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hello well it sound like ur doing really good. well i cant really tell any diffrence yet i havent weight my self but will try next week. i am so ready to work out but its only been 3 days till my surgery and my stomach doesnt seem to like anything cold so i am doing warm clear fluids. ugh wat i really want is some real food lol

On October 1, 2009, I met with Dr. Kuldeep Singh and Arlene Swantko - who were to become my Bariatric Surgeon and my Nutritionist as of that day. Dr. Singh is a fan of the liquid diet. He wants his patients to be on it for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. He also made the suggestion that I try it. I looked at him as though he had 3 heads and responded "NOW???" Well, his answer was yes and his rationale was that I could sample some of the protein drinks before I HAD to drink them and that it's always a good idea to lose weight prior to having surgery. At this point I had no idea when I was having surgery, so the idea of the full liquid diet was extremely premature for this brain! I didn't see Dr. Singh again until January 2010. After being excited about collecting everything the doctor's office requested so that they could submit a clean package to the insurance company we realized that if we waited until January 1, 2010, then we wouldn't have to file an appeal and get into a big hassle because my husband's company had finally wised up and added the bariatric coverage to their insurance plan! YAY!!!! More waiting...and waiting...and waiting...it seemed that January 1st would never get here. It arrived, and along with it came a very nasty case of double pneumonia, pleurisy and a sinus infection that landed me in the hospital on New Years' Day 2010. Wow! I'd never had pneumonia before and this was nothing to mess with! I was in a lot of pain and I couldn't catch my breath. I was coughing like crazy and feeling as though someone was stabbing me in the side and back. Yet all I could think about was that this would delay my LapBand surgery and that even I got approved for the surgery I would have to wait to be cleared of this disgusting illness! The approval came on January 14, 2010. Just as I was starting to feel semi-human again and was making plans to have follow-up pulmonary, primary care and CT-Scan appointments. I wanted to do a happy dance! Problem was, I didn't feel well enough to do a happy dance! LOL So, I waited some more and even though I wasn't yet released from the pneumonia, I scheduled my surgery date for March 12, 2010. Surely that would be enough time! It was and I started the dreaded liquid diet on March 1. I decided that I was going to start on a Monday and didn't care that I was actually going to be on the diet for more than 2 weeks. Nothing really mattered anymore except that this was REAL! I was following the liquid diet perfectly, doing pretty well, losing weight and feeling a little bit better with each day. Until that fateful Wednesday night a week and a half into the diet. Looking back - WTF was I thinking??? I offered to make dinner for my husband while I was on the liquid diet - even though he had been perfectly supportive and wonderful with taking care of his own meal needs. Nope - I was going to make him a meat loaf! Was I kidding? Well - NO, I wasn't kidding, and he only wound up with about 2/3 of the meatloaf left because I couldn't help - one small piece with ketchup - ummmm - it was SO good...but not quite enough - one more small piece with mustard this time! Oh, YUMMMM...I hadn't had meatloaf in SO long! You get the picture! Before I knew it I had about 1/3 of a small loaf and was feeling full, bloated and disgusted with myself. The good news was - it was the only slip in the 2-1/2 week process. The better news was - it was a protein at least - it could have been a whole lot worse! So, I dealt with it, refused to feel guilty about it and went on with the liquid diet - finishing up the night before surgery with no more interruptions of the spirit or the brain! I'm 4 days post-op and I'm starting to get some of my strength back, starting to feel pretty good. SO - I look forward to the support and the friendships that I will develop here - those that have gone before are a wealth of knowledge and information that I intend to use to the fullest! Thanks for being here and I am viewing my future with hope and excitement for the first time in many years!

I am having surg. on the 25th. I am a fit fat guy. I exercise regularly and at a fairly high level i.e. I road my bike for approx 2 hours and climbed 2000 vertical feet on three separate occasions since monday... the only reason I am saying this is I am worried about getting back to this type/level of performance... I don't want to have to give up endurance sports... do I need to be worried... also worried about water intake and occasionally food for long rides

Sunshine: If it helps, try weighing yourself precisely on the same day every week at the same time in th same state of dress. Keep a record. Nothing wrong in weighing every day if you like, but that can be distressing to some and weight goes up and down all the time. Once your find your pattern of weight loss you will be more relaxed with gains. For instance, I start of real low at the lst of the month, and gain in the 3rd week then show my true weight at the end of the month. For fun and to keep me focused, I weigh in every few mornings to keep me on track but discount any weight gain. Others feel it better to throw away the scale and only weigh in at the doctors. Whatever suits you but remember you will show weight gains sometimes. Hope this helps

I'm 7 weeks out lost about 36 pounds - eating protein mainly - no carbs - and just started eating veggies - lettuce , cabbage and tomatoes ( light oil and salt ) dressing .

Would love some inspiration. I am only 10 days pre op Six week out. How much did you loose from surgery? More importantly what is your diet? Or any sample diets post op I would love to hear. Thank you Thank you.

Thank you!!! I like exercise but need to fit it in. I have a ton more energy. I was in Key West for 2 months and it is a walking town so I rode my bike about 3 times a week and walked everywhere. I need to increase that and do foyer an longer. I am curious how bike riding has helped in toning?

I've always preferred whole food based vitamins over chemically synthesized vitamins. They provide a lot of micronutrients, cofactors, enzymes, etc. that enhance absorption, bioavailability and who knows what else science hasn't even figured out yet. I take Garden of Life Vitamin Code for Women - 2 capsules/day. (Which is 1/2 the recommended dose). If you don't want to do capsules, Source of Life Gold is also really good and has liquid, chewable and tablet forms. I also take a B12 sublingual and a D3 5000 gel cap 3x week. My 6 month bloodwork was perfect.

