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I was banded on 2/10/11 and am on the soft meat stage. In 2 days i can go to regular foods. I eat a lot of eggs, chicken and lena greund meats. Turkey sausage is good too. Cooked veggies ( broccoli,squash, peas, carrots) and fruits. If I eat too many "sliders" (pudding, yogurt, jello) I get hungry too soon. I have lost 30 lbs and have not lost any in 5 days. But I know that untill I have a fill in a few weeks, it will prob be like that. EAS or Muscle Milk are good protein supplements, but they dont keep you full as long. Do whatever your doctor says to do as far as eating is concerned, but know that if you get a good variety of thing, you will not get bored and be tempted to cheat.

When I went to the doctor last for a case of bronchitis, I had a huge shock when I stepped on the scale -- 204!!! I'm 4'11. That gives me a BMI of 41.2. I've been maintaining at 170-180 for about the last 3-4 years. My highest weight ever was 244 when I was 19 and on birth control pills. When I wasn't in a relationship I decided to just throw them away -- they were costing me money and it wasn't like I was in danger of getting pregnant... my allegedly underactive thyroid got into the normal range within a month of coming off of them. I got down to 145 over a year, then have crept back up. The thing that changed me from the 170-180 up to this was dislocating my kneecap nearly two years ago. I've had reduced activity -- it still hurts to walk through Wal-Mart. When I saw the scale go up over 200, I wanted to cry, and not just for physical pain. I know to some I don't have a huge weight problem. People say I "carry it well". They don't want to offend me, I'm sure. And I even admit it's not as bad as it used to be. But I'm terrified. My mother had gastric bypass at 265 lbs, she now weighs 120 but has had major complications -- says she doesn't regret it a bit tho. Four of her cousins had it. My paternal grandmother should have had it, but at the time Medicaid didn't cover it. She died in a nursing home at 62, weighing 600 lbs needing double knee replacements but too heavy for them to do them. I don't want to live that life. I don't know if I have severe comorbidities because I've not checked. I haven't had a cholesterol test, sleep study, EKG, anything else like that -- almost too afraid to. I do have asthma and my knee, but I have Aetna insurance and I know those don't qualify. But am I crazy to be thinking about the Lap-Band when I'm only 29 and only a 41.2 BMI? (If the pre-surgical diet takes me down much, and it doesn't take much at 4'11, I might not meet Aetna's qualifications for the surgery from what I can see....)

I had surgery on July 18, and lost 10 lbs. post-op and 8 since than. I realize that this is a time for healing...so why be depressed. I'm thrilled with the 18 lbs. without my first fill which I don't get till Aug. 30. I think you have done fine.

I'm 36 5' 10" 290 I really don't know what to do. I have been over weight pretty much 26 years of my life. I have tried every diet known to man. I'm very lucky man I'm married to a very beautiful woman in great shape. She wishes that I was in shape to she worries that something will happen to me and I willn't get to see our kids grow up. Here is some background info on my problem I love food, I love to eat, I eat when I'm not hungery. I was wondering if I had the lap band surgery if this will help me. Please help me out making my decision on if I should get the lap surgery. I live in houston texas what are the good drs.

I lived through that too. I laid awake. I worried as I was a self-pay. Complications could bankrupt us. Here is what kept me going. I had the benefit of knowing someone who had a lap and now looks AMAZING. And, just had a successful pregnancy. GOOD FOR HER!!!!! Plus, I asked myself what was my next plan was if i let this option go--- and I had none. I had a talk with my mom and dad who were supportive. (I am nearly 50 years old- so this is kinda funny to me). And I talked to the hubby. He was not so sure..........but he was like me. The options were dwindling, however. l was looking at High Blood Pressure, High Cholesteral and the early signs of type 2 diabetis. I had to do SOMETHING, as I was beginning to be a health train wreck. AND, so far, (banded 2/15) I think I made a good decision. The anesthesiologist and i talked for a while before my surgery, and he said it best: You are choosing to take a risk now while you are healthy in order to change the future. Where, if you make no change, you will have to face even more health risks in a less healthy state..... Does that make sense? BTW- I had a rou-en-y sheduled 10 years ago and backed out: For me it was a mutilation that I could not do to myself. (I apologize if this offends anyone-but this is honestly how I felt). And laps were still too new. Now, the lap is fully developed and FULLY REVERSIBLE. For goodness sakes, its a 35 minute OUT PATIENT surgery. (I kept telling mysef this over and over again.) From my heart, I can say to you, that I am so proud of myself. I now have the power to change my life and impact my health. I already have seen results. BP meds were just cut in half!!!!!!! I pray that I can keep on track. Good luck ladies, I'm here if you want to ask me anything. But I am no expert.

