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Well, the surgery was on Friday and it's Sunday now. Still a bit sore but feeling better than I did yesterday. The liquid diet thing is getting old already. Although the protein whey shake wasn't too bad. I got this strawberry powder one you just mix with water or whatever. Wasn't too bad really. Something different. You get sick of just eating broth and jello. I can't wait until the end of the week when I can go on soft foods like eggs and maybe hot cereals like cream of wheat or farina. Took the bandages off today and my skin is really irritated around the incisions where they were. Walked for a while today around the neighborhood. I'm trying to get out there for at least 30 minutes every day. I'm just happy these two days are almost gone because hopefully the worst of the soreness is over. I know I'll still be somewhat sore for the next few weeks but this really hurt the past two days. I'm off the percocet and just taking a tylenol here and there now. Hard thing so far is eating slower even with jello. I feel hungry so I'm eating it way too fast and later on I feel like there's a lump just sitting there in the pit of my stomach. So I've really got to work on that especially since I'm going to regular food soon. The weird thing is gauging whether or not you're really hungry or you THINK you're hungry. The mind is still telling me "EAT! You're HUNGRY moron, why are you not going upstairs and grabbing a snack?" The commercial on TV for Chili's new burgers didn't help. I sat there like Pavlov's dog and salivated so much I needed a shamwow towel to clean up the mess. Good news by the way. I just came back to writing this after visiting the little boys room and I'm proud to report I had my first bowel movement after two days. I haven't felt such joy since I watched a "Facts of life" marathon on TV Land. I'm just wondering what advice Mrs. Garrett would have had for me about this, what with her down home folksy good humor and wisdom beyond her 68 years. Ok. That's about it for now. I'll write again soon.

As of Friday I am 1 month post op, and down 20 lbs. 45 lbs in total. So far things are ok. I'm on soft foods now. I had 1/2 cup tomato soup and use one slice of toasted wheat with it. I got stuck, but I'll grant it's my fault for not eating with enough time to commit. I've gotten back into my gym ritual. I got to the park more though. I've topped my time walking/jogging time. Back in February it took me 21 minutes to finish a mile. Now I'm at 16 minutes to a mile. Which is great. Hoping to get down to 14 minutes soon. My clothes, I started back in March easily fitting 3x and 22/24 shirts and pants. I'm now in 2x's and 18/20's with the acception of jeans which I haven't worn in a while because the stopped fitting. I just bought a pair of 22 jean shorts which is shocking because I skipped 24 altogether haha. Finally in total I've lost 25 1/2 inches. Starting: Right Calf:22in Left Calf 22in Right Thigh:30 Left Thigh 32in Right Arm:17 1/2 Left Arm: 18 Chest:55in Belly:53 Hips:57 Currently: RC:18 LC:19 RT:28 LT:29 RA:17 LA:17 Chest: 48 Belly:49 Hips:53 I think I've hit my little depressed stage I think it's mostly the fact that I like looking good , I never gave up on being pretty, girly what have you. But everytime I leave the house my clothes look horrible on me, loose as hell, and flowy without intention. I honestly feel fatter in my clothes now than I did 45 pounds ago. Thats all for now -Tiana

I would imagine your body will start loosing again soon, that is a lot to loose in 3 months. Maybe try to change up your exercise routine or add some different foods into your plan to shake things up Sent from my SM-G920T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi! I had band with plicaton in November 2012. Like others, I don't know the physical comparison from band alone versus plication, but to give you my experience... I started at 325lbs in November and my official weigh-in from Thursday was 265. So, 60lbs in 7 months. Right after surgery and after my initial recovery period, I could feel the plication restriction when my band was loose. I've had 3 fills now, and I'm feeling, what I think, is band restriction now. When I do my band fills, my doctor uses fluoro, which shows the position of the band. When I drink barium, you can see the band restriction, and then after passing the band, you can see the plication as is slips right through. My doctor says its does have the equivalent of bypass results at the end. With the band, my estimated loss from my doctor is approximately 75lbs. With the plication, he estimated 130lbs. Now, it doesn't come off as quick as the bypass, but the results are equivalent. We are placing my 130lb weightloss goal between 1-3 years. Hope that gives some perspective. Best wishes to you!

