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I am 10 days post op and it was practically painless for me! When I first looked into weight loss surgery I refused to do the RNY it was to dangerous sounding and did not want the lap band because I did not want a foreign object left in me. The doctors than told me about the sleeve, I prayed and God showed me this was so right for me because I had to do something. You see I have been overweight since birth, so I was not like some who have been skinny in the past and now were trying to get back to that. I remember weighing 180 in junior high so I never really felt my weight until I turned 40 and my knees started to ache, back, etc. This is one of the best decisions Ive made to date! You can do it! Ill support you thru it, hey we can support one another because I know I have some bumpy days ahead as well! God Bless

I thought this would be easier. Somehow I thought the weight would just fall off. I am restricted but their is much work to do. My end of the bargain so to speak. I was travelling away from home and thought I could eat some scrambled eggs and sausage from McDonald's, NOPE! Came right up on the 5th bite. Yuck! I won't be eating that again. Planning is key with this new lifestyle, you have to plan what you will be eating or else. I also have to get moving at the gym. Its hard because I am tired most days. I will get moving today though.:tongue:

HI all. I was banded 11/07, and I've lost 88 pounds to date. My last fill, Oct08, took me from 4.5cc to 5.5cc and was finally giving me decent restriction. I noticed recently that i felt a little tighter than usual on my "tight days", and I started to PB a bit, which had only been a very occasional problem. I tried to chew better, slower, be very careful, etc. Last week it got worse, could only drink Water, and very little at that, and went to Doctor yesterday. He took out 1cc and ordered a barium swallow. I could gulp down the cup of water immediately after the unfill (that was impossible prior), which he said is a good sign, but I may have a slip. I am pretty close to my goal weight, but I want the band to continue to work for me. Anyone have ideas or similar experience? And, also, has the unfill technique worked to fix the slip for you? Any ideas would be appreciated. Melanie

Thank you all for answering my question about the chiropractor, I feel much better knowing that I can still get my adjustments when needed. I will probably wait 6 weeks like most of you have indicated and with any luck some weight loss will help the situation. I hope to be a bandster soon :tongue2:

BB, it's not so bad. You just have to commit to liquids only, and get on with it. It helps to know WHY you're on a liquid diet. Two reasons, basically: 1. When you eat solid food, your stomach gets stretched. If you're a hefty fellow, chances are you've been eating solid food for some years now, and your stomach is big and dilated. A few days on liquid diet will mean your stomach has time to get used to holding smaller volumes; it'll probably get a bit smaller before the surgery, making things a bit easier. 2. More importantly, the body stores a lot of fat in the liver, making the liver swell up in size. Since the liver sits on top of the stomach, the bigger the liver is, the harder it is to do the surgery: you want to make things as easy as possible for the surgeon, because that means less work for him, and less discomfort afterwards for you. Worse, a fatty, swollen liver is also more fragile and can be damaged during surgery. Finally, one of the fastest periods of weight loss is while we're on the liquid diet - you'll jumpstart your weight loss, and get a sense of how it feels to lose weight quickly. So, I guess, three reasons. Suddenly switching to liquids is a bit of a shock to the system - you may have hunger pangs, but if you do, just tell yourself that that feeling means your body is burning off fat. Good luck with your diet - come back and post often! You're among friends here.

Ashlee, I also have Humana. (KY) When I orig. submitted my info for approval, info on the lapband was just beginning to surface. I am assuming with the focus on diabeties, besity and childhood obesity in the US, then medical news reports documenting that weight loss surgery such as lapband is working, the insurance companys are finally getting with the program. With that said, I was in the process for a long time. Submit your info, jump through your hoops, and DO NOT GIVE UP. I have read on this forum where some Humana clients were approved withing 6 weeks and some may take longer. I was finally approved in December and now I am waiting for my surgeron to see me and set up a date. Anything worth having.......... PA

I was getting adjustments every 5-6 weeks pre-surgery. I am approaching 4 weeks post-op, and haven't had an adjustment yet, just due to my port area still being a little tender. I think I am going to wait another 2 weeks, and start up with my adjustments at 6 weeks post-op. BTW - since my surgery I have lost 18 pounds, and feel the strain on my neck and lower back has slightly improved. I wonder if it could be from the weight loss?

