Search the Community

I have a BMI just over 29 and am getting sleeved in Mexico on January 11th. Like others, I'm not morbidly obese, but if I don't do something soon, in 5 or 10 years I'm sure I will be.

Good Luck! you will be great! I've been on the pre op liquid diet for 10 days now!! I get sleeved on the 27th! Keep us update on your progress! Vanessa

What's a support belt? I am 10 days postop and still sore when I'm moving around.

I was driving after 10 days. You have to be off pain meds and feel comfortable twisting left and right. I am an elementary teacher and took 3 weeks off. I was exhausted everyday after work. 5 weeks off would've been great.

I saw my therapist every week for the first 4 months and have now switched to every other week. She says eventually we will switch to once a month for at least 2 years post-op to be sure to stay on top of any maintenance issues. I visit with (phone call) my NUT once every 4 to 5 weeks but am able to email her and get quick response if needed (though at 5 1/2 months post-op this more urgent need for contact has slowed down if not stopped). My surgeons office had 10 day post-op follow-up, then at 1 month then 3 months post-op then 6 months post-op. Not sure if the visit after 6 months is at 9 months or waits until 1 year. I have been in contact with them on other occasions up to about 3 months post-op for some complications (Stricture). They (including the surgeons) were extremely and amazingly available. My clinic did not have an exercise physiologist but I sure wish they had. I think that would be a great addition to any bariatric team. I am going to a personal trainer who has no clue about WLS and am really frustrated with the nutritional "advice" she keeps trying to give me. I just ignore that part.

@@hollybower, my Bariatric Doc told me not to diet or lose weight until after I see the Nut and that's tomorrow (10/21). I actually gained a few pounds of water weight because it's that time of the month for me and I also have not been able to take my lasix water control medication in the past 4 days due to my work schedule so I hope a gain doesn't count against me. I'll keep you posted.

Luellen, You've had your surgery by now and I hope all is well. I didn't have any trouble at all with my surgery and day 3 was mopping kitchen, vacuming doing laundry and all that good stuff and day 10 went 4 wheeler riding all day long. You'll do great, I think everyone does differently but just walk, sip, sip, sip, and get plenty of rest. Congrats.

Hi everyone! Like many others, I too have read this site for some time now. This is my first post because I've been a little apprehensive to post--but then I thought, "what the heck" and decided to introduce myself. I'm 19 (young I know) and I decided to begin my lap-band journey in June of this year. Basically, my main reason for choosing to have this surgery is because this really is a last resort. I know some of you may be thinking that I'm awfully young to have to move to a "last resort" but, hear me out. I've been overweight my whole life, seriously, my mom started watching what I ate at age two. Anway, at twelve I was diagnosed with dismetabolic syndrome with insulin resisitance. We hear about this a lot now, well type two diabetes in children now but when I was diagnosed my case was actually just surfacing. In one of the leading children's hospitals in the nation, I was the only patient with a condition like mine in the whole hospital. Anyway, sorry to go on and on. So, now at 19 I am at risk for PCOS and have normal blood pressure but it's abnormally high for my age. My mother and gradmother are also overweight--so I guess you could say it runs in the family. I am experiencing things that a fifty year old woman should be dealing with--not a nineteen year-old. I'll give a few more details about my self, just so you get the idea---I promise to make it short! :eek: I also have lower back pain and joint pain in my knees. I did tae kwon do for three years and while I was healthier, the weight never seemed to come off. Oh, I almost forgot my diet! Since about twelve I have been eating low carb but have not cut out carbs completely. And last but not least---my weight and height (for the whole world to see) I am 5'7 and about 330. OK, so now you know a little about me. Let's see, what else can I say...ah yes, surgeons. I have United Heath Care (primary) and Coventry (secondary) insurance but am having to go through conventry. My primary won't cover the surgery until I am 21 so...secondary insurance it is. As far as the surgeon...really my only option is Dr. Hohen from the Bariatric Center of Kansas City. Coventry only has Dr. Hohen in their network--at least that's anywhere close to where I live. I like in the KC metro area but go to school in Springfield, MO. While I am mentioning school--I'm an English Education major and I love literature---Go English! :biggrin1: Anway, this is getting to be a novella...so I'll end it here. I look forward to meeting all of you and have enjoyed reading the plethora of information on this site--it's amazing. Oh, and as of now, I am still in the beginning of this journey. As of Friday, my file is being referred to the person in charge of the psych. consult! Finally, after 3 months the ball begins to role!:clap2: Lauren :kiss2:

I have extremely oily skin and my acne has never stopped, although it was better than my teenage years pre-op. Post-op, I've had a few of the cystic acne places I remember from high school, so I've been carefully treating those places. It's nowhere near as bad at 10 months out as it was at 3 months out, so I think it's finally calming down. I'll take some acne over the 100 pounds of fat any day, though!

747heavy this is good information regarding the post surgical regiment. 800-1000 calories and 10% of that Protein. I was just told to drink 64ozs of low cal fluids (get in the protein). I do have a list of what I should an should not have but a count is good. I was ok'd to start on solid foods a week post op, a little nervous about that but I see you continue with liquids then puree then ease into food. sounds like a good plan. Thanks for sharing

Last Friday I went into my old place of work to see my old workers and co-workers. Despite the stress of the job, I have to admit, I really liked what I did and the people I worked with. Some of these people haven't seen me at all since my weight loss. Others have not seen me in a few months. So, it was interesting to see the looks on people's faces when I came in. Most would scream in delight to see me and then focus on my weight loss. I heard so many positive things that I felt like I should go up there once a month just to get the support. I was surprised that I didn't get any mean comments or people who were passive aggressive about it. To be honest, i really expected it with a few people. The shock on everyone's face was so extreme that it made me start thinking, "was I really THAT big before?". Well, one of my old workers had a photo of me (a couple actually) from my wedding shower. I took a good look at them and I have to admit, I was HUGE. I am not sure why I thought I wasn't that big. I mean when it was taken I weighed around 290. But like I have said before in my blog, I never felt fat. I mean, I knew i was I just didn't let that run my life. I refused it to get me down. There were times it did, but at a whole, I was happy. Don't get me wrong, I would have been much happier if I was a size a 10 but we can't always get what we want (according to the Rolling Stones anyway).. But, even though I was happy with who I was, I knew I would be much happier if I wasn't on all the meds i was on for my medical issues. At my age, it really bothered me to have to so many pills daily. That's one big reason I had the surgery....and now I am off them off (except my pain meds) and much happier with myself. Now, as I was driving home I started thinking. Why is it that no matter how content we are with our body (big or small), we always feel so much better about ourselves when we have people give us that double take look. Sure, it's better when it comes from the opposite sex, but even getting it from the same sex can put an extra bounce in your step. It sure did for me. Does that make me one of "those people". You know the kind. The ones that strive for the double take, especially from the opposite sex (or same sex if that's your thing). Am I turning into the girl that I've always made fun of/ You know the one. The one who always looks great. Who bats her eyelashes too much, shakes her but even when there is no music on, and always wheres a push up bra and a low cut shirt only to bend over in front of the person they want to get a reaction from? The more I thought about it, the more I was positively sure the answer was NO!!!! Just for a laugh...hope you like it. Reminds me of Joey from "Friends" Those girls don't have high self esteem and need to get reassurance from people who are only looking at their body. I am far from that woman. I am the woman who my whole life never felt like men found her attractive. I am the girl who was only asked out once in high school and to be honest, i am still not sure if that was a date or not. I am the girl who's self esteem through all that stayed very high (thanks to my wonderful parents) and I was able to see the difference between outer beauty and inner beauty. And, I didn't need someone to want me just to have a pretty girl on his arm. I wanted someone who wanted a pretty girl with brains and a sense of humor. It took me awhile to find that man, but when i did, i kept him close. But, with all that said, I am human. I like to be admired. I like to be looked at in a way that says, "Damn she's hot!". I mean let's be honest. Who wouldn't? So, I will continue to bask in the glory of the double takes and smiles, the positive feedback, and the flirting that happens from men I've known for years. I will take it all in and then come home to a my husband and tell him how happy I am to have in in my life. A man who loves me for every part of me....big or small....crazy or sane....pensive or talking his ear off for hours....yes, that's the person for me. And as I have done for 11 years, i will always do a double take when he walks in the room and wonder, "Damn, how did I get so lucky?"

I was banded on April 18th with a VG band in Mexico. My starting weight was 227.5 lbs. My doc put the VG band in because I carry the majority of my weight in my abdomen and as a result, my internal organs are packed in fat. I got a 2.8cc fill on June 12th in Mexico. No restriction noted. I got my 2nd fill July 10th in Texas and the doc said he could only pull back 0.5cc. He gave me a 2.5cc fill under fluro. When I asked my doc in Mexico what could have happened to my first fill I was told it had dissipated possibly due to air being in my band. The first 4 days after the second fill I had restriction and now I'm back to eating whatever I want and I'm trying to follow the "rules". I was so worried, I e-mailed my doc in Mexico asking if my band could possibly be leaking! I was reassured it most likely was not... but I don't understand this. My sister who was banded at the same time with a 10 cc band has almost too much restriction after her 1st fill. I mean, the girl can eat 4 tater tots and she's stuffed like she ate a Thanksgiving dinner! I'm discouaraged with my weight yo-yoing so much. I am so anxious to see these pounds drop! I'd lost down to 204lbs at one point after the liquid phase of the post-op diet, went up to 215lbs (which was my pre-surgery weight) ... down to 207lbs and now I'm back up to 211lbs. I don't know what else to do other than schedule another fill. What recommendations do you all have?

Thanks Frangipani I'm not expecting to get everything done in one shot. My TT alone is going to be MAJOR. My pani is ridiculous! I've been over 200lbs since highschool and well over 250 for almost 10 years. Plus I have fair skin and lots of stretch marks. If my inner thighs never get fixed I think I'll survive. I probably wouldn't ever be comfortable in a normal cut bathing suit bottom. I'm always going to be a skirt/shorts kinda gal. I’ve been wanting a breast reduction for years and now they are so deflated that a at least a lift, is HIGH on the priority list! My side boob fat is the big surprise to me and not something I see a lot of people talk about. I still need to do a lot of research but I'm praying that can be fixed. The skin under my arm pits is busting out of my bra. I just wonder how that's most commonly fixed.

Hi there. I was banded on Nov. 19, 2005 and I think it is o.k. to eat spicy foods as long as you do not get a lot of heartburn from it. My doctor said that chili is one of the best sources of protein. This week I had some refried beans and they were very spicy and well I threw up until they were all gone. I do not think that was due to them being spicy though. Good luck with your band and I hope you love it as much as I love mine.

A pre requisite to surgery is to lose 10% of your body weight. I understand this is good for a successful surgery and to show a commitment to your weightloss. The second reason may make sense but what can not be measures is the mental preparedness. I went to see my nutritionist today and i did not lose any wait form my first visit. It has been a stressful two weeks, i have lost my job and well life was a little draining. This will happen after surgery also .... I am aware of this. It sounds very pepeevish, but the Nutritionsit kind of aggravated me. maybe she just struck a chord idk but when she had said "We want our patients to wait 6months so we can track their commitment and see some type of weight loss progress, this is not just a quick fix." I may have taken it a little personal but i felt like saying to her ok I can lose the weight, don't worry about that, not a problem.. done it many times... I guess I feel they focus on that 10% but we all have lost that 10% that was not the problem, the problem was keeping it off. For safety and percaussion I can see the neccessity but to phrase it as a commitment just aggravates me. There is no real measure for mental growth where the real change happens. Sorry for the bitterness just needed to vent and wanted to see what other think of the 10% loss requirment.

