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I'm on day 10 of my two-week pre-op diet, and it's been crazy. I've definitely cried a few times. On day 4, I had to lock myself in the bathroom at work to sob and hyperventilate, just overwhelmed by this huge life change. I've had a few thoughts of, "Oh my god... why are you doing this?! Can't you just control your eating like a normal person?!" But the answer is, no, I can't. I've been struggling with my weight and eating since I was about 8. Another round of Weight Watchers is just not going to do it. And I can't keep going like I have been the past few years, gaining weight and having health issues, because I'm only 34 and I can't do half the things that my 61-year-old mother can. I definitely recommend avoiding the grocery store and gatherings with focus on food during the pre-op diet, especially if yours is liquids only. I made the mistake of stopping at the grocery store for a few things last night and almost lost it in the bakery section. I'm finding that I have to keep reminding myself that I will not be on a liquid diet forever! It also helps if you do not have to cook meals for others right now. It's just my husband and me, and thankfully he is very sensitive to my needs and is doing Herbalife shakes while I'm on liquids, eating his "real food" for lunch and having a shake with me at suppertime.

40 lbs is a good loss but most doctors will let you get to a 2 lbs loss a week before they. Get stingy with fills. Mine is tight with filling... Often I had to beg for them and several times I was denied because I had lost 8-10 lbs that month. Why not go into the office and have a good conversation with the dr... Tell him you got the band to have a tool and you believe with a fill it will be more effective. Not going isn't good.... That's how people get off track so try it one more time and be Prepared with every thing you are doing... So he knows you are doing your part like tracking food, portions, calories etc. Good luck

So far I haven't developed a kidney stone, but I have had 2 UTI since surgery in January. Prior to that, I hadn't had one in over 10 years. My PCP said several of his patients who had wls have gotten them when they previously hadn't had an issue. First one was admittedly my fault because I had been traveling and not hitting my Fluid goals. But after that, I made sure to get in my minimum 64oz and still got one. Since then, I only drink plain Water for my 64oz ( no crystal lite etc), might be coincidence but it makes me feel better to think that helps Sent from my XT1565 using the BariatricPal App

I had gastric bypass on 09/09/2021 and I have lost 39 lbs. so far after 10 1/2 weeks. Is this a normal amount of weight loss for that amount of time? People will ask me how much weight I've lost and when I tell them they ask if I've been cheating. I have been following the plan but it bothers me that I'm not losing faster.

Since Mr. F. is not a beany kinda fella, I no longer cook them for myself. For now, I can have a spoon or two at a time, but any more than that and my blood sugar spikes. So I'm waiting for surgery so I can enjoy them again. Here's my favorite black bean recipe! 1. Buy a can of black beans--any brand without added sugar. 2. Open can. 3. Pour contents into small saucepan. 4. Add 1 bayleaf, granulated garlic, dehydrated onion, cumin, ground coriander (optional), black pepper, kosher salt to taste. 5. Add a couple of spoons of salsa. I like the HEB Hatch Salsa-Hot (red or green) 6. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. 7. Add 1tbsp butter and let it melt. (It reduces the amount of "canned" taste.) 8. (Optional: Eat vegetarian or add 2oz of any kind of leftover meat. Pork of any kind, including sausage crumbles, rocks. Bacon--the bomb.) 9. Stir. Serve. It's a lot of steps. And I realize it sounds complicated, but you should totally give it a try!

My surgery was 2 1/2 yrs ago. I wished I had done alot more studying up and reading about the lapband before I had it. I wanted it - I got it. I even attended the 4 hr mandatory seminar my drs office had about a month before and I never remember them telling me to be so patient! I wish I had known back then that the first few months (or until you get proper restriction) were going to be so hard. I really thought I had failed yet again. I could eat just as much as I had before. I lost maybe 8 lbs during the first 5 mths. As soon as I got my 3rd fill, the weight started dropping off (about 10 lbs a month). Oh and I wish I had read my post op instructions a little better. I thought it said 4 weeks of Clear liquids + Protein shakes. I thought I was going to starve, so I added tomato Soup to my diet but thought I was cheating. Never told my doc. Just a few months ago, I found my post op instructions. They say liquids only for 4 weeks - including pudding, yogurt, cream Soups, etc. That whole time I thought I was gunna hurt myself with the tomato soup and felt guilty. And I could've had yogurt and pudding!!! Thats what I get for not reading carefully.... Good luck with your surgery! It was the best thing I ever did Marci

I also was sleeved on the 11th and i can't do the protein shakes they make me sick to my stomach. I did however try the Special K protein drinks and can tolerate them better the down side is they only have 10 grams of protein in them.

Hi my name is Debbie, I go under Pinkturkey. I had my Lap Band surgery 11/22/05. I got my first fill at 6 weeks and my port had broken loose and they had a difficult time giving me my first fill. I had no restriction what so ever. The second fill had to be done under live xrays at the hospital because he couldn't locate the port. Only felt restriction on the first day after that none. Third fill done in xray, I was so discouraged and ready to give up. I complained loudly that I only felt restriction on the first day and by the next morning, nothing. Well, Dr. Rohrscheib, shot some dye up into the port and watched it all leak out. The first fill had poked holes in the port. I now had to have my port replaced. I had this done in the office, since I didn't have the money to go to the hospital. Port replacement was a success. he filled me to where I was supposed to be on that day. I went for my first fill after port replacement, he put in .2 cc's and I started having problems immediately. I was leaving on vacation and didn't go back, I put up with vomiting 5 days out of 7 for 6 weeks. Boy was I stupid, I didn't even think of going back. I did finally call and make an emergency appointment when I vomited for 1 hour 45 minutes straight because I had eaten a small piece of raw cauliflower. I had gotten where I couldn't eat anything and couldn't drink anything. Well he took out 1 cc and I will go back in 2 weeks for a small fill. I have been very discouraged. I have only lost 30 pounds since November and I had lost 40, but I put on 10 pounds in like 3 days and my body just shut down. I am now struggling to get it to start again. My goal is 100 pounds and I am determined to do it. I could use any advice I can get. Thanks for reading...

Excellent decision, Shar. I'll be 60 in June and was banded April 10. Why the heck didn't we do this years ago?? Oh well, better late than never. We still have many thin years ahead of us! Won't it be wonderful??:biggrin1:

Fuleman, You sound like a total sweetheart. Yes, I've done some crazy things to get food as well, sounds very familiar to me. I will be getting banded, to scared not to, to scared to! I'll let you know how I get on, 10 days to go..... TERRIFIED! Jx

I was up 7-8 lbs and it took close to 2 weeks for the scale to go down a little at a time. Then at the 2nd week it went down about a pound or two a day for a total of 17 lbs by the end of the 2nd week. I had a swelling problem right after surgery and the surgeon had to go back in the next day and unbuckle my band. I go back in on 2/19 for it to be re-buckled. I know I am still a bit swollen because even though I am down about 17 lbs (I keep going up and down 1 lb) my jeans that fit baggy before the surgery wont close around the waist...well I could force them but it would dig in and hurt since I am still tender. Anyway, long story short the surgeon said that it would take about 4 weeks for ALL the swelling to go down after the first surgery. So, its not just IV fluid but your body and organs swell a bit. You are doing fine!!!! Let us know when the scale finally drops.

What does your program recommend? My regimen was: 2 weeks clears (I did 17 days) 2 weeks of full liquids (my surgeon let me just do one week) 2 weeks of mushies 2 weeks of soft solids then slowly progress to regular solid food I followed a few different variations of surgeon's post-op diet. This one is from Dr. Aceves, and it gave me some ideas to break up the monotony of the "regular" stuff on the full liquid and mushy stage. POST-OP DIET: Here are a few ideas concerning the post op diet Day 1 thru 5 ( Clear Liquids Only ) fruit juice ( apple, grape, cranberry ) Propel broth Jello-O Water Tea Protein Water by Kellogg’s Water popsicles Clear Protein drinks only ( example Isopure, unjury ) Day 6-10 ( thin liquids ) All of the above and: Natural Vegetable Juices ( example Carrot, V-8 juice ) Protein drinks mixed with water ( example Matrix ) whey nectar Protein Mix Day 11 thru 20 ( full liquids ) Cream Soups Yogurt Jello-O Boiled pureed fruit ( example apple, pear) applesauce Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Low fat milk 1 or 2% Water, Propel, tea Soy beverages sugar free pudding Protein shakes and protein powders mixed with milk Day 21 thru 30 ( soft food ) Soft food should be the consistency of a thick liquid ( no chunks or solid material ) and it should be chewed very well before swallowing until it is a liquid consistency ) Tofu Low fat cottage cheese Cereal oatmeal Precooked pureed rice Low fat Yogurt Yogurt mixed with fruit very well blended Cream soups eggs Boiled pureed fruit ( example pear, apple ) Watermelon, papaya or melon in small pieces Boiled pureed vegetables Beans Day 31st and beyond ( solid food ) Fish, Chiken meat Turkey Vegetables Fruit A diet consisting of 800 calories and 70 grams of protein should be your goal. There is a book called " Weight loss Surgery for Dummies" Authors: Kurian, Thompson and Davidson You might find it helpful. I contains several recipes and ideas on what to eat after surgery Grilled Marinated Tuna with Lime Herbed Beef Patties Turkey Meatballs Seafood salad chicken Salad A diet consisting of 600-800 calories and about 70 grams of protein should be the goal Protein will not only help you heal and build muscle mass but acts as a natural appetite suppressant. Concerning protein supplements here are a few ideas: Isopure protein drinks - 40 grams of protein per bottle. Isopure you mix with water - 50 grams of protein. You can find them at GNC. "Protein Water" by Kellogg’s - 5 grams of protein per drink. You can find it at WallMart Unjuryclear protein drinks - UNJURY Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Great Tasting Whey Protein Supplements for Everyday Health! High Protein and High Quality. Not so good tasting. New Whey Nectar Protein mixis very good but it is kind of expensive. It is said to be one of the best tasting protein products in the market today. You can get itat GNC or on line www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&q=whey+nectar+protei n&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title Some patients enjoymaking popsicles and Jell-O Jigglers out ofproteinliquid. Others enjoy Swanson Clearbroth that comes in a can . But most enjoydelicious homemade broth using chayote squash for flavor ( they strain the broth to make it clear) CHICKEN AND FRESH VEGETABLE BROTH 2-3 pieces of chicken for every 2 bowls of broth1 celery stalk 1chayote (hispanic grocery stores)1 carrot 2zucchini2 small tomatoes 2small onionscilantro (optional) salt to taste - BOIL chicken pieces for approx. 20 minutes - ADD celery, chayote, and carrot - SIMMER 30 minutes - ADD zucchini,m tomatoes and onions - SIMMER15 more minutes (cilantro is optional) - STRAIN and serve. You can also buy powder chicken broth that contains 10 grams protein per serving. You can find it on Amazon.com, it is called ProCel When you start on full liquids try Matrix 5.0 protein drinks. Protein shakes and mixes are very good tasking.You will need to wait until they are allowed in you food stage. Advocare high protein drinks called “Meal Replacement shakes “have Vitamins added to them andare a great optiontoo FOLLOWING THE POST OP DIET IS VERY IMPORTANT REMEMBERWE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE STAPLE LINE THE SCAR TISSUE IS STILL FORMING AROUND IT DO NOT OVERFILL YOUR STOMACH AND DO NOT JUMP ANY FOOD STAGES

AMEN!!! With that sort of attitude, you will be VERY successful with your surgery and everything thereafter! I too have been the FAT girl of my friends. I wasnt always the fat one, but the past 10 years I have been. In 2000 I was the skinnier one getting all the attention from guys. Now, if I walk into a store and patiently wait for a clerk to finish with their current customer and a pretty, skinny girl walks up with a question (even though I had been standing there for 10 mins), I get ignored while that girl gets help. It is annoying!! But, I look forward to the day that I turn heads again, particularly my husbands.....lol. Best of luck with everything!!! You will be just great!:cool:

They found mine during my testing for lb too. My surgeon wouldn't even consider doing them at the same time although I wished at the time he would bc my ins won't pay for LB but they did for Gb. Of course better safe. I had my GB out on 6/29 and my LB is Fri 8/10. I got my energy back about 8 days post op but felt like it was a breeze. Hope I do so well with the LB! Pennie

All of the bariatrics surgeons in Colorado have less than 10 vsg surgeries under their belt according to obesityhelp. This doc is the only one in his practice. Soo...I *will* become a pain in the arse..I *will* stand up for my rights!! lol Thanks for understanding you guys! Lisa

Hey Everyone. My surgery was June 8th at OCC in Tijuana. Gas was the most annoying thing out of it all. Well that and taking the nasty medications everyday. Everyday I felt better and better. Especially after the 5th day when they took my drainage tube out. Having that out of me made me feel so much better. It reduced the bloated feeling immediately and reduced the gassy feeling as well. For those who are only a couple days post-op- WALK! It truly makes a difference. Try to walk after every time you drink and never drink and then lay down. You'll regret it big time. I really didn't have any pain. Just the gas was uncomfortable. Day 10 was my breakthrough day where I felt almost normal besides my lack of hunger. Now at 15 days post op, the only thing I'm sick of is those daggon protien shakes! I'm so sick of the chalky, fake sweet milky taste! So now I'm done drinking them and have been getting my protien through yogurts and Skim Plus milk which has added protien. I can't wait to start exercising again next week at my 3 week post op date. So far, I'm down 21lbs (10 lbs pre-op). I think that's slow, but I don't mind. I'm just happy to be losing. Good luck everyone!

Austin was great. We lived there from 2000-2003 and again 2008-2019. I had my youngest while there the first time (while in grad school at UT) and you know what they say about Texans having to get back to Texas!! Our kids were raised there (and of course they're in a band--still), and the culture was laid back and just groovy. Most of that has changed with Big Tech moving in and of course COVID. I hope that the live music recovers because we have many many friends who are musicians and/or in the music industry in some way. My dearest friends are there and as soon as it's safe to get back down there for a visit, I'll be there. On the other hand, I simply LOVE Philadelphia and Jersey. I'm originally from central Jersey (yes, it is a thing) and it's still beautiful with wide-open spaces, seasonal changes that are spectacular, beaches, orchards, and trains to NYC and DC. I'm not really familiar with the Jersey cities in the north & south though. That said, I went to college in Phila, and my goodness I love being back. I'm sure it has everything to do with my neighborhood--as that's always been the case in this city. Sorry for the bio but I rarely give up the chance to boast about "my" cities!

I was banded on 10/20. And I forgot to ask the doctor when I would be able to have relations (yes sexual ) with my sweetie. We are both hot twitching with anticipation and I dont know how long she can stand being without me. Help@ Signed Desperately seeking a solution

Sounds like you had what I had 2 weeks ago. I woke up around 7:30 a.m. feeling pain in my lower back, so I decided to take something for the pain. I just figured it was from sleeping in a bad position, until I started feeling sick to my stomach. I thought I was going to puke, but instead, the nausea quickly turned into lower abdominal cramps. Whatever it was, it decided to change course. I was on the toilet for about 10 minutes, until I felt a little better. I went back to bed and didn't wake up until 4:30 p.m.! I thought, "What in the world... Did I go into a coma?!" Well, once I was fully awake, I noticed that I felt HORRIBLE. I had body aches that were horrendous, I felt extremely weak, and I felt like I had been asleep for years. I stood up and my stomach started hurting again; this time it was much worse. I figured I was just hungry, so I decided to walk into the kitchen and get a Protein shake. As I was walking, out of nowhere, I heard ringing in my ears and my hearing dulled; it was like everything was a mile away. I also felt very lightheaded and thought I was about to faint. I quickly took a sip of my Protein Shake and sat down on the couch. If someone had told me I was dying, I would have believed them. I was on the couch waiting to collapse. The lightheadedness finally faded, but my lower abdomen began rumbling again. So I went to the bathroom and I experienced the same event as earlier that morning. I was worried that I did something to myself since I hadn't eaten all day. I went to the doctor and told them my symptoms. They said it was some kind of viral infection. When I got home, I was in so much pain all over my body. It felt as if I'd been beaten. My mom insisted that I was faking my illness, because she thought I was trying to have an excuse to not help her put up the Christmas tree. I helped her as much as I could, but the aches were just so awful. After about 2 hours of being back home, I took a Tylenol extra strength and went to bed. When I woke up the next day, the body aches were gone. I still felt weak and I was still going to the bathroom after I drank or ate anything. I was able to go watch the Alabama vs. Florida football game at my aunt's house, though. But the day after that, my mom got sick. She actually apologized for not believing me, lol. She had the exact same symptoms and stayed in bed all day. Two days later, her boyfriend got sick with the exact same thing. When I came back to work, I found out 3 other people had it. It was like a violent plague going around. I hope you feel better soon!

I am in a stall also that started ~ 10 days post op. However I have been reading that it is next to normal. I gained 2 lbs from my original a weight loss. I worked really hard to push the fluids in my system today. I think that dehydration was part of the problem. I looked in my weight loss manual and there were a few things that were possible reasons for stalls. 1. Not eating enough protein 2. Not drinking enough fluid 3. Not taking vitamin/mineral supplements 4. Natural eating cycles (not sure what this means) 5. Eating too many foods high in carbohydrates 6. Not exercising (just walking 30 min. per day at this point) See if you are meeting the guidelinesabove. This may help you push past the stall. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Hey, so exciting. This site is a great resource and hope you find everything you are looking for. Like me, you were a lower bmi starting out. My weightloss has been slow, didn't start until 10 weeks after surgery (with a fill and restriction). I have lost about 15 pounds and all this after my 2nd fill. I have about 30 to go. Good luck!

I would like to lose another 25 pounds but at this point if I don't I am now going to worry about it as long as I maintain the weight I am currently at. I went from a 26 to a 14. A size 10-12 would be good. I had lost 28 pounds more two years ago, it just fell off after hitting a plateau for a year and then it came back and here I am and this is where I have been for two years now. Thanks for your comments.

I like that you said you kept 52 pounds off longer than 10. What a wonderful way of looking at any weight loss. Thanks.

I'm 10 days post op and still swollen, no infections but I am swollen were the port is still. It's starting to go down but now looking lopsided a bit because it's so much more swollen were the port is.

I try to not think about the "negative" posts as being negative, but as people reaching out so they don't struggle in silence. I also like to think of them as a learning experience for me, so that if I ever go down that road, I will remember that it is normal for all of us to have ups and downs. Aside from that, I am overall very happy with my band. Surgery on January 10 and just had my first fill today. I feel pretty darn good. I am craving healthy foods for once in my life (go fish!) and shopped in the misses section for the first time in 6 years just last week. Have had my negatives, even posted once or twice on here, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Keep your chin up and check out the January 2012 bandsters group. The comments are mostly positive and we are all in the same stage of our journey.