Search the Community

I packed on about 10lbs from april to Sept from the stress alone. Wear heavier clothing for weigh in, don't take your shoes off (hiking boots can weight about 1lb.) Eat before you go...and eat lots of asian food in days before. You might be able to manage 5-8 just from Water weight and clothing choices LOL. Melissa

I frequent a board and a lady on there WON $20,000 today on a race to a waist compition her in the Salt Lake Valley. She lost 90 pounds in 3 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!! here is what she said copy pasted Well thank you every one. I wish I could say that I ate right and worked out but it is only half true. I worked out every day but Sunday. The other thing I did do a colon cleanse (which I realize has been debated on this board) and juiced vegies. After I did the colonic I ate for Thanksgiving and gained 12 lbs. I realized then that I had rung the proverbial bell and couldn't unring it and went back to juicing. (I hope I didn't loose any one with that one...I just meant I couldn't go back to eating until after the race). As for the winnings there will be a need for surgery but that will be a year from now. I need to finish loosing (180 is my goal) and my body needs to see what is going to bounce back. I have a feeling my b**bs never will and my stomach will need a little help as well. wow! Just WOW! jen

It seems there are always whose amount of saline in theory band is different from what they believed it to be.... I know a person who has had over 10 fills...but her Dr. only does .5cc per fill...so it is only 5cc's...something I had after 2 fills.... She is always complaining about how the band does not work and wants it out! Also, you say 75% full? How much is that, in what size band? This band DOES WORK....it CAN be a Magic Bullet for some, it sure has been, and still is for me....BUT it took some adjusting and getting used to...co-operation between me and the band, to get to that place.... When someone says there band is tight, and they can still eat and gain weight, then I disagree...if your band is tight, it would be IMPOSSIBLE to eat....THEN the Dr. would have to back it off a bit to find your comfort zone... My Dr., on every visit, pulls out all of the saline into a syringe, where he can measure it and check it's clarity, etc...and compare it to what his notes say is supposed to be there from last visit....then there is no quessing...he then replaces the same amount with fresh saline.

I got banded March 2013. While I rapidly lost 34 lbs., I gained about 20 back. I've had a bunch of fills with the band now being 75% full. I don't know why I'm always hungry. I know I need to be more consistent at the gym but should I go back to the basics and do liquids and soft foods like when I first had surgery??? I'm beyond frustrated.

