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Hello, all. I'm a 3 year band veteran and new to this site...judging from my current prediciment, I would've done well to find this site a years ago. Hold on to your hats...this is going to take a while... I was banded by Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago in Feb. 2004. I have not kept vigilant track of my loss, or my fills/unfills as most people seem to on this site. I did however, have amazing results of weight loss in the first year or so. I began somewhere around 308 and was down to 209 within a year. Couldn't ever make it past the 100 mark. (I am now 29 years old and have lost and gained significant amounts of weight prior to the band. Numerous times. In fact, I had an abdominoplasty and lipo in various areas following a significant loss. I proceeded to gain over 100 lbs. over the course of the next year. Just to give you an idea of my classic yo-yo syndrome.) I was extremely faithful in my exercise program and in my eating habits for about a year and a half following being banded; however, I threw up ALL THE TIME, on a very regular basis, even with just liquids and I don't mean literal vomiting, but "PB'ing" as I've come to learn it is called on this site. My weight loss was going so well, I chose to just accept it. My weight loss slowed after about 18 months...and at this point, I'm positive the scale is going in the wrong direction, I'm just too ashamed to look. I've only had about 3 or 4 adjustments over the course of the now 3 years of having the lap band, but have no idea as to how many ccs, I don't even know what band I have, specifically. I suppose these are things I should be more aware of. The last time, (which I'm estimating was 6 months ago if not longer) I saw my surgeon, I had an "un-fill", because I had completely stopped losing weight and finally owned up to the truth about my "PB'ing" and evidently my pouch had stretched out? (I don't know that that is the correct terminology). I went back in 2 wks later for an adjustment. I have not been back since. (Let me clarify, I was a self-pay and every time I walk in the door of my surgeon's office I'm spending $250). Since then I have not had the problem with the PB'ing barring a few exceptions, like when I tried to eat more than I should. The truth is, I eat soup and soft foods. And I most definitely, on a regular basis exceed the 4 oz. that my pouch should sufficiently hold. I don't even try to eat things like meat or bread. They don't even exist in my vocabulary. I have for at least 3 months lived with pretty acute pain in my upper abdominal region. I have chosen not to address it, because I am so ashamed, as I, at one time, was a "star patient" and now I have failed, yet again. (Unfotunately she shame goes far deeper than that). I am beginning to rapidly gain weight again at this point. I just decided to start researching and found this web site. I have finally called my surgeon and admitted my failure and told him what has been going on, in particular, the pain I've consistently had now for quite some time. Now that I have admitted this, the pain is quite more apparent. I will be seeing my surgeon (actally, Dr. Horgan has left the practice, however, he had a team of surgeons with him who have continued the practice). I spoke to him yesterday and he seems confident that I simply need to have the band deflated for a few weeks. I, however, after perusing many of the threads on this site fear major complications such as erosion or slippage. I don't have the reflux, as I have taken nexium for about 10 years (but if I don't take it, the reflux is constant and unrelenting). I am extremely frightened and am feeling so, so utterly ashamed of my failure and neglect and I hate that I know I will be made to feel even worse when I do go in on Wednesday, but I fear my health may be in jeopardy at this point, so I have no choice. I'm curious what you would do in my situation. I feel like an Upper GI is necessary, but I know that my doctor is simply going to do a barium swallow under fluoroscopy, deflate the band and send me on my way, to return for an adjustment in a few weeks. Should I be demanding an Upper GI? I have also requested a referral to a psychiatrist and will soon be seeing one who is also a patient himself. (I was req'd to see a therapist for 6 months prior to my surgery, and continued for about a year). I apologize, as brevity is not my stong suit, but would greatly appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks very much. ABP

About all the pre appointments and testing that I've had to do to get ready for my surgery. So far I have had the consult, blood work, upper GI x-ray, Endoscopy, seen the cardiologist, stress test, pulmonologist, Gastroenterologist, NUT, psych eval, EMMI online tutorial, pre op ed class, 2 support groups and soon to have a sleep study done. I had my appointment with my cardiologist this morning to get my results from the stress test and as I get up to sit on the bed he pulls out the papers and told me that the test came back within normal range (great!) then he asked if anyone called me concerning the results (no) and he pulls out the paperwork and on the front page it says in all caps in green marker " MAMOGRAM NEEDED!!!" <-----writen exactly as that, only underlined three times as well.. Not once but writen three times throughout the paper work.....He explained that the isotope goes throughout the body and shows in any areas of concern. "There is a mass in your left breast that we need to check out that showed up on the x-rays" Mamo and sonogram tomorrow morning for me. While he is telling me this the nurse puts the BP cuff on me and I tell her of her lovely timing. Ha ha but I wasn't really thinking of laughing. I barely remember driving home... This "mass" maybe nothing.... and that's what I am tending (trying) to believe. Kinda hard though when the nasty "C" word runs in my family. Breast cancer in particular. So I have been known to complain about all of these pre appointments, but I won't anymore. I'm choosing to look at this in a positive way (at this moment anyway ) and deal.

Thanks! I know I am doing well. I am just have a scale obsession and am on it every morning. I got on the last 3 days at the same weight and couldn't understand why it hasn't drop even a ounce But I am okay!! I know I have to kick up the water intake and maybe a few more calories. I start walking this week so that should help also!!

Yea, just healing because your body is kinda in shock, it all evens out after about 6 weeks. Also remember 1-2lbs a WEEK is normal. I know all the liquid diet weight is exciting, but it doesn't continue like that. Sounds like you are doing everything right though!

Hi.. I'm 11 weeks post op.. and notice an odd eating habit.. Before being sleeved.. I loved eating food that was cold.. yogurt, milk, cold Soup and salads! I would cool down everything before eating It would hardly take 15 minutes to finish my favorite yogurt serving.. Now! I have one open for over 4 hours.. (14gms of delicious Protein right there!).. but every spoon I try to get in.. feels repulsive. I only want to eat food that is hot or at least warm (my mom would love that!) Has this happened with anyone else????

Lol. I knOw. I'll enjoy the last 3 weeks .. Keep myself busy. I have a mini vacation this weekend so let's see

HI All I am new here and starting to get worried. See I like to know what I can expect. I know everyone is different but....I would like to know how your first weeks home were and how did you manage?? Any tips, suggestions, help?? Looking for friends for support also so add me and lets talk.

9 days post po, no pre op liquid diet but a solid diet for a week and i am 15.5 pouns lighter today! I feel like fllyiing!!! This is the best secision ive ever made!

So I'm only 10 weeks post op however I've lost a total of 77 pounds so far, I feel amazing. How is everyone else doing? HW: 363 SW: 358 CW: 281 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes it can have that effect, i wanted off liquid so bad i lost track and went on next stage week early, so ive been 1 week early pretty much since week 2, im suppose to go to regular food on the 8th but i already eat soft foods like tuna and chicken salad and smooshy veggies , refried beans with cheese taco seasoning ,sourcream and avacado has been my saving grace Sent from my SM-J700T using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello, I have not posted in a while. I have been very busy. I had my first fill on Monday 11/17/03. My surgery was on 9/18. Since the 18th I have lost 38 lbs. I thought I had some restriction before my fill. Boy I was WRONG! I had 2 ccs put in. I must say the first two days I could only swallow a bite or two. I think I must have been swollen. But today I was able to put down Tuna fish (1/4 cup) So that is good. The procedure went well, Dr. Garber had to try two times. But, after he "stuck it" he inserted 2ccs. I had 3 gulps of the Chalky stuff and physically had to stop. I was filled up like a tank of gas done filling. Right after that we watched the Tele to see the stuff going down. Weird. I finally saw my band. Cute little thing. It was amazing. I must say I had my first pain in the chest from those gulps. It hurt. But that is the feeling of restriction. I have to learn that feeling. I feel like a baby learning to eat again. What is strange is I get those gas pains again (from the first 2 weeks post op) when I eat. Does that happen to anyone else? What could that be? Is it possible after 2 months the gas is still there. Or is it something new? Its in my shoulder. Same place where it was before. My stomach is once again gurgling. After reading some posts the Gurgling has happened before. Sorry for rambling but I just wanted to get my thoughts down to write what I am feeling. I think its important to get things out. I am so happy I got this surgery. I would do it all over again. I do know in the beginning I was so damn paraniod of everything. After reading all posts and posting my thoughts things seem to be easing my mind. Its always important to answer peoples questions or concerns because I was there once. I am sure many more questions will come up for me. And I know where I can come. Here. Its very comforting to know we are not alone. On that NOTE, Thank you all. We all can get thru this together.

Total Scale Victory and Random Observations: I now have lost more than I weigh. I have lost 190 lbs. from my highest weight of 374. The first 50 was using Victoza for Type 2 diabetes. My bariatric program has my starting weight as 343. SW=325. CW=185. My program doesn’t give goal weights. For my own satisfaction, 174 would give me a normal BMI. I’d like to end about 170 knowing that some gain/loss is possible as things settle. I’m 5’10”. I have gone from a size 30/32 to a 14. I haven’t been this size since early high school. I look forward to doing things rather than dreading them. I’ve been off all diabetes meds since surgery. I am still using my CPAP although I’ve had the pressure lowered twice. I see the sleep program in December and we will re-evaluate then. I suspect I will still have a need for it. My cholesterol medication will be re-evaluated in December as well. My doctor thinks it likely I will remain on that med due to family history. That is the only medication I take other than my vitamins and supplements. I track in LoseIt. I track every bite, every day. It keeps me accountable to myself and I foresee it as something I will need to do forever. Today is the first time I ever exported my progress to a spreadsheet. On other groups, I see so many questions that ask how much someone has lost at a given point. I honestly never knew what I did. These are my totals lost from first to current month: 16, 19, 17, 15, 15, 18, 4, 9, 17, 10. I exceed my liquid goals every day and never tracked that after the first week. I’ve never had any trouble with liquids and I know roughly what I drink each day as I know what my mug holds. I also ran my macros for the first time. Since surgery, I’ve kept protein to 40-50% of my diet with fat and carbs 25-30%. I’m still at 800-1000 calories per day. My program has said that is relatively low at this point but as long as I am losing and not feeling hungry, it was fine. My hunger has not returned. I am grateful for that. I’ve tried to build successful habits that will serve me for the long haul. I’ve been walking since coming home from the hospital. I started at 5-10 minutes per day. Now, I try to walk 45-60 per day at a moderate pace. I use 5 lb. weights and do toning exercises for 10-15 min. most days. I’ve started seeing virtually a therapist recommended by my program. I don’t have a history of trauma or eating disorders but I didn’t get to my weight by having a healthy relationship with food. Plus, I was very moody and short-tempered following surgery. I feel great and have more energy than I have in years. But This. Is. Work. I’m ok with that and try to keep my focus on progress and health. I follow what my program suggests and make my own decisions within that framework. There is no short cut to this. There’s no pouch reset, fasting, diet pills and how soon can I eat at McDonalds. I ranted on here one time about hating the word “pouch.” I still do. I hate pouch reset even more. 🙄😫 I don’t believe in it. We don’t need to reset. We need to make the best decisions and choices we can without needing to be perfect. Sure, you lose weight with it, but it’s simply because you are going back to not taking in many calories….and most of us have been down that road before. I continue to absorb the wisdom I get here from those who have gone down this road before me or are on it now. I still hate shopping even though it is not as difficult as it once was. I’m still not sure who I see in the mirror and am uncomfortable with focus on my weight loss. I could eventually benefit from plastic surgery, but I don’t know if that will be in the cards. Enough for now……thanks for reading.

I’m less than a week from my SADI and I get stomach spasms when I have certain things. Water and broth is fine, liquid Tylenol and jello though both trigger it. It only lasts maybe 5-10 seconds then subsides. I just assumed that I’m still healing and that it will go away.

Thanks.. I also got my period today so I think my emotions are all over the place lol. I would LOVE to do a 5k or something of the sorts.. however, I have shin splints at the time from running so I am allowing myself to heal. It has been a couple weeks since I injured myself and I am wondering how long it will take. I am also on a bowling league so every Wednesday I feel like I set myself back a bit with recovering because my shins are awfully sore by the time I get done. I do need to buy some good running shoes because that was part of my problem in the first place, the shoes I wore were bad. I have not run since volleyball in high school which was 10-11 years ago.. I slowly started getting back into running and I thought my shins were sore from being out of shape but after I got home from an evening run my legs were in so much pain I was in tears.. they've been sore ever since. Just when I feel like I am able to go for a run, the pain comes back instantly. I think I need someone to teach me how to run again lol. I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. But you are right.. the first 6 weeks after surgery are the hardest part. I had no restriction even a week after surgery. I thought for sure the swelling would last longer than that but not for me. I was thankfully able to get in for my first fill after 4 weeks but it took me 3 fills to feel anything. I am now at 6 cc's and feel some restriction but may need to go in again, I'm just trying to figure it out still. It was extremely difficult to follow the orders when it came to diet right after surgery. I was always hungry and my doc said to progess as I felt I could, so I did and never had any problems. Some people dont need fills, others do. Try to hang in there.. your time will come. Patience is key with this surgery and sometimes I lose mine, but I know I am still trying to figure things out for myself. It's just hard getting there.

