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First off, I'm 64 years old, and had Lap band procedure coming up on 6 years. Prior to that, I was morbidly obese, diabetes, high BP, triglycerides, cholesterol, etc, etc, you name it, all out of control. Was seeing as many as 4 different Dr.'s all on a 4-month schedule. I was so out of shape I would become short of breath and need to rest doing the littlest things like carry groceries into the house. My PCP simply and straight forwardly stated that if I did not do something, specifically lose 50-80 lbs, I will not be around much longer. I should think about my family, etc, when I am gone. I told him, yet again, that I have tried every diet under the sun and was never able to keep it off. All diets started out good, but then I back slid and ultimately complete failure. I went for a stress test, and they found blockages in my arteries, which resulted in angioplasty with stents. It was then they discovered an area of my heart muscle was damaged which was a result of a Myocardial Infarction. They asked me when did I have a heart attack? I said never. They said Oh yes you did, a quite serious one...However it was silent which is very common for diabetics. Back to my PCP...suggested as a "Last Resort", I go for WLS. Which I did. WLS was 100% successful for me, once I got past the initial stages it became the easiest thing I could have ever done. Lost all my excess body fat, became a gym rat. I don't count calories or anything similar to traditional dieting. With the band I am forced to eat less so when I do eat I just make sure it is something as healthy as I can put together. Always focusing on the Protein. I indulge in things that are usually a hot topic here...point is, I'm not a glutton so a little here and then works just fine with me. Fast forward to a few days ago....went in for my scheduled Nuclear Stress test. Other people in the waiting room had O2 with them, were using walkers, etc...I came looking like I just came back from the gym knowing I would be running on their treadmill. Through every phase people would comment how good I looked and I surley worked out. One TECH wanted to know what my workout routine was. On the treadmill, where they take it to a high BPM (stress), they had me running at a good clip...I was also carrying on a normal conversation the whole time. Then they inject the isotobe and take pictures of your cardiac arteries First time I had one of these it didn't take more than a brisk walk, and I was so out of breath I could not speak. My cardiologist called me later and said I passed with flying colors..everything could not look any better...Perfect... This is what WLS did for me...literally saved my life. Turned around my Coronary Artery Disease, not to mention reversing my diabetes and everything else I was plagued with. I'm 64 years old and am the weight I was when I played football and ran track back in HS 45 years ago. I am at an optimal body fat %, (don't care about BMI's) cannot lose anymore because there is nothing left to lose. Wear normal clothes right off the rack, or order online without any worries, never short of breath, and I feel like I'm 30 years younger and can do anything. Last summer I climbed a volcano where the next oldest in the group was 1/2 my age, the rest younger...I led the pack most of the way up. I read posts on this forum all the time about people complaining about this and that, or having fears of failure only a year or less into it... People, PLEASE get over it....stop the whining!!! This thing DOES WORK...don't sweat the small stuff, focus on the big picture..like the rest of your life!!! Ok, off my soapbox. Thank You

I am having my first fill on Friday morning and I'm wondering if I have to fast that day? I was banded on September 8th and really excited about my first fill but I don't know if I can eat or drink anything the morning of my fill...another question, How soon can I be filled again? I heard you can have a fill every 2 weeks, is this true? I also heard that you won't feel much restriction until about the 3rd fill, is this true too? Just a bit curious to this new situation in my life. Thanks

I also thing this sounds gallbladdery. That was the most excruciating and indescribable pain I've experienced. My whole torso was in agony, I couldn't tell if it was my back or an organ in my abdomin. The the pain would be gone as fast as it came on.

Bitch slap is a perfect analogy for not doing the right thing with the band and getting stuck!!! I keep saying I am having a "user error", either I eat too fast or don't chew enough and I get that pain and have to throw it up. I am learning though.... :-)

I have aetna PPO and I just saw my pcp three months (mind you they were not consecutive ). But I saw her an extra month related to something else. I was approved first try and fairly fast. They Just wanted the basics, but my surgeon wanted more so it all worked out. And by the way, I didn't see a psych for my eval, I saw a social worker who evaluated me and it was sufficient. Only $100 and less than 30 minute meeting

The doctor can see the level of restriction, but that does not necessarily translate into a lasting level of restriction that you'll perceive as your sweet spot. Some people really do feel quite a bit from their first fill. A few find that it does the trick. But most seem to feel very little difference from the first fill. There is a difference--but our pouches still empty too fast for us to really notice a difference in our hunger levels. This usually tapers down over a few fills. Fluoro or not. My doctor does use fluoro for all fills. I had my third about 10 days ago--and do feel restriction now. It's starting to dissipate a bit, though, so I suspect Fill #4 will be necessary. It's worth the wait :thumbup: Hang in there!

I'd call my office if they were open on Monday. Oh well, I guess I'll just fast in the morning and see what happens. I'd rather not eat or drink and have been able to then to eat and drink and shouldn't have. Thanks!!!

hope you recover fast!

