't peed by 7am this morning I was to call him back 9. when I got home I grabbed my half gallon water jug and went to town on it.. only to find out what true tummy rumblings are 10. I finally peed like forever and did 3 more times that night.. so I got to call the Dr's office and report successful results so other than that, I did learn I love to belch although feeling like a Macy's Day parade air float completely powered by methane gas admitting from the down side..wasn't so great all and all it went really well could have been a heck of a lot worse I am still sore but it's DONE and I'M SOOOOOO HAPPY woot I am banded

Hi there I started In January 09 I got a referred by my general practioner there was no problem he agreed with me that i needed it. Then the south san francisco kaiser calls u with an appt to go to a class that is very very long they weigh u in and that is the weight they go by as your first weigh iin after that they expect u to lose at least 26 percent of it u have to then see a nutirionist and they dont play if u havent lost at least 10 to 15 percent by the time u see them they will make it hard for u to have your next appt then u see the np for the department and he tells u how much u must be down by the next time he sees u oh yea and u have to see the psych in between that all this takes about 6 months just make sure u lose the weight then u see the doctor and get your date for surgery good luck

Sorry not trying to scare anyone here. I had my surgery August 10. Right after surgery and until now I am unable to keep down liquids. My surgeon told me I was tight . He used a 38 bougie but he sais that It is not only the size of the bougie but also how the skin is wrapped around it. I have never vomited so much in my life . I vomit up slimy bubbly stuff. Also meds . I am however in no pain. I am going to see him and his team every morning for fluids and meds through IV.. they seem to think i should be better soon. As the swelling will come down. Toay is the first day i feel coherent. I have no depression even having gone through this I am happy with my decision. One og the doctors there have had this done. Any three or four of the girls. The staff is really caring and even came in today for only me. They are very experienced with 20 years experience. Can anyone else share experiences?

Congratulations! 110 pounds in 10 months - great results and proof again that the band is a tool that properly used can enable someone to achieve life changing weight loss. I hope I do as well once I get banded. Down 17 lbs so far on a pre-op diet. Thanks for sharing your achievement and letting us all see the light at the end of the tunnel. Eric

Hi All: I was banded in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut on September 28th, 2006, so tomorrow will be my 10-month anniversary. I am happy to report that I have lost 110 pounds thus far and am looking forward to losing more. I have had two fills in my 9.75 band and they total 2.5 cc's. For me right now, that seems to be plenty. I have a hard time getting anything down in the morning and sometimes at lunch. When dinner time rolls around, I am ready to eat, but can only do 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food. I stay away from most starches and certain meats, but I try to get in whatever Protein and veggies and fruits that I can. I also do Soups and Protein shakes so I can get the nutrition that I need. I also work out at least four times a week. The band has been a great tool for me, but I have to remind myself daily that it is only a tool. I still have "head" issues with food that I am working on by going to a support group meeting once a month as well as a weekly group therapy session meant for weight loss surgery patients. It has been a long time coming, but I am very, very happy with my decision and at this point in my life, I cannot think of a better way to lose weight for me. It has truly been the answer to all of my prayers my whole life, since that is how long I've been heavy. I wish everyone the best of luck and I wish you all the greatest success and I hope to be on this forum fairly frequently now. I find the best help to be the support one gets from others.

Hi all!! I was recently banded on April 18, 2012. My band is currently empty. My first follow up appointment with my doctor was on May 1, 2012 and he indicated that I should come back in four weeks and we will discuss then whether I need an adjustment. He indicated that some people don't need any adjustments and that the band itself gives enough restriction. Although, I have lost 10 pounds, my problem is that I feel hungry quite a bit. I am only eating twice a day, but at this point I moved onto solids and I am not having any difficulties at all. Sometimes I am still hungry after and think that my portions are more than they should be (ie 1.5-2 cups). I know that I am not getting in enough fluids and I have had virtually no Protein drinks at all because no matter what I do I just don't like the smell or the texture of them which is why I am trying to get protein in during the two meals I eat. I did discuss the Protein Drinks with my doctor and he said that I need protein so try to find something I like and that was it. I meet with my nutritionist next week. I am pretty sluggish and tired and wonder if it is normal. I also get gas pains everytime I eat but not enough to discourage the eating! Did anyone have similar problems? Should I have lost more weight then 10 pounds? Thank you! So excited to have this forum available to me!

