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I took a 5 weeks off work because I could and needed a vacation anyway to take care of me. I was on a plane to Florida 3 weeks after surgery for a friends wedding wearing a swim suit and playing in the ocean. I had soreness still but not any real pain. You should be fine good luck and it would be nice if the Cowboys went to the superbowl If they do I will see you there. Best wishes.

Please notify your surgeon and let him/her know this is happening. Wish I could give better advice... .but at three weeks, depending on your plan, you should be able to keep hydrated and work towards your protein goal. Please call them.

I am eating less than an ounce...my throat is very dry.... is that normal

I didn't use any belly bands, though I think it might have helped a little with some of the pulling sensation inside on one of my incisions from the stitches. The meds I took pre-op were all things I'd been taking for diabetes, blood pressure, and arthritis. I didn't have to take anything special before the surgery. The meds my surgeon prescribed for me post-op were a liquid antacid (Ranitidine) and a liquid pain killer (Roxicet). The Pepcid is an antacid - what I have the Ranitidine for. He said I have to take the antacid for one month - I can't wait to be off of it, because it tastes NASTY! The pain killer I'm using more for my severely arthritic knees, at least until it runs out. I used to be on meloxicam for it, but my surgeon said I shouldn't take it after surgery, at least for several months (Nsaid), and the Tramadol my regular doctor prescribed to use in place of it wasn't doing the job. My surgeon told me not to start my multi-Vitamin (chewable) until Monday (2 weeks post-op). It contains calcium citrate too - hopefully enough that, with diet, I shouldn't need an additional supplement. (I got the Bariatric Advantage fusion - the dietitian told me to take 3 a day with the sleeve surgery.) I also take Cymbalta for my arthritis pain. I know that it is also used as an antidepressant for some people. Although the instructions with the meds said do NOT crush or open the capsules, my surgeon told me that many of their patients have without a problem, so I open the capsule and mix the contents with a small spoonful of sugar-free, fat-free pudding. Sugar-free Jello works OK before you get to the full liquid phase. Hope this helps!

I have PCOS and would love to hear if this works. I have been irregular for years. I am not looking to get pregnant soon due to just getting banded over 5 weeks ago. Good luck and keep us updated.

Hi all! Hope everyone had a nice weekend...I did, until I woke up this morning realizing this is it, this is the week!! I'm being banded on Wednesday. This whole morning I've been nauseous and a nervous wreck. HELP!! I can't live like this for 2 more days... Any advice??

I recommend the caribbean! I LOVE it there. If you can get past the whole swimsuit thing, you can have a great time. A friend and I went to St. Thomas one year. You can do as much or as little as you want. You could spend an entire week laying under an umbrella on the beach, just soaking it all in. When I was there, we did a driving tour of the island, we did an all-day snorkeling tour, which was awesome (and swimming shouldn't be too bad for your back, I think). We also did a little bit of shopping. We stayed at one of the smaller hotels but they have those big all-inclusive places too, where there's even more stuff to do.

I'm pretty much just lost looking through that list of numbers, but calculate it based on the first day of your last period. That's what usually gives the docs the initial due date estimate, and no matter what US or anything else indicates, the first due date is what they use to center your care (or that's the rule at my OB anyway, even though US were -6 days). I'm horrible at tracking my weeks so whenever I need to know I use the calendar at pregnancy.org. Using my last known period it's within one day (the difference comes from its accounting for cycle length) of the date my OB gave me, and is within 5 days of "all the other" dates I've gotten since.

That sounds like a good idea. They say if something doesn't agree with you, wait a week or so and try it again.

Iam I'll go next week to meet the surgeon and a seminar going over all info but I definitely thank you for all suggestions to get me started!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My sleeve date is Oct 19, Memorial Regional, can't wait Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App Good luck, liquid week start Oct 12th Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Dyspepsia is nothing more then indigestion. Most people that have it also have gastritis. The band unfortunately can not get rid of gastritis because its in the portion of the stomach that is below the band. Try eating bland foods for a week or so. You may want to go to a gastro that can give you a prescription for something to calm down your stomach.

I lift weights mainly, but I just started running. I also play soccer several times a week.

Yeah I do a workout like 4 days a week. I've been on a stall with my weight for like 1 1/2 months... I think I'm just getting depressed by only losing like 8 pounds in that time. I bumped up my Protein and it didn't help much so idk... HW 332; CW 241; SD 02/28/2013; GW 175

someone was looking a few weeks ago for these sizes. Let me see if I can find her post.

