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I joined about a year ago..not realizing how long this process would actually take - but i am FINALLY done with all those things I had to do!!!! I hope to be called tomorrow by the surgery coordinator --- I'm thinking i will be banded in June!!!! You have no idea how excited I am. I couldnt read posts before because i was so frustrated that this took so long! Ok...so I'm so very ready to be banded....I hope there are others that will be banded in June that i can start this journey with...this site has also changed alot in a year, I hope to be more versed in it. Is there others here going through Arcadia Methodist? I need to study what to have the first 1-4 weeks! This makes me nervous! Any encouragement, suggestions, help would be great. Others feedback would be immensly helpful i'm sure!

DW and I were banded by Dr Marsden about 5 weeks apart. I'm used to buying here clothes in the 18W-22W range. Yesterday I decided to surprise her with a new outfit for all her hard work. I bought an outfit at Macy's with the top and bottom in size 14. I thought it might be incentive to work a bit harder. Low and behold, I brought it home and she tried it on and it FIT PERFECTLY. WOW I can't remember the last time she was able to wear that size. Way to go EgorsGirl!!! :rolleyes2::thumbup::biggrin: gk

I am going to follow you site. I have to confess that I am 7 weeks post op and have not done any exercise. I hate exercise and live in the Caribbean. It is too hot here to walk although I could go early in the morning but use the excuse that I want my husband to join me. I won't feel safe walking alone. But I know I need to exercise. Why can't I get started? I am ashamed of myself for being so reluctant to start. I hate to join a gym but almost feel I will have to because staying home all day, I just don't use the dvds or the exercise bike. I have some weights and a Wii fit but am still stalling. I must read some posts I guess and get myself more motivated.

hi all, i am in 5th week of vsg.pls let meknow which exercises i can do without joining a gym to tone my body n loose weights. i am walking 6kms/day. in addition to this which other exercises i shd follow

2 week photo progress from day of surgery 4/26/13. (Excuse the messy bathroom)

I am one month out today and down from 295 to 260 including the week of pre-op diet. I am very happy with the progress. Im glad its slowing down a tad bit. I feel in control of my body. I feel victorious over food. Food is no longer a friend, a drug, it is just fuel and I freaking LOVE that. I healed up perfectly. The only hurdle was constipation, nothing long lasting or serious. My pre- pregnancy " skinny" clothes from 2004 (size 18) are now baggy. Exercising is not fun yet, but its no longer torture. I am loving my sleeve and loving finding myself again!

Hi All, Thankyou so much for all your advise, I emailed my dietitian today with the advice of 4 shakes or 4 optifast items per day and she said this is a good idea if it can keep me on track! Thank God! Made my day, I think 4 of them plus 2 banana's or and apple instead will see me thru, I have never been a big veggie eater! I can stomach pumpkin, peas and sweet potato, corn and capsicum but thats about it! and it sucks that most of them are off the list =( 3 weeks left to go! nervous

I had a question that answers are purely of opinion, but I just wanted to know what others might do in my situation. I know some people do not have a pre-op diet required by their surgeons. My doctor does requires it and I started on Wednesday of this week. I'm managing OK two full days in, but I have a brunch meeting tomorrow that I cannot miss. Would you eat the most sensible item on the menu (high proten, low fat) or do your best to not eat at all? On my diet I am limited to 1,000 calories a day with at least 50g of Protein and no more than 35g of fat. I can have shakes, up to 2 cups of non-starchy veggies and 2 tbsp of non-fat salad dressing. I have been having 4-5 shakes (approx 200 cals) a day with plain non-starchy veggies throughout the day. So, let's face it... I'm not going to be able to sit there while everyone else is eating real food, while I pretend I am full from a shake and that I don't want anything. I'm thinking I could do a shake before I go and maybe do egg whites maybe some grilled veggies and a side salad with no dressing. If I had a choice I just wouldn't go, but I need to be there. Lend me your thoughts, ideas and strategies. Thanks in advance!

I lose around 2 lbs a week. Lots of people lose at the rate you are experiencing. To be one the safe side, why don't you post your average daily calories, number of carbs, protein, fats, etc. then we can take a look and reassure you or give you some pointers.

