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So I visited my regular doc today and she was so much cooler than I thought she was gonna be. Everyone has been really supported (everyone that I have told that is, which isn;t many). I know it is such a good thing, but then it also makes me think, "wow, okay, so how long has everyone been thinking I am an obese mess?" But then I know, probably not nearly as long as I have been thinking this about myself. Anyway, the medical records are sent to the surgeons office, should take about a week to get all there and in my packet and stuff. Then another 3 days the office staff said it would take them to highlight and prepare the insurance stuff. Then anywhere from 2-12 weeks until I hear a yes or a no. Please please please, if anyone is reading this hope, pray, cross your fingers, etc. for my approval. I am ready to get on with this. I am working on it on my own now with working out and trying to stay in control with eating, but I could really use this tool so I don't drive myself crazy. I don't have a whole lot to do this summer and I am sure others can relate-sitting around in an empty house is not the best medicine for weight loss. I would go for a walk with the doggies, but oh wait it is only 110 degrees out there, hah. I have been singing and dancing around the house. I am just waiting waiting waiting. I make lists almost everyday as to why I want this and what my life would be like losing weight. I recently rubbed a hole in the inner thigh area of my work pants and my next shift was only 3 days laway. Of course there are no big lady stores in my area that are currently carrying khaki pants appropriate for my unifrom. I had to pay old navy $20 extra to get pants in time. Then they were still too long. What a bummer! This was a really nervous situation for me and I hate to say it, but I had an exrteme breakdown in front of my beautiful boyfriend who is training to be a fire fighter and is just about as healthy as they come. He was so great and he even offered to pay for the $20 shipping so I wouldn't be so sad. It is the most frustrating kind of sad because I know I am the one who continues to make myself awfully distressed. Luckily it worked out...this time. How much easier would it have been though to just go to the mall and grab some new work pants and a cute summer dress just for kicks haha. I never want to spend another summer in Tucson at this high of a weight. It is just too damn hot here. I really want to work at my boyfriend's aunt's summer camp up in Wisconsin next summer. Swimming, camping, skiiing, boating...all sounds a lot better under the plus sizes, right? Have I pled my case enough, haha...are you crossing your fingers for me yet? Well I guess thats it. I know I am just at the base of this mountain I will climb for the rest of my life and it is only going to get harder before it gets easier. But i gotta start somewhere. I can use as much support as possible though! I have hit so many lows, now it is time for some more highs!

Today, I went to a friends job to pick up some cosmetics she ordered me. She works @ St. Vincent's Medical Center, which sits on a hill & had notoriously crappy parking. So after I finally weddgie my big 'ol truck into a teeny tiny space at the bottom of the hill, I headed up to the main hospital...that's when it hit me...the last time I was at this hospital, I was attending the first of many weight loss seminars, and I remember nearly passing out trying to walk up the hill And here I am, 14 weeks post sleeve today, down 70 lbs and I breezed up that hill without a pause! I wasn't even breathing hard when I got to the top! Tiny Sleevie has made the impossible possible & I am sooo blessed to be on this journey. I would do it all over again without a moment's hesitation! I feel wonderful...and yes, I'm looking pretty darn rockin' good these days! Sent from my iPhone using VST

On March 20th, 2007, my Mother learned she needed brain surgery to remove 5 tumors on her brain. It was her 52nd birthday. Seventeen days later, on April 6th, 2007, my eldest daughter, Kyleigh, was admitted to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital for testing. The next day she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Over the past two and a half years, my family has had the blessing of no reoccurance of either the brain cancer or the leukemia. My Mom has continually undergone scans of all sorts to monitor any possible return of her cancer, and my daughter, well she just officially stopped her treatments on June 11th, 2009. No more chemotherapy, no more pills, no more lumbar punctures. Just regular, monthly labwork. Unfortunately, this streak came to an end on Thursday, August 13th (just one day shy of the 13th Anniversary of my Grandmother's death. she passed away from lung cancer in 1996), my Mom called with horrifying news. It wasnt brain cancer this time....it was BONE CANCER. The same type of cancer my Grandfather (my Mom's Dad) died of in 1998. All I could do was cry...... My family is horrified, but we remain hopeful. My Mom beat the odds with the brain cancer and we are sure she will do the same with the bone cancer. But this time, the regiment is different. With the brain cancer it was radiation treatments. With the bone cancer, it is radiation treatments AND chemotherapy. A double whammy. My Mom remains optimistic and asks us to not "bury her while she remains alive." In other words, be positive because she doesnt want to hear anything but positivity. I live three hours away from my Mom and really feel guilty that I am not able to be there to help her when she needs the help. But I have offered my support and the idea of help when she needs it the most. I asked my husband to be on "call." To be ready to take a week's vacation in the blink of an eye if my Mom asks for my help. It is the least I can do for the woman who brought me into this world and who continues to be my strength, day in and day out.......

I'm only a week out. Felt incredible day 1-3 and after that just wasn't feeling right, each day got worse. Day 6 was miserable!!! More liquid didn't help. More sleep didn't help. More Protein didn't help. THANK YOU to the sleever that posted something that I stored in my memory for some reason... I can't recall who you are or what post but you saved my life. I took an Iron pill last night and woke up feeling amazing again. I took the other half tonight and felt even more improvement! Better mood, more energy, and looking at life with hopeful eyes again! Sweet dreams everyone!! Woohooooo.....

:confused: Hi, I have had what he Dr thinks is a surface infection of the port site for a week (banded 4th Feb 10). This is my second round of antiboitics and just not sure if its getting better. It is still hot and very red (about an inch all theway around the wound), and the port site is raised (like someone stuck an egg in there), but is not weaping. Has anyone had this issues? Is swelling of the port site area normal 2-3 weeks post surgury? HELP!!

To maintain, I would start increasing healthy carbs by 10 g every week to find out where your limit is between maintaining and gaining.

I remember my first fill was not until the 6 week mark as well. Your doc is being safe/conservative to ensure your success. As crummy as that may feel, it's actually better for you long term. Hang in there. The worse part is over.

I had my gallbaldder removed and this surgery recovery was identical in terms of incision soreness. Both surgeries were very easy cor me. I can't imagine needing even two weeks off much less a month. The gas pains were much worse with the lapband surgery, but the cure for that is to keep moving! Good luck and please don't focus too much on the pain. Just see how YOU feel. Everyone deals differently! No pun intended!! lol

Well, Ive only had the band for a bit over a week..but Honestly, I dont feel anything but a feeling of being satisfied..which for some reason is enough to stop me from eating anymore, when it didnt before. I have gotten full once..and even then it wasnt painful..it just told me when. You learn you need to take small bites..and listen to your band. I can eat about 1/15th of what I could before and feel satisfied. If your worried about overeating, remember take it slow and watch the signs. Its different for everyone. My partner feels a tightness near her sternum. I dont.. Anyway, keep in touch and let us know how it goes. =) -Kendra

CONGRATS ! Yes your tummy will be making strange noises from now on lol are you suppose to have protien shakes ? I was on Clear Liquids only the first week and really the first week , espically the first few days I was not hungry . So I would maybe just try sipping on Water constantly . Keep yourself hydrated. The gas x is for the pain that you might have from the gas pains due to the surgery . Or the air being expanded in your abdomen. If your feeling any pain in your chest or shoulders you might need some gas x. Good luck , Feel free to IM me if you need anything Mindy

Thanks for the encouragement, I think I just want to done now, and I hit 30 next year so Ive got alot to look forward too and showing off some of my weight loss to people that I don't see very often, and Ive got a 3 week holiday to strut my stuff at!!

Hi there, The nerves and doubts are perfectly normal. You are about to take a really big step towards changing your life and any change can be stressful. But, it is worth it. Your weight loss journey will transform your life in so many ways. Stay focussed on that and try to remain positive. The band will prompt you to make changes to your lifestyle and eating habits. It will not do it by itself. I'm sure you know that. This is a great week for you. Go for it!

I don't think I can answer all of your questions, because it's true - the motivation has to come from within you. With that being said, I had the band surgery almost two weeks ago and have to say that for me, it has made a big difference in the hunger I feel, and therefore makes it much easier to say no to food that my family is eating around me. While they are not eating food that is bad for them, I still do not personally feel the need to grab a bite of whatever they're having. The Protein shakes keep me full enough. I did try the Protein shake diet before surgery, and was successful with that as well, but I did feel more hunger. Every case is different; there are some folks who have been banded that do feel hungry after the surgery (affectionately known as "Bandster Hell") - until you get to that "sweet spot" where you no longer are driven by physical hunger to overeat or eat too fast. Of course I'm not there, as I haven't had a fill yet. But I don't feel as hungry as I used to, as often, either. The band is a tool that will enable you to resist eating more than you should because of physical hunger. Your family is right, though, about the "head hunger," or what makes you eat whether you're hungry or not. So it's really a combnation of a very effective tool if you work it, and your own motivation to keep working it. No one is perfect and follows the plan exactly, but the point is that it sure makes it easier to get back on track if you get off track. At least that's what I've been able to gain from reading the posts here. The bottom line for me was discovering what motivated me to eat, handling the hunger, and at my age trying to make the rest of my body healthy to live long enough to enjoy maybe another 30 years or so. My own personal motivation is the high blood pressure I suddenly developed, as well as wanting to be able to do things I can't do now. But your own motivation has to come from within yourself, not your family. You CAN do it, and the Lap Band IS an effective tool. It's not magic, it won't do the work for you, but it sure will make it a lot easier. Good luck in whatever you decide to do...this board is a great support for you too, and most people are more than willing to help wherever they can.

good luck from me to. when i had my op done they couldnt belive how small my liver was lol. told them id stuck to diet.also had been cutting down since nov last year. they said was only intrested in the 2 week pr-op diet. but i still proved then wrong lol had my op on 30-5-08 and feel good didnt think i would. as im a whimp lol good luck again:thumbup: Annx

Good for you for reacting quickly to a minor gain!! Compared to what you have presumably lost, losing five pounds is nothing. Are you maintaining a food log? If not, now is a great time to start. My Fitness Pal highly recommended if you don't have an app already. Set your app for losing a pound a week with the associated calorie goal. Follow your plan for a week and see what happens with your weight. If you lose, great. If you gain or stay the same, reduce your calorie goal by 100-200 calories a day. Follow your plan for a week and see what happens with your weight. You'll quickly be able to determine the calorie goal you need to maintain to lose the five pounds. It's easy and it works like a charm!!

Mine aren't little anymore, but I would make sure you are not lifting any more than you should. The first week especially. Remember not to eat your kids leftovers. They will be eating more than you.

Well, if that's true I'm in trouble, I do crunched and Sirius and everything 6 days a week at kickboxing. Yes, I do feel the port pull sometimes, and I've been doing it since about 3 months post op. I've never heard of a doc not allowing you to do AB exercises.

I am 7 1/2 weeks post-op and last week started working out at the gym with a trainer. I was under the impression that 6 weeks post-op you can resume abdominal excercises. Monday I had an appt with the nurse praciticioner at the bariatric office who said that I can no longer do crunches forever and have to be careful with other ab moves as well. Anyone else told this as well? I am aware that the port if stitched into my abdominal wall and that I have to be careful but how can I accomplish a good work-out of my abs then? Any suggestions?

I was told not over 1200 but my weight has stalled so at my next appt. I'm going to ask the nutritionist specifically about that.

Wow...Congrats! Im two months out and I've only lost 20 pounds. Im losing slowly!!! I wanted to have lost 30-40 pounds by now. I started working out last week and I increased my protein, so maybe this will help! Again congrats.

Hi all, I got surgery on 8/9/21 and for the last couple of weeks everything has left super heavy on my stomach. I have been vomiting a lot and can’t seem to keep anything down fully. It feels like the food is getting stuck in my throat almost. I should be on the soft food diet, but can’t really seem to even get through puréed. Did anyone else struggle like this at first? I’m having trouble getting enough nutrients and water and these dang vitamin chews are disgusting! Please help lol. Thank you!!

My doc said two weeks and when you need to pick the child up make sure youre sitting and then put him on you lap and then stand up. This lessens the strain on your abdomen and puts it more on our knees

Hey I had Gastric sleeve surgery 1 month ago and have lost only 20 pounds is this normal... also I seem to have difficulty knowing what to eat I have been trying solid foods two weeks after surgery I really need some help on what to eat, I'm Latina and we ear bad food even though I try not to I crave it so badly it's frustrating and upsetting for me... please can anyone please tell me what to do

I had to take my migraine med last night. It was horrible!! I had a headache last week too because I was doing half food and half liquid to practice for this week. It's soooo much better today. Thank you for your encouragement. Oh cool. Good to hear that you are feeling good now Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I know, isn't that so bizarre! Starting about a week ago I ate a salad every day at lunch for OVER a week! (that wasn't me before surgery, my go to lunch was always a sandwich or burger) I guess it's because when someone tells you you can't have something...you want it more! Don't worry ladies, your salad days will return before you know it!