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I have a 10 cc band and was given 3 cc. This was under fluro and at 3.2 cc the liquid was coming back up so they removed .2 leaving me with 3 cc.

they will not turn you away-my dr wanted me to lose 10% of my body weight- I lost about 7%-nothing was said to me on surgery day about the 8 lbs I did not lose-they just want your mind in the game and for you to be prepared for this journey-also helps them in surgery due to the shrinkage in liver size due to weight loss- you are doing great!

I am kvetching! Just had my telephone pre-op and when asked about my pre-op weight loss, I proudly announced that I've lost 16lbs since August 1st. I met with the doctor on 8/9. He apparently wrote down "must lose 20 to 40lbs" on my chart. 20-40lbs BEFORE surgery. Saw him on 8/9. Surgery is 9/19. I've lost 16lbs and was feeling pretty darn good about that, but now I'm like they just debited my account 16,000 dollars and I might be turned away for not losing enough weight beforehand? I've worked like a trooper to lose 16lb in a month's time. I have 10 days until surgery. I might lose another 2-3 lbs, realistically--but another 20? This is Bandster Hell, huh? Darr

Congrats!!!!!! I'm being banded the day after you!!!!!!!!! I'm freaking out about the pre-op diet, its 10 days and I'm going on vacation 4 days into it for memorial day weekend! Should be interesting... Good luck with everything!!!!!

Hi I'm 21 I was banded when I was 20 I was banded a year and 3 months ago I've listed 60 lbs 14 days after my surgery I was in a sever car accident getting hurt badly so I'm having to go slow and steady and currently I'm living with my 19 yr old sister who eats fast food 24/7 so she is no support

I was banded on 10/31/12 so I'm 5 days post op. I'm 25.

I'm am 21 now I was 20 when I was banded I have lost 60 lbs in my first year unfortunly I was in a sever car wreak 14 days after getting banded getting severally injured so I'm having to go the slow and steady route I have a year under my belt and in still having to learn to work with my band I feel like day to day it changes I e day I can eat something the next I can't so wish I had better support I live with my 19 yrs old sister who eats fast food 24/7 and doesn't care what she looks like or if she is Health so I really could use support

Hey Jackie, that is just what I am here for. My goal is to help others and pass on what I have learned along the way. I had some wonderful people who really helped me when I had my surgery and we have become good friends along the way. You are doing fantastic with your weight loss Yeah for Jackie. You honestly have to stop and have talks with yourself--so your brain understands who is in charge. Your brain can play some nasty tricks on you along with the smell of food the they are bringing into the house. I am sure they don't even think about it but sit down and nicely tell them, right now this is NOT working at all for you. 2 more days, I can still remember when when I got to start on the 2nd 10 days. I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I got to have creamy soup--and I could only get down about 1/4 of a cup not even all that, but it taste soooooo good. You can and will do this and you are going to be so successful. sugar free Popsicles were really good too--get some of those and try them. Just remember you have earned the right to be skinny and it is going to happen. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi You are going to have some talks with yourself about all the food. I have said many times about how hard the 1st month is. This is part of it dealing with the food. You just have to tell yourself that this is only for 30 days--NOT A LIFETIME. It does get better the 2nd 10 days. Food will come back into your life the 2nd months. You NOT LONGER LIFE TO EAT. From here on out you eat to life. You have to find things to do to keep the food in 2nd place not be the only thing you are thinking about. Take a magazine out and plan on some new clothes that you will be able to have. Do a little day dreaming about what it is going to be like in 6 months, Hugs, Suzanne

After the first 10 days. So starting the 2nd 10 days is when you can have the Premier Protein drinks if that is what you are talking about. Suzanne

Thank you for the kind words! I haven't been under 200 lbs in 10 years! You will be there before you know it!!!

Most in here have answered your questions very well. From my personal experience I love the weight loss my band has provided but at the same time it can be a pain in the ass. The constant tweaking to get to a good restriction almost always tempts people to get too tight with disastrous results. Let me list some things that annoy me about the band. 1) I can't drink liquids quickly. I can't tell you how much I would love to down a bottle of Water in a couple of gulps right now! Lol. 2) Can't go straight to bed after eating or it's very uncomfortable. 3) Veggies can go down slow and hurt sometimes. 4) Daily heartburn if I don't take Prilosec. 5) TIGHT DAYS...out of nowhere my band can tighten up like crazy...causes can be drinking alcohol, stress, exercise, dehydration, early in the morning. 6) LOOSE DAYS...sometimes I'm just loose and can eat more than normal and then I'm hungry. 7) Hunger. Yes. I get hungry. No I don't need a fill. If I get a fill I will be too tight and bad things will happen. 8) Fills can be annoying...I had to get over 20 adjustments to get good restriction. I currently have over 14cc in a 14cc band. 9) I can't sleep on my stomach. If I sleep on my stomach I get reflux. No I do not have a dilated pouch. 10) Sinus drainage wakes me up at night because the nasty Fluid pools in the back of my throat. Gross! This can wake me up choking and is quite disgusting. I'm sure operations like the sleeve has its own bag of nasty tricks but those are some that annoy me about this particular surgery and applies to me. Your mileage may vary. If I had the choice to make over again I would SERIOUSLY consider the sleeve. Would I get the band again? Yes. If I didn't think the sleeve was all people make it out to be after research then I'd get banded again. Getting lapband surgery because you think it is a 'gentle' surgery is a mistake. To anyone that thinks they don't want to get the sleeve or bypass because it's too invasive and they want a gentle surgery then you need to diet and exercise and stay away from a doctor with a knife completley. Surgery is surgery and there's no 'easy' way about it even with the lap band. Look at what a band does to a stomach after 5 years and it's not all daises and sunshine. Don't even get me started on erosion or a slip. Lapband surgery is SURGERY and alters your body. Don't choose it because you're scared of something else. That's not a good reason to make a decision in my opinion. Good reasons to choose lap band are that it's adjustable and you can control, to a point, the speed at which you lose weight. You can usually opt for sleeve or bypass if your band fails which is a plus. Anyway, I've listed reasons why it's a pain in the ass above, but you can still lose weight with it and that's what matters. Is it better than the sleeve? I don't know. All I can tell you is what I do know. Good luck with your choice.

Just wanted to thank you all for your kind words and advice. I wanted to post my appeal letter... I think it came out well. My goal was to appeal to their sensitivty... we'll see if that works : P Dear Sir or Madam; I recently received a denial of benefits for the proposed Laparascopy, a longitudinal gastrectomy (i.e. sleeve gastrectomy) based on the fact that I have not been at a BMI of 40 or higher for 5 consecutive years. I am appealing this decision and hope that based on the facts that I present in the following letter, that the decision will be overturned and I can be approved for surgery as soon as possible. I have attached a copy of the denial to this letter for your records. I understand that the policy states that I must be at the current BMI or higher for a minimum of 5 years, however I firmly believe that in 5 years, not only will I be much heavier, but I will also have a long list of comorbidities to add to my current morbid obesity. In 2005 I weighed 193 lbs. In 2010 I now weigh over 230 lbs. At the rate at which I am gaining weight I will easily weigh 280 lbs by 2015, which far exceeds the title of morbid obesity. It is this hypothesis that has led me to the option of bariatric surgery, which for someone like me, will literally save a life. I come from a long line of obese individuals. Not one person in my immediate family is not classified as obese, and many of my extended family member s are morbidly obese. I have a cousin who died of morbid obesity in 2005 at a weight of 650 lbs. She was living life in a wheelchair because she had lost mobility and eventually had a heart attack and died at the age of 35. Diabetes also runs rampant on both sides of my family; my father, sister, uncles, aunt, grandmother, and grandfather all have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I tested borderline for gestational diabetes for both of my pregnancies and one of my biggest fears is being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In addition, hypertension and high cholesterol also permeate my family?s medical history. My mother, father, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins ALL have hypertension so severe that they are on medication. My grandmother, mother, and father all have high cholesterol, also severe enough for medication. I see myself as next in line. Currently, I have chronic heartburn which I fear will transition into GERD in no time. And I have begun snoring, which has the potential to turn to sleep apnea as time passes and my weight increases. You see, I simply do not have 5 years to wait and see how sick I become. I am attempting to be proactive and save my life. If not for myself, for my 2 young children. My daughter is 2 and a half, and my son is 9 months old. My prayer is that I can have this surgery not only to lose weight, but to bestow upon them proper eating habits and nutrition as well as the love of exercise. As it stands right now, my mobility is affected by my weight and it breaks my heart that I can?t be the mom I want to be simply because of how heavy I am. I am essentially dragging around at least 100 extra pounds with me every single day, which makes it difficult to do simple things like walk up the stairs in my home. I don?t want to write a research paper about the benefits of the sleeve gastrectomy because I do trust that you are an informed medical professional. But I want to explain why I am choosing this surgery over all of the other options out there. The reason why I am not simply accepting gastric bypass (e.g. Roux-n-Y) or gastric banding (Lap-Band? or Realize?) is because both have very high rates of long term failure. And the reason why I have chosen not to apply for the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch is because I feel as though the surgery is A) extreme for someone with my BMI and also leads to nutritional deficiencies and high rates of osteoporosis as the malabsorptive properties of the surgery are almost ?too effective? and can lead to malnutrition. I do believe that the vertical sleeve portion of the DS surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) is the best option for me because it is a highly successful restrictive procedure and I can still absorb the essential nutrients that my body requires without extreme amounts of Vitamin supplementation. Supporting Literature A systematic review of the literature covering LSG through January 2009[1] was published in June last year. Conclusion: From the current evidence, including 36 studies and 2570 patients, LSG is an effective weight loss procedure that can be performed safely as a first stage or primary procedure. From this large volume of case series data, a matched cohort analysis, and 2 randomized trials, LSG results in excellent weight loss and co-morbidity reduction that exceeds, or is comparable to, that of other accepted bariatric procedures. The postoperative major complication rates and mortality rates have been acceptably low. Long-term data are limited, but the 3- and 5-year follow-up data have demonstrated the durability of the SG procedure. A handful of additional work has been published since that literature review concluded, with additional long term durability data and adding considerable support to the efficacy of LSG in resolving diabetes.[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8] Two International Consensus Summits for Sleeve Gastrectomy have been held, the first[9] 10/25-27/2007 and the second[10] 3/19-21/2009. At the second conference, during the consensus part, the audience responded that there was enough evidence published to support the use of SG as a primary procedure to treat morbid obesity and indicated that it is on par with adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, with a yes vote at 77%. In conclusion, I ask that you please approve the Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery for me based on the medical information that I have provided as well as personal consideration and kindess. I truly need this surgery to save my life, and I pray every day that it can happen. I appreciate your time and sincerely hope that you can assist me in changing my life and my children?s lives. Kind Regards, Alexis

My one month was Friday. I am down 10 since surgery. Yay us!!!!

I had mine right at 10 weeks ago today, and I constantly have that fear. I've seen friends who were successful at it and some who weren't. I just try to keep a clear mind about it. I lost 120lbs on my own years ago (in 2011) but gained it all but 5lbs back. It taught me a lesson!!

I think it depends on your doctor. In my program we're on clear liquids for 10 days post op, so you're not alone.

Best wishes to you both ! I was sleeved on 10/14 and have already lost 34 pounds...it just melts off if you do as you are told.

Omg I have way too many clothes! Went through and threw out all the junk and organized the rest by sizes. The largest being 16's and the smallest were 10's. I will have clothing covered for a bit once I get started. July hurry up and get here. I cannot wait to purge all the larger clothing!

No, im not 100% sure. I am other wise very healthy other then being fat. I was 256 pre-op ( 4 weeks ago) and now I am 236. I havent had any other medical problems.I am just hoping I can bare with it until 11-10 when I go in for my first fill. I deal with alot of burping not matter what I eat or drink or how I do it, I always seem to have to burp. I have done the Gas-X doesnt seem to work for me.

I am officially scheduled next Tuesday October 19. I must fly in on Sunday , pre-op on Monday, surgery on Tuesday -one day in hospital and one and a half days at the hotel. Home Friday. I am hopeful in a huge way that this will be the help I need to finally succeed at healthy permanent weight-loss. I am on the other hand frightened something will happen. Like I have stated before --I do have three kids who need me. I am also going alone-- which Doralisa( the coordinator )told me half of the patients do come alone and I should be just fine. I am interested to know after surgery do they give you bottled water to drink in the hospital?????should I bring my own to be sure? I have had two c-sections and know I am soooo dry after and only want water , water, water ! the first day. Also , once back at the hotel what did you do to get food or rather the liqiuid diet you need before you go home? I want to be as prepared as possible for anything I need to do to take care of myself while there especially since I will be alone. If anyone had surgery with Rumbaut can you give me some of your advice? I would really appreciate it!

Hello everyone, I was banded on January 9th 2006. I have already lost a total of 11 pounds in the 1st week. But as of today I feel no restriction. I was sick on 2 occasions yesturday, is it possible that I have moved the band or even made it come apart? I dont feel like eating now at all and have dropped to 1 meal a day. Would anyone have any suggestions? Many thanks BLUE

I have sizes 24-10, and I can't WAIT to donate each size as it gets too large. I have several plus-sized friends who are happy to have the clothes, and I'm thrilled to give them my stuff. I'm only about 6 weeks out and have ditched bags and bags of stuff; coats, summer stuff I'll never wear again, 24s, 22s, 20s, and coming up on some 18s that are vanity sized. I think a 14 for summer is realistic, and for $3, even if it's not -- or you blow by it, who cares at $3. It is a little panic-inducing at first, like, am I REALLY never going to need these clothes again? Really?

Dlyrical, 10-17 pounds a month weight loss, under 1000 calories a month??? I disagree COMPLETELY. Everything that I have read about LB suggests that weight loss per month should be 5-10 pounds a month. For some people it does not happen. People do stall sometimes. Also how could you suggest that someone compare themself to another bandster....why would you? Each and EVERY person is different. If everyone compared themselves with someone else's weight loss there would be alot of unhappy people. ShellyCL, Have you talked to your nutritionist or doc? They may have educated suggestions that can help. Also is your food getting stuck because your bites are too big? Try to chew your food until it is virtually liquid before swallowing..maybe that will help. Good Luck to you! The weight will come off.

I have created the Lap-band Blueprint, hopefully this will help you as well. The band was designed to eat a normal meal. A normal meal means you eat a smaller meal without side effects. If you are properly adjusted you can eat without experiencing Productive Burping or much sliming. · Learn to chew your food to liquid form. Chewing your food to liquid form will reduce the amount of productive burps; this will also help reduce the sliming effect as well. · Avoid Soft Food Syndrome. If you are eating softer foods because it is easier, you have no way of knowing if you are properly adjusted. Eating softer foods allows you eat more and can halt your weight loss altogether. · Eat your Protein first. Eating protein first ensures you are getting enough protein to keep your energy levels up. · Don’t be so dependent on the band. Some patients are expecting the band to be their “Food Police”. Taking responsibility for what you are eating and how you are eating will take away the disappointed feeling. · The band is tighter in the morning. There is no scientific reason why the band is tighter in the morning. Just because the band is tight in the morning is no excuse to skip a meal. Mix up a Protein shake to start your day. · Being too tight serves no good purpose. If the band is too tight and you are experiencing PB after PB this will not aid in the weight loss efforts. Also having a band that is too tight could result in a slip; which could result in another surgery. · The band is not properly adjusted. You are wide open and can eat anything you want, this is a sign you are not properly adjusted. Make an appointment with your surgeon to get another fill. · Tweaking your band. It could be as simple as .01 CC to get you to your sweet spot. Don’t think you have to have a full 1.0 CC to be properly adjusted. · Don’t compare yourself to others. Just because someone has reached their sweet spot with 2.50 CC’s doesn’t mean you are going to reach your sweet spot with the same amount of fill. There are too many different size bands on the market and the person you are comparing your fill to might not even have the same band as you do. · Don’t deprive yourself. Eat what you like in moderation. The more processed the food the easier it is to eat with the band; it also means more calories. Read your labels if a serving size is 15 chips then only eat 15 chips not the whole bag. Keep in touch with your surgeon so he/she knows what is going on. If you are not following up with your surgeon they can’t get you to your sweet spot. Don’t feel bad if you have not lost any weight since your last visit; your surgeon will not yell at you. Especially if you keep a food diary and exercise diary; this will aid your surgeon to help you stay on track. If you are newly post-op take advantage of this time to really learn how to chew your food; trust me you will “Thank” yourself down the road. If you are properly adjusted; you will have to chew your food to liquid form; otherwise you will be experiencing productive burping and sliming. This leads to frustration and could possibly lead you to soft food syndrome which will halt your weight loss efforts. You have worked so hard to have the surgery and expected to have amazing results. It is possible if you work with your band as opposed to working against it. Don’t think of this as being another diet; think of this as being a “Lifestyle”. If you watch skinny fit people eat you will see they still allow themselves treats; you should be no different. Remember you had surgery on your stomach not your brain. It will be hard at times and you might make poor choices. Getting back on the band-wagon is easy to do. Go back to the band basics and you will see the results you want and deserve.

Congratulations! I'm 10/5. I don't know about gum before, just not after. No straws after. I've been on 2 wk pre op since Thursday. Down 14 lbs. Sent from my XT1575 using BariatricPal mobile app