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HI, I am glad you are doing well Today i woke up and made myself a Optifast shake with a scoop of Protein Powder and i think i drank it too fast because..... oh my gosh i started feeling queasy and then i felt like i had to go to the bathroom because of pains in my intestines and then waves of heat and clammy sensation and just a feeling of hell came over me for about 20mins. I then got a bowel movement (sorry) and i felt like everything went thru me and i was left weak and had to lay down for an hour. I think maybe this is dumping??? I am not 100% but it is the closest thing i have had to what you experienced. I so do not want to have to go through that many times at all. Nin

My port pain seems to be decreasing slowly. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of drinking too much too fast. Makes the port pain feel like a bug bite in comparison!

Yeah.. I'm wondering too what slower is.... I figure heck even if I lose 30 lbs a year, that is better than gaining... and the band isn't going away... but I HOPE once banded that I will drop weight FAST.. LOL (yeah right)

after post op diet - i cut my carbs almost completely out, just to shake the "craving". i was a lover of potatos/pizza/pasta & cutting them out in the beginning, helped me lose the taste of the chips/breads/noodles for the most part. right now i eat pretty much what tastes good (what i'm in the mood for), and on most days it's a healthy variety of protein/carbs/fruits & veggies. i'm not a sweet person - but i will indulge in my salt cravings every now & then. i watch my calories & exercise regularly. i was a bit disappointed in the beginning because i didn't lose as fast as i thought i would - but journaling my food & exercise helped keep me from getting distracted from the goal of a healthy life style. good luck to ya, oh, check out this thread - every stage bandster posts what they have eaten; can get some good ideas: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/share-ideas-what-did-you-eat-today-36828/index144.html

Hey Pookie - So you'll be getting your surgery about the same time as I will. Yes, they are slow but I can't beat the price. Also, they are very thorough and make sure that they find out everything that could be a detriment to you. Actually, doing their pre-op meal plan (diet) has let me loose weight and plan for what I am going to do during those first weeks of bandster hell. Hopefully I won't have all the problems other people have gaining weight because I'll just be doing what I am doing now. California, unfortunately, is not getting better as far as Kaiser's bariatric departments are concerned. They are so overwhelmed. From what I hear they are getting 250 new patients per week at just the hospital I'm going to. At that rate it would be extremely hard to adjust fast enough. So, we are slowing down. I think that in the near future they will have to open up some of the other northern California Kaisers to the program. Right now they only have 3 up here. I would be happy if they would just do fills in my area. Driving 6 hours round trip for a fill isn't going to be fun but right now that's what I have. At least going to the classes will keep you feeling like they aren't forgetting you. It's when you don't hear anything that's the worst. Even knowing that it might be as late as the end of February is better than not knowing at all. Good luck on your journey!

Same here. I am going to start my weight on the day of surgery. I also gained 10 or 11 lbs when I got home from the hospital. It is too early to say if we will be a fast or slow loser. I just want to be a loser...........

Hi Everyone! :wave: Misty is a name I've made up. I've been around the boards before, but feel the need to remain annonomous for now. I've been reading and researching various procedures for 2 years roughly. It's been a difficult decision for me to make, but I'm please to have finally made it. I'm 29, married, mother of 2 children. I'm 254 lbs. on a 5'4" frame. I have finally come to the decision that the lapband is the best option for me. I need to lose weight for health reasons but just can't bring myself to the methods of weight loss/maintaince I've used in the past (excessive exercise and starvation). The problem is... My husband is unemployed and we are currently uninsured. So until he becomes employed I'm stuck in limbo knowing what I finally want but unable to pursue it. Any suggestions? I'm really hoping I'm one of those that get things to happen fast once I'm actually able to start. A girl can dream can't she?

