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I had it. I was given the choice of 1 shot weekly for 3 weeks or I could have 1 "mega" shot. Stupid me, I thought 1 shot would be better (I mean who wants to get multiple shots when 1 will do). Well that was a bad decision. It was one of the most painful shots I have ever had. It brought tears to my eyes. The sad thing is I found no relief from the injection. I will say that my mom had the injections in both her knees and it worked for her. In fact, she was able to put off her total knee replacements for several years.

Yes, I was sick for 2 weeks. I even ran to Urgent Care, and my doctor was sure I had Montezuma's Revenge from the noises coming out of my belly. She tested me for every known bug, but I was fine. I was like that for 2 weeks with horrible "bathroom" issues. Horrible. Sunta, you had really bad vibes about surgery, so maybe you're just a little psychic! So far, your experience sounds just like mine, which was gross and miserable. I was a slowbie-newbie when it came to getting better, but I started feeling normal after 2 weeks.

I was banded on June 24th. I lost 6lbs and have started exercising 4 days a week. I have been using "my fitness pal" and eating no more than 1000 calories per day, however I have not lost anymore weight. I don't understand why with the low calorie and exercise I'm not losing. Any ideas?

Basically a stall is where you don't lose any weight at all for a while. Could be a week, could be several weeks, could even be a month. But usually it seems to be a week or so. Every body will have their own pattern. The trick is to be more diligent with keeping a food journal, eating your protein, drinking a lot of water, and getting exercise. And then, at some point, you automatically drop like 5 pounds! It can happen a lot. Whenever it does, just get refocused on what you are doing, stop weighing yourself so much and focus on following the plan and being healthy. And don't get down when you are at a stall. THough that is easier said than done!!!!

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have was watching my scale move, move, move and then Bam nothing! I work out 4 times a week at the gym and was getting really discouraged, but I was dropping pant, top and bra sizes so I was confused too. My trainer told me I was building up muscle and thats why I was losing the inches. I also was eating alot of soft foods (because they were safe) during that time. I started eating more protein based foods and boy did the scale start dropping. Keep up the good work! Classes/Pre-Surg/Current/Goal 316lbs/292lbs./247lbs./180ish

I'm guessing you did not gain 30 pounds of FAT in two weeks. I would reason to say that your body is probably holding on to extra water, or perhaps you weren't properly hydrated before and this would be your real weight at the right hydration. I could easily see a 5 or 10 gain, but 30? Do your clothes still fit?

I'm getting my surgery date next week. Last step us my final labs tomorrow. Dates in October I'm told. All the sudden I'm terrified, I heard of 1% and leaks, complications,....,im a single mom I cannot afford any complications! I can't even get life insurance let alone one that would pay for elective surgery complications:( I have read all the success stories but now I'm wondering if I should find the stories of people in the complications group? I don't know it will change my mind but maybe I'm not as prepared as I thought I was! I haven't heard anything bad in any of my support groups??

I am 6 weeks post op and I am feel so emotional all the time. I know this is a thing but I was wondering when some of you might have started to level off? This is actually causing my anxiety to come out. I have been going to therapy for over 3 years and that helps some. But frankly I’m just overwhelmed with everything! I’ll take all the advise I can get! Thank you! Jude

Oh my..... This is a long and very hard slog. I'm finally achieving weight loss but the band is waaaaaaaaay too tight. I realise now. I hiccup, burp, have reflux at night (sometimes vomit and can't make the bathroom.....awful) I have pain when I eat the smallest amount of well chewed food and I have a constant cough, day and night now. After my fill, 8 ish weeks ago, I had a bad few weeks. It settled down and now, it's so bad for me. I go back to the clinic on 22nd April. It would suit me to have the band emptied and removed. That's how bad I feel. Have I lost weight....sure I have. Who wouldn't on the amount I can get down. I can't wait to have the adjustment. I just want to drink a pint of water...... All at once and enjoy a light ham salad for a meal and maybe a protein shake or some meal replacement supplement. Please tell me that we can reach the green zone without all that I describe above. I'm exhausted with it.

I drank about 1/2 of a Dr. Pepper about 6 weeks post op. Didn't have any problems, but i drank it slow & found really didn't care for it anymore.