I agree with Carolinagirl. I found an article that may help you http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html#.UpJFfJ3nbIX. Me and my articles Enjoy!

Hello, this is my first time posting but I have been lurking fir quite some time. I am 29 days post op and I am EXTREMELY dissapointed. I have followed my Drs orders to the tee. I have gotten in my 64 oz of Water and my 70 grams of Protein daily (1 Premier Protein and the rest from food). I am very particular about what I eat and I always choose lean Proteins and no bad carbs or sugar. I am allowed to eat about 550 calories a day and I have use MYFITNESSPAL to make sure I meet that. The only thing I have been unable to do is walk much. I have NO energy. When I grocery shop, I am usually about to pass out with dizziness at the checkout counter. Here's my dilemma. I have only lost 13 lbs . I know we are all different and lose at different rates, but I have lost more weight than this on every program I have ever been on. I don't regret having the surgery, but I am certainly feeling like I may be the one anomaly that will fail at this process. I have read many stall posts and i find my case to be different than most in that I lost all my weight within 10 days of surgery. That means I have been on a 19 day stall that started basically one week after surgery. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did things ever turn around you? Does 550 calories sound low to you? I've spoken to both my Dr and my Nutritionist and they both agree my weight loss has been low. I am almost in tears here, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Had mine out 6 weeks postop. Not fun. Kimberly- how are you doing? I remember you had a rough time w your gallbladder.

I've stalled too from the middle of week 4. I'm just going to take everyone's advice, carry on with the plan and keep my fingers crossed for the weight loss to restart.

I'm happy you got the all clear. My doctor at 3 weeks- said no way. Until I'm able to consume enough calories that support regular activity that any extra workouts were out of the question and not safe. I have not updated my stats, but I'm currently 30 pounds down from my pre-hospital weight on May 1st. I am doing really good to get 500 calories in a day most of the time it's 400 or less. What is your caloric intake?

Welcome Big Guy and Jtag! I just joined the bandsters this week and this forum has been a Godsend! I'm hoping my surgery will be in August. How I made the decision - I'm basically a positive person - except when it comes to my weight issue which I've battled all my life. when I was in high school I weighed between 135 and 150 - yep thought I was fat! I'm 5'8". Then when I got married I thought I was fat. Then I had a kid and another and another. Now I AM fat! Anyway, my sister (who is so incredibly thin and has been all her life) sent me a DVD of "The Secret". I guess she heard about it on Oprah. It's a little hokey, but the message of positve thinking just really stuck. For some reason I looked at my weight issue a little differently that day and just believed I would lose weight. I had no idea how. That was just a month ago. One night about 3 weeks ago I just decided on a whim to Google "lap band". I spent about 3 hours researching the procedure and doctors. The doctor I've chose is 3 1/2 hours away, but I'm happy with my choice. I just feel an incredible draw to him! The next morning as I was getting ready for work I turned on the tv and there was a commercial for lap band! I knew it was meant to be! Had my psych eval today and I "passed" with flying colors. The pyschologist told me she thought I'd do really well even with the pre surgery liquid diet. That's the only part of this whole process that I'm a little concerned about. all I need to do is talk to the dietician and my paprework will be sent in to insurance. I will be talking to her some time next week. They are allowing me to talk to her over the phone because of the distance. With everyone's summer vacations I couldn't get both appts at the same time BE POSITIVE:)

Everyday things will get better you should notice a difference next week. Its not gonna all get better at once but slowly over time. If you don't feel you are healing and progressively getting better by next week talk to your doctor. This feeling won't last forever.

That is nearly 8 lbs per week! When have you ever lost 27 lbs in 3.5 weeks before? I'd say you're doing pretty darn good!

Hi Dan, I went on a liquid diet straight after the operation and it last for four weeks. I got to like Soup a lot! I went on a liver size reduction diet for two weeks before the operation. Your hospital will give you details of that. As for the first week after surgery, just rest. Your body has had a shock and needs time to recover. You may feel tired quickly. I was sore for several days after the operation. Take short walks around the garden and house. Don't just sit in the chair. I couldn't have done anything differently to that, but some walking is important. They will get you walking asap in the hospital. Take care.

