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I'm at 2.5 in a 10 and I'm in a good spot. When I eat what I am supposed to I get full after a cup of protein and vegetables. I can still eat a bag of Doritos but that doesn't count to need a fill because they are sliding right through, no matter how tight you are. Can't look back at how much you only lost last year. Be happy you lost something and gained nothing. Move on forward and start fresh with the Band life and you got this =)

@@Kari1985 Yes! I'm so thankful she found me...haha! I posted in my local support group, and she reached out to me in a private message. It may sound odd, but while I'm having surgery, I always ask either the anesthesiologist, scrub nurse, or tech to touch my face as I'm being put under. Lol. It's just really comforting to me. When I had my children (3 c-sections,) my ex husband was in the room, and I wasn't put under and I was comforted by him holding my hand and the doctor talking to me. I am terrified of embarrassing myself. In 2007, I had sinus surgery and they didn't give me any anti-anxiety meds before they gave me anesthesia. I went from an 8 on the anxiety scale to a 10+ within 30 seconds. I sat up on the OR table, and told them "My legs feel so heavy, I must be having an allergic reaction!" They told me it was the medicine, but I didn't believe it or course. The next thing I remember is just waking up from surgery. I was so embarrassed when I remembered what I had said and did. I hate, Hate, HATE anxiety !! I hope our surgeries go well, and our anxiety is as minimal as possible. How's your pre-op diet going? You can message me anytime! Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Good question. I have lived in Texas all my life. I live in North Texas just east of Dallas. We do have 4 seasons here. Sometimes they do not last the prescribed amount of time before we have a severe weather change. It can be 75 at noon and then 35 by 10 p.m. We have ice storms, tornados, blistering heat and chilling cold. I would not live anywhere else but Texas. I would perhaps like to live on the Texas coast, like Corpus Christi, but the hurricanes keep me away. So, I would not want to live anywhere but the Lone Star State of Texas.

It totally depends on your doctor and insurance. You can skip the 6-7 month supervision period if you have already done something like that in the past. I tried several diets and went to Quick Weight Loss and did a medically supervised diet for about 18 months - both programs involved tons of pills, they worked but as soon as I quit taking the pills my weight gradually went back up. Again, I believe because I had already tried and failed, I did not have to do the typical 6-7 months supervision. My timeline is as follows: April 11 - Initial consult (blood work, vitals, ekg, urine, respriratory) April 13 - Psych eval April 20 - Package went to BCBS April 23 - BCBS Approved May 1 - Surgery Scheduled (long waiting list, doctor's vacation) June 4 - Preop Appointment June 19 - Happy Band Day! So, had I not chosen a popular doctor who will be on an extended vacation I could have gotten my band on May 17th. I look at the delay as a blessing in disquise because it gives you the opportunity to go through the range of emotions associated with such a drastic life change. I was upset about it at first - because I expected to have the surgery a whole month before I actually will, but again I am still going through many emotional changes right now and I know that this delay is necessary. Good luck to you...you are in good company!

I don't know where to start, what a life change and what a life saver my sleeve gave me. I started out at 250 pounds, at 5'6". My ultimate goal was 150 and a size 10, now I'm 160 and a size 4/6!! One day I'll get to that 150, if it wasn't for my muffin top and extra skin, I'd be my impression of perfect, I plan on doing some kind of boot camp classes soon and hoping that will help me. We all go through a lot making this life change, I don't regret anything except that I wish I can find a new motivation for some kind of new exercise routine because the gym gets boring and old! I stick to 13-1500 hundred cals and barely even hit 1000 most days. I gotta have my iced coffee every morning and Water and iced tea as well as my flavored drops to keep my hydrated. I do extremely low carb, 20-30 max daily and that's due to my type one diabetes and if I eat more carbs and sugars that leads to more insulin. I feel like I've cured myself with changing my habits. I love who I am now more and feel way more confident than before! Thank you Dr. Alvarez !!

