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I had plastics in mind when I got my initial sleeve but waited 2 years post-op to start the process, check out plastic surgeons, get quotes and make a final determination of what I need. I waited a bit more than necessary - have been within a 10 lb range for well over a year - because I wanted to really be sure that I could live with the new lifestyle long term (and avoid regaining) before committing to plastics.

Holla fellow bandsters! Hope you all had a fabulous Independence Day! I sat here and tried not to watch myself and boys have simultaneous combustion from the heat- alas we were all saved that scene. It was a strange holiday in that there was no BBQ to attend, here or otherwise, I didn't even go watch fireworks! I can't decide whether it was just too hot, or I'm just getting freaking too old to "OOOHH and AWWWW" about fire in the sky. Boys weren't interested either so I just listened to the neighbors pop it like it was hot til around midnight. My dogs didn't even seem to care. So the boys had Subway and I had the normal protein shake and cream of chicken soup but as an added bonus, I put strawberries and bananas with some Greek yogurt, 1 pkg Carnation sugar free instant breakfast and skim milk in the blender! Boys had smoothies I froze mine and had strawberry banana "ice cream" around 10 last night. Delish. So as you know, I have been thinking today I was scheduled to have my first fill. Thanks to this forum, I now know that the receptionist misspoke when she said "fill", what she meant to say was "Post-Op" visit. Regardless, I was excited to go pretty much anywhere at this point. I scrubbed up, brushed up and put on a comfy sundress to wear, good choice because I didn't have to worry about buttoning and or zipping anything, I'm still slightly swollen and all I had to do was put it over my head and Voila! I really had no clue what was going to happen at this 1st appointment and lucky me, I got a nurse who was clueless as well. The regular Nurse that takes care of such appointments was on vacation this week (HOW DARE SHE) so I don't know if she was brought up from another unit of the clinic/hospital or if she was an agency person, or if (Lord I hope not) she works there and I just never seen nor heard of her before. So kids this is how it went down. I was ushered into the examination room and sat on one of the chairs. The nurse says "Ok, so what have you been eating, and sorry, but I have to look at your incisions." Umm, Ok, I hope you're going to look at my incisions (DUH) and I told her protein shakes, yogurt, chicken soup, yada, yada, and then I said "Um, am I going to see the Dr today or what's happening here?" she said "Oh no honey, you won't see your Dr until after your 1 month check-up with the regular nurse who's on vacation, then 1 or 2 weeks after that appointment you will have 1 with the nutritionist, then the week after that you will have a fill" My head was spinning off my neck at that point. I decided it was best maybe not to ask not too many questions to this particular person at that particular time, besides, I have this forum if I want to know something right? Well you guessed it, I couldn't resist, I started asking because you know, I brought a small list. (Well I didn't want to forget anything ya know?) I looked at my little list and immediately mentally crossed off things that I assumed only the Dr would know, or I only personally wanted the Dr to answer. So I asked about vitamins I think, something along those lines and she excused herself and brought in a booklet and said "Did you get one of these?" Uh, I don't think so, it doesn't look familiar. So she handed it to me and then said she needed to look at my incisions, I said Ok, and she basically lifted my dress up and said those have to go and RRRIIIPPP off came the first one! HEY, I said. I don't know if I'm- RRRIIIPPP- well screw it guess I'm ready to release my surgi-strips. Look I know it sounds like a nightmare and it pretty much was, I could go on and on, but my point is I went to my post-op appointment and basically expected Ashton K. to jump out of somewhere telling me I've just been "Punked" although that didn't happen, I did get a a wink/half eye roll from the receptionist when the nurse was explaining to her the upcoming appointments I needed, especially when she called her Stephanie and she said "My name's Ashley" (insert half wink & eye roll) giggle. I guess I was pretty calm about the entire thing because when she took my blood pressure it was only 107/62. My temperature a chilly 97.3, and guess what? She never weighed me, and I didn't ask. I guess what I'm trying to say is that none of that really mattered. I already knew I wasn't going to be getting a fill today. I pretty much assumed that they were just going to check on me after surgery. I've survived the ripped off strips and now that I think of it, I'm glad she did it because I babied them so much and would have worn them as a badge as long as I could have and I need to move on. The receptionist, Ashley, and I agreed she would just call me on Monday and we would go from there, sounded great to me! On the way home I thought to myself, I'm not restricted at all. I could eat whatever I want right now and it would be fine with my twisty and my stomach. Maybe I'll just have a salad, that's not such a big deal. I thought like this for about 10 miles until I snapped out of it. Girl you better check yourself, for Christ's sake this is exactly why you had this done, if you don't start using it now, instead of thinking like a food addict, your road shall be even longer. I came home had a yogurt and a Crystal Light, I still wasn't even hungry, not really. I picked up the red booklet she gave me and it was "All you need to know about your upcoming gastric bypass surgery" I just laid it on my chest and laughed hysterically. As always, onward and upward and Lo & Behold....Velvet