:biggrin: WOW I can't believe that I have not posted any blogs since 11/1 07!!!!!!:sleep: I guess that I was embarrassed to post anything becaiuse I was not focused on my eating plan. I have FINALLY kicked but, I have gained and lost since the seminar on 10/31/07. I ws my worst enemy. I was giving myself my own rewards. Last suppers or last treats. I was psyching myself out. I have had enough fast foof meals, french fries, candy and chocolate to last several lifetimes. It was me that had to STOP that and realize that I don't need to do that. This was going to be different!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every diet previously was started with last something... It was until I realized that I don't need to do that this time is when I got it together! Good for me Thinking like that has paid off and brought me to this point. Tomorrow I finally see the surgeon!!!I am back down to 243. 2 lbs away from my required surgery weight. That was the hardest few pounds to lose. It was such a head game. WOW I can't wait to have the surgeon plan a date for me. The coordinators at his ofc say that it probably should be in a week or so due to my Medicare insurance. Yeah for Medicare. They are finally doing something good!!! I hope that everything goes well tomorrow. I will post the results tomorrow night!! :cool2:

113lbs. Per the average weight loss with the band you are doing just fine. Keep pushing along and you're sure to see more success. Is your knee that injured that walking is off limits? If not, walk! Not all exercise has to be strenuous. Good luck and you're doing great!

Would have loved if my weight came off around my Belly first, I carry most of my weight there but mine seemed to come on in face, boobs, and legs then arms and very last belly...you look great!

I have ended up doing liquids for a few days after my last few fills. I had swelling that made me very tight. You want to make sure your not vomiting, as that makes swelling worse. I wouldn't reccomend doing it to increase weight loss. You want to be developing good eating habits that will stay with you through the journey. Good luck!

I am 1 year and 3 months out and am wondering is it normal for the pouch to stretch and how much should I be able to eat at this point. I feel like I can eat more but should i? Also, is there a picture to see what our stomach (pouch) looks like now. How usual is it that the stomach would stretch to a very large size and is that what causes weight gain and if not what causes weight gain after surgery. Thanks, Irelandgrl

Congrats oatmealgirl! Keep up the good work! I love your analogy. That's a good way to think of the sleeve. I have pushed mine too far sometimes and have done a little sliming/vomiting but I'm getting to know what it likes and doesn't like. You're going to be at your 80lb weight loss in no time!!!

When we build muscle mass, muscles tear, and need Water to repair and rebuild. It's water weight, you'll start losing inches so take measurements if you haven't already. Measure: Neck Chest Waist Upper Arm Hips Upper thigh Calf If you insist on weighing (I was a scale whore so no judgment from me at all), take measurements every couple of weeks as well. A pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle. The big difference is volume. Fat is bumpy, lumpy and takes up a lot of space, muscle is lean, thin, and isn't bumpy therefore taking up less space in the body and you'll lose inches sometimes, but you won't actual pounds. It is NOT physically possible to put on 2lbs of fat in 3 days. . . No way, no how especially during the losing, low calorie, high Protein phase. It's just not going to happen.

I am almost two years post op. Everything has been great! I met my goal weight at 8 months post op. Ive maintained the weight. I haven't had any serious problems post op. 3 days ago I got the feeling of something being stuck in my throat and under the left side of my rib cage. I have constant dull stomach ache. When I eat or drink it gets much worse. It's got me a little more concerned since it's not letting up. So my question is should I contact my PCP or my weight loss dr?

Same here....went in for my third fill today. For the first time in my life my doctor told me I am not eating enough! Sounds crazy huh? They told me I am not getting enough carbs. I am also working out 4 times a wk. Hope to have more weight loss at next visit in 4 wks. I got a 2cc fill today.

If my boobs get bigger than my tummy I am 2 seconds from being anorexic. With the weight I am a 38C! I know I am going to say bye bye to them real soon! Hope to go no lower than a 36B! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

On 2nd day and am doing ok! Was a little difficult yesterday but a lot better today! Only problem I had was the constant running to the bathroom to tinkle most of the night. When I got up I weighed myself and had actually lost 3.5lbs (I know it's water weight but I'll take)! Can't wait for the next 13 days to end!