MrsGreaves. Not to sound gross but have you had a BM? In the beginning that can cause you to hold weight. 20 in the first week is amazing, I think I lost 10. I'm also stuck but I'm in week 4. I had to find a different Protein because I became very intolerant of the shakes. You've heard it before but I'll say it anyways: make sure you are getting your Water and protein in this healing phase too Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgeon said I could swim after 10 days - providing the incisions weren't sore or inflamed. I started swimming on day 11 and it's been great and seems to have helped the scars healing too. I agree with comments on pool swimming vs lake swimming. I also make sure I keep the scar sites well moisturised so they stay supple.

I'm super excited! My surgery is this Fri April 19. I have to pick up a prescription for phenergan tomorrow and pack my bag for the surgery center. I know that lap band isn't a miracle for weight loss, but after years of battling an extra 50-80lb excess, it feels like one. Honestly the turning point for me was my lumbar discectomy and fusion. My neurosurgeon advised me to be on the low side of my healthy weight. I haven't seen that in 27 years!

My highest weight was 277. My surgery day, 12/10/12, I weighed 235. I now weigh 203. So, 74 lbs down total, 32 of them being since surgery.

Everyone doesn't have loose skin. I've seen quite a few YouTube vids where people minimized it tremendously by starting weight training as soon as they were cleared to exercise. One woman said she did 4-5 sets of 10 reps using 4 lb weights of arms strength training exercises, and this chick ended up with muscular arms a year post op. Not a single bit of flab. Most of the flab would be in the legs and tummy, but that can also be combated with major sit-ups and ab exercises, and leg weights. One would have to be extremely dedicated, but it is definitely doable. My plan is to get a personal trainer with the money I'm saving from no longer having fast food and eating out.

Not to be a downer but no. I did not see any restriction until 9.4; saw more at 10; hoping to be in my green zone now at 10.6.

I decided to post this so we can all remember the basic rules to succeed with vsg. I have noticed my weightloss has slowed down allot mostly due to eating too many carbs. Im in the calorie range my doc wants to be in but my carbs are high. according to his book if you stall or plateau its either 3 things:too much carbs, not enough exercise, or your building muscle. For me i think its the first 2. Here we go! 1. I will exercise 5 times a week for 30-45 minutes. 2.I will watch my carbohydrate intake 3.I will try to eat 3-5 meals per day with no unhealthy snacking in between 4.I will drink 8 glasses of Water per day 5.I will eat a minimum of 60-70 grams of Protein daily 6.I will honor my commitment to good health and healthy choices 7.I will have follow up care appointments with my doc as needed 8.I will always take my Vitamins 9.I will weight my self once a week 10.I will remember that this is my own journey and not compare my self to others 11.I will always keep in mind that practicing my new habits will make me healthier happier stronger and more energetic. This is what I turn to when I fall off the wagon sort of speak. I need to drink more water,eat more protein,exercise more, and drink more water. Gotta keep my head in the game. Thanks to my Dr.Alvarez for his awesome book about vsg. Hope this helps others

I have that insurance.. and I called the insurance. The frist time they said they did not receive any papers from surgeon' .so I called the head RN at my Bariatric . And he said he would send again My surgery date 10/17/16 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Guys, I have been coming here since I was sleeved in May 0f this year (2015). Lately when I have reached out for help, advice or with questions I have basically gotten the attitude of "best wishes..." I am not here for well wishes, I am here fr support, help and feedback. I am so frustrated that this will be my last post if no one reaches back. Things are dire. I was sleeved as I stated in May of 2015, I have had the usual trial and error and a lot of bumps. I just had my gallbladder out 2 days ago and then yesterday my Aunt passed unexpectedly. She was the last connection that I had to my mother that I lost way too soon in my younger years. I have awful reflux and am having an endoscopy on 10/18. I am dealing with a gut on fire, post op pain and extreme greif. I don't know what to do with myself. I cant go to the gym, I can't binge eat and I can't drink. I have had friends over and gotten out of the house and gone for a car ride. No ease in my pain and suffering. I have written in my journal, meditated, knitted and had people over, Someone PLEASE HELP ME. What am I missing? I am having so much trouble coping, and what does anyone recommend what to try next?

