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Thank you! I am feeling pretty good right now. At first I struggled a bit I was so tired but I couldn’t sleep and it was frustrating because I felt restless but I am doing so much better now [emoji3]. Good luck with your surgery you will do just fine trust me I was nervous for no reason everything happens so fast.

Also ask around if any friends are or know a seamstress. I had three pair of pants tailored at the waste, so I could wear them a bit longer, and that was less expensive than new pants. Also agree with the posts to check out the thrift stores; and the clearance racks at the less expensive department stores - tops for $3-$4! I have been lucky to have some friends going through this ahead of me, and passing stuff to me. Now I am passing on my big stuff to others. I haven't dropped sizaes that fast, but when I do buy something, I try it on, and choose the more snug size knowing in a short while it will be loose.

So today is day 11 post op for me and until lunch te things were going fine! I get so nurvous about eating around people that don't know that I ate way too fast and ended up being sick. It was so painful and now my new stomach feels so sore. Then I got to car park to find my head teacher had parked so close to me that I had to shimmy over from the passenger side and I pulled the incisions and now everytime I move they hurt like crazy! I'm sure the stupid head teacher does this on purpose as she is a tiny size uk 4 and looks down her nose at me all the time!!!! Ahhhhhhh I hurt and I wanna cry! Bad bad bad day !!!!

Well 11 days to go and still nervous, but I also cant wait to get started on my road to recovering from basically being a food addict. I feel like shit after the disgusting foods I have consumed with the holidays and am glad that they are over. I have to think of this surgery as a one time "reset button" on the way I have been eating my whole life.. I just wish I could fast forward 4 months away and be well on my journey. I really hate getting surgeries and hospitals, they make me really nervous, Im usually OK with the recovery process, but the whole leading into the surgery gets me all crazy... Im also scared about changing something in my body so permanent...But I also know the alternative is to get fatter and fatter..

Hi Lap Band People, I am just trying to get into this site because I believe I will need some support and information on my journey. This seems to be a huge and active discussion group. I am also hoping to find a local support group in Milwaukee. I got my band on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from Dr. Thomas Chua, Wisconsin Bariatric Clinic, on Loomis, in Milwaukee. My insurance excluded coverage so I bit the bullet and paid for it myself. It certainly cut the paperwork and got me on the fast track. Now I'm healing. Still sipping vicodin, but starting to get free of it. I changed my dressings. I got a food processor and little 4 oz cups to freeze stuff in. I have a kitchen scale (for foods). A couple of weeks ago I was 313 lovable pounds. Now I am 297, sore, disoriented, but no less lovable, I hope. I was crabby this morning with a person who works for me, who is also obese. I told her I didn't appreciate her assumption that every new idea would be a bad thing. My goal is 200 pounds, but maybe it should be 175, as I am 6', 61 years old. I am divorced since a couple of years ago. I have 6 children, 3 of which are in their 20's. One is 9. I wanted to stick around awhile to see how they do. I have a good primary physician in Milwaukee. He has watched my weight increase despite stringent efforts to overcome the problem. He watches over my asthma, sleep apnea, pre-diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart risks, etc. He mentioned the lap band surgery. I resisted by trying one last-ditch effort with a psychiatrist, who gave me prozac for 6 months. At first it helped. I stopped drinking alcohol too. But eventually the appetite reduction effect subsided, and I quit prozac and psychiatric visits and started drinking again, which certainly doesn't help anything. I don't think of myself as an alcoholic, but there is no question that alcohol lowers my resistance to sensible eating. I eat too much. It's a vicious circle. But I hope I am done with all that. I am doing well with the lap band. I have no desire to start drinking again. I am looking forward to feeling well enough to exercise. So that's me. I introduced myself. I will appreciate any support and try to be supportive in turn.

