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Today is my 5th day after surgery I feel so so much better. I struggled so much my first 3 days as I'd I did not make t he right decision. No pain meds for me today at all . I went out the home for the first time and i walked with ease. I am having trouble getting my fluid intake in I am only up to drinking 20 oz. Of water and not much of anything else. Today I was able to eat a sugar free jello and 1sugar free popsicle. I am so looking forward to this experience. Sleevers this site has been a blessing to me. Thank u all for all the info and experiences shared by others!

I'm almost 6 mths out and I've lost 95 but about two months ago I started losing a lot slower, like maybe 5 lbs a month. I started taking Zija Moringa and am losing like 4-5 a week again, I'm no longer losing my hair which is why I started taking it, I no longer am on any of my meds, and I don't have to give myself b12 injections or take vitamins, they are in moringa. I think I needed more nutrician and once I got that it put my body back on track. I was really disappointed that I wouldn't reach that 100 lb mark by 6 mths b,ut I know I'll get there. Google moringa oleifera, it's amazing! I was spending $165 on all my vitamins, supplements, etc. and now I'm spending $90 plus I've saving over $300 on the prescriptions I no longer have to take for my other health problems. If you email ninetynutrients@gmail.com or facebook.com/ninetynutrients and mention that your a bariatric patient, you can get it at wholesale

I discussed the sleeve with my surgeon because I too did not want my innards rerouted. But last week I had my upper GI and the results showed a small hiatal hernia and "spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux". Now I'm concerned that RNY may be my only option and for some reason it scares me so much. I know I will need to discuss at my next appointment with the surgeon. Hearing other's success stories with RNY is helpful. Congrats to all on your success. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Day 6 PO surgery. I have had a dry throat tickle all this week which makes me have a uncontrolled cough especially during sleep hours. I asked my Dr., about coughing he said "don't " as it could cause leakage . How do you not cough? I'm trying to suppress it but it's very hard. It's not a heavy cough but I'm still afraid I'm causing damage. Does anyone have any ideas or experienced this? Also I found a spot of blood on my bed sheets and one on my tee shirt. I think it's from one of my incisions. Should I be concerned. It's Saturday and we are driving back home today. 2 1/2 hour drive. We live in the mountains so things are a little far way. I'm starting to spin my self out of control! Help! Thank God for this site as I don't think others understand.

Umm... about the third week mark a lot of us get pains from the internal stitches healing and pulling. It sounds like this may be what you are going through.. It hurts more with bending and twisting. Mine lasted a little over a week once it started hurting. If it gets worse though put a call into the doc!

How long does the stalls usually last. 10 days ago I started puree food and so far have not lost any since.

I had to spend an extra day in the hsp due to an increased heart rate. Now I am almost 12 weeks post op. So far so good. No issues at all! Good luck to you!

I was pre-diabetic and my A1C was 6.5 and the doctor was rolling around the idea of metformin for me and thought it might help me with weight loss. Since my surgery on April 3, my A1C is 5.5. So my pre-diabetes has reversed. As someone else mentioned, my dr stated most cases of diabetes reverse because there are several hormones that are released by the stomach that research think are responsible/play a role in the development of diabetes. The sleeve isn't a 100% guarantee your disease state will be reversed, but it should certainly drastically improved if it doesn't. As far as statistics go and what I have read, RnY and sleeve are about the same in regards to diabetes reversal or improvement. In my case, it was reversed. Good luck with whatever decision you make. I choose the sleeve because of lower risks of malabsorption issues and the possibility of diabetes reversal!

I had my surgery February 18th so that makes me a little over over 6 weeks post op. I have been doing great but I haven't lost a pound in over a week. What am I doing wrong?

I went in and they had to do the ultrasound over again, and they didn't find polyps they found gallstones, so I will be going very surgery within a couple weeks

I'm just 3 weeks out and not allowed to lift anything over 10 lbs. better to ask your surgeon.