Hello everybody, I've finally made up my mind that I am going to get the band. I have my first appointment on Monday...I'm both excited as well as scared, but I know I have to do this in order to be healthy again. I'm 45 and weigh over 300lbs for the first time in my life. No matter what I try, I can lose 30lbs and then put that back on and more (I've been doing this for about 10 years now) and it is getting harder as I get older. I'm so excite about this, but scared at the same time, today I start my research.

Hi guys. Surgery on 10/27. Would love a buddy.

My Story. Well, if that isn't a loaded title I don't know what is. I have so many stories. I guess since this is a weight loss forum, I should start with the story of my weight. That tale shakes out more like a timeline, really. Childhood: Chubby kid. Recall dieting with my mom as early as the third grade. High School: Got down to about a size 8-10. Used Jenny Craig or Nutri Systems. . . Can't even remember which one. Most of College: Gained it all back and then some. Darn those Provolone grilled bagels at the Coates Center and Queso and Tortillas from TC's. Senior Year: Jenny Craig again. Modest weight loss, but this time it seemed to stick. And then there was Law School (i.e. the best diet ever for a Type A student who suddenly found herself in over her head academically for the first time): Nothing will send a metabolism into overdrive like pure fear of failure. Combine that with living in a remote town with only 1 fast food restaurant and no more student dining and waaalaa (really not sure how you spell that) the weight just sort of started falling off. I was a solid size 8, sometimes even a 6, by the time I graduated. The Wedding: You'll no doubt have noticed that I never really mentioned exercise up to this point. I never really did any, either, until the year of my judicial clerkship, which actually coincided with my engagement. That year I spent in an even more remote town where the only local that I had anything at all in common with happened to be a former CPA who decided to open a gym after her own weight loss journey. So I started working out. . . a lot. I had a 9-5 job and a long distance relationship. What else was there to do? I used a food and exercise journal (maybe a little too religiously) and by the wedding, I was 124 pound, hiking up my size 4 Vera Wang, which I really should have had altered one more time, and loving it. Its a good typing I got pictures, but my kids barely recognize me in them. My 30s: Big city private law practice with its 12 hour days spent mostly behind my desk and its ready access to a constant stream of icy cold diet dr. peppers, we not kind to me on a number of fronts, one of which was my figure. After 10 years of relatively steady weightless or maintenance, 30 found me up a few pounds and pregnant with my first child. Every pound made me want to cry, and believe me there were many to cry over. Its like my body craves weight during pregnancy. I can gain 10 pound before that second line will even think about appearing on that stick. My boy was born, and I went back to Jenny Craig. Third times the charm? Well, not so much in my case. I think I got back down to 180 or so, but then there was the next pregnancy, and the next. I miscarried those babies at about 13 weeks, but I still found, and kept, a few pounds with each. Then there was the adoption weight. . . . who knew the stress of adopting would pack on the pounds like that. Then, when my beautiful daughter was only 6 weeks old, I discovered I was carrying her baby brother. At that point I was 208 which, miraculously, I managed to get back down to by the time I left the hospital with him. They call my OB the Weight Nazi for good reason. Then, just as I had hired a trainer and was headed for a healthier lifestyle, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my dad with MS. As an only chid and a mother of a then 5 year old, one year old and a 6 month old baby, I switched into crisis mode, quit my job and became the worlds most over-educated chauffeur. My babies spent their first couple of years strapped into car seats as we drove NaNa and Pops from one doctors appointment to another. Her chemo therapy sessions were long 12 hour days and she was hospitalized more than once. He spent 6 weeks in a rehab hospital and ultimately lost the use of his legs. You can't believe how many prescriptions they had between them. And I managed it all. I also gained about 40 more pounds in the process. Please do not get me wrong. It was worth it. My mom is enjoying full remission from a disease that everyone said would kill her, and my dad is stable in an assisted living facility if not enjoying the retirement we had hoped for him. My kids are smart and beautiful at 3, 4 and 8, and it is time that I turn this weight issue around once and for all. So, I have decided to get the gastric sleeve procedure. A colleague of my husband had it a few years back and has enjoyed amazing results. I know it is not a quick fix, merely a tool, but I have decided that I owe myself that jump start after all I have been through over the past 3 years. I know that I can stick to a program once I get good and into it. I just need to make sure that, this time, I am not derailed by life's unexpected tragedies. I have enlisted the help and support of my dear friend who has found her second career as a dance fitness instructor, and I am looking towards a brighter future where I can keep up with my kids, at least a little better, and shop for clothes in regular stores. My surgery date is August 7.

