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Sassay, We are almost band-twins, being banded couple or so days apart. I see you had six!!!! follow up appointments, I had one! What is it that your doctor does at your appoiments? Is it something I'm doing wrong? Not insisting on something I should? It is all so confusing. I haven't lost any weight after the first two or so weeks after the surgery, actually it seems like I gained a couple. Without a restriction I'm not realy forced to follow any bandster rules, so of course I break them. I try to be good but I'm not getting anywhere. Well, I can't really eat sooo much anymore, but still too much to stop after three or four bites. More and more I realize that in my head I don't really believe this will work. I know it has worked for thousands of people, so why should I be someone who won't succeed, right? I just somehow don't believe that I will be thin. Ever. Lots of people get really mad at me, saying I wasn't so heavy to begin with and tell me to stop whining. Well, I know how it feels when your skin itches like crazy from stretching, I know what millions of stretch marks look like. I know how it feels to cry in front of the closet, to kick the wall, to change 10 times and still feel like a giant sausage... I know what it feels like when the zipper on your pants explodes. I know what it feels like when you cry from the pain of your tighs rubbing together. I know what it feels like spending months organizing your best friend's wedding only to spend most of it hiding outside with cigaretes and never wanting to see a single picture for fear that I might be on it....Oh, God, when you write it all down like this it looks so bad...... Anyway ladies, thanks so much for your kind words. This site has been saving me. I'm sure there are so many people that feel exactly the same way! THANK YOU! Renata 02/06/04 205/187/135

I was banded May 18th and am down 50 lbs but have been STUCK on top of a plateau for about 10 days. No matter what I do I can't break through so I'm trying to just ride it out. Congrats to everyone on your weight loss success!

Well lookey here Sam, it takes time. And your body does stall a few weeks after surgery. And then you'll suddenly have this week in which every day you lose a lb and it is really fun. I did that and now I'm up a lb. But most people seem to lose 10-12 lbs a month so I think you've done great. Weight loss didn't stop, your body just needs a minute to hold onto your fat. But with the calorie restriction it can't hold onto it forever. Be patient, stop weighing. Weigh only one day a week and record it and you will see progress. If you weigh the other days that is just for fun.

I had the exact same thing happen to me! I was sleeved May 15th. I went to my PCP she was not concerned... she said it is not uncommon to develop fluid pockets in abdominal area after surgery. She put me on Bactrim DS for 10 days ( i think to just to pacify me). The drainage from my incision never had an odor, I never ran a fever. My incision drained for about two weeks.

Hi there, I was told 10 yrs ago I had pcos and would have trouble conceiving naturally, first year of having my band I fell pregnant, but lost it, 6 months later found out I was pregnant again and now I have a very healthy 4 month old son, I never had meds or even kept track of my cycles, I wasn't trying to fall pregnant my weight was at a complete stand still. I was still at the heavy side of my weightloss goal which shocked me but that just tells me there is a chance for anyone to conceive naturally pcos is a strange thing, the folicals do disappear and u can ovulate symptoms are different for everyone. Just don't give up!!!!

Whoa talk about an emotional roller coaster!! Am I alone with these MOOD SWINGS?? One minute I think so positive and feel like this is going to be easeir than I thought. Next minute Im ready to crawl into bed and just cry, feeling tired and kind of sick to my stomach. My muscles have been sore today also, I haven't done anything weird and I have had a lot of water. Only 4 more days!

We had surgery in Mexico 10/04/04. We are both do great. Start your vitamins. They really help me. I was back to work in 2 days and have not stopped. I had to ad someything to the liquids to cause them to last a little longer. I was staying hungry. We when a bought a roasted chicken an deboned it an put it in a foodprocesser and added some pickles,cerlery and mayo. We ate on it for a week. That would have been 1 meal before. What a difference. We live close to you and Zoe. We are in Aurora a western Surb. Keep in touch.

Reading your story just now has brought tears to my eyes. I have had severe obstructive sleep apnea for around 10 years now, plus fibromyalgia. My number one reason I am having this surgery is to hopefully be rid of this horrendous disease. My quality of life has deteriorated each year due to exhaustion and not taking it as serious as I should have. Wearing the awful mask while being an insomniac is a feat in itself. Please take this seriously, I know you will. I had a gastric band done in 1986 and was unsuccessful. Had it removed in 2005 by the doctor who is going to now do my sleeve. Thinking I could never have bariatric surgery again, I went to him in January 2013 with a painful large hernia. It was just like we picked up from 8 years ago. I had never even heard of a gastric sleeve until he told me before he could address the hernia I had to lose 50 plus pounds. So here I am finishing my 2nd of the 3 month insurance requirements and can't wait. By the way, when I went to him in 2005 I weighed 203 (1986 was 250), now 8 years later I weigh 208. Can't seem to jump over this barrier. We can and will overcome this weight and sleep apnea thing we deserve it. My thoughts and prayers are with you, sweetie!

My skin really itched also. I rub some cortizone-10 onto my skin but not directly on the incisions just all around it. It seems to do the trick.