I just tell people that I'm an addict. food is my addiction and I came to the realization that I could not lose the weight AND keep it off without help to control the constant hunger that I experienced pre-band. The band is my tool, or "crutch" if you prefer and there is nothing really easy about it because it still requires a commitment to changing my lifestyle. I also tell them, if they push the issue, that when they are in the same arena I fight in then I'll listen to what they have to say. I also point out to them that if someone were to develope a surgery that helped drug addicts, alcoholics, and smokers overcome their addictions that was equivalent in cost, safety, effectiveness, and benefit as the lap band is as a treatment for obesity, politicians couldn't pass legislation fast enough to pay for it. Then I tell them my surgery didn't cost them a dime of their tax money and means there is now just that much more food available for them and/or the poor and starving people of the world. I normally don't rant like this may sound. If the person is just curious or really uniformed and seems to be genuinely trying to learn more, I'm usually pretty diplomatic about it, even enthusiastic bordering on evangelistic at times. On the other hand, if they have displayed a particularly obnoxious attitude in pursuing the topic, I have been known to throw in, "Kiss my ass if you don't like it!" at the end.

WOW that is fast. READ READ READ Best wishes for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery to you. Myra

Well I guess im going to be a slow losser Tuesday will make 1 week since being sleeved and i'ved lost 4 pounds. Yesterday I started my vitamins and protein shakes please give me a run down of what you eat from the time you wake up till the time you go to bed plus any actvities that you do, I'm a big girl I weigh 230 pounds on a 5ft1 inch frame I should be a fast loser right?

My Journey began May 14, 2013 at 216 pounds After waiting for a year to have insurance I was finally able to get my journey started. I did everything that I needed to do so I could have this surgery. My doctor is Ernest Cudjo, his staff and the other doctors with him are very good at what they do. One of the scheduling staff said that I went through all of the tests needed so fast that my surgery was set up for May 14. I started the pre-surgery diet with no problem and I lost 15 pounds before the surgery. Then the big day came and I was ready, the surgery was a success and I healed up quicker than I thought I would. I am feeling better about myself and I'm looking at food differently. It has not been easy but I am trying to stay on the straight and narrow. But lately I have been having a lot of issues and haven't been on the straight and narrow. I have gained three pounds and I am totally disgusted with myself and I don't know what to do. I have no will to stay away from sweets and carbs. I am an emotional-stress eater. I go in May for my 1 year post-op visit and I hope and pray I don't gain any more weight. ​I haven't been able to do my walking because I have fallen on the ice 5 times and the fifth time was a killer. My hip was dislocated and it still isn't right. It really hurts if I walk for any length of time. I really want to do some sort of exercising but it hurts. I feel that if I don't get my life in check I'm going to be a failure with this surgery. And it makes me wonder if I should have had the Bypass Surgery instead of The Sleeve. I was doing so good........I'm feeling hopeless

I was banded by Dr. Hung at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Lincoln, NE on 11/24/08. I was planning on an overnight stay, but because of swelling around the band had to stay two nights. To be honest pain has been minimal, and once I left the hospital I only used one dose of the pain medication. I have some stiffness in my abdomen, but I expected that. The biggest problem I have faced was getting liquids to go through. The swelling around the band caused the opening to be very small, and even small sips of Water felt as if they were backing up into my throat. As the swelling has decreased this problem is decreasing, but the first few days had me second guessing my decision. I'm not going to lie and say that this has been an easy process, but given that I have shed 25 lbs in roughly five days, I feel it was well worth it. I have had cravings many times, and if I see one more fast food commercial on TV I may scream, but I have survivied. I even managed to deal with spending my birth day in the hospital, and Thanksgiving on the sideline so to speak. I would urge anyone who is considering this procedure to prepare themselves mentaly for what is ahead. I spent alot of time thinking about the pain, and how I would cope, and I didn't factor in the mental side quite as much. I have been lucky that not doing so has not hampered my progress. Good luck and Happy Holidays to everyone.

