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My gastric sleeve surgery is scheduled for this coming Thursday. I have been panicking, and as a result, I have been eating one big meal per day since my two week liquid pre-op diet started! I have been doing liquids for the majority of the day, but end up caving by the time evening comes. Yesterday was a good day because I stuck to the liquids. However, I'm petrified now because it's so close to my surgery, and this evening was not a good one. Any words of encouragement or advice on what to do? Is there any way that i will still be ok by Thursday?

Hey guys I really need some guidance and help right now. So I'm about 10 weeks post op and will be going to Myrtle Beach for a week with my family. I'm excited but I'm worried about food, anyone know places there that are bariatric friendly or ideas on what I should bring? It's just a simple hotel so all I can think is protein shakes? But with the stage I'm at am I able to eat protein bars? Or the meal replacement ones? Still not sure about snacks even though I'm not a snacker...any help would be appreciated. Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my first fill on Nov. 26th. I have the APL band, the 14cc band, and I have 5 cc's in there now, however, I feel like I do not have a band at all. It is so weird. When I got the fill, for that next week I could barely eat, I lost 8 pounds and only had protein shakes and soup in that week. But then, I got hungry, I started eating, and now I cannot stop. I dont even feel like i have a band there. I have NO restriction. NONE. I have eaten like a maniac lately. I am so bummed out. I have gained at least 4 of those 8 pounds back. I just dont know what to do. Has this happened to anyone else?

Hello all, I was banded in Detroit at Harper Hospital by Dr Hawasli on Oct 24. On Nov 1 I was taken via ambulance to my local hospital where I was diagnosed with pulmonary embolii. Big ones in both lungs. So I'm on blood thinners. My doc says no fills til I'm off the thinners, which MIGHT be in May or later, or possibly never. I'm older than most bandsters. I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME!!!!! Originally, I lost @ 40 lbs, with the liquid pre-op diet and all, but these past 2 weeks have been absolutely AWFUL!!!!! It also doesn't help that I REALLY don't like the dietician who works with the doc. She's single minded and doesn't take into effect the dietary limitations I have taking the Coumadin. Any one out there from the Metro Detroit area have any suggestions for a nutritionist I can see for further assistance? :help: Anyway, Happy New Year to all. Julia

Congratulations! I know how excited you are and you will be so surprised how fast the time flies. I was banded two weeks ago today and it seems like only yesterday I went to my first seminar. Good luck!

Ok first the caveats: I am not a pro, just a person! Not a surgeon. I AM a newly graduated nurse BUT I'm not posting this because I am a medical expert, ok? Just a fellow bander who's going to share what I know from reading, google, my surgeon, and my experience. None of this replaces what your doc tells you. :wub: Firstly; are you getting AT LEAST 64 ounces of Water each day? I don't mean tea or coffee (even decaf) or crystal light but water? Are you on any medications that would require you to have more water (like allopurinol for high uric acid, for example) One thing I have learned is this: if you aren't overfilled, a tight band happens in a dry person. Dehydrated=tight. This ties in with your problems starting in the AM. Most people aren't well hydrated and if you wake up, drink a little coffee and then try to eat, BAM! too tight. IF you aren't drinking 64 ounces of water each day, DO IT. I drink 4 16oz bottles spaced several hours apart. Some sip all day long. Do 8 oz an hour, whatever works for you, but get it in. Secondly: how large is your band? 3ccs in a 10cc band is pretty aggressive for a first fill and aggressive fills have been linked to esophageal spasms. (I'm not dissing your surgeon; again I'm not a pro. Many people get fills that much, or more, and are happy as clams because they lose and don't have your issues. I'm just saying that it could be what caused them). Once unfilled, as you are, can you eat ok? Thirdly: PB'ing often causes swelling. If you eat/PB and then eat again without giving your stomach and esophagus time to settle down, then the next time you try you'll be even tighter. You might have exacerbated your problem unintentionally by trying to eat again too soon. IF I were you, I'd start over. I'd review the "rules" of small bites, well chewed, eat slowly, over 30 minutes (that last one is my doc's rule...he says no eating beyond 30 or you're grazing). DO THIS NOW even if you can wolf down a cheeseburger. PRACTICE!!! THEN once you feel like you are following the rules, getting the water in, and your doc agrees, get a fill, but a SMALLER one. Get 1.5 ccs. See how you do. Give it 3 weeks or more (because some people need 2 weeks for a fill to even be perceived, odd but true). If that works, get another cc. CREEP UP ON IT! Always practice the small bites, well chewed, eat slow, no drinking during or after meals (per your docs order) and see if you can ease back into it. I have found that if I PB then I am tense and tense=tight, so mastering the eating habits while still open will give you a weapon to fight that. You'll know, once you start getting filled, that you CAN do it; you know how to eat properly, etc. It does become 2nd nature but not as fast as you'd think. I can get distracted by conversation or an interruption (and God forbid I let myself get too hungry before eating!) and then can get into "trouble" but if I chew well (I counted once; it's 40 times for me. way more than I thought it would take! of course it depends on what I'm eating but 40 is a good number for beef and poultry) and watch my bite size (for me it's about 1/2 to 2/3 of my old norm. cut stuff up, then cut it AGAIN. Do it before you sit down to eat so you won't have to think about it) then I can eat anything. I hope some of this helps. Hydrate, follow the rules, ease back into fills, and I hope you'll be on the road again!

