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for some reason the concensus is to microwave them for like 5 to 10 seconds no more! to me the consistency is that of a tootsie roll.

Ok so I'm supposed to be on a 10 day liquid diet..... I have eaten small things each day. Although not a whole meal and I've been taking my shakes. My surgery is this Wednesday. Hopefully the bowel prep on Monday will clear it all. I feel like such a failure.

I had a lot of fears, but I ended up losing 100lbs in 6 months without being hungry. Getting over my fears was well worth it. Just think about seeing your 13 year old graduate college and get married and you are healthy and a help to them instead of a burden because of your medical problems getting worse because 10 -20 years from now you are just more obese and sicker.

Fears - I've got some! (I've just had my initial consult too so I've got a few months of obsessing over these fears - yeah! Mainly: the SURGERY. I've never had surgery before, other than wisdom teeth. I'm freaked out that they are going to make these incisions in my stomach, that I'll have scars (and have no idea how well they'll heal), that some other complication will arise, that I'll feel weird that after 33 year of no knives being stuck into this body, it's going to get all cut up and I'm getting rid of a perfectly good stomach just because I can't cool it on the eating. It's like I like the idea of what the surgery *does* but not that I have to have *surgery* to have that. Make sense? I'm a ball of up and down emotions about it. I totally talk myself out of it one morning, then by the afternoon I think it sounds good. I try to tell myself that FINALLY being under 200 lbs for the first time in 10 years will be all worth it. That buying clothes and working out will be more fruitful ( I love Body Pump but I feel like all this muscle is just hidden under years of fat). My mom is very supportive (almost TOO supportive - she doesn't understand why I wouldn't be willing to crawl through broken glass just for the chance to be thinner again) and my husband is supportive, though he doesn't understand my surgery phobia. So there - my fears!

I just sent this to a friend and I thought you guys might be able to give me some independent analysis. I’m so busy worrying about all this, I don’t know if I’m seeing this clearly. I know this is long, but any thoughts/ideas/feedback would be welcome. Thanks all, SJ I’m still pondering the whole lap-band surgery thing. I’ve decided I’m definitely going to do it. The problem is, I have a few options and I don’t know what to do. I’m pretty miserable in my current state so I want to do it now now now, but if I could be patient, it really would be better for me. Option 1: HMO Pros: everything (except $500) would be covered – pre-appointments, surgery, anesthesia, hospital, and after care and I’d have it done at UCLA which is one of the best places in the country to do this and is 15 minutes from home. Well…20 minutes in LA traffic. They also have all kinds of support groups and great after care. Cons: I have to be on a medically supervised diet for SIX months. That seems like forever. And I would spend the whole time being mental because I actually need to GAIN about ten pounds to qualify. I can’t imagine anything as crazy-making as trying to diet and gain weight at the same time. Anyway, after all that, only then can I apply and be evaluated. It could take up to three weeks for them to process my paperwork, plus there are classes to attend and appointments with the program manager, the surgeon, the nutritionist, and the shrink. Basically, this whole process could be 8 months. That’s JUNE for pity’s sake. I could wait 3 months. I could probably even wait 6 months. But eight? That’s practically a whole year! And in the meantime, I’d have to focus on not losing weight, so I’d be exactly as I am for almost a year. Option 2: PPO Pros: I set up a consultation for next week and maybe have the surgery before the end of the year. They could very well deny me if they use the same standards as the HMO, but they could approve too. I’d have it done Cedars-Sinai, which is also a great place – it’s one of the first places in the US where the lap-band surgery was done. It’s where Sharon osbourne had her’s done (although they really shouldn’t have done it because she’s bulimic) Cons: It’ll be about $5000 out of pocket, which sucks, but it’s a for good cause. I might have to pay for after care as well and that could add up. I don’t have all the details. I’m expecting a decent-sized tax return next year, so that would help a little. Option 3: Pick my own doctor Pros: : no waiting time. I could probably call today and have it done within a month. Cons: $$$$$$! Somewhere in the neighborhood of $18K, plus an extra $150 for follow up office visits and fills Option 4: Mexico! Pros: : There are a couple of reputable places down there where I could have it done. I’ve been visiting an online forum so I have an idea of what these places are like. I’d do a consult over the phone and I could be in surgery next week if I wanted to. The other advantage is they’ve been doing lap-band in Mexico for 10 years, whereas it was only approved a few years ago in the U.S. Cons: It’s Mexico. I’m being prejudiced, I know, but there is something that sounds really sketchy about going to Tijuana for surgery. They don’t have the same medical standards or legal recourse. If something goes wrong, I’m screwed. Like, if I get an infection, I have to keep going back down there for aftercare, etc. And if something major goes wrong, I don’t think my insurance would cover it beyond the usual emergency room stuff. Plus, I’d have to find a doctor in the US to do my fills and that’s another expense. $10,000 out of pocket – it’s way cheaper than in the US, but I’ve only just recovered financially from the whole BBM fiasco (those bastards) and spending that kind of money on the surgery would mean a major delay in my home-buying plans. [bBM was a personal training program that ripped me off for $5,000. I hate them with the white-hot passion of a thousand suns.] What to do, what to do. I wish somebody would just give me $20,000. Maybe I can raise some money online…