I had my first fill on July 21st, so now I'm getting another fill for August 21st because I'm starting to get hungry before meals, and in the morning I am really wanting breakfast, it's so not like right after the surgery where I was tight and not wanting to eat in the morning. Now my first fill was 2.cc in a 10.cc band. So I am definately telling them to juice me up this go around.

Ok the title seems harsh but it is true! I have had 5 or 6 fills and the last 2 about brought me off the table! He numbs me but it is not working to well. I was numb at the surface but I could feel the needle sticking me deep inside my tummy. He could not find my port :tt2: Ok question, that is quite a long needle that they are sticking in there, cant they hurt something buy poking around looking for the port? I was filled to 6cc in a 10 cc band, I went in last week and he put me to 6.5 because I felt I was just about where I wanted to be and now I am upset because before I got another fill I had good restricting ( not great, but good ) and now, I can eat a lot of food again... I feel like I went through that fill for nothing..and it is frustrating and I don't know what to do. I have the choice to get a fill whenever I want one, but I am so darn scared to do it now, in fear of it hurts so bad. He mentioned doing the next one under that x-ray thing so he could look at things and I am wondering if that would be a good idea or not? Anyways thanks for letting me vent and ask some questions, any advice would be great. I am up in the air about this thing.. and could just use someone to talk to who understands what I am feeling! Lisa

@@Mac the Knife How was that the bands fault? Wouldn't that be your DR's fault? I had my band placed 11/10/09. Sure i had episodes with vomiting.... but they were my fault.. ate the wrong thing or ate too fast.. or didn't chew well, or didn't pay attention..... none of which is the bands fault. I LOVE my band... she and i have an understanding and i know if i do what im suppose to, she does also. Now i did have an episode recently that my band tightened up for no reason... so i went to my dr./friend and he removed the fill to give my stomach a rest. All is good now and im steady at 130... which is a 100 lbs lost... 90ish lb maintained over the past 5ish years. over the years i have seen many people lose with all the WLS..... i have also seen many people gain it all back with ALL the WLS..... Now of course there are some situations where the band fought back. But those are not the norm.... Ive seen people that had GB have issues and gained it all back, the sleeve and gained it all back.... We must listen to our bodies.... i knew something wasn't right when i was still following all the rules and wasn't able to keep food down... so i carried my a$$ to my dr and took care of the situation..... Diff between me and people that had GB or Sleeve.... I CAN DO THAT.... they can't. I control my band... they can't...once your stomach is cut off.... it's gone. Once you are re-routed... it's done. @@dvons Again, you see... dvons is correct you have to be committed to the band for it to be committed to you... and again, your issues aren't really with the band, just your life and not being able to go to the dr.... I would say, stick with it dvons... Good luck..... @@newgirlwhodis and remember what you put in is what you get out. Chris

