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I don't know that I am a good one to ask. Someone on another thread said I was the poster child of what NOT to do. I had shredded chicken and mayo. I think it might have been a little too much, too soon. I have done well with cottage cheese and some canned fruit, runny oatmeal, soft white fish with some sauce. Also, pureed chicken noodle Soup was good. And cream of wheat went down easy. My docs food list said scrambled eggs, but I got the golf ball on that this morning. Ugh! I had Mexican on Friday. It will last me for 4 days since I had only 1/2 enchilada and a couple tablespoons of Beans. Skipped on the rice. The main idea is to introduce food textures gradually. I still have a lot of liquids. On work mornings, I really don't have time to devote 15-20 minutes to eating. I have a scoop of vanilla whey Protein powder in a glass of milk. I holds me until lunch. This is a list I have been collecting from LB groups and forums. If they are too thick, blend with milk and/or broth. Hope they help. Maybe they will inspire your own imagination. Blended cottage cheese and fruit Trader Joes oatmeals Chili – blended during mushie phase Cream of Wheat creamy Soups applesauce yogurt - Dannon Lite N' Fit Protein Powder for shakes frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Small pudding cups (SF/FF) or yogurt 1. refriedbeans toped with cheese 2. cottage cheese & soft low fat cheeses 3. pudding 4. cream of wheat/grits 5. yogurt 6. Jello 7. mashed potatoes 8. scrambled eggs (but not for me! ) 9. Tuna 10.Plain crackers 11. lowfat milk 12. soups(cream or pureed) SHAKES 8 oz soy milk, mini banana, frozen blue berries and a couple tablespoons bran Cereal Choclate Protien mixed with Milk, 3 strawberries, sm banana, some crushed pineapple 2 bananas peeled, broken in half and then frozen 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups 100% apple juice .25 cup wheat germ (optional for additional fibre) mangos and peaches SOUPS chicken/beef/veggie broths (low sodium as needed) soups & broths Blend soups "Imagine" Soups - in cartons. (Potato Leek, Butternut, Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbell’s soups Egg Drop Soup - 4 Cups, 160 calories total2 - 14oz cans low sodium chicken broth 1 - tablespoon rice vinegar 2 - teaspoons soy sauce 4 - egg whites 1 - tablespoon *optional* flour for thickener (or even better buy soup thickener) 1 - tablespoon *optional* ginger I also add a few green onion chunks for flavor, but remove them after cooking since I can't have solids right now. Bring all ingredients on the stove to boil except eggs - once boiling drizzle in egg whites.

dr. wilkeneild. I45 @ 242, a couple of miles north of the woodlands mall. had my first fill yesterday with about 10 others, he got all of us on the first try. his support group patients adore him. he charges his regular patients $75 after the first year.

Hey guys! Don't compare yourself to other 'loser's'. We will all lose at different paces. I am about 4 1/2 months out and stalled yet again. Oh, and I GAIN! I have a 3 pound gain right now. I only lose about 10 per month after the first month or so. Yes I am a turtle. Yes I am frustrated. Yes I am silently panicking inside but I know it will come off. Well, it least it better! Just keep doing what you are doing. I know I need more exercise right now. I had work travel last week and it threw me way off but back on the horse. Hang in there!!!

