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my life is getting ready to blossom, i can't wait to get my surgery and work on myself, this is one time in my life that everything is about me, i feel so ready and mentally capable of changing my way of living:) by the way im so in love 2/10/2007 well i recieved the news that i am gettting the surgery because my therapist really believes in me and im so happy, but now im feeling kinda nervous and anxious because i saw this website at Youtube.com/lapband and i saw alot of people talking really negative about the lapband and i have faith in god so im not gonna let everyone elses experience control my dreams, so that got me a little nervous about everything, but otherwise than that i feel very good. but im trying to figure out how am i gonna go on a liquid diet 4 weeks b4 the surgery i think thats gonna be the hardest challenge in my life feedback anyone???

I have been doing very well with my weight loss - lost 102 pounds so far. I am working out - exercising so I can decrease the amount of extra skin sagging - so I try very hard to stay on track. However, for a few days, now I have been feeling a little weak and not quite myself. Friday morning, I was into my usual routine - I had just gotten dressed for the day, and I was going to walk my dog.Then I began to get some pains in my chest - at first I did not think much about it, until it started radiating down my left arm - my arm and fingers began to get numb. I sat down to relax, but the pain stayed with me for 10-15 minutes. After the pain passed, I took my dog out for a walk, but I still did not feel quite like myself so I came back home. About an hour later I went to the store, but the pain started again and I drove myself to the hospital emergency room - I thought I was having a heart attack. I was examined, and they admitted me to the hospital for tests. They found that my potassium level was way too low. It should have been 3.5 - mine was 2.5. So they gave me some potassium - I could not take the pills, of course, because they were too big for my LAP-BAND® to permit. The other choice was by IV, but I was told by both the doctors and the nurses that this would be very uncomfortable because it would burn. So I asked them if there were a 3rd choice, liquid, and they said yes. So I started taking this liquid potassium, which also burned going down and tasted terrible. I asked my doctor why the potassium level was so low, and what caused the problem that brought me into the hospital. He does not believe I had a heart attack, and he began telling me why potassium levels go down. As he was talking, a light bulb went off, and I realized what was happening. He mentioned that not enough food as well as vomiting could cause this potassium deficiency and numbness in the arm. I have been throwing up when I eat something that does not agree with my band, so this seems to be the problem. Also, I'm not eating enough food. All the tests I took in the hospital came back negative for a heart problem, fortunately. The answer for me is to increase my potassium intake - unfortunately, I hate bananas and orange juice does not agree with me because of the acid. So, I started my first banana in the hospital - making that face that children make when eating something they hate, and I ate 1/2! YEA! LOL. I ate 1/2 not because that was all I could eat, but because it was all I could stand! YUK. So what I am trying to say here is if anyone out there is throwing up a lot, and also not eating enough, have your potassium level checked. Potassium is called Natural Diuretic as it easily gets absorbed by our body and almost 85-90% of it is excreted from our bowels and kidneys (urine). Because of its alkaline property, it is a very important mineral which helps our body system to maintain of pH level balanced and also to maintain proper level of water inside body. The most important function of Potassium in human body is to keep blood pressure under control and help in intra-cellular nutrient transfer. It also helps in keeping acne, some type of allergies, fatigue, kidney stones etc. problems at bay. It is very important to take healthy and Potassium rich diet everyday in order to keep our body functioning properly and feel healthy. I'm ok - this is something I will have to deal with - I will start eating yucky banannas and drink diluted orange juice. Maybe one day bananas will grow on me and I will be able to tell you I love them.

scheduled for July 8. Just 3 days short of my 46th birthday. Over a year ago I went to my GYN complaining that my menstrual cycles were very heavy and painful. She suggested a Mirenna IUD. The Mirena IUD has a small amount of progesterone that will virtually make your period go away completely and in 5 years you'll have to replace it, by that time I should be in menopause….Great! sign me up. So last Oct I'm on the table, feet in stirrups when the good old doc tells me that I have a fibroid in the way, that there's no way she can insert it. Months go by, periods get heavier and at about January I'm getting bursts of blood about a week after my period that lasts about a day or two then by May I'm bleeding almost every day. My doc orders an ultrasound which doesn't reveal much but some very small fibroids, she believes I have Adenomyosis, a non-cancerous condition of the uterus that can mimic many signs and symptoms of fibroids. This condition results from the lining cells of the uterus growing directly into the muscle wall of the uterus. When the lining cells of the uterus bleed at the same time as the period, these misplaced cells causes pain. As the blood accumulates, the surrounding muscle swells and forms fibrous tissue in response to the irritation. The only way of diagnosing it is by examining the uterus after it is removed. She tells me of a treatment of cauterizing the inner lining of the uterus but that this technique doesn't always work. So I opted for the Hysterectomy. I'm not going to live like this any more. At all cost I will NOT let them take my ovaries! My doc knows all about my band/rebanding and is very pro-band. Also since I don't have a colon and had intense rectum reconstruction she has decided to perform the surgery abdominal at the risk of surrounding scar tissue and the fact that I've had 2 C-sections, she'll just go in the same scar. I handle surgery fairly well, but I still have to stay in the hospital 2 nights. Good news.We just bought a newer boat, a 22' stingray 2001 and if I want to achieve my NSV goal of Water skiing, I'll have to do it by July 5th due to the 6 week recovery time. Next week we're off to Yosemite, there's 10 of going as a group. The last time I was in Yosemite was in May 03. I looked at the pictures of myself and said I've got to do something about my weight. That was the turning point in my life that started my lapband journey. Thanks for your all of the support. I haven't been as active here lately but I want to thank all of you for such a wonderful board!!

