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From my personal experience: Background: Female; 5'11; start weight @ 349 Banded on 5/19/10 Current weight: 204 1st off I'm a food addict (recovering). I'm talking about constantly thinking about binge eating and always hungry. The band pretty much took away the physical hunger which encouraged my addiction. It doesn't "cure" head hunger or our behaviors, but it allows us to modify them considerably. I'm not hungry until it's been 5 hours since my previous meal and then my stomach will start to growl or sometimes I get edgy from being hungry (don't recommend waiting that long between meals). I usually plan 3 small, protien packed meals a day in which I each in 4 hour intervals. I've had some days where I try to eat more than my band allows because I'm still working on negative behaviors, but that's like maybe 1% of the time. The other 99% I follow my band rules and I feel awesome! I'm not hungry and my addiction isn't active. The band saved my life and has given me the opportunity to live as the real me! I wold do it again a million times over! I've read other posts where some people really struggle with their band. I'm not saying this has been easy, but by the grace of God, I've been successful and can't imagine it not continuing to work for me. Good luck and God Bless! Rebecca

@@gettingtothenewme I was like that the first 10 days or so. I always felt hungry! My stomach growled, made lots of noise, and I always felt like it was empty. It even woke me during the night. Then magically around 10-14 days out it just stopped. I was on full liquids 3 weeks after surgery, so it wasn't new foods that changed anything.

My surgery was 12/10, a good friend of mine who is a L&D nurse suggested tiny amounts of warm decaf tea. Also laying flat and trying to roll side to side. The rolling wasn't an option for me with my abdomen being so sore. However, the warm tea really did seem to help. I also had my husband pat my shoulder & more was released.

It'll be ok. I started at 389 and my 10 day visit, I dropped 10lbs. So dont beat yourself up over it. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App

I'm not a drinker but I do have a very occasional drink. I was sleeved 10/21 and have had a drink on 3 occasions. Each time I could feel it just getting the glass near my mouth! I drank slow and couldn't finish but I had no problems Andy husband loves that I'm now such a cheap date! Stay away from anything bubbly or frothy, sleeves don't like it.

So I'm 2 months out and down 22. I had a 31 BMI to begin with so I am on the lower side. I tend to get between 800-1100 calories per day and have slowly been losing.... My question to you is: have you tried eating more calories to lose more weight and if so, was it successful? I truly feel like I'm not getting enough and maybe with more I will lose more but I also don't want to gain I also walk between 6-10 miles per day but that is it for exercise. Your thoughts are appreciated

So I had my sleeve done 10/3 and I thought I was getting better but I'm actually getting worse. I have this sharp sharp pain above the incisions where they remove the stomach. Went to the ER yesterday and they ruled out gallstones and infection. Just wanted to know if anyone else still had pain at this time? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can ask your clinic for advice, but it's probably going to be up to you to figure out, mainly because you have to work it around your schedule. It can seem complicated at first, but you get used to it. I take a multivitamin with iron plus an additional iron supplement, calcium 3x/day, B12, biotin, and D3. Calcium and iron are supposed to be at least 2 hours apart, and I also take a prescription thyroid medication that's supposed to be 4 hours apart from calcium and iron. I use a free app called Medisafe to track my medications and remind me. It's really useful because you can track what time you took everything, and it also tracks how many of each you have left and reminds you to refill. You can set reminders at whatever time you want. I set reminders as follows, but I usually stay ahead of schedule. 6:00 am - Thyroid prescription 10:30 am - Multivitamin with iron, B12, Biotin, D3 1:00 pm - 1st calcium 3:30 pm - iron 6:00 pm - 2nd calcium 8:30 pm - 3rd calcium I also recommend getting a pill organizer with 3 or 4 compartments for each day, where each day has its own removable box (the one I have looks like this one: https://smile.amazon.com/Organizer-Compartments-Moisture-Proof-Medication-Supplements/dp/B07Q9JSHMP). I distribute my pills in that once per week, and then I can just grab the box for the day.

