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I am started my solid foods this week (8th week). I am to supplement my solid food with shakes as long as I need to get 80 gms of Protein. Right now that means two protein shakes a day. As to pouch capacity, I understand that the pouch holds 3-4 oz. I was advised to sip not drink. I sip no more than 1 - 1.5 oz. but I sip continously. I try to finish a 20 z jar over 4 hours and I try to do 3 jars a day

Im lucki i have a one day liquid diet.... .AND ITS ONLY 840am...@nd hungry.....MY HAT GOES OUT TO U ALL THAT HAD TO DO THIS FOR A WEEK OR MORE

Yeah I forgot my other log in plus got married , had a baby, bought a house.... A whole new life. I'm ok but trying to find my way back to my sleeve life. I have lost my way some and need a reminder of the things I should be doing. My life was so hectic that I let it slip. I also had a stroke (none sleeve related was due to the depo shot) that effected my memory and routine greatly. And I lost my sister in May (past way). So getting back In touch with my sleeve family is so very important right now. I never reached maintaine level before I got pregnant so I want to continue losing which I know will be more difficult since I'm 3+ years post op but I'm sure I can do it. Thanks for the welcome back!

sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or 4. Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and 2. Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and 3. Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and 4. Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program) or criterion 2 (multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen): 1. Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and 2. Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and 3. Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records; or 2. Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: 1. Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and 2. Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and 3. Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and 4. Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and 5. Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) and 5. For members who have a history of severe psychiatric disturbance (schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, suicidal ideation, severe depression) or who are currently under the care of a psychologist/psychiatrist or who are on psychotropic medications, pre-operative psychological clearance is necessary in order to exclude members who are unable to provide informed consent or who are unable to comply with the pre- and postoperative regimen. Note: The presence of depression due to obesity is not normally considered a contraindication to obesity surgery. 2. Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG): Aetna considers open or laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) medically necessary for members who meet the selection criteria for obesity surgery and who are at increased risk of adverse consequences of a RYGB due to the presence of any of the following comorbid medical conditions: 1. Hepatic cirrhosis with elevated liver function tests; or 2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); or 3. Radiation enteritis; or 4. Demonstrated complications from extensive adhesions involving the intestines from prior major abdominal surgery, multiple minor surgeries, or major trauma; or 5. Poorly controlled systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class IV) (see Appendix). Aetna considers VBG experimental and investigational when medical necessity criteria are not met. 3. Repeat Bariatric Surgery: Aetna considers medically necessary surgery to correct complications from bariatric surgery, such as obstruction or stricture. Aetna considers repeat bariatric surgery medically necessary for members whose initial bariatric surgery was medically necessary (i.e., who met medical necessity criteria for their initial bariatric surgery), and who meet either of the following medical necessity criteria: 1. Conversion to a RYGB or BPD/DS may be considered medically necessary for members who have not had adequate success (defined as loss of more than 50 percent of excess body weight) two years following the primary bariatric surgery procedure and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure; or 2. Revision of a primary bariatric surgery procedure that has failed due to dilation of the gastric pouch is considered medically necessary if the primary procedure was successful in inducing weight loss prior to the pouch dilation, and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure. 4. Experimental and Investigational Bariatric Surgical Procedures: Aetna considers each of the following procedures experimental and investigational because the peer reviewed medical literature shows them to be either unsafe or inadequately studied: * Loop gastric bypass * Gastroplasty, more commonly known as ?stomach stapling? (see below for clarification from vertical band gastroplasty) * Sleeve gastrectomy * Mini gastric bypass * Silastic ring vertical gastric bypass (Fobi pouch) * Intragastric balloon * VBG, except in limited circumstances noted above. * LASGB, RYGB, and BPD/DS procedures not meeting the medical necessity criteria above. Cholecystectomy: As a high incidence of gallbladder disease (28%) has been documented after surgery for morbid obesity, Aetna considers routine cholecystectomy medically necessary when performed in concert with elective bariatric procedures. Notes: Calculation of BMI: *BMI is calculated by dividing the patient's weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared: BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 Note: To convert pounds to kilograms, multiply pounds by 0.45. To convert inches to meters, multiply inches by 0.0254. or For a simple and rapid calculation of BMI, please click below and it will take you to the Obesity Education Initiative. *BMI = weight (kg) * [height (m)]2 See also CPB 039 - Weight Reduction Medications and Programs.

I am 6 weeks post op and NOTHING tastes good. Water, crystal light, g2, apple juice, protein and Mushie food all repulse me. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

Hey Mrs D, will not be able to make it to Bristol for the meeting after all. Bummer! I have something planned in August also (pool outing that day!) so will probably not be able to meet them all until September meeting! 5 days since my last fill. He only put 0.5 in (I wanted 1 but he is such a t**t would not listen to me again!). I feel the difference already though. Not able to stuff myself as I have been doing the last few weeks! (although nowhere near as bad as I used to do pre-band!) Lost 2.5 pounds whilst I was in France, my mum don't feed me! haha! Hope to speak to you soon, let me know how you get on at your next appointment and if they will let you have another wls!

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>I was banded March 13 2008 </o:p> Ok so when I was last at the doctors I told them that I had been feeling extremely tire and have also been bruising easily and craving ice.<o:p></o:p> So they did some blood work which they got back yesterday.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Turns out that my Iron count is very low. <o:p></o:p> Before anyone asks<o:p></o:p> I take Centrum Chewable which has Iron every day.<o:p></o:p> I also take b12 daily and biotin.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I also eat protein at each meal and eat spinach and Broccoli every day. All which are iron rich.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So now they want me to start taking an iron supplement. I also need to go back in a few weeks for more blood work to see if the iron supplement has helped. They said they will test to see if it is Vitamin deficiency Anemia or Iron deficiency anemia.. Apparently these is a difference between the 2.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Has anyone else had this problem? <o:p>I was banded March 13 2008</o:p><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Thank you so much<o:p></o:p>

It has been almost 7 months post-op for me and I must say that it has been a rough go. When I first got banded I lost 20Lbs in the first 2 weeks and maybe 15 since then...I've always struggled with my weight, my heaviest was 349 back in 2005 when I was only 19 yrs old. With a bad report from the doctor I immediately changed my lifestyle as far as eating and exercising. and within that year I lost 60lbs. These last 5 years I've really been struggling with my will power and determination. I've always been an emotional eater and it seems like the last few years has given me a lot of emotion. After having the LB surgery i felt confident and when I finally decided to go with the surgery no way was I gonna mess this up or fail. And it just seems like that's what I'm doing is failing EVERY single day. My plans were to start this new year off with a drive that I once had but once again LIFE happens and this time LIFE was taken away from me. I lost my only sibling, my older brother 29 yrs old only 4 years older than me, we were close than ever to a very TRAGIC HORRIFIC BRUTAL accident on December 30, 2010. Two months later I still can't grab a hold of myself. I can't focus on this Lap-Band, I'm working against it...I'm full and I still eat...the same stuff I struggled with pre-op...Counseling really isn't working for me because my emotions are worry-free in there but when I'm home they come back. I REALLY want to do this and be successful with this surgery....I don't want to be a failure anymore...I have ALL the tools I need and I know how to use them, I just don't know how to keep my willpower/motivation for a WHOLE 24 hours. If you guys have any kind of suggestions PLEASE feel free to respond. My 26th birthday is coming up April 12th and I really want to be 10 to 20lbs smaller, if there are any Michigan Bandsters please contact me...I know I have family support to try to deal with the loss of my brother but I don't have anyone who knows personally what I'm going through with this Lap-band...

Sounds great. I'm 9 months out and definitely consume more. I also am pretty active and workout 5 days a week. Breakfast - 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese, fruit or fat free greek yogurt with fruit lunch - 1 cup Progresso Soup or tuna or egg salad with light mayo dinner -3 ozs of chicken, fish or beef with 1/4 cup of whatever side i've made the family Snacks - mini baby bel light cheese, EAS Protein drink, 2tblspoons Peanut Butter, or cottage doubles It usually adds up to about 1100 calories per day.

I had surg 6/11/12, I have been doing so good. I am down 20lbs thus far. I went for my first adjustment last week, but the Rn said I was doing so good she wanted to watch me for another 2 weeks. Well the last 2 days I have been really struggling. I feel like I am constantly hungry and tonight when I ate dinner, I didn't stop when I felt satisfied, I stopped when I felt full. Now I am hurting and beating myself up over it. Is it normal to have days where you just don't feel satisfied? I feel like I have now failed and have ruined everything and let everyone down.

following my nutritionist's plan and I am 6 days post-op. She wants me getting 60 grams of Protein and 24 ounces of Fluid in daily and this is a mighty struggle. No matter how small a sip I take, I get this very sharp upper abdominal pain that will go away but ffs, it is annoying. I was only able to get in 1/3 an powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury shake and 1 pre-packaged muscle milk in yesterday with some Powerade zero and that was it. Using Gas-X strips and taking my nausea medicine but I am just checking with everyone what their experience has been the first week post-op. I feel like a big baby at times because I am so tired but I am trying to remind myself this is normal...thanks

I would deff go to the ER and get checked out! let us know how it goes... (I'm 3 months out and have had no real problem...knock on wood)

I've been in the same boat. I had surgery June 20. I never want to eat and when I do it's very little. After surgery I wasn't able to do Protein shakes milk or eggs so I have to did my protein other ways. In October I got severely dehydrated and malnourished. The admitted me to the hospital place a PICC line in my arm and sent me home to get TPN through a pump at night. While I'm on TPN I eat a little bit more but no where close to what I'm suppose to have. Few months later and a lot of test the determined nothing is wrong and we arnt sure why my body isn't absorbing. Thankfully last week all my level came up an I was taking off TPN. We will see what happens from know on. I'm forcing 30-60 grams of protein a day and about 20 ounces of Water. I'm constantly forcing myself eat something. I have lost 100lbs but I went Nov-feb not losing anything because the TPN kept me at a plateau. Let us know what you doctors come up with. You could have a stricture r ulcer. I have neither and I hate eating.

This happened to me a few weeks ago! I'm a little over 6 months post op. I couldn't even hold water down without puking it back up. This went on for four days. Went to see my surgeon and was dehydrated. He sent me to hospital for intravenous fluids. I felt much better afterwards and was able to eat and drink. He thinks something I ate got stuck and wouldn't allow anything else to go down. If the fluids didnt help,he stated he would have to do another endo... I was sure glad it did because I did not want another endo

Four months out. No problems with liquids or protein. I just moved to solids and everything is fine. I'm a fast eater, so I do end up sliming once or twice per week, but it's great negative reinforcement. I do love having a definite limit to what I can eat and feeling completely satisfied. I can't imagine ever regretting this wonderful surgery!

Tomorrow's the big day Lisa and it's very likely that you won't have any appetite for at least a couple of weeks and possibly longer. You're gonna love the new you!!

I found any bra I have ( sports bra included) to be very uncomfortable for the first several days. Then I could wear one for several hours at a time. Now I'm okay but it's been a month. My port is placed in the right upper area of my abdomen, so it's not far below my bra line. But once you get rid of some swelling, you should be fine. But yes, it was uncomfortable for over a week or so. It WILL get better!

I never had that trouble. I wore a bra home from the hospital. Maybe you should try a sports bra for comfort over the next few weeks.....

Suko, first off, congratulations! It sounds like you're doing great! Now, for your concerns: stalls are perfectly normal, and they don't mean that you have failed in any way. You've probably hit the infamous 3-week stall that happens to a lot of people. If you track your measurements, you may find that they are still going down even though your weight isn't changing. If you aren't tracking your measurements (and you really should - other stalls will probably happen!) you may notice your clothes are getting looser or fitting differently. Your body is basically catching up right now. Be patient, stick with your diet and the exercise you're doing, and keep drinking. The stall will break, and all of a sudden your weight will start moving again. Good luck!

Way to go!!! I hit 299 myself last week.... if 299 feels this great, I can't WAIT for 199 Keep up the excellent work. I'm right here with you!

OMG!!! I thought I was the only one choking!!!!! Although I haven't been sleeved yet (my date is 7/18/2011) this past month has been hell. My Dr. said it was my acid reflux and to take my Previcid. She also said it was very common to feel like you were suffocating because of the acid; but mine was really bad since a few weeks before I had actually choked on my food. I had full blown panic attacks and wouldn't eat, it became a full-blown phobia for me enough for my Dr. to prescribe anti-anxiety medicine! As the time has passed I am now able to eat I just chew my food really well and I try not to eat too much. Keep taking your medicine and you will be 100 times better!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!

I too have been getting nauseous an having a difficult time getting water and proteins in. I should be able to eat soft foods now but I have to wait 1:30 between drinking and I just can't do that if I want to come close to half my daily water intake. I went in to the ER at a week out for abdominal pain but everything was ok internally, I was just dehydrated. However I have started feeling the same way again, but I don't want to go in just for fluids. I don't understand why I keep getting sick to even look at water or smell food.

Breehuskins, when was your surgery? Someone described this as having a baby's stomach all over again, and you have to go through the stages again. A baby can not handle eggs right after being born and your stomach is the same way. If you are not tolerating the foods or liquids, you hould talk to your NUT or doctor, not try solid or even pureed right after surgery. I realize how hard this must be, desperate to get something down, anything down, but eating foods to soon could cause damage to the stomach. Please be careful. My plan wont allow pureed foods for two full weeks, so beginning of week three for something more than liquid.

So I had my gastric sleeve done on 08/04/17. I'm 28 yrs old & 5'2. SW:334 CW:296 GW:145 I am still on the 2 week after surgery all liquids diet then I can have diced food and so on. I been moody lately. More today than ever. Feel almost like maybe depressed. I look at my stitches healing and hate seeing them. Feel like a monster. It's in my head mostly. On top of that I had to go to the er last night because I felt dehydrated-ended up just getting meds for nausea. And they said try to drink more[emoji849]I'm supposed to try to get in 60g protein(liquids) and 64 oz fluids. I can't. I feel like even water and Powerade zero all that stuff taste like gross🤢🤢🤢It's hard for me to get anything in because I feel full fast. I'm just struggling a lot. Don't crave food or water. Any suggestions? Advice?

Last week I had consultation with Dr. Salamatari. He seems to be a very down to earth person. I just wanted to know if anyone had a bad experience with him. My endoscoptomy is scheduled for Friday and my Pre Op will be scheduled right after but i have not been approved for the surgery yet. Is that the normal process? Please help!!! :biggrin: