Search the Community

I was bloated/swollen for about 2 weeks. I actually gained 6 lbs from the morning of surgery to two days later and three inches on my stomach. It was all gone at the end of two weeks with a few extra pounds.

Hello, I'm having many of the same feelings you are...but I think it is natural to have some fears. If you are like me, and have struggled with weight and food issues for many years (most of my adult life) then this is a very big step. I'm scheduled for surgery July 1st. In many respects I am letting go of something that is very familiar -- both my weight and my ability to use food as a source of comfort. For me, weight has always been both a shield and a sword. Something to protect myself and "blame" when things were not always so easy for me or did not go my way. For me the lap band represents a huge change and, in many respects, I feel like I am getting ready to experience a huge loss in my life. I am letting go of something very familiar, comforting. My weight has been part of my "self-definition" for so long, I am worried about not having it as a point of reference. I am so ready to make this change, however, and I think because I'm ready, the feelings are intense. I too have read posts about people being unhappy with the band, but then I'll read another post about how wonderful it has been for someone else and how the band has changed that person's life for the better. There is no right or wrong answer here. You have to do what is best for you. Does your surgeon or local hospital run a support group? Sometimes being able to talk to others who have gone through similar experiences is helpful. Takes the edge off and you know you'll get through the difficult part because others have been through it already. As for me, I take it one day at a time. I'm awaiting insurance approval and I'm not sure I will get approved because my BMI is 40 and I do not have co-morbidities. At this point, I'm more concerned about not getting insurance approval and what that might mean for me. I don't know if this has helped you, but I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in your fears. Good luck to you.

No matter what you have to do for pre-op or post-op, just keep reminding yourself that you CAN do it, and keep focusing on the end result- a healthy, happy you! This is not an easy journey in the beginning- it takes commitment, dedication, and strong will power. But when you are feeling weak, you just need to keep reminding yourself WHY you chose to go this route. For me, I had battled my weight for 20 years and I was so sick of being fat and feeling like an 80 year old, and feeling like my life was passing me by because there were so many things I could not do that I want to do, at my current weight and health. I was willing to do ANYTHING to change my life, which is why I chose surgery. So far, I have been amazed by how quickly I am losing weight, and the food issues, such as liquid diets, are so insignificant to me compared to how good I feel about myself now. You can do this!

Your menu and calories look good. With you not being able to excerise much, I would think your caloric intake is pretty spot on at this point. But your body obviously has become complacent, so something needs to give. I'm at goal, but still want to lose a few more pounds for a buffer. I have lost 2 pounds in about 2 and a half weeks. Not record breaking weight loss, but loss none the less. I'm going to suggest upping your calories to 1250-1300 if possible. I notice when I eat more than usual, the weight comes off. Also, since you are so close to goal, have you tried adding carbs in the form of whole grains to your diet? I have also done that since month 11, and have experienced steady weight loss more or less. I'm not saying to go crazy with them, but a piece of multi grain toast with your eggs, or a little brown rice with your protien? I know you're bypass, so I don't know how those will effect your little pouch, either Try that for a week or 2 and see how it goes?

Good morning everyone! I need a bit of advice/guidance. I am closing in on my 1 year surgiversay at the end of September. I have done extremely well the past 11 months losing just short of 120lbs. I have struggled in the last few months with exercise as I have been on restriction doe to a major spine surgery. Even without that restriction I would be struggling with exercise other than walking. I try to walk outside or on my treadmill at a brisk pace for 30 minutes about 5 times per week. That bit of walking right now is the majority of my exercise. I am still not allowed to do housework but I do cook and do the dishes. I am not allowed to bend, twist, reach....you get the picture. Anyway, in the last 3 months I have stalled once for 28 days and now I am 2 weeks stalled. The good news is I am not gaining but to be literally stuck for that long has been frustrating. I track my food and beverage(I only drink water) every day. I usually will consume between 1100 and 1200 calories a day. I always get between 70 and 90 grams of Protein per day. I am pretty good about sticking to my food plan from day to day but it just does not seem to be working for me as it once did. I am wondering if I am literally not eating enough calories at this stage or if I should be backing off. My meals consist of the following: Breakfast - Premier Protein shake lunch - 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 3 strawberries or a salad with chicken on it snack - either pistachios or beef jerkey or an apple with Peanut Butter dinner - chicken, fish, beef or pork with a vegetable or garden salad Snack - either pistachios, beef jerkey or a pudding I really appreciate any insight you might be able to provide. I would really like to break this stall soon! Thanks! Deb

I had my lapband surgery as mid-March 2009. I have been tightened 3 times since surgery. I really don't feel like I am constricted that much and I would have thought I would have lost more weight by now. My doctor doesn't seemed concerned. He only put in 1CC today (saying I would be up to 7). I honestly do not know what that means or how many CCs one can get. How much weight should I be expecting (reality). Granted I have been on vacation and luckily with food choices did not really gain anything, however I didn't loose anything the week we returned either. Any advice or thoughts would be most appreciated.

Hi- I was sleeved jan 10th and I lost 20 lbs first 2 weeks and now have been stalled for 2 weeks. I lost 1 lb last week. I have been struggling with getting in Protein shakes and fluids since I advanced from full liquids. From what I read getting in all your protein and fluids helps with the weight loss....so today I cut back to 2 oz per meal and concentrating on getting in all my fluids and protein. Hopefully that will help. I expected stalls along the way, but it stinks!

Hi Everyone *waves* I have been banded 6 years and lost all my weight but i am finding now that i have decided to lose a bit more i have to work a lot harder to do it. Problem is that im a severe asthmatic and i struggle to keep my breathing under control while i exercise at any decent pace....i am on medication but it doesnt help and the doctor cant give me anything else. I need to work harder to lose the weight but my chest gets soooo tight and i nearly faint half way through cause i cant get enough air. I use my elliptical and have used that to lose the weight before but when i try to up the anti i cant last 10 mins. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this, asthma and exercise and how you manage to get past it....any help would be appreciated cause its really starting to piss me off.....i know i can go for hours if i didnt have the asthma because i am fit apart from my shallow lungs!:thumbup: Bel

"If you are like me, and have struggled with weight and food issues for many years (most of my adult life) then this is a very big step. I'm scheduled for surgery July 1st. In many respects I am letting go of something that is very familiar -- both my weight and my ability to use food as a source of comfort. For me, weight has always been both a shield and a sword. Something to protect myself and "blame" when things were not always so easy for me or did not go my way. For me the lap band represents a huge change and, in many respects, I feel like I am getting ready to experience a huge loss in my life. I am letting go of something very familiar, comforting. My weight has been part of my "self-definition" for so long, I am worried about not having it as a point of reference. I am so ready to make this change, however, and I think because I'm ready, the feelings are intense." How did you read my mind? I have started to cry in the last few days .... and I am not a cry-ing kind of girl. I am scheduled for 6/30 ... if my pre-op fast works, my liver shrinks, my weight goes down, and my cardio is ok.... It has opened up pandora's box ... which had a pretty good lock on it; and now that I don't have food as a comfort option, I will use the "food eating energy" to do the things around the house that I have let go; and get my fat butt on the treadmill to burn the energy. I completely understand what you feel; positive self-talk is essential; being confident in making this good decision is the best thing for your new change. It's probably one of the first times that many of us have done something for ourselves, first .... and not been concerned about being a people pleaser or caretaker to others; therefore the emotions and stress are coming forward. We've stood still in obesity ... now it's time to move out of that shell and reveal ourselves - pound by pound to the world. It's frightening for that reveal to become reality. It's almost like the show "Clean House"... if you've seen the confused state of how these people are living ... and say..."how in the world could they live that way???" .... once the "stuff" starts to shift out of the house, the people want to "hold on" to what's been comfortable and cause for the confusion; they often break down on something they we as "watchers" think is soooo insignificant ... a teddy bear, or a pair of shoes ..... but it's real to them as a symbol of what was or what use to be.... we have to bear that same emotion as we shift out/reduce our weight... and get ready for a new kind of life. we've taken the major step to "clean our physical house" but we must tend to the "mental house" also.

