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I've only lost 23 lbs so far and I am down a half size. Started at 10s now I can wear 9 1/2 not a big difference so I only bought a few pair of sandals that were cheap. I hope they continue to shrink, especially after I get banded!

I lost 10 pounds in 11 days of liquids. I also did the protein shakes like mentioned above and then I did jello, pudding and popcicles for snacks, but I do like greek yogurt now that I am post op, never tried it prior. Oh and I loved sugar free popcicles, especially after surgery when it is difficult to drink and get your liquids in they were wonderful and went down with ease and taste good Good luck on your journey, you will be happy with your decision, I still have some days, but I am so happy I made this decision for myself.

I'm thankful I am almost 100lbs down from my highest weight back in Aug 2019. From now on, I'm taking all pics like this!!!

So today is one week post op for me and I couldn't wait to get on the scale! 10 pounds! I am more than thrilled and looking forward to my next week!

Feed.. SD: 6/10/13 HW 305/SW 259/CW 231/GW 160 <br />Sent from my SCH-I605 using RNYTalk

How about protein in the evening rather than carbs (chips)? Just an idea. I've been feeling "hungry" (weak) around 10 pm and I'm only 1.5 weeks sleeved. So I have started making a protein drink and having just the first few sips then, saving the rest for morning.

It so glad to know I'm not the only one that's felt insane. I think 10 days of Clear liquids is starting to mentally challenge me. I'm shocked that the body can go so long with almost zero calories.

I'm in Stl and I was banded on 10/26/2011. So not a ton of long term experience, but I am probably a few steps ahead and can help answer questions along the way? Feel free to message me anytime

I've been on every diet known to man. Thats why I was banded, so I wouldn't have to diet again. I lost 104 lbs eating whatever I wanted, just much less of it. That being said: Last year my band slipped (what happens when u eat too fast and vomit almost every meal). After many unfills/fills/tweaks, it herniated. I had a sleeve revision 4 mths ago. I kept my philosphy about dieting. I eat everything (bread, potatoes, Pasta, Cookies, etc) but a very small amt. Now, THAT being said: I'm now stuck at 153. The scale hasn't budged in 2 mths. Haven't gained (thank God). I've been reevaluating my diet, trying to figure out how to get to the elusive "GOAL". Guess I'm gunna have to start counting something (be calories, carbs, whatever) and eat my words of wisdom "Eat everything, just a few bites of it" cuz it's not working anymore. My goal is to maintain until after the holidays. The, I will start counting calories and watching the crap I put into my mouth. Sample of my food intake (yesterday) 8:30 am: 1/4 pumpkin bagel with whipped cream cheese and coffee with sf creamer 12:00: Handful of chocolate covered almonds 1:00: About 10 pineapple chunks (guestimate since I didn't measure it) 3:00: 1/3 of an In and Out cheeseburger (without onions, that might save 4 calories!), maybe 12 fries 6:30: About 5 bites of shake and Bake chicken breast, about 8 bites of mashed potatoes and maybe 5 bites of cooked carrots 9:00: About 10 bites of reheated mashed potatoes from dinner (with chicken gravy) 10:00: A handful of Cheese Its and a small handful of Cinnamon Life Cereal Did I mention the glass of red wine I have everynite also? Far from healthy. But it's also probly under 1200 calories (I occasionally will count on my fitnesspal and I rarely go over 1200). Ok, where was I going with this? Oh yeah. My philosophy: It WAS eat everything, just small amounts. Now that it's ceasing to work, I guess I'm gunna have to step up my game and actually count everything that goes into my mouth if I want to reach goal.

Okay so, I thought I was doing really well. I was even discharged the day after surgery. I'm lucky enough to say I don't have any of the major medical complications that are associated with obesity. Here I am post op day 4 and I'm having a terrible time getting enough Water, nevermind Protein and "full liquids." The foods that process the easiest are those that have the least to offer - sugar free pudding and Jello...and a very small amount of light Greek yogurt. I have a lot of nausea, almost constant, and the gas pains are better but still NEARLY constant. I have no energy because I'm taking in so little and terrible headaches. On the plus side I'm sleeping better and for longer periods of time and I'm down to 2-4 pain pills a day. I'm so not a sit around and do nothing type person; having so much soreness and feeling so blah, I'm just feeling stuck. Because I've been having such a hard time getting some type of protein, my husband suggested I try a little Peanut Butter. I mixed 2 tbsps of peanut butter with 4oz of fat-free milk and blended it in my food processor. That was 9 grams of sugar (supposed to keep it under 10) and 11.5 grams of protein. It wasn't bad and it settled pretty well. I had a little cramping but nothing I'm not already experiencing. I'm handling my Calcium chews, multi-vitamin, and Pepcid well...and I'm grateful for that! My potassium crushed in applesauce (or yogurt or pudding) isn't going well. Not only does it taste terribly BUT I get a lot of cramping and gas pains shortly after. My husband is picking up some light vanilla Greek yogurts and some peaches (packed in water) now for me to try blending to get more protein. Ladies...any suggestions or tips for these early stages? Thanks so much!

