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I just seen this board for July 2011 bandsters. I sort of feel out of the loop since I was banded on 7/27. Most July bandsters were already banded by that time and then August came and there was a new thread. Anyways: Nothing specific to say other then wondering how everyone else banded around this time is doing. Me, I have only lost 4 lbs since surgery. I realize my body is still in recovery mode & most ppl gain in the first 6 weeks so I am very happy with losing the 4 lbs. I have been to the gym 3 or 4 times since surgery so that is an area I need to really improve upon. My goal this week is to go at least 5 times to the gym. I still have bloating issues & some constipation... I use Gas X and yesterday I drank magnesium citrate (saline laxative) and it worked GREAT. I know once I get more regular with the gym that the bloating will improve greatly. I am usually not hungry until around noon. My husband has a hard time understanding this and usually gets offended when I don't have at least a protien shake. I have had one fill so far and am scheduled for my 2nd one next Thursday. all in all I am doing well & am excited for the future. Sometimes it seems so overwhelming but I can only do it one step at a time one day at a time. Until then I focus on the positives block out the negatives that cannot be changed (such as hurtful words from friends/family/strangers). Would love to hear from other bandsters close to the same stage with their bands as I am.

I go to Mexico on the 30th. I am up on Clarksville, TN. I think it is about a three hour drive to Memphis, how far is it from there to Oxford, MS? I have looked about and have a few I will call when it is time to have a fill. Thanks Heather

Okay so I’m 3 days post op and getting close to goal on liquids but I have the following questions... 1. How do I take my crushed medication when liquids only. It’s so nasty mixed in Water 2. How are you getting Protein in with just liquids. My plan seems to be more concerned with liquids the first week and not so much with protein 3. Have not had a bowel movement since 3 days before surgery. I’m not uncomfortable but know I need to get things moving. 4. I had my gallbladder taken out the same time as my sleeve. I wouldn’t be in any pain if it wasn’t for my lower right abdomen. What happened there? Think that’s where they pulled stomach and gallbladder from? The incision by bellybutton doesn’t hurt as much as my insides do on my right Thank god for heating pad Thanks!

I am from ontario and I am wondering if any of are from Ontario too and if so can you can tell me how long it took you to have surgery? I went to see my doctor last week and he was going to get me registered but i am dying from the wait. My husband thinks that i am obsessed with this because i have so many questions and i can't stop reasearching things about the surgery.

My dr is more restrictive. I can have 4-5 protein drinks from a limited list of brands, SF jello, clear broth and water. I have to do this 2 weeks before and I'm on day 2 and feel like I could chew a shoe!!!

Ok it was the first time I threw up after being sleeved two weeks ago.I drank my protein shake and then later took my chewable vit and chewable calcium.Two min later I was getting I'll.Now the other day I took them just fine but I noticed when I took them last night I felt nauseous. So what do you think?

I am on a early stall too. I lost 12 pounds the first 7 days I was home and the scale has not moved since. I had my surgery Feb 27, Kindove discouraging when I am really staying on track with the protein and water.

Just be patient. I know it's frustrating when the scale doesn't move. I'm on week 11 and I've had at least 3 different weeks where the scale doesn't move for 7 days, then I'll mysteriously be down 2 - 3 pounds overnight. Your body is just acclimating to the lower calorie intake and sometimes it is holding onto every calorie, trying to replace the glycogen stores in the muscles. I don't have a formula for getting the scale moving again, but I do try to mix things up to keep my body from getting used to a set pattern. I walk a little extra, up my vegetable intake, or eat low carb for a day or two to see how my body will react. I was eating pistachio nuts and sunflower seeds last week and EEEEEKKKKKK! I gained 2 lbs that week. Monday I went back to basics of eating my refried Beans and chicken (eating 4oz every 2 hours), this morning I've lost the extra 2 lbs plus another 1lb. For the 1st time in 4 years I'm under 310lbs.

So, I know there are a lot of posts on here about the "3rd week stall". Has anyone been through a 2nd week stall? My first week post-op I lost 15 pounds!!!! Then I started puréed foods and ever since the scale hasn't budged! It's been about 5-6 days of nothing, nada,zip! Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for my initial weight loss and I'm sure my body is freaking out but how do I get the scale moving again!? I'm getting about 80oz fluids/day and hitting my protein goals that my NUT set. I've also been out and about walking around target, Walmart, the mall, etc. I know I could probably do a little more exercise but I'm a little hesitant until my 2 week follow up appointment which is tomorrow! Any suggestions would be great!

I was sleeved on 8/28 but I am not brave enough to try Popeyes chicken lol although its one of my faves. I would like to try true naked strips but I think I will wait a few more weeks.