thanks for your support. i work for the department of defense (federal employee). they occasionally ask for volunteers to assist in efforts like the war in iraq and natural disasters. i love getting out of the grind of the office and getting my hands dirty.....i have been very blessed in that my command is supportive of employees who assist in these efforts. i am supporting fema as a technical montior. i go out to group sites (manufactured homes and trailors) to make sure homes are designed to spec. the trailors are fema's answer to getting folks out of the cruise ships and hotels and into this temporary housing until new homes are built. harleynanna-i am staying in a hotel, although i had planned to live in a tent (lived in a tent for 36 days while in iraq...talk about an experience!!) the best me - i think what i need is a kick in the pants....but thanks for the hug, i probably needed that also : ) i know i can do this. it is funny but had i not had the band and lost 40 or so lbs before i got here, i probably could not have come. i do a lot of walking to sites and i could not have handled it physically. thank goodness for my band as it helped me live life instead of watching it go by from my couch!!! paula-where do you live? i took 10 to NO the other day, and was shocked that cars were still on top of homes, and debri is everywhere!!! thank you all so much for you support. i vow to go out and buy some Protein bars today so i am not eating junk!!!! i also vow to get my Water in and hit the treadmill before going into the joint field office!!! thanks again all...it means alot to me that you took the time to open this thread : )

I recently helped with a telethon (1 day) and the enviroment was food-filled. :eek: Things I hadnt put my eyes on in months! My mouth watered while I gazed at the tables of food for all the volunteers. What's harder was all the people coming up asking, "Did you eat yet?" "Hey - get a bite while you're here" or "Dont forget to have some lunch". So many reminders to eat, eat, eat. I grabbed a bottle of Water and started chugging - then left that area! You can do it. By the way... are you with FEMA? Bet you didnt realize south Louisiana (and Mississippi - if you went I-65) was still in such bad shape THIS long after the hurricane! What you are seeing in the flooded NO area - is basically the same as 10 miles south of my house. With the exception of NO still having trees/telephone poles/street signs and some structures standing. South of me is nothing. total devistation. You get a standing ovation for coming to this area to help. God bless~

that means you are totally normal. I was starving to death after been banded for about 10 days. I thought i was going to die of food starvation. until you are filled appropiately you will still feel hungry.

Today makes 11 months since my banding. Scales have not went down, and have went up this month. Normally I would be sad, but I'm really not. I've not done good with eating the past month, I need a fill badly, so I'm okay with gaining 3 lbs. 3 lbs in a month is acceptable to me. Here is my updates on weight: Highest weight - 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178 6 mo post op - 174 7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big 8 mo post op - 174 9 mo post op - 170 10 mo post op- 167 11 mo post op - 170 - havent even been trying

Ok i have just gotten back from the hospital and although i knew which way it was gonna go (pushing me down gastric bypass route) i still held out some hope that i may be able to get banded. The surgeon was an absolute dickhead!!! Didnt listen to anything i had to say...was going on about the advantages of gastric bypass...(yeah right being on supplements for the rest of my life) i was sitting there thinking you fool!! I told him the whole story...blah blah, but he didnt really seem to want to listen. To top it all off, my appointment was for 16.15. But the hospital had a fire alarm...by the time i got back in he waiting room it was already 16:15 and there were three people before me, i didnt end up going to see him untill 5:30pm. The other ladies were in there between 30-50 mins. I was in and out of their in 10 minutes!! Throughout me sitting in the waiting room and through teh consultation the fire alarm was STILL going on. I swear i can still hear it ringing in my ears!! He then told me that i cant book and full assessment, until i go home and "think about it". Like i haven't been for the last four years!!!! What an EEEEDDDIOTTT!!!:thumbup::cursing: Bascially unless my bmi is the fourtys they are not going to do it, so the NHS can go F**K themselves (and to think, money is taken out of my pay packet every month and i cant even get a service what i have literally paid for) !!! As i have said before whether it be paid for by the NHS or by me i will get banded. I will self pay, i tell you there is no money to much i wont pay to get my health back into check. Ok so im a lil pissed off when i come out of the hospital, i really shouldn't of been as deep down i knew what they would say. I picked my mum up from the airport today and she has no idea about my surgery plans. When i get to my mums house, she asks where did i go. I was in two minds about telling her the truth, but i said to myself if she asks i will tell her. In my head im thinking here it goes....!! "where did you go" me: "i went to see an nhs consultant about weight loss surgery" Mum: "What? weight loss surgery" me: "yes" Mum: "NO, NO, NO,!!!! So they can cut your stomach?? Dont even think about it" Me: "No actually, they don't do it as open surgery!! Do you even know what kind of weight loss surgery i want? It called a gastric band, do you know what that is??" Mum: No! Me: " Well you shouldn't start shouting if you don't know what it is that im talking about!" At this point i just want to burst into tears, but i hold them back walk away and take some deep breathes. I just find it really sad that the one person that i would really like supporting me is totally against the idea. The only person who i know i have 100% from is my sister, she has really been my rock throughout this, and really don't know what i would do without her. I was able to vent to her and she made me feel so much better. I know it may sound wrong but that was another reason i wanted to tell as few people about the procedure as possible. I will be self paying and going to Belgium for the procedure and i will not be telling my mother that im going or having the procedure done. I really dont think that she understands the extent of how this excess weight is making me so unhappy. I'm normally and bright and happy person but i have felt so down today, i feel everyone is against me except my sister. I really do thank god for forums like this because is it of such support to me. Anwyays to cut a long story short i will be self paying and having surgery on sept 1st. I have always done everything for everybody else, its time i started thinking about myself for once. If people cant accept my decision then that is their problem NOT MINE!! Im doing this for ME and nobody else, for once in my life im doing something for ME. and as the loreal adverts say......"BECAUSE IM WORTH IT"!! Lapband here i come!!!

Well I was thinking the same thing. Good luck...you have such a good outlook that is will approved before you know it. Hopefully you will be close to having a date if not having one when we meet the end of month. I have talked to a couple of people from another web site and have told them to feel free to join us. I told them they could get the details from here or if I have their email, I have just let them know. Hope everyone is doing well...Oh my sister had a baby monday. I will have get pictures. It's a girl..Abby 8pounds 10 oz, everyone is doing great. Although she makes my 2 year old look huge now. :-( I want my baby back. Have a great day!!!!

So my surgery was for April 2 with the whole corona virus it got pulled back and I was supposed to start my liquid diet on March 19 before I did my doctor told me not to do it because surgery was a no go . My new date in June 30 and I start liquid diet on the 16th of June. So I’ve gained about 7 pounds during lockdown March 21- June 3 👀 so I’m worried the liquid diet won’t be enough to help me lose the weight I gained plus more 🙈 how much Can a person lose in the liquid diet ?

Me and my husband had been married for almost 9 yrs when I was sleeved and he's only said something negative about my weight once and this was almost 2 1/2 yrs ago. He said that I "let myself go". He was in the dog house big time after that comment and he knew that was the worse thing he could of ever said to me. It cut me to the core and it still hurts talking about it to this day but he hasn't mentioned anything about my weight since then. Also the fact that I was 3 or 4 months pregnant at the time with our 3rd child didn't help the situation. He knew he screwed up big time when he said it and I still sometimes give him a hard time about it. He's been very supportive about me having surgery and has been supportive overall but he could still improve certain things like not baking Cookies all the time lol. If my husband were emotionally and verbally abusive I would leave but I do realize that's easier said than done, especially when kids are in the equation. Just know that you deserve better. ETA: We are quickly approaching our 10 yrs wedding anniversary and have been together since high school. After surgery I wasn't able to use food, so there were a lot of things that rose to the surface and we had to discuss them. I was an emotional wreck the first two months after surgery, it was hard on both of us but we've solved the problems and have moved forward. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else and he is truly my soul mate.

