Search the Community

Thanks for the info. I will check out this site. We are waiting for my daughter's approval letter from her ins. If it is denied, we will go the route of self pay. Obviously US is out, as all are way to expensive, but your estimate from this dr is withi. The range she can afford. We should know in 2 weeks.

Lol. Sent it to fast. As I was saying. The staff are awesome and their English is not bad. I understood them fine and they understood what I wanted. I had hardly any pain and now I'm down 17 pounds since surgery two weeks ago. I would highly recommend them and I can't wait to go back and get my plastics with the doc there. Let me know If there is anything Else u wanna know. Take care and good luck

I had the same thing up until a few weeks ago. Doc said it was normal, nothing helps but time.

I was out for four weeks, which was fine for me. You have to get used to diet it is a little different from your band diet. Good luck

How do you know when you've stopped losing? How do I know if it's a stall or I'm where i'm supposed to be? I'm only 5 months post op. Is it possible already?

First, EVERYONE is different. Especially men vs. women. So comparing to your husband is asking for frustration. That said, no, I wouldn't consider 30 pounds in a year a great success. I'm not trying to be harsh! It's awesome that you've lost 30 pounds but obviously you didn't remove most of your stomach for a smaller result. Yes, LOG YOUR food. Do it. If you don't you slip into denial about what you're really eating. Track everything - even a single jelly bean should go into your food log. If you don't do this, you have no idea how many calories, carbs, etc. you're eating. Get your metabolism tested if possible. If not, simply adjust your calories downward from 1200 until you start losing and hang there until you need to adjust again. I was told over and over again that my basal metabolic rate was close to 2000 calories and that on a 1200 calorie diet I'd lose two pounds a week. In reality, after testing we discovered that I have a highly efficient metabolism (curses!) and my BMR is actually less than 1400 calories a day. That means that on a 1200 calorie diet, I can reasonably expect to lose just over a pound a month. So, if you can get tested with the breathing test, DO IT. If not, just track calories for a few days and then fix what's wrong. Not everyone carb counts but I suggest that if you're not active you keep them on the lower side. There are dozens for free sites that allow you to track your food. So do it. Honestly. There is no better thing you can do to control you intake. I'm not an exerciser and firmly believe that while exercise is good for your body and can reshape it, that it doesn't always help us lose weight. But being more active is always a good thing so please try to work more activity into your daily routine. Even simple things like taking the stairs, parking farther away and enjoy a walk will help you feel better mentally and physically. If you want exercise to help you lose weight you have to really bring it - you can't fool around with a 20 minute walk every day and expect it to do much. If all else fails, do the pouch test. Reassure yourself that your sleeve is still working, break the bad cravings and jump on board. Only you can do this. You need to evaluate why you're not losing and what's going on in your head. If you "reset" and still can't lose, get a barium swallow to reassure yourself that your sleeve is still there and in good shape. But honestly, in almost all cases it comes down to us not doing the head work and having to accept that we need to change to lose weight. I've had to reset a number of times myself, so I understand this. Take care and I wish you the best! ~Cheri

I never thought I would complain about ANY weight loss, but I can't help but compare my weight loss with others on this site. I am two weeks out and have only lost 10 pounds. I get in about 90 g of protein and 600 cal a day which is what my surgeon recommended. I'm 5'10". I feel like doing something wrong especially when I hear about people losing 25 their first two weeks. Also, I get in my fluids and walk 30 min daily.

I am facilitating a vision board workshop this week so I would love to hear about your experiences using this technique related to your weight loss journey. I have been thinking about making one but haven't made it yet. Have you made one? Has it been helpful for you?

Hi all - Chancie asked me to let you all know the following: "I just spent almost 2 hours trying to reply to threads... and only answered probably 4. My computer bit the dust.... and I'm on an old one of my sons ( windows 98 ) and my broad band isn't compatable with it.... I live in the country and all we have is dial up, but I finnally got verizon broad band that was working soooo good!" "Would you let the everyone know that I'm not ignoring the posts... and all the new people.. I'm really amazed at how many there are! Plus working in retail.. the next 2 weeks ( or more ) are gonna be crazy- and I can't spend hours on here tyring to post- ( pisses me off LOL when its soooooo slow ) I FINNALLY found a place that I can relate to, and I love this site- and don't want to feel like I'm ignoring things. Hoping I can find a computer on sale with the holidays coming.... sighhhhhhh when it rains it pours!"

Hello Fellow Banders, My LAP-BAND® surgery took place about 5 years ago, in Monterrey, Mexico. The surgery went well, the doctor highly experienced... it was a positive experience. I noticed some immediate results, then came time for my first fill. Living in Virginia Beach with no "experienced" fill doctors at that time, I went to DC for my first fill with a doctor I found online. I was filled, then on my drive back down home, I noticed I couldn't really swallow. I was practically choking on my own saliva. I called the doctor about an hour into my drive, and he instructed me to turn around immediately. When I got to the hospital, they tried to remove saline from the portal, but it wouldn't work. Placed on gurney, wheeling into an emergency operating room, the doctor noticed on an scanner/monitor that the tube connecting the portal and the band was kinked. With only local anesthesia, the doctor cut me open and corrected the kink. This was painful, uncomfortable, and I could see and feel practically everything. The next day I left for Spain on a church mission trip for about a month. I lost another 25+ pounds, due to all the walking and heat probably. Following that experience, it took me about another year before I went in for another fill (with another doctor in Alexandria, VA). During that appointment, they could not place the needle directly over the portal. They poked me about 15 times... I felt like a lab rat. Apparently, my portal had shifted sideways and they couldn't access it. They suggested if I lost more weight, they might be able to do it. Uhhh... that's why I got the Lab Band right? Otherwise I would have lost the weight on my own!! Long story short: Its been 5 years since my surgery, $13,000 out of pocket. I'm back to being 100+ lbs overweight. My wife, in a genuinely loving and caring way, sent me packing just last night. We are now separated. My obesity has challenged my marriage, intimacy, my business, my self-esteem, my health, and my life expectancy. My dear wife has been so concerned over my health deterioration over the last 2 years, that she's truly afraid of what the near future looks like for me. I haven't had a physical in about 4 years, but I would imagine doctors will find things I didn't wrestle with before (high blood pressure, diabetes, overworked heart, degenerative joints, etc.). I MUST get my health back!! For life's sake!! And I want to live a healthy life for myself, my wife, and my three young children. I'm only 45 years old. If anyone in this group has some encouragement, suggestions, doctor recommendations, I'll take anything!! Thanks for reading my post.

I just went for a consult last week and now I am scheduling a surgery for May sometime. I have been thinking about thue surgery for a year. But now that I have started the process I feel rushed. Time is a little tight since this year my husband and I have a lot going on. Also, I have 2 people close to me that went through it and they have not been that positive about their experiences. I am really worried about the port flipping and the food getting 'hung' up. I go to dinner with one of the people who I know had it done and they throw up a lot. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!!!

Did your doctor provide guidelines in terms of amount of food? For bypass at first it was no more than 1/4 cup of food at meal times. I could barely get that down. The Water thing is a bigger deal. You will become dehydrated if you don't drink enough and that can cause you to feel like your stomach is hungry when in fact you are dehydrated. I know this sounds strange but in the beginning weeks and months following surgery I literally had to hold the cup or bottle in my hand at all times and just sipped every minute or so until I was able to get to 64oz MINIUMUM per day. I know it sounds insurmountable but it will get better for you.

Thank you for all of your very thoughtful responses. Dub, saying it is a non-issue is reassuring, ty Lip stick Lady, thanks for the "it's not a big deal" Little Bill, guess that is the root of my concern, being very thirsty and not being able to quickly fix the situation with a quick drink but having to take time to fix the problem with little sips, I don't want to be dehydrated. Appears that the solution is just to keep drinking throughout the day to avoid extremes. WLS Resource, you're right - I won't know until I get there but I would like to be prepared, that is why I asked WLS veterans for input. Perhaps my use of the word "afraid" was wrong; perhaps "concerned" would have been better. Please give me more credit - this issue would never prevent me from having the surgery. I have done a lot of preparation for this surgery and do not take it lightly at all. I am two weeks away and Water intake is going to be rough for me, but certainly not a deal breaker. Appreciate all of your experience and thank you for all of your wonderful and honest responses!

I'm a singer....I'd say you should be fine by the 21st for the gig. After my surgery they gave me this thing to blow in for a week. If you get one...really use it, it helps to get those deep breaths going. If not, just practice breathing deeply everyday. You'll be great in no time!!! Good luck!!!! michele

I will be 5 weeks post op tomorrow and I already got advanced to regular foods.. What exactly is considered regular food to someone who had gastric bypass surgery?

Hi, Thanks for the recommendations. I researched those three doctors prior to posting so it's nice to see they come recommended. I made an appt with Dr Geiss for 12/08/06. Chris S - honestly I'm not as knowledgeable about the band as I would hope to be and I had no idea that you can keep the same band or any band as long as you have and so many refills. I'm truly excited (ok, nearly jumping out of my skin) about having the procedure. Maybe too excited because I feel like it's going to be a rebirth. Thank you both for your recommendations!:clap2:

This week has been a roller coaster week for horrible emotions. Early on I want to just stay away from people for fear I was going to rip someone's head off. Now I feel as though I am annoying everyone around me to the point that they are starting to literally hate being around me. Please tell me if anyone can sympathize, or am I going crazy?