It's the rapid weight loss that makes gallbladders irritable. Dieting, other WL surgeries, and anorexics all run the risk of gallbladder problems. Fortunately, we who have problems are in the minority, though that's small comfort after you have an attack and surgery. Mine was removed 10 months post-op.

I am in the same exact place as you. I keep losing and gaining the same 5 lbs. I hate going to my doctor and getting weighed because I know she'll be disappointed. I'm 4 months in my 6 month diet. It's so hard. What happened last time was I was on my period when I went in and of course we gain water weight during that time. I told her I was a few pounds lighter than what the scale revealed which i actually was. She was okay with that and recorded the weight I told her I was. She then said "well I guess every time you come in from now on, you'll probably will be on your period and we as women gain 2-10 lbs on our periods so just keep me posted on your actual weight". So I hope I'm on my period again so I can just give her a number and she'll record that for the sake of the diet. My insurance representative said they arent interested in how much weight I lose or dont lose they want to see if I'm willing to be diligent about going to the doctor on a regular basis. I understand the reasoning behind the 6 month diets but it's also very hard. I'd much rather have to be made to go to a class that actually helped with my mental issues with food because diets for me dont work, if they did I wouldnt be hitting almost 300 pounds. Anyway, I hope it works out for you!

My surgery, GB RNY, was 10/24/19 and I am dealing with so much depression and anxiety now. My hormones are just so out of whack! All day I haven’t been able to stop crying. I had an appointment scheduled with my nutritionist today for which I had to take the whole day off of work for because it’s 3 hours away. Got a call from them 15 minutes before leaving that they are canceling the appointment and want me to come in next Thursday instead. Here’s the thing, I don’t have enough PTO from work now because of all the time I took off for work and today. I was supposed to be advanced from puréed food to soft today, I confirmed they do not want me to advance my diet until I’m seen again. I can’t make the appointment next week because my work won’t give me the time off. So I’m currently just having a nervous break down because I feel like I made such a huge mistake. I have lost about 30 lbs, but for the last 2-3 weeks it is coming off so slowly that I feel like I’m right back to where I was before surgery. I’m fat, constantly on a diet that I can never get away from, can’t eat normal foods even, and I just want to give up. I can’t make another appointment for at least until beginning of January and I have to stay on puree until then. I’m venting because I feel like I have no control over anything anymore and I’m scared I made a very poor decision to have this permanent surgery done.

