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Congrats to you. Lots of hard work and you did it. Great job you look amazing. I get sleeve next week.

If I see another shake I will hurt someone. Just discovered isopure drinks. LOVE them. 40 grams of protein per bottle. Just got a case a GNC. It's a very refreshing drink in the hot and humid weather we are having right now. Finally getting my 60 grams of protein in per day. Yea for me. This has been the emotional turning point for me. I'm exactly one week post op. But struggling with the food craving. Getting alot of quilting done. Can't eat, SEW or walk. Been walking alot also. Finally back done to my preop weight. Boy, that weight gain after surgery really is upsetting even though I knew it was temporary, Just depressing. I weight 25 pounds more post op from all the fluids and air forced into me. Today is looking brighter.

The band is placed around you, but typically does not restrict the opening much. In other words, it's usually about as big around as you are. Think when you put a watch on, and tighten it just enough that it doesn't move around a bunch. That's kind of like your band, only it's secured in place by some stitches. It's not really squeezing you, but there isn't a lot of extra room either. The bands have "balloons" built on the inside. They are deflated originally, but fills "fill" the balloon with saline. As the balloon inflates, it makes the opening smaller and smaller. "Fills" are what fill up the little balloon areas you see in the pictures above. Having those filled up is what causes restriction -- the passageway between esophagus and stomach is "restricted" by the pressure the balloon puts on your organ... so now take that watch, and make the band as tight as you can get it. Your hand will start to turn red because the flow of blood is restricted. Bands do the same thing, but with food. Fills are done with a needle filled with saline. When your band is placed, they also place a port. Ports are self-closing, meaning they can be punctured, but will seal back up. The surgeon will insert the needle through your tissue into the fill and push saline into some tubing that eventually makes its way to the "balloon". Fills are usually given on an as-needed basis, with the first one often being 6 - 8 weeks post-op. What you can eat, or more specifically how much of it, before no longer feeling hungry, frequency of eating, etc. are all things your surgeon will use to gauge whether or not you're ready for another fill (that's a great question to ask your surgeon when you have your consultation -- what does he let drive whether or not to fill, and how aggressive is he with fills). In a way you know if you need a fill or not because if you're past your post-op recovery phase, and still eating just like you did before surgery, you probably don't have enough restriction. If you can't keep liquids down, you have too much and will need an unfill, where the surgeon inserts the same needle but pulls out Fluid instead of putting more in. Here is a visual I sent someone that I was trying to explain the band to: Hope this helps!

I have a dilated pouch and got a complete unfill and an order to do two week liquid diet. I can't wait for august 2. Hope it comes fast!

Three years ago I started having digestive problems. I've had numerous tests done with no definite answers. They are diagnosing it as IBS even though my case seems to be mild compared to others. I'm currently 350 pounds and am tentatively looking at a June gastric bypass surgery. My hope is that by eating less and healthier along with having roughly 150 pounds less on me will help my problems. Has anyone had digestive problems before surgery and gotten better after? Has anyone had problems get worse? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using the BariatricPal App

I got my call today and i am scheduled for Oct 20th! So excited and scared and excited, lol. Going for my Pre-Op Class Monday morning and meeting with MD and anesthesia on Wednesday. Turned in my request for time off and my boss immediately sent it back approved for 2 weeks and sent me papers to file for STD, in case i need it. OMG, 2 weeks!

I'm in the same boat. I've been lazy. I know that my band is a tool and I have to make healthy eating choices and exercise. I was doing good once i was in a routine with walking. Then i got too busy with 2 nursing jobs, both 12 hour shifts that i made the excuse i have no time to walk. also no time to make healthy eating choices. ugh!!! But spring is coming, and before we know it summer will be here. I don't necessarily care how i look, but i want to feel better so i can be active with my family. One of the guys at my drs office says to just walk 30 min a day. he says anyone can do that and if you're consistent, you'll loose a pound a week. I dont like vegetables and i love junk food. So I'm hoping that if I stick with veggies ill develope a taste. yuck. Well good luck! Ambra:unsure:

Thanks for the post. I am writing down my food intake today and for the rest of week. I will take a good look at the time I fall apart!! I did go to the gym today x 45 mins. I hope you get to find an idea time to squeeze in some walking. Having to work long hours got to be tough on you. Let's try a tougher approach to those dang sweets!! " Get back ugly food, I dont need you!" Have a good day, would like to hear how you handle the week. Patti

I know a big reason for the pre-op diet is to shrink the liver. My dr told me yesterday that he'd like to see me lose 10 lbs this next week on the pre-op diet, but even 5-7 lbs makes a big difference in how easy his job is during surgery.