Getting my first fill on Friday after nearly three years banded. It can't come soon enough. I seem to be able to make good choices one day and then the next, I'm not. I went back for a handful of pretzels three...no...four times last night. I couldn't stop myself. So for punishment, I got on the scale this morning and saw that I was above 125. I swore I'd never put the weight back on but it's now more than 12 pounds from my lowest. I'm learning such a good lesson over this struggle to keep the weight off. I will always have the disease of obesity. I may have it under control at times, but I'll never be free of it. If my band isn't working, I'm going to put the weight back on. Simple as that. I've seen plenty of people post about running into trouble at some point but stupidly felt that I would somehow be immune as my head is/was so in the game. It's hard to admit I'm not Superwoman and I struggle like everyone else when my tool is not working the way it should. If I ever find myself having to remove the band, I won't hesitate to revise the surgery to another procedure. I won't fool myself into thinking I'm doing this on my own because I'm not. I told my sister on Sunday that I am gaining weight back because I need a fill. She is obese and I'm hoping she comes to the realization that WLS might help her as well. She has maintained that my success is about what's in my head, and not around my stomach and that I lost all that weight because I was in the right frame of mind. I'm hoping this shows her that it's not my will power alone that helped me but a combination of making good choices, along with a tool to tamp down the hunger so I could make those good choices. So...today is a new day and again I make the pledge to make the right choices. Here's hoping I can stick to it.

Curious to know how long others are taking to eat. I am really struggling with this currently. I am almost two months out, which isn;t long at all but am having trouble. My NUT says each meal should take 30-45 minutes. I find when I am eating something like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, etc I am not taking nearly that long. Occasionally I will eat too fast and then feel it in my esophagus. Is anyone else out there struggling with this?

Ross I hope I can help with the heartburn . I still get heartburn if I eat too fast. I had to learn to eat slowly, not a snails pace but thoughtfully. Best wishes, edie

Congrats on your surgery! I had surgery 1/16/09 and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself! The full liquid stage is tough, but once you get through it, you can get through anything! :confused: As far as how it feels to get food stuck? Horrible... This always happens to me when I've waited too long to eat and eat too fast (naughty, naughty me!). In fact, I'm writing this as I'm experiencing it lol. Basically it feels like my food is stuck in my throat. My hubs was banded 2 weeks after me and he says his gets stuck in like his sternum, so clearly it's different for everyone. Keep up the good work!!

When I was following Atkins 2 years ago (yes lost weight but gained it back, sigh) anyway, for a snack I would microwave turkey pepperoni until it got crispy, talk about fast and it was yummy. Lower in fat and calories compaired to regular pepperoni.

I am down sixty pounds and countless inches from my stomach and midriff area...I never felt my band before because there was so much fat...as I get smaller is my band going to protrude more?:biggrin: Also I am finally exercising hour per day, and the fat is shrinking FAST! Is it possible to lose the wrinkling, puckering, dimpling, aka cellulite w/o surgery? YUCK!:biggrin:

I am in the exact same boat, sleeved 12/28 @ 382; am now at 345. It does not seem as fast as others, though I think I am following the diet to a 95% level. Thinking about joining a fitness center to try and get some much needed exercise (I work in an office all day and don't get much). Can you folks who are 'years out' from surgery give an average or your experience say for the 1st year? My monthly weight loss is in my signature.

I’m one week out from surgery and my husband and best friend are making menhavwbsecond thoughts. They have no idea they both agree. My husband says I’ve had enough surgeries during my lifetime from car accidents and complications post car accident. I’ve also have a history of sepsis (infection) every time I get opens up for surgery. He know what I went through with all that.ni think he’s just afraid of what could happen or me not pulling through this time ans my friend said likewise. I really and and nee this surgery but now I feel like I’m second guessing myself. My initial plan was to have the sleev but the doctor takes me into duodenal switch because it’s less likely for weight gain. I agreed but also has second thoughts about that particular lad surgery just because of all the additional nutrients you malabsorption va the other surgeries. In my head I was also think duodenal would allow me to lose weight faster than the sleeve. Then again i don’t want to loose too much I don’t want to be looking too skinny from excessive weight lost from duodenal (CW 232 GW 150-160). Although not reversible the sleeve is less invasive and not switching around parts. Then again I’ve had a gastric ballon (obera ballon) and maybe lost 10 pound at most so that was also my reasoning for wanting duodenal switch more aggressive than sleeve as to me the obera balloonMimics restriction just like sleeve but it’s temporary. As you can see I’m a week out from surgery and all over the place. HELP!!! Has anyone that is slightly obese or obese who has extremely hard time losing weight even with diet or excercise had success from the sleeve? How fast did you lose weight?