I played softball 10 days after my surgery. It made me a little sore but over all I was okay =]

What has changed in my life since I have lost 105 pounds? I was thinking as my husband and I are planning a trip to Europe in September 2011 how much my life has changed in the last 2 ½ years. 5 years ago I would not have considered going on this type of long vacation. If you are thinking about having Weight Loss Surgery, these things don’t even hit your radar screen right now, because I had NO clue that so many things would change in my life after losing weight. 1. I always liked myself; I just hated the body I was stuck in. WOW I had no idea how different I would feel about myself after my weight loss. 2. I know I walked with much more confidence after my weight loss and I look people in the eye. 3. I have no problem standing up for others that I feel are being picked on or bullied, or judged by how they looked—their weight, their clothing, the color of their skin. I hate bullies and adult bullies are 10 times worse. LET’S STOP THEM OK!!!!!!!! 4. I wanted to give back something to my community and let others know that they could do what I hadn’t been able to do with JUST diet and exercise. I needed to have WLS so that I had the tool to achieve my goal. My tool is the restriction I have with “sleeve surgery.” 5. I am retired and went back and started teaching at an Alternative High School. So many of my students were from dysfunctional homes. I know without a doubt I have made a difference in their lives (they certainly have changed mine.) I am giving 2 of them scholarships to college. Maybe more of us can give something back, big or small. It all makes a difference. Your time helping kids really can make a difference. 6. I am willing to try to educate others about what Weight Loss Surgery really is. 7. I am here to support and encourage others on their WLS journey and I thought that would be a short term thing…now I know I will always be willing to help them in the years ahead. Pay it forward; you may change someone’s life by helping them with words and encouragement. 8. Life is very short, none of us know how long we will be here, and the time is NOW to have your weight loss surgery. This has to be ALL about you and NO one else in your life. It is nice if your family supports you but don’t count on it. And don’t let them discourage you. 9. I get up every morning feeling 20 years younger. 10. I know without a doubt that I will ALWAYS maintain my weight loss. Something I was never able to do before in my life. 11. Eating healthy is really fun. You can cook yummy healthy food that tastes great. 12. Exercise is something that I have always hated, now I want to exercise it actually feels good. 13. I have become a much better cook than I ever was before. The standard things that I am enjoying and they are all the things that you are thinking about if you are about to have WLS or have already had it: 1. Feeling and looking better. 2. Better health and I got off a lot of medications that you I taking. 3. New clothes, shoes, and shopping in places that I never could shop at before 4. Being comfortable and being able to move without my entire body hurting. 5. Wondering if you are the “one” person that WLS will not work on? I promise you it will work for you. 6. Having people notice that I have lost a ton of weight and being able to tell them how I did it. 7. Having someone call me SKINNY—what a GRAND feeling that was. 8. Going on vacations and walking every place I wanted to without having to stop and rest. 9. Giving away all my “fat people” clothes to a shelter where I know they will be need and use. 10. Getting hugs!:happy: Please consider how YOUR life can or will change if you have WLS. When I was considering this, I want the best doctor I could find who had done numerous “Sleeves” surgeries with great success and after all my research I knew it was Dr. Aceves. If you are going to do this WHY not have the best there is? Suzanne Sleeved by Dr. Aceves Oct 21, 2011 Starting Weight 225 lbs, Goal Weight 125 lbs Weight now 120 lbs

I hope all sept bandsters are well. I was banded Sept 21. I feel very much back to normal these days. The first 2 days after the op, when I could barely swallow liquid without reflux/pain or sit/stand without discomfort, I wondered about what I had done. I have lost 10 kgs in total since Sept 7 - 6kgs pre surgery, and 4 kgs since then. I would never have done it if I just hadn't been able to eat. :-) I can see that food and I have a very tenuous relationship - I use it when i am bored, as reward......I'll have to work on that. I'm back at work and feeling great. I am so excited to be moving onto pureed food on Monday - only 4 days to go. I don't think I will ever enjoy soup again in my life as I did before the 2 week liquid phase post surgery. I have tried every kind of soup I can think of to lessen the boredom factor. I am officially sick of soup, probably forever lol. My energy levels are great. In fact it is the best I have felt in years. To anyone reading this recently banded still in discomfort who wonders if they will feel better - I PROMISE you, you will. Walk, get up and move - the more the better. Get plenty of rest. Drink slowly and write down how much fluid you are having. (My doctor told me to aim for 1600mls-2000mls of fluid each day.) And don't forget to have plenty of plain water too. I have not had enough water this week and have a mild UTI as a result.

I'm 4 1/2 months out and I'm down 70 pounds. I've noticed the past two months my weight loss seems to have slowed a bit. I think realistically, 10 pounds a month is great. I know that some people lose more but this is average for most. I'm not liking it at all either!

So, according to my surgeon, I am to have nothing but Clear liquids (Water, broth, black coffee or plain tea), sugar free popsicles and sugar free Gelatin cups. I am also suppose to drink to simple Protein drink (no fruit and no dairy). My choice of Protein Drink is Muscle Milk Light. When I add up the calories of what I take in for the day, I am left wondering if this is healthy. Muscle Milk Light: 140 cal X 2 = 280 calories Sugar Free Popsicles: 15 cal X 2 = 30 calories Sugar Free Gelatin Cups: 10 cal X 2 = 20 calories Total Calories = 330 Calories A Day????!! How can your body possibly heal with so few calories coming in? Doesn't your body start metabolizing muscle to compensate for the lack caloric intake? Or won't it just effectively go into starvation mode which is not beneficial at all? What am I doing wrong?