Hi how's your weight loss and recovery? 2013 is my year....SD 11/19 Methodist Hosp in NY

@soccermomkerry i am happy that gorecki is your surgeon also. I got sleeved on 10/18. He is the best. Have you started with your appointments & testing?

Hi guys my surgery is nov 19, my pre-testing for blood work is nov 1st. I hope and pray there's no interruptions, Sandy really showed her tail lol 2013 is my year....SD 11/19 Methodist Hosp in NY

I am 18 days post op and I was wondering if anyone has these issues, after I eat (regardless of what I eat) I belch numerous of times, and for some reason, when I go lay down at night to go to sleep, I cant lay on my left side. I have really bad sharp pains. I know my surgeon cut me there but only minor cuts and I cant figure out why I hurt so bad there. Anyway I am down 19 pounds since 08/27/08, not sure how much I am now, but Ill take what I can get....lol Have a great day.:shades_smile:

I have started the process of getting bariatric surgery. I am in month 2 of going to the nutrition meetings required by my insurance. I never really thought this would happen for me. I have been thinking of having the surgery in an abstract way for years. I always said that if I won the lottery I would do it in a heartbeat. I found out a month ago that my insurance covers the surgery if they find it medically necessary. I am type 2 diabetic, high blood pressure, higher than my doctor would like cholesterol, and I have extremely bad sciatica issues from a car accident when I was 14. It seems like every time I go to the doctor I get some new medication to add to the 13 pills I already take a day. I also have anxiety issues that I take medication for and I am currently trying to quit smoking. I know that is a lot to take one but I am a goal setter and a goal keeper. 5 years ago in 2009, I was depressed, I mean extremely depressed. My friend that I have known since I was 13 told me she worried that I was dead on the floor and my cats were eating my body. She was joking of course but, I didn't really talk to anyone for 6 months. I stopped wanting to leave my house, I had no motivation to take a bath, no motivation to do anything but lay on my couch and wish I was dead. I finally pin pointed the reason for my depression as I was stuck in a job I hated with no real way to get out because I had no high school diploma. I made a plan and a 5 year goal and a 10 year goal, I decided to get my GED at 35 and go to college. I bought books and started studying for the GED test. I came to a point where I knew I needed help because math is not my friend. I went to my local GED prep classes to get help. The process took a week to see where I was with my English and math skills. I kept taking test after test until I took the practice test and I was told that I could take the real test the following week. I passed my first try. I entered college in the fall of 2010. I will graduate next May with 2 degrees, I will graduate from the Honors Program at my school, I am a member of the Honors Society, and I have carried a 3.5 GPA the entire time I have been in school. That was my 5 year goal. To get my GED, go to college and get a degree, find a job with good insurance so I could try to get the surgery. I think I did well so far. LOL Anyway, the second phase of my ten year plan was to get into shape and get my health where it should be. I was diagnosed with diabetes at 33. Only because I had shingles for the second time in my life and I went in for a physical. Sorry this first post is so long but, I feel like if I get support now the next 7 months will fly by. I hope to have the surgery next summer. The point is that I make and keep goals. That is something I have been bad at most of my life but, I know that I must keep this goal in order to live a long and healthier life. It will also help with my favorite passtime of throwing pottery on the wheel. Its one of the talents I found while in school. I never knew I was talented or creative in anyway before I went to college and now I make beautiful art pieces with just my hands, some clay, and a kiln. It is my zen place, the one place where I am completely in the moment and not worrying about everything. It gives me peace. Now I found out that my insurance provided by my state through Medicaid expansion, because I am a poor college student that moved back in with my dad at 35 so I could concentrate on school. I do work, but I work for my school and it is part time so I get the Medicaid because I am poor. I always said if I had health insurance that covered it I would jump at the chance to get it. Well here is my chance and I am going full steam ahead with it. I will be attending my local support group that is part of the program I am working; I have been having a hard time with the exercise portion of the program though. I have long standing back issues and I really have to be careful what I do because I get this horrible burning pain that shoots down my leg sometimes just from normal walking. Plus I can't afford a gym membership right now. I did look into my local rec center and it seems they have pool exercise 3 times a week which I am going to try next week. I am not sure which surgery my surgeon will recommend for me but I am pretty sure I will ask for the bypass because of the remission of diabetes. I have been reading all about it in medical journals and I even tried to join the Cleveland Clinic study on the subject but I didn't have insurance before and they would not take me. I really am only worried about my health. I have seen what this obesity can do to a body from my mother who was 518 pounds at 53 and we had to put her into a nursing facility because she could no longer take care of herself anymore. Her story is sad, but it has a sort of happy ending in that, for her the surgery was a success and she is now living in an apartment on her own and able to take care of her own needs. Anyway, I am Naomi and I will be posting here. (If your read that whole thing I am really sorry, I tend to be long winded.)

I only had the requirement not to eat after midnight the night before, too. It's common to have pre-op diets, but not everyone has them. I would consider your course where you lost 10% of your body weight to be a major pre-op diet!

Hello everyone. Well this is my second go round... I was scheduled approved and ready to go on march 20th. I went into the OR, surgery started and spots were found on my liver and spleen and a mass on my stomach. After 7 days in the hospital, liver biopsy's and 3 weeks of antibiotics to rule out several infectious diseases... Here I am. June 19 is my new date and we are a GO! This process is complex and the preop liver shrinking diet (if you are required) is not bad but tough... If I can answer any questions about it let me know... If you are interested in a secret Facebook group (no one but group members can see) let me know I did one for another group.

Most of us have been exactly where you are now. For me, everything pretty much sucked for at least a week. I could NOT drink enough protein shake for the life of me, and then I knew I was also getting dehydrated, and day 3-5 were the worst for me. Then the hunger kicks in... OH the hunger. Hahaha, I can laugh about it now because I made it through, as all of these other bandsters did. We make it through. By day 10 you'll physically be feeling better, and just dealing with outrageous hunger. By 3 weeks out, you'll be able to eat more and feel pretty good about everything. It's funny, because I'm only 2 months out, and I remember making my first post-op post on here feeling like I regretted having the surgery. But it passes, and you lose weight, and you feel better. Hang in there! We're here for you!

I lost about 90 pounds in the first 6 months post-op. The goal set for the 2nd half of the year is 60 more pounds. Doc said some will do more, some will do less. It just gets harder. So far, I've been on track losing 10 pounds in the 7th month.

I went through Options in So Cal San Diego region. We have 24 weeks of classes. They started in November 2014 and ended in May 2015. I lost more than the 10 percent. And my surgery was on 07/29/15.

Hey, I am doing great, 9 weeks out, I have lost 40 since the surgery, lost a lot the first couple weeks, then I have been averaging about 3-4 pounds a week, and I had a stall for a little over 2 weeks. Physically I am doing great! Getting all my walking in, usually hitting my 10,000 steps and more on my fitbit, and now starting to weight lifting. Did I mention my pants are 10" smaller since the beginning of options! Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I experience the same, especially on days that I have boxing (Tuesday & Thursday mornings). The nutritionist and instructor says that the body needs fuel after a vigorous workout, which I tend to agree. I just eat extra Protein on those days - usually I increase my protein to 80-100 grams from the usual 60 or so and that does the trick. Lately, I haven't experience any weight loss; however, I've lost inches (as mentioned in a previous post I've gone from a size 14 pant to a size 10 since June w/o losing a pound) building lots of muscle and losing fat. My dear husband calls me thunder thighs now since they're no longer shaking like Jello We're burning fat and building muscle and need the increased protein to fuel our bodies.

Shannon RT, I had my surgery on Aug.8,2007. I got on the scales this morning & lost 10 lbs!! Course, we gotta know it's from all this liquids only thing we're doing, but it still feels good. But man am I hungry!!

