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Congrats Michelle. I also got banded on 7/10/08. I go to my post-op tomorrow. Does the port still bug you at all? Sometimes it feels like it's poking out... I don't know, I may just need to get used to it still...

My highest recorded weight was 270lbs(morning of my lapband surgery), standing 5'2" short. The day of my revision from band to VSG, I weighed in at 263lbs. My BMI was just shy of 50 when I revised from the band. I did not work out at all for the first 4 months. At 4 months post-op, I started strength training 3-4 days a week, and doing cardio with a primary focus on my ab/core area one day per week via Hip Hop Abs. That only lasted 4 months and then I had gallbladder surgery with an exploratory surgery of my abdominal cavity because I was having random pain. My surgeon removed hoards of scar tissue and adhesions from my liver to colon. I was on restricted activity for 8 long weeks, and since I hate working out, I never got back into exercising formally. I was one of the skinniest, unfit chicks you'd meet. Now after pregnancy weight gain, losing all but 10 pounds of the weight, and now pregnant again, I'm not even attempting to diet/exercise. Unfortunately, my body has been through hell and back in less than 3 years. I have a least another year before I'll be able to get back to where I was before pregnancy. Working out not only helps with weight loss, but it helps with overall heart, mind and bone health.

In September 2013, I was given the diagnosis of Ewings Sarcoma. I was 27. In short, I went through 10 months of grueling chemotherapy. I spent most of those 10 months in the hospital either recieving chemo, or so sick I needed to be hospitalized. I lost 70 pounds. I used to joke that my silver lining was that I at least wasn't so fat. I was declared NED in July 2014. Shortly, and I mean shortly after, I gained those 70 pounds back, and an additional 10. My oncologist sat me down one appointment and described the damage the chemotherapy had done to my body. "You have the body of a 60 year old." I just turned 28. I have been big my entire life. Before chemo, before cancer, I was still active. I couldn't run a marathon, but I could still hang with the best. After chemo was completely different. I could barely walk down my drive way, take a shower. I was out of breath for everthing. I sat with my husband and decided this is what we needed to do. I needed weight loss surgery. I can not reverse what the chemo did to my body, but I could get healthy and stop my weight from causing more damage. On November 22, 2016 I will be going in to have weight loss surgery. I am terrified of this journey, but I know that it will be worth it in the end.

Thank you for reading. I saw my surgeon today and the pronostics are good. My pain is only due to gaz. On a funny note when he 1st saw he took like 2 minutes to reset lol. He asked me if I was the same person he has met last week...And that I look all beautiful (blushing), he made my day lol. Oh, by the way I'm minus 10 kg since surgery (a week ago) [Don't let your emotions make you their b***h]

I'm in the middle of pre-opt testing for VSG and im doing some research on the vagus nerve. For about 10 years I've had this weird thing happen to me from time to time. At times I can be walking fast or lifting something or just plan eating something and I feel this weird fluttering around my cheat and stomach. Sometimes it feels like something smacks into my esophagus and at the same time my heart beat changes and this happens so quick, like less then a Minute. Sometimes it leaves me out of breath , short of breath, at times I think it's it may be taquicardia. It's scary. When it happens I have to move around or drink water to feel better. At times I'm short of breath and after that have a BM and it feels like it was gas and I have to pass. The fluttering Also happens around or before my period. So I don't know if its a change in hormone levels, weight, or heart problem. I weigh 318 pounds and have a "small" hiatal hernia(don't know if its gotten bigger) also I have sever GERD. I'm looking into VSG because I'm not ok with RNY and all the complications . I was researching and started reading about the vagus nerve and the symptoms all sound suspect but then again they all mimic the same symptoms, GERD , hiatal hernia Etc. has anyone gone through this and had VSG ? Can anyone give me advice on what to do about getting tested (what kind of test to ask for) and or of its ok to have the VSG with vagus nerve disorder? Thanks

