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Increase your Water and Protein intake. All so buff your skin in the shower--this helps my dryness. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

I am super busy this time of year (as is everyone) with school activities and my business, and the shorter days seem to really make me feel the crunch. Plus, the chillier it gets, the more I want to snuggle on the couch with my pup and a trashy novel. My family still wants to eat, so it's time to pull out the crock pot! The more elaborate the meal, the more prep I do at night. Today's recipe is seriously an open and dump but a family favorite: 3-4 chicken breasts 2 cans pinto Beans rinsed 1 jar of your favorite salsa 1 can of Rotel 1 can of corn drained. Dump it all in and cook on low 8-10 hours. Shred chicken with two forks. Serve with chopped onion, sour cream, cheese, chopped avocado and chips as toppings. SUPER easy and low carb friendly! Please share your favorite WLS recipes!

I am relieved to hear that others are having the same experience. I received my 2nd fill on 9/10 and I feel as though I am not restricted at all. I am little down about it because I remain in bandster hell with hope that I will get better results the next time. I keep losing and gaining the same 4 pounds. What a drag!!:cry

I had surgery in Mexico. In theory, I follow up online or by phone but I'm not good at that and it is just as easy to use my local doctor. My primary doctor is the one I see at 10 days post surgery and every 3 months to run vitamin levels and labs. That's all I need. My Mexico doctor and nutritionist sent home the post-op diet and I just follow it and email or call with questions. Plus there is loads of info online to help. I don't know why I would need to follow up with a bariatric doc here in the states unless there was a complication my primary doc couldn't handle. Hopefully, that won't happen!

Let me start of by saying how excited I was to get banded. My bestfriend's husband was banded in March of 2010 and had great success from his surgery. I first decided to get banded on an emergency visit to my doctor in August of 2011 after a wrist incident. I went in and did the regular weight, height checks, etc. As always, I dreaded getting my weight checked because it has never been good. Number came back in the 250's and I was fed up at that point. I then asked my Doctor if I would qualify for weight loss surgery. He went back in his office, crunched some numbers and came back and told me yes. He then gave me the name and number of a local doctor to call to set-up a consultation. Fast-forward 3 months (my insurance only requires 3. I've heard many requires 6 months plus a mandary 20 pounds weight loss) of visits to my doctor for regular checks, visits with a nutritionist, blood work, and finally the phycologist appointment which i was super nervous about. This was the final string and didn't want this woman declaring me unstable and unfit to get banded! I was finally banded on 12-29. I was super excited and a tad bit nervous. I was given my happy juice and felt nothing in the very beginning. I even remember being rolled into the operating room. It's when I looked up at the time is when I was out. I think I have figured out whey nurses tell you to count backwards. Once you're brain focuses on something, that's when you're out for the count. When I was awaken after surgery, I was suprised because it seemed as if I closed my eyes for just a second. I was in the recovery room for about an hour before I was given the greenlight to be transferred to my room. My dear husband and my 3 year old soon followed me into the room, got settled in, they had their dinner and I slept. I actually slept well throughout the night because my nurse made sure to keep the morphine drip flowing every 4hours or so, Good Man! Here is where the story turns sour. My night nurse's shift was over at 7am. Before he left, I asked about when I was scheduled for the Upper GI tract exam. For those of you who do not know, the Upper GI tract exam is a test done in the Radiology department. You drink about 8 oz of this nasty, pasty substance, and they take pictures of how it goes down. They do this to ensure there's no holes, or leaks that were created by the surgery. You cannot have anything to drink until this test is done. I woke up that morning very very thirsty. My night nurse told me the Radiology dept will come in between 8-10am to take me to the lab. When my day nurse came on, I told her that I was scheduled for this testing and to see where I am on the list so I can have a better idea. She said, don't worry, they usually come in between 8-10am and not to worry. 10:30am comes around and no word yet from the Radiology Dept. I called my day nurse and asked her to call the Radiology dept to get an update on when they are coming to get me. She reluctantly called only to tell me that I was never put on their scheduled for a GI Tract exam for that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so pissed off. It is now Friday morning around 10:45am and the last time I had anything to drink was Wednesday night at 12 midnight. Needless to say, I was beyond thirsty to the point where I was loosing my voice and could hardly speak. I texted my husband earlier that morning and told him not to rush and come in, to make josh a good breakfast and take their time coming in so I wasn't expecting them until around noon. So, i didn't have anyone to speak on my behalf, I felt so alone and frustrated. I texted my husband and told him to rush down to the hospital. And with having a 3 year old, there's not much rushing you can actually do unfortunately. They nurse apologized and said she went ahead and put me on the schedule for the exam and that the earliest they can have someone come get me was 2pm. At this point, I can't speak because my throat is dessert dry so I agrily nodded. With the shaking of my head, and rolling my eyes, I think the clueless nurse got the picture that I was upset. Naturely, and as expected, 2:30pm came and I'm still sitting in my bed. I once again called the nurse to get an update. Luckily for her, Radiology came to get me around 2:45. With the transport to the dept, and the testing, and transportig back, that whole ordeal lasted about an hour. I was finally given a sip of water around 3:45pm that day!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the best water I've ever had. Was also given some clear soup broth and jello. YUMMO! My advise for fellow banders, find out about if and when GI tract exam is scheduled for and have your nurse confirm you're on the schedule. May seem like a small thing but it was a big ordeal for me and turned my hospital experience into a not so pleasant one. I've given birth at this hospital, had two thryroid gland removed at this hospital due to thyroid cancer and all of the hospital stays were steller! This one put a damper in my memory but does not take away too much from my overall impression of this award-winning hospital.