The band has changed several things for me. Some things do taste different, things that do not appeal to me will not go down and meats have to be moist. I also have a strange new thing with sense of smell. Some seasons that I injest linger within my nasal cavaties...until mid-morning the next day. I still eat too fast and pay a severe penalty for that! But, it's all working the right way.

I have had good success with my band but lap band is not for every one and I have had several co-workers who have not done as well and one even had what they are calling band failure. She did not tolerate the band well and the restriction, she had her band removed after 2 years and had the gastric sleeve 2 months ago and has done very well. Typically you do not lose weight as fast with lap band and some seem to lose faster than others. The one thing you really need to focus on is, are you ready for WLS. The surgery itself which ever one you have only gives you a tool and the tool is only as good as it is used. It does make your stomach smaller, or as with lap band it gives you restriction, but what it does not fix is how we think and relate to food. That is the hardest part of the journey, developing healthy habits and truly making a life style change. If you are a bulk eater than you will do with WLS because it will limit how much you eat at meals, if you are a grazer and like to nibble on things off and on through out the day, you will struggle no matter what surgery you have. I strongly urge anyone thinking about WLS to have physiological screening and be totally honest with all your issues and continue with a few sessions for the first 6 months after surgery. Another key for success to support, family and friends can either support or sabotage you, make sure you have their total support. Your life does change after WLS and for me it has been a positive change. I am almost 2 years out with my LB and am 5 lbs from my goal weight. I have changed my life style, I eat healthy, I exercise, I weigh and measure everything I eat, I log my food everyday, I drink my water and get all my protein in. This has been a journey but for me well worth it. When you have your appointment with your MD, I suggest you discuss all your options, be honest about your commitment, how you eat and how much support you have. My husband went with me through every pre surgery visit and seminar. I wanted him to understand everything I was going to experience. For the most part he has been my rock but he also has went through some turmoil. He now has a tiny wife and I had been over weight and they past 10 years morbidly obese. WLS puts strain on relationships if you allow it because you both change and you must be honest with each other along the way. Good luck to you and I hope I haven't scared you off. But I want you to be prepared for all the emotions and obstacles you will have to over come in this journey. Good luck, Diane

