Search the Community

Low carb diets will work but you have to make it a life time commitment because once you go back to eating carbs you will gain FAST!! How about the Mediterranean Diet? Its loaded with veggies and its a very healthy way of eating. My friend lost 87 lbs on it and she's got 10 more to go. She looks amazing. Your even allowed wine. http://www.mediterraneandiet.gr/index.html Personally I've never done good with WW, Nutrasystem or any of those diets but this way of eating is very healthy and you get to eat alot of veggies. Just set a calories level and follow the guidelines. No diet is easy thats for sure, guess thats why they don't like to call this a diet. Its a way of life.

Will I'm joining the club. My last visit with the surgeon was on July 19, 2010 that's when I was given the date for Surgery. I'm also concern about the insurance approving the surgery.

My hubby found this and bought it for me... It was perfect for the warm weather today I've had it since 3:30 and its 10:30 and I still more than half. Good sipping drink still drinking my Water. But I think it's going to popular for me this summer Surgery date 7/25/12

I am a Therapeutic Apheresis Nurse and that is one of the more common diseases we treat. I've been doing this job for 15 years and have had WLS only 10 weeks, but I have never heard of GB after WLS. If you don't mind me asking, did they treat with plasma exchanges or IVIG?

Hi all - so how are you doing after surgery? Unfortunately mine was postponed due to death in my doctor's family. So, I'm going in this Friday, April 10. Anything tips or things that are different than you expected? How long dis you stay in the hospital?

I average between 400-575 at 4 weeks out. I've been doing a protein shake for breakfast to get a good chunk of the protein in ( isopure zero carb vanilla, 25 g mixed with 8 oz simply smart milk, 10 g..30 germs to start day..I drink half at 6 am and half around 830 ish. For lunch I have half a Greek yogurt or a slice of deli turkey and slice of cheese., I usually can't finish yogurt some have as my second snack...dinner has been 1/4 cup refried beans ( can is going to last forever) or one small bread less meatball, or egg, ham,cheese mini crustless quiches, 40 calories each made in mini muffin pan...sooo yummy

I don't think it works at all. Working to me is losing a significant percentage of your excess weight and keeping it off for at least 10 years. I bet the majority of the contestants are back to being obese, if not MO in 5 years.

I was not aware that fruit was included in full liquids. It seems like the fibers in it would upset the sleeve at the full liquids stage. ???? At the very least it seems it should be a "mushie". I have been on full liquids for 3 days and my sleeve was not happy with cream of chicken Soup the first night. I had some awful spasms so backed off to clears for a couple of more days. Today it is doing OK with the cream of chicken soup. Guess it was having a "bad soup day" or something. Just gotta listen to it and back off when it's cranky! I sure was glad to have the toradol sublingual when the spasms started...they are pretty awful. I came real close to vomiting...was sitting in front of the toilet just trying to think of something else...and luckily it passed after about 10 minutes or so. Lucky me. I'm not going to try any fruits until I am on solids. Maybe the fact that I had a hiatal hernia repair makes it a bit more "touchy" too. So far, I'm getting in all the liquids and Proteins necessary, and am doing some treadmilling too. I am so pleased with all the post-op instructions from Dr Aceves and his staff, as well as advice from this forum. Being informed in advance of things that can happen, and how to manage them, makes the process so much easier. I have hit a little stall the past 3 days, but I suppose this is the usual adjustment period. So I'm going to try hard to stop weighing daily now, and just do it once a week. It's so hard to do that because I love seeing it go down!...but when it doesn't budge...not so much!

I am 10 weeks out and they look way better than mine.

Hi my name is Heather I'm 19 years old and had my lapband procedure on May 4th of this year. It is now August and I have not lost anymore weight since having it placed. I lost about 23 pounds on my pre-opt diet and have kept it off to my first fill, however, after my first fill i gained four pounds!! I then had another fill where she added more to it i'm not sure how much but she said it was a rather large one since i had very little restriction after my first one. My fill was July 23rd and I have yet to feel any restriction still! I don't think there's anything wrong with the band because I can't eat very fast, and have trouble with breads and pastas and such. Can someone please offer some advice and words of encouragement please. Is there something I'm doing wrong. I know the lap-band is a tool, so maybe i'm not utilizing it right.