I want to say right off, that I am not writing this to scare anyone at all. I am writing my personal experience and would like to share that so that in case others have this test, they may be better prepared. Everyone may experience this differently. This is informational. I had lap band placed back in Nov 2011, started having problems with reflux in November 2014. I went to my surgeon and he ordered an upper GI and esophageal manometry to rule out slip, or prolapse and to figure out why my food kept coming back up. I even had food that would come up 3 days later!!!! The reason for an esophageal manometry is to show how bad the reflux is and they also measure pressure and esophageal function. And considering my reflux was bad, this was information needed for my surgeon to document a problem. I wanted the band removed. Upper GI was no problem, you drink some barium and they take pictures while you are drinking, which was pretty cool to see those blurbs of barium sliding down to your stomach in real time. However it showed severe reflux into my thoracic inlet which was pretty bad. In other words, it was going straight back up my esophagus mid chest. I then went for my manometry (not the same day). This manometry test is performed by an RN. I am an RN and questioned the nurse before the procedure a ton of questions. She told me that she went to special school for about 2 weeks. Her and her fellow students, practiced this procedure on each other. She said she had done over 500 manometry ' and had been doing these for 8 years. She was the only RN that actually performed this procedure in a well know hospital system consisting of 5 large hospitals in the Saint Louis area.(which I won't mention because I work for that system.) I could have refused this test but I needed documentation. I had my BFF come with me and so glad she did. The procedure goes like this: first she had me sit in this chair in 90 degrees, and she explained what she was going to do several times before she did anything. She sprayed my throat with a numbing agent and then my nose. She took this long tube resembling an NG tube (nasogastric tube), but this tube had these black rounded resembled flat balls (sensors), not sure how many of them were on there but there were a lot. She then started placing the tube down my nose and kept telling me to swallow sips of Water which helps get the tube down. I felt every one of these sensors. I have a bad gag reflex. It was easier said than done. She had to stop often because after about 20 seconds it became painful and I was crying. Finally after the tube was down which probably took about 10 minutes...I had a box of Kleenex on my lap and my BFF was wiping away my tears. The RN proceeded to feed me liquids 12 swallows, then applesauce 12 swallows, then Jello 12 swallows. Every swallow that I took, she was measuring pressures within my esophagus. I cried with every swallow. It was painful and I even asked her to add a little bit more of the throat spray ,but all she said was " let's just get this done". That was really inappropriate. This test is supposed to take about 25 minutes from what she told me, however 47 minutes later I finally was done. I could have stopped the test and refused any more torture but I needed this documentation. I needed to know if that band was causing these problems. I cried for 47 minutes. It was probably the worst test I have ever experienced and will never have one of those again. I actually have a new found respect for my patients with NG tubes. Another physician actually reads these pressures and then a report goes to the surgeon. In the end, the lap band overall had caused me to have induced vomiting and caused esophageal dilation causing extreme heartburn and reflux. Yes, the band was helpful and I lost 80 pounds, but I am glad to finally have relief due to recent removal 8/10/2015. I no longer have heartburn or reflux and was able to drink a small glass of orange juice for the first time in 4 years without any problems. Yay!! When I went to my new surgeon and initially wanted a sleeve, he was going to have me do that test again to determine if I still had reflux issues after band removal!!! No way!!! I told him my awful experience and he said he could do EGD and another upper GI instead. However, for people who are bands before sleeves, he said sleeving after banding would make reflux worse. After my removal, we discussed options again and he recommended bypass. I am choosing that route because I can't go through the horrible daily non stop heartburn again. Plans for bypass in late October/early November. So, if your surgeon orders this, there is probably good reason, and the information that this test provides may give you answers and may help diagnose a problem. Make sure you research and gather all info needed. Some people may tolerate this test better than I did. I hope that others have a better experience.

Hi everyone.. my name is Laura.. and tomorrow marks the second week since I had my surgery. I am loving it so far, and have lost 10 pounds. I am a married mama of 3 beautiful girls, I work full time. I had to go thru 6 months of medically supervised weight loss and my husband's insurance has covered most of the procedure. I want to do the right thing and lose 80 more pounds. I am going to begin walking tonight. I am so pumped about this and am ready for this weight loss journey!

I am 3 weeks out and I feel great. It took me about 10 days before I felt great. and I can sleep on my side now that took about 2 weeks. I know how you feel about if you did the right thing I felt the same way but didnt say anything b/c I didnt want to hear any I told you so's. I did not feel that way after about a week though. I am now going through a depression which is very normal. I was reading a series of books my first week and a half, but when I finished I got depressed. I didnt have something to pre-occupy my mind. I know I will get through it and my dr recommends me see my family dr to get something to help with depression. He said it could last up to 6 weeks but It does get better every day. Just keep up the good work.

