Search the Community

I'm 4 weeks out today. I've had some great things happen. I've lost a total of 38 pounds, 19 pre op and 19 post op. 10.5 inches of fat man are gone. Mr. Happy looks longer because the "awning" covering him is smaller. I got out of my van on Saturday at a customers place and my shorts hit the ground. Best of all are in the pictures below. I went to Hawaii in 2005 and 2015. This is 2015. That is a 4x shirt that looks like I was wearing a tent. Apparently a 4 man tent... In 2005 I wore this 3x. I put it on last weekend and it fit great! The pair of jeans that I'm wearing I literally had to pray, lay on the bed and exhale completely to get zipped. Saturday they fit beautifully. Also I was having blood pressure issues since April. Guess what? NO MORE!

Hello all! Here are 3 cabins from which to choose for our gathering the weekend of Fri., May 16 - Mon., May 19. Click on the links for complete detailed description of the ameneties, # of bedrooms, types of beds, pictures, etc. You'll immediately notice that there is one in each price range -- high, medium, & low. As of right now, we have 13 gals signed up to go, so the prices below reflect that. If more gals come, all the prices will go down. If some gals drop out, the prices will go up. PLEASE VOTE FOR THE ONE YOU WANT! Or rank them w/ #1 being your fav, #2 2nd fav, #3 third choice. Majority rules! I'll begin! My #1 is "Splash Mountain"! (A pool AND a workout room!); #2 is Beats Workin' (this is the one we stayed in last month); #3 is Ritz (unless gobs of other folks suddenly want to join us, I think it's just too big). Your turn! Have fun! Ritz on the Lake: http://rentals.deepcreek.com/book/house.html?PMSUnitID=RITZOL Total $4275.52 / 13 = $329 per person Splash Mountain: http://rentals.deepcreek.com/book/house.html?PMSUnitID=SPLMTN Total $2636.99 / 13 = $203 per person Beats Workin’: http://rentals.deepcreek.com/book/house.html?PMSUnitID=BEATWRK Total $1266.57 / 13 = $98 per person

I started the process in April of this year. Had to have 4 visits with my PCP and 1 with nutritionist. 3 wks for insurance to approve. Pre-op is tomorrow 10/3 and surgery is 10/9. I asked for a case manager with my insurance copy, she confirmed everything I needed and check on the approval status.

"I would highly recommend keeping a list of all the reasons you are doing this and all the amazing things you will be try to do post surgery on you at all times. That way when things get super rough you can take some time and read them to remind yourself it will be worth it" I guess I better get to writing then. I was told I will be doing 4 weeks of liquid diet just prior to surgery yummy. I am just beginning my journey. I started my 90 day medically supervised weight loss program 10 October and probably won't have my surgery until the end of February. Thanks for sharing your story Joe and good luck as you continue your journey!

This is what worries me. I am a 35 bmi with several comorbids and, currently, that qualifies for the band. But if I go on another diet and lose, say 10-15 pounds, I will then be under a 35 bmi. The surgeons office told me that going on the diet doesn't mean I have to succeed at the diet. They told me to jump through the hoops, report in to the doctor each month for weighing - but to make sure I didn't lose any weight. Does this sound like the best plan?

All liquids count toward the 64 oz. including Water or milk in Soup and Protein shakes per my dietician. Some people in my support group thought it was in addition to. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

