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labandster-- Am I reading this right? You are down about 100 pounds and are embarrassed and feel like you failed? I got to say, I bet if you hadn't been banded not only would you be 100 pounds heavier but if you were like me, you would have gained another 10 to 20 pounds a year too! I am going to challenge you to look at the big picture. Your Dr works for you, you pay his salary. He is there to help you. He has your $19K and he owes you! Get your moneys worth! He has seen worse I promise! I am a firm believer that when you go through a life changing transformation sometimes you need to take a break and let your mind accept where you are now before you can continue your journey. Maybe now you are ready. If it were me I would start with 1 thing, and add 1 new thing a week until I had the process going. Its kind of like that running program couch to 5K. Instead of starting running a full race you start a little at a time and improve every week, that way you ease yourself into it and its not a big shock to your body and you quit. So my philosophy is like that. This week start journaling your food. Next week go and get a fill. The week after you will have 2 weeks worth of food journals and you can look for somewhere to cut. The next week start walking a few days a week. Then every week after that find 1 thing that you can improve. Everyone can fix one thing a week. In your mind say " OK Sunday night I am going to sit down and decide what the 1 thing is and then I am going to do that 1 thing for the next week." I hope this helps. Think positive thoughts and remember if you did it before you can do it again!

:wink: Friday night I was woken up by the police slamming on my door. The son was too loud and someone--one of his dumb "friends" was running up and down the street with a loud car. I let them in his room to talk to him about it. they hauled my son out of my own house to jail. This is not the first time. Things were just looking up for him, he is graduating from college, got a job part time for the first time in a long time. Not a great job but a job anyway. And now this. We will make him pay us back but we are out $2-3000 for lawyers and such. We have spent so much on them already. But from what we have seen he cannot go to court without one. Why am I writing this? Meanwhile I am supposed to be watching what I am eating. I could have ate a gallon of chocolate yesterday for sure. My husband who is thin got sick and could not eat. I get the opposite when upset. I guess my point is that there are a lot more things going on than just why am I not eating what I should? There are lots of problems and it is so hard. I have done really well not going crazy. Luckily I have several Lo cal things that are sweet that are helping. I still have exercised and yesterday a big walk. I just am not not losing. I am so stuck where I am since November. The fill I got has affected me a little bit but just is not doing the job. I am in my 11th month here. I just need that little boost --- something needs to go right! I guess that is it tonite blog. When will this kid change? Why can't he see that his friends are using him and now using us and that we are the only ones who have ever really supported and cared about him?? I don't feel like a good week is coming up. I will keep trying but keeping my attitude and chin up about all this weight stuff is just getting to be too hard. I don't have diet cokes anymore, and why? I am not losing, it is not helping? I don't eat any bread when eating out at all. I bring half my food home. And for WHAT!? This is tough....God please give me a break soon. :wub:

I think what is important to remember is that the band is designed for slower, healthier weight loss. Ideally, one should be losing about 1-2 pounds per week with the band. If you have lost 40 pounds in two months, that is an average of 5 pounds a week, so you are actually losing above and beyond the suggested amount for lapbanders.

My insurance company had the same requirement, but I was unable to fulfill it since I had not visited any doctors offices or clinics in the three preceding years (I was uninsured from 2010 to 2014). I provided self-reported weights to fill in the gaps and this sufficed enough for the insurance company to approve payment for the sleeve.

Ask your doc for the Lortab liquid pain meds and the Zofran (it melts in your mouth) for nausea. My nausea was so bad and I didn't drink and ended up in the hospital for 3 days right after I returned home from surgery. It sucks, but sip. You can download an app that reminds you every (however long you decide) to sip. I set mine for 7 minutes. I hated that stupid app but after I started using it I didn't have to go back to the hospital and I only needed it for a week or so before I started drinking normally again. Also, try different temps for liquids and different flavors. I need hot liquids at first, I even heated up my Water. Now it has to be icy cold. I bough some grape crystal lite and found that it was disgusting (even though I loved it before surgery) I ended up getting some blue Powerade and some apple juice and diluted it half and half with water and then heated it up. Sounds gross but it worked like a charm. Try a few different things to see what works for you.