Hey Girl, Organic Peanut Butter. Its just ground up peanuts. Where I shop @ Winco Foods they have it reasonable in the bulk section. Lotsa Protein & no sugar. Carnation "sugar free" Instant Breakfast. Get the variety box which has vanilla, strawberry, malt chocolate and dark chocolate. Body Fortress whey Protein. It has 30 grams of protein per scoop. Type in the search box @ Walmart.com. You can purchase individual flavors, a 3 tub or 5 tub bundle. It is reasonable. And you can call the company and have coupns mailed to you. Also Instant or regular cream of wheat. They also come in flavors and meet the nutritional requirements for stage 2, 3, and 4. The Body Fortress whey protein powders are good and can be used with so many things. Make your own sugar free Jello and puddings. Sugar free Jello brand in the small boxes taste great. Make it with supermilk. Supermilk is 4 cups NF/Skim milk & one & 1/3 cups dry NF milk combined. These two combined bumps your milk protein up higher and can be added to lots of things like soups, puddings, jello, cream of wheat, cream of rice ect. The pre-made jello and pudding cups don't have the protein you need and are a waste of money compared to making your own with the supermilk recipe I gave you. I am 10 days post-op so I understand. Where I had my procedure done they are very good with nutritional education. I also did a lot of research prior and had purchased all my stage 2 groceries a couple of days before surgery. I really hope this helps. If you have any questions or do not understand anything message me. I don't mind helping you. God Bless, Lisa

@@Elode I also have been noticing what other people put into their mouths, and it's disgusting. People eat SO fast!! Shoveling in the food, and no conversation, no relaxation to just enjoy the moment. I am so grateful for this surgery. I am not as young as you are, I am 53, but I feel as young as you. My knees used to hurt, and my feet....OH MY FEET!! No more. I feel so amazing, and I still have a ways to go to hit my goal. The past 6 months since my surgery has flown by, and I get to see my family who criticized me LAST Thanksgiving for even considering WLS. They told me I would DIE. They told me I would FAIL. I'm looking forward to seeing their faces when I am skipping in with my casserole of mashed cauliflower while rocking my size 10 Wrangler 100% cotton jeans (I detest Lycra in my jeans!) and "KC Royals" T-shirt, instead of my size 20W S-T-R-E-T-C-H jeans and A-line tunic in a horrible pattern (but it was all that fit). I am so glad that we have our little community here for support. And I know you won't judge me for rambling.

Hi and Welcome I don't have any recommendations for protein shakes but hopefully someone may, but have you tried things like collagen powder, some are quite high in protein and can be mixed with various liquids or soups. I am still in the free fluid stage for another 10 days or so, in place of a shake sometime I have been having some yo pro yoghurt thinned down with some water or skim milk.

The thing that helped me on the drinking front, and my wife when she went thru this a few years ago, was to get some small 1 oz cups - sometimes they're sold as condiment cups and maybe dixiecups makes something that small, or the small cups they use in the hospital for dispensing pills (or a shot glass would probably work, too) and think in terms of sipping one of those every five minutes (or at whatever rate your doc gave you). Even if you goof and down the whole thing it's not going to hurt (too much.) After a couple of months you'll be back to drinking fairly normally (unless normal for you is a chugging contest!) It does take a while to get used to the small sizes of things (clothes too, in time....) but small plates and bowls, weigh the portions upon serving and when you see how small your meal really is you tend to shrink your bites to make it last. Some people go with baby spoons to help, though I never went that far. 18lb down was about what I was a week out, too (actually the 10 day mark when I officially weighed in with the doc - so you have me beat by a bit on time.) You're making good progress, keep it up.

Day liquid diet day 4. Had my scope today. Went great. In at 630. Left by 9am. H pylori was negative. 10 more days.

