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For two weeks before my pre op diet started I ate all my favorites, and I didn't feel guilty. I knew once the pre-op started I would be a good girl! and damnit if I wasnt picture perfect. I have a multitude of medical malfunctions as well and was on 20 pills daily, day 1 out of the hospital and I am donw to 10. Once they do additional blood work on the 12th, was sleeved on the 27th, I'll know what else can be stopped as well. Even if you are not required to do a pre-op diet you might want to do one anyway to make it easier on yourself and your docs when the go in. Good luck!

I'm mom to four. My oldest is 17 and my youngest is 10. I really want to be around long enough to see my future grandkids! I want to be able to do everything I can with the family and be more invested in their lives. Wls is for me but they have been my motivating factor! My entire family is very fit. All of the kids play competitive sports. The older two are in incredible shape and swim, run, and life weights. They coach me in the gym. All 4 keep me honest. They have been with me every single step of the journey from when I first started thinking about this 5 years ago. When I was four days post op and had my "what have I done??'!!" moment, they were there. They all exercise with me and they have all learned to cook low carb dinners . The biggest change has probably been with my teenage daughter. She's seen not only the difficult decision I made but the work it took to get here. She sees a strong mom who took steps to get healthy. It deepened our already strong relationship in many ways! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

In general....you'll want to do resistance training (lifting weights) in addition to a few sessions of cardio each week. Usually the best types of resistance training are compound lifts with free weights, kettlebells or some body weight lifts once you progress. There are SOME machines that are beneficial and actually may be a good way to ease into it, learn your technique, then progress to more difficult / technical lifts as you will eventually stop progressing with many machines. Usually you'll want to aim for 2-3 sets of each lift starting out, with about 6-10 reps each set....depending on the lift. You'll probably be fine starting out with two lifting sessions a week (one upper body, one lower body), then several months down the road you may want to go up to 3-4 lifting sessions a week. Make sure to get lean Protein and some complex carbs (veggies, oats, etc). High protein and low carb is fine for maintaining strength and muscle while lifting, but to build it, you need some carbs. How many carbs depends on your personal sensitivity to them. Wish you the best and keep us posted on your progress!

It's been about 10 hours since I've been having discomfort in my legs. I'm talking about upper an lower legs. And I don't know how else to explain it but discomfort. It's as if they wanted to cramp up, but also feeling very heavy. :-( I'm having a hard time. I can't even explain it well. Anyone have had anything similar? It might not have anything to do with the surgery since I'm 5 months out, but I thought I'd ask anyway....

Hi Debbie, Thank you! I am doing a lot better still having this burping issue :smile: I just what I need to do is move around more but I found if I do to much I start to have lot of pain. I guess my body still need time to heal. Yes the nutritionist did give me a list of things I can buy. It's still drives me crazy having to look at the lables on food. Something I never use to do before. I'm still on full liquids I've got another 10 days to go then it's soft food. How long ago did you have your surgery? How did you with soft foods?

I totally understand the feeling like a failure. In 2001-02, I lost about 100 pounds all on my own. I dieted, excercised and just totally changed my lifestyle. I met my now husband in November 2002, and in the course of dating and getting married, I put about 20 pounds back on. Then came the babies...two of them in a span of 21 months. I put on 50 pounds with them and was very close to being back where I was when I initially started dieting in 01. I thought to myself, well I did it before on my own, and I can do it again. Well, it did not happen that way. I would lost 20 pounds and then put 10 of it back on. I did NutriSystem, Weight Watchers, and even did a medical weight loss program that used drugs. Nothing helped me. I used to look at all WLS as the "easy" way out, but after having a nervous breakdown in my dr's office over the fact that I just couldn't lose the weight, I relized that this was something I needed to look into. I am so glad I did, as I am down 43 pounds and so much happier with myself and in turn, I feel like I am a better mom and wife. Good luck to you!!

I’m only down 19 pounds. I’m starting to get worried. Is anyone else in the same boat??

My BMI was over 60 at my highest, down almost 75 lbs now (half before surgery, half afterwards) and I am about 10 weeks out. The mantras on here about Water, Protein and exercise are true for me thus far! Thanks for this topic, it is encouraging and inspiring to hear about others' experiences.

I would be doing cartwheels if I could loose 10-25 in a month...lol I get excited over a 1 pound weight loss.

Hello all! I am having lapband surgery tomorrow morning and am scared, worried and unsure :rolleyes2:. I am terrified of surgery (scared I wont wake up & when I do how much pain there will be). I am worried that I wont lose the weight and be a failure statistic, and unsure that I am making the best decision for my weight loss. I have thought about weight loss surgery for the past 10 years, since my mom got gastric bypass. I have always been the "skinny one" in my family at 5'2" and 214. My mom, sister, aunt & cousin have all had gastric and have had success and are happy with their decision to have surgery. I know I WANT this but scared about all of the "what if's". I am private pay and worry too about additional need for surgery to correct problems. I guess I am just looking to connect with lapbanders, perhaps even in PA where I am from, to help me through the jitters. My Doc's office has a lapband support group but because of my work & school schedule I have been unable to attend. Thanks to everyone for your posts! They truely have been an excellent way for me to stay informed and feel positive.