I've waited 20 years for this, I don't know if I can wait another 2 weeks or not! In 1985, I was the first woman promoted to the position of Senior Vice President with my former Wall Street employer. For 10 years, I had worked an average of 60 hours per week and no less than 6 days per week for this promotion. I moved when the company asked me to, so I moved four times in less than 6 years. I dedicated my life to my career, and it paid off. At this time I was a size 14-16 and continually fighting with my weight. Each and every day I woke up with my constant companion, self-loathing. Why couldn't I stay on a diet. Why couldn't I shake those 20 pounds. Why did weight keep creeping on. I second guessed myself all of the time. At the same time, I was buried in work, eating at my desk, skipping meals if work called and foregoing any type of exercise. To my surprise in 1986, I met a nice young man after being essentially dateless for years. We married about 1 year after meeting. Fast forward to 1987. Now, I've gained weight. My boss at the time, "suggested" that I lose weight - my weight was negatively effecting my career. Not the 60 hours and 6 days a week, but my weight. I spent a small fortune and traveled to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and spent almost 3 weeks at the Hilton Head Health Institute. I was taught portion control, how to pick wise foods, and exercised just about every waking moment. I had no complaints about the HHHI and I would enjoy returning. Six months later, I had lost 50 lbs, but I was not thin - Now I was a size 16. Slowly my weight crept back. Then I got a new boss. For the first time in my adult career, I did not get along with my boss. That's never good for a subordinate - even at the Executive level. Try as I might, this man disparaged everything I did. Nothing was ever good enough. At year end, I was only 117% of my sales goal, and that was not good enough. He isolated me from others in the company, and soon, I was excluded from meetings and projects. In April, 1988 I was "demoted." Stripped of my responsibilities as a Senior VP and made an office manager. The demotion was very public and at the time of our annual corporate meeting. My boss stated that I lost my job because I was overweight. No other reason, just because I was over weight. I was replaced by a fat man. By 1995, my marriage was over (my husband blamed me for being fat for losing my job - not that he worked, but it was still my fault my more than six-figure income shrank) and I never emotionally recovered from the very public demotion and humiliation I suffered. I stopped working, took all the money out of my 401K account, sued my former employer for sex-discrimination (won) and went to law school. I graduated from law school in 1999 and then passed the Nevada Bar Exam. Law school was very sedentary. I used phen-fen to lose weight and now suffer with a heart valve problem. My weight fluxiated as I tried assorted dietary aids, but never I was never able to keep the weight off. After law school, I married a wonderful man who loves me, even pudgie, and who would do anything for me. My weight kept creeping up. Now, I am simply fat. Although I am an attorney, my husband and I are no means rich. Recently, we started our own practice and that drained any money we had. It’s expensive to buy the books, computers, copiers and other infrastructure needed to support a law firm. Advertising is our biggest monthly expense, after employee payroll. There are times w e don’t pay ourselves to guarantee that our employees are paid. We believe in our office and my skills as a litigator. Eventually, we’ll have a cash reserve, but things now are tight. We even sold our house and moved into a mobile home so that we could use our home’s equity to pay bills and to help finance our office. I thank God that I am married to a man who will be a partner in building a law firm and I am grateful for my husband because I could not do all of this work on our own. We’ll succeed, but now, money is tight. About a year ago, I noticed that my heart was racing. I visited a local cardiologist who wanted to preform over $3,000.00 in tests. With a $1,000.00 deductible in our insurance, I did not immediately have the money for the tests. I did by the end of the year. I have a leaking heart valve, cardiac arrhythmia and an enlarged heart. After all the tests, my cardiologist agreed that my heart problems were directly related to my weight. He stated that I would be an excellent candidate for a lap band, but he does not endorse gastric bypass surgery, believing that it is too invasive. I started on a search for a surgeon to perform lap band surgery, and at the time, I did not even know what a lap band was. I attended a local seminar in Las Vegas and learned the differences in weight loss surgery. I obtained surgeon references from my CCP and cardiologist. My insurance company, of course, refused to consider weight loss surgery unless I spent 2 years under the care of a physician trying to lose weight. I am 55 years old. I don’t have 2 more years of diet failure and self-loathing in me and I opted to self-pay for lap band surgery. After reading an article about surgery and medical care provided for Americans in India, Europe and Thailand, I started an internet search for weight loss surgery outside of the U.S.. Perhaps I could save a few dollars and have a competent surgeon help me outside of the U.S.. I searched the web, researched and researched. Law school was very good at teaching me research skills. I kept researching physicians and hospitals and came upon Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico. I never read a bad thing about him. My husband was skeptical about going to Tijuana for surgery. So was I. Tijuana? I continued to investigate Dr. Ortiz. I called physicians who provided testimonials on his web page. I researched those doctors to make sure they were legitimate physicians, not witch-doctors. I called Innamed, who makes the FDA approved U.S. lap band, and talked to them about Dr. Ortiz. I reviewed Dr. Ortiz’ CV. I traveled to Tijuana to meet Dr. Ortiz and upon meeting Dr. Ortiz, I knew my search for a surgeon, who could competently and economically help me with lap band surgery was over. I believe that I am blessed to have met Dr. Ortiz. Never in my life, have I been allowed an open invitation to question a physician about a surgical process. Dr. Ortiz offered me as much time as I needed to discuss my concerns, the surgery, his career and skills. I also learned that Dr. Ortiz proctored the prominent Las Vegas surgeon who performs lap band surgery and he proctored the surgical staff at my home town hospital in Newport Beach, CA.. I stopped searching and scheduled my surgery the very day I met Dr. Ortiz. Originally, I was going to wait until year end, 2006, to have my surgery. After my meeting with Dr. Ortiz, I scheduled Friday, October 13th, 2006, for surgery. I don’t have to be superstitious about the date. I believe I have the premier surgeon performing my lap band surgery. Now, Friday the 13th, cannot come fast enough for me. I worry that I will not pass the pre-op physical, or something else will go wrong and I won’t be able to have the surgery, so I haven’t told too many people about my surgery. I am going to burst with excitement and cannot wait to wake up after the surgery and know that I am turning the corner on my new life. I truly am very lucky. I have a husband who adores me, a successful business and a premier surgeon. I don’t need anything else. My goal: lose 150 lbs. Realistic? I don’t know. My cardiologist believes I will lose at least 100 lbs. I keep reading about people who are my size (24/26) and now they are size 12/14. Is that really possible? Or is this a dream that I’ll wake up from. I just don’t want to live the rest of my life fat. I don’t want to take the elevator at the court because I’m packing an additional 100 lbs and can’t use the stairs. When I argue with another attorney, I don’t want the adjective "fat" used to describe me. I want to walk into a store and buy "normal" size clothes. I don’t want to wear a bikini, I don’t want to be in Playboy. I just want a life freed of fat. I don’t want to be defined by fat.