I'm a mom too, and my surgery was supposed to be last Thursday, but last minute insurance problems derailed it and I had to cancel the surgery. Real bummer. I wish you the best though. Keep a positive frame of mind up to the very second the anesthesiologist tells you to count backwards from 10. (you will prolly get to 8,lol) I will be watching and supporting you every step of the way.:-)

Well mine was 20 from pre op diet to now... I guess it is not too bad.. I have had a hard time the couple weeks too.. and funny.. mine is a 3 pound gain and lose as well. I am going to really try hard to get another 10 off for the next visit... But I feel no restriction from this little fill.. Ugh.. thanks for the response.. I just feel kind of down about not loseing more..

Hello everyone, I am new here. I finished my Options Class on Oct. 5. got my referral number last week and I receive a call from PB in San Diego last week for my 3 consultation. I am schedule for Nov. 10. I was told they are currently scheduling surgery for the end of December early January.

I just found this: Bariatric Surgeon Profile - Horacio Guajardo, M.D. He's only done 85 sleeves. That's not very much sleeve experience. There is a surgeon in TJ and she isn't very experienced either and her patients can eat an entire chicken breast 3 weeks after surgery, I'm 10 months out and I can't eat that much and my stomach has already stretched out. Can you imagine how much she'll be able to eat when hers has stretched? Experience means everything in the world with this procedure. I have NO clue if this surgeon is great or horrible. I've never heard of him before I read you post. He's in a safe location, that part is good. He states on his OH profile that he trained Dr. Rumbaut. I'd call Rumbaut's office and verify that. Rumbaut has farrrr more experience than this guy... it kinda doesn't add up. Just research and verify everything.

How far out are you? I slept in a chair for the first 10 days because it was too painful getting in and out of bed. If you must sleep in bed, get someone to help you by grasping your arms (not hands) and pulling you up while you use your leg muscles to do the same. Using your stomach muscles will hurt like a mammer jammer! I still have pain from the incision in my left side but I'm able to get in and out of bed unassisted now. Good luck!

@@jersey0601 I had no idea what to expect, but apparently my expectations were too high. I guess I just read a lot about people having a big loss immediately after surgery. I didn't have that and then i stalled after only 10 days. I'm just about 4 weeks out and this week I am seeing some movement on the scale after almost 3 weeks. It's frustrating- mostly because it makes me feel like I'm doing something wrong. And also reminiscent of all the dieting I did pre-sleeve that never produced any results. I'll keep moving forward following my nutritionists plan and tracking all my food. Hopefully it will pass! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today is 10 weeks post-op! Everything's still going well. Hopped on the scale and -4 lbs this week. (-54 total) Started getting a little more creative since I have been cleared for most. Adding a new food item daily to see how my sleeve tolerates, and so far everything has been great. chicken breast is still tough, but if i use some BBQ sauce (1 tbsp) or the like, it goes down easier. Canned chicken breast seems to be better for me. The pictures are to help visually. (My first post kept saying "error" so I've edited the post) ??

I was banded 10/11/12 and have the same chest tightness, like I need to burp but can't. I also still have terrible shoulder pain, but my abdomen isn't bothering me at all. I'll feel great when my shoulder pain goes away....my husband offered to stomp my toe so I'd forget about my shoulder...lol...I declined.

Hi Lisa, I am going to Mexico to be sleeved on November 16th. Super excited!! I think most surgeons down there require that you stay for at least 3 days. So you would have surgery day, 3 days after that to heal, and then leave the day after that. I think they do some blood tests and an EKG the morning of your surgery, but otherwise you don't have to do all the tests they require in the U.S. The surgeons in Mexico have one all inclusive price which includes a ride from the airport in San Diego, your hotel stay, meds after surgery, etc. I don't think your BMI is too high. My BMI is 42.5 and my surgeon's office is having me do a 2 week pre-op diet to lose 5-10% of my weight. It consists of protein shakes and dark leafy greens. Not great, but I've already dropped some weight! Are you thinking of going to Mexico for your surgery? Research is key when going down there. There are a lot of surgeons in Tijuana and you definitely want to do your research to find a good one. ????