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Prior to getting banded 3 weeks ago, I had lost 176 pounds through diet and exercise. Well the local YMCA used my story 2 years running for fund raising. They gave me trainers and every tool I needed for success at no cost to me! My insurance changed and they pay for my gym membership now only it is to 24 hour fitness. However I feel quite a bit of loyalty to the Y, they helped me so much I would not have gotten where I did with out their kind loving support. Well they called me2 weeks ago and ask if I would be willing to meet with them, my story that was featured on their FB page had gotten quite a bit of notice. Well last week I had a meeting with them and they ask if I would we willing to be in a 6 minute video shoot for the Y. Of course I said I would after all it was the least I owed them. Well a year ago someone bought me a beautiful long black dress that had a slit up the front, heals and all the accessories to wear to a formal dinner for the Y. My first White House Black Market dress size 14! Well the same person has offered to buy me another outfit for the video shoot this year. So off to Chico's I went got cute size 14 jeans with fancy sparkly pockets and a fancy denim jacket! Three weeks ago I was in a size 16 jeans, so that's a good NSV too! Thankfully I had 2 50% off coupons so both items were half off! But I have to say life keeps getting better and better! I never thought I would wear jeans with fancy pockets, as I never wanted anyone to notice my backside or really any other part of my body for that matter! I'm including a picture of me in the black dress from last years gala ball.

Maybe that is why my doctor said no bending for the first month?? Who knows, but I sure have learned to use my toes to pick things off the floor! My port is just below a big scar from one of my gall bladder surgeries (long story) so it is not that noticeable to me. Have a great day!

Good job girl!

Just says to me there is always the exception to the rule the one who has a extreme problem and I am sorry it was you. But glad all has worked out for you. I too had gall bladder problems but many years ago, and mine was extremely complicated I ended up going through 2 years of in and out of the hospital and 3 surgeries not to mention months at Stanford University Hospital in CA. So you never know when you will be the one with the extreme problems. So I could go on and on about gall bladder problems, just glad they are in the rear view for sure. Best wishes to you to complete your weight loss journey!

Congratulations! You're doing a fantastic job! You probably feel like a new woman!

I have a bodybug got if for a great sale price at 24 hour fitness a few months back. It has a website that downloads all your information too. Also has blue tooth ability with an app for your I phone. It knows when you are sleeping and tells you when you haven't worked out enough, it can be a bit of a pain!! It's the same one they use on the Biggest Loser.

Have you checked out Oregon Weight Loss Surgery?? That is where my doctor is, she is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the US, and she is number 2 in the amount of surgeries of this type preformed each year. In fact Dr. Patterson trains many other surgeons in the procedure. They are located at Good Sam in Portland. I'd check with them before I'd go out of the country. As Mis73 said many surgeons in the states won't touch a band placed in Mexico, so you need to look at the long range cost. Feel free to message me if you want more info on them.

I'm 3 weeks post op and all the strips have not come off yet. Called the doctor and they said don't worry about them Glad your feelling better.

My surgeon said nothing to drink 15 minutes before and 30-45 minutes after. Hope this helps.

Funny thing was I went in expecting to come home the same day. Found out in pre op that my insurance required an overnight stay. Yes I was glad I did.. The surgeon said the insurance would not pay if I did not say over night. My part of the entire bill was 40.00! Thank you United Health Care!

The only thing I can think of is I walk about 2 hours each day. And if it is too hot outside I go to the mall and walk plus I do go to the gym and hit the treadmill. Also I eat lots of dark green veggies,they really help with weight loss and I really don't know why, but the do. A guy friend of mine eats anything he wants and stays slim as can be and he has heavy whip in his coffee but he eats lots of dark green veggies. Can't help but think part of it is genes!

Welcome to the club!

I love Dave's! On fact I know Dave his from the Portland area. Of you've never heard his story go to their website and read it totally inspiring! I first met him when they sold at farmers market in Beaverton Oregon. I don't eat bread but when I do on occasion it's always Dave's.

That's exactly what it is a hiatal hernia, my doctor fixed mine when she did my band, and I no longer have to take anything for AR. A double blessing of this surgery. I'm in the Portland area so we are near neighbors!

I only had to do one day of liquid protein shakes before my surgery and everything went just fantastic. No problems at all. None of the usual post surgery complaints other than I really want to start strength training again and I cannot until after my one month check up with the surgeon. I think any good surgeon would not do it if they thought there would be a problem. No worries!

Okay I was sure hoping to lose at least 15 pounds the first month. But yesterday got on the doctors scale and was happy to find I had lost 16 pounds in just 19 days since banding! Yeah! I know there are a lot of stories of good losses here, however I had lost 176 pounds prior to banding so I thought it might be slower for me. My surgeon told me I could expect to lose 30-40 pounds in the first couple months. But like I said I just did not expect such a good loss! Puts me just 8 pounds away from the 200 gone point! Maybe by my 1 month point who knows? Have a blessed day one and all!

Best wishes to you for your new journey and lifestyle. Congratulations!

Welcome and best wishes to you! My doctor had me make my protein shakes with milk, thus is was a bit more filling. I had lost 176 prior to my banding thus I did not have to do the 2 week pre-op diet just one day and 2 weeks post op. But let me tell you the best way to get the shakes down is to get them nice and cold!

My insurance and doctor goes by the BMI that you start with as long as you don't drop below 30 your okay with my insurance etc. With that being said I know all plans are different. You should be alright.

I had it prior due to a hiatal hernia, and it was repaired when I got my band and now no AR!! YEAH! One less medication, now I only take meds for my seizure disorder. My 176 pound loss prior my banding 86ed most everything, but now one more is gone for good! Have you talked to you doctor about it? Oh my doctor has me sleeping with my head elevated too right now the help prevent it. I go for my post op check up the 22nd so from there who knows??

I have protein shakes if I don't get enough protein. Protein fuels our muscles and it takes muscle to burn fat. As to 60g of protein that would only be if you weighed 200 pounds! You need .3 grams times your weight, thus if you weigh 250 you need 75g of protein. I have no problem getting my protein in so far.

My doctor only had me do one day of full liquids, as with my weight loss (176 pounds) prior to surgery they she it was not needed. All depends on the doctor and the person I guess. But the full liquid died I was given did offer soup.

Although my insurance was the same a bmi of 40+ or 35+ with weight related issues, I fell in the first one, having brought my bmi down from 66. However they went by what my starting bmi was when I first entered the program and it was 40.25 a year ago. I could not make up my mind at that time so I did not see the surgeon. I went to see her in June, my bmi was 37 had me worried because my weight loss of 176 pounds had taken care of all of my pre-morbid conditions. However she said it was based on my starting weight when I went through weight loss management clinic so I got my surgery date that day. You might ask if your insurance works the same as mine did. Just a thought.

I chose the band and my surgeon was in full agreement with me. I had been told she would not, but she took into account that I had already lost 176 pounds and had healthy eating and living styles at this point, I just needed something extra to help me reach my goal and maintain it. Had she advised other avenues such as the sleeve or bypass, I would have had to think long and hard. The fact that those 2 procedures work on malabsorption is scary to me. Also the fact that the band is reversible should problems arise was one other thing that factored in for me. I have a friend who had the sleeve done about 18 months ago, she is much younger than me and she has lost the weight but she has also lost her youthful look. Was this caused by he malabsortion part of this surgery one never knows. I have lost about 100 pounds more than her and I am 13 years older and I look younger than her? But than again it could just be genetics? One never knows. I'm sure you will make the right decision. Go to support groups for the different procedures and than you can talk with others who have had it done. I did, and it was very helpful. Blessings to you!

They did not let me have cream of wheat till this week in stage 2. But I did have a lot of tomato soup, tried cream of chicken and it caused heartburn both times, so I took that off my menu. My surgeons office had me make my shakes in 2% milk, I had not drank 2% in forever! Back to non fat now and looking forward to pureed salmon for dinner tonight. Slow and easy they told me, so that's what I'm doing. It is hard because my best friend is a man, and our relationship seemed to revolve around food, going to coffee out to eat etc. He is very slim, but I sure miss those times together right now.