Holy Smokes had my first check up since surgery last Wednesday and I lost 8 pounds. WOOOOOO HOOOO Things going well. Have not taken a pain med since Saturday and that was for the headache from hell. Getting drinks down easier now (thanks everyone for your comments and advice) Walking and my legs HATE ME because they have not seen that much exercise in a looooooong time. I was doing the recumbent bike because of my bad knees for 30 minutes before surgery but feels good with 70 degree Fall weather to be able to get my butt out the door and walk around my street. Have not really had a BM - doctor told me to try Colace. Anyone else have that problem?? I have been keeping a journal through this whole thing with inspirational pictures/quotes filled into it I have taken off of Pinterest and the internet. Finally feel like I can conquer my weight issues after so many years of trying things that did not work.

Hi all!! I was recently banded on April 18, 2012. My band is currently empty. My first follow up appointment with my doctor was on May 1, 2012 and he indicated that I should come back in four weeks and we will discuss then whether I need an adjustment. He indicated that some people don't need any adjustments and that the band itself gives enough restriction. Although, I have lost 10 pounds, my problem is that I feel hungry quite a bit. I am only eating twice a day, but at this point I moved onto solids and I am not having any difficulties at all. Sometimes I am still hungry after and think that my portions are more than they should be (ie 1.5-2 cups). I know that I am not getting in enough fluids and I have had virtually no Protein drinks at all because no matter what I do I just don't like the smell or the texture of them which is why I am trying to get protein in during the two meals I eat. I did discuss the Protein Drinks with my doctor and he said that I need protein so try to find something I like and that was it. I meet with my nutritionist next week. I am pretty sluggish and tired and wonder if it is normal. I also get gas pains everytime I eat but not enough to discourage the eating! Did anyone have similar problems? Should I have lost more weight then 10 pounds? Thank you! So excited to have this forum available to me!

Well yes butttttttt....I was 36 in jan. gained weight through April. My surgeon still wanted a diagnosis for sleep apnea before submitting for approval.

Congratulations! I wanted to tell you a little bit about my pregnancies. I was banded in May of 2003. Lost 130 lbs in about a year and a half and then found out I was pregnant! I just assumed that I would never get pregnant after trying for 14 years and then suprise! I'm sure it was the weight loss. Anyway, my first preganancy I had my band almost completely unfilled at about 23 weeks because I was experiencing really bad reflux and heartburn. I gained 40 pounds during the pregnancy. It took me about a year to lose it because I was trying to do it without my band but that didn't work out so I finally got my band refilled and was able to lose it and keep it off. In October I found out I was pregnant again! This time I thought I would stick it out and not get any removed from my band. Well, here I am 37 weeks pregnant and miserable because of the nausea and the inability to keep anything down most days (not even water). As of about 8 weeks ago I was ok and had only gained 8 pounds. As if today I have actually lost 14 pounds in the last 8 weeks due to me bemying stubborn thinking I could last it out and not have to get any taken out because the Dr. keeps telling me the baby is fine. Well all that being said, I have an appt. today to get some taken out of my band. I have less than three weeks to go but I am so miserable I cannot take it anymore. Yes I am worried about gaining weight but my baby is more important and although the Dr says she's fine I feel like I am starving her. Also, I have been so weak and dehydrated that I can hardly get out of bed most days. So don't be stupid like me and think that you can keep your fill the whole time. If you get sick, have some removed it's just not worth it. You can always get refilled and lose the weight again!