Hi Dntsnt, Have you tried looking on the website ObesityHelp.com It can also give you some information. I use sleeve talk and OH daily to get information on pre op and post op stuff now that I'm a few days from surgery. Anyhow, there is a tread on Dr. A. I'm putting it on this one so you can see it. It's just the first one that popped up when I googled his name. My best advise is to do your research and trust your heart about what you think is best for you. There are too many folks saying the same kind of stuff about Dr. A to ignore. It goes back to that saying about if it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck....etc. Its not to say that he hasn't had good comments too, because he has and that should not be discarded either. Just make the right choice for you Dntsnt. Good luck to you. www.obesityhelp.com/.../Complications-from-my-sisters-surgery-Dr- Almanza-Reyes/ This is from someone named Prissy4115. Post Date: 6/1/10 8:55 pm Well, my sister had her surgery 3 weeks ago today. She is currently in the US in ICU and has been for 16 days now. She is in really bad shape after she was left with a leak in her stomach which formed a hole into her stomach and everything was leaking into her that she was taking via her mouth. After having her surgery on a Tuesday, then having to sit on a non air conditioned van so others could shop and then saying she was okay to fly home on Friday (4 days after her surgery). While in San Diego on Thursday she was very ill, my mom called the coordinator and was told "oh its normal, just gas pains"..How many of you have heard that? Well, she flew back home and felt so bad. Then Sunday morning at 4am where her drain was she started spitting out fluids like a Water fountain from her incision, it was watery, then bloody looking. She soaked her night gown and 2 towels and was in sever pain. My brother in law called an ambulance for her and she was rushed to the ER. Her heart rate was low, blood pressure low & had a fever. After several test they finally realized what was wrong (hole in her stomach) and rushed her to emergency surgery to repair this. She also had a severe case of pneumonia in her lungs, was severly dehydrated, and her kidneys had temporarily shut down. Now here we are 16 days later, she has had 4 surgerys to "wash" out the infection and she is still running fever, still on a ventilator to breath and they can not sew her up b/c of future surgeries to clean the infection. She is being fed through a tube directly in her veins. She is so swollen and has so much Fluid on her that she has gained 70+ lbs. She has to constantly lay on a cooling blanket to keep her temp from raising to dangerous levels. They have her in a medical induced coma and we have not been able to talk to her since the day in the ER. She will be in ICU for at least another month and the hospital and additonal 2-3 months. The doctor said it will be a year before she is completley better. This is a very scary experience for us and our family. My mother had the same surgery last year in July but this was when they was not doing the whole "rack em and stack em", "get you in and get you out". Thank God, her surgery so far has had no complications. When you are pushing 6 + surgeries a day and your "housekeeper" is removing the drain tubes something is not right. I hope you all know that I am telling you the honest to God truth about our story. My sister is laying in ICU with a huge opening in her stomach right now b/c the doctors are trying to fix what went so wrong. We have pictures if anyone needs to see the pictures of her. Please pray for her, we have our family and church praying for her recovery each and every day. I pray that nobody else ever has to go through what she is going through. She chose to do this in Mexico becuase yes it was cheaper BUT in the long run she is spending so MUCH more money now to take care of this. Supposedly the coordinator was fired because she was not telling the doctor about everything going on with my sister. I really think the coordinator got a conscience and realized their is some issues going on that she did not want to be a part of. Please keep Beverly in your prayers. Thank you! from her lil sister & best friend

My heating pad has been my best friend! In fact I just put it in a drawer tonight and I'm 25 days post-op. HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 231.4

Welcome to LBT and thanks for sharing your awsome weight loss.Congratulations on your 1 year bandiversary!!!

I also posted this on the Doctors/Hospitals board, but wanted to put it here as well - hoping to find some people who can answer my questions! Can anyone tell me about the surgical weightloss program at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston? I'm registered in mid-December for one of their information meetings on weight loss surgery, I know my insurance is accepted at this hospital, and should approve my surgery. But I'm wondering about details about this program - how long do things take (initial meeting through surgery), what other appointments or tests do they require, any comments on the psych meeting, which I think is pretty mandatory with all of the surgical programs? Really want to have Dr. Vernon be my doctor - can I choose? Basically, I'm a fairly anal person, and really like to know what to expect at every step of the way - also would be interested in talking to others who have had their surgery done at this hospital. Thanks!!

Thanks for the information, Janine! I still wear a medium width shoe, but I went up half a shoe size last year, and I'm wondering if I'll go back down. I'm down about 20 lbs now, and I'm still wearing the same size, but I'll admit I was struggling not to go up another size this summer, so I was pushing the limits of my seams - haha. Now my clothes are feeling loose and much more comfortable. My rings are starting to turn a bit, and they've been resized twice on my way up to my highest weight, so I know they'll need to be resized down. I'll look at getting the adjustable brackets for them until I have to have them made smaller. My watch is completely too big. I'm going to have to get some links taken out soon. I'm lucky that I have a lot of hair, but I anticipate losing a lot of it several months from now. It happened when I had surgeries in the past so I'm not too concerned, because you're right, it does come back.

My insecurities may seem a little silly but I've never had surgery before and I just don't know what to expect. What happens the moment you arrive and until the moment you leave? Am I the only one embarrassed about my weight and afraid to get be nude in front of a group of strangers? Your input would greatly be appreciated.

I'm going for my second operation this Friday 23rd May. This is to replace the tube between band and port, which we know is leaking, but the surgeon also wants to 'have a look around' and see if the band and port needs replacing. I've lost very nearly 90 pounds without the aid of a fill, and it will be 27 weeks on Wednesday since my first operation. I'm almost tempted to ask why do I need the operation again if I've lost that weight. I'm 70% to target weight and I think I could achieve target over the next five to six months. In theory, I should lose faster with a 'working' band - is that right?