Hello Gang its me Hottie!!! Well yesterday 6/24/09 I met with the nutrition Lady ( she was real nice and helpful) I start my Liquid diet July 5 and then July 19 Clear liquid since I have surgery July 20!!! I have never felt so crazy before in my life to be so excited about something but at the same time be so nervous:blink:..Crazy uh...Anyways I am noticing the hospitals will be full all over with Lap band patients....We are taking our lives back from Fat!!! woohoo:thumbup:.Good luck and congrat to all of you guys.. Hopefully soon I will learn how to post pictures of myself and add the signature... God Bless you all. Hottie :bored:

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Yep that is what I weighed in at this morning. I know I told you I wasn't going to weigh in until Tuesday but I was so excited, I had to do it today. I ate so good yesterday and I knew food wouldn't be an issue for me since all I had was a cup of olives, 7 hot wings, and 2 crackers with spread ( it was so good). I can't believe I am under 226. It has taken me a month to get under 226. I am so happy. I just know this month I will be able to get under 220 by the time I go to the doctor for my next fill on July 13th. Ha ha I know I can do it. I am taking a piece of eggplant parm for lunch and I'll have s/f oatmeal for breakfast. I'm going to try and have something to eat for breakfast instead of just a protein shake hoping that will make a difference. We also went swimming at the gym yesterday and I swam for 40 min so that helped. We are going to go tonight. I'll come home from work and walk the dogs and then go swim. It is nice because it gives me a chance to relax and take time to let everything go from the day. I really can't wait to go to work today. I just want this week to be over fast and hopefully we will be slow. Today is the end of the sales goals period and then tomorrow we start another month and new goals. I hit all mine this period so I'm not worried about getting a write up or a coaching so that takes a load off my mind. My husband is just wonderful, we spent yesterday together and did some shopping, went by the bank, got gas, and then to the gym. To end the day we went to Sonic where I got a diet cherry limeaid...my favorite. It keeps me so full and takes me a while to drink it. Oh and we also went by the book store to get Shrink Yourself about emotional eating and it has some good information in it. Like being powerless when it comes to eating and that is why we can't say no. It is something that I will finish and tell you about. Hoping that it will help me not gorge my self at night. That is the worse time for me. I have to cook some Chicken Pot Pie on my Cafe World in 10 minutes. I love Cafe World and I like the way my cafe looks. At first I had everything in pink and then change to the pyramid theme. It gives me something to do in the mornings. Instead of eating I sit here and listen to Sirius and do my cafe and write on here. Next month I have to start looking for shows to go see in Vegas. I want to go to a topless show because I have never been to one but my husband doesn't want to go. He says he has seen enough boobs in his life so he doesn't need to spend money seeing more. I can appreciate that but I have never been to one so I wanted to go so maybe I will go alone. I don't know what it is about seeing medically enhanced boobs but I just have never been to a show where there is dancing and singing with the fancy costumes before. Maybe he will come around. If not I love him for not wanting to go. It probably will just make me feel inadequate. I do want to get a boob job after I lose the weight because I had a breast reduction in 1999 and went from a DD to a large B and now they are C's. I want to go back to having perky tits like when I was 14. I have never had perky tits since then because they grew too big too fast and just hung down. I can remember how big they got when I had my daughter, boy they were big. And then they went back to being DD's. Robert says mine are perky now but I want them to be full and stand out but he says mine are perfect. I'm trying to grow my hair long because I have never had really long hair, just to my shoulders and I want to be able to pull it into a ponytail for vacation since it will be hot out there. I have 10 weeks to lose 25 lbs. It is doable but will take extra hard attention to my eating and exercise routine to get enough calories burned to lose the weight. That's 2.5 lbs a week. It will be hard but I know I can atleast lose 15 lbs if anything. I want to get to 223 by next Monday so I will work hard to reach this goal. I don't think it is out of my reach so I know I can do it. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Take care and have a good day.