That is life... I don't do the chewing forever, but if you are not having the surgery, it is recommended for you to do the practice. This helps you slow down and may make it possible for you to actually sense your full mark rather than eat fast and over fill witch is so easy to do. The losing to much is possible. I know, I did it. I looked gaunt and it took a while to regain. Then it was hard to stop the regain. Uhg. Try but drinking 1/2 hour before your meal, during, and 1/2 hour after. 15 minutes for snacks. Chew chew chew... Not to the point of gagging but enough to slow you down. If your not full in 1/2 hour (me it's 15 min) stop anyway. Focus on protein first, limit anything white (bad carbs) and see how you do. You should see a progress within a few weeks if you hold your self accountable. Take vitamins as well.... Good luck my friend

Just super excited to share that my insurance is covering my breast reduction and lift surgery!! I just got the news last night!! So freaking happy! The thing I think is hilarious is that they didn't cover WLS but they don't have a problem covering reconstruction of my TaTas. The hubs even said that since I am going to be under and it would be cheaper in the long run we can throw a tummy tuck in at the same time! Now I just have to get rid of these ulcers and be smoke free for 6 weeks prior to surgery! I CAN do this!

I'm sort of like Chancie. It's kind of funny that in the first 3 months I never "slimed" or threw up, but I've probably done one or the other every 1.5 weeks since then. My full signal is usually my nose running, but I sometimes like the taste so much I take another bite, chew it and spit it out just to taste it again (I know gross). I've gotten pretty good at it that no one even notices.

I will be 4 weeks out on Thursday so we are in the same boat. I didn't lose as much pre-op because my doc doesn't do a liquid diet and I can't say that I am a "fast" loser either but I am still thrilled! I've lost a bit over 25lbs since my last pre-op appointment and my weight hasn't been this low in 15 years! I am okay with losing 4 or 5 lbs a month as long as it is steadily moving in the right direction. At that rate I will be at my goal or close to it by the end of the year and I can live with that. I won't be mad if the weight comes off more quickly but I KNOW this is working for me and will continue to. Our bodies will work at their own pace and I just try to keep feeding mine decent stuff so I don't get malnourished. I haven't gone over 2 or 3 days without losing a bit of weight though and I may change my story when I go for 2 or 3 weeks without losing anything!!! :cheer2: Keep the long game in mind...we will get there!!

I am 33 days out... I've stalled for a week and a half.. I've lost 23 lbs since surgery but I couldn't keep the mushys down nothing agreed with my tummy so I stayed on Protein longer. I average over 100g of Protein a day now that he's raised my calorie intake to 800.. now THAT is a chore to get in and I've YET to do it! The trick I've heard is alot of protein, and less than 10g of fat and 30g of carbs and it'll start moving.. me trying to do 800 makes those #'s go up so I've NOT mastered the damn thing yet and it's FRUSTRATING! LOL Hang in there.. the good thing.. it WILL come off... it may just take longer than others and it may go faster than some... just stay focused and do what you're supposed to do and having too much protein I'm told is NOT a bad thing so I suck down protein before I do anything else... and deviled eggs, refried Beans with sour cream & cheese are my two favs.. YUMMY!! Good luck to you all

Ask as many questions as you like. I will try to answer them. How long did the process take? Well, it took a LONG time because I began the process under another Dr. (Dr. Longie) he left WVU and they did not have a Dr to do the Lapband. I waited over a year. But now things go pretty quick.A lot depends on your insurance. So that questions is one that I am unable to give you a good answer. How often do I see Dr. Akkary? After you meet with him in March you may not see him again until you get closer to your surgery date. Then you will see him between 1-2 weeks after surgery as a follow up. Then your first fill is about 4 weeks after surgery then about every six weeks you will see him either for a fill or a follow up. More often than not you will also see Ann during those visits. Does he do the fills? Yes, he is the only one that has done my fills. I can tell you this Dr. Akkay and his staff are all about making your Journey successful. Oh yeah if you haven't started an exersice program you should think about starting one. If you just begin walking a little each day and keep record of that. Hope this information is helpful. What time is your appointment if you don't mind me asking. You may want to plan on being there for a while! Tresa

I just have to be on low carb for 2 weeks thank goodness! I am ready!

I've been ready since Day 1. I had the endoscope. Now I just want the surgery scheduled. When I met with the surgeon in May, he said it would happen in no more than 6 weeks. July would be 6 weeks and he still hasn't scheduled it. What us taking so long?