Hi everyone! I just got the sleeve done 3 days ago, and I am struggling. I'm in so much pain, because of the gas stuck in my stomach area. I've talked to a few people about the recovery but they all say it wasn't too painful and a fast recovery. I'm feeling in the odds because of this. I'm almost starting to feel a little regretful. I just got really hungry today, but my body doesn't too well with liquids, so I'm drinking maybe 2-4oz of apple juice a day. I just got discharged from the hospital for the first day, so I feel more comfortable that I'm home now. Also, this might be a little bit of a TMI, but I woke up to having my period after surgery. The nurses joked with me saying, "boy, when it rains, it sure does pour, huh?"

The book and other sources say that working out on fast days is a good thing... before eating. Then have a low cal protein drink or snack after your workout. When your in fat burning mode (glycogen is all used up from fasting all night) you will use more fat during exercise as fuel.

Glad to hear. I don't know anyone personally. How fast did they loose?

My doc said when my incisions were closed (which happened at two weeks)--and not to let the shower water really soak them either--just a quick swipe with the antibacterial soap and a fast rinse. Sorry!

Petra, You and I are similar. I am about as far in to the process as you and have doubts now and then, but then I get on here and all my doubts go away. I'm 35 and my BMI is 38 and I have high triglycerides and high fasting blood sugar. So I'm not diabetic yet, but w/ my fasting sugars and the fact that my identical twin is already diabetic, I'll take the small chance of possible risks over the ill health effects I'm already having. Nicely put by SoCalDixieGal I am an RN and I'm getting surgery so don't feel bad like you're taking the easy way out! My primary care doc who is skinny is AWESOME and she said it nicely when she said I'm taking control...as are you. I think the rate of leakage complications is 1-2% so I'll take that over the 50% chance I have of getting diabetes. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant so that increases my risk. You will be able to have foods you had before but in much smaller amounts and not until probably 6 months to a year out (at least that's the idea I've gotten from these boards and my classes I've had so far:) Good luck to you, wish me luck that my insurance approves me! They say they want a BMI of 40 or 35-39 w/ co-morbidities which I have, but they seem to be more strict for the sleeve than the bypass which seems backwards doesn't it? Oh well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