WOW, we are in the single digits now. Just 9 more days until I'm in band land! Yesterday was a very busy day, today is busy as well, and tomorrow is too. Matter of fact, this entire week is busy for me between work and all my doc appointments, I'm just a bit stressed today! Yesterday here is how my day went: 8:30 - 11:15 - my preop. Had my blood work done, also an EKG, and chest xrays. I had to fill out and sign a ton of paperwork with the nurse, I paid my part of the hospital which was $43.50. I think I got out cheap on that one, she said the cost was $29,679, the discount rate negotiated with the insurance was $435 and I owed 10% of that. Cool. I had one small problem with the hospital, they had me put in my own words what I was having done and I told them a hiatal hernia repair and lap band. Well the problem was, the doctor didn't send an order for the hernia repair, so that caused a little stink, but the hospital nurse called my docs nurse and I think they got it worked out. 11:45 - I had to get my upper cervical care done at my chiopractor's office, my neck was killing me. I got thru with the doc and swung thru KFC, got an order of boneless chicken wings, hot flavored and tried to eat them in the car, big mistake, too messy and they tasted bad, I ended up throwing them out. I ran by to pick my daughter's skirt up from the alterations place before my next appointment which was at 1:00 pm with the Psych lady. We went over some stress techniques, craving techniques etc. She said I am ready for surgery. I got out of there around 1:50, I had to run to my docs office to take a short quiz they give every Monday from 1:30 - 2:30 (in between that I made a deposit at my bank). I had to show them that I knew about the changes I was about to make. I passed the test. Got thru with them at 2:30. Then I had a 3:00 pm appt with the dietician. We went thru a lot of info. Found out my clear liquid diet is no longer just 48 hours before surgery, but they are now requiring it to be FOUR days before surgery. So Sunday, I will have to start on clear liquids. eeks. I finished with the dieticial at around 4:20, had to meet with the surgeons office at 4:30 to go over the pre-surgery consultation. I didn't get out of his office until after 6:00 - I had a looong day. I had a total of 6 appointments yesterday and managed to fit everyone of them in. I even was able to squeeze in two errands in (picked my daughters skirt up & went to bank). I have to leave today at 11:00 from work to meet with the sleep center people. Then I will go back there tonight at 9:30 and spend the night there for my sleep study test. :notagree . I'm actually looking forward to this, I can sleep all by myself in a huge bed (my DH smothers me at night - he is a snuggler and I am not). My eating was really off yesterday, I could kick myself. However, I will not cheat any more, promise! I ended up eating a dish from Zios, which had some pasta in it. Well, I've got a ton to do at work because I am leaving next week, so I am going to stay focussed at work!

I have chosen to tell people I care about and with whom I work closely. I am single and live alone, and I will need the support of my community before and after surgery. I've worked with the same people for over 10 years, and with PCOS, nothing I've tried has let me lose more than 18 lbs or so... and it is silly to think they will assume weight watchers if finally working for me. I'd rather be upfront with them, and seek their support on my journey. I am grateful for a loving community, all of whom seem excited for me and my new beginning. I agree that there is no shame in NOT telling. We tend to know whether or not support will be offered from those around us. I have been blessed with overwhelming support from doctors, family, friends, and co-workers. I am grateful

I have decided that today is the day I put a plan together where I can be either competition ready or beach body ready by May of 2007. I am at the point now where I want to try my hand at body building. My Personal Trainer and I have developed a plan for me to be in competition readiness within the next 4 -6 months (amateur) if I do this to the "T". Here's my plan: Weight Training My weight training will be consisted of a six day a week split, created and designed to put emphasis on each muscle group, individually and allowing me maximum recovery. I will train each muscle group once per week. There will be alot of emphasis on my posture and form. I will concentrate specifically on the muscle range, squeezing my muscles through the entire full range. I will be using heavy weights and will do 3-4 sets with lower reps..such as 8 - 10 on most exercises to maintain my muscle during my calorie restriction period. Remember lower reps, higher weights bulk you and higher reps, low weights tone you. Cardio I will do cardio 4-5 days per week doing only 30-40 minutes of cardio per session at a high intensity level. I will be training on the elliptical and my bike and take some spinning, maybe treadmill as well. I may take some classes such as yoga and pilates to vary my workouts. Nutrition I will be on a strict nutritional plan, taking in a 35%/55%/10% ratios on foods. 35%-carbs, 55% Protein, 10% fats. I will be consuming slow absorbing carbs that are low on the glycemic index. Since we all know protein is the key to building and gaining lean muscle, I will consume lean protein meats such as turkey, chicken breasts, tuna and eggwhites. They will be low in sat fats and low to no trans fats. supplements are extremely important in this process. I will be taking additional supplements which I know I will force down b/c i feel im taking in waaay too much now but...here goes: Isolated Protein Phosphagen L-Glutamine Multivitamin Creatine Lipo6 - fat burner Before & After I will post a before picture (current photo) and an after picture in 4 months which will be current at that time. Anyone wanting to participate with me on this, we can compare, research, share and take notes. Anyone down with me?