Yes ma'am - here you go: Here are a few ideas concerning the post op diet Day 1 thru 5 ( Clear liquids Only ) fruit juice ( apple, grape, cranberry ) Propel broth Jello-O Water Tea Protein Water by Kellogg?s Water popsicles Clear Protein drinks only ( example Isopure, unjury ) Day 6-10 ( thin liquids ) All of the above and: Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice ) Protein drinks mixed with water ( example Matrix ) whey nectar Protein Mix Day 11 thru 20 ( full liquids ) Cream soups Yogurt Jello-O Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Low fat milk 1 or 2% Water, Propel, tea Soy beverages sugar free pudding Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk Day 21 thru 30 ( soft food ) Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid ( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency ) Tofu Low fat cottage cheese Cereal Oatmeal Precooked pureed rice Low fat Yogurt Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended Cream soups eggs Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple ) Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Boiled pureed vegetables Beans Day 31st and beyond ( solid food ) Fish, Chiken meat Turkey Vegetables Fruit A diet consisting of 800 calories and 70 grams of protein should be your goal.

I am 14 weeks out and this is my typical day: Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin with Peanut Butter and 1/2 banana sliced on top snack: baby bell cheese lunch: 3/4 of a healthy choice type frozen meal-- one with at least 10 grams of protien or more. I try to eat the meat out and leave the noodles or rice. snack: handful of nuts or a can of tuna plain Dinner: chicken breast, or meatloaf, or pot roast, or whatever meat my roommates and I are in the mood for. and a few bites of veggies. On the days when I work out I also drink a protien shake made with ice, protien powder, peanut butter, banana, and thats an extra 50 grams of protien, Feeling great!!! Calories range from 1000-1300 usually.

Does anyone experience SEVERE pain before and after vomiting? I would like to know if this happens to anyone else that is more than 4 weeks post-op. The first time this happened at 10 weeks post-op, I thought I had a leak or a rupture. I had VSG and I do not experience dumping syndrome. I was eating peanuts and then choked. I then starting experiencing EXTREME pain. I didn't know what was happening and I was in so much pain, I went to the ER and then vomit while I was there. I again experienced the horrible pain and vomiting today (11 weeks post-op) Unfortunately, I have PCS'ed (military move) away from my surgeon and I don't see my new surgeon until Wednesday. I will definitely be telling them about this but I am looking for some insight.

I'm one week post op and I'm having a lot of pain from my catheter and I'm in a bunch of pain when I lay down to sleep but throughout the day it isn't so bad, both on my back or either side I lay on. The doctors sent me home with a bottle of liquid pain meds but I only have one serving left and just wanted to know if you think they would give me any more or would they look at me like I'm trying to get extra pain meds? If like 9/10 people are off pain meds a week out i won't even call them. Just wanted to see what everyone's experiences were post op so early on.

I gained too. But then I found out they dropped the requirement, so no worries for me. You, however might want to do what I did on the month after I had a gain. I did a week of high Protein, no bread or sugar, and I dropped 10 pounds in 10 days, and went back to the Dr and had them document that weight instead. Of course I wasn't able to KEEP it off, but it showed I was trying. I think the diet is just a silly hoop. Just do your best.

aldmbw oh no bud - don't feel defeated!!! please you feel fuller faster, and you can't eat as much - great - count your blessings!!!! my NUT says your sleeve DOESN'T stretch - "most" others on the forum agree eating anything you want ??? thats the way its supposed to be by 4 months for many - you should only eat small portions As far as temptation goes.... don't tempt fate at 10 1/2 months i know certain portion sizes i can eat - i use a small "baby" bowl - i know the exact amount of for example chili i can have (2/3 C) i put that amount in bowl, no more - i would never get 2nds, people have been shot for less to use your example of a frozen meal, i would measure out the proper portion, whatever your NUT says, - then only put that amount in bowl/plate, then you won't be tempted to eat more - even if your able to eat more don't push your eating to find out if you can eat more - I "think" a whole dinner is too much - (could be wrong) you might be able to eat whole dinner - but you shouldn't push that amount if its more than allotted amount per NUT twoolly said...."My surgeon explained to me yesterday that full isn't the goal. Satisfied is." i like that true statement girlfriend "fell of the wagon" - this happens to "most" of us at some time or another get back on that horse, eat proper portions, no cheating allowed - and don't shoot yourself in the foot for a couple of goofed days that are done and over with, ok???? I don't see your weight on profile or ticker - but i'm sure you are doing great congrats on your life

There's really no way to tell. I think I got off lightly, and I've had 3 babies to boot, here's my stomach: I'd honestly say in all my years here, I've been one of the luckiest ones I know of (of those that share their pics, or talk about their skin!) I despair over my tummy periodically, I'll stand in the mirror, poking, pulling, planning tummy tucks etc but in reality I figure I'm 42 and nobody's forcing me into a bikini on the beach. I can always just not show it. I lost slowly and i did a lot of exercise - primarily running. I also had the foresight and good sense to choose parents that gave me good genes, and I think I chose pretty well in deciding to be 5ft 10 tall and basically well proportioned. When I got fat, I think I was sensible in deciding to carry it evently and not all on my stomach. I'm being silly of course. None of us have control over the factors that deterimine what our skin will do and very few of us will end up with the kind of skin we'd dream of - in reality we're ALL going to harbour some signs of having been fat enough for weight loss surgery. BUT - the only think I'd swap my life now for is to have never ever have gotten fat in the first place. My stomach wasnt worth showing BEFORE I had my surgery so is it really relevant whether it is after?

I am 2 weeks post op and I am extremely thirsty I drink 1oz every 10 min but I feel like chugging a whole gallon of water I'm not hungry just extremely thirsty. Any suggestions

I only lost 16 pounds in my first month after surgery . Is this a normal weight loss? I started at 201 pounds. I'm worried that this my slow down next month. I have not started exercise yet! I did start working again after 10 Days of Surgery its been a Struggle with lots of emotions. Just reaching out for advice. Thank you !

Well, I think our decision for the Lap Band procedure (self paying patients) as opposed to the Gastric Bypass procedure (OHIP covered) is now made. We investigated both surgeries fully and without bias. We have friends who have used the Gastric Bypass and others who have done the Lap Band. Both have excellent stories of success over the long term and both have stories of difficulties. Overall, the desire to have the cost-free version was strong but the 3-10 year wait list was wholly undesirable. In fact, I would say that if we were a full 100 pounds heavier than we are right now, my husband and I might have actually qualified for emergency surgery and a US destination hospital. Our co-morbidities are relatively non-existant so its off to the bank for us. Anyway, Lap Band is the absolute winner now. Our Consultation is tonight and we expect that all will go swimmingly and our banding will take place in the next 30 days or so no matter where we choose to get the procedure done. As for Canadians out there considering leaving home to get banded... I think you should re-consider whether you are self-pay or insured. We did the math and here is how we saw things... Cheapest is undoubtedly Tijuana, at least the procedure portion. Many of the clinics flooding the internet are from Tijuana, Mexico (usually just refer to themselves as a suburb of San Diego). You can really save thousands of dollars there if you are only considering the banding. Prices range from 5000 USD to 11000 USD and the market there is dominated by a handful of practitioners, some from the US and Canada. Problems we considered are as follows with absolutely no evidence, not even anecdotal, just our own 'WHAT IF' brainstorming. - Hospitals and clinics have unknown standards - Dr's claims to huge surgical numbers are unverifiable - On returning home, complications may result in the removal of your expensive band by Canadian doctors using non-laproscopic methods. - Free follow-ups require traveling to Mexico - No liquid diets noted prior to surgery... does this not put the liver at risk? - Unless you speak Spanish, are you sure you are safe? The United States is the Most Available option for Canadians. There are many practioners all over the country and lots of financing companies willing to help you pay for the procedure. Consider the following... - The US Dollar (at time of writing) is at a 20% premium to our Canadian Dollar which means that you will pay 20% more for everything from travel to lodgings for a few weeks in the host city to the procedure to medications purchased before returning home. - The consultation we had in a good hospital in a good market gave us the cost of the procedure at 16000 USD but they did not provide any free follow-ups after the first year or fills ever. That means that should you decide to return for fills or adjustments you will again pay our in USD. - Even if you decide to get it there and use the clinics up here to fill and follow-up... expect to keep paying and paying. - Should you experience an emergency complication... you may again lose your band the hard way. Finally, Canadian clinics... In our opinion are the Best Choice. For the following reasons and more... - Your dollar is at par... hello!!! its our dollar and their dollar... doesn't change from day to day - Since you will use a clinic close to you... the follow-ups and fills are probably free. - Your band clinic will be contacted for emergency complications and I should hope that your banding doc would have something to say about the band's removal before it happens. - If you have complications that only require a visit within 24-48 hours to your clinic... you can get there! - Your costs outside of the procedure and some medications may only be a night in a local hotel once in a while depending on the distance you are from the clinic. Well, I hope this information isn't too contradictory to anyone else's considerations. It is for these reasons and more that we will choose a clinic within a few hours drive from home in Ontario. Any comments?????