3/28/07 No lost weight from the Pre-Op diet, but my clothes aren't as tight. I guess that is okay. After all, I am doing this because it is difficult to lose weight on my own. I am so excited. Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous. I haven't figured out why I should be nervous. Tomorrow is my new birthday. Today is the last day of the "old" me. I have been shocked by the number of people that do not want me to do this. The physicians that I have talked to about it, tell me what a wonderful thing I am doing, my family has tried to talk me out of it. It is not okay for me to be the fat girl with the pretty face anymore. I want to be the healthy, pretty girl. I don't want my children's friends to tell my little girls that "your mom is fat!" I don't want to be embarrassed to attend functions at my children's schools because they are ashamed of my weight. Am I the only one that feels that way? Is that shallow of me? Do I need therapy? Boo Hoo Hoo.:cry Okay, the pity party is over. Gotta go get some water down me before I go to bed so I can be up in the bathroom all night.

3/28/07 No lost weight from the Pre-Op diet, but my clothes aren't as tight. I guess that is okay. After all, I am doing this because it is difficult to lose weight on my own. I am so excited. Everyone keeps asking me if I am nervous. I haven't figured out why I should be nervous. Tomorrow is my new birthday. Today is the last day of the "old" me. I have been shocked by the number of people that do not want me to do this. The physicians that I have talked to about it, tell me what a wonderful thing I am doing, my family has tried to talk me out of it. It is not okay for me to be the fat girl with the pretty face anymore. I want to be the healthy, pretty girl. I don't want my children's friends to tell my little girls that "your mom is fat!" I don't want to be embarrassed to attend functions at my children's schools because they are ashamed of my weight. Am I the only one that feels that way? Is that shallow of me? Do I need therapy? Boo Hoo Hoo.:cry Okay, the pity party is over. Gotta go get some water down me before I go to bed so I can be up in the bathroom all night.

Good morning to you! Well what can i say. . I weighed 350 at my highest weight and had thought of WLS many times . . . but like you was skeptical and bought phentermine instead. . sure I lost 90lbs on phentermine, but at $145/month and a good addiction who can afford that! So i dropped the phentermine, gained all the weight back plus more and finally decided on WLS. . .hubbie wasn't supportive at all, so after about 2 1/2 years or so I finally convinced him to come to a meeting with me and he did. . . after listening to the 3 options of WLS, band, sleeve, and RNY, he told me that he would only support me with the sleeve. . .hallalooah! Got that sleeve within a month of the meeting (self pay goes incredibly fast) and hated it in the beginning cause you have to instantly relearn how to eat, drink, and chew all over again, but now after 1 year, I don't regret it at all and would probably do it again if need be. . .I've lost 145 +lbs and feel so good and can do things i never thought possible. . . i can ride horses again without thinking I'll kill them first before they can even take a step forward! I have heard many horror stories about the band, but I can't say anything about it cause I never experienced it, but there are a few on this forum who have and can share their stories with you. . . all i can say is go for the sleeve, I think you'll be very happy with your decision, however, the decision is yours to make. . . Good Luck!

To me it's a "yes, but" type question. Yes, no doubt your pulse and blood pressure will go down when you drop a lot of weight. It will go down even further if you work out. But, you should ask your doctor. You want to make sure your pulse and//or blood pressure aren't too low for another reason.

If your having a hard time getting fluids down try iced lemon water... I absolutely am obsessed and can't get enough! 2 weeks post op Beginning weight 357 Current weight 333 Goal weight 170

Hi my name is lacey and I'm 27 years old. I am a wife and mom of 4. I have two sons 10 and 4, and two daughters 8 and 5. Prior to getting pregnant at the age 16 I was around 5ft 7 and 150 lbs. It seemed like the weight just came out of the middle of nowhere as one day u couldn't tell I was pregnant to the next I popped. I gained 80lbs my pregnancy at the end I also had preeclampsia. After I had my son the weight never seemed to come off. I since then have had 3 more kids back to back. My weight has always went up. Around 6mths ago I quit drinking Dr pepper which was my addiction and thought for sure I would have to lose some weight. That never happened.I have been considering weightloss surgery for along time but recently within last few months I have completed everything. I am so looking forward to going outside to play with my kids without running out of breath. I used to be so active and play sports myself and can't wait to do it again with my son. He asks me all the time mom do u wanna go play and I really do want to but I physically cant. It makes me feel so bad. I would like to have my self confidence back like I used to. Hard yo believe my teenage years I was selected for modeling but wouldn't believe it now. I don't expect to be likeffective I was when I was 16 but I do want to be healthy and make my hubby and kids proud of me. I should have a surgery date by friday for around 1st to middle of july. I'm so anxious and excited for the start of my new life. 1st picture before my pregnancy and weight gain 2nd and 3rd picture today weighing 286