I just signed up at Planet Fitness and it's only $10 a month.... and only $20 a month for the VIP Black Card which includes: Unlimited Tanning Hydro Massage Personal Training Etc, etc, etc.....

My insurance required that I go to a Center for Excellence, so that only gave me two options. I think all of your options were things I considered in my decision, but ultimately I have to say I went with my gut. What sold me, more than anything, was the video I saw of my surgeon. His compassion and care for the work he did was so evident in that video it reduced me to tears because I knew I had found someone who understood - really understood - the complexity of morbid obesity. I was not disappointed when I went to my first visit. This is the first physician I've seen since the age of 10 who did not denigrate me, lecture me or treat me as sub-human. His staff was equally compassionate and professional and the hospital was truly amazing in their friendliness and care of me during my stay. I do not regret my decision one iota.

Hello everyone. I've struggled with weight almost my entire life. Now, I'm only 19 as of April, but growing up and living in today's society is a struggle. Luckily I was hardly ever bullied on growing up in school. They had the "decency" to laugh behind my back. I'm a social butterfly whenever it comes to people. Growing up I had a lot of friends, and to this day I only speak to TWO of the ten friends I used to have and hang out with. I'm glad that they are still with me and have encouraged me through everything. Whenever I was a Junior(2011), near the end of my last semester I had decided for the first time about having Bariatric surgery. At the time I was at 416 pounds. Whenever I saw that number pop up on the weight scale I just thought about a tiger. I weigh as much as a full grown tiger. I was so embarrassed. Whenever she read the number out loud to double check I just about lost it. I never thought I would ever get to this weight. My surgeon told me that my next appointment would be in about 4 months. He had said to follow my diet and to have lose close to 40 pounds. I felt that was easy enough seeing as how overweight I was and that I knew that if I tried that I could lose over that amount. After the seminar was over and I met with my surgeon I was feeling more than ready. I was feeling so excited and ready to start my new life. Next I speak with the dietician and then it hits me again. Just hearing myself tell her everything I consume in one day was just phenomenal. I couldn't believe it! I left that day with a diet plan and a change of mind! After following the diet for about a month I just started feeling like I was wanting to give up. I was feeling depressed as I lost some weight. It wasn't happening fast enough for me. Sadly, I fell out of the Bariatric process. I was so disappointed in myself. Soon after that I just gave up entirely. I started eating worse than ever before. I wouldn't go anywhere near a scale. I was so intimidated by them. Also, I forgot to add that I've been in Marching Band since the 8th grade. Because of all of this my band unifor.m started getting tighter, and tighter. At the end of the marching season I could barely zip it up. I was so ashamed. After I graduated (2013) I had met an amazing guy named Ryan. I started dating Ryan June 21st, 2013. He was my everything. Soon after about 5 months things started turning for the worst. We would fight constantly and it would never end well. Being with Ryan for the first 5 months I had lost around 15 pounds if I had to guess. We were on and off for a little while after. Finally I done a little maturing I had considered Bariatric surgery yet again. This time was the real deal. So I packed up with my mom and Ryan and off to Indianapolis we went. I went through the seminar and everything was fantastic. After everything was over and we got back in the car my mom had called my dad and told him how much he would have to pay (half because of the divorce.) My mom fell silent on the phone and then said, "Okay well we will be home in about 3 hours." After she hung up I asked what was said and she said that he told her he just couldn't afford it. I was completely heartbroken. I was so devastated. Yet again, I thought it was too late. I didn't want to try anymore. Months after that Ryan joined the gym and we both would walk down there. The gym was 3 blocks away from my house so to start off we would walk down there and he would work out and then walk back. I was so winded from walking those 3 small blocks I could find it in me to exercise. Eventually I started working out and I wanted to actually stay over there for an hour and a half working out, and then would walk back home. I started feeling so much better. After a while, Ryan and I weren't doing all that well so I lost all motivation to go. Again, with the giving up. Anyways, here I am in 2014. I'm 19 years old and weigh approx. 380 pounds. Ryan and I are doing extremely well and just had our 15 month anniversary September 21st. He is supporting me as well as my dad and his sisters (my aunts). I meet with my surgeon December 2nd to discuss the possibility of having the Sleeve procedure done versus the RNY. I'm in this 100% this time and I hope to be able to have a happy life for as long as I'm allowed. As soon as I get closer to my surgery date, (whenever that is) I will be uploading pictures on my progress. If anyone has any advice for me I would be so grateful to hear it. Thank you (:

She gave me Lasix 10 mg for 10 days. I'm down 4 pounds from three days ago, and 15 from when I first posted this. Strangely, or maybe sadly, after all is said and done, she removed about 12 pounds of fat and skin, but my weight is the same as it was before the first surgery, now that most of the swelling is gone. I had a couple of wounds that were slow to heal with the lower body lift, so I had to increase my calories for about 3 months, and then again for about 3 weeks after the December surgery. I can only surmise that I gained 10 pounds somewhere.....but my clothes are looser and really don't see it. I'm anxious to lose that last 10 pounds!

Don't second guess yourself, although it is normal. I am almost six weeks out from surgery and down 50 pounds. It you are committed you will do fine. Don't go back to any sodas, keep your liquids under 10 grams of sugar, and stay away from the crappy so called sliders.y nerves prior to surgery we're like yours, but once your post op it's really a totally new life and feeling and the urge for me is gone and I have no problem. You'll do fine, keep a positive attitude and wishing you nothing but the best of success. Please keep up updated.

Done! I always said I would be thrilled if I got below 85kg (187lbs),, Well this morning I was 84kg (185lbs) I am so happy. This is the first time in 10 years I have been this light :Bunny My next real goal is 80kg (176lbs) for my plastic surgery.. then depending on how much they take.. 75kg (165lbs) And I will be done, done, done... At goal. Boy am I close! WooHoo! I had to share with people who would understand.

I just wanted to let everyone know that things went well for my wife who had the band on 9/12/07. I have been busy and have not had a chance to post. I am also going to get the band on 9/19/07. We are not sure the date when her sister will get hers at this time. Here are the details of how things went. Here surgery was moved back from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. So we got to the hospitial at 1 and got check in. They took here back and she go dressed for surgery and they did blood work. Then they took us to the surgery waiting area. They did not allow us to go back into that area. ( I think the reason was are young daughter was with us and there was not enough room in the area for 3 people) they gave us here glasses and she went on into the pre-op area. I saw the doctor before surgery. They did not start surgey until 4 P.M. she was done by 5 P.M. the doctor came out and said it went well and that she was given the new AP regular which is about 10cc and has soem Fluid in it. She was in recovery until about 6:45 P.M. Then she was moved to her room. Well to say the least that was crazy because it was also shift change and you can iamage how that was. We left about 7:30P.M. that night. Also she could not have nothing to drink or eat until after the barriam swallow test. (We found that out the next day). We new that the test was happing but not that she could not eat. So she had the test on Thursday morning and she passed it with flying colors. So we thought she could go ahead and start drinking and eating but it was another couple of hours before they did anything.(The reason is the nurses will not do anything untill they have a written signed report in the file). So she was complaning of nausea etc. so they kept giving her meds for it. She was able to get up and walk around etc. and she was able to start drinking and eating. We thought that she would be out of the Hosp. by say 3 P.M. but that was not to be the case. Here is another thing that we learned. The clock for the 24 hours does not start when you come in. It starts after surgery and when you get into the room. So they were not planning to let here go before 7 P.M. but no one told us that before hand. The doctor came in a couple of times and check on here and then came back around 5 P.M. and said that she could go. So by the time we got her dressed and all the paper work done it was right at 7 P.M. I brought here home and she is doing fine now. As far as care at the hospitial was ok. It took a long time to get food etc. when they told us they had it on the floor.(The nurses were busy since the rooms were filled) I think that was part of the reason why she was having problems with nausea etc. Then another thing that was upsetting was how the nurse approached with having to give more meds for infections etc. and saying because you are still here. Well now as I look at it, if you would have brought the food right-a-way we might not have this problem. So with that said now things will be easier for myself on Wednesday the 19th and for her here sister when she has it done. I did say that I will have a jug of Soup ready for when I can eat and not wait on them to bring it. I think that if would have had it there and ready for when the paper work was in place she might not of had as much nausa as she did. Just iamage what it is like to not eat for almost 30 hours and having legal drugs in your system. No wonder you have nausa. Again thanks to everyone for all your advice, help and prayers. I will let you know how my surgery went.

I've lost 170 lbs and just had my tummy tuck here in Houston. I was prepared for lots of pain but it hasn't been bad at all. I went back to work after 10 days (half days only). I still have a drain in and I'm having to try to take it easy. That's been the hardest part. I'm going to Mexico for the rest of my work but didn't want to risk getting the biggest part done so far from home. The tt has changed my life! I can now wear cute underwear for the first time since being a teenager! And omg, belts! I just bought a couple and can't wait to go shopping! Karen Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

1. My insurance covers either procedure as long as I'm approved for wls. 2. At only 27 I am concerned that lapband is not permanent enough since I would have to rely on a foreign body lasting inside me for hopefully 60+ years. - Even the manufacturers and FDA knows that the band will not last a lifetime. It's only listed for 10 years, I'll try to find the specific links for you. 3. The sleeve is totally permanent (scary). In my humble opinion, the band is not reversible. It can be removed, or unfilled, but once that thing is suture around your stomach, your anatomy is forever changed. 4. One of my biggest factors is that I plan on having more kids and I'm worried that the sleeve will not be compatible with pregnancy. There are successful pregnancy patients on Obesityhelp that have had the VSG, and have delivered healthy babies. Once you hit goal, your surgeon will help you determine when you can TTC. 5. I am a huge puke-a-phobe (this is a concern with both surgeries). Puking with the band is horrific and so uncomfortable. Puking with the sleeve isn't the same, it's like this creeper piece of food coming my esophagus, and I spit it out. That hasn't happened in months because I've learned how to eat with my sleeve. With the band, things get stuck and you never know when or what is going to cause you to puke. It's especially an unpleasant experience when eating in public and you have to rush to the bathroom because on that particular day, mashed potatoes didn't go down, and then you can't eat anything else because the stomach tissue swells. 6. I am totally ok with eating tiny portions, but the lapband seems way more restrictive on the kinds of food you can eat. With the band, some days I could stuff, and the next Water wouldn't go down right. meat always had to be slathered in a condiment or gravy of some sorts because my band didn't like meat, and it didn't matter how it was cooked or prepared. I could not eat any bread products with the band that was total trainwreck with my band. With my sleeve, I can have about 1/2 of a fajita size tortilla with cheese on it, or the inside of a super light yeast roll. I'm not a sandwich person so I don't eat sandwich bread. I do enjoy pita bread, but it's about 1/4 of a pita pocket with cream cheese and deli meat sometimes. Some other information about the band vs. sleeve. With my band once I lost restriction (the initial swelling with the band surgery), I never felt full, I was always hungry, but couldn't eat things some days so I ate slider foods which is completely counterproductive, but I had to eat. I had a flipped port, and could only get 2 fills post op, and then in February, my surgeon could not access my port. I was miserable, and in constant pain with band because the flipped port caused the tubing to actually tug on my stomach which in turn damaged my stomach. You won't get restriction with band until you get enough fills, and that could take months. Not to mention the unfills you may have to endure to find the "sweet spot". It's a lot of maintenance. With the sleeve, it's instant restriction, plus with ghrelin hormone out of the equation, the ravenous hunger is gone. I'm 8 months out and still have zero hunger. I still have to remind myself to eat. The risks with the sleeve are more common immediately following surgery such as leaks. But, with the band, the list of complications is long and can occur fairly early out, or a couple of years post-op flipped ports, esophageal dialation, stretched pouches, erosion, slippage, and those are the most common. Some have asked me why did I have the band. It was approved by my insurance, my mom has a band since Nov 2007 (and now she pukes 2-4 times weekly), I really thought I would be one of the lucky ones (so not the case), I needed surgical intervention, and I was so against RNY. I knew all the complications, but honestly thought I could be successful. Luckily, when I decided to revise, I found out that a military base close to us did indeed perform the VSG. I left my civilian band surgeon and transferred all my stuff to a military surgeon. My insurance (Tricare Prime) approved my revision immediately. I am not the type of person to really regret anything I've done in my life. I don't regret my decision to get the band. It taught me a lot about myself, and I did pick up some good habits with it. I do wish that I would not had of complications, and I wish I would of known that the VSG was approved at our neighboring base. But, I see a civilian PCM, so I get kicked to civilians for all of my referrals. Just my ramble. I hope that helps.

Well I was thinking the same thing. Good luck...you have such a good outlook that is will approved before you know it. Hopefully you will be close to having a date if not having one when we meet the end of month. I have talked to a couple of people from another web site and have told them to feel free to join us. I told them they could get the details from here or if I have their email, I have just let them know. Hope everyone is doing well...Oh my sister had a baby monday. I will have get pictures. It's a girl..Abby 8pounds 10 oz, everyone is doing great. Although she makes my 2 year old look huge now. :-( I want my baby back. Have a great day!!!!