HI Everyone, I'm new here...was sleeved on 9/9/13....had horrible gas the first two days post op but by morning of day three i had no more gas...I never had any pain except during coughing so after gas was gone I needed no further pain med...my food allowance and progression is 1st week-clear liquids, 2nd week full liquids, 3rd week soft/puree, 4th week regular texture no bread, pasta, for 1st 4-6 months.... so Im on full liquids which includes greek yogurt, hot cereal, pudding, milk, protein shakes,etc,,,so far so good for me, I belch way more than I ever did, and I'm finally able to drink and get at least 32 ounces and get all my protein in. taking my supplements is another story, Im having a hard time getting the pills down.. they get stuck while trying to go down and it burns and causes nausea. today was the first day I had no burning and got the pills down while taking continuous sips....I've decided to weigh myself weekly. started pre-op surgery day 237 and upon leaving hospital I was 5lbs down, one week later 10 lbs down. I'll weigh myself again. on 9/23. im excited about my journey though i must admit , I cant wait to have some textured food....please discuss your experiences...Im excited to hear about others

I was on a narcotic for pain immediately after surgery. This also caused me to have nausea. I asked to be taken off the the narcotics; I had mild discomfort, but no real pain, plus no more nausea. I was able to walk around better and that helped with the gas build-up. I didn't take any additional pain meds afterwards, nor have I since and I am 3 weeks post-op. They sent me home with some non-narco pain meds, but I never had to take them. Also, they didn't need to give me anything to calm down, so I don't know if they even offer something like that. There was a woman there at the same time as me, she was very nervous prior to surgery. The doctor said that it was her choice and she could leave if she wanted to. I don't think they will operate if someone is too nervous or too anxious. By the way, in Mexico, there is no HIPA, so no patient privacy. The staff was so irritated with her, they were talking about her amongst themselves and with the other patients. That is how I know her situation. Plus, she spoke to me a few times. I felt she didn't do enough research prior to her decision, and that is why she was so nervous. Height: 4'10" SW:190 CW:178 GW: 125

I don't think you will have any problem at all and honestly when i went to Mexico for my surgery a few weeks ago, they don't even stop you...they just wave you in. It's getting back into the states that takes time. Just out of curiosity...how come you didn't just fly into TJ?

Hi all, I was wondering if there are sleevers out there who flew to mexico/ are flying to Mexico from another country other than the States? I'm having my surgery with Dr Garcia in TJ and I'm flying from New Zealand to San Diego and getting picked up to cross the border. I booked my flights/applied for visa already and I'm just wondering what people went through as they went through customs/border. Can I openly tell them about my surgery? Will it matter if I'm going to be picked up from San Diego? My mother will be coming with me and we want to stay an extra week in San Diego post operation just to make a mini holiday out of it. Any comments/suggestions will be greatly appreciated thank you!

Hi, I was just banded on Monday the 27th. and for the first week I am to be on Clear liquids only. Talk about starving lol. I am having runny stools because of this. Is anyone else experiencing this? Next week I get to graduate to "thicker" foods like, yogart, oatmeal, Protein shakes. Of course I don't feel any restriction right now but will go for my first fill in 6 weeks.

Thank you so much Lissa and Sharon for the helpful replies. Now that I know that Prilosec (on top of the Famotidine) helps you, Sharon, and Tums helps you, Lissa, I am going to pick up some of both! I was hoping it would be fine to take somethiing on top of the Famotidine (which I take twice a day already as well), so knowing that taking Prilosec has helped you, Sharon, I am sure it won't kill me! Not that I tho't it would but.... Anyway, another question: Are the "foamies" where you feel acid rumbling / building up into your throat? I have read about people on this board experiencing "foamies" but haven't had it defined as of yet. If that IS what it is, I DEFINITELY have the foamies, especially if/when I take pills earlier in the day! I will start watching the clock more closely to time my gut feelings. I also get hungry sooner after exercising (which I am happy to say, I have been walking 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week since the middle of week three post-op and it kicked my weight loss into a higher gear). I am down 41 lbs in total. 10 pre-op and 31 post op since sleeved on 10/17. So exciting! I have been using the MyFitnessPal.com app on my phone daily and it is a great tool. I am shooting for 50 to 60 g of protein a day and trying to keep the carbs low-ish. You are on there, aren't you, Lissa? I love being able to keep track of everything there. I finally think I am OVER utilizing the pen and paper routine to track, but must admit, I do miss not being able to see a whole week or more at a glance. I had created an Excel spreadsheet of everything I ate and drank and tracked cals, protein and carbs plus fluid intake and exercise for the first 4 weeks. But using MyFitnessPal is just SO much easier and less time consuming that I know I'll be more likely to continue tracking for the long term with it, whereas with paper, I always quit eventually because of time constraints. Lissa, I looked at a bunch of protein bars at The Vitamin Shoppe but they all had 35 or more carbs per bar and that worries me a bit. I am trying NOT to be paranoid about carbs but I do want to do this right and I DON'T want to screw up my losing streak, IYKWIM! I get to come of of soft foods as of Tuesday and am glad to be moving on to the "permanent" stage of eating on this journey. I just have to figure out what to purchase and fix so I won't get burned out on all the soft foods I've been eating (mostly eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, ground up chili with beans, refried beans and the like). I am SO ready for a REAL bite of REAL chicken (not ground down in food processor til it looks like baby food!' Thanks for your help. Hope your Thanksgiving weekend is relaxing! Leah p.s. Sharon - love your new picture on the board. It's lovely!

Wish I could provide some good insight. At 5 weeks out I can't honestly tell what is true hunger and what is acid. It's so strange. I think I feel sort of, I dunno, desperate (for lack of a better word) for food when I am having post surgery hunger. The feeling that I THINK is acid makes me feel more like the OLD hunger feeling I used to get pre-op. That feeling seems to be more of an "I'm having a rumbly hungry-ish tummy". So I'm thinking the "if I don't eat something now I am gonna get really shaky and weird" feeling, is true post-op hunger? It's just bizarre to me that I can't figure out what is acid and what is real hunger. Sorry you are in the same boat but glad to know I am not the only one who is confused on this issue! Good luck figuring it out. I'll be interested to see what the seasoned vets have to say about this. Leah

thank you, I need 2 knee replacements decided to do this first and thensee how the knees go. I will remember what you said no nutrients don't consume .congrads. on your weight loss, hope i do as well..hopefully this site and lap support at docotrs will help a lot I am sure... I also have a hard time getting around have to use scotter at stores, cannot walk a distance, or stand very long.. doctor says for me to loose 30 lbs before using step machine at the Ymca because of my blood pressure... so I use a floor pedal bike at home for starters, can't wait for it to warm up so I can use my pool.. should be April... Hopefully hubby will support after surgery, but he is not going to stop me, I take care of my motherinlaw who lives with us she is 83 and in a wheelchair on some days and a walker the other, also is on dialysis 2 times a week so I have o get better to take care of her better and hubby has a pacemaker defib. so I am needed by both of them.. have to do this for many reasons health being the first and looking and feeling better after that... so thank you for your support and advice !!!!

And I'm so glad I have the band. I'm a male that started my pre-op diet on March 28, at 319lbs and now I'm down 243lbs yeilding a 76lb weight-loss in 3.5 months. I still haven't had a fill at my doctor's request. I think part of it is due to a smaller band installed by my doctor and my change in eating habits. I've become so enamored with exercise, healthly eating habits, and maintaining a mentally-strong mindset that I haven't stumbled yet. My doctor doesn't want my results to suffer from a change in habit caused by a fill. As conceded as it sounds, everyday that goes by I become stronger (mentally and physically) and the stumbling blocks become easier to traverse. I'm winning and the margin of victory is increasing!:thumbs_down: I hope those of you considering the band take into account all the advantages and disadvantages. I also hope you realize the high success rate of the band if its used as a tool in your fight against weight problems. You have to chose which team you want to be on, the band or your weight problem. You're the swing vote. Team up and work with the band and the weight-problem will lose. Team up with the weight-porblem and work against the band and the band will lose...it's really that simple. Good Luck to Everyone!

I am losing inches. I lost about 2-3 inches since my last appointment. My size 13-14's are no longer in my closet because they were too big, I now have 11's and 12's but those are starting to get a little loose. So yes I am seeing a difference in inches. I also do lift weights, 2xs a week for about an hour. I am getting really close to goal. about 25 to 30 pounds, give or take so I suppose it gets really hard at this point, the weight doesnt just fall off at this point? Idk?

I second speaking to your nutritionist. I assume you will have to pay since it’s been a while but it should be worth it. I would log what you have been eating for a week or two first so she can tell you where to make changes. I do see people on here do it so it can be done.

