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Jgreen - I just wanted to give you my thoughts and feelings. Now, these are just my opinions - and you can see there are so many stories here of how things have worked for so many different people. I had surgery about 5 weeks ago. I am very similar to you - I was about 225 prior to surgery and am 5'3". I am fairly active and have to be with little kids to take care of (we don't allow TV so we are on the go). I had sleep issues and polycystic ovaries, so I have been listening to my doctors tell me that I would always have a very hard time losing weight and keeping it off - especially as I get older. I know I have certainly been feeling that. In the past 6 years, the weight has crept on and no matter how active I have been, I have not been about to manage things as I had in the past. So I sort of felt like I was fighting a losing battle and really wanted to find a way to get myself back in control. I knew that I needed to sleep better. I need to get headaches in control. I have a feeling that so many things are related to weight. I think I talked myself into surgery as the only option. And really it may have been, because I was not making anything else work for me. I did my research and decided the lap band was the only type of WLS that I was willing to do. I can tell you that emotionally, it has been a struggle for me now that I have had the surgery. That is hard for me to admit, because I am ordinarily someone who is careful about decisions and really secure in them. But I am not sure now that I have the lap band that I feel like this is "normal". Again, I have to say this is a very personal feeling and I do not want to take away from how wonderful this is for others. I have lost about 18 pounds in 4 weeks since the surgery. My fears though are reading about everyones trouble with "PBs", sliming, throwing up and other things that just don't seem to fit into what I want to have as a healthy and normal life. I have not had these issue yet - I have not had any fills and I am not sure when I will be ready to move on to that step. For now, I am really relying on my own self control for eating and managing where I am. I do have to say that the longer I have been banded, the better I am able to deal with the fears I have about the band. But I do still worry about having an object in me that may fail. I worry about having fills and not being able to even keep water down. I guess I am just trying to say that I will in all the seminars and with all the people I spoke with that they would have been a bit more up front about some of the realities that come along with the band. I think I needed to be hit over the head a bit more with this information prior to surgery. Good luck as you think through this process.

I was worried too, but more worried about getting stuck or not tolerating certain foods. I find my weight loss has definitely slowed down a bit, but slow and steady wins the race, right?

Pre-op I focused how excited I was to be taking control of my weight problem, how happy I would be to see the scale going down, remembering how it felt to have clothes that fit, and that getting a sleeve was major but many people have successful surgeries far more extensive than a sleeve. Post-op I did exactly like my doctor told me to. I set a timer for every 15 minutes to remind me to drink. I drank Protein drinks to kill two birds with one stone. I walked until I was tired or starting to get sore, usually 20 minutes every two hours. I slept in a lazy boy because it was much easier to get in and out of vs a bed. I did not rush to the next stage of food, I did not cheat at all. After the first two weeks of liquid only ( my doctor requires 3 weeks of liquids) I was really ready for something I could chew, but I waited. I told myself it was a small sacrifice in light of how far I needed to go, and I knew that I had to learn to resist temptation if I wanted the sleeve to work for the rest of my life. I always take my Vitamins. I weigh once a week at the most, and only if it feels like "a skinny day". I look to the future and sustaining the weight loss as my goal instead of losing X # of pounds. I think of future events and how I want to look, feel, and enjoy those events years down the road. This way of thinking helps me internalize that the sleeve is a life style change for the rest of my life, not just a quick way to get to certain size.

know what you mean but I haven't gotten my journey on the near straight and narrow yet. I have had only one fill. 1cc. in a 11cc band. I still love the band because I haven't gained any weight. Day 48 -15 lbs including pre op diet. I am going to keep trying. Drink my Water count calories exercise get Protein We can do this. No I haven't been perfect but I do know my shortfalls. It is all about me, I can do better. Must luck to both of us.

I get what you are saying, I think. I know there are people who wouldn't give me the time of day when I was 283 pounds, 100 pounds less and suddenly they were my best buddies, NOT! On the inside, I am still the same person, just with a different packaging now. If I wasn't good enough for you then, I sure don't want you in my life now. It is rare for me to find old pictures of myself, I was always so embarrassed of my weight, I avoided the camera at all costs. I still do, because in my mind, I still think I am going to look like that person I was three years ago. Sent from my iPad using VST

Congrats on your weight loss. That's awesome. Keep up the great job.

Do you have to weigh-in the day of surgery or the day before or not at all? I suppose with insurance approval, tracking weight is no longer a requirement???

Hello Everyone I will be having my consultation on December 16th at SWLC in Mississauga.I am very excited for my new life and of course very scared,almost like I am loosing my best friend"FOOD"!! My problem is,I am leaving for vacation to Vegas in January 11th then Febuary 23rd I have business in Jamaica for one week.I would love to have this done before I go to Jamaica but I am so SCARED I might have complications in Jamaica!I am also scared of the weight I could gain on these trips.I am lost on what I should do??Should I be waiting till I get back from both trips or go for it now!! Also does anyone have some input on SWLC?? Thanks for any advice you might have to offer! Cathy

At my pre-op at the weight loss clinic, I found out that they will staple, but not stitch to reinforce. I won't have a drain tube and I can expect one overnight. Most of the pain is associated with gas and mostly in the shoulder, but walking really helps. The stomach is removed from the right incision so that is where any tenderness and pulling will be from. Very excited and ready for the next stage of my weight loss journey. I lost 100 lbs on my own, couldn't get below 190, even though my ideal weight is 110. I didn't weight enough to get approved for surgery, gained 50 pounds and lost 20 over the last 6 months. Got approved for surgery and now over the next few months, I can expect to reach my goal of 110! So happy!

Hi I had my surgery on Apr 2nd and realized that if I had revealed what I was doing that I would be opening myself to all kinds of criticism I just wasn't looking for. So, I chose to tell my mom and a close friend and that was it. I realized by the time I got to the decision to do this the only people who would understand are those who have gained and lost weight a million times over the years. I hope that you would realize that you know what is good for you and congratulations on taking care of you.

Was sleeves may 13 2010 I tried everything nd I mean everything to loose weight before the operation I weighed 240 lbs. I size 18 Now I am half of me I weigh 120 I find it hard to believe it is me but it is I am a size 4 as to date I drink my water and coffee I find it settles food I live in small town and no support system. Family. Was really my support I went from 7 pills a day to none today well a vit on the day I was to be operated on they told me I was a diabetic and I said no. And they said yes I am and that would have ment more pills As I lost weight my energy level is so much more I just ran first 5 k. And I do kettle bells which has toned 10 and half inches And if u find uR self not loosing weight it may be inches instead of lbs good luck to all and yes I would do all over again. Drink your water and exercise

hey im also 20 weeks, congrats on your pregnancy.. i dnt feel a lump in my throat but i am eating like a horse and guessing that i have stretched my band. i have 5 mls in my band and i didnt want to unfill it because i was scared of weight gain. At the beginning of preg i weighed in at 101kgs but went down to 93kgs in first trimester frm being so sick.. now im 98kgs and its abit disheartning.

Okay everyone.. We all know when your pregnant you have cravings. Ive been REALLY bad. I eat healthy most of the time.. but sometimes I eat breads and pastas.. Since I was 10 weeks preggo Ive had the feeling of a constant lump in my throat. Some days I have it.. and some days I don't. I finally talked to my OB about it and she tested my thryoid.. which was fine. A friend of mine also has LAP-BAND® and she mentioned Ive probably stretched my pouch bc I can eat SOO much more then what I used to. Like tonight for instance.. I made an omlet with veggies in it.. I used 3 eggs to make the omlet.. I was able to get down about 3/4 of it! I KNOW thats to much! I only had the band about 4 months before I found out I was pregnant.. So my fill was only at a 3 which my Dr. refers to as a "prime". He didn't want to unfill me bc he wanted me to continue to lose or just stay the same. So far Ive gained about 4 pounds..and thats within the last 3 weeks. Anyone have any insight on this problem or am I just being paranoid?!?! Thanks in advance!!

I was banded almost two years ago. My weight has gone down some, then back up, and has now gone down again. I have been working since December to exercise more, eat less, and really eat healthy foods. I am sooooo close to being in the 200's, but still so far away. 301, 300, 302, 300...will it ever get there? Keep me in your thoughts, I am trying so hard to get in the 200's. Wish me luck! Rebecca

rebecca, just got finished ready Kelly Doran's one year aniversary post. She speaks of a plateau, but watched her measurements go down. Myself, my weight loss has slowed down and I keep on tracking through without getting too frustrated. it goes down and thens stalls for a few weeks and then back down again... keep up the hard work it will pay off. Best of luck!

Congrats!!! I guess it takes our brains a while to catch up to what we have done. But it's good to enjoy what you have achieved and how you got there. I understand where you are coming from, however. I look in the mirror and I recognize that I have lost weight, but I feel I have a long way to go. My wife and doc can't understand how I don't see my progress. I do, it's just that I also have a goal in mind and that is what I am striving for. Congrats on how very far you have come and good luck in achieving your goal!

There is definitely a science to lifting/diet/sleeve. Wish I could say I have it figured out, but it is always being tweaked. You say you are lifting, what are you doing specifically? 1200 calories of what? When are you eating? If your surgery date is correct, you are only about 6 months post-op. Right now (only in my opinion) I would be focusing on losing the weight and trying to keep what muscle you have. You just cannot take in enough protein/calories to start building a lot of mass. Establishing the routine and habit is the most important thing. I used to lift everyday, but once I started getting into heavier weights, I needed more recovery time. So now I am down to 3 times a week. The other days I just try to get my steps in to maintain my weight.

I was banded May 18th and am down 50 lbs but have been STUCK on top of a plateau for about 10 days. No matter what I do I can't break through so I'm trying to just ride it out. Congrats to everyone on your weight loss success!

That really stinks! I am sorry that you are having to consider more surgery. I know there are a lot of people on this site that had revisions to bypass so hopefully you will get your questions answered. Many of them have done fantastic with bypass. I can tell you that from what I have read, the initial weight loss is much slower but I have seen folks get to goal. Personally I am so thankful I went the bypass route because it put several illnesses into remission for me. One of them was very severe Gerd, I have not had a single bout of heartburn at all. My diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anemia and stage 3 kidney disease are also all in remission. Do you still have the same insurance? You might want to give them a call to better understand coverage. I had Medica United Health Care and I was only allowed 1 Bariatric WLS surgery in my lifetime. Now I have a completely different insurance and they cover nothing. It really depends on your specific insurance. I wish you the best of luck!

I am in desperate need of a non-stim energy booster for pre-workout. I am persistently tired (I've been this way my whole life, nothing new).... and going to the gym is a waking nightmare (although I suck it up and do it). Looking for some supplements or non-stim weight loss/metabolism boosters + energy boosters to take pre-workout. I can't take any stimulants because I have bad anxiety and even a cup of tea makes me feel like I am having a panic attack, lol. I am really overwhelmed by all of the options on Amazon. I currently take the following vitamins/supplements: Thyronine (T2), chia seed extract, vitamin e, calcium, keratin, vitamin d, super b complex, iron, bariatric multi, and magnesium citrate. I do have some green tea extract on the way.

I have not been banded as of yet but I would HIGHLY recommed Dr. Darin Minkin. He is a leader in this surgery and has an awesome staff as well. His bedside manor is awesome too. He is here at Des Peres hospital right off of 270 and Daughtery Ferry Rd (spell ck on that). Do your research and you will find the right doc for you. I am hoping for my banding sometime in July, I have one more weight management visit and then we submit to the insurance all the paperwork. Heres hoping it all goes well. Good luck Michele

Fills fills fills... SOO important! If we could do this without restriction, we would have. But we are a population that needs the restriction to lose weight. You have to do your part, you MUST get appropriate restriction. When that is good then you need to do the band basics such as eating the right foods and eating them in the right order if that is what you need to keep you satisfied. That means Protein first, then veggies, then carbs. You need to do all the right things to make your tool work better. That includes attitude. You just have to have the right attitude, the attitude that YOU can do this and the band will help you reach your own goals. It isn't going to do it for you. I think another important aspect for you is identifying when you are actually hungry vs. when you want to eat. Those two concepts are not the same. Head hunger vs. stomach hunger. You write that you think about food and then get hungry. Is that really true? Do you think about food and then you FEEL hungry or do you think about food and then want to eat it? I can talk myself into an entire bag of Fritos without much effort, doesn't mean I am hungry. It means I want to eat a bag of Fritos. See the difference? I didn't, not for a long time. I'd see those Fritos calling my name and I still have to stop and think, am I hungry or do I just want to cram food in my face? It's prevented the need for many useless trips to the grocery store to feed a craving vs. actual hunger. Bottom line, get down to basics. Start with the fill, go from there. You can do this. This is hard but it really is the kind of hard WE can do.

Hi Busy...you're not too far from me. I'm in Waldorf. I had a lot to do to be approved for the surgery myself. I had to have six months of a supervised medical weight loss program as well as psych eval and EKG. Believe me...it's worth the weight and the hard work. I love my band. Welcome to the board and good luck with everything. Keep in touch!

This is great. There are some very practice ideas and suggestions in this series. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is not currently exercising as well as those of us who are exercising at a higher weight. Thanks for sharing this.

Well, I need fuel for the workout and raw materials on recovery days. If you are lifting 5 rep max weights, I'd go every day same calorie goal. If you are still losing rapidly, workout day. Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.