Hi everyone....I am 4 weeks post op, had my surgery on Sept. 29, 2010. I am down 15lbs. YAY and I am here for help, support. And to hopefully make new friends threw this life change. My name is Theresa I am 29 yrs old. Recently married on Sept 1, 2010. I also have a wondeful 10 yr old son. Life is great, no complaints. Its just time to get this weight off and leave it in the past :thumbup:

Unless your at the max CC for your band you have not stretched it you just need a tune up aka adjustment. Your stomach gets used to the fill and your pouch also gets used to the amount so sometimes you can get it stretched but by tightening up your tool will make a difference on how you feel when you start to put the food in and it sits on top of the band......OUCH believe me the pain is what reminds me to slow down or just stop. You have really made a huge achomplishment by getting down to a 8-10 so 7 pounds is controlable and just hit the exercise and start your food journal and counting calories. I need to do the same as I am reaching my 2 year mark and still have 25 pounds to reach my goal. I too am frustrated about not making my goal yet but I have slacked off since the end of summer about going to the gym and getting my exercise in. It is very important not just lowering calories but working the calories off threw out the day. Hang in there because I know exactly how you feel. I need to go back to how I was when I first got my band and stop snacking and overeating now I know what my band can handle. I don't so much feel I need to be tighter just strictor with my food intake and get back to the gym!!!!!! Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so afraid that I am going to stretch out my stomach I do not think I am eating enough. So I am seeking advise on how much at once should I be worried about eating before this would happen. At this point in my journey I just this week advanced to soft foods. Fortunately, my surgery went well and I've not had any complications. Everly thing I've read said 2 to 3 oz at a time so up until today It has been work to just get in 300 calories a day. I am only drinking 1/2 Protein drink like twice a day. Yesterday I ate 1/2 hot dog ( because am so hungry and it made my stomach sing like a canary) I eat 1/2 of a potato as large as kiwi and it takes me about 15 minutes to get it down. Today I ate it a bit to fast. Today I was so hungry I managed to get a 6 oz glass of milk drank in 10 minutes but it did not make me sick, just very full. I do not want to develop a eating disorder, so any advise is greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm so glad to have found this group here.. I am 19 weeks out post sleeve .Am a 35 year old mother of 2 beautiful kids living in Surrey.I have lost 44 lbs post sleeve but am experiencing a horrible stall for the last 10 days or so. Recently I haven't been able to drink a lot of water and am having difficulty in doing so as I was having in earlier days. I'm having a protein shake everyday ,taking my vitamins and supplements regularly, baking my meals mostly with a light drizzle of olive oil( fish,chicken or veg)walking quite a bit and even going to the gym atleast twice a week. What do you think may be the problem here? Any tips on getting past the plateau?? All the very best to those going in for surgery soon.what I can say to you is Inspite of my situation now,there's not been a day I regretted having the sleeve.. I know 44 lbs is a lot of weight loss and for a person like me I couldn't have lost it any other way .. I went up to 275 lbs until I decided to "take the plunge" so to say.I am motivated ,inspired and driven everyday every moment now to eat healthy, live healthy and keep striving to get to my goal weight of 130 lbs.I know I can do it.. And so can every body else.. All the very best!!????????

this is about me...i had a high starting BMI whomever reads my posts/blogs, please understand i am not bragging...boasting or trying to flatter you all with how wonderful i am....and that i am cured of being super morbid obese...i will never be cured.....my journey to better health is until i take my last breath. i am who i am.....a female in her late 40s..who started out as was as wide she was tall...i am relating to whomever i can..hopefully to the larger BMI people and those who had trouble moving..that was me......key word WAS....i am hoping someone will read/see me and go, you know if that crazy fat chick can, then maybe so can i.. i was at the last resort...i had trouble wiping myself i was scared to lay on the bed for fear it would break and god knows i wasnt going anywhere (people laugh at people like me) and i was/am still scared of someone snapping a pic of me and putting it on fat people shopping at walmart......i was so large, i could not walk...i couldnt not stand more than 5 minutes...i hurt everywhere...i hurt not only inside but outside...i never wanted to wake up in the mornings..... i post to try and reach whomever needs it. i do not want anyone to think i am better than they are because i am NOT. i have a few pm's from people (kinda snarky) in regards to fills.....does she or doesnt she.....(nope i do not....the dr did not put a fill in me with a long needle while awake)..they did a primer at surgery...no idea how much or if it is still in there.i will know when i ever get a fill.....so that is my answer to those who say snarky comments....it is what it is.. and when i do get one (if ever) who knows...sometimes when i read people getting fill after fill and scheduling their first ones day out of surgery, i sometimes wonder what i am (missing)...i am human after all..... but if i do and when i do have a fill...i will NOT be so tight as i can only drink.....to me that is stupid and dangerous..living is not about only being able to drink...that is just not right.....i will not allow myself to fall into that..sure you can and will lose on all liquids.....but its not a healthy way.....dont care what you say...ask your dr and get their answer on living life on liquids... so, i have the plication...similar to the sleeve but NOT the sleeve its a new thing (not a fad) and its early in the stages....the dr did this to me after explaining the situation i was in and with my BMI being a massive 62, he wanted to help me..as i did not want the bypass...my dr wanted me to do that but i was too scared..damn near 350 pounds but still to scared to have something to help me... i remember telling him i would make this band work. he did not look very sure of that...well, nearly 150 pounds lighter, yeah, i said i made it work...I HAD TO...the fact is this about me..this is what i do...day in and day out. i eat to lose weight i eat what i want...when i want which is when i am hungry...read that again i eat when i am HUNGRY i do not diet i do not spend my days counting calories...i know what i eat..i make excellent choices..(you can choose baked over fried, fresh over boxed)...i know what goes into the food (as my hub and me prepare/package/measure it 98% of the time).....i am aware 3500 calories is a pound..i know not to eat more calories then i can burn off..simple math.....and the band/plication HELPS me with the amount by signaling a very full feeling to me......to STOP..... i do not eat something and say i am horrible and that i am a failure and i am weak and i blew it..this is dieting thinking.. i know one meal (of whatever) wont make me gain 10 pounds of actual weight and one excellent healthy meal wont make me lose 10 pounds of actual weight....its a day in and day out process.....until people realize that.....they are stuck in the on going diet round and round process... eat better/healthier foods make choices that are good for you YOU CAN IF YOU WANT if you start saying its xmas and i cant control myself, yeah you can and you could if you wanted..just like me....i have to make those choices also. and i exercise every day..i do it....and get on with it......day in and day out..dont care what you do as long as you do....its up to you to do what you have to do.. i see it this journey from a former 336 pound person...a starting BMI of 62 it was either get bigger or get it done.. and here i am......where are you?

Two weeks ago I had a treadmill stress test. It was a nightmare. My heart was beating so fast that I could hardly breathe. I asked to get off and they kept telling me just a little longer. Finally, I told them I was going to pass out and they let me off. I didn't stay on long enough. I was really scared to go back to have the chemical stress test but I have to get cleared by a cardiologist. Yesterday I had a chemically induced test called stress pet scan. It was the total opposite of my first test. Just lay still for about a half hour. Machine kept taking picures. The last 10 min they injected me with something to make my heart beat faster. I had no bad reaction and could have slept through the test although I don't think they want you to. My point is to try to get the chemical test if you are morbidly obese, older and not in good shape. I had a lot of people tell me the treadmill stress test wasn't that bad and I could do it. I really tried but for some people like me we should have the chemical test.

Oh and the drain tube was only 10 inches of tube inside of me. It felt interesting when he took it out I felt like I was loosing my breath. This place is spotless. They keep it extremely clean. The Air Conditioners will freeze you out. I've had to tell them to turn mine back off several times.