Adding my name - Soco 9/01/09 Amandakrangel 9/1/09 Coloradomom (Gen) 9/1/09 ms_Hart37 9/1/09 mosean6278 09/01/09 katklaws 09/01/09 SmilinShel (Michelle) 09/01/09 Comet321 (Chris) 9/1/09 ivy76 9/02/09 Jenno 9/02/09 $occer mom 9/3/09 Jmtmb (JoLynne ) 9/4/09 JLDChester(Jamie)9/4/09 Cortney75 (Cortney) 9/4/09 Nailpro00 (Diana) 9/4/09 tzn (Karena) 9/8/09 mrsyellis (yohontas)9/08/09 Jules 09/09/09 Soldiersgem(ginna) 9/9/09 pr8453(Pam) 9/9/09 bradybrat 09/09/09 Ready4a2ndchance 9/09/09 travel (Anita) 09/09/09 kittkat2009 09/10/09 Hmarko (helen) 9/11/09 stardustic 9/11/09 BrentinLA 9/14/09 Queen Bee 9/14/09 amwash23 9/14/09 romain123 9/14/09 Nawlinzlady (Dee) 9/15/09 Anni80 (annie) 9/15/09 Lula 9/15/09 kimr 9/15/09 smallerj (jes) 9/16/09 Boo Cakes 9/16/09 Hardygostlin (Jody) 9/17/09 Loveslady(Tawonda) 9/17/09 Gatorgirl1024 (Shelley) 9/17/09 MishiB (Michelle) 9/17/09 Bendy H (Brenda) 9/18/09 MLeigh (Morgan) 9/21/09 Sharie3 9/21/09 Italia2020 (Mia) 09/21/09 Ariane (Ariane) 09/21/09 Jenna1979 (Jennifer) 09/22/09 BrokeGranny (Jan) 9/22/09 Pookiemp 9/23/2009 leigna 09/24/09 Celestial 9/24/09 Perezalis 09/24/09 Chickychoo (Jill) 09/28/09 Kinzie 09/28/09 QMOM 9/28/09 Soexcited 9/30/09 ShrinkingV (Vickie) 9/30/09 Waynes6 (Jodi) 9/30/09 Katlynn (Kat) 9/30/09

All the folks here who are in their 30s and 40s think wer'e still 19 or at least try to act it, so you fit in just fine. The Navy? God Bless You. Sincere Thanks to you for your wish to serve this country in the armed forces. I hope you can go! Good for you. Age 18 is official adult, right? You should have no problem, particularly with your BMI being over 40. You will be able to find a Doctor. There is one gal on here who recently had a baby, do a search on "pregnant" and the like, you will find her, and she would love to talk with you and reassure you that having children on the band is possible. I think her name is Brandi? Anyone correct me if I'm wrong, but she did solicit anyone interested to contact her about her pregnancy. There is another thread in here somewhere titled "Any regrets?" (do a search) and one after another, people said their only regret was that they didn't do it sooner, or that it wasn't available when they were your age... If your doctor is in agreement, you have done your research and are fully prepared for the lifestyle changes, the risks, the everything, I say go for it, but not until you know all you can find out about life after the Band. Read, read read, here and other places too. Welcome!

In a tiny lil town of Bath, NH in the good ol' White Mountains. Traveled monthly to Manchester NH at CMC for a year for my surgery. 10 months post op, surgery was 3/26/12. Down a total of 185 lbs. BEST decision I ever made!!

First I'm going to share my top 10 tips with you: Here's my top 10 tips! Start altering your diet now. Cut out processed food, or at the very least processed sugar. Practice eating your protein first and then focus on non-starchy veggies. Find something that you like to drink that doesn't have calories. Try different caffeine free teas and water additives. I still can't drink plain water....so you want to have something on hand that you know you like. Cut out caffeine. Most programs allow caffeine back in relatively quickly, but caffeine can hinder your body's ability to heal. You don't want to go through caffeine withdrawal along with the aches and pains of surgery. Don't use protein shakes before you absolutely have to! I made the mistake of supplementing some of my meals with shakes to "prepare myself" for the pre-op diet. Big mistake. You will get to the point where they are DISGUSTING, and you don't want to increase the timeline of that by drinking them before you need to. Start incorporating exercising (even if it’s just walking) somewhere in your daily routine. It will make it easier if it’s already a habit. Practice chewing your food at least 20-30 times before swallowing. Muscle has memory and it will be so much easier if you already have this habit. If you screw up and swallow too soon after surgery, you will pay the price. Set timers and don't drink and eat at the same time. I highly recommend having at least 1 visit with a therapist to establish with someone for after surgery. It’s not required, but everyone seems to have some emotional struggles afterwards. Whether its 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years you may struggle with the changes. I personally wouldn't share with people, unless you know they will be 100% supportive. It is nerve wracking already and you need nothing but positivity. Plus it’s a lot of pressure from people who know you've had WLS, versus people who think you are on the weight loss track. People think that the weight is going to melt off after surgery, and sometimes it doesn't. You don't want the extra judgment. ***Newly Added**** Don’t engage people with people who say “WLS is too dramatic” or “You could just diet and loose the weight” or “You aren’t big enough for surgery” or “It’s the easy way out”. SCREW THOSE PEOPLE, they don’t know. They will never know how triumphant our victory will be. I would also remember that you need to make time for you! Make the time to shop healthy, meal prep, cook healthy, and plan ahead. And I’m talking to all the selfless mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. We give so much to our families, but NOW is the time to focus on ourselves. We are doing it for them, after all. We are doing it to prolong our lives and improve the quality of our lives. Come up with a reward system of sorts. You want to acknowledge your successes. For my 50lb mark, I went and got pedicures with my girlfriends. For my 75lb mark, I bought myself some new dresses. For my 100lb mark, I already bought myself a really nice full length mirror. Please pay special attention to #8. This is a HUGE mental game, its about 80% head, and 20% body. I personally hit my rock bottom and knew that I *had* to make these changes. I had many comorbidities, and I knew that I didn't stand a chance to have a family without taking control back. I was miserable being that overweight, and I knew in my heart, that nothing could be worse that how I was feeling then. You may think food is everything now, but when you finally start this journey, you'll come to see that food is not everything. Eating mindlessly, becomes a disgusting thought. And I'm not saying that you are disgusting now, or that I was then.... but it truly becomes disgusting after surgery. You won't be able to fathom your habits before. The biggest thing I struggle with now is that I don't do any sweets, at all. I don't want to dump, and I struggle from time to time, thinking.... I absolutely CAN'T eat that. Its not like, I can have that in moderation, but I truly can't. (I mean, I could, but I'd be so sick, I'd want to die for about 30 mins). Ultimately, when I look in the mirror, or walk across the parking lot, wipe my butt, or tie my shoes... the struggles of what I can't eat anymore, disappear. I know in my heart, I am better off and I am a much happier and healthier person.

I have done great with my lapband...I have had my issues just like all others. But for most part my suffering and adjusting to the life style change has been so worth it. However about 4 months ago I got a allergy infection. The mucus and drainage has been an overwhelming amount. It travels so slow that all food and medication are getting trapped in the drainage. Which as a huge side effect to that is I feel as if I have acid reflux. Medication and food gets trapped then starts burning my esophagus. It isn't uncommon to now throw up 10 times a day to remove mucus alone. I was at a 5 1/2 now my fill is a 2 1/2. Anyone else experienced anything remotely like this?? If so words of wisdom would be great.

I am 10 days post-op and am struggling, too. Today was very emotional (crying at the drop of a hat, very fragile emotionally) and the head-hungry food cravings are making me insane!!! My loving and supportive family have no idea what I'm going through, so their love and support is just irritating me. (Did I mention I am a little emotionally fragile? Add irritability to that). I know this stage is temporary...soon enough we will be able to return to eating food (a lot less, a more healthy) like human beings. We will start to feel normal again. Things will get better. But today? Today I reserve the right to have a mini-breakdown, cry, and wallow in self-pity. I reserve the right to be mad at myself and mad at the world. I reserve the right hate my liquid food and exercise, too. But just for today. Tomorrow will be different. Hopefully better. I hope it is for you, too.

Hi All, My name is Lorinda. I am scheduled to be banded on March 21st. I have been on my pre-op diet since march 6th. I have lost about 8-10 pounds. my doctor wanted me to lose 10-15 pounds before surgery. I am scared if I don't lose the amount he asks he will cancel my procedure. however, I am so excited about my procedure. good luck to everyone. I look forward to hearing about all of the successes. :biggrin:

Now I'm down 62 pounds and in a size 10!! I have 40 pounds to go

The pre-op diet does completely bite! The good thing was I lost 10 lbs while doing it. It just puts us that much closer to our goal and everytime you drink the broth remind yourself how FINE you are going to be in the following months!!

My starting weight was 275 , and the day of surgery I was 263 . I am currently 255 . I am now on my puree diet and I am struggling with getting my fluids in ! I have the whole bad breath thing going on probably due to dehydration. . I get naaeaous anytime I drink anything whi,h makes it harder to consume . . I am getting discouraged because it's hard work !! But I keep pushing myself and saying everything will be okay . . Currently down 20 pounds since I started so that's my motivation . . Any tips on how I can consume more liquids ??

Took me 10 weeks. All depends on your insurance and surgeons requirements. If you are self pay, possibly faster.

Hi all, I was supposed to have my Upper GI this past Friday the 15th but I had to cancel. My son has been sick (now my husband and I are as well) and he was up the ENTIRE night. Ugh. I literally didn't sleep at all. So, I'm going to call Monday and reschedule. Good news is I found the pictures from the surgeon who removed my fallopian tube back in 2015. She was the Dr. who took a look at the band while removing the fallopian tube and said that she didn't think it looked right. I'm going to bring the pics to the surgeon on 10/3. I'll try and post them below momentarily.