Well one thing I keep telling myself when I know I am not getting enough nutrition into me, is that I'm not going to waste away any time soon. I'm pretty sure I could sustain for quite some time. LOL I had a hard liquids day. I have to be more diligent in getting those liquids in. I am still about 10 oz. shy daily. I'm taking in about half the Protein I should be. I just keep working on it. I have no hunger, or nothing in me that triggers the need to eat anymore. I'm amazed at how this has changed my life already. No hunger. Do you know how cool that is? LOL I don't know how long this will last, I'd be happy if it were the rest of my life. I eat only because I am reminded I have to.

Ready4success the difference between losing 10 lbs back when before surgery - is that those 10 lbs eventually came back with the help of the sleeve, and your hard work - weight should not be regained good luck

I was banded on Aug 8th (9 days ago) I was really starting to starve to death & since my doc. said full liquids anything you can get thru a straw without using a straw I have been having strained cream of chicken & cream of broccoli soup. I also put some creamy potato soup in the blender.I'm assuming these are okay, as they would go thru a straw. I've got to tell you after having only the diet jello & popsicles, broth & juices, these are REALLY hitting the spot. Plus I have 2 protein shakes a day & no sugar added, fruit flavored applesause & some water/juice/diet lipton gree tea. So... I think I'm gonna make it.I just need to start exercising now that I am feeling better. I'm still not supposed to bend down for another week or tug & pull as in the dishwasher, dryer,vacuuming, sweeping & mopping. & no lifting over 10 lbs for 6 weeks. I won't last 6 weeks on that, but I'll be careful. What has your doc. said? I know some people that are jumping in & doing everything right away & I could too, since I'm feeling much better, but I don't want to take the chance of causing band slippage, or just not healing. What do you think?

20 lbs in your first 10 days is not uncommon depending on your starting weight, try not to over do it until you start getting all your Protein and Water in. You need to make sure you get that in so you can heal, once you start getting all your protein and water in you will start healing and getting more energy. Sent from my Nexus 6 using BariatricPal

Hi Gail, welcome aboard! My name is Gail also. I'm on day 8 of a 14 day liquids only diet. I'm down 10 lbs. Yay... the liquid diet ain't no joke but its getting better each day. My surgery is scheduled fot th 10 th so i m also to the loosers bench. I know u will enjoy this forum.

It's all about calories in and activity out. If you count the calories or use the band to restrict your intake it is the same as far as the basics are concerned. IMO, if you have no idea about what are calorie dense foods you can eat a small amount and not lose weight. I am glad I know how to count calories as I feel it helps me make good choices and my band keeps my portions in control. I found that getting all artificial sugar out of my diet helped me a lot so I don't indulge but I think each of us needs to be sure for outselves. My insurance clearly stated that the detemination for surgery would be made on my pre-supervised-diet weight. If I did not show a signifigant weight loss (for my insurance 5-10% of body weight) they would not have approved me. Check with your insurance and see if your deal is the same. Good luck!

My surgery date was July 10 and I have yet to have a true hunger sensation. It's strange but I eat BC I know I need to eat but not BC I'm hungry. However, I do have cravings......however, I try to stay away from them.

Hey I've been looking for a place to post this, I almost put it in the post surgery 💩forum but I am still before surgery and I want to kinda whine, I am on Day#10 of a whole month liver-shrink diet. I am having 💩problems to be honest. My Stoll doesn't like leaving me, Oh it isn't what I would call constipation, I always heard that way hard textured and this isn't hard. I'm on 1000 calorie,100 gram protein,70 grams carb diet. Maybe it's that my colon muscles are 72 years old, maybe it isn't as firm as it once was and my muscles can't get a Firm hold, but it aches and I have sit there for not all spectacular results. The last few days I've resorted to Miralax, maybe a little help? My preconceived notion was I would have diarrhea , nope hasn't happened, am I worrying for nothing? I had more defecation fun when I was eating at will, but I do want and need this surgery. Is this common?

That is awesome, congrats. Can you share with us the things that you are right, to help us out? I know that everyone's boday is different but it would be great to know what you are doing. I am getting my 1st fill on 10/25... Thanks PG!

So my nutritionist requires you lose 10% of your body weight (14 pounds) before surgery. I started a diet the day after seeing her which will be exactly 4 weeks this Saturday. In that time I've dropped 20 pounds...this happens everytime I diet. I drop weight quick then it stalls and i gain...will I be disqualified for losing too much weight???

I have been walking but I'm only up to 1 and 1/3 of a mile at a time. I walk around in my house and shady backyard during the day when its 108 degrees and then I walk the longer walks at 10 or 11pm. I would walk more if it wasnt summer I think. Gas is about the same here. We saw a $3.31 yesterday and my DH thought that was the lowest possible around here. Here being Las Vegas, NV.