I MADE IT TO ONEDERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::lol::lol::lol::lol::thumbs_up: :thumbup::thumbup::party::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Update... Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope...............199...........195...........11...................4 georgia girl....................254...........244...........0............... ...10 darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .........14 KarenG.........................179...........173...........0.......... ..........6 Chocolate_Snaps...........274...........260...........0............... ....14 Wannabthin..................197.5........187.5.........2.............. ......8 OH Juli..........................197...........190...........4........... .........7 jfran.............................165...........160...........3....... .............5 Candle..........................190.5.........186..........3.5....... .........4.5 destiny79......................245...........235...........2.......... ..........8 Jennypoo......................194...........184...........2........... ..........8 luvinke.........................220............210..........0......... .............10

My first update :regular_smile: Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope...............201...........195...........9....................6 georgia girl....................254...........244...........0............... ...10 darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .........14 KarenG.........................179...........173...........0.......... ..........6 Chocolate_Snaps...........274...........260...........0............... ....14 Wannabthin..................197.5........187.5.........2.............. ......8 OH Juli..........................199...........190...........2........... .........9 jfran.............................165...........160...........3....... .............5 Candle..........................190.5.........186..........3.5....... .........4.5 destiny79......................245...........235...........2.......... ..........8 Jennypoo......................194...........184...........2........... ..........8

UPDATE Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope...............202...........195...........8....................7 georgia girl....................254...........244...........0............... ...10 darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .........14 KarenG.........................179...........173...........0.......... ..........6 Chocolate_Snaps...........274...........260...........0............... ....14 Wannabthin..................197.5........187.5.........2.............. ......8 OH Juli..........................199...........190...........2........... .........9 jfran.............................165...........160...........3....... .............5 Candle..........................194...........186...........0......... ...........8 destiny79......................245...........235...........2.......... ..........8 Jennypoo......................194...........184...........2........... ..........8

Welcome Everyone Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope................210...........195...........0................15... georgia girl.....................254...........244...........0............... 10.... darr5380.......................176...........160...........0......... .......16... KarenG..........................181...........173..........0......... ........8 Chocolate_Snaps............274...........260...........0.................14

I know how difficult it is to come to this type of decision since I have been through it myself. I don't claim to have any real words of wisdom, but I just wanted to share my story with you and hope it helps. I'm going to try to abreviate it, but I come from a highly disfunctional family so there is a lot to my story. The basic foundation is my father was an alcoholic, he was just down right mean. He was so mean, that when I was a little girl I thought he was the devil. My mother is one of these people who is very mean and cold, but presents herself to people like "poor me". She and my father used to fight, very violent fights. To the point where when I was little several times in the middle of the night I had to run to the neighbors so they could call the police, and the next day we would pick up my dad from jail .It became pretty routine. My brother was 10 years older than me, and my sister 5 yrs older. My dad and my brother used to fight constantly as well. Needless to say growing up I had much resentment pain and anger. Both my parents were mentally abusive. I don't know how many times I was told by my mother "If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have kids." My dad was always very insulting and he had an annoying way of saying something mean with a smirk on his face then when I'd get mad he'd be like "oh I'm just kidding don't be so sensitive." That was always my mom's favorite saying too " don't be so sensitive" Well that gives you an idea of what I endured growing up. It really didn't get any better when I became an adult either. To top it off, after I got married they started to treat my husband badly too. My mom really didn't like him, mostly because he wasn't a rich man, but also because he isn't the type to put up with much. I tried moving to another state for awhile, it still wasn't good enough for me. They still haunted me. Even thier messages on my anwering machine would get me upset. They aren't the type you can talk to, they do not listen at all. When my mom would call me it was all about her, she didn't want to hear anything about me, she always depended on me emotionally, but was never there for me. I wrote them a very long letter telling them all that bothered me. Broke it off for two years, then broke down and contacted them. It was slightly better for awhile, but they quickly went back to their old ways. I couldn't take it any longer, I wrote them another letter saying good bye, and why. It's been a little over a year now. I don't have anything to do with my sister, she became very involved with drugs, I tried to help her but couldn't. My brother commited suicide almost a year ago now. It's not easy, I always think of things like how weird it will be if I don't even know whether or not they've passed away. But they are just too harmful to me. I too as someone mentioned consider people toxic if their bad for me. In fact there is a book called Toxic Parents. It helped me quite a bit. Of course therapy has helped. I wish you the best, I know how painful this is. But even if you don't cut it off with your mom, at least cut off form her finacially ASAP. It sounds difficult since you live so close to her. I'm here if you want to discuss this. I'm open to any quetions as well. Take care

I'm all for the pregnant parking. I actually asked a police officer if I could park in a HC spot because I was carrying my 10 lb. baby at the time. It was all I could do to shop. The pram parking? I used a grocery cart.