Just saying thanks to the replies i got when i was stressed about my band, i wrote last month. I did go and see my surgeon, he had no explanation for my lack of restriction. So i got a fill. At the moment i have a 4ml band in place. And when i had my fill, he said once withdrawn and put back in that i had approx 3.4mls in band. i went back in a week as the restriction was the same even after .2mls had been put in, to make the 3.4. i had another fill and to his calculations i now have 3.8 mls in a 4 ml band. I was nervous to take a drink, as i new this was pretty full up. Water went down ok, i had half a cup of mince for tea, that went down ok, i was very careful though. i have lost a furthur 2 kilos in this last 2 weeks, but i train at the gym 5 times a week, i do work and have a family. The restriction is still there but i can eat a toasted sandwich if im careful, and last night i had half a chicken breast fillet and crab meat for dinner, took a while but got through most of it. Im still concerned, i have an appointment on the 19th of march with my surgeon, i will get him to check how much is in the band. Any comments are welcome. I was banned 14th Feb 05 (weight)116kg Today i weigh 88.6kg and have lost 89cm's in total all over. Im not sure how to put up photos on this thing otherwise i would. I live in Australia in the Hunter Valley.

I am 5 months out today and have lost 97 pounds. Like you said, protein doesn't feel good however I eat a ton of homemade soups that I put a ton of meat in....my favorite is Italian Wedding Soup. I put a ton of chicken meatballs, spinach or escarole and chicken broth. It goes down great and taste yummy. Sprinkle with parmigiana cheese right before you eat it. I don't put any pasta and I don't miss it a bit. Also I make beef veggie soup and cut the meat really tiny. Try it!!!!! Great job on your weight lose, obviously your doing something right.

Enjoy it while it lasts you're in the very active weight loss portion of your journey. In time like the previous poster mentioned you will eat more.

I'm almost 3 weeks out and at a stall also and even gained 3 pounds before the stall. I have been here for over a week. It started when I started stage one foods. I'm thinking maybe it's because I lost 50 pounds before the surgery and had a lower bmi going into the surgery. I currently weigh 207.

17 days post op. I just started soft food. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I'm only down 7 lbs and have been stalled for the last three days with my weight remaining the same. I am hungry off and on during the day, even though I am drinking Water or Protein drinks all day. I will add that I stopped taking estrogen pills 30 days before surgery and have made the decision to stay off them. The hot flashes are brutal. Could this stall me? If so I'll get back on the estrogen. Quote Edit

Everyone loses at different rates. Having patience and faith is a struggle, I know. The weight will come off as long as you're following your plan.

Newbie here started my journey on March 2013 with a angiogram doct thought I had a clogged artery. Said I was just BIG,"FAT"So referred me to weight loss program. I started June 4, 2013. 12 week of classes dr appts & test. Finally finished Aug 20,21013.. I was finally approved to see the surgeon on Oct 17,2013 that day came & I got excited & anxious. seen the surgeon & we set a date Nov 5,2013 2 wk Preop was hard for me I was only losing inches." Now mind u my highest weight was in 2007 256, by 2009 I was down to 170. Happy me. Gained it back crushed my heart cause everytime I would work out I was at urgent care, & back up to 210 I cried, depressed." Being the one that does all the cooking I failed I cheated not once but twice during my preop diet so I realized I had to focus nov 4 hit & my last day of work for awhile so I went & weighed in 187. I started getting nervous as I waited to make my call for check in time Tuesday. November 5,2013 came & My nephew drove me to the hospital with my 15yr 2 hr prep @7 am, seemed for ever, I had even thought & told my son I know I'm doing the right thing god knows I am, but I also know I can get up and walk away, I'm glad I stayed, finally surgeon came in @9 were ready tears just rolled down my face "by 12ish I was hurting from pain the gas I have read about was lingering in my shoulders, finally came home by Thursday at noon codeine knocked me out but walking has helped I still have gas I'm still working on.. but from Tuesday 11/5 to 11/11/13 I'm down 9 lbs yet bloated. I am thankful I was approved for this procedure. I'll always have my five holes to look at & remind of my second chance at living life again 11/05/13 I started My New Life & New Journey. Getting Healthy.. Good luck everyone u won't regret it... Jb