So as a runner, this is something I *really* struggled with. I did not want to lose anymore weight, but as I was training for a half marathon (now training for a full marathon), the scale kept creeping down. The first thing I did is replace some of my meals/snacks with more calorie dense foods. cheese and nuts are great sources of extra calories, while still getting your Protein in. I also had to add in one or two extra "snacks" per day. I had been eating 5 times a day. I now eat 7 times a day most days. I also, finally caved in and started having a carb-only snack. Before my runs I will have a Clif Bar or a piece of whole grain toast with Peanut Butter. I also got a FitBit Blaze so I could more accurately track my calorie burn through the entire day (had just been using a heart rate monitor while running). And by logging my food for a while (don't have to anymore) I was able to make sure my calories in vs. calories out were pretty balanced. So far so good. I got to my lowest weight of 10 pounds below goal, but I have been sticking there for a while now.

Hi and welcome. I chose the band because there is no major cutting of the insides and it can be removed if need be. You lose weight slower at a real nice pace and you can control everything. I know of about 6-10 people who had the bypass and they gained back and then some. The band and every other WLS is a tool and you have to learn to control the tool and want it to work for you. I had the band in July at almost 62 and it is the best thing I ever did for me. The weight comes off slower but I am happy with that. I gained the weight over many years so I can wait. I would recommend the band to any one who wants to try WLS for their health and longer life. Good luck with your choice.

Maybe because it's an elective surgery, we question if we should have it, or keep trying the diets and keep failing, I second guessed myself up to the minute they rolled me into the OR and then I realized this was a gift, a second chance to live a healthier,longer life and here I am 53 yrs old feeling 10 yrs younger. Grab the chance, it is wonderful to feel good about yourself, to succeed at the weight loss.

Hi There, Nice to see some Aussie voices on this site. I am due to have my band removed on 10 July for revision to Rny scheduled for October. (The mandatory 3 month wait with my Dr). I had around 4 yrs of success keeping weight off with the band and was down to around 85kg from original 145kg. Unfortunately I developed esophigal issues (too much vomiting I suspect) and ended up having all Fluid removed from my band. Now I'm back to my pre band starting weight and feeling incredibly depressed about it - can't wait until Oct but very scared all at the same time. Would love to hear from others especially anyone in syd - what doctor / clinics are u going to.

I am scheduled for December 19, 2015!!! YAY!!

Ive lost 10 pounds and I'm very proud of my self I go Friday to check in for Mondays surgery ready for this big beautiful change hope all is well in everyone's journey Sent from my SM-G530T1 using the BariatricPal App

Tina, I just turned 49 & have been perimenopausal for about a year. My periods got out of control & unpredictable, so I had a Mirena IUD put in & that helped a LOT. I was sleeved on June 19 & I'm doing really well. I have no idea when full-blown menopause will start, but I hope I can lose all the weight I need to before then. If your peri is just beginning, do you think that your stall may just be hormonal & the weight will start up again at some point? The word "impossible" seems like a big leap to make, but then I'm not a doctor. Good luck!

Hi there, I am so close to goal, that I can smell it, but I haven't actually reached it. I set a goal of 137 for myself, but remain at 141-143. I have not been working at getting there, so that is to blame. I am not excercising and eat cake and pie quite often. So here is my story, Around Christmas time I was around 151, then I went for a fill, cause I was headed on vacation and wanted to lose another 10 lbs, well on vacation I got down to about 141 and let me tell you I looked really good. That is when I finally realized that I wasn't fat anymore, yep everyone had been telling me but it had not clicked yet. I saw a picture of me on my sil digital camera and I saw the new me.. a thinner me, not a fat me. Well, we went dancing on vacation and my husband looked at me and said, I really don't think you need to lose anymore weight, you look perfectly fine at this weight and thats enough. I was going to get another fill on the way back from Mexico, but he didn't let me. He said I look perfect at this weight, so you see, even though I am practically at goal, I am so happy with the way I look that I haven't worked hard at reaching my goal. I have a wedding to attend on April 29 and I am hoping to lose the last 5 lbs to get to goal by then. I have bought the dress I'm wearing and it looks fabulous, so the 5 lbs lost will let me look Oscar worthy... he, heee... I am not gaining which is good, so I haven't gotten any fills since the last one about 4 mo ago. So there that is my story, sorry if I ramble on and on. If you want to see some pictures of me go to photoreflect.com and in the events name enter Hernandez, Estella and then the password is Bianca

