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My surgery is tomorrow, 10/22/07! I'm a little nervous, but I'm excited and very determined. Good luck to everyone, and I look forward to sharing as we move forward.

I had an aggressive fill yesterday. I drank a hot slim fast for dinner around 7:00. I went to sleep about 10:30 and kept waking up, coughing and choking. I did not pb or slime but I ended up sleeping with lots of pillow at my back so I was somewhat sitting up. The coughing scares me. Today i had small coffee, and a cup of tea. I also have been drinking a warm slim fast over the last three hours. Since i just had the fill, I would like to tough it out and see if things loosen up. However, that coughing...I am going to have nothing to drink after 6:00 tonight in hopes I won't repeat last nights experience. My chest is pretty tight right now. Any advice?

Hi all, just a little update! I have been sleeved and am officially home to heal! The process was quite quick, my hospital has it down so it was a super easy process. I checked in at 9:45am, they called me in at 10 and had me changed into my gown and hairnet, shortly after I took a pregnancy test and they weighed me. For those ladies on your period, they give you sterile underwear and a pad, so no worries there! From there I was sent to preop area room "F" where my pre-op bed was there waiting for me. They quickly prepped me, asked me a million questions we've all been asked before (do you drink, smoke? Have had surgery before? Etc.) about 20 mins into the process, the nurse started prepping me with my IV and some of the necessary drugs, but I didn't get the happy stuff till about 10 mins before my surgery (which was maybe an hour after I got there). In a very brief time, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeon came and had a brief chat with me and explained their process. Literally after our chat I met the woman who was going to be with me post op then I was wheeled into the or. There was a super thin table waiting for me and the room was really bright. They had me scoot on to the table myself and they secured me on with a strap, from the the surgeon confirmed my name and the procedure I was going to get done. They soon placed an oxygen mask on me and told me to take deep breaths, I don't remember anything after that till waking up in recovery, where I will not lie, I was in pain, not from the surgical sites but from GAS, it felt like my stomach was going to explode. I didn't cry but I began beating on my chest area between my ribcage, they soon gave me some pain medication which helped relieve it somewhat. I slept a good chunk of the day only waking up when someone came in to ask me some questions or needed to take my blood pressure. I didn't get up about about 6pm, which was a hassle. But the nurses helped me as I had to pee really bad. The moment I sat up I felt instantly nauseous, and threw up two large mouthfuls of mucous-y blood. It hurt expel them but felt so good when they were out. I peed like 5 times last night due to the IV drip, so it was a little annoying and painful to get out of bed each time. I threw up blood two more times (only happened when I sat up, completely normal). My nurses were the best and always made sure I was comfortable, always gave me something for nausea and pain when I requested it. There are two things I cannot stress enough to have with you: Gas X strips and Biotene mouth wash. My surgery ended about noon and I took my first gasx strip about nine, let me tell you, I was a burping demon, it felt SO GOOD to get that pressure out of my stomach. I took another one about midnight, each time I sat up to use the bathroom, I would belch (gross, but the best feeling in the world too lol) and mouth wash helps lubricate your mouth and throat. I swished it and gargled it periodically through out the evening and it made me feel human again. Getting sleep last night was hard because people kept coming in through out the night to check in on me, coupled with all my bathroom breaks, it was a tough night for rest. I slept on and off till about 8:30 when I started getting visits from anesthesiology, my surgeon came in to check on me, and finally the nurse came in with six 1oz cups of Water and told me I needed to get through that in order to get discharged. I started at 9:10am and finished my 6th around 12:30, not going to lie, it was difficult and I struggled to get through them all, but I did it LOL. I didn't get discharged till about 1:50, where I was wheeled down to my car in a wheel chair (I've never been in a wheel chair before, I thought it was a little exciting lol) I got home around 2:30pm. I've been sleeping off and on since and my stomach has been growling non stop, I've been burping a lot as well. Currently sleeping on my couch because I can stack the cushions to sleep a little more upright and can use the back of the couch to get up. I don't have any bloating, but I'm burping a lot and my right side is hurting from where they removed me stomach. Because their pain meds have started to wear off, in feeling a bit sore all over, particularly in the legs, stomach, and throat. Sorry for the long post, but I hope it helps someone. I'm probably going to try and sleep again, let my body do some more healing lol. Good night all!

What surgery are you having? Recovery times should have been discussed with you at some point. Depending on the surgery, and your work requirements you could go back in a few weeks. But standing for long periods of time leaving over people might not feel all that great. And most are told not to lift anything over 10 lbs or so for upwards of 6 weeks.

OK, I have learned a new lesson in this journey. The first couple of months, no one really noticed my weight loss until I hit the 45 pounds lost mark (about 3 months out), then all of a sudden everyone was noticing, complimenting, pointing and gasping! Tomorrow will be my 5 month surgiversary, I've had an easy journey with no pain, sickness, nausea and I'm already 10 pounds away from my ultimate goal. Great news, right? I have realized that being thin doesn't equate happiness. Now, people are used to seeing me at this weight and I don't get the constant compliments as I did before. I'm finding myself slipping back into old negative thoughts, old habits and such. I didn't get my mind right............along with my body. I thought if I lost the weight, my smile and inner happiness would miraculously come along with it. But I still have this "fat girl" mind inside the thin body. I am such a blessed person, but how do I turn this around and turn the negatives in my life into a positive? I can't afford regular counseling..... does anyone know of a great book that helps?

Today I got size 8 pants and size 10 dresses and -everything- looked good on me and ugh I wanted to cry I was so happy :] I haven't been a size 8 pants since I was like 11 years old HW 276 SW 263 CW 152 21 years old 5'8" - Kaylee Ann ~ Surgerversary 6/11/2012

I appreciate your update. I too am trying to decide if I am too filled. I got a .25cc fill 10 days ago. This brings me to 8cc in an 11cc Realize band. At times I can eat solid protein, steak, salmon, hamburger patty and other times like last night a pork chop was no go. I pb'd twice this week and have not done so since I was banded in August. On the other hand small amounts of food keep me full for 6-7 hours. I do know I am really having to remember to chew chew chew and eat slower than I have been. I think I will give it another week and if any more pb's will get a small unfill. Bonnie

So, I'm seven years into the band. So glad I did it but I was shocked at how little weight I lost. It took a long time, mostly because our bodies go into immediate starvation mode. I went from 240 to 180 over one year. I was never too tight and now seven years later, I have virtually no fill...just the band. I now weight 170. The last 10 pounds were lost when I hired a trainer. It took four months to ignite my metabolism that's how sluggish this weight loss procedure makes our metabolism. I now can eat normal amounts of food (not too much but normal) so I'm certain my stomache has changed. I go about every two years to the Dr. The tool worked but it's just a tool. Where I'm at today is that I think I have a clogged band. Friday evening at a fancy, expensive restaurant, I had a piece of chicken that still had cartlage attached. i pulled a piece from my mouth (not nice at a good restaurant)but I'm sure I swallowed a piece too and I cannot get it through or digested. That was Friday ... this is Tuesday evening. I am freaked out because I know I have to have this dealt with. Will it cost a fortune? I paid $14K cash for the band. I can eat some but there is constant pressure, not at all fun. Any advice? For you...you have to exercise, period. this is a bad diet tool but it does end the ability to binge eat and that was the trick to 60lbs. But I've been 150 before from diet and exercise and that look is entirely different. Start sweating to your waist.

I was banded on 12/15 in TJ by Dr.Ortiz. Everything was great and I leave tomorrow from NY to San Diego (then TJ) for my fill- my fill is tuesday. I have been on a medical leave from my job (starting last thurs)b/c I had a huge ovarian cyst (larger than a grapefruit) on my ovary and my ovary needed to be removed (which my doctor never warned me of the possibility of potentially losing an ovary nor did she pick up the cyst this past year- in which I have had 5 dr visits) But that is besides the point. After my band surgery i had placed my passport and birth certificate in my safe deposit box- which is on the 1st floor of the building in which i work. So basically I have my drivers license and ss card as proof of id. Is this sufficient to go over the border. I know to fly to mexico you now need a passport but I'm driving over the border. If its not sufficent I need to go to the bank before my 10 oclock flight tomorrow. And I aslo risk running into a coworker at the bank (im on a medical leave until next monday). Any info will help. Thank You.

I was just watching the ch. 10 news and they had a commercial for waterfire. I can't wait to go and not have to worry about my thighs chafing super bad and having my feet swell and get super sore and falling behing from all my friends then whining to go home early! Just thought I could relate something local to some lap band goals of mine

First, I don't understand how some people write that they have restriction and can hardly eat without vomiting and yet they only lost 10 lbs. in a year???? Not to brag, and I know it's not healthy but I can't eat hardly anything without vomiting and I have lost 73 lb's since February 2008. Second, Since I have not been eating and getting proper nutrition I have noticed that pieces of my teeth - maybe the plaque? - have been falling off. Has anyone else had any dental problems due to weight loss? THANKS!

Ive gone over and over this in my head a thousand times. What should my goal weight be. I tried to set something reasonably attainable for myself. I settled on 170 for the time being. Short term i focus on 10 pound increments at a time. Im sure at 170 i will still be viewed as being overweight.......but......i just dont know without having a plastic surgery intervention if anything to much lower then that is going to be a realistic expectation! So i say focus on somthing attainable!

I had my first fill on Monday, 7-28-08. It hurt when the needle was in and the doctor was filling it, but after that, she said stay on a liquid diet for the rest of that day and the next. I stayed on the liquid diet all that day, but the next, I was so hungry, so I went on soft food, and did fine. To be honest, I couldn't tell the difference. The next day after that, I called my doctor because I couldn't feel any restriction. They had put 2 cc in the first fill and have me scheduled for a second on the 25th of this month. I'm still losing though. Since I went on my liquid diet 2 weeks before the surgery, 6-10-08, I've lost 31 pounds, so I really can't complain.

ME TOO!! I was banded Jan. 15th and went back for my 12 weks check up and wwas in "One-derland" for the first time in about 10 years as well!! Congrats to you and good luck as you continue your journey. Teresa

:smile:Today is my favorite day since being banded 1/12/09! :smile::smile: I made it to 'onederland'!!! It has been 10 years since I have been in 'onederland', and it feels good to be back. I am vowing that I will never leave! Yahooo! What a day!

It has been 8 months now since I had my surgery, I have a 10/12 band and I'm at 6 cc's full. I feel after my last small fill I take just 1-2 bites of something and that's it I'm full. My problem is I'm wasting so much food and need to figure out how much of something I should be able to eat. I work in an office so packing lunch is hard, I bring a Lean Cuisine frozen meal and can only eat two bites, then I throw it away. Any suggestions on what to eat that I can portion out better, and how much is normal to eat at the stage I'm at?

I used Dr. Ortiz in TJ on April 6th 2004 and paid 8995.00 for an all inclusive package ( hotel, hospital, doc fees and room & board for hubby and transportation to and from San Diego to TJ) Dr. Ortiz's web site www.obesitycontrolcenter.com The only out of pocket expense I have now is $100 for my fills and 10$ to and from to take a taxi to his office and gas for thedrive down to Tj

I have been banded for just over two years. I have taken the good with the bad, but now I'm afraid I might have a real problem. I got a fill on 10/13/07 after having no fill in for about three months due to severe regurg, etc. NOW, starting two days after the fill, I began to run a temp (low-grade, yes; but enough to make me feel really bad). My GP even did a meningitis test which was negative (Thank God!) but now I am on a crap-ton of antibiotics and am still running the temp. The only thing I can think of is the band. Has anyone had anything similar? Do you have any suggestions? I know that there are docs on this site, and I beg you if you know what this could be, PLEASE let me know ASAP. Thanks Terri:confused:

Ok.. I have been trying really hard to get banded, and now I have surgury scheduled for Wed 9/10/08.. i am nervous about the surgury and i know that i will be able to finally get all of my weight off... that I have struggled all my life! What I am scared about besides the surgury (thats always scary) Is when I eat normal foods, all of this food getting stuck, throwing up, pain, not being able to eat and what the heck is PBing?? Sounds scary!! I dont know if I want to eat solids! Not that I ever ate fast and inhaled my food, I try my best to eat slow and eat to mushy! But with yall talking this way about solids getting stuck.. it makes me wanna live off of protien shakes and soft foods FOREVER!! I know, chew your foods well 20-30times take 20-30mins to eat etc.. but its still scarey!! :crying: I dont know.. i think i will end up becoming a picky eater... I do have a question.. for bansters who have been banded for a long time, was able to keep the weight off, and is active.. Once you have reached your goal weight, do they loosen (take saline out) the band, to fit your activity level? I am surprisely active.. and for years maintained my weight, just couldnt seem to lose it and wasnt going to go to bed hungry every night, that is no life.. I dont know I just want to know once reaching goal weight how normal (not over eating) are you able to eat? I am curious.. it seems they always tell you what to expect the 1st.. what about yr 2,3,4,5? Curious...

