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5 weeks my surgery is Oct 19 I'm excited they told me not to drink premier shakes the whey is watered down when is your surgery

Hi Stcyt, a. walker... I am scheduled to be sleeved by Dr Rod July 1st and I've been walking on air ever since I got confirmed. Even though I had done a little research on my own, plus a thorough inquiry session through my Pt facilitator (Joyce/Belite),coming here had always been a delight. Real people, real experiences! :scared0: Now I know I have to have at least 80-100 bucks in fives, tens and singles for either tips or purchases. I was thinking of bringing my laptop with me so I can stay connected with the rest of the world but my service provider promised to charge me EXTRA for any browsing or calls outside the borders, so maybe I'll just buy a calling card and leave my laptop at hm. Okay, quick question Stcyt, I am kinda worried about loose skin and flab. How have you been coping with that (if u have any). I had a C-section done in 2008 and as I loose the baby weight, I have started experiencing a lot of jiggles around my tummy area (not pretty at all)...any advice? Hugh! if I can just squeeze myself into a 10, I'm good.:thumbup:

My program make us lose about 5-10% of our weight before surgery so the liver would be smaller on the day of operation. But I've seen other programs are different. But absolutely, tall to your doctor. If the nurse didn't help much, Doctor it is.

I am so glad you are doing well.....however you body is still healing....and even if you feel like joggin 10 miles don't....so leave those boxes alone for a while...no heavy lifting is one of the things that should be on your release sheet. Check with your Dr. who knows your physical abilities better than we do... You dont want to set yourself back....so please be careful.. Good luck in your journey.....we are fairly close together in time

My original date of June 17 had to be cancelled because I failed my stress test, which in turn caused the surgery to be postponed. Everything’s OK now & I officially have a new date! July 22nd awaits! I’m excited, nervous & pumped all at once. The countdown begins!

Gallstones after weight loss is a very common occurrence. I lost 124 pounds many years ago and developed gallstones. Had my gallbladder removed back in 1983 -- when they cut you from your sternum to your appendix (and took that out while they were there). Today's surgery is nothing by comparison. On the average, the surgery I had meant 10 days in the hospital and out of work 4-6 weeks. That was the average, and I did much better but THAT compared to outpatient? Just go get it taken care of and feel sooooo much better. Wishing you a quick recovery.

I had surgery on November 27, 2012. My beginning weight was 193, I am now 172. My scale has not budged from 172 in the past past 7-10 days. I exercise every day, consisting of 20-25 mins on the eliptical, and a few days a week I will throw in an extra 10-15 mins. I know my scale is accurate because it is weighing my kids correctly. I don't understand why I haven't lost anything this past week. I do not count my calories, should I start counting?

Here is the email I sent out following my surgery to family and friends. Well I finally was released from the hospital on Sunday, Sept 14. I had some issues swallowing the liquid vicodin (way too sweet and thick). I had to wait to come home until I could swallow pills since the liquid wasn't hitting me very well. First of all I have to say that the staff at Blodgett Hospital (in Grand Rapids) on the Bariatric Floor and Dr.'s Foote and Kemmeter (from MMPC Weight Loss Specialists) were awesome!!! The staff on the 4C were amazing. They were helpful in any way they could. They were encouraging and never once made you feel like you were taking the easy way out. Requests for assistance were promptly responded to. I saw Dr. Foote and Kemmeter in the hospital as well and they were also great for support and answering questions. While Dr. Foote was my surgeon, Dr. Kemmeter ended up in the OR with him as well because of some minor issues that came up. The morning of the surgery was a little tense, but I think I was just anxious about getting shots and the full meaning of this surgery. I broke down a little bit in "pre-op" holding because the woman next to me had her blood thinner shot before I did and completely freaked out over it!! Like screaming in agony freaked out...needless to say when the nurse arrived to give me my shot, I was very nervous and broke out in tears. Needles freak me out and after having two kids, I have gotten use to shots, but after hearing her response, I was not looking forward to that particular shot. The nurse was very reassuring and informed that it was a small sting and the sting continued for a slight time after the shot. I calmed down enough and she gave me the shot. I had to stop myself from laughing too loud, because it was a piece of cake. Thankfully it didn't hurt because I had to have the shot twice a day while I was in the hospital. The anestigiolost came in and asked a few questions and then got me ready to take back to the OR about 10:05. My surgery was scheduled for 10:15. I vaguely remember giving Tim and my mom a kiss and then the trip back to OR starting. I don't know if anything else was said, but my doctor's office gives a med in the IV that causes you to "forget" what happens going into OR. I woke up in the recovery room around 4 pm. I dont remember much about that, except that it sounded like they were trying very hard wake me up. They also kept saying "everything is fine..." and I heard a few murmurings about how "she has been through a lot, but she is doing well." They took me up to my room and I talked briefly with Tim and my mom. Tim stayed for a while, but my mom had to leave to go get my kids some dinner. Tim told me a little bit about the surgery including the fact that I ended up with a "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" instead of a Duodenal Switch. I knew this was a possibility and I was okay with that. I took my first walk around the floor around 8:30 and then repeated it every 4 hours. The nursing staff did a great job of trying to time their vital checks so they were right before my walking time. The next morning Dr. Foote came in and explained a little bit more about what happened. It appears that I did need to have my gallbladder out. It was in bad shape and he felt that it would help with my recovery. Then they did the sleeve portion of the surgery, which involved removing a portion of my stomach. They also removed my appendix which is sometimes done in preparation for the Duodenal Switch. After removing the appendix, Dr. Foote noticed that I had something that is sometimes referred to as a "2nd appendix". It really isn't an appendix, but it needed to be removed. After doing this, he measured my intestines to make sure there was enough to perform the "switch". He was a little concerned about the intestines being too tight. While doing the measurements, he found a small mass on the outside of my upper intestine and the bottom of my stomach. At this point, I believe he called Dr. Kemmeter in to the OR for a second opinion. Because of the location of the mass and not knowing the nature, they determined that completing the Switch would not be in my best interest. If I had already had the switch done and then the mass needed to be removed, it may have caused some issues. They decided to just complete the first portion and give me the sleeve only. Because of all of the things they ended up doing, I did end up with a small drain in while I was at the hospital. They did do a biopsy of the mass and sent it to pathology to be tested. On Friday morning, Dr. Foote informed that the mass was benign. He still wants me to see a specialist to monitor it, but he felt confident that it would not need to be removed. I did great with getting around at the hospital. By sunday morning, I really felt like by the time I got home, I would be able to do without the pain meds. However, when they removed the drain tube, I realized that the pain meds would def be a necessity. Unfortunately I have to take 2 to lay down, but when I take 2, I have a harder time sleeping.