Ok. For those of you who are finding it hard to get in all of your liquids, the diet my surgeon has perscribed for the two weeks after surgery has been doing very well for me. Of course, Follow your own surgeons directions but I hope this may help some of you that are having difficulty getting your liquids in. Instructions: 1. Consume 4 ounces of liquid per hour. (1 ounce every 15 minutes as tolerated) Include 2 ounces from Clear Liquids list and 2 ounces from Full Liquids list hourly. Do this every hour you are awake (at least 12 hours) to prevent dehydration. 2. As part of your liquids, include 8 ounces of a Protein supplement per day in 1 ounce portions. 3. Do not begin eating solid foods until directed to do so by your surgeon. Here is a list of items that my surgeon suggested: Clear liquid: *Fat Freem broth or Bullion (cubes, granules, or packets) *sugar free Jello *Sugar Free Popsicles (None with fruit bits at this stage as the bits could cause harm to sleeve) *Water and sugar free water flavor packets 10 calories or less- i.e. Wyler's Light, Crystal Light, Kool-aid. * Decaffinated Tea & coffee (can use splenda, equal, stevia, or sweet-n-low) Full Liquids: *Protein Supplement of choice *No Sugar added Carnation Breakfast Essentials *Mashed Potatoes (thin, no lumps) *Low Sodium V-8 juice (only during this 2 week phase) *No sugar added frozen yogurt (no fruit bits) *sugar-free custard or pudding (thinned) * Light yogurt (no fruit or nuts) *Skim, 1%, or 2% milk, rice milk, soy milk, Mootopia HEB Brand High Protein Milk (Probably only my fellow Texans will know about the Mootpia!) *Cream of Wheat, Cream of Rice, Malt-o-Meal (thinned) *Blended, Strained, Creamed Soups ( Blended cream of potato made with skim milk, no lumps) (this is very yummy) Foods NOT Allowed: *Sodas (not even Sprite) *Solid Food: until directed by surgeon *fruit juice (my surgeon recommends that you no longer drink fruit juice) *smoothies or Milkshakes (also never recommended) *Stews or chunky soups: (until directed by surgeon) * Honey or Syrup (don't add chocolate syrup to milk unless it's surgar free) *Sugar or Candy (Sweets of any kind) *Protein Bars, Beef Jerky, and Pork Rinds Hope this helps some of you!! I know it's working out pretty well for me, my only problem is staying awake long enough during the day to get continual liquids!

I havent been on here for a while and thought I would post some things. I'm almost 2 months post op and down 28lbs as of this morning. I'm not seeing a huge scale change but I was also not putting in 100% effort either. The holidays were...well the holidays. lol. So yes I did induldge a bit. I was excited to know that there was a limit to what I could eat and ran into a couple times where I ate too fast or too much and it was extremley uncomfortable. I started off Monday back in the right direction. I'm eating a lot of protein and eating very little of anything else. I've been doing a lot of diced up meats and cheese, chicken, string cheese, squash, and other meats. My diet is not very exciting but when I stick to it, it seems to work. I got down to 31lbs lost before the holidays. I would like to be down atleast another 10 if not 20lbs by the new year. I am learning a lot about myself. I really love my lapband. I have had 2 fills already and I have another scheduled for next week. I have 4.1cc's in my 10cc band. Anyone that is reading this that does not have lapband yet just know that this is not the "easy" way out. ANY WLS takes effort. And yes, some may be a little easier at first than others but in the long run its up to us to keep the weight off. I cought myself a couple of times eating things that I use to eat and then I would ask myself, Why did you have surgery? Just because you have lapband doesnt mean your obesity is cured. I wish. But that's not how this works. If you put in the time and effort the weight will come off. If not, than there is really no point in having surgery. I feel very motivated right now and have been doing well sticking to my diet. I do have days though where I am not as motivated. The nice thing though lately is that the more fills I seem to get the more I cant just eat without thinking about chew chew chew. Or else I have extreme pain. So I love that my band holds me accountable. My doctor also would like to see me have less than 30grams of carbs a day....Has anyone else been asked to do this? If you are new to the whole counting calories thing that is like two string cheeses! So if anyone has any good ideas for high protein/low carb foods please LET ME KNOW :-) Have a great day!!!

