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*Portions of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book Sorry I'm behind here, life has just been so busy at the end of the school year, but all my kiddos are home and school ends tomorrow for my youngest. Now, on to the good news...I'm in the Century Club...100 lbs. lost!!! Here are some pics (left to right); Before--------------1/13/09 = 244 (-4 lbs.) Start 248 lbs. About 1/2 Way---8/2/09 = 195 (-53 lbs.) 1/2 Way=50 lbs. Almost 1st Goal---1/30/10 = 163 (-85 lbs.) Goal=90 lbs. Dream Goal!------6/3/10 = 148 (-100 lbs.) Thank you all for helping me get there as I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of you keeping me accountable! 8 Blog updates including book questions, my introduction, and a vlog are all here: THE SWEET SPOT

Banded 4/30 - first fill 6/10 !!

Well, I'm only 10 days out so how long before I can actually consume it safely? Or on average how long?

Praying yours goes away soon! Mine was instantly gone, I haven't felt hunger since my surgery 10+ months ago.... I also didn't take a PPI before OR after surgery. I don't know if I'm just lucky or what, but my hubby is sleeved and in the exact same boat...no hunger, no PPI.

i also have not been hungary per say... i still see a pizza and think hmmm i could down 10 slices but then when i really think about doing it i want to puke....hope it gets better for you soon... also these eating habits have been with us our whole lives, the head hunger we always will have to battle i am told. just like a 10 year post smoker smells a cig and will still get a urge..... its so hard... but we have our sleeve and each other..... make a list iif stuff you can do instead when it hits you... hmmm i will go for a walk, or pop on facebook, or make my kids give me a back rub or what ever.... or how about a quickie with your hubby, or significant other ! of course then they would never want your hunger pains to go away !!! hahaha good luck keep us posted!!!

Yes, most people gain up to 10 lbs cause of the Iv fluids we get at hospital. Also they air up our stomach so you poofy. Don't worry, very soon the scale will start moving.

I was banded on 2/13. Just had my first fill this morning. Water went down fine but felt burpy and gurgly. Came home and had 2 cups of Soup with no problem. I am anxious to lose weight and want restriction. My doc said my band was the small AP band that holds up to 10 cc's. He put in 3 cc's for my first fill when I told him I could eat a cadillac on a bun! What is your experience? Marie

Yes, you can. it took almost a year for me but it was the most wonderful thing. That C-PAP was so uncomfortable. However, it is not the case for everyone. Some patients do have to keep using it but your chances are very good. Also, in that year I had my pressure down graded twice. It got to the point that it was set at the lowest possible setting and it felt like I was sleeping in a wind tunnel. I remember telling my doctor, if we didn't watch out my brain was going to blow out the back of my head. It sounds like allergies are getting the best of you right now. I too suffer from allergies and I used a nasal spray about 10 minutes before placing my mask on. It helped clear out my nose. I also took Nyquil every night. Oh, I forgot to say, I no longer snore. Awesome!

Thanks!!!! It's odd to see me on the PC screen! lol I've been extremely lucky Donna. I haven't had many complications. I was banded 2 weeks before my best friend, who incidentally has lost over 280 with her band!!! (she's been in the papers & glossy mags over here too!).. So I feel that having someone there just to say.. "is this right? did you feel like this?" helps more than anything. The only time I had anything 'wrong' if I can even call it that, is when I was filled too tight & couldn't keep fluid down, I became dehydrated & was faint when I stood up. An unfill sorted that out in a few days & I was back to normal again (whatever that is! ) I also had reflux at night when I was in bed. It got to the stage where I forced myself to PB before I went to bed, to allow my not to be woken up with saliva choking me in the middle of the night. I got round this initially by not drinking/eating after 7pm, but it soon came back. I eventually got a wee 1/4 ml taken out of the band & I've never had the problem since. I suppose a tip - if one were needed, is really simple. Stick to the 'Bandster Rules' they work. I know they can be a real pain at times, but I promise, if you stick to the rules for 10 days, you'll see/feel the difference. Also, go for a walk, I'm really bad at the gym & didn't get to 390lbs lovvin the gym !! so what I do is go for a wee walk when I get bored (or want to eat - actually thats usually at the same time! lol). I really hope this helps. Stick in there, it WILL work. aud x

Went to seminar on 6/15. Great presentation! Impressed with surgeons. Application completed and submitted. Waiting for my PCP and Endocrinologist to write letters of medical necessity. Aetna sent me copy of criteria to be met - looks like I meet them! Just waiting to hear back from Portsmouth. Would like to do this in the fall. Working on losing the first 10 pounds on my own. Dr. switched me to Byetta to help with weight loss - awful headaches and nausea...not sure this is the way I want to lose this.