why are we so easily dehydrated? as i said earlier, u must must drink LOTS of Water i don't "think" we get dehydrated any more than OP might, its just more serious for us sleevers, or any other WL people about 6 weeks PO i became dehydrated easy date to remember because it was valentines day!!! my epilepsy is controlled with meds - since i was dehydrated, I couldn't hold them down i was vomitting i was a seizure waiting to happen dehydration is no fun have to go to hospital and have IV's to get rehydrated you are now about 3 weeks PO - how are you doing??? things going better i hope?? take care kathy

hit a small stall but didnt give up upped my protein and exercise and kept on

Hi lexi I'm two weeks post op, in the uk, happy to keep in touch and share experiences How you finding it so far??? I've just started mushy stage so my weetabix were very welcome this morning lol Good luck Vickie xx

It can be really hard to work through that. If you are on anti-depressants, the absorption could be effected with the surgery. i was told that in my program. i noticed that the first week, i was so very depressed and crying. and we're about the same timeline, but I would talk to a therapist or talk to your program about this. If untreated, the depression could lead to suicidal thoughts or even worse. You don't want this to go untreated. Depression can't be beat overnight, but call and talk to someone.

i had a lapband put in nov 12, 2009. i loved it and was doing well until a few weeks ago when i began having pain and reflux and ultimately, I had to have it removed a few days ago due to slippage and obstruction. the plan was reposition it, but my surgeon felt upon seeing my stomach that it needed time to heal before banding again. i'm very disappointed and down abt it. i am already excited abt doing it again, despite the troubles i had. i still feel the lapband is the right choice for me. my question is, have any of you chosen to have a second lapband surgery and, if so, how long were you required to wait between surgeries (from removing the first one to placing the 2nd one?) thanks in advance for any input

I too found out I had sleep apnea. I had to bring the machine with me. The most important thing is make sure the Anethesiologist knows about it. He will more than likely come and talk to you before the surgery, and he will probably ask you if you have sleep apnea. He will monitor it during surgery. Now, back to the cpap machine. I hated mine too, I talked to my sleep study doc about it and they gave me a perscription of Ambien CR to take until I could get use to the machine. It took about 2 weeks but now I can tell a difference if I don't sleep with it. I've had mine now for about a year, I think it helps you lose weight, you wake up feeling so much more refreshed. When I started the machine, I had my machine on a pressure of 15, now that I've lost weight, I'm down to an 8. The doc thinks another 15 or 20 lbs and I will be completely off of it. I'm not sure if I really want to give it up though, it really makes me feel so much better in the mornings. I hope you will talk to your doc about the problems you are having with the machine and mask, they have several types of mask you can try.

Good afternoon All! I finally made it - I am down to 196 pounds - officially in ONEDERLAND!!!! I got a fill recently (that's what helped me make it) because my weight had been stuck for 6 weeks at 205. The hunger was back, I was starting to be able to eat more (and badly) and I was not ready to quit losing yet. Some friends and even a couple of family members said I was small enough - since I was now wearing size 16's and even a few 14W's, and they didn't want me to get "too thin". I really don't know what "too thin" would be for me, since I've been fighting my weight since I was 9 years old. Yep, you read that right... When I was 9, my mother took me to the doctor for a normal school physical and because she was concerned about my weight. My father and mother (God rest their souls) were both heavy. What I did not know at the time was that heart disease ran in my family and my mother was worried about the path I was on. The doctor told her (and me) that I needed to be careful about my weight gain or I would be at 200 pounds when I turned 18. Overachiever that I am, I made it at age 16...some of you will understand this - it was very HARD going through high school being overweight. My height saved me a little, but not enough. I could never wear the same clothes that my friends wore, could never seem to get the attention from the same guys that my friends talked to, etc, etc, etc. Now I'm at my lightest weight since I was 16 years old, and I'm ecstatic! :huh2: I went shopping for new pants last night, since the smallest size I had in my closet was an 18. Thank goodness for belts - I could make sure they didn't fall down, but they were really baggy! I went to Lane Bryant, because I knew they carried tall sizes pretty regularly, and since I'm 5' 11" tall, I definately NEED tall pants! I fit into their new Right Fit sizes at a Yellow 2. That means approximately a size 16, made for a body that is straighter from waist to hip. That was a revelation - I'd been buying the Red pants - sized for a body with more of a waist-to-hip difference. Getting the right size was amazing! Most pants had been baggy in the seat for me, totally not flattering, but these fit beautifully! No bagging, no sagging, and I could BREATHE in them! I'm in such a giddy state at the store, I bought two pairs of dress pants and a pair of jeans! The wonderful thing about the band is that I know I'm not done yet - I want to get down to around 165 (100 lbs lost) before I say I'm done...that, or to get off all my diabetes meds, which ever comes first. I was so happy about the new pants - I ran right home and showed my husband. His enthusiastic reaction let me know I had found the right size! I also got measured for new bras while I was there, since the store wasn't very busy. When I started this journey, I was wearing a 40K (yes, that's a K) and had to buy my bras overseas because very few places in the U.S. carried them. I left the store with a brand new size - 38DDD / 38F size prescription! :tt1: I'm not going to go hog-wild crazy buying clothes just yet...I'll get enough to carry me through, because there is definately plastic surgery in my future...I believe my true size right now (sans extra skin) would be around a 14, maybe even a 12, but I believe I need to hold my weight loss for a while before investigating plastic surgery. I'll definately post again when that process begins! If you are reading this and you're not yet banded, please do your research and make a quality decision on what's right for you. The band was definately the right choice for me! If you are reading this and you are struggling with your band, don't give up! Talk to your doctor, the nutritionist, whoever you need to in order to get the help and support you need to make the band work for you - and you have to work WITH the band. If you are making good progress and loving your banded life as I am, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I was banded in November 08 and it's now September 09 and I've lost 69 pounds. Allowing for recovery time from surgery, my weight loss really started in January 09 - that's when I got serious. I'm planning to be at my goal weight before the end of 2009, and with the help of my doctor, my family and my friends online and offline, I know I'll make it!