Hi Everyone, The last month hasn't been a cakewalk to say the least. When I got my first fill in July, my dr put in 3 cc. The first few days were cool, and I lost another 7 pounds. Unfortunately, things went south from that point. I began to have daily stuck episodes, particularly with my first meal of the day. It got so bad that even Soups with noodles or vegetables got stuck. Two weeks ago, I went in for what was supposed to be my 2nd fill, by they wound up taking out 0.3 cc plus air after I described my symptoms. Apparently, daily stuck episodes aren't normal. They had me to come back in two weeks which was this past Thursday (Aug. 27). I'd had no change in the stuck episodes, and no weight loss. He did a complete unfill this time. Doc thinks that my esophagus is spasming, which could cause the stuck episodes. When I got on the scale this morning, I'd actually gained 2 pounds. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I don't want to undo my progress, but I'd like to eat without being in excruciating pain!! Losing more weight would be great too, especially since I'm nearly three months into this journey!!!

I'm heading to the hospital in 10 hours. Not looking forward to the coming week but it will get better after that. Good luck sleeve twins! See you on the losers bench!

Hey Restless, Thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately I had two bad vomiting episodes this week. That really scared me because even with the problems, I hadn't vomited since the night of the surgery. I went straight to the hospital from the clinic after getting sick at work. They did an upper GI study, and nothing had slipped, so that was a huge relief. My doc is still at a loss as to why I started throwing up AFTER the unfill, so I'm on liquids for 7 days. I took your advice, especially on the Water intake and chewing, but the only thing I can get down easily is Soup and liquids. I'm really beginning to wonder if I'll ever eat normal food again. If you have anything else to share, I'd appreciate it.

Your body is literally in shock from surgery. It's trying to figure out what the crap you did to it, lol. And it will feel somewhat weird for a while, as all of your organs and bones and muscles try to adjust. I was on my period when I had surgery and I ended up bleeding for two weeks, then didn't have a period for over a month...when my doc put me back on my BC pills, things started to straighten out. Major surgery like the sleeve is a pretty large trauma to the body. Things will straighten out!! As long as you know you aren't pregnant, you're fine.

Email your coordinator if that who is initially gave it to you. I used Dr. Pompa also but I worked directly with their nutritionist Daniella, the one she gave me was for like 2 weeks. I talked her into letting me do a modified one that only covered around 6 days pre-op then I begged her to let me have some food the night before surgery so I could sleep with a full belly. She only let me have some Soup or salad. I had a big bowl of pintos and cheese. I fessed up and she said at least i went for Protein. LOL. I would say to ask Calgarygirl but she is already in TJ waiting for her surgery tomorrow. Not sure if she will see this before then. I am guessing it is just clear liquids if it is only for 3 days. That would be chicken broth, Water, Jello, Protein drinks, crystal light and tea.

