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I was already off of it during weight loss for the insurance company, my blood sugar levels dropped so low I had to stop taking it. That being said, I would have had to stop taking it 48 hours before surgery.

YMMV, but some time nearing the end of the first month post-op (I can't remember exactly when) but I woke up one day and found I was suddenly able to chug water. Been chugging ever since. Prior to that, I had a timer set on my watch to remind me to sip 1 lf oz of water every 15 mins while I was awake. I was pretty dizzy the first couple months as well (like catwoman7 said it was due to low blood pressure for me). I had a handful of almost blackouts. By month 3 it got much better. By month 6-7 they were gone (which coincided with the time I stopped weight loss phase).

I am curious how well you guys are doing. How much weight lost? What you are eating? have you had a fill yet? or any other information . This is my first time writing on this site but I have been viewing for about 3 weeks now . You guys have helped me through some tough times after surgery.

Wow this is great to hear. I know that everyone's weight loss journey is didn't. I'm going to be self pay and that a lot of money to just turn around and gain it all back. So I'm really scared that I will fail.

I’m 3.5 years out. Started at 235 lbs. I’m a 5’2” 50 yr old female. I stayed “on plan” (note: MY plan NOT my NUT’s) which was low cal (<800 cals), ultra-low carb (< 20g Net Carbs) throughout weight-loss phase. I got to goal (127 lbs) around 7 months post-op and have stayed below goal ever since...almost 3 years. This morning i clocked in at 118.7 lbs I no longer eat to any “plan” other than to try to stay under 2000 cals a day. I am about 90% successful sticking to this. I eat basically anything just not at pre-op levels…think like 1 to 1.5 cups at a time. And this includes desserts, low-nutritional snacks, fried foods, alcohol and lotsa butter, lol. I also eat my fair share of salads, so it’s all good. Bread, rice, pasta and potatoes are not regular foods for me, but only because these things sit heavily in my stomach and gets me super full super fast. Plus, I just don’t really crave them all that much. you will find out what foods will work within your lifestyle as you progress. Good Luck! ❤️ P.S. I ate pork and red meat (and all things carnivore) now, and even during weight loss phase…they never went off the table for me.

Hi, I went for my consultation today and was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Scott Laker (Great Lakes Weight Loss Clinic) was very friendly, and really took the time to answer all of my questions. He mentioned that he believes everybody should go to the seminar and get as much information as possible. I will try to attend the seminar next Tuesday, which is also the day I start my pre-op diet. I will be banded on August 25th, by Dr. Laker at 1 PM. I am very comfortable with the process now. The people at Great Lakes, really took the time to go through everything with me. Where I was very nervous before, I am really excited now. They helped put me at ease. They answered all of my questions from, what I need to do before surgery, to the surgery itself, and then what to expect after being banded. Dr. Laker also answerd all of my complication questions. I couldn't be happier. I saw some information on the lap band about 17 months ago, and thought to myself, that this is the tool I need to finally be free of the pain and suffering from being MO. I didn't really think about it seriously again until about 3 months ago. Thats when my wife told me about an add she saw online for Great Lakes and their $10,700, special they were doing for self pays! I actually planned on seeing Dr. Weiner, but didn't specify when I called a couple weeks ago, and they set me up with Dr. Laker. I look forward to being on this site, with my "bandmates". If you have any questions please ask, I hope to keep this thread going! Thanks, Pars :ohmy:

hello everyone, I'm so glad I came across this thread. I too live in MI and am considering having the surgery performed at Harper Hospital with Dr. Webber. When I first started researching the procedure a few weeks ago I came across the link for Dr. Webber and his associates. I'm leaning more towards Dr. Webber because he seems to have a bit more experience from what I can tell. What's really great is the 2 hour informational session that they offer at Harper Hos, which I will be attending today. It is being conducted however by Dr. Weiner, who comes highly recommended by a one of the bloggers on this site. I'm just really curious to see what he has to say more than anything. I've been trying to do as much research as I can, however there just seems to be tons of blog sites out there and it's difficult to find everything you want to know without having to read tons of blogs - lol. Was wondering if you attended the informational session and if so, what did you think? I'm really curious about pre-surgery - seems from some of the bloggers that they had to lose weight prior to surgery. Wondering if that is the case for everyone and if so, how do they want you to lose the weight? Do they put you on a liquid diet so that you can get a feel for what it's going to be like a few weeks after the procedure? The whole transition from liquids, to soft to regular foods is a concern, esp given the possibility of the band slipping from too much vomiting. So suffice to say I have lots of questions and hope that they will be answered for the most part at the informational session. Would really like to know how things turn out with you and what you can tell me from your consultation meeting with Dr. Webber. Any info you can share would be really appreciated. And Nwlife4 I would really like to hear more about your experience both pre and post op. Also, how did you hear about Dr. Webber and why did you decide to go with him? Looking forward to hearing from both of you. Thanks

Hey Noor, I realized that I didn't have restriction when I started eating mushies, which was this week. The pouch is only meant to hold 3-6 ounces, I can eat WAY more than that, so it's obvious that the food is just sliding right through. That being said, I do feel fuller faster than I did before I had the surgery, so I'm confident that with fills I will reach that "sweet-spot." That's correct, Dr. Webber doesn't do fills until six weeks, and I'd say most surgeons wait 4-6 weeks before doing the first fill. Sometimes it happens sooner, but that's usually on a case-by-case basis. They want to make sure you're fully healed first. I've heard that the time between the surgery is a time to focus on healing, and if weight-loss happens you are lucky. I guess I was just hoping I'd be one of those lucky ones. I am not getting my fills with Dr. Webber because it's an inconvenience for me to go back to Detroit. He gave me the go-ahead to see a surgeon in Chicago to get my aftercare, and that surgeon also requires you to be six weeks post-op before receiving your first fill. When are you having your surgery? I'm glad that my blog is giving you some insight, I found it really helpful to talk to people who were banded by the same physician/group when I was preparing for surgery as well. If you are still nervous about the surgery, don't be. I'm going to give it to you straight. The pre-op diet isn't fun, and the first couple days after surgery are the worst. Also, the first couple of weeks of the post-op diet are hard, but after that life is almost 100% normal again. Then it's pretty much the waiting game to find that "sweet spot" (unless you are one of the lucky ones), and then you're pretty much good to go. This is assuming you don't have complications. You're in good hands with Dr. Webber, though. I was told by MANY of the staff at the hospital that he was a great surgeon, and his credentials speak for themselves. If you have any other questions let me know.

Hi everyone, Abby so great to hear that your surgery went well..no complications thats great. Your blog is also very insightful. Sorry to hear that you have no restriction. I'm curious to know how did you realize that to be the case? Dr. Weber told me that he does the first fill after 6 weeks so does that mean given ur situation that you will have to wait that long, or will he fill it sooner? Please keep up your blog..it really helps me to gain a clear idea about like after banding. I hope everything went well for you Parshuter. Can't wait to hear about your experience. You stated that the blog is not your thing so I hope you keep this thread going. So for you Chris..details details details! Good luck guys!

I am scheduled to be banded on Nov 9. I have been reading over the materials my doctor gave me and very little details what my pre-surgery diet should be. I read the post-surgery blog and many people have discussed losing weight prior to surgery. Anyone have any info?

What a great post! I admire any of you that can succeed at losing anything in the 6 months pre-op phase. It wasn't required by my insurance, and I was actually GAINING weight in the months leading up to surgery. My eating was out of control and no matter what i tried, i just couldn't seem to reign it in. I too am so happy with my sleeve and will be six months out June 12. These are happy days!