After my first consult on October 19th, I just got word that my insurance has approvedy surgery! I just need to take the class next week and I will be schedule for my surgery. His is super exciting!! Any tips from anyone about how to prepare?

After my surgery, I was in recovery, when they went to draw some blood and nothing came out. They stuck me a few different places and the same thing happened. My pulse was VERY low. They did a hemoglobin count and realized that I was bleeding internally. It reached a point where they couldn't get my veins at all so the anesthesiologist came in and they inserted a central line into my neck. They had to give me 4 pints of blood before my hemoglobin leveled out. The bleed slowed down but 2 days later, they gave me another pint of blood. I had severe swelling in my abdomen and had serious Water retention. I was released on the 5th day and when I got home and weighed, I had gained 26 lbs.! Between my ballooned out belly, the internal swelling and 5 pints of blood that was still pooled in my abdomen, I had trouble trying to move my diaphram enough to breath. I tried to use the spirometer(sp) to keep my lungs working but it was so difficult that, 4 days later, I was readmitted for phneumonia. I spent another 4 days in the hospital for that. A few weeks after that I started having gallbladder attacks and ended up in the ER. While there they did a CT scan of my belly to check for a leak. What they found what that instead of absorbing back into my body tissue, that all those 5 pints of blood had "organized" and created 3 large clots. By now, 1 of them had liquified, so they inserted a drainage tube. They also did another endoscopy to look inside my new tummy. This was to look for a leak or infection from a different direction. The surgeon showed me a picture along the staple line that was a different color from the rest of it and had a slight protrusion. So, he added some clamps to the area. Three days later I had a gallbladder removed. Normally the gallbladder requires 1 small incision. But, when the surgeon took a look, he could see 1 of the other blood clots (the largest one) and decided to cut it up and take it out. This meant I ended up with 4 more incisions instead of 1. In all, I was under anesthesia 5 times in 7 weeks. My stomach looks like a tic-tac-toe board. I'll be honest, I was really scared there for a while and my poor hubby was put through the ringer with worry. There was honestly a point where I didn't care if I ever lost weight. I just wanted to stay out of the hospital. I am 2 months 3 weeks out, even though it feels like it been longer. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been getting stronger and feeling better. I have now lost a total of 61 pounds. I am off all blood pressure meds. I no longer require my CPAP machine. The weight loss has eased the pain in my back due to 4 herniated discs. I don't get out of breath when I walk around. My knees don't hurt as much. I spent a good while with buyers remorse. But, as I get stronger and my health starts to get better and better, I know I made the right choice. Any surgery comes with risks. I was just unlucky. There are peeps who sail through and sadly some that have it so much worse than I did. All you can do, is get as much info as you can so that you are mentally prepared for whatever happens. Listen to your dr and your nut and take good care of yourself. I wish you the very best.

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!!!

Maybe try to drink more water, exercise more. Make sure you're keeping accurate track of all that you're consuming. It could just be your body adjusting, maybe you're still losing inches even if you're not losing pounds, which I know firsthand how frustrating that is. If all else fails, what I have done and has worked for me is to eat more calories for a few days, for me It was anywhere from 1200-1500 calories, and then go back to 600-800 calories daily, and the scale would start moving again. Of course I would gain a pound or two initially with the upped calories, but when I would go back to the 600-800 range, I'd lose those few pounds easily and them some, and then continue to drop steadily...until the next stall hits lol. Good luck!

I had my surgery 2/18/2014. I have been stalling for the last 4 weeks. I'm down 42 pounds since surgery. Has anyone else stalled this long before? What should I do?

This seems like a stupid complaint but what is going on is that I just don't want food. I have 6cc in the band and feel no restriction however I just don't think about food. I think about exercise all the time and spend most of my free time at the Y. Every day I have about 900 calories left on my fitness pal. I am concerned that this is pathological. I am losing wait at about 2-3 lbs a week which I understand is normal. Just looking for anyone who feels or felt this way.

Kalexis!! I also have BCBS Alabama and am waiting to see the nutritionist this week to complete everything the insurance is requiring. Your post gave me hope that they may just answer me quickly. Hopefully its an approval!!!