I am 54 years young, live in rural Indiana with hubby, Curt. We are parents of 5 and grandparents of 10. Researching lapband surgery as a possibility for myself. I am about 5'8" tall and 255 pounds so my BMI is 38.8...........my insurance should be ok if I decide to go this direction. Frankly I am sick and tired of trying to lose weight........I have such a huge appetite! From what I am reading this surgery should be a big big tool for me to be successful in getting the weight off and getting healthier. I am diabetic, hypertensive and have high cholesterol. Great to be here. I am reading a LOT. Kathy:D

Can you guys believe i just found out about this site???? At first I lost 30 pounds on the liquids and now I gained all that back... I got so upset that I stopped seeing the Dr that banded me :heh:. I hurt just about everytime I eat :sick:wacko:...and some things like beef I can't handle at all...This band has been living hell for me ... I was told that I was severly depressed before the band and at first they weren't going to do it then they sent me to a shrink and she gave them the ok to do it and she had only talked to me about 10 mins ....Now I am Depressed.... I have that feeling of something being stuck and sometimes I trow up a lot that I eat...then there are times I can eat anything :hungry:... This whole thing flips me out....

I have it- I have done really well with the weight loss. PCOS doctor didn't think I would do as well as I have. I have been able to cut my metformin in half- I tried cutting it all out- but I lost my cycle again. I will say or warn you- I had a period ever 13-16 days for the first 9 months of my banding. Doctor felt it was due to the losing weight then "dumping" the estrogen stored in that fat therefore causing the hormone spike that starts your cycle. But after 10 months I am finally back to normal (well as normal as I could be) I occasionally still have spikes- my acne is slightly better- but I think the met did more of that and I still have hair in weird places- but it isn't falling out (however could be do to Protein intake) I also had a baby before banding- 13 years of trying then two adoptions baby out of blue then another adoption. SO I am up to four. If we get pregnant again I will be happy- because I really want to look pregnant- I never looked pregnant just fatter! (I actually lost 50 lbs when pregnant- but 330 to 279 didn't make that much difference) Good luck!

I've been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 14; I am almost 26 now. I have only had 1 period that wasn't started with medication in my life. Since I had surgery 5 months ago, I still have to take my medicine, but now instead of taking all 10 days worth, I only take 5 days worth -- I am getting there! Never had the acne issue. My H1AC was always on the higher end, but normal. Those are now squarely in the middle. I am only 5 months out, but 50% of my excess weight is gone -- I am hoping for even better results! jayme

Good luck with your flight! I am not a flyer myself, I flew this past August (3rd time in my life)...I always find religion on an airplane (God and I get really tight from takeoff to landing). Shortgal had a great idea - ask the flight attendent for the extention before you sit down. I asked after the fact - seeing I'd gained about 70 pounds since I flew 10 years ago and literally yelled it out...and the deaf woman couldn't hear me. The lady next to me even shouted it. I was completely mortified - it was not a good experience for me. I wish I'd had pre-planned better. I hope you enjoy the trip and visit with your grandson.

After my third fill on Tuesday I'm at 5.5 cc's in the 10 cc band. I finally feel restriction, and I was beginning to feel like I may be a little too tight until I read B-52's post here. I can feel with every bite, and even with liquids, if I'm "doing it wrong". After reading that B-52 feels the same way, I'm thinking I may finally be in the "sweet spot"! We just left our favorite restaurant where I always order chili (even in the summer because it's just sooo good) and I could only eat about a third of the bowl and had to eat really slow. So far I haven't found anything that I absolutely can't eat, but I know I better chew whatever I eat to death!!! This is a great feeling! The only thing I'm worried about now is with as little as I eat, it's hard to get in all my Protein. I'm thinking I'm going to have to start drinking some protein again.