I just had surgery, May 19, 2008. I didn't tell too many people. I did not want to hear their opinions on my decision and frankly I did not care what they thought.

Thought all y'all'd find this interesting: Hans Rueffert, Chef Without Stomach, Recovers From Cancer And Writes Cookbook (VIDEO) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/28/hans-rueffert-chef-stomach-cookbook_n_1011680.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

Fear not my friends. I did not start feeling restriction until the end of week 8. I was told this was normal because of nerve involvement and swelling. But hearing so many others say, "I can barely tolerate a tablespoon of pudding...blah, blah, blah" had me wondering what kind of circus freak I was. There have been a few studies that show that pouch size does not correlate with success it is behavioral changes, or lack of, that make the difference. The best advice I was given early on was to measure all of my food with measuring cups not the scale, "Your pouch knows volume not weight. It's approximately the size of a hard boiled egg". Eat it slow enough that it takes you 15-30 minutes to finish it. And most importantly, a good new habit is to NOT eat until you are full. Just because you can eat more without any sensation of fullness doesn't mean you should. It was harder to make myself stop eating when the food was gone instead of until I felt full. I can still eat more than most everyone I know who has had the surgery which makes me feel like the freak in the room at support meetings. I was told at week 6 that I could eat up to 1/2-3/4 a cup at a time to feel satiation and that has worked and I'm right on track for weight loss. 50+ pounds in 8 weeks. Also the statistics my team gave me were 10% weight loss in the first month. Then 10% of that weight by the 3rd month. So @@SavorySweet, you are doing fantastic! Remember, a lot of us stall for about 10 days around week 3 so don't let that hurdle freak you out if it happens to you. I'm only weighing once a month but as of a week ago I had four weeks to lose 8.8 pounds to stay on goal.

That's exactly how I feel! If you're serious (ie willing to comply with Vitamin and Protein requirements) and meet the weight requirements then the Duodenal Switch really does seem to have excellent long term results. There are people over on obesityhelp doing well 10 years out from DS surgery. Bypass proves to be only short term for many as you only malabsorb calories for a couple of years and then your intestines adapt and go back to absorbing 100%, that's why many look to revise to the DS (not easy from bypass though). I'm sure DS surgery for just the intestines has to be possible for GPSers. They have been known to do just the intestinal part for diabetics in Spain, as this surgery has a 99% resolution rate for diabetes (and a significant improvement for the remaining 1%).

Wow. I'm impressed. I couldn't even read the letters on my keyboard till the next day (was so gorked from anesthesia). Congrats on the lack of pain. I pretty much stayed on top of the every 2 hrs Dilaudid for 2 days. Then the liquid Vicodin for 10 days. Had a rougher recovery than most on here. Good luck to u! Get some rest!

Sounds like you are doing great - My husband and I had no sleeve problems. I think it went 10 times easier than expected LOL! Very serious, So I would say just relax and enjoy your rest, getting waited on. I have had so much more energy, am off Metformin, and my husband's blood sugar runs about 110, not 350 every morning. Still on his basic dose of insulin, but no raging blood sugars since we have no more carbs or sugars. He used to eat massive amounts of fruits at night to keep his blood sugar from dropping to 40 at night, and now he is having no more night sweats and problems thank God. Take care!

I was on an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic before surgery. When I was discharged the doc took me off the diuretic. Still taking the ACE inhibitor but probably off it in another 10-20 pounds.

I had the same thing on 09/19. I wish you all the best. It is an amazing feeling. Lost around 50 since surgery. It has made so much difference in my life already & I know it will you. It was best decision I made for me. Good luck with everything. Sent from my SM-S902L using the BariatricPal App

I had to lay down my rant about my mini emotional breakdown during the pre-op diet. I have been taking my time to get ready for my pre and post op diet, since August. Buying some little things here and there to make sure I was completely stocked up. My surgery is not scheduled until 12/12/2018. I knew I would have to do the diet for 2 weeks before my surgery, so I had plenty of time to get everything together. One of the last things I purchased was my broth. I decided to wait until around Thanksgiving to purchase it, thinking it may be on sale since it is a thanksgiving hot item. A few days before Thanksgiving, I went to my local Wally world (I live within 10 miles of 2 Walmart superstores and a Walmart neighborhood Grocery Store) and picked up 2 boxes of the chicken broth and a bone beef broth. And stored it away I the pantry. Fast forward to 11/24 I was required to begin the pre-op diet until 11/28. I decided to jumpstart my pre-op diet a few days early, just to give myself a few days to work any kinks out. For the first 3 days. I took in protein shakes for all 3 meals per day. But by the 4th day, I wanted something warm for dinner, because I was fighting off a cold. Now by this day, I was definitely feeling the sugar and carb withdrawal. I was tired, cranky and had a little bit of brain fog. I decided that today I would have broth! I was super excited. I took my broths out of the cabinet, got my pot ready on the stove (yes, I was so excited I was going to heat it up on the stove to make me feel as if I was really preparing myself a grand meal). I opened the top, only to find the security seal was broken. I told myself “Okay no problem, I have 2 other boxes.” I proceeded to open the next box only to find the same thing. I looked at the last box and thought, “well this it, I will go back to the store tomorrow and get more.” I opened the 3rd box only to find the seal on it was also broken. I was furious! I collected myself and decided to take all 3 boxes back to the store, the only problem was I no longer had the receipt. Dag Nabit! By now I am thinking “Well just chalk it up and go to the store.” Now by this time, I am getting very hungry and I am ready to have my dinner. I leave my home and head to one of the other Wally Worlds that are close to my home. I go to the store and purchased 2 new boxes of broth. I get home and open the first box…safety seal is broken! I open the second box and the safety seal is broke! WHAT, HOW AND WHO WOULD DO THAT TO BROTH! BROTH! By this time, I have broken down crying. I mean balling! My poor husband hears me in the kitchen and comes in and asks what’s wrong, I just slide to the kitchen floor and through tears explain what happened and that I have nothing to take in for dinner but a shake, and I really wanted something warm on my stomach. I sat there and cried for about 5 minutes while my husband looked in the cabinet to attempt to find something that I would be able to have for dinner. (eventually, he did but after my breakdown.) I wondered if I was making the right decision to have the surgery. Never once did I even think of eating any of the other food that was in the kitchen or pantry. I was purely upset that I had now purchased 5 boxes of broth and they were all tainted. And Now I have to drink a cold shake. Then I thought, you’re not crying about wanting the other foods you’re not supposed to eat during the pre-diet, your crying about the food you can normally have but can’t because of the broken protective seal! Right then and there I knew I was committed, and I was making the right decision and could make it through this. Thanks you for letting me share

I started exercising when I was 4 months out, and about 60 lbs. down. I had severe plantar fasciitis before surgery, and by that point I was seeing some improvement. I started slowly, with 20" on the elliptical 3 days a week, plus two days of moderate strength training on the Cybex equipment at the gym. My goal was simply to progress. So, every couple of weeks, I'd add a little more time or intensity to the cardio, add a few more reps or weight to the strength, or add another day of exercise to my schedule. By the time that I reached goal, five months later (-108), I was working out 6-7 hours a week. I stayed within my "goal range" (160-165 lbs.) for several months, and recently decided to ramp up the exercise, and eat "clean" (mostly lean Protein, veggies, and some whole grains). I've lost 10 lbs. since Thanksgiving, which just amazes me at this point. I'm now 152 lbs., and a very fit, muscular size 8. I could not have done it if I hadn't *trained* my body to be able to exercise at the level that I do now. So start slowly, and progress steadily. I truly, truly believe that exercise (including strength training!) is the key to not only losing *all* the extra weight, but to keep it off long-term. Good luck! Tami

It sounds like after the Band something just makes you want to exercise. I love to walk. I live in MN and it is really cold, right now 10 degrees or so so I can't go out side. People here mall walk. For me that would mean shopping. I guess I need more self control. I guess that is the name of the game for everything, self control. For all of you that have lost weight Congrats. For those of you who have not, keep trying like I am. I hope the Lap band will work for me like is has most of you. I can't wait for this new chapter in my life. Jen; MN, BUUURRRR

Hi I have the opposite problem, sleeved 10/22. Lost 36 lbs which is great but dr still has me on clear liquids because i had to be hand stitched and not stapled. No nausea, or pain except hurts when i drink or eat anything. And i feel overly full all the time. Im getting dehydrated can only consume about 16 oz per day and that is pushing my self . Anyone else having this issue?

You know what I find heartbreaking in this thread...besides the back and forth bickering amongst people with the same illness. I find the satisfaction of banders of the possible failure of the VSG in 10 years to be quite sickening. I've heard and read that on this webpage and not one of the people who wrote it can provide credentials of their own that support that they actually work in medical research. The same way it's annoying for banders to constantly have Lapband side effects thrown in their face it's annoying for Sleevers to hear that their surgery will suck in 10 years. Everyone needs to grow up and stop tearing each other down. Geesh!!!

You are awesome,,, I've enjoyed all that you had to say. Most of it matches with what I've learned from my doctor and the dietitian I met with. As far as my expectations go,,, to go to the length of surgery for weight loss,,, I WILL make this work. I'm sure if it's a rough go at the beginning,,, I will be on here asking for all the verbal support I can get. I have read so many things and talked to so many people,,, I want as much info as I can get before hand. With my paperwork going to the insurance company the end of next week,,, I've started to practice some of the habits now,,, like taking dime size bites and chewing 30 or more times before swallowing,,, I've even started doing protein shakes for breakfast,,, tried yesterday to do it for breakfast and lunch,,, but ended up eating what my 3 year old left on her plate,,, but hey, it's a start,,, baby steps, lol:-) I walk the stairs during the day,,, walk some, it's SO hot here in Houston,,, and ride my bike after the sun goes down,,, I'm hoping that if I'm in a little better shape,,, then it will be a little better on me after surgery. I had a c-section with my daughter 3 years ago and I did great afterwards,,, of course I overdid it as the doctor told me not to,,, but I could tell if I was doing too much and I'd slow down. I remember my mom came to stay with us the week after Julie was born and she ended up holding the baby and I was doing the laundry and cooking, lol. But,,, I'm 3 years older now and 50 pounds heavier,,, but I'm praying for the best. Did you stay overnight because you had a rough time and needed the rest,,,, or is that what your doc required? My doc said that if everything went well, I would have it that morning and be home that afternoon. I'm praying for the day long thing,,, I'm planning on feeling better within the week as I did with the c-section,,, so if that's my mind set,,, then that's what I'll work towards:-) I can deal with some pain,,, what put's me under is the sick stomach feeling and needing to throw-up,,,, blahhhhhh,,,, Speaking of that,,, did you get sick at your stomach afterwards? I know some people do just from the meds to put you to sleep. My doctor told me that I shouldn't have problems with being sick at my stomach if I followed what he told me to do,,,, and you can bet,,, I will do anything he says if it means no throwing up! LOL He said that if I were to ever get some sort of sick stomach virus during the process,,, he would call me in some sort of meds to try and stop it,,,, COOL :-) Did you know before the surgery all the pros and cons? Meaning,,, did you know about the dime size bites,,, no drinking during your meal,,, drinking all the water,,, eating the protein first and so on? Did you do the puree meat week? I'm so looking forward to that! LOL The dietitian said it would be good to cook some meat,,, puree it and freeze it in ice cube trays before the surgery,,, that way, when it was time and I may or may not feel well,,, I would have it ready,,, could pop in the microwave and have a nice little tasty treat, lol:-) Well,,, we just came home from The Rainforest Cafe in which I DID eat some of the volcano desert,,, so I'm feeling that "Thanksgiving Full" right now. BUT,,, I'm so interested in any information you have for me regarding the days before surgery,,, 10 days of protein shakes,,, and the week following surgery. I feel that we have some of the same views on things,,, so your thoughts will help me prepare:-) Thanks for everything so far,,,, have a great Sunday!