Surgery January 10, 2012 Dr. Broussard who practices with Greg Walton is great as well. Fantastic facilities, staff, and doctor

I've got more then just the last few pounds but I only have 19 to go and I already feel my body slowing down! I too believe that tracking is going to be Key at least for me and making myself really hit the gym hard with cardio!!! Good Luck Ladies!

Hi , I am 13 months since surgery and everything went well for me. I lost weight for the first 7 months. Nothing since. I have another 14 lbs to lose to get my BMI into the normal weight range, but I would like to lose even more and get down a further 10 lbs or so. I did not deliberately go into maintenance but it appears that is where I am. Just wondering if there is anyone else out there struggling to lose those last few lbs? Also wondering if I can resume losing after such a long stall? Would welcome any comments, advice or support to get me back on tract. Bookleen

Hi Dawn, You have 19 lbs to go. This is the place for you - less than 25 lbs! Good luck to you with your tracking and gym. I don't mind tracking but don't fancy the gym much

1 year ago.... as of May 17 and that big girl with the pretty face is gone. I'm so grateful and proud of how far I've come. I still can't believe it's me in the pictures or when I pass a store window. I've lost 102 lbs and now working on the last 10. Festival season in New Orleans is hard on my good eating habits...but I'm getting back on track. Have a awesome weekend everybody and good luck!!!! Hang in there.

I had 6 tiny incisions and they bothered me getting up from bed. It was a pulling soreness kind of thing. A single larger incision is likely to hurt a bit more, especially once the powerful meds wear off. I am only saying this because I had a C-section with my 3rd baby. A little discomfort is to me expected but severe pain is not normal. In my opinion, anything extreme should be called in to the doctor. Focus on telling them exactly what your symptoms are. Be as to the point as you can. Rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10 and make sure they take you seriously. Where you advised to take pain medication? Good luck!

Yep I'm right there with you. I'm losing about the same - 2 lbs a week. I finally decided that 10 lbs a month was going to be my goal and I will live with it. I'm 52 and post-menopausal and I can't do major exercise because of really bad osteoarthritis in my knees. I have no cartilage left and I'm bone on bone. I start aqua arthritis classes on Monday 3 times a week so I'm hoping that helps.

I just came from my pre-op appointment with the surgeon. I sat around in the waiting room for an hour after the appointment to try and get a surgery date but ended up leaving and got a call just now with a date of 10/18/16! Further out than I wanted BUT I'll take it - and it actually works better for work and gives me time to get my shit together. I found out that I actually need to do a 2 week liquid pre-op diet so that was something I didn't know about (thought I was one of the lucky ones). Pre-op liquid diet starts October 4th - 5 Meal Replacement shakes (Bariatric Fusion) and 3 Snacks (broth, sf popsicle, watermelon, sf jello). Yikes - I hope I can stay with it like I've been encouraging others to do! See if I can practice what I preach! October 6th is the 2 hour pre-op teaching class (recommend bringing my main support person with me). The surgeon did tell me that he doesn't usually do a Leak Test in the hospital (THANK YOU!!!) - which actually was one of the things I dreaded the most. He'll only do it if there appear to be issues. He recommended I come off my birth control pills just to reduce the risk of clots - even though we do 1 week of blood thinners post-op (stopped those today). We went over all of the risks, possible complications and signed the consent form. Looks like I'm almost ready... So excited to finally have a date!!!! Thank you all for putting up with me for the last 6 months!