Plans this week Monday 12/04/2006 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Shoulders & Traps Exercise Arnold Press - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Side Lateral Raise - 8 reps, 3 sets - 17.5lb weights Incline Front Raise - 10 reps, 3 sets - 32.5, 42.5, 32.5lb weight Bent-Over Rear Delt Fly - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weight Upright Row & Shrugs - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weight Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical Abdominal training - 8 reps, 3 sets - Abdominal twist - 60lbs Abdominal training - 8 reps, 3 sets - Cruncher - 50lbs supplements Isolated Protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules Breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Tuesday 12/05/2006 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Quads & Calves Day Exercise Front Squats - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Leg Press - 8 reps, 3 sets - 225lb weights Walking Lunges - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lbs weight (25lbs each hand) Leg Extensions - 8 reps, 3 sets - 65lb weight Standing Calf Raises - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weight No abs today Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical Supplements - Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Wednesday 12/06/2006 Chest Exercise 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Barbell Bench Press - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Decline Press - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Incline Fly - 8 reps, 3 sets - 35lbs weight Pullover - 8 reps, 3 sets - 65lb weight Push-ups - 15 reps, 3 sets - Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical @ a steady rate Supplements Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Myoplex lite Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Thursday 12/07/2006 Hamstrings/Calves Exercise 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Lunge - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Step-ups, Lying Leg Curls - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weights Standing Calf Raises - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lbs weight Seated Calf Raises - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weight Abdominal Training - medicine ball (15lbs) Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical @ a steady rate 10 minutes Jump Rope Supplements Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Myoplex lite Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Friday 12/08/2006 Arms Exercise 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Barbell Curl - 8 reps, 3 sets - 10lbs/15lbs/20lbs/25lbs weights Preacher Curl - 8 reps, 3 sets - 30lb weights (15 each side) Reverse-Grip Barbell Curl - 8 reps, 3 sets - 15lbs weight each side Lying Cable Extensions - 8 reps, 3 sets - 50lb weight Seated Overhead Extensions Tricep Kickback Abdominal Training Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical @ a steady rate Supplements Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Myoplex lite Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Saturday 12/08/2006 Back Exercise 5 minutes warm up on treadmill @ 5.0mph Assisted Pull-ups - 8 reps, 3 sets - 155lb weights Bent-over Row - 8 reps, 3 sets - 30lb weights One-Arm Cable Row - 8 reps, 3 sets - 40lbs weight Lat Pulldown - 8 reps, 3 sets - 65lb weight Straight-Arm Pulldown - 8 reps, 3 sets - 30lb weight Abdominal Training Cardio Interval training - 30 minutes on the Elliptical varied rate Supplements Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Myoplex lite Phosphagen 1 serving Nitro Explosion - Pro Performance Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules Sunday Rest Today! No exercise! Supplements Isolated protein - Isopure Protein (meal replacement) Myoplex lite Multivitamin 1 capsule Lipo6 - fat burner 2 capsules breakfast and lunch Biotin – 2 capsules

Here there again. Thanks for the great message. Okay so the first thing you have to know is WHY you have to loose weight. Every doctor is different. Mostly you need to shrink your liver so that they can lift it out of the way and get to your stomach to do the job right. That is the reason that most people have a preop diet. My pre-op was no bread, potatoes, rice or pasta. If I got hungry I was to drink a protein shake. That got the carbs out of my system (which took the cravings with it) not to mention I lost 14 lbs the 2- 2 1/2 week before my surgery. It is okay to be scared. I would really worry about you if you weren't because I would be afraid that you thought that just having the band was going to fix your probelm. It won't. You can get this band and gain weight, but YOU know that you are ready to work hard. That is what brought you to this decision. Be very open with your surgeon. Mine didn't expect any weight loss before he scheduled surgery...but I had to lose some during pre-op for the liver "issue". He said he had one patient that he started on and couldn't get around the liver and had to close up without the band. He went out and talked to her mom about her diet. Asked if she had given up what she was supposed to. She said that her daughter was eating french fries every day. Well, I guess that if she couldn't follow the rules for 10 days then she wasn't ready for the band. I was so scared that I went out with friends a few days before my surgery and without thinking at a mozerella stick. I was so stressed out that the breading on the outside had screwed up my chances! I guess I was scared straight. I'll be honest I had "Last Supper Syndrome" up until the day I started my pre-op. I gain 10 lbs from August when I decided to get the surgery "no matter what" and October when I started my pre-op because I was so afraid I could never eat some of the foods ever again. That is normal. Completely counter productive and some people are better at not doing that than others, but not me. Use you calorie counter and get the bad carbs out of your system. Start with the gym a few days a week to get comfortable there. Honestly a high protein/low carb diet will take the pounds off. And talk to your surgeon. Mine was very understanding! Hang in there. You haven't "ruined" anything.