Hi, I'm really new to the banding, as well as forums. I was banded on October 22 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico. So far I have lost 18 pounds, and am thrilled by that, but am a little depressed by the inability to eat most anything without it getting "stuck" and painful. Probably am still eating too fast...years of training as a nurse on the job! Any hints about the eating? soon to be less Mindi!

How much are you eating and what are you eating? it could be that you ate to much or to fast or didn't chew. What phase are you on? When your ready to get busy you'll know. Just no head stands ROFL !!!!

I didn't have any infection but I gained my 4-5 pounds of Water weight back. I think that happens in any hard core diet like the liquid diet pre-op. The first 4-5 pounds comes off so fast because its water weight, it doesn't stay off forever, it will come back slowly, mine came back all at once when I got a nasty cold. Once I started on solid foods again I think the body will naturally reabsorb all that water we initially lost. So I say let your body keep the water weight, and loose the fat! Give it a week or two, I hear this is quite common a few weeks after surgery.

I agree with Amanda1982, contact your surgeon. That is a sign of being too tight and that is a lot for being so newly banded. It's possible that he just filled you too fast.

We have similar stats. I was 258 on surgery day and have a goal of 140. I am 195 right now almost a year out, so I am at about 50% of my goal. Not too fast, but I will take it. Good luck.

Got the call today to set up my date...Novemeber 10th! 2 hours later she called back to tell me I was approved! Amazingly fast! Next step is my final appointment with the surgeon for last minute questions and weigh in, followed by pre op tests. Then on the 6th I have a nutrition class for post op diet. Time to start that countdown!

I am scheduled for a revision in December. I am so encouraged by this. I have always been hungry. And I know my stomach empties fast. I pray that I lose the hungry feeling. Glad you're doing well.

:help:i needed to know if anyone knows the signs of a slippage. every time i eat i get that stuck feeling, even if its a small bit. but im able to drink liquids ok mabey once in awhile if i drink to fast ill throw it up . but i dont know whats gonig on asnd im to asshamed to go to the dr i feel like ive failed big time , and they will think i dont try but i do i really really do its not working please help me :think

Wow - I've been Banded for a month and just found this journal area. It's really nice because so many questions I have of others are right here. It's nice to see other people who have been though what you are going though. I'll start this jounal with how I got to this point... I was young in college and thin. I could eat anything I wanted it was great. Of course you don't realize it then. I taught aerobics to put myself though college and had a weight lifter boy friend. What a life. Had I know that would be part of my metibolic issue now I might not have tried so hard then. I busted my butt to stay fit and thin but didn't diet. Soon it got harder and harder. I had to workout more and there just wansnt that much time. I started dieting but it seemed to be a downhill slope. Getting worse each time and harder to lose. I finally tried Phen Fen... It worked - Lost it all - felt great Until they took it off the market. Gained it all back. Nothing worked.... My doctors didn't believe me they said I wasn't working out enough or I was eating too much. I kept journals they didn't want to look at. I finally went to my endo for my hypoglcymia and she said most people don't really have hypoglcymia that it's in their head... she sent me home but first wanted to do a blood test. My suger was in the 50's and they wouldn't let me drive until it reached 70... and she thought it was in my head. She send me to a dietian and she said cut your carbs... it was such BS! I've told a lot of people I was having this surgery and they said but you don't need it you're not that heavy. (Just diet) People don't realize I work my butt off just to stay at 220 and not go higher. Well I workout more then anyone I know, I eat less then many people I know. My mom has diabetes and heart disease. She had a massive heart attack at only 45 years old and had to have by-pass surgery. She's thin for the first time in her life and she didn't diet or change her eating at all. I swear it's hormones... why would my mom's body change so fast and now she eats way more then me. Anyway here I am - tired of fighting the fight and not going anywhere. I'll just cry if this doesn't work becuase I don't mind the work as long as I can at least see some results. It's the weeks after weeks that turn into months after months of staying on a strict diet, working out and not losing. My doctor finally said once - You're body is just "used" to your workout - you'll have to workout harder. (There just isnt that much time in a day)

So I made it thru the weekend. It's crazy that I can't find a trigger for feeling bad. The doctor's office is hard to get to a nurse. The voicemail message even says they are busy due to trying to process patients and schedule them by the end of the year. I started back on my GERD meds and today was fine. As I was leaving the office I was thinking about how I had to fast for the blood tests but they had me drink this sweet drink for the H Pylorie test and then 5-10 minutes later drew the blood. I'm guessing that in those 5-10 min that my blood wasn't affected. I guess if it comes back with a high blood glucose then that could be the drink.

If you are cursed then I am too :thumbdown: I am 7 months post op, I lost 22 lbs pre op and then only 8 pounds for 6 months post op! Now this past month (Jan) I have finally started to lose. I know the feeling of waiting for something to happen, I have 5.5 cc in a 10 cc band right now and it is so hard when I see other people losing fast than me. However, I do not get stuck (unless I try to eat bread of any sort) I am wondering if you need a slight un-fill? I am not a Doctor obviously so it is just my thought. Good luck to you, please know you are not alone and I wish you well, Barbie

The office is in an oppressive state today. It’s that time of the year, budgets are on the table and belts are being tightened. It’s a necessary step in the corporate culture, there is a certain amount of housekeeping that needs to be done. Going through the cupboards taking inventory of the stock on the shelves as we head into the winter months. They are known for being the lean months of the year, where resources tend to be scarce and harder to find. In our world of fast food and instant gratification, our resources are all but scarce we can travel out our door to the nearest corner store and find just about all we need to last us through a long winter. We no longer need to squirrel away or pack our pantry’s full of food. The mood is sullen here in the office as everyone fears they are going to be the Thanksgiving turkey and their heads might be next on the chopping block. It’s a worrisome thought for many to be sure, but it had me thinking of ways I too have been making similar changes in my personal life. Over the last few months I have been cleaning out my house. Early on I cleaned out the cupboards and got rid of all the junk that found its way into the dark cavernous corners of my closets. I lightened the load on the can goods that were over full of sodium and tend to only bloat us while providing little nutrition. I created a space with a set of clear plastic drawers where we could see what good foods were available and what foods we needed to replace after consuming. Recently I have begun taking an inventory of all my clothing, and finding that I need to tighten my belt literally! It’s that time of year to take stock in what you have, what you need and what you can donate or share with others who might be in need and what you can just let go of all together. For me I’m happy to say I am able to donate some clothes, coats and shoes, even as I need to purchase replacements I can do so sparingly as I continue to tighten my belt. With the help of a few new and old friends, and some loved ones I have been able to create a strategic network of people to surround myself with who are there to help me and provide the support that I need to be successful in reaching my goals. Together we are strong and with each of our individual strengths we are able to lift each other up as needed and sustain each other in the goals they have set. Today with all the instant fixes we have it’s easy to let things that no longer serve pile up and weigh us down and I realize there is no time like the present to clean out under your desk, under your bed, in your drawers, closets, cupboards and minds. Take the time to clear out the cobwebs, dust off the things that work but may have been forgotten and put them back in service or pass them forward. Discard the things that are broken or no longer fit into your life and over all lighten the load. As oppressive as the mood around me has been this morning I am feeling lighter quite literally, and as I look back over the last nearly 6 months I see the changes that my husband and I have made and continue to make in our lives. As the holiday’s approach I am thinking of all that I am grateful for, and all that I still want out of life. Putting it all into perspective, and looking forward to plotting our next steps. We are leaner then we were a year ago, we are lightening up and tightening our belts tying up our sneakers and ready to hit the ground running! As this holiday season approaches, what are you doing to lighten up? What are you grateful for? And what are your plans for the future?