On June18 2012 I had the sleeve done. I was released the next day and was feeling pretty good. By the 10th day post op, I was not able to keep water down. I went to the Dr. He sent me to the ER. He called down to the ER and told them what tests he wanted ran. Needless to say, I had a leak. I was admitted into the hospital and my Dr. took me into surgery to repair the leak. I woke up in intensive care with a feeding tube. 2 days later I was told I had to go back into surgery because they discovered an abscess. On to surgery I went. I was in the hospital 39 days. I was finally discharged, feeding tubes and all and so happy to go home. I was home for one week. I still could not keep anything down. I was very dehydrated and was in the hospital for 2 more weeks. Over the next month I was in and out of the hospital for dehydration and severe pain. In August I was admitted again for dehydration, pain and nausea. The feeding tube was removed and a picc was placed. I was then put on TPN (total protein & nutrients) feedings. Admitted again in September after my daughters wedding. This time a fistula was found. Another surgery and feeding tubes were placed again along with TPN bags. I was so depressed. I was not getting better, I got worse. I was in the hospital from Sept 13 to December 10th. In the middle of the night I had a hematoma. Throwing up blood. Caused my spleen to enlarge and become infected. Dr felt that stent was necessary. So one was pyt in. On thanksgiving morning I had to have my spleen removed. The stent slipped and had to be replaced. The 2nd stent was horrible and that had to be removed a few days later. I was in the hospital a total if 116 days from end of June to Dec 10 2012. Still unable to eat, nausea 24 hours a day feeding tubes in place. My Dr could not figure iut what to do. He called other Drs. Mayo and other states. I was discharged and losing weight rapidly. In January of this year I was admitted again. Severly dehydrated and still nausea. After 27 days in hospital a 3 strnt was placed. 1week later it had to be removed. In Feb. my Dr called the Cleveland Clinic in Weston FL for a second opionion. On March 1st my husband and I made the 7 hour drive. I met with the Dr there. I was sent down for uppet gi. Funny.... they found the problems immediately. I was scheduled for surgery on the 14th. I had to have the remainder of my stomach removed, my small intestine was cut and pulled up to my esophagus and attached. Plus the inflammed scar tissue had to be removed. It had been a ling 10 month journey. I have lost 94 pounds, and 10 sizes smaller. I am still not able to eat real food. I eat mashed potatoes, yogury, smoothies, applesause, popsicles, cream of wheat. I do test the waters with some soft foods. Somethings stay some don't. Dr. said It could be 6-8 months before I can tolerate food due to all surgeries. I am also battling a stomach and urinary tract infection for the last 5 weeks. Would I do it all over again. Probably not... however... I did it because my husband has a rare cancer ( due to exposure from agent Orange from Vietnam). He lost his leg and is wheelchair bound. I truly wanted to be healthier to care for him. But he is caring for me now. Please take your time. Research, ask questions, follow your heart. Dont ever let anyone make you feel that you are bothering them. Its your life and you are paying for this procedure to be done. I can sue. I've done a lot of soul searching and even tslked to attorneys. The end result.. I want to live. I want to get better. I want to eat again. Good luck to each and everyone who decides to go forward with which ever procedure. God bless and thank you for allowing me to share my journey.

Lol I said the same thing about throwing up. 7*10*12

Great topic, I'm 3 weeks post-op bypass and the last 10 days or so have SUFFERED with severe constipation -- a Fleet enema helped SO MUCH yesterday, but that is obviously not an on-going solution. My dietitian suggested Dulcolax stool softener daily, so that is what I will try next (tried Metamucil and all I got was lots of cramps and not much action if you get my drift... ( ) I do think that doctors and dietitians should pay more attention to this issue and offer a real plan to ward it off if possible other than drinking more Water, because we're all trying to do that anyway. I think that they have never spent HOURS in the bathroom, straining to the point of almost hyperventilating and reduced to tears of pain, stress and frustration. Unless you've experienced how bad a problem this can be, I think the problem of severe constipation gets pooh-poohed - not pun intended, because it's NOT funny -

@naturegirl I hope you are doing well. I cant believe by this time tomorrow this first step will be over. My wife and I made it to Chapel Hill okay, got checked into the hotel and went out to eat. I had some broiled fish, steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. I resisted the urge to have the monster dessert. I am kind of proud of that, Desserts are my big weakness. I have to be at the hospital at 830 and my surgery is scheduled for 1030. I feel nervous, just because I spent too much time thinking about what could go wrong. I only slept about 3 hours last night, partly from being nervous, partly from wanting this to be over. All of the other operations I have had over the last 2 years were emergency ones, so I never had a chance to consider all of the possibilities. This seems more difficult for me, but my wife said she prefers this way over my other operations. My normal hospital stay has been 10 days, so I think the 2 day stay with this will hopefully go very quickly. My pastor is coming to be with my wife during the operation, he plans to get here before my surgery so we can have prayer together. He is pretty awesome, driving 3 hours 1 way to sit with a member of his church. He told me that is what he is supposed to do, but it still means a lot to me. My family lives out of state and I am comforted to know someone is with her. As soon as I am able to I will post an update...thanks for all of the support. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life, with the new me.... Jesse

