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Hi Everyone! I will be getting sleeved next Wednesday. Having all the emotions that many of you had written about. One of the things that is making me nervous is that I have not told anyone- just my husband and my best friend from childhood. I guess I am embarrassed to admit that I need surgery.... On the 2 week pre op diet....do you think that broth from a Chinese restaurant is a bad idea? G

Ahhhhhh soo exciting!!! It def will be rough especially the first week days but it does get better everyday! Good luck!!! Sent from my SM-G935T using the BariatricPal App

I just started the options classes last week and was wondering if anyone else is taking the classes right now. I will probably be having surgery in march. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

Even the clear part of acrylic nails is tinted so it would mask the true color of your nail beds and possibly interfere with the pulse oximetry. I just planned my nail appointments around my surgery so I was three weeks out of a backfill and took them off right before heading to Mexico. Got a new set put on 2 days after returning home.

My insureance required me to have documentation for the last 3 years that I was at 35 BMI or over with at least 1 comormid disease. So make sure your not required to do that before you gain 10 pounds!

I've been getting ready for a few months started with a surgeon that only did RNY & band... Something kept pulling me back to the Sleeve...so I seen a new surgeon today, the office manager told me because I started the process with the other surgeon that I could get the surgery within weeks not months......I felt really comfortable with the surgeon I met today, my previous surgeon always seemed very busy. I've thought about WLS for years and would tell myself I should just finally get this weight off myself, quickly I realized my body would only allow me to lose 25-30 pounds and then slowly regain even with excessive exercise and low carb diet..... It works for a while but always SLOWLY creeps back on....... I'm thinking late December early January for me, maybe be can be across country buddies, I'm in Cali

Hey guys I managed to drop 90/91 pounds 6 months post op I have been stalling for the past month and the scale won't move I am going crazy I just want to get to my goal I go to gym everyday I just have 30 more pounds to go, I am loosing inches to but just going crazy I am thinking about going back to my liquid diet any suggestions guys help

Well, I guess if I were you I would start by logging all your food on myfitnesspal or a similar site - it doesn't sound like you are? That way you can see what, if anything, needs to be tweaked. Sometimes the only thing that will break a stall is time, though! And just now Alex posted this really great comment on stalls/plateaus - I think the advice is excellent! http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/303785-plateau-get-over-it/

Hi,I had my surgery last Wed 2/6/10 and it seemed to go well.I had a Hiatus hernia repaired at the same time.Unfortunately i had a cold all week as well so still feel a bit under the weather.I have some left shoulder tip pain and have been taking Paracetamol only so far since discharge as well as in hospital.I did not have any gas pain just some tightness around my sternum and I was wondering if anyone has any idea how long the shoulder tip pain goes on for ?I have been using hot packs for it but it is really annoying.Also is it normal to feel a bit lightheaded and have a slight headache all the time even though it is 5 days after surgery? Any ideas would be great.

They just moved to WV -she had her LB done in Beaumont. She has been a great source of info. We are both about 5'1" and have started this journey above 200. She was right at 240 at the time of her surgery and is down by 75 pounds - but she has not had a fill in over a year. She is actually waiting until life is settled now that they have moved. I am meeting with my surgeon next week and will weigh in at 230. Good luck with the guinea pig thing. I would think being part of the "team" they will do everything they can to make sure your procedure is picture perfect. Not they won't for every other patient but being one of the own has to count for something.

Hello, My name is Erin. I am new to this site, and just starting out on this journey to the Gastric Sleeve. I have my first appointment with my surgeon next week, and am nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time. I have been heavy my entire life, but once I had 3 kids the weight just kept piling on and has been so hard to loose. I have thought about this surgery many many times, I even saw a surgeon and started going through clearances for the surgery about 2 years ago, but I dont know what it was that made me change my mind. I now realize that was a huge mistake! This is something that I need to do. I am going to be 30 years old in about a month, and some days feel like I am 70. I don't have the energy to do the things I need and want to do with my family. I have finally decided this is it, I have to do something about my weight. I have tried all of the different yo-yo diets, weight watchers, changing eating habits and excercising, but nothing seems to give me the results I need or want. It is time for a change. I am just so tired of not having the energy to do things with my kids. I am starting this journey at 299lbs (as of this morning), and hope to get down to 160. I live in New York, and am having my surgery done by Dr. Baiju Gohil at Syosset Hospital. I'm looking to make some friends on here along the way. :wub:

Hello everybody!! I had surgery on 8-22-13 after debating for a lot of years because I was afraid but I'm glad I got it over with finally. Everything went great no pain at all the only bad thing that happened to me was that I had a bad rash below my abdomen and my dermatologist gave me a cream that I was allergic to and I got completely burned and I developed a bacteria in which I had to take a lot of antibiotics and it made me so nauseaus that it was very difficult for me to eat anything its been already 3 weeks that I finished the antibiotic and still every food that I used to love before disgusses me, I'm only eating Quacke. Grits mashed potato water melon grapes and other fruits and also protein shake on the other hand I really don't know what to eat I would really like if somebody would give me like a sample menu so I can have an idea of what to eat because the instructions that I have from the dietician doesn't really help me much because I see that a lot of you guys eat eggs and on the paper that I have it says to eat egg whites how much creative can you be with egg whites only. Please help me in giving me an idea, on the other hand I have lost 45 lbs. But I haven't started excersizing yet for me its kind of hard because I'm not used it but I guess I'll have to do it sooner or later. Wish you all the best and with good health!!! Thank you so much in advance for your help!!!

Hello everyone, My name is Heather Conrad and I live in Nashville TN. I am 43 years old and have battled weight for most of my life. However, since my back went bad, my weight has completely gone out of control. I am only 5'1 and currently weigh 213ish. I know that number does not seem super big but, on a tiny frame such as mine, it feels terrible. I have tried every diet known to man and I only end up yo yoing. I had back surgery one year ago and since packed it on. I used to be really active and led such a healthy lifestyle and I feel this surgery is my chance to have that back again. I am currently on many pain medications, and hypertension medication. My goal is to lose this weight and get off all meds. I just wanted to share a little about myself and I would appreciate any support I can get. Oh yeah, my first appt., is this Th. I am going through Vanderbilt. Does anyone have experience there. I have federal BC/BS, and they require a 3 month supervised weight loss which I think is ridiculous. I have my last two years of weight loss tries documented but, whatever it takes. At least it is not 6 mos. to a year like I have read on some other insurances. I am interested in the VSG. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks Heather

I finished my six month appointment last week and now I'm just waiting for the call with my surgery date. This week has gone by soooooo slowly! I'm just excited to get going, as I know you are too. Good luck, it will get there before you know it! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm pretty sure that I passed a stone about 5 weeks postop although I never sought help. My back hurt for three days and it hurt to go to the bathroom. TMI alert: after about 7 hours of overnight agony, I wiped and there was blood ... I assumed I was starting my period (ugh) but immediately all my pain was gone.... Definitely call....I didn't and now I feel like I have undocumented issues. I

I am registered for my first seminar in exactly one week. The anticipation is killing me. I know this is a big step, and I'm ready to take it. I'm doing this not because of image reasons. I'm doing it for my children. I want to be around here for them. I'll be 35 on Thursday and I have a 1 year old. If my lifestyle continues, I'll be lucky to see her graduate high school. And, that scares me to death.

I had surgery last June. I am down 74 lbs. I was doing very well but an now at a stand still. I have been at a 74-78 lb loss for 3 months now. I know what I need to do but I just can't seem to do it. My goal is to do the pre surgery liquid diet this week to get me back on track. I am hoping some of you will hold me accountable lol. I am happy with my progress but know I can do better .

I too am feeling really anxious and scared. My surgery is Wednesday. Thanks so much Cincilou for the list of things to remember. I have most, but see a few things that I didn't know about so I'll be running out tomorrow or Tuesday to stock up! I love reading everyones stories and know it will be ok and soon I will have my own experience to tell, but it's still scary not knowing and the anticipation of what's going to happen next. I know I've made the right decision and it's been a long journey since January 2006 when I started seeing my Doctor and researching. I know it'll be hard to sleep the next few nights, but am looking forward to waking up after surgery and starting a new chapter in my life, a new beginning !!!! Good luck to everyone else this week !

Relax, It Will Be History In About 45 Minutes.. The Hard Part Is After The Band Is Installed. You Literally Learn To Eat Again. Almost Impossible To Screw Up. For The First Two Weeks Your Stomac Is Recovering After That I Could Eat Most Things. The Main Change Is Quantity. When You Over Do You Get Heartbun Real Bad. You Will Soon Learn When You Have Reached The Full Mark. My Phone Is 813-390-8046 If You Have Questions. Ihave Had The Band About One Month And Am Down 25lbs. Good Luck. Carl

South Beach Diet Food List During Phase 1, the foods eaten will be in controlled portions to include chicken, beef, turkey, fish, and shellfish. These types of foods along with vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts, and salads can also be eaten, although all of it will be in controlled portions. Refer to the following list to see the types of foods that are acceptable in phase 1, 2, and 3. Remember that bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, baked goods, fruit, candy, cake, cookies, ice cream, or sugar will be slowly added back into your diet in Phase 2. Foods to Enjoy Phase 1 Boiled HamCanadian BaconCanola OilChicken Breasts (skinless)Cheese (fat-free or low-fat - American, Cheddar, cottage, cream substitute, feta)Cornish Game HenEggs (whole)Fish (all types)Green VegetablesLunchmeat (lean)Peanut ButterPeanutsPecansPistachio NutsOlive OilSeasoning/Spices (broth, butter sprays, pepper, anything containing no sugar)ShellfishSirloinSweets * (chocolate powder, cocoa powder (baking type), hard candy, sugar substitute (sugar-free)TenderloinTofuTurkey BaconVealVegetables (artichokes, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, legumes, lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini)Quick Shopping List for South Beach Diet Starter - Phase 1 A lot of eggs! (at least two dozen. I ate 3 a day) Turkey and Canadian bacon Sugar free Jell-O Lettuce & whatever else you want in your salads (buy enough for the week) Salad dressing (balsamic vinaigrette is good) Veggies (no carrots)(broccoli & zucchini are good) Chicken breasts and whatever other meat you like Nuts (for snacks) Low fat string cheese & shredded cheese (I use it on my salads) Part-skim ricotta cheese Splenda or other sugar substitute

South Beach Diet Food List During Phase 1, the foods eaten will be in controlled portions to include chicken, beef, turkey, fish, and shellfish. These types of foods along with vegetables, eggs, cheese, nuts, and salads can also be eaten, although all of it will be in controlled portions. Refer to the following list to see the types of foods that are acceptable in phase 1, 2, and 3. Remember that bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, baked goods, fruit, candy, cake, cookies, ice cream, or sugar will be slowly added back into your diet in Phase 2. Foods to Enjoy Phase 1 Boiled HamCanadian BaconCanola OilChicken Breasts (skinless)Cheese (fat-free or low-fat - American, Cheddar, cottage, cream substitute, feta)Cornish Game HenEggs (whole)Fish (all types)Green VegetablesLunchmeat (lean)Peanut ButterPeanutsPecansPistachio NutsOlive OilSeasoning/Spices (broth, butter sprays, pepper, anything containing no sugar)ShellfishSirloinSweets * (chocolate powder, cocoa powder (baking type), hard candy, sugar substitute (sugar-free)TenderloinTofuTurkey BaconVealVegetables (artichokes, asparagus, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, legumes, lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini)Quick Shopping List for South Beach Diet Starter - Phase 1 A lot of eggs! (at least two dozen. I ate 3 a day) Turkey and Canadian bacon Sugar free Jell-O Lettuce & whatever else you want in your salads (buy enough for the week) Salad dressing (balsamic vinaigrette is good) Veggies (no carrots)(broccoli & zucchini are good) Chicken breasts and whatever other meat you like Nuts (for snacks) Low fat string cheese & shredded cheese (I use it on my salads) Part-skim ricotta cheese Splenda or other sugar substitute

Here's the link to the whole forum about FAQ's and technical issues, you'll find questions to ask the surgeon there as well as checklists for items to have. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/lap-band-...aysprune=&f=73 And here's some of the many other threads that are similar to yours, I thought you might like to check some of them out, too. The Search function along the blue toolbar about 1/3 way down from the top of every page is invaluable. Welcome and best of luck, hope these all help! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/questions...4.html?t=32224 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/pre-op-qu...6.html?t=31866 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/pre-op-qu...5.html?t=31865 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/questions...5.html?t=28945 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/some-ques...1.html?t=12541 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/questions...7.html?t=20287

Okay, I'm actually a little over three months out now. My surgery was 15 July with Dr. Aceves. I was down 45 pounds at my 3 month mark. My starting weight was 242 pounds and I'm 5'1" and change. I started in an uncomfortably tight 18/20 and I'm now wearing loose 16s. The 14s are still uncomfortably tight, but I'll be in them by next month. My shirts were XXL and XL and are now L. No more Xs on my shirts! I've lost a bra size (both band and cup) and I'm finally able to wear my wedding band again. My shoes went up half a size when I went over 220 pounds, and now all of the shoes I bought are too loose and slip off my feet. I stall every month, twice a month. I lose about 15 pounds a month but I lose those pounds in two and a half weeks. I'm a type 2 diabetic and I'm insulin resistant, and my weight loss is "slow" compared to a lot of people sleeved at the same time. It's normal for me to stall for ten days and then drop six pounds in the next four days. Milk is not my friend. After a lot of work to pinpoint what was causing my digestive issues, the answer is MILK. Even lactaid upsets my stomach. My Protein shake, cottage cheese and plain yogurt do the same to a much lesser degree. I was looking for alternative and my doctor suggested goat or sheep milk, saying that they don't have lactose. I'd switch to almond milk or soy milk (if I could tolerate the taste!) but I'm about to move to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and I wanted to go with an alternate I could find once we move. Goats and sheep abound in Tashkent, but soy milk and almond milk do not! The great news is that goat milk isn't too bad once you get used to the aftertaste. At first it felt like I was drinking milk while munching on chevre. Since switching a few days ago, I've been able to drink my Protein shakes with only minor intestinal distress. I've also broken through a two week stall and lost 2 pounds, so things are moving again. I am losing hair. Not too much yet, but there is definitely more hair on my shirts and in the drain catcher. I've been taking Biotin (5000 mcg) since preop and I get all of my Vitamins in - I think the newly increased loss is due to my lower protein intake. While I was unable to drink my shakes I wasn't getting enough protein. I hope that I'll be able to pull through this without too much additional loss. My diabetes is well under control with just diet and exercise. I sleep better and longer than I did before surgery. I'm also more energetic and move a lot more than I used to, without getting sore or tired. Sometimes I don't see much of a change, but then I'll see a picture of me from this summer flip by on our screensaver and realize that I've come a long way already. My face is definitely thinner, and I only have a little more to lose before that dreaded double chin is completely gone. I have no regrets and would have this surgery again in a heartbeat. I wish I lost a little faster, but even at this slow rate, I'll be at goal by spring. ~Cheri

I am also 5'1 and weigh about 220 ish and suffer from back pain so I know exactly what you mean. A few people have told me you don't look fat you will be fine, they don't understand the nightmare I live daily with pain and pressure. Anyhow the good news is I finally finished all my pre op testings yesterday 2 weeks of back to back doctors I look back and don't know how I did it but I did. Now waiting for all the results and surgery date, can't wait. I have empire BCBS thank god no waiting. All I can tell you the tine will fly by and before you know it you are sleeved. I can't wait for the day I get on this and say I'm sleeved yeahhhhhh.

I'm struggling with my calorie/protein intake also, and my surgeon has me shooting for 1000 calories a day, though 1200 would be perfect. Using My Fitness Pal has REALLY helped me with my meals, Protein & Water. I plan ahead for lunch at work and at 5 weeks out tomorrow, my sleeve feels completely normal. I'm looking forward to sushi & salad!! I've been taking it slow with my meal progression because this is a lifetime decision and I don't want to throw up or anything that might hurt my sleeve Sent from my iPhone using VST