That number comes from a research study that can be located on the internet that discusses how people can lose 65% of their weight loss the first year, another 45% the second year and it is supposed to taper off after the second year at under 25%. These percentages are again based on all of the people who participated in the study. There is no finite percentage of what you will lose, this is just the mean ( the average amount of their weight lose). You could lose much more or much less, the person who has ultimate control over that is you. Also when we are talking about 65%, this is not of your total weight this is of the unhealthy weight. For example, I was 410 pounds prior to my surgery, healthy weight for me is between 220 and 180 pounds. If you subtract 220 from 410 and also 180 from 410, you will get a range of the total amount of weight I need to lose, which is between 190 and 230 pounds. Based on the research study, if I am in line with those who participated in the study I should lose between 123.5 pounds and 149.5 pounds the first year, I got these numbers by multiplying 190 and 230 by .65. This is my weight loss only for the first year. the second year my starting weight should be between 286.5 and 260.5. Then the math starts all over again - my total excess weight will be between 67 and 118. So for my second year I would need to lose between 6 and 10 pounds per month. If all goes well my second year then at its conclusion I should have reached my goal weight. If it is lower then these projections I promise I will not complain, LOL. But I use these numbers to determine if I am on schedule, behind schedule, or ahead of schedule on my weightloss. Again it is also important to note that you do not lose weight continuously rather it ebbs and flows. But here is how I do it, This may not be good for everyone, this is just my method. After calculating those numbers to meet my 65% I then divided them by 12 for the months in the year. So each month I should lose between 11 pounds and 13 pounds. If I lose above that then I am ahead of schedule, which is what I aim for. Heading into month 3 I am WELL ahead of these numbers, but this is normal in the first 6 months of the life. Pace yourself, follow your medical team's advice, and get your Vitamins, Protein and Water in and you will be just fine.

Congratulations on making the decision to get healthy! I had surgery and was back PT on the following Tuesday. FT on Thursday. I couldn't lift more than 10 lbs for the first two weeks per dr instruction and it was just about then I started feeling normal.

Surgery Date: June 18th, 2013 Height: 5' 6." Surgery Date: June 18th, 2013 Height: 5' 6.5" Starting Weight:248 DOS Weight: 228 (-20 lbs) Week 1: 214 Week 2: 208 Week 3: 210 Week 4: 208 [Month 1, July 18th: 206 (-22 lbs) Week 5: 204 Week 6: 201 Week 7: 201 Week 8: 198 Month 2, August 18th: 196 (-10 lbs) Week 9: 194 Week 10: 192 Week 11: 188 Week 12: 185 Week 13: 182 Month 3, September 18th: 182 (-14lbs) Week 14: 181 Week 15: 183 Week 16: 180. Week 17: 177 Month 4, October 18th: 178 (-4 lbs) Week 18: 176 Week 19: 176 Week 20: 173 Week 21: 172 Month 5, November 18th: 172 (-6 lbs) Week 22: 172 Week 23: 171 Week 24: 170 Week 25: 169 Week 26: 168 Month 6, December 18th: 167 (-5 lbs)l Week 27: 167 Week 28: 165 Week 29: 163 Week 30: 164 Month 7, January 18th: 163 (-4 lbs) Week 31: 162 Week 32: 161 Stopped tracking.... I'm currently weigh 152; I wear a size 8 bottom or medium and my tops are a 4/6 or small. I haven't lost in a few months, but I did drop another size. I've upped my fitness and I've replaced fat with muscle. So, hence same weight, smaller size. Good luck to you!

My surgeon told me (he's in his 40s I think) that in the nursing home when he is old people will be amazed he spent his life cutting out stomachs because medicine would have progressed by then - but he said until that happens he's still in work - and i don't intend to wait 10-30 years until viable alternatives are available!

It's the funniest thing to see this because just in the last few weeks, I've been itching for a taste of soda! I am also down to a size 8/10 from a 22/24. Wonder if there is something about this point in the weight loss? I don't think I'm ever going to break down and buy a soda any time soon. I'm betting my memory of how good it was will not match how it tastes now. Not to mention knowing that there is really very little natural of anything in them. Empty calories, artificial sweeteners, chemical dyes and colorings. Not even sure if the Water they use is filtered for the bad stuff! I don't think the cringe that goes up my spine thinking of what's in soda will override whatever this craving is... I would advise you or anyone looking to drink soda, energy drinks, etc. to please consider other options. Most of the time our body is just dehydrated and only needs water. Is it really worth it? Maybe try adding some fruit juice to a fizzy water, see if that does it?