Search the Community

I was banded on the 6th Dec 10 and have lost 66 pounds. I'm very happy and think I maybe at my sweet spot after 2 fills. If I eat too quickly or not chew properly I slime or get stuck but if I'm careful everything is great and I am full with around a cup or just under in food. I've just started exercising and actually enjoying it.

OasisTerry - I am a patient of Dr. Altamirano. I was sleeved on 8/10/2015. I would recommend Dr. A to everyone who asked. I could care less about the $100. The money means nothing to me and I would not compromise my integrity for $100. Perhaps some would, but I am glad that I do not know any of those people. If anyone is looking for a surgeon that cares about his patients, has an outstanding staff, hospital, and support behind him then Dr. A is the way to go. I would text, email, or have a personal conversation (Skype or phone) with anyone that was looking for more information or a recommendation. That is how strongly I feel about "My" Doctor. Best Regards. Mike

I am through Kaiser and finally going to meet the surgeon for a consult I wonder how much longer before surgery. I only lost 5% of our weight and not the 10% they told us Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am at 10 days out of VSG surgery and 8 days out of an ulcer repair surgery, and I still feel kinda bad. I have been running low grade temps., but thought I was done with that as of yesterday. Well tonite I have hit 100 degrees. I have taken my tylenol and yes I plan on going to the doc first thing in the morning. My questions is......Has anyone else been through this? My stomach still feels sore on the inside and even my back hurts on my left side. Any comparisons would be appriciated.

You know I think one of the problems for all of us is that there is no one way to respond to this surgery! Some people sail through with little pain, and are bopping around in no time- others are really lid low for a while and are much slower to move forward. Some can drink fluids etc. with o problem, others really have trouble getting the fluids in for the first few weeks or longer. However- I think fever is a warning sign and you are right to see your doctor. Just today our daily poster Crosswind was found to have a double ear infection 19 days out- she had felt wonky and had also had a low fever now and again.

Well, this is my first posting. I was banded Thursday 4/6/06 after a year of researching. I am now a BMI of 29 (was 31 last week). I am very glad of the questions and answers on this site as I am sure I will have many and at least now I know where to go to find the answer. First question, as I am in 1 week post op, can I have sugar free fudgesicle or will this cause enlargement as well. Is this really a liquid if eaten prpewrly? I have hung tight to broth and jello and apple juice, but was getting sick of that and needed a little something. Also, should I still have shoulder pain? I am taking tylenol but about every 6 hours it comes back. Nothing too bad just alarming. I am also walking treadmill at lowest .09 (lol) speed about 4 times a day for 5-10 minutes. I appreciate any and all answers, this was a scary but positive step for me. Godd luck and God Bless all of you....

I have only posted on here a couple of times so I know most of you don't know me. My name is Amber and I am having lap-band surgery next Wednsday. I am excited but getting a little scared. I guess mostly I am scared of failure because I am on this 10 day pre-op diet and tonight had such strong cravings and hunger pangs. I allowed myself to cheat (just a very small peice of lean chicken breast) and I feel so guilty about it. I keep telling myself if I can cheat like this now then what about after the surgery when swelling has went down and I am just before having a fill. Will I be able to keep from gaining weight back that I have lost in the liquid phase? I am so very scared of failure especially since we are paying out of our own pockets for this. Don't get me wrong I am very excited as well just having some of those "pre-surgery gitters" you all talk about. I have done very well on this diet until today when I cheated a little tonight. I suppose I shouldn't beat myself up about it. Does anyone on here ever get so overwhelmed by how much weight they have to lose? I just had my first child (one of the reasons for wanting to get healthy) almost seven months ago and after having him I lost thirty lbs weighing about 250lbs. Since then I have gained 30lbs although not changing my eating habbits, and still this gain. I did find out however, that I have a VERY VERY underactive thyroid for which I am now on medication (have been for almost a month now). I just wish I hadn't gained that thirty lbs because it is going to be so hard to lose. Gosh I am so glad there is a board like this that I can use to vent. I really appreciate anyone who reads this post. I know you guys hear a lot of what I am saying over and over so thanks again.

I have my surgery tomorrow morning and I had my meltdown 10 days ago, just started crying at work, why, etc. My doctor's support group really helped me through it. I know it's what I need to keep off the weight. Today I'm OK, just want it over with and get on the 2 MORE weeks of liquids so I can get mushie food! Get your support group working and helping and keep thinking of the rewards for you. Good luck

Have you tried the Master Gardeners Extensions? http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/ http://extension.arizona.edu/maricopamg http://www.phxgardening.com/grow-vegetables.html http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/vegetables.html http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/20100317arizona-spring-planting-guide.html http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/azgard/msg1116045925629.html They all can show and help you to grow crops in the heat. I've used the ones here in Virginia. They're great. Some of them even will allow you to swap stuff with them or teach you things like dehydration, canning, etc. Speaking of which, what about homesteading? Have you looked into that? http://homesteading-arizona.blogspot.com/ http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/yavapai-county-zmaz87jfzgoe.aspx http://thepaleomama.com/2013/10/urbanhomesteading/ http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/general-homesteading-forums/homesteading-questions/285458-az-homesteading.html All of these are ways that you can save money and use less resources, conserve. Things you can do around the house. I know here there are groups that allow you to trade, swap and barter. If you can get to a library also, there are ways of getting books on that, or info. What else have you checked into like this?

I learned a lesson last night - don't let yourself get too hungry! Here is the story: I get home and just wasn't hungry, we were headed out the door by 6:30 to go to a meeting, our meeting was over at 9:00, we get home at 9:15 pm and I'm starvin'. So, I make myself a few shrimp, that didn't help, I grab some chips and make myself about 5 or 6 chips with some cheese on it and it kepts going from there, I don't even remember everything I ate. I just remember grabbing different things trying to satisfy my hunger. I just felt like anything I ate was not filling me up. Moral of the story - eat something if you know it will be awhile before you can eat. I should have had something small before I left for the meeting. Some almonds perhaps, maybe a protein bar, something instead of letting myself get too hungry. I learned my lesson! I didn't get to exercise last night because of the metting so I took last night off. But......Tonight - It's on! Right after my "Biggest Loser" show, I will be headed to the gym for an hour of circuit training/working the upper body and cardio at the same time. Weight - didn't weigh this morning - just didn't want to face the scales after my late night eating. I was surprised that I didn't have any reflux. Usually if I eat that late, I'm up all night with reflux. I think I've losened up quite a bit again. But my band flucuates so much, I think I will monitor it the next few weeks and see if it gets tighter again. I really thought this last fill would last me - but now, once again, I'm wondering? I'm thinking also that I will never have that tight restriction everyone talks about. Don't get me wrong, I've got restriction, I can feel it, its just not as tight as I would like it. I would like the band to FORCE me to take small bites, to FORCE me not to eat bread, to FORCE me to chew, chew and chew. However, none of this happens for me. I eat regular bites of food, I can eat bread (but I chose to stay away from it), and I chew like I did before the band. I will say every now and then the band gives me a reminder that it is there and I think, Oh, I better slow down. But for the most part, I forget its there. I have found there is only one thing I can't eat - Hamburgers! No matter how small of bites, no matter, how slow, no matter what, it gets stuck. I have given up on ever eating a hamburger again, and I'm fine with that - they are loaded with fat and calories, so thank you my little silacone buddy for forcing me NOT to eat Hamburgers! If this is it for me, if this is the most restriction I can get, then I'm okay with that too. I know that this restriction will keep me from gaining all my weight back. I do get full on a lot less food than I used to eat, so for that, I'm thankful. I just read about so many bandsters talking about how they can't eat this, or that, and how they have to slow down and chew chew chew or they PB.....I've only experienced this a limited amount of time, and that is usually right after a fill. It last a day, sometimes 2 weeks, and it has lasted a month before, but it always leaves. PBing is something I rarely, if ever do. I can't even remember the last time I PB'd. I'm losing count on how many fills I've had. I keep it updated in my journal so I can remember, but I thinks it like 16 now, or maybe even 17. It makes me wonder if I really do have a leak? My doc has tested it and says I don't. Speaking of doc, I go see my band doc tomorrow. He just wants to see how I'm doing after almost 3 years with the band. I think I will talk to him about this and see what he thinks. Okay, I guess I've written enough in my book now, so I better get to work.........:confused:

Luckily anesthesia doesn't bother or worry me. I think of it as a nice, deep sleep. I can't believe how slow (and fast) this is going. I had said a couple weeks ago that the 10 months it took between planning our trip to Hawaii and when it actually came (and went) went by SOOOOO fast, but this few weeks between meeting with my doc and my surgery is dragging... lol I guess now because stuff is actually happening, it will go by faster. Before it was just waiting. Hell, I didn't even get official approval from insurance until yesterday afternoon! I'm just... wow. The emotions will hit (you know what I mean). I see YOUR progress, for instance, and say, wow, that can be me one day. Granted, I'm starting a lot higher than you, but still... it's nice to see people working the band and doing it so well. I won't know what to do with myself. I already have short hair, so I guess I'll have to try to grow mine out to make the "hair change."

I had my surgery on November 19, 2008 and I just had my first fill yesterday January 5! The hunger part will get easier! Just hand in there!!

Nine months Wow what can I say but this LB Journey has been BETTER than any amusement park feeling my insurance could buy!! A lot can happen in 9 months. I lost the weight of a small child or young adult for that matter 97 pounds. Wow I FEEL AND LOOK SO DIFFERENT! I was banded on June 29, 2009. One month early to my surprise. I had all the pre-op work done and I was just doing my job of reading everything I could about LAP-BAND®. I was making sure I was an expert on the subject before I even got banded, Ha Ha LOL I knew absolutely nothing!!! That was of REAL importance to me and my amazing journey. YOU WILL LEARN DAILY!! All I knew was eat slow, chew your food well and PROTEIN first and fit all the water and liquids in you can but NOT with a meal. Let me just say there is way more than just this. I set some goals back in the day, now I will look back at my older blog and see what I have accomplished? My biggest goal was to go skiing this winter and I did about 10 times I did well and it was just like riding a bike it all comes back to you. I rode a bike too that is so much fun!!! I want to dance. Yes. I have been Dancing and it is so fun! I want to eat normal. Yes, I eat way normal! EAT FOOD. NOT TOO MUCH. MOSLTY PLANTS. I want to think normal. Yes, I think normal! I want to look normal. Yes, I look normal! I want to FEEL normal. Yes I FEEL normal! I want to see myself as NORMAL. Yes, I look at myself and I see normal! I want to feel sexy again. Yes, I feel sexy again! I want to look sexy again. Ok, I am working on it...... I want to buy clothes off the rack. Yes, I can buy off the rack! I want those clothes to FIT me. Yes, clothes fit me I am a size 12 / 14. I want to be looked at, not look through. Yes, people talk to me now and look at me! I want to be successful. Yes, I feel and I am successful! I want off blood pressure medicine. Yes, I am NOW OFF all Medicine! Yippee. I want off my sleep apnea machine. Yes, I am off my apnea machine! Yippee. I want my normal body back, the one I had when I met my husband. I am Working on it. I was NORMAL I DO remember how it feels. Yes, I must say I FEEL NORMAL again Thanks to my LAP-BAND® I HAVE FORGIVEN MYSELF. MANY TIMES I was invited to speak to a group of newbies and there were about 50 people with many questions. I was with a young man who had GBPS and was at his goal. I am not at goal yet but have been successful on my journey and work well with my band. I was able the thank my Doctors and give back to the program that has given so much me. Wishing you and all my FRIENDS the best on your journey. I am still learning everyday. imaluckydog

i was banded on 10/31/06 Lost weight, gained it back, do to the fault of poor aftercare.... I found a new surgeon, they put me under Fluoroscopy, and we are now rolling. I also journal my diet, and exercise. I hope you gave yourself a calorie limit to follow, and stick with it, and if it's to high then yep you can cut back in different foods. Some stuff goes a long way. Also look for another surgeon, and get checked out. They will also give you new guidelines.

You are only four days post-op. Don't regret it yet! You need to heal. The shoulder pain is the gas they use to fill the abdomen so they can see what they are doing inside. Gas-x will help it to dissipate, as will walking. Gas-x sounds odd, as the gas is in your shoulder, not your digestive tract...but it will help. It will also help the burp issue. A heating pad did wonders for me. It was my best friend for a week. Keep taking your pain meds, don't let the pain get ahead of you. When you get to level 3 of 10 take another dose. That is what it's for. You should start "turning the corner" and feeling better tomorrow or the next day. If you had a hiatal hernia repair with your banding, a bit longer.