Alhamdullah I am a muslim, have been banded for 6 months from dr. ortiz, in pakistan and have been fasting with a 7 cc fill in a 10 cc band, by God's will it has been very easy for me MASHALLAH, i can eat quite normally in sehr and in iftaar i have "pakoras" no dinner till sehr again. I have lost weight in ramadan too. I do excersise during fasting and it is awesome uptil now!

I was nauseous and it was hard to eat or drink and I would get sick after eating right up until like 8 weeks. I am now at 10 1/2 weeks. I am so much better. Just eat or drink only what you can. Some of us are slow healers. It will get better. I took all the nausea Meds from my dr and whatever I could get at the pharmacy. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I today is day 3(of 10) of my pre-op liver reduction diet. Day. 1 was a Valentines day "sweets" day at work. I managed just fine. Day 2 we came out to my in-laws in another town to spend the night. They are Italian and every single conversation is about food. It was a hard day, but again, I managed. I am laying in bed right now on the morning if day 3 and all I can smell is the damn bacon cooking downstairs! Come on people.... Really??? I can do this. I will do this.

I read somewhere someone goes to taco bell and gets a chicken soft taco and a side of refried beans, smooshes up the refried beans with the guts of the soft taco (throwing away the shell). Supposed to be delicious! Can't wait until I can get to mushies. I have to wait until 10/13...grrr

Hi, I am seven weeks out come Tuesday. Cons: I'd have to say the whole first week was one long con. I wasn't in real pain or anything mostly I was uncomfortable and restless. Negative thoughts that this will not work. Finding eating something of a chore because for the most part it isn't as enjoyable. Fighting the old habit of trying to clean my plate. Left overs. I am overwhelmed by left overs. Pros: I eat maybe 1/10 of what I use to and am full. More energy Feeling better over all Lost 25lbs so far! Not sure if this is from the weight loss or the fact that I no longer drink diet soda but I seem to be sleeping better and not getting up to use the restroom. Am off both my blood pressure and cholesterol drugs! I would do it again in a heart beat. Nancy

Kaiser Fremont Bariatrics recommends the following labs at 6 mo., 1 year and then annually: Chem 10, ALT, AST, PT, Albumin, Prealbumin, Ferritin, Iron/TIBC, CBC, Serum B12, RBC folate, B1, 25 OH Vit D, PTH, Alk phos(metabolic bone disease) Vit A, glucose, lipids, HbA1c. Use “PNL BAR” in Order Entry in HC, Consider copper deficiency if unresolved hypochromic anemia. They also recommend annual bone density screening.