Hi, welcome to LBT! First of all, I must warn you----if you get 10 responses, they are likely to all be different as to what each person can tolerate, or what they choose to eat! This is very individual in how it affects you. Along with that, some of the things you hear you will not be able to eat--will sound very drastic---but in the end your tastes end up changing and it is not any longer something you crave. That is a hard thing to describe, and I remember it was even harder to believe when I was pre op!! Can you eat anything after? Any trouble with lettuce, popcorn, or meat? As you know I am sure, you will be on a fairly strict post op diet for probably at least a couple of weeks. This is to give your stomach a chance to heal, and the band a chance to set into place properly. So I will answer this question, assuming that you meant after you heal and get moved on to a regular diet. Personally I can eat anything. Some I can eat much easier than others! I eat a lot of salad, without issue----I have to be more careful with spinach leaves, they are harder for me to chew well, and chewing is key with any of it. Especially meat---you MUST have small bites chewed well, so it will fit through the small opening after you acheive restriction through fills. I eat popcorn--I do best with it when it is very fresh, and crisp----if it is at all stale, it tends to mash as opposed to chew up. Pasta and bread are the hardest for me, I have to eat them slowly, and with other items, and I can only fit a small amount in, they seem to swell after you eat them. But as I said above---over time my desire for either of these things has seriously dwindled. They are no longer my favorites. Do you have a lot of excess skin after? I had excess skin. Not everywhere so badly. My butt and legs did ok. But even when I had lost most of my weight, I still had excess fat and skin in my belly, that just would not budge! I had a Tummy Tuck 2 months ago. I do have upper arms that I am not in love with--but I can deal with them!! I began the process in a size 22/24, and am now in an 8/10. Even excess skin, to me was better than having the skin full of fat underneath it!! Insurance covered my TT so I went for it! Would you do it all over again? In a heartbeat!!! My biggest wish is that it had been available to me years ago! I would not hesitate to take my own daughter or mother if they were to need WLS. It gave me my life back, and control back in that life. Do you regret it? I regret that I let myself get to the point I was of needing WLS. But I regret nothing about the surgery. Any additional info is greatly appreciated. Thank you The band will not lose the weight for you, but it will make it possible for you to lose it. It is something you will have to make a decision to work with it, and work with your Dr. to find a good level of restriction. But it allows you to live a totally normal life, and with the help of the band, you can learn to eat healthy, and discover normal portion size. There are times it is seriously hard work---but it is well worth it!!! Kat

Sultana ~ I can totally understand what you are saying. I will be banded on November 25th and there are a lot of things that are running through my mind........a lot of what - if's. But then I think of all the diets that I have tried and failed and then I realize by being banded I have nothing to loose trying this......but weight. For every one person that you hear that isn't loosing weight there are 5 more that are. Granted, the weight loss is slow but I would rather loose it slow and HEALTHY then to do it fast and become sick. I am 5'5 and weight 303 and if I loose 5 pounds in a month then that is 5 lbs that I don't have and are gone forever!!! As long as you follow the rules you too will loose weight!!! Don't worry about that part cause it WILL work for you. But if you aren't sure of it then I would say (and this is my opinion) don't do it until YOU feel confident in your decision.

Greetings to All, I am scheduled to be banded on Dec. 29 in NYC with Dr. Kurian. I have been doing much research and I have been on-line with MA Bandsters. Some of the people there have been so kind and helpful, but I feel like an outsider because they all seem to be in a clique in the Baltimore/Virginia area, and the postings are few. I am so excited to have found a new site where I might share with others. In these two months before my banding I am feeling doubtful. I am worried that I will not lose weight, and whenever I read about the odd case here or there about someone who did not lose weight, I get scared all over! So, I guess I need some assurance that I will be able to lose some of my excess 314 (5' 8") pounds. I have read so many of the messages here that I feel like I already know some of you. Sultana

I just learned today that Unicare HMO has approved me! Last week, they sent a letter asking for documentation of 5 years of morbid obesity (no problem...) plus 18 months of supervised diet. This last is a problem, as they'd told me that I needed 12. I sent them a list of my bmi's taken from my doctor's records showing a 40 pound gain in 8 years (boo!) with the particular weight loss strategy in use at the time, and my sleep study report showing severe sleep apnea. And today they called to say I'm approved! :clap2: :omg: :biggrin1: My surgery was originally scheduled for yesterday, so I'm not sure when they'll do it. The sleep apnea poses a new complication...But at least I'm on my way.

My insurance does cover weight loss surgery, My insurance is state employee insurance. I have not heard any good stories for Humana on Lapbandtalk and am realy worried.:car:

Thanks! my surgery was for april 18th but now i have to have a repeat egd on may 25th so i will have to wait till after that...taking the extra month to get a head start on my weight loss! might as well turn something neg to something positive

I was approved after 2 days...YOU CAN NOT SEND IN TOO MUCH INFORMATION. My BMI was under 40 as well. I did have multiple comobidities. I got letters from my OBGYN, peditrist, pcp and i even wrote one heartfelt letter from me. I kept everything I ate for 6 months and I did loose weight, but not that much. K