Hello. I was at the hospital about a week ago because the lap band has been giving me discomfort. They did an endoscopy and basically I found a new doctor that can get the lap band removed. With this surgery I was able to lose about 150 lbs. I have the feeling though that I really didn't need the lap band 100%. If the doctor does remove the lap band.. do I have a choice whether theyll remove the plication as well? I understand some people have had just the plication done. Would I gain all the weight back also?

It’s been a busy two days. Yesterday morning I had my Psych pre-op visit. Now, I’ve been a little nervous about this one…probably because I’ve never been before…or maybe it’s because of that somewhat dysfunctional family (or was that fun family?) I grew up in. Anyway, I Map Quested the directions downtown and I set the GPS up in the car. Even with all this technology I realize I need to start asking for landmarks. I turned on the final road, which happened to be a one way square with four lanes of traffic (about a block long on each side). The GPS is yelling at me that my destination is on the right, I’m looking for the address to no avail. About the third time circling around the square I’m feeling like a lab rat in a maze…is this part of the Psych test? I’m not going to find it…so I call (fun to do while you’re in the giant circle of traffic). Landmark “church”…NOT on the right…stupid GPS…and NO address on the front of the building…it’s on the side facing the parking lot…OK, by the time I know which parking lot to pull into, of COURSE I know I’m at the right address…stupid signs. Glad I cushioned my time to get there…my Psychiatrist looks like he stepped right out of a Psych book…Brown hair with a beard, dressed all in brown with a brown tweed coat...all he needed was a pipe. Yes, he had a couch, but I chose the chair. We signed a few forms, he showed me the form he’ll send to the surgeon, I waited while he filled some more forms out (are you asleep yet…maybe that’s what that couch is for?). He asked me a list of questions for about 20 more minutes, I answered honestly (luckily he didn’t ask too many hard ones) and we were done…it probably would have been quicker, but I tend to babble when I’m nervous. Piece of cake…whew! It was ALMOST disappointing that he didn’t bite on anything, not even my labels in the pantry, apparently NOT OCD. I think it’s good you now know someone to call if you’re having issues after the band, especially for someone like me who wouldn’t know where to find help. Today was the surgeon consult. Mr.SA took the day off to go with me, and since they rescheduled it, unfortunately it was a noon appointment. We arrived early and by the time I was done completing paperwork and waiting it was 45 min. later. Mr. SA noticed that most of the waiting room had loveseat size chairs, and many there needed them…I count myself lucky I’m getting help while I can still barely squeeze into a regular chair. More deadpan nurses (Does no one enjoy their job these days? Better than 'bedpan'! Ha!) and I’m on the scale…wow…it’s a huge scale…whoops, I’ve lost a few pounds, I’m only 5# from the minimum BMI, with shoes on. I didn’t lock my knees completely and I made the 5’8” easily (I’m shrinking in my old age). More waiting in the exam room…I took this opportunity to babble endlessly to Mr.SA, as I do when I’m nervous. He asked me how they fill a band that’s already in you…Was he not at two of the three seminars I attended? Maybe he was just trying to keep my busy…so I humored him and explained the port…then I explained how it feels to be heavy…imagine someone strapped 10, 10# bowling balls to you and asked you to carry on. About that time the surgeon (Dr. Colella, which was good, so now I’ve met both of them), the woman (Susan I think) who runs the pre-op class (I’ll need to attend a few weeks prior to surgery) and the head resident came in. After a few greetings he asked what questions I had about the surgery…the woman commented on my typed and highlighted sheet of questions (a little OCD…I’m telling you) and that she liked it. I rapidly went through my questions and he confirmed I could chose the LB, and we confirmed my port site being slightly to the left, between my ribs and belly button line (the default, if you don’t care, is the right)…he acted a little surprised that I cared (I’m right handed, I sleep only on my right as my left shoulder is bad, I care), but he had no problem placing it anywhere as long as it’s not too far from the band. He listened to my extreme nausea with anesthesia issues and will give me preventatives as I had with my last surgery (actually, the resident will handle this with the anesthesiologist). He’s asked me to do a cardiology MRI and then I’ll see the cardiologist for clearance, so two new things to schedule (I’m not sure if this is routine, or if it was because of all the heart issues in my family history). I just realized I forgot to tell him about my allergy to surgical tape (the adhesive actually) so I’ll have to call about that. It was a good, positive meeting and he gives you complete confidence that everything will go smoothly. If you’ve made it this far without falling asleep, I applaude you my friend, as I wanted to remember the major points. So now, for the great part!!! The insurance lady, Patty came in next to go over my questions. I asked if I could lose more than the 35 BMI min. and her answer was "If you weighed less than the 35 BMI then you wouldn't need the surgery now would you?" Got it...nuff said. Apparently Highmark PPO Blue is the ‘cadillac’ (her words) of the insurance companies in our area. She confirmed that my insurance will cover their percentage of everything, and my doc even includes 6 fills (I think ins. will cover them as well). When I discussed all the extra work I’d done with my PCP; my own form, education every month, and then asked if I could supply a personal letter to the insurance co. she told me if I had another ins. co., that might be needed, but all I needed to do was have the PCP fill out the very basics on their form and it would be fine for Highmark. She said they usually get back to her with approval within 72 hours. Then she confirmed my wildest dream that I truly only have to do 6 visits with my PCP, not 6 months/7 visits. That means if I can get all the cardio visits done I could have everything into the surgeon by early April. She said I might even be in for surgery by the end of April! Hooray!!! With two kids graduating (college and H.S.) this spring, an earlier date is so much better! Hey, I might even make my original goal of having this done by my 49 7/8 birthday (yes, and holding) on the 27th! Whoot!!!

Congratulations, from where I sit (3 weeks post-sleeve) you seem to be doing great. I am on the opposite side of your issue, trying to establish routines that remind me of my vitamins and water. The only thing I can suggest related to your vitamins is to set a reminder alarm on your phone and/or connect it to another regular activity.

I experienced weakness and lightheadedness for a few weeks after surgery. I had blood work done and found out my potassium was low. A week after starting potassium supplements I felt 100% better. Might be worth getting blood work to check.

Hi All, I was banded last May and have been on a plateau since around November. After some bad fills and attempts at fills, I had a fill under flouroscopy and the Dr. realized my port had flipped and I am waiting to get a date for my port replacement surgery. I have read some accounts that say it happens all the time and some that say it is very rare. Does anyone have any advice? What was the recovery time like? I have had more discomfort than usual in the last couple of weeks since the dr. was poking me under the floroscope and am really anxious to get this taken care of. Thanks for your help! Libby

I just don't know what to do... My first day of the two-week liquid diet is on Thursday, and my husband has planned for us to meet three other couples at the KC Royals game far tailgating and the baseball game. I'm just not sure how I will feel that first day! I might be just fine...I might be a hungry psychopath...I just don't know! I'm just nervous about being put in a situation on my very first day where I'll want to eat. The good thing is I can bring in unopened bottles of Water, so I can bring my crystal light flavoring and possibly a Protein shake. Ugh...should I go?

The PA gave me my fill last week. She said that since I had very little fluid in my band she was surprised that I hadn't gained weight. I'm really hoping the whopping fill she gave me will help! I lost 3 pounds on liquids right after the fill but as soon as I started eating again I gained 2 back. Someday it has to budge!

Wow, did I have an interesting experience. I went to my Dr.'s information session last week. In the waiting room (the session was supposed to start at 1:30, it actually got started at about 3) I met two women. Let's call one Kay and the other Nancy. Kay is 18 and had the band 4 months ago. SHe has lost 24 pounds in 4 months. She now is wanting the doctor to take out the band and give her an RNY. She has a ton of medical problems and seems to be a real mess emotionally. I talked with her for about half an hour and all I kept hearing from her were excuses as to why her band hasn't worked. She blamed everything from her health (which I'm sure is a real battle) to her mom's cooking. She has been throwing up "everything" and says that the doctor tells her she must eat slower and chew more (he also said that she must be eating something because she's not dehydrated or loosing weight rapidly). Kay blamed her troubles on everyone else. She took no responsibility for her situation or her choices. After Kay went into her appointment, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was hard work talking to her. I felt like she was so down on the band that I was beginning to wonder if she was right. Then I met Nancy. Nancy had a brightness to her face. I wanted to talk to her. We chatted for a bit and she has had the band about 4 months too. She's thrilled with it and said it's the best thing ever. She said that the day she decided to have the surgury she decided that she was going to think of the whole experience as being "great". It is a miracle procedure and so she's going to act like it's one. She was so excited and enthusiastic. Guess how much weight she's lost...35 pounds! After talking to these two very different women, I decided to take the same attitude as Nancy. This journey is going to be great. It maybe hard once and awhile, but it will still be great. I also decided that I'm going to make sure to get rid of any negative person in my life. I also am going to work really hard at seeing the positive things myself. Megan

I went to my ob/gyn today...I have officially lost... 40 lbs...I'm 4 weeks LRNY as of tomorrow! Just wanted to share my progress!! ????????????