Hi Mare, I have heard of a band being placed after a failed RNY; however, the sleeve wouldn't be an option. I wondered though, have you checked out a procedure called the ROSE procedure? I will copy and paste what I found below: ROSE Procedure, Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal, obesity surgery, gastric bypass, Albany, Macon, Columbus, Dotham Restorative "Incisionless" Obesity Surgery Even the most successful gastric bypass patients occasionally regain weight [/url]New surgical technology now allows surgeons to treat one of the potential sources of this weight regain. The ROSE procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) provides an incisionless surgical option to restore gastric bypass patients' anatomy to closely match original post-surgery sizes Dr. Bagnato performs the scar-free ROSE Procedure (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) entirely through the mouth without making any external incisions into the body. Eliminating incisions means less risk than traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, minimal post operative pain, fast recovery time and no scarring. Patients generally report minimal or no pain after the procedure and many of them return to work and normal activities the next day. Who is eligible? Patients who originally lost significant weight following gastric bypass but who now find themselves regaining weight may be ideal candidates for this procedure. After an initial screening, you will undergo a series of evaluations including nutritional and dietary counseling, a full medical exam, and endoscopy to determine if you are a good candidate. What does the ROSE procedure entail? The ROSE procedure is performed with the patient under anesthesia using a four-channel tube and special Incisionless Surgery tools. The bariatric surgeon advances the flexible tube and a small endoscope through the patient's mouth, into the stomach pouch. The surgeon will then insert the surgical tools through the channels of the tube. Tissue anchors are used to create multiple tissue folds around the stoma to reduce the diameter. The surgeon will then use the same technique to place anchors in the stomach pouch to reduce its volume. Are there other treatment options available? To perform the initial gastric bypass, the bariatric surgeon creates smaller stomach "pouch" and then bypasses the top portion of the small intestine. The procedure leaves a significant amount of scar tissue behind. This scar tissue makes traditional or "open" revision (performed through an abdominal incision) surgery far riskier than the original surgery. The most feared complication of gastric bypass - a leak, an incomplete tissue connection that allows the stomach contents to spill into the body - is four times more common in revision procedures than in the original bypass. Most surgeons don't perform open revisions today because of the risks. In recent years, many medical device companies have developed new tools that allow surgeons to operate through the mouth. We've chosen a set of tools known as the EndoSurgical Operating SystemTM (EOS) because the system's sutures and tissue anchors distribute holding force across tissue, leading us to believe that they will hold longer than other tissue fasteners. The EOS is also unique because it allows us to reduce the size of both the pouch and the stoma. How long will you need to stay in the hospital? Hospital stay is determined on a case-by-case basis. You may be discharged the same day if the procedure was done early in the morning or Dr. Bagnato may want you to stay overnight. Your surgeon will make the determination following your procedure. What are the benefits of an Incisionless procedure? By eliminating skin incisions, the new procedure may provide important advantages to patients, including reduced risk of infection and associated complications, less post-operative pain, faster recovery time and no abdominal scars. What type of side effects can I expect? It is anticipated that patients will feel little or no discomfort from the procedure. To date, the only noted side effects have been short-term sore throat, swelling of the tongue or lip discomfort from the insertion of the instruments into the mouth. These issues usually go away in one or two days. Is it safe? As with any surgery there is risk involved. This less invasive approach should reduce the likelihood of many of the complications associated with the other open or laparoscopic revision procedures. ROSE is a new procedure, however, and long term outcomes are unknown. What is the success rate? As with any weight loss procedure, results vary with each patient. The ROSE procedure has been well tolerated and most patients immediately lose weight as they eat less - with the return of the early feeling of "fullness" due to the restriction of the new, smaller pouch. The ROSE procedure is new and long-term data are not yet available. What is the recovery process? Typically, patients return to normal activity within a few days of their procedure. Dr. Bagnato will give you specific instructions. In addition, you will be required to follow a post-procedure diet and exercise plan, similar to the regimen prescribed following your initial bypass surgery. This generally means that patients will need to consume only liquids for a day or two after the surgery, and then slowly add soft, pureed foods for about two weeks before resuming a regular diet. To help you on your journey, follow-up appointments with Dr. Bagnato and regular visits with our bariatric support staff will be required. Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery LAP-BAND System REALIZE Band Advantages of LAP-BAND LAP BAND Adjustments StomaphyX procedure ROSE Procedure Weight Loss Procedure Videos Weight Loss Surgery| Meet Our Team| LAP-BAND System| REALIZE Band| StomaphyX proced

Thanks dreamydaria... appreciate it, and good luck to you next week and beyond!

I have just started to research lapband surgery. I am 61 years old, 5'7" and 280 lbs. I am so tired of living this way. So tired of having to tell my 3 year old granddaughter that "Grammy can't sit on the floor with you to play." ( because it would be so hard to get up). I am a type 2 diabetic ( well controlled on pills), take meds for high blood pressure, and both knees are in terrible shape - getting shots in them every couple of months. My question is, am I too old for this surgery? Most of the posts I have read on this forum are from younger people. Also, I inquired about coverage through my insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida) and they have said thy don't cover weight loss surgery. Have any of you encountered this and if so, what did you do? Thanks so much for any help.....or hope...... You can give me.

There is a simple answer to your question. . . H*LL YES!!! Just be prepared for "Bandster Hell" (when you're back on food but don't have restriction yet). It will be hard to stay on plan, but it's just a few weeks. . . and when you get to restriction, it will be smooth sailing from there on out. I'm not saying you won't have to do any work. . . plan your meals. . . eventually exercise, etc. But it is SO MUCH EASIER than staying on a diet for over a year. And, having your band remind you not to overeat every single day . . at every meal -- while at the same time, you get full quickly and don't feel deprived -- is a huge advantage. So, YES. Not to channel our President or anything, but yes you can. And, you will. Welcome to Bandland. Lots of great things in store for you this year! Best wishes, Catherine

Im a single mom also with a 7 year old girl. Anyway I was banded on the 17th and suppose to be on clear liquid for 1 week. I was starving so I called dr yesterday to see if I could add protein shakes and they said no. They told me they dont want your body to try to digest anything right now, they want it to heal. I'm the type unless you tell me why I dont listen, which I know is immature. So please listen so you dont have further problems. Good luck!

I'm nearing your step as I meet the surgeon on Monday to hopefully schedule for April 3 surgery...crossing my fingers. Seeing all the unabated support and encouragement in here, I think you have nothing to worry about. Good luck!

Thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. Saw the post-op bariatrics team last Wednesday. Kaiser defines a sucessful bariatrics patient as one who has lost 50% of the excess weight within one year following surgery. I have lost 81% in 7 months. This forum is a wonderful resource, with many people who are very successful with the sleeve in the long-run. I want to add my experiences to the pool of information. I plan on being one of the long-runs. To keep losing weight, I have to eat fewer than 50 grams of carb a day, and stay under 1200 calories. No, I usually don't get all my Water in. I also drink coffee, with 2% milk. This is the source of most of my carb. Eating too much is as bad as eating too little. Doing either one can make my weight loss stall. I can't snack anymore. The surgeon told me that, after 6 months, it's three meals a day, period. He's right. I still use baby bowls, a baby spoon, and 5-inch plates. I plan to use the small plates forever. I like my baby spoons, and the bowls are still portion-perfect. Too much Protein triggers insulin, and I gain weight. At my weight, 166.6, I only need 65 grams of protein a day, according to my NUT. If I don't eat enough fat, my weight stalls. Fruit = stall. I cannot lose without low-intensity exercise. 3 - 5 sessions a week, 30 minutes, on a treadmill that keeps me at a pulse rate of 107 (based on age) is the key. I also lift heavy weights twice a week. Throwing a 20-pound weight around does nothing for me. I use as much weight as I can lift for 5 slow reps. I am almost to the point of being able to do a real pull-up. I have loose skin. I am a shar-pei. But I am a proud, getting-healthy shar-pei. It doesn't bother my Best Half. Why should I care? I wore a bathing suit in Hawaii, and no one reported me to the Skin Police. Yes, I lost hair, starting at 3 months and it has slowed almost to normal. I ate my protein, took my Vitamins, and I still lost hair. It's based on hormonal changes, just like after childbirth. I still look like a girl. If you are scared to have a sleeve because of the potential hair loss, you aren't a good candidate for the surgery. You don't want to lose weight badly enough to be successful. I did not have a "food funeral" before my surgery, and I followed my surgeon's pre-op diet to the letter. I've spent years eating crap. Two weeks crap-less wasn't going to kill me. I don't miss any foodstuff. I don't cry over crap not eaten. I pull my vintage sized 14 Liz Claiborne clothes out of the closet and rejoice that I no longer wear a size 26, like I did back in 2000. If I really, really want it, I eat one small bite. Most sweets that I used to crave now taste terrible. One sweet potato fry satisfies as well as a bag of gingersnaps used to. Soda tastes like chemical-salts-bilge water. Yuk. I goof. I screw up. I eat too much. I still emotionally eat. That doesn't make me a bad person. There's always the next opportunity to make a much better choice. Veterans, please feel free to add on. I'd love to know what is down the sleeved road!

I started my journey on May 13, 2013 which was my first appointment with my surgeon and I was at my highest weight ever 244. Today as I did my weigh I was 195, and I am actually 1lb away from my 2nd milestone which is 50 lbs. I am sooooo excited, feeling good , and rocking my sleeve.

Hello, i need to know if im eating too fast and if that plays a role in feeling bubbly bloated all day. Im so sad rt now and cant stop crying. Ive been feeling like crap for the past 3 days. I just want my stomach to feel as good as it did 1 week post op. Idk if its the vitamins, dairl products, protien shakes, cream soups, or eati.g too fast but im just really sad and had multiple crying spells today. I just want to feel better. Its not pain just continuous uncomfortable bubbly bloating.

I am only a week out from my surgery today and I feel very hungry. I am still on a clear liquid diet. For the first 5 days I felt absolutely no hunger. But the past two days I'm very hungry. Is this normal?

Ok, next week is my surgery date and I have not mentioned anything to my co-workers that I will be out for two and a half weeks. I work at a lab and it's only three of us in the office, they will get some help, but what do I say when I come back. What did you say?

I wore mine the first three days all the time. Then around the fourth day I stopped wearing it in the daytime, but still to sleep in. I felt it "held" me better as I would roll in my sleep. I wore it about a week and a half that way. Definitely something you want to use..

I'm with you on that one Violet. I will celebrate by 1. having surgery 2. eating healthy 3. buying smaller clothes 4. being active in life rather than a spectator.

Started my two week preoperative diet yesterday. I had already gotten down to having only 6oz of diet coke per day so I figured I wouldn't have any issues. I have had a terrible headache today. Tylenol is not touching it. I am guessing its not having caffine. Any suggestions??