Hi Healthy Sue, I used Slim Fast Protein Shakes. I had to lose 10% of my weight before surgery. I started drinking the shakes 3 times a day and lost 30lbs in 6 weeks before my surgery. I still drink a shake a day for the protein I have lost 60lbs and I was banded March 11,2008. Good Luck! I know you will be successful. Susie Q 1964

How does one feel after a 4th "Fill". At the Doc's, it only took about three minutes, and shall I say PAINLESS as expected. I did not think about being injected at all during my trip, especially when one bandster knows how it's done anyway-pull shirt up, lay on table, let Doc find port, wipe off first, inject, wipe off again, get up and see if you can drink some water. Once that's done, pay your bill and leave. Of course this time I did not have to pay anything, but we were expecting to pay this time since I passed the three month mark, (7months now). Feelings within an hour after are: a sense of fullness, not wanting to eat, even though you are really hungry cause you did not eat anything all morning. I did manage to eat 12 bites of soup, veggies, some meats at a restruarant right after the doc appointment, and then on the bus ride home, at a rest stop, had 5 or 6 potatoe snacks(korean style) nothing to drink. Was full still. Upon returning home I worked outside for a while, had two sugarless popsicles, and about an hour later had a tuna salad sandwhich. Felt satisfied. My next morning, as usual up early, had coffee, and weighted myself, 104.2kg-a loss. Now at nearly 8 am on Sun I am not hungry, feeling full and content. I feel the pressure around my stomach of fullness. My mind is not thinking about food. I think this 4th "Fill" is my "sweet spot". Will see. Hope I loose 10 to 20 #s by 18 Sep-my date I am scheduled for a trip to the states-3 weeks. Going to be Cool on the airplane- buckling up without an extender-hehehehe. I had to use it once on a small plane ride. Today, is special, my birthday, the big 56. Start exercising on the stationary bike too. Up till now I was not exercising like at a gym, but only in the garden. Now it's time to press. Feelings are: Happy, content, satisfied, positive attitude, no stress, taking one day at a time. I want to thank the Lord,Jesus Christ for guiding me on my straight and narrow path in life. I was baptized 4 July and today I celebrate a new beginning on my Birthday. My purpose in life is real close, I can feel it as I am still wondering what it is. Hope my thoughts and experiences helps others and I wish much success to all my fellow bandsters and those new ones. God Bless.

I was sleeved 11/19. I find when I talk alot I fill up with air and am miserable after, sometimes for hours and i cant eat or drink anything. I take gas x thin strips but it doesnt always help. Anyone else experience this??

@Soccermomkerry u will okay. Gods speed. When i first seen gorecki in sept 2011 it took me more than a year to get sleeved on 10/18. So everything will be okay. Just try not to miss any appt with your PCP

I'm being sleeved Monday by Dr Goerki 2013 is my year....SD 11/19 Methodist Hosp in NY

Welcome back to the wagon. To make my summer exercise more fun, I am taking it outdoors. I made my back yard into a fitness trail. For example, I start at the picnic table and do some pushups by pushing from the bench. For othopedic reasons, I can't do them flat on the ground. Then I march to the oak tree and do squats, the I speedwalk to the shed and back several times. Then from the shed I carry 10 pound handweights and do lunges in a lap around the yard and then to the pine tree and do exercises with the handweights, like backward rows, chest flys, and deadlifts, then back to the picknic table for a rest and drink of Water. Then befor I go in, I do walking laps several times around the yard. While I am outdoors, I am also getting some Vitamin D sunshine. Exercise doesn't have to be boring - just get creative. I even put on loud crazy music while I am puttering around the house doing housework. You can also put on your favorte music like no one is watching. I have 34 DVDS for exercise, so that I could have variety. I will admit my favorite is Richard Simmons Sweating to the Oldies. You can do this with your refreshed commitment to take care of yourself.

I had to take them for 10 days after. I missed one - but I didn't stress just did it til 10 days out. I'd rather have the unpleasant needle once a day than the worry of whether you're having gas pain or throwing a clot.... That being said we can get thru anything if you think of what problems non-compliance can create. Mine was because my BMI was 50 (it's 39 now after 5 1/2 months!)

I bought a bottle of the liquid CLA, and once it arrived and I had read the label, I decided against taking it. I am a nursing mom of a 5 month old exclusively breastfed infant, and the stuff on the label about fat absorption worried me. I did some research, and I found this study http://matportalen.no/Saker/1074243531.86 that warns nursing moms against taking CLA. I've got a full bottle of this stuff, and I only opened it to see what it smelled like. If anyone wants it, I'll sell it to you for $10 (less than half of my cost) plus shipping. Email me at kim@naturalfamilyboutique.com if you're interested. I should have known better! The posts had me really excited to try this stuff. I should have done my research first. :cry

I agree the special K only had 10 grams of protien, did not seem like enough for the calories. I tried Cytsport Protien drinkk. It has 40 grams of protien and is only 160 claories and 0g carbs and sugar. The tropical flavor is not bad and is lactose free too! If I'm going to drink this stuff I want at least 20 grams of protien in each drinkl!:hungry: