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I had surgery on 8/16. I read and read and read entries on this site. It made a world of difference for me. I was on a 2 week pre-op, almost harder than the surgery itself. On that morning, I was scared and apprehensive. Praying did calm and center me. When I came in, they asked a lot of questions I answered 13 times already...lol. What meds am I on? What's my name and date, checking the wrist band. Met with various nurses and Drs that "prepped" me. Got my IV. Surgery was done about 2 1/2 hrs after I arrived. It took about 1 hr 15 min. Woke up in recovery room, felt kinda like hit by a Mack truck, just confused, out of sorts, thirsty!!! Once in my room, got the pain pump. Used more in the first 3-4 hours and tappered off to maybe 6-8 "hits" per day. Pain went from a 9 to a 6 in a matter of a few hours, then down to a 4. I asked for no bladder catheter, I get bad UTIs. So schlepping all the stuff (IV and pain meds stand) in and out of the bathroom was a nuisance. I walked around the unit twice that day. I stayed 2 nights because I had issues with my heart rate dropping. The 2nd day walked 4 times around the unit. Ate minimally while I was there. Rested on and off. Was very bloated. I had to keep mindful that the first week wasn't about weight loss, but recovering. Detoxing from the anesthesia and meds took a few days too. Now feeling really good. The "worst" is behind me and I can't wait to getting better and better and more "normal". It's just a couple weeks of inconvenience, sacrafice and being uncomforatble for hopfeully a lifetime of better living. Good luck, we're all here for you. Keep us posted. Melinda Sleeved 8/16/10 by Dr Lynch HW 333, pre-op diet start 323, surgery weight, 309, weight today 300! Yippee!!!

Band 75, I hope this isn't too late to tell you... but I'll feel better getting it down anyway. I had the MUTHA of all c-sections (triplets...) and, within a few months, it ripped open on the inside (incisional hernia) I had it fixed almost 1 year from the date of my c-section. Recovery from both of those SUCKED ASS in such a huge way, that I was really scared when I also read it was like a c-section recovery. For me... and I'm sure for you too.... this is a CAKE WALK. I was in surgery, and to the car to go home in 3 hours!! I got myself dressed. I got into jammies when I got home, and have been strolling around the house once I woke up at 3:00. It's currently 7:15, and although I'm sore... this is SO NOT c-section pain. Listen girl... you need to tell some of your "good" girlfriends that you've had this done. You need to let these girls help take care of you. Stop being so self-conscious. They are going to be so proud of you for getting this band, and if they're not? Then they aren't a friend to you. When I quit smoking 12 years ago, I was really expecting my husband, who had quit before we got married, to be really supportive. He wasn't AT ALL. But I learned from it. He's just not a super supportive person. He grew up in a "fend for yourself" household, and it totally shows. But, if I ask him to get me some water, or a pillow, or rub my feet, he'll do it, because I asked. So... tell him what you need! You might be surprised that was all you really needed to do! You also have all of us to support you. If you're feeling down, please come here, and we'll help you. If you'd like, PM me your cell #, and I'll PM you mine, and you can call me if you're feeling alone! I thought about you while I was in the hospital today... and was praying for you!! With hugs and love, Karen

I am working so hard to try to lose 100lbs by my 6 month check up that while I was talking with my mom yesterday I realized that from my heaviest weight I have ever seen on a scale (329) which was probably about 3 months before my supervised 6 month diet I am DOWN 101lbs!!! This made me pretty happy, I am still plugging along and doing good but it's so funny how something just hits you! I really love this Ah-Ha moments. Also at work yesterday I went into the break room for lunch and put my stuff down on a table and went to sit down. I noticed that where I was there was a chair with arms instead of one with no arms. Normally I would of switched the chairs around, but I looked at that chair and I sat down in it and had plenty of room. LOVE LOVE LOVE that!!! I still giggle out loud every single time I slide into a booth and fit just fine. My family thinks it's cute!! LOL Hope this post finds you all having a great day!!!

It took me about 5 months from start to surgery date. I think this is pretty normal in a lot of cases. That was just for the psych evaluation, cardiology approval, sleep study (another), upper GI, and various other tests, then waiting for the surgeon to have an open date (another 3 months).