That's the exception and not the rule. The point of the band is to make you feel full after eating less food. Plain and simple. If you can change your lifestyle and stick to it, you don't need the band in the first place. My first two weeks after surgery I was eating just like I was before surgery, simply because I was completely open and not getting full.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Hi all! <o:p></o:p> I am not a frequent member of this forum all though I feel close to the members as we all have that common denominator to share. The idea of weight loss has changed immensely for me. This time last year when I first got the band I clocked in at 385 lbs and today I am down to 290 lb. Of course I am in debt to the band as it put me on track. This post is for the person who might be struggling with the total concept of what is really going on. <o:p></o:p> What has changed along the way for me and is bringing success is the knowledge that the band was just a tool and I said was because for 3 months I have had no fluid in my band. Yes no fills!!, a completely empty band. One Saturday evening I had a piece of salmon that got caught in the band and for 4 hours I was vomiting like a sailor on ship leave for the weekend!!! It was terrible and probably the worst experience one could imagine all though I am sure there are plenty of stories on this forum but after the doctor took out all the fluid which of course gave me immediate relief I knew at that moment that it would be the last time that I would have and episode like that ever. You see I never took responsibility for my eating habits growing up. I was and amature athlete and with all the calories I burned food never really was a problem until I married had 4 kids and a desk job. Well that changed everything as my weight ballooned. This experience with the band has put my on a journey that was responsible for me to research information which is knowledge. Let me explain. <o:p></o:p> For most the band is a last resort to over coming a chronic problem. I think for many what is going on is and imbalance of the metabolism. Getting your body back in balance will take more than a band. . It is a great beginning tool for people that need a starting point but in this posters opinion the band must be let go at such a point if long term success is the goal. Tightening the band and opening the band of varying degree’s to get a “sweet spot” is all well and good but it is not the long-term answer. The long term answer is speeding up your metabolism. Fine we all know that but exactly how, is the question. There are virtually hundreds of books on this subject. Some of which have value and some that don’t but I am not here to critique any method but to enlighten you to what has worked for me and what I believe to be the holy grail of health. <o:p></o:p> #1) Water is essential for weight loss and is at the top of the list because its properties by design speed up the metabolism. Water molecules get converted into energy and that energy will keep you metabolic rate higher. I suggest you drink water between meals as the water dilutes stomach acid which can have and effect on digestion. Cold water takes more energy to convert than water that is room temp. Cold is better if you can handle it. <o:p></o:p> 2) Eating small meals spaced out every 3 to 3 ½ hours approx 5 meals per day can not be over looked. The body is amazing in that if its not feed regularly the metabolism will slow down so feed your body so not to slow the process down. <o:p></o:p> 3) Chewing food and eating slowly is of course the heart and soul of the Band and The reason why the band is effective. Your body can only metabolize a certain amount of food at one time per meal and anything more will be stored. Ladies that means right in your hips! LOL!! For men well the over hanging gut comes to mind. <o:p></o:p> 4) Exercise : The bottom line here in my travels is walk at least 5x a week And build muscle mass 3x per week. My metabolism has sky rocketed because of the exercise and weight training and as a secret one should eat right directly after work outs. A small snack is fine. You want to keep your metabolism up and this will do that. <o:p></o:p> 5) What to eat? What I mean is the type of fuel that will burn and sustain energy!!! I am a firm believer in metabolic typing which is a individual approach to diet and health. This is not a one size fits all program. We all have individual finger prints and what one will eat can have very different effect on another. One mans food is another mans poison. Please go and get William Wolcott’s Metabolic Typing book which has been ongoing research since the 1930 !!! A whole bunch of scientists and doctors have been involved in the accumulation of this research of health.You will not believe how you will feel once you subscribe to this new shift in nutrition and diet. You will always struggle if you do not eat the right food for your type. Get the book!! <o:p></o:p> www.healthexcel.com<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> 6) Detoxify your body Use infrared electric heat sauna lamps that can be built for under $100. Put them in your bathroom and sweat out the toxins. Release the toxins out of your body through this amazing method. Toxins do interfere with weight loss as they put the body’s system out of balance. Not only is this treatment great for weight loss and putting your body back into balance but it’s a way to fight cancer and the potential for serious disease. Dr. Larry Wilson a 75 year old physician with a medical degree from MIT will astound you with his electric sauna and its benefits. Infrared Electric Suana’s have been researched by NASA as the only method of exercise and detoxification for astronauts taking long space flight. Yes this therapy gives you exercise benefits as well. www.drlwilson.com<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> In conclusion I would like to add that not having any fluid in my band has not altered my weight loss as I am losing about a 1 ½ lbs per week consistently. My metabolism is high and I don’t feel chained to the band. Of course not everyone is ready for this leap but remember at such a point you will have to let go and its something to think about. I wish everyone all the best in their quest to good health. I hope this information helps one person or more! <o:p></o:p> Artale <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>

This has been a very very stressful week. Oldest daughter who drove me crazy as a teen has left her husband and moved back into my house. She is already back to her old ways. Money missing from my purse leaving her baby and staying out to after 2 am etc... I have been under so much stress, the old me would have by now caved and been eating my feelings. Instead been pushing myself harder at the gym. I have found that its a great ME time and a great way to get rid of some of the stress. I did add a new charm to my bracelet and picked out my next one. Which will be wings ( my thing is wings even my tattoo is wings) so this will be a major symbol for me and it will be for my 50 lb mark.

My surgery was performed in a whirlwind. I didn't really have the time to research what to expect post op- short term or long term. Now 11 days later here are my reflections. My experience may be markedly different than yours. Hour 1-4 in PACU: Hell on earth. My pain is 8/10 at my "stab wounds" with nausea and repeated dry heaves. I am drugged up and groggy. I am also scared to absolute death that all of the dry heaving is going to rupture the staple line of my sleeve. I basically am refusing pain meds for fear of more vomiting. I feel like a portion of my stomach is in my throat, literally, just sitting in my esophagus creating a strange pressure. Hour 4-24 admitted: My pain and nausea gradually resolve after I request my nurses to bring my 2 Lortab (narcotic) and Zofran and/or Phenergan (anti-emetic) every 4 hours on the dot, not "as needed" as was ordered by my surgeon. I also had a Scopalamine patch for nausea that was continuous release. By 24 hours post surgery I was done with narcotics and anti-emetics and only needed Toradol (Ibuprofen) and had the Scopalamine patch for nausea. I cannot take even a small sip of anything yet. My stomach still feels as if it is in my esophagus. Hour 24 morning after: My IV fluids are stopped and I am wheel chaired down to my swallow test. It is one of the most awful experiences of my life. I have not yet swallowed anything, and this Fluid is disgusting. I can barely perform the test and of course I throw it back up. My stomach is in my esophagus. I am nauseated, and now I am hurting again. I cannot figure out why I have chosen this. Hour 36 discharged home. Walk from my room to the car. My pain is very manageable and nausea resolved again. Hour 36-72 at my folks house: I slept poorly but basically continuously. I could not arouse to watch TV or read. I was uncomfortable, but only required ibuprofen for pain and the Scopalmine patch for nausea. At 72 hours I take out/off the pain pump contraption that was sending a pain medication directly to the wounds via a very small catheter and remove the dressings. My stomach is in my esophagus. Hour 72-96 at home: I feel good. I still cannot figure out why I did this without more research. I force myself to be up and about, with some lounging in between. I go to the health food store to get my Vitamins and waste some money on Protein I won't like or use. My stomach is not in my esophagus any more. Hour 96 and beyond: I feel better and better. At 96 hours I cannot figure out why I need to be off work for 4 weeks. That seems very excessive. I can totally function. At day 10 I feel as though I NEVER HAD SURGERY. I feel normal and great, pain free, not nauseated, and my energy level is about the same as pre-op. Lessons I have learned: 1. It is 72 hours of hell folks. That's it. 72-96 hours. Anyone can do that. 2. This is dumb for anyone who already has researched this major surgery prior to having it, but I had not so here goes: you have 1/4-1/2 cup of space in that new tummy. You can fill it with some variety of high protein nutrient dense item, or just as easily with ice cream, jelly Beans or anything else. This surgery did not take away a single craving or desire. Each 2-3 hours that I put something in my sleeve, I have to make a choice. I didn't fully grasp the level of denial that I would experience, much like every diet I have tried in the past. I have denied myself many dozens of times through this Christmas season. It was hard, just like every diet I have embarked on. True, I do not have hunger pangs, but the desire to eat and eat poorly is ever present. 3. My surgeon has a totally different food schedule than every other surgeon in the U.S. and Mexico I guess. At day 6 he advanced me to chopped foods. Chopped chicken, tuna, hamburger, scrambled eggs etc. I am so grateful as I hate, hate, hate any artificial sweeteners and Stevia. That pretty much eliminates all Protein shakes. It also eliminates anything sweet for now because I know my head and tongue are just as addicted to sugar as they were 11 days ago. Part of me is reveling in the victories so far, and part of me is kind of missing the normalcy of dining with my family and eating what they are eating, having ice cream etc. 4. I am realizing more and more every day that this is a wonderful tool, but tenuous at best. I am fully aware that I could actually have this procedure and not lose weight or change my life, and it would be easy to have that outcome. This is indeed a lifestyle commitment and opportunity to change my life for the better, but it is fragile, and I really could blow it. My sleeve can tolerate anything I have thrown at it, no problem. I know that I could jam 3,000 kilocalories into this pouch tomorrow if I allowed it. 5. Just like previous times dieting, I have to have enough calories or I feel weak and out of sorts. The My doctor has not encouraged 400 calorie intake, but rather 1,100 plus. I am hovering around 1,000 most days since day 4 and feel good. On the days I was closer to 600 I felt very poorly. My protein intake is high, carbs and fat relatively low. I am eating 100% real food, no shakes. I hope that this helps someone.

@@Teagrrl - you are just like me! I have been working with my counselor on this over the last few weeks. What is helping me a little right now is reading about weight loss studies. The results are grim; only a small percentage of people are able to lose weight without surgery and keep it off for any length of time. This does two things for me: 1) it is helping me change my negative thoughts about myself. There are LOTS of people in my shoes who also can't lose weight on their own. And it's not because of a lack of willpower or that we don't know how to diet or because there is something wrong with our character. Our bodies are complex and, for reasons we don't understand yet, are incredibly resistant to weight loss. 2) it is reinforcing that I am making the right decision. I really, honestly want to solve this issue, and surgery is the smartest option. For me. I am scared. So scared I will fail. But I have to try. So that's where I'm at today. I'd love to hear about your journey as you go through your initial consults. Good luck!

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I've had some of those, am I going to be able to do it thoughts. Then I think, use my stubbornness.. I quit smoking cold turkey back in February because I want this.. So, I'm using the same determination now to follow this pre surgery diet I began a week ago.. I cheated.. I ate some spaghetti squash! Lmao.. That cracks me up.. Cuz I'm wrapping my head around these changes and now cheating to me is.. Eating squash!.. Sounds like you're a pretty determined strong person.. Look at it like a career you're going after you got this Munky

I got my band one week earlier than you. Most of my weight loss was the 2 weeks pre-op and the 2 weeks post-op. My doc said that the average is around 2 lbs per week once you are on solids!

I think it's common to have a big loss in the first week or wo since you are on liquids. I lost 16 in the first week. Once you move to solids it slows way down. Sorry.., but don't get too excited about the thought of lossing 10 pounds a week. LOL

Hey everyone.........I was banded on June 2nd and loving it so far!!! Since I started my diet two weeks prior to surgery until now, I have lost 30lbs! I have leveled off the last few days though since I am eating a little more solid type soft foods and exercising to put some muscle back that I lost at first. I get my first fill on 7/24/08 and am looking forward to it. If anyone has any suggestions for me to help me with my diet and the type of foods to eat between now and my first fill.............bring it on! I appreciate all suggestions!:tt1:

:biggrin0:Hi, I know it is different for everyone but how many ibs a week do you lose? Is there a certain amount that you should be losing or you must be doing something wrong?

I'm being kicked off my insurance because it's my mothers (I'm currently unemployed) and I'm turning 23 August 7th since I am turning 23 the age where insurance no longer covers (which we didnt know until yesterday) On December 31st I will be taken off. Before we were told as long as my mother could have me on her taxes and I lived with her there would be no problem but there is. So today I called the insurance and talked to the lady I always talked to, she said if we had the doctor's office fax all my past history that I had and weight loss to them that they could possibly shorten my 6 month diet to where it wasn't so close and down to the wire in December. Well they faxed the information and She called back said within a week I should know if it can be shortened. I sure hope it can I don't want to get this far and have to end this whole journey. Wish me luck. I sure hope something works out.:thumbup:

I hope so because my binging is just a brief impulse and i just stuff myself until i am full. me and food have a love hate thing. this is my second time losing 100s of pounds. the first time i developed bulimia and a diet pill problem. the only good thing about it is that a lot of the healthy eating habits from my smaller days never left me. i still dont like greasy stuff or white bread and most of he time i am good at controlling myself. but not when i am too happy or too low so my weight is always up and down. one week i eat too much the next i dont eat enough. i am bipolar with ptsd so i am all over the place and my wait has a big effect on my stability. that is what worries me about the surgery i hope i dont get too bored and stress out. i will feel much better when i know for sure the insurance will cover it, right now its at 95% sure. and i do have support in some sence but not really. i dropped most of my friends "i needed to their were no good" and i dont go anywhere"i am visualy impaired from albinism so i cant drive". my mom is supportive but she has no clue she was 95ibs after 2 kids then she had me and that changed. she has never had any addiction out side of work. she is such a goody goody.i have told too many people because it is seen as the easy way out and i dont want people to monitor everything i do. and that is my other worry will i be well enough for school in september? sorry for ranting i am the queen of TMI and i love to talk its the only thing that helps. thank you allfor helping

I would definitly add some exercise. It really makes a big difference. I did not have to do the pre-op diet and have lost 39 pounds so far. Sometimes i know i eat too much, but with going to the gym five times a week i am still losing. Donna

I'm so glad to have found this forum! I was banded 5/19/2007. I am going in for my fourth fill tomorrow. (First two fills essentially resulted in no saline in the band. With an initial fill of 2.0cc and a second fill of 4.0cc in a 9.75 Inamed band, I wound up with 0.6cc. My surgeon did a fluro, fill to 2.6cc and checked the following day. No leakage noted. I still feel restriction 7-8 weeks later.) I'm a bit discouraged since I've lost approximately 37 lbs total including the pre-op diet that I followed for 4 weeks prior to surgery. Most of the weight loss was during the pre-op and liquid phases following surgery. Mostly I'm working to maintain the loss and fluctuate around a 4-6 lb range. I have been tracking calories and trying to keep to around 1200 per day with 25% Protein, 25% fat (max), and 50% carbs. I haven't been exercising at all. (Beginning BMI was 52.) I've noticed that even though I am noticing restriction early in the day or at the beginning of a meal, once I am able to get things down I can eat quite a lot. I'm not sure what 'packing the pouch' is, but is that what I'm doing when I eat a sizable amount? It is weird because sometimes I am PBing, though that usually only happens now when I'm not paying attention to how much or how fast I'm eating and don't chew thoroughly. If I do PB, I stop eating and then drink warm liquids a few hours afterwards to sooth my stoma. From reading other posts, it looks like I need to (1) keep on top of fills to achieve good restriction, (2) track my food intake until I hit the 'sweet spot' and feel full, and (3) begin exercising. Does anyone out there have anything else they can suggest or recommend?

Hi Angela, First I want to wish you good luck tomorrow, we were all nervous the night before, not sure I even slept a wink that night just worrying about everything I thought there was to worry about. I don't care what hospital you go to, the nurses do their best to calm you down before surgery and the drugs take care of the rest. Before you know it you will be in recovery with another team of awesome nurses. The first few weeks I got to tell you as far as eating goes, you pretty much don't! You are on liquids and jello's and puddings and anything that slides down easy. I was banded on July 29th and I am in the mushy phase of the diet. It was heaven eating a scrambled egg. They just want to make sure you heal correctly before you start eating "normal" foods. I can tell you one thing, when I saw the scale going down instead of up for a change, I was excited and as long as I am not hungry I don't care that I was just drinking Protein shakes and broth and eating Jello and puddings. The gas wasn't too bad for me, some people are worse than others. Get some gas x strips to use, they really help. Keep walking and moving, the gas will go away. I have lost about a pound a day since I was banded, but I am sure once I start eating normal foods that loss will slow down....it is just amazing that a 1/2 cup of food now makes me full! This is the best thing I have ever done. Good luck tomorrow, don't worry, you are going to be fine.....and when you get home, just take one day at a time.......you will succeed.:tongue_smilie: Carol