Surgery Day (Tues): :unsure:As I stated in another thread, surgery day was a breeze for me. I had surgery on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2008 at 12:30pm and went home at 9:00pm. Took a pain pill and slept pretty good that night. Day 1 Post Op (Wed): :mellow:The bloating was miserable, but I was prepared mentally to expect and accept this. I had one GasX strip about every 2 hours and that definitely helped. I did not need any pain meds through the day. I was uncomfortable, but not in any real pain. It was very different to sip on water and fruit juice and hear or feel it sort of gurgle as it went through the new stoma. I am not really aware that the lapband is there except for an occasional knot that comes up - like gas - under my chest and then suddenly goes away. I think the bloating is the worst part at this point. I have had no problem getting in and out of my chair, going to the bathroom, or walking around today. Even took a shower this morning and rode my exercise bike for about 10 minutes. The warm water felt really good on my big belly. I took a pain pill before going to bed, and through the night to sleep good. No point in being miserable if you don't have to. Day 2 Post Op (Thurs): :blink:The liquid diet is already getting old. I've weighed myself and I'm 4 lbs heavier than before going into surgery. IV glucose always does this to me. However, even at this weight, I am 16 pounds lighter than I was when I began the pre-op diet. My stomach muscles are a bit sore, but again, nothing unbearable. I rode my exercise bike for about 12 minutes. My husband made me quit - he was afraid I was overdoing it. At 11:00am, I cooked some chicken and beans, turnip greens, and corn bread for my hubby's lunch. I enjoyed cooking this and was able to eat 1/4 cup or so of the broth from the beans - tasty! I took some liquid tylenol around 3:00pm and took a long nap. That was nice. I went to bed around 8pm and took one pain pill for the night. I noticed it was already easier getting in and out of bed. Day 3 Post Op (Fri): :bored:OK. Some people say you can have this surgery on a Friday and be back to work (desk job) on Monday. Well, I would hate to think I had to be at a job this morning! The liquid diet is really old, but I'm becoming creative. I'm still bloated, but not as bad. The gas has gradually gone up to my arm pits it seems and that is more aggravating than painful. I took a shower today and washed my hair. Dried and styled my hair and put on makeup. Yes, I'm human again! I'm making a shake each day using the Whey Protein Chocolate 52g per 2 scoops. So far, I'm using 1 scoop (26g) in 8 oz of Lite Silk Soy Milk. I can drink about 1/3 of this at a time. It tastes very good and feels like something in your stomach - not the emptiness of water. I am already learning the signs of being full. I have not overdone it yet - I tend to burb in response to the pouch being full. I stop as soon as this happens and wait awhile before drinking more. I can feel my little pouch empty into the stomach - the bloating probably has me hyper-aware of this today. I am thinking, I have just made a huge permanent change to my body. What have I done to myself?! Then I think of all the posts I have read on this site and how everyone has encouraged me to know that you may have momentary second thoughts post-op, but shortly after it becomes the best decision of your life. My post-op weight is disappearing now. I am feeling better and stronger - but still glad I don't have to be on the job today. Day 4 Post Op (Sat): :tongue_smilie: Doing Great! - I used no pain relievers last night which probably helped me wake up without the groggy feeling this morning. I had renewed energy. I cleaned up mess that had already collected in our bedroom then headed to the kitchen to cleanup in there. Today, I could be on the job if I had to be, but I'm glad I have until Monday anyway. I have walked up a long flight of stairs to get to my computer and catch you up on my surgery. Also, my weight is 258 this morning! That's a big hallelujah! I was even able to put my wedding ring back on for the first time in a couple of years. Pre-surgery weight was 279, so I'm already a pretty happy camper. I am getting up and down with ease today and considering eating some watery instant potatoes (1 or 2 tablespoons). My doctor is not a strict about the diet as some. The gas under my arms seems to have disapated (sp?), and I am able to situp straighter without leaning back - thus able to sit at the computer for a long time. I guess I've been on the computer 3 hours or so now and feel well, but may be running out of steam soon. I have to keep remembering to drink water. Good luck to everyone considering this huge life change! I wish I could have done it without the surgery, but 25 years of obesity proved this was not going to happen for me without surgical intervention. I'll keep you posted and look forward to joining the "Lost 100 pounds" list in the future!

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.