Congratulations your sergury was successful I'm happy to hear that you are doing well no pain you are walking and getting some food down. Keep up the good work . So far I've met with Katlen, NUT, and I atended class 1 . I appt to meet with phyotheapist in December, so everything is moving along pretty fast. I'm having a problem with is sticking to a diet plan, I would like to lose 10-15 lbs before the sergury. My fitness pal is not working for me . I need more structure . Maybe I should go back to Weight Watchers I had some success with them in the pass. Nut said as long as I don't gain weight I will be ok. Thanks for the reply. Take good care.

Hi Sarah, Totally worth it. Banded 12/2009 at approx 275lbs. Highest weight was 302. Band for me down to 175 & I leveled off about 183lbs. 2012, I had my first band slip. 2013 was a major slip & then herniated my stomach 2014. I also now have Barrett's Esophagus. Band had to be removed on emergency basis 10/2014. They kept me overnight. Nurses offered more pain meds the. Ext day, but the pain was actually less at that point than it had been when it was still in. RNY bypass 9 days ago. It was a a difficult decision, but I've had no regrets. Take care. Keep posting questions and reading others posts. ~Amy

Just some thoughts about weight loss . My physician has a very strict protocol . It has worked well for me. I was banded July 24, 2006 Started at 310.5 and as of last week am 211. One thing that I know is that our bodies need protein. So the order I eat is protein first, which means meat. I usually eat chicken, fish. Fish is especially easy to eat. Chicken sometimes I need it to be very moist. Then veggies, by that time I am full. Do not drink anything 10 before I eat and 30 minutes after I eat. I drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses a day. Make sure you get enough protein. I do drink protein drinks some days in order to get enough. I make sure I get at 60 grms of protein a day. there is a formula but I can't remember it right now. I thining eating with a band is definetely challenging but can be done. I stay away from all breads, potatoes, rice, and early on fruits. I do eat blueberrys, and sometimes a quarter of apple now. I hope this helps.

My hair started falling out (ALOT) around the 3 month mark, and I think it probably stopped at the 7 month mark (about the time that I stopped losing weight on purpose). I lost quite a bit. Cut my hair super short pixie when it started to try to minimize the visible scalp look. Started to notice the sprouting of little itty bitty chicken hairs around month 10. I'm 1.5 years post op now, and I've got a TON of these chicken hairs all over my head, and they are about 3-4 -ish inches long now and still stick up when I don't style my hair, so it looks pretty funny. But I'll take em. Once they grow long enough to lay flat I will probably look close to normal again...though I dunno if I want to grow it back to the length it was before...we'll see.

Is your revision from sleeve to bypass? Don't worry, for what I hear and read on here the recovery is almost identical. In addition, the pre-op and post-op diets are just about the same too. I had bypass. 10 day limited pre-op diet. Post-op was 2 weeks clear/full liquids, 2 weeks pureed foods, 2 weeks soft foods and then slowly transition back to a normal diet. Take it slow, test new foods 1 at a time so if you get sick you know exactly what caused it. You got this!

I have days where I am hungry, but I am usually able to work throught them. I only had one fill so far, 3cc's in a 10 cc band, my next fill is scheduled for 9/14/09. Right now my meals are 1/2 cup portions with two 2 oz Snacks a day if I need them, and I average between 715 and 800 calories a day. I average about 65 gr of Protein a day. I found that a warm cup of broth or herbal tea seems to help the hunger, and I try to distract myself. Hang in there!!

Your primary care doc. Knows all the ins and outs trust me!! Now that I'm thinking it my not have been 10%. I was around 357 and I think I had to loose around 12 lbs. my paperwork is at work. I will check it tomorrow and update the post or send u a PM. I also don't think the wait for surgery date is that long in Virginia. I'm sticking with kaiser because of the low out of pocket expense. Just small co pays and no bills!!!!

Phone ap died mid post!!! Anyways, anyone out there with a just over the 40 or at 40 bmi have Kaiser permanente md/va/dc? The difference between the right bmi of 41.6 & not that is about 4 # for me!!!! That's crazy!!! I got sick & lost 8# in one week. So because I've not yet been weighed for the kaiser weight loss surgery class I've been trying to keep up my " fighting" weight. Any idea if Kaiser va/md/dc still makes you lose 10% of your body weight or any % really bc if I have to I'm worried I'll be denied.