Corrigan

There's nothing easy about it, I used costco chicken bullion with protein isolate in it, sugar free Jello and pudding with no calorie whipped cream, sugar free Popsicles, etc. My hunger eased up after a while, I think it just gave up. You need to keep up your Protein Shakes and for unusual weakness try a Vitamin B12 tab under your tongue (sublingual). Hang in there and in no time it'll all be worth it

I wonder if a weight loss forum is the best place to ask that question. Most people here have had some experience with Lap band surgery and you might find someone with similar pain, but you don't know the cause is the same. If it's bad enough to make you really anxious, you probably should see your surgeon. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Four pounds a week sounds pretty good to me, in fact it might be a little much, for an extended period. Don't beat yourself up for gaining before your fill, many people do. It looks like you're on the right track, so keep it up.

Things I was able to do before surgery are quite a bit more difficult for me now. I bought a new bike and can't ride half as far as I could a couple of months ago. I can only assume it's muscle loss. Have to build those dudes back up.

That's really a decision you'll have to make. I have the Lap band and am biased toward it. I hated the idea of having half my stomach cut out and no chance to undo it. You should read as much unbiased literature as you can find. On this forum, most people are very happy with the band and willl try to steer you that way, (me included) I've lost 50 lbs in a little over 2 months with no downside. I should be at my goal by spring. You have to find a surgeon you trust and a hospital with an excellent program (preferably a Center of Excellence). The band is the safest, most trouble free surgery you can get and the weight loss is about equal with any other after a year or two. See, I told you I was biased. Whatever you decide, make sure you know what you're getting into, and I hope you're happy with it.

Sheriah, This is not that difficult. You'll put your gown on, be wheeled into the OR and wake up in recovery. It really is that simple. I stayed overnight and was able to walk two miles with my wife the next day. I had no pain except a little site discomfort. Be sure to take your PJs and slippers, you don't want to be walking down the hall with your butt hanging out. Take a deep breath, think what you'll look like in a year and best of luck.

When You're finished with the test, please come back and let us know how it worked for you. There's been a lot of talk about it lately, but I haven't heard from anyone who's actually done it. I hope you do well with the test and it just may be the answer for some of the people here that have stalled. TIA

There's not much to add, you have all the information to make your band a success. Just remember, You'll get out of the band whatever you put into it. It's a bit of work but it's worth it. I hope you do well.

You probably won't be able to drive for a few days so be sure to have all your meds and vitamins, and you should have your diet stuff on hand. I didn't have any problems getting around, but not everyone is so lucky. I doubt you'll have any problems, but you should probably have someone to help, just in case. Good luck and heal fast.

I like your style. Anyone who thinks that much of his dogs can't be all bad. Seriously though, I didn't have any problem sleeping in any position (other than my stomach), but not everyone is so lucky. I credit much of my good fortune to going to a Center of Excellence, you should try one. I was told not to lift more than ten pounds for six weeks but I made an exception for my dogs, just lift carefully. You probably should take all the time you can from work. I cut down a big tree today, I'm almost six weeks out, and found myself a little weaker than I was, trying to lift 50-60 lb chunks of wood. I don't know if it's residual from the surgery or diet. All I'm trying to say is don't push it. You seem like a good guy, take your time, do a lot of research, find a surgeon with a good reputation, a hospital with a good program, follow your teams instructions, and I wish you sucess.

I hope not! At one time or another I've lost almost as much as I hope to lose with this band. I should lose what I want in another six or eight months and then what? I intend to go to eternity with my Lap band, it's what'll keep me from gaining all my weight back. My diabetes is as good as gone and sleep apnea is going. What more could a guy ask for? I really hope you can keep your band, you've worked so hard to be where you are, and it would be easy to gain some back. Best of luck and keep your fingers crossed.

Whatever you choose, you'll probably have it for the rest of your life. I know you're impatient to get on with it, but don't let yourself get browbeaten into something you don't want. If you have to wait a while, that's just the way it'll have to be. You said you want the band, so holler your head off to make them change things. Lap band surgery, being cheaper and safer than any other, it seems strange that it would take longer for approval. You'd think it would be faster. Four to six weeks will just give you more time to get ready for your surgery. I hope you get what you really want, and the best of luck to you.