Danielle. First of all, you have to do this for you. I watched you-tube videos over and over just so I can see what was going to happen. I was great and excited up until the day of surgery. I knew exactly what I was going to have done, what I had to do in order to make this work. Just remember.....it is a tool, the surgeon is doing surgery on your tummy not your brain, and lastly, they are making you a new "BABY" tummy. You have to start off with formula (liquid), then move to mushy food (baby food), and then graduate to each level just as a baby does. The tissues in your stomach are still able to stretch and bring you right back where you were from the start. It is up to you to make this work, not anyone else. Yes, we are here to give advice when needed or just to get some ideas as to what you can or cannot eat. What I have realized is that each state and each surgeon is different. I have also noticed on this site, people are sometimes judgmental and harsh. (Just let those go and focus on the positive) Here in CT, our surgeons have us for the first 2 weeks only 100% liquids, week 3-6 mushy food, 7wk plus you learn to eat smaller portions and in all...it does work, and you don't feel hungry. As for the loose skin. I would rather be a healthier weight then worry about my extra skin. Who cares, I know I don't. I didn't do this to worry about my skin. I wanted to become more healthier for my grand-daughter and daughters. Oh by the way, I will be 50 in May and I love my decision. Right now the only exercise I can do, per my APRN is walk at a fast pace. I go back on the 20th of this month and hopefully she will tell me I can do more extensive exercise. I have a year to make myself down to the wieght I want. (150 pounds and ( am 5'7). I am proud that you have made this decision to become healthier. Being you are only 24 is great that you realized your problem now than later. As for the pain, hunger, or any other problems after surgery, to each their own. I had Thrush for 2 weeks, my stomach hurt only when I swallowed, but it was because of the Thrush not the surgery. So I cannot eat 3 oz of food yet, my body will tell me when I am ready. Take your time and ENJOY this ride............................((((HUGGS))) Annamarie from Connecticut.

Sure, if you dig down deep, you can loose weight. But can you keep it off? I know I couldn't. I'm less than 2 months post-op, so far, I can eat most foods (steak, shrimp, pasta). My portion sizes are so much smaller than what I ate before, yet I am full. I couldn't have done that without the band. I know I have to stay away from icecream and certain high calorie foods and drinks, but having a smaller pouch allows me to still enjoy them in small amounts.

I wore a binder for about a week after surgery- it really helped keep me from moving in ways that would cause the incisions to hurt. I don't know if shapewear will help your body go back to where you want it. I bought some because some of my skin has gotten saggy as I've lost weight. I pretty much only wear it if I'm putting on something form-fitting. Krista

Hey All- Seriously on the countdown now. My last pre-op appointment with the surgeon is on Monday 9/12 and surgery is scheduled for 9/28. I was wondering if anybody invested in that after-surgery shapewear? I know my sister has had 5 kids and swears by it after each childbirth. So, it led me to wonder if it would helpful for us sleevers and if anybody could testify about that. Also, my surgeon said that he provides all of his patients with a binder to wear after surgery, but it is optional whether or not we wear it, totally up to us. However, he says it helps protect the abdomen and incisions from being rubbed against or directly pressed upon. But, I was thinking that may the binder would also help prevent saggy skin similar to the function of the shapewear? Any thoughts about any of this? Ducker

Felicia, I am right there with you. I lost 9 lbs in the 3 days following my surgery on December 9th, and only 1 lb since then (im 12 days post-op). Im sure its just like pdxman says, its just our bodies needing to catch up on loosing weight quickly, and we will start to lose again. Keep your head up, and feel better! I've put my scale away so i cant weigh myself daily (like i have been), and am only going to weigh myself once a week, on Fridays.

I love all the great feedback here. You are doing fine.... Try not too worry so much, it will come off when you least expect it too. You are doing all the right things. Your good and the weight will begin to drop before you know it. I don't tie my self to the scale any more. Sometimes I was fearing that I was loosing weight too fast. But this is what I wanted and needed. My body is looking better everyday and I'm 11 Weeks post off. Love it more and more.