Here are mine: 1. Eating ice - I have been eating ice since I was 14. All day, everyday. Everyone who knows me, knows I eat ice. I would eat it at hoe, driving, at work, in meetings, wherever. After surgery, I cant even eat a few pieces. Its not the same at all. The need is gone, the feeling is gone, everything. I cant even try to eat it. 2. Waking up at night - I have woke up at 3am every night for the last 18 years (started when I was pregnant with my son). A few weeks after surgery, I was waking up and staying awake but now I sleep through the night. Its a miracle!! Anyone else experience any changes?

The first month to 6 weeks is for healing. It reads like you may be weighing yourself too often. If you weigh yourself too often, you might be setting yourself up for unnecessary negative feelings about a sense of lack of progress with weight loss. And there are also weight loss plateaus which you likely will encounter along the way. The message here is that continuing to do the right things with healthy food choices, portion control, and exercise will in the long run allow you to lose weight. The band has taught me the life lesson of patience like no other experience. Stay the course, and you will see your progress. Best wishes for a successful journey...

Okay so I had something unexpected happen this morning. I took a big-o-drink of water. More like three consecutive drinks. Swallow, swallow, swallow….you get what I am saying. I actually felt the water being held up. Like not super drastic, but I felt it in my stoma and throat. I felt a mild alert over the situation. Um, never had that happen before! Wow! Until this happened this morning I have been able to chug-a-lug my water at a good rate, any time of day. I know, some don’t understand why people like me drink so fast, but we are all different. I am a fish! Ha! Just kidding but I have a habit of drinking a couple of swallows each drink. Not all the time now as I am working on slowing down….but I am a drinker. I have been reading on this board for a while now, so there have been many subjects covered. Which I love, by the way, because it feels good to have working knowledge of the band, even if it is not my own working knowledge. : ) So, thank you all for sharing your band experiences! You are appreciated! That being said, I’ve thought it is strange when people talk about having a hard time getting there liquids in. Sipping through out the day….sucking on ice cubes, ect. I’ve read many posts about not being able to tolerate food in the mornings. Even some posts about not being able to eat anything solid until evening. That being said, I know our bands are fickle. Each person can have there band affected differently. Some talk about weather, flying, stress, their monthly visitor, a bad PB episode, drinking cold liquids, and much more, and how it can affect the bands tightness. What I would really like to know is how tight you prefer to keep your bands’? Do you keep your band snug enough to feel water back up if you drink a big ol’ drink? Are you a sipper? Can you eat in the mornings, or afternoons? Do you have to wait on your band to loosen up before a meal? Can you put into words what band restriction means to you? I am curious on what the “norm” is and if is varies a great deal from person to person. I am working on getting to my sweet spot or being in the green zone. For me, I can enjoy breakfast everyday. Depending on the food, I can eat a cup to ¾ cup of food at a meal. I focus mainly on protein and often feel like I leave out veggies and fruits almost completely. I seem to have better success when I eat steamed veggies vs. fresh veggies using broccoli and carrots as a good example of this. My band tolerates muffins and cake well, wish came as a surprise to me. We had treats at work and I tried these yummies and had no issues. I have no idea if I can eat bread, because I have cut it completely out of my diet. I no longer eat a sandwich or anything like that. I stick to the guts, the insides of a sandwich. Protein, protein, protein… I am planning on posting this in the forum as well as a blog entry. Please reply and share how you like your band, and what works best for you. Last monthish there were some great posts about a few gals feeling there bands were too tight. I know from your posts that being to tight does not equal weight loss or a safe way to keep your band. So all experience is valuable! I am scheduled for an up coming fill in December and I have

I hit a major stall about 3 weeks out and it lasted almost a month. It was depressing! I had a hard time believing everyone when they said to hang in there that the scale would move again....well I am happy to report that it did. I upped my Protein and exercise (walking daily) and that helped. I also noticed that since I quit taking my blood pressure meds postOp (no longer needed everyday), which contain a diuretic, I was retaining fluids and my blood pressure would elevate slightly about every 6 days or so. I would take a BP med about once per week and that helped get things moving. I am able to keep the Water weight down and the scale keeps moving. Little by little it is coming off. I am now down 73 pounds. If you have a history of BP issues, monitor your BP carefully and consult with your doctor about how to use your meds postOp. My doc said to take my meds if it went up over 125/70 on any given day. That gives me a marker to shoot for. Good luck.

I will be two month on Monday and have been in the weird place/stall where I will pick up 1 or 2 pounds and then lose it and back again. I think it's me trying new stuff and that's stalling me. I do know that I got hooked on beef Jerky sticks and salty/nitrate stuff and that happens to make us retain Water. So............................... I still enjoy one Protein shake when I'm low on protein and that is Jay Robb's chocolate whey Protein. I use it with Soy Milk, and cocoa powder and some stevia and add ice. Blend it in my NutriBullet and in heaven! ALSO, make sure that you are not eating salty foods or too many processed foods. I think the answer to all of our problems is we must eat clean. Meaning, we have to wake up and scramble eggs or make oatmeal, we must pack our home cooked meals during the day with protein first and we must commit to cooking our way to slim. The quick fixes add water weight and produces a stall. Wishing you luck and for myself!

I noticed you had surgery the same day as me. My nutritionist and doctor both said I could try solids after 2-3 weeks and although I still have no appetite yet, I have been trying little bites of meat such as turkey, pork chop, and roast beef. They seem to go down ok as I have no problem or pain with them. My doctor said don't eat if your not hungry so I feel guilty for eating them, but I know I need protien and eat nothing else. What is your post op diet, and have you tried any solids yet? Do you have any hunger pains yet? I'd appreciate any information you could give me on your experience if you don't mind sharing. Thanks

I am about 10 weeks....not really hungry. I know acid reflux can mimic hunger so make sure u are taking the Opremozol or whatever your Dr precribed? And our heads are often worst enemy. Just make sure it's protein and water

Almost all the points mentioned above are temporary effects. Your stomach size is permanently reduced, but it is very, very easy to "eat around the sleeve" by consuming high fat/carb foods, drinking while eating, eating "slider" foods (foods that liquefy like most breads, chips, ice cream, etc... and are easy to overeat since they take up no real volume in the stomach and slide through quickly, so you never feel full). My doctor emphasized that anyone will lose weight for the first year or so after surgery, even eating total crap and going through the drive through every night. But those people will slowly stall out, and then start gaining within a year or so and likely blame their sleeve for failing when it's really their own fault. The sleeve just levels the playing field for those of us that needed the help to do the hard work of relearning how to eat and get active. It won't carry you if you continue to make poor decisions after the honeymoon period is over. While the feelings of hunger can disappear for some time, they do come back. It is hoped that if/when that happens, you know how to differentiate between head hunger and actual hunger, and you've learned how to eat healthy, whole foods by that point. The reason that VGS works is that you get about 1 year (can be up to 18 months) called the "honeymoon" sometimes, where you have both the restriction of the smaller stomach AND a lessening of the ravenous hunger that sometimes happens when a person tends towards binge eating. The quick dropping of a large amount of weight is so encouraging, most folks get really excited and that makes them work harder to preserve their success. Since you have to let your stomach heal in the first few months, you're on a reduced diet plan of high Protein, low carb foods, and as you add back in real food, you're encouraged to make better choices overall since you have so little room, and to choose healthy/whole foods instead of packaged crap and fast food garbage. It takes some time to throw out bad habits and relearn good ones, but the truly successful ones do this. Working with a counselor if you had issues with food (binge eating/overeating/food disorders in general) and working with a nutritionist to learn exactly what foods you should be eating, tracking every bite of food/drink and learning how to read nutrition labels and what daily macros you actually need, and using the new reduced stomach size to make sure you're learning proper portion sizes... along with increasing exercise/activity... that's how you achieve long term success. Skip any of those steps, and you're likely going to fail. But if you figure this stuff out during the "honeymoon" period, then in addition to losing a large amount of weight, you'll have the blueprints to KEEP the weight off for the rest of your life.

Hello everyone! My name is Veronica and I am getting VSG sometime in the future. I am really happy I found this forum because it is helping me get motivated. You see, all I have to do is lose 5 pounds so I can go to the next step of setting my surgery appointment. The problem is that I have not been able to lose it because I do not follow a diet. In fact, I have not made any significant changes. It is my belief that I do this because I am truly scared to get this operation. My actions are due to my distorted thinking. My fears are that I will no longer enjoy my mothers food. Thanks to all of you who share your stories. I am inspired. I hope to lose these 5 pounds in the next week so I can set my appointment. Good luck on you Journeys, you are all doing amazing. Veronica

hi copper... kudos to you! congrats. how are you feeling? one week, huh? are you still sore? :biggrin:

My mother is set to have sleeve May 20. To show her support and practice I'm doing the two week liquid diet with her. I plan to have sleeve in Aug or sept. We only started today. Oh my I'm not a cry baby however I am STARVING. The Protein drink was awful. So I'm concerned with doing this for two plus weeks. Seeking suggestions. Thanks you