Hi There, I am a newbie in Rancho Santa Margarita and am scheduled for VSG on 10/20/15. I work in Irvine and am having my surgery at UCI by Dr. Smith. Has anyone had any experiences that they can share? I love reading all of the success stories, they are very motivating! Congrats to everyone on their progress!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to put down my experience for that first week for those who need lifting up. =) My personal experience was hell. Now that doesn't mean yours will be. I see people on here all the time who have truly stellar experiences! But for those of us who didn't. Here I am! Firstly, if you've read my story, you know I"m a liver patient, more than a bariatric patient. In the hospital I had trouble with pain control, blown IV's and pretty much just existed on Water. I was there for two days. I had made my own bone broth and Jello and brought it with me. I didn't even use it I was sick. However, after I got home I felt somewhat better. I had to find a comfortable way to lay on my back. That never happened. In the OR while laying on my back something shifted. It still isn't quite right. I attribute that from my Spondylitis in my SI joint. Chiro hopefully and my massage therapist will be able to help. Anyway, I was nauseated quite a lot the first few days and in a drug induced stupor. I threw up the second night home. That was a horrible experience. I am not one of those people who "ralph" very well. I think it was s combination of taking my liquid pain meds too fast. THEN I did my incentive spirometer, but I think I sucked in air. And out everything came! So be careful with that. That was day two, at home. I pushed through day three with a vengeance, because my grandmother always told me day three of a surgery is always the worst. And it has been. Day four was better....everything seemed clearer and I was able to drink more effectively and even take a few liquid supplements. Not all, but some. Day five. I felt this burst of energy. It was crazy. Mind was willing, body was not! So I walked around the house. Did try to bend, not a good idea... LOL. I was able to get all my Vitamins down this day. I was really proud of myself. But I was still short on the liquids. Day six. Weakness.... I just felt like a wet noodle. I think it was from not getting in the requisite amounts of Protein and liquids for as many days. Day seven. One week post-op. Woo! I finally "felt" hungry. Liquids didn't seem to be cutting it and I started craving fish. Which is a big deal for me because my liver disease had taken all hunger pains away for the past two years. I called my doc's office and asked if I could tolerate the foods on Phase 3 if I could have them? They said yes. I was over the moon about that. Not knowing what I was getting myself into. LOL Day eight. I decided to order the fish. I got sea scallops. And mashed potatoes. I was able to eat the scallop and about a teaspoon of mashed potatoes. It was heaven, it was also hell... I felt way full. I can tell you what they say about "real" food protein staying with you longer, is the truth. These Protein shakes don't last long. I am still drinking two a day to get enough protein in. Day nine. Same weakness. I just feel so weak. All over. And thirsty all the time. Ate scallop and potatoes again for one meal. Still got in all the vitamins. And today, day ten. I still feel weak. I'm hoping this will pass when I am able to actually get in all the protein at least a week in a row. I'm thinking the body has gone into survival mode or something. Two things. I had a bowel movement without taking anything on the second day home, and then again on day five. So I'm not going to take anything unless I have to. Second thing. I found this protein supplement called Reserveage, they taste awesome! Mix very well. Come in vanilla and chocolate. So that has become my go to supplement for protein. I still get individual packets of different flavors to shake things up a bit. I have an order into unjury that hasn't shown up yet. I'll let you know how that tastes when it gets here. So I hope this helps someone. Keep pushing though those first days. It does get easier. I'm excited about the future. =) Have a great day!

Hi there hun:) Yes i am very short lol and Yes I did a pre-op diet. It was a 10 day all liquid diet. I won't lie...it definitely wasn't a breeze BUT for about 2 weeks leading up to my pre-op diet, I starting drinking 2 protein shakes and at supper I would eat only about a half of a cup to a cup of lean meat. I highly recommend doing this to prepare for such a strict diet. The diet is so very important to shrink your liver so that the doctor can perform the surgery. There were some days I felt like I couldn't do it but I did and lost almost 7 lbs in that 10 days. From November 20th to surgery day Dec 12th...I lost 16lbs. I was so proud of myself:) I am still healing. I am a stay at home Mom with a wonderful hubby that won't let me lift a finger right now but if I did work, I feel I could as long as I didn't lift anything because my port site is still very tender. I really wish you all the best hun and please keep me updated. If you ever have any questions, just shoot me a message!

My surgeon requires to stop drinking 10 minutes before a meal. I don't have to wait 30 minutes to drink after a meal, no, I have to wait an entire hour! That sucks.

I felt fine in a couple days. I never had pain and took no pain meds. I am 10 days out and are on pureed stage. Other than still lacking energy, it's been great! I'm most curious about the cruise! We are frequent cruisers- but I have till nov to get ready! As you know we are going to totally have to change our mindset and remember its about having fun, being with people, not all about eating. You can do it!!

Try some refried beans for protein, you might tolerate it better than meats for the moment. I am 10 weeks and I get that sharp pain every now and then when I eat to fast.

From what I understand, liquids don't sit in the stomach very long if taken alone... so given your modest rate of drinking - 2oz per 10-15 minutes, it may be that your stomach is emptying that liquid as fast as you are filling it.

My stats are not at all similar - I'm 5'10" and started at a little over 400 - but in my pre-surgery research I found some charts that had good estimates. My weight loss has been the mid to high range for my category so far; 20 pounds in 10 days and 35 pounds at just shy of 6 weeks.

Hi. I hate this question so please don't yell at be about everyone is different. I want to do well! I have surgery may 31st, lost 10 lbs quick (the water), and pretty much nothing for 8 days. It should be too erly to plateau (after 1 week of loss nothing for week 2) I'm eating about 800-900 calories on soft foods, mostly from Greek yogurt and sf pudding. I'm getting about 80-90g of Protein and walking 30 min per day (port and hernia repair still hurt or I'd do more). Advice?? I tried to cut out sugar except what's in the milk products.

Checking in... My surgery was 2/2/09. On 2/2/10 my weight loss was 109 lbs. I never had restriction until this last fill so most was done with willpower. I feel great. Hope you all feel great also

So, how goes the pre-op diet? I've been on mine now for almost 2 weeks and will be done on 3/11/10 as my surgery is scheduled for 3/12/10. The first couple of days were a bit rough - going from food to liquids, but it's been well worth it and I believe that this will be the hardest part! If I can do this without the band then with the band I should be in good shape! Keep us posted on how you're doing - there are some awesome people here! I just started today and have already figured that out!

I had VSG surgery along with gallbladder removal and hernia repair on 10/11/17. I had no symptoms the just discovered stones during pre-op testing and said it would be best to remove my gallbladder. All is well no complaints. Just taking it easy. Walking and taking my prescribed meds.

Not that this really bothers me or made me upset in the least....but just a cute story. I was at my mom's church (one I grew up in) for my sister's college graduation supper/party. My DH came up to me and said..."your mom's ratting you out." I look over to where she is, with 3 of my old friend's, 2 of which are heavy-set, and she has her mouth covered. My DH tells me she's telling them about my banding. I snicker it off. Then before I leave, the pastro's wife comes up to me and whispers..."I heard you had THE surgery?" ok mom.....but I'm still not mad. When I called her on it, she just gave me a big hug and told me she's only so proud of me for being willing to take this step. Made me want to cry. I love her so much and she won't be around forever!! And after finding 1 Corinthians 10:13, nothing anybody has to say about the band will effect me. PTL!!!

haven't really had that issue with food but at work, the office is so cold that my hot tea was getting cold before i finished it. Mr Coffee makes an eletric mug warmer. I think it was less than $10.

I've been know to pop my oatmeal into the microwave for 10 seconds mid meal....

I'm similar. 10 weeks and 35 lbs. I had a 2 week stall with nothing. I started going to the gym this week and doing elliptical 30 mins and weight lifting. I'm also watching my carbs as I was eating oatmeal in morning. Switched it for eggs. The weight may not be as fast coming off as others but my clothes sure are getting looser. Let's stick in there. I'm sure with consistency we will continue to loose. Good luck. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! Well done! I would like to know how much you lost in the first 3 weeks? Im 21 days postop and lost nearly 10 kg.