Well, it has been 10 days since my banding. I have a turned a corner feel WONDERFUL except for this itching. I have tried hydrocortisone cream around my incisions and it has not helped on bit. Does anyone have any tips? I am wondering if i am having a reaction to the tape that they used. AAGGGHHH! I know i must be healing but the itching is about to drive me insane! :thumbup:

I had shoulder pain bad after surgery for about 10 days. It waa just trapped air that would not move. My friend that was banded same week had back pain. We both took Advil 200 mg or liquid. It helped a bunch! Try heat and warm/hot showers. If that does not help Call your doctor! You might be sleeping wrong too? Hope you feel better!

Things I want to be able to do: 1. Accept invitations from old friends (if I'd like to go) and not worry about my size first. 2. Get in a hot tub or pool during the day light hours. 3. Feeling comfortable in a regular seat when I fly. 4. Kayaking 5. Getting out of bed without hurting 6. Not needing my CPap machine (for Apnea) at night. 7. Not believing my weight is causing every problem that I have. 8. Wearing "normal" clothes. 9. Camping/Hiking trips in the mountains. 10. Thinking about the adventure first, not my lack of stamina. 11. Boob job, so that I'm not flat like I was when I was thin. 12. Being able to shop for things I like, not things that fit. 12. Growing old with my children, grandchildren, great grand children (hopefully).

I'm 24 years old, and I had the surgery when I was 23 (late August of 2010). I was told that I was too young by a few. My mother was first very angry when my dad suggested the lapband two years ago. This was after them worrying and trying so many approaches for years. My mother eventually realized that, if something drastic wasn't done, I may be increasingly obese my entire (probably brief) life. She told my grandparents that I was about to get the lapband and my grandpa was so upset that she now pretends like I changed my mind and I didn't get the surgery. He said: "Why surgery? Why doesn't she just diet?" Even with my current success with the band, questions like these still make me ashamed that I couldn't just be normal and stop eating too much. I became the only chubby child of the family at about the age of 5. Until puberty, I was sometimes chubby and sometimes at a normal weight depending on how active I was. After puberty, I gained weight like you wouldn't believe. My usual weight was about 230 pounds by first year of university. Without intending to, I actually lost the freshmen-15 and ended up at 215 pounds. I gained almost exactly that amount back by second year. Then, one diet got me to 193 pounds before I rebounded over two years' time to an all-time high (or low, more like it) of 267 pounds. I've tried diets and I'm not saying they are all crap and this is the only thing that works. This is in some ways a diet anyway and not everyone (their fault or not) loses a substantial amount of weight with the band, or at least keeps it off. But, one often quoted study states that about 95% of diets fail. Another states that people who diet gain more weight in the end than those who were the same weight but did not diet. Now, I don't need to replicate the studies behind these statistics to see their underlying truth. My most successful diet was followed by my all-time highest weight. The one weight-loss in freshmen year that I didn't even realize was happening (until the end of the year) still failed after a year, but at least it only brought me back to my usual weight of 230-something. So, what's the answer? Continue dieting and keep rebounding to a new high? Never diet and stay at the same weight for fear of gaining more? With the lapband, there's a higher rate of success and why wouldn't I want the process of dieting to be easier? I got the lapband now because I don't like the odds of people who go it alone. I also don't like the odds of people who've been overweight since their teens. If I had gained weight after pregnancy like some women have, I probably would have given dieting and exercise a few more tries. As far as age goes, I think there are two ages that are the best for lapband: 1) when you're in your youth and you are just beginning to date, find yourself, travel, apply for jobs and 2) when you're mature and you need to lose weight for your health and to mitigate co-morbidities. Of course, any age is a good time to lose weight, whether you're regaining your youthful confidence or seizing those opportunities that you missed out on when you were in your 20s. Anyhow, I don't like how I feel when I'm overweight and I don't want to struggle like this for another 10 years, until I'm at a more "appropriate age." As long as you're old enough to make an informed and independent decision about your own body and as long as you have tried the solo route, I think the sooner the better.

Hi. I start my 2 week pre-op diet this Friday. I have to replace Breakfast and lunch with a Protein shake in either Water or fat free milk (I'll put it in the milk) Amazon is convenient for me, anyone have any brand and or flavor suggestions? My guide from surgeon says sugar free, at least 20g of protein per serving , under 200 cals per serving and less than 10 carbs. There are plenty of powders out there but not many that say ugar free but meet th other criteria better than the few sugar free ones. Most are low carb, lower than the sugar free but have like 1-2g of sugar listed on the label is that ok? otherwise not much to choose from, plus spendy. Any advice? flavors, brands? thanks, getting close!!

Stacey- i lost about 10 lbs. But that was mostly due do to the recovery time when i couldn't eat a thing, even hardly drink. Now i've got a little fat to lose but not too much more weight, maybe 10 lbs. I don't really watch carbs, i just try to eat what my stomach will tolerate. I do get fat free and sugar free stuff, so nothing that sits hard on the stomach. I need carbs for my energy. If i go really low carb, i lose all my energy and feel awful. I know that the fat loss will come from the overall calorie reduction. I am drinking some energy drinks that make me feel wonderful. I'm SO happy that i can have oatmeal! I am going to fix it for my next meal!!

I'm 10 weeks out. Mine aren't really sensitive but there have been two instances while I was asleep I woke up because they were burning. It felt like I was being sliced open. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm down 26 from my 254 before my 10 day perop diet. In 1x from 2/3x a big 16 from a size 20 jeans. Doing really good here wanting to do water aerobics and Zumba but can't till Monday. Hugz about the foot been there a few times. Can you do chair aerobics? There are a lot of tips on YouTube about them.

Honestly I am sooooo thankful that I had a 10-day liquid pre-op diet. It shrank my stomach and thought me what real hunger is. I have no issues telling the difference between real hunger and head hunger now. I think it made the food progressions after surgery so much easier.

My OPINION: I think it can stretch some. After the surgery you are not swollen for 12 months. Most healing and inflammation are complete around 6 weeks, and any residual swelling is probably gone by about 3 months. Some use the word "relax" which equates to stretching. Stomachs are soft tissue, not concrete. The part that's left behind is not fibrous tissue or cartilage - it just makes no sense to me that people think there's no give to it. Having said that, I do not think it would ever go back to the size of your pre-op stomach. I know from personal experience that I could eat 2 oz immediately post op, 4 oz at a year, and that capacity gradually changed over time. At three and half years out, my capacity is around 8-10 oz. That's really not a lot of food, and my sleeve has helped me maintain a 90%+ weight loss for almost 3 years. But somehow my capacity increased by 60-80% from the early days, and 50-60% from where I was at about 18 months. The only explanation I have for that is that it stretched some. I'm not alone - most people report varying degrees of increased capacity. One other thing - I do not and have not "overeaten" repeatedly to get it to this point. I am not a sleeve abuser

Awesome!! Got any before pics to compare you'd care to post? H 5'6" HW 253, CW 245, TBS 9/19

I ended up in the ER FTOM THAT STUCK FEELING! Here I was Christmas eve. Waiting for emergency surgery! A piece if shrimp that I did NOT chew properly, along with the peel, got stuck. Lodged in me. The pain was unbearable feeling like I was having a. Heart attack. After an hour if not being able to get it up is when a family member called the surgeons office. Within minutes i was at the ER !! Into the operating room i went for an endoscopy. !!I am back on liquids, progressing slowly to mushys for 10 days. I still feel horrible. Calling the Dr tomorrow because I am feeling sick to my stomach. Ughhhh!

So, as the topic suggests, I'm five days post-op and wondering about restriction.. the first day was rough, i could barely drink 1/10 bottle of water, and of course, as the days went by it got better... and today I can nearly chug. Is this normal? I'm not forcefully chugging or gulping water, but I'm surprised at how I can go from barely a teaspoon to killing 1.5 liters of water in about 2 hours. Is this normal? Should I be worried?

Who just shimmied her former fat ass into a size 10 pair of GV jeans and had enough room to sit and even have a meal without busting out? Who? Who? Two thumbs pointing at this former fattie!!! That's who!!!! Just had to get that off my chest! :)