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Hey everyone. I've been lurking for a few months. Thought I'd finally post since I had my surgery on 6/10/13. I had a revision from a band that I have had since 2008. I loved my band too, but after losing 123 lbs, it slipped last year. I gained 65 lbs back in about 10 months. I started having so many complications, EXTREME acid reflux being one. I feel hopeful that now ill be able to get this weight off me once and for all, but I'm still feeling some kind of way. Maybe it's the "starting all over again" feeling. Ugh! But anyway, so far so good, I'm keeping up with my daily liquids intake like I should. Just wished I was further along already.

Don’t be too worried. I also scar so very easily. But I’ll definitely take 4 little scars than a shorter lifespan! Just realize that the first days will probably suck in one way or another. Like I said, the gas was the worst for me. I was lucky and had zero nausea. I was told I woke up immediately when they stopped running the anesthesia which they were surprised by. I remember two things from the moment I was rolling out of the surgery to the recovery. 1. I said “I’m going to throw up!” and the nice anesthesia nurse said “No you’re not.” and gave me something in my IV. Nausea gone, never to return. Then she asked me to rate my pain on a 1-10 scale. I said 7? And then I took a breath and the worst pain I’ve ever felt stabbed me from inside the left side of my tummy. I started to cry. She immediately ran 2 doses of Demerol and had me roll onto my right side. Bam! Pain gone. I’ve always been very stoic and had a very high pain tolerance. I fell down 8 wooden porch stairs and a portion of my upper cheek was sliced open. I shattered my nose, orbital socket, cheek bone, had a concussion ect. I never even cried. So, I figured I don’t want to say I have a 10 pain scale when I figured that’s reserved for like amputation or something. That was my mistake. Don’t be afraid to say your pain is high. The second bout of pain was around 7 pm the night of surgery. It was sudden with no explanation. I just immediately curled into a ball and my eyes watered. Fortunately my mom was there and called the nurses in a second. She knows that pain never really bothers me and that to be acting like that things were bad. They gave 5mg of OxyContin. During the night I had a dose of Roxicet as well. And that was it. But, I. WALKED. ALL. NIGHT. I mean all night. I got about 90 minutes of sleep during my 24 hours in the hospital. And I peed all night long too. They gave us 3 IV’s over 24 hours. 2 just fluids and 1 vitamin bag. I made sure that at dinner I got in 4 oz of broth and 2 oz of unsweetened tea. They also gave me a constant supply of ice water and 2 small cups of SF jello at both meals. I would save the jello and take tiny bites in between each 2-3 laps of the floor. At the meeting of WLS patients prior to release, I was far and away the one who looked and felt the best. I was the last surgery of the day, but the first to be released. So my advice is to accept that there’s going to be pain, and do your best to just soldier through it. Get up and walk walk walk. I’m 3 days out now, and I walk a little further each night. Today I was able to walk the dog for 30 minutes and wasn’t even tired. I swear the dog is in worse shape than I am! [emoji23] I do sleep a lot, and I’m in no way getting 64 oz of fluid, but I did get almost 400 calories and 37g of protein in today. Water is actually the most difficult thing for me to get down. I take 750 mg of Tylenol twice a day and that it. I don’t have to crush my pills or anything else. The only pain I have now is incision pain. Tylenol takes care of that. My first day home I did get my first case of the slimes and foamies. Now I know how to keep that from happening. I still take gas x twice a day. I’m way less bloated and swollen already and I started losing weight today. All in all, it’s been pretty great. But when you get out of surgery and it hurts like the devil, just remind yourself that the pain in so very temporary and you won’t even remember how severe it really was a few days later. I know everyone has different experiences, but I thought I’d share more of mine with you. My only complaint is that I still can’t get into and out of my bed. But luckily we have a sun room with a reclining couch and large tv so I’m able to stay comfortable all the time. It has a door that I hung a sheet on to get privacy from the rest of the house, so I’m not bothered by others. And yes, I have a hair trigger temper. I get crabby in .6 seconds flat. But since the nurse coordinator told my parents about that happening for at least a month, they were prepared and have done well ignoring me when it happens. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I’m an open book so nothing is off limits. Good luck on your journey! HW: 311 SW: 255 CW: 254 First goal weight: 191 lbs Second goal weight: 159 lbs Goal weight: 142 lbs 5’6” 34 yo female in NC

10 days after my surgery I started feeling tired and lightheaded. After I emailed my NUT, she told me to try a Protein shake which is from my Phase II post op diet. It did help a little. The next day, I was back to feeling tired and lightheaded. After I checked my blood pressure, I realized that one of the things I bought had WAY more sugar in it than I thought it did. But I had stopped drinking it because I started Phase I. The NUT told me to add some V8 Splash Diet, also from my Phase II. She told me I need to balance the little sugar that was in that with the small amount of carbs. And that did it. I thought this might help. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Highest weight 344 (05/01) Day of sugery 311 (08/22) Two week post op 288 (09/06)

My sister was dead set against me getting the band. She lost weight with diet and exercise and manages to keep it off for the most part, although she could stand to lose 10-20 pounds. Anyway, once she saw that I was really loosing good she became an advocate. She even went so far as to recommend it to her overweight friends when they would confide in her about their weight problems. Do what's right for you. For me the advantage that the band gave me was that I was not always fighting that insatiable hunger. What a difference a day makes.... Best of luck to you.

Your fat requirements are going to be very different than mine as an RNY. I'd really want your RD or doc to tell me what ratios they want for their DS patients. I know that your protein reqs are also way diff than mine. For mine and most VSGs the loose rule of thumb for protein is 1g protein per every 10 calories. So if you have ideally a recipe with 160cals, it needs to have a minimum of 16 g protein to be a good protein bargain for the buck. Then beyond that the only rule they gave is no more than 5g sugar per serving/meal. Any other rule was individual from them and based on status and how we were doing with our diet, diet satisfaction, and if we were losing and/or maintaining and progressing well. I had to be very low fat and low carb/low cal to lose. So I'm a big outlier.

So am I interpreting this correctly because the corollary would be that those of us who are overweight lacked meaning and purpose in life beyond food? and I don't see myself that way. I have always had a strong sense of purpose, meaning and goals in my life. I knew what I wanted to be professionally when I was 12--a psychologist working in advertising. I was told there was no such thing, but here I am, doing just that. At 12 I decided to adopt, and I did. At 10 years old, I knew I would leave my country and live abroad, and I did. This sense of goals and purpose has continued throughout my life--yet I was overweight. While I agree that being thin doesn't solve all ills, I also don't think weight loss is simply a matter of finding purpose in life? Am I misunderstanding the article?

So...I currently weigh 138 at 5'1". I have no idea what my accurate BF% is because I've lost 130 lbs this year thanks to a modified duodenal switch surgery (aka Loops DS/SIPS) that also helped address my PCOS symptoms. Oddly enough, I'm a size 2/4 at this height and weight. I have a lot of loose skin, some of which I'm getting addressed at the end of September with a tummy tuck and brachioplasty, so I'm hoping to lose some more inches that way and get a more realistic understanding of my weight and measurements (although I'll still have loose skin left on my thighs and butt and boobs, but my stomach and arms are definitely the biggest problems.) My cals are a bit weird because the amount I can eat (and the amount recommended for someone who's had my surgery due to malabsorption/less room in the stomach for food) makes my average calories around 1000-1400/day depending on whether it's a workout or rest day (this is cutting.) But I need to figure out how to calcualte my TDEE with adjustments for my limitations due to the surgery as well as macros. Does anyone know how to appropriately do this after WLS? I do SoulCycle 3-4x a week and do toning (eg: barre) or weight training 2-3x a week and have been doing this for about a month. I haven't lost a single pound but have lost 1/2 an inch on my waist and an inch each on my thighs, hips, and calves. Measurements: Waist: 27.5" Hips: 36" Bust: 32" Thighs: 20.5"

I wanted one that was auto shut off. They were pretty pricey. However, one day at the end of the season, I walked into WalMart and purchased 2 $10 and $15. They weren't ASO but worked great the same. Any place that sells them should have them on clearance soon.

I'm at 2.5 in a 10 and I'm in a good spot. When I eat what I am supposed to I get full after a cup of protein and vegetables. I can still eat a bag of Doritos but that doesn't count to need a fill because they are sliding right through, no matter how tight you are. Can't look back at how much you only lost last year. Be happy you lost something and gained nothing. Move on forward and start fresh with the Band life and you got this =)

I don't think that I could have put it in words any better. You described my post op experience to a T. I was sleeved 10/12. I am JUST now starting to feel like a real person again. Today is the first day that I haven't cried. I even went outside with my toddlers for a while. This time last week I was convinced that it would be easier if I just rolled over and never got back up. I absolutely promise you that it does get better. You WILL start feeling human again. Push through, go find a support group (I went to an over eaters anonymous group last night for the first time and loved it), tell your family that you are not ok right now and let them help you. This will all be worth it. For now, find something small to Celebrate every day and remember that you're not alone. HW 427 SW 358 sleeved 10/12/16 I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

Steve said it wonderfully. The lap band is just a tool we use. I think everyone has lost weight, even significant amounts, before choosing to be banded. We just had problems keeping it off. We CAN lose weight on our own, and we DO with the band, because we choose every bite of food that goes into our mouths. The difference for me is, I am completely satisfied with about 1/3 of the amounts that I ate prior to surgery. I still eat most foods that I want, with exceptions, of course. I have eaten icecream since surgery on 3 occasions, each time I ate one scoop. I would have NEVER had one scoop prior to surgery. I chose to stop at one and I was satisfied. I had pizza last week. I ordered a 10 inch ham on whole wheat and I ate one slice instead of almost the whole thing. If you understand you are still going to have to work, but that the band will make it easier to not feel like you are dieting (I never feel like I am starving anymore) then the band is probably a good choice for you. Go to a seminar, listen to what they have to say, lurk and post on the forum, and then make a decision. If someone around you isn't supportive, then don't discuss your decision with them. Only YOU know whether or not this is a good choice for you. GOOD LUCK!

I thought the same thing. What if I fail at this too? This is the most expensive "diet" I've ever done and what if all my time and money are wasted? Even after my surgery over 2 yrs ago, I thought I failed. For 5 mths - I lost about 5 lbs. I was eating just like I was prior to the surgery. The 3rd fill was my savior tho. After that, I started losing about 10 lbs a month. I'm now down 104 lbs with about 9 left to go. My goal is 135. I finally found something I didn't fail in! I still can't believe that I fit into size 7 jeans! Everytime I shop, I go directly to the "fat lady" section - then I realize I no longer need them! The lady who waxes my eyebrows today told me me "Why do you need to lose 9 lbs? You're so tiny!" That made me feel good! I even weigh less than my little sister whyo's never had a weight problem her whole life. My husband calls me "skinny mini" all the time. So, the moral of the story: even if you've failed at every diet in the book in the past, this is NOT a diet - it WILL change your life. Keep positive, be patient (because it may take a while to get proper restriction), and remember that you'll never have to diet again! I love that about the band. I can eat anything I want (including bread, rice, and pasta) - just very small quantities. I wouldn't even dream of eating a whole sandwich. Good luck to you! Keep us posted! Marci

Being sarcastic, of course. Part of my responsibilities as a grad student is to teach a couple of non-majors' biology labs per week. We gave final exams this week. My last lab was yesterday at 8 AM. I made a point of telling my students at the beginning of the semester that if they couldn't go to my lab for any reason, to go to one of the other 30 labs that are taught during the week. During exams, I shut the door so that we won't be disturbed. Apparently, one of my students showed up a little late yesterday and I had already shut the door and started the exam. Instead of knocking to see if I would let her in (she was only about 10 minutes late), she left. I got an email from her this afternoon saying that she wasn't able to go to any of the Friday labs. I basically told her that she would have to take a zero for the exam. I looked up her schedule, and there were a couple of labs she could have gone to yesterday if she had bothered to check. The moral of this story? Don't wait until the last day of the final exam week to see if there are any labs you can fit into your schedule. No matter what you may think, being late is not a valid excuse, especially for the first class of the day! I am not going to set up a special lab time for you to take the exam because you were too lazy to check and see if you could fit one of the other labs into your schedule until it was too late. Don't get me wrong, I have been late to classes of my own before. But it seems like common sense to me that if you miss the freaking final exam, to email the instuctor immediately and see if you can find another lab where you can take the test. You don't wait until the last day of the exam week to see if there are any labs you can go to. To me, if you are that lacking in common sense, you probably deserve to fail the freaking class.

Ok so I was sleeved on 10/29 too! And I have the same issues too! I actually ended up going to whole foods and getting several different kinds of soups and thats what has been helping. Just having the different flavors is such a relief. I can't tell ya much more than that about it, but its what got me thru that day (had a 5 pound weight loss the next day and that helped as well) and I am exactly as new to all this as you. Matt Z always has really good stuff to say to people here so I am gonna follow him as soon as I get done responding to you lol, so listen to him and people like him... they have been through it and are awesome enough to be here to help us with their insight and hindsight. Be kind to you, this **** is sooooo hard. I go to my doc tomorrow and should be moved to pureed, so there is some hope for a lil bit of texture, I am trying to hang in there. Big Hugs!!! You got this, you are here, reaching out, you got this!

thanks everyone, back in the saddle now. so as long as that my only cheat Im sure Im good. Its not even that I have been hungry doin this. BUt I am tired cranky and lack the ability to focus...Gotta keep to a good schedule with my protien or I get really stupid. Good news is my shakes(Better MD www.dietdirect.com) are actually very tasty.and in 10 days Im down 10.8 lbs. It will all be worth it in then end and this time next year I am going to have a badass 30th birthday party....even if it means drinking shakes for my 29th!

I had my surgery yesterday. I slept like crap last night because the pain medicine was not sufficient. Plus they cleaned the floor during the night and the cleanser gave me a bad headache. Today I feel a little better. I've taken in tiny sips of water and had about a half of a freezy three times. I still have a drain in my abdomen but it's not bothersome. The pain is still not under control. I would suggest bringing your own liquid pain medication from your own doctor. The pain is keeping me from moving like I should. They give Toradol here and that's ALL. I suppose one could bring liquid tylenol but it may be hard to get it all down. Most adult liquid tylenols require you take a couple table spoons for an effective dose. Right now all I can take in is a tiny sip every 1-2 minutes. It would likely take 10 min to get all that tylenol in but it would help. I will post again for you later. I need to go walk around some more to move the gas through. You will have lots of gas pressure in your abdomen, chest and instestines. Walking does help move it through. Keep me posted on your journey. Take care.

My insurance covers 90 days after surgery no co-pay. My first was 2 weeks then I will go two more times then 6 months and one year. I don't remember the time frame thereafter. I will see my PCP in September. My surgery date was 4/29/19.

I'm not going to lie, the first 48 hours were awful. Intense pain whenever I moved my abdominal muscles. Getting in and out of bed was a 10 minute process and had me swearing like a sailor. Day 3 started to feel a little easier. Day 4 I went with my family to the mall, walking slow and tiring after an hour but still doable. Day 5 (today) I drive my kids to a local fair and walked around. Taking off just a week of work might be a little uncomfortable but unless you're in an active job I think you'll be ok. I am a photographer and I will be shooting a wedding 10 days post-op. I'm feeling pretty confident I can do it. Good luck!

I don't think I ever had a "fat nickname" but my dad (step) and mom always had me on whatever diet they were on from middle school on. I was the middle of 5 kids including step siblings and was the only "fatty", and was constantly reminded of it. I would get sung to.. "this magic moment" whenever I would actually enjoy my food in front of my family.. which led to closest eating and emotional eating. I was also told that I had to chose between being "fat and happy" (which could never really happen when being constantly told you are overweight) or " gorgeous/thin and a bitch" (from being hungry all the time). Looking back I was heavier than my siblings, but by maybe 10-15 lbs. I still have a distorted body image.

mine was skinny minnie.. cause up until i was 10, i was really scrawny and boney. my aunt started calling me that, cause she had 3 zaftig girls... my dad called me pussycat (1960s) and my mom called me matilda or sarah burnheart when i was being a drama queen. i try really hard not to call my kids nicknames that have anything to do with their physical appearance. it bothered me a lot that my aunt was always calling attention to my body. both my kids have been called captain chaos and dr dangerous as toddlers and preschoolers, but i try to keep it to a minimum.

I was Sleeved on 10/29. Been trying each day to get in all my protein and liquids but I have fallen a bit short each day. A;so struggling to get my vitamins in. I am still not feeling hungry but yesterday I just started growing really tired of the same texture of "food". I am a fast food girl, have been since I could get my own money and get to the drive thru. I miss the crunch, the spice, the different textures, the ability to choose something different everyday/every meal. The food commercials are really getting to me and I'm starting to think, "I can't wait until I can have that". I'm afraid that this means failure is right around the corner. I'm starting to regret that I ever did this. I could really use some encouragement and maybe some suggestions on how to work through it. Thanks.

I will burp and my chest feels tight. This doesn't usually happen to me now because I weigh my food out, I have learned how much is enough of the different proteins I eat. Chicken thigh 3oz, breast 2oz, steak 2 oz, turkey sausage 3 oz, ect,,, If you start by putting 4 oz on your plate and then weigh what you don't eat you will get a pretty accurate estimate of how much you should put on your plate. My goal is to eat just enough to be satisfied, but not get that tight over full feeling, This good advice came from blizair09. Our goal should not be to feel full just satisfied and then we never have to worry about overeating. Weighing your food also gives you accurate amounts of what you are eating for tracking. The only time I get an uncomfortable feeling now is when I eat too fast. This can happen at 8-10 weeks post-op when you start forgetting that you had surgery. Your stomach is pretty much healed, you are back on regular foods, and sometimes you forget and eat too fast, or don't chew your food as well as you should, and you will get a similar feeling as being full.

My surgeon doesnt let us go on to puree for 10 to 14 days... however i have pushed that a little bit with a few super soft veggies in the warm soups... they dissolve so its not lumpy just a lil thicker. It is def easier still to just have the broth, but i dont think 2 smushed carrots stirred in that liquid is really any problem.