I was banded on 7/1 - I just started real food a week ago - past 2 days I've had heartburn all day and constant belching - any ideas ion what's up?:confused:

Hi guys!! I'm 3 weeks post op:) all good so far but would love love love a lapband buddy message me if you're interested ! Or email me at lammann@stmichaels.vic.edu.au

I was thinking about this last night. I was almost a 100% carb and sugar eater pre-sleeve. Pasta with butter and cheese was my staple. I drank A LOT of wine...every night. I ate sugar and Desserts whenever I wanted to. I drank regular soda. I ate pizza, thai food, pasta, fried everything, tons of bread and I was a fast food queen. Horrible way to live!! My body is still saying WTH after 5 weeks. It doesn't know what being healthy feels like yet! But I'm down 33 pounds and I'm getting better everyday!

Mert - I am right there with you - today was the worst day yet as far as wanting to eat. I started my nursing classes today and they surprised us with a catered lunch for us to say Congrats on our scholarship - and it was awful to have it right under my nose and given to me as a gift kind of and not only want it - but also feel obligated to eat it. It was so hard not to gobble the whole grilled chicken salad down. I just played with it a bit and took a couple of bites of the cheese and chewed them for what seemed like 5 minutes each. I actually had to put some over in my friends dish so that it looked like I ate my meal. As soon as I had a break I ran to the car and had my smooth and creamy yogurt that I had packed. Then I accidently swallowed a piece of Trident gum and was so scared it would stick that all I did was drink Water for hours it seemed. I have been down about it all day. The sad thing is that this was a meal good for me and in just a few weeks I will be able to eat it (or at least a fraction of it). I just keep thinking this phase is not forever - it will pass - LOL. You give me a kick in the butt and I will give you a kick too... YOU CAN DO IT - and I CAN TOO!!! Off to have some Soup. Bye for now.

All, I am reeling! I am about 3 weeks post-gastric bypass and am shocked at how extremely depressed I am. I am physically uncomfortable, constantly nauseated, and struggling to find energy to do anything. This surgery has thrown my entire world into disarray. I feel like I need to clarify: I am a chronically optimistic person so I still don't regret the surgery (though sometimes my mind moves in that direction). I am also not even an itsy bitsy bit suicidal. I have a 4 year old and 2 year old and the thought of dying fills me with absolute dread - that dread of leaving my two children alone is a big part of why I had this surgery. My husband has been extremely supportive but suffers from chronic anxiety and depression- he is dealing with his own roller coaster right now. I need to beat this.. quickly. I don't have time for depression and all that jazz. I need tips, tricks, and any bit of mental or physical suggestions that might help me move past this extremely trying experience.

I have United Health Care through my company and according to the benfits management groups it is covered. Iam waiting for them to send the requirements. My wife and I both have an app. to do the prelimary stuff for the doctor in a couple of weeks and then meet with the Dr. the following and hope to have approval by end of August. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at VCW61@excite.com Thanks Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

Hello all. This is my first post. I just wanted to say HI. Just a few basics about me. Starting weight 475 plus???? Two week prep starting weight 475. Surgery weight 450. Surgery date 1/29/2014. Two week post op appointment weight 420. I have been reading lots of good information here. Glad this site exists. Have a good day all. Joe.

Hi! My BMI was 36, I had no comormidities, so went to Dr.Ortiz in Mexico. I had my surgery on 8/19 and am down almost 40 lbs. and am very happy with my decision. I haven't had a fill yet though, one of the few. I still find it hard to eat sometimes, and I'm losing on average about a pound a week so I'm happy. I can't imagine how much I'd lose if I did have the fill....

i had a good fill in december. went three weeks on protein drinks could not drink water at all always got stuck. still have a problem with water getting stuck. its so weird. i can drink juice, milk, tea anything but water. i dont think i am too tight because i can eat food. i can only have tiny sips of water. i guess the water is too thick. hahahahaha