Well, I KNOW that I wrote an entry yesterday and hit the button that said to "Publish Now". But it disappeared, and it never showed up on my blog space, so being technologically ignorant, I don't know WHAT happened to it. Oh well, not going to worry over it. It's post op Day 8 for me, and I am loving being able to advance my diet! For those of you who have been reading about my journey (I'm not really sure anyone is reading this but me), I went to the doctor again yesterday for my persistant low grade fever of unknown origin. He decided that I had a mild urinary tract infection, and put me on antibiotics. And guess what? As of this morning, after only TWO antibiotic tablets, I have been fever free for almost 12 hours!!!! I am so happy, I am dancing in the aisles (figuratively anyway). I was beginning to get worried, and I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders! Happy Dance!!! Last night my husband got the idea to take Ella (6 year old grand daughter) to the neighboring town to see the Cars 2 movie. It was fun, she loved it, and in the darkened theater, I sucked on and dissolved three of her chocolate M&Ms until they disappeared! I am bad! But oh were they good! And today I got up, and I lost two pounds! I am down 31 pounds now. When I stumbled into the bathroom, I looked in the mirror and thought "there is that FAT girl in the mirror again!" I didn't look like I had ever lost an ounce. BUT after washing, brushing, flossing, etc, I stepped on the scale, and low and behold, down 31 whole pounds! My first thought was "I gotta adjust my weight loss ticker!" Even if it doesn't show yet, the scale rewards me with positive reinforcement, just by moving down a notch or two. Talk about a RUSH! I will be flying back to California a week from today to return to work. So one of my projects this week is boxing up my "too small clothes" and mailing them to myself in California. I mentioned a couple of days ago, here I have lost 30 pounds, and none of my clothes seem even a little bit loose on me yet. But I am confindent that EVENTUALLY some of my stuff is going to start to look big. Hopefull ALL of my stuff with start to look big on me, and I will NEED to move to my smaller size clothes. Also got to box up my scarpbooking stuff and mail it to myself, so I can work on some of my scrapbook projects on my time off. And today I am going to attack my house and clean. I may not get the whole house done, BUT I AM GOING TO MAKE A DENT IN THE MESS AROUND HERE!!! I am sick and tired of living in a mess, and am going to do something about it today. I did something about the mess my body was in 8 days ago, and today I start doing something about the mess my body is living in. To any and all of you VGSers, Have a Great Sunday! I'm heading down to the treadmill.

I had a fill a few months back that did the same thing. I did a day of mostly warm liquids, next day regular liquids then mushies, and then went back to solids but focused on banding basics. What has really helped me loose weight and not get stuck is taking pencil eraser sized bites. If I can stick to that, I don't get stuck no matter what I eat. Best of luck! It is hard to remember the basics when your band has been loose for awhile.

Mine was over the Xmas holiday so I was off a few weeks. I could’ve easily gone back after a week. My only problem would’ve been with clothes not being comfortable. I still had swelling in stomach area so I wore pajama bottoms or loose clothing for 2 weeks. Also I have a commute so I would’ve had to make stops to walk and stretch. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was banded on 6/30/08 and my doctor has me on 1500 per day. 1500 seemed high at first but I was loosing so they kept me at that level. I began to be difficult not to go over until they got my band tighten to a point where I had restriction.

Finally, people are really noticing my weight loss. It has been almost 2 months. I really expected the weight to just drop off of me, but That is not the case. I have been working really really hard; it is nice that people are starting to notice. I put on a shirt that was extremely small last fall. Not only did it fit today, it was also loose! I think another two or three weeks may require me to do some shopping! Yippee!!!

Yesterday- I hesitate to share much about my kids here, except the good stuff. So lest you think I have the “Leave it to Beaver” family, you can be assured I don’t. We all have our issues don’t we? With 3 kids between 13 and 21, let’s just say we’re majorly going through those “teenage funk” years. My middle one, DS, is 18 and has been in that distant teenage funk for awhile now. When he's not working or doing homework, he can usually be found in the basement- his cave of video games from which he rarely emerges (except under protests from Mom)...He's turning into one of those cave fish...pale skin and I swear his eyes are bulging from sitting in the dark playing video games. Some days I curse the person who invented them and wish they'd spend eternity in video game hell...yep, I'd tape that guys eyes open and make him watch that first video game for eternity...what was it? Oh yeah...PONG...even better (think about it)! This weekend he brought up a board game from the basement for us all to play and I about fell out of my shoes...DH and I looked at each other in disbelief…WHO IS THIS CHILD??!!…Can I keep him…no, really…I’m NOT giving him back! I'm calling it my Christmas miracle!