I've struggled with anxiety for the last year, but I feel like I have been on a roller coaster the last few months. I made a special appeal to change my insurance provider from one that required a 9 month physcian supervised weight management to one that required none of that with a BMI over 45 (mine is 54). I finally got my insurance verification from the weight management center I am working with for the surgery, which means I have a two hour appointment on Nov. 6th which includes meeting the surgeon, a psych consult, and lots of paperwork. Part of me feels relieved that I finally have a date to look forward to, even if it is only the next step and not a surgery date. I've found it incredibly difficult to concentrate on school work rather than fixating on this surgery, but I know this something that I need done. I'm excited to be moving toward the surgery, but this anxiety is so difficult to deal with!

You have been doing so good! every one falls off the wagon at some point" you just have to climb back on and if your going to eat (" Eat healthy food") AND WATCH YOUR food INTAKE YOU WILL BE FINE. tAKE CARE BEST OF LUCK! REMEMBER WEIGHT LOSS TAKE'S TIME. EACH DAY WILL BRING A NEW CHALLENGE AND YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT AND FRIEND'S LIKE US THAT WILL HELP! You go girl you go!!!

Although my surgeon isn't requiring weight loss as a condition of surgery; he would like to see me lose 10-15 pounds before. The two week liquid diet prior to surgery will likely achieve that goal without any additional effort on my part.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Definitely take an honest look at what you are eating. For me, increasing my protein and solid foods usually kicks things off. Keep up the exercise and water. Make sure that you are getting enough calories. Be patient, your body will catch up - just remember how far you've come.

My name is Renia, (Renee)I am a 40 years old female who has decided to have weight loss surgery as an instrumental tool in my battle in weight management. I have a wonderful husband, Kendall (Ken), who supports me in everything that I do. We've been together for 25 years and married for 21 ½ years.I have three (3) beautiful children,:tongue: Chandralyn, age 10, Adrian age 5, and Nichole age 3. I am a house wife. I decided that I am really not happy with my weight. :thumbdown:Regardless of all the things that I have tried, nothing seems to work. I am a yo-yo dieter, always able to lose but never able to maintain any weight loss. In fact, I always gained back more than I lost. I have so many fun things I want to do with my life. I need to lose about 140bls to get to my heathy weight. My surgery is on the 22nd of April 09. I am on my liquid diet now, thired day. It's going ok. I cheated the first two days. Day one with 4 ruffle chips, day two with the skin off a chicken thigh (skin of chicken is my down fall). Lets be buddies.:smile:

I have had a major sweet tooth as well as urges for carbs. I'm perimenopausal so I suffer with Water retention. I'm losing my mind. I'm 5 months post-op, 4 fills and just can't seem to get a handle on this thing. I have felt restriction for the first week after the 4th fill. I've tried going back to the liquids but again the weight is up down then up again. Monday, I couldn't take it anymore, I re-joined WW. Walking on the treadmill when I get home is the only exercise that my crazy life allows me to do right now. I have read the post where people have had to have unfills. At this point I would welcome the over fill (except throwing up). I have to keep praying and believing that the restriction will remain. Is there anyone out there who has had the LAP-BAND® surgery while going thru menopause? If so, what are you doing to handle the cravings.:bored: DOS: 285 Current: 260 1st Goal: 250

I'm in month 2 of my 6 months of required appointments and all the jumping through the hoops. Just curious if anyone else is going to Vanderbilt for their weight loss surgery, or is that where you had it? My surgeon is Dr. David Williams at Vanderbilt. If all goes as planned this will be my last summer feeling like crap. How do you add the avatars and stuff? I'm pretty forum savvy but can't seem to find the area on this forum to do it. I know about ticker factory and all that, just can't find the place here to put it. This place is great :tt1: