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:seeya: Seems like whatever could go wrong, did go wrong. I've had a pretty horrible experience with this lapband so far. And i can't help but wonder if I made the wrong decision at the start. I had my surgery on 10/24. I arrived at the surgery center, was hooked up to the IV's, and an antibiotic was given to me. I had an immediate and severe allergic reaction - vomiting, skin turning bright red, hives from head to toe - all within about 1.5 minutes of taking the antibiotic. I was lucky to be surrounded by nurses; they rushed me and put me on a new drip. I had hoped that was the end of my 'bad luck'. On Saturday, my stomach swelled up like a beach ball. It was horribly uncomfortable, but i called the surgeon and he said it was normal. So i relaxed and went on with the day. Today, Sunday dawns, and my legs, ankles and feet swelled up. I've tried every home treatment I could find while waiting for Monday morning (when i plan to walk into the surgeon's office first thing in the morning). But now, I have thrush in my mouth. it's the worst infection i've ever had. I'm surrounded by people I love, but i feel very alone right now. Is this really worth it?

Hello everyone! I had to do 2 weeks of 6 small meals per day of 110grams or more protein and 80g or less carbs and journal it all. Then, I progressed to the liver shrinking diet of same protein but carbs cut to 20g or less for 3 weeks and right up to surgery which is this Tuesday, February 16, 2016. I have lost 20 lbs and 10 inches from my torso!! YES 10 INCHES. My surgeon was very, very happy with my sticking to the eating plan. It was not easy at times but it sure paid off for me. Tomorrow, I get to drink the Magnesium Citrate bowel prep and have only clear liquids. Then, Tuesday, nothing by mouth as I will be checking in to the hospital. I am a little nervous!!

Well if everything goes perfect this morning i am scheduled for surgery at 10 am. Im scared and nervous of the actual surgery but excited for the future. Wish me luck!

I would also question if the office staff that treated you so badly was really a "Nurse" at all. :omg: Most office staff are medical assistants not nurses and they do not have the background to be hounding you like this. I take it personally when a medical assistant tries to pass themselves off as a "nurse". Here in Cali, only and LVN or RN can legally use the term nurse! So what you may have experienced was a entirely uninformed individual expressing her opinion and not backed up with any education or science! I also would tell the MD, he needs to know how his office staff is treating his client who pay everyones salary! You know what they say about bad word spreading faster than good! Take care, an RN in California, just banded 10/26/2007:)

I know how you feel, my first 30 pounds lost I couldn't fit in smaller clothes and I was pretty frustrated. Then over the past few weeks I have lost 10 pounds and dropped 2 pants sizes. You will be there soon, but I totally get your frustration!

Ok, so this morning I was doing my normal post workout shower. Planned on going swimming tonight and shaved as well. I shave EVERYTHING. For the first time in maybe in 10 years I was able to SEE what I was shaving... Not just by feeling. Had to share. Figured some would understand my excitement. lol

I lost 10 on a 7 day liquid diet Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have to do 7 appts pre-op with the surgeon. So far I've seen Cardio 3 times, Pulmonology twice, had 2 sleep studies (with and without cpap), and will see my endocrinologist once, will have my endoscopy along with nut and psych on 01/27. I'll also see my primary once more before we submit to insurance in February. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone, My name is Bariatric852. I am a 28 year old female who has just undergone laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery earlier this month. I am coming up to three weeks post op on a full liquid diet. I am craving solid food so much - I miss chewing my food. I am actually looking forward to puréed food stage starting on the 27th of May. The various weight loss surgeries were initially brought up by a specialist in a sleep clinic dealing with my sleep apnea. This was nearly three years ago. During these years leading up to my surgery, I have seen a multitude of doctors and specialists. Psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, surgeons, dietitian, physiotherapist. A lot of professionals to see. I have quite a few health problems such as Clinical Depression, PCOS, Sleep Apnea, high blood pressure and Borderline Diabetes... The doctors gave careful consideration to all of the above and gave me the green light to go ahead with the surgery this year. I was given the choice of gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. I chose the bypass.  My weight, at it’s heaviest was 155kg or 341.7lbs. In preparation for the surgery I had to lose 5-10% of my body weight. I managed to do this and my weight pre op was 125.5kg or 275.6lbs. Three weeks later and my current weight is 120.6kg or 265.9lbs. My family say I look a little thinner especial around my face. I know I have a long journey ahead of me. Life-long dietary supplements and antidepressants (21 pills a day). And a lot of hard work to be put in. But I look forward to seeing my weight drop and my body and mind becoming healthier.

Sounds like your sugar had dropped at work. If you had not ate anything til around 10, that is 3 hrs, so it was past time for you to eat, if you're like me. I have to eat every 2-3 hrs, especially early out when we can only hold a tiny amt. I know it's probably more difficult for some people at work to be able to take breaks or lunches to have something to eat, but you could take small ziplock bags of peanuts or almonds to snack on until you can get somewhere and have an actual meal. On the cookies, I have no advice except to not dwell on it, what's done is done. Just strive to do better with your choices, and keep better choices very handy so you won't be in a situation where you're hungry and have cookies as an option. I keep peanuts, almonds, pistachios, edamame, or protein bars in my purse at all times. Protein bars are as yummy to me as any candy or cookie anyway, and the ones I get are 20 grams of protein, so can easily also be a meal. If you have a fridge at work, you could also take ready to drink protein shakes or string cheese.

Hi Dee, I'm getting sleeved on 12/19 and I am a bit scared that it wont' work for me and I only say that because I've only had a problem with my weight in the last 12 years, but my body sticks. No matter what I've tried, how much I've worked out, etc...the scale refuses to move. I will lose inches before lbs. The most I've been able to lose in the last 12 years is 20 lbs., which took me 4 months to do, and I gained it back in the 4-5 months following. I have every confidence in the world that this will work for me over the long run, but am a little nervous that I will be a very slow loser (like 2 lbs. a week slow). But we will see; whatever I lose I know it'll be gone forever cause my body will stick at that weight. LOL

I can't believe after almost 9 months since that first initial meeting....all this time spent in doctor's offices, money spent on co-pays and saving up for this surgery, arranging time off work for my husband and myself, arranging the kids care plus rides to school for them once my husband goes back to work, packing and cleaning the house hard core to preparation and the DAY IS FINALLY HERE! I am doing really well on the liver shrink diet and I am down 10 lbs. in the 9 days so far....today is the Clear liquids only I am not worried about handling it but I do have bad stomach pains that the only thing that will cure it is drinking milk. Luckily I have only had to drink milk three times this week during the liver shrink but KNOW that I can't today. Praying hard I don't get the pains today! Good luck to all the other people on this forum who are also having surgery tomorrow! We can all rock this!! Can't wait to see success pictures

Almost 2 years since my band became a part of me I have cracked 10 stones! 142 lbs to be exact and never did I ever imagine I would lose so much. Most of the weight loss was in the first year and now it's just an occasional pound here and there that I lose. I reckon I am almost at my natural weight and still I am obese! I am 7lbs away from weighing the same as I did when I was 18, I am now 52 so I can be happy where I am and a little happier if I make it eventually. Still I can not get used to being smaller. I see gaps in aisles when shopping and look for a bigger space in which to manouevre my bulk. I can now bend in a smaller space without knocking items from shelves with my derriere, that's bizarre. I still talk about the band like it happened yesterday and expect never to get really used to it. Daily, some days, hourly it reminds me of it's presence. I do forget for a short time that I have it now and again and make the mistake of not chewing properly, of placing too much food in my mouth and forgetting NOT to try and hold a conversation at the same time, therefore forgetting that vital chewing process we must all remember with every bite. I have dropped 6 English sizes and am now size 18. I know this would be horrific for a woman who has been used to being size 8 or 10 but for me this is slim, normal, no longer freakish or the butt of skinnie's jokes. Not that I ever heard many of them anyway so they were wasting their breath. Being 'normal' is difficult to comprehend. I have met up with some old friends since having the band fitted and they see no difference as I was this size when they last saw me, I imagine I bore them rigid with my talk about it at times. One friend did tell me not long ago that I really wasn't the dress size I thought I was and to try smething 2 sizes smaller. Can you imagine when that 2 sizes smaller fit? I was used to wearing loose clothes for so long that it never occured to me to wear something that fit me. Now instead of specialist larger ladies clothes by mail order I can walk in the supermarket and buy regular clothes. I have choices. I probably will never have my band tightened again, we get on ok as we are now even though some days do seem much tighter than others, today especially feels like a tight belt around my middle. I dream of it being removed and eating pizza, loaves of bread, take away all to myself, well I can dream but it's really the nightmare lifestyle that got me where I was. Hell I miss pizza and no doubt about it but Pizza manages quite well without me thank you and I manage much better without IT!

I had surgery June 25th as well. I used Gas X strips while in hospital and now am using duel action acid controller complete. You can get it at Walmart or Target for about $10. Both things I mentioned have been approved by the bariatric nurse and surgeon, feel better soon.

Hi my name is Patti, I'm so happy for you. seeing how you just had your band done can you give me some idea of how much pain you have? I need to know if I could drive and babysit and do my computer job as well? Are you weak from no solid food? Please write back to me? I don't want to give my employers false info, and one, I didn't even mention I'm getting it. all the tests are done and clearance is done, the insurance has to approve it, Take care, and 10 lbs. is wonderful! Patti

I'm not quite at my goal yet, but here's a little comparison. The red dress photo is from last night. I'm currently 5'8" 159 lbs, US size 10. My highest weight is 240 and I wore a US size 18. Measurements ‎B:43, W:36, H:45 March 28 ‎B:41.5, W:34.5, H:43.5 July 3 B:42, W:33, H:42 August 18 B:39, W:32, H:40 October 13 B:37.5, W:30, H:38.5 December 3 I don't have any proper before pictures because I hated (and continue to hate) the camera, but I hope you get the idea from the pictures I found.

Hoping for some encouragement and/or advice. I met with my surgeon yesterday and got my date...February 6!!! Wow!! My main panic moment was when I found out no anti-inflammatory for 10 days prior and 2 months after. I have arthritis and a dislocated ankle (fusion in my future). I'm worried about the pain and about it affecting my ability to increase activity. Anyone experience this? Will it be as bad as I'm expecting? I appreciate any input! Thanks!!

Hi All. I was banded on March 10, 2011. Have been doing ok lost 23lbs have 5.5cc in a 10cc band. However today I fell off the wagon. I went our for breakfast and ate a half of an egg sandwich with bacon and cheese. Then my daughters invited me out to a movie. After we went for Mexican food and I ate a chicken enchilata and had desert. On the ride home I had left shoulder pain and extreme gas. Felt depressed and guilty for worring my girls. All your words helped me realize that we all slip up and just have to move on. This is for life. I need to learn that only one cup means one cup everywhere. Hope I did not screw up my band. The port seems swollen.

I was sleeved on 12/10. I have a high stress job, I'm not going back until 1/21 (6 weeks).

I am on day 9 of a 2 week pre-op liquid diet to shrink my liver before surgery. I have only lost 5 pounds! I'm watching my sodium intake and drinking plenty of Water. And following the diet perfectly. My PCP (?) said most people lose between 10-15 lbs, but I am nowhere near that! Has anyone else experienced this? I don't really know what to think and My surgery is on July 20th.

Hi Barb... I think you should not worry... and try to be happy about this next phase of life. You like and trust your surgeon, right? Then what I did was just left it in his hands (and the lord as well of course). I got sleeved the end of March 2027. The best thing I can suggest is rest... follow what your supposed to 'drink' and walk as best you can. Take your pain meds if needed, I didn't have to take many. I don't know how much you have to loose, but I can tell you honestly it's the best thing I ever did and wished I'd done it in my 40's. I had about 40 pounds to loose and am happy to report I am 5 lbs away from my goal weight. Don't buy a lot of clothes right away, if your like me the weight just comes off so fast that you'll want to wait till you level out a bit. I wish you all the best. The thing when you start eating regular food again, is don't over eat. I love to cook and still fix dinner for my husband and guest but I eat about 10-12 bites and that's it! I feel full and I stop. That is the key to maintaining. The hardest thing for me, is not drinking 30 min before eating and 30 min after. Just make your nutritionist your bff!! Best of luck... let me know if you have specific questions... hugs, Rose

My surgeon's office called and my surgery time is at 10:00am Monday morning. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the number on my caller ID.

I can't believe it is finally here after 10 months of hard work. I am excited and nervous - not nervous about the surgery itself, nervous they will change their mind tomorrow LOL, silly worries on my part:redface:. I just wanted to share with all of you and I will be back for my post op support!:cursing:

I am 10 days from my surgery, and on my pre-op diet. My daughters, 2 preteens and one young teen, have already noticed Mommy is not eating ( I am on the liquid preop diet), and of course they are curious about what I am doing. They are regular girls, and completely inundated with the same media messages that we all see daily. They know about diets, they know how everyone treated Britney when she was a little curvy, and how she is "back on top" now that she is skinny again. They worry about what size jeans they are wearing, and if they look "fat" in their swimsuits. I have tried to always stress health over specific size or weight, but they hear what I say, and then of course, they see all the messages from everywhere around them. I understand that what I am doing is an important life change for me. I have considered this surgery very carefully and I am most looking forward to the improvements in my health and in what activities I will be able to join in on with my kids. That said, I also know that if I tell my daughters, two of whom have inherited my genetic shape and are already curvy-beautifully fit and healthy-but more Beyonce than model-thin, I run the risk of setting up and reinforcing all kind of body image issues and questions with them that they just do not need. I have struggled mightily, even when on one of my ridiculous diets, to stress to them that life is about healthy eating, not dieting and starving yourself, that some people are naturally skinny, others more rounded, all in an effort to try and avoid transferring my weight issues onto them. I feel that if I tell them I am getting banded in order to lose weight, that to them, I will look like a very big hypocrite! How have you all handled this? Thanks for the input.