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Well, my bag for the hospital is ready to zip up, the car is fueled up for the 3 hour drive to the hospital, Protein laden popcicle's and broths are in the freezer, various Vitamin Water zero and crystal light in the fridge, dog sitter is all lined up to take care of my hairy children, prescription for pain meds is filled, and my nerves are officially on the razor's edge ! Been wearing my not so spiffy hospital bracelet since Friday and I'm having the expected huge OMG am I really doing this anxiety attack Told my sister in law day before yesterday (swore her to secrecy), and who do I get a call from yesterday evening ??? My mother in law ! So much for sworn secrecy... I definitely won't miss the miserable gallbladder, but I'm SO afraid I'll never be able to enjoy food again... I'm taking my little netbook computer with me so PLEASE CHIME IN !!! I'm fortunate to have 2 people going with me, but not so fortunate in that one thinks this surgery is no big deal (never had any weight issues, or any surgeries) and the other thinks anyone can lose weight if you just starve yourself, take diuretics, and do weekly colonics (like she has done for 50 years), but I love 'em anyway... I'll try to post an update Tuesday afternoon as drugs permit All prayers, good thoughts, or cyber lucky charms will be greatly appreciated !!! P.S. Also posted in September Sleevers Thread...

I was kind of in a weird emotional state that day. Now that I have had a couple of days to think on things I feel better. I remember why I wanted to have the VSG in the first place and still want to go forward. I have lost and regained weight so many times I can barely keep count. I think I will check out the partner, I just don't know much about him yet. I have an appt at the end of the month. So until then, I will continue on and start the research phase again. @JackieOMonroe: I am not offended at all. I really appreciate the input. Thanks girls for the support

Rootman-thank you for replying. I am hoping to make friends on here that don't mind a few questions now and then. May I ask you questions in private messages since you are post op and have had significant weight loss? Let me know if I can message you; thanks!

congrats!!! i was approved last wednesday & i became a little scared too but not too much. maybe like 2% of me is scared. i just want to lose weight & be happy! i have so much to look forward to! my surgery is scheduled for dec 20th at 8am. i have to be at the hospital by 615am. i went for my pre op appt today where they drew blood, took urine, had me sign a billion papers & gave me soap solution to wash my stomach with for the 3 days before surgery! this shall be very interesting! ill be keeping everyone posted on my journey via VST and youtube www.youtube.com/jasleeve

i have never had a fill. i was banded in 2008 at 206lbs. my low weight was 185lbs. when i started to gain the doctor keep telling me i was fine that im building muscle. now i dont have insurance and im upto 212lbs; more than the day i was banded. this is depressing. i workout 3-4x a week (cycling, zumba, aqua fitness, etc.), eat a sensible diet and drink plenty of water. not sure what to think or what to do. i dont want to gain anymore!

For me, I was on the lower end of the BMI range of qualifying for WLS. I consider bypass to be very drastic, and my health was not bad enough to need something that drastic. Along with other points made earlier about not wanting the rerouting and malabsorption, I didn't have diabetes, else I probably would have done bypass, as it works wonderfully for sending it into remission. The recovery period was not an issue for me, a few extra weeks when it comes to the rest of my life is not really a factor. It was a bigger picture issue for me. I also didn't like the idea of the honeymoon period that bypass has. When that is over, if you haven't changed your habits, it is easy to regain. I know myself, my habits don't change that easily. While my food choices are not bad, I knew I'd still want the treats now and then. The band provides me the guidance I need to easily maintain my weight. The downsides of the band? More follow-ups, getting fills. You have a foreign object in your body that can lead to complications down the road, from erosion to leaks, to who knows what in 20 years or more. You have a port to deal with, placement can cause issues. For me it is near my waist, and waistbands on some pants can be quite painful.