Going to look into this also. I find that as long as my protein requirements are met the weight drops daily. An as far as the sugar my requirements were I can have up to an not exceed 10 grms per serving. .so that works for me!

I agree with Threetimesacharm. After surgery they start you out at 2 ounces per meal and over the next year and a half that slowly increases to 8. The most important things after RNY gastric bypass surgery is to meet the daily Protein, Fluid and Vitamin requirements. food is secondary because your body will convert the store energy in your fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight. Exercise is equally important. You should be walking 30 minutes per day, or equivalent. The weight loss phase after surgery is relatively short and then you will gradually slide into the maintenance phase. Weight loss after surgery is achieved by meal volume control. If you want to maximize the weight loss achieved during the weight loss phase, you need to limit the volume of your meals. It is important to consume protein during the weight loss phase because your body will be damaged without it. Normally this is done using protein supplements such as Protein shakes. Since your meal volume is so small at the beginning there is no way to achieve your protein requirement without using supplements. The protein supplements is a separate requirement than the meal volume requirement. In other words it doesn't count against your total volume limit. So when you drink a Protein shake, it is not considered a meal. The liquid portion of the protein shake counts towards meeting your daily fluid requirement, the protein grams count towards your daily protein requirement but it doesn't count towards your meal limit. Since you are mixing in the protein powder into your meal, it seems like it is a little hard to figure meal volume. So what I see is 9 A.M. meal (only 1/2 your meal volume requirement) 10 A.M. protein (good) 12:30 A.M. meal (2-3 ounces over your meal volume requirement) 3:30 P.M. protein (good, in the form of milk) 4:30 P.M. meal (3 ounces over your meal volume requirement) 6:00 P.M. meal (this is interesting because this could be considered your fourth meal of the day. So overall during the day you have exceeded your meal volume requirement by 8-9 ounces.)

I'm in that three year place and yeah it's more of a struggle to maintain for sure. I've gained 10. No more. And gone up and down those 10 for about six months and am trying to decide whether those 10 are worth the struggle. I'm still a size 4, I can still do everything I did when I was 135. My original stretch goal was 150 so I'm still 5 lbs below that. But damnit I liked 135 better. As for brachioplasty... Please don't assume people aren't giving the straight scoop. Just like with WLS we are all different. I had itching, but very little pain and no burning. Not sugar coating it. That just honestly wasn't my experience. I was back to mostly normal 2 weeks post op and had brachioplasty, tummy tuck and Breast lift/aug. I guess I'm just a good healer. I'm very sorry that hasn't been your experience

My wife had the same experience. I believe it is just a good sign that the swelling is going down and leaving more room to make it easier. She progressed to cream Soups and it was hard at first and is getting better as we near the 10 day point for cream soups. I suspect each transition is always going to be a little difficult at first, until your new stomach gets used to things.

I had mine out close to 10 years ago, so of course my experience may not be quite the same as it would be now after RNY. However - at the time I had a desk job that I could do 99% of from anywhere I had my computer, I actually resumed work the same day once I was back in my room recovering. I worked from home the next day and then returned to the office the following.

First, I am not a believer that liquid go straight thru the band....depending upon how tight you are.... It's 4 am, having my first cup of coffee....have not had any food in 10 hours at least.... I can the coffee sit in my pouch, and pass through the band like Water circling a slow drain...also making the infamous "Gurgling" noises...I'm always tightest in the morning....and the pouch relaxes - stretches as the day goes on (looser also a misnomer) I have even had water come right back up if I "Gulp"..drink too much too fast.... So no,,,water does not pass right thru the band..... I am also a believer that the pouch...same as the stomach...naturally stretches and contracts like a balloon....and being unaware of this will cause dilation...just like the "Beer Belly" I used to have.....Thus the 5-day pouch test I do at least once a month for my only maintenance... I do not believe water washes th food down....I believe water with food adds to the volume of what's already siting in the pouch waiting to pass through the band ...possible causing extreme dilation and maybe slippage? I know this to be true from experience....If I drink water while eating, it will cause EXTREME PAIN.....and more often than not come right back up..... In the early days, I have used this to my advantage when I got stuck....sip warm water...adding to the volume causing it ALL to come out and out....No More Stuck! Although I have not been stuck in over a year now.... Off Topic...I am always amazed how someone will make a statement....and it keeps getting repeated until it becomes fact....my question is...have you ever EXPERIENCED It? Or are you just repeating it....