My emotions and moods were up the creek after the surgery but it does pass. I came off HRT and anti-depressants 6 weeks before the surgery and had to stay off for 6 weeks after so I put it down to that but it's very common from reading the boards here and elsewhere. Really hope you feel better soon. Be kind to yourself.

Hang in there! I also have a history of anxiety and I was on an emotional rollercoaster for the first 3-4 weeks post op. I was like you and felt like I could cry at any minute. I had several bouts of crying sessions over the most random things so I finally went to see a counselor. I have no doubt that I'd still be an emotional basket case if I hadn't gone to see someone. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or if there is anything you need to talk about! It does get better, it just takes time. Keep your head up!

So I went to my urgent care and with no X Ray or ct scan the doctor diagnosed it as Radiculopathy,.,some sort of nerve damage..in my back, he request that I take muscle relaxers and physical therapy I'm going to my PCP next week to get a second opinion. I don't know what happened during my surgery but this pain is unbearable

I felt some sort of pains for 3 or 4 weeks, I wouldn't worry unless it's so excruciatingly bad you can't move.

My file was sent on last Thursday to Aetna for pre-certification. The wait begins. I am so anxious and nervous as I await the results. I pray I receive a response this week.

I will keep my fingers crossed! Mine was sent to Horizon BCBS this morning. They expect to hear something by the end of the week!

Sometimes you can have restriction like what you are explaining and other time you don't. In my case I could easily eat a normal portioned meal so I needed a fill. Sounds like you are still early in the healing stage and may have some swelling which feels like restriction. I would be curious if you have the same level of restriction in a few weeks. Glad you are doing well. I love my band.

It depends on what i eat. I'm also at 3-4 weeks, and i can drink down a full 11 oz shake no problem, i can also eat protein bars without a problem if i chew them well. I've healed well enough now where a lot of soft foods have become sliders, even ice cream. I could eat 2 bowls and it seems to melt right through me. But if i have something with fat and consistency in it, like peanut butter, i can have 2 tbsp and i'm full for awhile. Same goes with cottage cheese, i'll feel full off half a cup of it and I'm done.

Congratulations on getting over that hump. I know that I was SO happy to be on the other side of surgery even though I had two really bad weeks of nausea before it subsided. It's all SO worth it! Now that I am almost 4 months out I am just thrilled with my sleeve! Congrats again!

I am looking for recommended sites/groups that support my wife. I am scheduled to be sleeved in a few weeks and she is wanting to do all that she can to support my journey. Any sites or groups you would share? Thanks

I have not met with a dietician yet. I'm going to whine for a minute. I'm on day three of no "white" food. Struggling a bit; I'm hungry. The food journaling helps. So far I've stayed under 900 calories per day. I have a headache. Someone said that getting to Ketosis will be easier after a few days. Struggling to drink the 90 ounces of Water. Ok, done whining. I had my Psych eval yesterday and was approved for surgery through them. Now the doctor's office can submit it to my insurance. Then I guess we wait. In the meantime, I have all of the other appointments to go to: Cardiology, Pulmonary, Endoscopy, blood work.

I'm an attorney as well. I have an hour commute to go from house to BART to office. Then I'm attached to the phone and computer all day. I took 2 weeks off after VSG. I worked from home week 3. I started commuting to office week 4. I needed a nap by 3pm. I was exhausted in week 3 and week 4. A little less so in weeks 5 and 6. Then I got to eat real food again and it changed everything. I traveled for work in week 7 and then started back with trainer week 8. For me I think it was more about the low calorie liquid/puree/soft foods than the actual surgery itself. Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

I went back to work yesterday, which was six days after my surgery. I was fine until 1 pm or so, then I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I ended up taking a two hour nap after work. I didn't have pain - just exhaustion. with that said, it's hard to predict how much time you'll need, because everyone's body is so different and we all react so differently. I think you'll be fine after a week or two, but give yourself permission to take it easy! You can do this!

Hi! You are feeling completely normal. I felt like I was eating things for the last time. The diet pepsi was a major hurdle but I really think that during the first couple weeks after surgery, I detoxed off of them and I am no longer craving them. It feels good to take those little steps toward a healthier future! Good Luck!

I am almost four weeks post surgery, and all my incisions have closed except for my drain tube. My Dr. said it was healing from the inside out, but after two months she said that if it was not closed, she could cut the edges and then stitch it back together. Does anyone else have this issue and how long did it take to heal fully? I cant start my weight training until this improves because of the location and the fact that it will put to much stress in that area nor can I get into the pool to low impact cardio.

My Dr is very aggressive with his fills. It is also done under fluoroscope. I was banded june 11th,2012. First fill 4 weeks after and 6cc, then second fill 4 weeks after first one 3cc. I fell great! 9cc in a 11cc band. I am eating one cup at my three meals and i can tell when full. Best feeling ever. So i am just over 2 months out since surgery and really feel like i just might be in the green zone.

Why so many weeks? Just think though when you get that thing out and begin your sleeved life it will all be worth it!! I feel so bad for all of you that have gone through the hell of that thing. I can't imagine having to do that many weeks of a liquid diet. On the other hand I couldn't imagine living with the band and all the trouble it has caused people. Hang in there and just think about the new life after it is gone. Don't beat yourself up over the slip just get up in the morning and start over again. Each day is a new chance to do better!! I hope your weeks go by quickly and I wish you the best!!