That's great news that your nutritionist approves of this way of eating. I got the lap band after going to my daughter's wls support group with her. I found out about it and was thrilled to learn I could possibly lose weight. Life basically revolved around the band. I could only eat certain things, and I had better know where the bathroom was,if I went out to eat. I found out about the sleeve and got to goal quickly. I was pretty much at goal from all the vomiting with the band, so life with the sleeve was so normal, I just loved it. The first 3 years it was pretty easy to stay at goal. If I ate wrong, I could make up for it by getting right back on track and lose a couple pounds that I had gained. Then all of a sudden, I could not lose the few lbs after the holidays. I kept trying, but I kept gaining another lb here and there. Pretty soon, I had put back 15 lbs on. I kept trying to lose it the only way I knew how. Protein first, lots of Water, exercise, but it wasn't coming off. I heard about this new way of eating . I read it was a good way to stay in maintenance after losing from a regain, so I decided to give it a try. I really like it because I am not hungry, and the 12 hour fast has stopped my late night snacking. I hope I can lose a total of 15 lbs slowly but surely!

I have dieted my whole life, I lost 17 pounds when I was 10 years old! I was under 175 for years, I am 5'9". Around 20 years ago I suddenly gained 50 pounds, then slowly 30 more. I managed to stay under 257 (set point?) for years. Then I started to creep up, and nothing I did seemed to get the weight off. When I started to have other problems, blood pressure, and cholesterol... I knew I had to take things to the next level. WLS. My Bariatric Doc recommended the sleeve, and it looked SOOOO much better to me than RNY, I jumped on it. I was one of his first patients. I have been very happy with the sleeve, but never got to my modest goal (my doc never set a goal). I was about 5 pounds away from goal, when I hit a serious stall... then I gave up some accountability, and gained 22 pounds over around 4-5 months. I had long term company, a vacation to New Orleans, bone spurs that kept me from the gym and walking until I got through the whole sports medicine system... and a few other things that made it very challenging to stay on track, and in a blink... 22 pounds up. At the first of this year I got back on track, logging everything, getting a fitbit to keep track of exercise, and try a couple of eating plans to try to kick start the weight loss. I tried "eat more- lose weight" I started to gain (around 4-5 pounds) which is normal on that plan, but I chickened out because... well it was gaining weight! I then tried the Southbeach phase one... which is good, lost a couple of pounds, but lets face it, its a diet. I am a vegetarian, and that adds some extra carbs. I was still coming to VST, getting support from my buds here, but stepped that up. Some of us grouped together who had gotten to goal and gained, or others that had never made goal, and that conversation started here. Georgia introduced the 5:2 fast diet into the conversation, and some of us jumped on it around 6 weeks ago. We have had varying degrees of success, but it has had positive results besides weight loss for all of us. As of this writing, I am down 7 pounds at 5 1/2 weeks, (was at 8.8 pounds a couple of days ago) after some very slow loss (around 1-2 pounds a month). I am getting close to my lowest weight after surgery, and to goal. I had my surgery January 19, 2011, and am over 2 1/2 years out as of this post.

Congratulations on your first PB! Just kidding, although I'm glad it wasn't painful for you. I had my first today too. I was eating a banana and just forgot I had joined the band. Oh my, that is uncomfortable.... It felt like I had swallowed a tennis ball! I was over it pretty fast and it didn't taste so bad the second time.:lol:

Hi, It's a process. You prepare your body pre-surgery by drinking liquids which is very hard to do but not impossible. I did it..trust me! Anyway, after surgery you don't want to eat anything, I mean anything. Water is tough to drink. Ice-pops were my friend. 17 days out and I feel great-don't feel like there is a foreign anything in my body. I do feel a sensation of fullness when I eat and if I eat fast or don't chew well, things get "stuck" and it's very uncomfortable but overall it's really not bad at all but you have to follow doctor's orders to a "t". Good luck to you.

I was an evening smacker while I watched TV. Since I no longer snack (3 meals and one Protein shake per day), I spend less time watching TV in the evening. I tend to play on my computer more and read. During the day I actually spend more time eating. Before retraining, I was a fast eater, often gulping down Breakfast and lunch in 5 minutes or so and finishing dinner in about 10. Now I spend 30 minutes on lunch and dinner and about 15 on breakfast. Lynda