Proud Grammy how long did it take for you to lose the last 10 lbs or so? I did ok over thanksgiving, proud of your staying on track. I want my last few lbs off so I'm hitting the exercise

If all else fails... Hit the salon for a weave. Add volume AND length! ~Leticia **HW: 259**PreOp: 216**SURG: 3/21/13 **Discharged @: 221**8 days post op: Down 19 lbs**

I had to have everything done and have insurance approval before I got a date (September 10). I've also seen people on here that got dates early then had to change them because they didn't get insurance approval in time. I wouldn't want that disappointment. Don't rush it. It will all work out in time. Just KNOW all of your requirements and complete them exactly how your insurance wants them. I had to change doctors and go through the process twice because my first doctor's office ignored a BIG requirement even though I told them (hospital had to be a center of excellence for Cigna, not the doctor). Second doctor (and different hospital) has been a blessing in disguise and smooth sailing! Hang in there!

I'm in Patchogue too, I had my surgery 10/10/12 with Dr. Ahmad at Mather. Good Luck!!

Rhi, Do you use a calendar application? If so, make a standing appointment with yourself for the gym and put it on your phone. Make it unbreakable. I literally started out with tiny little baby steps. 10 minutes on the bike or treadmill, 10 reps with 2 pound weights for arm exercises...that took 10 minutes. As my stamina grew, I added a little more time or a few more reps. I've taken monthly pictures of myself, sometimes more, just so that I can see my journey as I look back through those pictures. Sometimes I can see the changes, sometimes I can't. But, I can feel the changes in me. I have more stamina, TONS more stamina. I can bend and flex in ways that I could not imagine doing before surgery. I feel so much better and I've finally gotten to where I get the endorphin high regularly. I credit all of that to exercise. My sleeve gave me the push and motivation I needed, but now it is a self-fulfilling circle. I work out more, so I feel better and lose weight. As I feel better and lose weight, I want to work out more. I wish I could be there to say "Get up! Hit the Gym!!" But, maybe putting the appointment on your calendar will motivate you to Just Do It. I know I'm stealing Nike's line, but it's the best way I've ever seen it said. This is for you...and you're definitely worth it!

Yes! The same thing happened to me and it sucked quite a bit! To be quite honest, it took about 3-4 weeks to get rid of the extreme itch and rash all over my stomach. I made sure they were clean and dry, started using some cortisone and a good lotion about 3 times a day. I have sensitive skin anyway and the bandages, tape, and then bandaids didn't help matters any. After about 3 weeks of the cortisone, lotion, and refusing to use and type of covering things finally got a little better. I'm healed up pretty well now and that horrible itch is gone. Hang in there and be diligent with the cleanliness, cortisone, and some good skin-healing lotion. I used Cortisone 10 and some Curel Intense therapy but there's plenty of other brands that will work. I'm sorry you are experiencing this! It's awful. .

JP - i am in the same boat... i was just banded Sept. 17th and i already feel like i am starving all the time, have no restriction and have lost only 10 lbs since surgery. I lost more before i had the band put in. I am counting the days till i get my fill.

I've not and will not tell my PCP....I figure asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission. lol this is my life and body....I don't want to live another decade without this tool....and end up sick and another 10 years wasted. What I want to know is how many here who've gone to MX have had a problem like an infection... seems to me most complications are from US surgeons. IDK what ya'll think?