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome....glad you are here and we welcome you with open arms.....come on this journey with us. I don't think you will have any problems with getting approved......and it doesn't matter what anyone in the class said to you....if you are uncomfortable with yourself, and you have tried things in the past, your BMI is 38.8....you are considered morbidly obese....just like I was. I was the smallest one in there, but I was still wearing a 3X or Size 22-24.....It is absolutely the best thing I ever did for myself (getting the lapband). It has been 2 1/2 years since I got the band.....have maintained my weight for over 1 1/2 years.....I love my band and everything else that comes along with it! Good luck and keep us posted. Sorry we didn't respond right away.....again, Welcome!! Lori

Hi Linni-- Welcome.... I have similar stats to you. I am 32 years old 5'3" and weighed 242 at surgery date... I was banded on August 25 2009. I keep a spreadsheet on everything broken down by each weeks weight loss to monthly weight loss. I am currently a few days past 14 weeks post surgery (3 months and 2 weeks) and I am down 51 lbs. First month = 21lb loss 2nd month = 11.6lb loss 3rd month= 10lb loss the rest I have lost this month... If you have any other questions please let me know.

So I am new here, hello! I am 23 years old. 343 pounds, 5'10" and a size 22. After months of research and a very tough decision making process I have today took the first step in making a big change in my life. On Thursday, I go in to have a consultation with a surgeon to discuss the lapband and talk about the process. Frankly I am scared and excited at the same time. I am excited because FINALLY I will be able to lose weight. After years of diets and such, and being unhappy with the diets, I have accepted myself as always being the big girl. But in accepting and loving myself, I realize that losing weight is crucial to my health (I have diabetes, pcos, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure). I am scared because after years of being big, my personality has been big also! So I am torn, but I know that this is something that needs to be done!

I have had my band for 1 1/2 years. I have struggled with pain since they put Fluid in. Recently it came to a head and I had terrible acid reflex, sinus infection, and horrible cough. I was to the point that I was sleeping in a chair and upright. Which I can't do. No matter what kind of meat I ate it hurt. It didn't matter if it was soft or rough. I went to the dr. and asked for help and they took some fluid out for about 30 days, to let my esophagus heal. Yes I gained weight, but I feel much much better. Now they are putting it back in slowly. I wonder if the band was on a pain nerve, because now it doesn't hurt and I can truely feel the fullness. Just and idea. Good luck and don't give up!!!

Why did you increase your carbs? Glycogen in your liver and cells, creating water weight after coming off low carbing. That is your weight gain right there. Increase your protein and try to keep your carbs at 25, max 50. That is pretty easy to do. Meat and green veggies, that is all you should be eating, and the odd protein shake if you are running low on protein for the day.

That's really a decision you'll have to make. I have the Lap band and am biased toward it. I hated the idea of having half my stomach cut out and no chance to undo it. You should read as much unbiased literature as you can find. On this forum, most people are very happy with the band and willl try to steer you that way, (me included) I've lost 50 lbs in a little over 2 months with no downside. I should be at my goal by spring. You have to find a surgeon you trust and a hospital with an excellent program (preferably a Center of Excellence). The band is the safest, most trouble free surgery you can get and the weight loss is about equal with any other after a year or two. See, I told you I was biased. Whatever you decide, make sure you know what you're getting into, and I hope you're happy with it.

I am down 60 lbs now, I weighed in the morning at (drum roll please.........) 188.6! I was having so much problems trying to lose weight in the 190's, and now that I broke the plateau, its falling off. I've lost 4 lbs since Monday! I'm eating and exercising just like before. I'm not complaining, I'll take it, I just find it strange! Heck, I might be out of the 180's sooner than I think.

Hello soon to be fellow bandsters, I am 39 years old and have battled weight issues my entire life. I have always been the caretaker in my family, even as a child. So I never did what I needed to do to take care of myself. It has been diet after diet with success here and regain there. It has just been a miserable cycle...so in November I decided that enough is enough. I began to prepare for my journey. I started Zumba classes so that I could get into a regular exercise schedule then I started weaning off diet soda and changing my eating habits. I then decided in March that I would seek out a surgeon for the Lapband. I have now been approved and scheduled for May 16th. I am very excited to begin my new endeavor, but I also have some anxiety. I have been reading stories of folks who have had it and the majority seem to have had great success, the ones who have not seem to have not followed the band rules. Is that the general concensus? I welcome any tips you guys can give and I am looking forward to my new day

Hi all......................I am a newbie to this site, I thought I would drop in and introduce myself......................I am 43 and have type 2 diabetes and I weigh 126 kgs which I think is about 279 lbs, I have have weight problems all my life and am having my surgery on June 24th here in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am really excited but so nervous about it. I joined a WLS group here in NZ but they are mainly gastric bypass people and although 99% of them are a great bunch there does seem to be a lot of negativity about gastric band. This has made it difficult because I have several times questioned whether I have made the right decision. Anyone else faced the negativity from others

Just thought I would post a quick update that all is good and am so glad to be home. I didn't get much rest at the hospital and am hoping to sleep (and walk and sip!) lots today and this weekend. I am having trouble, though, just getting the one ounce of liquid in at all. There sure doesn't feel like there is any room for this stuff to go. It feels very tight and restrictive. I guess that is a good thing, but it is hard getting the required liquids so I don't get dehydrated. Anyways...so glad to be on the loser's bench!! Looking forward to this journey and keeping my eye on the prize and to be a better steward of the body God has blessed me with. It is all going to be in my attitude. If I choose to concentrate on what I can't have and how the foods/drinks I can have don't measure up then I will be miserable and will hyper-focus on reaching the stage where I can "eat again". This journey it all about learning to deny my overwhelming need to gain instant gratification through food. It is going to be difficult physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, but in the end if I do it God's way, I will never regret it .

I just was banded 6/19 but know exactly where you are coming from, food has always been my friend when I'm sad or upset or bored. I found that when I want to reach for a snack I do something else like go for a short walk or clean something or do a hobby (I like to read and paint) just get your mind off of food, get motivated. I know it's easy to say but I am trying to do the same thing. So I'm right here with you sister. Keeping a food journal helps when you see what you are eating in writing you have a better grip on where you are going wrong and can see where to correct it. I get upset when I see too much food on my journal because I know I'm just hurting myself. And, above all do not drink when you eat. You can over eat that way and that is not what you got banded to do. Keep sugar free and healthy food around you so you won't be able to make excuses and eat poorly. Stay positive, take a look in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm important and I am going to lose this weight and not let anything stop me, I love myself as a person and want to get healthy." Weigh yourself once a week and keep a record of it so you can see how you are doing. Be proud of yourself you already made a big step by getting banded now do what it takes to finish the deal. My prayers are with you.....

Hello Everyone, I wanted to share some before and after pictures. I have lost 60 pounds so far on my journey. I am happy and working hard to reach my goals. Today, is the first time I have been out to restaurant to eat. I had some baked fish and it is was great. I bless god every day for the strength he has given me to accomplish this weight loss. Have a great weekend.....

OK--I was already completely impressed by Doctor Aceves, but now I am over the Moon with his gracious way of being in the world. I got a personal thank you note for doing my surgery with him on May 2-2011. WOW-o-WOW So let me share a few things. I lost 25 lbs in 22 days--now I have plateaued for a couple of days. My incisions are sooooooo teeny weeny that I will be in a 2-piece bathing suit by the 4th of July. I heard that Doctor Aceves once considered being a plastic surgeon--which answer the question why HE is so good at making the incisions so small. Even the one where my stomach was pulled out--that one is smaller than the head of a fingernail clipper. I am now using Fougera Vitamin A & Vitamin D Ointment and wheat germ oil on the scars--I can barely see them. I first heard about a Vertical Gastric Sleeve from a woman from Morroco who had her surgery in France. She told me all about the surgery, different from my incisions, hers were huge and her scars looked bad. That is what I had prepared myself for because I felt it was worth the weightloss. OK-now don't I feel good that I found the right surgeon who has not only performed 3500 weight loss surgeries, has been a board certified surgeon for over 25 years, he also knows how to make his incisions so small that many would wish that they would have come to him. Now Doctor Aceves is also realistic. Before he takes you into surgery, you can expect a 30 minute lecture about what he is doing to help you, and then WHAT is your responsibility to get where you want to go with your long-term weightloss. SUCCESS depends on YOU. [more on this on another post]. I do read on this forum about acid reflux. Dr. A requires that his patients take Nexium for a minimum of 3-mo's. What has helped me to lose the 25 lbs so quickly is the quality and the amount of PROTEIN I am bringing into my body. Doctor A. does a great blood test before the surgery, and even though I thought I was doing alot of protein before the surgery, it was low quality protein. My bloodtest came back extremely low in my protein levels!! WOW--who knew? So finally I am hydrating my body with 64 oz of water daily and I went to GNC [not my normal place to shop] to pick up the ZERO carb Iso-pure drink [40 gm of protein per drink] and then I picked up the Vanilla IsoPure shakes, which is 50 gm of protein/shake. So one drink + one shake - I am getting 90 gm of protein/day and the minimum he feels we should have is 60 gm/day. It is important to get that protein into your body the first thing in the morning so I mix a 16 oz shake [two scoops] and put half of it in the fridge. Then throughout the day, I drink one zero-carb drink. My body is really responding well to THAT daily routine. Check me out on YouTubes! Search for: I left my stomach in Mexicali.

Hi all, I'm new here, but have found all of your experiences and information on this discussion board very helpful as I consider this procedure. I am 29 years old and 5'2" with a BMI of 42 right now. In all honesty, I think I suffer from a delusion that I am a thin, active person, when I am actually the complete opposite. I love to cook and eat healthy and I really enjoy being active. I've run several 5ks in the past and love walking, yoga, playing softball and other team sports. But yet, here I am, still at almost 230 pounds. It's not until I see myself in photos or my clothes don't fit right that I realize how big I've become. I've struggled with my weight all my life and have been on WW, South Beach, Body for Life, Atkins, MediFast, etc. Most recently, I've been following the new Weight Watchers plan off and on since it launched in November with minimal success. I feel like I just need some help...a little something extra that will help me stick with it. I hope this is the answer. I checked into LapBand two years ago after a professional associate of mine lost 75lbs in four months and told me she had the LapBand surgery. At the time, my insurance explicitly said it did not cover the procedure and my BMI was not more than 40 (it was over 35). I don't have any complications...yet. However, my good cholesterol levels are low, and, last year, my running plans were put on hold as I nursed a heel spur (which I'm 95% sure was caused by my excess weight). I have family history of heart disease and high blood pressure. My husband also believes I might have sleep apnea. Long story short, I need to get this weight off. Not just for me, but I really want to have kids in the very near future. I want to have healthy pregnancies and be able to keep up with them as they grow. We've tried a bit already and I'm worried my weight is a factor (okay, I KNOW it is a factor). I'm registered to attend a seminar on April 15. I'm really hoping my insurance covers this procedure, as my husband and I don't have the money to pay for it out-of-pocket. Laura

I hope you made the seminar. My wife and I both have had this surgery. It has done tremendous things for us. I am only less than a month post-op and already have lost close to 50 pounds, this is including the pre-op diet. I can relate to thinking that I was smaller when I was really bigger than I thought. Now, that I have been loosing and am on track to continue to lose more, I have already stopped taking many medications I have been on and will see my Primary Care next week to discuss stoping more. I have had more enegery and now am wearing clothes that I have not been able to for years. As far as everything you described medically, you should start seeing some improvements, should you decide this is the option, as you loose weight. Whatever option you choose, as weight comes off, the problems start to resolve. Glad you're here and looking at some options.

Hi and Good Day to All, Back in early 2010 a friend shared with me her decision to get the Lap-Band. She went in to much detail, and soon I was on my way to Dr. Anthony Coiran located here in Modesto, California. ...He is a great doctor with a very knowledgeable, and caring PA, and staff! At my heaviest back in 2007, I was 308lbs, wow!! I lost 67lbs on a strict diet all to end up gaining most of it back; I needed help and fast due to so many complications with my health. After the seminar, visits to both the nutritionist and evaluation by a Psych doctor, my surgery date was set for September 10th, 2010; my weight then was 273.8lbs. I know, this sounds more like a bio... The professionals and staff all along from the initial doctors visit to the seminars stressed the that the Lap-Band was a TOOL and NOT a magic bullet, ...(which I completely agreed with and understood). The victories along the way would come when I used it as such; soon I was enjoying the big and little victories along the way ~smiles. To date, post-op it has been 8mo's and three days and I am down 36.4lbs and counting. I know the weight for me is coming off slow, however, I rejoice at what has been lost and in keeping a positive attitude (all will be well). During the first month, I lost 23lbs; that my friends was my first "big victory", I thought "wow" is this normal? Will it continue to come off so much, and so fast? Well, I plateaued at 246, then bounced back and forth from 246-242lbs. I believe, and as most professional people, the fellow banded and friends have said, "everyone's metabolism is different" ...Well, soon the time came when I knew I was ready for my first fill; 3rd month post-op. Depending on your band in terms of the cc's it holds, I will caution in getting too many fills, as I have had 5 fills already. The first 3 were 1cc each, the next was .5cc, and the last was 1cc putting me at 4.5cc. My band holds up to 9cc, while some bands hold up to 11cc. At 4.5cc's my band was too tight ...and then the trouble began. I could not eat nor hold down something simple as tomato soup. I suffered for two days before going back and having 2cc removed. During those two days I lost 7lbs. I then gained them back in a matter of 3weeks. I don't mean to come off negatively just be very careful of what you do eat. My issue is/was the sugar/carbs; yes, I like sweets and in eating some bread, but I'm holding off on spiking my coffee with tons of sugar and I stopped eating that fast and convenient sandwich because I was doing more harm than good. Since my last visit two weeks ago, I had a 1cc fill because after all the drama I felt waaay more hungrier than usual, so I decided on a fill. Keep in mind that I do eat healthy meals consisting of fish, boneless skinless chicken, plenty of veggies, fruits and nuts, yum!! I'm doing much better (I think) without the sugary coffee n sandwiches and I'm down the 7lbs that I gained and feeling really good about that; I have so much more to say that I could write a book!! My many praises are to Yahweh Yahuwshua for blessing me each day!!! If anyone has any questions, comments, or advice please be positive in nature, as I would welcome what you will have to say; ...may I hear from you soon enough; stay blessed...

Hi Faith Wade: You are most welcome; it's a pleasure meeting you here, and thank you for your kind words! I agree that we should be as forthcoming and detail oriented when discussing everything from A-Z when considering being Banded, and also with pre-surgery and post Banding. Plateauing: When plateauing, I do believe in kick starting one's metabolism and that may be done by kicking up one's exercise regiment to continue with losing the desired weight, and in reaching one's goal weight. I believe that my body's metabolism reached that plateau that we spoke of earlier; and as one who is "disable" I tend to exercise little because of it. I'm in need of knee surgery, I have two herniated discs on my upper back (neck) and may need surgery for that as well. So, for that, I must be careful when using my "Bodylastics" bands when lightly working out; for light walking i must use my cane. Testimony: I will admit that i felt very discouraged when hitting that plateau; however, i asked myself was i really going to feel sorry for myself and allow that thought process to overrule my train of thought and constitution? ...or would i accentuate the positive in "remaining positive" and continue on with my eating healthy, resting plentifully, and exercising? ...I decided on the latter! Sweets-n-Bread: It's been almost a few weeks now and I went from 6-7 days a week having the sugar and breads to 1 day a week. That one day a week for me is a day of reward so to speak. My reward day consists of one sandwich, one soft drink (Dr. Pepper) and some chocolate covered raisins (moderately), which i have during my lunch break at a University I attend. So far, so good, because again, i see it as a reward day instead of it being a part of an everyday lifestyle in terms of incorporating it in to my daily diet. Being Properly Prepared: I prepared myself by resourcing/researching as much information as possible, and by changing my eating habits in terms of the food choices, and by following a prescribed time pattern in eating each meal, along with light snacks (yogurt/nuts) between meals and drinking plenty of water (64oz+.) each day. Counseling, Support, and Nutrition Assistance: Before and after surgery, the staff of Dr. Anthony Coiran were/was/has been extremely helpful with an abundance and wealth of information and answers to my many questions. I was also given a "U.S. Bariatric LAGB Patient Education Handbook" (very informative). The staff stated that I would be able to find support groups via the internet in my area, and also provided me with a support group through their own resource center, along with a calendar with meetings dates and times regarding nutritional support in the form of a nutrition class with a certified nutritionist. In His service and yours,

Your frustrations are valid...and never doubt the therapeutic value of writing about your feelings. And for the record, it is much easier for most men to loose weight then women; their metabolism is just tuned that way. You are wise to be motivated and proactive to gain control and loose weight at this stage of your life...it doesn't get any easier as time passes. Many on the forum share similar frustrations, so this is a great place to vent and have a positive support system. Best wishes for approval for your surgery...

I have 2.35 in a 4 cc band and do not have much restriction at all. There is nothing I can't eat :-( and as of this time I have only lost about 31#. I keep hoping that soon I will hit my "sweet spot" but you know that I have self inflicted non weight loss - and I admit it!