My husband's surgery was 4/30/11 down almost 100lbs. Mine was 5/10/11 down 51lbs.

Hi everyone! Ive been so busy these past months with the holidays and everything. My T-giving was hard work, but I feel great that everything was healthy and low carb, low salt food. I actually lost 3lbs and I dunno how. So far, I'm happy with my weight loss and I have my 4th fill on the 8th. I am finding I'm getting stuck more often, but I still dont feel hungry. I'm working out 5-6 days a week, but recently I've had a blow to my routine This week my husband had another episode. He has congestive heart failure at 25. He was born with a heart problem that no one thought would degrade this quickly. He has a ICD defibulator inplanted already for 6 years. Since August things have went down hill. This weekend he went back to the hospital. We are being told that he needs a transplant. So they shipped him off to a transplant center which is kinda far away from where we live, but closer to his family which makes me feel better. However, no children are allowed which sucks. We have a 19 month old. They said in time if he gets off of being bed ridden then he can go to the visiting area and see him, but for now no. He has a week worth of evaluations to see if his system can take it then onto a transplant list. People always talk about the physical and him getting better, but mentally he isnt doing so well. He is depressed and misses us. Especially his son. My God, our son is our world. He is a daddy's boy. We are trying to work out the visits and have someone there to wait with our son while I see him. He's gonna be in the hospital for a while, months even. So I'll try to fix up his room when I visit this weekend with something Christmas like. I just hate to see him so sad. He wants to give up, but I tell him he cant and its normal to feel that way. My hubby is normally full of life and jokes, but now he is grim and cranky. I worry so much. I'm having to work so we can pay the bills. It sucks being here, when I just wanna be at the hospital. I have so many things to do. I just try to take it slowly. One thing at a time. As for my diet, well I've stuck to it and I'm proud of that. Thank god im not an emotional eater. When I get depressed I don't eat. So here I am just trying to hang on.

Hi, I have my first appt today at noon... I have so many medical records I am not even sure what to take, what to copy. Did you all have a letter from your primary care doctor to take with you? Since I am on standard I barely go to my primary doctor... could never find a great one (except for colds and all that) but had a great GYN doctor , neurologist, pain doctors for all my things... So I have all those records. I am also a disabled veteran and have all that documentation (basically it documents in outline form what happened to me over the last 10 years). I am 5"3 and about 229, so I am right on the cusp of the weight requirements. Any thoughts of how to organize my records? Doctors notes you took with you? Thanks so much for all your replies they have been so encouraging. I can hardly believe I am going to possibly get weight loss surgery, in one way it makes you feel like, "How did this happen" and then in another way I see how great it has been for people in my family who got their lives back. Take care, Heidi heidshosh@aol.com

WELCOME~~~~~~ I just want to say I am the resident dirty ole man, I am attached at the hip to Vegas-Angel, she and I are to be married on 10/10/10. That said, I am always a bit of a smart alick so take no offense. I was sleeved on 07/11/09 giving myself the gift of life, I was tired of yo yoing all my life up to 310 down to 178 up to 275 down to 200 up to 255. I decided to do this for a number of reasons, one my lovely lady had it done two I wanted to be thin, and three I wanted to be healthy. This to me was drastic, to me I had to admit I had a problem with food.....That being done at that point it was easy to do. Again welcome and we will all be here for you as you continue down your healthy path of life.