WOW!! You are da man--I mean WOman!!! You must be one of those super organized people--will bode well for your sleeve future!!! You will be in good hands with Dr. A--he did mine 1 week and 1 day ago....Good luck to you and may God bless you with a speedy recovery!

In my puree stage I had fat free refried beans, deviled eggs, & was allowed baked salmon, tuna with low fat mayo, & ricotta bake. It went by fast. No problems for me, I still lost like 5 more pounds during this phase (my 4th week pre-op). Height: 5'0" Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs. Surgery date: 2/13/17 Goal: -71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs). Current weight: 180.8 My profile picture is not me. It's my "FITspiration" body.

New Progress Pics!! Well, here I am. Back to post what's going on with me at a little over four months post-op. At this point, I sort of have a love-hate relationship with my sleeve. I love my sleeve when people make comments to me such as yesterday, when one of my co-workers said to me: "Kourtney, you are going to blow away, you're getting so skinny!" I'm really not that skinny; I weighed 174.2 at my last weigh-in. But it was still nice to hear, and put a smile on my face. I have finally gotten to the point where people are really starting to notice the weight loss, which is interesting, because I've probably only lost 8-10 pounds since my last post, but literally only one person at work had commented on my weight loss at that time. Now it's like the flood gates have opened... One person commented that I've lost the weight so fast, to which I was able to accurately answer: "No, actually I haven't, just nobody noticed for a really long time!" But it must seem like it, because just in the last two weeks, I have probably had five or six people ask me if I had lost weight, how much, and how. This is where I have been fibbing. I kept my surgery a secret at work. I was working as a contractor, so had the luxury of just taking a month off between contracts with no explanation. So that's what I did. I took the month of May off, and didn't tell anyone what I was doing. Partly because I didn't want to go through the hassle of having to get cleared to come back to work by the Employee Health department due to the lifting restriction. But also partly because I work with someone who is very open about having had Gastric Bypass surgery, and people are not-so-nice about it behind her back, and even make comments to her like "Should you be eating that?" I didn't want that. So I've been telling people that I've lost 30 pounds (I've actually lost closer to 60). I've been telling them that I've been focusing on eating smaller portions, increasing protein, and that I've started running. All true. But at the same time I feel a little ashamed for lying. Worse still, I saw a friend a couple of weeks ago that I haven't seen since I moved to Florida. She was, of course wowed by my weight loss. And she is someone who has also struggled with her weight, someone who I vowed that I would tell about it when the time came. But then I chickened out! What's wrong with me??? I've actually thought about emailing her and telling her the truth, because the guilt is getting to me. So I sort of hate that my sleeve has made me into a liar. On the other hand, I love my sleeve when I get to go shopping in my closet! I love pulling out all of the clothes that haven't fit me in years, and wearing them! It's like getting brand new clothes. I also have a new obsession with Poshmark. It's a virtual consignment store. I've been selling all of my old size 16's that don't fit me anymore, and I've been buying size 10's. They don't quite fit yet, but they're close. Diet-wise there are still things I can't eat. Grilled fish, for example. I tried again the other night, and it just does not stay down. I ate it with some red-curry noodles (because tuna-noodle casserole had stayed down beautifully, so I thought there may be something to the fish-sauce-noodle combo) and then was really uncomfortable for about 30 minutes before it finally came back up. Interestingly, I tried the rice noodles the next day with chicken (because my husband had heated them up, and they smelled so good) and they came up again. So it very well may have been the very glutenous noodles. But I'm playing it safe, and avoiding all fish (except tuna-noodle casserole). So I hate that my sleeve has taken away some things that I used to really enjoy. But at the same time, I love that it has given me the control to just have a little bit of the things that I can tolerate, and that I still love. Self control is something I was severely lacking pre-sleeve, so I'm thrilled to have it. Overall, getting my sleeve is still the best $10,000 dollars I have ever spent.

He decided not to cancel!!!!! I have to do a 2 week liquid diet though. Sent from my LGMS428 using the BariatricPal App

After 30 months since lap banding, I am noticing more hunger than before. I've been a total success story as I've lost about 90% of my excess body weight. Over the past 4 or five weeks, I've noticed that I cannot stay full for longer and an hour -- that was not the case prior. I have less than 5 ccs of fill -- does the fluid in the band evaporate over time. If so, is it necessary to get additional fill?

Annabelle I too had a wait for my surgery. I started in Feb of 2012 and was sleeved Dec 5th 2012. I am really happy that I followed my NUT suggestion and stopped caffeine, carbonated soda, and empty calories back in early Feb. I read post of those who only stopped those foods when they reached the preop diet and they are miserable fighting craving while trying to adjust the sleeve. I am only unhappy that I got so caught up in "let's hurry up and make this happen" I failed to look at the risk objectively. The surgeon's office is selling a product so they gloss over everything unpleasant. Those here on the form do not, so read about complications and find out the truth of what could go wrong. I got a pierced bowel because my surgeon made a mistake cutting scar tissue. It made for a week hospital stay but worst my family feared they were loosing me during the hours/days it took to get things under control. Read about leaks. Yes they are all rare but I a proof as are many others on here rare happened to real people. With that being said I am a type 2 diabetic,and have hypertension. All meds were gone days after surgery.

Thanks! Idk why im having it im 3 almost 4 weeks out, still just working on getting my liquids in! Like I said im just not a pop drinker, and could care less about caffeine one of those weird body things I guess!

I'm on my 5th week after getting gastric bypass. It's a struggle to stay hydrated, and to get in the necessary protein. So far my experience has been ruff but it will get better. Stay optimistic!!!!

Since my surgery, I have not had any cravings. Maybe some head hunger because I am on full liquids for another 8 days. I just want to taste something different and chew. I do really miss coffee though. I used to get a venti non-fat iced white mocha from starbucks everyday. I have not had coffee in over 3 weeks. I would love me some coffee. I know I will never get to drink my old drink again because it has way too many calories, but maybe a skinny vanilla latte every once in awhile would be nice. Good Luck to you! Bonnie

Hi All, I recently posted a message about other pre-banders and banders in the Sacramento area... unfortunately I didn't see this posting before I created mine! -- Sorry:D I tried to check out the Yahoo group: Sacramento Bandsters @ Yahoogroups.com... But I couldn't locate it. Is it still active? I recently attended an informational seminar for Sacramento Bariatric Medical Association and Dr. Bruce Wolf is now working there and still doing Obesity research at UC Davis. He was not very positive about the Lap-Band. When I asked him how many Lap-Band procedures he has done, he said about 50 and then went on to say how he doesn't really feel that it is very effective and it works for some, but not for others, blah, blah, blah. I kind of tuned him out because he wasn't present for the beginning of the session and the other doctor (Machado) who is the director at this facility was very positive when she presented Lap-Band as one of the options. I met with my primary care doctor today and he is putting in the referral to have me seen by Sac Bariatric... said it might take 3-4 weeks. I have Cigna HMO and am a bit scared that they will not cover the surgery. I have a current BMI of 41.3, but no real co-morbidities except some joint pain and back pain. We will see... I am determined to get the Lap-Band and will go to Mexico if I have to. Thanks, Anne

I absolutely agree with KristenLe........don't weigh every day..............made me crazy so I only weigh once a week now.

Hi everyone, my name is Lisa and I am a 28 yr old female. This is the first time I have been on a site like this. A little history is that I am a 2X brain cancer survivor and had to take heavy doses of steroids to get the swelling under control. My entire life and body changed completly. Previous to all of the medical problems, I was working full time and was also a full time nursing student in my last semester. I also worked out 6x a week and was in excellant shape. Because of the steroids I gained about 60 pounds, and now have avascular necrosis in my lower extremities (my bones are collapsing) in the last 2 years I have had an unsuccessful hip surgery, a total hip replacement, and decompression of my ankle (holes drilled into the bone to try and get blood to return). Any ways, I went to the doctor this morning and he suggested that I look into having lap band surgery because my weight is causing enormous pressure on my bones. I am a little torn about several things and I thaught that mabye I should try to talk to some people that have had the surgery done that can tell me first hand what the recovery is like, and if they were satisfied with the results. Also I have been reading alot about people lossing their hair and I wanted to see how true or often that is the case. Please let me know! =) Thanks, Lisa

Hey congratz on your surgery...LOL that was really cute ...I always say that as well...About there being a skinny person inside of me...however I have been keeping her tied up and gagged...My surgery is this coming 16th...very excited on my pre opt diet today is day three...Can I ask you how are you doing with recovery? How are you feeling? Ty Best Wishes for your journey!!

Well New year's Eve came and went and by NYDay I was banded. I stayed overnight due to insurance requirements and left by 10am. The surgery was, uneventful, thank God. I was actually worried about my liver being to fatty because I didn't exactly follow the pre-op atkins diet my Dr put me on. But he actually said I had a skinny liver with no fat. my mom said I said...there really is a skinny person inside trying to get out. lol. I was still under anesthesia. She said it cracked her up. I remember all the preop stuff and about an hr after I got there they gave me something in my IV and I told my hubby I loved him and the next thing I remember I was waking up. I was in pain right below my chest. Couldn't take in deep breaths and coughing??...forgetaboutit! It hurt like hell! but today is day 4. I am down 8lbs and the pain has subsided. I am not walking for any long amounts of time, just around the house and stuff. I figure at the end of week 2 I will be feeling better. my brother is an exercise freak so he is just waiting to get me in the gym! I told him, he will have to take it easy on me for a bit because..uhhh, this body aint used to workin out...let alone workin out hard! lol. So I will keep ya updated on that. As far the post op diet. My instructions said I could have clear liquids, creamy soups(strained), protein drinks, etc. For the protein I am using slimfast optima for now (my walmart is small and doesn't carry much selection). I mixed it with skim milk and some coffee and ice. It was suprisingly good! I am also taking 1flinstone vitamin a day. I got the complete that has Biotin that helps with hair growth. I thinks I am doing well so far.

I didn't sleep a bit from the night I got my surgery until after my 1 week post-op appointment. In the hospital it was because I was constantly getting up to walk or having someone checking one thing or another. When I got released I assumed it was because I couldn't lay on my stomach (drain port), so I could never get comfortable enough to doze for longer than 20 minutes at a time. Once I was able to comfortably lay on my stomach again though, I've had no problems since (though I've only slept about 3-4 hours a night for the last 20 years anyway).

Thats very normal, I think pretty much all of us think that, feel that and do that lol the week before my pre op I gained 4lbs from the O man not having this again for awhile if ever syndrome lol but on my 2 week liquids I lost 12 and I am now 17 days out from surgery and have lost 17lbs! So enjoy your few treats, get your mind all ready for your pre op, you will do great and you will lose! Good luck to you!

My doctor told me no alcohol 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. He also said a little alcohol goes along way in your new 'pouch'. You will be a lightweight. I plan on having wine on New Years Eve:)

OK... WTH... I'll bite... What's wrong with nuts and milk? I enjoy a periodic handful of peanuts and drink milk everyday. As far as alcohol/carbonation/caffeine etc... My doc says everyone's tolerance level is different... test the waters cautiously and see what your tolerance is. Personally, I started drinking beer again about 6 weeks post op. I started liking it way too much and I'm certain it was a factor in my weigh loss coming to a halt. I've temporarily given it up and taken up exercise it's place. Headed in for fill #5 tomorrow with about a 17 pound loss in 4 weeks. Brad

Had my EGD yesterday. Doc said things looked pretty good. He took a biopsy, and the nurse said it was probably to check for H. Pylori. So, now it's just a waiting game. Now to decide on how many weeks to take off from work. I have a lot of sick time saved up, but don't want to take too long. Afraid of getting lazy, and afraid of not wanting to go back to work.

Tiffany, myfitnesspal.com is a great journal for tracking everything you eat and making sure you stay within your calorie limit. You can do it online, on your android or apple apps. It is also great for tracking exercise and water consumption. I am hoping for March 6th surgery date and have lost about 17 lbs since I startec the journey in October, I also don't need to lose weight beforehand but wanted to to get used to the routine. I am stalling now so thinking of doing the liquid diet starting next week for two weeks. I think that it will really help me be ready for surgery too.