So my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, right?! Well I have pulled a muscle in my neck/back. I did it in my sleep and it woke me up it hurt so bad. I have been in severe pain all day. I called my weight loss surgery nurse and she said it would be okay to take Tylenol. She said if I was in too much pain that they could postpone my surgery. I said NO WAY!!!!!!!! She just laughed and said she understood. I don't care if my husband has to carry me in there, I AM going to that hospital on Wednesday and I AM getting my band!!!!!!! So my new heating pad that I got for post op is getting broken in early!! :-) Good luck to my fellow Wednesday banders!! Here's hoping we have a fast and easy recovery!!!

I have a few questions guys. How many calories do you eat daily? I've only been eating about 800 a day and I've stopped losing again. Should I up my calories a little to see if that would help? The last diet I did was Weight Watchers about a year ago. I consumed 1200 calories a day and lost 2 pounds a week every week. What kind of meats do you buy? I bought lean ground beef, lean pork, boneless skinless chicken breast, etc but I'm finding those cuts cook up drier and can be hard to get down. Since I'm not able to eat much anyway should I buy fattier cuts so they will be more tender? Also I'm always thirsty and I can still drink a glass of Water pretty fast with no issues but my bariatric coach says I should only sip and not take big drinks. Why is that?? Thanks!!

Follow up with your dr. Walk. Keep up with the fluids and protein. Don't try to do too much too fast. Remember this is "our" time. You will never be in the same place again so enjoy each step of the process.

In terms of the 'liquid fast', I assume that you'll be doing some protein suppliments or is it a 'clear liquid' fast? I am in Optifast for 2 weeks followed by 2 days of clear liquids. After the first few days, I can honestly say I am not hungry, though my head tells me otherwise when I see food commercials on TV. But, shoot, If I Can YOIU can!

4/16/2010 I had my sleeve done on 9/15/09 and suffered with unrelenting anxiety post surgery. Prior to surgery I was never clinically depressed only took anxiety medication once for an acute bout w/anxiety during a doctor supervised WL regimen that required me to take handfuls of vitamins and phentermine. I lost 76 lbs but put it all back on and then some about 5 years later. After having the sleeve surgery I was so full of anxiety that I needed to get help. I was on the phone and on these message boards crying out for help. My PCP was very supportive and met with me often. Straight away she convinced me that it was OK to take an anti-anxiety medication while healing and that it might help me to get in the much needed nutrition. I tried xanax for about 2 weeks and although it helped me to feel better-- relaxed enough to get in bits of nutrition...when it wore off my anxiety grew even higher. My medication was changed to Klonopin .5mg and with such a low dose it was long lasting and helpful. I started therapy with the psychologist who has a practice and also works with my surgeon. I still had trouble eating even drinking, I'd a aversion, even repulsion towards food. My PCP had recorded one of my symptoms after WLS as "anorexia". I went to 2 psychiatrists, tried 2 anti-depressants, Welbutrin and Zoloft--both trials didn't last more than 5 days--I literally couldn't eat anything, they only increased my repulsion and anxiety. The second psychiatrist was better-I started at a low dose of an SNRI Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (since the SSRI"s increased my anxiety and aversion to food). The name of the drug is Remeron (generic version-Mirtazapine), 30mgs taken daily at night before bed...Bingo! It worked. I found out about Remeron through this message board...(if you go back and read through my early posts you may find it.) A couple of people on this message board mentioned Remeron but didn't like it because of the side effect of an increase in appetite. When I saw that I figured it could be helpful to me since I had no appetite and fear of eating. My psychiatrist confirmed this for me and started me at a low dose of 15 mg for the first week then upped the dose to 30...I had no weird side effects, just a little groggy at first in the morning. What did happen was that finally I wanted to eat. I desired foods, (not everything) but it was so much better. I was able to eat and had to remember to eat slowly and chew well. Fast forward to this week and I've stopped taking the Remeron, (I do not want to be dependant on any medication indefinately). I notice a minor decrease in my appetite but I am able to eat enough to keep myself healthy. It's been 8 days since I stopped and I am alright so far. I still take a .5 dose of Klonopin as needed for anxiety--that usually amounts to 1 a day whenever the anxiety gets too high. During this whole process of adjustment, I've I gotten myself in a 12 step support group called Overeaters Anonymous. The imposed weight loss compelled me to see I had issues with food and eating that had to be addressed so like a tortoise without its shell, I'm ready to deal with some underlying issues that created my compulsive eating habits etc. For me, I need to fix the inside as well as the outside in order to function well with the dramatic changes from this surgery. I'm 7 months out, 5'7", 158 lbs (25 lbs to goal) and wearing a size 10-12. It honestly feels good to have so much weight off but I still am not at peace with the forced changes in my eating capacity. I pray that will soon come. 4/18/2010 A big part of my anxiety is generated from discomfort in eating. I have lost most of my excess weight and it does feel healthier to not feel that heaviness on my body, although I am just now noticing that in some places I still have pain (like my right hip), which I had thought might be due to all the belly,hip, and rear-end fat I was carrying. There is a definite improvement in my knees, feet, and general mobility. On the down side, I feel I am more vulnerable and must guard myself against any outside illness/infection etc. I'm uncomfortably cautious of what I eat for fear of any food born illness-UGH. I just feel like I can't afford to be sick since my consumption for nutrition is now limited and stomach so small. I'm yet uneasy about the way food feels much of the time when eating. With the exception of soft stuff, I still have to stand often (helps the food move down) and/or stop and wait 10 minutes or so before resuming even a 3 or 4 oz portion of some denser protein like meats and sometimes even fish. This is something that causes me anxiety. I just get scared and wonder if there could be something wrong--Seven months out and I still don't drink plain (even the best filtered/alkaline), water. Water weighs too heavy on my sleeve so I drink Vitamin Water and dilute it with good water--I don't know why but it works. To sum it up I think I am happy that I went ahead with this surgery. I hope that in the final analysis I will truly be healthier and feel peace in that. For now there is always that nagging doubt and "what if" feeling and with every unusual sensation I worry.:cursing:

Kicking this back up, because I would like to hear about this too. I think a lot of it has to to do with nature -- what your skin resiliency is, and then how fast we lose weight, how much we have to lose, how much muscle we build, all comes into it, doesn't it? I'm expecting a lot of hanging skin, unfortunately

Yes he does, and not only is it packed with healthy oils, its got so many great nutrients and Fiber. I actually do eat a small palmful (about 10) of almonds about every 2-3 days. I get full on them very fast though and I have to chew them up to smithereens... LOL Oh yeah and it will be nice to have the old Chatroom back!! Fa'Sho!!

If that doesn't workout for you....check out Pocket Fuel. All natural energy gels that are based on nut butters, not sugar. They are kinda like flavored peanut butter. Very tasty and will not give you an insulin spike the way other gels will. I've ordered some online and they came pretty fast. For a long century ride they are a good alternative.

This is exactly what I do. I don't get out a cup when I eat and I am fine. You will be so surprised at how fast this will become a habit. My husband will forget sometimes and asks me what I want to drink with my meal. I just look at him like he's crazy and then he remembers

O.k. today was day 14 post op and I really haven't had many problems. I have a surgeon who moves you along extremely fast. Liquids for 2 days, mushies for 1 and then solids as tolerated. From what I have read most surgeons don't do that. Everything has gone well, but today both breakfast and lunch did not go down well. Both time were things I had eaten before, but they felt like they got stuck and I really had to try and not throw up. Any insight?

It is so nice!!!! Great idea, that will be perfect, crunch and spice while passing all the fast food. I never noticed how much of that is stationed around walmart.

I can't praise the powers of Sam's Club enough when it comes to shakes. My fave shakes are the Atkins- but to save money I use the Slim Fast. My doctor sells New whey drinks, which have like, 42g of Protein. A powerful punch! I try not to worry about protein too much once I got out of the liquid stage. I'm pretty good about drinking a shake, eating tune or chicken regularly.

I'm a week and half post op and I had the same problem of not feeling "Full" when I was on all liquids too. I just followed my Dr's. plan of drinking a bottle of water (8oz) every 2hrs from 8am-8pm. (Extending the gap to 3hrs the last 3hrs) I'm now on full liquids/soft foods (mashed potatoes, pudding etc.) and I'm still having issues of not feeling full. I actually tried mashed potatoes for the first time tonight and stopped after about 5-6 spoonfuls. I still didn't get the full sensation, but stopped because I became nauseated. I'm assuming I was eating too fast as I have eaten a spoonful or two more as I'm typing this entry. Is anyone else having this issue?

that pressure means you may have eaten to fast .. it feels like it got stuck correct? last maybe an hour or so?? That is what it sounds like to me..

Maybe I was eating too fast lol boy sure seems like I'm going slow but I will slow it down even more. I strained all the potato lumps out of this soup so there was nothing to chew but it was pretty thick. Coming from having a lap band, it didn't feel stuck the way that food did then. That was a definite I'm stuck. Can't swallow. Can't talk. Mouth filling up. Omg. Panic lol this was just a pressure pain in my chest just under the bra. It's passed now though but I don't want anymore soup lol

Looked at your profile and you were sleeved in Jan of this year? You are far enough out that you shouldn't have a problem but I would highly recommend you try something small at home first such as a few sips of wine. Since you are just turning 21 I am assuming you don't have much alcohol experience? It will likely hit you fast you don't know how your body will react. Stay away from anything with lots of sugars such as premixed margaritas and the likes, they may go right through you and that could be embarrassing. Happy 21st! Be safe and you know the drill about drinking and driving. Sorry, it's the mom in me. Can't help it.

I know exactly how you feel!!!!! I was ready to roll and my lab work came back that I had H pylori. Stupid bacteria. At least iron pills are itty bitty. I had to take 3 horse pill antibiotics and a prilosec in the morning and at night. Trust me, the two months will go by fast. I got my band two weeks ago and Im still wondering where the time went.