Unfortunately the skin on your upper arms doesn't shrink well, especially for women. Your option is to fill "the bags" with some muscle. There are many different machines in the gym that work out your triceps and biceps. Push-ups at home work too. There is always surgery as well, IMO a last resort.

With the lap band there could be issues with slippage. I have had several surgeries in the past, hysterectomy, c-section, laparascopies, and I have issues with adhesions. There are many people that need surgeries to get the lap band off and then end up getting the sleeve. I myself had a heart monitor and it was just under the skin and it always bugged me. With the lap band, you have a port right under the skin. I would hate to have to have fluid inserted or taken out, that sounds painful to me. I also have Lupus and my surgeon will not give me lap band with lupus. With Gastric Bypass, since I have had several issues in the past, including a bowel resection due to having adhesions that wrapped around my intestines and caused sepsis, I do not want any more of my intestines compromised. I have had diverticulitis and polyps in the past too. I heard about dumping and hair loss and nutrition issues with Gastric Bypass and that seems too difficult to me. The sleeve allows for normal digestion of the food and seems all around safer for me than any other surgery.

Well I DID regret it for a minute. I told my husband, at my worst, please take me home and leave me in a field to die. Ok that's a bit meladramatic right? I was really at my wits end (durn hospital wanted to put me in a nursing home for a half a second grrrr). But yes Artsy, I had a second surgery on 3/20 to restitch my pouch as a staple came loose due to my stomach skin not liking the staple in that place (essentially). (side note, where you been artsy???) I'm watching my progression back through the foods - I'm on a soft diet right now. Last week I did pureed and I was having some feelings that weren't good in my tummy whenever I would eat. Best description that I can give you is that it felt like my tummy was a wash rag being rung out whenever I would eat. The good news? I don't feel that way this week. Mind you, I've been eating a lot of cioppino Soup from whole foods (it's supposed to be fullll of Protein and lowfat as it's tomato based, also is very tasty/full of flavor) and alot of other soft foods still ... but I had chicken breast (about 3 oz) at lunch for my second time in the last few days and no issues. So whomever prayed and got it to God, thank you. My tummy's making some weird sounds and it worries me, but I've decided I'm just going to use my energy to remain positive instead of worrying. Sorry that was longer than intended btw, brittcherry, you are doing wonderfully! congrats, you loser!

Imt33167 .. I was on the Phentermine for almost 8 months; it's true about the jittery feelings, and the heart racing ... all in all it wasn't a pleasant experience. Yes, I did loose weight, about 100 lbs all total on the (while on the fast, and taking the drug combo Phen-fen); but when I got off the medication, as well as the fast, it all came back with a vengance; I gained back the 100 I had lost and additional 50. Just don't do it ... if you're thinking about the pre-weight loss for the Lap-Band, there must be a safer way to do; trust me, this isn't it! The "sick" feeling you get when you're taking the medication just isn't worth it.

Sunday I walked 3 miles!! My DH and I used to walk all the time but as I got bigger and bigger I could no longer do it. I had a hard time walking from the house to my car without loosing my breath or gasping for air. This time I was not even winded at all!

Good for you Zephorah, you are on the loosing track again. You took the biggest step of going back to the surgeon for help! Now, that your life is back in order, getting back to your winning ways will work for you, too! Best wishes, Karen

My friend has the same problem, only hers is stress induced. She uses a product called H2Ocean, it is canned sea water that has been purified. SHe swears by it. The only place we can get it here is tattoo shops and Hot Topic, it is sold for aftercare for body piercing, but works great for skin problems. Hope this helps. ~Mandy

I hit my 3rd week and the stall too it's been almost three weeks on exactly the same weight not loosing or gaining any pound, but they said sometimes is normal and is only the first one of many more to come! Good luck

Diva, that's not a weird question at all! I wish I'd have asked it. My tube just floated around like Major Tom, which was part of the reason my port incision never healed (because the port & tube were too near the surface of the skin.) Since my drama, which eventually led to erosion, I've heard surgeons say that they now put the port deeper into the tissue. Heck, maybe my surgeon was supposed to stitch my port down, but mine was just a floatie.