Carbonation is not recommended for those with the band. My understanding is that it can cause the new "pouch" to expand and/or the band to slip. However, I still have not been able to kick the habit - drink soda every day. *cringing* I've been banded 19 mos and did well in the beginning staying away from soda - then old habits creeped back up and caught me! Still working on kicking the habit once and for all. Some banders cannot tolerate carbonation - unfortunately, I can; however, that doesn't mean that my band or pouch is going to be able to tolerate it forever.

They're great aren't they! I have lost 29 lbs so far but fell off the waggon over the holidays... should be at least another 5-10 lbs lighter. I can't wait to lose my next 20 lbs... I know I can do it with the help of the band... best decision I ever made.

I started a list of motivational sayings and thoughts. I add to it whenever I think of something good. I read it everyday. I thought I'd share and encourage you to do a list of your own: 1. If I can take it than I can make it. 2. A goal without a plan is only a wish. 3. I got this, come hell or high water! 4. White jeans, heels, tankini and a dress.. 5. Take control of food and your life. 6. Live the life you dream of! 7. Crossing my legs, being comfortable on a plane, less jiggly while running and more stomach space while riding. 8. Climbing!!! 9. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a new result, is called insanity! 10. How's that working for you?! 11. This is the beginning of making all your dreams come true. 12. You are braver than you know and stronger than you think. 13. Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. 14. FOCUS 15. Be kind to yourself. 16. PATIENCE 17. You can train yourself to be disciplined. 18. It's just a habit, it's ok to break it.

The connection between both stress and lack of sleep and weight regain is well documented and the subject of a number of studies. There have been successful treatments from a psychological perspective but that is well beyond any help I can offer. But I love your determination and having completed your degree has hopefully reduced the stress you are under. If you are not doing so already I strongly recommend maintaining a food log. I use and highly recommend My Fitness Pal but Spark People is recommended by many folks on the forum as well. In my experience, the key to weight loss and subsequently to weight maintenance is managing your weight. And the key to managing your weight is maintaining a food log. And the key to maintaining a food log is understanding what I call "The Law of Averages". You've set a goal of losing 10 pounds by Feb. So your goal is to lose a little over a pound a week. Configure the settings in your app to lose a pound a week. The app will calculate a daily calorie goal that you'll need to achieve in order to meet your weight loss goal. It is unrealistic to expect to meet a calorie goal every single day for the rest of your life. More importantly, it's not necessary. That calorie goal is an AVERAGE. So on those occasions when you go over your goal, you simply adjust your goal down by 100-200 calories for the next day or two and you're right back on track with your average. It's all about control, not denial. So you try your calorie goal for a week and then check your weight. If you lost a pound, great! If didn't lose anything or even gained a little, adjust your calorie goal down - don't get crazy, 100-200 calories should be enough. Follow that for a week and then check your weight. Repeat until you find the number that works best for you. It's simple, it's easy and it works like a charm. Your log helps make you accountable - to you. It also works amazingly well in helping you understand the relationship between what you eat and the effect it has on your weight. It teaches to manage your weight instead of your weight managing you. When you see the changes in your weight in response to those minor calorie adjustments, your confidence soars. You log allows you to react quickly to changes and that makes all the difference in the world. Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress. There are tons of very knowledgeable folks on the forum that are more than willing to help you along the way. You're gonna love the new you!!

Dave, Thank you for your great questions. I did the math. I originally lost 60% of the my expected weight...I am now at 38%. I started to slip when I went back to college to complete my degree....poor eating habits, stress, lack of sleep, while working full time. It took me just over a year to complete my degree---then I realized what was happening. I still feel great, but I kick myself for letting this happen. The health benefits are still there....my diabetes has not caught me yet, but it is breathing down my neck.....this in itself I enough to get me moving. I just found out my insurance will not cover bariatric services of any kind so for now I will skip this years visit. I did speak with the nurse over the phone and we chatted for awhile. Back to basics she suggested. I also went to the support group meeting not much help there. So I am reaching out to you here in hopes that I will get some support and make some connections to keep me on my path. As for motivation, I was bound and determined to be successful, I still dream of reaching my goal weight, or close to it if possible. I have set small goals for myself, like getting another 10 pounds off before Feb. I need to stay away from the junk, exercise more, and regulate my intake of Protein and carbs. This sounds so easy.....I wish it was.