I was sleeved on 26/5. It has been a very smooth process. I actually feel really great and energetic which is strange as I thought I'd feel the opposite. I've noticed a lot of you have moved on to puréed or soft food after 10 days. I'm under the impressive it was 14? Also when did everyone start exercising after sleeve? I mean weight training and cardio, not walking Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know your background, and although I am a Christian, I am not suggesting that you "find religion" as your solution. But many, many churches (you may have to check around) have good, kind, caring people who will reach out to you in tough times like you are going through. Some churches many even have a counseling pastor/staff member who you can talk to, work through the emotions of the loss, and what to do next. As suggested above, we can try and be there for you, talk to you through this site, or PM, or email, but sometimes, there is nothing like someone reaching out to you, and just comforting you, listening as you cry, hand you the tissues, and then helping you to the next step in life. As for the fill, well, keep checking more doctors, in a wider circle around where you are, to see if you can find a more favorable situation. If you can't find any other options, then focus on maintaining. Now may not be the time to "get back on track" or try and loose the short term gain. But maintain, control portion sizes, make better choices on what you do eat, clear out the comfort food/junk food that creeps back in. Walk 10 minutes, 3x a day, if you can't get started on the 30 minutes + kinda of exercise. Once you are back into the 3 ten min walks, see if you can stretch one of them into 15, and then 20 mins, etc. Just put on those shoes, and do it, friend.

*putting on nurse hat* 10% weight loss is considered acute weight loss. In acute weight loss, the fat mostly comes off the internal organs, making laparoscopic surgery safer. Fat is slippery (think raw chicken breasts) and manipulating fatty organs leaves an increased risk for injury. Also, a fatty liver is friable (crumbles easily) and can be deadly. This is why my surgeon requires a 10% weight loss.... I can't speak for others. Hope that helps!

I've also read that losing 10% of your body weight does a number of things. It can bring down blood pressure, stress on heart and lungs. I also agree that some doctors want to see how focused and committed you are and realize that this takes work. So if you are willing to put in the work and lose 10% of your body weight you'll put in the work to succeed at surgery. Sheena :-)

Pea soup... Cooked up peas and chicken thigh (boneless skinless), seasoned and pureed the heck out of it. It tasted pretty good. HW 420 SW 347 CW 318 Sleeved April 10, 2017

My surgeon injected some great nerve blocker in that area that kept my stomach numb for well over a week so there was no pain at all. I hope you feel better quickly because a 10 is horrible pain

Hi there, I was wondering if any women out there were on their monthly cycle during the procedure? My surgery is scheduled for May 19, and at that time, I will be on my cycle. My surgeon said it was fine, but I was just wondering what anyone who went through this thought? I'm kind of nervous about it. Thank you!

All my adult life, I was a size 6 shoe. When I got pregnant, my feet "grew" to a size 7 (swelling, excess weight pushing my arch down which lengthened my foot.) Since I continued to gain after my son was born, I stayed in a 7 for nearly 10 years. When I finally lost over 100 pounds with my Lapband, my feet settled back into a solid size 6-1/2. Hopefully, your feet won't change much more than 1/2 size, but I do remember throwing out at least 15 good pair of size 7 shoes!

Unjury's sample pack is worth it, if you're interested in trying it! You get 10 packets (2 each of the chocolate splendor, strawberry sorbet, vanilla, unflavored, and chicken soup), as well as a Blender Bottle and a food thermometer, as you don't want the chicken Soup one to be added to Water greater than 140F or it will denature. I have tried DOZENS of Protein powders, from premiere to muscle milk to eas to vega one to trader joe's soy to sun warrior to Isopure and Syntrax. The unjury is BY FAR the best tasting, imo. You don't get any of that gross whey taste, and it's 0g lactose for those of us with dairy issues! If you're interested in it, I'd definitely order the sample pack.

I just got the Isopure variety pack yesterday and omg the aftertaste and smell is horrible. Still 10 more bottles to go through. At least the sales guy at GNC is hot so I have motivation to finish drinking the protein bottles quick! ????