Hello my wonderful Sleeve family!!!! This is my update at 5 months, 5 days!!! It seems like only yesterday I was complaining about my 6 month pre-op program... and now, I'm over 5 months out!!! Let me say, I love SLEEVINA!!! She's saved my life.. but I have to admit she SLAYS me sometimes... but keeps me in line!!! Regrets:... Just 1.. well, maybe 2... first, I wish I would have worked a little hard during my 6 month MSWL program.. especially with exercise... the only other regret is that I wasn't open with a lot of my family and friends from the beginning, thus missing out of their support from the beginning... Reality:... LOL... well, I'm not the same person I was physically, emotionally or socially... I was prepared for the physical.. well, a little.. but the emotional upheaval that has transpired in my life has been healthy, hard and very necessary.. I believe I am a better person.. more grounded, compassionate and active in trying to help others make decisions that will transform their lives... The social aspect is a trip... mainly because.. I've always been a social butterfly, now... it's crazy the attention and stuff.. needless to say, I'm a little flattered and lot suspicious!!! LOL... I've resigned myself to wearing dresses for the summer!!! I've not lost my luscious legs (Thank God!!)... I'm not including numbers in this update.. I'm doing weight and measurements for my 6 month post op update... Rules: I cannot miss my water!! I cannot eat cake (I was, not Sleevina doesn't like sweets anymore YEAH!! Boo!!) LOL.. I just want to encourage those who need it... You can do this... Each day, each minute, dedicate yourself to the process of transformation, the work and yourself!!! Love and hugs!! Tina

Hi Kells, Too many of the participants on this forum to count have expressed their self doubts about the band surgery...after the fact. Myself included; the morning after my surgery I remember asking myself "What the h%#& have you done to yourself?" If anything this weight loss journey is self empowering. You are the one who decides how successful you will be...and I speak from experience when I write that we don't know the depths of what strengths we possess until we are tested to tap into them. This journey will be a catalyst to discover and learn more about yourself. For me, I have learned the value of patience...and to take a day at a time. Some days will be more challenging than others...and that's ok...tomorrow will come. To be successful does require change...and specifically that you must change your relationship with food and how you think about it. Incorporating exercise into your life can be a real challenge. I believe we can all be successful if we are motivated to be. If you believed in your abilities to be successful prior to your surgery...those strengths are still there. And as others have written, the journey does become easier with time and getting to the green zone. Best wishes as your journey continues...

Hi guys I'm 31 years old female living in London! I has my banding on the 18th June I'm on the liquid phase and will be starting mushy food on Monday, I've lost 18 Pound so far but 11 was list in the week leading to surgery I'm starting to worry that I have made the right decision. I'm concerned that my will power will let me down! I'm so determined to loose weight and finally be fit and slim but I keep having that nagging feeling that I may fail. I was so confident I'd do well prior to the operation but now I find myself having more Soup or shakes that I think I possibly should Did anyone else feel like this or is it just me? Thanks Kel

it will be 2 weeks tomorrow since i was banded. i am so ready to eat food with substance. hopefully my dr. will let me. i get my first fill on thursday so we will see. it was very hard over the holiday weekend and also my husbands birthday. can you say bbq, cake, and ice cream. and boy did that bbq smell good:tt2:. but i was good i stuck with the protein shakes and clear and full liquids. so i was a good girl. if anyone has any ideas for full liquid that would be great. and also i am not losing as much weight as i would like. i would think i haven't eaten so i should lose more. plus i am going to the gym. well hope everyone had a good and safe holiday weekend!!!:thumbup::thumbup:

The only person in my life that knows is my husband!! My friends think I just had abdominal surgery... and my family ( who do not live close ) do not know anything! This was the best decision.. becuase I know that I am not prepared for any negative comments.. so even though I feel bad that i told a little lie.. I am so happy I do not have to explain anything.. And I have started to get some compliments on the weight loss.. and I just thank them and tell them I am working on it. Here is the kicker.. My mom came down last week.. and did not say anything to me about my weight loss!!! WHen she has been my biggest critique!!! Now 25lbs is hard not to notice!!! At the end of the weekend visit.. it just proved to me that I made the right decision!!!

I absolutely think that weighing once a week is smart!! Stalls are crazy annoying and it's just better to not know and be suprised at the end of the week... You've lost a ton of weight already! Focus on how much you are down not how much you have to go <3 GOOD LUCK!!

Hey, Sleeve Plication Talk Members! Now that Memorial Day has passed and we’re well into June, it’s summer time! Why not use the warm weather and casual dress code for motivation to stick to your diet? Of course, the newsletter’s a great way to remind you to be good, too! We keep you updated on what’s going on at SleevePlicationTalk.com, and we’ll jump right into this newsletter with: Sleeve Plication Support Groups: Are you taking full advantage of special forum groups on SleevePlicationTalk.com? To Tell or Not to Tell – Do you tell others about your sleeve plication? Member Spotlight – None other than Alex Brecher, founder of SleevePlicationTalk.com! Sleever Challenge – This is a great one to kick off the summer. We encourage you to stay involved with SleevePlicationTalk.com. Ask your questions, answer your peers and keep your profile current. All of your participation keeps you on track and helps everyone else! Always let us know when you have suggestions, comments and questions. Enjoy the newsletter. Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder SleevePlicationTalk.com Sleeve Plication Support Groups: What are They, and How Do They Help You? SleevePlicationTalk.com can be a huge part of your life. Many of us check the boards every day or more, and depend on the site for support, information and encouragement. Joining one or more SleevePlicationTalk.com support groups is a great way to get even more out of SleevePlicationTalk.com. These support groups are like exclusive clubs, but all you have to do to join is to participate! Just look at the different types groups we have. Monthly groups based on when you got your surgery Groups based on your hometown, age and weight goals. The sleeve plication buddies and mentors forum in case you need a little extra help or want to help someone in their weight loss journey. And more…for religious sleevers, gay, lesbian and bi sleevers, crossover addicts, biker sleevers…and way more. These groups are smaller discussion forums for sleevers who have a lot of things in common with you even beyond your weight loss surgery. They may have great solutions to problems that you’re having, and they can be super sympathetic to your situation. You can make close friends on these boards because you already have so much in common, and because you can spend a lot more “one-on-one” time with them. Come on over to the SleevePlicationTalk.com support group page and see which groups you want to join! Hot on the Boards: Coming out of the WLS Closet. To tell or not to tell? That’s a pretty sensitive question for a lot of weight loss surgery patients. It’s normal to feel embarrassed about your surgery, especially when you’re dealing with people who look down on you. Always remember that you don’t have to let others make you feel bad. As long as you’re healthy and happy, you should feel proud of your accomplishments. Anyone who truly loves you will also be proud. It’s a personal decision whether to tell people about weight loss surgery. You might tell your closest friends and family first, and let others in on the secret when they start to ask you how you lost so much weight. You don’t ever have to tell anyone if you’re shy or just don’t want to. Or, if you prefer, you can tell everyone as soon as you set the date for your surgery. Maybe that’ll make you feel more accountable and inspire you to success. What are your thoughts? Do you tell people that you’ve gotten weight loss surgery? Do you explain to them what a sleeve plication is, since they probably don’t know? How do you choose when to tell, how much to say and whom to tell? Do you have any tips for other sleevers? Tell us about it! First Member Spotlight – It’s Alex! We promised, and now we’ve delivered! It’s time for the first true Member Spotlight, and who better to be honored than…Alex! He’s the founder of RNYTalk.com and the other communities belonging to WLSBoards.com. He manages and promotes the boards to make sure that they’re here for everyone. He is truly passionate about helping others reach the same weight loss success that he did. Here’s his story. He’s the handsome, friendly face you see hanging out on the forums, but he took the same journey as many of you to achieve those looks. Alex struggled with obesity and diets for years without finding permanent weight loss success. He finally realized that he needed to lose the weight if he wanted to be around for his children for years to come. Alex got the lap-band, lost more than 100 pounds and never looked back. Thrilled with his new energy and health, Alex had the motivation and confidence to stop smoking. Today he is an active, lean family man who loves to run, bike and spend time with his children. In 2003, Alex founded LapBandTalk.com, which quickly became the largest weight loss surgery community in the world. He started VerticalSleeveTalk.com in February of 2009, and the other WLSBoards, RNYTalk.com and SleevePlicationTalk.com, followed in 2011. That’s right – we’re only starting our second year, and we’ve already got thousands of great members! Alex works hard to make sure that all members to have positive experiences and benefit from being part of the communities. Do you have someone you’d like to see featured in the Member Spotlight? Would you like to be our spotlighted member? Come tell us in the Member Spotlight forum! It’s a regular feature of the newsletters to let you learn a little more about someone in our community with an inspirational story or who helps out our members. Thanks for your nominations so far! Sleever Challenge! Challenge Yourself and Achieve Something New! We give you a challenge in each SleevePlicationTalk Newsletter. It’s not a challenge for you to compete against anyone else. It’s just a way to set a new goal for yourself to try something new or push yourself a little harder. Nobody’s keeping score, so try it! You can always find the old challenges in the Challenge Forum. So far, the two challenges have been: Try a new food or recipe. It’s pretty simple. Come up with a new recipe or try a new food that fits on your diet. Tell us about it! Recognize your non-scale victory (NSV): An NSV is something that is an accomplishment during your weight loss journey, but it isn’t based on the number on the scale. It might be something like fitting into a dress you like or being able to keep up with your grandchildren without getting tired.. It’s never too late to try the old challenges and write about them. Share what you come up with to brag a little and help out others. The New Challenge: Be an Exercise Buddy! This challenge is great for your health and the health of a lucky new or old friend. Why? Over the next two weeks, your challenge is to do a workout with a new person. Some ideas for the challenge are to: Ask your neighbor to take a walk with you Ask someone at your gym to be your partner while you both lift weights Go for a bike ride with your kids or spouse Take a new exercise class Be creative! The goal is to do something fun and healthy, and maybe make a new friend or two along the way. Don’t forget to post your challenge results in the Challenge Forum. The forum’s also great place to go if you need ideas or have advice for other Sleevers so they can complete the challenge. Good luck! And Finally: Please Support Us! Just as a reminder, we’d like to ask you to support us when you can. We know you value SleevePlicationTalk.com and all of its free services. We’d like to remind you to please ask your surgeon and other healthcare providers to post SleevePlicationTalk.com fliers in their offices. We’re always growing, and you can help. Thank you. That does it for this newsletter. Thanks for reading and for your continued participation on the boards. Take care! Sincerely, Alex ==============================================================If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by going to your Control Panel and clicking on the Newsletters tab, or clicking on the following link: http://www.sleevepli...&tab=newsletter

Hey All... I called into a local radio show (food, weight and diet. I have some curiosity about protein-supplement alternatives that might be suitable for me once I am banded. I asked him his thoughts on Protein supplements (powders) and what he thinks are the best protein rich foods. As soon as I got the question out of mouth and explained that I will be getting the lap band surgery, he said, "You need to think about this surgery. If you had read my book, you would know it's the wrong way. Surgery is the lazy and unhealthy way out." Absolutely apalled at this point, I stayed silent, as I couldn't think of an appropriate comeback for public radio. The guy proceeded to tell me how such and such chapter in his book would have told me how to avoid surgery and if I would just try to change my eating habits, I could lose hundreds of pounds. As soon as I mentioned protein supplements, he said, "Because she even mentioned supplements, we can tell just how inexperienced she is! Protein supplements are a novice's mistake!" HELLO! My Doctor has told me to take protein supplements post-op. I explained to him I have exercised and changed life style eating, but for me, I see no progress, which is why I have elected to have the surgery. He continued to belittle my choice some more, saying that I have no tried enough, I need to read his book, and I need to delay my surgery as I haven't really thought about it. OH, and the best part... when I called, I introduced myself and mentioned lap band. I said, "Are you familiar with this procedure?" He replied, "I'm a DOCTOR!" It took everything in me not LOL at his haughtiness on the air. As some of you may know, this surgery took many years of internal debate by me, as I am sure is the case for most of you. Most of us have struggled with weight and tried MANY different solutions to correct the problem before deciding on surgery. Needless to say, this guy never answered my question. Oh, and I got a free copy of his book, which I'll be chucking as soon as it gets here. I got that free copy for answering a nutritional question correctly, so much for naivete and inexperience? Ah well... What are y'all's thoughts on the health ramifications of protein supplements versus actual protein? Thanks all! :tongue_smilie:

No, I was not apprehensive about the band surgery, but then this was not my first abdominal surgery either. I had to wait so long for the medical clearance for the band surgery, there were no second thoughts to finally having the opportunity to loose weight and get my health back! It is totally normal to have some doubts and concerns about the surgery, and if it is your first surgery to be feeling apprehensive about it. All I can say is that the recovery from the band surgery was a breeze compared with my earlier surgery. All surgical procedures come with some risk factors, but there are so many members on this forum who have done well through the surgery and recovery. Also necessary to consider are the very real risks to your health and well being if you stay heavier and don't loose the weight you need to. Just ask questions, and come back often...you can do this!

Hi, I am almost 6 months post op. My weight loss was gradually until recently I find it weird. I meet weight loss stall and I increase my walking distance to counter it . Hi we’re recently I had this issue. If I had to take some rest off the exercise and I notice the 1st day I gained 1lb!! Is this normal as I may think it’s my body regaining the water due to me not exercising. I am trying to rest few more days and see how my weight goes.

I've noticed on YouTube and IG that so many RNYers are eating keto. I've been a vegetarian and part-time vegan for 18 years (actually started that after trying Atkins diet!) There's got to be people out there meeting both their nutrition and weight loss goals by eating vegetarian or vegan. Help, I need your feedback!

Hello fellow OctoSleevers (and everyone else)! As I approach my one month until surgery countdown, I just wanted to get a general idea from others what your pre-op diet recommendations are by your doc and/or nut. Like how long before must you start, when do you start liquid only (if at all), or if there is a goal weight loss (or % of total weight) needed prior to surgery proceeding. My doc gave me a "general guideline" of 5% weight loss pre-op, with a low carb / high Protein diet (like a Protein shake for BF and lunch then a "sensible" dinner of a small portion of lean protein and a veggie) starting 2 to 4 weeks pre-op (depending on total pounds needed to lose), then liquids only for 3 days pre-op. He said the typical reason given is to shrink the liver pre-op (although it is unclear how much this is really needed), and more importantly, to ensure that the patient can actually follow a restrictive intake program, which is what we'll be doing post-op and really for the rest of our lives. Anybody else have recommendations given to them that vary greatly from this? Thanks and good luck to all!

Hi there, passing through trying to research lapban ! I live in Arizona right now, lived in Toronto all my life and its hard for me trying to find a dr to contact while I'm over here. Perhaps some of you have suggestions on drs? All and any are welcome and very much appreciated! Also-how long was the wait time to get approved? If there is an approval time? I've read many weight requirements but I'm not sure which is right. I've recently gained alot of weight and I am very very very very unhappy. Looking back at old pictures and how I used to be simply destroys me [i weighed 119 most of my life] and now I feel like I'm sinking soon to drown. I'm really hoping that lap ban can help me! I feel like I've tried everything. And it only seems like i"m getting worse. [word to the wise- if LipoDissolve comes to Canada if it already isn't DON'T DO IT. Its expensive and has left me with stretch marks in which I never had. Also its very painful.] After reading some of the other posts everyone here seems to be really friendly and helpful and thats really cool to see :huggie: thanks!

Hi~ I was banded October 12th. I had the same issues with the gas and I also had a good bit more pain than I had anticipated but I am happy to report I am much better now. I gained about 3 lbs following surgery but that was due to swelling in my abdomen. I have since lost it plus about 6 more. I am starving though. The protein shakes are only holding me for about 2 hours if that. My stomach is a constant growl..lol. Hang in there..they all say it gets better.