I had my sleeve done December 13th 2012. My highest weight was in September of 2012 at 377, the morning of my surgery I was 349. This morning I weighed in at 168!!!!! I have lost 209 pounds…..I pinch myself everyday. There is no secret to my success, my sleeve has been my greatest tool. I would have never gotten to this point without it, I know that! However, the 3 other legs of the stool to help me achieve this have been: 1) Myfitnesspal.com 2) Fitbit 3) Exercise, Exercise, & more Exercise The sleeve did not fix the cavernous space between my ears. Even with the sleeve I would not have lost the weight if I was not ready to tackle the reasons I overate the way I did prior to surgery. I was finally mentally in the right place to take on this challenge, the sleeve was the extra edge I needed to stay on track. I can guarantee failure if you are not ready to combine mental toughness along with a life dedicated to exercise. I fear it everyday, fear that i will give up on my exercise routine and let a few pounds sneak back. I use that fear to force myself out of bed and on to that treadmill, or elliptical machine. Many days I workout twice a day. Many of us are in the same place for the same reason….lack of will power, poor genetics, and we can be just plain ole lazy. Those things DON'T go away….they just lay dormant and you have to fight to keep them where they belong: buried deep inside of you. I see my surgeon this coming week and I can't wait to see my lab work, I am really looking forward to see how much it has improved since prior to my surgery. I had high cholesterol, high fasting sugar levels etc…. In two weeks from today I will be in my hospital room recovering from my circumferential body lift. I am so anxious to let the healing begin and get back to my workout regimen. I have a 10 mile race under my belt, I finished in just over an hour and a half. Mind you, when I first started my workouts back in January I was barely able to walk at 3.5 mph for 30 mins. Now I run twice a day for 40 - 60 mins at a time and average 6.5 mph in preparation for my plastic surgery. In 2014 I have scheduled a half marathon and a full marathon, they are things I would have laughed at back when I was 377 pounds and because of this life altering procedure they are a real possibility. If you are reading this and thinking of surgery or just had it completed or have had it and things are going well, know that it is tough. The sleeve is a tool and that tool is only as effective as the owner of it. This is not popular…..you can cheat the sleeve. You can put weight back on….you can eat more and more over time. It is up to you to use it properly and rehab your mind, train yourself to be mentally strong in your fight against food addiction and abuse. I do not deprive myself of things…..I have had……pizza, ice cream, french fries, and diet soda. I just don't have a whole pizza, I have half a slice and a small salad. I have a spoonful of ice cream instead of 2 pints of ben and jerry's like i did prior to surgery. I steal a french fry or two from my son instead of a super sized order from mcdonalds with my two big macs and two cheeseburger with a large regular coke. You can do it! But, you have to be ready to do it. I wasn't ready for 13 years! I gained almost 200 pounds from 1999 to 2012 when i had my procedure. just about every monday during that time i started a "diet" and by thursday afternoon i was done. I had some success a few times losing close to 75 pounds at one time but it didn't last long. i wanted to take time to let anyone know who wanted to listen that this is not the end all be all to your success. you are the key to it working!! i wish you all nothing but good luck in your personal journey, it has been my greatest accomplishment in my life. there are so many things we are expected to do and do well: be a loving and caring spouse, be the best parent you can be, work hard to provide your family what they need. you don't have to be healthy, you WANT to be healthy but it is not a requirement so when i look back at what i have done, i truly feel its my greatest accomplishment!! good luck everyone!

Hi Mandi, I hope you dont mind, some of my post calls you argon and some mandi. I'm find it a little hard to keep everyone separate. I've met so many people here. I think your right, I'm gonna HATE optifast. I'm on it for 3 weeks, because of my size I think. I'm sooooo dreding it, starting in 4 more days, YUCK! I went out and bought a bunch of scrapbooking stuff, hopefully I can just stay in my room and do that when it gets bad. My family can cook for 3 weeks, it wont kill them, I think:) Take care, and keep us all posted how your doing:)

Wow, what an inspiration you are!! Its great to hear so many success storeys. My surgery is coming up, and I'm so emotional!! I go from absolutley excited to anxiety attacks and even nightmares. It's crazy. I start my pre-op diet in 2 weeks, then I hope it is just excitement. I just want the surgery to be over, so I can get on with it. How did everybody else control there nerves?

Hi- first take a deep breath- breath and enjoy life... now- make your lists... lay out your vits daily or weekly... done... make a list of meals B-L-D. post on fridge... done...\ the thing I found is some days I can gulp Water, no prob- next day not so good... so take it slow... while you are rehabilitating, is the time to get organized, clean out cupboards etc. make your house clean- eating wise. now plan a time to exercise... the way it works is how you work the program... like any program, you have to make the effort. you are "all in" on this- now that 85% of your stomach is removed... the game is to make sure you become healthier, by following the program. I have had a coupla speed bumps in my road -3 weeks out... my first move is to get over them... mainly eating... it's a physical problem - I still went out and enjoyed live music tonight and the sunset. now my spoon of cottage cheese and a spoon of yogurt are going to be consumed. Good Luck!