Hey. I looked at your profile and saw that I was only a few months older than you. I can understand how parents can have a big role as a support system, but it is your life. If your mom was supportive of you getting gastric bypass, then she should be OK with you getting the band. Maybe it's because you've backed out of WLS before, and she wants to make sure you're serious about it. My parents aren't thrilled about the surgery, but they understand my weight struggle. My dad has brain cancer, so understandably my WLS surgery and journey aren't much of a priority and is on the back burner in my family. I will be doing this mostly on my own. It might be hard, but it's doable. Just try to explain to your mom how you've tried Weight Watchers 2 times before, and it didn't work. The band has you lose weight the "real way", but you have assistance and something to fall back on so you don't fail along the way. It doesn't do the weight loss for you- you do it on your own.

I stay very hydrated and my bloodwork is perfect... and I've been experiencing this as well. It was always a joke between me and my boyfriend that I should "just carry a towel around with me" Tomorrow will be 6 months post op from my RNY, and I'm unfortunately still having dryness issues. This is a whole lot of tmi but since we're on the subject I may as well explain what my gyno said about it. I find that even if I can "get going", if I have an orgasm mid-sex, I immediately get dry again. This is an indication that it's a hormonal thing, given my age and the deviation from my normal. She has had other patients with this exact issue, and said it usually eventually returns to normal. It may also be something as simple as a hydration issue, as others have said. Your body is using a lot of Water to lose weight so it may be hesitant to "waste water" on lubrication, as she put it. Being a female sure is fun, eh? XD

your dr has examined you and knows the issues. each one of us is different. I have heard everything from one day to a month but it all depends on the surgeon. trust him. I was not on a liq diet at all. also just told to not gain weight and I had a laproscopic rny. never had any trouble and ate kfc mac and cheese for my first meal out of the hosp. of course could only eat three bites. I have done great with no issues but dr knew my liver was fine from all the pre surgery testing. I sure wish you the best of luck tomorrow

I said.... and I quote.... "Thank you Everyone for your prayers and thoughts yesterday. I had surgery yesterday, it was something I had only shared with a select few, more because of the nature of the process. I started the process in January and had my surgery yesterday. I had the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is a bariatric surgery that is intended for weight loss. I am usually quite open with what is going on in my life but because of the sensitivity of this type of surgery I chose to keep it quiet until post op. So first thing: I started this process in January. It took me 6 months and 27 days to get my surgery. I had to go through extensive medical and mental testing including blood work, sleep studies, EKG, and much much more. It is a surgery I have debated for years. As much as I did this for me, I did this for Caleb and as a future nurse, my future patients. Why this surgery? I had gone in wanting the gastric bypass (the most common weight loss surgery) my surgeon recommended the sleeve. The brief story of a Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is... They remove 75-85% of my stomach completely. It has left me with a banana shaped stomach that will allow me to consume from a few ounces to start to 1/2C later on down the road. Some may feel this is the easy way out, but the surgery is easily manipulated. I have to choose everyday to wake up and follow the rules (no drinking and eating together, Protein first, veggies second and avoid slider foods which are foods that easily make it through the sleeve such as ice cream, chips and Cookies etc...) the average weight loss is 60-75% of your excess weight. An example is someone who is 100# overweight would expect to loose 60-75#. It is not uncommon to see 100% of excess weight, the sleeve essentially does the job for the first 6 months worth of loss.... I will have to remain proactive for the remainder. I made a FB page so I can keep my FB page focused on me and not annoy people daily about this. https://www.facebook.com/SleevingIt I would love for you to go like the page, but more importantly, thank you for being a part of a special event in my life." I was totally high on narcotics at the time ha ha. I think I did pretty good though reading it now lol.