There's some good surgeons in Mexico who are cheap. At alighterme.com there is Dr. Lopez-Ortega. He has a package deal with hospital stay+hotel stay, pre-op testing, free transportation, free calls to the US & more for only $5,000. The next cheapest I know is Dr. Almanza. I've heard great things about him. He is $5200. I'm going to Dr.Kelly. He has been doing this procedure almost 10 years. His cost is $5,500. If your dad can give you around 2500 you'll be good to go.

I had the same issue. I ended up passing out and hitting my head which resulted in 10 staples. Needless to say it was not pleasant. My blood pressure was low by the time I was seen in the ER (5 hours later) but that's normal for me. I believe it was dehydration, as soon as I got the IV fluids I felt like a million bucks. I am so diligent about getting enough water now.

There was some discussion about the wrong comments getting said in the office by the office staff at the last monthly meeting. One of the staffers at the meeting was quite concerned and wanted to know exactly which person said it. My impression is that it is being dealt with. I was never told 10% even; just a steady decline, and when I thought it was just a pound or two and was expecting them to tell me to keep trying, they were happy and sent me on to the next step. Don't anticipate, just take it as it comes. We will always get stupid comments, it's one of the tools we need to learn. Don't let the idiots get you down. Have you told many friends and family your plans? You'll get the strangest comments from the most unsuspecting people. So far, I've only been for my 2 week post-op and it was fine. My first fill is next week and that will be one month after surgery. This is also one of those things that will be based on the individual, I suspect. My only complaint about the staff and care is that most of my appointments run VERY late. One of them, I didn't get called in until more than an hour after my appointment time. A couple of them have been decent, so it must depend on the day. The support after the fact is the main reason I recommend UMASS. We can all do some drastic thing and take the weight off, it's the keeping it off that is the real issue. This program has a plan in place to help us with that already.

I just recently got banded 12/6/10 At UMASS worcester! Dr.Kelly! I feel good overall. Nice to see others from Worcester area.!

Oh I remember the first few days I just kept saying "What did I do to myself?!? But a week later I felt much better and two weeks later ouside a little port incision discomfort, I felt great. It took a full week, maybe 10 days before I was able to sleep comfortably in my normal position. As far as burping, I have not been able to burp since surgery...I hiccup a lot now. Did not have the leg tingling. Start taking vitamins as soon as you can tolerate them. Just take it one day at a time. This period will soon be just a memory. All that I went through was well worth it!

Thank each of you for your reply. I am just not feeling with the program tonite. I keep thinking of all that lovely food I will miss...or maybe I can find a way to make it non-fattening. Food's been a big part of my life for so long, I love to cook. Can't say I do as much as it's just 2 of us again. Husband never really cared a lot about food, he'll eat just about anything I put in front of him. And if I'm not around, just make sure the Peanut Butter jar is. I have fought with my weight for the past 40 years, and lost the battle. One time I lost 100 lbs. fast, and ended up in the hospital for 2 wks, before the Drs. decided some exploratory surgery was called for. I broke my ankle at 27 and have had arthritis problems started from that - I no longer could walk correctly. My knees were both replaced about 10 years ago, (I was 50, at the time. Doing them both was a major mistake in terms of recovery for me, but got thru it.) I have had diabetes for about 15 yrs. Got a insulin pump last November. At the same time, I was diagnosed with Polymyalfia. The only med to control it is Prednisone. Between the pump and prednisone, I am just sitting back, watching myself expand. My level of exercise is practically nill, though the podiatrist is making progress with my arthritic feet. I now weigh over 300 lbs. and see no end in sight. Just gotta suck it up and do it, I guess, if I want to live another relatively comfortable 20 years. I am scared of what my life will be like if I can't get it under control. As I read what I answered, can't see a reason to hesitate. I'll be more chipper tomorrow. Thanks again.

Hi. Just wanted to do a quick introduction. I'm 29 and have struggled with my weight my entire life. In the last 2-3 years, I've been at my heaviest (BMI 46). I started researching wls last year, but learned that because of my ulcerative colitis my gastroenterologist would only give me medical clearance for the Lap band -- something my insurance didn't cover. Finally, in April, my insurance started covering it! Anyway, right now, I've gone through all the pre-op appointments and await my surgery on 10-25-2005. I'm so anxious about it -- worrying that I'll get sick beforehand and have to cancel the surgery (insane, I know). I'm so eager to get started. It's great to have this site. My doctor's office does mainly Roux-en-y procedures and I haven't met anyone there yet who has had it done. It's great to have other people that truly understand the procedure to talk to. Thanks!

My insurance paid 90% and my 10% came out to about $3500 after a negotiated price from $40,000 to $35,000. That 40 grand was a lot higher than I expected but I love my surgeon and the hospital so I wouldn't change a thing.

10 1/2 weeks out-43 lbs lost since surgery, 129.5 lbs total lost

Hi everyone, nice to meet you all. I am five years post op and now struggling to lose the last 15 pounds of baby weight. Just called my surgeon's office to get back on track. I'm also training to do a 10 mile run in October. I'm trying different things to see if I can restart my weight loss. Anyone else going through the same struggles?

I told very few people - husband, a sister, and a sister-friend. My niece who lives with me figured it out during the diet, but she's awesome and helped run interference for her mom (a different sister) and Grandma when I was newly post-op. I only told my teenagers about the hernia surgery part (true) because I didn't want them to worry (ASD/anxiety disorder) and explained I'm a very private person and I'd prefer they didn't discuss it with people, including the Grandmas, uncles, friends, and other family. And it hasn't been a problem. Of course it's also been a weird year. My dad died of pancreatic cancer last spring while I was doing the pre-op diet. I could have told him, but he just would have worried. Or argued. Or made a fuss about it with the extended family. I don't regret not telling him, even though I wish he could have seen me getting healthier. In any case, it's not surprising I'd start getting my health back on track. I'm also a pretty slow loser - no "I only lost 20 lbs this month!" for me. My husband and sister-friend also jumped on the low carb/better health bandwagon so they make great camouflage. We pretty much just tell people we're eating low carb and getting more exercise. Basically, do you want him to know and be there for you? If no, it's an easy choice. If yes, it's a little tougher, but I think if your stepmom knows you had surgery, she'll probably figure it out. But then, she'll probably be a snot no matter what happens. I'd probably just drive her crazy talking about new research into the role of gut flora and prebiotic fiber (and other health topics) until she left me alone . Might even help your sister. I do feel for you. That niece I mentioned? There's a few different reasons she lives with me and a big one is her stepmom. My niece is a 5'2 pocket Venus and the woman was buying her size 8 shoes and size 10 clothes because she just *had* to be smaller than her teenage stepdaughter. The first time I took her to an adult petite store she couldn't believe she was a size 2/4. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi there. Anyone else scheduled for surgery in Ottawa this month? I just got the call this morning. Surgery is set for March 3!!!! Can't wait!!! Starting my OPTIFAST feb 10.

I was filled Sunday (2 days ago) with 1 cc putting me to 7.5 cc in a 10 cc band. I can only drink liquids (very slowly and small sips, of course) and I feel a bit of uncomfort for a few seconds after each sip followed by a small burp or two every time after I take a sip and then it passes. I used to be able to eat a small of bite of soft foods after fills if I was hungry and it wasn't an issue. On Sunday night I took a bite of lo mein and it had to come back up. After that, I didn't attempt to eat again until last night when I had a few bites of mashed potatoes and within 5 minutes I had to bring that back up as well. So clearly, I can't tolerate solid foods even if they are mushy. The thing is, I have never felt restriction to this extent; I don't want to jump the gun and remove saline if this feeling will pass within a few days. So what I need to know is, if I should hang on a few more days (I figured til Thursday) and see if it passes or does this mean that I am probably too filled and need to remove some saline? I also want to mention that I am very hungry, but that of course, can be due to the fact that I haven't eaten in two days. _________________________________________________________ Starting weight: 270/Surgery weight: 246/Current weight: 236

I thought I better start writing about this journey now so I don't forget. I had lap band surgery November 3, 2007. I actually lost about 60 pounds with the lapband at one point but gained most of the weight back. For the first four years of the lap band I was in constant flux. I dieted more in that four years than in the rest of my life. In December 2011 I was back up to 255 pounds. At that point I realized the lap band had failed me and I needed to consider other options. Through a long drawn out process I was accepted by my insurance company to get a revision to the Sleeve. On December 27 I decided to make a radical change in my lifestyle and eating. After confirming with my bariatric surgeon that I qualified for the revision I decided to become a raw foodist for the next five months. It was a very positive experience and I learned a great deal about health and nutrition. I have to say I read everything I could get my hands on regarding raw foodism, veganism, and the like. I finally understood what it is to make a very real lifestyle change. Understanding that eating processed, boxed, bagged food was not the answer, it finally dawned on me that what I was missing was the live enzymes of fresh fruits and vegetables that no one seems to think are important, or simply don't know that they're absolutely necessary and needed in the body. I watched quite a few documentaries and I'd like to recommend that you also consider watching these few. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead was the first documentary I watched; that became life-changing. Foodmatters, Food Inc., The Gerson Miracle, Burzynski, Forks over Knives, and The Beautiful Truth. Sorry more than I thought... Anyway I guess what I'm trying to elude to is that we've all had an eating problem to the point where we've had to have surgery once or twice and for some of us it is still escaping us as to how we can actually make a real change that will ultimately save us. So many times I have heard people say I could never give up sugar, coffee, meat, wheat, bacon, soda, etc... When I hear this I think then a lifestyle change for you is probably not something that is going to happen for you. How much do you truly want good health? Maybe it's time to start pushing yourself in new and different directions, maybe there is new and exciting information to be gleaned that will help you to a better and healthier you. For me being a 80-10-10 raw foodist wasn't for me. But I did adopt eating a high fresh fruit and raw vegetable diet into my new lifestyle. I have decided to include cold blooded sea creatures in my diet as well as cooked Beans and rice in moderation, but also to maintain a balanced healthful diet for me. Please understand I am writing this as much to myself for my own remembrance as I am sharing my experience with you. The day of surgery I weighed 204 lbs. Two days after surgery I weighed 213 lbs. that was disappointing but the Water weight gain from th IV was to be expected. Today is 7/1/2012 and I am at 202. So from December 27th 2011 to June 25th 2012 I lost 56 lbs. I am so excited about where I am going... God bless us and keep us! Mardee

Got the band at 30 and only told wife and 2 best friends. When I would be at a restaurant with coworkers I would just order a thin Soup and Water I greatly reduced the risk of "problems". If asked why I wasn't eating much I would always pat my gut and say "Oh, just trying to cut back a little". And that was that. Band had to come out at 38 due to complications. Now, I 40 I am going back to have a sleeve put in today. Plan on telling is the same. At 28 a man that worked the same place as me but in a difft. Area (I barely knew him), had WLS and had told people. One day he came in to the area I was working and made a delivery. Anyway, as soon as he left most of the 8-10 people in that area started talking about him, speculating how much he had lost, how much they heard it cost, why doesn't he buy some new pants that fit right, why didn't he just "hit the gym" instead of surgery. Etc.... That is when I decided I would keep it close to the chest.

If it makes you feel better, no. I am Day 8 and struggling through. Still having gas pains (I walk...a lot), having a really hard time with liquids as sf drinks make me sick to my stomach, but still get my 60 grams of Protein daily. Still have abdominal pain, but getting through. Everybody is different though, so just roll with what you got. 10 years ago I had the band, and I had an AMAZINGLY easy recovery and did great. Good luck on your journey! Sent from my SM-G900P using the BariatricPal App

@ DebbieDeb....wow, eating 1000 calories a day and working out 5-6 days a week....and you're stuck on a plateau.....that's discouraging....I've been at 145 for 7 weeks and I think I'm getting 1500-1700 calories in and I should be at 1200-1400.....I've been grazing too much so I really need to concentrate as I feel I'm slipping into some bad habits and denial. So this week I am really going to work on tracking my food intake. I'm 5 lbs from goal but 10 lbs from where I want to be; surely I can do this. And you can too.....maybe increase your water intake? I'm also going to increase my workout by 15 minutes and see if that helps. Let's check in again next Monday.