Sure it will feeling good about it... I just need to arrange my bloods to be done and the local hospital. I need to have a cortisol done which takes 10 days to come back. I'll be in France for 5 days all in all and I'll be spending 3 nights in hospital (seems like a really long time, but I'm told that it's the French way to recover quietly with supervision!!) So i'm going to go with the flow and take it as it comes.... God I sound really laid back! Not that I am at the moment... 3 weeks tomorrow and I'll be off to Gay Paris!!! Feeling anxious and excited that I'm finally taking the plunge and tackling my weight problem, permanently Thanks for your thoughts Yvonne

No I wouldn't use that... I also have been taking phentermine for years on and off!!! EHP will try to find anything to deny you... They don't want to spent the money... I explained to the president of the hospital that I've been an employee for almost 10 years and it's unfair, that they were treating that way... Do u work at hopkins or bayview

The first few weeks post op I was in alot of pain and also not in the best mood. I had a drain placed so I had to nurse that for about 10 bdays before it was removed. I started to feel better and like normal around 1 month post op. I think pain can colour your experience greatly. I ate very little and only the items allowed, I wasn't that interested in the foods in the weird phases, when I got back to regular foods (final phase) I was more hopeful and cooked the things I liked but made them the healthiest versions possible. Game changer for me. Try to avoid breaking the protocol of your diet, instead ask your team if you can excelerate the stages. If not take it for what it's worth and soon enough you will be back to whole foods and feeling better. Safe Journey!

Wow! You look amazing! I can't believe that you have lost so much in 2 months. I am 6 days Post Op and so hungry right now, I can't imagine even losing 10 lbs in a month. You should be so proud of yourself!

I have always struggled from Halloween thru New Year's - gaining about 10 lbs then having to make my New Year's Resolution to lose that 10 lbs plus try to lose what I still have on me.... Read my blog post about my 1st year being banded and tell me your stories... http://www.debbieposton.com/how-did-you-handle-the-holidays/

Hi Bansters, I am seriously considering getting banded. One area of concern/question is what happens 3,5 10 years out? Once you reach your goal weight do you loosen up the band? Do you eat different? Does life change (from a food intake perspective) once you have reached the goal weight? If so how? I don't see these questions being discussed too much here. It seems like this forum is a place to come when your in the process, but once your "done" you stop talking about it. I hope to hear from some long time vets! Thanks Archer

I am almost 2 years out now, but I can tell you that I have changed my life. I did get an unfill after hitting goal. I look at food very differently now, and it is about eating for life, not eating to live. I know the calorie count of just about everything I eat. I like it that way. I holpe it continues 10 years from now... I am still here for the friends and support. I know really at any point I could fall off the wagon.

No real tips, because it looks like you're doing things right. However, I wonder if you're not just at a weight where you spent a lot of time before? Also, are your clothes getting looser and are your measurements changing? I've been "stuck" for about 3 weeks, but I know I spent nearly 10 years at the weight I'm at right now, so I expected this plateau. I've been almost literally watching my body change in the last 3 weeks, though. I have lost 2 pants sizes, gained muscle in certain areas and even discovered a couple of bones that I had forgotten about! Just keep working your plan and the weight will come off. I think we're both out of the honeymoon period where it gets tougher to lose weight and we have to work harder...and it sounds like you are working hard!

19 pounds I lost were pre-op from going on the liquid diet. For some reason my body responded really well to the liquid diet. I was on it for 2 1/2 weeks and prior to that I started watching what I ate. Since I've been banded I eat alot less. Breakfast M - F is Carnation instant breakfast with skim milk, 1 packet and 2 servings of milk. That tides me over until lunch. Lunch is either a sandwich and a piece of fruit or a lean cuisine and a piece of fruit. dinner is whatever I decide to cook. Grilled chicken and steamed veggies (love those steam fresh bags) or whatever else I decide to make for dinner. MOnday through Friday I pretty much eat healthy and stick to everything but come the weekend if I want to have a piece of cake or something I do. I make sure I still eat 3 meals a day at least 2 of them healthy but I definitely don't eat junk food all day anymore. I struggle with every pound I lose and I've only been losing 1-2 lbs a week since I got banded. I've evercise about 2-4 nights a week. Lately i've been doing 3-4 nites a week for an hour long each time. That's all i've been doing.