I was banded in September, and since I have been off the liquids, I have continued to eat pretty much anything I want. A lot less of things, but none the less, anything. Is this because I still am drinking while I eat, or are some people just like this? Also, I just feel like I cant stop drinking while I eat. I have tried a couple of times, but it just is too much of a habit. How did you stop? Also, I don't really feel a lot of restriction when I eat. Is this also because of the drinking water when I'm eating? I went for my first fill 2 weeks ago and the dr put 3cc's in. I thought I would feel more restriction, I didn't. My weight loss has been plateaued now for about 3 weeks. Any advice would be appreciated... Thanks

I am wore out today I dont know if its the lack of carbs I took my vitamins but all I want is to sleep today and I am fighting a migraine had a last min pap today they asked me to dao even though I have been approved have my surgery date and have done everything ...My nerves r up my tummy is growling ...I feel like it is coming fast but its like waiting for a baby to be born never seems to come fast enough ...i need to get better at this protein shake do I sound like a mess to anyone else

I would allow yourself a chocolate treat one time week, that is it. It would be a treat not a daily thing. I am having a hard time with my daughters halloween candy in the house. I have control if it is not in the house but if it is in the house I am weak, weak! Good luck to you!

Kate, I don't see the Updates section. Cheryl, Kate has been having difficulty accessing the chat rooms in the same way I do. I have a blue bar across the bottom of my screen with the chat boxes on the right side. Once in a chat room, I can click Leave Chat Room and go into a different room, which is what I originally would work for us. Apparently, when the chat room is accessed from the Community section at the top of the page, it doesn't include those other options. So, until we get that figured out, we have 3 options: the slow way of exchanging posts on the Boomers thread or doing a group chat through either Facebook or gmail. Personally, I would prefer to do a group chat, since it's faster & will allow us to engage at the same time. Are you on Facebook or have a gmail account? Kate & I each have both accounts, so we're good either way. You have to already be connected to each other in order to chat. You can find me on Facebook as Faye Beck Fleming or my gmail is fbfleming@gmail.com. If either of these options works for you, let us know & I can set us up on a group chat tonight.

Two months ago i undergo Lasik surgery for my nearsightedness ( I carry this burden for almost 7 years in my life) and like the concern of other people im not comfortable in wearing contacts because my eyes are sensitive for infection so my friend recommend me for Lasik exam in my2020 since they have this free VIP Lasik-1 Evaluation (250 value) have you heard that? The exam includes a complete evaluation of the internal and external health of the eyes. They create a detailed map of the eyes and perform all of the visual tests necessary to prepare for LASIK. First week after the procedure I experience night side effects like halo but after a month I feel so much better, I can see 20/20 without the help of my eyeglass. I don’t have any regrets of having it and I highly recommend it to my family members.

I've heard that the sleeve is much less complicated than bypass. Though, I don't know what kind of insurance you have. Some insurances won't cover the sleeve, and will only cover the bypass; not sure why. I would definitely try for the surgery again. 475 pounds is extremely worrying and very detrimental to your health. I'm 249 pounds right now, and even I am risking a lot by being this big. You should never feel ashamed. I think that anyone who can get to your size must have a thyroid problem. In my opinion, it seems impossible to be that size by just eating alone. Something isn't right with the body when it allows itself to get to that size. So, it isn't your fault. I see now where you said you are going to see another surgeon. I am so happy about that! Please keep us updated. <3

Hey everyone.....next week I start my 3 month supervised diet.....so excited to find all of you on here.....Little scare though because my BMI fell below 35 in 2013. I do have sleep apnea and high blood pressure. My psych appt is next month. I hope the time go by very fast. Just ready to get this weight off .

It took me about five or six weeks to feel semi-normal in terms of my energy. The good news is that once the weight starts to come off you will have three times as much energy as you did before surgery. Take it easy and don't push yourself too much.

If you need to say anything tell them what happened surgery did not go as expected and will need another surgery in 3 months. Hang in there I am sure you are very disappointed.

Do you have a pop-up blocker, or utility toolbar (such as Google) installed? The short-term fix is to hold down the CTRL key when you click on the pop-up link. Holding the CTRL key is a way of saying, "Let this one pop-up by." Google is the most popular pop-up blocker toolbar, so if you have it installed and want to disable it: 1. Click on the OPTIONS icon. 2. Uncheck the box next to POPUP BLOCKER (it should be the second checkbox down). 3. Click the APPLY button at the bottom of the window. 4. Click the OK button at the bottom of the window. Note - if you have the Google toolbar, you will see a Google "strip" going across the top of your browser window, right under the address bar, like this:

:peep:I'm scared. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do this for 10 days. It was easy before when there was no kids but now that there are 4 of them in the house I hope I can do it. I'm finding that I'm staying up longer each night. Getting up around 9 or 10 in the morning. Thank goodness it's summer break now. I still have a sore throat and I don't know what I'm going to do w/the pain. Can't take anything after Sunday. I'm looking into homeopathic though. I still have my kit. The other thing I've done is quite smoking again. I started 6 months ago. Why--I don't know. Did it later to calm my nerves and to calm me when I was upset w/Bruce. I quite 3 days ago and so far don't want another one.:clap2:

Well turns out, I already had 2cc in my band. Who knew. I got an additional 1 1/2cc on 1/7/08, and I am looking forward to my next fill on the 21st. I had gained some weight since being filled, but it appears that I have lost that weight, plus 1 pound :tounge_smile: Prayfully, I will loose another few pounds by the time I meet with the doctor. I also started my dance classes last Saturday. So once per week I will be dancing, along with other exercise and weight training 2/3 times per week. It feels good to weigh 284.5. I just want to completely be out of the 280s. Maybe that will be my three month gift to myself. I have also been off fried foods and sugar. I feel pretty good so far. :thumbup:

Im in VA by DC but that is still a drive when u start working out pick up the weights and keep in the 15 reps range for 3 sets

Good luck with surgery! The 2 week liquid diet was rough on me, hang in there! Just keep doing what your surgeon says to. I'm 2 weeks post op - rny - it's a big adjustment and can be tough. I live in the Copperfield area so close by. Keep posted and we can keep up.

Stick to liquids until you're cleared. It will go by quickly. You're weak because you had major surgery last week. Allow yourself time to heal. It gets better every day.

I'm on puréed food now and this is week 3 for me. I move to actual soft food at week 4 which is Friday.

BG, It's PARTY time at your house!!! Congrats and I get weighed tomorrow I can't stand it I have never in my life ever wanted to be weighed. Go figure... I know I am down but by how much I will have to wait until tomorrow at 3 pm. Enjoy the onederland freedom and put those dancin' shoes on Girl Friend, I'm comin' over!!! Well maybe I'll just dance here because I am not sure we live near each other LOL. I'm dancin' for you. Kathy imaluckydog

I have lost 91 pounds so far and I am 8 pounds from my goal of 135. I want to be there by my 1 year surgiversay so I am following my NUTs advice and keeping it very low carb for the next three weeks to try to make that goal. I also am in the Labor Day Challenge to try to lose it by then, if I dont sooner.. Hopefully sooner but you never know when a stall will rear its ugly head. I have been strength training and walking this past week and so I hope that pays off too. I am a solid size 6 now, some are a smidge tight but not uncomfortable enough not to wear. That was my Goal Size! I am thrilled to be there! Now on to 4's if that is possible! Woohooo! Come on August Allstars, check in!!!!

Hi BioTeacher! Have you ever been testing for Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome or Metabolic Syndrome? Based on what you have experienced I would say that you might be experiencing a difficulty that I have also experienced. I had a hell of a time in the beginning because the band books I was following said to go low fat and low this and that...it wasn't working and I didn't have any restriction for the first 6 months (6 fills). It wasn't until I got a new fill doctor and my 7th and 8th fill that I really started experiencing success. I knew I had PCOS but I didn't realize that if you have any kind of metabolic syndrome that the low fat approaches will not work. This new doc told me that I had to get in enough protein and fiber to kick start and fuel a metabolism that was completely headed in the wrong direction. He said one gram of protein for each half pound of body weight. So basically you can figure out how many grams of protein you need every day by divinding your weight in two. Mine was 230/2 =115 grams per day. Try it and see if it works for you. It did for me. I highly recommend the following items that will help you kick start your metabolism: 1.) Week 1 and 2 - reduce your carb intake to less than 50 grams per day eat only vegetables, meats, cheeses, and low carb shakes or bars with no sugar- gradually work your way up in protein intake by 20-30 grams per day until you are at the amount you should be taking in based on your weight calculation. Put your fork or spoon down in between bites and chew 12-15 times per bite. Don't bother bringing a drink to the table when you're eating...this prevents you filling up on liquid. Steer clear of all sugar in fruits, no yogurt, no processed foods with any sugar, honey, etc. Only splenda or stevia. Also, watch our for cured meats and items with nitrates. These will interfere with your kick start. Get some Atkins shakes, breakfast bars...these really help a lot! Russell Stover makes great low carb candy that will carry you through this so you don't freak out about not having your sweet fix. Have nuts and seeds on hand to give you fiber and energy. 2.) Go see your doctor about another fill. I had to be at 8.1 in a 10cc band before I had any restriction whatsoever. You might be having the same issue. My doc told me that if you are overweight and overeating for most of your life that you can often have stretched the top portion of your stomach as well so it takes more tightening before you get to the sweet spot. IF your current doc is unwilling, consider fillcentersusa.com - I have had great success with the doctor they recommended. He listens and only does fills...so he knows what he is talking about. They have centers all over the country and more added every month. www.fillcentersusa.com 3.) Week 3 and 4 - continue to limit yourself to less than 50 grams of carbs per day...try to go closer to 20 grams if you can...this will really kick start your metabolism and you will start losing weight if you haven't already. Do not eat anything with sugar in it. IF you mess up, get back on the horse and get on with it. You are still eating less than you were before...also if you want a freakin diet coke then have one...depriving yourself will mentally throw off your whole effort. Just don't make it a habit. 4.) After 4 weeks...see where you are. Are you losing? Do you have restriction? IF not, go visit the doc again for another fill. You can ask for one every month until you get where you need to be. Fill Centers has a policy that if they overfill you - then you can come back within 72 hours for an unfill with no charge. Some even have an underfill policy within 72 hours so you don't have to pay again if you aren't happy. After you start losing, you can experiment with adding a few more carbs to see where you stop losing weight. When it stops then back off the carbs a little and you'll find your spot where you can eat some carbs you like without ambushing your loss. This is how I'm doing it. Very little bread and fruit, lots of meat, cheese, vegetables (not so much on the carrots, corn, etc) but green veggies and salads, lots of nuts and seeds and protein shakes.) Also, there are some very high protein shakes out there called NewWhey. www.newwhey.com or at health stores. They are about 4 oz each (three swallows) and they have 40 grams of protein. I put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes and then drink it...you are more than half way done with protein for the day with these. Also, Atkins shakes and bars are very high in protein. Almonds are always good to have around. Let me know how this works for you. I'm very hopeful that you'll be able to enjoy success with your band!

I don't think they give you blood thinners. They want you off of that prior to surgery because of the increase of bleeding. But I could be wrong. My doctor told me to be off of aspirin and blood thinners 2 weeks prior to surgery.

So I got banded on monday. Today is Friday. I was discharged Tuesday from the hospital in TJ. I had a feeling that what I am about to write would happen. Since Tuesday, right after I left the hospital I had one more question about the cream they prescribed for me and when I can take the bandages off...The hospital (though I have emailed 3 times and called) have yet to get back to me and answer. Instead, the MedToGo coordinator called some other doctor in the business and got the questions answered. Here is my point for those thinking about Mexico...what you get is what you pay for. They told me up and down at the hospital, "just call" "just email" if you have anything...what a crock of BS. I understand these doctors are busy and have busy days, however, responding to an email like that takes 3 minuts tops. It is a clear case of I paid them to do a service and they did...well and the business transaction is over. If any of this is something you don't want to be involved with rethink going to Mexico. In other news all is well (regardless) and I am under 200#s YAY!