I say take some time, maybe talk to a surgeon about having Lapband to see if it's right for you. I don't regret my decision one bit! Per your questions: Is there a decrease in your desire or cravings for food with this proceedure? I was never one that "craved" food, if anything I starved myself all day and went nuts when I was home/around food. I can honestly say that now food is not a big part of my life anymore. There are days I forget to eat! Food just isn't on my mind anymore. Why do you think you were not able to decrease your food intake before the surgery if you are able to after it? (I am scared I would just eat past it if nothing changes) My problem wasn't that I was eating the wrong foods, it's that when I did eat, I ate..and ate, and ate some more, literally until I felt stuffed when I was done. With Lapband, I can eat, and feel a real sense of not being hungry. I'm not stuffed nor full, but satisfied, and stay that way for hours. When you have restriction, you won't want to eat more because eating a smaller amount of food provides you with that satisfied feeling. Of course, you can eat around the band. Ice cream, candy, junk food, etc, it all goes down easily. You have to have the willpower to eat healthy and only allow yourself to eat "junk food" in moderation. How bad was the recovery? Not bad. This was my first surgery and I thought it was maybe a 3-4 on a scale of 1 to 10. The first day was a little rough, but it really is just the gas pains that cause discomfort. The port incision is a little sore for a few weeks, but nothing a heating pad and pain meds can't solve. What do you say now that you have done it and did you think it would help you before you had it done? I definitely thought Lapband would help me before having the surgery. I know that I needed something to control my eating portions and it has done just that. I love my band and I am extremely grateful to have gotten the surgery done. I've lost almost 95lbs in 6 months...who could ask for more?

Hi SLK248, I am from Mississippi and would love to share journeys with you. I am a professional woman, married with 2 adult children and scheduled for the Sleeve Feb. 11th. My highest weight was 260 and my current weight is 250 but I hope to lost 10 or 15 more pounds by surgery date. I am 5'4" and hoping to get down to 130. I am not too concerned about the numbers, just very motivated to get to a healthy weight and be able to buy clothes in a smaller cuter size. Good luck to everyone.

1st of all i want to wish each and every last one of my BariatricPal bro's & sis's a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! I had my surgery in Tijuana Mexico 12/15/16, ive had absolutely no complications! I threw up last night Christmas Eve because the broth That my mother-in-law gave me off her chicken for todays dinner was too greesy bot ooooohhhh soooo delicious , it came up out my mouth &nose! HONESTLY my weight loss has been slower than ive been reading on other patients post but oh well any loss is better than any gain! I picked up 7lbs in the hospital from swelling & IV Fluids, lost that plus bout 5 or 6 more, so its slow motion but im dealing with it, im also learning better techniques & patterns to dealing with my extame hunger & head hungry Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think it would take a long time. It took me a year to regain 10 lbs and that was eating lots of sweets and just crap. Before sleeve I would have gained 40-50 back in that time frame. I learned my lesson though, I've lost 11 lbs this month and am going to lose an extra 15 just for insurance. lol

How are all the March 18th bandsters doing? I am down 30 pounds since my initial consult but only 10 of that has been post band. I had a post surgery complication and ended up in the hospital but I'm fine now thank God. I had my first fill today. Looking forward to getting back to losing.

If you want the ultimate Medical Tourist experience go with Dr. Illan's team. They use Florence Hospital- no strip mall.- excellent nurses. He has a Facebook support group- go to Baja Bariatrics to join. This group is very active and will answer all of your questions and cheer you on. My SD was 10/10/13.

In general....you'll want to do resistance training (lifting weights) in addition to a few sessions of cardio each week. Usually the best types of resistance training are compound lifts with free weights, kettlebells or some body weight lifts once you progress. There are SOME machines that are beneficial and actually may be a good way to ease into it, learn your technique, then progress to more difficult / technical lifts as you will eventually stop progressing with many machines. Usually you'll want to aim for 2-3 sets of each lift starting out, with about 6-10 reps each set....depending on the lift. You'll probably be fine starting out with two lifting sessions a week (one upper body, one lower body), then several months down the road you may want to go up to 3-4 lifting sessions a week. Make sure to get lean Protein and some complex carbs (veggies, oats, etc). High protein and low carb is fine for maintaining strength and muscle while lifting, but to build it, you need some carbs. How many carbs depends on your personal sensitivity to them. Wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress!

Very interesting! OK, I'll fess up. 1. Huh? I think so? 2. Agree with Parisshel. Don't sit me down in front of a stack of baklava, chips and quac or a taco bar. 3. Still working on this one. 4. 75% there on this one. 5. Nailed this one 90% of the time. 6. 100% A+ 7. 90% of the time. Sometimes triscuits sneak into the pantry for a short stay. 8. 100% OK. 9. 80% OK 10. Easy one for me since I work from home. 100% 11. Not sure I agree with this one. I'll go for an extra 5-10 miles on the bike if I overdo a meal. 12. This one's kindof mushy? What'r they talking about? 13. I still fight this one. Not when I'm home, but dinner with friends, going out, traveling? 14. 75% most of the time.

So excited and scared as hell at the same time! My journey is almost complete . I am 6 lbs from goal and hope to lose that in skin! What are some words of advice you have for me as I prepare for surgery? Things to take to the hospital, things to have on hand at home, what to wear post op...your words of wisdom would mean so much to me!!!

10 days post op and last night was the first night I slept on my side, and even a little bit on my stomach. I am a lifetime tummy sleeper but was unable to sleep on any other position then on my back unitl last night, even with a pillow under my tummy all my attempts resulted in a tugging sensation on my stomach and pain, but last night I didnt sleep on my back at all and just woke up with the slightest feeling of soreness (very tolerable and a minimal sacrifice to sleeping well).

Actually, that is almost EXACTLY the prep that I will be doing. I only have to take 2 dulcolax and I mix the miralax with 64 ounces of gatorade. I know that it will not be pleasant, but I was wondering if it was different for us WLS patients. The low fiber diet is IN ADDITION to the day before prep. Apparently it 'bulks things up' so it moves through quicker. Four hours before the test I need to drink 10 oz. of Magnesium Citrate. The low fiber diet really through me! I am being ordered to eat everything I used to eat, but haven't in nearly 3 years! Carol No, I eat meat nearly every day - I am definitely NOT a vegetarian. But I also eat fresh fruit and vegetables every day - especially fresh veggies. I sometimes have a salad twice a day. No fresh veggies is going to be hard - even for just three days.

Wow, Missy, you sure don't look 55!!! Anyway, I was sleeved at 58, am now 63....best thing I ever did! Congratulations! Excited for you. Interestingly, I was 223 lbs, but 205 at surgery, just like you! My goal weight was 138 which I reached in exactly one year (I wrote a book about called Queen of Crop, where I wrote every Sunday for a year (while traveling!). Might help you see what you might be in store for....a great adventure for sure! I was at my goal weight for 4 years....this past year I have gained 10 lbs and am working to get that off.....good luck!

Another benefit of Bariatric Surgery. A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that 40 percent of all U.S. cancer diagnoses can now be linked to overweight and obesity. Out of all cancer diagnoses, nearly 55 percent of female cases and 24 percent of male cases were linked to overweight and obesity. These cases statistically affect older adults, mostly between the ages of 50 and 74-years-old. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/10/04/cdc-40-percent-cancers-linked-to-obesity-overweight.html

walking right away, 6 weeks for anything else. Can't lift over 10 pounds for 6 weeks... the staple line is not healed for 6 weeks. I couldnt wait to get back to the gym and my bellydance classes!