Good for you. If nothing else, it feels like progress. My PA had trouble finding my port also....she said it was really shallow and I didn't have a fat layer over it. I had to giggle...I have fat everywhere but where you expect it I guess. She said she was actually in it the whole 10 minutes she was fishing but that she must have been backed into the wall because it wouldn't do anything. Did you have any fill from surgery. I had 3 cc's I believe. PA said it was to help seat it as it healed and then she added some. I'm not keeping track of my total fill level. I figure it doesn't matter how much I have in there, just how much good it is doing. I'm sure you're much more relieved than last appointment. Keep telling us how you're doing.

I presume you guys have seen this on CNN already but guess what? I JOINED A GYM - and actually went today! Well, i met my personal trainer and did a two minute practice on all "my machines" - 5 min warm up on a bike thingy, 10 mins on a cross trainer, 10 mins on a strider and 8 mins on the treadmill, then weights and cool down stretches (what ever they are!) I amost died of shock at how much he expected me to do and would have punched his lights out only he had a really cute Northern Irish Accent, and v cute butt . He even wanted me to do some stuff with a giant beach ball but I quietly declined! Had long soak in the jacuzzi to calm down!!! Joking aside, I'm really looking forward to getting fit and healthy. By the way, my port is in the lower left hand side of my stomach, and I'm wondering if I can do sit ups or whatever with it there? Does anyone know?

I just don't understand why I feel I must eat, when I know there is junk in the house. I have the most uncontrolable feeling that I must eat it till its gone. I have been fighting it all day. I know that I don't need that junk, but I can't seem to help myself. I really thought that the desire to eat would go away, but it hasn't. I could just be bored, but don't think so. I could just be lazy, but not all the time. What is with the desire to eat and eat and eat. I know I must be trying to fill up a hole that is empty in my life, but what is that hole. That hole is big enough to suck in the whole ocean if I got close enough. Why is it when I can't sleep I think that eating something is going to put me sleep. Is that left over from being a child when you parents would feed you and put to bed. I really have to get serious about this I need figure all this out. I need to lose more weight so I feel better. I know that I'm already feeling better, but I want to feel great. I'm going to go to Texas in October and I would love to be at least 20lb smaller. It would make the air plane ride so much better. I guess that is my goal for now is to lose 20 lbs by October 17. That a good 10 weeks and thats only 2 lbs a week, thats not that much to ask for is it. I must excercise more, I did the peddle thing last nite for 10 minutes, I will try to work up to at least 30 minutes per day in the next two weeks. I need some good arm excersise also, maybe my bat wings will go away some. I just hate the big bump at the top of my elbows that seem to just hang out there. I will have to work hard to have them disappear. Oh well today has been pretty good. I just have to write more here to keep my mood upbeat. I have to remember my goals for the next couple of months.

I just don't understand why I feel I must eat, when I know there is junk in the house. I have the most uncontrolable feeling that I must eat it till its gone. I have been fighting it all day. I know that I don't need that junk, but I can't seem to help myself. I really thought that the desire to eat would go away, but it hasn't. I could just be bored, but don't think so. I could just be lazy, but not all the time. What is with the desire to eat and eat and eat. I know I must be trying to fill up a hole that is empty in my life, but what is that hole. That hole is big enough to suck in the whole ocean if I got close enough. Why is it when I can't sleep I think that eating something is going to put me sleep. Is that left over from being a child when you parents would feed you and put to bed. I really have to get serious about this I need figure all this out. I need to lose more weight so I feel better. I know that I'm already feeling better, but I want to feel great. I'm going to go to Texas in October and I would love to be at least 20lb smaller. It would make the air plane ride so much better. I guess that is my goal for now is to lose 20 lbs by October 17. That a good 10 weeks and thats only 2 lbs a week, thats not that much to ask for is it. I must excercise more, I did the peddle thing last nite for 10 minutes, I will try to work up to at least 30 minutes per day in the next two weeks. I need some good arm excersise also, maybe my bat wings will go away some. I just hate the big bump at the top of my elbows that seem to just hang out there. I will have to work hard to have them disappear. Oh well today has been pretty good. I just have to write more here to keep my mood upbeat. I have to remember my goals for the next couple of months.