Usually four to six weeks, sometimes longer if you don't have hunger problems and are still losing weight.

There's also a thing called "The cottage cheese test" to check the absolute capacity of your pouch. It sounds funny, but I guess it's been recognized scientifically. Look it up on Google, it uses displacement of Water with cottage cheese to determine the absolute size of your pouch, FWIW. And I'm willing to bet the U of PA doctors know more about WLS than any of us on this web site.

I'm in the same boat you are, anxious to get started, but not healed enough to do much. My surgeon said to wait six weeks before lifting more than 10 Lbs. I talked to the gym owner (who is a friend) and he recommended I wait. I'm a big, strong, active guy and really feel like I could do most anything, but I guess I'll just settle for my walks, for now.

Probably not, but the intubation device will give you a sore throat for a few days, anyway. Don't forget your PJs and slippers, and maybe some chapstick.

Leave it to Cindy to come up with the right answer!

This is going to sound funny, but there was a test developed by a Dr. Flanagan? called the "Cottage cheese test" that used cottage cheese and water to check the capacity of a Lap bander's pouch. You'll have to look it up on Google. it would give you an idea of whether your pouch had stretched. I don't think it's likely, but you never know. If you really want to get back on track, look up the 5 day pouch test. A lot of people who strayed, used it to restart their weight loss. I hope you get back where you want to be.

Kbme, There is a 5 day pouch test (look it up on Google) that some folks have used to get back on track, with some sucess. It doesn't cost anything and seems to work. Good luck and I hope you get where you want to go.

I was told, broth, Popsicles, sugar free jello and pudding, tea, protein powder drinks made with water (yuck) and sugar free, noncarbinated drinks were fine. I lost about 25 lbs. on that stuff. It wasn't very enjoyable but the doctor seemed happy with it. You're going to have to do lots of things you won't especially like, but in the long run it'll be worth it.

Hydrocodone is great for relieving pain, but you might try Tylenol now that the worst is over. It's the only OC pain reliever we're supposed to take. You might try Vitamin B12 sublingual (under the tongue) for unusual fatigue. It sure helped me. Don't try to do too much for a while, let your body heal. Best of luck, hang in there.

Hi Dan, it looks like you have a good surgeon and a good hospital so you'll probably have a easy time of it. Everyone undergoing this type of an operation is nervous to some degree You'll go into the prep room, be wheeled into the OR, everyone says hello and you wake up in the recovery room. It's just that easy. You'll have a bit of a sore throat from the intubation tube, but it goes away in a few days. Be sure to take PJs and slippers unless you want to walk down the hall with your butt showing. They'll have you up and walking a short while after you wake up. It prevents blood clots. I had no pain and went for a 2 mile walk the day after my release. Next year you'll be a hundred pounds lighter. Can't beat a deal like that. Good luck.

One of the members of this group announced, yesterday that she had lost 150 lbs. May others have lost 100 or more lbs. I've only been at this 5 weeks and have lost almost 50 lbs. I don't know anyone that underwent this surgery that wasn't at least a little nervous, but it isn't very difficult at all. I went into the prep room. laid on a bed, they wheeled me into the OR everyone said hello and I woke up in the recovery room, Just that easy. Relax, it's a snap. Good luck.

There's a whole section here on shakes. I like Costco's vanilla shake powder with peaches and mangos, but I'd think you could just experiment, put stuff you like in there, that's what we do.

You knew the band journey wasn't going to be easy, and this is just another obstacle. In the long run, you're responsible for everything that goes into your mouth. many of our spouses have a little insecurity, but we can't let that ruin our weight loss. My wife is an excellent cook and she brings some delicious things to eat, but it's up to me what I eat or don't eat. I don't mean to be harsh, but my telling you how sorry I feel for you isn't going to do the least bit of good. In the end, we're all in charge of our own bodies and what we end up weighing is up to us. Be strong, hold your head up and do what's best for you.