I got my sleeve on May 15 so that makes me nearly 7 weeks post op. During the day as I'm at work and am too busy I usually eat light foods such as yoghurt cheese or turkey slices and melon. At night when I'm home I cook for my husband and eat what the doctor has said is ok for me e.g. eggs, mince meat, fish, veggies etc something that has been cooked... however my portions are really small and as soon as I eat I feel gasses (bubbles) stuck in my chest and I'll feel like I've eaten a whole lamb. For the foods that sit heavy in my stomach I don't bother trying them again. But this happens every evening no matter what I eat, i get abdominal pain and I either have to lay down straight away or walk around until the gases are all out (lots and lots of burping) and the uncomfortable feelings goes away. I haven't vomited yet but I feel really sick. It takes about 45 minutes to subside. Has anyone else had this? What am I doing wrong? Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App

I guess maybe that's the issue... I don't want to stay this way for weeks and weeks.. it's really uncomfortable Sent from my SM-G928C using the BariatricPal App

Hi Brooke, I am 9 days out from surgery, and I too have questions. I haven't lost but 2 lbs since my surgery. Total weight loss of 17.5 lbs. total in 3 weeks (2 weeks pre-op). Kinda concerned that the weight doesn't seem to be coming off as fast as I thought it would. My BMI was at 30 when I had the surgery and my weight was 177. I am walking everyday. I am hoping when I get back to work next week that the weight will begin to fall off. I am only having very liquid foods and protein drinks until next week. Then on to soft puréed foods. No complications as far as drinking anything either. But I am careful about how much over what time period. I too am afraid to not follow the drs. orders. I guess I am just looking for support and would appreciate all offered. Christina With a BMI of 30 your loss is going to be slow. Generally the bigger you are the faster the initial weight loss.

This has been a great weekend for NSVs. I did a tour of an underground cave system, and I never once had to think, "oh lord, please let me fit." I walked up the 60+ stairs at the end without stopping for a break. And, I had a regular customer come up to me to say they didn't recognize me. I am about six weeks out from RNY, down 80 lbs all together (50 before surgery, 30 since). I feel really good. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I don't think it's to early, you read a lot on here about people having stalls at 3 to 4 weeks, so if you made it 6 before your first stall your doing well. Just try not to let yourself get discouraged or upset about it. Just keep your protein up, your hydration good, and your carbs down and you should come out of the stall just fine. Good luck.

Mine came two weeks after surgery. Keep doing what you are supposed to do. It will pass.

I am in the same boat. I'll be three weeks post op tomorrow. I lost 23 lbs week one and not a single pound since then. I would had thought this was way too soon to stall. I do think there's something with the whole protein and water thing though so I started really pushing myself today. I got in my first full protein shake today and have been sipping my water so I hope it all makes a difference. Hang in there ladies...we are going to make this thing work for us!!!

I am in the stall boat too, feel like I am banging my head against a wall. I am definitely not getting in my protein so I am going to start working on that and hopefully see movement. Best wishes to all and please update as stalls break!!

Hi all.. I'm 3 weeks post ope today and have been at a stall for 2 weeks now. I've lost only 1 pound in 2 weeks. Is this normal? I've heard of stalls lasting a week but I'm worried.

I had an appointment with my internist today. He was VERY supportive of me having the sleeve procedure. He listed all the ways I would benefit. Don't know why, but it really made it seem real to me that I am going to do this and that I'm definitely doing the right thing. I have all my pre-op appointments scheduled over the next 2 weeks - seems like things are starting to move along very quickly. I have gone from indecision, to trepidation and now all I feel is excited.

Hey guys... Thanks for the greeting... I've been crazy busy with work, school, family, and now packing! My Mom is doing really well...still struggling with the speech and in therapy but getting better...either that or we are understanding how she communicates better! The house...I'm really excited...it's a two story salt box that was completely redone...3 bedrooms, one bath, finished basement...it's super cute...it's historic so it's got the tall ceilings and hardwood floors...fenced yard and a big two stall garage for all my power tools...not...with the lack of closet space I'll be storing stuff out there! Other than that just trying to keep on keeping on...

I have been a big fan of the Biggest Loser this season but I have to point out that they are living in a controlled environment with personal trainers and a controlled eating regiment. With that also said they are working them hard and for several hours a day not just an hour or two a day. Which will make it very hard once they are off the ranch and having to go back to their real lives again. Not so much physically but mentally. For me I started out with walking. It was a short distance when I started my walking back in October (6 weeks pre-op) and am up to about a mile and a half in 30 minutes time. I walk 6 nights a week and am getting in an additional two times a week at lunch time when at work. I wanted to add in work out videos to help my cardio but it just hasn't worked out yet. When I am ready I will be heading to that next level. For now I am still losing weight and feeling better all the time. You have to remember every person is different and we are all at different fitness levels. You just have to work at it at what works best for you. Not only physically but what you can and will do with your life style. Best of luck to you!

I'm not a February bandster, had my band 3 years, but I'll pipe up if that's OK. I'm really an advocate of starting with what you can handle - physically and mentally and if you can commit to walking regularly and putting some effort into it, well a big pat on the back to you, that's fabulous. But longer term, those sorts of workouts you see on Biggest Loser DO work. But it takes a while to get fit enough to safely work out like that. I do now, but I have lost my weight mainly through long, slow cardio - jogging rather than walking though, which I found WAY more effective, simply due to the fact that if i had an hour to spare, I could run much farther than I could work therefore I burnt a lot more calories. It also allowed me to build up to a level of fitness to give me a base for what I do now. Once a week: - an interval running session of an hour (I use cardio coach, www.cardiocoach.com) to give me a program to follow, its FUN, but super intense. Three times a week: circuit training: I mix this up. Once might be at home, using a treadmill. I'll run for ten minutes, at the end of that time, I flip the speed down, incline WAY up and use handweights to do reps of various shoulder exercises while I walk. then I hop off and do sets of squats, lunges, step ups, then run a few minutes, then do sets of deadlifts, bent over rows, back extensions, run for a few minutes, then sets of pushups and dips - and so on till I've worked my entire body for about an hour. The next time I do it, I might take my daughter the playground and do it outside - using the playground equipment to do chinups (greatly assisted by my legs, lol), dips, pull ups, etc and run around the 300 metre perimeter, then the third time, I use a 20kg sandbag and a kettlebell - works my body completely differently each time. Once a week or so - my reward. A nice, gentle 10km run. And I'd probably do 2 hour long walks with DH, often on a Saturday morning well do the 1000 steps which is a set up steps up a mountain here in Melbourne. Quite a challenging workout. I do a LOT of exercise! But you know, i dont sepend an inordinate amount of time, all my sessions are about 45 minutes, I just work as hard and intensely as I possibly can during that time. I would guess I'd easily eat at least TWICE what many bandsters eat, at least 1800 calories a day to maintain my weight. I lost well all the way through on 1500 calories and I wasnt working this intensely, as I said, mostly running. But this has allowed me to sculpt a body I never thought I'd have and I have no fear of regaining any weight while I do this, and I get to have my band quite loose and eat very normally. I'd say long slow cardio like jogging and walking does work, it did for me. But I wish I'd really tried interval training and circuit training earlier, I'd have lost weight far more quickly than I did. It really torches the fat, I've seen it quite literally melt off for me apart from those very last stubborn areas.

Welcome. I was just banded on October 31st. I hit a stall in loosing weight around the middle of the 2nd week and now have hit another stall. Once I started Puree I just completely stopped loosing. I am hoping it will start back up soon. I have a fill scheduled on Dec 13th. I don't think there is anything to worry about.