Hi Trish, Thanks for responding. Do you still have your gallbladder? I am really surprised that you can't eat more. I have experienced maybe 5 times when the band has been tight in a year. Since I am at 9.5 cc in a 10cc my dr said that when I hit 10 cc they can't put in anymore. I don't know if the band is ok. I had tests in Oct and it was fine then. I have lost 50 since the band and want to do more. I go for a checkup on 1-15 but I will probably call Dr before. My heartburn is during the day. Hey maybe its my JOB. Take care, Jeanette

Roughly 115 cals / 10 fat / 4 carb / 8 protein based on how I made it. That will change depending on what other add-ins are included.

19 days post procedure and 25.1 pounds lighter! I haven't been hungry hardly at all and my stomach pains from the hernia repairs are much better. I am sooooooo glad I did this. I get my 1st fill in two weeks. I realize that the weight loss will slow down to 2 to 3 pounds a week once I get in my rhythm, but it is sure exciting for now.:wink2::thumbup::wink2:

You can do anything that is comfortable except pick up any weight (or push) above 25 lbs. I think 10 pounds should be the max. After 3 days I insured myself pushing something and my tummy was on fire for 24 hours. Bad idea. As far a bending over I purchased a picker upper. Those long arm things with a grip at the end. It saved me because bending over for the first few weeks was difficult. Your incisions are not sealed for about 3 weeks and when you bend over it puts pressure on those. Your doctor gives you the all clear for exercise depending on your situation and it's usually at 4 weeks.

OK, so this is the story. I went to get a fill last week. My doc didn't have the right length needle, so she used a shorter one, and had trouble accessing the port because it was so short. She pulled out about 2cc's and that was all she could get. She put in 2.6cc's total (if indeed she was in the port) and I left pretty happy. I immediatley went to get something to eat to see if I had any restriction. NONE WHATSOEVER. I went back two days ago to get another fill. Same thing, longer needles hadn't arrived yet, and she tried to use the shorter ones again. She "thinks" she hit the port on the 2nd try. She tried to pull out the 2.6cc's but was only able to pull out .5cc. It had a little blood in it. So, can you pull .5 cc of liquid out of tissue??? I'm terrified that my band has a leak! She never was "quite sure" she was in the port with the shorter needle, so she told me to come back Friday, when the longer needles would be there, and she would try again. She was using a 1 inch, right angle Huber non-coring needle. I'm also scared about this....could she have damaged the tubing, and CAUSED a leak? I'm thinking if she couldn't reach the port, maybe she couldn't reach the tubing since it is at the bottom of the port... Any ideas???? Thanks, Donna <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_16857--> -------------------- <!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:3--><!--/sizeo-->Banded April 3, 2007<!--sizec--><!--/sizec--> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizeo:4--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->By<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#800080--><!--/coloro-->D<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#ff8c00--><!--/coloro-->r<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->. <!--coloro:#008000--><!--/coloro-->O<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#ff0000--><!--/coloro-->r<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#ff8c00--><!--/coloro-->t<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->i<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#006400--><!--/coloro-->z<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->in Tijuana<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--><!--/sizec--> <!--coloro:#000080--><!--/coloro-->www.obesitycontrolcenter.com<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizeo:3--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->Before<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#ff0000--><!--/coloro-->247<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->Pre-op diet<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#ff0000--><!--/coloro--> 234<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#0000ff--><!--/coloro-->Now<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#ff0000--><!--/coloro-->211 <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#9932cc--><!--/coloro-->Total lost: 36 lbs<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#9932cc--><!--/coloro-->.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--> <!--coloro:#2e8b57--><!--/coloro-->Goal 150<!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--><!--/sizec--><!--sizeo:1--><!--/sizeo-->first fill 5/25/07 - 1.2 cc's <!--sizec--><!--/sizec--> <!--sizeo:1--><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#000000--><!--/coloro-->second fill 6/22/07 - .3 cc's Third fill 9/15/07 - 1cc for total of 2.5cc's Fourth fill 10/27/07 pulled out less than 2cc's (short needle) added .6cc for a total of 2.6, still no restriction! Fifth fill 11/6/07 (short needle) only pulled out .5cc, no refill, waiting for longer needle! Total fill - WHO KNOWS??- in a 4 cc band

Hi Guys, I've had my band in for 10 years so I thought I would just throw in some of my experiences. The first 6 months are the hardest. I did not lose any weight the first 3 months and finally went in for a fill. Wow..after I had my fill I was sick for about a week, couldn't keep any food down, dehydrated feeling horrible. I decided to suck it up got throught it. Drank gatorade, stayed away from water it made me feel very heavy and would cause me to throw up. I drank protein drinks, yogurt, the typical "slide down" food until my band felt like it eased up from the fill. I was starving, but you have to learn to get over that feeling and concentrate on something else. During the next six months after my fill I lost 30 lbs, my fill loosened and I was able to eat better foods. Oatmeal for breakfast, soups, small amounts of meat. The only thing is I have to eat 6-7 times per day. Do not try to consume everything at one time like a regular meal. Its not going to work. Sometimes I'm hungry but only eat maybe 3-4 pieces of watermelon, an hour later I'll eat some protein and my whole day will go like this. You have to find what works for you.

In exactly one month from today, I will be having the surgery that will change my life forever! I CAN'T wait!!! So excited! And in other good news, I am down 2.2 pounds from yesterday. Not sure how it happened (did have a lighter breakfast this morning) but I hope I can keep it going! Only 7.8 pounds to go to meet my November 11th goal of 10 pounds.

It's cliche, but true. Try not to compare yourself to others. I lost at a rate of 3/4 of a pound per week. Slower than the expected 1-2 pounds per week for most patients. I was seeming my fellow band mates losing much faster than I. But I kept marching on. And you know what? I now wear a size 10, sometimes an 8, and I have been there for a year now! I am wearing out clothes before I grow out of them. How exciting is that!? Time keeps moving, whether you are losing 5 pounds a week or 2, you will still get to your goal. It might take a little longer than you'd like, but you WILL get there. That's the thing with a band. You are doing a drastic diet that comes to an end. You are eating right and creating habits that you will continue forever. Keep doing what you are doing! You'll get there!

Hey Panda, I am a runner. I have been running for the last 17 years of my life. So a 4mile walk is nothing for me. One would think with all of the running that I do, I wouldn't need this surgery -- but I did. My starting weight was 225lbs, and I am down to 214 in a matter of days. (I haven't been able to get the weight off in YEARS!) I am sooo excited for my journey to see where I will end. My goal is around 130-135. Per my doc, I can walk~walk~walk~as much as possible. The more walking -- the less gas I will have. I figure, by 3 weeks I will be back to running again (as long as there is no pain). I can do up to 10 lbs of weights. I am restricted from elipitcal machines, or any machine that could pull the stiches loose for 1 month. I feel great! Unfortunately, I have sooo many chores, etc to do around my house -- so when I got back home, I didn't stop moving. Woke up extremely tired today to come back to work. Ohh about that Protein, I am only 5\6 days out. I am just trying to get my liquids in at this time. My body isn't accepting the protein just yet. I have been drinking "G" (Gatorade) - Recovery (it has protein in it). I also have protein shots. When I take the shots (and this is TMI people - turn your heads.lol); it gives me the runs. So, until I go on thick protein, I will stay away from the shots for now. Fluids are going down like a champ. It hurt at first, but ever day is better and better. Not so much pain. Panda, keep me posted on your results and how you're doing. I would love to share as we move forward. Take Care Sleeve2B

where do you live? I live in socal and I went to st. josephs hospital in orange, ca. my pcp referred me and my whole thing went for 6 weeks start to finish I wnt to the meeting 11/14/07 and was banded on 01/07/08.