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Excited to get back into the swing of things.. I hope I can get rid of this weight for good! I feel like my band is really tight right now, I got an adjustment 2 days ago. Im at 7ML right now. I can swollow my own spit at least. I can sometime drink water just fine but other times its hard. I do not have a desire to eat and I feel this pressure in my chest, I think mostly because im having imense heartburn. Tums do not work. I feel like water just makes my heartburn worse. I have not been able to eat anything, but ive been VERY hungry. I really dont want to unfill and I think that it may just be swelling that will hopefully go down. Ill give it the weekend and see how im doing. Anyone else have heartburn problems? If anyone reads this that is.. :thumbup: http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wBecnHo/"> >

Hi - I'm 12 weeks post-op and have had no issues and am losing weight slow and steady. I couldn't be more pleased. Anyway, just a couple of days ago, I started experiencing an occasional sharp pain on my left side right around my waist level. It comes and goes. Last night it woke me up and this morning I had an episode while driving to work. Like I said, it is intermittent and doesn't last long but since I've never felt this kind of pain before, it has started to worry me. Anyone have anything like that?

I had my surgery on October 25th and I have lost 14 pounds. I feel your pain and I am also very frustrated. I have been walking a lot and people have commented that I have lost weight. I expected to lose much more by now but there isn't much I can do about it. We have gotten through the most difficult part (well, I still have 5 days until I can eat but you're there!) so we need to follow through and know that this WILL work if we follow the plan. Hang in there

Whey protein isolate IS what body builders use, if they know what they're doing. Lifting weights tears apart muscle fibers and protein is needed to repair them. For WLS patients it's important to have protein for good health and to prevent muscle loss. Some body builders want to gain weight while increasing muscle size, and some want to lose fat while increasing muscle size. The protein used by the second type is also good for WLS patients, though I don't think they taste as good as those that were developed just for us. I don't like the flavor of my husband's protein. Most inexpensive proteins are loaded w/sugars, fillers, and cheaper proteins that aren't absorbed as easily as isolate. Not good for ANYONE except the pockets of the people who make them. These are never used by educated body builders (like my husband). :-)

I've missed my bandster family! Hi everyone, I think I've finally hit my sweet spot! Got another fill 8-18-09 .4 ccs, think this is it. I haven't had much of an appetite, but I was still craving sweets and having a few cookies here and there. Well no more, after this feel, not only has any trace of an appetite disappeared, but I finally have a fill that doesn't allow me to eat cookies! YES! Finally! I bought some cookies yesterday and after eating 2, my chest got so tight, and well you know the rest, up came the cookies. I have learned my lesson. No more cookies for me! Today, I actually felt hungry 1 time, around 1 pm. I am full off of a few sips of anything other than water. Today I had water for breakfast, felt hungry and made some sf hot chocolate (just because I was cold and planned on eating some cioppino afterwards), but the cocoa filled me up again. The hunger went away. Here it is 7 pm and I haven't had 1 bite of food (and by the way the cookies are still sitting on the table, I haven't even been tempted). I know I have to eat something so I'm making some "rice" and eggs (made with tvp) and green onions. Hopefully this will do it for me and I can finally lose these last 70 pounds (although now I'm not so sure that I want to lose 70 pounds, at my current weight I can wear a size 12/14 and I'm 5'7, I'm afraid of what I might look like at 175 pounds). I'll just take it 1 pound at a time. I will definetly keep you posted. Until next time. * Hope this helps someone along their journey:thumbup:

Has anyone since loosing weight and getting there confidence back has become a flirt??? I separated 2 months ago and since I started going out but I notice that since I have lost weight and I am single that I am becoming a big flirt. I also find that men notice me a lot more and I don’t know how to handle it, I go out every other weekend I am always meeting new people and I can’t find to stick to one because the attention feels good. Anyone share the same experience or am I becoming a “Band Ho” for attention.

Hi SDP, I'm kind of in the same boat you are, I've lost about 75 lbs, but still have about 40 more to go. I really don't want to go in to have lipo or a tummy tuck when I still have more weight to lose. Not to mention the fact that our finances are in the toilet now thanks to the economy, so it may have to wait longer than I originally wanted. But it's a good question and I'll be very curious to see what the responses are.

I have also heard to wait at least a year, and to maintain your weight for some time so that your body has a chance to do some of its natural adjusting on its own. I have been lucky, it is not bikini belly but I look OK without clothes for the most part and there is only a little sag. However, now that I am pregnant, I don't know what it will look like by next summer, lol.

I survived my first pre-op consult, and feel like I've got a new lease on life!! I was running late, I should have been at the hospital for my first appointment at eight-thirty and didn't get there until nine, because traffic was insane at rush hour!!!! When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised to see the chairs had no arms, and the chairs that DID have arms were enormous, and could have fit three of me! It was the first time I didn't have to worry if my big butt would fit comfortably in a waiting room chair!!! :car: My first appointment of the day was with the psychiatrist. Lucky me, I thought, getting shrinked at nine a.m. is a great way to begin the day!!! The psychiatrist was actually wonderful, and my fiance and I will be going to her for couples counselling throughout my banding and weight loss process, because I told her about how he and I had discussed how it would change the dynamic of our relationship. She was thrilled I recognized the importance of that, and also that I recognize the seriousness of the decision I am about to make. She told me I am a perfect candidate, and that she will be telling the surgeon that,psychologically, I am a go-ahead for surgery!!! My second appointment of the day was with the nutritionist, who was only like, two years older than I am, I swear! We discussed the need for my diet change. I am on my pre-op (which will end up being my post-op lifestyle,actually) diet, where I will eat three meals a day, no more than six hours apart, that will all begin with three ounces of protien, lots of veggies, and lastly, a single serving of starch if necessary. It seems to me like I am going to be eating a LOT MORE food than before, and a lot less random,grazing junk! I also have to drink 2 liters of water a day! My last appointment was with Pam O'Brien, the most amazing Nurse Practitioner on the planet! She has so much spunk, and was so motivating! We discussed the risks and the benefits of my surgery, and what I expected of it. She also told me I am the perfect candidate, due to the fact that I am only 21, have a lot of life to live, and know the changes I want to see. She liked that I am willing to go out and act upon what needs to be done. She's a hugger, and I love that! She wants me to fax her the files from my pediatrician, saying that I have been overweight since middle school so she can prove that this isn't a new battle for me. She said only insurance is her concearn, because my company had a rider saying they excluded WLS unless medically necessary. It is for me, but she said they get to pull the definition of medially necessary out of their asses. Theses are the next steps for me to proceed! 1.sleep apnea test 2.lab/bloodwork 3.loose 15 lbs pre-surgery (easy!) 4.exercise 5 days a week/30 minutes a day 5.attend one support group meeting 6.attend 4 lifestyle skills classes 7.four week follow up with nutritionist 8.4 week followup with Pam (When we set the date!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!) There is info overload in here, I know! And it's not even the least of it! I'm just glad that I'm getting this opportunity! PRAISE JESUS! Tomorrow I get my files faxed to Pam, and then pray for the next 15 days about getting pre-approved (using a false date to know if I'll get approved...)...Please Keep me in your prayers!

Sleeved May 14th, 2010 I had the sleeve done May 14th, 2010 in Mexico. My surgeon was Dr. Almanza. My surgery went well. Here are my details... My husband and I flew to San Diego with another couple. We were picked up at the hospital and taken directly to the lab for blood work. From there we were taken to Jerusalem Hospital. I got ready for surgery and was on the OR table and I don't remember being put out! (Must be pretty good stuff! LOL) I woke up in the recovery room. (I also had my gall bladder removed at the same time. Heard many stories about people having gall bladder problems after losing weight so quickly and wished they would have had the gall bladder removed right away). I never felt the chills that some people experience from coming out of the anesthesia. Threw up a few times then felt much better. Was lucky in the gas area also. I didn't have too much. I walked back and forth down the halls a bit. If I hip-upped I would feel slight pain. Did have diarreha but that cleared up in a couple of days. There were 4 leak tests. The fist two are done in the operating room and I don't remember those. (Air test and purple dye) The third one is where you drink that nasty purple juice to see if any seeps into your drain. Leaves your teeth and tongue as purple as Barney! The forth is where they take you to radiology and you drink a liquid and watch it go down your stomach and see if it leaks out. There you get your xray also showing the stages of this test. Some say this is the worst tasting of all the tests, but I'm not sure...that purple stuff was pretty nasty...all 8 oz of it. My care was good. Every person that took care of me sanitized their hands then put on gloves before changing my bandages. I think the part that hurt the most was when they changed bandages...good tape...ouch! LOL I stayed an extra day at the hospital because of having two surgeries, (Sleeve and gall baldder removal) then went to the recovery house. That was nice and my care was good also. The only thing I wish different is that they would have someone who stays at the hospital and recovery house that speaks complete english. Many of the care takers don't speak english, and all my spanish is good for is counting to 10! My husband had questions but they couldn't understand us to answer our questions. There are a couple of caretakers that know some english, but they are not always on. All in all, my surgery went well. I was forunate not to have a leak and feel wonderful.

Congrats, and welcome! No need to be worried about your soft food transition. Don't freak if you gain back some weight - it will come off again. If you're not hungry, don't force yourself to eat. If you're starving, eat what you need to stay sane. Take it slow - you don't yet know what your restriction will be like, so wait in between bites to see how things are going down. My staple during this phase was blended chili. Yum, yum. Not so good tasting once you're back on solids, but for some reason I would have killed for blended chili in the soft food stage - it was all I could think about! :mad: Be creative and get out the blender/food processor! Start practicing now not drinking with your "meals". That seems to be one of the hardest things for people to adjust to. Be gentle with yourself, enjoy the healing process. Solids are just around the corner, and then the fill adventures begin (unless you're one of the rare few who have enough restriction with an empty band.) Be good to you!!

Well I gained a pound....and I'm sure it is partially water retention, but also the fact that mushies mean starch to me. I should have done a little more prep and research on mushies that weren't loaded with carbs, but I didn't, so in they went. Two days to my first fill, and that should really help....that and I will be strictly low carb from that point on, until I get to goal weight.

So long ago but I'm pretty sure we waited 2 weeks date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

I’m officially on post op day 7. Although very early on in my journey I’m staring to feel discouraged. I often have sharp but fast fading gas pain in my chest. It happens mostly when I drink any fluids. I’m trying my hardest to drink all my fluids but it’s been tough. I feel healthy and have already lost a good amount of weight! I’m just becoming worried it will be like this forever!?!

I hear so much talk about how everyone has to follow "The Rules" if you want to be successful... I'm curious what everyone's take on this is...specifically, Do You learn and follow the rules to loose weight? Or Do you learn and follow the rules because that is the only way you can manage to live with the band.... I am also curious what people feel "The Rules" actually are... In my case, it was because following them was / is the only way I can get by day to day with the band....in the beginning, long before I even had the surgery, they started teaching me the "Rules" and telling me then I had to start adhering to them...to be honest, for me, I felt they were silly...and I told them so... They would smile am laugh, and say..."You just wait and see"...""there will come a day you will wish you knew them by heart. better to start now than wait till later" And they were right...after my 3rd fill, BAM! Could not keep anything down...suddenly I knew EXACTLY what they meant... I can now say, these "Rules" are no longer rules, but new habits that make up a new lifestyle...I don't have to be reminded about small bites and chewing...drinking while eating..etc, etc....I know...and it all is natural and part of me know...

Your doing great as long as you are following your doctors rules and feeling ok your fine, congrats on your weight lost and pending surgery, you got this.

I may just try weight watchers again.......

Good job getting in all your liquids I'm 5 weeks out and yet to get in a full 64 oz in one day!! I've stopped weighing myself everyday, I know as long as I'm doing the right things the weight has to come off. And I have always been addicted to the scale. Today was my day to weigh and I got my period yesterday so I'm doing myself a favor and not getting on until its over! Because without even getting on I know I gained some water weight, retaining fluid. I've had a day here and there when I had that queasy yucky feeling trying to drink my morning protein, I think I know what you mean. But I did my best with the rest of the day and on average I hit 70-80g of protein so I don't sweat the occassional morning that my tummy doesn't want to cooperate.

I think if the pharmacy doesn't have records, I will pick years 2001 and 2003 to add to '05, 07, 08, 09 and 10. Thanks, I'm not ready to throw in the towel, by any means. When you finally get to the place where you are fed up with the weight and summon up the courage to make a surgery your decision... you sure don't want not going to the Dr. one year four years ago to get in the way! thanks all.

In the time it takes me to log my 6 months of supervised dieting, I have decided to lose as much weight as I can reasonably (and safely) lose. I believe being smaller when I have the surgery can only help me. To this end, I am planning on using shakes as a Meal Replacement for at least 2 of my meals, having veggies like celery or fruit for each of 2 Snacks and one lean meal per day. I plan on staying under 1000 calories per day. This will be HARD. It would be great if anyone else out there has this kind of plan for the 6 month wait. I would love to connect with you. Writing down my intention is a good first step I guess. The pre-surgery diet train is now boarding. Jump aboard!!! Melissa (official railroad engineer)

I was sleeved back in 2012, gained back 60 pounds and severe GERD so I’m going bypass distal in 3 months, hoping it’s a better solution

I am still trying to get back up to par...I have no energy for anything anymore...I feel terrible for not getting to my workouts this week, but I just cant do it...Maybe next week...Atleast I am back to work and getting in a little movement, but am only looking forward to getting home and maybe fitting in a little nap...I am still eating right and feel that I should be losing weight anyways no matter how slow, atleast its not a gain this time but there is no telling what Sundays weigh in might hold for me...If I had a rock near me right now I think that i would feel totally comfortable climbing under it in a fetal position for a while:sick....Its gotta come to an end sooner or later!!

I am still trying to get back up to par...I have no energy for anything anymore...I feel terrible for not getting to my workouts this week, but I just cant do it...Maybe next week...Atleast I am back to work and getting in a little movement, but am only looking forward to getting home and maybe fitting in a little nap...I am still eating right and feel that I should be losing weight anyways no matter how slow, atleast its not a gain this time but there is no telling what Sundays weigh in might hold for me...If I had a rock near me right now I think that i would feel totally comfortable climbing under it in a fetal position for a while:sick....Its gotta come to an end sooner or later!!

I am so glad to hear that you are recovering much better, now. I gained 12 pounds in the hospital, and by the time I lost it, I hit the third week stall.