Our bodies are pretty efficient pieces of machinery. Drop your calories too far and at some point your body will react by lowering your metabolism because it thinks you're starving and is becoming more efficient at conserving those calories. Obviously we're all different so there will be exceptions but perhaps this is what's happening to you. In the past when I'd do a low calorie diet. I'd do low cal/low fat for 3-4 days and then 2 days of normal (per normal people, not 'my' normal) eating and then back to the low cal/low fat. I'd shed more weight with that method than just a straight low cal/low fat diet. I wouldn't worry about it though. The weight will come off eventually. I've only lost 10 pounds in the 6 weeks since surgery and most of that has been since I started back on solid foods. .

I had to take the caraface liquid for just 10 days. It is to keep your stomach coated while it is healing. My surgeon told me the only thing that I would have to continue to take "forever" is my Vitamins. I will have to take zegrid (acid reducer) for 6 months.

I was also sleeved on 10/23 & was experiencing the same pain in chest after sipping until yesterday. Then something clicked & I can swallow pain free now. Mind you, they are still small sips...but I'll take it! As far as pain, I'm still dealing with gas pain & it was way worse than incision pain. I COULD NOT stay awake for anything the entire day of surgery. It's gradually gotten better. I'm sleepy but not exhausted. And I've had plenty of energy to run errands & stay active all week. Best of luck to you all!!

I've decided I'm not telling my children either. They are both girls, ages 10 & 17. For all the reasons stated above about body image, etc. But also cause I'm divorced and the LAST thing I need is for my evil ex to know and pray I fail or laugh at my decision. I've always had stomach issues, I'm just sticking with that story.

I know- crazy question. I was banded on 12/19/12 and I often ask myself if I am really banded. I know it sounds strange but I have not had a fill so I don't have much restriction. To quote some of you, I am going off of want power right now. I feel like I can eat a larger portion than what is on my plate. I feel like I get hungry a lot quicker than I used to. I don't have a problem getting anything down, or have the symptoms most of you have with your banded lifestyles. I actually told my husband that I really don't feel any different. Is it just me? I am slowly losing and I don't have a problem with that. I am happy to be losing at all. I cut my calories/portions back in October so I have been losing since before I was banded. I am scheduled for a fill on Feb. 5th. Hopefully then I will feel like there is a tool inside me and not just my want to lose. Thank you for listening to me vent.

I was really scared, too. I mean, this is a big surgery and it's ELECTIVE - not like an appendectomy that you don't have a choice about. You are opening a whole new chapter of your life - one that will change you forever in a very good way. Hang in there! Walk through that door to a new life waiting for you! The volunteers at my hospital make little firm pillows for helping with coughing and moving - like getting out of bed. See if they have something like that - firmer than a regular bed pillow. My little pillow was my best friend for about 10 days! Also - wear your compression stockings at home if you have varicose veins. I ended up with superficial thrombophlebitis in my varicose veins which is very painful. It would have helped for me to wear my stockings more.

:frown:Hey a loss is a loss! Down 1.3 lbs this morning! Yeah! When you have taken off over 80 bs, the losses slow down some, well lets face it, I have lost a great percentage of my excess body fat, so you have to realize things will slow down, that is why on EVERY DIET there is the last 20 lbs or so is soooooo harrrrrd to lose!:mad: Working hard for the next 10 lbs, hope for it in two months! That is the plan anyway. Was going to walk today, but it is 100 degrees and the lake I walk around is exactly 1 mile and perfectly round, just beautiful, but the Newspaper reported Snakes :mad2:(Moccosins) a lot of them crawling there, so me and snakes don't mix, here I come treadmill. Still Walkin the LapBand Walk! Here's to us Bandsters.:tt1:

I have been on this site for about a week. So, I am not new new, just new. Well I thought I would do an about me sort of thing-to introduce myself properly. Here goes. I am Joan. I live in a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois. I am 32 years old, and I have three kids. I have a 1 year old baby girl, a 3 year old son, and a nine year old son. They are great, and I love being a mom to them. I am married to a neat guy, and have been for about 5 years. We have been friends since High School. I am a graduate student in Counseling, and am doing my internship now. About one year till I become a Therapist, treating individuals, couples, and families. Yea! I am getting my band on (hopefully) Thursday 2/10. The reason I am choosing this surgery is that like many of you...I have tried nearly everything else to no avail. I want to be able to live a more physically active life..and to be able to feel like I can go to the amusement park again and feel comfortable. My present weight is limiting my life, and I won't have that any more! So, that's me. Thanks, Joan